Growth Mindset - Keep Moving Forward

(Image source from cheezburger)

There has been this mindset I had been using since I started college. I recently had a conversation with my friend how close graduation was coming and school was coming to an end. This motto was, "There is no such thing as perfection, but the best version of yourself" and I still stand with it. I may not had made the perfect grades, have perfect attitude, or the most negative person, but I have to make the best of it. As my undergrad is wrapping up, I realized I can still better my grades after college, continuously improve my attitude, brighten my career, or stay creating a positive mindset. I am always learning about myself and I can always improve.

Extra Reading: The End of the World

Fruit Tree (image source from Wikipedia)

There was this little hare that sat under a fruit tree and thought, "What will happen to me when the earth comes to an end?" as the fruit fell from the tree. He got up and ran as fast as he could and not looking back. He called on his brother, "The earth is breaking to pieces!" and he started running faster and faster as other hares joined him. Hundred thousands of hare were running through the forest and deep into the jungles with other wild animals. The other animals like the elks, deers, boars, buffalos, oxen, tigers, elephants, and lions heard the earth was breaking. There was this wise lion noticed thousands of animals were running away because the earth was coming to an end. The lion asked who told them the earth was ending? The animals responded like the domino effect. The elephant said the lions saw it, the lions said the tigers saw it, the tigers said the rhinoceros saw it, the rhinoceros said the oxen saw it, the oxen said the buffalo saw it, and it went on. It ended at the little hare, who said the earth was breaking. The lion asked, what happened? The hare explained how he sat beneath a fruit tree and heard a noise of the earth breaking so he ran. The lion thought maybe a fruit fell, so he asked the hare to take him where the earth broke. They got back to the location and there was a fruit on the ground. The lion explained how the "noise" was the fruit falling off the tree.

Noor Inayat, The End of the World, Link

Writers Write: 9 Ways to Bring the Funny in Your Fiction

Dog Meme (image source from Wikipedia)

I realized it is very hard to be funny in my writing because I don't think I have a great sense of humor. I was reading an article, "9 Ways to Bring the Funny in Your Fiction" and I thought it was a pretty cool article. It talked about humor does not need to be invented, it just needs to be observed and ready to explain it to people. Anything can make you laugh, it is the way you present your story. Everyone has their own idea of creative writing and style. Another way to make your fiction funny were phrases, words, and sounds that are used in the story. A funny word can make people go nuts for the story. It is all about how your humor flows throughout the story. There is nothing to be afraid of when you are expressing yourself in the story. Comedy should not be a genre, but an element to your story that ties it altogether. It is part of the process when creating your stories. You just have to stay true to your style of writing and incorporate your own humor in it, then people will understand it.

9 Ways to Bring the Funny in Your Fiction, Dan Brotzel, Link

Reading notes: PDE The Guilty Dogs

Guard dogs (image source from Wikipedia)

One days there were a chariot of six white horses in the courtyard with harness. They were out there all night when it started to rain. The palace dogs decided they wanted to have fun andsaw the harness was wet and softened by the rain. The dogs snuck down to the court yard and bit the wet straps. They were playing it all night and eventually left before the sun came out. 

The stablemen yelled "The straps of the royal chariot, eaten!...destroyed!" and was scared to the King. When he told the king, he told him it was definitly the dogs that had been gnawing the straps. The King demanded to kill every dog in the city, all 700 hundred of them. 

But there was a dog that the chief loved and protected for and they were set out to find him too. The chief questioned and asked, "Why are you putting all the dogs in danger when they did not do anything wrong?" The King was furious for even questioning his order and wanted all the dogs to be blamed for. The chief explained how it is impossible for guard dogs to enter the palace and unreasonable to kill innocent dog. 

The chief told the King why would the city dogs be guilty and the palace dogs be innocent? He told him there was no justice in that. So the King asked the chief who was the guilty dogs and the chief responded saying, "The palace dogs". 

The chief fed the palace dogs kusa grass and buttermilk to eat. Soon after their meal, shreds of the harness and leather came out of their mouth. The guilty dogs were found.

Noor Inaya, The Guilty Dogs, Link

Story Week 13: The Turtle Who Talked Too Much

Turtles (image source from Wikipedia)

There was once a Turtle that lived up on the foot of a hill. There was two wild geese looking for food up around the hill and they found a turtle. This Turtle was a friendly and very talkative animal. The next day, the Geese visited the turtle again and soon became great friends.

One day, the Geese told the turtle they had a beautiful home far away and they were leaving tomorrow. They asked the turtle if he wanted to come along with them, to their home. The turtle explained, "How would I even get there? I can't even fly!"

The Geese responded back saying, "Oh, we will take you but you cannot talk this whole journey."
The turtle thought about it and agreed that he would go with them and not talk the whole way.

So the following day, the Geese came back with a stick and said, "You have to bite down the stick in the middle and do not say one word until we are home."

The Geese and the turtle were up flying and they saw so many different beautiful sceneries from the sky. Twenty minutes had passed by, they came by a village. There were kids playing around and spotted the Geese and Turtle. The kids laughed at the turtle because it was flying. They got a closer look and saw the Turtle gripping on a stick! They started laughing a little harder because the Turtle was not really flying, but biting down on a stick.

The turtle looked down and said "At least my friends can carry me to fly with them! What is your problem?"

Then turtle fell off the stick. R.I.P.

Author's Note: I rewrote the story, The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking. I did not change anything from the original story but wrote it in my own words. This Turtle should would not stop talking or be so defensive that he died. It was immature of him to want to fight back and care what the kids thought of him, and he suffered the consequences.

Ellen C. Babbitt, The Turtle Who Couldn't Stop Talking, Link

Reading Notes: PDE - Sati and Shiva

Shiva Mourns Sati (image source from Wikipedia)

In this reading, it talked about Sati being a consort for Shiva. Sati is the goddess Uma and the daughter of Daksha. When Shiva first saw Sati, he was impressed by her devotional practices and he wanted to marry her, but Daksha refused. Her father did not want Shiva to marry his daughter and always scorned at him. But Sati wanted to be with Shiva so she left riding on Nandi. Time went by, Daksha still continued on to insult Shiva. He just hated him so much and could not bear his daughter being with Shiva.

Sati decided to take matters in her own hands. She decided to cast herself into the fire and died. She wanted to be reborn as a daughter for a father that was worthy of her. When she casted herself, a huge fight came between Shiva's attendants and the demons loyal to Daksha. Shiva's attendants retreated to Mount Kailash to inform Shiva what had happened. Shiva was so furious that he knew he had to take matters in his own hand.

Shiva pulled out a single clump of his hair and created Virabhadra and Mahakali to attack Daksha.

Another fight broke out when Indra helped defend Daksha from Virabhadra and Mahakali. Vishnu also attacked Virabhadra but couldn't stop him. Virabhadra ended up tearing Daksha's head off and threw it in the sacrificial fire. Vishnua and Brahma convinced Shiva to revive Daksha to complete the sacrifice, but he would have a head of a goat.

Meanwhile, Sati was reborn as Parvati so she can be Shiva's consort again.

Kamala Chandrakant, Sati and Shiva, Link

Lab: Writers Write- All About The Romance Writing Genre

Romance Book (image source from Max Pixel)

When reading different genres, romance is the highest mass-market novels to read. And I definitely agree because I crave for a satisfying endings! Romance genre are usually built up by two people with desire, idealism, or sexual tension. The author usually keeps the two lovers apart, but they both end up together.

Most romance novels tend to be short around 200 pages or 55000 words. These book only get a limited amount of copies imprinted each month. Publishers usually have strict guidelines on new books. In Romance Writers of America, the industry is worth around $1.08 billion dollars per year. It's almost a third larger than mystery novel genre and life books in the market combined.

In romance books, there are so many different sub-genres. It can include paranormal, contemporary, time-travel, erotic, gothic, inspirational, suspense, or fantasy. I think one of my favorite romance are inspirational ones. I like to learn life lessons with romance books because it might help me in life. I tend to like genres that is uplifting and it relates to reality.

Amanda Patterson, All About The Romance Writing Genre, Link

Reading Notes: PDE Hanuman Returns to Rama

Hanuman and Sita (image source from Wikipedia)

Hanuman was worried that Sita lost her life in the fire. He felt like he had failed to bring her back to Rama, but he thought she might have lived. He thought, she could have been saved by her own virtue. He went back to the Asoka tree and found her seated there. He greats her and spoke of Rama how he is there so rescue him.

Flourishing through the sky, he found Sita. There were other monkeys flying around and brought Hanuman fruits and roots to eat. Hanuman reported all that he had done to Angada and Jambavan. While the monkey hosted around there on Mahendra’s summit. When all that had been told, Angada said, “Our work is done, and the time has come for us to return to Sugriva without delay.” All the monkeys left in the sky, roaring through the clouds. Angada met with Rama and told him the work Hanuman had done for Sita.

Rama talk’s with Hanuman and asks him all these questions about Sita. Hanuman explains how she gave him the crow message and painted brow-spot then showed him the jewel from Sita’s hair. It was all signs of entrusting Hanuman to get the message to Rama. Rama was happy but still in grief. He was glad that she was still alive, and that Hanuman found her. Rama felt so grateful for Hanuman for doing more than what is required of him to do. Hanuman explained he has done his work and cannot do anymore service in return.


Sister Nivedita, Hanuman Returns to Rama, Link

Teach Tip: Word Count

(image source from cheezburger)

I saw that we could use word count on chrome by installing the extension and I found this tool useful because it is what I use! But usually, when I am feeling lazy, which is most of the time, I just type everything out on Microsoft Words because it automatically saves. Even if I do lose the document, it will automatically recover. Usually when I write my blog comments/feedback/stories, I use Words because it is a lot more convenient! Mainly because it is what I'm used to. And if you highlight it on word, it will show you specifically what you highlighted. Word Counter for Chrome is really convenient, but so is Microsoft Words!

Growth Mindset: Feedback

Trying to Understand (cheezburger)

When giving feedback, I should never be biased. I always read the whole thing before I critique it and try to understand it from their perspective. When I give feedback, I always try to be positive because there is no need for negativity. Everyone has their own creative writing, different levels of writing, and their own purpose for writing. When giving critiques, it should not be judgmental and mean. Feedbacks are about asking questions to understand, giving critiques to better their posts, and sharing your thoughts. It's mainly looking for red flags and helping others to better their projects.

Deborah Maue, Giving Creative Feeback, Link

Reading Notes: Hanuman Speaks with Sita

Hanuman (image source from Wikipedia)

Sita, known to be Rama's wife, had been kidnapped by Ravana. He tried to convince her stay and she would be full of wealth, power, and comfort with him- but she denied Ravana. He was infuriated with her rejection, so he gave her a two-month term to give her a choice to choose. If she did not choose correctly, she would be tortured and killed. Once he told her the terms, he left her with his guards and preceded to return to his other wives. Sita is horrified what had happened and hopes for Rama to save her.

There was this monkey name Hanuman, who hid in trees, but known to be loyal to Rama. He travels across the land and forrest, and climb up trees. Hanuman had been up in the trees, eyeing at Sita. He's been trying to be very secretive so no one could notice him or the guards surrounding Sita. He caught Sita's attention when she looked up in the tree, then he came down. Hanuman explained who he was and he told Hanuman who she was then wanted to know where and how was Rama. He explained how Rama has befallen and trying to find her. Hanuman tried to persuade her that he was Rama's friend so gain her trust. When Sita got a closer look at Hanuman, she was scared that it was Ravana in disguise. Hanuman asked her to leave with him so he can get her back to Rama, but she didn't believe him.

Sita said she was sorry and glad that Rama's was okay, but if he was to save her, he would do it. She gave Hanuman a piece of jewelry to bring back to Rama and Lakshman. She also told him a story about their adventures with a crow that only her and Rama knows. Sita did all of this in hopes of Rama and Lakshman to save her.

Hanuman listened, took the items, and bowed his head as he left to find Rama.

Sister Nivedita, Hanuman Speaks with Sita, Link

Week 11 Story: Destrier the Horse

Seven Horses (image source from Wikipedia)

In every life, the Buddha comes in different life forms. It can be an elephant, pig, or a monkey. But in this life, it was a horse. The horse was named Destrier owned by the King of Benares. The horse was the King's most prized possession. The horse food was fed in gold dishes that was worth thousand pieces of money. The stalls the horse lived in was perfumed with different special odors. His stalls were hung crimson curtains with canopy studded gold stars. Walls were surrounded by fragrant flowers with a lamp burning scented oil. 

All the kings greatly envied the kingdom of Benares. The seven kings that gathered up against the kingdom, threatened the King saying, "Either yield up your kingdom to us or give battle."

King of Benares gathered his ministers and said, "You better not go out there and fight them head one. Notify to the Knight to fight the kings, if he fails, we will decide what to do,"

The King sent the Knight on the battle and the Knight had one request, "I need Destrier to defeat the seven kings. He will bring us glory." The King agreed and sent Destrier out with the Knight into the battle. 

Out in the battle field, the Knight and Destrier were both armored from head to toe. The Knight was on the horse, gripping his sword tightly and ready to battle. As Destrier charged into the field, they kidnapped one king. They brought one of the king back into the kingdom's prisoner and kept him into custody. Next, they kidnapped the second king and bringing him back to prison. And it happened continuously until the sixth king. They kidnapped the sixth king back to prison, but Destrier was heavily injured. 

The horse was streaming with blood and wounds, which caused him great injuries. The Knight made the horse rest and to forfeit since he was in severe pain. The horse did not want to give up. Destrier said, "We are almost winning. We just need to get the seventh king and they will lose. I do not want to waste everything I had accomplished. Let me finish this." The Knight did not want to put him into more pain but he cannot refuse the horses's dying wish. 

They both got onto their feet and captured the seventh king. Once the seventh king was captured and into prison, the Knight took the horse to the King's gate. The horse told the king, "Lead with justice, truth, and honor. Continue on to do charity work and rule the kingdom in righteousness." The horse passed away. And the King honored the horse by burying his body with great honors.

The King released the seven kings and said, "You will be making an oath to never come back to my Kingdom and threaten us." 

Author's note:

I did not change anything up in the original story, I told the story again in my own words. The characters, plot, and setting is the same. 

Marie L. Shedlock, The Horse That Held Out to the End, Link

Reading Notes: PDE The Wise Physician - Part D

Herbs (image source from Wikipedia)

Kisagotami was married to a wealthy man. She had one son and when the beautiful boy ran, he died. The young girl carried her dead child in her bosom and went house to house asking for medicine for him. The Buddhist mendicant thought she did not understand. He said, there is no such thing as good mood she asked for, but there is one Buddha that could give you medicine.

She went to Gautama and show her respect then said, "Lord and Master, do you know any medicine that will be good for my child?"

He responded he knows of some. It was custom that the patient had to provide herbs for the doctor. He asked for mustard-seed herbs that must come from houses that has no son, or husband, or parent, or slave has died. She went on carrying her dead child around the neighborhood and asking her friends if anyone sons or husband or parent or slave died in there. They all yelled at her saying how could she ask such a foul thing.

Finally, not a single household where no one had died and began to clear her mind. She left her child'd dead body in the forrest and returned to the Buddha for homage. He asked if she found her mustard seed and she said no. She explains how the people living are a few but the dead are many. The Buddha explained how the essential part of his system is the impermanency of all things until all her thoughts were cleared away. Then she would accept herself and become a disciple and enter the first Path.

Marie L. Shedlock, The Wise Physician, Link

Reading notes: PDE How the Antelope Was Caught - Part C

Antelope (Image source from Wikipedia)

King of Benares had a gardener named Sanjaya, who plucked various fruits and flowers for the King. One day, an antelope came to the garden and ran away as soon as it saw Sanjaya. Later on, it came back and started walking through the garden.

The next day, the King asked the gardener if he saw anything strange that happened recenetly. The gardener said he only saw an antelope wandering around occasionally. So, the King asked if the gardener could catch it and bring it inside the palace.

The gardener requested honey to lure the antelope to get inside the palace, so the king gave the gardener honey. The gardener spread the honey around the grass where the antelope hides itself and runs around. When the antelope came, it ate the honey-smeared grass. Every time the antelope saw the gardener, it ran away. Eventually, the antelope kept coming back to eat the honey and grew confidence around Sanjaya. When Sanjaya figured out the antelope grew confidence around him, he made a path that led to the palace surrounding it with thick branches then covering it. It hung a gourdfuls of honey over his shoulder, carried a bunch of grass at his waist, then kept sprinkling honey-smeared grass in front of the antelope until they were at the palace.

Once the deer got inside, the doors were slammed shut. The antelope saw the men and began to panic and ran around the halls. The King came down and saw what was happening and knew he could not keep the antelope. It has become accustomed to the outside world where it runs around and becomes easily frightened.

The King released the antelope to go back in the forrest.

Marie L. Shedlock, How the Antelope Was Caught, Link

Learning Challenge: Reading Out Loud

Image source from Wikipedia

Reading out loud makes a huge difference in your reading than silent reading. I know when I am reading silently in my brain, it goes by really quick. Mostly because I read really fast. I do not realize the small errors in my writing unless I read it out loud usually. I know when I am writing, I usually get in the zone and just pour out all my thoughts. It keeps going and going-just like how rain keeps raining until it’s time to stop. Also, when writing, I tend to write redundantly because of my fast thinking and writing. I would keep repeating words in my head then it pours out onto my writing. Reading out loud also helps me catch grammatical errors. There are things you cannot catch silently unless you read it out loud. Not only it has to look grammatically correct, but also sounding grammatically correct.