Week 3 Story: The Father and His Children

Samantha had just come home from a long day of school. To be more precise, Samantha came home from a long day of bullying, teachers yelling at her, sitting alone at the lunch table, her car breaking down, and she is pretty sure she just failed her calculus exam. She had one thought in her mind: to make a b-line to her room and stay there until the next day. However, things did not go as planned.

Her dad began to ask her the moment she walked in where she was, what had taken her so long, and why she was not able to make it home for dinner.

"I had to walk home because my car broke down and you wouldn't pick up," she remarked. He yelled at her for being so irresponsible, and she yelled back. Things got heated enough for her dad to make his ultimatum.

"That's it, you're out of here, pack your stuff and get out!" he yelled. Samantha ran up the stairs crying and did was he asked. She was now on her own.

She had no friends, no money, no car, where was she going to go? She eventually made her way to the forest, really - it looked more like a jungle, and there were a lot of horror stories and tales based off this jungle.

The sun already had begun to set so she she up camp. She was going to think about everything in the morning; maybe she would go back and apologize, maybe she would start anew on her own. That was all for tomorrow.

Suddenly, she heard movement, and the calm birds around her flew away as if it were life or death. Branches broke near her and she heard breathing.

There it was: the biggest bear she had seen, and it looked like it, unlike her, was going to have dinner.

--- Author's note ---

This story is based on an excerpt from Rama's adventures and only encompasses a portion of the story and the conflicts that take place throughout the story. The story is specifically based off of when Rama is exiled into the jungle and is taken away from his family. We find later that Rama is eventually looked for later after Dasharatha passes away, as there needed to be someone to take his throne. This story, however, was the development part of when Rama was exiled, and this story itself can be developed into something like Samantha's father looking for her again after feeling apologetic.

Bibliography. "PDE Ramayana" from Rama: Retold from the Ramayana by Anant Pai. Web Source.

Samantha enters the jungle after running away

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part B

The news of Dasharatha dying were carried by messengers to Bharata who had not yet known of the incident. He weeped and mourned once told the news. He knew now that both his father and brother had passed, and he did not know what to do, until he had the idea to bring his exiled brother from the jungle to receive the throne. He swore that he, himself, would not take the throne, but wanted Rama to.

He more and more began to regret banishing Rama and Lakshmana initially into the jungle. He then held a funeral for Dasharatha. The city cried for many days over the passing of Dasharatha.

Bharata eventually met with Rama. Rama speaks to Jabali, the counsellor of Dasharatha, who essentially tells him there is no afterlife for Dasharatha, nor is there one in general. Bharata also insisted that he banish himself to the jungle for Rama then to reign, and he gave him gold slippers. Bharata then left to Ayodhya. Rama's gold slippers symbolized authority, and he was now royal authority.

Rama and Sita traveled to the jungle and witnessed a rakshasa beast. He roared and spoke to them and worried them. Rama then chose to battle him but could not kill him. He then carried Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders into the forest. Sumitra eventually broke rakshasa's arm and weakened him; he was attacked further but would not die. Rakshasa said he was powered by a godly being and could not be slain. This lead to the demon Viradha to go to heaven. Agastya meets Rama later and gives him a sword.

Rama eventually crossed Shurpanakha, an ugly cursed being, who fell in love with Rama. Although she tells Rama she loves him, he rejects her. She does not fancy this, and she attacks them, and tells her brother Khara of the incident. Khara then aids her and attacks Rama.

After Rama defeats Khara and rakshasa, Shurpanakha went to Lanka to tell the King of Lanka, her brother, what occurred.

The story of Maricha was told and how Rama had gone with Vishvamitra to fight rakshasas. It was revealed that he had killed Thataka. Ravana now needed Marciha to abduct Sita. Maricha takes form as a golden deer and enchants Sita and tells Rama to go get the deer for her. The deer masquerade was also able to take on Rama's voice.

Ravana was able to shapeshift and get close to Sita after Rama and Lakshmana are turning a blind eye. Jatayu, a bird watching over the adventure tries to save Sita, and Sita had dropped jewelry, which leads Rama to where she could have been carried off to. This was all according to Brahma, a god, whose plan was to have a human, Rama, slay Ravana.

Ravana tries to rape Sita, but could not due to protection from Brahma. He needs to seduce her to surpass this, but is unable to. Rama eventually finds where they were, but Sita and Ravana had left, and Jatayu explains the situation to Rama. They go on and meet another rakshasa who gives them valuable information.

They eventually meet Shabari who awaited them, as she had been told by holy men that she would meet him; her destiny was fulfilled and she asks Rama to perform her funeral rites.

Rama and Shabari 

Bibliography:
Title: Rama: Retold from the Ramayana
Author: Anant Pai
Link

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A

Setting is set: Ayodhya, Koshala, a kingdom whose king was Dasharatha. It was very beautiful and bountiful, as described to be richly decorated. It is also blooming with life and is seemingly successful, as it was evidently described as prosperous. Although it was introduced that Dasharatha was full of sorrow due to not being able to bear an heir.

Subsequently, he would perform a horse sacrifice to please the gods for them to give him one. This made the gods promise four sons be given to him

Indra, as well as other gods went to the heaven of Brahma and spoke to Vishnu about delivering sons to Dashratha, who obliged; the wives of Dashratha who had eaten the sacrificial food then became pregnant with sons, and everyone celebrated.

Dashratha met Vishvamitra who was known by the gods, and welcomed him; his son - however - had to perform a dangerous service, so Dashratha supported him. The service was to enter a jungle with many predators.

Rama went with Vishvamitra and battled with a terrible woman, Thataka and cut both her arms off, and Lakshmana took away her nose and ears; Rama eventually slays her. They were later attacked by Maricha and his crew, but Rama retaliated by sending Maricha off to sea, and slew the rest, while slaying Subahu with fire.

Vishvamitra told Rama a story of Ayodhya with wives and no children, eventually a brahmin bore him sons and he offered a horse sacrifice. The story was more developed by means of a poem in the next chapter.

Dashratha and Vishvamitra's journey continued and they ventured into the city where they were admired for their beauty; they relaxed in a garden of flowers as Princess Sita made a prayer, which was answered when she was given flowers

Janaka welcomed Vishvamitra and bestowed him the bow of Shiva, and whoever could use it would be given permission to marry Princess Sita. Rama was able to, and he was given permission.

A man appeared and scolded whoever had broken the bow while bending it. The man gave another bow - one of Vishnu - to Rama to bend to prove if he was a hero, who was then able to, and the man praised him.

A poem then described the marriage and glory of Princess Sita and Rama.

The rule of Dashratha was then described which lead to Bharata to be banished to the jungle of Dandaka. Rama was then described to have then been gone into exile. His hardships were described, as were a scene of crossing a river with Sita to protect her.

Dashratha was then faced with karma as he accidentally shot a human thinking it was a boar or human; he showed their parents and they grieved while being angry at him.

Eventually, Dashratha dies of grief due to this incident, and his spirit leaves his body while Lakshmana grieved.



Bibliography:
Title: Rama: Retold from the Ramayana
Author: Anant Pai
Link

Rama had been exiled into a deadly forest

Feedback Thoughts

Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt

I have quite a bit of self-doubt when it comes to a lot of things. However, most of the time it is related to academics, where I set goals for myself but quickly get demotivated due to my lack of confidence to be able to complete them. This greatly affects my future, as I begin to set less challenging goals that could positively change my life, and I feel that is is important for me to get around this. The most productive feedback I have gotten was to not compare myself to other people, as it just sets you back more. Thankfully - I have not been really given very much bad feedback, so I cannot really remember the "worst" feedback I have received. Overall, receiving feedback allows me to view my attempts at anything in life from an outsider's perspective, and see how I can better my methods at whatever I am doing.

Silence the Critical Voices in Your Head

I really enjoy the thought mentioned in the article that stockpiling positive comments and believing more in the positive comments as a whole can fuel you throughout life. The author refers to this stockpile of positive comments as a "full tank," and being able to utilize this full tank throughout your journey at any point, in any aspect of life is crucial to having a good journey. Although it is easier said than done, it is a friendly reminder that there is always a good side to things when completing your goals and going throughout life as a whole. I have learned that, in order to treat dissatisfaction, having gratitude is the best way to do it, and this article provides a good foundation for that thought.

Receiving Feedback

Topic Brainstorm

1. Food

I am interested in researching Indian food as I personally love it myself. I am Pakistani, and a lot of our dishes are similar to Indian dishes, but I would like to know more about the similarities, and of course, the differences, while researching this topic. I could possibly pick up some new recipes and cook them for myself and my friends and family! I would probably tell stories of them being cooked and invented,

Possible source

2. Jataka Tales

For one of our previous assignments, we had read Jataka tales, and I really appreciated the metaphors and meanings behind them. My personal favorite was Them Foolish, Timid Rabbit; I would probably choose another from the extensive list, but just reading through them while doing the assignment really kept me interested and it was my favorite assignment thus far - as well as when we made our own story based off a Jataka tale. I would retell a Jataka tale in about the same manner as I did for our previous anthology assignment.

Possible source

3. Reincarnation

I have always been very interested in the concept of reincarnation and its relations to religion as a whole. I am Muslim, and although the majority of Muslims do not believe directly in the idea of reincarnation, Hindus do, and I would like to learn more about the topic of reincarnation at hand, as well as the religion of Hinduism, while taking notes of similarities and differences between Islam and Hinduism. I would retell a story with the topic of reincarnation in a dramatic way like used in context of a hero being reborn to avenge so-and-so.

Possible source

4. Weapons of the Gods

I find the topic of weapons in any context quite interesting, but I have never fully considered weapons within a topic such as Indian epics. Because of this, I would like to learn more about the usage and importance of weapons in Indian literature and to see how that compares and contrasts with weapons used in other contexts in literature as a whole. I would try to retell the story in a way that it both grazes the topic of violence or peace, or both in one story.

Possible source

Indian Worship

Week 2 Story: The Citizens of Campus

There is a posted version on my site!

One boring day in class at the University of Oklahoma, a student was daydreaming about the possibilities of the world ending due to nuclear warfare. The thought scared him - he has so many plans for the future - and the thought of it all just suddenly ending due to a conflict between two countries, per se, made the thought unfair. Suddenly, there was a crash, a flash, and a shake.

"Oh no, there's been a nuclear attack This can't be happening now, I still need to graduate, to get married, and have kids!" screamed the now fully awake student. The first thought that came to his mind following his cry was to run, to run as far away as he could away from campus, a place where he dreaded being, and to get back home to say a final goodbye to his family and friends.

"What are you running from?" exclaimed another student on south oval as he ran past.  "There's a nuclear attack happening, we have to get out of here!" he yelled back at him.

The now frightened student followed - he, too, needed to say a final goodbye to all who he loved, and began running behind him. This lead to another student asking a similar question, then another, and another, until there were so many students running off campus that not even Dale 211 could fit them in to be counted. This alerted a tour group full of parents and their aspiring children.

"What is going on? What is the matter?" yelled the tour guide. "We have to run, there's been a nuclear attack!" said one of the plethora of students

The crowd of people grew - as the entire tour joined the group to get off campus. In the blink of an eye, faculty members, residents of Norman, and even the squirrels on campus followed the group. The thought of dying on campus scared them more than the thought of dying at all, they had to get home to say their finals goodbyes.

"Stop!" yelled a professor. "Why is everyone trying to leave campus, what happened?" interrogated the erudite professor. He knew understood a lot of things: nuclear physics, organic chemistry, how to start his own business, the cure to cancer; his graduate program had taught him everything, everything except why these students were running off campus.

"One of the faculty members said there was a nuclear bomb that hit campus," said a squirrel. "Don't look at me," said a faculty member, "a tour guide told me it happened," said the faculty member. "Don't look at me either, a student told me we were under nuclear threat," replied the tour guide.

After pinpointing the original, daydreaming student for starting the chaos, the professor asked: "What in the world makes you think there is a nuclear threat on campus right now? How is that even possible?" asked the professor. The student explained he had heard a loud crash back in his lecture hall. The professor asked to take him to the area at which it happened.

It was pouring as they arrived, and lightning filled the air. "Oh... it must have just been some thunder, but I had heard we were under threat for World War III in light of recent news, I read it on Twitter!" the student remarked, in an attempt to defend himself. "Just because it was posted on social media, does not mean it is true; the chances of that happening are much lower than you think", said the professor.

And the professor continued on to his staff meeting to tell the great tale of what had just happened. If he had not fallen into the misinformation like the crowd - they may have still been running.

---- Author's Note ----

This story is based on The Foolish, Timid Rabbit which has essentially the same plot - but a rabbit runs from a coconut after thinking the world is ending, where several animals begin to follow the rabbit after hearing of what was happening. They were eventually stopped by the King Lion who, like the professor, demanded to know why the rabbit thought what he did, which he then resolved.

I chose to target a very important topic that his prevalent today: misinformation. Anyone can fall into the pit of misinformation by using poor sources, or just being easily influenced. I took this to campus as it could possible relate to the students, as false information can spread easily in places such as a college campus.

Bibliography. "The Foolish, Timid Rabbit" from Jataka Tales by Ellen. C. Babbitt. Web Source.

After running around for so long, the people of campus realized the sound was just thunder

Reading Notes Week 2: The Foolish, Timid Rabbit

Author: Ellen C. Babbitt
The Foolish, Timid Rabbit
Link

The piece of literature is a silly, yet thought provoking tale of a rabbit who jumps (or rather hops) to conclusions extremely quickly, all based on the fears he holds prior. The rabbit has seemingly an existential crisis one day, and being in the timid state as implied, begins to think the world is ending simply by hearing a sound, which the readers know to be the sound of a falling coconut. Without investigating the sound, the rabbit does not know this, and believes the world is coming to an end.

This all leads to the rabbit's panic alerting other rabbits, which ultimately alerts deer, and so on and so forth with a multitude of other animals until the King Lion is notified of the commotion, who then quickly resolves the matter by asking the rabbit to take him to the location at which he heard the noise of the "world breaking up." After realizing it was simply a following coconut, the conflict is resolved and put to rest.

The moral of the story seems to be that it is very easily to be not only influenced by your own fears, but by others' as well. The rabbit was existentially sensitive at a sudden thought, and his surroundings subsequently prompted him into reacting in an unnecessary way. However, more importantly, the rabbit's own fears worried other animals in the kingdom who easily fell victim to such a silly fear just due to noticing another individual being worried.

I would retell this story possibly at a college campus and relate it possible to the spread of misinformation in relation to the academic setting the students are located in. It is important to note, as well, that until an authoritative figure in the story, the king lion, mentioned anything, the inferior animals were easily lead to fall into the fears of an even more inferior animal, the rabbit. This could be retold in a manner that shows that sometimes a false alarm is taken too far before it is resolved, and only specific, higher-up people can resolve it.

The Animals Were Alerted to the Sound of the Rabbit

Reading Notes Week 2 Anthology; Rama: Retold from the Ramayana

Title: Rama: Retold from the Ramayana
Author: Anant Pai
Link

Begins in the city of Ayodha on the Sarayu River. The characters are introduced: the sons Rama, who is the son of the Queen Kaushalya, and Bharata, son of the Queen Kaikeyi, as well as both sons Lakshmana and Shatrugha, sons of Queen Sumitra.

Conflict begins immediately as there is a slight argument about exiling Rama and having Bharata being the king. Since the story title includes Rama, it seems unlikely that something like this will occur, however it occurs anyways but through grief. This sets up conflict immediately at the beginning and stirs the plot.

Bharata eventually seeks out for Rama in the forest, as Bharata learned that his own father died, and Bharata wanted Rama to return to home; however - he refused to come back and listens to the exiling commands of remaining in exile for the time period.

Shurpanakha approaches the exiled sons, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. She is a described to be a beautiful woman and this subsequently falls into love with Rama However, Rama is married and refused to fall in love with her, and tells her to speak to Lakshmana instead, which causes Shurpanakha to transform into her true form, a demon, out of anger. Lakshmana eventually cuts off her nose and ears and runs to her cousins

Eventually, Khara summons a demon army onto Lakshmana and Rama, but both the demons and Khara are defeated, and the plot progresses forward once again.


From this, once again, there is a lot of detail into conflict starting already. Although this is potentially a continuation of a previous part, there is already an interesting plot build up and makes for an interesting read. The current plot and subjects forebode future conflict between the parties involved and leaves a cliffhanging feel to the storyline itself.

The Story of Rama

Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology; Homer's Odyssey

Author: Homer

Title: Odyssey: The Land of the Cyclopes

Link

This part of the story is a continuation, or scene, from the epic Homer. It is specifically when the cyclopes is encountered during the journey in the story. Odysseus and his men arrived at an island that was home to the cyclopes while they were traveling back to the their homeland Ithaca

It is important to note, also, that both Odysseus and his men had drank wine before, which possibly changes the mode and the visuals of the writing in a way that matches the tone of someone drunk. Although the storyline does not progress in this section of The Land of the Cyclopes into when Odysseus and his men see the cyclopes, but its presence is known as the cave is described, as well as the island on which the cave and the men are on.

The drunk men and Odysseus are not too sure about it all, either, which creates the suspense for the next part, the Prisoners of the Cyclopes to begin, as it is not sure what they will get into.

In terms of the writing itself, both the tone in which it is written as well as the descriptive words used, it is slightly difficult to completely visualize the situation especially since the syntax of the passage is seemingly old English and not as easy to read as modern day literature, for example. Overall, however, the plot and setting can be easily perceive due to Homer's descriptive storytelling, as the reader can firmly understand what is happening even without an expertise in the seemingly "fancier" language that the storyline is embedded in.

Reading Homer's The Odyssey

Week 2 Reading Overview (Part 2)

I have chosen option two: Public Domain Edition: Ramayana

The main factors that influenced me were that it reads less like a novel, and draws more on different version on the book, which I believe will allow me to gather different perspectives on the storytelling. I also really appreciate that there is an available audio recording.

Two comic books:
Retold From the Ramayana
The Sons of Rama: Luv and Kush - The Invincible Twins

Two videos:
Harry Potter Meets Hindu Mythology
Stages of Life

Epics of India

Week 2 Reading Overview

Choose from CLASSICAL and/or BIBLICAL units for Weeks 3 and 4.

Week 3: Adam & Eve
Week 4: Homer's Odyssey

Choose from MIDDLE EASTERN and/or INDIAN units for Weeks 5 and 6.

Week 5: The Lion & The Crane
Week 6: The Origin of Rubies

Choose from ASIAN and/or AFRICAN units for Weeks 7 and 9. [Week 8 is review week.]

Week 7: The Fortunate Fish Hook

Week 9: The Clever Husband & His Wife

Choose from NATIVE AMERICAN units for Weeks 10 and 11.

Week 10: The Moon & The Thunders
Week 11: The Rolling rock

Choose from BRITISH and/or CELTIC units for Weeks 12 and 13.

Week 12: Nursery Rhymes: Games
Week 13: The Young Beowolf

Choose from EUROPEAN units for Weeks 14 and 15.

Week 14: Jason & The Demons
Week 15: Mice

I am excited to read most of these literary works, but most specifically from that of European and Middle Eastern as those seem the most interesting to me due to my past experience in reading from those criteria.

Folklore

Learning New Time Strategies

Both from experience, as well as reading the provided articles, I have learned a lot about time management. I have learned to prepare for the unexpected, to make my schedule and overall plans for tackling work over a period of time both variable and prepared for change. This basically means that since anything can happen at any times (surprise plans, sudden time constraints, not being able to finish scheduled workload), you should leave yourself extra room, or, in other words - underestimate what you can do - ultimately allowing you to be prepared for change.

I used to keep checklists, but by reading The Psychology of Checklists I am prompted to do so once again, because of how much I learned that just checking a task off a sheet can motivate you to keep working, as well as to satisfy and visualize how much work you really have done. I believe my biggest time challenge will be studying for the MCAT, as I have to create my own schedule and work around school work; in terms of my class schedule, I believe it will be physics.

Making a schedule really helps me managing my time. And now, by learning about how I can make scheduling more efficient (see paragraph 1), I hope to be even more efficient in scheduling my workload.

Learning time management skills is a skill of paramount importance

Learning based on:
The Myth of Too Busy
The Psychology of Checklists

Learning About Technology and Tools

I have a decent amount experience using the tools mentioned. I usually find less practical means edit things such as my images, but it is nice to know that I can use easily accessible browser editing tools in order to make the process for my blogging throughout the semester easier, and I will surely take advantage of this.

I have only taken one other online class, which was Calculus I, and it was no where nearly as well-structured as this class is. Obviously, there was not a need to blog my learning throughout calculus, but the overall way in which the class tests your learning is much different, and in my opinion, much better. Other classes that are not online do not have an online focus, so they are also a lot less organized online and much more focused for in-class learning. They usually depend on you purchasing a subscription that comes organized (Connect, masteringphysics) and is rarely influenced by the professors themselves.

I do not personally have very many tips I can lend, as my best tips are just shortcuts such as copy and paste/opening a new tab/etc that make doing assignments quicker, but not better. I have found, however, a useful, free from copyright site that allows you to source images from.

Learning new concepts through an online class

Learning About Class Assignments

My impressions of this class are really good. I personally enjoy academic freedom and being able to express my creativity, and the way this class is set up allows me to do just that. I am more judged on my ability to try newer things, which ultimately allow me to expand and voice as well as my own ideas to other people through blogs and storytelling, instead of being graded on how I did it; essentially, previous classes were strict on grading on how the reader thought based on how the professor taught them how to think, whereas this class is more focused on letting the students think for themselves, which I really appreciate.

Some extra credit opportunities that grab my attention are the extra commenting, as I personally really like reading from the perspective from my peers, and learning new methods from them.

This class allows me to think for freely without the worry of being graded on how I do so

My Take on The Growth Mindset

Before today, I had neither heard of Carol Dweck, nor the "growth mindset." The spectrum I see myself on for the growth mindset is that of wanting to improve, more than worrying too much about a grade. Due to anxiety that I usually get from pushing myself, I still do worry about my grades, if I did poorly, and I feel like I have failed, but I have more often began to believe that is the result of the system, as mentioned by Carol Dweck. This system would be that of "failing" a student rather than showing that they just have not gotten there "yet." Surprisingly, I can only find examples of this mindset for myself in academia, and not outside of it.

I have learned that my mindset both towards and the way I learn changes a lot in a small amount of time. Whether it be my interest toward subjects and the idea of learning, or the way I learn, I have improved a great deal since the beginning of my undergrad. My biggest challenges to this day, however, are pleasing myself with how much I have learned at the end of the day. My "failures" resonate more than my successes, so my A's essentially have no positive effect on me, but any grade less than that has me overthink. This mindset, to this day, is something I am trying to get around. Because of this, I would be greatly interested in this type of growth mindset throughout the upcoming semester(s).

My personal learning goals would be to do my best; to care less about results, and more about the effort I am putting in. I am not worried about any particular classes, because if I would, then I feel as though I would perform much less. I am, however, excited about my molecular biology class, as I find interest in the subject.

Not particularly true, as it does bring me down, but it is something I am working on!

Introduction to Z, the Microbiology major

Hello, I am Z! My real name is Zohaib, but I go more often by Z. I am majoring in microbiology, and I am also pre-medicine. The coolest thing about my major is being able to see and learn about the unseeable - that is, until we see them under a microscope. It fascinates me how many roles microorganisms play and how large and diverse the microbial world is, and, of course, how much they affect us. The best class I took last semester was probably my fundamentals to microbiology class, as it was my very first microbiology class (even as a Junior) and I truly realized this was the subject I wanted to major in. My biggest accomplishments last semester was being able to take on a very tough semester and doing well.

I did not do very much over the break; I met with some friends for food and to hang out, but most of my break was dedicated to studying for the MCAT, the medical school entrance exam for when I apply this Spring. My favorite book series was The Hunger Games, and my favorite movie is between The Arrival and Interstellar. The best movie I have seen recently, however, has to be Midsommar. I also watched the Netflix TV series You over the break, and really enjoyed it. I enjoy rap music and have recently delved into the realm of Kpop (I know).

My long-term goals are to, in essence, do what I enjoy. I have a lot of interest in the sciences, specifically microbiology. I am hoping to find out what exact specialty I would like to do if I am admitted into medical school, but as of now I have an interest in specialties such as Pathology, or anything disease/bodily related! A short term goal I have is to stick to my study schedule for the MCAT to help make this dream a reality.

I have a dog, his name is Buddie (yes, with an -ie), and this is (a silly) picture of him (and a little of me):

A picture of my dog, Buddie

I wrote a post about Hawaii, and why I enjoyed it, if you would like to check that out as well. I am from Pakistan, so I really love traditional food; I have a lot of favorites, but my top two are definitely chicken biryani and chicken nihari! For western food, I would have to say either Taco Bell, or Wing It (located really close to campus!) Some foods I could from scratch are: I do not cook, so none :)

I play video games and hang out with friends during my free time, so I would say those are my hobbies. If I had the time, and of course - the money, I would want to get started on astronomy for a hobby! If I had an extra day of fun, I would probably play video games all day.

Storybook favorites: My Top Three Storybooks

The following is a list of my (current) top three myth-folklore storybooks, in no particular order:

1.  LSD in a Yellow Submarine

I found this storybook particularly interesting because of my lack of familiarity with the topic of LSD. Although it does not extensively cover the topic of LSD, but rather introduces it, in the introduction of the storybook, it sets up the story very well in the beginning, similar to a cliffhanger requiring you to read more to understand what the author means. This, alongside the overall subject, made it seem like an interesting read. Furthermore, the use of syntax throughout the introduction is unique and creative. The design of the storybook is the best of them all - as it has eye-grabbing yellow colors and interesting patterns. It did what the cover of a book needs to do: grab a reader's attention.

2.  Ghost Stories

The topic was truly the sole reason as to why I reached for this storybook, as I am an avid horror fan and love anything scary. The storybook did a good job on introducing the setting of the plot and kept it interesting for me to continuing reading. The syntax was less complex, but the simplicity of it allowed for the reader to focus more on the plot and its details, both which are crucial to be accounted for in a genre like horror. The layout itself was simple and nothing too unique, but once again, it added to the simplicity of the storybook as a whole. The design lacked complexity, and there was not much to that, but it did not affect my interest in choosing it to read.

3.  Modern Myths

Alongside horror, I enjoy a mysterious plot in a story, which is the reason I chose a storybook including myths, which usually include a plethora of mystery to them. Therefore, the topic itself was the attention grabbing quality of this storybook. The introduction was simple in syntax and the detail was simple as well, which made it an easy read. The overall design of the storybook lacked, but did not affect my interest in the storybook at all, but it could have perhaps made it more enjoyable if it were better.

Storybook

Honolulu, Hawaii ... My Favorite Place

My favorite place is Hawaii - as I have always admired the seas and overall nature of the place. It is a combination of my interest: animals, volcanoes, seas, and much more. The climate is wonderful most of the year and I enjoy learning about their traditions as well.

Link to this image

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