Reading Evaluation

I liked Ramayana reading the best. For the reading diaries, I wrote what I liked the most in the reading along with including any topic that I would like to write my retell story on. In addition to some summary of the story which would help me in writing the retell story and use that as a guide. I really enjoyed reading the stories compared to writing it and then commenting was also fun because I got to read other student's retell stories. I would say do not wait till the last time. When you get time just try to read the story and write reading diary write away.

End of semester reflection

I really enjoyed being in this course. I got to learn about different Indian epic stories from various authors.  Which was great because they all focused on different characters. Another thing I really enjoyed doing was reading other student's stories. All stories were unique on its own way. After writing retell stories every week, I think in future it would not be hard for me to retell a story from my perspective.

Week 14 Storytelling: Mickey and Minnie's jungle walk

Here continues another bedtime story of three sisters. Similar to the previous stories, they will be focusing on Mickey and Minnie as their main characters.

Mary continues, “Today, I have decided to continue on from our last night’s bedtime story because we did not have Minnie’s character as much. Which I know was Ally’s complain from our last bedtime story. Alright sisters, here we go.”

Here continues the story after two months of Mickey and Minnie’s happy married and great life. Mickey and Minnie had their own everyday routine. Every day Mickey and Minnie would go out for a walk. When Mickey would come back from work.

One day as they were getting ready for the walk, Mickey’s father called Mickey and Minnie in his study room, where he was reading one of his favorite book because he enjoys reading a lot.

As Mickey and Minnie walked into the room, father said, “I heard that you guys go for a walk in a huge dangerous jungle. Is that correct, Mickey?”

Mickey anxiously said, “Yes father we do.”

Then, father said, “Are you a little kid, Mickey? Have you not heard any story of that jungle? Don’t you know that it is such a dangerous place for you and especially when you have Minnie with you?”

Mickey said, “Father, we have been going from past two weeks and it is not dangerous at all. Look, look at us we are totally fine.”

Then the father said aggressively, “Are those people crazy who tells the horrible stories of the jungle?”

Mickey calmly said, “Listen father, we have been going from past two week and nothing has happed. Those stories were nothing but rumors.”

Then very aggressively father said, “Mickey, I did not call you here for an arguments. Fine, you can go Mickey, but I am not going to let Minnie go. She will stay at home and follow what I say. Okay, Minnie?”

Minnie stuck in between did not know what you say. First she looked at Mickey to check his reaction on father’sstatement and finally, she said, “Yes father. You are right. That jungle is a dangerous place for us to go.”

Then happily, father said, “Great, Minnie. I know you would never disobey to what I am saying. You both can leave now.”

When Mickey and Minnie got to their room, Minnie tried to calm Mickey and said, “Look Mickey, he is our father and he would never want to see us getting harmed by anything. So we should listen to what he says. So, be happy now.

Then Mickey said, “I guess. Yes you are right if thinking from a father perspective.”

Then while yawing, Mary said, “Alright sisters, lets sleep now. Good night.”

Happy couple:Mickey and Minnie

Author's Note: I followed the idea from "Beauty and Brownie" story, which is a Jataka tales by Ellen C. Babbit. The original story is over two deer, Beatuy and Brownie. Their father tells them to be careful because that jungle is not save for them. However, Beauty listens to her father and does not go too far, where she would get hurt, but Brownie gets in danger by not following what he father told. So, my story was more like a conversation between father and son, but the idea was the same, which was a jungle.

Bibliography: Babbitt, Ellen C. "Beauty and Brownie." The Balwin Porject

Week 14 Review

From this week's announcements, I found the post titled "Persian Word in English:Jackal" interesting because I find the meaning facts interesting from different languages. I think all languages are very interesting and unique in its own way whether one can understand it or not. Here is the image that I found interesting as well.

Persian Word in English: Jackal

Week 14 Reading Diary Continued: more of jataka tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html

For this week's reading diary, I read more of Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbit. It was fun reading all of the short stories but I do have some favorites. "The Monkey saved his Troop" is the one I liked the most because I liked the idea of how the money did not care about anything but his troops. I think all of these short stories teach you a lesson. So, for instance, in this one the idea would be to help others when they are in trouble. The second story I liked was "Beauty and Brownie" where the brownie get in trouble for not listening to his parent. On the other hand, Beauty deer, she was totally okay because she listened to his father and followed his instructions. So, here the lesson is to listen to what your parents or elderly say because they tend to be right most of the time.

Beauty and Brownie

Week 14 Reading Diary: more of jataka tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html

For this week's reading daily, I read more of Jataka Tales by Ellen. C. Babbit because I enjoyed reading those short stories. From this section, I liked "The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls" and "The three fishes" the most. In the "The Girl Monkey and the String of Pearls" I liked it how the guard figured the thief of pearls, which was the girl money. His idea was very creative and clever. Next, In "The Three Fishes," the first thing I liked was the name of each fish because those names were self-explanatory about each fish's personality, Names were thoughtful, very thoughtful and thoughtless. In the story, very thoughtful was the one who saved other two from being captured into the net by a fisherman.

Thoughtful and thoughtless plus the fisherman

Week 13 Storytelling: Water-spirit

Here begins another bedtime story of three sisters. As always they will be focusing on Mickey and Minnie as their favorite main characters.

Mary said, “Get yourselves ready girls. I am about to start our new bedtime story.”

Once upon a time there was a prince, Mickey. He had two brothers named Micko and Mickin. The brothers had real bond of love between them. However, everyone loved Mickin because he was the youngest one. The brother’s mother always loved Mickin more for the same reason. Suddenly, the father was not feeling well.

Now it was about time to give the kingdom to one of the three brothers. The brother’s father wanted Mickey to rule because he was the oldest one, but the mother said, “No.”

She said, “I always wanted to see Mickin ruling this kingdom after you.”

Then father said angrily, “NO, it is our oldest son responsibility. I have no problem in making Micki the king, but he is the youngest from all. He would not be able to make smart moves like Mickey.”

Then the mother called Mickey and told him to leave the kingdom and live in a forest. In addition to that, she told him to take Micko as well. So, Mickin would be the only one left in the kingdom to rule. So, as they were leaving, Mickin saw them and forced them that he would not let them go unless they take him with themselves.

When they reached the forest, there they saw a pond to refresh themselves.  By the pond, they met a guys, who was known as water-spirit.

Ally said, “That is interesting. What does he do, Mary?

Water-spirit has the right to make anyone marry who drinks out of that pond because he is the king of that forest.

As the brother drank from pond, the water-spirit took them into his cave and showed them three different girls and ordered each of the brother to marry each girl.

Mickey did not like that and angrily he said, “No, none of us would marry your given girls. We are new in this forest. We do not know any rules.”

Water-spirit said, “What is wrong with these girls? Look, they are beautiful and what else do you young boys need. Either you guys marry these girls or you all would die within 10 minutes you refuse to marry these angles.”

Mary said, “Then they all agrees to marry the girls and Mickey marries the girl named Minnie.”

Ally continued, “It was nice story, but it did not focus on Minnie’s character at all. That was sad.”

Water-spirit

Author's Note: I read princess and the water-spirit jataka tales by Ellen C. Babbit. I changed the story a lot around. The beginning of the story was same of three brother and they all go to the forest and find a water-spirit. In the original story, water-spirit asks a question and when someone answers it wrong then he takes him to his cave. None of the brother answered it corrected except for prince star, the oldest one. Since he gets it right then he got to free his brothers from water-spirit.

Bibliography: Babbitt, Ellen C. "The Princes and the Water-Spirit." The Balwin Porject

Tech Tip Site Navigation week 13

I looked through all of the horizontal and vertical navigation. Here is the link.

Week 13 Review

For this week's current post, I found Rama and football and interesting way of telling a story. That would be really fun writing and reading as well. That would give the entire character different interesting, which would made it interesting. It is putting two different things together, which is a very unique idea.

Rama as football player

Week 13 Reading Diary continued: Jataka Tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html


For this week's diary post, I read Jataka tales by. I enjoyed reading all of the short stories, but for this time, the one I liked the most was "The Princes And The Water-Sprite" because it showed the bond love of three brother and while I was reading it, it reminded me of Rama and his brothers. How Rama was sent so his brother could rule over and same issue was presented in this story. The older brother was being sent to the forest but since they loved each other a lot the youngest brother did not let him go and in fact went with him.

The sun Prince went into the pond

Week 13 Reading Diary: Jataka Tales

Title: Jataka Tales
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2013/06/reading-guide-babbitt-jataka-tales.html

For this week's reading diary, I read different kinds of kids type of stories. It reminded of my days when I used to read these kinds of stories with excitement. For real, I enjoyed reading all of these different stories and lessons in it. I found that helpful from kids perspective how each story had various images for illustration to present each part of the story. For instance, in the first story, it was monkey and crocodile. Here is the image of when the monkey tricks dumb crocodile by jumping over him.

Monkey and crocodile

Week 12 Reading Diary continued: Mahabharata film part D

Title: Mahabharata
Author: Peter Brook
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html

For this week's dairy post, I continued reading the film Mahabharata by peter. I believe watching the film was very interesting compare to just reading it. I got to visualize all of the character which made it easy to understand the story. I was nice to see all of the characters playing the role. I felt like I was more attached with the Mahabharata story by watching the film rather than simply reading. I enjoyed the Pandavas  and Kauravas fight the most because intense fight is fun watching got observing each character. Overall, it was fun watching the film based on original Mahabharata.

 Pandavas and Kauravas battle: Wikimedia

Week 11 Storytelling: Blind Mickey and Minnie

Here we go with another bedtime story of three sisters: Mary, Ally and Sarah. Mary said while preparing herself for the bedtime story, “Okay sisters get your things together. I am about to start our bedtime story and yes, this time it will be fast and quick.”

Ally continued, “So, that means the story will not be fun and exciting as before.”

Mary said, “NO, it means you both have to listen to the story without interrupting me, so it will be fast.

As always we will have Mickey and Minnie as our main characters and our story will proceed from there.”

Once upon a time there was a king named Mickey. Who was blind from the day he was born. Mickey’s parents were very worried for his life. They thought he would never be able to get married and have a nice life partner. Mickey, on the other hand, never let himself down. He believed that one day he will get a life partner, who will be familiar with his pure heart inside.

On one random day, Mickey’s father invited his old friends along with their families just for a reunion of friends. Along with those families came a girl, who was not very pretty, but an average girl. However, she seemed really attractive to Mickey’s mother and then she decided to make her Mickey’s wife. Mickey and Minnie’s parents gathered and planned their wedding without informing either of them.

As the wedding days were coming closer, Mickey’s mother decided to tell Mickey.

She said, “Mickey, it is time for you to get married.”

Mickey said, “Mother, no girl would like to marry someone who is blind. A husband who would never be able to praise his wife’s beauty.”

The mother said, “Oh no my child, you are not blind from heart.”

Mickey agreed.

The day of the wedding, when Minnie was getting ready, her sister came in and said, “Minnie, there is no point of showing your beauty.”

Minnie very surprisingly asked, “What do you mean? Is everything okay? Is Mickey alright?”

Sister replied, “Yes, everything is okay, but there is one hidden truth about your husband.”

Minnie said, “What? Tell me right now. I want to know it. Is about my entire life.”

Sister said, “Yes, I know. That is why I came to tell you now. Mickey cannot see anything. He is blind.”

Minnie calmly said, “Sister, I order you to cover my eyes with a cloth. I want to be like my husband.”

And there ends the story of Mickey and Minnie. They accept each other as they were and lived happily.

Mickey and Minnie with no eyes

Author's Note: For this retelling story, I made the story completely different, but the main point was same. In the original Mahabharata, Dhritarashtra was blind, which was played by Mickey in my retell story and Gandhari's character was played by Gandhari.


Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Mahabharata." by Brook.Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 11 Reading Diary continued: Mahabharata film part B

Title: Mahabharata
Author: Peter Brook
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html


For this week's diary reading, I watched the next part of the Mahabharata. I enjoyed watching the film because you get to visualize the character, which helps in getting to know their characters better internally and externally. The main point is that the author does not have to be really descriptive in telling the audience about their emotions. Face expression are enough for audience to understand. The part I really enjoyed was when they were having fight.

Mahabharata film

Week 11 Reading Diary: Mahabharata film part A

Title: Mahabharata
Author: Peter Brook
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/06/film-brook-mahabharata.html


For this week's dairy reading, I watched Mahabharata film by Peter Brooks. I enjoyed the film so far. Since we read Mahabharata before watching the film, the film is not that much exciting when it comes to the story itself. Now visualizing Mahabharata and the story seemed different and in fact with better understanding.I think we attach ourselves more when watching something compare to reading it. For instance, when watching the film I felt really bad for Gandhari who marries Dhritarashtra, who is blind. When reading through the Mahabharata, my feelings did not attach that much for Gandhari, but watching it seemed different. Overall, it was a nice film and I enjoyed it.

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari.

Week 10 Storytelling: Satya-Narayan-Vrat

Here continues the story of three sisters: Mary, Sarah and Ally. As usual, Mary will be sharing a story using the Mickey and Minnie cartoon characters.

As Sarah and Ally were being prepared to listen to a bedtime story, Mary said, “Wouldn’t that be awesome if one of you be a story teller for today.” 

Sarah and Ally both shouted at the same time, “NOO.”

Then Ally continued in her innocent voice, “I do not know how to create great stories like you do, 

Mary. But I can try to tell a story about Cinderella, which I watched last night.”

Rudely Sarah said, “No thanks, Ally.”

As always, Mary continued, “Today’s story will be concentrating on Hindus rituals and their way of life. However, our story will be based on Mickey and Minnie as our characters, who will be following those rituals. So, sounds good girls?”

Ally replied, “Yes, great! That will be a new and interesting story, Mary.”

It is a story of newlywed couple, Mickey and Minnie. As in Hindu culture, there is not a huge concept of love marriages. So, Mickey and Minnie got married with the choice of their elders, mostly the decision was made by their parents. A couple has to follow some rituals for a successful happy married life. For the desire for a happy life manifests in many rituals called Vrats, which Mickey and Minnie had to follow. They were encouraged to perform Satya-Narayan-Vrat as their first household ritual. However, Satya- Narayan-Vrat can be performed any day, but by a married couple. So, Mickey and Minnie’s family wanted them to begin their married life by performing Satya-Narayan-Vrat. The purpose of the Vrat was to bring happiness, good luck and health into the household. Satya-Narayan-Vrat cannot be done without a priest. The reason between performing Satya-Narayan-Vrat was that Satya-Narayan is seen as Vishnu. Its purpose is to resolve household issues and problems which is performed by household or housewives by praying front of Vishnu. During the Satya-Narayan-Vrat, the couple chants thousand names of Vishnu, while at each name offering him a sprig of tulsi. Through chanting and the determination of the couple the God pleased to fulfil the wishes of the couple.

The rituals are to express one’s desire to the deities through fasting, hearing tales, singing songs, staying awake through the night and visiting holy places. That helps in seeking blessing from god and goddess for a happy and successful life. After performing the Satya-Narayan-Vrat, the family elder also gave their blessing to Mickey and Minnie and wished them all the best for their future.

 Satya-Narayan

Author's Note: My retell story was based on Hindu’s rituals. Which were discussed in Brahma’s secret part 2 video. The story is written with all true facts about Hinduism. Since I wanted to make it a story out of it, I decided to Mickey and Minnie as newly married couple who are performing the rituals for their good life.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art." by Pattanaik.Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 10 Reading Diary, continued: Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

Vishnu's secret part 2: Ram is a only form to worship as king. He leads the move from nature to culture. The goddess sits on his lap because she feels secure and comfortable in his arm. The money Hanuman sits at his feet. I found these facts interesting that wife sits with his husband most of the time.  The entire story of Ram is written in the Ramayana. Which we read in the beginning of the course. It was interesting the comparison between Ram and Krishna how these two are different from one another.

Brahma's secret part 1: It was an unique fact that Hindu do not worship Brahma. Brahma's daughter turned it a cow and then Brahma later turned into a bull was very interesting facts. He kept changing into the male form of his daughter's female form because he was very onto controlling her. She was a great delusion of life. Since Brahma was chasing the material worlds rather then trying to understand himself, so no one worships him one such as Brahma. The fifth head shows the ego, the part of the mind that controls the material reality. Shiva is everything Brahma is not. Shiva destroy what Brahma creates. 

Brahma and his Vahana

Week 10 and Review

From daily announcements, I found the fact about the sugar how the word is from French sucre and medieval Latin succarum. It is great how we make our own words by using the words from other languages. Arabic came up with sukkar from Europe and Persian. It is nice to know that because I was unfamiliar with this sugar fact.

Different kind of  sugars

Tech Tip Theme

For the redesign of the website, I wanted to make it look colorful because I love colors. So, I added some colors to and font design as well to make it look nice and interesting. Here is the link: googleSiteWebsite.

Week 10 Reading Diary: Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

For this reading diary post, I am watching videos by Pattanaik titled "Seven Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art - Gods and Goddesses."

The first video is about Devi's Secret, she is desire and destiny create life. Kanyakumari, the virgin goddess and her temple is located in southern tip of India. She wanted to marry Shiva and plus their marriage was fixed and Shiva had to come from the north on one night before he could reach the gods made a rooster crow and Shiva assumed that it was a day break and his missed the hour of their marriage. So, he went back. It was sad that the bride waited and waited and the groom never came. The bride got really mad and kicked the pots and pans and wiped her makeup and for that reason the southern tip of India is so multicolored. Since she never married, she was gifted with raw power to destroy demons. If married the goddess energy is channelised to provide  for a home if not then the energy is channelised for protection.

The second video is about Vishnu Secret: Detached Engagement Brings order part 1. It was interesting how Hindus praise cows. Go Pala the care taker of the earth's cow. That is why the Vishnu is the preserver and the sustainer. Vishnu also enjoys the milk of the cow. It was interesting how in the video they did compare and constrast between Shiva and Vishnu.

(Kamadhenu:The mother of cows:Source:Wikipedia)

Week 9 Storytelling: Shiva

Here continues another unique story of three sisters with their favorite cartoon characters, Mickey and Minnie.

Mary said, “This bedtime story will be based on real. Where Mickey will be played by one of the Hindus’ God, Shiva.”

Ally with excitement said, “Nice! I like stories based on real.”

Once upon a time there was a destroyer, Mickey. He was known as a destroyer of desire, death and three worlds. He believed that there is no such concept of death, rebirth nor wheel of life. So, his goal was to destroy Yama because without Yama there will be no death, rebirth and wheel of life. In addition to that, the three world will be destroyed with the destruction of Yama and Kama. Mickey showed his indifference to the world by half closing his eyes, which indicated that he is not observing anything that is going around the world.

Then, Ally in mad voice said, “Why is he considered a God in Hinduism?”

Mary answered, “Because Mickey’s destruction desire of karma make him worthy of worship. Hindu beliefs that destruction is not arbitrary, but in fact helpful for the world. So, for these reasons Mickey was considered good and bad.”

Then, Ally questioned, “What about his personal life? Was he married?”

Sadly Mary said, “His first marriage did not go well.”

Mickey got married to a priest’s daughter, Minnie. However, the father was against their marriage. Later, the priest held a prayer ceremony where he did not invite Mickey. Minnie on the other side did not like the way her husband was being treated, so she scarified herself by jumping into the scared fire. When Mickey heard about her death, he got very angry and locked himself in a cave. Where he meditated for many years while ignoring the entire world.

After many years, Minnie was reborn as Pinnie, the princess of mountains. She prayed and forced Mickey to come out of meditation and run the world as he was with Minnie. Through her love, Pinnie succeed in bringing Mickey back to normal life by showing him the importance of the world and his godly duties. However, Pinnie’s mother was not happy with Mickey because she thought he has no grooming sense or anything. But, Pinnie taught him everything. At the end, they lived happily ever after. However, Mickey changed her name from Pinnie to Minnie because he could see Minnie in Pinnie.

God Shiva 

Author's Note: My retell story was based on real life of one of the Hindus God, Shiva. The entire story was very similar to the original secret story of Shiva. However, I did change the characters just to make the story interesting. Shiva was played by Mickey, Sita by Minnie, and Parvati by Pinnie.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art." by Pattanaik.Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 9 Reading Diary, continued: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

This diary reading is for the secret of Ardhanari God.A God is stillness within, goddess is movement around. I found that fact interesting that for Hindus God is not limited to one form. It can be seen through plants, animals, minerals, human(female and male form). Another interesting fact, all animals move but the Cobra is different.

Shiva's secret video:Shiva is known as a destroyer. He is calm and controlled and his eyes half shut. It is interesting how he looks calm, but is a destroyer of desire, death and three worlds. Shiva wants to destroy Yama and wihtout Yama their is no death, no rebirth, and wheel of life.When Kama and Yama are destroyed the three world is destroyed. Shiva destroys by closing his eyes and not observing anything. By doing this he shows indifference to Yama and Kama. Shiva destruction desire of karma make him worthy of worship. Kali dances on the top of the Shiva. His positions indicates lack of effort. He does not care about he world. Kali is nude dancing, she wants him to open his eyes and observe. Shiva's first marriage was a disaster. His wife sati was a daughter of a priest. sati killed herself at the sacrifice. He loved Sati a lot and so kept himself once again in the cave after Sati's death. Sati reborn as Parvati, the princess of mountains.She prayed to Shiva and forced him to leave his cave. Shiva agreed and marry Parvati. Parvati mother wanted Parvati to reconsider her decision since Shiva had no groom sense, but Shiva learned.

Shiva and Parvati by Source: Wikipedia

Week 9 Reading Diary: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art

Title: 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Link:http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Pattanaik.%20Calendar%20Art

Kartikeya goes around the world thrice while Ganesha was sitting with his parents playing with a rat. Ganesha went around the parents and declared himself winner. Ganesha's feeling for his parents are just great. I liked his idea of considering his parents as his world and won. The entire video of Ganesh'a secret was interesting and unique compared to the other Gods.

Narayan is a God as well. He was a sleeping god and when God sleeps the entire world is still. I found that interesting that he sleeps on the ocean of milk. In addition to that, he sleeps on a serpent named Sesha and she is still. When Narayan awakens, it time to celebrate and angles presents flowers.  On his feet is lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. She is GO-Mata(the cosmic cow) hold the whole world within her. Narayan is her cowherd. When he is awake called Gopala, the keeper of the cow. At time Vishu transforms into human to set things right. Hanuman is a trouble maker. When the world awakens the trouble also awakens. Brahma starts organizing the world when the world starts. The found the entire secret of Narayan interesting and especially his sleeping concept.

Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art

Tech Tip: GoogleSite website

Here is the link to my new google website: IndianEpic

Week 9 Review

 Interview with a Semicolon

I found this really cute, the interview of a semicolon. I liked it how it described itself as bitter, angry and things like that. Here is the link: Interview with a Semicolon.

Week 8 Reading

For week 9 and 10, I will be watching Seven Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art by Pattanaik and Mahabharata film by Brook. Then will be doing dairy reading and storytelling as usual for both of the weeks.

Mahabaratha Film cover page

Week 8 Time Strategies

For the second half of the semester, I will be staying with the same schedule that I have been using. Mainly because that fitted perfectly with all of my classes. I do this class assignments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays then I have other days of the week to work on my other classes. However, On exam cases the schedule do change at times. In addition to that, I also focus on what is something I have to do at the current moment without thinking of the future. Do what is due first, that is one of my strategy.

focus on today

Week 7 Storytelling: Mickey and three wives

Here continued another bedtime story of three sisters: Mary, Ally and Sarah. As usual it was Mary’s job to tell a bedtime story about Mickey and Minnie to her sisters. So, Mary started on her sisters’ approval of being ready.

Once upon a time there were three princesses: Minnie, Milly, and Millen. They lived in a huge palace and were not allowed to encounter the real world. Their parents always kept them hidden from evil eyes. Suddenly, the king Moro, Minnie, Milly, and Millen’s father had a severe pain on his head, which required him bed rest. As days were passing along, his condition was getting worse and worse. The king wanted to see his daughters happily married before anything happens to him. So, the king Moro decided to visit the king Shant, who was his childhood friend. As Moro remembered from past that Shant has at least one son.

The next day, the king Moro met king Shant and told him about his serious condition along with the proposal of his three daughters. Within a moment, king Shant said, “How is that possible? I have one son and you have three daughters?”

The king replied, “Yes, I know and I am sure your son will treat all three of my daughters the same way as his wives.”

King Shant said, “But my son Mickey would never agree to this. He would happily marry one of your daughter, but not all three.”

Then, the next day, king Shant presented the situation to Mickey and as it was mentioned, Mickey refused to marry all three princesses at the same time. He said, “I can never do this because I know I will not be able to treat all three equally as my wives. I cannot play with their feelings.”

The following day, Mickey went to see the kings’ condition. There he tried to explain himself, but the king Moro was not willing to listen because he was not sure where to find other two men suitable for his daughters. As king Moro said, “I rather give my three daughter to one man, which is you, then to someone who would not keep them happy.” And the king died as he said, “My daughters are yours now, Mickey.”

The princesses on the other side were speechless, so they followed the kings’ decision. At the end, Mickey tried to keep them equal, but it was clear that he had more feelings for Minnie because she cared for Mickey the most and built her position strong. However, Mickey hesitated to share his special feelings for Minnie.  

Ally was unhappy with the story because this time the story did not focused on Mickey and Minnie.
As she said, "Minnie was missing in the story. The entire time I was waiting for her to appear." In harsh voice, Mary said, "That was all I had. Now go to sleep, Ally."

Princess Minnie

Author's Note: I made the story completely different from the Epified animated film "Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution." However, I used three princesses Minnie, Milly, and Millen similar to Amba, Ambika, and Amblika. But in the Mahabharata, they were kidnapped by Bhisma to marry his brother, while in my retell it was completely different situation.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the  Overview: Epified Mahabharata
" by Public Domain Edition. Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 7 Reading Diary: Epified Mahabharata

Title: Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution. (Epified Mahabharata)
Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2016/01/overview-epified-mahabharata.html

For this week's reading diary I watched animated film Mahabharata: Karmic Revolution. I enjoyed the film because it was visual and showed the characters. The film was less detailed than the original Mahabharata. It felt like that the film was going too fast and quick. I found that interesting how Bhisma had an option when to die, which power was given by his father, Shantanu. In addition to that, I liked his character of how he was worried about who is going to rule. So, for that he kidnapped three princesses: Amba, Ambika, and  Ambalika and were brought to marry his brother. While in the process of that he got punished by Amba, whom he kidnapped not for his own good. I liked it how he was a great warrior and he fought twenty-three days against a great warrior, but no one won because both were about the same strength. 

Bhishma abducts the three princesses

Week 6 Storytelling: Micpandavas and Minikauravas, A love story

Here continues another night of Mary, Ally and Sarah’s life. As they were getting ready for a new bedtime story, Mary said, “Ally, which cartoon characters would you like for today’s story?”

Without taking a second, Ally said, “Mickey and Minnie. Mary, you should start a completely new love story of Mickey and Minnie.”

Sarah continued on, “Yeah, it was really cute imagining Mickey and Minnie as the main characters in the story.”

Mary said, “Alright. Sounds good. Here we go.”

Once upon a time there lived a prince named Mickey. He had four brothers, whom he loved more than his life. The brothers were known as Micpandavas. The Micpandavas' day would start with a morning walk in an apple forest. During the walk, the brothers would do stupid things such as yelling each other’s names and would hit and run. However, one day they all decided to go in the evening to enjoy the pleasant weather. As they were walking and talking, they saw five beautiful girls trying to grab apples from the tree. The first time they normally walked through the girls, but then the second time the Micpandavas kept their eyes on the girls while walking quietly and slowly.

One of the girls noticed and said to her sisters, “You saw those guys?”

The oldest sister, named, Minnie, said, “Yes, we should leave from here. Let’s go, sisters, before they come again.”

The girls quickly gathered their stuff and left. The sisters were known as the Minikauravas sisters. They also had a strong bond of love between them like Micpandavas. The Minikauravas had left by the time the Micpandavas came again. So, all five Micpandavas had a favorite Minikaurava. Therefore, they all planned to go for the walk around the same time the next day to meet those beautiful Minikauravas sisters. Since the sisters looked alike, it was really easy to tell that they were sisters. 

As they went by that same place the Minikauravas were sitting on the ground talking while enjoying each bite of apple. This time the Micpandavas were waiting to have some interaction with Minikauravas. As Mickey was badly in love with Minnie’s beauty, he went straight to her and he said, “I am Prince Mickey and they are my brothers. I am madly in love with you. I want to make you my princess. Will you marry me?”

Then, Minnie said, “One thing I hate about myself is that I smell like an apple. Yes, I know apples smells great, but not if someone smell like it all the time. Mickey, I do not deserve to be your princess. You have such a great personality and look at me. Who am I?” Then, Mickey said, “Do not worry about this. Apples have a great smell, but I can promise you that you will not smell like an apple after you marry me. I have an uncle who can magically make you smell like a rose.” While looking down Minnie said, “Yes, I will.”

On the other side, the other Micpandavas were looking aggressively at Mickey’s face for not mentioning their names with Minnie’s sisters. Finally, Mickey added, “On the day of our wedding five marriages will be held. Your four sisters will marry my four brothers.”

Mary said, “Here our story ends. They all live happily ever after. Goodnight, sisters.”

(Mickey and Minnie by source: Wikipedia)

Author's Note:  I used Mickey and Minnie as my main characters. In the original story, it was the Pandavas and Kauravas. Pandavas were the five sons of Pandu by his two wives Kunti and Madri. But none of the Pandavas acted like stepbrothers. They had a true bond of love. In addition to that, the Panadava brothers married the same girl named Draupadi. I changed this idea of marrying the same girl because marrying different girls would make the story appealing. Thus, in my story, they each married one of the Minkaurava sister. In the original story, the Kauravas were sons of King Dhritarashtra, who was Pandu’s older brother. Pandu and Dhritarashtra seemed to have good a relationship, but their sons did not continue to have the same relation like their fathers. So, the Pandavas and Kauravas were cousins in relation, but the Kauravas and Pandavas had true hatred for each other. Kauravas and Panadavas were mostly boys, except for Duhsala, who was kauravas' sister. So, I changed the story a lot, in terms of gender, characters and the plot itself. The reason I did that was to make the story different and to make it a love story. Another thing, I thought that it was unfair for all Panadava brothers to marry the same girl. So, that made me change the story around. In addition to that, I also connected the story with the Ramayana. Rama and his brothers got married the same day.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Mahabharatha" by Public Domain Edition. Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 6 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharatha Part D

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read fourth part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part D) for this week's reading diary post. It was interesting how in the story a female was turned into male by Yaksha. I like it how Arjun is a great warrior and he always wins against whoever is on the opposite side. It was great that he killed evil-hearted Jayadartha in the battle. "All men were maddened with the thirst for blood, and the night was filled with horrors." Imagining this part of the mahabharata frightens me of how that battlefield would look like, for instance, blood, bodies and heads all lying on the ground. I found that interesting how the widows were sent to heaven with their husbands by Vyasa mantras. I enjoyed reading the story especially, the afterlife. There were some very interesting scences, in fact unique things going on.

Arjuna slays Jayadratha.

Week 6 Reading Diary: Mahabharatha part C

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read third part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part C) for this weeks reading diary post. I found that interesting how at Hanuman first appearance in the story, he shared the story of Rama with Bhima. Plus, the way the author introduced Hanuman in Mahabharata that he was a heavy monkey and Bhima was unable to move him. In addition to that, the battle was very interesting. That built the excitement of who is going to win, for instance, Bhima was the hero of the fifth day, but that does not declare Bhima a winner. However, Arjun was also a great warrior and he would never let himself down. I found it interesting how Arjun sings Bhagavad-Gita just before the battle beings while looking at the opposite side of the battlefield.

Hanuman.

Thoughts about Comments

I like it when the comments are in great detail because that helps me in knowing how I am writing the posts. Especially, when someone asks the question, it seems like they are engaging with the story and have interest. Me on the other side, I try to give decent comments like something which would help others or at least give them idea.

Week 5 Reading Diary, continued: Mahabharata part B

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read second part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata(part B) for this weeks reading diary post. I found it disappointing that the evil Prince Duryodhana was not capable of defeating Pandavas, so he planned to set their house on fire. In addition to that, King Dhritarashtra believed the story that his son Duryodhana gave him and agreed to his plan. Panadavas and their mother left the house before, so Duryodhana's plan did not accomplish. I liked the character of Bhima, the way he cared for his brothers and mother while they all were in a dangerous Rakshasa forest. It was shocking how Bhima married to a Rakshasa woman, but it was good for him because he was happy with her and plus, she promised to never harm them. The story of Draupadi's previous lifetime as Nalayni was interesting, how she prayed "give me a husband" five times and got five men in reward. It was interesting that Draupadi got five husbands in her next life too as Pandavas. In addition, a woman having more than one husband is not common. It was kind of harsh on Arjuna of how he won Drapuadi as a bride on Swayamwara and then had to leave, however, he married other women on his way.

Kunti and the Pandavas escape.

Week 5 Reading Diary: Mahabharata part A

Title: Mahabharata
Link: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

I read first part of Public Domain Edition Mahabharata for this weeks reading diary post.I found this epic story interesting, however, it is way different from Ramayana. One thing I noticed about this epic story was that there are a lot of issues involving babies and giving births along with sleeping with other men. As an example, Pandu was cursed by a deer that he will die while making love because Pandu shot that deer while he was making love. So, Pandu wives ended up sleeping with other men. I liked it how Madri and Kunti both wanted to die with Pandu and plus, both of them were ready to get burned with Pandu which illustrates their true love. I found Satyavati character interesting. She was born through a sperm of gandharva and then fallen in the river and swallowed by a fish. Plus, she smelled like fish, but with a magical perfume Parashara changed that fishy smell into a lovely smell. I was disappointing that Pandu and Dhritarashtra's sons relationship is not close by their hearts. There are a lot of difference between them, especially Duryodhana, who was jealous from Pandu's son named Bhima because he was good at everything.

(Pandu is cursed)

Week 4 Storytelling: Mickey got Minnie back

Here continues the third bedtime story of Mary, Ally and Sarah. This time Ally demands for a happy ending story because she did not like the previous story of Minnie being kidnapped by Pete at the end.

Mary agreed and continued the story from where she ended the story last time.

Mickey being madly in love with Minnie never stopped searching for his beautiful wife. He promised himself and his daughter, Micmin, and said "I would find Minnie and would never let her go with such an evil person, Pete, who pretended to be a good friend during our entire friendship."

Mickey had been searching for Minnie for almost a week, but found no luck. On a random day, Mickey thought about calling Pete’s brother named Lola. Mickey called and asked him about Pete, but not mentioning anything about Minnie’s kidnapping. The purpose behind this was to check if Lola knew anything or not. By that five minutes of conversation, Mickey figured that Lola knew and had information about Minnie because as Mickey mentioned Pete’s name there was a clear change in Lola. Mickey noticed the change in Lola’s voice. Plus, Lola seemed in a hurry as if he did not want to carry on the conversation. After talking, Mickey had huge doubts about Lola. He thought that sitting and thinking over the doubts would not do any good, so he decided to go and check on Lola. 

Finally, Mickey arrived at Lola’s house. That scene was intense. Lola opened the door as Mickey rang the doorbell and he was fully surprised to see Mickey. Mickey calmly said hello and they nicely shook hands. Lola held the door trying to block Mickey from entering in the house, but Mickey entered as they were talking and sat on the couch. There Mickey heard some kind of noises as if someone else was in the house talking and whispering which he thought was Minnie. However, Lola was trying to distract Mickey, so he would not overhear Minnie’s voice. 

There, Mickey asked Lola, “Whose voice was that?”

 As Lola’s face was getting red from nervousness, he said, “Oh, it is just a television.”

But Mickey was confident enough to know that it was no one else but Minnie.

Minnie was in the room right next to the living room, where Mickey was sitting. Minnie knew that Mickey was there because she could hear Mickey talking with Lola.

Lola, on the other hand, was trying to convince Mickey to go out for lunch, so he would leave as soon as possible. But Mickey wanted to take his wife with him.

Then clever Mickey started praising Lola’s house. He said, “It is a nice house. How many bedrooms?" While saying that Mickey got up and managed to take a tour of entire house as Lola was in the kitchen preparing tea for both of them.

Finally, Mickey saw Minnie sitting on the chair tied up with a rope and mouth taped. Mickey ran towards Minnie and said, “Ohhh Minnie, my love.” Mickey quickly untied her and hugged her tightly. Pete escaped when Minnie and Mickey were busy hugging. Then they lived happily ever after with their cute daughter,  Micmin. 

Ally said, “Good story, Mary. I really enjoyed it.” 

Minnie and Mickey together:Source by Wikipedia

Author's Note: I am retelling this story based on the Ramayana. It was the original love story of Rama and Sita. The main concept is same, but the story itself is very different. First, I changed the characters to Mickey and Minnie. In addition to that, Ravana is also one of the characters in the story, played as Pete, an evil character. However, Rama had three brothers, who helped and fought for him in getting Sita back from Ravana. Second, the plot was different as well. In the original story, Rama refused to accept Sita because he thought that she is not pure after spending time with Ravana. In addition to that, Hanuman went searching for Sita because he was a good friend and wanted to see Rama and Sita together. Now Ravana was depicted as a powerful guy, who was not afraid of facing Rama. Ravana faced Rama with his whole army, but strong Rama killed him at the end. Unlikely, Pete was a weak guy and never faced Mickey afterwards. Most importantly, I made the ending happy. It was something I disliked the most about my previous story. This time I managed to bring Mickey and Minnie together once again. In the Ramayana, Rama and Sita did not stay together forever because Rama was not sensible enough to believe his wife's purity.

Bibliography: "Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana" by Public Domain Edition. Website: Image library for MLLL-4993, Epics of Ancient India

Week 4 Reading Diary, continued: Sita Sings the Blues

Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008

Link: http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2015/05/week-1-of-1-paleys-sita-sings-blues-b.html

Here continues the second part of Rama and Sita’s online animated film version of the Ramayana, which focused on struggles that Sita encounters in her life. The film by Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues. I found it interesting that we have two love stories going on in the film. Along with Rama and Sita, there was another couple Dave and Nina. As Rama and Sita’s relationship was standing at the edge and same was happening in Dave and Nina's life too. Both stories were parallel to each other. Another things I find interesting was that Sita was singing the blue song again while looking at Rama’s picture and missing him after she left him. Similarly, on the other side, Nina was sad and begging Dave to take her back on the phone. This is interesting how these two stories are showing same relationship where a girl is the one who cares about the love and in staying together. Compare to original Ramayana, there was not much difference when it comes to the story itself, but rather the animated film was not much detailed  and descriptive and did not talk about each and every character which were mentioned in the original Ramayana. Overall, I enjoyed watching the film, it gave me clear view of each character that was shown in the film.

Earth taking Sita film scene