Week 6 Famous Last Words

The worst part is waiting... Every day checking my email and waiting. The first round of med school interviews began the last week of September (for most schools), and I'm just waiting around for a miracle that grants me an interview. I try not to think about it too much, but it's hard not to when everything you have ever worked for leads up to this point. So here I am, just waiting. In the meanwhile, I finally learned the ropes of molecular lab. This class can drive me absolutely crazy sometimes, but I think I have it down. I did well on my past two quizzes, and I did decent on my first writing assignment. Because I'm investing so much time for that class, I have neglected my other classes. This class gives me a break from all the science which is a relief. I have an exam on Monday in another science course, and I haven't started studying yet. That's my fault though. I'm trying to maintain a social life, but that's becoming complicated. Everything requires time. I must sleep. I need to study, but I also need a break. Something that has been bothering is my mom's suggestions to quit my job. She mentioned quitting again this morning because she's afraid that my job requiring too much of a commitment. This is irritating because I found a job because she told me to, and I knew once school started she would want me to quit. I know she just wants what is best for me.

On a happier note, I ran into Kevin Durant last night! My friends and I accidentally took his VIP room at a restaurant. He just walked into the room and all of were so surprised! We were celebrating my friend's birthday so it was a cool gift that he was able to see one of his favorite basketball stars.

Thunder Up! Source.

 

Week 6 Reading Feedback

For this week, I read a chapter from the hard copy of Narayan's Mahabharata.
I had a hard copy from the beginning of the semester since my friend who took this class previously bought all of the books. It was a much harder read for me because I didn't have a reading guide to highlight the main points. Also, I tend to stay awake looking at a computer screen compared to reading an actual book. It must have something to do with the screen lightning, but I always fall asleep when I begin reading a book. With that being said, I struggled to read the book, and eventually had to pull up the reading guide to review what I read. However, reading the book provided more details and more background information on the characters and the plot which I enjoyed. The content that really made an impression on me was the part about the cow raid. That scene really stuck to me for some reason. I think it's because it was about cows. I even wrote my story telling post about the cow raids. To be completely honest, I enjoyed reading Ramayana more than Mahabharata, but that could be because I read more about Ramayana. Perhaps this coming week's assignments will provide a nice review on Mahabharata.

Surya the Sun god.

Week 6 Tech Tip: Behappy.me

For this week's text tip, I did another quote maker. This time I used Behappy.me. This website was also really easy to use. It took me maybe 2 minutes to create my quote. What I thought was really neat was that you can make your quote and apply it to posters, shirts, and coffee mugs. So if you're looking for a way to make a quote into a shirt, Behappy.me is the website! For my poster, I chose a quote from Charles Bukowski. I read his quote when I was feeling defeated one night. I was overwhelmed by school, and I just wanted to give up. Then I stumbled onto his quote, and it made so much sense to me. Why bother trying if you're not going to give your everything? With that said, I'm pushing myself more now than I ever have before.

Source.

Week 6 Growth Mindset

For this week's growth mindset challenge, I decided to learn more about growth  mindset with the links provided. I read an article called Creativity in the Classroom, and it was about how a teacher had incorporated growth mindset themes into his classroom. He had three techniques to encourage creativity among his students: open-ended projects, genius hour, and creative team building. Open-ended projects are self-explanatory. The teacher designed projects that allowed the students more freedom with the project instead of following a strict rubric. In his example, the teacher used presentations as his open-ended project, and the students chose what type of presentation (video, poster, class activity etc.). Creative team building is about solving complex problems with a group, however, the problems aren't your average math equations. The teacher gave his students marshmallows, pasta sticks, and tape, and asked them to create the tallest free-standing tower. Anything that deals with marshmallows, count me in! My favorite technique was the genius hour. For an hour a day or once a week, the teacher permitted his students to use classroom resources to research their passion. The students become so engaged in their genius hour, that they don't realize that they're doing homework! I like the idea of genius hour because it gives kids an opportunity to discover their passion, and perhaps, maybe even find a career that interests them at a deeper level. I really admire this teacher for investing so much of his time and resources to encourage creativity in his students. Nowadays, school curriculum focuses mainly on passing standardized exams and maintaining a high GPA. How can anyone be creative when students are taught to think the same? Study this book. Pass the test. Move forward. Does a score on an exam really define an individual? Why must we quantify everything? Several questions popped into my head as I read the article, but my main question is why aren't more educators teaching growth mindset?

Be open to new perspectives. Source.

Week 6 Storytelling: Not the Cows

     "Gentleman, I am pleased that all of you are here to discuss our grave situation," announced Prince Uttara to his audience of soldiers and commanding officers. The war room was buzzing with rumors about what could have possibly happened in the middle of the night to call for an emergency war meeting. Arjuna, disguised as Brihannala, was invited to attend the meeting as a special guest, but, just like the other officials, he was unaware of the problem at hand. Prince Uttara spots Arjuna in the crowd and calls him forth, "Brihannala! My loyal friend and ally! I have a very important mission for you, my friend." As Arjuna made his way through the crowd, he pondered what he could have done to be called upon by the prince himself! He knows my true identity. He knows I'm a Pandava! thought Arjuna. He stood by the prince with a collected composure, but in his mind he was terrified at the consequences that he could suffer.

     "Now,you must be wondering why I have called upon my best men at the darkest hour of the night. Well, let me tell you that a great injustice has occurred!" Prince Uttara's voice boomed across the hall which rallied his men with indignation towards the mysterious injustice.

"We are a proud kingdom! We fight as brothers against any enemy that has wronged us!" The prince's words encouraged louder rally cries among his soldiers. Arjuna's palms became sweaty, and his heart was pounding in his chest. He has to know. He's showing them that I am the enemy. I have to get out of here! Arjuna was looking for an escape route when Prince Uttara shouted, "I am infuriated with Duryodhana and his friends! They have kidnapped my father, your king, and are holding him prisoner!" Arjuna immediately let out a sigh of relief. Oh thank goodness it's just Duryodhana. The crowd roared with anger and cursed Duryodhana's name.

"My brothers, that's not the worst of it!" Arjuna gave Prince Uttara a puzzled look. What could be worse than your father, the king of this nation, being held prisoner? Prince Uttara stood at his podium in silence. His face showed mixed emotions of pain, hatred, and sorrow. The prince angrily pounded his fist against the podium and looked away from the crowd to hide the stream of tears running down his face. The soldiers were becoming uneasy... What has happened that made the prince, the bravest commanding officer, break down? With a quiver in his voice, Prince Uttara spoke, "Duryodhana's ally, Susharman.... He... He took our COWS!" Silence. The audience had a defeated look on their faces. It was as if someone had ripped their souls out of their bodies. Arjuna's jaw dropped in disbelief. COWS?! MY SLEEP WAS DISRUPTED FOR SOME STUPID FAT COWS!? Prince Uttara noticed Arjuna's reaction and embraced him, "It's ok brother! I see the pain in your eyes. I feel the anger that you feel in the depths of your heart! I knew you would understand the severity of our situation better than any soldier here, which is why I am appointing you as my chief charioteer! Side by side, we will destroy the heathens that have robbed our precious gems AND SAVE OUR COWS!" The crowd bellowed their deepest hatred and cries against the cow raiders!

"Kill kidnappers!"
"Slaughter the villains!"
"Save the cows!"

Arjuna could not fathom the insanity. The king was kidnapped and no one bats an eye. Someone raids the cows and everyone loses their minds! Prince Uttara then commands, "Men, secure the kingdom! Brihannala and I must confront the enemy and return the cows!" The prince and Arjuna then exit the thundering hall of riled up men. While Arjuna prepared the chariot, he asked, "My good prince, what about your father? Are we not rescuing him?"

"My father? OH YEAH! He is held prisoner isn't he... Ok hm well we can make a detour to rescue him but we MUST save the cows first.Cows first. Then my dad. But remember cows first." Arjuna gave the prince a cock-eyed look. This is absolutely ridiculous. With one quick crack of the whip, Prince Uttara and Arjuna trotted off to save the cows! And maybe the king.

A cow waiting to be rescued. Source.

Author's Note:
      In the original story, Arjuna, disguised as Brihannala in the king's court, accompanies Prince Uttara as the prince's charioteer to confront Susharman and save King Virata. Before saving the king, Susharman raided the king's cattle, leading to a battle to save the cattle. The prince was unable to confront the enemy so Arjuna takes over and defeats everyone, thus saving the king.
     In my story, I decided to make the main focus on the cows because cows are awesome. When I was reading the epic, it just cracked me up that someone would go through the trouble to steal some cows. I guess that's an ancient military tactic to cut off food sources perhaps? I imagined that the prince made a dramatic announcement to his army that the cows were being stolen, and at least one person had to question the validity of the meeting. I also used a line from the Dark Knight (as some of you may have noticed). The original quote can be found here. The story was supposed to be harmless, but I have realized that in some cultures cows are sacred. I'd just like to point out that I did not mean to offend anyone or any culture. I personally think cows the best farm animals. Just look at that image! It makes me want to keep a cow as a pet, but I'm also conflicted with my love for burgers...

Bibliography: The Mahabharata: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic by R. K. Narayan (1978)

Reading Diary B: Narayan's Mahabharata Part 2

The Pandavas and Duryodhana prepare for war! Again! Except this time Duryodhana has one million soldiers from Krishna while the Pandavas have Krishna on their side. Yudhisththira tries to be a peacemaker, and he pleads for peace on multiple occasions. In an attempt to establish peace, Krishna travels to Dhritarashta's palace as a messenger for negotiation, but the king is set on war. With little hope, Krishna tries to convince Karna to leave Duryodhana, but fails. Karna tells the Pandava's mother, Kunti, that he only has beef with Arjuna so he'll just kill Arjuna and spare his brothers. What a kind enemy...

The war begins! Long story short:

Dhrishtadyumna (Draupadi's brother, and commander of troops) attacks Drona (Duryodhana's side).
Bhishma attacks Krishna. Arjuna becomes mad.
Krishna attempts to slay Bhishma, but Arjuna stops him.
Ghatotkacha (demon son) joins the battle.
Amba joins the battle as Skikhandin to attack Bhisma, but he doesn't attack her.
Arjuna kills Bhisma.
Karna joins the battles.
Abhimanyu (Arjuna's son) is killed by Jayadratha (Duryodhana's bro-in-law).
Arjuna kills Jayadratha before the sun sets.
Dhrishtadyumna kills Drona (they tricked Drona into believing that his son was dead by killing an elephant names Ashwatthaman. Drona was traumatized. Why an elephant?! They couldn't kill like a bug or something?)
Arjuna kills Karna.
Yudhishthira kills Shalya.

Tha pandanvas confront Duryodhana who decides to hide at the bottom of the lake. So many people died, so the Pandavas perform burying rituals out of respect. Yudhishthira is now king.

Bhishma's Death Ritual. Source.

Reading Diary A: Narayan's Mahabharata Part 2

Dhritarashta developed an plan to humiliate the Pandavas on the battlefield, but his plan backfired when Duryodhana became captive to the gandharvas (heavenly beings). Because they have good hearts, the Pandavas freed Duryodhana from captivity. The Pandavas continued their adventure! While they were trying to help a brahim capture a mysterious deer, they came across a mysterious lake. To drink from the lake, they must answer a question, but the Pandavas ignored the question and drank the water. Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, and Bhima died. Yudishthira actually answered the question and passed the test (made by their father Yama). So all the brothers are brought back to life but are cursed with unrecognizability. For their last year, the Pandavas hide in King Virata's court disguised as other people. Draupadi was violated by the Queen's brother, and asked Bhima to avenge her. So Bhima kills Kichaka (Queen's brother).

The part that stood out to me the most was the cattle raid. There was a huge battle to save the cows and that idea was pretty funny to me. I can just imagine flying arrows shooting in the sky while someone yells, "SAVE THE CATTLE!" The cattle raid was proposed by Susharman, an ally of Duryodhana, who took King Virata prisoner. Virata's son, Prince Uttara, took Arjuna (but he doesn't know he's Arjuna) on a mission to save the king. However, the prince was a wimp and couldn't confront the enemy, so Arjuna took the lead and fought Karna. It was then that Uttara learned Arjuna's real identity as a Pandava, but he promised to keep it a secret. They saved the king!

Bhima Avenging Draupadi from Kichaka. Source.