Famous Last Words: OK MOM

Go Dentistry! Authority Dental

This week was really good overall.  It was a busy week, but I managed time well.  So far, this class has been very enjoyable.  I do not have much experience with writing my own stories, so learning how to become a better creative writer has been fun.  I also think I will progress in my storytelling skills as the semester goes on.  My best story so far I think is "King Crab vs. King Monkey."  In this story I really brought together the elements of three stories in a way that made sense.  In my following stories I wrote using themes or characters from only one story.  While these stories are good, they don't have the depth or plot twists that "King Crab vs. King Monkey" has.

My other classes are going well but are getting busier.  I have my first immunology test in a week and a half so I will start studying for that soon.  I also am about to start studying for the DAT.  I plan on studying for the DAT two hours a day until a month before the test.  Then I will start studying four or five hours a day.  I hope to take the test around April 20.

Yesterday, I spent seven hours volunteering at Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OK MOM).  I assisted Dr. Spottswood who was an absolute blast to be around.  She gave me a hard time about my lack of assisting experience but she was just messing with me though so it was funny.  We helped 6 patients, among those was a man named Claude who might have been the best patient I have ever helped.  Claude had 5 teeth taken out.  The extractions took over and hour and a half because of how strong his maxilla was.  He stayed very calm and thanked us after it was over.  I think he will have way less pain in his mouth from now on!

Reading Notes: Rama vs. Ravana

The Battles Begin

Ravana watched from the top of Lanka as an army approached.
This army, at the edge of the sea, started to organize themselves.
The story says nothing about Ravana being worried.
He seems to have a calm composure as he departs from watching the approaching army to talk to his prisoner Sita.
He told Sita that Rama was dead even though he wasn't
He showed her a fake head of Rama.  Because he was a magician, it was not difficult for him to make the head look real.
Sita's heart sank as she believed that Rama was really dead.
One line that I thought was particularly well written was "easy enough to fill the soul of the tortured princess with terror and to plunge her heart into the lowest depths of grief." the picture painted in this writing is so vivid.  Especially because almost all people know what it feels like to have their heart drop.
Ravana wanted Sita to love him.  Showing her the dead head of Rama did not help him.
Sita cried so hard that one of her guardians felt bad and told her that it was just a trick.
The guardian goes on to say that Rama is with the army that is on the shore just outside of Lanka.
Sita thanked the monster and was relieved.
The army, which consisted on monkeys destroyed Ravana's men.
They offered peace to Ravana and all those in Lanka if Sita was freed.
Ravana refused.  He had magic and evil gods on his side.  This made him difficult to fight.
He defeated the monkey army but Rama was not done yet.
Because Rama's mission was to destroy evil, he was able to get back up and join the fight.
Perseverance is an important quality of every great hero.  Almost every good story also has an element of perseverance.  Overcoming difficult situations is something that the human heart is attracted to.

The Epic Battle: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography

The Battle Begins from "Rama's Quest" by Richard Wilson

Feedback Strategies: How to Praise

How to Give Praise That Builds Your Child's Self Esteem

This Article was really helpful for me to see what it looks like to give constructive feedback.  While this article was focused on giving feedback to your child, many of the strategies apply to giving feedback in any sort of position of authority.  The main strategy used was asking questions.  These questions allowed the child to self evaluate their work.  This is cool because the child knows exactly how much effort he or she put into a project.  When they realize they worked hard, they gain confidence.  Or if they did not work hard, they see how they could improve.

As someone who wants to be a dentist, it will be critical for me to give feedback for the hygienists working for me.  Using questions to help them evaluate their work and build confidence in themselves is something I think I will do.

Why Do So Many Managers Avoid Giving Praise?

This article shows the results on managers self evaluated productiveness when they give praise and do not give praise.  Many said that they do a better job when they give more negative praise.  The authors believed that these managers might have the wrong view on positive feedback because they give it in the wrong way.  They argue that positive feedback is very important but it needs to be brief and specific.  Sayings like "good job" do not suffice.  Giving specific positive feedback gives room for constructive criticism.  I intend on being specific when giving feedback for this class and in everyday life for now on.

Image Source: Feedback Faces: Pixabay 

Topic Research: Indian Sports

Story Idea #1:

I could right a story about Rama and his brothers playing cricket in the streets where they grew up.  This story would focus on the relationships between the brothers and their neighborhood friends.  I was thinking I could weave in a lesson about sticking up for people when they are treated poorly.  I could write a story where one of Rama's younger brothers who is not as good at cricket is picked on by some older boys.  Rama would then come in and act like an older brother should.

I could tell this story in 3rd person with dialogue between the characters.

Kids Playing Cricket in India: Pixabay

Story Idea #2:

In the original Rama Wins Sita story, Rama bends a bow that no one else could bend.  In my story, I might have him display incredible skill during a field hockey game to win Sita.  Sita and her father would watch him play with strength, speed, and sportsmanship.

I could try using first person during this story from the point of view of Sita as she watches Rama play.

Story Idea #3:

Rama is banished from Koshala in the Ramayana.  In my story I could set it up where Rama was banished from sports.  This would be something that Rama would struggle to get over, but eventually he would come to peace with it.  His good character would shine through.

I think this story might be most effective from Rama's point of view.  The reader might be able to see into Rama's feelings better if the story was written in first person.

Idea Source Links

Dasharatha's Sons
Rama Wins Sita
Rama is Banished 

Week 3 Story: Bharata Grows Up

After being away for over a year, Bharata returned to his home kingdom of Koshala.  The first person he talked to was his mother, Keikeyi.  He was so excited to see her, but he noticed she did not look as happy to see him.  Bharata asked "what is wrong mother?"  She replied "your father, Dasharatha, is dead and your brother, Rama, is in exile in the forest."

Most that are a son and a brother would be devastated to hear this news.  Bharata on the other hand was quite happy.  His father favored Rama over all of his siblings and Bharata was always jealous.  As a result, Bharata and his father did not get along.  Bharata also knew that Rama was first in line for the throne of Koshala.  Bharata, who was the second eldest son was second in line for king, and always dreamed of being king.  With his brother out of the picture, Bharata could make his dreams come true.

Bharata did not want his mother to know that he was happy, so he responded to her with a fake cry saying "Oh mother that is awful news, I need to go up to my room to mourn."

In his room, Bharata spend a full day devising a plan to become king of Koshala.  He decided he would pretend to go look for Rama in the forest.  When he returned he would lie to the citizens of the kingdom saying that Rama told him to rule.  This is exactly what he did.

As the new king of Koshala, Bharata did whatever he wanted.  He hunted in the woods, planted fruits in a garden, and filled himself with beer.  While Bharata enjoyed himself, the rest of the kingdom suffered from his neglect.  Bharata was too worried about himself, that he did not know his people were angry, sick, and starving.

A messenger visited Rama and told him all that had happened in Koshala.  Rama, who loved his people said "I will go back and rebuke my brother."

Rama came to the gates of Koshala and sent for his brother.  He would not go inside, as he wanted to stay true to his promise of living in exile.

Bharata was struck with fear when he heard that his brother returned.  Rama was always the strongest brother, so Bharata thought he might kill him and take the throne.

Bharata arrived at the gates of Koshala and Rama immediately said, "brother, why have you lied to our people.  You have deceived them and neglected them.  You have hurt the people who have been nothing but good to you your entire life."  Bharata's heart sank to his stomach.  He replied, "I am sorry, please do not harm me.  I will give over my kingship to you, and I will serve you for as long as I live."

Rama, who still loved his brother and also did not want go back on his promise of living in the forest told Bharata, "the kingdom is yours, but you must treat the people the way they deserve to be treated.  Stop indulging in your selfish desires.  Grow up, take care of your responsibilities, and show compassion for our people."  Bharata said, "Oh thank you Rama, I will do as you have said."  Rama went on to say, "I love you brother, but if you do not do these things, I will strip this kingdom from you and feed you to the forest."  Bharata, knowing that his brother was capable of doing everything he said, promised his brother he would take care of Koshala.

Bharata remained king and the people love him.

Authors Note:

My main inspiration for this story came from Bharata Returns from PDE Ramayanama section B.  In the story, Bharata actually goes and finds Rama in the forest and asks him to become king.  Bharata was actually a great brother and wanted to see Rama on the throne.  I twisted the plot and made Bharata the bad guy.  I knew Rama was too moral to go back on his promise and become king so I let him show grace to his brother.

Bibliography

Bharata Returns from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

Image Souce: Bharta Shows Neglect: Wikipedia 

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana Part B

Bharata Returns

When Bharata returned to the kingdom, he was told by his mother Keikeyi that his father was dead and that his brother was exiled.
He wept because he was sad his father died and because he missed his brother Rama.  He knew that Rama was first in line for the throne.
Bharata said he would bring back Rama so that he could sit on the throne.
This I think is super cool because I often hear stories about younger brothers of the heir to the throne get jealous.
Bharata was not jealous and he did not take over the kingdom for himself.
Instead, he loved his brother and wanted to give him what was rightfully his.

Rama and Bharata

Bharata finds Rama in the jungle and they both mourn after their dead father
Bharata tells Rama he is in line to rule.
Rama still wants to fulfill the vow he made to his father of living in the jungle.
Bharata says that Rama should not keep a promise he made to a dead man.
Then Bharata goes on to say things that would be controversial at this time in India.
He says parents are only a part of your life for a little while.
When you grow up and leave your parents, you do not have to honor them any longer.
He also says that there is life after life.
You only get one life to live so you should make the most of it.
He basically throws the belief of reincarnation out the window and claims that selfish priests made it up.
Rama disagrees and says that the motives are good and that people are defined by their good deeds
It would be evil for him to leave the jungle and go against the commands of his father
He argues saying that if Bharata was right, there could be no good nor evil.
Everyone would just do as they see fit
The wise men condemn evil for a reason
Bharata offers to live 14 years in the jungle so that Rama can take over as King
Rama refuses

The Golden Deer

Ravana comes up with a plan (golden deer) to capture Sita
Maricha took upon the shape of a golden deer to lure Sita in.
The goal was to abduct Sita.
Sita spots the golden deer as she is picking wild flowers.
She tells Rama that she wants to lay on the deer's golden skin.  This kind of reminds me of the crocodile whose wife wanted the monkey's heart.
Similarly to the crocodile, Rama agrees to get the deer.
Lakshmana warns Sita saying that Rakshasa (people eater demon) will change their shape into deer to draw people in

Bibliography

Bharata Returns, Rama and Bharata, and The Golden Deer from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

The Golden Deer Verse from Ramayana, the Epic of Rama, Prince of India by Romesh Dutt

Image Source: Sita Spotting the Golden Deer: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayanama A

King Dasharatha

Two ancient kingdoms

Dasharatha is Rama's Father

His Kingdom was called Koshala

Mithila was the king of Janka and was the father of Sita

The capital city of Koshala was beautiful.  Everyone was happy there.  It had wide streets, huge decorated temples.  The city was full of flowers, bees, and kingfishers

Dasharatha was unhappy because he did not have a son

Rama: Avatar of Vishnu

In heaven, Vishnu and Ravana were enemies in heaven

Ravana could not be killed by other gods.  He could only be killed by a human or a monkey

Vishnu, in order to defeat Ravana, said he would become human in the form of Dasharatha's sons

This also helped Dasharatha who really wanted sons

Vishnu became Dasharatha's sons, Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna.

Rama was the most beautiful

Rama Wins Sita

There was an ancient and sacred bow that no one could bend

Many gathered as Rama was going to try to bend the bow

Rama bent the bow with ease.

He was very muscular

All around him stood amazed

The King of Janka, Mithila said that he would give his daughter Sita to Rama

Rama then won and married Sita

It seems at the time of this story, there were arranged marriages

An arranged marriage could be a good plot idea.

Rama Goes Into Exile

Rama is banished and has to go live in the forrest

Rama planned on going alone, but Sita insisted that she go with him

Sita was deeply in love with Rama and said that she could not be apart from him

She said she would be happy everyday in the jungle

She also said that she would lighten his burden

Sita was a really good wife

Rama tells here she cannot go because of the dangerous beasts and harsh living conditions in the jungle

Rama also said that his love for her would grow when they were seperated

Sita says she would rather sleep with him on the ground than alone in her bed

She does not fear the jungle

After weeping and pleading Rama allowed her to go

Rama's brother Lakshmana came along too

Some begged Rama to stay

Rama could not go against his word, he must go to the jungle

This is super honorable and could be used in my own story.  A man sticks to his word

Bibliography

King Dasharatha, Rama: Avatar of Vishnu, Rama Wins Sita, and Rama Goes Into Exile from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

Rama Wins Sita Verse from Ramayana, The Epic of Rama, Prince of India by Romesh Dutt 

Image Source: Rama and Sita: Flickr