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)

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

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Extra Credit More Reading assignment.

For this I watched the second part, called Matsya, of the Seven Secrets of Vishnu from the Hindu Calendar Art.

In this video, it is explained about one form of Lord Vishnu, the Matsya form, the form of a fish. It is explained how the Matsya form came about and what the Matsya form of Lord Vishnu teaches.

It was a really interesting watch. I learned some things that I didn't know before.

Reading Guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Matsya

The matsya form of Lord Vishnu

Source: (Google Images)

Week 3 Story: The Battle Between Bhidebhai and Don Baadal

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Storytelling assignment.

Don Baadal abducted Bhidebhai's scooter out of feelings of revenge because Bhidebhai accidentally scratched Don Baadal super loved car. The members of Gokuldham Society are thinking of a way to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back. In this time, Sodhibhai gets an idea and get leaves in his jeep. Thirty minutes later, Sodhibhai returns to the society and asks Abdulbhai to come with him. Everyone questions him about what he's doing, but he doesn't respond; he only shows excitement.

A few minutes later, in the society compound, there is car exactly like Don Baadal's hanging from a crane that Abdulbhai is operating. Bhidebhai calls Don Baadal and tells him that he has his car. Don Baadal comes to the society, and upon his arrival, the car is dropped and breaks into a million pieces. Seeing this Don Baadal starts crying and says that he lost his beloved car as a result of his desire for revenge.

Sodhibhai then proceeds to tell him that nothing is wrong with his car and gives his car to him. Sodhibhai then explains that the broken car came from the junkyard and was dropped to teach him a lesson as to how it feels when you lose something you love dearly. He asks Don Baadal to return Bhidebhai's scooter because it is as dearly to Bhidebhai as the car is to Don Baadal.

Don Baadal learned his lesson, apologizes to Bhidebhai, and happily gives his scooter back to him.

***Author's Note: I got this story from the idea of Sita's agnipariksha. Even though Lord Rama knew that she was pure, she had to give an agnipariksha to prove her purity to the people. Similarly, Bhidebhai knew how it felt to lose his scooter, but Don Baadal didn't know how it felt. So the members of the society had to create this situation in order to explain it to him.***

R. K. Narayan's Ramayana

The car that taught Don Baadal a lesson

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part D

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Reading Part B assignment.

Chapter 12 is titled "Rama and Ravana in Battle" and is about Rama and Ravana's battle. In this chapter, it is explained and narrated about the many weapons that Rama and Ravana used on each other, but because of Ravana's arrogance and many sins throughout his life, he is killed by Rama. After all, truth and righteousness always wins.

Chapter 13 is titled "Interlude" and is about when Hanuman goes and gets Mother Sita as per Lord Rama's instructions and command. Hanuman tells Mother Sita that it is Lord Rama's wish that she clean her appearance and make herself look well before coming to his presence.

Chapter 14 is titled "The Coronation" and is about Mother Sita's agnipariksha. When she comes to Lord Rama, she is asked to give an agnipariksha to prove her purity not for Lord Rama, but for all the people in Ayodhya that were gossiping about whether or not Rama should take her back even though she has lived with another man for so long. Lord Rama already knew she was pure, but he had to prove it to Ayodhya's people before taking the crown. Mother Sita successfully gave the agnipariksha, the people stopped gossiping, and she went to Lord Rama very happily.

The epilogue talks about the happenings after Lord Rama and Mother Sita returned to Ayodhya from exile: the monkey clan did not return to Kishkinda, from where they came; instead, they remained in Ayodhya to serve Lord Rama and Mother Sita, who were now the king and queen, respectively, of Ayodhya. It also explains that there is a sequel about Rama's sons that has been omitted in this book.

I would write a story about how the members of Gokuldham Society taught a lesson to Don Baadal and got back Bhidebhai's scooter.

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

Sita giving her agnipariksha for the people of Ayodhya.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part C

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Reading Part A assignment

Chapter 8 is titled "Memento from Rama" and is about the ring that Rama had given to Hanuman when he was sent to find Sita and tell her that Rama will soon come and get her from Lanka.

Chapter 9 is titled "Ravana in Council" and is about when everyone in Ravana's council told him he did wrong and he should return Sita to Rama. In this council, Ravana didn't listen to anyone, thinking he is the only person in the council who is smart, which is why he is the king of Lanka. Out of everyone in Lanka, Vibhishana and his daughter are righteous. As a result, he decided to join Lord Rama in the battle for righteousness. His daughter remained with Sita and gave her moral and emotional support.

Chapter 10 is titled "Across the Ocean" and is about Vibhishana joining Lord Rama. Lord Rama was hesitant about letting him join thinking that he might be a spy sent by Ravana. But Hanuman assured Lord Rama that Vibhishana is not like anyone else in Lanka, so he was allowed to join Rama's battalion. Vibhishana also tells Lord Rama that his daughter is with Mother Sita in Ashoka Vatika giving her moral and emotional support. Lord Rama is very pleased and grateful to hear that.

Chapter 11 is titled "The Siege of Lanka" and is about the battle that ensues between both armies. In this chapter, the battle ensues between both armies. One by one, Ravana sends many warriors to fight with the warriors of Lord Rama. In these battles, one by one, Ravana's warriors are killed because of their arrogance and their unjust pride.

I would write a story about when Tapu Sena accidentally broke Bhidebhai's scooter's rearview mirror, and they were trying to explain to him about how they didn't do it on purpose, but Bhidebhai wouldn't listen to them.

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

Indrajit in war with Lakshmana

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part B

Today is Tuesday, January 24th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 2 Reading Notes Part B assignment.

Chapter 4 is called "Encounters in Exile" and is about the different people Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana come across as they are finding a place in the forest to settle themselves. They come across one of Ravana's sisters too. It is in during this time that Soorpanaka's nose is cut off and the story of Ramayana really begins.

Chapter 5 is called "The Grand Tormentor" and is an introduction to Ravana. In this chapter, Soorpanaka comes to Ravana after her nose gets cut off. She tells him who did that to her, and Ravana then vows to take revenge for such an act. It is in this chapter that Ravana abducts Sita and kills Jatayu, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, by cutting off one of his wings, when he was trying to save Sita.

Chapter 6 is called "Vali" and is about the coronation of the monkey clan king, Sugreeva. This chapter tells the story of Sugreeva.

Chapter 7 is called "When The Rains Cease" and is about when Rama and Lakshmana meet the monkey clan. As they were walking south to Lanka, they came across Vali. They met the king of Vali, Sugreeva. Sugreeva asks them why they look so sad, so they tell him that Sita had been abducted by Ravana, and they need to get her back. It is at that time that friendship is kindled between Rama and Sugreeva and Sugreeva and his monkey clan promise to help him.

My story would be about Don Baadal and how he abducts Bhidebhai's scooter to torment him.

Click here for a Reading Guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Ravana abducting Sita and killing Jatayu while Jatayu was trying to save Sita.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part A

Today is Monday, January 23rd, 2017, and I am completing the Week Reading Part A.

I read the Prologue and Chapters 1-3 of R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

The Prologue was an introduction to the Ramayana and the protagonist of the story, Lord Rama. It tells the story of his birth and how he came to be.

Chapter 1 is called "Rama's Initiation" and is about how Rama was initiated into his mission of fighting for good over evil. As Sage Vishvamitra took Rama and Lakshmana, along the way to his hermitage, Sage Vishvamitra narrated stories of different people and places that came along the way. My personal favorite of those stories is of Ahalya.

Chapter 2 is called "The Wedding" and is about how Rama got married to Sita. At the end of chapter 1, Sage Vishvamitra completes his yagna (sacrificial fire), and the three of them (Sage Vishvamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana) come to Mithila for another sacrificial fire. Once in Mithila on their way to the palace, Rama's eyes fell upon Sita, fell in love with her, and vice versa. This chapter outlines the events that lead up to their wedding and their wedding.

Chapter 3 is called "Two Promises Revived" and is about when Queen Kaikeyi puts her two wishes to King Dashratha and when Rama was sent for fourteen years of exile. It was during the time of crowning the king-elect (like president-elect in the United States). Because Rama was oldest, he was coronated to be the king after King Dashratha. Queen Kaikeyi's personal attendant, Manthra, did not like that, and filled Queen Kaikeyi's ears to tell King Dashratha send Rama to exile for fourteen years and to make Bharata the king-elect. Manthra succeeded in her mission: Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dashratha to send Rama for fourteen years exile and to make Bharata the king-elect. Even though King Dashratha was hesitant, because Rama considered Queen Kaikeyi as his own mother, he gave the crown to Bharata and immediately left for exile with Sita and Lakshmana.

If I were to write a story, I would write about Jethabhai, Popatbhai, and Iyerbhai dressed up in disguise to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back from Don Baadal (don = gang leader) after Don Baadal kidnapped it.

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

Here is Rama reviving Ahalya to her original state and taking her out of Rishi Gautama's curse.

Source: (Google Images)

Growth Mindset: Continuously Improving

I had heard about Growth Mindset before, but I did not know that it was called growth mindset.

The biggest things I learned about myself as a student at OU was that not all strategies will work every semester. Although this didn't happen all the time, I found myself using different strategies every semester and in the meantime, I found which strategies worked well for me and which didn't.

I have a love for learning, so I will continue learning in any way I can, and I believe that learning is the only way you can continuously improve yourself in every way.

On the other hand, I have trouble with the Health/Happiness part of HEART. This semester, I really want to help myself improve in that department.

"Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." This quote really resonates with me because this is how it is with my life. I am not seen as very successful, but I know I am because every time I have fallen down, I have gotten back up with a bang.

Source: (Google Images)

Time Strategies

Today is Friday, January 20th, 2017, and I am completing the Time Management assignment.

This post is going to be a great brain dump, where I can write down what I've planned for this semester, and where I can hold myself accountable for it too.

I have five or six days to homework: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and maybe half of Sunday. I can't do homework on Thursdays because I work all day. I have nine classes (I'm dually enrolled at OU and TCC), a gigantic homework load. I like to work on a class (or two) per day. Instead of splitting my assignments in days, I split my classes in days. I work on one class one day, another class the next day. I find it easier to focus and get things done.

Each day I have about six hours to do homework. I am going to work on two classes per day, three hours each. I figured each class will take me three hours per day.

I am also going to complete as much work as I can during the first eight weeks of school. So I have created a calendar in Excel that outlines all work for sixteen weeks smashed into eight weeks. I have chosen to do this because I tend to get busier after week 8 and I tend to lose motivation to do homework, so I decided to do all of it when I have the motivation. I realize there will be work I can't complete until that week, so I will note those assignments and do them the week of, but most of the assignments, I can complete early, so I will so that all I will have to do is just what I couldn't do early.

I love quotes, so that is what I will insert as my image most of the time.

"All time management begins with planning." That's why I spend the first day of the semester planning my semester.

Source: (Google Images)

Week 1 Reading Options

Today is Friday, January 20th, 2017, and I am completing the Reading Options assignment.

For Weeks 2 & 3, I am going to read R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

For Week 4, I am going to read Ramayana by Sister Nivedita.

For Weeks 5 & 6, I am going to read R. K. Narayan's Maharabharata.

For Week 7, I am going to read Krishna by Sister Nivedita.

I mainly chose to read Narayan's books because I had read them last semester, but didn't get quite through them.

I chose Sister Nivedita's books because I wanted to read something from a female author.

I have been to India several times, and as I mentioned in my Introduction post, I really love to dance and I really love to listen to Hindi music.

Weeks 2 & 3 Reading

Source: (Google Images)

Weeks 5 & 6 Reading

Source: (Google Images)

I couldn't find pictures of Sister Nivedita's books. I think it's really weird how I can't find the books anywhere either. Maybe because they are old.

Week 1: Storybook Favorites

Today is Friday, January 20th, 2017, and I am completing the Browse the Storybooks assignment.

The House to a Wife of Many
The first thing that caught my attention was the title. It really reminded me of one of my favorite characters of the Mahabharata, Draupadi, who was wife to five men. The introduction was very well-written, and it constantly grabbed my attention and it made me want to continue to read the story. I continued to read and saw in the author's notes that the stories came from the inspiration of Sita. I thought: "well, how interesting. I thought the story was based from Draupadi." But I was quite wrong.

Parvati's Counseling Service
There were two things that really caught my eye in this storybook: the title and the motto. I thought the motto was really grabbing: "Helping To Strengthen Your Marriage, One Meeting At A Time". It sounded so professional that it sparked my curiosity to read the storybook. I went on to read it, and oh my goodness, I loved it so much because it was like people calling in to some help line and they were getting solutions to their problems. I think this storybook was very well-written too!

My Journey To India
This storybook attracted me to it because I thought someone was writing about his/her journey to India after taking this class. I opened it up to see that it was based on the Ramayana. Hmmmm, interesting comparison. And come to think of it, it is very similar to a "journey to India". The Ramayana was more like a "journey to Lanka", to free Sita, so I really liked where the idea came from and how the student wrote the story. It seemed to real that I just started flowing with it. Kudos to the student who wrote it! That's all I can say!

I just included a picture of my favorite of these three storybooks.

Source: (Blogger)

Introduction to A Simple Girl Living Life to the Fullest

My name is Dhruti Patel, I am a fifth year senior this year at the University of Oklahoma, and I hope to graduate in May. My major is Business Administration and Management. Eventually, I want to own and manage my own hotel.

I love anything related to India. I love especially Bollywood dance and the daily soap industry. When I was little, I dreamed of being a part of the daily soap industry. I love to listen to Hindi music: I have over three hundred downloaded songs on my phone, and I am constantly listening to and downloading more and more songs.

Did I do something exciting over winter break? Hmmm....let's see, I went  to Dallas to see family on New Year's Eve and got back in the evening of New Year's Day. When we got back, my dad said, "you guys left in 2016 and got back in 2017. Where have you been for a year?" It was quite funny!!

My hobbies include cooking and baking, playing badminton, and reading self-improvement books. I also like to mark things off my to-do list. I keep a list of things I need to search for, look up, or do when I am free from work and school, and I like to mark things off of that list. Seeing a long to-do list overwhelms me and drives me crazy.

My favorite food is a simple Gujarati meal. I like homemade food, especially stuff that my mother makes. Nothing beats food made by one's mother!

Me being me, if I had an extra day for fun, it would turn into work. For me, a lot of times, work is equal to fun, but I would certainly use that extra day to do things I want to do, rather do things I have to do.

Here I am!!

Source: (My Computer)

Week 1 Story: Welcome to Gokuldham Society

Today is Friday, January 20th, 2017, and I am completing the Tell A Story assignment.

In Gokuldham Society, there live six families, plus several others: the Gada family, the Bhide family, the Mehta family, the Iyer family, the Sodhi family, the Hathi family, Pinku, and Popatbhai. Plus there are three other characters that appear: Natukaka, Bagha, Bawri, and Abdulbhai.

The Gada family consists of Jethabhai, Dayabhabhi, Bapuji, and Tapu. Jethabhai owns an electroncis shop called Gada Electronics. Dayabhabhi is his wife and is a housewife. Bapuji is Jethabhai's father, whom Jethabhai loves and respects a lot. Tapu is Jethabhai and Dayabhabhi's son; he goes to junior college and loved by all the society members. They are a Gujarati family.

The Bhide family consists of Aataram Tukaram Bhide (more fondly known as Bhidebhai), Madhavibhabhi, and Sonu. Bhidebhai is a teacher and runs tuition classes from his home. Madhavibhabhi is a housewife and also runs a pickles and papad business from home. Sonu is a member of the Tapu Sena and attends junior college. They are a Maharashtrian family.

The Mehta family consists of Taarak Mehta and his wife, Anjali. Mehtasaab is a writer, and Anjali is a housewife. Mehtasaab is also Jethabhai's best friend. They often leave together for work in the morning. They are also a Gujarati family.

The Iyer family consists of Subramanium Krishnan Iyer and his wife, Babita. Iyerbhai is a scientist, and Babitaji is a housewife. Babitaji also likes to exercise and be fit. They are a Tamil husband and Bengali wife.

The Sodhi family consists of Roshan Singh Sodhi (Sodhibhai), Roshan Kaur Sodhi (Roshanbhabhi), his wife, and Gogi Singh Sodhi, their son. Sodhibhai is a mechanic and owns a garage (known to us as body shop). Roshanbhabhi is a housewife, and Gogi is in tenth grade and also a member of Tapu Sena. They are a Punjabi family.

The Hathi family consists of Dr. Hansraj Hathi, Komal Hathi, his wife, and Goli, their son. Hathibhai is a doctor, and his clinic is within his house. Komalbhabhi is a housewife, and Goli goes to junior college and is a member of Tapu Sena. They are a Bihari (North Indian) family.

Pinku is a single character that lives in Gokuldham Society. He is a year older than Tapu, Sonu, and Goli, is a member of Tapu Sena, and goes to junior college.

Popatbhai is single and lives in Gokuldham Society right above Iyerbhai. He is journalist for the newspaper, Toofan Express. He has a really strong wish to get married.

Natukaka is the manager of Gada Electronics. Although he does not live in Gokuldham Society, he is like a family member to Jethabhai and treats him that way.

Baghabhai is Natukaka's nephew and is an engineer at Gada Electronics. He lives with Natukaka and is engaged to Bawri.

Bawri is Baghabhai's fiancé and often comes to Gada Electronics to see Bagha, which Jethabhai gets very irked by because it disturbs Bagha from his work.

Abdulbhai has a small general store right outside the society gate. Every night, all the men of the society get together at Abdulbhai's shop and drink his very loved soda (more known to us as mineral water).

Although Natukaka, Baghabhai, Bawri, and Abdulbhai do not live in Gokuldham Society, they attend every function of Gokuldham Society and are like family members to everyone.

Gokuldham Society is known for its unity. Everyone is always looking out for each other; they stand with each other in happiness and trouble times. They celebrate all festivals of different religions, and they are like one, gigantic family.

***Author's Note: I took this story from The Assembly of Animals. In The Assembly of Animals, different animals are gathered and each one is bragging about his/her best feature. Meanwhile, the toad explains how what they are bragging about becomes their reason for death later. Just like there was a lesson to be learned from The Assembly of Animals, I gave an introduction to the unity of Gokuldham Society, which is kind of like a lesson learned from the story.***

Bibliography: The Assembly of Animals from Ramaswami Raju. Web source

Here is a picture of almost everyone in Gokuldham Society. See how their unity shows?

Source: (Google Images)

My Favorite Place

I am going to write about my favorite place. My favorite place is my workplace, Benson Lumber Co. The people at Benson Lumber Co have given me a lot, including the knowledge of building materials and construction. I have been working there for about four and a half years now and as a result, I can do what most people my age can't do.

Here's a picture of Benson Lumber Co after our building front remodel in 2013. Where you see all the posters hanging is supposed to be a glass display. As you can see, we haven't gotten that far yet!

Source: (Google Images)

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Week 1 Test Post

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