Reading Notes: The Life of Buddha Part A

The Life of Buddha is an interesting story to read. From the moment the story begins you get the feeling that all of the emotions expressed in the story are somewhat exaggerated. For the first portion of part A it seems as it is all glamour and riches, the perfect lifestyle. I am a person who disconnects with that type of writing. 

Andre Ferdinand Herold's style shows that King Suddhodana apparently is so caught up with all the shiny and upscale things that he is out of touch with what his son truly is.

The Life of Buddha Part A

Birth of Buddha at Lumbini

 Source Wikimedia

Famous Last Words: Life Happens

Well this week really did not go as planned. I have been falling behind due to work and other personal issues as of late. Every time I try to sit down and get my work done in most of my classes it always seems life happens. I did get my reading done, the story on the other hand did not get finished. It is a shame as well because I did have a few pretty good ideas for it. Other classes are going about the same but as a working single parent, life happens. Going to just say that instead of what word I really want to say haha. I did read some amazing stories and was very inspired from some of them this week. I do “plan” on sitting down and getting a lot of things done this week to try and get ahead in most of my classes, especially this one. I enjoy writing and especially mythology so writing for this class is especially fun.

I did recently find out that I will be going back home to California for a week the week before Thanksgiving, all paid for by a few good friends that want to see my son and I. That was pretty exciting to find out, I have not been home in a few years and my son has never been to California, let alone see the ocean. That is a reason I need to get ahead in this class, so I can have a relaxing time out there and not have to worry about am I passing or not. I know it will refresh me to be out there and give me even more inspiration for my writing as I will be around my Hawaiian family. One of my aunts will always compare something going on to some old story or something.  

Thorne Holder 

Famous Thorne Holder Quotes, flickr

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MK Creations is the site for my portfolio project.

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad Part B

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad

A story from the main character seems to appeal to a lot of people. This story is not as long as it could be. The author gives a view of the surroundings, the scenario and a pretty short and sweet description of what happens during that time. Most stories could spend an entire chapter on one scenario. The author spends a little over a paragraph on the major plot point.

The Voyages of Sindbad Part B

5th voyage of Sinbad the Sailor in the "One Thousand and One Nights". 

Illustration from "Les Mille et une nuits", par Galland - Paris, 1865.  Source: Wikimedia

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad Part A

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad

Sindbad is a great story teller. Getting a first person perspective of his many adventures gives it a more personal view. He always seems to get away from every predicament and wealthier than he was going into each adventure.

The great thing about these tales is that they could be told in any time and any type of religion, not necessarily the same as the source. Sinbad could also be a woman, family or just group of friends searching for wealth.

The Voyages of Sindbad Part A

5th voyage of Sinbad the Sailor in the "One Thousand and One Nights". 

Illustration from "Les Mille et une nuits", par Galland - Paris, 1865.  Source: Wikimedia

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part B

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Part B focuses on the battle of Troy. Achilles and his part in the battle are the main focal point. Shortening the actual original text is a good way to keep a reader interested. 

I am still thinking an alternate futuristic approach with this one. 

Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part B

Achilles Slays Hector

Peter Paul Rubens, circa 1630-1635. Source 

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Homer's Iliad is such a classic. Reading a condensed version is a lot more enjoyable than reading the entire epic. Most of the important things about the Trojans are included and there are not many plot holes.

With this one it could be possible to do a futuristic approach. Setting in the far future, maybe a parallel alternate reality. Decisions decisions....

Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Image extracted from page 171 of volume 5 of The Iliad of Homer. 

Translated by Mr. Pope, by Homer. 1720. Source Wikimedia

Learning Challenge: Desk Stretching

For those of you who spend all day on a computer or sitting down for work it is easy to forget to stretch or get up to walk around. I have been doing desk work for a multitude of years and have been there. After doing some research I learned of some stretches that you can do while you are sitting at your workstation or desk. They are actually yoga exercises which, as some know involve stretching. This article is the one I really enjoyed the most and all 6 of the exercises (shoulder rolls, open chest stretch, neck stretch, chair twist, reverse prayer pose and twisted arms) I do on a daily basis, either at home or work. My body does not feel as stiff as it did before doing these.

Software: Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 (Macintosh)

Photographed at: Apr 21, 2017 Source

Growth Mindset: Talking to a Teenager

Recently I sat down with my teenage son to explain certain problem solving techniques. Sometimes he is referred to as "blond" when it comes to a lot of common sense issues but I know he just has not been taught the ways to deal with life events. We talked about how he would see something as complicated and I would show him how to come up with a way to find a solution in a few steps. Things in life are only as hard as you make them and if you open your eyes up to more ways to accomplish goals than what you are accustomed to than things have become that much easier. So don't always try to rush through things the same way, take a step back and think of other ways to solve something and it might be easier in the long run.

(Image Information: personal photo of my son Markis;
photo from March 2017.)

Tech Tip: Canvas Notifications

Canvas notifications is a must have as a student. It has helped me in many classes with deadlines and seeing when someone replies to a question or discussion topic. If you are not using it, I suggest you start.

Topic Brainstorm

Westervelt Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes  - This book has a major focus on Pele, the goddess of fire. The volcano on the big island of Hawaii is her home and it goes more in depth about her. She is a major God in Hawaiian mythology and I have always loved learning about her.

Hawaiian Historical Legends - Not only does this book offer some insight into Maui the demi-god, but it also gives some history to Hawaii and the formation of the culture. Culture is a major part of the Hawaiian way of life and is rooted in day-to-day activities.

Hawaiian Mythology - I remember reading some of these stories as a child at my grandmother’s house. It has great stories about subjects from the gods to the common heroes of Hawaii. These bring back a lot of good childhood memories.

Hawaiian Creation Chant - Finally this book is all about the creation of the Hawaiian royal family. History and myths all surround the family.

Illustration from the book "Twenty years before the mast" 

by Charles Erskine. Page 226. Source

Week 3 Story: Always a King.

The Current Version

Week 3 Story: Always a King

The mightiest of all in the animal kingdom, the lion, king of the jungle lays at the mouth of his home, a mighty cave, dying from sickness. Animals from far and wide come to witness their king dying and as some show respect from fear, others take out frustration and revenge on the lion. Boars rammed him with their tusks, Bulls attacked with horns, eagles with claws. The lion just laid there, taking the punishment as he did not have the strength to take them on. Finally, a Mule came from the back of the crowd, one of the weakest animals in the kingdom, to take his turn on the dying lion. As the mule turned to kick the lion with his hind feet, the lion growled and said “This will be a double death” and he sprung to his feet, grabbed the shocked mule by the neck with his powerful jaws and slammed back down to the ground. 

The crowd of the lions’ subjects just sat in silence and watched as they could see the life leaving the lions glorious eyes as the mule took its last breath and lay lifeless in the mighty jaws of his king. The king of the jungle released the mule and let out one more mighty roar, reminding the jungle that even in his dying moments, you must still respect a king. There is a difference between respect and cowards. The lion had respect for the animals that attacked him before the mule, that is why he did not attack them because they had stood and fought before. As with the mule, the lion believed him to be a coward, as he would run and hide every time the lion would come around. As he was the king of the jungle, he would not let a coward have the satisfaction of besting him, even in his final moments of life.

Author's Note. The original story was a lot shorter and just included the boar, bull and ass attacking the lion to settle grudges. The lion did growl "This will be a double death" but that is where the original ends. In my mind I was envisioning myself as the lion and what I would do to that type of insult and to what example should be made of the mule.

Bibliography. This story is based on the Fable "The Sick Lion" in The Fables, by Aesop, Jacobs, Joseph.

Image taken by Fuchsia Anna, Deutsch. Source Pixabay