Week 3 Review

Source: Week 3 Announcements

My favorite weekly announcement was the one you see above. I find that people sometimes wait for people to give them the tools to be successful. I was raised to work hard and make my own success. 

Thanks for reading everyone!

Famous Last Words: Week 3

This week’s readings was very great. I find that by the end of my readings of the Ramayana I was able to fully understand what was going on. I especially found that I understood which character was which and I was able to connect the relationships between everyone. I did not find that I particularly enjoyed the ending of the Ramayana. I felt that the epic should have ended with Rama and Sita being together instead of Rama shunning her. The whole second half of the Ramayana was involved with Rama fighting off demons and animals to save Sita. I understand that the both went to heaven in the end, however I wish they got to be together right after he saved her. I did really enjoy the character Rama throughout the Ramayana though. 

Source: Ramayana 

I actually thought my ant take on the Ramayana was one of my better stories I have written. I liked being creative and making the people as ants, Ravana as a crazy eight eyed black widow, and Kumbhakarna as a praying mantis. I felt that I developed the characters, however, I may be able to write a story about Zane and Ira's relationship. 

My other courses have actually been a little busier than what I originally expected. My courses have assigned multiple homework assignments that have been difficult. Also, I am doing my first experiment in my drilling lab this week. That entails measuring the densities of the mud we mixed last week. I will have to write a lab report so that will be very time consuming.

I attending my first AADE meeting last week and that is very exciting. The discussed the different tools that are available in the bottom hole assembly. Also, I enrolled in a drilling simulator that allows you to get real life drilling experience. It is one of the best drilling simulators at any college, therefore I am very excited to see what this course entails.

Finally, I am super (no pun intended) excited for the Super Bowl this weekend. I am a huge sports fan and can’t wait to hang with friends and watch the game on Sunday.

Source: Super Bowl 50

Anyways, thanks for reading!

Learn By H.E.A.R.T: Next Chapter

Source: Learning Challenges 

I feel this is a great way to look at life. I think many people worry about what has happened in the past when they need to focus on the future. I can relate to this in many of the things in my life. For example, I wanted to play college basketball when I was in high school. However, at the last minute I decided to focus on academics. I sometimes regret not trying to play, however I am glad in my decision. I recommend looking to the future instead of yearning for what could have been. Happiness is vital in everyone's life, so be happy!

Thanks everyone for reading!

Growth Mindset: Dream Big and Dare to Fail

Source: Growth Mindset Challenges 

I think this meme is an excellent way to live life. I think the best way to succeed in life is to aim high and think anything is possible. I have high aspirations for my career and life in general, therefore I can relate to this meme. Also, here is another meme that resembles the same idea. I am sure some of you have heard it but it is below:

Source: First Cover

Thanks for reading everyone!

Week 3 Storytelling: An Ant's Tale

The ant mound was in a total state of shock. The queen, the mighty Queen Ira, had been kidnapped. The crazy eight-eyed black widow spider, Rivana, had tricked her into coming out of her chamber. All the guards were told to go leave that night, the first time ever. The mound council called an immediate emergency meeting to plan the rescue. They knew the task would not be easy since the spider’s web was across the backyard. Many tribulations and obstacles would need to be passed to rescue the beautiful Queen Ira. The task could only be executed by one ant, and one ant only. It was the strong red fire ant Zane. They beckoned Zane. The rescue was on.

Rivana

Source: SpiderWorlds

Zane took his brother and other ants with him. This was more personal to him than anyone realized. Zane and Queen Ira had grown up in the same mound and had a past of friendship and passion. He was an ant on a mission. With weapons sharpened, the group started their trek to Rivana’s web knowing very well that he knew that they would be coming.

After marching halfway across the yard, Zane felt a chill run down all of his legs. He knew they were being watched by something, but he did not know by who. As he led the formation, he heard a large rumble behind him along with screams from his troop. The last ant in line was squirming around in the hands of the enormous praying mantis. The ants moved into attacking formation before launching wooden spears into the giant praying mantis. Spears broke as they hit the rough hide of the enemy. All seemed lost until Zane took out his secret weapon, a holy staple given to him from the mighty beetle Shimma. He slid under the legs of Khamton, jumped on its back, and cut off the mighty praying mantis’s head. Zane stood amidst his fallen enemy. Rivana, revengeful, jumped on his speedy dragonfly and flew into the battle with thousands of spiders at his hand.

Zane versus the mighty Khamton

Source: Metro

As Zane and the ants fought off all the spiders with his mighty staple, Rivana decided to counter the troop of ants. Zane sensed this with his antennas and turned around just as Rivana attacked. Rivana launched web, sticking Zane to the ground. His brother 

quickly cut the web, freeing Zane. Rivana nosed dived his dragonfly towards Zane trying to use the speed to defeat Zane. Zane, at the last second, jumped to the side and launched his staple into the side of Rivana. Rivana fell to the ground, dead.

With the eight eyed spider now dead, the Queen was now free. Zane freed the royal captive, looking deeply into the eyes of the beautiful queen. Zane spoke sweet words to his old love, “My queen, my love. You have been dearly missed. You are the light in my eye. Forever and ever I will serve you with love and affection”. Taken back, Queen Ira walked away from Zane with guards surrounding her. She knew of her responsibilities to the mound and that she could never marry the rugged Zane. Zane was heartbroken, but he understood her decision

As the years past, Queen Ira thought of Zane, and Zane though of Queen Ira. And as both took their last breaths, they slowly slipped into a dream of a wonderful land. They both were in heaven, together. At last, the two ants could spend eternity together. 

Author Notes: I received inspiration for this tale from the Ramayana. It followed the parts B, C, and D. I utilized the story of Rama and Sita being in love. While the ten headed Ravana is portrayed by Rivana, the eight eyed spider. These two are very similar throughout the story. I, however, did not include the part where Lakshman hurts his sister. He kidnaps the beloved Sita from Rama, and Rama attacks the rakshasa to rescue her. This is exactly what I wanted to accomplish in my story with the ants and spider. Also, the praying mantis Khamton, resembled the giant Khumhakarna and his mighty battle with Rama (Zane). Khumhakarna was important in the original Ramayana because it was a great battle that showed Rama's strength. I thought about potentially making Zane and the Queen get together immediately unlike the original Ramayana. This would have made a better dynamic but I wanted to stay true to that part of the story. Overall, the story from when Sita was kidnapped on was very interesting to me and that is where I got my overall inspiration. Thanks for reading.

Bibliography: Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India, condensed into English verse by Romesh Dutt (1899). 

Week 3 Reading Diary: Part D

I just finished the Ramayana and I was a little disappointed in the ending of Rama and Sita’s relationship. Sita was banished from the kingdom due to the possible infidelities while she was kidnapped by Ravana. I feel that he should not have because the god Agni was able to verify that she has not been stained by Ravana. However, at the final end they were both able to go to heaven together and live together again. I really enjoyed how they both finally were able to end the epic in the best place they possibly could. Also, I have not written much about Lakshama, but I am glad he was able to follow Rama and Sita into heaven.

Secondly, I really enjoyed the fighting scenes between Rama, the armies, the rakshasas, and Ravana. I especially found the battle against the giant Kumbhakarna to be interesting. The battle really displayed the strength and power of Rama because he was able to defeat this mighty enemy. The bow is a great weapon of Rama and I was glad to see that he used this in the battle to save Sita. During the battle, the Gods and Goddesses watch on as their avatars are battling. I am curious why Vishnu did not create an avatar that immediately killed Ravana instead of waiting for Rama to grow up and go through all of his tribulations. My favorite part of the battle though was seeing how Ravana implemented illusions of Sita to distract Rama. You can tell that Ravana was getting nervous as Rama defeated many of rakshasas. However, Rama was lucky to have Ravana’s brother Vibhishana to tell him it was all an illusion. If it were not for Vibhishana, Rama could have mentally been out of the battle and lost Sita for real.

Source: Rama Defeating Ravana

Overall, I really enjoyed the Ramayana and the stories it told. I am looking forward to the next epic we read in this class!

Source: Kumbhakarna

Source: Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India 

Author: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder

Week 3 Reading Diary: Part C

The story of the Ramayana continues to become more interesting as the sections go on. I really like the introduction of the monkey King, Sugriva, along with Hanuman. I do find that Rama hiding in order to kill the brother of the great monkey King Sugriva is not a typical Rama action. It find that it can be attributed to Rama’s compassion and the potential for Vali to ask for mercy/protection, as mentioned in Rama’s Confession. Rama knew he needed to defeat Vali in order to have Sugriva’s help in finding his beloved Sita. Rama’s love for Sita is insurmountable, therefore he would do anything to get her back. I do wish though that Rama would have fought Vali with honor because I feel that he would have easily won and defeated Vali. Rama, in Part A fought off thousands of demons without any problem. Although he did not do what I felt he should have, he is still my favorite hero. I do find that having animals having the characteristics of people is something I would love to implement in my storybook. I found the bears to be intriguing and I will make sure to put one in.

I also enjoyed reading more about Ravana and his interactions with Sita. Sita is continuously fighting off Ravana’s advancements even when he is threatening to put her to death. This displays her love and compassion or Rama, and only him. She even refused to touch Hanuman’s body because she did not want to touch any man but Rama. I would enjoy being able to write about two characters that love each other that much. I feel that it adds a nice dynamic to any story, therefore, my storybook (if I choose that option), will have a love story.

Finally, I have not talked about it much, but I feel Karma will come into play more in the final readings. I cannot wait to continue my readings of the Ramayana. 

Source: Sugriva and Rama

Author: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder

Tech Tip: Following on Twitter

Hey everyone! I have logged onto my Twitter account to follow certain pages I find interesting. This week I followed none other than our Professor Gibbs! She is constantly tweeting important things about our course. I recommend following!

To follow, you need to:

1. Set up an account on Twitter.com
2. Either stay on your laptop or download the Twitter app on a smartphone. 
3. Click the search button on the top right of your homepage. 
4. Type in the name of who you want to follow. For Professor Gibbs,  type in "@OnlineCrsLady"
5. On her page, click the person on the top right of her page. Now you are following her and will see all the important tweets!

Thanks for reading!

-Trevor-