Portfolio Guide

Welcome to my portfolio! Here I will compile a few Storytelling tales that I have recreated. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Story 1: The story of Ahalya told by Indra.
Story 2: The bedtime story: Monkey Kong
Story 3: Sita Captured by Ravana
Story 4: Dhritarashtra Gets Revenge
Story 5: Milk to Salt

Online Education Review

This was my very first online class! I was always nervous that it was too much of me learning on my own with no direction from the professor. However, I think this class is set up awesomely! Professor Gibbs has directions for everything! Maybe even too many directions. However, when I didn't understand something all the information was so beneficial. I am a pretty social person so I do not want to lose the concept of the traditional learning style, lecture. This generation is in grave danger of being totally isolated and hidden behind our computers or phones. There is nothing better than human connection. Hands on teacher to student interaction is still my favorite way to learn. It is much more beneficial to met classmates in person rather then just commenting on each other's walls. However, that is just my personal opinion. This online class was a great experience for me!

(My man: Droseph taken by me)

Gen Ed Review

As for general education in achieving my degree, I was not too sure I would ever enjoy anything other then Science. I am slightly a fanatic of the study of the body. However, I have been pleasantly surprised! I really enjoy learning about different cultures rather than the typical American culture. It has made me feel like I could have intelligent conversations on a wide range of conversations! It has also taught me that different topics are fun. Not intimidating. It's okay if you have no idea what is going on in some of these classes. That is the point, broaden your horizons. 

(The grand kitty: Tiger, taken by my dad)

College Writing Review

As my major is Health and Exercise Science, I haven't taken a lot of writing intensive courses such as this one. I generally take a lot about Science and Health of a body. I think that my writing skills have greatly improved with this courses as frustrating as it was at times. It will help to be able to write well in my field because there is a lot of research which in turn brings a lot of reports to describe one's writing. However, it was very different to spend so much of my time writing this semester. I am used to science courses taking up most of my time, but this semester wasn't that way for me. It was a good variation. 

(My pride and joy taken by me)

Famous Last Words for Week 12

Well week was so hectic, but it looks like it is going to wind down until finals. Oh joy! This week I submitted my final story for my portfolio. In order to get an A all I have to do this week are the reviews. Yay! I know that by finishing this class earlier it will help me to stay focused on all my other classes this semester. Finish strong guys!

So, this week I wrote about the churning of the ocean. I think that it is one of my best stories yet. If you get a chance, take a look at it. You won't be disappointed! It's ironic that towards the end I seemed to be getting the hang of this story telling process and my stories began to improve as time went on. That's what I think I can really thank this class for is improving my writing skills greatly! 

This week, both of my parents came to town. I went to the spring game with my dad to scout out how our football team is going to be next year. I think our offense looks like we have some more gunners this year, and I trust coach Mike to make the defense what it needs to be. In the Big 12 it more important to not let the other team make big plays on you and to ot course get the team off the field so our offense can score. Of course, our offense needs to be able to put the points on the board in order to keep up with these dynamic Big 12 offenses. I can't wait for fall football! But first, summer!

Then, I went to a wine and palette with my mom. Us girls really enjoyed ourselves! My mom was even talking about making that her hobby like I have golf. It was pretty cute and special for me.

Good luck this week guys! And I hope you all are as close to finishing this class as I am! GET As!

(Carmi the first week I got her! Taken by me)

Storytelling for Week 12: Savitri saves Satyavan

Savitri went into the forest in search of a man to become her husband because the one's she was being presented were unworthy. As she was wondering in the forest she came across Satyavan. He was the son of a blind man in exile.

As Savitri was approaching Satyavan, Yama, the Death god, came to her and told her that Satyavan only had one more year to live. He questioned if she still wanted to go through with this, but Savitri didn't care. Savitri was love struck. It was love at first sight!

Savitri walked up to Satyavan and said, "Hi I am Savitri. I was sent here to become your wife. Do you accept."

Taken off guard, Satyavan told her that he would have to contemplate the idea first as he had just met her. See, Satyavan wasn't sure if she was an illusion sent by demons or a real woman.

Finally, Satyavan was able to see Savitri's real colors, and the two married.

After one year, Satyavan's time was up, and Yama came to take him away. Savitri was completely devastated about losing her soul mate and decided to follow Yama.

As no one was ever brave enough to follow the Death god to where ever it is he goes with everyone's souls, Yama decided to grant Savitri wishes except she was not allowed to ask for Satyavan back. So, Savitri asked for several things for her beloved blind father in law until, finally, Yama told Savitri to ask for something for herself. However, all she wanted was kids from her husband to that Satyavan's legacy could live on forever. To the surprise of Savitri, Yama said he would grant her Satyavan if she would share her days with him. Therefore, without hesitation Savitri gave them to Satyavan and the couple returned home.

At last, Satvayan woke up after Yama returned his soul to his body, and he felt like the whole thing was a dream. He ran to Savitri and began telling her what happened.

Satyavan said that he was visited by Yama, and he knew immediately it was his time to go. Then, all he saw was the brightest white light and a grand staircase. So, he traveled up the stairs and saw all of his deceased friends and relatives. They all sat around a grand table and drank wine while reminiscing. Satyavan then realized how much he had missed these people, but on earth he had found the sweetest wife, Savitri. He wished he was back with her. That is when he awoke from the sleep and was relieved to see Savitri in the distance. He had no idea what had really happened. 

(Image Source: Savitri and Satyavan by Raja Ravi Varma and A.K. Joshi & co.Bombay) 

Author's Note: I wrote this story about Savitri sacrificing her time on earth for her husband because I found it to be very admirable. Savitri struggled her whole life to find a husband, and when she finally did the man didn't have much longer to live. However, she valued his remaining time and married him anyways. I think this shows the precious act of true love. However, I imagined Satyavan's experience to be much different as Yama had already taken his soul away. Satyavan was already in heaven. He was seeing people that already deceased without being aware of the sacrifice his wife was making on his behalf.  I also found it very peculiar that Yama was so generous with Savitri. Savitri must have been a very courageous woman. She didn't even accept all of the men that wanted to make her their wife in her town. She went out into the forest in hopes of finding exactly what she was looking for. What a brave woman! This picture is a perfect depiction of Savitri protecting her husband from the Death god. This shows the value of a good woman. She provides protection and purpose to Satyavan's life, and he knows it as seen in my creation of his dream.

Bibliography:

• Buck, William (1973). Mahabharata.

Reading Diary B: 12 years in the forest

Arjuna rejects Urvashi because she looks like his mother, Kunti

• Urvashi curses Arjuna to a life as a eunuch for one year
• Indra, his father, orders that Arjuna learn music and dance
• Indra also tells Arjuna that his year as a eunuch is his disguise for his 13th year in exile
• Indra also teaches Arjuna how to use his divine weapon

(Image Source: Urvashi curses Arjuna by Ramanarayanadatta astri)

Yudhistira has a dream about ruining a deer

• Bhima tells the story of Mankanaka [dangers of eating grass instead of deer]
• Mankanaka only ate grass, cut himseld, and bled grass juice
• Mankanaka was so happy about it he started a dance party throughout the whole world
• The gods worried the dancing would ruin the world, Shiva comes to stop it

Rishyashringa was born

• Vibhandaka saw Urvashi and ejaculated in the lake and a deer drank it
• Rishyashringa was the son of that deer and Vibhandaka
• Rishyashringa had never seen another human except his dad, Vibhandaka
• He was the only person left with a pure heart to save the country of Agna from a drought
• Shanta persuaded Rishyashringa to come to Agna with her charm and good looks
• Vibhandaka thought the creature was a rakshasa (demon)
• Rikyashringa went with Shanta to Agna
• It rained at last!
• Rikyashringa married Shanta

The Pandavas leave the forest and come to Mount Kailasa

• Yudhistira falls and disturbs the silence of Rishava's mountain and the mountain attacks
• Draupadi ask Bhima to build her a house made of white lotus
• Bhima sets out to find them for his lady when he runs into a monkey blocking his path, HANUMAN
• Bhima cannot move Hanuman's tail and Hanuman tells Bhima that the white lotuses are at the lotus lake
• Manibhadra , lord of yakshas, tells Lord of Treasure, Vaishravana that Bhima is outside their palace
• Bhima blows Vaishravana's armor away easily. Vaishravana allows Bhima to take the lotuses

Matali returns Arjuna to his brothers

• Arjuna brings heavenly weapons along with ornaments and jewels for Draupadi

In the 12th year the Pandavas live near Dhritarashtra

• Duryodhana tries to build a pleasure house near the Pandavas but the Gandharvas don't let him
• Duryodhana is caught in the Gandharvas iron net 
• Arjuna and Bhima rescue Duryodhana 
• Duryodhana is embarrassed and decides to starve to death  
• Kali encourages him to continue to the fight against the Pandavas where he will be honored

Jayadratha, Duryodhana's brother in law, tries to steal Draupadi

• Arjuna and Bhima chase down Jayadratha but Yudhistira tells them to spare his life at Draupadi's request

Savitri

• Krishna and Vyasa visit the Pandavas
• Draupadi asks Vyasa to tell a love story
• Savitri set out to find the man she wanted to be her husband because the others were lames
• Savitri found Satyavan, son to a blind man in exile 
• Savitri decides to marry him even though she knows he only has one year to live
• When Yama, The Death god, came to get Satyavan, Savitri asked if she could follow him
• Savitri got a gift from Yama for her courage but she could not wish for Satyavan's live back
• Savitri asked for him to cure her blind father in law
• Yama feels generous and offers another gift, Savitri asks him to restore her father in laws's kingdom
• Savitri then asks if her fathe in law could have 100 sons 
• Finally Yama told her to ask for something that was actually for her
• Savitri asks to be given 100 sons from her husband, Satyavan
• Savitri had to sacrifice half of her days in order to get her husband back and she willingly accepted
• Satyavan was restored