Famous Last Words:One Tired Student

Famous Last Words: One Tired Student 

I am really enjoying this class and everyday is an opportunity to either learn something completely new or it reminds me of something that I have heard of in the past. 

I am, however at that stage where I am so tired of doing homework, but reminding myself of the benefits and that it is only a few more weeks longer, keeps me going. This week, I truly enjoyed writing my poem / rhyme and it was quite fun - even though it took a while to wrote, because finding words that will rhyme is not always too easy. I will be travelling for the next three days, so it's very important for me not to fall behind. I do all the extra credit opportunities possible, so that will definitely help me in the future. 

I can not wait for Spring Break! 

This Picture Describes Exactly How I Feel. Source:quickmeme

Feedback Focus

I enjoyed this week's feedback assignment. after practicing the three techniques, I will definitely rank the copy-and-delete technique as the best, followed by reading out loud and lastly, the timer technique. The reason being, is because I am a very visual person who likes to take notes, mark things, highlight certain important sentences, etc. I did not like the timing technique, because I felt rushed and as if I was partaking in a reading competition (even though the technique did not intend to make me rush). I will definitely be utilizing all three techniques to find out which one I feel most comfortable with, because practicing it and actually using it to assess someone's work, is totally different.  

The biggest advantage of the copy-and-delete technique, is that it eliminates confusion and it is not too overwhelming. Whereas the timing method might actually force you to focus more, but it can also cause frustration. I am excited to use these techniques next week and find out which one actually suits me best!

Practice Makes Perfect. Source:Pixabay

Tech Tip: Canvas Notification

A few weeks ago I set up the Canvas notification as a tech tip. I find it very helpful for when I am traveling, but I do wish that the notification will pop up like a reminder. I want to be able to set like an alarm clock reminder to it, or something where it will ring at a certain time of the day.

Week 4 Review: Procrastination

I enjoyed the post from "Why I'm Not Getting Any Writing Done" by Rick Chillot. I read through it and found it quite funny, because I constantly think of other things that I need to do before I start with my writing process. This made me look into other procrastination jokes.

Procrastination Joke. Source: Flickr

Wikipedia Trail: From Coinage Of India To Wampum

1. Coinage Of India:
The origin of Indian coinage is still in question, but copper and silver coins which was issued by imperial dynasties and middle kingdoms began 6th century BCE to 1st millennium BCE.
Punch-marked coins are a type of coinage that was used.Cowry shells was first used.

2.  Cowry Shells:
Cowries are sea snails that vary in size and looks like the shape of an egg. They ere used as a form of currency many years ag and in today's era, they are being used for jewelry purposes. The shells are smooth and shiny. Its etymology comes from Hindi and Sanskrit. "The term "porcelain" derives from the old old term for the cowrie shell (porcellana) due to their similar translucent appearance"

3. Shell Money
Shells were used as an exchange medium and were also used to make beads. It was mostly used in Africa, Australia, America and Asia. It was shipped around the world during the slave trade era and was congo's currency which was known as nzimbu

4. Wampum
It is the traditional beads of the indigenous group in the woodlands. The shells can be used to invite a person to a meeting, showing title, and to show that a speaker holding it is truthful. "Wampum" is a shorter version of the word "wampumpeag" -  derived from the Massachusett or Narragansett word which means "white strings". It was often used as a form of currency or transcription.

Bracelet made from wampum. Source: Wikimedia

Learning Challenge: "through hardships to the stars".

(Cat Reaching Out. Creaed Using Cheezburger.http://builder.cheezburger.com/Builder#step2)

I decided to use the Latin words "Ad astra per aspera" for this picture. Translated, it means "through hardships to the stars". I could not find a photo with starts, so this one was close enough. If one tries hard enough and keep pushing through the difficult times, one will persevere. Do not give up, keep trying and you will succeed. This quote is truly resonating with me, because I am at that point in the semester where I just want to stop doing schoolwork, but I have to push through and keep working hard at it, in order to get my degree and succeed!  

Growth Mindset: Exploding Grenade

(Grenade Brain. Created On Cheezburger)

This picture immediately stood out to me when I saw it. Your brain is almost literally like a grenade. It can explode with so many ideas if you allow it to. There is no limit on what one can achieve and the only thing or person holding it back, is YOU!  Let your creative juices flow and experience the satisfaction behind it. :-)

Reading Notes: Devdutt Pattanaik -Part C

Shiva's Secret: Withdrawal Leads to Destruction:

I found it super interesting when the article mentioned that Hindus do not believe that God is limited to one form. God is seen as both male and female – conceptualizing God as both genders which is called androgynous, while Christians see God as a male. It is also interesting to note that the male version is represented as spiritual whereas the female version is materialistic. What was the reasoning behind this? I’m not quite sure how I will change the story, so I will have to put some more thought into this

(Seven Secrets Of Shiva. Source: ytimg)
Bibliography: Link To Reading Guide By Devdutt Pattanaik

Week Four Storytelling: The Battle of Ravana and Hanuman's Revenge

 The Battle of Ravana and Hanuman’sRevenge

When something is filled to the edge

It tends to always overflow

And cause Hanuman to jump over the hedge

Jambumali pulled out his sword and struck it at Hanuman

The blade of his sword bent like a rod

And Hanuman just gave him a nod

The mighty monkey then pulled out a whip

Giving the rakshasas a hard zip

The rakshasas fired at Hanuman with bow in hand

Nothing was able to touch him

And the rakshasas landed on their knees and hands.

The two enemies were waiting on the battlefield in Lanka- the city of gold

In the small town that is 100 years old

Jambumali then also stood with bow and arrow in hand

To try and get Hanuman to land

He was hurt by an arrow

But quickly went flying over the buildings like a house sparrow

Everybody in Lanka was watching the commanders on the battlefield

As it looked like a real explosive minefield

Prince Aksha was flanking his army as they rushed across the field

And started up the hill toward Hanuman

To prepare for the victorious big kill

And as they began to climb

The evil rakshasa monsters with their big scary eyes turned to slime

Disappearing from one's sight

And even their dust faded in the bright light.

Indrajit, conquerer of Indra Loka, joined the battle with one million shafts

In order to capture Hanuman and give him a big nasty graft

The flying monkey was able to escape them all

And Indrajit then quickly realized that he, the flying monkey, was not able to be mauled

Hanuman was captured and bound by a big old Brahmin

Who was known by all as big mama

The rakshasas once more tried to capture Hanuman and this time were successful

They tied him up with barks and cords but the monkey did not fear

Because Sita, the goddess of wealth, was very near

Coming on with a dreadful pother

Burn him! aat him! kill him! The rakshasas cried to one another

Ravana was so upset by the monkey’s action and story of Rama

That he wanted to slay the monkey, but was quickly warned by counselors of bad karma

Why don’t you release Sita and I will save your life
Otherwise, I will have to cut you open with my kukri knife!

This made the king even more upset and he ordered his men to bind Hanuman’s tail with cotton soaked in oil

The evil monsters did so and decided to add a spark coil

Relishing a secret plan, he teased the rakshasas and led them around the town of gold

This made them go ganja and run around the city that's old

Sita’s spy came running to her all confused

To give her the horrible bad news

Grieving dreadfully, she prayed out loud unto the fire god

To turn her body into hell fire like the naturally footless snake that is tightwad

So that she can save Hanuman’s tail by having the fire controlled

And making his long tail so very icy-cold

Hanuman saw this as a sign

To burn down all of Lanka into ash

And save Sita in a dash

 ( Hanuman Flying Over Lanka With His Burning Tail. Source: Wikipedia Commons ) 

Author's Note: For this week's reading, I decided to take the story of Hanuman Burns Lanka and turn it into a rhyme. The story is about Hanuman who tried to save Sita after she was captured by Ravana. Ravana was enraged by Hanuman and therefore set the monkey's tail on fire and in return, the monkey (Hanuman) jumped from building to building, burning down the town of Lanka. In the original version, Hanuman visited Lanka all on his own before the arrival of Rama where he acted as a spy. In my version of the story, he gets captured as a soldier before burning down the town. I left each character just as they are in the original story and used words from the scene to make my rhyme. The plot and scenery stayed the same as well.  If too much detail is added, it might make the poem long and boring.  The picture used shows Hanuman flying over the town of Lanka with his burning tail. I really enjoyed reading the story. I decided to try something new and different by writing this poem and experienced around with different words to make it rhyme.

Bibliography:  Reading Link To Myths of Hindus and Buddhists: Ramayana By Sister Nivedita

Reading Notes: Myths of Hindus and Buddhists, Ramayana Part B

Hanuman Burns Lanka:

I enjoy this week’s reading much more, because the stories are shorter. On the other hand, not having reading note links / guides is a downfall and some of the wording is very dated and dialogue style writing is very prominent. The reading content is the same as the PDE version, but having short stories such as these helps me as a reader. 

This was an interesting story and Hanuman sure is an interesting character. I wonder what went through Sita's mind when she heard of his burning tail.

I will take this story and use some of its words to write a poem. I also like how they talk about "perceiving that the fire still burnt, but that his tail was icy-cold" (p.73).

(Hanuman Flying Away With A Burning Tail. Source:Wikimedia)

Bibliography: Reading Link To Myths of Hindus and Buddhists: Ramayana By Sister Nivedita

Reading Notes: Myths of Hindus and Buddhists, Ramayana Part A

Dasharatha & the Horse Sacrifice

I was very intrigued by this story and it reminded me of so many animal sacrifices that is depicted in the Bible. The story is kind of sad, because Dasharatha had no sons to carry on his dynasty but it turned out to be a happy ending. I also like this story because it immediately leads into Vishnu Is Born As Rama and His Brothers. I wrote about their battle in the previous weeks, so I thought it was interesting to see how different authors present their point of view. I like how he uses the analogy of “like lotus-flowers in early spring” to describe his wives. It sounds so pretty.

*I can change this story in such a way that Dasharatha will be exiled if he did not have any sons or maybe he would have to marry an evil queen who would be able to give him a son and how this turns out really bad for the people of Ayodhya.

*Possibly combining elements of sin as a reason for the wives not being able to get pregnant can also be an option.

*The only way the king would be saved is by releasing his favorite, strongest stallion. The stallion would return and the king is saved. The figure that appeared in the flame reminds me once again of elements in the Bible. God revealing himself to Moses in Exodus 3, for example.

*I wonder what the significance of the horse (a stallion) is to the Hindu religion. Fertility? Life?

(Figure Appearing In a Burning Flame. Source: Wikipedia Commons)

 Bibliography: Reading Link to Myths of Hindus and Buddhists: Ramayana By Sister Nivedita