Famous Last Words Week 7

This Class:

I found that this reading assignment was very similar to that of the original Mahabharata. There were a few changes, but ultimately it was the same story. I did notice a few more details and was able to understand the characters relationships a little better. I still get confused on all the names with K though lol. Ultimately, I enjoyed reading the Ramayana more. This was because I enjoyed seeing the character development of Rama more than that of Arjuna. However, the battle scene was more personal due to Arjuna losing his son and getting revenge. I felt that my story was alright this week. I could have made it more detailed and created more of a story, but I plan on including this into my portfolio and fixing these issues. I am looking forward to allowing the diaries between Draupadi and her mother to be full of emotions.

Other Classes:

I survived my other courses this week which is great. I had my exam on Wednesday and I felt that I did really well on it. I have another exam coming up this week so it is time to switch gears and focus on my Structural Geology exam instead of Production. I am just really ready for Spring Break so I can finally get a break from all that studying. Also, I have been writing drilling labs for the past few weeks, so it will be nice not to have to worry about writing the report.

Outside of Class:

My girlfriend and I decided not to go anywhere this Spring Break so we are just going to relax in Norman. I am actually looking forward to doing nothing and not having to worry about school. This weekend I was able to go home and see my baby niece. That was a lot of fun. Overall, it was a great weekend and a first half of this semester. 

Source: My Niece Skylynn (Taken by me)

Week 7 H.E.A.R.T. Challenge

Source: H.E.A.R.T. Challenges 

This is a great reminder for me. I have been very stressed this past week so I am in need of some tidying up. The best one is to sweep away all the distractions in my life. I need to focus on what is important and sweep away the hindrances!

Week 7 Review

Source: Week 7 Announcements 

This was my favorite weekly announcement! I find this to very important in every aspect of people's life. It is hard to stay focused and not be discouraged by things that do not work out perfectly. If I face any challenges I will make sure to think of this funny picture! Lol.

Week 7 Growth Mindset

Source: Growth Mindset Blog

This is one of my favorite growth mindset blogs I have seen yet. I feel that it should speak to everyone because many people are expecting to be given things in life. I find that hardwork can lead to success, which ultimately makes people happy. Also, I find that reading allows for people to constantly be learning, which thus leads to success. I hope to continue my reading of both non-fiction and fiction to further gain knowledge. 

Thanks for reading!

Week 7 Storytelling: Letter's of Draupadi

Author’s Note:

This week I decided to write a few letters between Draupadi and her mother. The parents are not involved in this epic and I wanted to allow for a mother and daughter to be talking about all of the crazy events to create a family dynamic. I wanted her mother to be apart from her daughter in some of the most important parts of her experiences in the Mahabharta. I decided to leave the swayamvara completely true with Arjuna coming out of the crowd and winning over Draupadi. I did however, change the fact the she had to be married to either all of them or Yudhishtira only. I found that this part of the epic was not very reasonable since Arjuna was the one who won her over. I decided to have Arjuna elope with Draupadi to show how much he truly cared for her, but I wasn’t quite sure if that was a good choice in my story so please let me know if you liked it or not! Also, I decided to change the war scenes with that of peace. I feel in a lot of these epics, greed is the killer. I did not want this to be the same end as every other story so instead of the Pandavas losing their sons, family, and cousins, I allowed no one to have to be killed.  

Source: Wilson, Richard. The Five Tall Sons of Pandu. 1914. 

Dear Mother,

Today is the day that I have dreaded for so long. I know I will be happy with whoever wins, but it doesn’t seem right. A woman should be able to pick their husband. One she loves and could spend the rest of her life with, not some random man that can shoot a bow or win a sword fight. Why do I have no choice Mother? Oh well, you have raised me to overcome anything. I can only hope the man who wins my swayamvara is someone I can love with all of my heart.

Love,

Draupadi

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Daughter of Mine,

I have heard the tales of your swayamvara. The great Arjuna came from the depths of the crowd as a brahmin and strung the mighty bow. I heard he shot and absolutely perfect bow! That is so awesome for you and him. I heard he is quite the looker too so that is always a plus. I am glad that the charioteer’s son was not able to win you. That would have been quite disappointing to have to marry a base-born. Anyways, I sure do miss you. It has been a hundred moons since you and I have last seen each other. I miss my daughter. I cannot wait to hear more of you and your new husband.

Love,

Your Mother

Source: Draupadi's Swayamvara

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Mother,

I am so glad that you approve of my new husband. Arjuna is the light to my world and I love him so very much. He is definitely a blessing and someone I could spend the rest of my life here on Earth with. I have learned that he is a true Pandavas brother and at first that was so cool. His brother, Kunti tried to make the eldest Yudhishthira be my wife instead of my love Arjuna. I knew I would not meet another man that I could love as much as my swayamvara, so we eloped into the forest. At first, Arjuna was happy of his decision, but he has been troubled lately. His brothers constantly send him letters about some war with their cousin Duryodhana. I hope my husband does not have to return and fight in battle. I do not know if I could take that. Anyways, I am happy Mother and cannot wait for you to meet my husband.

Love,

Draupadi

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Draupadi,

I am so sorry that you almost had to marry Yudhishthira. You should not have eloped away from such powerful men, but that is just my mother coming out in me. I feel for Arjuna. I know he must truly miss his brothers, but he must really love you for he has chosen you over them. I too have heard of this war. I hope that if it happens, you are as far away as possible. I will be praying for your Draupadi. I love you very much.

Love,

Your Mother

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Mother,

I am sure you have heard now, but the war has never happened! I am so ecstatic that Duryodhana changed his mind at the last second to make peace with his cousins. Balarama has convinced Duryodhana that making peace instead of war will ultimately bring happiness to everyone. I am so very pleased. We now sit around the kingdom and enjoy each other’s company. I love my new life with my new husband Arjuna. I will send for you mother. Arjuna has made a house for you right next to ours so you can be with us every day. I miss you and yearn for your arrival in the great city of Hastinapura.

Love,

Draupadi 

Week 7 Reading Diary: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu

Below is my reading of Part A of the weekly reading: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu:

·       The story starts off with the same type of jealousy in the original Mahabharata. Duryodhana does not like his cousins, The Pandavas, because of their heir to the throne.

·       Arjuna meets with a very skillful fighter in Karna. Karna comes off very confidently and tells Arjuna of his wish to defeat him. I find this to be interesting because of the future implications of his desire to defeat him (his death).

·       Duryodhana attempts to murder the Pandavas and their mother by burning them in their house.  Greed is an important aspect of this epic, the original Mahabharata, and the Ramayana. It is the root cause of many of the main plot points.

·       I do find it interesting that Kunti tells Arjuna that Yudhishthira should be married to Draupadi. I do like either one of these outcomes because Arjuna deserves to have her. He outright won the swayamvara, just like Rama had done.

·       The Pandavas get the rough part of the kingdom. I find this ironic because they deserve to be the kings instead of Duryodhana. It is unfair and they should be in charge of the entire kingdom.

·       Yudhishthira, like the original, loses Draupadi in a gambling match with Duryodhana. Again, I feel for Arjuna because he deserved to be wed to her, not Yudhsihthira. She convinces the gambling winners to allow her to be forced into exile with the Pandavas. The brothers go into exile. 

Source: Pandavas in Exile

·        After exile, the Pandavas finally are ready to return to their kingdom and overthrow Duryodhana. I am excited to see if there are in other changes to the battle scenes. I hope there is more detail and not just quick plot points. 

Source: Wilson, Richard. The Five Tall Sons of Pandavas. 1914. 

Online Website

Tech Tip Week 7

Hey Everyone.

If you have a Pinterest, one of the best tools is your search bar. I just used my Pinterest to look up some pictures of some oil pictures such as offshore rigs and pumping units. Also, I found some interesting recipes to try.

It is as simple as typing into Google!

Thanks for reading.

Source: Zombie Oil Rigs