Week 9 Story: Revenge of the Fallen

 Author's note:

I got an idea for this story after reading the C. A. Kincaid's version of the Mahabharata where the story is told in an Indian hero epic style. The story includes many buildups for a final battle that I really wanted to include in my own story. This is just the first half of the story I plan on writing. I have a good idea of where I want to take this story with some twists and superpowers as well (Greek mythology stuff maybe). Family betrayal is one of the oldest conflicts in the book and I wanted a brotherly rivalry that ends in death in my story. I hope to continue on my story after getting some feedback on it. 

Story Source: C. A. Kincaid http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide%3A%20Kincaid.%20Mahabharata

(Image Information: Brothers fight; https://elllo.org/learn/eng/L02-beginner-23-GregTodd-Brothers.htm)

Revenge of the Fallen

It had been two long years since the treacherous night the kingdom was taken over by the traitor, Raul. Being the younger brother of the former king, Rosinante, Raul grew his strength and army quietly for years under the protection of the king. Having a history of malicious behavior starting at a young age, Raul planned to overtake the kingdom to serve him for years. Much has changed in the kingdom under the tyranny of Raul; countless starving people on the streets, corrupt king and his servants living off the blood and sweat of the people, and much more. However, what Raul did not know was that King Rosinante and his five loyal knights were still alive in a nearby mountain, hoping to take over the kingdom one day.

“It’s already been two years…” whispered the King to himself.

King Rosinante and the five loyal knights have been preparing the past years to take the kingdom back. As they were only six men total against an entire army, they knew they had to be smart with the preparations.

“The one thing we have is the element of surprise. As far as my younger brother knows, we are all dead. It’s been two years, I do not think Raul still has us in the back of his mind. We attack tomorrow at sundown.” said King Rosinante to his knights.

Though they were just six men, the five loyal knights were once the most feared men in all of the kingdom. The king also had a reputation of defeating countless men in battle. Knowing what they are capable of doing themselves, the knights and the king was confident in taking the kingdom back as long as they could catch Raul and his men off guard.

The next day came, and the preparations were set. The king and his knights made their move and climbed over the castle wall as the sun was going down. However, when they climbed over the wall, ahead of them stood an entire army of Raul’s soldiers.

“Welcome brother! Long time no see!” shouted Raul from behind his army.

“But how?! You’re not suppose to know that I’m alive!” the king shouted confused.

“Well maybe one of your “loyal” knights isn’t so loyal. We knew of your survival from the day I took over this kingdom. We’ve been preparing for your invasion for the last two years! Now come, I will gladly put you all out of your miseries!” shouted Raul as he raised his sword.

-To be continued

Reading Notes: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City Part B

C. A. Kincaid: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City

http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/05/reading-guide-week-1-kincaid-mahabharata.html

(Image Information: 18 Days of The Mahabharata War - Summary of the War; https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/)

-After twelve long years of hiding and living in the forest, the Pandavas made plans to spend a year in disguise at the court of King Virata. As Yudhishthira learned the art of gambling and disguised himself as Kanka, a gambler.

-After the year is almost over, Kichaka, Queen sudeshna's brother, begged her to send the beautiful maid to him and tries to rape her also. When Bhima finds out, he makes a promise to take revenge and after taking Draupadi's spot in the dark, he crushed Kichka to death and rolled his corpse up into a ball. Yikes. 

-At the end of the exile, the people wanted to burn the Sairandhri on Kickaka's funeral pyre. After learning from King Susharma of Trigarta that Kichka is dead, Duryodhana decides to attack King Virata.

-The song of Virata, Prince Utara took Brihannala to be his charioteer, and Brihannala made Uttara get the weapons back. After putting on his armor, Karna rode out to confront the chariot and they dueled. Both were injured but alive. 

-For the great battle to come, Yudhisthira and his brothers start to prepare for war. Using, shikhandi, a soldier who wore women's clothes as Shikhandin is a born woman who changes gender, Arjuna is able to injure Bhishma enough to make him retire from the battle and await death lying on a bed of arrows.

-Bhisma's mother, the goddess ganga, sent swans to warn Bhisma in order to delay his death until the solstice, with a truce in the fighting until his death.

-The Kaurava survivors (Aswatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman), raided the Pandava camp in the night and slayed Dhrishtadyumna and all the Pandava army except for Yudhisthira,  all his brothers, and Krishna.

-Every one of Draupadi's sons are now dead and Abhimanyu is dead as well along with hundreds of sons of Dhritarashtra.

In my next story, I will be focused on writing a build up for a big major event that happens in the story just like the battle in Mahabharata. Really enjoyed the way this story was written, especially the way the stories made the characters seem like war hero characters. That certainly made it easier for me to read the story. 

Reading Notes: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City Part A

 C. A Kincaid: The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City 

http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2014/05/reading-guide-week-1-kincaid-mahabharata.html

(Image Information: Bhima and Hidimba; https://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/indian_mythology_stories/bhima_and_hidimba.htm)

-A long time ago, there existed a king named Vichitravirya in Hastinapura long after the reign of King Bharata. He had two sons: Dhritarashtra, the older and blind son, and his brother Pandu, who became the next king. 

-The teacher of the two boys were named Drona and the Pandavas were his best students and aroused the jealousy of Duryodhana.

-Duryodhana grew even more jealous when his father decided that Yudhishthira would be the heir to his throne, which caused Duryodhana to make a plot to kill the Pandavas and the mother, Kunti.

-After finding out Duryodhana's plot to kill and take over, Vidura who is the half-brother of Pandu and Dhritarashtra warned the Pandavas and they escaped the first through a hidden tunnel. 

-The Pandavas and Kunti ran away to the forest disguised as brahmins but as Bhima watched over the members of his family sleeping, the monster Hidimba and his sister Hibimbi made a plan to eat them. However, Hidimbi falls in love with Bhima when she sees him. She warns Bhima about her brother and Bhima fights with Hidimba and kills him. 

-Duryodhana learns that the Pandavas are still well and alive and that they are allied with King Drupada. Bhishma who is the son of King Shantanu and the goddess Ganga, urged Duryodhana to make peace with the Pandavas. 

-When Yudhishthira realized that he is not a match for Shakuni and he could not refuse, he lost everything including his brothers, himself, and even Draupadi. 

-King Dhritarashtra grans Draupadi a boon and asks that he free Yudhishthira. He granted her another boon which she asked for the freedom of Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. 

I chose this version as it is a lively and exciting version of the Mahabharata with a focus on the Pandavas as epic heroes. It was extremely easier to read and comprehend the storyline as the names were still confusing, but a hero epic story is always an easier read when it is written focused on the main heroes in action. 

Wikipedia Trail from Waco, TX to Waco Siege

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco%2C_Texas

-I first thought of this city when I was talking to my friends about Baylor University and their football team. I searched up Waco in Wikipedia then thought of the Waco Siege.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Carmel_Center

-Mount Carmel Center was a large compound used by the Brand Davidians religious group during the Waco Siege.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh

-David Koresh was the American cult leader who played a central role in the Waco Siege.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_siege

-Waco Siege was the law enforcement siege of the compound that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians lead by David Koresh. 

(Image Information: David Koresh in 1987; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh)

Learning Challenge: HEART

 Nothing makes me happier than looking at my schedule and seeing all the work crossed out and having that moment of relief. This week, I really want to finish all the work assignments for Week 5 on that due date, rather than having to use the grace period the next morning. I have been doing a lot better with my time management as my mother is doing better and I have more time to stay here in Norman to get work done. So, my goal this week is to get all assignments and extra credit assignments before the grace period which has been interfering with my work in the morning. 

(Image Information: Are we Living in a Post-Happiness World?; https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/28/sunday-review/joy-happiness-life.html)

Microfiction

Little Gnomeo

There once was a high school Freshmen student named, Johnny. Johnny was an A+ student who was involved in numbers of extracurricular activities. One day, Johnny and his friend, Ray, were hanging out and were invited to a party that night. Having never drank alcohol before, Johnny was incoherently drunk when the cops showed up to bust the party later that night. Johnny began to run, but was caught up quickly by the police car. When the police officers got out to chase him, he began running around them in a circle in order to avoid them. However, being so drunk, Johnny thought he could hide in a front yard of a house nearby and pose as a garden gnome. Johnny said to the police after crouching down in front of the house, "You can't see me, I'm a gnome.' The cops then tackled Johnny and Johnny was arrested. 

Tweet:

Me being a lifeguard: *Blows whistle* alright everyone out of the pool, I just saw lightning

dude swimming: *continues to swim and pretends not to hear*

Me: hey man get out

dude swimming: *continues to ignore*

...

dude swimming gets fried in the water by lightning

Author's Note:

So the first story may sound bizarre and childish. However, this is a story of how I, myself, got in trouble with the law for the first time in my life back in Freshmen year of high school. It is actually a much longer and funnier story when told in person but since it was a microfiction, I decided to keep the length to a minimum. I actually have been thinking about implementing this story for my next project. I think people will find it interesting and it's sometimes good to read about other people's drunk mistakes. The tweet was thought out when I remembered the times as a lifeguard in high school. Man, were some people just so stubborn. If a lifeguard sees that a storm is coming in and lightnings are all over the sky, then you should probably exit the pool. 

(Image Information: Personal Photo of my roommate, Ben, when I went to visit him at his internship in Houston; photo taken July 2020)

Week 8 Progress

 Looking back, I am not too happy with my progress. I have not been able to complete part of my projects and I am currently missing a lot of points. In order to get back in track, I will have to complete every bonus assignments from here on out. Looking forward, I will complete every weekly assignment and also the bonus assignments on Sundays. Though I have been juggling life between family, job and school, but I realize that it is my responsibility to take care of my grades. 

(Image Information: Roger Federer: Transformation of a Tennis Star; https://www.thedailybeast.com/roger-federer-transformation-of-a-tennis-star)

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

 Overall, the quality of the comments and feedback have been great as everyone has been so caring and nice about them. The comments have been very encouraging and it motivates me to do better in my next projects. I believe I am leaving the right and positive messages in my comments and feedback to others. It has been very interesting to read other classmates' projects and it has been helpful in a sense that I am getting good ideas from reading others! I believe the feedback assignments are useful for everyone as feedback is important in bettering ourselves. 

(Image Information: Because I feel safe, I can learn from my mistakes; http://growthmindsetmemes.blogspot.com/search/label/Feedback%20Cats)

Week 8 Reading and Writing

 Overall, I could be happier with the assignments. The effort and time put into my assignments could be improved but I am trying my best. I am however, happy with the way my project website looks. I enjoy the simplicity that makes it easy to navigate through the website. I plan on getting more creative with the details of my stories as I have read my classmates stories and I could definitely improve on getting the reader's attentions. The Mahabharata has been my favorite story to read so far, especially the second half of it. Like most others, I do enjoy when the story gets more spicy. The final big battle was a fun read and nudged me in the direction of Indian epics. One thing I do need to improve on is actually taking a look at my notes while writing my stories. As soon as I can continue to fit more time into this class, I will have a successful time completing these projects and the course. 

(Personal Photo of my two cats. HOW are they this adorable..; photo taken November, 2017) 

Wikipedia Trail

 Moon Landing Conspiracy 

(Image Information: Why won't the conspiracies die? https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/moon-landing-anniversary-taibbi-conspiracy-theories-861239/)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing_conspiracy_theories 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_astronauts#Apollo_astronauts_who_walked_on_the_Moon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_evidence_for_Apollo_Moon_landings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Race

I chose and read to explore the topic of the moon landing conspiracy after watching a YouTube video on it late night. Of course I do not actually believe we faked the moon landing but the proof and evidence is nevertheless super interesting to read up on. 

Microfiction

(Image Information: It never gets old. #OUDNA; Photo from Instagram,  @ou_football)

Love goes on, forever

It feels good to move back home after two years. It was the last place I saw her alive, the last place I kissed her goodbye, and the last place I would hear her say, “I love you, T—see ya tonight.” Never did I think those words would come back to haunt me. She died that day of a heart attack shortly after arriving at work.

Tonight, the fireflies came out for the first time this summer. As I planted flowers, a grandpa and his granddaughter walked by on their way to fish at the lake. I guess life goes on with or without us. It’s good to be home.

Tweet

After this weekend, Sam Ehlinger has now lost to four different OU quarterbacks: Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and this year, Spencer Rattler. #TexasSucks

Author's Notes:

The first short microfiction was just a made up story after watching an episode of Psych where Juliet almost dies after her and Shawn are trying to solve a case against Mr. Yang. A loss of a loved one is something we all go through and sometime a story involving it is a good story. The tweet comes from after this weekend as OU went down and beat Texas in the Red River Rivalry game. To be completely honest, I had absolutely no expectations from our team this year as we are rebuilding but it is good to know that Texas STILL sucks! 

Growth Mindset: SAFM

 

(Image Information: Godfather Baby; https://makeameme.org/meme/if-you-need-c2nbx9)

SAFM:

S - Stop

A - Asking

F - For

M - Money

I made this acronym to motivate myself as I am financially trying to be stable for myself. Getting a job at the pharmacy as a technician was a first step to this acronym. My family was never rich and as a person who learned the value of money early on, I believe it is everyone's own responsibility to financially uphold themselves if possible. 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part D

R. K. Narayan, The Mahabharata: Public Domain Edition; http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/pde-mahabharata-life-in-forest.html

(Image Information: Indian Fantasy Epic https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-india-baahubali-film-2017-story.html)

-Even though Yudhishthira wanted to make a peace agreement, he was worried about the safety of Krishna to arrive at Hastinapura as his emissary. According to Vidura, Krishna wants peace and justice rather than a lavish reception. While Duryodhana plans to take Krishna captive, he rejects Krishna's offer of peace and does not listen to his mother, Gandhari's plea as well. 

-After realizing that Krishna is impossible to take prisoner after he manifested himself in his divine form, Duryodhana gives up trying to capture him. Before he left, Krishna tried to give truth and convince Karna of his parentage and get him to leave Duryodhana, but Karna says no. 

-Before the big battle, Yudhishthira goes to both his teachers, Bhishma and Drona for advice. Bhisma compares the invincible Arjuna to "the destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga." Arjuna is still unable to overcome Bhisma however and after nine days of fighting, the Pandavas visit Bhisma at night to tell him that unless he is killed in the war, the carnage will carry on until the end of the world. 

-When Bhisma is confronted by Sikhandi, he refuses to fight because she is a woman and he abandons all his weapons. Against the rules of war, the Pandavas rain down the unarmed warrior with thousands of arrows until he is covered in them from head to toe. Bhisma does not actually die until much later by his choice and remains laying on the battlefield until the end.

-Drona positions the armies in a formation known only to him, the iron disc of war, which nobody knows how to break open, apart from Arjuna. If only Arjuna can be diverted away from the central battle, Drona promises victory. Arjuna has a 15-year old son, Abhimanyu, who, by listening to his father while still in his mother’s womb, has learned to force an entry into Drona’s battle formation. 

-As Arjuna is called to a diversionary battle far away, Yudhishthira entrusts Abhimanyu with the task of opening a breach in the disc. Abhimanyu succeeds, but when Bhima and Yudhishthira try to follow him into the opening, they are stopped by Jayadratha, a brother-in-law to the Kauravas, and the breach closes behind the young Abhimanyu. He is then killed in bravery.

-Karna possesses a magic lance, the gift of Indra, which will kill any living being but can be used only once. He keeps it until he uses it for Arjuna. Drona continues to challenge the Pandava armies, killing thousands. The Pandavas knows his  weakness, however, which is the love of his only son Ashvatthama.

-After the war, when Krishna exited the chariot, it burst into flames. Only his presence kept the celestial weapons from destroying it earlier. Krishna reveals that the gods allowed this war to relieve Earth of her big burden. Duryodhana was the incarnation of Kali, lord of the 4th age.

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part C

R. K. Narayan, The Mahabharata: Public Domain Edition; http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/pde-mahabharata-life-in-forest.html

(Image Information: Bahubali Movie Review; https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/bahubali-movie-review-22546.html)

-As they are living in the forest, Yudhishthira summoned the brahmins to lament his fate and he told the deposed rajah to call upon the sun god.

-Surya then came upon Yudhishthira and gave him a copper pot filled with food for his brothers. The Pandavas had to live there for twelve years and all the food they received were divided into portions separated into some for themselves and the holy men. While they lived in the forest, they visited holy shrines, bathed in holy waters, and even performed their devotions.

-When Krishna came to visit the Pandavas living in the forest, Draupadi wept and begged asking why her husbands were not helping her. Krishna comforted her by saying that Krishna would help the Pandavas and help Draupadi be king once again.

-Before the Pandavas left the forest, Yudhishthira summoned the goddess Durga and promised the goddess of Dharma that the Pandava brethren and Draupadi would remain hidden during the years of their exile.

-The wanderers' weapons were concealed in a tree and together they went toward the city of Virata to conceal themselves. They possibly spent twelve years in the jungle if the  Kauravas discovered their whereabouts. 

-Bhima soon won much renown by reason of his matchless strength. The rajah was very proud of him and did not take him to the apartments of the women where he then wrestled with caged tigers, lions, and bears, and slayed them each one by one with single blows each. 

-The war begins and the drums were sounded. I’m going to have to include an epic battle scene for my next story for sure. Bhishma advanced to make the attack on the Pandava army. He went bravely cutting through the enemy legions.

-Bhisma declared that he would be fighting until the very end. 

Comment Wall

 

(Image Information: Personal Photo of my cat, Ziggy (September 2019)

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Microfiction: An Unexpected Friendship

 An Unexpected Friendship 

    There once lived a cat and a mouse in a house. They played chase & run every day. The mouse believed the cat wanted to catch and eat him and ran from him every day. What the mouse did not know was that the cat actually considered the mouse a friend. The reason for the chasing was that the cat wanted his owner to see that he hated the mouse and would not try to get another cat to replace him, that could possibly kill the mouse. 

Source: Tom & Jerry

(Old Twitter 140 characters)

    As expected, Kansas State University football team is 1-1 after games against Arkansas State and Oklahoma. 

-The first story is what I believe to be the truth of Tom & Jerry. When you watch the show with that on your mind, it will change your perspective entirely. The second story was a short tweet that is a bit sad. This past week, the OU football team lost to a 0-1 unranked Kansas State for the second year in a row. Kansas State had played Arkansas State, a FBS team, and lost. As a 3rd ranked team in the nation, it was quite an embarrassment for us to lose at home like that. I hope to see improvements from our football team and I still believe! 

(Image Information: Sooners blame no one but themselves; https://www.normantranscript.com/sports/ou_football/ou-football-sooners-blame-no-one-but-themselves-for-upset-loss-to-kansas-state/article_6ca03854-0051-11eb-b121-cbd65a45d9f5.html)

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part B

 Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition; http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html 

-Due to the fact that Prince Vidura's mother was a slave girl, though he was half brother of King Pandu and of King Dhritarashtra, he could not reign over Hastinapura as king. 

-Suspicious of the cruel plot of Prince Duryodhana, Prince Vidura tells Pandavas and Queen Kunti to be careful of the palace at Varanavata.

-The palace at Varanavata's beauties were indescribable, however, all the furniture and tapestries were soaked in oil and the palace and roof were built only of wood or such other material as would easily burn.

-I like a strong antagonist to a story with an plan evil enough to wipe out the entire protagonist group. 

-Thanks to his wisdom and goodness of his heart, Prince Vidura was not able to keep his nephews the Pandavas from his mind. 

-Prince Vidura came up with a plan and set a very skillful miner to Varanavata to dig an underground passage which led from the floor of the palace into the woods outside. 

-The work was done by night and by day the miner hid his work by covering the mouh of the passage with wooden planks.

-Purochana, the mean captain had no clue that the Pandavas were planning to flee.

-Purochana was also waiting on a moonless night to burn the palace down with the people inside, which somewhat gave a deadline to the miner to finish the passageway.

-When the night came, the Pandavas and Queen Kunti walked through the passage into the forest.

-Wanting revenge, Prince Bhima crawled back to the guardhouse where Purochana the wicked captain lived, and set fire to the house.

-Purochana and the guards were engulfed and perished in the fire. 

-The ending would make a great movie ending as it shows the burned down city and one would think the protagonists are dead, but instead they see in the horizon, a family walking from the forest, alive. 

(Image Information: Forest fire; http://forestfiredetection.com/en/articles-news/38-how-to-escape-in-case-of-forest-fire)