Learning Challenge: Time

Guess what everyone? It's Week # 11, and there's now only 5 weeks left of this semester.

I am excited that this semester is almost coming to a close. I've been looking forward to it since it began. LOL!!

Starting this week, I've started to work one week ahead, so in this week (starting on Wednesday), I'll be working on Week 12's work. I feel like it will work really well, and it will help me to stay on top of homework, so that I don't forget any assignments. I've also started taking Sundays off so that my mind gets some rest from homework and so that I can complete other things that I want to do.

"It's almost the end of the semester. [sic] Hallelujah!!!!!!" I feel like the two people in the picture too!

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Taking The First Step

The hardest part about anything in life, whether it be a homework assignment or something big, is to start. To start is the hardest part of anything.

Today, I am going to write about a meme that really resonated with me. The meme, as you can see below, says "Start climbing! That is how you develop your abilities."

The more you try different things by getting out of your comfort zone, the more abilities and skills you'll have. You can find your passion that way too!

I remember when I started doing the bank reconciliations at my workplace. At first, it was really hard, but as I did it more and more, I was getting more comfortable with it.

"Start climbing! That is how you develop your abilities."

Source: (Laura's Blog)

Tech Tip: Using the Google Timer

This week's tech tip is all about using the Google Timer. It's quite easy.

In Google, all you do is type in "timer". It'll give you a place where you can put in the number of hours and minutes. You type in the numbers you want and click start. The timer starts and it goes off when the time is done.

Here's an example of the Google Timer.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Arni's The Missing Queen, Ch 4 - 6

For this week's extra credit reading, I continued reading The Missing Queen and read chapters four, five, and six.

The journalist's name is still not revealed, but nonetheless, I am still captivated by the book. I am really loving the new twist given to the Ramayana, although sometimes I do get lost in the book (as to who's who).

Chapters 4 through 6 consisted of the journalist being ousted from his job and a couple of people came to his for some odd reason. The journalist's former boss gave his interview to a rival channel to portray on their channel.

I am truly captivated by this new remake of the Ramayana. It sure does have me wanting to read until the end!

Click here for a reading guide to Arni's The Missing Queen.

Lord Rama and Mother Sita. Can you imagine them in modern day clothing?

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Kapur's Ganesha Goes To Lunch, Part A

Last semester, during Weeks 9 - 14, when we had the free reading, I chose several books to read, but I couldn't get through all of them, so I decided for all of Weeks 9 - 14 I would stick to one book. I'm sure that this one book has plenty to read, learn, and write from, so I chose to read Kamla K Kapur's Ganesha Goes To Lunch.

Today's reading consists of reading Stories of Vishnu Introduction and On the Track of Love.

Stories of Vishnu Introduction
This introduction does exactly that: it introduces the readers to the three main gods of Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Lord Shiva). It tells of how the Brahma and Vishnu were created and how they took birth. But mostly, this was an introduction to Lord Vishnu.

On the Track of Love
This story was about true devotion to God. In this story, Narada thought he was the greatest devotee of Vishnu and could not stand knowing that there is another devotee greater than him. Lord Vishnu sends Narada to South India to another devotee's house that He claims is a larger devotee than Narada. Narada goes there and sees that the devotee prays to Lord Vishnu for barely two minutes. Later, Vishnu gives Narada gives a bowl of oil and tells him to circumambulate the city and come back without spilling a drop. The whole time, Narada concentrates on not spilling a drop instead of focusing on Vishnu. When he gets back, Vishnu explains to him that the other devotee remembers to remember even top of his daily duties, and Narada could not think of him during the time of his circumambulation.

Click here for a reading guide to Kapur's Ganesha Goes To Lunch.

Lord Vishnu resting on SheshNag.

Source: (Google Images)

Learning Challenge: Taking a Break

I have a class this semester that talks a lot about balance and how important it is. At the beginning of Week 8, I decided I couldn't take anymore homework. I was losing the time to work on other projects that I wanted to do. Week 9 was technically spring break, and I was going to continue to work on homework, but I didn't. I just took a complete break.

This week, as I'm working on my homework right now, I feel very refreshed and I feel like I can continue pressing through school and do well in the end. Yay me!

"almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes...including you." I took a break, and I now feel like I can continue working.

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Defeat as the First Step to Something Better

For this week's growth mindset post, I'm going to write about a meme. This meme states that defeat is the first step to something better. I will agree with that statement; however, defeat can be hurtful, and it can cause us to want to give up, but we have to keep pushing and be persistent in order to obtain success.

Here's the meme I'm talking about.

"Defeat: the first step to something better."

Source: (Laura's Blog)

Tech Tip: Canvas Calendar

The calendar in Canvas is helpful, but it's not the greatest thing in the world. The main page of Canvas shows a calendar and all the due dates are listed for all your class assignments. It also puts a check mark next to the ones that you've completed.

You can import the Canvas calendar to your own calendar too. That's a plus point of it.

Canvas's dashboard. The calendar is the list under "To Do".

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Arni's The Missing Queen, Ch 1 - 3

This week, for the extra credit reading, I started reading Samhita Arni's The Missing Queen. When I started reading it, I was quite surprised at how well the book is written.

The Ramayana has truly been given a new twist in this book. At one point, Rama and Sita entered Ayodhya in a Cadillac, and I remember my first thought was: "Whatttttt? Rama and Sita in a Cadillac?". Now that's a plot twist like no other.

There is a journalist who is taking the interview of Rama and Kaikeyi and asking the same question: what happened to Sita? The boss of the journalist is not pleased with the journalist (whose name is still unknown to the readers at this point) because that is not something the readers of a newspaper would want to read about. But nonetheless, the journalist wants to publish the truth, not the bent truth. I'm excited to read the next portion of the book, in hopes of finding the journalist's name and to see whether the journalist gets to publish what he/she wants.

Click here for a reading guide to Samhita Arni's The Missing Queen.

The cover of The Missing Queen

Source: (Google Images)

Week 8 Growth Mindset

I can definitely say that I have the Growth Mindset for sure. I have almost all of the qualities on the right column. When you quit improving, you quit learning, and learning is very essential to becoming better day by day.

I know what my priorities are, and I won't let anything get in my way. Moreover, I know what I want from life and what I want to do with my life. There are people who doubt that, but I don't really care because I do know what I'm doing and what I want to do eventually.

My biggest plus point is that I know what my weaknesses are, I'm not afraid to confess what they are, and I am willing to change them in to strengths.

I take pride in who I am and what I want to do.

This is for all the folks who doubt my capabilities. I'm going to work hard right now, and let my success doing the talking. I always say that success is the best revenge for those who doubt you.

Source: (Google Images)

Week 8 Reflections

Reading
I have been making good choices about the reading. I have had the time to read, but I try to complete as early as possible because reading is my least favorite thing to do unless I'm reading for pleasure, not for class. I have my own little study nook, so I don't have an issue with finding a place to read or do homework.

I have reading from the terms of a writer, therefore making it quite easy to do the writing later on. The reading notes help in that department too because the writing idea is written down, so even if I do forget it, I can just look at the notes to remind myself of where I am and what I need to do next.

I pretty much have my semester planned as far as what I am going to read and when, so I really don't have an issue deciding what I need to do. I just can't believe the semester is already half way over!

Writing
I have been enjoying writing about my favorite show in this class. I also love the fact that I get to share my culture with everyone, and that everyone respects who I am and where I come from.

Connecting
I have not been connecting with other students because I make up that work with extra credit.

"You will get there, but only if you keep going." Quitting never gets you anywhere. You just have to keep going.

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Getting Outside My Comfort Zone

I used to not get out of my comfort zone. I just stayed wherever I was comfortable. As life went on, especially during my college years, I realized that in order to grow and become better than who I was yesterday, I had to get out of my comfort zone.

I really started exploring myself and doing things I did not do before. This has helped me to boost my confidence, experience, and knowledge in a lot of different aspects of life.

People who used to say that I'm not confident or don't have a lot of self-esteem now say that I am one of the most confident people they have seen. I know for a fact that many of my former teachers are very proud of the person I've become.

Now for a quote!

"If you want something you've never had, then you've got to do something you've never done."

Source: (Google Images)

Tech Tip: Downloading Canvas App

Downloading the canvas app on an iPhone is quite easy.

All you need to do is go to the app store and search "canvas". It should be the first one by Intrastructure. Double tap on "GET" and it should ask you for your Touch ID, if your phone is capable. After you give it your touch ID, it should be downloaded.

***Side Note: OU started using Canvas last semester. I struggled with using Canvas last semester, but it's so much easier this semester.***

The canvas app looks like this.

Source: (Google Images)

Week 7 Story: Always Ready To Help

On one fine weekday, Jethabhai's alarm goes off, he gets up, and gets dressed to go to the dukaan (store). After getting ready, he comes out to the dining area and asks Dayabhabhi for breakfast. Dayabhabhi serves it to him, he eats it, and he gets up to leave for the dukaan. Just as he saying that he is leaving, Bapuji and Tapu come there and Bapuji says, "Arre ruk, Jethia. Hum bhi tere saath aa rahe hai. Bahu, mein apne doston ko milne jaa raha hoon Nana-Nani Park aur Tapu college jaa raha hai." ("Wait, Jethia. We are coming with you. Daya, I am going to see my friends at Nana-Nani Park, and Tapu is going to college.")

All three of them (Bapuji, Jethabhai, and Tapu) say "Jai Jinendra" ("Bye.") to Dayabhabhi and leave.

As they are coming down the stairs, Jethabhai spots a rickshaw coming towards them, and Jethabhai says to Bapuji, "Arre yeh dekhiye, Bapuji, ricksha bhi idhar hi mil gayi." ("Look, Bapuji, we got a rickshaw right here in the society compound.")

Bapuji says, "Haan." ("Yes.")

The rickshaw stops and Jethabhai sees Mehtasaab getting out. Jethbhai asks, "Arre Mehtasaab. Kahaan se aa rahe itni subeh subeh?" ("Mehtasaab, where are you coming from so early in the morning?")

Mehtasaab responds, "Kalam ki refill lene gaya tha, lekin meri chhodiye, Gada parivaar ke teen peedhiya ek saath kahaan jaa rahe hai?" ("I went to get a refill for my pen, but forget me, where are the three generations of the Gada family going?")

Jethabhai responds, "Mein dukaan jaa raha hoon, Bapuji apne doston ko milne Nana-Nani Park jaa rahe hai, aur Tapu college jaa raha hai." ("I am going to dukaan, Bapuji is going to see his friends at Nana-Nani Park, and Tapu is going to college.")

Mehtasaab says, "Theek hai. Jaayye, aap ko late ho raha hoga. Shaam ko milte hai, Jethalal. Jai Jinendra, Chachaji." ("Ok. Go then, you're probably getting late. I'll see you later, Jethalal. Bye, Uncle.")

Bapuji responds to Mehtasaab, "Jai Jinendra." ("Bye.")

Jethabhai then says, "Chaliye, Bapuji. Aaja, Tapuda." ("Let's go, Bapuji. Come, Tapu.")

And then they leave.

Later in the dukaan, Jethabhai receives an invitation to go to an electronic exhibition in Kerala. He has his flight the next morning at seven, for which he will have to reach the airport at five. After coming home, he tells Dayabhabhi, Tapu, and Bapuji about it.

Bapuji says, "Jethia, tu airport jaayega kaise? Ek kaam karna, tu soda peene jaayega, to Sodhi ko puchh lena koi taxi waale ke liye." ("Jethia, how will you get to the airport? Do this, when you go to drink soda, ask Sodhi for a taxi driver.")

Jethabhai responds, "Kal ke liye taiyaari karni hai toh soda peene to nahi jaaunga, lekin mein Sodhi ke saath phone pe baat karlunga." ("I have to prepare for tomorrow, so I'm not going to drink soda, but I'll talk to Sodhi on the phone.")

Later, Jethabhai calls Sodhi and asks about a taxi driver. Sodhibhai says, "Mere hote hue taxi ki kya zaroorat hai?" ("What's the need for the taxi when I'm here?")

Jethabhai says, "Arre nahi bhai, tu kyun itni subeh subeh pareshaan ho raha hai?" ("No, no, why are you troubling yourself so early in the morning?")

Sodhibhai responds, "Mein kabhi dosto ke wajeh se pareshaan nahi hota, lekin agar tum taxi me gaye toh mein pareshaan ho jaaunga. Rab di saun, dosto ke liye jaan bhi haazir hai." ("I can never be troubled by doing things for my friends, but if you take a taxi, then I really will be troubled. I swear to God, I can sacrifice my life for my friends.")

And with this, Sodhibhai takes Jethabhai to the airport the next morning and Jethabhai is able to catch his flight on time.

***Author's Note: This was the best idea I could get from this week's reading. I wrote the first part of this story much better last semester, but this is all I could remember of it. The idea of this story came from when Lord Krishna lifted a mountain on one finger to save His fellow villagers from a huge flood sent by Lord Indra. Sodhibhai is always ready to help anyone in the society, as was Lord Krishna during His time.***

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Krishna.

Here's Sodhibhai and Roshanbhabhi!

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Krishna, Part B

The second part of Krishna was about when Lord Krishna returned to Mathura. It was also about when He became the charioteer for Arjuna during the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna also consoled Gandhari when she lost all of her one hundred sons in the war of the Mahabharata.

The second part was an interesting read because some parts I knew about and some parts I didn't know about.

I know for sure that I am going to write a story about how everyone in Gokuldham Society is always ready to help one another in times of need.

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Krishna.

Lord Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Krishna, Part A

For Week 7, I chose to read Krishna by Sister Nivedita. When I first chose it, I thought it would take forever to read, but I was quite surprised to see how short it was.

The first part of Krishna was about Lord Krishna's birth, about how He was born in jail to one mother, but raised by another mother.

The first portion of the book also talked about when Lord Krishna fought with the great big, Kaliya Naag, and when He lifted the mountain to save all of his fellow villagers from a gigantic flood sent by Lord Indra.

If I were to write a story, I would connect it with Gokuldham Society and how everyone is always ready to help one another.

Some of my favorite stories that I've heard of Lord Krishna are the first part. I look forward to reading Part 2 and see what it contains.

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Krishna.

Krishna fighting with the great Kaliya Naag.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art: Rama

We've all been reading the Ramayana, so none of us are unfamiliar with who Rama is.

Rama was the incarnation of Vishnu who saved the world from the evil known as Ravana. He killed Ravana and rescued Mother Sita from his kidnapping when Ravana abducted her as revenge.

Click here for a reading guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art.

Lord Rama and Mother Sita. What a beautiful picture!

Source: (Google Images)

Review: Keep Pushing

Today, on our class announcements page, I saw a growth mindset cat that gave the message that you have to keep pushing despite all the setbacks that come along the way.

I felt like that resonated with me so strongly because that is how I feel right now.

This week, I have a bunch of homework to complete and I just have to continue to push myself and work my way through all my homework.

Yup, life is tough, but I definitely am tough too! I'll get through it!!

Source: (Google Images)

Famous Last Words: Behind, Yet Not Behind

Week 5 has been very off. I don't remember what was going on (now that a new week is here, and it's time to focus on it); all I know that I didn't everything done that I had intended to.

Things are going pretty okay with all of my classes, actually. I feel like I'm on top of it, yet I'm behind. I'm doing well in three out of seven classes. I have a couple of classes that I direly need to get an A in, and I am trying very hard to get my grades up in those classes. Other than that, I feel like I'm doing fine in my classes. And I think that taking my breaks as planned is really helping me with productivity. At the end of my homework session, I do feel like I've gotten something done, rather than feeling like I've wasted my time.

My plan for this week in this class is to get through work through Week 11. I know I'm only working on Week 5's work currently, but if I work diligently, I do believe that I can get done with it all. There's a great rhythm to this class, and once I have the rhythm down, it becomes so much easier to do the work.

In my other classes, I'm trying to stay ahead as much as I can. Sometimes it can be difficult when there are so many other things going on. In order to keep up with homework, I need to be getting up early in the morning, but that is so much of a struggle in my life, it's crazy. Just this morning, I said I would get up at six to do homework, but I actually rolled out of bed at seven. I guess I have have to take a shot at it tomorrow. I'm sure I can do it tomorrow!

My plan for this week for my job is to finish a couple of different projects. I need to start playing salesman at our old paint stock still sitting in our store, taking up unnecessary space. And I also need to try to do something about all of our shelving. Maybe I'll just constant mention taking it for scrap metal. I know for sure that all of us are getting sick and tired of seeing it and taking up a bunch of needed space. The third thing to get rid of is the timbers from crane mats. I need to find construction companies that will buy all of it. It's crazy how business is so risky and unpredictable that it can put a business into a cash crunch anytime.

My motto for this week.

Source: (Google Images)

Wikipedia Trail: From Trivikrama To Guru Granth Sahib

Since I wrote about Trivikrama not too long ago, and I don't remember the story of Trivikrama exactly, I looked it up, therefore creating the start of my Wikipedia Trail.

When I put in "Trivikrama" as my search terms, it actually took me to the page of Vamana, but Lord Vishnu's Trivikrama is defined on the page as well.

On Vamana's page, I saw a link for Lord Vishnu's Kalki's avatar, and that is His avatar for this yuga, so I went to that page. From there, I learned that a yuga is equal to ten thousand years. No wonder I haven't heard of Lord Vishnu's current birth yet!

From the Kalki page, I went to the page of the current yuga, Kali Yuga. It was said by Lord Krishna that this yuga will be full of hardships for people with virtues and values. Boy do I believe that!

From the Kalki page, I went to the page of Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism.

This is a picture of the cover of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Source: (Wikipedia)

Learning Challenge: Pomodoro Re-Created

Starting in Week 5, I came up with another way to use the Pomodoro technique. I basically recreated the Pomodoro technique.

I have an Excel workbook in which each tab has each week's work in it. Each list of work is organized by due date.

I decided that after every three assignments, I would take a five minute break. Every fourth break would be a fifteen minute break. I used this technique of mine just yesterday while doing homework, and it worked quite well.

Here's a portion of this week's homework list, along with the breaks listed. This method is working quite effectively for me. Feel free to try it, if you wish!

Source: (My Computer)

Growth Mindset: Growth In My Other Classes

The biggest challenge in any of my classes is to actually read the assigned readings. In classes that interest me, this is less of a problem. Not that I'm not doing well, but it's that sometimes it's hard to do the assignment without actually knowing the material. I skim the pages of the assignment, but that doesn't always work.

I am dually enrolled, and I have seven classes altogether. It can be hard sometimes to balance all the work, plus having a part-time job.

Since the end of the semester is still ten weeks away, I can't really say if I've grown or not. All I know is to the work the best of my ability, and results will follow.

"Do your best and Let God do the rest." I live by the quote, and it is one of the best life lessons I've received.

Source: (Google Images)

Tech Tip: Searching Pinterest

Pinterest is one of the best creations out there. It has tons and tons of ideas for everything. It is very easy to use in regards to searching for things.

The only downside to searching Pinterest is that you can't put in too many words. When you put in too many words, it'll give a bunch of irrelevant pins. For example, if you put the word "the" in the search box, it'll find pins that contain the word "the" within them. Be specific in what you want to search for, and it'll give you the greatest ideas in the world.

Searching is really easy, too. All you have to do is put in the search terms in the search box and hit enter and bam, you'll get all the pins in the world.

See the search box? Use it to search for all the ideas in the world.

Source: (My Computer)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets, Part D: Trivikrama

For each week's extra credit reading, I have been doing Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art. Somewhere down the road, I have not been completely paying attention, and I think I may have repeated one part. But I will pay attention after this.

This week's extra credit reading consisted of Part D of Pattanaik's Seven Secrets, which is Lord Vishnu's form of Trivikrama.

Trivikrama is the form of Lord Vishnu in which He covered the three world, svarga (heaven), prithvi (earth), and paataala (hell), in three steps.

Click here for a reading guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art.

Lord Vishnu's Trivikrama avatar

Source: (Google Images)

Week 5 Story: Ganeshotsav Preparations

It is the time of year again when the Ganeshotsav is to begin in a few days, and it is the job of Tapu Sena to prepare for the festival: to decorate the mandap and to think of and prepare for the program.

Tapu Sena is very excited because they have already begun the preparations for the festival. They have prepared the budget and consulted with Bhidebhai to make sure the budget is good and to make sure they can begin the preparations on time.

After getting Bhidebhai's permission, Tapu Sena calls the mandap company and gathers a list of all the materials they will need to complete the decorations. The mandap company arrives, and Tapu Sena supervises them as to where and how the mandap needs to be built. After they leave, Tapu Sena gets all the materials from Abdulbhai's shop and begins cutting, coloring, gluing, and taping their decorations.

The kids are so busy in what they are doing that they even forget to each their meals. They have Abdulbhai bring them snacks and water as needed.

Each year, the theme of the mandap is a suspense to all the members of the society. No matter how much the members ask, the kids do not tell them the theme.

The day is finally here to open the curtain and reveal the theme of the Ganeshotsav mandap. Everyone has brought the murti of Ganpatibappa, and the kids take it inside the mandap to fix. As they are inside, Tapu comes outside, and Bhidebhai asks him, "Tapu, parda kab khologe bhai? Ab aur intezaar nahi hota." ("Tapu, when will you open the curtain. I can't wait anymore.")

The society members agree, "Haan, beta." ("Yes, dear.")

Tapu responds, "Bas, do minute, Bhideuncle." ("Just a couple of minutes, Bhideuncle.")

As soon as he finishes saying that, Sonu, Pinku, Goli, and Gogi come out and Sonu says to Tapu, "Tapu, hogaya. Aap sab taiyaar hai?" ("Tapu, it's done. Is everyone ready?")

Everyone responds, "Haan, haan. Kholo, kholo, jaldi kholo!" ("Yes, yes. Open it, open it, open it fast!")

As soon as the curtain opens, the society members are pleasantly shocked at what they were seeing. The decoration consisted of the Draupadi's cheerharan and Lord Krishna saving her, in the background of the city today. There was also a board that had a message about respecting women because we would be nowhere without them. All the society members are so happy with the thought of the kids.

All the members of the society are talking about how well the kids have decorated and the message they send to the world. Mehtasaab agrees and says about the message, "Aurat ke haalat sach much aisa hi hai, Tapu Sena. Aurat ek behen hoti hai, beti hoti hai, phir ek patni banti hai, phir bahu banti hai. Aur patni aur bahu banne ke baad maa banti hai. Uske baad bhi woh khatamb nahi hoti hai. Woh hamesha balidaan deti hai, lekin hum log kya dete hai aurat ko? Jis aurat ki hame puja karni chahiye, sammaan dena chahiye, hum log uska cheerharan karte hai. Hum uske garima ke saath khilwaad karte hai. Sharam aani chahiye unko jo aurat ki izzat nahi karte. Kya baat hai, Tapu Sena, kya baat hai." ("The condition of women is like so exactly, Tapu Sena. A woman is a sister, a daughter, then a wife, then a daughter-in-law. And then, she becomes a mother. But even then, her roles are not finished. She always sacrifices for her family, but what do we give her? The woman that we should be worshipping, we strip her of her grace? We play with her dignity? The people who don't respect women should be seriously ashamed. Very well done, Tapu Sena, very well done!")

Everyone applauds for Tapu Sena, and they respond, "Thank you, thank you!"

In this way, Tapu Sena did a fantastic job of decorating for Ganeshotsav.

***Author's Note: This story came from the cheerharan of Draupadi. It is one of my favorite stories from the Mahabharata. It is a shame of what happened in the hall where Draupadi was being stripped, but it sends a very powerful message to everyone. The thought of the kids to portray such an event and to send such a message is very praise-worthy for the kids. Sad part is that this still happens today in the form of rape. And what's even worse is that rapists don't feel any kind of shame when they should.***

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Mahabharata.

Tapu Sena's decoration including Draupadi's cheerharan on the right.

Source: (Youtube)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata, Part B

Chapter 5 is titled "Uncle's Gift" and is about Shakuni's (Kauravas' maternal uncle) gift to the Kauravas. He tells Duryodhana that he will help kill the Pandavas.

Chapter 6 is titled "City of Splendor" and is about how the Pandavas turned the Khandavaprastha into Indraprastha. In the previous chapter, Lord Krishna came and took the Pandavas out of Hastinapura and took them to a desert called Khandavaprastha. He told them that this is the place where can live peacefully. The Pandavas used the help of many people and built a city on Khandavasprastha and named it Indraprastha. But nonetheless, the Kauravas were not happy about this, and continued to harass them.

Chapter 7 is called "Stakes Unmatched" and is about the gambling match that took place between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. It was in this chapter that Shakuni played by deceit and won each gamble and stake that put out by Yudhisthira. It was in this chapter also when the cheerharan of Draupadi took place, and the Pandavas couldn't do a thing about it.

Chapter 8 is titled "Wanderings" and is about the time when the Pandavas were living in the forest. This chapter describes the life of the Pandavas during their time in the forest. They had to live in the forest because Yudhisthira staked Indraprastha in the gambling match and lost it.

I would write a story about the time when Tapu Sena had themed one Ganeshotsav around the respect of women and included the story of Draupadi's cheerharan in it.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Mahabharata.

Draupadi being stripped of her dignity, Lord Krishna saving her, and the Pandavas watching in helplessness.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata, Part A

Chapter 1 is titled "The Eighth Baby" and is about the birth of the eighth child of King Shantanu. This chapter is an introduction to all the characters and the very, very beginning of the war of the Mahabharata.

Chapter 2 is titled "Enter--The Players" and is about the Pandavas and how they came to be. This chapter introduces the readers to the Pandavas and their births. It also introduces the Kauravas and gives a brief background as to who Karna (charioteer's son, but really royalty).

Chapter 3 is titled "House of Joy--and Ashes" and is about how the enmity started between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. King Dhritarashta (father of the Kauravas) named Yudhisthira the heir apparent of Hastinapur. Duryodhana, being the eldest Kaurava, should have been named heir apparent, so as a result of Yudhisthira being named heir apparent, the Kauravas started hating the Pandavas, and the enmity began there.

Chapter 4 is titled "Bride for Five" and is about Draupadi and her swayamvara. The Pandavas attend Draupadi's swayamvara, and Arjuna wins her swayamvara and marries her. But when she is brought to the Pandavas house, without looking at what they brought, the Pandavas' mother asks them to share what they have brought. In this way, she became the wife to all five brothers.

I would write about how the members of Gokuldham Society share each other's happiness and sorrows.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Mahabharata.

The Pandavas bring Draupadi home, and their mother, Kunti, asks them to share what they have brought.

Source: (Google Images)

Famous Last Words: Weirdest Week

This week was just the weirdest week I've had this semester. Some really strange things happened that didn't make sense.

One of those weird events was that one of my bosses had some kind of allergic reaction to her eyedrops and her eyes were swollen and puffy, and I had to cover for her a couple of days at work, so that left me with less time to work on homework. I don't know if I'll more time to work on homework this week either. I may have to fill in for her on Monday, and I am also going to the career fair in the Union on Wednesday. But I do know that I have less homework in week 5 than in week 4, so the less time should not be an issue.

Another weird thing was that we got calls about stuff that we are trying to sell at work that we really don't need. That's a project in pending on Monday and has to be complete as soon as possible and with me around, it'll get done quite fast.

I'll just end by saying that I look forward to this upcoming week tomorrow.

"The whole week was weird." Really? Tell me about it!

Source: (Google Images)

Review: Writing About Something New

A few days ago, after submitting an assignment, I got an email from our professor to keep in mind about not writing about something I've already written about. That's kind of hard, but when I start writing about a certain topic, it automatically strikes me about whether or not I've written about it before.

One thing that I really like about this class is that it helps to know myself so much better. It helps me to dig deeper and deeper into myself and to push myself to do better and know that I can.

Something on the class announcements that really resonated with me was the Growth Mindset cat: "Let another's success inspire you". That is a really powerful statement to me. I have always been inspired by another's success. It can really be a catalyst to helping one reach their dreams!

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." Without trying, you will never succeed. And those who try never fail.

Source: (Google Images)

Wikipedia Trail: From Nooran Sisters to Pawan Kumar

I'm in a mood for singing this week, and there was a picture of Inayat Khan on the class announcements page, so I took this opportunity to read about a singing duo is a really good at what they do: the Nooran sisters.

The Nooran sisters are Jyoti and Sultana Nooran. They always sing together. They sang together in a movie, called Dangal, recently.

Dangal is about the first female wrestler to win a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games, Geeta Phogat, and her sister, Babita Phogat.

In reality, there are four daughters of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who wanted to wrestle for the country but couldn't for some reason: Geeta, Babita, Rita, and Sangita. All four of them wrestle.

Geeta recently got married to another wrestler, Pawan Kumar. He has won bronze in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. My Wikipedia trail ended there.

The Phogat sisters and their father. From left to right: Sangita, Babita, Geeta, and Rita. Sitting is their father, Mahavir Singh Phogat.

Source: (Google Images)

Learning Challenge: Health & Exercise

A week (or two) ago, I wrote about how I am having difficulty with taking care of myself and how I had wanted to go the gym.

After I wrote about it, I made a resolution to go to the gym after getting off work. I have been succeeding and I now go to the gym Monday through Friday, for about 45 minutes each day. I feel so much better about myself. And I am getting closer to reaching my fitness goals.

I used to make excuses, but not anymore. I now make improvements, and I'm proud of myself for it.

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Learning About Business Hands-On

Recently, I have been learning about business hands-on, and I have really been enjoying it. It gives me the opportunity to grow and learn so much about what I want to do later in life.

My workplace is truly the best place I can be, and I am extremely grateful and thankful for all that I have learned there.

What I eventually want to do in life: run a hotel. Not necessarily a La Quinta, but it visually describes what I want to do and where my passion lies.

Source: (Google Images)

Tech Tip: Editing a Pinterest Pin

Let's say you have a pin on Pinterest and you want to change what board you want it in. Changing it is really easy.

All you do is click on the pin to expand it, and click Edit (it has a pencil on it). Under board, there is a dropdown menu that you use to change the board.

It's as easy as pie.

What Pinterest looks like when you open pinterest.com. Whoever created Pinterest was truly a genius and deserves a Nobel Prize for such a great creation.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Mohini

Mohini was the form of Lord Vishnu during the churning of the ocean. During the churning of the ocean, amrita, or divine nectar, had come out. In order to stop the asuras from consuming this nectar and becoming immortal, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, took the nectar from the ocean, and gave it to the devas.

The churning of the ocean is one of my favorite stories.

Click here for a reading guide to Devdutt Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu as Mohini. One of my favorite stories of that time period.

Source: (Google Images)

Week 4 Story: Khushi Gets Justice

Upon her birth, Khushi's mother had to leave Khushi in a temple because her husband and in-laws were against having a daughter and they wanted a son.

Dayabhabhi finds her in the temple and brings her home. Dayabhabhi asks Jethabhai to get all the members gathered at their house. As soon as all the members get there, Dayabhabhi tells them about how she found her and that they need to find out who her mother is and get her back to her mother.

After many tries and going to many places, they find her mother, but her mother, Surbhiben, tells the Gokuldham Society members that she can't take her back and that she was left at the temple because of a helplessness.

To find out her helplessness, Bhidebhai and Madhavibhabhi, in disguise, go to her house and are unable to find out, but they do find out that Surbhiben has an older daughter whose name is Suhani. They call Jethabhai and Dayabhabhi on their way back and tell them so. Dayabhabhi says that they are going to have to call Surbhiben to their house somehow in order to find out. They are told to come back to the society. Dayabhabhi gets an idea and asks Tapu and Sonu to make a card from Khushi's perspective and asks her mother to come to the society.

A few hours later, when Surbhiben comes to Dayabhabhi's house, she is asked what her helplessness is to have to leave her precious daughter at the temple. Surbhiben tells everyone that her in-laws and husband wanted a son because they think daughters are useless and are burdens; that's why she had to leave her daughter in the temple. The members are disgusted with their mindset and vow to change their thought and mindset and tells Surbhiben not to worry because they will surely succeed and give justice to both of her daughters.

After coming up with a plan, Babita, Anjalibhabhi, Popatbhai, and Sodhibhai to go Surbhiben's and tell her family that she lied to them, and that she gave birth to a son, not daughter. Upon hearing this, they get mad at Surbhiben and come to GS with them. Surbhiben brings Khushi down to compound a few minutes after they arrive, but she tells her husband that he has to leave his parents if he wants his "son". Her husband makes up his mind and says that he will leave his parents in order to get his "son". Suhani asks her dad, "who will take care of dada-dadi and give them their meds if we leave them?"

In the meanwhile, the Gokuldham Society members tell Shekhar (Surbhiben's husband) that his "son" is in fact a daughter.

Surbhiben's in-laws were in shock and instantly realized their mistake. They realize that they were wrong about daughters and they say that in order to correct their mistake of giving the wrong mindset about daughters to Shekhar, they will live happily with Surbhiben and her daughters and give them the love and respect that they deserve.

Shekhar and his parents apologize to Surbhiben and all the GS members for their wrong thinking, take Surbhiben and her daughters, and go home.

So in this way, the Gokuldham Society members gave justice to Surbhiben, Suhani, and Khushi.

***Author's Note: This story came from the idea of looking for Sita after she was abducted by Ravana. This story also involves the "beti bachao, beti padhao" (save daughters, let them study) campaign set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few years ago. Daughters have just as much right to live and study as sons do. They are also capable of accomplishing anything in the world. It was initiated to decrease, reduce, and diminish female foeticide.***

Click here for a reading guide to Sister Nivedita's Ramayana

Here's Khushi with Dayabhabhi, Jethabhai, and Bapuji. Isn't she just adorable?

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Ramayana, Part B

The second part of the book was about Hanuman burning Lanka down, the war between Rama and Ravana, Sita's agnipariksha, and their "happily-ever-after".

Upon finding out that Hanuman was in Lanka, Ravana ordered his tail be set to fire. Using his tail, Hanuman burned all of Lanka down and returned to Lord Rama.

Slowly but surely, everyone reached Lanka and from there on, the war ensued between Lord Rama and Ravana. One by one, Ravana sent many warriors down to fight, but they all lost and ended up losing their lives. At the very end, Ravana came to fight with Rama, but his arrogance and pride brought him down as well.

Afterwards, Lord Rama brought Sita back, but because of Ayodhya's people's gossip, she had to go through an agnipariksha to prove her purity. She successfully completed her agniparika, and the people stopped gossiping about her being with Ravana for so long.

Then Sita gave birth to two sons, Lava and Kusha, and they lived happily ever after with Lord Rama being the king.

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Ramayana

Lava and Kush with their mother, Sita

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Ramayana, Part A

For this week, I read Sister Nivedita's Ramayana online. I really wished that I could've had the physical copy, but I couldn't get it in time, so I just read it online.

The first half of this book is about when Queen Kaikeyi asked for her two wishes to be fulfilled. With heavy heart, King Dashratha sent Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana for exile for fourteen years.

While the three of the were in exile in the forest, King Dashratha dies and Bharata becomes king.

Sita is abducted and the search for Sita begins. Rama and Lakshmana meet the monkey clan of Kishkinda, and they all start to look for Sita. Hanuman is sent to Lanka with a ring of Lord Rama to show Mother Sita proof that he has been with Lord Rama. Hanuman meets Sita and tells her that Lord Rama will soon come and take her away from the evil and cruel Ravana.

I would write about Khushi and her story and about the members of Gokuldham Society sent her back home with her parents and gave her justice.

Click here for a reading guide to Sister Nivedita's Ramayana.

There's little Khushi in Dayabhabhi's arms.

Source: (Google Images)

Review: How Am I Doing?

Today is Friday, February 3rd, 2017, and I am completing Backup and Review assignment.

I'm going to use this post to write about how am doing in school and in life.

In school, I am on top of it and happy that I am doing well. I have been pretty well turning in everything on time and the results are just amazing.

On the other hand, I have started going to the gym on a daily basis Monday through Friday after I get off from work, and it is also making me feel good about myself because I am getting closer to my fitness goals.

"You'll get there. Just keep going." I just will keep going. I do know I will eventually get there.

Source: (Google Images)

Famous Last Words: So Much To Do, So Little Time

Today is Friday, February 3rd, 2017, and I am completing the Famous Last Words assignment.

This week, I had quite a bit of homework to complete. I was quite motivated to get up early and complete it, but when the morning arrives, my devil mind convinced me to stay in bed for "a little while longer" and I didn't quite actually get everything done, but that's ok because Saturday and Sunday are still around for getting my homework done.

I'm not going to let myself remain in bed for longer than ten minutes after my alarm goes off. I will get up at seven tomorrow and Sunday and come to study hall and finish my homework so that I can feel accomplished.

On the other hand, my workplace is experiencing a major cash crunch, and I am trying my very best to help solve the problem. I prayed about it yesterday, and I know that prayers work so I am sure that God will me with this. I don't know why I didn't think about praying over it earlier, but better late than never, right?

Quotes are best, so let's end with one.

"Nothing worth having comes easy." This is my sister's favorite quote and is something she and I both live by.

Source: (Google Images)

Wikipedia Trail: From Raj Ghat To Rajiv Gandhi

Today is Friday, February 3rd, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Wikipedia Trail assignment.

My Wikipedia trail started at Raj Ghat. I started there because I've been to Raj Ghat, but I couldn't remember where it is. All that I remember from going there is that my mom, sister, and I got separated and lost from our tour group. We eventually just found our way to the entrance and found our tour group there.

Then I went Jawaharlal Nehru's Wikipedia page. He was the first prime minister of India.

Then I went to Indira Gandhi's page. I learned that she was Nehruchacha's daughter.

And lastly I went to Rajiv Gandhi's page. He was Indira Gandhi's son.

I really liked this picture of Nehruchacha's study, so I inserted it here. It is located in his home, Teen Murti Bhavan.

Source: (Wikipedia)

Learning Challenge: Health & Exercise

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Learning by HEART assignment.

Exercise is something I've always had a lot of trouble with. I'm not much of a gym rat; I'm more of a workaholic. I continue working and working and I tend to forget to take care of myself.

I have been exercising for about ten minutes every day at home, but I feel like that's not enough. So this week, my goal is to go the gym for about forty-five minutes after I get off work. If I already have my gym clothes ready, there's no excuse for not going. I will take care of myself as well as everyone else.

I want to have a strong, curvy, feminine figure. But just wishing it doesn't make it happen. I have to make it happen by training and working for it.

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Growth Beyond School

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Growth Mindset assignment.

Growing beyond school is very important and essential to life. The best way for this happen is to learn by observing the environment around you.

I have a passion for learning and I have continued learning about what I want to do later in life (which is to own and operate a hotel). In that scenario, I would be self-employed. I learn about business and business principles where I work right now because my bosses are self-employed. They know almost everything about self-employment because they have been surrounded by it all their lives, so they help me to learn about it, and I am very thankful to them!

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Progress is progress no matter how slow. Making progress is the only way you learn.

Source: (Google Images)

Tech Tip: Creating a Pinterest Pin

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Tech Tip assignment.

Pinning a pin in Pinterest in really easy. All you have to do is click the red "save" button in the upper right hand corner of the pin and choose the board that you want to drop the pin to. And bam: the pin is there when you need it.

Image is not needed, but I'm going to put one in anyway because I'm so used to it.

Completely me. I usually like to be on Pinterest for about thirty minutes before going to bed.

Source: (Google Images)