Feedback Strategies

Well, We Are Working On Becoming Better Writers

In a post by Gravity Goldberg titled, "Be a Mirror: Give Readers Feedback That Fosters A Growth Mindset," she talks of very useful strategies on providing feedback. I honestly wish my previous teachers had used this approach as I was learning to become a better, stronger writer. I have always felt that my writing was never good, no matter how many hours I spent writing, revising, and proofreading, and having others revise, I was never able to include everything that the teachers' wanted. I really liked how she was emphasizing the idea of learning the habits and writing styles of students and building on what is there. Showing how writers can improve with what they have instead of trying to get them to do something that is not there, which I completely agree with. She does say you can't change what you can't see in a mirror, power to people who think like that, my papers would probably have had much better grades if my teachers thought that way. Overall, I loved this article and I definitely will be taking from her to provide feedback on what is there and focus more on what the writer has done.

In the blog post by Laura Gibbs, "How to Craft Constructive Feedback," there are strategies that are great for providing feedback to any type of writing really. The three components: observe, describe, and critique, are very important things to keep in mind about providing feedback. I know sometimes I am at a loss for how to provide useful feedback to someone. Feedback for a long time to me meant checking for grammatical errors, syntax, and places that need to be more clearly written. One thing I have learned over the years is the more you practice providing feedback, the better you get with your own writing, because unconsciously you avoid making similar mistakes that you have corrected others for, at least for me that has helped. I have saved this article under my favorite's tab, so I have something as a guideline to follow when providing good feedback.

Topic Research: Navratri

Hello everyone!

Today I am going to expand on my topic of Navratri, which is festival in the Hindu religion celebrating the goddess Durga. Before we dive into this topic some key things to remember about Hinduism is that it is polytheistic, many of the religious festivals are based on the lunar calendar, and also that within Hinduism there are many ways to practice the religion.

Navratri:

• 9 day celebration
• significance of each day is based on the 9 avatars of Maa Durga
• Day 1: Sahilaputri
• means daughter of the mountain, since it is said that she was born in a house of the King of the Mountains
• She embodies the powers of Bhrama, Vishnu, and Shiva. She is portrayed riding a pull with a trident in one hand and a lotus in the other. In her previous birth she was the daughter of Daksha, who insulted her husband Shiva. Sati, Daughter of Daksha, couldn't witness her husband getting insulted and she stepped into the fire, gods were forced to bow down to her sacrifice. 
• Day 2: Brahmacharini
• shown in white clothes with a mala and jal kamandal
• female student living in an ashram under the guidance of Guru
• practicing devote austerity
• she is the provider of peace, happiness, and prosperity
• Day 3: Chandraghanta
• third eye always open "half-moon"
• Prepared for battle any time
• rewards people with her bravery, courage, and grace
• Day 4: Kushmunda
• improves health and bestows wealth and strength
• created universe through laughter and made it verdant with vegetation
• Day 5: Skandamata
• mother of Skanda, or Karthikeya
• she holds the infant in her hands, while on the lion
• Karthikeya was commander-in-chief deemed by the Gods
• Day 6: Katyayani
• daughter of Katyayani Rishi
• the gods each gave her a weapon 
• Day 7: Kalratri
• considered the goddess's fiercest form 
• disheveled hair, dark complexion, three bight eyes, exhaling flames
• destroyer of all demons and spirits
• Day 8: Maha Gauri
• intelligent, peaceful, calm
• her complexion became dark, while she was performing austerities in the Himalyas, Shiva pours Ganga Jal on her and her lighter complexion is back
• Day 9: Siddhidhatri
• fulfills all the aspirations of those that have worshiped her fully for the nine day

There are 4 Navratris, but only two are celebrated by majority of India; the other two are celebrated by only certain regions. The two big Navratri are once a year: once at the beginning of the year called Chaitri Navratri, and once at the end of the year called Sharada Navratri. 

Many people tend to fast for the nine days, meaning not eating, wheat or white flour products, salt, rice, and other items.

There are different regional celebrations of the festival based on the culture, traditions, and interpretation of the texts relating to Maa Durga. 

Since there are many regional variances in Navratri, I was thinking of doing sort of a travel blog, gossip girl style postings, or tell the festival from the eyes of a well versed Sage... I'm looking into other possibilities, so I am not sure yet of, which style I like and want to venture with. Earlier in the semester I had looked into three different stories and liked all three of the styles, but more is yet to come on that. 

Some places I really want to see the different portrayals of Navratri include, regions of America, London, regions of India, Australia possibly, and Africa. 

I also plan to relate the celebration with different foods, places, and other related Gods and Goddesses. 

Garba in London

Garba in Gujarat

Week 3 Story: The Rakshasas of Texas Continued

King Janak finds Sita in the furrow

Here is The Rakshasas of Texas continued, if you haven't read my week 2 post you may be a little lost. No worries skim through my first story post and then this week's will make more sense.

Daddy: "Hey princess! What do you want to listen to today?" 

Little 6 year old: "Will tell me more about Gibbs?"

Daddy: "Oh, let's see, where did we leave off last week?"

Little 6 year old: "Oh daddy it was that part about the sage cursing the Rakshasas."

Daddy: "Oh yes, okay let me tell you a little more about Gibbs and her previous birth. Many centuries ago during the time of kings and queens, there were two well known kingdoms Janakpuri and Kosala. King Dasharatha ruled over the kingdom of Kosala, while King Janak ruled over Janakpuri. King Dashratha had 4 sons, Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna. These four sons were born after many prayers and yagnas being held, they all were the heart and soul of all of Ayodhya, especially Rama. King D had 3 wives and all of them got along so well that they never thought of each other's sons anything less than their own. Under the wing of Sage Viswamithra Rama and Lakshmana are taken to Janakpuri where it is love at first site for Ram and Sita. 

Sita, was the daughter of Earth, she was found in the furrow of a field being plowed. King Janak took her in and raised her as his known. He knew she was special and after numerous attempts in trying to find a suitable groom, King Janak decreed that whomever could bend, string, and pull the ancestral bow of Shiva shall be the groom of Sita."

Little 6 year old: "Wow daddy are you going to do that for my wedding?"

Daddy: "Honey, remember when I said many centuries ago, we have different traditions now. Now, let's get back to the bow. In an attempt to find the groom a competition was held and lucky for King J, the sage had decided long ago that Rama and Lakshmana would be taken to this event. Okay, listen to this, we are now in the court of King J, in comes Ram and his brother along with sage. Everyone is amazed by the beauty of the two brothers, but listen to me and hear how respectful Ram is. Before taking a chance at the bow on King J's insistence, but he asks Sage Viswamithra for permission to proceed. As fast as the speed of light Ram had strung the bow, but with a few seconds the bow breaks. In come Sita and her sister to congratulate Ram of winning the competition. The four brothers married the four daughters of King Janak and left for home after having a huge wedding with elephants, horses, and thousands of guests. Back home everyone ecstatic at hearing that Ram's coronation is soon. 

But you know so people become jealous and that is not good. There was this one lady in particular who went around turning good people evil. 

Little 6 year old: "What's her name?"

Daddy: "She was called Kooni, but her real name is Manthra. She really was not that bad, but money, power, and ego can all make a person do bad things. Because of her one day Ram was told to live in the forest for 14 years, with Ram went his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. Sita, a girl who grew up in a palace, playing with dolls and her sisters in the palace garden like you do. She lived with air conditioning at home and had a pretty horse too. But she stood by her husband's side and took on the life of a person with nothing. You know how I showed you those poor people living in the mud and grass houses?"

Little 6 year old: "Yeah! You said that was how Sitama lived with Ram and Lakshman."

Daddy: "You remember, Sita never once complained about the troubles, she learned to adapt."

Little 6 year old: "What does adapt mean?"

Daddy: "Adapt means that you fit in anywhere, you change and learn to mix with any situation you are in. Sita was the daughter of Earth and was born to assist Ram in his quest to kill the Rakshasas of Lanka."

To be continued...

Authors note: I chose to continue the original story from my first story post, but this time I chose to bring the the history behind Gibbs. Since we are reading the Ramayana right now I wanted to portray Gibbs as the reincarnation of Sita so I wanted to start from the beginning and make Sita the main character by emphasizing her characteristics that make her the daughter of Earth. N.K. Narayan's version of the Ramayan is very similar to the my narration above, except he does not mention King J having other daughters except Sita, and I chose to omit the parts King D dying, the city in deep sorrow from the loss of Rama and how Bharat refuses the throne. I also did not include the stories that Sage Viswamithra about Thatka, Mahabali, Ganga, and Ahalya.

Bibliography. Ramayana by N.K. Narayan, online pdf.

Reading Notes 3.1 Ramayana, Part B

Reading Notes Continued..

• Sumantra and followers are at the banks of the Saryu
• Night has fallen, the followers are sound asleep, the three travel the river in the night to reach the other side of the bank
• Sumantra is back at palace, D is constantly asking if Rama's here...D dies upon hearing RSL's departure
• Bharat is summoned back, Mom explains everything including her two revived promises
• Bharat follows Ram to Chitrakuta, begging him to return 
• Ram says fulfilling exile is what he will do because his father had said so 
• Bharat takes Ram's sandals and places them on the throne, he rules as regent from a nearby village called Nandigram, and declaring not to return to Ayodhya until Ram comes back

Oh the life in the Jungle 

• Ram moves further into the forest in the fear that the people of the kingdom will follow them
• They come across numerous sages one of them being Athri and Anusuya, who adorns Sita with clothing and jewels
• On the way to Panchvati (On the banks of the Godavari river in the Dandaka forest), they came across Jatayu, a Great Eagle, a great friend of D
• Jatayu takes it upon himself to protect the RSL

Sister of Ravana

• Near their dwelling an interesting woman comes, Kamavalli (aka Shurpanakha), Ravana's sis
• she says she's rejected the demon way of life... her looks are the result of her families wrongdoings
• she's come to seek his help..she wants him to marry her
• Kama is royally jealous of Sita, telling Ram that her beauty is fake and she is a shifter
• Dandaka forest is Kama's assigned domain
• Ram closes the door on Kama's face, rejection stings, Kama can't sleep the whole night
• Laksh stops the potential abduction of Sita, he mutilates Kama, cutting off her nose, ears, and breasts
• Kara, one of Ravana's step-brothers, protected Shurpanakha, so Kara led an army to feast on the blood of the brothers and bring back the gal...Ram wins, Shurpa flees to Lanka and tells Ravana of the incidence

Ravana's Court

• Vayu = god of wind
• Yama = god of death
• Sage Narada
• Gurus = Brihaspathi and Sukracharya 
• Shurpa arrives twists the story to suit Ravana, says she went to get Sita as a present for him
• Ravana is madly in love with the description of Sita, nothing will rid him of the restlessness he's feeling

Mareecha

• meditating in a cave 
• tried to kill Ram twice, once to avenge mom, Thataka's death 
• Ravan has come to him for help in snatching Sita
• Mareecha says NO initially and becomes part of Ravan's part...he is to become the golden deer to draw Sita out

The trick 

• Mareech has taken on the form of the golden deer, Sita sees it and wants it
• Laksh is skeptical for it may be an illusion 
• Ram goes on the hunt, he figures out he's being duped, but before he could finish off Mareech, Mareech cries for help as Ram causing Sita to panic and insist on Laksh going into the forest, making him break his brother's direct order leaving Sita alone and unguarded

Bibliography. Ramayana by N.K. Narayan, online pdf.

Mareecha aka the golden deer

Reading Notes 3.1 Ramayana, Part A

The Ramayana is a very well written text, in which many interpretations can come about depending upon the version you are reading. These notes I am focusing on key characters, locations, and important events in the first part of the reading.

The book starts off with the description of Ayodhya, which is located in the beautiful country of Kosala. Back then there were kings and queens who ruled over countries, presiding over country was King Dasaratha, who lived in a palace in Ayodhya.

King Dasharatha

• Ruler of the kingdom of Koshala
• strong and powerful, loved by his people 
• life of sorrow, no sons from any of the three wives
• King of Solar dynasty

Sage Vasishtha

• The guru of King Dasharatha 
• offers insight to Dasharatha on his question to what to do to bless his family with children
• tells king to perform a yagna, Rishya Sringa will provide the blessings

The birth of the 4 sons: Rama, Bharatha, Lakshmana, and Sathrugna

• birth from the sacred rice that came out of the flame from the yagna

Arrival of Viswamithra

• Once a king turned sage
• Wants to take Rama to fight in his battle with the demons who are disrupting holy sacrifices
• initially father refuses
• no chariot to take the prince to the final destination
• Lakshmana to accompany 
• bewilderment and distress on the faces of the two princes, their leader gave them a mantra "Bala" and "Adi-Bala" (this transformed the arid atmosphere to a cool breeze. 

Thataka's Story

• daughter of Suketha, a yaksha, a demigod
• husband got cursed by Agasthya, because he was ultimately causing destruction
• wife and kids furious at Agasthya, they also get cursed by him...said they will become asuras 
• sons leave to seek out other superdemons, mom left alone
• V tells Ram to kill Thatka

Mahabali's Story

• another one of V's story
• Mahabali seizes earth and heaven, gods beg Vishnu during his meditation time
• Vishnu is born in a brahmin fam 
• Vishnu's third step presses Mahabali down to the netherworld

- Sons of Thataka arrive at the yagna site to avenge mother's death, both unsuccessful

- now to Mithila City, home of King Janaka

Ganga's Story

• comes from the Himalayas
• Sakara, one of Ram's ancestors, wanted to do a horse sacrifice, in order to expand his kingdom, causing the gods to worry, thus when Sakara's horse was abducted by Indra to the deepest world underground behind a meditating Sage Kapila
• Sons dig and find the horse, tormented sage, but sage burns them with his eyes
• 1 grandson survives, Bhagiratha, prayed for thousands of years for salvation of his ancestors and with the help of Shiva he brought the Ganga down to earth and Shiva took the impact on his head and now the stream flows from his head

Ahalya's Story

• Brahma's creation 
• grown under the watchful eye of Gautama, later her husband, but that did not end Indra's infatuation with her beauty. 
• Indra = rooster, sleeps with Ahalya, she realizes 1/2 way that he's an impostor, but too late, G is back and he curses Indra with female parts all over his body (later they become eyes) and Ahalya to become stone until Ram comes by

The Wedding 

• Sita and Ram, it's literally love at first sight!
• The city is decorated ornately
• They are the reincarnations of Vishnu and Lakshmi
• The swayamvar competition begins...whoever could lift, bend, and string the bow of Vishnu shall have Sita's hand in marriage
• Sita = gift of Mother Earth, found in furrow of field
• the city is overjoyed, wedding bells are ringing in the near future
• The groom's family has arrived and in style with the whole entourage
• the other 3 bros find brides in Mithila

Promises, the day and age where they actually meant something

• King realizes he's getting old, very fast announcements to be sent out stating Ram's coronation
• Bharat and Shatrughn are at Kaikeyi's parents's home
• Kooni = Manthra = evil maid of Kaikeyi fills bad thoughts into Kaikeyi's head about Ram shouldn't be king, it's stealing what Bharat could have
• Kaikeyi had a mind with very good thoughts, but in comes Manthra to throws poison in
• 2 promises that D promised to Kaikeyi are back, she now asks for the boons
• banish Ram to the forests for 14 years
• Crown Bharat
• everybody is distraught by Ram leaving, Lakshmana and Sita accompany him even when Ram insisted not to 
• D is completely devastated by Kaikeyi's request
• D tells Kausalya why this is happening... one day when D was in the forest he shot a human thinking it was an elephant and the blind parents died upon learning their son died, but not before they cursed the killer
• mass chaos ensued around the kingdoms 

Bibliography. Ramayana by N.K. Narayan, online pdf. 

The bow breaks under Ram's strength