Extra Reading: Crash Course Mythology - Ramayana

I decided to watch the Crash Course Mythology video over Ramayana because I am interested in the background information and getting an overview of it all. 

This video was SO helpful at getting a quick run-down of all that is going on for someone like me that is unfamiliar with the topic. I also enjoyed having visuals along with the information as I feel this will help me visualize the stories coming to life as I listen/read them. For example, I had no idea that Rama was blue! I also did not know that this stemmed from the Hindu religion and appears still in other religions such as buddhism. 

Although the video went VERY fast, I was able to catch many little bits and pieces of stories that I have already read which was very neat. I also am excited to hear and recognize more and more as I continue to read. 

(Photo screen-shotted from the Crash Course video.)

Crash Course Mythology: Ramayana.

Reading Notes: Ramayana, Part A

Here are some important points I got from Part A of the reading:

- King Dasharatha lived a great life, but was not quite satisfied as none of his three wives birthed a son.

- King Dasharatha performed a horse sacrifice in hope that the gods would grant him a son. This is exactly what happened. As time passed and the ritual was carried out, the gods promised Dasharathe that he would have four sons.

- King Dasharatha's wives ate the sacrificial food and became the mothers of sons.

- I also noticed this recurring theme of a lotus flower throughout the tale. Anytime something beautiful happens, it is compared to a lotus flower.

- A great rishi named Vishvamitra found that two rakashasas kept disturbing his sacrifices and polluted his sacred fire. The only one that could overcome them was Rama, King Dasharatha's most beautiful son.

- Vishvamitra took Rama and his brother Lakshmana for ten days of sacrificial rites. This was the start of their manhood and love and strife. 

- The sage guided the 2 princes into a jungle that was haunted by prey and was home to a rakshasa woman named Thataka. Rama signaled to her that he was ready to challenge her with his bow and she began throwing boulders at the princes. Because she was female, Rama refused to cause her death. This did not do any damage as she simply became invisible and continued throwing boulders. Finally, Vishwamitra convinced Rama to slay her and everyone rejoiced. He was then greeted by the spirits of weapons which agreed to be there when he thinks of them and needs them. Those weapons then helped saved the sacrifice offering.

- Sagara, a king of Ayodhya, had no children from his two wives and was then granted a son from on and sixty-thousand from the other. After finally having an abundance of sons, the king was set on offering a horse sacrifice. The horse ended up being stolen and the king commanded his sixty-thousand sons to go find it and the princes were all burned to ashes. The king was worried when they didn't return and sent his other son to find them. He got to the spot where the horse went missing and found the ashes of his sixty-thousand uncles.

I think that I am going to change up section 6 of the Ramayana part A tales. I am thinking I will have some sort of karma fall back on the king for sending all of the men to find the horse instead of doing it himself.

(Photo from Max Pixel).

Rayamana, Part A. Sources used: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.

Learning Challenge: People to Surround Yourself With

I looked at the People to Surround Yourself With challenge. I loved this because I think it is so important to surround yourself with great people and not to worry about what others think.

 

(Photo from PixaBay).

Tech Tip: Creating a Quote

I made this using Canva.com. I love using this website for my graphics and never have used it just for a simple quote and it turned out looking very nice and neat. I may try this again next week and make it more exciting!

Growth Mindset: Learning with Passion and Enthusiasm

For my first Growth Mindset activity, I decided to watch I video. I actually found the video I wanted to watch through my extra credit commenting that I did on a fellow classmate's blog. 

The video I watched was, "Learning with Passion and Enthusiasm."

Something I learned was the fact that our brain learns better when we are excited and enthusiastic about the content we are learning. Although, after thinking about it, it seems obvious, it sparked much more thought in my brain. Does this mean that we aren't exponentially talented in one area of study, but rather we are just more interest in it which makes learning about it come more naturally? This is something I am curious to explore more. I am going to try finding something in my chemistry 2 course that interests me and see if that material then seems "easier" to me. 

(Photo from Flickr.)

Feedback Thoughts

The first article that I read was, "Eight Things Students Should Do When They Make A Mistake." From the get-go, I was drawn in. I love that they started with the fact that being wrong can get you where you need to be. I feel as though that is was never stressed to me when I got things wrong in school or in extracurriculars when I was young. It's okay to be wrong, because that means you can fix it and get closer to being right rather than not trying at all. Another thing that stood out to me was "imposter syndrome." I definitely have this whenever I do something wrong. I feel as though everyone around me is doing way better than me (even if they mat actually be doing the same or worse) and it is very discouraging even though it's made up in my head. I feel as though being open and realizing that everyone makes mistakes and that this was just a learning experience will help as well as realizing that this exists. 

The other article that I read was "14 Signs Your Perfectionism Has Gotten Out Of Control." I chose this because projects often take me so much time and energy because I restart them -- even if I know it's perfectly fine as it is. I definitely related with all of the things mentioned in the article and am going to work at noticing these things in my own life. I definitely wait until last minute all the time because I know that, if I start early, I will just spend even more time on whatever is due and still turn it in very last minute from all of the fine-tuning. I am hoping to be better about this in this class...starting this upcoming week!

(Image from Flickr.)

Topic Brainstorm

I would like to start out by saying this course is full of tales that are completely foreign to me. I really enjoyed looking through old projects as they were all so new and different to me.

The first topic that sparked my interest was the topic of love stories. After taking Mythology and Folklore, I feel as though love stories would be fun to twist and make into my own. The Magic Book of Love was a project that stood out to me for this reason. You can really put your own spin on any of the stories and I love how creative you can get when magic is involved. 

The next section that caught my attention had to do with animals, of course. Animals always interest me because I always wonder what is going through their head and how they communicate when no one is around. I chose to explore the category of Animals, Natural and Supernatural. The project that stood out to me was An Animal's Tale by Crystal Duffey because she did exactly what I love to do. She narrated the story from an animal's point of view.

(Monkeys from Flicker.)

The nest topic that caught my eye also had to do with animals. I decided to explore the topic of horses. This caught my eye because I have always loved horses but have never had one or been able to ride them often. I read Horses Divine and loved the way they portrayed the horses. They focused on the power and ability of horses. To me, horses have very humanistic characteristics that makes it easy to put them into a narrative position. 

The last topic that stood out to me was Yoga. This stood out to me because I have some familiarity with the topic. I used to do some Bikram yoga when I was in high school and was curious how yoga could be brought into this course. I read Workshop: Learning the Origins of Poses and it was nothing like I expected it to be. I love how the stories made it feel as though you were really in a yoga workshop. It was unique from any other project I have read before.

Once upon a time, there was a rabbit napping under a tree. He was tossing and turning as his mind passed horrific images through his dreams of the very ground splitting beneath him.

"BOOM!"

A large coconut from the tree the rabbit was napping under slammed into the ground.

Immediately, the rabbit awoke. Still in a daze, he took off running with full speed. 

(Photo from Wikipedia by Geoffry.)

"The earth is splitting!" He shouted at he went on his path.

He could not make up which of his last moments had been a dream and which were reality. All he knew was that the ground was beginning to split at the very tree where he once lay for a nap. 

As he passed a deer, the deer asked him why he was running with such force. 

"I was napping and awoke to the ground beginning to split beneath me!" He shouted to the deer. 

Frightened, the deer joined the rabbit.

Animals continued to ask the reason for the panic and, over and over again, the response frightened them into joining the pack.

Soon enough, with hundreds of animals running, the ground truly began to shake.

This woke the one animal that had not yet joined the pack as he was taking his afternoon nap...It was the king of the jungle, the master lion.

Seconds after waking, he spotted the pack running.

"ROOAAR!" He called out.

Everyone came to a stop. 

"Why is everyone running?" He asked.

One by one, the animals pointed fingers until they were only left with the rabbit. He explained what he had experienced and told the lion the he must join them.

The lion told everyone to stay right where they are as he takes the rabbit to go and examine the tree which he had been napping under.

The rabbit hopped on the lion's back and they went on their way.

As soon as they arrived, the rabbit buried his face in embarrassment. 

"I am so sorry. I think I had a nightmare and thought that the coconut falling was my nightmare happening in real life. What can I do so the other animals don't shun me?" Said the rabbit.

"Don't worry, my friend. They will be thankful that you cared enough to warn them and bring them to safety. Now we know who to count on if this really does happen!" Said the lion.

The lion carried the rabbit back to the other animals and told them to applaud the small rabbit for making such a large impact in an effort to protect everyone.

Author's Note:
In the original version of this story, the rabbit woke from a simple nap to a coconut falling which made him think that the earth was splitting. He began running until several animals going him. In the original, the lion also stopped everyone and took the rabbit to the tree where he had been sleeping. I changed the story by making the rabbit have the vision in a nightmare, including a few extra details, and adding in dialogue. 

The Foolish, Timid Rabbit from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt.

Reading Notes: The Foolish, Timid Rabbit

From my first Indian Epics stories to read, I decided to write my notes over The Foolish, Timid Rabbit from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt.

From the opening of the story, I was very intrigued. The Rabbit reminded me of myself in life when something goes wrong. If I get a bad grade or something, I don't even stop to evaluate the situation. I just run off in freak-out mode.

This story also reminded me of how rumors spread. I feel as though people are so quick to spread information without checking on the validity of it. No one thought to ask where the rabbit had come from and why he thought that the earth was breaking. But, they had a better excuse than us humans due when it comes to silly, small things. Those animals were running for, what they thought was, their life! They had to act quick and spread the news quick to save everyone else.

(Photo from Wikipedia by Geoffry.)

I think I am going to remake this story and tell it in a more realistic form that I see with a lot of college students. Or, I may make the story end with the earth actually breaking when the lion roars because that is what I though was going to happen as I read.

I am glad that this story incorporated animals and also ended with a great lesson. Those were two of my favorite things to find in stories last semester!

Reading Options

The first reading that caught my eye was The Golden Deer. Initially, the title caught my eye because I loved all of the animal stories last semester in Mythology and Folklore. I also appreciated that there was an audio recording of the story once I clicked on it to check it out. I love audio books as it allows me to listen whether I am riding my bike to class, driving somewhere, or don't feel too well and am not in the mood to read. 

Another story that caught my attention was Sita Tested. I feel as though the title caught my attention because it seems as though the story will be suspenseful. I love stories that wait until the very end to put all of the connections together and I am hoping this may be one of those!

Agni protects Sita in the fire and then gives her to Rama.

The last story that caught my attention was Andhaka: The Dark Lord Who Saw Light. This title has lots of suspense behind it that I think would be interest to unravel. I feel as though it will be an uplifting ending that will be a perfect read on those hard days when I am not feeling motivated to get my work done. 

Time Strategies

In my opinion, time management can make or break your college experience. I remember coming into college nervous for pulling all-nighters of studying and stressing only to find out that doesn't have to be the case at all. Entering my senior year at OU, I have yet to pull an all-nighter...for studying.

This image was created by Kat.

The first article I read over time management tonight was: The Myth of Too Busy as I am a pro at "overbooking" myself. I am glad this one stood out to me as it made me reconsider how to look at my schedule. I also am guilty of always talking about how "busy" I am and I am going to make it a going to start saying that I am prioritizing my time in order to reach my goals instead. 

The next article I read was: Increase Your Creative Output With 14 Time Management Tips Just For Creatives. I was drawn in with the first tip regarding managing your energy as well as your time. I definitely do not manage my energy as well as I could be. I have bursts of energy when I don't need them that leave me feeling groggy when I need to be alert. I am excited to try adding energy output estimates to my daily task check sheets.

Thoughts About Class Technology

I was familiar with quite a few of these tools before starting this class last semester as I have been on a Public Relations/Communications committee since freshman year. I will say that I had never created a website, so that was new, as well as the content sites. 

This online environment was unlike what I had experienced in other classes because we are not the only ones creating. I really appreciate that, as a professor, someone would go out of their way to make content of their own that will benefit us. Not to mention the fact that the content is creative, which helps motivate students to engage in the same format. 

This semester, I just want to become more confident in my creativity when it comes to blogging. I believe this is the perfect course for that!

Photo by Furry Influencers and Their Fans.

Thoughts on Assignments

Last semester, reading all of the assignments had me really excited as this course is unlike any course I have ever taken before. Since I took my English courses in high school, I had not had a writing class in a long time, but I enjoy writing a lot. 

This course is different from my other courses because there is so much room for creative thinking. Being a science major, I have not been able to take a course that allows for this much creativity before last semester. I thrive when I am given the freedom to think without boundaries, so I am excited to see what I can create throughout this semester. 

What a perfect meme for talking about all this lovely extra credit! Photo by Paul Anderson.

As far as extra credit goes, many of them interest me. I have been on the Public Relations/Communications team for Class Council since freshman year and think that I can increase my part by learning some tech tips. I also think this will help me in the future with my own blog. I also see myself getting lost in Wikipedia Trails as I do that all the time anyway. Growth Mindset and HEART interest me as I am always looking for ways to better myself and what better opportunity then now when I am receiving credit at the same time! Extra commenting also seems like something I will do as I love to read other's work in order to get my own gears turning. Finally, Famous Last Words and Back-Up and Review seem like a great way to ensure I stay on track this semester while also getting points.

Growth Mindset: Changes Lives

Every semester at Peer Learning Assistant training through the Student Learning Center I get the opportunity to dive a little deeper in my understanding and application of growth mindset. We actually have watched Carol Dweck's TED talk. It amazes me how a thought that seems so simple truly does control much of what we do everyday and is much more complex once you begin making the change. I get to see both growth and fixed mindsets in Action Center every time I tutor Human Anatomy and my goal is to end the semester with more growth minded conversations than fixed.



This graphic is from a blog post by Jackie Gerstein: The Mindset of the Maker Educator. I am leaving this hear as these are many of the thoughts that go through my head after I leave a lab, tutoring session, class, workout, and more!

In case you are unable to read the text from the graphic, here is it typed out:
Was I resourceful in terms of finding information, resources, and materials?
Did I ask other people for feedback and information, to collaborate?
Did I share my work and findings with others?
Did I learn something new?
Did I play and have fun?
Did I try to either make something better or create something new, rather than just copy something that already exists?
Did I approach learning as an open-ended process, open to new and all possibilities?
Did I accept failure as part of the process and use it to inform my learning?
In high school, I most definitely had a fixed mindset. I did not want to be challenged and, when I was, I would blame my failures on everything but my lack of effort. I was not stimulated by the information or teaching methods and had to intention to ask for help.

My senior year of high school, I finally asked my mom if I could go to a psychologist as I could not even recall what subject we were talking about in a class the minute I walked out. After talking to someone, it turned out that I had a decreased amount of serotonin being secreted in my brain, just as was seen in the photo of a "fixed mindset" brain. I was diagnosed with both ADD and ADHD as all of my test results were off the charts.

After completing my first semester at OU knowing this about myself, I was able to adjust my learning and started to love school. My friends from home never believe me when I tell them that I am a tutor, making good grades, and wanting to learn more than I need to in courses. The funny thing is that I really thought it was purely this medication that was giving me some "instant smartness" that I could not acquire on my own. In reality, I did not put the fact that my Gateway professor and graduation coach both talked to me about growth mindset and it stuck ever since.

Once I became a Peer Learning Assistant and got to attend a training specifically over growth mindset, I gained the confidence in my own capabilities without giving credit to some "magic pill" that I have to take to get myself to shut up and sit still. Now, I understand the self-talk I must engage in that can completely change the way I approach a topic that may not have my interest, such as chemistry.

I have learned that, in order to perform well in a course, I cannot limit my learning to what's required. Some topics are more difficult for me and often times become easier when I dive a little deeper into details beyond what I will be tested over. I have learned that memorization is no good and I pay tuition in order to truly learn and better myself with the help of my professors. Without my introduction to growth mindset as a freshman, I am not sure I would still be on this campus as I took a 180 degree turn around in my academic career because of it.

My Final OU Introduction

As you can see, my name is Natalie and I am officially in my last semester at OU!

My major is Health and Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. I am excited to finally be able to say that I will be attending Texas Woman's University in the Fall as a student in their Doctor of Physical Therapy program. My favorite thing about my major is the fact that it applies to each and every one of us. There is nothing better than becoming more informed about how intricately made each and every one of us are from the inside out.

Last semester, I was sick ALL the time. I think that the stress of applying to graduate school on top of my heavy course load and work took a toll of my body. Because of this, I spent most of Winter Break going to doctor appointments to see what's wrong with me and we are in the process of figuring it all out. Don't worry...I got to have some fun as well! I went to Boulder, Colorado for a few days and got to go explore Denver and snowboard in Breckenridge which was a blast!

Although I can't pick one book to favor, I do have a favorite author. Every single book I have read (by choice) since freshman year at OU has been by James Patterson. He is my favorite author and I can never put down a book of his once I pick it up.

The one thing I miss the most when I leave home is my Golden Retriever, Duncan. I tried to bring him up during the summer when I moved into my first apartment, but he would whine nonstop anytime I left, so it was temporary. He is always by my side when I am at home and I even thought about getting him certified as a service dog so I could have him by my side here in Norman. 

This image is an oldie, but it remains to be one of my favorites. I took it in high school before leaving for class one morning. (2013)

 

Story Book Favorites

After browsing through several storybooks, I picked out my 3 favorites. Here is a little bit about each of them and what appealed to me!

1. Through the Page: One Girl's Journey

I think that this storybook stood out to me immediately because the display was different from any blog I had seen before. I really loved the layout and may use the same layout for my own storybook. I think this go-around I am going to focus on the visual aspect of my storybook a little more. I also really enjoyed how mysterious the introduction was. This storybook is about a different storybook that was very interesting to figure out. The introduction left you wondering for quite a bit about what the story was going to be about, but not too long to where the reader is left bored.

(Photo by Christian Photo Shops)

2. The House to a Wife of Many

Surprisingly, this storybook also included a story within. I really like the idea of this as I feel like it's what I am experiencing in a way as I go through and read the stories. I also love the suspense that was built up in the intro that had me read to read more. I think that the design was simplistic which is different from the last one I liked, but I still really liked it.

3. Tales of Dr. Love

This storybook grabbed my attention from the title. I did not expect what I read at all. It almost sounded like Cupid was the main character. I liked the familiarity of the introduction because it was almost as though I personally know "Dr. Love." They built up the plot just enough to get me wanting to read on and that' the best kind of introduction in my opinion!

I'm so excited for yet another semester of creating my own storybook!

Houston, Boulder, and Edinburgh...My Favorite Places

Houston, Boulder, and Edinburgh

Being a travel addict, it is EXTREMELY hard for me to pick favorites...I tend to fall in love with everywhere I visit. So, here is my best effort at picking today's favorites!

Houston, Texas -

I was born in Houston in '96 and I think I will always end up going back no matter how far I travel. Growing up, I lived in a town called Sugar Land that's just south of Houston, but, if anyone asks, I say I'm from good ole' Houston. This is one of my favorite things about the city. There are several surrounding metropolitan areas full of diversity.

(Panoramic view of the Downtown Houston Skyline by Henry Han)

Boulder, Colorado -

I just returned from Colorado and completely fell in love. Something about the snow-capped mountains and the naturalistic lifestyle makes you leave all of your worries behind. It's the perfect place to escape to whether you are with your family or friends. Boulder was just close enough to spend a day in Denver and go snowboarding in Breckenridge. I will definitely be visiting again soon!

(Photo by me)

Edinburgh, Scotland -

Last summer, I finally persuaded my parents to let me study abroad and this is where I ended up. Edinburgh was the perfect place to go for my first time traveling alone. I would recommend it to anyone. The locals were helpful and would speak slow if they had a thick accent, the sights were breath taking, and transportation was a breeze. My month in Edinburgh truly lit my passion for traveling and prepared me for more difficult travel in the future.

(Photo by Hansueli Krapf)

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