Famous Last Words: My First Midterm, Lunar New Year, Planning Summer Trip

(Work Stressed: Pixabay)

A lot when on this week, and to be honest, I am having a hard time recalling where the days went.

I had my first midterm this past Thursday, and let me just say, it was quite a doozey. In this class I just had a midterm in, we actually have five midterms, as well as a final. So to say the least, I am quite stressed out about this class. Actually, I am quite stressed with all of my classes. This semester has probably got to be the most homework heavy semester of my collegiate career. I have multiple assignments due each week for every class. This semester will definitely test my mental stability.

On a more lighthearted note, I went back home this weekend to celebrate Lunar New Year with my family. Lunar New Year is actually on Tuesday, but I have classes on that day, which is why I went home early. We ate lots of good food, plus I got a lot of red envelopes, which is really helping me out, since I feel like I am always on the struggle bus when it comes to money. I guess that's just one of the infamous problems college students have.

Also, I am starting to plan my trip to South Korea in May! My sister moved there last February for her teaching job, so I have not seen her in quite a while! This trip will give me the chance to visit her, and I have always wanted to visit there, so it is like I am killing two birds with one stone. Plus, I get free housing, since my sister already has a place, so I am hoping that this trip will not be so harsh on my bank account because, like I said before, I am on the struggle bus for saving money.

Tech Tip: Canvas Mobile App

I have actually had the Canvas app, since I came to OU, which was the beginning of my sophomore year. I like it; it is really convenient.

Feedback Strategies

(Good Grade: Wikimedia Commons)

Why Do So Many Managers Avoid Giving Praise?

The opinions of this article are actually things that I have already learned when it comes to general management. From my personal experience, even if it’s not from the work place, the most effective form of feedback is when it’s both good and bad. If one only gives praise, then they will seem weak and unobservant of total behavior. If feedback is only negative, then managers’ will seem that they do not appreciate the hard work of their subordinates and lack relatibility.

Source: https://hbr.org/2017/05/why-do-so-many-managers-avoid-giving-praise

Preschoolers and Praise: What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow?

This article is heavily based on the idea of growth mindset, which we learned about earlier in this course. But more specifically, the success of children and their response to obstacles is directly related to how they are praised as young children. When children receive feedback that praises their strategy and deliverance, then they are more likely to use that feedback for future tasks.

Source: https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/40369/preschoolers-and-praise-messages-that-can-help-kids-grow

Topic Research: Hanuman

(Hanuman: Wikipedia)

The Adventures of Hanuman

I liked how Hanuman's physical features were continuously being highlighted through out the story. The small short of Hanuman's participate in the leaping contest might make for a good intro that can give testament to his physical strength and power.

Source: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t54f1rt80;view=2up;seq=228

Hanuman's Errand to Lanka

I would like to emphasize Hanuman's wisdom and loyalty from this story. Although he was upset with Sugriva for living so lavishly, he still followed Sugriva's orders to lead the monkeys to find Sita because he knew that was the right thing to do.

This won't be included in my story, but I thought it was humorous that the vulture was planning on eating the monkeys but ended up helping them after he heard about his brother. His agenda totally changed and two completely different sides of the vulture were shown very quickly.

Source: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951p01091379x;view=1up;seq=71

Hanuman Reaches Lanka

Finally, we get to see Hanuman in action with opponents, which was actually quite impressive to read because he essentially outsmarted all his enemies. I would like to focus on a fighting, or rather "out-smarting" scene. to focus on his wit and intelligence.

Also, another side note, most prose describe Hanuman to be this majestic looking creature, but in the illustration included in the text, he looks like any regular monkey, which was interesting to me.

Source: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951p01091379x;view=1up;seq=79

Reading Notes: Week 3 Ramayana Part B

(Shurpanakha Ramayana: Wikimedia Commons)

• Bharata, Rama's brother finds out he was exiled but swears he will not take the throne.
• Bharata goes and finds Rama in the wilderness and tries to persuade him to take the throne by taking Rama's sentence, but Rama says nothing can change the commands of Dasharatha.
• Bharata took Rama's sandals as a symbol of his rule, and Bharata says he will be the acting ruler in a small village but the true throne is Rama's.
• Bharata meets a demon that was taken on that curse form when Rama got cursed into exile, but the demon could return to the celestial heavens once he was killed by Rama.
• Shurpanakha, Ravana's (demon king) sister, falls in love with Rama. She is ugly and misshapen, so she tries to seduce her by taking on a young, beautiful form but is unsuccessful.
• Shurpanakha tells her brother, Khara, that she was rejects, so he assembles an army in attempt to kill Rama.
• Rama won against and killed Khara.

Bibliography

"Indian Myth and Legend" by Donald A. Mackenzie

(http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/pde-ramayana-surpanakha.html)

Reading Notes: Week 3 Ramayana Part A

(Ram-Sita Swayamvara: Flickr)

• King Dasharatha's son is Rama, and King Janaka's daughter is Sita.
• Initially Dasharatha had no son heirs so he made a horse sacrifice, and the gods granted him four sons.
• Rama goes on mission with brother, Lakshmana, to defeat devils.
• Rama defeats a female beast, then Vishwamitra granted Rama celestial weapons.
• Rama falls in love with Rita at first sight.
• Janaka gives Rama permission to marry Sita because he can yield the bow of Shiva.
• Rama marries Sita.
• Dasharatha has four sons but chooses Rama to be his heir.
• Kaikeyi's, youngest wife of Dashratha, slave, Manthara hates the fact that Rama is being crowned king.
• Kaikeyi persuades Dasharatha to banish Rama and make her son, Bharata, the heir.
• Rama obediently listens to his father to go into exile.
• Sita and Lakshmana go with Rama and are stripped of their royal clothing.
• Karma is getting back at Dasharatha, and now he lost a son for killing another man's son.
• Dasharatha dies.

Bibliography

The Divine Archer by F. J. Gold

(http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/pde-ramayana-parashurama.html)