Growth Mindset: Stepping out of your comfort zone

Ending this semester and going into a new job the growth mindset challenge was definitely something I wanted to do. Needless to say, this article hit me hard in the face! I am definitely one of those people that want to live a full life without any regrets. I like to tell myself that I step out of my comfort zone, but truth is that is really hard to do. “Become comfortable with feeling uncomfortable” I love that line because of the truth in it. I have to push myself to get where I want to be and there will be tons of uncomfortable feelings along the way I’m sure! That is something I will have to remember at my job and during my last semester of school in the fall.

Realizing all your fears are fictional is something I definitely needed to read. My boyfriend and parents are always trying to show me that, but I never see it until someone else talks to me about it. Ignoring negative thoughts is going to be a main focus for me moving forward in life.

If you guys have some time of your own you should take a look at this website . There are so many doors that can open for you when you truly step out of your comfort zone!

(Growth mindset resources)

Ideas for Class Improvements

Changing review weeks to planning weeks I think is a really good idea! I like the review weeks because I can think back on everything I've done and make sure it's exactly how I want it to be. However, I think if there was a planning week around Week 8 that would be really helpful. That way students can really think about how they are doing in the class and plan a schedule to either stay on track or change paths to do better. Also, I think a planning week on Week 2 would be helpful because like you said students would have to make a plan for themselves to do well in this class. I also think that would open some students eyes about the level of commitment for this class early on.

I did the story planning option a couple times and I really enjoyed it. It allowed me to think of multiple different scenarios for the story. I also was able to really gather a solid personality for characters. For these I personally looked a lot at your links for Storytelling ideas and more random ideas. Those sites really helped me think more creatively for my planning and storytelling! The only thing I could think of that could be helpful is have a link to a few examples of storytelling planning from past students. I say that because on the first one I did I had no idea what I was doing. It wasn't until I started seeing other student's planning post that I really figured out how to make the most out of them.

I really like the idea of having students reading out loud and recording a mp3 audio to share with you for extra credit. I say that because I really enjoyed the stories that you had recorded yourself reading! With students recording themselves reading stories I think it would take pressure off of you to record yourself reading all of these stories. I have never listened to audio books before, but I really took advantage of the sound cloud in the first half of the semester.

Having writing tutorial videos would be helpful for story writing! I was personally guilty of comma splices and not so easy to read dialogue. The problem is I never knew it was a problem until it was pointed out to me. So I think videos educating students in this early on in the semester would be a helpful tool!

I really enjoyed the way the readings are currently set up! It allows the students to read things they might have initially not thought they would enjoy, but turned out loving. I think if it was broken into themed categories students might not ever read anything outside of their comfort zone.

Tech Tip: Pinterest Side Bar

Hey guys! I added a Pinterest sidebar! It seemed a bit scary going in, but it was a fairly simple to add! You can learn how to add a sidebar to your blog here.

The board I have on there right now is full of funny memes all writers can get a good laugh from! I hope everyone enjoys it!

Week 14 Review

That back up tool was super helpful! I had never thought of backing up my blog or google account, but it seems like it could really save me from some frustration if anything were to happen to my stuff. 

Sunday life item

I absolutely love the life/camera metaphor it is so perfect and encouraging! I also really have enjoyed the words of the day from India (and Mythology)! I didn’t know how much I’d be interested in learning about India when the semester started, but it has been such a fun learning experience!

I also enjoy getting to see the events on campus that are posted on our class announcements! Being an engineering major I don’t hear about much that’s going on outside of our college.

Saturday mythology item

The VanGoYourself site is so awesome! If this became more viral on social media that’d be awesome because it would give some people exposure to art for the first time. Who knows maybe there is a secret artist being held inside themselves?!

The growth mindset memes do an excellent job of encouraging me to do a growth mindset challenge! Plus, I have a weakness for cats!

All the interesting facts you tell us about the days make me want to google that everyday to see what neat stuff has happened in the past on the current day I’m living.

Portfolio Guide

For my project this semester in Epics of India I am making a portfolio of some of my favorite stories! The theme for my portfolio is strong women in the classic Indian tales. Get ready for some fun reads!

First let's think about a different way Sita's swayamvara could have gone in my story There's always someone bigger and better.

Now what if Bhima was a girl and she fought back when Duryodhana tried to kill her?

Or what if Sita stood up to her father when he said she couldn't fight rakshasas? What would happen? Whose life could she positively impact? Find out in my story Sita inspires Mulan

Last but not least! Can you imagine living without the love of your life, because he magically lost his memory? Yeah, Sakuntala couldn't either! Read about what she did here: Sakuntala

Inspirational quotes for women

I hope that my Portfolio can inspire women and inspire men to empower the women in their lives. I think way to often being female people sometimes view us as less of a person, when that's not the case at all. My stories show instances where women took charge of what happened to them and their lives and I think they are better off for it. I hope we all try to be strong and courageous like these Indian ladies!

Reading Notes: Dutt-M. Classic Tales (B)

• What if Suruchi felt bad for Suniti because their husband neglected her? And the two women got together?
• I wonder how things would play out with the wives if somehow there was an accident where the son of the favorite wife died?
• Dhruva was a very mature and brave kid!
• It'd be interesting to tell this story through the eyes of one of the wives.

(Wikipedia: Vishnu and Dhruva)

• What if Sabitri was known for being the ugliest girl ever?
• It'd be interesting to do a story that talks more about why the messengers of death and Yama could not get close to Sabitri.
• I love the persistence of Sabitri!!! Best love story ever!

(Wiki: Sabitri begging Yama)

• What if there was some kind of battle between the women in all of the stories we've read of who loved their husband more?
• ooooh Debjani got friendzoned! It'd be funny to make this story into a modern version.
• I'd love to see a showdown between Debjani and Sharmista by her catching Sharmista and her husband sneaking around.
• It would be interesting to see the Harishchandra story in modern time, where technology could play a role.
• The part of Harishchandra where he sells his wife and gives away his son could definitely be made into a story!
• What an interesting twist for the gods to start worshiping a king!

Bibliography: Gleanings from Indian Classics, Volume 1: Tales of India by Manmatha Nath Dutt

Reading Notes: Dutt-M. Classic Tales (A)

(Devdutt: Hindu gods)

• How interesting that the gods and demons worked together to make the oceans! What if something went wrong and it just turned into a bunch of lava instead of water?
• It seems kind of funny to me that Vishnu took the form of a woman to make all of the gods and demons get along when dividing the ocean.
• It’d be kind of funny to turn this story into children fighting over who got to play with which toys during playtime, since the gods and demons were kind of acting like children.
• I feel like I could somehow related the thunder from the bones to a story set in today’s time where something bad had happened but the thunder/lighting was the beginning of something good?
• How/why were the demons able to get into heaven and steal so easily? I feel like there’s a story there!
• It’d be fun to write a story over Cupid (Madan, god of love) telling his friends some crazy situations he had been in. Especially have him talk about shooting Shiva but somehow he gets away
• The way that Shiva and Sati lived their lives as gods could be a good example to kings that are filled with greed.
• I wonder if the character of Shiva was set in today's time if he would be considered a drug abuser?
• I wonder if there is another way for Sati to make her father stop insulting her husband other than killing herself?

(Shiva carrying Sati's body)

• It'd be interesting to have a story through the eyes of the parents of the terrible Hiranyakshya and Hiranyakashyapu while they were growing up.
• The story of Prahlada was awesome. I definitely feel like there's a story I could write about him.
• What if I did a story of Shakuntala and her friends in modern time like a high school or something?

Bibliography: Gleanings from Indian Classics, Volume 1: Tales of India by Manmatha Nath Dutt

Wikipedia Trail: From Ganges to Garuda

A topic that really grabbed my attention this semester was the Ganges River! That is where I started my Wikipedia trail at the article: Ganges. The Ganges actually serves as a boundary between India and Bangladesh. It is actually so large it is the third largest river in the world! I was actually pretty shocked to learn that.

I was even more shocked to learn that that this sacred Hindu river was so badly polluted in real life. It was apparently was so polluted that the people living around it had to form an action plan to clean it up! The Pollution of Ganges stated that the river was a water supply to 40% of India's population! Can you imagine drinking water that was filled with human waste and chemicals because you simply had no other choice? The project put together to clean the river is Namami Ganga and it wasn't put into action until 2014!

Wiki: pollution of Ganges

A dam was built in Haridwar to try and help since it is the first location in India that the Ganges enters. While the dam just added to the pollution in the water by diminishing its flow, it was in a very famous location. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places to Hindus! This is because it's believed that drops of immortality were accidentally spilled into it while being carried to Garuda

The Garuda is a very large bird-like creature in Hindu mythology. It is thought to be a deity of Lord Vishnu! The Garuda is even thought the be the Nagas worst enemy. Remember in storytelling the Nagas live in the river Ganges which is where we started!

Tech tip: Embedded Youtube

For my tech tip this week I added a video to my Intro! If you've read it you know that I love the show The Flash  so I added a video for you guys to enjoy! It was super easy to do! Just have your cursor placed where you want before you click the movie icon while editing/creating a post. Then past in the link for your video and select it to be embedded from youtube!

If you want more info click here

Reading Notes: Jagannatha of Puri (B)

• I wonder why Nilamadhav wanted to come back in the form of a Daaru?
• What if instead of the King getting dreams to communicate with the god, I did a story where the log talked out loud to everyone?
• What if king Indradyumna never went to Brahmaloka?
• I wonder if I could do a story where Indradyumna found a way to visit his wife and tell her what happened? 
• I could do a story through the wife's eyes after he leaves. 
• It'd be interesting if the people that were inside the temple somehow all recieved the same message from a god that Idradyumna was coming. Maybe he could have given advice and love on how to live their lives?
• What if instead Indradyumna used his boon for bringing back his wife?
• I wonder what stories that building could tell if it could speak?

(King Indradyumna's Jagannath Temple)

Bibliography: Jagannatha of Puri by Gayatri Madan Dutt from the bizzel library

                       Call number: PN 6790 .1443 A437 V.709

Reading Notes: Jagannatha of Puri (A)

• It's interesting to me that people strive to make a lot of money and then you read stories about how once they achieved that they still weren't happy. 
• Maybe I could do a prequel to this story about the King's life before he was a wealthy king.
• I could do a more modern version of this story where everyone is used to relying on technology and then take it away somehow to see how well they do without it?
• What happened to the rest of the men that were with Vidyapati? I could do a story from their point of view?
• It's interesting to me in these tales that people were just open to taking in strangers. I could do a story where someone lets in a bad guy, but the gods protect everyone from getting hurt.
• How long was Vidyapati gone? Did no one think he died?
• I would like to do a story through the eyes of the Kings's wife. I could show her thoughts of her husband and his desires for this hill that he dreamt of.
• I love that the hill hid itself for the men.

(the blue hill: nilachala)

Bibliography: Jagannatha of Puri by Gayatri Madan Dutt from the bizzel library

                       Call number: PN 6790 .1443 A437 V.709

Growth Mindset: Believing in yourself

(Kick start: believing)

It is crazy just how powerful our minds are! When you believe in yourself it's like everything changes! I watched the video about the Ted Talk where the children got grades of "not yet" instead of an F. I don't know about you but if you have ever received a failing grade it is such a hard thing to pick yourself back up from and try again. I've learned that talking to my friends and family about things like that encourage me to try and do my best. They help me BELIEVE that I can do anything. The mind is such a powerful thing. Try believing in yourself and see what new things happen for you. That's the power of a growth mindset.

Storytelling: Sakuntala

(Sakuntala and her fawn)

Sakuntala sitting in the forest talking to her baby fawn

Oh yes, my young fawn, I know I just met him. My goodness, he is lovely though. I still can't believe I woke up this morning just planning on doing my everyday tasks and somehow ended up with a wonderful husband! I love the ring he gave me too! I've never seen a ring that had words written inside it, King Dushyanta. Oh, I can't wait to go be with him! Okay, fawn, I must go get ready for bed, goodnight.

When I woke up the next morning I was pleasantly surprised. My loving sisters were preparing clothes for me to go be with my husband. The clothes had to be very nice, because after I fell for my husband he revealed to me he was a King. He had to leave after we were married in the forest to take care of his people. I was to go to him when I was ready, and bring his ring with me.

The clothes my sisters had made for me were quite beautiful compared to my hermit clothing. However, my sisters were not satisfied that they were Queen-worthy clothing. My father then prayed to the forests, and before I knew it the birds of the forest were clothing me with beautiful flowers and silks. "Oh, thank you, Father!" I gratefully told him.

He replied, "Anything for you, my Daughter, and don't worry: the forest will protect you on your way to the castle as well."

(Sakuntala unknowingly dropping something in the river)

Once my appearance was that of a Queen and all the proper rituals were performed, I began my journey to my new home. On the way there I was thirsty, so I stopped for a drink of water from the river.

(King Dushyanta's castle)

Shortly after, I arrived at the castle, my new home! Something was wrong, though. Being his wife I demanded to see King Dushyanta. I walked into the room with a huge smile on my face, excited to be reunited with my husband. However, he didn't look very happy to see me. "Husband, why are you not happy to see me?" I asked.

(King Dushyanta)

He replied, "Who are you? I am not your husband. I don't recall ever seeing you before."

By heart broke into pieces. How could my own husband not remember me? I had to help him remember me. "We married in the forest near my father's cottage. Here is the ring that you gave me," I said. When I reached for the ring, though, it wasn't there! The King quickly became angry telling me I was a liar and should leave. "Please, give me two days and I can find the ring. I'll prove to you we are married," I pleaded.

King Dushyanta replied, "Fine, I will grant you two days. If you cannot convince me, though, I never want to see you again."

I quickly retraced my steps on my journey to the castle. The only way I could have lost it was when I stopped at the river. I raced back to the river and jumped in so I could find the ring faster. As I was swimming, looking at the bottom of the river in the sand, a glowing fish swam by me. Naturally, I followed it. If the ring somehow had powers over my husband's memory maybe it could glow too? The fish surprisingly didn't try to swim away from me. Maybe the skills I developed while raising my fawn helped me with all animals? I grabbed the fish and got out of the river. I pressed on its belly for a while and it threw up the ring! I placed the fish back in the river. I was so happy to find the ring and that this sweet fish could still live.

I ran back to the castle ring in hand. When I got there the strangest thing happened. As soon as King Dushyanta set his eyes on the ring, it was like he changed back into the kind man I married in the forest. I told him he was never allowed to take his ring off again! A short time after we had a boy and he grew up to be very brave and strong like his father. We called him Prince Bharata.

(Prince Bharata)

Bibliography: The Indian Story Book- Story VIII Sakuntala

Author's Note: 
In the original story Sakuntala and King Dushyanta get married in the forest near her hermitage. He is then summoned to return to the castle for kingly duties, but before he leaves he gives Sakuntala his ring. A short time later when Sakuntala arrives to the castle to be with her husband he doesn't remember her. She goes to show him the ring, but she has lost it. King Dushyanta then lets her to leave and she doesn't look for the ring. They don't run into each other again for many years. When that happens though, she has a son that is around seven years old. That is when King Dushyanta remembers her and realizes that she has been raising their son alone.

In my story I wanted Sakuntala to take charge and find the ring. That way the king would remember her instead of waiting many heart aching years for him to remember on his own. I also wanted to give more insight on her close relationship with the fawn she was raising. I thought that was an important insight to have to show how well she handled the fish that swallowed her husband's ring. That's also why I wanted to include the picture of her and her fawn in the beginning. Another variation in my story is her family. In the original story that I read Sakuntala was living with her adopted father who was a hermit. I decided to have him be her real father and give her some sisters. In a lot of versions of the story of Sakuntala, though, she is alone.

Learning Challenge: Health and Happiness

Gratitude, the mother of all virtues. How amazing are the side effects of being grateful! Noting how grateful you are everyday can actually improve your happiness by 5% after just one month. Health wise it actually increased heart health! I have a journal that I write my daily tasks in and I am definitely going to start writing things I'm grateful for each day as well! Be grateful guys :)

(youtube: gratitude)

Another thing to think about it your level of stress. I personally can say that on a usual day I'm around 70% stressed. It's true students get so overcommitted with life without trying. There's family commitments, school, work, paying your bills for the first time, etc. I had never thought of the effects that kind of stress could have on me. Some people deal with so much of this stress it leads to depression and anxiety. 

Being aware and trying different methods to reduce your stress can really change things. One tip I found helpful is to go get some fresh air, exercise, and keep a list of things you are grateful for! Here's a fun video with more tips too!

(youtube: stress management)

Bibliography: Stress Management, 

Google Timer Tech Tip

This is a really cool feature Google has that I definitely need to take more advantage of! All you have to do is type (or say) "set a timer for _____ minutes/hours" and it starts timing you! Don't worry you can't forget about it either because there is a timer that lets you know when your time is up!

I think I am going to use this more often while I do homework. I have this terrible habit of getting distracted by music, T.V., people, etc. I think knowing I am being timed and need to get done before the timer goes off will help keep me more focused.

Side note, I've noticed that listening to instrumentals or coffee house music helps me focus more than listening to music I know. I hope these tips help some of you like they did me!

Also, ladies please enjoy this motivating message from Ryan Gosling.

(Konnect: effective time management motivation)

Story Planning: The Green Eyed Monster

(Sarabha saving the king)

I want to write a story about greed as a person. I’d like to have greed be the narrator maybe and talk about some of the instances where he has overtaken people such as the king in the sabala story. I want to include other stories we’ve read this semester as well. I think since it is all about greed when a person gets consumed with greed have their eyes turn green. I want to research through all the stories I have read so far and find the instances where greed consumed a character. I then need to really analyze those characters and find out everything they gave up. In the end I want to have Sarabha break Greed’s winning streak of overpowering people till they eventually end or waste their lives.

Styles:

Here in Oklahoma- This would be fun but I am afraid I’d change too much of the stories I am planning on retelling that my peers from class wouldn’t recognize them. However, it would be a very relatable story since everyone is so familiar with campus.

Stories for children- This would be fun to do since I got the idea of writing this story while reading a children’s book. At the same time though my readers are college students so I don’t know how much they’d be interested in that.

Courtroom Trial- I think this would be a really great setting for my story. Mainly because I am reviewing all the instances where Greed was responsible for someone’s death or loss of everything. Maybe the characters that died I could have their ghosts come back and speak as witnesses against Greed. I could even have one of my old characters, Detective Meena, come back to prove Greed is guilty.

Character sketch:

Greed: boastful, arrogant

Sarabha: wise, beautiful, strong

Pictures:

I want to find photos that really show the characters filled with greed. I think that would make the photo of Sarabha helping the king even more powerful.



Bibliography: My reading notes and The Sarabha

Reading Notes: Twenty Jataka Tales (B)

• I like the sounds used in The Two Pigs, tic-a-tac, crack, crack! I'd like to do something like that in my stories.
• What if the pigs were found by the king instead of the little old woman? would their lives have been the same?
• What if the two men and the mother fell asleep after drinking and then the house caught on fire. It be neat to see the pigs somehow save them!
• The patient buffalo would be a good story to tie in with another story to teach a character about patience.
• It seems that greed has played a role in a lot of stories I have read this semester. I like how in the end of Sarabha the King was saved from his crazy greed before it killed him. Maybe I could write a story that ties this in with the story of the king and sabala the magic cow?

(Sarabha saving his enemy, the King)

• What if I could write a story through the eyes of the goblin women and talk of all the men they've captured?
• I wonder if there is a good way to end The Great Elephant without him dying?
• Maybe the quail could make a trap for the villager and ask him to stop hunting them?
• Size doesn't always matter! 

(Baby quail blowing out the forest fire)

• What if I tied in the forest fire story with the end of the world? After the hare had cried wolf it'd be interesting to see how everyone reacts to him when there actually is a problem.
• Maybe I could mix the noble horse story in with the Pandavas and the Kauravas story?

Bibliography: Twenty Jataka Tales by Noor Inayat, 1939

Reading Notes: Jataka Tales (A)

(Monkeys and their beloved fruit)

• Of course the Ganges is related to the giant monkeys
• What if there was a story where the goddess of the ganges got upset at the monkeys and tried drowning them?
• what if the fisherman that found the fruit just discarded it because he found in in the ocean?
• What if someone walked in on the exact dogs tearing apart the chariot straps so the king wouldn't have said all dogs everywhere should be killed.
• What if the chief dog couldn't talk with humans? how would he have shown the king the truth?
• I know it supposed to be a children's story but what if the King was never told the gold deer had came to the killing stone? What would have happened if the king had eaten him?
• Why did these geese want to take the tortoise with them? Just because they were friends?
• What if the tortoise landed in the kings pond and survived. The tortoise could teach the king about being wise with his words.

Bibliography: Inayat. Twenty Jataka Tales 

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

Hey friends! I added a weather widget to my blog! It is pretty cool, and if you want to try and do the same to your blog click here for instructions! It was more simple than I thought it would be. Enjoy!

Reading Notes: Sacred Cow, Rishyasringa, Sakuntala (B)

(Sakuntala looking back at King Dushyanta)

• I wonder what would have happened if the king didn't put his arrows up but killed the fawn? would the hermits have cursed him?
• Why did the king leave his wife in the grove? Shouldn't he had taken her with him?
• What if Sakuntala took the fawn with her? Would the king have had it killed?
• What if Sakuntala had a power where when she touches someone she could have them see a selected memory of hers?
• Maybe I could write a prequel to this story to tell the powers of the kings ring?
• A story even from the eyes of Sakuntala would be interesting. 
• It'd be interesting to know what all happened to Sakuntala when some god came out of the sky and took her away. Was the purpose of the boy's amulet to find the father or what?
• I love how this story had a happy ending!

Bibliography: The Indian Story Book- Story VIII Sakuntala

Reading Notes: Sacred Cow, Rishyasringa, Sakuntala (A)

•  What if instead of Visvamitra having to travel to find someone to fight there was a neighboring kingdom that wanted to fight him for some strange reason?
• I wonder what would have happened if the king left when he wanted instead of giving in to the sage's demands that he stay?
• Wow I was not expecting Sabala to provide an army that large! It'd be interesting to tie Sabala into the Pandu story somehow. 
• So sad all his sons turned to ash! What if he bargained with the sage that he would leave them alone forever if Sabala brought back his sons?
• What if Visvamitra was the Queen. I wonder if she would have acted out so wildly to make Sabala hers?
• It'd be interesting to see through the eyes of the woman who is trying to convince King Visvamitra to enjoy life and stop living it so harshly.
• what if instead of sending down women to Visvamitra they sent men? Maybe one of his deceased sons? 

(Sabala and her loving owner)

• The way that Rishyasringa grew up reminded me of Tarzan! That'd be an interesting story!
• What if instead of being able to curse people he made them switch bodies? Or put them in random places of the earth?
• What if Rishyasringa was mute? after all he had never talked or interacted with anyone other than his father. 
• What if a woman was sent to talk to the father and was able to warm his heart from all that hatred?

(Rishyasringa's first encounter with women)

Bibliography: The Indian Story Book- Story VII Sabala, The Sacred Cow and Story IX The Great Drought about Rishyashringa

Reading Notes: Sita Daughter of the Earth (B)

• I love how the pictures and story tell how beautiful some of the areas are that Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita traveled through while in exile. Maybe I could do a story where an area is so beautiful that it puts them in a trance where they stay for years. Only to have lots of Ayodhya people come and try to convince them to come back or maybe rakshasas find them?
• If Ravana was gay Sita's life would have been completely different 
• What if the magic line that Lakshmana drew didn't let Sita leave? and the rakshasas had to try and break through it? Leaving him without his powers or something
• I wonder if Sita was held in a dark ugly dungeon if she would have changed her mind and married Ravana?
• How cool that the rakshasis that were guarding Sita began to care for her and tell her things to calm her. It'd be cool if earlier on they all could have teamed up and gotten her off the island.

(Hanuman putting Sita's fear to rest that Rama was alive)

• They never tell how the floating bridge was built?
• I love how it shows how tiny Rama was compared to Ravana and how he still won because he outsmarted Ravana.
• What if Sita or Rama prayed and asked for a boon that could make the citizens forget or truly believe that Sita was kept hostage and walked through fire to prove she was pure?
• What if the boys weren't very good at fighting or war things and Sita wanted to take them back to the King to get the proper training they needed?
• It'd be cool to make up a story about Sita's life after she left and went into the earth!
• It'd also be interesting to tell the end of this story through the eyes of her sons and Rama!

Week 10 Storytelling: Sita inspires Mulan

Long ago in ancient China, there was a small family of five. A girl named Mulan, her parents, her grandmother, and a dog named Little Brother. China was going through a war with the Huns. The Huns were the most awful human beings to ever live. They were killing anything and everything that crossed their path. Mulan's father had just gotten the letter from the Emperor that he had to go fight in the war against the Huns. Sadly no one in his family could take his place, because they were all female. There were strict rules that only men were permitted to fight in the war, even if they were elderly or sick. Mulan was heartbroken that her father had been called to war. It was just last week he fell and hurt his leg because he tried walking around without his cane. Mulan knew that her father was not fit to fight in a war. She went to bed that night as sad as could be, but had the most interesting dream of a woman named Sita...

(Mulan in bed dreaming)

""Father, why can't I fight the rakshasas that are tearing up people’s homes? They deserve to be punished!" said Sita.

 "Because you are too fragile, my princess. The rakshasas would tear you apart," Sita's father replied.

"Maybe a normal girl, but I am not a normal girl!" Sita exclaimed.

"Sita! We are not having this conversation. You will not fight any rakshasa," Sita's father sternly stated.

Disregarding what her father said, she decided to go out on her own and fight the rakshasas. Sita changed out of the formal attire she wore around the castle and into an outfit more fit for the woods. That night while her family was fast asleep she snuck out of the castle to fight the rakshasas. She stayed hidden because she'd rather not be surprised by these tricksters. That’s when she heard the screams!

She ran toward the sounds of screaming people. When she arrived, there were two rakshasas tearing apart a farmer’s livestock! Even though there were people around screaming and throwing things at them, the rakshasas weren’t fazed. Sita decided to attack them in a way others weren’t thinking. She gracefully walked up towards them and whistled. “Man, you boys sure are strong and handsome,” she flirted. The rakshasas immediately put their guard down and let the beautiful Sita get close to them. Little did they know she had her father’s bow hidden behind her. When Sita got close enough to them, she pulled the bow as far back as possible and fired the arrow. The arrow flew straight through both rakshasas’ heads! The people were so shocked they were silent. Sita looked confused, but then they started cheering for her! The people had a party for her the next day to thank her for her bravery in making their land peaceful again. To her father’s surprise she was the kingdom hero for killing those terrible rakshasas. “You did good, Sita. I am proud of you,” her father told her.”

Mulan woke up as soon as her dream ended. It was still dark outside. She knew she had to act quickly before her parents woke up. After being inspired by the woman in her dream, she knew she had to be brave and take her father's place in the war. She moved as fast and quietly as she could while dressing herself in all her father’s armor. She hoped and prayed fiercely that no one would recognize she was a woman. A short time before dawn she set out on her journey hoping to make her father as proud as Sita made hers.

(Mulan in battle)

Bibliography: Sita Daughter of the Earth by Saraswati Nagpal, Reserve at the Bizzell and Mulan


Author's note:

While reading the graphic novel of Sita's life, there was a scene where she had a strong willingness to go fight rakshasas. These two rakshasas were terrorizing her people’s land, and she wanted to put an end to it. However, her father told her that she was “fragile” and the rakshasas would tear her apart. Even though Sita listened to her father, the scene still reminded me a lot of the story of Mulan.

The strong amount of courage and selflessness in the characters Sita and Mulan made me want to connect them somehow. I liked the idea of having one of them dream of the other to gain inspiration for their own journey. I especially liked that Sita didn’t listen to her father in my story. In a time when most women were submissive to men the only way the men would see them differently was if a woman completely broke the boundaries. For example, Sita was fighting and defeating rakshasas and in turn gaining respect from her father.

I think the first photo sets a good feel for Mulan dreaming. I love the second photo of Mulan because it shows that women can equally fight alongside men. Also, I think it accurately shows that intensity she and Sita share.

I hope my story is fun to read. I also hope it encourages everyone to fight for what they believe in, regardless of their gender. Also, I hope to be a source of inspiration to people in this class for their future stories!

Reading Notes: Sita Daughter of Earth (A)

• It's very interesting that in this story Sita had the power to move the bow that no mortal could. What if she picked it up and then couldn't marry because men were scared of her strength?
• How awesome that Sita was inspired by Sati!
• I'd like to write a story where Sita gets to talk to all of the women that inspired her!
• Sita wanting to fight the rakshasas reminded me of Mulan wanting to fight. It'd be cool to do some kind of storying involving both of them.
• I think it's sad that once the girls are married they have to move to the husbands kingdom and can't contact their family. What if the men had to stay in the woman's kingdom and help her rule it without contact to their families? I wonder how the men would've handled that?
• I wonder if there is an interesting way to not let Ma Kaikeyi's boons?

(Sita, from the graphic novel)

I love this photo of Sita because it portrays just how powerful she is.

Bibliography: Sita Daughter of the Earth by Saraswati Nagpal, Reserve at the Bizzell

Reading Notes: Ideal Women

Uttara

• I could write a story where a very pretty girl somehow persuades Bhisma to marry her and have children. Maybe she has some kind of magical powers? Or maybe even somehow his stepmother convinces him to do so.
• While the women in these tales aren't very independent I love that the Pandu brothers were always so obedient to their mother, Koonti.
• Maybe a good storyline would be one where Koonti kind of tutors Draupadi and others on how to be independent and strong?
• It's crazy Uttara was married so young.
• I loved reading about how Koonti prayed and faught for her sons during the war of Indra. Maybe I could do a story over Koonti and Gandhari getting to the altar at the same time? What is Mahadev chose Gandhari's flowers instead of Koonti's?
• A story through the eyes of Uttara when her husband volunteered to go fight would be a good story!

(the young Uttara and her love, Abhimanyu)

Sati

• I had no idea Mahadeva was poor!
• It'd be interesting to do a story from Sati's father's eyes to show how she taught him that money isn't everything.
• I wonder how good this story would be if Sati didn't die but her father did?
• Instead of living in a cave as a hermit what if Siva was killed during his rampage on the earth?
• Super sad story..

Bibliography: I found the story of Uttara in Nine Ideal Indian Women and also the story of Sati.

Week 8 Growth Mindset

Thinking back on growth mindset it seems I myself have fallen into some of the "bad" dimensions. My biggest problem is doing things at the last minute. Starting this class a small part of me thought that I "wasn't good" at writing, but I've come to find out the more time a set aside to focus on a project the better it is. So moving forward in this class I need to sit down and figure out what days I have the most free time and do these projects during that time. I am also open to any feedback you guys have on thing that you think I could improve on!

(procrastination meme: imgflip)

Outside of this class I also struggle a little bit with time management but I'm always thinking about the end goal. Until recently I haven't had the best support system so I definitely had to motivate myself to keep moving forward and reach my goals.

 Outside of school all together I ask a lot of questions sometimes I feel like I might be annoying people because I ask so many. I think asking questions is how I get better though, at what ever job it is that I am doing. I am always up for learning new things, but being confident in what I'm doing takes a little while for me.

Week 8 Reflection

My reading notes have truly helped me every week write my stories. I never knew about the "reading like a writer" method until this class, but I've found it to be extremely helpful in story writing. I've enjoyed the stories I've read so far. While the stories have been a new and different topic for me, it has been a fun experience. I am struggling though to find a good time to do my readings, so that is something I need to work on. Moving forward I think I want to read various topics including stories that focus on women, children literature, and graphic novels.

I am proud of the stories I've written so far. I previously found out that I really do not enjoy technical writing so it's been surprising seeing how much I enjoy this kind of writing! If I ever come to a block in my stories I go back to my reading notes. If they don't help me I go back and reread parts of the stories. I don't have much in my portfolio yet, but I am glad this is the option I chose. I think I just need to work more on giving my stories a solid ending.

In the next two months I hope to make my stories more creative. I have read some of my peers stories that I've lost myself in because they were so intriguing. I hope to develop writing that makes my readers feel like that. I haven't paid much attention to the comments people have left me. I think if I start taking those comments into consideration more than I have they'll help me out a lot.

(Dori: pinterest)

Storytelling: Who killed Bhimy?

(Ganges River)

Hi, my name is Menna. I solve people's problems for a living, I run towards danger, and most people don't like me. What am I you ask? Well I'm a detective of course! After a long hard case I decided I deserved a break, I didn't want to be around people, so I thought why not go to India? For real though, I've read about this river called the Ganges where mysteriously magical things happened and I was dying to see it for myself.  Once I got to India I went directly to the river. Water always had this weird sense of calming for me. I think it was because when I was younger my family’s house was next to a river. I always fell asleep so easily to the crashing of the water on the rocks on the bank.

Usually when I took a walk near a river I had the same feeling as if I were meditating. Everything would become still, all noise blocked out - all that I focused on was my breathing. As you can imagine it was extremely hard finding something so calming for myself, being the crazy thrill-seeking detective I am. Tonight, though, something was different. Things felt unbalanced, disturbed, like an accident had happened.

As I continued my walk I considered I was being watched or something, because I was stressed out more than I was usually around water. At that moment, I saw something in the river that didn't look normal. IT WAS A PERSON! They seemed to be wearing some sort of gown, as if they were royalty. I quickly jumped in to rescue the person, hoping they were still alive. When I jumped in to help I was instantly in pain! I had jumped into an apparent feast for the snakes of the Ganges river, called nagas. While some of them were biting me, they were attacking this other person like they had not eaten in days. I had to draw the nagas away from the other person somehow; I decided to distract them by swimming away. Thankfully the nagas left the other person and chased me. Just as I started losing all strength to fight them someone pulled me out of the river.

The person that pulled me out of the river was Bhimy, one of the King's daughters! Immediately she thanked me for saving her while I’m confused thinking I should be the one thanking her. As I looked at the river it then dawned on me that she was the person originally in the river that I jumped in to help! How she had survived that vicious attack from the nagas I still do not know. I asked her how she ended up in the river but she couldn't remember. In lieu of recent events, I thought it was the least I could do to help figure out what had happened to her. After all I was a detective!

It seemed the more we talked about how she got in the river the more she started to remember. She said she was at her castle eating dinner with her family when her cousin Duryan wanted to talk to her outside. Bhimy then said, “When I went outside to talk to my cousin, Duryan, he had two glasses of wine. We both drank the wine while we talked. That’s the last thing I can remember.” At that moment, I knew this cousin Duryan had put poison in her drink.

“Why would Duryan want to hurt you?” I asked. Bhimy replied, “You think he's responsible for me being thrown in the Ganges? My sisters and I are next heirs to the throne, but he would never hurt us for that. However, he has implied he doesn’t think women are fit to be rulers.” I didn't even have to say anything after that. Bhimy realized I was right and Duryan was responsible for what happened to her.

The detective in me craved to have Duryan pay for his actions. As you can guess Bhimy agreed with me and wanted to help. Much to my surprise, I then watched as Bhimy talked to the animals near the Ganges. Apparently, some royal family members had powers and that was a power she had. The animals were eager to help Bhimy take down Duryan, but they didn’t give specific details as to how they would help. All they said was they had witnessed him do terrible things to people too many times near the Ganges, and they couldn’t stand it any longer. I thought it would beneficial to take Duryan down with the element of surprise. He thought that Bhimy was dead, so on his next visit to the Ganges I thought it'd be nice if Bhimy paid him a visit.

We were all in our places, the animals and I hidden behind some bushes and Bhimy on a tree branch ready to jump down. When Duryan made his way to the Ganges just as the animals had predicted, Bhimy jumped down out of the tree right in front of her cousin. “What?! You’re supposed to be dead!” Duryan exclaimed. After the initial shock of seeing Princess Bhimy he then fiercely ran after Bhimy trying to choke and kill her! Before I could intervene the animals already had! All the birds, rabbits, deer, and any animal around were tackling him in efforts to get him off Bhimy. More and more animals joined in and they eventually overpowered and pushed Duryan into the Ganges. We all watched as the nagas feasted on him. Pretty ironic that he died the way he wanted Bhimy to die, isn’t it?

So my vacation wasn't a vacation. On the bright side, at least I helped save Princess Bhimy from whatever harm her cousin would have eventually caused her. 

~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata

Author's Note:

In the original story Bhimy was Bhima, a boy. Also, Duryan was Duryodhana in the original story, so while there was a name swap there wasn't a gender swap with this change. Duryodhana tries to kill Bhima because he is crazy jealous of him. Bhima survives with the help of the nagas and comes back with super strength powers. In my story, instead of gaining powers I had Bhimy have the power of talking to animals. Also instead of the nagas helping her survive the attack I had detective Menna help her.

The image I chose was of the Ganges river. I chose it because I think it helps the readers imagine the setting of the story better.

I was originally inspired to write this story after reading some of Professor Gibbs tips on story writing. I started it just wanted to do an investigation case over Bhima getting thrown into the Ganges river by Duryodhana. However, the more I wrote the more fun I had changing things- why Bhima is Bhimy in my story. I like the idea of giving the females in my stories the desire and assertiveness to not let being a female change how they are treated. 

Reading Notes: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu (A)

For my reading this week on another take of the Mahabharata I chose to read The Five Tall Sons of Pandu because it was a version without superpowers and the gods. That intrigued me because the PDE version I read largely incorporated multiple gods and magical powers/items.

It shocked me that in this version Draupadi was just the wife of Yudhishthira. I could do a story where Draupadi is only the wife for Arjuna or Bhima (since he was her most fierce protector)

                                                   

(Draupadi's swayarmvara)

I could do a story where Shishupala loves his cousin Krishna instead of hating him. No way he’d die then.

If Draupadi was just the wife of one of the brothers (not including Yudhishthira) I wonder what she would do during the gambling match when Yudhishthira gambles away his siblings?

I could do a story where Yudhishthira and the brothers get exiled for some other reason that the gambling match, maybe he breaks a really important law or something?

I wonder why the gandharvas are in this version? I thought they spiritual/magical beings like the gods?

It’d be a nice twist on the story if when the Pandavas save Duryodhana in the forest from the gandharvas he uses that to make one of them think that he has changed. Then after a while he reveals that he hasn’t changed and kills that Pandavas brother.

It’d be so cool to write a story from the perspective of one of the Pandavas while they were living in exile in those “ordinary” occupations!

Bibliography-  Reading Guide: Wilson. The Five Tall Sons of Pandu.

Reading Notes: Mahabharata (D)

It’d be nice to see a story where Duryodhana listens to Bhishma and ends the war, but he just had to be difficult..

Abhimanyu is so brave it’d be a nice twist to see him live, or even cooler to see him kill Jayadratha as he enters the breach!

That’s so smart of Arjuna making Jayadratha’s head fly to his father and fall out of his lap so they both die. If this didn’t work or wasn’t thought of the story could have taken an entirely different turn..

Why does Kunti allow Karna to promise her he will only kill Arjuna? Why not make him promise to not kill any of his brothers?

I feel like a plan could have been made to where Ghatotkatcha could have killed Karna instead of just using him as bait to use up Karna’s lance. I wonder how Bhima felt when his son died?

Very clever trick to get Drona to lay down his arms…I wonder what would have happened if he realized that it was all a trick?

Maybe Arjuana should have killed Dhrishtadyumna because then he would have had an honorable death.

I loved reading that Bhima got revenge on Duhsasana for what he did to Draupadi! It’s interesting to me that Bhima fights for Draupadi the most when he was married to other women and had children with others.

If Karna had not lost his chariot I wonder if Arjuna would have still managed to kill him?

Every time I think of the word stubborn Duryodhana will definitely come to my mind!

That’s sad that Ashvatthama killed all of the children while asleep. What if the children rose up and fought against him as if they had all already been training to be warriors?

(mourning over lost children)

I’d like to make Draupadi rule the kingdom since her husband, Yudhishthira, won’t.

What if Dhritarashtra didn’t have a son? Or what if the child was a girl?

Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata

Reading Notes: Mahabharata (C)

I think draupadi and all the brothers have the right to be mad at Yudhishthira!

It’d be interesting story line where someone notices that loaded dice were used in the gambling and that’s why Yudhishthira lost both times.

I wonder what it was like from the animals perspective when Bhima was going through the forest killing the animals just for amusement..

I don’t understand why Duryodhana’s jealousy/hatred for the Pandavas never lessened after all the bad stuff he did to them?

I wonder if the story would have changed any if the pandavas didn’t save duryodgana and the royal prisoners?

Indra should have just taken the earrings and armor instead of exchanging the arrow of death for it.

You would think with 5 husbands Draupadi would be safe but it seems like she is always in a bad situation. It’d be cool to give her some fighting powers.

                                    

(Bhima kills Kichaka)

I like this photo because it feels like one of the only times that the brothers have taken up for Draupadi.

Riddles at the Lake would be a good base story to teach about patience.

I feel like I've been waiting forever for this battle to happen. I'd like to write something with this much suspense!

Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata (B)

• I think it'd be a good story line of what would happen if Bhima didn't defeat the rakshasa or if he didn't marry the sister and have the baby boy.
• Or what if the boy was beautiful like Bhima instead of monsterous looking like he was. Would Bhima have then demanded he and the wife not leave him? 
  

            (Ghatotkacha: Bhima's son)

• It'd be cool to give Kunti powers like Bhima. She is such a good character I'd like to see them join forces and do good together.
• The story of Draupadi's previous life as Nalayni is very interesting to me. When the god told her that she'd get five husbands and that she was basically a prostitute, I wonder if it was to punish her or if he was simply just granting her wishes?
• I wonder what Queen Kunti thought of her 5 sons all being married to the same woman?
• I'm surprised that Vidura didn't kill prince duryodhana back when he realized that the prince had planned to burn all the pandava's and their mother alive.
• I don't like how Draupadi is not given a voice. I'd like to hear a story where she voices her opinion and is more in command.
• The water nymps should have given Arjuna some kind of gift for returning them all to their natural form
• So Arjuna got married to another woman while in exile and had 4 kids with different women...seems pretty scandalous to me...
• Palace of Illusions seems like a good read!

Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata