Week 2 - Reading Diary A: Public Domain Ramayana

I just finished the reading for the Diary A assignment. I am following along in the Public Domain Ramayana.  I really like how the style is both different and similar to other epics I have read. The style mostly reminds me of the Epic of Gilgamesh, but it is interesting to see completely new mythology. Probably my favorite section of the Ramayana thus far is the story of Ahalya. To me, this particular tale has a lot in common with the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Where a beautiful maid (Ahalya, Psyche) is taken in with a god (Indra, Cupid) and is becomes aware of the fact that it is a god, and not a man, whom she is with. In the Ramayana, Ahalya's husband curses both his wife and the god, whereas Psyche, when violating the trust of Cupid and seeing his true form, is destined to wander the earth searching for her love. Both female figures suffer a similar fate until their punishment is fulfilled and are either reunited (Psyche) or rescued (Ahalya).

My favorite image was the statue silhouette of Rama and Sita as they go in to exile.

Rama and Sita; photographed by Indi Samarajiva.

Famous Last Words - Week 1

It's now Thursday morning and I'm still waiting to be able to actually complete everything from Week 1, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on what I've encountered over the past week with this course.

Due to some technical snafus with the university, I didn't actually get enrolled in this class until Tuesday and found myself to be a little bit daunted by the amount of work that I found in front of me. That being said,  I finished most of the week's work in about a day and a half. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was a flexible schedule online class. This works so well for me because I am a full time student and also have two jobs. I'm really hoping that I'll be able to finish this class early - maybe even set this up as an 8 week course! (OK, that may be a little too ambitious, but, hey, Growth Mindset, right?)

It will be interesting balancing this class with my others. I am taking Introduction to Nutrition to FINALLY fulfill the last of my science credits before graduation. In addition to this, I am also taking two Russian Literature courses. This adds up to about 20 hours of reading outside of class for all of my classes! I've always found ways to manage before, so I'm sure I'll do it again.

My favorite part of this class so far has been the opportunity to do some of my own storytelling. I used to write when I was much younger, but ended up having this hobby dwindle due to not having much time. It was really fun to just create my own world and adventures.

I also enjoyed flipping through the blogs created by other students and reading about everyone in their introductions and learning about everyone's favorite places. It shows just how big, but also just how small the world really is!

Motivation for the semester! Source - MostLikelyMoi on Pinterest

Tech Tip: Blogger Template

New look!

I went ahead and decided to mess around with the template function to add a little more personality to my blog. This blue-green is one of my favorite colors, so it's definitely more aesthetically pleasing for me and I hope it is for you as well. In addition to changing the colors, I changed most of the fonts to be something I enjoyed reading as well as color coding the links a little differently. Enjoy!

Week 1 Curation

I have to be honest, even though I consider myself to be a decently tech-savvy person, I really don't use bookmarks that often. I tend to remember things better when actually physically writing them down or reading them in print, so when it comes to needing massive amounts of sites, I just make a list of the websites in a notebook. I have a favorite blue hardback notebook that has a collection of everything from recipes, to gear lists for backpacking, to the research materials I used to write my capstone paper last year. I guess I'm just antiquated.

My notebook - I even have a list of assignments for this class running.

Handy-Dandy Notebook

If I find it necessary, I'll make a bookmark to something, but usually I can just remember what I'm looking for anyway. However, for the sake of at least attempting something new, I made a folder for this class.

When it comes to curation sites, I do use Pinterest on occasion. I am big on Doing-It-Yourself, so I tend to find good inspiration for projects there. I don't use Twitter at all, but I am familiar with it. I just don't really have anything worth using the 140 characters for on a regular basis. As far as Known is concerned, I had heard of it, but hadn't ever used it before. It seems interesting! I like the collaborative nature of the project.

My biggest organizational tools are GoogleDocs and Microsoft OneDrive. I store most of my important documents, pictures, and miscellaneous files here and tend to have more organization.

A screenshot of my GoogleDocs page. You can see the bookmark folder for this class in the top left.

   

Growth Mindset

I had never heard of Carol Dweck, but I had heard of the growth mindset before, but not necessarily named as such. I had heard of it through just different approaches to learning and teaching, but didn't know it had a name. 

I think I am about midway in the growth-fixed mindset. I tend to enjoy work that challenges me, and have come a long way in how I few my studies. Through high school, my parents were very strict about grades  and I think this affected my mindset greatly. I kept a 4.0 GPA through high school and through my junior year of college, mostly out of fear of failure. I was learning for a grade - not learning for personal growth. 

One of the things that really helped me shift this way of thought was encountering different professors at OU who were very dedicated to helping students learn. I was told, "Never be afraid of making mistakes, because mistakes are just opportunities to learn how to do something differently." 

Since I'm still trying to change my perspectives on learning, I think I would be able to think along the Growth Mindset ideals. I liked the "Stories About Growth" and "Reading Challenge" ideas. I am interested in trying to build my own mental confidence. I'm about to embark to a new country and any mindsets that would help me to appreciate this opportunity and learn the most I can will be good opportunities to consider. 

Dream big and dare to fail, Laura Gibbs, Growth Mindset Memes

 

Storybook Favorites

1. Horses Divine - I really liked the introduction to this story book, even though I found it to be a bit long. It gave a good summary of the stories within, as well as describing why horses in specific are important in this mythology and also why the author herself felt connected to these stories. I am familiar with the usage of animals as objects of divinity in mythology - such as eagles carrying wise words, or snakes being tricksters, so it was interesting to see how different animals are viewed and used in other cultures. Overall, I found the layout of this storybook to be a bit plain, but it was easy to read and navigate. This is also where I found my favorite image, which is a reinterpretation of the traditional multi-headed horse Uchchaihshravas. 
   
   

   

   Uchchaihshravas by Megrar

   
   
   
   
   2.   Law & Order: SSU - I chose this storybook because the title and description definitely made me laugh! I thought it was really funny and creative to see how popular show could be re-imagined this way. I liked the introduction to this storybook more than the previous one. It was amusing, but also definitely quite informative about the characters and their backgrounds. I also really like how the author set up each story as if it were a case file, describing the incidents like they were a crime scene. I found this method of storytelling to be interesting and creative! 
   
   
   3. Rama’s Bestiary - This storybook caught my attention because it was a bit more mysterious. I liked how the author used the characters to speak directly to the reader in the form of letters and later as personal recollections of contact with specific creatures. It was a different approach to the bestiary idea, having it being a collection of stories, rather than encyclopedic entries.

Course Overview - My Thoughts

My very first college course was Mythology, and I have always had a big interest in classical mythology.  I have read some epics like The Iliad, The Odyssey, Epic of Gilgamesh, Metamorphosis, Beowulf, some of the Poetic Edda,  and the Divine Comedy. Some of these were read for class, while others were just personal interest. I definitely like epic movies and television shows. I tend to watch film versions of these types of stories and really like Game of Thrones, etc.  

The first words that come to my mind with “mythology” and “epics” are grandiose tales of men battling the supernatural, and of interactions between creatures, gods, and humans.

I have not taken classes on religion, but I am definitely interested to learn more about different cultures and religions. I originally began college as a geography major, so I am always looking for ways to understand more about others. I have only studied Indian history from a limited perspective. I find it to be an incredibly rich and fascinating landscape. I know a little bit about Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian mythologies but only what I have learned through school and various documentaries or movies.

The images definitely contained some recognizable characters, even if I didn’t know them by name. I chose the image below, because I knew of it before. I recognized Vishnu from a previous course where we learned about specific protector-archetypes. 

Vishnu

Introduction - About Me.

Hello, everyone! My name is Hannah and I'm a senior majoring in Russian Language and Literature.

I both go to school and work at OU - I'm the on-staff Russian tutor for student athletes. (Yes, there are athletes that take Russian!) I am happily married to a bearded computer science major and we have two dogs. Freyja is a German Shorthaired Pointer and B (just the letter B) is some sort of Australian Cattle Dog/Pitbull/Heinz 57 mix. I actually have an instagram account for my dogs, because I'm a little obsessed with them…

My hobbies include messing with my dogs, painting, photography, and doing whatever I can outside.My favorite jobs involved working with animals; I worked on a hobby farm as a ranch hand and spent two years at a doggy daycare.. My husband and I try to go camping or hiking as often as possible and our favorite destination is the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico.In addition to being avid campers, we are also hammock enthusiasts (as weird as that sounds) and recently started our own Adventure blog where we post DIY tips and document our own trips.

I enjoy reading immensely, but tend to watch too much TV anyway. Right now I am reading The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith and trying to make my way through the X Files. My favorite books are the Harry Potter series and Lord of the Rings (cliche, but who cares.) and my favorite TV show is Parks and Recreation.

I also have an undying love for breakfast foods. Anytime, any day, I am down for breakfast food. I’m not talking about dry and boring cardboard cereal flakes, but of the artery clogging eggs, biscuits, french toast, fried potatoes, pancakes, and waffles kind of breakfast - it’s an addiction that I don’t plan on rectifying.

A photo posted by Freyja (@freyjapup) on May 3, 2015 at 4:40pm PDT

A photo posted by Freyja (@freyjapup) on Jan 6, 2015 at 8:46am PST

My husband and myself, camping in Robber's Cave, OK. The tent is not ours.

Storytelling Week 1 - To Grandfather's Rescue We Go

 

Map of the Area Surrounding Our Family Home

"Right," Mabel said with an important air, smoothing the edges on the faded map. "Right," she echoed, "if the cabin is here," she jutted a finger in the middle of the page,"then, Grandpa is here." She motioned to a square shape in the north-eastern corner marked, "Castle - HAUNTED."

The three children huddled close, surveying dots and scribbles on the map. It had been one day since their grandfather’s disappearance. Rations of crackers and canned fish stored in the tiny hunting shed were dwindling. 

"Iths too far! Too scary!" the youngest child, Will lisped, due to his missing front tooth.  "Can't we just wait for Grandpa to come back? He’s not lost!"

The other two children exchanged apprehensive glances. Mabel, the eldest, felt a sort of determination to care for her brother and sister. She was, after all, almost a grown-up compared to Livvy, seven, and Will, five. Twelve was certainly old enough for a rescue mission. 

The siblings divvied the last tins of tuna, crumbled crackers, a few marshmallows, and an apple. Mabel felt it was her responsibility to carry the lantern, delegating the map to Livvy and the emergency whistle to Will. The trio headed directly east, feeling the warmth of the rising sun over the distant mountains.

Because they were children, it did not take long to tire their legs and their stomachs to begin growling. “Let’s just have a bite to eat! We’ll feel much better, I’m sure,” piped Livvy. Mabel agreed with this sentiment and the three sat down with their backs to a few old trees to eat.

“Is the castle really haunted?” Will asked, spraying a bit of apple through the gap in this teeth.

“Of course it is,” Mabel replied. “Grandpa never lies and it’s on the map, so it must be true.”

With growing shadows, the children decided it was time to move on. But suddenly, Livvy let out a screech. The tree where she had been leaning was now wrapped around her! She wriggled and fought, scraping the bark of the tree.

“Let me go! Let me go!” she cried, but the tree stood firm. It’s gnarled bark served only to ensnare the child further. It wrapped its old, viney branches around her waist, tearing at her dress. Mabel leapt to action, pulling the lantern up off the ground, lighting it all in one swift movement.

“You big old grouch! Let my sister go!” The tree creaked and moaned, but did not listen. She held the lantern closer. “This is magic fire, you oaf! Do you know what magic fire does to trees like you?!” She waved the tiny propane flame as close as she could to a low branch and the tree felt the heat, immediately releasing Livvy from his grasp, throwing her on to the soft ground. 

The Spooky Tree

The siblings ran as far as their feet could carry them, panting from the effort. Finally, they spotted a shed and they pushed themselves into it, only pausing to breathe once they had slammed the door behind them.

“You saved me, Mabel!” sighed Livvy, embracing her sister.

“You would have saved me too,” Mabel replied sheepishly, “Sorry about your dress, though.” 

Livvy’s favorite buttercup yellow dress was ruined. The delicate lace trim had been snagged and torn almost off and the delicate flowers sewn on the bodice were shredded. 

"That's OK. I'm just glad you knew about the magic fire. I would have been tree food!"

Mabel swiftly nodded in agreement. Of course, there was nothing magic at all about the cracked old lantern, but it was safer to let her brother and sister think otherwise.

The siblings took a moment to inspect their surroundings. Will’s voice was a low whisper.

“I don’t think this is a good place…”

The tiny shed was lined with rows and rows of large metal hooks and from each hook a large slab of marbled red and white flesh. The stench of the drying meat, which should have alarmed the children at first entrance, suddenly slammed their nostrils with overwhelming ferocity. To add to their terror, each hanging rack was labeled with a name.

“These are people!” Mabel hissed. “GO! Now!” Grabbing her brother and sister by the hand, tucking the lantern under her arm, Mabel dashed back through the door of the shed and bolted into the depths of the forest from which they had fled.

Mabel, Livvy, and Will trudged northward toward the looming castle in the distance, barely visible in the dimming light. Before they knew it, they were surrounded in complete darkness, resorting to reading their map by lantern light. The map now bore several additions to its legend as the Spooky Tree and Slaughterhouse were marked clearly for future reference.  

“Grandpa said we would always know the castle because the tower lights up at night with ghostly spectres.” Livvy proposed, quoting her grandfather almost word for word. “That means,” she continued, “that we should be able to find it soon.”

Sure enough, a few strange distorted lights appeared over the horizon. If their grandpa was in the haunted castle, there was only one sure way of calling him out.

“It’s time, Will,” Mabel instructed to her brother. “Blow the whistle.”

Will swelled his lungs and let out a long burst on the tin whistle. The winds picked up the shrill noise, wrapping it into the howling gusts, creating an eerie wail. Then silence. Will blowed the whistle. Silence. Then, faintly off in the distance a repeating whistle could be heard. Will continued; each time he was answered with shorter bursts increasing in volume.

The children huddled behind the lantern. A shadowy figure emerged, sending shivers down into their boots.

“Grandpa!” the siblings yelled.  They had saved him!

“How did you escape the ghosts?” asked Mabel.

“Oh, it was quite difficult,” their grandfather reassured, “I thought I was a goner, until I heard the whistle. You were all very brave.”

The children clamored around their grandfather as he lit a small fire and withdrew sticks and extra marshmallows from his inside coat pocket. As they settled down with sticky fingers, their grandfather pulled a small radio and spoke into it.

“Yes, that’s right. Set the tower to auto. The radio signals should maintain themselves through the night. And tell Jim that I’m ready to pick up that smoked beef he set aside for me. My grandkids look like they could use a good BBQ.”

Author’s Note:

This story is based on the illustration by Tom Gould titled “Map of the Area Surrounding our Holiday Home.” I specifically included the  main cabin, the Spooky Tree, the Slaughterhouse, and the Haunted Castle. My inspiration for this story comes from the idea that children have wild imaginations and often see things as something more than what they are in reality, which is revealed when the grandfather is finally found. While the children are sure that the Spooky Tree is alive, it is really just a tree. The Slaughterhouse full of people is just the storage space for a local butcher, and the Haunted Castle is just a mountain radio tower, which the grandfather mans.

My Favorite Places

Place 1: Kiev, Ukraine

I spent about a month in Ukraine after I graduated high school in 2010. I worked with a group of people at an orphanage, actually about 8 hours out of Kiev called Kremenets. Going to Ukraine helped me decide what I wanted to pursue in college. For the past five years I have been studying Russian language and will be going to St Petersburg, Russia for 5 months beginning in January! Depending on the political situation, I hope to be able to visit Ukraine again sometime soon. I love the Ukrainian history that is evident everywhere you look. It is interesting to see how Ukraine has developed as its own culture, especially after separating from the Soviet Union. (As a side note, Ukrainian Independence day was yesterday, Aug. 24! Happy 24th Birthday!)

Downtown Kiev - My favorite statue of the archangel Michael.

This is everyone who worked at the Orphanage during the summer. I am the blonde on the very right in the bottom row.

St. Andrew's Church - Built around 1750!

Place 2: Pecos Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico 
One of my biggest hobbies is camping and hiking. If possible, I am almost always outside doing something. I just returned from my second trip to the Pecos Wilderness and I absolutely love it there. My husband and I like to pretend that we're actually walking through middle earth because of the beauty and the diversity of the landscape. If I could, I would build a cabin here and never leave.

End of the Trail - My husband posing in front of Lake Katherine - Elevation 11,000 feet.

Fording the stream on the Windsor Trail. 25 mile round trip.

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