Story: The Annual Maze

MIDNIGHT

All of the towns people are finally getting to rest. They all enjoyed, as much as they could, what could possibly be their last meal together. Mothers and Fathers tucked their little ones into bed and stayed up all night holding each other, crying, praying that their names weren't  called tomorrow. It was finally time for the Annual Maze that the town puts on, sounds kind of fun, right? Except that this is the most devastating day of the year, that is until your name isn't called. Then, you could celebrated.

The Annual Maze is simple. Every household in town is put into a giant bowl. It doesn't matter if you're the richest people or the poorest. The people in charge don't care if you could buy the whole town, or state for that matter, or if you are barely putting three meals on the table per day. Equality, am I right? The only people that can get out of the bowl is if the woman of the house is more than 7 months pregnant, or if you have a child under the age of 1 year old. If your household is pulled out, you enter the maze. If your household isn't pulled out, you're in the clear for another year. Although the maze sounds like something you would love to do with your family to any other town, here, the maze is an actual death trap. Like, no one has ever made it out alive. They always televise the event, but usually no one watches it. These are people from the community, children as young as 2, people who have their whole lives ahead of them. Normally the others don't like watching their gruesome end.

In school you always learn about the history of the Maze and all the good that comes out of it. It's all B.S. It started back years and years ago, because they needed to bring in jobs. So people came and built the Maze and it helped the town economically. They were going to use the Maze for actual fun like at a fair or Fall Festival, but instead some sick, twisted, weirdo thought it'd be put to better use if they send innocent people in to fend for their lives. That is the only reason why it started in the first place and the only reason it keeps happening is because everyone is too afraid to say anything because they think the system will be rigged and their families name will be called. No reason for it to start in the beginning and no reason it should be occurring in this day.

8 A.M.

At this time, all the families are lining up in the town square. This is usually where so many great and wonderful things happen in the town...concerts, graduations, proposals. Then there's this messed up thing. It's so weird because we know that tomorrow, everything will be back to normal, as long as your name isn't called in the next few minutes. And so the ceremony begins. The normal things are read, we sing a little, we hope this will bring brighter futures to us all, and then the name is pulled out. This year, it's the King family (remember how I said it doesn't matter if you're rich or dirt poor? Yeah well the Kings are easily the most wealthy family in the whole town). People looked around shocked. Obviously they were thrilled they didn't hear their name, but they couldn't show it. The Kings had five children, all boys. By the end of the night, we will be down seven people in our town.

Here is the best part about this whole event. After a families name is called and everyones fear and relief is set in, the whole town prays over the family who is about to lose their life. They act as if there is nothing they can do about the fact that people are intentionally dying.

10 P.M. 

The family usually enters the Maze around 1 p.m. and the whole thing is usually over by about 3 p.m. This year was different however. The Kings weren't giving up. They were fighting. When the whole town heard they weren't finished by 4 p.m., we all got to a T.V. as fast as we could and intensely watched what was happening. There were all sorts of things coming after them, but somehow they were managing to stay alive. They've been in there for 9 hours, running and hiding and fighting and clinging onto life and what awaits them if they come out alive.

Somehow, they were able to do it. At about 11:30 p.m., they ran through the finish line, all seven of them. They are the first ones to ever complete the Maze, and hopefully they will be the last to ever have to go through such a tragic and life-changing thing. This is fuel that the town needs to get rid of this thing. The Kings are the ones that the whole town has been waiting on.

Author's Note:

For this retelling, I decided to use the story of Kunti and her five sons who had to escape from the burning house. In the original story, they were intentionally targeted and when they escaped no one knew that they were still alive. In this retelling, I decided to make the house a giant death trap maze and for the choosing of them to be completely random. I gave this story a Hunger Games/The Lottery feel to it to portray the cruelty of Prince Duryodhana.

Bibliography
Public Domain Mahabharata, Online Source 
Photo of a Corn Maze, Web Source 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part B

As we get deeper and deeper into the Mahabharata, the stories are getting more and more extravagant and complex. It is hard to keep up with everyone, but I am enjoying reading this great Indian epic.

In the first story for this weeks reading, we read about the house fire and that was an incredible story. There was so much detail that went into the story about how the house was set up for failure through flames from the very beginning. It is so sad to think that someone hated someone so much that not only are they willing to kill them, but their innocent family as well. I love that they were able to escape from the flames though all thanks to a secret tunnel. I am very excited to see how this gets resolved since everyone thinks that they are dead.

I also really liked that this story included a Swayamwara just like the Ramayana had. It makes it very clear that this is how women's husbands were chosen back in these ancient times in India, and around the world. It was very fascinating how no one expected anything from the Pandavas brothers since they were disguised as Brahmins, but they eventually proved them all wrong.

As I was reading through this part of the Mahabharata, I was using this reading to get some ideas for my retelling for this week. Here are a few of the things I came up with:

21. House of Fire

• I could rewrite the story to where Kunti and her sons did not escape and survive the fire
• I could write where instead of being trapped inside a burning house, they were trapped inside of a maze

25. Birth of Draupadi

• I could write about Kunti and her family's journey from one of her son's perspective, but I could make this boy a young boy around the age of 6 or 7

28. Wife of the Five Pandavas

• I could write how instead of sharing a wife, the brothers share a car

31. Arjuna and the Apsaras

• I could write how the water nymphs were trying to get a married man while her was at the club for his friends Bachelor party

32. Arjuana and Chitra

• I like how this story was told strictly with dialogue and this is something I could implement into my writings

38. Draupadi Lost

• I like how this story was written in rhyme and this is something I could possibly use in the future

Bibliography

Public Domain Mahabharata, link to Reading Guide B

Picture of a Burning House, Web Source

Week 5 Review: Cat and a Comma

While going through this weeks announcements, I found the following picture that I think is super cute and funny. I love how it involves and cat and the cat just doesn't look amused at all!

(Cat and a Comma;

Thursday's announcements)

Story: Only One Time

After school, I decided to stop by the store and get a test. I knew what the answer was going to be. It had to be a negative. After all, it was just one time. We were at party, both drunk. It was a mistake, but nothing permanent would come out of it...it was just one time. We're only juniors in high school, sixteen-years old. We just got our licenses. There's no way. I haven't even taken my SAT test yet. I still have a year and a half left in high school, then my undergrad, then med school. There's no way. I just have to know for sure..but there's no way, it was just one time.

As I walk into the store, I can see it on everyone's faces. They know what I'm doing here, they know what I'm about to buy. I hope they all know the answer that I so clearly know. They can't be thinking any other way. I decided to go two towns over, just so I knew I wouldn't run into anyone I know here, pretty good thinking on my part if I do say so myself. I finally find the aisle and there are so many to choose from. Which do I choose? How many should I buy? Are the more expensive ones better and more accurate? Why am I here? I shouldn't be here, I'm only sixteen.

I decide to buy two different brands, just in case. People are watching. Maybe they think it's just for a friend, or even my mom. That's probably what they are thinking. They're thinking, "This girl is only sixteen. She has her whole life ahead of her. She will finish high school, go to college, and be successful in whatever field of study she chooses." Thank goodness I have cash on me because I don't know how I would explain a $20 shopping spree at the local grocery store two towns over to my parents. Should I take the test here? Do I go home? If I go home my mom will see it. But if I stay here, then people may see my tears. I shouldn't even have tears though because I'm only sixteen and it was only one time, so I ultimately decided to just take the test here.

I decided to take two tests, both different brands, just in case. It felt like I waited for ever and ever in that bathroom. Finally I looked down and the result was becoming clear. It was a negative, I knew it! I looked at myself in the mirror and just laughed, how could I ever think anything other wise. I'm just sixteen! I looked down at the tests, just to get one final look before I left and went home to my normal life. In that instant everything changed. The test was finished developing. The vertical line appeared. It was just one time. I am only sixteen. I am a mother.

Do I tell anyone? Do I wait? Do I get it "taken care of"? Do I keep it? Do I give it up? How will people look at me? How will my parents look at me? Should I tell him and see what he thinks? I am the only one who can come up with the answers to all of these questions. 

I throw the tests away and drive home. My mom greets me as she always does, she smiles, offers me food, asks how my day was. I lie obviously. I tell her I'm not feeling well and I head up to my room to rest a while. 

A week passes and I've barley eaten anything. I can't hold this secret in and hold down food. I finally decide to tell my mom. We both cried. She asked me why I would let something like this happen. She told me that I knew it only took one time. Then, she asked me what I wanted to do. I knew getting it "taken care of" wasn't an option. There was only keeping it or giving it up. I had nine months to decide, but I felt like once the decision was made there was no turning back.

Eventually people at school figured out. People starred. They stayed away as if it were contagious. Months passed and I hadn't made my decision. I thought every night, would I be able to take care of a child? Could I do go to school then come home and take care of another life? Could I even afford daycare? How could I, a child myself, raise a child of my own? I already love this child and I haven't even met it yet. I know that I could provide all the love the child would ever need in it's who life, but what about everything else? In that moment I knew what I had to do. I went downstairs to my mother with tears in my eyes telling her how much I loved this precious life inside of me. I told her how because I love this child, the best thing would be to put the child up for adoption. She held me as I wept into her arms.

Author's Note:

I decided to use the story of Kunti and her child for this week's storytelling. Kunti decided to give her child up and she floats him down the river and he lives a very good life with his new mother. I decided to modernize this story using the "16 and Pregnant" approach. She continues saying "it only happened one time" and " I'm only sixteen" to convey just how young she is and the invincibility principle many young people feel.

Bibliography

Public Domain Mahabhrata, Online source

Photo of a babies hand, Web Source

Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part A

As we start reading the Mahabharata, I've decided to read the online PDE version of the Mahabharata. One reason I did this was that when we read the Ramayana, I chose to read Narayan's version. I really enjoyed this version, however I wanted to give the PDE version a chance to see different writing techniques then Narayan used. I also chose this version because it was free, this way I didn't have to go buy the book from either the bookstore, Barnes&Noble, Kindle, rent it from the library, etc. So for I've found that the Mahabharata is more difficult to read for me than the Ramayana was. The reason behind this is because there are so many characters in the Mahabharata, all with very similar names so it's hard to keep track of who is who.

While reading, I really enjoyed that the author decided to go into more detail about when Pandu accidentally killed the Brahmin and his wife. It made it very easy to understand what was happening and who died, unlike some of the other stories in this version of the Mahabharata. I also really like the way that the story of Amba was written. You could feel the pain that she felt when she was betrayed by her husband to be, the King of Shalwas. Another part of the story where I could feel the pain the character felt was in Drona's story when he was told that he wasn't actually friends with Drupada due to their financial standing. This was very sad and when the author said "Then abruptly he turned away, nor spake he in reply. His heart burned with indignation as he hastened out of the city." you can tell that he will make sure Drupada feels the way he made him feel.

As I was reading through part A, I came up with a few ideas I can use for my re-telling this week. They are as follows:

2. King Shantung and Ganga

• Could write where Ganga gave birth and kept the babies
• Could write where Ganga gave birth to stillborns

5. Bhishma at the Swayamwara

• I could write the battle in a modern way, perhaps using a video game rather than actual battle

6. Amba 

• I could write where Amba actually wanted to marry Vichitracirya rather than the King of Shalwas whom she had already promised herself to

8. Kunti and her Son

• I could write from Kunti's point-of-view of what it was like for her to give her child up for adoption

10. Son of Pandu

• I could write hoe Pandu dies in a freak accident rather than dying because he was cursed

13. Bhima and Nagas

• I could write how Duryoshana accidentally ate the poison that he meant to give to Bhima

14. Drona, Son of Bharadwaha

• I could write how the two friends started off hating each other but when the rich one became poor they became friends
• I could set it back to the Great Depression when everyone was struggling

16. Ekalavya

• I could write how he was already deformed and didn't need to cut off his thumb

17. The Contest

• I like how this part was written in rhyme, and I could integrate that into my story

Bibliography

Public Domain Mahabharata, link to Reading Guide A

Painting of Ekalavya cutting off his thumb, web source

Week 4 Review: Laser Pointer

While reviewing over this weeks announcements, I came across the following gif in Thursday's announcements and I thought it was hilarious! At my house we love playing with the laser pointer with our dog and cats, so I think that this is the cutest thing ever!

Feedback Focus

The three strategies suggested to us are all very helpful in focusing in on what you are reading. If I were to rank the strategies, it would be:

1. Setting a Timer

2. Reading Aloud

3. Copy & Delete

Using these three strategies, I could tell that it had a positive affect on my reading. I was able to understand what the author was trying to convey in each of these things. For each of these strategies, there were advantages and disadvantages. An advantage of setting a timer was that I was able to focus just on the story for 10 minutes without having any other distractions. I was able to read through the story multiple times and catch things I hadn't previously caught the first time. For this strategy, I wouldn't really say there were any disadvantages to it. An advantage of reading aloud was this it made it very easy to tell if you missed anything, which helped make sure you were understanding what the author is trying to convey. A disadvantage would be that you have to read it out loud which isn't always the most feasible thing to do depending on your location. An advantage to the copy and delete strategy is that you focused on the paragraphs rather than the story as a whole. The only disadvantage to this is that sometimes it's nice to be able to go back and quickly re-read something and this is somewhat difficult with this strategy. 

I will definitely be using these strategies in the future because I think that they really helped me focus on what the story is about and helped me get good notes on these stories. I've never used these strategies before so I'm very excited to see how much better of a reader/feedbacker I become with these strategies. I really enjoyed reading "Midterm Madness" because I thought it was very clever how the author was able to integrate the Ramayana into something so relatable for every student with using midterms as the theme.

(Photo of a person studying,

Web Source)

Tech Tip: Google Site Website

For this tech tip, I decided to make a website using Google Sites. I am using this website for my storybook. Here is the the link to the website

(Photo of the Haunted Mansion in Disney World,

Web Source)

Story: House Hunter

Hi, I'm Visva-mitra, the old city guru. Although I love my luxurious life in the big city, I think it's time for me to make my move to a rural country life. As of right now I don't have any jobs lined up, so I have a pretty low budget, but I don't need much, just a bedroom, kitchen, electricity, internet (I have to be able to watch my Netflix!) and plumbing...oh and plenty of room to entertain my guests. Just kidding! I just need enough room for me because I'm a hermit and don't really want to deal with people for a while. If I could get a few upgrades like some granite countertops, hardwood floors that would be incredible. But, I definitely think my realtor will be able to help me find something well within my budget.

So today is the day that me and the realtor are going to go and look at a few different options for me and my new life. The first house was pretty nice. It was small and there weren't too many upgrades. Just the bare minimum, everything a hermit could ever need. The neighbors were all about a mile away from the house though, and that was a little too close for me. The next house was almost too much of a hermit hole for me. The house was maybe half the size of the first house and there was no way I could comfortably be in the bathroom, I always felt squished. I will say though that Debbie, my realtor, hit the price right on the nose. It was about half my budget, which is incredible. The third and final place we saw was spectacular. Brand new upgrades, the kitchen was beautiful, the bathroom was incredible, and the bedroom was spacious. It was almost like what I had in the city, expect on a smaller scale...and maybe not so luxurious. The best part about this house was the property that came with it. It sat on a two and a half square mile lot, and the closest neighbors were three miles away! Incredible! The only downside to the house was that the price was a little over my budget.

Once I saw all three houses, I knew it would be a difficult decision to choose the perfect one for me and only me. Do I go with number one, the quaint house that wasn't too special? Or number two, the house that looked like something the peasant people from the city live in? Should I dare with number three, in a house made for the city transported to the country? I decided to make my decision a little easier by removing number two. Even though I wanted to get away from the city, I didn't want to live like a poor man. So now the decision was between number one and number three. I could see myself being comfortable and enjoying life in both houses, so this really was the hardest decision of my life.
I finally came the decision and realized that house number three really screamed Visva-mitra! When I walked inside for the first time, I could see myself loving life here. I saw myself sitting on the sofa, reading a book or watching the latest season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix. I could see myself cooking in the kitchen. And most importantly, I could see myself living peacefully, and alone, here with no one to bother me.

Author's Note

For this retelling, I decided to use Visva-mitra's story. In The Divine Archer the author never really touched on Visva-mitra's life other than the fact that he needed Rama to help him. I wanted to show him finding the perfect house to become a hermit in, and what show is better at helping people find their dream homes than 'House Hunters' on HGTV? I thought that having Visva-mitra being the buyer of a new property was the perfect platform to creating a backstory for him! 

Bibliography

The Divine Archer by F.J. Gould, online book

Logo for House Hunters, web source

Reading Notes: The Divine Archer, Part A

For this weeks reading, I decided to read The Divine Archer by F.J. Gould. I chose to read this because it seemed very interesting and I like that it is mainly based on Rama and how he uses archery to help him in all of his battles. As I was reading, I really liked the format of the book because it was very easy to read. This version seems much more like a fairy tale for children, where as Narayan's Ramayana read more like a novel. The fairy tale like writing makes it very playful, while also stressing the evils that Rama faces.

Something I really like about this version of the Ramayana is that the author focuses on Rama's brothers. I know that is Narayan's Ramayana he discussed Lakshman and Bhartha, but he didn't really go into that much detail about his third brother, or much detail about the other two in general other than the fact that they both trusted Rama and did what he said. When Rama meets Sita and gets married to her, the author explains that all three of Rama's brothers got married that day as well and I think that that is good information to have. I also enjoy how he told the story of Rama and Sita meeting and getting married. There was more detail to it than the fact that they saw each other through a window and Rama was able to string the bow to win Sita's hand in marriage.

As I was reading through The Divine Archer, I was thinking of ways I could retell the story. Here are a few options:

Chapter 1

• I could write about Visva-mitra's life and the journey that he went on with Rama and his brothers from his perspective

Chapter 2

• I could write how Sita at first didn't love Rama back, but she eventually fell in love with him
• I could write that Rama had failed to string the bow, but was able to still win Sita's hand in marriage

Chapter 3

• I could rewrite the story where Dasaratha doesn't give Kaikeyi what she wants
• I could rewrite the story to where Rama gets furious at his father's decision to not give him the crown

Chapter 4

• I could write where Kaikeyi was Rama's charioteer and abandoned him in the forest on coronation day rather than he asking Dasaratha to not crown Rama

Chapter 5

• I could write a story where Maricha disguised himself as a dog rather than a deer

Chapter 6

• I could write where Ravan was defeated by the vulture rather than Ravan defeating the vulture

Bibliography

The Divine Archer by F.J. Gould, online book

Symbol of an archer, web source

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part D

As I finished up reading Narayan's Ramayana I was very excited to see how it all would end. Would Rama defeat Ravana? Would they both live? Would Rama and Sita be reunited with one another? It was very fun to read and figure out the answers to all of these questions.

When Ravana was meeting with his council to decide what to do regarding Rama, the detail that was put into all of the conversations that were taking place was very realistic. His council was telling him so many different things, the way I feel like cabinet meetings go for the President. I thought it was very interesting that many of his councilmen were telling Ravana that he was in the wrong for holding Sita captive for so long, however in the end Ravana did as he pleased. I also think that it was admirable of Vibishana to stick up for himself and continue to believe that what Ravana did was wrong and seek asylum with Rama.

As the epic got into the battle sequence, it was very fun to read with all of the details the author put into it. I really felt like I was there watching the battle occur! Once it got to the final battle between Rama and Ravana, it was very interesting. It almost reminded me of the scene in Hercules where Hercules is fighting the Hydra where its heads keep coming back.

Once Sita and Rama were finally reunited, it was very disappointing that Sita threw herself in the fire, however I love that it all worked out and that Sita and Rama were able to end up together and rule the kingdom with one another. When Rama's father, Dasartha, came back to visit Rama, it was very emotional and I'm glad that he was able to forgive Kaikeyi like how Rama wanted.

(Rama and Lakshmana fighting Ravana;

Web Source)

While reading, I found a few things that I may want to incorporate while doing some of my retellings. They are as follows:

IX. Ravana in Council

• I could rewrite the story to where Ravana is trying to win back the love of his life rather than take someone's love away from them
• I could rewrite to where Ravana is battling Rama for land rather than a woman
• I could rewrite the story to where Ravana is out Black Friday shopping and is trying to steal a great item from someone

X. Across the Ocean

• I could rewrite where Vibishana is like Snowden seeking asylum after giving out a countries secrets

XI. Siege of Lanka

• I could rewrite the story to where Kumbakarna is helping Rama rather than his own brother

XII. Rama and Ravana in Battle

• I could rewrite to where the chariot races are like a Mario Kart or Nascar race

XIII. Interlude

• I could rewrite the story to where Rama is so happy to see Sita and knows that she didn't do anything un-pure while being held captive, this way she doesn't have to throw herself into a fire

XIV. Coronation

• I could rewrite the story to where Bharatha doesn't want to give up the crown to Rama

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, link to Reading Guide D

Rama and Lakshmana fighting Ravana, Web Source

Week 3 Review: Comfy Cat

I really like the following gif that you posted in Saturday's Class Announcements! I love how comfortable this cat looks, and this is how comfortable I want to be every time I go to sleep!

(Comfy cat gif,

Saturday's announcements)

Story: The Big Fight

The arena is dark. There is no one here, except for the janitor, cleaning up making sure everything is ready for the big night. People have been awaiting this event for a year. Tickets were sold out within three hours. If you weren't able to initially buy a ticket, get ready to cough up thousands of dollars. Anyone who is anyone will be there tonight. Front row full of A List celebrities, people barely able to pay the bills in the nose bleeds. If you were so unfortunate to not be able to get a ticket to see the action live with your own eyes, you can watch on pay-per-view. You do not want to be the person who misses this fight tonight.

As it creeps closer and closer to 7:30, the time of the match, things start to fall into place. Slowly the janitor turns on each light, one switch at a time, each switch lighting up a different section of the arena. The judges for the match arrived in the wee hours of the morning, some of them even too excited for what today holds to sleep through the night. It is almost as if everyone is a child on Christmas Eve. The volunteers start coming into the arena, ready to clean and prep everything to make sure it is all in pristine condition. The people sitting in the general admission seating have been waiting outside for hours, just so they can get up close and personal to the action. 

Finally, the main men of the evening begin their journey to arena. Each in their vehicles, their drivers carefully transporting the precious cargo they each have in their back seat. As they pull up to the arena, people are lined down the street hoping for just a glimpse at them. Of course they could not be bothered, each having their expensive headphones on listening to their hype music, waiting until the match that could make or break them for the rest of their career. They are each alone in their respective locker rooms, each performing their pre-match rituals to ensure nothing happens to mess up their performance for tonight.

The moment has arrived. People are pilling into their seats anxiously waiting as each minute passes. The time has finally come and the brothers are about to emerge out of the tunnels and into the ring. A voice rumbles over the speaker. "In the blue corner weighing in at 190lbs, Shane. In the red corner weight in at 186lbs, Vince. Come into the center of the ring men and shake on a good, clean match." They followed suit, however each thought of how they were going to punch the other ones face into itself. 

With the loud chime of the bell, the match has begun. It was fast-paced, high energy from the very beginning. Each was holding their own. Then, Vince hit Shane square in the face, practically knocking him out. Shane fell to the floor, groggily looked out into the crowd, and somehow mustered up the courage to get back in and fight. Shane would get in a few good punches right to Vince's sweet spots. Suddenly, Vince came in with the biggest blow anyone in the crowd had ever seen. Shane lay, almost lifeless on the floor. Everyone was holding their breath, praying that he still had his. They saw his hand move, almost as if it were a motion to someone outside the ring. That is when everyone's head turned to see Rocky, Shane's coach hurdle into the ring and deliver a single blow straight to Vince's head that knocked him out.

Everyone in the arena was numb. What had they just witnessed? Are Vince and Shane even alive? How was this even a clean fight? Rocky was escorted out of the ring, and the arena and has never been heard of within the boxing world again. Shane and Vince were both taken out of the arena on stretchers, and neither of them have stepped into the ring again.

Author's Note

For this retelling, I used the story of the fight that Sugreeva and Vali had with one another. Sugreeva and Vali were brothers who had gotten into a fight, and they represent Shane and Vince. Once Sugreeva had almost died from the battle, Rama (Rocky) came in and shot and killed Vali. I figured that using a boxing match would be the perfect tool for retelling the story.

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, Link to Reading C

Image Information

Photo of a Boxing Ring, Web Source

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part C

As I continue reading The Ramayana, it is getting more and more thrilling. I cannot wait to figure out if Sita and Rama will ever be reunited, and if Rama will ever get to rightfully take his place on the throne.

While reading Part C of The Ramayana, I was fascinated by all the detail the author used in his writing. The part where the author discussed the fight that Vali and Sugreeva got into was so interesting. I really like how you could practically see what was happening, just by the description that the author gave. It is almost as if you were there watching Vali gang up on Sugreeva, then seeing Vali get shot by Rama.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the detail the author put into the story once the rains ceased. When he started discussing how all the animals were finally making their way out of the brushes and back into normal life, it is as if you were standing in the forest seeing it for yourself.

As I was reading Part C of The Ramayana, I started thinking about some changes that I could make to the story when it comes time for a retelling. They are as follows:
VI. Vali

• I could rewrite the part of Sugreeva and Vali fighting to where they are in a boxing match with one another
• I could also rewrite the same part as if Vali were a bully beating up Sugreeva and Rama coming in and saving the day with one swift punch to Vali's face, knocking him out

VII. When the Rains Cease

• I could rewrite the part where Hanuman is searching for Sita with a "Dora the Explorer" feel to it, or something along those lines but perhaps a little older

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, link to Reading Guide C

Painting of Vali, Web Source

Week 2 Review: Geek Meditation Session, Heroin/e

I found two things that I thought were really funny on this weeks announcements that are both found in Sunday/Monday's announcement! The "Geek Meditation Session" is so funny because it kind of reminds me of some of the people that are in some of my classes. And the "Heroin/e" meme was funny as well because it shows how just how careful you have to be when using the English language and how detrimental missing one letter in a word can be.

(Geek Meditation Session;

Sunday/Monday's announcements)

(Heroin/e Meme;

Sunday/Monday's announcements)

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

I decided to add the weather to my blog! I think that weather is a pretty cool thing to be in the know about, and it's always nice to be aware of what the temperature is so you can plan on what to wear! I chose the design of the sticker because it reminds me of traveling and going to India!

Feedback Thoughts

The article that I really related to was the "5 Tips for Taking Feedback Like a Champ" article. Often times, I have difficulty taking feedback because I feel as though when people give me constructive feedback it is because they don't like me. The other article I related to was the "Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters a Growth Mindset" article. I really liked how both of these articles were written in the form of tips and it was easy to see what I could be doing better in regards to feedback. One thing I really like in the "5 Tips" article was when they said that getting feedback and having growth areas is a good thing because it means you haven't reached your full potential. This was very helpful for me to read because it showed me that feedback isn't meant to push you back, but rather propel you forward and help you improve. I also really enjoyed the "mirror" theory in the "Be a Mirror" article. It really focused on the fact that feedback is for the person, not you. 

There have been a few times where I've had to give feedback  and peer-review in the school setting and it has been awkward because I'm friends with these people and now I'm telling them what they need to do better, even though it is suppose to help them. This was discussed in another article where people with lower self-esteem have a problem giving constructive feedback because they want people to like them, which is what I struggle with. 

Although getting feedback is always uncomfortable especially for me, it helps me because I know that the person is trying to help me, not hurt me, even if it takes me a while to figure that out. I think that some of the best strategies for giving feedback is to always remember that you are giving feedback to help the best, so focus on them and their work. You can also always use the pro-con-pro strategy if you're uncomfortable giving feedback that way you start with a pro, then get into what they need to work on, then end with a pro so that it has a positive vibe to the feedback.

(Get Feedback, Use Feedback Meme;

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