Learning Challenges Week 2: Reading/Happiness

Source: Learning Challenges 

I really enjoy this meme about reading and happiness. The best part about reading is the ability to escape all of life's worries. I enjoy reading non-fiction, however, sometimes a fiction book that is very creative is the best way to become happy. I enjoy reading for fun and recommend to everyone to make reading a hobby!

Week 2 Announcement Review

Below is one of my favorite announcements from this past week. I felt that the words of wisdom are very funny and interesting. Also, this makes me curious about the other course Myth-Folklore. I feel that I would also really enjoy reading those epics and writing those stories!

Thanks for reading!

Famous Last Words: Week 2

This week went very smoothly and I enjoyed the assignments from Week 2. I felt I did a good job staying ahead of the assignments and reading the Ramayana. I hope to continue with this process as the weeks come along! At first, the Ramayana was difficult to follow due to the many characters involved. However, continuing to read allowed me to feel comfortable and understand fully every character and their motives. I am extremely interested in reading about what Rama and Lakshama do in order to rescue Sita. I feel that I am very interested in the god Shiva and Rama for my potential storybooks. I would love to implement these characters with either karma or a love story intertwined. I felt my best piece of writing was my story this week about King Dakin and his son Khal. I felt I did have more things to write about the story and that I ended it sort of abruptly. I hope I can incorporate the story again in future writings to complete my story. Next time I will try and make more of an outline in order to not run out of words in my stories. The stories I read for my project feedback are all very good though and I enjoy getting to read other creative stories!

My other classes are slowly picking up also. In my drilling lab we were able to create our own drilling muds which was very interesting. I cannot wait to see what this lab will have in store in the upcoming weeks. I noticed that other petroleum engineers were in this course therefore they reached out to me in my classes. We now discuss both Indian Epics and our PE courses. I am glad I got to meet them.

Source: Cat Memes

Overall this course has been very interesting and I am looking forward to developing my project and reading another epic. Thanks for reading everyone!

Growth Mindset Challenge

I just read an article that goes into Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset project. The article discussed on how to teach children into becoming better at topics that may not be good at now. The key in every teaching aspect is saying that brains are malleable and able to learn any topic. For example, they go into detail about saying that kids that are not good at math need to be taught that they simply are not good at math YET. This allows for self-confidence to be built up in the children. Furthermore, the need to teach children that effort is best must come at early ages. Children as young as 1-3 years old have developed better skills due to this growth mindset. This is a great way to change how we all learn.

Thanks for reading!

Online Source

Project Brainstorm: Potential Storybook Topics

In the following post, I will write about potential topics for my Storybook Project:

Heroes and Heroines

Every time I read the Ramyana I enjoy the stories told about Rama. He is my favorite character due to his deep personality and his strength in battle. He excels in every battle, fighting off many demons at a time with no help. He has mainly caught my attention though because of his obedience and empathy towards the fellow characters. My favorite scene thus far is when he obeys his father in being exiled to the forest for fourteen years. I feel I can really use this in my own stories because I want to write about a well-rounded hero/heroine that can perform in battle, while being a great leader by showing trust, obedience, and empathy for people.

The research I have done thus far is on many Wikipedia pages regarding Rama and his battles, especially against the rakshasa Khara. I also read about the scene where the demon Maricha forms into a golden deer and tricks Rama. I further looked into Sita and Lakshmana because of their constant involvement with Rama. I hope to continue reading about these three and their adventures with saving Sita.

Past Storybook

Gods and Goddesses

I find the Gods and Goddesses to be very intriguing because of their power and ability to create avatars. Thus far my favorite God is either Shiva or Vishnu. Vishnu has been very involved with the Ramayana because of his avatar Rama. Rama is sent by Vishnu to defeat the monarch of rakshasas, Ravana. I find it very interesting that they are able to become more than one person and go onto earth as a human to accomplish tasks they want done. They are very unique beings that can be useful in creating many stories that can be creative and different. The Gods and Goddesses, especially Shiva, constantly battle the demons to protect everyone. I will definitely use a God or Goddess and their avatars in my future Storybook.

The research I have done are mainly on Shiva. He is a vital God in the Hindu religion that takes on many forms. For example, he puts on the roles of Destroyer and Benefactor, Ascetic and Householder, and Nataraja. Nataraja is his involvement with dance and music. These are all found on Wikipedia and I really enjoyed reading more about this God. My research of Vishnu is mainly on the Ramayana and his avatar Rama to try and destroy Ravana. I have also looked at past storybooks about different Goddesses.

Source: Reikiserpent

The God Shiva

Past Storybooks

Rakshasas and Asuras (Demons)

I have really enjoyed reading about the stories involving the demons. I find it interesting that the demons can transform into other creatures to trick the heroes/heroines. My two favorite demons this far are Ravana and Maricha. These two are interesting because they team up to trick Rama in order to kidnap his wife Sita. Furthermore, their unique appearances allows me to imagine the many different possibilities for these demons. Ravana is imagined to have many heads and arms. This will make my stories easier because these demons can be anything that I want them to be, allowing me to be very creative in my own stories. Also, going into the readings I thought that demons only represented evil and were not capable of being good. However, in the Ramyana, Virdha is a celestial musician trapped inside a demon. This could come in handy when I am writing my stories to create an interesting plot twist.

Source: Reddit

Ravana and his ten heads

My research thus far has been on Wikipedia, the Ramyana, and past storybooks. I have focused on Ravana mainly because I feel that he is the root of all evil (a.k.a. all the demons). Ravana is very intertwined in Ramas, who is my favorite hero. Therefore, I will continue reading about Ravana and the demons he employs to kill Rama (Maricha).

Past Storybook

Love Stories and Epic Couples

In the Ramayana, I have enjoyed reading about the relationships between the two main couples; Dasaratha and Kaikeyi, and Rama and Sita. I liked these love stories because they were the cause of many of the crucial decisions in the Ramayana. For example, I found the dynamic between Dasaratha and Kaikeyi to be extremely interesting. Without her decision to force Dasaratha into exiling Rama, many of these epic tales would not have happened. Furthermore, Rama and Sita’s relationship allow the depiction of Rama’s true heroism to be displayed as he hunts for the kidnapped Sita. I feel that love stories and epic couples will allow me to create the motivation for my hero/heroine. This will be an aid in many of my main plot points in order to create the feelings and emotions of the heor/heroine.

My research thus far have strictly been on Wikipedia and past storybooks for the love stories and epic couples. I have done a lot of research on Rama so far, therefore I know more about Sita and his relationship more than most. They have been quoted plenty of times for saying that they cannot live without each other. You can see this in Sita’s decision to be exiled with Rama as sacrifice. I am interested in furthering my research into many more of the epic couples in the Ramayana. 

Past Storybook

Source: DollsofIndia

Rama and Sita in the forest after exile

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-Trevor-

Storytelling Week 2: The Tale of Two Princes

King Dakin slammed the tankard on the table in celebration.  He was the most powerful king in all the kingdoms and he had just heard news of his first boy being born. As King Dakin finished the warm red wine the rest of his council around him sang the kingdoms hymn with celebration for the future king. Once finished, Dakin walked up the stone staircase to his chamber to meet his exhausted wife, Kiya, holding a sweet little boy. With a quick swift of the king’s massive hands, the little prince was in the arms of his father. King Dakin looked down in awe at his new boy, and muttered, “Welcome to the world Khal”.

Source: Castle 

As the years past Khal grew into his large frame and became one of the strongest men in the kingdom, even rivaling his father. He quickly became an expert with the long blade sword, and even better with an eight food spear he could throw clear across the pasture.  All the boys in the kingdom envied his strength and swordsmanship. By the time he was eighteen, he had seven siblings, six sisters and one brother who was a thousand moons younger. His brother’s name was Kaydo. Now the brothers got along most of the time, however, Kaydo was consumed with the greed and envy of becoming the king instead of his brother. Furthermore, Queen Kiya favored the younger son due to his weaknesses compared to Khal. The Queen and Kaydo conspired a plan to kill the king and pin it on the eldest prince. They wrote the plans on a scroll in order to ensure their success. They would implement the plot against the king on his first hunt of the winter months.

Finally, on a cold winter night, the King went on a hunting trip with the two boys for sport. The men crept along the frozen stream, swords and spears in hand. Just about when they gave up, they heard a rumbling noise in the distance. Out of nowhere jumped a huge boar with tusks longer than the spear Khal possessed. As the boar attacked the king, Khal launched his spear with blistering speed into the side of the boar’s head. The boar let out a deafening cry as it took its last breath. The king, breathing heavily, grinned at Khal looking at their hunting feat. Just as Khal and King Dakin embraced in victory, Kaydo slid his sword into the back of the King, mortally wounding him. Khal yelled out in horror, seeing his father fall down and breathe his last breath. Kaydo then turned his attention towards Khal and tried to give him the same fate as the King. In disbelief, Khal picked up his spear out of the boar and in utter anger threw his spear into Kaydo. Kaydo was slowly dying as Khal peered down at him. Kaydo slowly realized the terrible mistake he has done by trying to take over the kingdom. As he laid their dying, he spoke to Khal.

“Khal, these actions I have done engulf the worst decision I have ever made. The crooked Queen Kiya, our mother, persuaded me and threatened me to commit these crimes. There is a scroll in my chamber that has written out the details of our plan. Goodbye my brother, I will miss thee.”

Source: Scroll

Khal, in despair, walked back to the kingdom directly to Kaydo’s room. He located the scroll before talking to anyone. As he entered the eating chamber, he looked right into Queen Kiya’s face he dropped the scroll onto the table. In utter disbelief that Khal had located the scroll, the Queen broke down crying for she knew of her fate. Khal, in his empathy for his mother, spoke the words, “you shall be banished to the forest for every moon until darkness”. As Kayo wept for what happened, he realized he was now the King. He had to be what everyone thought he was, a strong and intelligent King. As he walked out of his chamber to the balcony, he looked out at his new kingdom where his mother and father will no longer reside, ready for a new beginning.  

Author's Note: My inspiration for the Prince Khal is of Rama and his excellent wielding of weapons, along with his strength and knowledge. The King Dakin and Queen Kiya have a first-born son that is destined to be the king. They soon have a son a thousand moons (a little over three years younger) younger who will never be king because of age. The Queen favors the youngest son Kaydo, therefore they plot to kill both the King and Khal. The three men go on a hunting trip, which I received inspiration from Game of Thrones when Robery Baratheon dies. Kaydo kills the King and tries to kill Khal. This fails and he is then mortally stabbed by Khal. Kaydo, in remorse for what he has done, tells of a scroll that has written the plans of Kiya and him. Khal returns from hunting to face his mother, a murderer. Instead of executing his mother for her crimes, he has empathy and only banishes her. This is inspired from Rama himself  because he is a very forgiving and empathetic king. This was great to implement into my story because I feel that empathy is one of the best characteristics of a king. Khal is now the king of all these kingdoms as he watches his mother be exiled. Also, the Queen trying to make her son a king is inspiration from the Ramayana section, "Kaikeyi and Dasharatha".

Bibliography: Mackenzie, Donald, "Kaikeyi and Dasharatha". Indian Myths and Legend. Warwick Globe. (1913). Web Source: Project Gutenberg

Week 2 Reading Diary: Part B

The story of the Ramayana is continuing to get better and better with main plot points being displayed in this day’s readings. I am enjoying seeing the progression of the great Brahma’s plan of killing Ravana come into action with the capture of Sita from the forest. One of my favorite moments thus far in the Wednesday reading is when Shurpanakha and her brother Khara fight the two brothers in the forest. My favorite character is still Rama because I know he will accomplish what the great Brahma wants. He displays his power and selflessness during this battle. When the great ruler of the Danda kingdom sends thousands of troops, Rama tells Sita and Lakshmana to hide in a secret cave in order to be safe. He sacrifices his own life, potentially, in order to save the ones he loves. However, he is victorious and destroys all of the demons and Khara himself, proving he is king worthy. Another moment I find very interesting was when the demon Maricha helps the great Ravana by transforming into a golden deer to enchant Sita to be kidnapped. I really thought this was something I could implement into my own storybook. I definitely want to have rakshasa transform into another being a trick a main character into doing something they would of normally not have done. I can relate this to the Devil forming into a snake to persuade Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden apple. Also, Rama told Lakshama to stay with Sita the entire time and not leave her so she would be safe. Against Rama’s wishes, Lakshama disobeys him and Sita is captured by Ravana. Rama, instead of getting angry at Lakshama, he is forgiving and is only interested in returning his beautiful wife. I find this to be another great quality of Rama and more the reason why he is my favorite character in the Ramayana thus far. Finally, I enjoyed how some of the rakashasas are trapped in their demon bodies, and ultimately want to be set free. I did not understand that this was possible and now I am not quick to judge any demon due to the endless possibilities and circumstances.

Source: Ninapaley

Rama and the Golden Deer (Maricha)

Source: Wikipedia

Rama fighting Viradha

Overall, I am excited to see what Rama and Lakshama do when the encounter Ravana himself and try and safe Sita.

Author: Laura Gibbs

Week 2 Reading Diary: Public Domain version of the Ramayana

I am very interesting in continuing my reading of the Ramayana due to the potential of Rama desiring revenge against Kaikeyi after Dasharatha’s death. The character development of Rama is slowly making him into a hero that will prevail no matter what the obstacles are. My favorite moment thus far in the Ramayana is when Rama and Lakshmana fight the female rakshasa Thataka. This marks the beginning of Rama’s heroism in battle. I feel that all powerful kings first engage in many battles that define who they are. When people hear of these great victories, they fall in love with the hero and want him/her to become their leader. I sense that this is what is happening to Rama as he fights off these demons. Another interesting aspect of the battle that develops the personality of Rama, is his remorse and sympathy for Thataka before he kills her. He does not want to kill a woman, even if she is a demon and a threat to him and his brother. The compassion and leadership of Rama is extremely prevalent because, in my opinion, compassion can be a king’s/leader’s greatest quality. Furthermore, I enjoyed the moment that Rama bent the bow of Shiva to win the beautiful princess of Sita. This further displays Rama’s great power and potential future of ruling the kingdom with a wonderful princess by his side. And yes, it does remind of a fairytale which is why I enjoyed this moment! Finally, I enjoyed Rama’s character because he is very loyal no matter what is asked of him. For example, before Rama is even aware he is being banished, he says,"O Speak and I will obey even if I am asked to quaff poison and die ere my time. My promise is given, and my lips have never lied". This is important in displaying his love for his family and kingdom.

One thing I am curious to read is what happens to the new king Brahata and his mother Kaikeyi. I feel that to push Dasharatha to order his son to exile will not end well for either person. You can tell early on that Rama is the favorite prince and that everyone loves him. You can come to this conclusion by reading what the people say about him in “Heir Apparent”. He is a loving and compassionate man, not quick to judgement (qualities of a great ruler). I think in my stories I want to tell of a young woman or man facing trials, such as deception, him or her becoming triumphant, and ruling the kingdom. I think I will be able to really provide different angles and develop deep emotions of the hero/heroine. 

Rama breaking Shiva's Bow

Source: Spiritual Messenger

Author: Laura Gibbs