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)

Meme Generator Tech Tip

This tech tip allowed me to play around with making my own memes on Meme Crunch. 

I actually had a pretty good time messing around late after my first official day of class. 

Here are my masterpieces:

 People who snicker at me while I struggle at the gym... 

I'm just saying... my bursar for just the fall 2014 semester is over $10,000

I'm sure we all know that one person..