Learning Challenge: Follow your Dreams and Be Creative

Health

Data Reveals How Some College Students Sleep 

One thing I knew already was that sleep affects the mood. The article confirmed my thoughts on how light can also affect the mood. I did not really think about how it may be a warning sign of depression however, when I hear people talk about how they did not get any sleep a lot of the times they say it's because they stayed up late working on homework and studying. If they're my friends, I'll sometimes wonder if that's really the case or if there is something else going on and will show my concern for them just in case. I think it's really interesting how light gives the same effect as an antidepressant. It's really interesting how light affects your body and sleep schedule.This article gave me my answer as to why I am always up late working on homework or something (like now) even though I try to sleep early sometimes. I do not plan to actually try this any time soon but I would like to do more research on this and see what I can find.

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Empathy

What Makes Us Feel Good About Our Work?

This video is very relatable just because I've always enjoyed working for the most part. I enjoy it because it makes me feel like I have a purpose. I never really cared about the monetary value as much as I cared about the environment and internal value I can get. I feel like I get learn a lot through working than I do in a classroom and can connect with others better. It is more hands-on and there are more consequences whereas in a classroom the only consequence is your grade. At work, you also get a chance to correct your mistake and learn from it.

The speaker mentions how people get internal joy from doing what they enjoy which explains why I like to work. It's like people who value what they buy with their own money. It means more as opposed to someone else buying it for you. 

Part of the reason I chose my major was because I like to see the result of my hard work. It also very challenging and like a puzzle. Seeing everything fall into place in the end after all the hard work is satisfying in my opinion. I have always liked doing puzzles and knowing that I'll be able to do what I enjoy as a career doesn't even feel like work at all. I will be getting paid to live my dreams.

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Attention

Being Busy Is Killing Our Ability to Think Creatively

I did not know that being busy can affect the ability to think creatively. It does make sense though. A lot of people I know that say they are busy aren't exactly the most creative thinkers. However some of the people I know that make time to relax or just connect with nature really are creative. 

I agree when the article talks about how fear of missing out can increase anxiety since I've had some of those moments as a college student. However, anytime someone wants to play games or be outside I will almost never pass up the opportunity. 

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Reading

Bibliotherapy: Can You Read Yourself Happy?

I never knew that reading is a therapy or a prescription for that matter. As a person who reads a lot of ebooks I think that reading can make people happy. I know that when I feel down I would read and forget about my problems. I also like paperback novels but sadly I can't read that in the dark before going to bed.  Although you can read yourself happy you can also read yourself into other emotions as well depending on what you read but like everything, reading has its good and bad. 

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Time

Reviewing My Schedule

I feel like my schedule has been working great for me. I am focused and have energy when I work on my stories and readings and am able to squeeze in some extra credit and learn something new. For the most part, I find myself getting a little ahead because this class is so much fun. I have some wiggle room which allows me to fall behind a little bit but still turn things in on time. 

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Famous Last Words: Tuning Back into Virtual Reality

This week I feel like I created a really good story and title about Karma. I have really been enjoying this class and came up with the idea to create Karma's court because I noticed that couples separated but never officially divorced. I figure it would be interesting to turn karma into a person and give her thoughts on everything that is happening in these stories and thus Karma's court was born.

I really like how this class has a lot of room for creativity. I read a lot on this app called Wattpad which is basically stories written by ordinary people. I've always like to read stories rather than write them myself.

So far, it has been really fun to watch my ideas come to life (or in this case writing) and it's really exciting. Anytime I think of homework this class comes to mind and I get excited (because I'm nerdy). Part of the reason I may get excited is because I can do this around my own time and can finish early but I also like to keep myself busy.

This week has been very laid back. I attended a Lunch N' Learn with MISSA and got to learn more about job opportunities which was exciting because I can turn what I love into a career so it won't really be working. I'll just be getting paid to have fun. I also won a prize while I was there which added more excitement to my currently boring life. It's probably the most exciting thing that's happened all year.

As for next week, I'm planning to start exercising cause I've been lazy and need to get healthy. Midterms won't be too far away so I might get a head start on studying so that I don't get overwhelmed later. I will also be going to my first MISSA meeting of the semester as an official member (yay!)

I finally turned my application in to study abroad and am currently being waitlisted so figures crossed in hopes that I can still go otherwise this will be a long year. I also turned some of my social media back on but haven't been active on it. I like to take breaks every now and then from it cause as much good as social media can be it can also be bad in my opinion. I know it's ironic considering I'm majoring in something related to technology but I like to take a break from it.

Personal photo created with 

Topic Research: Karma

I recently created a story for Week 3 and would like to create a project with different cases since  most of the stories have had some sort of karma whether it's good or bad. In other words, I want to retell all the stories and add a modern twist to it. It can have some humor in it as well.

Valmiki's Hermitage by Sister Nivedita

Rama basically abandons Sita by exiling her in the forest because of a rumor he heard. People believed that she was impure because she lived in a house with another man while she was kidnapped. Despite knowing the truth, Rama lets his pride get the better of him and sends Sita away. After he sends her away she takes refuge at Valmiki's Hermitage where she gives birth to two boys which Rama later meets.

This would be a good story to retell. I can create two different cases with this one story. Today, if the couple existed, they would be able to divorce instead of just simply disowning each other. It would also be interesting to see Rama try to win Sita again after realizing his mistake.

Sita Departs

Rama learns about his two boys and regrets his decision of exiling Sita. He wants Sita to prove her innocence once again. At this point, Sita as had enough and return back into the earth which was her birthplace. She leaves her twins in Rama's hands and they return to the kingdom without their mother. 

I personally feel like Sita was selfish by leaving her children behind but understand her reasoning. Things were different back then and she was meant to stay loyal to her husband and obey him.

I feel like she could've been stronger if not for herself then for her children. I think I might make her a little more sassy so that the story can be told in way that fit's with today's generation.

Bhagwat: The Krishna Avatar

Cover of the Bhagwat: The Krishna Avatar
Image Source: (Dr. Laura Gibbs)

Krishna is another form of Vishnu. His story is interesting since he's been killing demons since he was practically born. In this story his uncle Kamsa, sets out to kill him because of what a prophet had told him. The book shares his life story. I am still reading it but so far I have learned that his birth parents switched him with his adoptive parent's baby and that Kamsa has killed many babies.

I feel like there is a lot of information to create a case where Karma sentences Kamsa for his crimes, not to mention Krishna's parents kind of kidnapped a kid. Krishna's adoptive parents seemed a little negligent towards him as a baby by leaving him by himself even if it's for a few minutes so maybe child services can get involved too. 

I am going to be honest, I do not know much about how the court system works but I watch a lot of Law & Order: SVU and Forensic shows so that gives me a little bit of an idea. However I may do some research into the court system to make the story seem a little realistic but not entirely. After all it is a story.

Feedback Strategies: Don't Look Back, Look Forward!

Try Feedforward Instead of Feedback by Marshall Goldsmith

I really liked the title of this article, it's really creative. I liked how the article talks about how people give feedback for something that has happened in the past instead of talking about what can happen in the future. Although it's meant to help someone in the future, I feel like it does more damage than good. I've always been told to focus on the present rather than the past and this article made me think about why I always focus on what has already happened rather then what could happen and the answer is simple, we are always talking about what we could've done better in the past rather than the future.

The future is meant to be exciting and talking about what can happen can probably add to that excitement because it means we can do better. The article mentions that participants described the exercise as "fun" and "energizing" instead of "painful" and "embarrassing. This basically explains what I meant earlier when I said I felt like feedback can cause more damage. I know there's been situations where I have gotten feedback and although I know it's meant to help me and am grateful that someone gave me feedback, the negative feelings that come after aren't so helpful.

It makes sense why athletes are always talking about doing better in the next game after they've lost. It's because they've been taught to feedforward instead of backwards.

I like the concept of feedforward because it's not implying that something someone did was wrong or bad or inappropriate but it's helping someone to become better instead. It's also less harsh.

Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback that Fosters a Growth Mindset by Gravity Goldberg

1. Be Specific

2. Focus on what the reader is doing (not what's missing)

3. Focus on the process

4. Make sure it can transfer.

5. Take yourself out of the feedback.

This article was really helpful in explaining how to give feedback. I find myself often using "I" when giving other people feedback (like right now). The article does a good job at comparing feedback to a mirror especially when the author talks about how a mirror can't reflect something that's not there. This article is something worth keeping in your backpocket to look back on. 

Inspirational Quote
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Week 3 Story: Karma's Court

Dasharatha vs. Kaikeyi

Dashratha files for divorce after Kaikeyi demands Rama's exile. Both parties are now in the court. 

Judge Karma: What is your reason for divorce?

Dashratha: This woman is a vixen! She exiled my oldest son Rama and demanded that her son be king!

Kaikeyi: Oh please! I was only making use of my two wishes that YOU had granted me after I saved your life. You almost died after that battle, had it not been for me, you would not even be standing right now.

Dasharatha: You are the most selfish woman to live this earth! I don't know what I saw in you. As for Bharata, he is no son of mine!

Kaikeyi: Whether you like it or not, he will always be your son. You and I both know that Rama was going to exile Bharata and strip him of his royal status.

Dasharatha: You are nothing but delusional! My dear Rama would never do such a thing. My wife and I had raised him better than that.

Kaikeyi: Don't you mean one of your wives? We both know your a player. Manthara was right, you can never judge a book by its cover.

Dasharatha: Really? I could say the same about you! You acted all sweet and innocent which made me think you were a kind soul but your just a conniving vixen! Your actually took a servant's word? Manthara has hated Rama ever since he was a child!

The two soon to be divorced couple begin to argue vigorously.

Judge Karma: Order in the court! I have heard enough! I will now make my decision. As the eldest son of King Dasharatha, Rama does in fact have full rights to the throne. Kaikeyi, you had no right to exile him and demand Bharata be king. What you have done is absolutely despicable! As the ruler of this court, I hereby strip you of your royal status as queen of Koshala, and grant Dasharatha his wish to divorce you. I hope that you realize your mistake Kaikeyi.

And with that, Kaikeyi runs out of the court room sobbing while the people of Koshala celebrate the return of Rama. A day after the verdict, Kaikeyi was stripped of all her royal belongings and  put into a psychiatric facility by her son Bharata.

Image created with befunky

Author's Note: I noticed a lot of couples separate or disown each other but they never had a divorce so I thought I would add a twist to King Dasharatha's and Kaikeyi's marriage. He had originally disowned her as his wife along with her son but it did not seem official so I figured karma should decide what happens and made her the judge. Judge Karma will most likely be seen more in the stories each week.

Reading Notes: The Sons of Rama: Luv and Kush - The Invincible Twins, Extra Credit

Background: After Rama saves Sita, they return to the Ayodhya where Rama is crowned king. Rama exiles Sita because of some rumors that he heard from his messenger. He chooses his kingdom over his wife and orders Laxmana to exile her into the forest.

After Rama exiled Sita, she was taken in by a Maharshi named Valmiki and later gave birth to two boys. Rama does not know that Sita gave birth to twins.

Cover of the Comic Book with Luv and Kush
Image Source: Laura Gibbs 

Valmiki

• Teaches the boys 

• Told them Rama and Vaidehi (Sita) 

Luv and Kush

• mischievous but obedient. 
• strong and undefeatable like Rama
• clever

Life without Sita

• Rama performs a ceremony and has a statue of Sita made to represent her 

• People gossiped 

• He debates on bringing Sita back and believes his people won't accept her

• A horse is released to perform the sacrifice
• The twins catch it 

Fighting the Twins

• Rama's soldiers

• Laxmana
• He injures Kush and ends up unconscious (courtesy of Luv)

• Bharata, Hanuman and the monkey army

• Bharata falls so Hanuman retreats and tells Rama

Rama meets the Twins

• He realizes they are his sons and faints
• Sita goes into the earth 

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part B

Bharata Returns

• He is furious with his mother and Manthura and refuses to rule the kingdom. 

• He vows to find Rama and give him his rightful place on the throne. 

Dasharatha's Funeral

• Bharata performs his father's final rites and sets out to find his brother in the forest.

Rama and Bharata

• Bharata finds Rama and tries to give the throne back.
• Bharata chooses to live outside of Koshala until his brother returns back to the kingdom.

The relationship between the brothers is strong. Bharata highly respects Rama.

The Sandals

• represent Rama in his absence in Koshala
• symbolizes royal authority 

Viradha

Tone: Gruesome

• Rama and Lakshmana battle an ugly demon who tries to kidnap Sita.
• The demon can't be killed with sharp weapons.

Plot Twist: The demon was actually a singer that was cursed. 

Agastya

• Sage

Shurpanakha and Rama

• Ravana's sister likes Rama and tries to seduce him

Lakshmana and Shurpanakha

• Shurpanakha tries to kill Sita and Lakshmana saves her 
• The demon tells her brother and a battle breaks out.

Battle with Khara

Tone: angry, dangerous 

• Khara is Shurpanakha's brother and returns for revenge after being defeated. 

Ravana

Ravana
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

• King of Lanka
• Ravana learns that his brothers have been killed by Rama and that his kingdom has been made a laughing stock. 

Maricha

• Disguises himself as a golden deer and kidnaps Sita 
• Thataka's son 

Sita sees a golden deet
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Chase

• Maricha imitates Rama's voice to lure Sita but Lakshmana comes instead, leaving Sita by herself.

Ravana and Sita

• Ravana lures Sita and kidnaps her

Jatayu and Ravana

• King of Vultures
• Tries to save Sita 
• Sita drops her jewelry to leave clues for Rama and his allies

Sita in Lanka

• Ravana can not touch Sita because of a curse that was put on him after he misbehaved with a woman 

Kabhanda

• demon under a spell
• helps Rama find Sita by giving information

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A

People

King Dasharatha

Tone: Calm

Setting: Palace

• King of Koshala
• Father of Rama
• Has 3 wives 

1. Kaushalya - chief queen
• Mother of Rama
2. Kaikeyi
• Mother of Bharata
3. Sumitra
• Mother of Lakshmana & Shatrughna

Traits: Honest, Humble

Dasaratha's Sons

Tone: Happy,  Exciting

Dasharatha performed a horse sacrifice with his wives in hopes of having a son to rule the kingdom in the future.

• Four sons (all of them are Vishnu)

1. Rama
2. Bharata
3. Lakshmana
4. Shatrughna

💭 Rama and Lakshmana are a team that slays demons. 

Avatar of Vishnu

Tone: Happy, Determined, Joyful 

Vishnu comes to earth in the form of a human (Rama) to defeat Ravana because he can only be defeated by a human or a monkey.

• Divided himself into four sons

Vishvamrita

Setting: Palace & Nature

Rama and his brothers are now young men.

• Sage requested Rama and Lakshmana to battle demons

It is evident that Rama's father adores him because he was hesitant to send Rama to battle the demons but because he had made a promise he had no choice but to grant Vishvamrita the favor. 

Maricha & Subahu were disturbing his sacrifices.

• Ravana's minions

Thataka

Tone: Suspenseful

Setting: Jungle 

• Female demon 
• Mother of Maricha

Rama uses a bow to fight her but does not kill her because she is a female. He only injures her and cuts her ears and nose with the bow and became invisible. Rama finally kills her. 

Spirits of Rama's weapons appear after being summoned by Vishvamitra. When Rama thinks of them they will appear. 

Tone: Peaceful

Rama makes his journey to a grove with his brother when all of a sudden they're ambushed by Marisha and a bunch of demons.

Tone: Serious, Suspenseful

Rama's weapons appear and they battle the demons almost like superheroes or vigilantes.  

Bhagiratha and Ganga

Vishvamitra is telling the story to Rama

King Sagara has two wives but no kids. He performs a horse sacrifice and has a son. 

Indra

• demon takes away horse 

Bhagiratha continued the sacrifice after his father passes away and is finally granted a boon. The Brahma asks Shiva for help.

Ahalya

Ahalya is the wife of a sage named Gautama. She was tricked by Indra who disguised himself as her her husband which the REAL Gautama furious. He was so mad that he cursed her and made her invisible until Rama breaks it (which he eventually does)

💭 It sounds like she knew the disguise wasn't her husband but that is still unclear. The story doesn't really explain it from her perspective. 

After Rama breaks the spell, Ahalya is purified and Gautama takes her back and they go to Mithila.

Sita

• She is shy and quiet

Tone: Curious, Dreamy, Sentimental 

Attribute: Imagery, Narrative

Setting: King's Garden 

Rama and Lakshmana go to explore Mithila and meet Sita.

Rama and Sita experience love at first sight. 

Sita goes to pray to Bhavani to marry Rama and a flower garland falls at Sita's feet.

• Garland symbolizes marriage

King Janaka

• King of Mithila
• Father of Sita

In order to marry Sita, a man must be able to bend Shiva's bow. 

• Shiva's bow could symbolize how strong the love between Rama and Sita really is. 

Rama Wins Sita

Tone: Auspicious 

Rama and Sita's wedding is planned. 

Parashurama

• Avatar of Vishnu
• Sage
• Worships Shiva
• Aggressive
• Choice of weapon is an axe

Tone: Aggressive 

Attributes: Imagery, Narrative, Dialogue

He has three white lines on his forehead. 

• symbolize worshipper of Shiva 

Parashurama is angry that Rama broke the bow.  He wants to see Rama's strength for himself and ties his hands together. Once he realizes that Rama is strong, he accepts him. 

Wedding

Tone: Excited, Auspicious, Sentimental 

Attributes: Imagery, Narrative

A ceremony is performed for the wedding where they go around the Agni (fire).  Rama's brothers find wives in Janaka's family and also get married. 

Rama the Heir Apparent

Tone: Serious , Intense, Solemn

Dasharatha must decide which son gets to rule the kingdom. He gathers councils, other kings, army leaders, etc. to discuss his decision. 

• Rama is the oldest.
• He is strong, virtuous, humble, and honest.

Manthara and Kaikeyi

Tone: Scornful 

Attributes: Imagery, Dialogue, Narrative

Manthara is a Kaikeyi's servant and hates Rama because he hit her when he was a child . He had hit her because she had offended him. She convinces Kaikeyi that once Rama becomes king, he will exile her son Bharata. She helps Kaikeyi plan Rama's exile. 

• Her physical description reflects her character. 

When Dasharatha had gone to help Indra to battle against the demons, he almost died but was saved by Kaikeyi. Afterwards he granted her two wishes. 

💭 The story does not mention what Manthara had said to offend Rama. 

Kaikeyi

Tone: Demanding

She pretends to be upset and demands her two wishes: 

1. Make Bharata king

2. Exile Rama for 14 years

She threatens to die by drinking poison if she's not granted these wishes. Dashartha is furious and insults her.

Tone: Angry, Bitter

He disowns Kaikeyi and Bharata.

Rama Is Banished

Tone: Happy

Setting: Town is decorated in celebration of Rama becoming king. 

Rama is summoned to the palace and told to go into exile.

Tone: Sadness, Solemn, Grief, Pain

Rama Goes Into Exile

King Dasharatha grieving for exiling Rama
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Tone: Grief, Sadness, Bittersweet

Setting: People are mourning the departure of Rama. Rama tells Sita the news and she insists on going into exile with him.  Soldiers are ready to go with him but because of Kaikeyi's protests Rama refuses to let them go with him.  She also demanded that he take off his royal clothing and wear bark instead. Lakshmana and Sita were also going to change but Dasharatha points out that only Rama has been commanded into exile.

Crossing the River

Setting: Forest 

Overview: Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana arrive at the forest and talk about everything that has happened. Rama is grieving. Lakshmana partially blames his father for giving into Kaikeyi's wishes. 

Dasharatha's Karma

Tone: Sorrowful

Setting: Palace

Overview: Dasharatha is dying and remembers his past sin and realizes he is getting back his karma. He was out hunting once and thought he shot an animal but ended up killing a young boy instead. Although he was forgiven by the boy, his parents were not so forgiving.  They told him the only way he will cleanse himself is when he dies and then both parents jump into their son's fire during the funeral and die.

Dasharatha's Death

Setting: Only two of his wives are present in the palace as he is dying. 

Attributes: First Person 

Dasharatha explains his karma. 

Rama's mother confronts her husband and tells her that he broke his promise to his people while fulfilling Kaikeyi's promise.