Famous Last Words: Week 4

This week I was really pleased with the outcome of my storytelling, The Birth of Sidd. My goal in mind this week was to really mix up my storytelling. I wanted to try to make something fairly new and very creative. Again I was challenged by staying under the maximum length rather then the minimum. I am trying to test out different styles of storytelling of my storybook.

I also had help with writing my story by the pictures I found. I would find a picture I liked then change my story up so it went well with the photo. I wanted my readers to have a strong image in their mind when reading. At least for me it makes the story more interesting to read when the picture goes well with the story.

Adding a Strong Image

For this weeks reading I read the Buddha unit. Like the week before each story was connected to the past one. So it was as if I read one huge story. My favorite quote from the reading was, "Tell him that I possess neither virtue nor merit, for a man without virtue is never loved, and he who is never loved is never mourned." This quote is from, Siddhartha the Hermit. Even though Siddhartha ran into many negative encounters he still found a way to become a Buddha.

I also had a chance to check out some other students blogs! As well as getting some great comment feedback. It's nice to see how other student read my stories and intemperate them. Please never be shy of making any comments on my blog. Thank you to everyone who has made comments!


Last night I went to see Deadpool. My review; go watch it! I thought it was an overall good movie, it was funny, loving, action packed and entertain. Yet, aren't all Marvel movies?

 For this coming week my goals are: 

1. Use a new type of storytelling.

2. Find a great image for my storybook site! 

Just wanted to say Happy Valentines day to everyone for this weekend! Weather you be single or in a relationship tell your loved ones what they mean to you. (All though in my opinion you should do this all the time) 

This weekend I am going on a fishing trip with my sisters and dad. I am really looking forward to it. We also plan on having a BBQ and ending the night with a bonfire and SMORES! 

Personal Photo: Just Fishin

Week 4: Reading Diary Extra: The Story of the Wolf-Bride

Reading from Unit: Persian Tales. Translated by D.L.R. Larimer and E.O. Larimer and illustrated by Hilda Roberts (1919).

 My favorite story from this Unit was, The Story of the Wolf-Bride. As I began to read I was upset when the boy was put nan underground chamber. Even though it was to protect him it is not how someone should spend their life. Then as I kept reading I was surprised and even more so upset about the boy being put on the chamber.

Locked away

The boy grew up and it was time for him to have a wife. So he did and she was brought down to his chamber and they were left alone. As it was told at the start of the story the boy was said to have his life taken by a wolf and torn apart. This is why he was first placed in the chamber.

As it came to be and after all of his life so far spent in his chamber. The wife had turned into a wolf and torn him apart. Only to turn back into a girl with no idea how it all happened.

I liked this story because even if people are told something bad is going to happen, they shouldn't change the way they live. They should still go about enjoy life as if nothing were going to change.

You never know how things are going to happen. So enjoy the time you have and live life to the fullest.

Learning Challenges: Happiness Reading Article

9 Principles That People Who Feel Successful Say They Live By: Happiness Challenge Article

Success is an Iceberg

1. Create Often  

When you creative you get a meaningful feeling that you placed something new in the world.

2. Understand The Self

The ability to understand yourself, is known as a trait to successful people. You should spend time working on getting to know yourself, be the best you.

3. Have Fun 

To feel successful it is important to have fun. No matter how hard you work you need to make time to do the things you enjoy and spend time with the people you care about. When you spend time having fun it reflects back on happiness and being proud of the life you are creating.

4. Suspend Judgments

Most judgments are reflected on in a negative manner. From now on think about judgment as a way of reflecting back and finding a way to grow and move forward. Learning from your mistakes is productive. Try not to spend time judging yourself, instead use it as motivation to move forward.

5. Seek Challenges 

Find ways to push your limits by seeking challenges. These challenges will push you to your limits and you will grow as an individual.

6. Pursue Meaning 

Find a path or activity that has meaning to you. It may be a volunteer group, helping children, or doing a good deed as a friend.  By doing this you will feel successful and achieved.

7. Make Change Work For You 

When a change occurs make the most out of it. Instead of resisting and slowly not wanting to adapt, take charge and make it work for you.

8. Develop Resilience

This is the ability to overcome a obstacle with positivity. To help you achieve this pale yourself in surroundings with positive and supportive individuals.

9. Constantly Improve. 

This is the overall connecting trait to being successful. Continue to strive for perfection, is known as the clearest path to success. There is always room for improvement so don't let anything hold you back.

No one said it would be easy, but it WILL be worth it! 

Article By, Bill Connolly.
Article found at, Entrepreneur.
Article published on, October 16, 2015

I found this and though it was convenient, enjoy! 

Success in a Blogpost

Growth Mindset: Open your mind with a new perspective

CCC

For this weeks growth mindset challenge I choose to do a memo on, open your mind with a new perspective. Once I read this title I knew I wanted to do this challenge. A few years back I used to be pretty closed minded compared to how I am now. I tried to stay away from things I did't know and people who seemed different that I was.

Perspective Quote

Then I grew up and learned a whole lot. I learned that stepping into new things is a great way to learn. It is also a great way to meet new people and get to know yourself. I have been on a few interesting journey in the past few years that have open my mind in way I never could have imagined.

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per·spec·tive

pərˈspektiv/

noun

1. 1. 

   the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.

   "a perspective drawing"

   
   

   Perspective Definition

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In this challenge there is an article, Three Cognitive Biases. The article talks about the three biases and a solution to each one.

 1. Confirmation Bias:

This is the bias that your thought, memories and beliefs are intangible. You tend to reinforce rather than challenge these beliefs. "It is the tendency to search for interpret information in a way that confirms with one's existing beliefs or preconceptions. " (Further Article) 

Solution- Open your mind. Take time to think about the other side of the story, you do not necessarily have to accept it though. Just attempt to understand. 

2. Conservatism Bias

This is "evidence that the Earth is round instead of flat" conservatism bias is "often discussed in the realm of investing, where even professionals react too slowly yo new information." (Further Article) 

Solution- Act quickly to adapt in the face of a new contrary indication. Or, take time to verify but make sure you make a move. 

3. Conformity Bias

Conformity bias is "the tendency to behave similarly to the others in a group, even if doing so goes against your own judgment.: (Further Article) 

Solution- Have courage to act accordingly to your own conditions. 

What bias are you?

As of now I am a very open minded person. I will ask anyone and everyone involved their side of the story before I make any judgments or assumption. I want to make sure everyone had a fair chance. I will also try my best to take the time and understand why someone took action the way they did. I ask myself is there something I may not know? I am also integer by people that are different then me. I find it very interesting to learn why they are that way. With each new experience I go though and each new person I meet I always try to take something with me. Weather it be a new life lesson, a new way to cook, or a different way sometime thinks. It's all a part of what makes me who I am.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." 
-Albert Einstein

Week 4: Storytelling: Birth of Siddhartha

The Birth of Sidd 

In year past there once a world filled with evil, demons, and witches. This was a time of dark ages. In a kingdom call Gautama lived a king and queen, their castle was greater and taller that anyone had ever seen. The castle tower reached so high in the sky that the clouds consumed it. In these dark times though it was always covered by the mass of black clouds. The castle was also broken off from the rest of the land, the ground around it had cracked and fallen to the sea. Now for the tail that brought these dark times.

Island castle covered by the Dark

There once was a time when dark did not consume the land of Gautama. It was a time of joy, happiness, and light. It was a bright and beautiful kingdom and people came from far and wide to visit the king and queen in their castle. The land of Gautama was friendly to all.

Late one afternoon in the land of Gautama the King was hunting by the forest, looking for a deer. The king had stumbled upon a fine buck. He drew back his bow and an arrow flew with strength and speed, piercing the heart of the deer. Please with his kill he started to approach the deer, when he was mysteriously interrupted.

The king saw a shadow rising from the back of the forest. As it got closer and the king took a better look he couldn't believe what he saw. A witch! The king had only heard stories that they existed. How could this be?

With a scratch of a chuckle the witch slowly walked up to the king. The king asked the witch, "What is your business? This is my land, you do not belong here."  The witch then replied, "Oh yet you think my king, yet for this was first my land. You see I was banished and became weak. I had to take shelter and gain back strength. Now I am back and plan on taking back what was truly mine."

In shock the king was terrified. With courage he grabbed for an arrow and fired at the witch. The witch simple rebutted with a flick of her wand and the arrow flew right past her. The king knew he had to get back to his queen. He ran back to his castle.

He ran through the kingdom village shouting to the people. He told everyone to go home and lock the doors. He doubled the guards at every entrance of the kingdom.

King at battle

The king was not planning on giving his land to this witch. He told his wife that he was going out to battle. She tried everything she could to get him to stay because she had just found out she was going to have a baby. She knew her king would not sit and watch his kingdom fall so she decided not to tell him the news yet. He prepared for battle and set out with all his men.

They arrived to the edge of the forest. The ground started to shake and the sky began to roar. Black clouds filled the sky and the earth began to shake. The witch then appears from the edge of the forest.

"You don't stand a chance my king, for I have risen the demos of the ground and have the power of magic on my side. From this day on only the birth of one who can see pure truth and light can defeat me.  I have cast a spell on this land to insure no births. Now I will defeat you."

All that is Evil and Dark

From the depths of the forest the witch flew out with an army of demons.

The king and he are were in a tremendous battle. The king could see they were out numbered with no magic. In the darkness of the battle the king knelt down and prayed to the gods.

" Forgive me for I am not as strong as my enemy but please for the sake of my people and this kingdom help us."

A small light from above shown down on the king and he found strength from within. He jumped into the battle field slaying all that came his way. The witch noticed the king now had help from the gods. The witch began to worry, she knew the king and his armies could now win in battle.

The dark witch started to send the earth to the depths of the sea. The king ordered them to retreat back to the castle for protection. The king and most of his armies made it back to the castle, yet the witch was right behind them.

The witch flew up to the king "You may have won this battle with the help from the Gods but I shall still win back my land for you will now be stuck in your castle with no where to go."

The king was devastated. He cried to his queen with a broken heart. "Please do not be sad my king for I have good news. While you were at battle the Gods came to me. They told me that the baby I will soon bear will be able to save this kingdom. For she will be able to see the truth and light in the world. She will be a hero and restore this kingdom."

The King had faith again and everyone in the castle vowed their lives to this unborn child. Above all the dark clouds the top of the castle tower would glow when the queen and her unborn child were there. Her name will be Sidd.



Author's Note: I bases this story on the readings from the story, Birth of Siddhartha. In this story a kings wife, Mara knew her son was to be born soon. She had been sent dreams for the gods and felt the warmth her son brought. The day her son was to be born the king ordered for the whole kingdom to be lavished with extravagant beauty, such as flowers and jewels. This was also no ordinary son, he was said to be a Buddha. Once Siddhartha was born joy spread throughout the world. "Bells peeled gaily, peacocks spread their tail-feathers, and sounds of swans throbbed int he air. Flowers blossomed, fruit on trees, light in the sky, strength was given to the weak, poor became of wealth, and the wicked was cleaned of evil." (Birth of Siddhartha quote)  This baby was said to be the one to see the truth.

In my story I told it as a bedtime story, keeping the version of a king and queen to have a baby. I wanted to change up the beginning of the story. Making it dark from the witch. Then same at the original story the baby would being joy, light and happiness to the world. I also changed they boy to a girl baby in my story.

The name of the kingdom, Gautama is know as a Buddha name. Or also known as Siddhartha Gautama the founding of Buddha teaching. This is how I came up with the name of the kingdom.

Bibliography: Story is part of the Buddha Unit. Story source: Birth of Siddhartha, by Andre Ferdinand Herold (1922).

Tech Tip: Website - Storybook

I just made my new website for my storybook project. 

Land of Cherokee

My goal is to create a storybook that tell of how the Cherokee came to be and what the hold scared. Their land id their home and they see the Earth as the Mother. "Mother Nature" 

The Cherokee

Week 4: Reading Diary, Continued: Siddhartha the Hermit

For the second half of my reading I was drawn to the story Siddhartha the Hermit.

In the begging of this story Siddhartha set out on his horse till he reach the woods of the hermits. In the short story this was it is very clear of the relationship between Siddhartha and Chandaka, a dear friend.  There was a paragraph I really like.

"Chandaka: Truly, a horse has strength and swiftness of a God. And you, dear friend, by bearing me company, have proved to me how great is your affection and your courage. It was a noble deed and pleases me. Those who, like yourself, can combine energy and devotion are indeed rare. You have shown that you are my friend, and you expect no reward from me! Yet it is usually a selfish interest that brings men together. I assure you, you have made me very happy. Take the horse now and return to the city. I have found the forest I was seeking."

Becoming a Hermit

These two had a very close and dear friendship. They knew they were able to understand one another. Even though the choice of Siddhartha was not one Chandaka wanted to see happen, he knew it was what his friend wanted. This kind of relationship is hard to find now a days. The respect, loyalty and trust between two.

This is also where Siddhartha began his journey to truly become a Buddha, he knew he had to start as a hermit. Siddhartha also says, "Tell him that I possess neither virtue nor merit, for a man without virtue is never loved, and he who is never loved is never mourned." This was Siddhartha's last words to his friend before he took back towards the kingdom.

Story Source: This story is part of the Buddha unit. Siddhartha the Hermit by Andre Ferdinand Herold (1922).

Week 4: Reading Diary: Birth of Siddhartha

I choose to highlight the Story Birth of Siddhartha because it is the begging of the great Buddha being born. In this story, Maya the soon mother to be of Siddhartha knew here baby was about to be born. This was no ordinary with to be though. When Maya knew her baby was on the way the whole kingdom was being prepared. Everything was ordered to be of great beauty and lavished with flowers and jewels.

As the baby was born joy spread throughout the kingdom. Flowers blossomed, birds sang, swans throbbed in the air. Not only did more beauty strike but the poor became of the wealth, the wicked were cleansed of evil, the weak became strong, and the sky filled with light. This baby would be the one to see the truth.

Birth of Buddha

In the story before this, Maya's Dream she was sent a dream telling of the baby she would bear. In the dream she was informed that this baby would be a Buddha. The same thing happened but not to quit high intensity of joy being spread throughout the kingdom. The story told of how Maya became the veneration. She was able to give sight to the blind, cure the sick, and give the def back their hearing. All was well and joyful in the kingdom.

Story From: This story is part of the Buddha unit. Story source: The Life of Buddha by Andre Ferdinand Herold. (1922).

Tech Tip: Pinterest Board

Pinterest for Days 

Yes, I have used pinterest before and I love it. I am a huge fan of cooking and mostly pin recipes. I searched Cherokee myths once I decided this was going to be my project topic. I found a lot of great stories, pictures and interesting facts. I hope to include some of my findings in my project. Here is the link to my new pinterest board, Cherokee Myths. 

7 Clans of the Cherokee