Week 4 Famous Last Words

Oof, this week was LONG. I started my new job and worked 10 hour days (plus I worked Saturday, which actually wasn't bad but I definitely could use another day to rest). The upside is that I get to work for my stepdad, who is a great boss! The work isn't difficult, but it's mentally draining, which is why I didn't get around to doing the Storytelling assignment this week. But I did enjoy reading a few of them this weekend! I had hoped to write a story about Sita's abandonment. Maybe I'll be able to add it later on!

While I work on this project for work (at a law firm in downtown Dallas) I am staying with my mom and stepdad in Frisco. The weather has been beautiful, and it's always nice being around family. When I'm with them I always feel like a happier, brighter person. I owe them everything! Here are some pictures of my family and me vacationing in Plymouth. We used to go every summer when we were kids, and in 2012 we went back. It was so fun!

 The Kids (from left to right): Michael, Kevin, Maria, Alexa, Frankie, Me!

Unfortunately, because it's been such a long week, I haven't had the chance to start 'Jane Eyre', but I hope to soon! Today I made some Valentine's cards to give to my sister and mom. I am a firm believer in Valentine's Day just being about spending time with people you love - boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, family, friends, dog, whoever! Plus it's an excuse to eat a bunch of chocolate, so I'm not complaining. 

Week 4 Reading Diary B: Rama's Exile

pg 60-109

• Dasaratha's visions (63)
• Kaikeyi saving Dasaratha's life in the chariot
• Very good description of Kaikeyi's transformation and how she is found on the floor of the anger room (where can I get one of those?) 

Dasaratha finds Kaikeyi in the anger room (Source)

• How well did Kausalya and Kaikeyi get along after Rama's exile?
• Lakshamana points out that NOTHING angers Rama, even when he is being wronged. At least somebody said it! 
•  Sita gives some sass here - I like that! 
• Lakshmana is great in Rama's exile. Buck's version has just made me like him more! So much more real and relatable (thought I think Buck portrays Rama in a more personable way, too) (99)

Week 4 Reading Diary A: Buck's Ramayana

pg 1-59

• Why would Buck choose to introduce the story with a song from Indrajit? I can't figure that out
• Sauti describes the Ramayana as a story of romance and love and wild adventure - not sure that's how I read Narayana's version, but we'll see where Buck takes is
• Sita has been Rama's wife for ten thousands years - is this literal or a figure of speech? Has that much time passed since the Battle of Lanka?
• It is so strange to have the abandonment of Sita described from someone out of view. IT reminds me of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when they turn back time and witness events that just happened but from an outside perspective.
• Ganga the River Goddess tempting people to suicide??

Ganga trying to drown Bhishma (Source)

• I like that Valmiki watches the story of Rama and Sita through water in his cupped hand - best drive-in theater ever! 
• This is nowhere near how poets in ancient Greece and Rome composed their songs
• Love the description of Ayodhya here (10)
• I like the flow of the story, especially the transition from the sacrifice to Indra and then then to Indra who had just fought a battle against Ravana
• LOVE the encounter between Indra and Brahma - I would have reacted the exact same way (12)
• Really glad Buck included a physical description of Rama and Lakshmana 
• Description of different ages is very interesting - reminds me of Ovid's Metamorphoses and how he talked about the golden age/bronze age/etc.
• Door under the ocean (25)