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;

Web Source)

Story: The First Party

12th June 1914

Dear Diary,

You will not believe what I am doing tonight...I am finally going out! I'm going to my first party WITHOUT my parents. For once, I will have one night out of this house, out of this place that I have been in for as long as I can remember. It isn't a terrible place, I've grown up here, I love my family. It's just that I will finally be able to be like all of the other girls my age. I don't have to wait up all night, wondering what each of my friends are up to. Are they sleeping too? Are they going out? And most importantly, are they with men? Oh how I wished that I could always be one of them, and tonight I FINALLY will be!

When my friends first suggested me coming out with them, I was hesitant. I knew that my father wouldn't allow it. I've been strung up in this house as long as I can remember, never being able to leave unless accompanied by either father or mother. I figured there was no point in asking. My friends pushed me more and more into asking him, and just to get them to stop talking about it, I went up to him and asked if I could go with them. He was silent. As he stood there and thought about what I had even dared to question, I could see all of the doubts in his eyes. All of the things that could possibly go wrong. He thought of anything bad that could happen to me. But maybe, just maybe, he saw something in my eyes too. Maybe he saw how I had longed to be like my friends, able to go out just for a night. Maybe he saw that I could protect myself. He looked at me with his deep blue eyes that I had always respected and he said yes, so long as I were to be careful, safe, and of course be home by midnight.

You see, my parents didn't keep me sheltered because they didn't trust me or anything. It's just that I'm the only girl in the family and they want to make sure that nothing bad happens to me. They even have this stupid mathematical equation that a man must solve when it's time for me to wed. Yes, the boys carry on the family name, however everyone knows that it is the daughters that are the most precious.

Well Diary, I must go get ready for my first night out! I can't wait to tell you all about it!

With Love, 

Sarah

13th June 1914

Dear Diary,

I don't even know what to say. Last night was the best night of my life! It was perfect. If I could just relive last night for the rest of my life, I would. I had a great time with my closest friends...we ate, we talked, we danced. I talked with boys! How could anything top last night?

But, there is one MAJOR thing that happened.

I met the most beautiful man I've ever laid eyes on. I didn't think anything could ever be so beautiful, but he proved me wrong. It was only a glance...at first. A little later in the evening, I saw him again, only this time, he saw me too. More time passed and then, we ran into each other. And by ran into each other, I mean it. Right as I was turning, he was there. Our heads banged up against one another and I'm not going to lie, it hurt quite badly, however I obviously couldn't let him notice. He was so kind, making sure I was okay. Then, we just started talking. We talked about all sorts of things and I was so enthralled with him and the conversation that I ended up spending the rest of my time at the party with him and only him. And you will never guess what he said to me as we were saying our goodbyes. He said that he wanted to see me again! I'm seeing him again tonight! He has to meet the parents tonight.

I know it sounds crazy, especially after only one night together, but I think he's the one, I really do. I could just feel it in my stomach, you know? I think my family will really like him. Oh God, I hope he is smart and can solve that stupid equation!

With Love,

Sarah

P.S. His name is Ryan

Author's Note

For this retelling, I decided to rewrite the story in The Ramayana when Sita and Rama first see each other. It was at this moment that the two of them fell in love. Sita's father has a bow that a man must string in order to win Sita's hand in marriage, which Rama was able to do, leading Sita and Rama to wed. I chose to tell the story in Sarah's (Sita's) point of view about falling for Ryan (Rama. The mathematical equation that a man must solve in order to win Sarah's hand in marriage is the bow in The Ramayana.

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, Link to Reading A and B

Image Information

Photo of George Cathcart Woolley's diary, Web Source

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part B

I was very excited to continue reading The Ramayana for today's reading because yesterday's reading ended right as Rama was sentenced to exile for fourteen years. I was really looking forward to see where his time in exile would lead and it surely did not disappoint. The stories where Rama met Soorpanaka and when Ravana challenged Rama were so thrilling and a major page turner! I couldn't wait to figure out what happened next.

The fact that Ravana could picture what Sita looked like just by Soorpanaka's description of her helped me realize just how beautiful Sita is. When Soorpanaka was telling Ravana about Rama, and how Ravana felt about Sita, shows just how superficial Soorpanaka and Ravana are. They see to it that only their needs are met, not caring about anyone or anything else in the world. This is the complete opposite from Rama...he would do anything for his kingdom, people, and family.

When Mareecha transformed himself into the golden deer, the detail and anticipation was so much fun to read. Would Mareecha defeat Rama? Would Rama defeat Mareecha? Would Ravana get Sita out of all of this? Or would Sita stay with her husband? It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat!

As I was reading part A of The Ramayana today, I was thinking of things I could implement into my storytellings. This is what I came up with:

IV. Encounter's in Exile

• I could write as story as if Soorpanaka was cat fishing Rama by pretending she was someone completely different on some sort of social media

V. The Grand Tormentor

• I could write a story where Ravana is a child and doesn't know what he wants but has to get his way
• I could also write how Ravana is a bridezilla and has to have things perfect for his big day

Bibliography 

Narayan's Ramayana, link to Reading Guide B

Painting of Soorpanaka after her nose was cut off, Web Source

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part A

One of the major things that really struck me while reading part A of the Ramayana was the dedication that the King, Dasaratha, had to his kingdom. You can tell that he truly loves his kingdom and will do whatever is best for the people. This is why he was so happy when people were so overjoyed by the King's decision to appoint Rama to take over the throne.

I loved that you could feel the pain that both Rama and Sita felt when they saw each other for the first time. You could tell how they longed for each other after only one glance at one another. That is why when Rama was able to string the bow that once belonged to Shiva unlike any other of Sita's suitors, it was so rewarding to know that they could officially love each other and get married. I wish that I was able to read the unabridged version where they went into detail of the wedding scene with all of the beautiful details of how the pavilion, decorations, and other things at the wedding looked.

A few things that I picked up on while reading part A that I may want to use during my retelling are the following:
I. Rama's Initiation

• I could write a story where Dasaratha is sending Rama and Lakshmana off to college
• I could give the Ramayana a Hunger Games feel in regards to Rama killing Thataka
• The whole kill or be killed aspect
• Azalea's story could be told as if she were a child who was adopted by Brahma and her biological father is Indra

II. The Wedding

• I could rewrite Sita and Rama's story from each other's perspective and really go into detail 
• I could also rewrite Sita and Rama's story as if they met each other at a party
• Instead of a bow, it could be written as if Rama had to solve an equation or a riddle in order to win Sita's hand in marriage 

III. Two Promises Revived

• I could make the part with Kaikeyi about making Bharatha be King and forcing Rama into exile be like Snow White
• Kooni is like the mirror on the wall in this case

Bibliography

Narayan's Ramayana, link to Reading Guide A

Rama placing a flower crown on Sita's head, Web Source