Wikipedia Trail from Ravana to Homer

The links are in the corresponding image links. Pictures were taken from the Wikipedia page.

Ravana Statue. Source

I chose Ravana initially because he was the antagonist in the Ramayana and I loved that story. He was a super interesting character with his 10 heads and multiple hands. I also found it interesting how his ancestors were part of the trinity.

Mythology of Different Cultures. Source

I then went to mythology because the other class that Dr. Gibbs teaches is mythology. This is one class that I wish I would have taken. Mythology is so interesting to me.

Scripture from Parthenon - 440BC. Source

I then went to Ancient Greek because I think it would be fun to visit Greece. I have heard stories that the people are very friendly and the culture is so interesting. Also Greek mythology is great to read and learn about.

Homer. Source

I then went to Homer because he is one of the people that are well known in the western societies in terms of epics. He wrote the Iliad and The Odyssey, which two of my favorite epics of all time.

Wikipedia Trail from Rama to General Relativity

The links are in the corresponding image links. Pictures were taken from the Wikipedia page.

Rama. Source

I originally did Rama because the Ramayana was my favorite epic from the class. Rama was such a dynamic character. I love how he was Vishnu in human form.

Cosmology. Source

I went to cosmology next because I am an aerospace engineer. I love cosmology and anything related to space. The study of the subject itself is awesome.

Dark Energy Expansion. Source

I next went to dark energy because I learned a little bit about it in my astrodyamics class last semester. I still do not completely understand the concepts but it is an interesting aspect in the expansion of the universe. 

General Relativity. Source

I ended with general relativity because this was also an interesting topic in my astroynamics class. The theory itself is interesting and very dense. If interested, there are great YouTube videos to explain the theory.

Future Planning: Course Improvements

Change Review Weeks to Planning Weeks:
I believe that this would definitely be a big change to the class but I did not really follow my own schedule either. I did assignments when they were convenient (either days before or the morning of). I had kind of a crazy last semester in terms of time because I also had my capstone going on while trying to make relocation plans for after school and all that. So I definitely think that changing to planning weeks would be helpful for some but maybe not all.

Expand the Story Planning Option:
I used the story planning option and I loved it. Not only did it give me a chance to think about what I could write, a lot of the stories at the start went through 2 weeks. Therefore, it was nice being able to do all 4 reading notes before doing a story in case you were relating it to the story.

Create more audio recordings:
The audio recordings were excellent! The Indian Epics class had a lot of names that I would normally be unsure of how to pronounce but the audio recordings really helped with that! Also it is nice to have a story told to you at times!

Create writing tutorial videos:
I have a lot of writing errors in terms of grammar but I am unsure on how much I would actually watch the videos. Usually if I have a question about grammar or writing I just Google it.

Create thematic reading units:
I think these thematic stories would be great because I found myself often going back to similar styles that I have already read. If there are different themes then it could make the class have a broader perspective!

Tech Tip: Blog Profile

I removed my name from the blog post but not because I am trying to be secretive or embarrassed about my work. I personally just prefer my names not to be on things if it is not necessary on the internet. I feel like I have setup a decent online identity for myself for when I graduate. The only social media that I really use is LinkedIn and it looks professional. In the years to come I think it is just important for me to retain a professional identity and not to post unnecessary things, at least under my name.

Reading Notes: Peter Brook - Mahabharata Online Film, Part B

Gambling Match. Source

Peter Brook - Mahabharata, link to online film.

• Part B starts at the 53 minute mark and goes until the 1 hour and 38 minute mark
• Vishnu takes on human form and descends to play his role (some thought that he came down as Krishna)
• The Ganesha mask is removed from the character and it is Krishna
• Krishna is met by the Pandavas and Draupadi
• Krishna believes that Yudhishthira is the right choice for king
• Duryodhana gives the Pandavas part of the kingdom
• There is a war now and Duhshasana and Karna give advice on how to beat the Pandavas
• Bhishna will be loyal to Dhritarashtra and his sons in the war
• Gandhari's brother, Shakuni, arrives
• Duryodhana was telling Shakuni of his jealousy and anger towards the Pandavas
• Shakuni wants to play a game of dice and will win for Duryodhana
• Shakuni gets into a gambling match
• Shakuni is a known cheater and wins every roll
• Yudhishthira gambles all of his possessions
• Shakuni won everything from Yudhishthira after he gambled his brothers, he even staked himself
• Bhima vows to kill Duhshasana and drink his blood
• Draupadi vows that she will wash her hair in Duhshasana's blood and that Duryodhana will die from a blow to the thigh
• "This will be a terrible war" - Duryodhana to his father

Reading Notes: Peter Brook - Mahabharata Online Film, Part A

The Gods applauded Bhishma's act. Source

Peter Brook - Mahabharata, link to online film.

• Part A goes until the 53 minute mark
• A boy is wandering through a temple
• The boy sees Vyasa meditating
• Vyasa gives a poem 
• Ganesha is a scribe
• The birth of Satyavati is told by Vyasa
• Bhishma cannot become king
• Bhishma's son, Satyavati, will never be able to love a woman but in return, he can choose the time of his death
• Pandu becomes the king
• Pandu marries Kunti
• Pandu also marries Madri
• Dhritarashtra became the king as well
• Pandu wants children but cannot make love to his wife
• Kunti is caring to a sage and he grants her the gift of a Mantra
• Kunti's mantra can summon gods and when they leave, a baby is left with her
• Drona tests the archery skills
• Arjuna is a skilled archer that can focus well on the target
• Drona teaches Arjuna his archery skills, but if they ever come face to face then Ajruna must fight Drona and kill him

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Online Film, Part B

Sita with her twins, Kusha and Lava

Sita Sings the Blues, link to the online video

• Sita tells Rama she is pregnant. Meanwhile, a laundry man (a dhobi) beats his wife, accusing her of being unfaithful and comparing her to Sita
• To protect his reputation, Rama tells his brother Lakshmana to take Sita into the forest and abandon her. The narrators debate these events
• Sita, now very pregnant, sings the blues again. Lakshmana, weeping, takes her into the forest and abandons her
• Sita thinks it is karma from a past life that is bringing her grief. She would kill herself if she were not pregnant. Valmiki rescues her
• Sita sings the blues on the shore of the river
• She gives birth to twins, Lava and Kusha. From Valmiki, they learn to sing the praises of Rama
• Sita sings the blues again, looking at Rama's picture
• Rama hears the boys singing in the forest. He learns they are his sons, and they learn Rama is his father. He asks that Sita once again prove her purity
• Sita calls upon Mother Earth to prove her purity and take her back into the womb
• Sita sings about her love for Rama one last time, and then leaves them behind
• You see Chandra the moon god, Vishnu rubbing Lakshmi's feet