Tech Tip: Creation Tip- Making a meme

This week I made my own meme. Maybe I will do more of this in the future.

Learning Challenges: Happiness

Youtube

International Happiness Day was just a couple days ago so I thought it would fitting to post about it. I am very happy from spring break and from Easter which is coming up. I hope I can keep my spirits through the tough week ahead.

Growth Mindset: Stretching yourself

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs 

I thin this meme is a funny way of having a very good point. It is important to have a growth mindset when you want to grow as a person. I want to be open to new ideas or opinions in the future.

Week 10 Reading Diary Continued: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part B

So far I have like the small changes that this story has made to the original story. I think it is interesting to see this story from multiple perspectives.

• Duryodhana and Yudhishthira prepare for war because Duryodhana will not give up his chance at the throne without a fight
• Drona wants peace because he does not want the Pandavas to fight
• When the battle begins Arjuna is hesitant because he does not want to fight but he is commanded to.
• Even when things look bad and he knows the Gods are not on his side, Duryodhana still pushes forward with the fight out of hate
• Bhima is a very strong warrior and kills a lot of Duryodhana’s brothers.
• Bhishma is killed by being approached by a fighter who used to be a girl and refuses to fight her. Then the Pandavas shot an arrow at him. This seems a little unfair because he was just trying to do the right thing.
• On his death bed Bhishma asks Duryodhana to make peace and of course Duryodhana says no because he is evil
• Karna and Arjuna face each other in battle but they are too evenly matched. They fight again and this time Arjuna kills Karna after a long battle
• The battle is over and the brother mourn all the losses of war including their own brother Karna. Arjuna did not know that Karna was his brother until after he was dead.

The Pandavas and Draupadi.

The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson

Week 10 Reading Diary: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu Part A

This week I have chosen The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson mainly because it is a free online book which is most convenient to me. I also enjoy the articles or books that professor Gibbs has created a reading guide for. It makes it easier for me to follow the story or if I get lost the reading guide it a good reference point.

• Pandu is the father of five sons
• Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva.
• Dhritarashtra is the king once Pandu dies because he is Pandu’s brother and Dhritarashtra has many sons but they all hate the sons on Pandu.
• Duryodhana hate Bhima and they fight physically a lot while they are being taught by Drona

• Drona trains the princes.
• Arjuna is amazing at archery which I have already made a story about
• Arjuna and this new character, Karna, Battle and they are equally matched. Karna is revealed to be the son of someone low in society but it doesn’t matter because he is as good as Arjuna.
• Duryodhana seems like a very hateful man
• He traps the Pandavas and their mother in a burning house of wax to try to kill them. I do not see how this would help him in anyway other than he just hates them.
• Arjuna wins the hand of Draupadi but she is given to the eldest brother to marry. So in this story Arjuna does not get to marry her at all which could cause some major anger in Arjuna.
• Yudhishthira is challenged to a gambling game and loses everything including himself and his brothers. This seems a little outrageous of a gamble.
• They are saved by being sent into exile.
• Duryodhana goes to the forest to taunt them every once and while
• Finally the wait is over and it is time for the brother to win their kingdom back.

The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson

Week 9 Review

My favorite announcement this week was this cat meme:

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

Learning is very messy mentally and physically. Mentally it is hard to learn so many different things at once so it can get messy in your head. Physically, I always have a ton of books, notebooks, pencil bag, planner, calculator, and other school supplies on my desk when I am studying. 

Week 9: Famous Last Words

This Class:

I enjoy the way Professor Gibbs has set up the class. We had assigned readings the first couple of weeks to become familiar with Indian Epics in general and now in week 9 we are allowed to choose our own reading. I like this style because I am able to read more about what I enjoyed and not have to focus on stories that I did not understand. I am almost at the end of this class with points so for now extra credit is my friend.

Other Classes:

I came back from Spring Break and school hit me like a ton of brick. I have been assigned two tests next Thursday in my two hardest classes. I am not looking forward to that at all. It my art therapy class we learned about dance/movement therapy and it was interesting but embarrassing. The professor made us all get up and bust our favorite more which made me very uncomfortable. I am looking forward to later in the class when she teaches us how to make balloon animals.

Personal Life:

Spring Break was amazing! I started the week with my family and my boyfriend. We had a fun day in Dallas. We went to the arboretum and saw all the tulips that are in season. Then, we went to the sixth floor museum which I have never seen before. A couple days later I finally went to San Fran and it was so beautiful. My best friend and I did everything under the sun. My favorite thing about San Francisco was Muir woods. It is truly a breath taking sight. We hike for a whole day and it was worth all the leg pain the next day. It was really good to travel but it also feels good to be back in Norman and back in my routine.

San Francisco
Personal Photo

Learning Challenges: Reading- love it or hate it?

I personally love to read even though I am a very slow reader. I still think it is very relaxing and enjoyable. It can be a little overwhelming when it is assigned reading because there is a time limit. I also do not have a large amount of time to read because of school. I feel that after college I will have more time to sit down and read a book of my choosing.

Books
Flickr

Growth Mindset: Tools

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

I really like this meme because I think it is a funny way to show an important skill. At OU there are so many tools that help students accomplish the tasks that they want to complete. I think it is important to take advantage of these resources and make the most of your time at the University!

Week 9 Reading Diary Continued: The Divine Archer Part B

So far this story has been very similar to The Ramayana in a lot of ways but there are distinct differences. There is also a different writing style in the story.

Rama shoots Vali with an arrow

Hanuman goes and talks to Sita after he finds her. It confuses me as to why he didn’t just take her back right then

Ravana sets Hanuman's tail on fire after he is captured but the fire catches the whole town on fire.

Ravana does not listen to any of his counsel and decides to get ready for war with Rama

Rama makes his grand entrance to the battle by shooting an arrow into Ravana's court and knocks off his crown. This seems like symbolism to me.

Lakshmana is hurt in battle but Hanuman gets herbs to heal him

The God Indra sends Rama a Chariot that helps Rama end the battle by riding it to shoot an arrow through Ravana

Rama then questions Sita's faithfulness because he is rude

Sita gives birth to twins and Rama sends them to exile because he believes they aren’t his

Sita calls to Mother Earth to be taken because she is faithful to Rama

The end.

Sita goes into the earth.

The Divine Archer by F.J. Gould (1911)
Reading Guide

Week 9 Reading Diary: The Divine Archer Part A

I have decided to read The Divine Archer mainly because it has a detailed reading guide which is extremely helpful in understand the story. I am excited to see what this story is about and I also like the way that we have the freedom to explore different stories.

The story begins similarly to the Ramayana because Rama is set up to be the best and most loved of his brothers.

Rama is able to change forms even as a baby. This is abnormal

Rama and Lakshmana go to help Vishvamitra defeat the demons in the forest which relates to the original Ramayana because the brothers are together.

Sita is the daughter of King Janaka and Rama sees her when they visit his kingdom and they fall in love immediately

Rama not only bends Shiva's bow but makes it snap so he wins the hand of Sita

Parashurama gives Rama the bow of Vishnu

Sita and Rama get married

Rama is supposed to be the first in line to become king but the queen demands that Bharata becomes king

Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana
Flickr

Rama is exiled and Sita and Lakshmana go with him

Bharata is a good brother and the slippers rule the kingdom

In the forest Rama meets many sages and demons. He gets divine weapons and protects his brother and wife.

Ravana decides to attack Rama because of his demon wife

Ravana captures Sita. Sita drops hr scarf instead of jewelry in the story which makes more sense to me.

Rama and Lakshmana meet Sugriva and Hanuman 

The Divine Archer by F.J. Gould (1911)
Reading Guide

Week 8: Famous Last Words

This Class:

I appreciate the break from the normal routine in this class. I enjoyed making my blog more fun for the people that visit it. So far I am doing well with points. Slowly but surely climbing up to the 410 I need for an A in the class. I think the key to that is doing the extra credit though.

Other Classes:

I had a test in my finance class on Tuesday and it was way harder than the first one but I ended up getting a decent grade so that is exciting. The rest of my classes have been hard to focus in because of the upcoming break. I have a quiz to do tonight but I am hoping that I have done enough this week to not have to worry about school next week.

In my Art Therapy class this week we talked about animal therapy and got to watch a video of therapy cats and dogs. Then, we all drew out favorite animal and turned it in. It was a little strange but I guess it was a nice change from my accounting classes.

Personal life:

FINALLY! It is Spring Break and I am so excited to go to San Fran with my best friend but I am also excited for the beginning of the week. I am going home on Friday morning and I love seeing my family. I hope I have time to go by the arboretum because the tulips are in full bloom. My cousin's wedding shower is on Saturday and I am bringing my boyfriend. I feel kind of bad for him because this is the first time for him to meet me extended family and there are a lot of them but I think he will have fun anyways. Then, I go to San Fran Wednesday. 

Personal Photo

Week 8 Review

My favorite post from the announcement this week was this post because I feel like this all the time. Ready for spring break!

Writer's Block. 

Learning Challenges: Reschedule

Schedule
Wikimedia

This past week I have reviewed my scheduled for this class and others. I realized that it is unrealistic to think I will be able to spend 6 hours on Friday for this class. I have now split up the hours throughout the week.

Growth Mindset: Follow your Enthusiasm

By Laura Gibbs
Made with cheezburger.

This weeks growth mindset challenge I have decided to follow my enthusiasm. Spring Break is nest week so I have a lot of enthusiasm that I have used to get me through this week.

Future Reading

I think for week 9 and 10 I would like to revisit The Mahabharata I did not like it a lot the first time but I want to give it a second chance with a different version.The Mahabharata.
This version has a detailed reading guide which has helped me in the past so I hope to better understand and enjoy this story.

The Mahabharata
Wikimedia

I think it will be easier for me to get into the story because I will be more familiar with the names from the beginning

I am also interested in looking at Legends of India. It seems to be focused on Arjuna which was my favorite character from The Mahabharata.

My Blog Ideas

This first blog I looked at I really liked. Good job Jessica W. on such a wonderful blog!
I thin that I might want to change my background to fit the theme of the class the way that this blog does. I think it looks fun and really flows with the goal of the blog.

The second blog I would like to imitate is Lore's.
I like the heading font and style. It fits her blog well and I would want to make my heading a little more creative.

The third blog I looked at was Jordan T.
I liked the way you can see through her text to where the background shows through as you scroll down their blog.

New Schedule/ Time

This Class:

I think that I need to change my schedule for this class because I have become busier on Friday than I originally thought I would be. I think from now on I will be dividing the hours I spend on this class between Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. I know that sounds like a lot but my schedule is so different every week with work and school that I have to plan my schedule one week at a time. I have been doing well in this class so far to do every assignment each week and I plan to keep doing this until I have an A.

Clocks
Pixabay

Other Class:

In my other classes, things are really starting to become difficult so I will have to dedicate more time over the weekends to classes……starting after spring break. 

Week 7 Review

Passive-Aggressive Voice.

My favorite post on the announcement page for this week was Pete the pencil. I often catch myself writing in passive voice and that is something I need to work on. Something else I need to work on is not being passive aggressive because I can be like that too.

Week 7: Famous Last Words

This class:

This week's reading was still not my favorite. I thought that watching the film would help me better understand the reading from week 6 but I have very little luck. I still found it confusing and hard to follow. I was also disappointed because this film was not as funny and entertaining as the last. I think that the Ramayana is still my favorite of the readings I have done so far.

Other Classes:

This week in my other classes was not too bad. I got all of my test grades back and I am happy with my grades. It is a good start to the semester and that is always a good feeling. Next week I have a test in my finance class and I am feeling utterly lost so I am thinking this weekend is going to be spent in the library.

Personal:

This week was pretty busy with work but sometimes being busy is good. I am looking forward to this weekend because my younger brother is coming to Oklahoma to visit me and see the OU campus. His spring break starts next week so I might even be able to convince him to stay a couple of days. Then the week after that is our spring break and I am so excited. I cannot wait to take a week off because I feel like I have kept myself very busy this semester.

In other news, this week I also burned the stew out of my arm……. twice. The first time I was trying to pull tater tots out of the oven and touched the top rack with the side of my arm and it bubble up. Then, two days later my curling iron burned the exact same stop. Now I have a large and ugly bump on my arm. 

The cause of my pain
Flickr

Learning Challenges: Find Courage

I think my growth mindset post and learning challenge post compliment each other this week. My growth mindset post was about confronting your fears and I think you need courage to do that. Courage is something I am always working on because it is a good thing to have. It pushes you forward even when you are hesitant.

Courage
YouTube

Growth Mindset: Confront your fears

This week I confronted my fears. Okay... not all my fears and not very radically either. I read a blog post about spiders and that is hard for me because I am so scared of spiders. Maybe reading about them will be a baby step in concurring my fear of spiders.

A friendly spider
Wikimedia

Week 7 Storytelling: Bullseye

                Hi my name is Arjuna and I am a junior in high school. I grew up in Hastinapura and I have always been intrigued by the way the kingdom works.  My father says that we are lucky to live here because it is the best place in the world. I come from a big family so chaos is something I deal with everyday in my house. I am the middle child of five boys who are always getting into trouble. Even though they can drive me crazy sometimes I still love them and would do anything for them.

                At school, all of my brothers are very popular because they are so good at sports. Yudhishthira and Bhima, the eldest twins, play football and are the star players at our school. Yudhishthira is the quarterback so at the beginning of every game the entire school chants his name. My younger brother, Nakula, is amazing at soccer and the youngest, Sahadeva, excels at basketball. Even though they are both only in middle school I think they have a lot of potential. Then there is me, I do not have the same athletic ability that my brothers have but I have a feeling I will find my sport one day but for now I will be the brains of the family and focus on school.

                Today is special because Draupadi, the kings daughter, is coming back home to Hastinapura. Draupadi is one of the most famous movie stars in our kingdom. She is also beautiful. Her hair is dark and long and her eyes are as blue as the sky. Her poster is hung on the wall of every teenage boy's room for miles. She is coming to town to celebrate her seventeenth birthday and this is not just any celebration. When King Drupada became King, he promised to marry his daughter to one of his people when she turned seventeen. He planned to have his daughter's husband chosen by a contest that was unknown to the people.

                Draupadi is amazing. She is nice, funny, and companionate. I would love to win her hand but if the contest is testing strength then I know I will fall short of my older brothers' abilities. Even though I am disappointed in my chances, I decided to go to Town Square anyways to at least cheer on the twins. To my surprise the King has announced that the contest will be in archery. I have never picked up a bow in my life but looking into Draupadi's eyes I grabbed it in my hand. My older brothers and ten other young men also grabbed a bow in hopes to win the heart of the King's daughter.

                As they bring out the targets, my heart drops because they are so far away but I won't lose hope. The twelve others and I pull back our strings and I hear the announcer counting down. I focus on the eye of the target and try to slow down my heart beat. When the announcer says, "One" I hear Draupadi yell, "Good luck" as I let go of my string. Everything is in slow motion as the thirteen arrows are in the air. When I open my eyes I see my brothers running and lifting me off the ground. I look to my target and see that I have hit dead center and almost faint. I have not only one the hand of the Princess but I have also found what I am good at.

The contest set up
Flickr

Author's Note:

I made Arjuna the center of my story because he is good at archery and I wanted that to be the base of my story. My inspiration for this story was the Disney movie Brave. In that movie, the princess is supposed to marry the best archer as well. I kept his Arjuna and the name of his four other brothers true to the original story as well as Draupadi. The setting of the story has the same name as the one in The Mahabharata but it is different because The Pandavas are not royalty in this town. Another thing that is similar to the original story is that Draupadi is considered one of the most beautiful women in the land. I strayed from the story by having Arjuna be the only one to marry Draupadi. In The Mahabharata, Draupadi is required to marry all five of The Pandavas. I decided to change up this week's story by writing it in the first person. This way we can see the inner thoughts of Arjuna instead of just hearing the story told by a narrator. I do not particularly like writing in this style so I do not know it I would do it again.


This film of The Mahabharata was made by Epified

Week 7 Reading Diary Continued: Epified Mahabharata

So far the video has been good. I do not like the way it is cut into episodes to but I am looking forward to hearing the end.

• Karna learns he is a solider instead of a farmer
• Drona will not teach Karna because he does not tell him he is a fighter
• Karna has not become king of a smaller kingdom by out doing Arjuna in everyway
• He is a king so he is now able to fight The Pandavas
• Drona wants to get revenge on Durpada
• The Pandvas' cousin wants to kill them by setting their house of fire but they find out about his plan and they escape
• They escaped the fire by digging a tunnel to safety in the forest
• One of The Pandavas killed a beast that was eating people in the town
• Draupadi marries all five of the Pandavas because Arjuna won her hand with archery
• The Pandavas then return to Hastinapura
• A new kingdom is made for the Pandavas
• The Pandavas realize that Draupadi will break them apart so they decide that they will each marry her for a year at a time.
• Arjuna breaks this rule so he is sent to exile for twelve years and in his exile he has many adventures
• Arjuna fell in love with another woman while in exile.

Arjuna
Wikimedia

This film of The Mahabharata was made by Epified