Reading Notes: Part B of Narayan's Ramayana

Rama and his brother Lakshmana

(Source: Krishna's Mercy)

I'd like to just state a general thought before I dive into the reading notes. I thought this reading was a lot easier to read and probably took me half the time as the first. I'm sure this is because I have become more familiar with the characters and I don't have to constantly refer to a character or location guide. Reading B was definitely a smoother assignment.

I thought it was amusing but also admirable how Rama was determined to keep his terms on his exile. Not only did he go peacefully, but he refused to return to the kingdom even when his own brother (and newly named king) begged him to return to rule.

Relating to my previous post, I was somewhat surprised on the loyalty of Bharata to Rama. He was clearly named to be king and instead of taking the title, he instantly knew that his brother should be the true king. I just enjoy the loyalty of his brothers.

It's honestly fantastic how quick characters are to fall in love with each other. From reading A, we had the connection between Rama and Sita. One love at first sight moment is enough to satisfy the entire story. However, we have two more instances of this love occurring. Shurpanakha instantly falls in love with Rama in the forest. I love the brotherly loyalty shown here as Lakshmana has absolutely no desire for this and instantly attacks here. Even Ravana falls in love with Sita by a mere description! I just like the consistency. 

I enjoyed how Rama is still clearly seen as the absolute hero. He's easily my favorite character just because he is so likable. Lakshmana comes in a close second with his loyalty. Rama is constantly praised by his peers and family. He is a complete warrior with his ability to defeat demons with ease. I'm eager to see what awaits Rama. 

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Bibliography: Narayan's Ramayana
Link to this reading guide

Reading Notes: Part A of Narayan's Ramayana

Rama and his bow

(Source: Harekrsna)

I would like to start of this post by just expressing my happiness with the smooth nature of the literary work. I found this first reading assignment fairly relaxing in relation to my expectations. I thought I would have a difficult time reading and analyzing the work, but I was greatly surprised with how easily Narayan was able to adapt the story in simpler terms.

In the troubles of Dasharatha, his multiple wives, and inability to produce a son, I instantly thought of the King Henry VIII. That is about as far as the similarities go, but I figured it was a fun comparison to make.

I really enjoyed the similarities between what was seen in the Ramayana and that of various stories that are embedded in the common mind. Rama emerges quite suddenly as the suave hero who completely captures the definition of strength through his actions. This is quite evident when the wrath of Rama is unleashed on all the demons who dare cause chaos. Another great example is the simplicity of love. The relationship between Rama and Sita is the love at first sight phenomenon that the average person as seen many times before. The fact that they are literally star crossed lovers given by their second lives support this idea favorably.

I am completely relieved by the healthy relationship between Rama and Lakshmana. It's refreshing to see a positive connection between brothers instead of one filled with absolute jealousy.

I thought it was not necessarily funny but something along those lines that lead to Rama's exile. He was slated to become the next ruler and the people of the kingdom seemed overjoyed to have a ruler as strong as Rama. However, that seems to go completely out of the window just because of the the favors that were owed. I guess I have a hard time understanding that a favor/wish would be equal to who rules a kingdom. I like it though.

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Bibliography: Narayan's Ramayana
Link to this reading guide

Growth Mindset

Growth of Mind

(Source: Edutopia)

I don't think I've ever heard of Carol Dweck specifically, but I have heard of the growth mindset. I don't know if I heard about it through those exact terms, but the concepts are definitely the same. I don't know exactly how much the growth mindset applies to my academic life now, but it definitely did during my days in grade school. I remember constantly thinking the work was too easy and felt as if I was not learning because of the simplicity of the work. In college, I've found that most of my work is not easy for me. I can get the grades I want, but I have to work very hard. If I am lucky enough to get an easy class, I take it as a breath of fresh air. Since I've been in college, my biggest challenge has been trying to absorb everything. I think there's so much information in such little time which has caused problems in my learning process. I'm a little worried with the state of my anatomy class, but my ultimate goal is to get a 4.0 this semester.

My Starting the Semester Tips

Here are some organizational tips I have to help make your semesters as smooth as possible!

Get Organized Chalkboard Graphic

(Source: Huffington Post)

1. Never try and squeeze all of your work into one day: It's really easy to lose track of time during the week. I am a clear victim of this as it happens in my life constantly. It's easy to comfort yourself and keep repeating the idea of doing it tomorrow. In doing this, it causes for a massive pileup at the end of the week and one is bound to be stressed out. Save yourself the trouble and space out your work.

2. Don't skip an assignment with a lack of a justifiable reason: This will do nothing but create bad habits. In dong this, you are promoting this action to happen again. It's completely understandable if you have a decent amount of extra credit built up and you can afford to skip an assignment. However, skipping several assignments may cause a snowball effect and these points add up faster than one may think.

3. Don't overwork yourself: This might be the most important idea to take from this post. There is absolutely no need to completely overwork yourself. If you are feeling stressed, take an hour long break. Get something to eat, drink, or go walk around. This will help you escape the trance state you may have been in due to hours upon hours of working.

My Reading Options

After reviewing both of my options for the the Ramayana, I have decided to choose R. K. Narayan's version. I decided to pick this particular version because of the modern language as well as the consistency of the writing. The other version had several different authors which may cause confusion. I think it will ease the process as well because I will not have to worry after the old-fashioned language of the alternate version. Since I do not physically attend OU or live in Norman, I will most likely be purchasing the book through Barnes and Noble. As far as my knowledge on Indian history and culture, I must admit that I do not have very much. In fact, it may be one of the countries I'm least educated with. I think this course will allow myself to gain knowledge of Indian culture which is much needed. However, I do very much enjoy epic movies!

The Ramayana book cover

(Source: Wikipedia)

My Storybook Favorites

Storybook One

Social Media in Ancient India

I absolutely loved this storybook. I was extremely impressed with the creativity that took place when creating this assignment. I thought the tumblr post captured exactly what the average mind (with knowledge of the internet, of course) would expect when reading a tumblr post while also giving clear information on the story. I thought the Facebook posts as well as the iMessage conversation added to the overall creativity to the project. That definitely was appealing as I could appreciate the hard work put in. I also really liked the instagram post with the filtered listed. I thought that was pretty funny. Overall, I really enjoyed this storybook because it added a modern twist on The Ramayana. It was very unique in the cluster of storybooks.

Link to this storybook

Storybook Two

Demon/Afterlife Anger Management

I thought this storybook was really entertaining and might be my favorite out of the three I picked. Some of the lines in the introduction had be laughing to myself as there was a certain sense of humor that seemed to fit perfectly with the overall projection of the piece. Dr. Phil is clearly an entertaining program and for The Ramayana to be added into this makes for an exciting piece. By doing this, I think there was an opportunity for the reader to identify a sense of humility among the characters that may not have been evident otherwise. I thought the creator of the storybook did an incredible job in portraying the first person point of view of the characters. I really felt as if I was listening to a confessional from these characters which was an interesting turning of the tables. Overall, I enjoyed the creativity in this storybook and the ability to expand on the ideas.

Link to this storybook

Storybook Three

Oscars: The Heavenly Academy Awards

This storybook had the broadest design out of the others. I thought as if it was the best portrayal of an awards show. The wide variety of colors definitely allowed the storybook to stick out. I really enjoyed how all of the stories were similar in name and played into the theme of an awards show. Like the previous storybook, I thought this one also did a wonderful job with the first person point of view dialogue. I felt as if I really was reading dialogue that was said by these characters. Overall, I enjoyed the storybook because of its unique theme.

Link to this storybook

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Image Information:

Sita, source: Storybook (the link they used was broken)
Surpanakha, source: Columbia
Custom Oscars Image, source: Storybook

Introduction to an Obsessed Sports Fan

Hello, my name is Nick Rogers and I'm 20 years old. I actually don't go to OU. I live in Edmond, Oklahoma and I go to UCO there. However, I needed a Non-Western Culture class for my major and this class was highly recommended among some friends. So, this is my first and only class I'll be taking at OU. I'm extremely excited to get started as this class seems very different than anything I've ever taken so I'm relieved for a change of pace.

I'm a pre-occupational therapy student and I've actually already been accepted to the masters of occupational therapy program at OU Health Sciences Center starting summer 2017. Because occupational therapy is in such a demand for workers, I was actually accepted into the program during my senior year of high school. I went through an early-admission process which was extremely beneficial for my academic progression. I just have to maintain certain GPA and obtain a certain score on the GRE and I keep my enrollment. 

I work at Kumon: Math and Reading Center. I've worked there since I was a senior in high school and I absolutely love it. I get to work with elementary level kids and it's never short of entertaining. I didn't really think I would like it so much at first, but after working there for years I've really started to warm up to it. We have such a friendly staff, it's such a nice and relaxing environment. I couldn't imagine working anywhere else for the past few years.

As for my hobbies, I am completely obsessed with sports and more specially the NBA and the Thunder. I go to tons of Thunder games and watch any on TV that I'm not able to attend. I follow numerous Twitter accounts that have NBA news and rumors up to the second. I know all about advanced stats in relation to basketball. I post on an Thunder fan-site called Dailythunder where I'm constantly getting into arguments on the status of the team.

(personal photo)

I'm sure I'll end up adding more to this post as the semester progresses, but this is all I can think of for now. I can't wait to get started for this semester!

Story: The Snake and the Parrot

As nature would have it, a snake would be out one evening hunting for its overdue dinner. Shortly, the snake approached a family of parrots. The snake analyzed each member, deciding which parrot would fill his monstrous appetite. Suddenly, the snake realized that he dare not settle for one measly parrot when he could have them all. Gluttony overcame the snake as he used his venomous fangs to strike down each parrot with absolute speed. To his dismay, one parrot was able to escape his fate and fly off into the night.

"I guess three birds will have to do," the snake sighed as he began his meal.

Years later, the snake began to grow bored of the constant fight for food and survival. He loathed other animals that were given compassion by humans. There was no struggle for them. They were given absolute care. The snake thought that no man could ever love him. He wound himself up a tree and came face to face with a parrot resting on a branch. The snake instantly began to arch his neck as he was preparing to strike but something overcame him. The jealously but also burning curiosity of his human dilemma could be answered by this parrot. Humans like parrots after all.

"Tell me something," the snake hissed.

"What is it you would like to know?" the parrot responded.

"Why do humans adore you so?"

"Well, you have to be kind,"

"That's it?"

"Kindness will get you what you desire. I would suggest approaching a human and expressing your wish to be seen as a pet."

"Very well."

The snake gave the parrot a look as if he should consider himself lucky he did not become today's lunch. The snake then slithered off in hope to find a human to show kindness to. After a few minutes, the snake arrived at a farm. He saw a farmer hard at work in the fields. The snake began to grow excited as he began to imagine the start of his new life. He would no longer have to struggle for food. He longed for compassion and he felt as if his dream was about to be a reality. The snake slowly approached the farmer.

"I wish to be kind to you, like a pet would," the snake said to the farmer.

Without hesitation, the farmer lifted up his shovel and killed the snake in one blow. "You cannot fool me, snake," the farmer said in disgust.

As this was happening, the parrot was flying up above. A small grin began to form on his face. The snake that was responsible for the untimely death of his family has ultimately been introduced to a healthy dose of karma.

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Authors note: In the original fable, the same conversation happens between within the parrot and the snake as well as the tragic outcome of the snake. In my rendition, I thought it would be interesting to add somewhat of alternate reasoning for why the snake was ultimately killed. While it seemed as if  there might be a redemption of sorts for the snake, it was really about the parrot seeking revenge. In knowing what would result in the snake's end, he simply pushed the snake in the right direction to allow this fate to occur.

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Bibliography: "The Snake and the Parrot" from Indian Fables by Ramaswami Raju. Web Source.

Image: Snake and Parrot
Source: Malyunok

My Favorite Place

New York City

NYC Skyline

Source: Fodor's Travel

For a lot of people, I know popular choices include destinations in which the beauty of our planet is captivated. I differ a bit in this sense. What fascinates me is the embodiment of human progression. I think New York City is prime example of this idea. This is a place created completely by man, showcasing the beauty that we as a human race have built. The streets of New York City are also a huge enticement. The idea of a plethora of people on their way to various places is very appealing. I enjoy the idea of viewing the beauty in which we are and what we have created.

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