Einstein Tech Tip

Here's a fun little tool: the Einstein Generator! Which allowed me to make this:

Does anybody else like the Epic Rap Battles of History on Youtube?

Epic Rap Battles of History: 

Einstein Vs. Stephen Hawking 

Created by Nice Peter 

Week 6: Famous Last Words

This week was both difficult and enjoyable. I was very sick for a few days; I even missed my lap band check-in appointment (though i'm ecstatic to report that I am officially down 51.2 lbs since June 26th)! I got behind in my assignments and readings and I am now struggling to catch up. However, I did get to spend some quality time with my roommate this week. We hung out a lot: we took the dog to the dog park at our apartment complex, we went to lunch at Chili's, we went Halloween costume shopping, we had a lot of long talks (silly and serious), and we had a few girls' nights where we just relaxed at home and watched trashy animated television (King of the Hill).
Then, my boyfriend and I had a lovely date night. We went to the OU Hockey game and cheered on our Sooners as they annihilated the Arkansas Razorbacks 9 to 2. It was chilly and there were more Razorbacks fans than Sooners fans, but I had a great time and afterward we got some new shisha and went home to enjoy some hookah.

I also got to spend some time at Lake Hefner a few mornings this week which is always welcomed. Spending my morning on the water with the peaceful sounds and the illusion of being distant from the city really helps me center myself, get my thoughts in order, and get into a positive mindset. It just helps me start my day off right!

My photos from my mornings at Lake Hefner in OKC

Made using PicMonkey

Now, i'm really trying to put in work so I can start October off right! I'm hoping to get ahead and comfortable this week so I can really focus on my practicum work (I'm going to participate in an agency fair Oct. 5th which will be a great networking opportunity). I know it will be a tough week, but I feel pretty prepared. I have a to-do list from hell and a supply of energy shots to get me through it. Plus, Wednesday is yoga day and I found out today that my dad was given 2 tickets to the Red River Shootout from a friend who can't go, so i'm going to get to go with him!!! I'm so excited!!!

Good luck this week y'all!

Week 6: Reading Diary A- Finally Found Sita

Reading Notes: p. 219-270
Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way

Prof's Reading Guide A

Hanuman's Jump

• Sampati, the giant vulture: Jatayu's older brother- tells Hanuman that Sita is in Lanka. As he eats with the group, his feathers grow back. 
• The monkeys decide that Hanuman must make the 100-league jump into Lanka. 
• Mainaka, the mountain- brother of Ganga. As Hanuman is leaping to Lanka, the mountain Mainaka, which had been hiding under the waves, rises up to give Hanuman a chance to rest. The mountain had been hiding from Indra because he took the other mountains' wings. 
• Sinhika, the rakshasa- seizes Hanuman's shadow as he's flying over the sea, dragging him down. Hanuman shrank down and flew into her mouth, down into her chest where he crushed her heart before flying out of her ear. 
• Hanuman arrives in Lanka and transforms into a cat. Then Lanka herself appears to Hanuman in human form. She kicks Hanuman, but he punches her back. Lanka realizes that the coming of the monkey is the fulfillment of a curse. Hanuman enters Lanka and sees the rakshasas there. He reveals that they cannot reason with them and they will have to kill them all. Hanuman creeps into Ravana's bedroom where he finds all of his wives, but no Sita. Hanuman begins to despair, feeling like he will never find Sita, but his father the god of wind (Vayu) leads him toward the Ashoka Grove. 

Here I Am

• In the morning, Ravana visits Sita. He speaks to her sweetly and tries to seduce her/convince her to join his harem, but Sita refuses. Ravana grows angry at her defiance and leaves with his wife Mandodari. The rakshasa guards threaten to kill and eat Sita, but one of them named Trijata stepped in and told them to stop because she had a dream that predicted the fall of Lanka with Sita in it. 
• Hanuman makes his presence known to Sita by saying "Rama, Rama" in the animal language. He introduces himself to Sita who originally does not think he is real. He tells Sita how Rama has been searching for her relentlessly and has made a pact with the monkeys and bears. Then, he gives Sita the ring Rama gave him. Sita gives Hanuman a message for Rama and Hanuman leaves, promising to deliver it. 
• Before Hanuman leaves Lanka, he decides to stir things up a bit. He destroys flowerbeds, pavilions, gardens, benches, and palace windows. Then, he kills the royal guard with a hammer and destroys the temple. Jambumali, the son of Ravana's general Prahasta, finds Hanuman in the ruins of the temple. He goes to attack Hanuman but is killed by a falling rock. Ravana looks to his son Indrajit for help. Indrajit is in meditation, but afterwards he captures Hanuman with a spell called Indra's Noose. However, a group of Rakshasas come in and chain Hanuman up. The noose doesn't work with chains, but they drag Hanuman off toward the palace.

The New Moon

• Ravana is hella pissed at Hanuman and orders his brother Vibhishana to chop off his head, but Vibhishana refuses because you can brand or shave a messenger, but not kill him. Ravana begrudgingly agrees, but orders Hanuman's tail be set on fire. This comes back to bite him when Hanuman escapes and runs through the city, setting all of Lanka on fire. Hanuman revels in the fiery destruction of Lanka, but worries that he might have hurt Sita. She is fine in the Ashoka Grove. Hanuman tells Sita that Rama will soon come for her, and Sita gives Hanuman a jewel to take back to Rama.
• Hanuman returns to Prince Angada who is glad to hear the news of Sita's liveliness. He orders the monkeys and bears to return to Kishkindhya with the news and they head off. On their way, they stopped in the Honey Park where everyone ate the precious honey and got drunk on Sugriva's honey wine. This angers Dadhimukha, the keeper of the park. He goes to tell Sugriva what's happening, but Sugriva isn't upset. Instead, he is happy that they have found Sita.
• Hanuman returns to Rama and reveals his findings and Sita's loyalty. He also gives Rama the jewel that Sita gave him  before urging Rama to go rescue Sita and kill Ravana. 

Week 5: Famous Last Words

I think I will start with some photos from my mom's birthday this past weekend. It was a blast and I was so happy that I could do that for her! My roommate and I took my mom to lunch at Chilis, then to get new OU shirts, then to get all of our nails done. After that we drove to the Grand Resort and Casino in Shawnee, OK where we'd booked a room for the night. We checked in, got situated, then hit the casino to have a few drinks and lose some money. My roommate actually won some, but my mom and I did not have such good luck. It was still a lot of fun and after a dinner of nachos, a long time on the Wizard of Oz slots, and a few more vodka cherry sours we were ready for bed. It was a great time and I loved seeing mom genuinely smile and have fun. She deserves so much more than she gets.

Mom with her first drink in front of the Firelake Grand Casino statue and slots.

My photo taken 9-13-14

The blue-eyed trio taking advantage of the great lighting in our hotel room.

My photo taken 9-13-14

Mom in the room- my mom is stunning

My photo taken 9-13-14

Our nails: solar nails done at Modern Nails II in Norman

My photo from 9-13-14

Obligatory ridiculous bathroom selfie? Check!

My photo from 9-13-14

The three of us in our OU gear for game day with a new friend: Chester the Cheetah!

My photo from 9-13-14, taken at Walmart Norman West

Lets see, what else went on this week? Well, I made more progress with my grief group at my practicum site. The children in there are so intelligent and constantly surprise me with their ability to articulate their feelings much better than I would expect them to be able to based on their age. I also got to facilitate a new age group this week: children II, divorce. It was really neat and I enjoyed getting to meet the children and see their personalities! I also feel like it was a great demonstration of the differences in cognitive development between the ages of 4 and 6. This practicum has really taught me how to handle children in a way that keeps communication open, children under control, and the children from feeling bored/disinterested. It has also really helped me with my patience! 

This week has also been stressful, but still positive. This past week marked the beginning of my big assignments being due in my classes, and they don't stop pretty much until Christmas. Everyone in the social work class of '15 is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and/or really tired We are pretty much living off of coffee/energy shots, a few hours of sleep each night, and nerves but everyone is trying to dig in and help each other out which is really great. 

On a personal note, i've been trying to stay on-task, maintain a positive attitude, learn as much as possible, remember to eat, not kill my boyfriend who refuses to understand that my apartment is not his apartment and therefore he needs to ask me before he just shows up/not assume that he can be there whenever he wants eating my food and using my stuff (sorry for that, end of rant), not get behind in assignments, take the dog for longer walks, not hit the snooze button so many times that I miss 7 am yoga on Wednesdays, remember to smile/laugh, and to take care of myself. 

Also, i'm down 46 pounds since August 26th! My back is straightening out, my core is getting stronger, my flexibility is improving, and I can dance again! I can even roll my stomach again! I just had to share my victory because it mad me feel awesome.

Have a bomb rest of the week and weekend!

Storytelling for Week 5: Mother and Son

Garuda's Story as Told on Facebook 

Belur Garuda - Photo by Philip Larson(2009)

Obtained through Wikimedia Commons

Vinata, Status 1

Today, my husband gave me and Kadru each a seed that he said would bless us with sons! I'm so incredibly excited! -Eating Seeds w/ Kadru

-Vinata adds new life event to her timeline: guess who's pregnant!-

-Karuda adds new life event to her timeline: finally pregnant!-

Vinata, Status 2

Today Karuda gave birth to 1,000 eggs! I cannot believe it! I hope I will have lots of beautiful sons...

Vinata, Status 3

Today I laid 2 eggs. I was saddened by the small amount, but goodness! I'm in love with them  already! 

Vinata, Status 4

Okay, I know I should be happy for Karuda, but it's been 500 years and all of her eggs have hatched and grown into baby Nagas and neither of mine have even twitched! What should I do?

Vinata, Status 5

I got impatient... I opened up one of my eggs.. I know! I know! But I couldn't resist! Do you know what happened? I found my beautiful son, not completely developed but stunning and strong already and he told me not to open the other egg or mess with it for another 500 years. That's not even the weird part.. immediately afterward he flew up into the sky and became the charioteer for Surya the sun! I'm so proud of my little Aruna! -Feeling emotional

Vinata, Status 6

Ugh! Karuda thinks sooo much better than me just because she has more sons! We made a bet today and I lost :( now I have to be Karuda's slave forever! I just know she cheated! Oh what have I done? -Feeling defeated

Vinata, Status 7

Today my second son was FINALLY born! Even though i'm doomed to slavery, I love that my son Garuda is finally with me. He is the most beautiful giant eagle man! Seeing his face makes this awful labor a little more bearable, though I wish he didn't have to see me like this. -Feeling peaceful

-Garuda joins Facebook -

Garuda, Entry 1

I'm getting really concerned about Mom... I think we might need to talk, because she is the only one around here who ever does anything around the house and Karuda and her sons just taunt her and live in luxury!

Garuda, Entry 2

So, as it turns out Karuda tricked my mom into losing a bet and now she's keeping her as her slave! It's absolutely unacceptable! I tried to buy Mom's freedom, but Karuda said no! She will only exchange Mom's freedom if I bring her the cup of amrita from Indra's palace so that she may become immortal. Geez. -Feeling pissed off 

Garuda, Entry 3

Well, finally done dealing with my awkward dad. Now on to Indra's heaven!

Garuda, Entry 4

So, I asked Indra if I could borrow his amrita but he totally freaked out and called all of his guards and fighters on me! What a jerk! At least he didn't know what I can do... I shrunk down and snuck into Indra's room and snagged the whole cup! Haha, I cannot wait to free Mom! -Feeling confident at Indra's Heaven

Garuda, Entry 5

I'm almost home, wish me luck! 

Garuda, Entry 6

Check this out everyone! While I was flying home Narayana visited me and granted me the gift of immortality! I have now pledged to be Narayana's mount whenever needed! -Feeling blessed

-Garuda and Narayana are in a complicated relationship-

-Vinata likes this-

Garuda, Entry 7

Indra tried to kill me! Thank Brahma for Narayana's gift; instead of the lightning bolt killing me, it gave me knowledge of all that ever was, is, and will be! It's okay though, Indra and I talked it out and he's on my team now. -Feeling enlightened

Garuda, Entry 8

Great news everybody! I returned home to Karuda and her goons lazily lounging about and approached with the amrita in hand. Karuda's mouth practically watered at the sight and she rushed towards me. She ordered me to give it to her, but I got clever and reminded her that this amrita was sacred and that she should probably wash her hands before taking from the cup. She agreed foolishly and set my mother free before darting to the bathroom. Just then, Indra swooped in and grabbed the cup before dashing out the door. - Feeling awesome with Vinata

-Vinata likes this-

Vinata, Entry 8

Finally I am free to live my life in happiness with my husband and my two wonderful sons! I love you guys! -Feeling thankful 

Author's Note:
I chose to tell Garuda's story because it was fun and ended on a positive note. I also love how strong the bond is between Garuda and Vinata even though he has barely gotten to truly know his mother. As for the style, I just kind of wanted to try something new so I gave the Facebook format a try. I think it makes the story easier to read because it is broken up, informal, and the entries are short, sweet, and to-the-point. The original story is more in-depth and can be found in William Buck's 1976 retelling of the Ramayana, Ramayana: King Rama's Way. 

Week 5: Reading Diary B- Getting Into the Meat of the Story

Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way
Reading Notes: p.162-218

Prof's Reading Guide B

Remember: Left off with Ravana deciding to capture Sita, and traveling to Maricha's hermitage

The Golden Deer 

• Maricha meets with Ravana and tries to convince him to give up his quest and leave the trio alone. Ravana refuses and eventually Maricha agrees to go with him to Panchavati (where the trio is located) though he is certain it will bring about his own death. Maricha takes the form of a gorgeous golden deer and Sita insists that Rama capture the deer. Rama chases after the deer, wanting desperately to please Sita, against the wishes of Lakshmana who is convinced it is a trap. Rama runs off and is lured farther and farther away from Sita. Rama shoots the deer who dies and resumes his true demon form. As Maricha was dying, he used his last breath to scream "help me" in Rama's voice which sends Sita into a frenzy. She freaks out and even though Lakshmana tries to reassure her that Rama is okay, she cannot be consoled. So, Lakshmana goes after Rama. Ravana scoops in disguised as an old holy man and approaches Sita. He tries to convince Sita to leave with him, but she refuses so he snatches her up and carries her away on his chariot. Jatayu tries to save Sita, but is defeated when Ravana cuts off his wings. Ravana once again takes off with Sita, but as they are flying away Sita drops pieces of jewelry to help Rama find her. 

Hanuman!

• Ravana holds Sita captive in Lanka. Indra brings her food and tells her Ravana's story of why he cannot just rape her. Ravana raped Rambha (a married Asparasa who refused to love him) and was cursed by her husband Nalakubara (son of Vishwamitra, the Treasure King). If he ever tries to rape another women, his 10 heads will burst.
• Rama and Lakshmana return from chasing the deer to find Sita gone. They also find Jatayu who can barely manage to tell them who took Sita before he dies. Rama and Lakshmana journey south to Matanga's hermitage. Matanga is dead, but his wife Savari remains to inform Rama of Sita's location and tell him to seek out the friendship of Sugriva and Hanuman, 2 monkeys that live in Kishkinhya (capital of the monkey people, ruled by King Vali).
• Savari steps into her own funeral pyre and is taken to heaven by Indra, her duty finished.
• Savari then tells Rama and Lakshmana how Riksharaja, the first monkey, was created. This first monkey lived both as a male monkey and as a female. In female form, she gave birth to two monkeys: Vali, whose father was Indra, and Sugriva, whose father was Surya, the sun god. She then asked Vayu, the wind god, to father a child who would be a friend to Sugriva. Vayu chose Anjana, who gave birth to Hanuman but then abandoned her baby. When Hanuman saw the sun, he reached out for it, thinking it was a mango. In an effort to obtain the mango, he jumps at the sun but is pushed back to Earth by Indra and breaks his jaw. Brahma heals his jaw and gives him the gift of inability to be killed unless he wishes it so. Then, he is taken to Lord Shiva who teaches him how to change form at will as well as poetry. Nandin teaches Hanuman how to speak other languages. 
• Vali: Vali and a demon buffalo named Dundhuvi fight.When Vali won, he tossed Dundhuvi's corpse at Rishyamuka Hill where it fell into Matanga's sacrificial alter. In response, Matanga curses Vali- never again could he approach Rishyamuka Hill. Then the demon buffalo's son Mayavi challenged Vali to a fight to avenge his father. The two end up fighting in a cave with Sugriva left outside to watch. After a long time had passed and neither had shown, Sugriva assumed them both dead and sealed up the cave. When Vali finally got out of the cave he was pissed so he exiled Sugriva (his brother) and kept his wife for himself. Sugriva and his loyal friend Hanuman flee to the hill where they know they will be safe from Vali's wrath. 
• Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman who takes them to Sugriva, who shows them the pieces of jewelry Sita left behind. The 4 hit it off and the next morning they travel to Kishkindhya, to the mouth of the cave. Vali attacks Sugriva and Rama kills him with an arrow. Before Vali dies he tells his son to help Rama. Tara, Vali's wife takes the arrow that killed him and plunges it into her heart. Sugriva suggests they spend the night in the city, but Rama refuses because the rains are coming. Sugriva agrees to take his place on the throne and help Rama when the rains cease. 

The Search

• Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman hold up in a cave while the rains drench the Earth. When the rains cease, Sugriva is nowhere in sight. Lakshmana goes to have a word with him. Hanuman gets to the king first and finds him in a drunken stupor. He shames the king, but to no avail and Lakshmana is approaching filled with anger. Queen Ruma goes to speak with Lakshmana and hopefully calm him down. Sugriva finally gets it together and pulls millions of animals together to help find Sita. Sugriva sends out search parties then summons Hanuman. He gives him a scroll to memorize for when he comes face-to-face with Ravana. Hanuman plans to go straight to Lanka and find Sita, Rama gives him his ring to give to Sita.
• Angada, Hanuman, and Jambavan head south to find Sita. They fall into and get lost in a cave where they meet Swayamrabha who explains that they are in Maya's Cave of Trees (Maya being a male asura who built them). Indra killed Maya and Hema inherited the caves. Swayamprabha takes care of them for her. Hema's daughter is one of Ravana's wives. Then, she tells the men how to get back out of the cave. 
• When they get out, they realize a month had passed while they were underground. Angada freaks out because he feels he has failed Rama and says he would rather starve than return to Rama a failure. The monkeys and bears agreed, except for Hanuman and Jambavan the bear who sat in silent meditation near the seashore and resolved to die. Jambavan asks Hanuman to tell him the story of Rama and how Sita was captured. The two refuse to give up. 

Week 5: Reading Diary A- Revisiting the Past with More Detail

Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way
Reading Notes Pgs 110-161

Prof's Reading Guide A

Remember: Left off with Dasaratha dying

Bharata Returns

• Bharata returns home from his grandfather's to find his father dead and his brother disinherited and banished so that Bharata may take the throne. Anger fills Bharata when he finds out what his mother has done, but accepts the throne reluctantly when Vasishta insists he become king and perform his father's funeral rites. Dasaratha's body is placed on a giant pyre and the kingdom wept, then his bones were thrown into the Sarayu River. 

The Sandals

• Guha's men take the Kosalas down the Ganges and they made camp with Bharadwaja at his hermitage. Bharata and Bharadwaja walk down to the river and summon the architect Viwakarman who created a haven for the Kosalas. The next morning Bharadwaja tells Bharata where to find his brother Rama (in the empty forest on Chitrakuta Hill). Bharata finds Rama and pleads with him to come home and take his place on the throne, but Rama refuses; choosing instead, to keep his word an finish out his 14 years in exile. Bharata finally agrees to wait and takes Rama's sandals back to Ayodhya where he places them out on the throne to hold Rama's place. 
• Rama decides that Chitrakuta is too close to Ayodhya and the trio set out towards the Vindhya Hills to the south. 

PART 2: SITA'S RESCUE

Dandaka Forest

• Agastya's story: Agastya came upon the Vindhya Hills one day while walking from the North. Seeing that they were virtually impassible, Agastya pleaded with Vindhya to let him go by. Vindhya agreed and the mountains shrank. He told the hills not to rise again until he came back, but he never did. Then, he met two demon brothers: Vatapi and Ilwala. Vatapi would take the form of a ram and his brother would cook him up and serve him to guests. Then, when the guests had finished eating, he would call forth his brother who would rip his way out of the guest, killing them. They did this to 9,000 men before Agastya ate Vitapi and killed him. This angered Ilwala who attempted to attack Agastya but with one look was burned to death. 
• Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita travelled to meet with Agastya  who gave Rama Indra's Bow of Rain. Agastya also gives Rama important information about the Rakshasa kingdom at the edge of the forest (Lanka). He tells them the size of their army (14,000 strong), the location of their army stations, the location of their sentinels, and a little about their tricks and techniques. 
• Garuda's story: Garuda is Narayana's mount. Kashyapa (a sage) had 2 wives and wanted sons so Indra and the Valakilya saints (Valas) helped him by performing a sacrifice and receiving two seeds. He gave one to each wife (Kadru and Vinata). Vinata gave birth to 2 eggs, Kadru gave birth to 1,000 eggs. Kadru's eggs became baby Nagas after 500 years, but Vinata's 2 eggs still had not hatched and when she opened one up she found her son Aruna alive, but not ready to hatch. He told Vinata not to disturb the other egg for 500 more years, then he flew up into the sky and came the charioteer of Surya the sun. Kadru thought she was better than Vinata because she had more children so she made a bet and cheated to win, making Vinata her slave. Soon, Garuda was born from Vinata's second egg. He was a huge eagle with the head, wings, and talons of an eagle, but also the arms, hands, and torso of a man (though covered in feathers). Garuda asked his mom why she did all the work and learned about the bet. He then asked to ransom Vinata at any price. Vinata and her 1,000 grown Nagas went into counsel and agreed to free Vinata if Garuda could brink them a cup of amrita (the nectar of immortality) from Indra's Heaven. Garuda visits his father Kashyapa who tells him to kill the elephant and tortoise who are reincarnated brothers fighting over some sort of inheritance, likely money. Garuda is a little confused but agrees and leaves with his father's warning: never eat a man. Garuda then flew up to Indra's Heaven and asked for some amrita, but Indra refuses and summons his fighters. Garuda changes form and grew 8,100 mouths which he used to drink up 8,100 rivers which he used to put out the fires blowing behind the guards. Then, he shrank to a tiny form, went into Indra's house, and took some amrita so fast that he couldn't be seen. Then he flew back to Earth, not drinking any immortality elixir for himself. Narayana met him as he went and granted him the gift of immortality. As repayment, Garuda offers to be Naryana's mount. Indra waited for Garuda on Earth and shot a lightning bolt at him, but instead of hurting him, it gave Garuda knowledge of all that ever had been, was, or would be. Indra's anger flared, but Garuda explained why he needed the amrita. Garuda returned home to Kadru and showed her what he had brought. Kadru freed Vinata forever and left to wash up before drinking the amrita, but while she was gone Indra grabbed the cup and left. 
• A rakshasa named Viradha tries to abduct Sita and kill the brothers but is defeated and buried in a deep hole where he dies. 
• Surpanakha propositions Rama for marriage and is shut down by him as well as Lakshmana 
• Ravana's army of 14,000 attacks Rama and he kills them all. 
• Surpanakha returns to her brother Ravana and reports the death of his army as well as enticing Ravana to attack the trio by describing Sita's beauty (Ravana becomes obsessed with having her)

Week 4: Famous Last Words

This week was pretty great and as it's getting closer to the weekend, i'm hoping to get a lot of homework done so that I can have tons of fun celebrating my mom's birthday without worry of getting behind (again). Schoolwork wise I was a little frazzled this week, so i'm trying to avoid that happening again.

So, here are the things that made me happy this week:

1. Breakthrough at Calm Waters
• This week I had an amazing experience in my Children I Grief Group at Calm Waters that just blew me away! The children in that age group are 3-5 years old, though the group is composed of mostly 4 year olds. This means that facilitation with them is difficult because they have short attention spans and cognitively have trouble accepting and dealing with grief as well as with trying to articulate their feelings. Usually you are lucky to get 1-3 word answers from the kids as they fidget or scan the room searching for a toy that strikes their fancy. This Monday’s group, however, was different. Every child (all 7 of them) in that group opened up about why they were there and how they felt about what happened. They would say, “my daddy died” or “my mom is dead” then they’d come give me a hug or look down at the floor and pick at the carpet. Then, when they had to say how they were feeling that evening, most of them chose the “sad” picture and said, “Tonight I’m sad/happy/etc. because…” even though they were not told to expand upon their feelings, only identify them. It was incredible and truly a testimate to how well their parents are doing with keeping lines of communication open and fostering a child who understands that talking about their feelings is okay. I mean after all, these 7 little kids opened up about losing their loved ones to two people they’d only met once before. I simply couldn’t believe it and felt so honored and pleased that they felt safe enough to tell me what they did. 

1. Got my first two research methods quizzes back and I made 100s on both!
2. My roommate and I went to yoga at the Houston Huffman Fitness Center and it was wonderful!
3. Went for my third fill
• I went in to get another fill this past week and was ecstatic to see the scale drop even more! I had lost 11 pounds in the 3 weeks it had been since my last fill! My P.A. was so pleased with my progress that she decided not to add any more saline because I was doing so well that she didn't want to jinx it. 
4. Paying it forward 
• The other day I took a care package (a backpack with a blanket, a tee shirt, some food, personal care items, water, and a note from me) to the homeless man that is always panhandling at the place where I turn after exiting the highway to get to my practicum site. He was so grateful and couldn't believe that I gave him a backpack because he had one and it got stolen just the day before. I walked away feeling pretty happy, but that feeling grew 10x when I came back around to get on the highway in my car and I saw the man i'd given the bag to walking up to another homeless man and sitting down with him to share what i'd given him. He had so little, yet he shared it with those around him. 

Things to look forward to this weekend:

1. Mom's birthday celebration! 
• I'm taking Mom to get her nails done and her eyebrow pierced before my roommate gets off work. Then we are all going to go to dinner before checking in at the Grand Hotel and Casino where we will gamble a little and have some drinks before dozing off in a gorgeous room
2. Getting some sleep

To wrap this up, I leave you with a photo I took of Naala when I went home to get my fill. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Naala hates having her picture taken

My photo from 9-7-14

Comment Wall

Feel free to leave me comments here! 

Lily and I would love to get to know you!

Storytelling for Week 4: Perception

It's All About Perception

The Story of Guha

Their arrival was sudden. Chariots, wagons, and carts pulled by hoofed beasts, snorting and stamping their disapproval at the dogs weaving between their legs and throughout the bustling caravan. The men carried familiar flags, those of Ayodhya and changed or sang praises of Shiva as they made their way further and further into my forest. I watched them from the trees at first, observing and wondering what their arrival might bring. The men and their companions slowed to a stop and immediately began setting up camp. They raised fancy tents, lit fires, tied off their beasts, and prepared gifts to be given as sacrifices to Shiva.

I watched, growing concerned about the intentions of my unexpected guests. Then, they unveiled a statue which upon further investigation turned out to depict Shiva. They made various sacrifices and offerings before returning to camp. I followed them back and revealed myself, offering my welcome and good will. I received them graciously, but asked why they had come. They were brahmanas who'd been sent by Vasishtha to "reform"  me and my people by teaching us to worship the glory of Shiva. I remained courteous and gave them many gifts, but made sure to inform them that I only worship ONE god, and that god is a tree.

Shiva Statue Temple Murdeshwara (2008)

Found on Wikipedia

Even after I explained my views, the brahmanas remained persistent; they bombarded me day after day with stories of the strength, power, and glory of Shiva. I couldn't help but get... frustrated. So, to work out some of that tension, every night after hunting I would visit the statue and give it a good, solid kick. I endured the brahmana's and their mission to "reform" me for what seemed like forever. The forest changed from one season to the next and all was the same: hunting, drinking, avoiding the brahmanas, and kicking Shiva. Things did change though when the rains came and flooded my beautiful forest. Ganga rose up and soaked the ground, rising higher and higher until it was up to my waist! The brahmanas fled to higher ground, leaving the statue of Shiva alone and half underwater for days at a time.

They may have abandoned their deity, but I wasn't going to. No matter what, rain or clear skies, high waters or relatively low waters I was going to kick that statue. I waded in every night in order to kick that statue. It was a daily ritual that I looked forward to and one day when I was unable to approach the statue directly due to a pack of wolves surrounding it, I remained dedicated to my cause. I climbed the closest tree to the statue and waited for my chance to get that kick. I waited all night, growing hungry and cold, but the wolves remained. I tried to eat some green nuts but they were awfully bitter! So, instead I sat back and tried to get comfortable because it seemed like I was looking forward to a long night. I shivered from the cold, my body violently shaking so hard that leaves, dew, and bitter green nuts fell from the tree to rain down on the statue. This continued throughout the night with me not getting any sleep and not being able to get down.

Finally, at dawn, my men came searching for me and scared off the wolves. I climbed down slowly, angry that I had not been able to complete my nightly ritual of kicking Shiva. My anger grew and became directed at the brahmanas. After all, I wouldn't have gone through all of this if it weren't for those idiots! I rushed their caravan, my men screaming and howling. The brahmanas were terrified and ran like children back to the skirt of their mother. We chased them all the way back to Ayodhya where I met King Dasaratha and was crowned an official king!

After my official crowning, we marched back to my forest where life went on as it had before the brahmanas arrived. We resumed our hunts and ran joyfully through the forest until one afternoon when I got really sick. I couldn't move. My skin felt like it was on fire and being pricked by thousands of small needles at the same time. Sweat poured down my face and my eyes sunk in creating deep, dark circles around them and giving my face a hauntingly skeletal appearance. I couldn't eat or drink and was not getting any better. Then, the terrible fever consumed me. I died and not long after did Yuma's messengers come to retrieve my soul. However, their efforts were thwarted by a small, mean-looking dwarf (who turned out to be Nandin, guardian of the wild). He told them to stop by order of Shiva and so they did.

I looked to the dwarf, entirely bewildered. Why would Shiva send him for me? Have I offended him? Fear crept up in my throat as I accompanied Nandin to Earth. We landed on the soft grass and just seconds later I was blinded by a white light. When it subsided, I looked around and found that Nandin had taken his true form, that of a white humpy bull and was advancing towards me. I backed up slowly as the great white bull took me into his jaws and carried me off. He delivered me to Shiva, but before I could ask any questions or figure anything out, Yama appeared. He asked Shiva why he had taken my soul (a sinner's soul) and left an empty place in hell. Shiva simply replied that I was the one person who was truly devoted to saluting him. He recalled the night I spent in the tree saying that I had watched over him all night without sleep and gave him the food that I needed. He also said that I had showered him with water and given him ornaments of leaves to appease him. However, the most telling part to Shiva of my devotion was that I drove out the men who were pretending to love him. I showed him who was truly devoted.

Yama accepts this answer and returns to his kingdom, leaving me in total awe with Shiva's interpretation of my misfortune. I almost went to correct the god, and reveal my true intentions but decided against it. Instead, I took the blessings of Shiva and was incredibly grateful when Shiva instructed Nandin to return me to my body. I guess every situation really does have multiple sides...


Author's Note:
I chose this story because it involves shape-shifting which I plan to do my storybook about. Plus, Guha seemed like a lively, charismatic character and his story was pretty funny. I chose to do it from Guha's point of view just to mix things up and try to get into the character's head. I didn't change much from the original story, just added details and obviously changed the narrator/storytelling style.

Week 4: Reading Diary A- Beginning Buck's Ramayana

Ramayana by William Buck

Part 1: The Prince of Ayodhya 

Born as a Man

• Valmiki, the poet
• searched all over the world, looking for open friendship, happiness, and hope but found none so he went alone in the forest where he sat, not moving- so still that white ants built an anthill over him
• sat inside the anthill for thousands of years 
• Narada, the inventor of music
• asks Valmiki for help and he says, "Just name me one honest man and I'll move" (Buck, 5)
• Narada says, "Rama!" and explains that he is the king of Ayodhya & by his command, his Queen Sita was being brought into the forest to be abandoned 
• Unless Valmiki comforts her, she plans to drown herself in the Ganges- killing not only her, but her unborn sons
• What did she do to be banished? Nothing. Sita is innocent but Rama has to do this because his people talk against her
• Valmiki breaks free of the anthill
• Valmiki hasn't regained his faith in humanity because the first real thing he sees after all this time is a bird being killed senselessly by a hunter
• Brahma visits Valmiki (4 days later)
• Brahma's appearance= old man w/ red skin, white hair, 4 arms, & 4 faces on 1 head. He is holding a ladle and rosary, a waterpot, and a holy book 
• Brahma tells the poet to use his ability to create poetry to tell Rama's story- Rama's life would be revealed to him and none of his words would be untrue 
• Valmiki's writing process = pg. 8
• Valmiki makes Ramayana and Sita's 2 sons were born (Kusa & Lava)
• Valmiki teaches them the Ramayana and when they were 12 they knew all of it by heart and would sing it to a lute and drum 
• they sang it at Rama's festival- then every day for a year 
• Dasaratha, Rama's father
• he was Lord of the Earth, Lord of Men, a Solar King
• Former king of Ayodhya 
• Ayodhya, capital of Kosala 
• people wore elegant clothes, life was joyful, mansions lined the streets, flowers grew all over, there were rows of shops, pale white palaces, lordly trees, music, rattling chariots
• a "matchlessly brilliant city with lots of food and wood and water" (Buck, 10)
• filled with warriors; unconquerable 
• Dasaratha wanted sons, so he summoned Sumantra (his charioteer) and Vasishtha (the royal astronomer) to make a sacrifice of fire to the gods (specifically Indra) to gain their favor and bless him with sons
• Indra, Rain God/King of Heaven
• furious and covered in blood, he hisses upon hearing their summons and surveys his kingdom
• "It was a hopeless ruin." (Buck 11)
• The garden was uprooted, crushed, & buried under soot & cinders, the palaces were now just broken stones and tiles, the Ganga ran red with blood, fires & smoke lingered all around
• Indra had just fought the Battle of Heaven against Ravana, the demon king
• Indra storms up to Brahma's palace and blames him for the destruction of his home 
• Brahma reassures him that all will be well & tells him to visit Narayana
• Narayana, Soul of the Universe/ Lord Vishnu 
• Narayana pledges to kill Ravana and will take the form of a man on Earth
• The ceremony performed by Vasishtha for Dasaratha is on pg. 15 
• Dasaratha receives a bowl of sweetened rice with milk that has been blessed by the gods- he is to feed it to his wives so they will bear sons
• Dasaratha's wives and sons:
• Kausalya gave birth to Rama (who quickly became the kings favorite)
• Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharata
• Sumitra gave birth to Lakshmana and Satrughna 
• When the 4 princes were 16 years old, Visanitra (a recluse) came to Kosala because the forest where he lives is riddled with evil Rakshasas making it unsafe and keeping him from performing holy rites/rituals

The Thorn in the World's Side 

• Rakshasa Creation story (starts on pg. 20):
• Brahma was reborn from a lotus that grew out of Narayana's navel in his sleep
• Brahma saw lots of water and feared it would be stolen so he created 4 guardians; 2 mated pairs- he told them to watch the water and not let any of it get lost
• these 2 couples were the first Rakshasas and Yakshas
• Narayana then rescued Earth from underwater and Brahma made the 5 elements, the worlds, food, and other races
• The rakshasa couple lived on Earth and the female bore a son who she abandoned on a deserted hillside 
• Lord Shiva found the baby demon and grew him to be as old as his mother as well as the gift of flight (2 gifts that stayed with the Rakshasa race)
• That baby Rakshasa was Sukesa who married Gandharva and had 3 sons: Mali, Sumali, and Malyavan\
• The 3 Rakshasas went to Viswakarman (the heavenly architect) and asked him to build them a glorious, beautiful home- he built Lanka City for them 
• Under these 3, the Rakshasa race thrived, but soon there were too many to fit in Lanka and they began going across the sea to eat human flesh 
• Narada, heavenly sage 
• was hanging out in the Dandaka forest trying to play a song, when he was interrupted by a Rakshasa 
• he told the demon to be quiet and the demon swallowed him whole, but Narada burned up the belly of the demon who spat him out 
• Narada began to sing his song of a not so peaceful life/end to the the Rakshasas
• Panchajanya, Garuda, and Narayana attacked Lanka
• Narayana beheaded Mali before Sumali and Malyavan fled wounded and burning to the underworlds beneath the ocean
• Narada set down his flute, his song was over and there were no more living Rakshasa on Earth- Lanka City was empty.
• The demons lay in wait underground in the Naga kingdoms, gathering resources and waiting for a chance to return 
• Pulastya, one of Brahma's Mind-Born sons
• lived alone in the Himalayas on a hill where he could relax and watch the world go by
• little girls liked to play there too, but after they had disturbed him 108 times, he put a curse on them: If any girl plays there again and he catches them, they will become pregnant!
• the daughter of Trinavindu (a hermit) had not heard the curse and came to the hilltop looking for her friends, but with a simple look from Pulastya she turned pale and ran home to her father 
• He could tell she was pregnant and wondered why. She didn't know, she had not done anything, but Trinavindu thought on it and knew what to do: he offered his daughter to Pulastya as alms for Pulastya's happiness. 
• Pulastya accepted her and they had a son named Vishrava
• Vishrava then married a brahmana's daughter and they had a son named Vaishravana 
• Brahma made him the Lord of Treasures and Riches  and Wealth (because he told Brahma he wanted to always be generous) took the Yakshas and befriended their king Manibhadra who he gave a mind-driven chariot named Pushpaka 
• Brahma also gave him immortality and all of the wealth of 3 worlds and kingdoms over kings 
• Brahma did not, however, give him a place to live so Vaishravana made the empty Lanka his home 
• Malyavan and Sumali watched from the Nagas as Vaishravana flourished in their home of Lanka and brought all of his riches there
• Sumali tells his daughter Kaikasi to go to Vishrava and get sons like Vaishravana 
• Vishrava took her for his 2nd wife she gave birth to 4 Rakshasas: 3 sons and a daughter
• Ravana was born first
• he had 10 heads, 20 arms, black skin, fangs that curved up from his lips, and 20 red eyes
• Next was Kumbhakarna
• a giant with ears shaped like big earthen waterjars and a height taller than a house
• After him came Surpanakha (the daughter)
• Last to be born was Vibhishana 
• the 3 brothers sat in a mountain forest contemplating the absolute immensity of life- they entered eternity 
• At the end of every 1000 years, Ravana cut off one of his heads and threw it into a fire as a sacrifice. When 9 of his heads were gone and there was only 1 day before he would cut off the last one, Brahma appeared. He showed up, stopping Ravana from cutting his own throat 
• Brahma tells him to ask for a boon because his pain and will are strong and terrible- he feels awful for him
• Ravana wishes to be unslayable and never defeated by the gods/anyone from heaven, Hell's devils/Asuras/demon spirits, underworld serpents, Rakshasas, or Yakshas.
• Brahma grants this boon and gives Ravana back his 9 heads 
• Brahma then tells Vibishana to ask for a boon. She wishes to never forget Dharma in peril, pleasure, comfort, or distraction.
• Brahma grants her this as well as immortality 
• Brahma was going to then ask Kumbhakarna to ask, but was interrupted by the wind which told him not to give him anything because he'd eaten 7 Apsarasas and 10 Gandharvas as well as many saints
• Brahma called on Saraswati, the Goddess of Speech to capture the giant's words before telling him to ask for his boon. Kumbhakarna asked to sleep for half a year. He immediately fell into a deep sleep
• Sumali then came up from underground and embraced Ravana who sent him to Lanka 
• Sumali told Vaishravana to leave Lanka because they wished to rule it once more. Vaishravana asked his father what to do. H was told to leave Lanka as it was, take his treasure and move to the Kailasa Hill north of the Himalayas on Silver Mountain 
• Ravana moves into Lanka and the millions of Rakshasas who had multiplied underground followed him
• Maya, an Asura (former god of old)
• her daughter = Mandodari (daughter of illusion)
• Mandodari's mother (Hema) left soon after her birth
• Ravana declares himself her servant
• Maya tells Ravana that she must give her daughter away and that she wishes to give her to him
• Ravana and Mandodari are wed and a few days later, their son Meghanada was born and matured into an adult- he could change his form & appearance at will
• Then, Ravana and Vibishana carried their brother Kumbhakarna to Lanka where they built a palace over him 
• Ravana chose the demon Prahasta as his general and an army was gathered- then the Demon King, his General, and his son flew off to "rape the worlds for days at a time" (Buck, 32).
• Ravana attacks his brother Manibhadra, the Yaksha King, who surrenders
• Indra curses Ravana and vows that he will be stopped.
• Nandin, Shiva's white bull is grazing in a golden reed forest when Ravana and Prahasta approach.
• Nandin turns into a gnome and tells them to leave, but instead Ravana picks up the Wood of Reeds and shook it
• Shiva trapped Ravana who began to sing such beautiful songs that Shiva let him go- Ravana returns to Lanka to rest before heading back out to take over the kingdoms of men 
• Ravana reaches the city of King Arjuna of the Thousand Arms 
• In the city are 4 gods who took on the forms of animals upon hearing of his arrival:
• Indra = peacock, Yama (the death lord) =  crow, Vaishravana = lizard, & Varuna (king under waves) = swan
• Story of how those animals came to be how they are on p. 36
• Ravana decides to worship Shiva before fighting, he approaches the king whose guards ask that the two wait until the morning to fight because the king is drunk and playing with his women
• Pulastya heard Arjuna's roar and came to Ravana's aid, asking Pulastya to let him go . Arjuna complied and Ravana returned to his chariot in shame 
• Narada comes in and tells Ravana to attack someone worthy of his efforts: Yama, the Death Lord for example- he goes to Death's kingdom and tells him to surrender, so Yama does 
• Ravana's Further Conquests:
• Naga Kingdom
• Defeated Surya, the sun and Chandra, the moon
• Attacked Indra's heaven (Amaravati)- Indra's elephant (Airavata) wounds Ravana, Ravana's son Meghanada captures Indra and is given the new name Indrajit (conqueror of Indra) by Brahma as well as the gift of a fire chariot drawn by 4 tigers that moves at will and gives him better luck in battle. It also makes him invisible to anyone except other demons.

Taste This Water

• Vishwamitra wants help killing the Asuras, so Rama and Lakshmana become his students. He taught them 2 mantras for strength, how to use heavenly weapons, 
• Then, they travelled to Vishwamitra's hut and he instructed the brothers to protect him for 6 days and nights, then on the 7th day, be more alert as the day goes on and the sacrifice draws to an end (sacrifice to Agni the Fire Lord)
• On the 7th evening 2 Rakshasas, Maricha and Subahu, swept in attempting to ruin the rite
• Rama shot 3 arrows into Maricha's heart, knocking him unconscious 
• Lakshmana killed Subahu with one shot 
• At full dark, the sacrifice was completed- the three travel to Janaka's country where they came upon an ancient ruin covered in vines- it was the empty retreat of Gautama that had been cursed
• Ahalya's story is retold 
• Sita and Rama are married

Prof's Reading Guide A
Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way