Reading Notes: The Ramayana Part A

(Sita and Rama)

So far I have really enjoyed the Ramayana. I love how it is embellished with details, the imagery is beautiful and the action elements of the book really grab my attention.

As I have stated before, I am a sucker for love so I am sure you all know what story caught my eye (and tugged on my heartstrings) the most. Sita and Rama, so cute. I love how they were infatuated with each other from the very first sight. I would love to do a story based off of their love story. The way that Sita described Rama after seeing him, and in turn the way Rama described Sita was beautifully poetic. (I love Rama's description of Sita on page 25, ah- my heart...) They were caught up just on one another's features and Sita was practically love sick that she may never see him again.

Have you ever walked past a stranger and made eye contact for just a fraction of a second and maybe shared a smile? Well I feel like those moments can be the sweetest and the most bitter because you may never see that person again. I, being the hopeless romantic that I am, hate it when I have an encounter like that with a stranger and realize I just let them walk into and out of my life in like ten seconds. And then of course I'm left wondering "if I would have said something would that person have ended up as a significant part of my life?" DID I JUST MISS OUT ON LOVE?! Cupid, where you at when I need ya? Shoot them arrows boy. Rama and Sita's love story could have ended up this way, with them just missing their chance. But luckily for them- fate was on their side. 

I really haven't had much time to brainstorm how I could alter this story to make it my own but I feel like the possibilities could be endless. Since animals are also such a big passion of mine, I could change Rama and Sita into animals and tell it from a different perspective? Though I feel like I would really like to take time and think out of the box for what direction I would like to take my story. 

As the week goes on I will for sure be thinking about Sita and Rama's story and I hope I can come up with a unique way to make it my own. 

Narayan's Ramayana, link to Reading Guide A.

My Thoughts on Growth Mindset

WOW!

Okay, this is an amazing concept. How have I not heard of this till now?! I think it was practically made for me. I definitely have a fixed-mindset. I was a 4.0 student in high school and once I started college that all changed. I have received As, Bs, Cs and I have even failed once. This really hindered my willingness to put in the effort to do well in my classes. I am a horrible time manager and when I have a lot of assignments for multiple classes I usually just become overwhelmed and don't do any of them till the last minute because I feel like I have to prioritize one over the other. 

The idea that someone does not fail but is given the grace to try again and succeed is genius. I can see also though, why it could be a problem. Of course some people may take advantage of this and never get anything done but personally I know if I were given a second chance to either complete an assignment or score a higher grade- it would boost my confidence in my ability to learn and give me an incentive to try harder for the future. 

I love that Professor Laura has given us growth mindset challenges to try. I am actually extremely eager to try them. I think the 'Grow By Watching Others' challenge is one of my favourites. To try to learn from my peers seems like an awesome idea. I'm so ready to try to apply growth mindset to my life. I think this week I will try the 'Grow-Your-Writing-Process' challenge just to break out of my comfort zone a bit!

PS- Love all the growth mindset kitties. 

(Growth Mindset Cat)

Tips for Starting the Semester.

If you're looking for tips on how to be a studious college student who never procrastinates and always finishes assignments way ahead of time, you have come to the wrong place.

I have always aspired to be that girl, the one with the planner. The one who has every assignment, appointment, work shift, date night written down and color coated. But I am just not her. (Tho I did purchase a Passion Planner this year.) Actually planners themselves stress me out because I feel like you have to plan for your planner. 

I feel like I'm really just hitting way under the bar here for this assignment cause I really have no tips for you all. (Hoping, praying you have tips for me.) But I am so eager to read all of your tips and maybe you can help me achieve my goal to be a planner girl! Usually I just keep all my info stored in my cranium and hope for the best. Not always the best decision tho. I'll admit, I have missed an assignment or two, or three... in my day. 

However during the few times I have attempted to be on top of things, I usually just write down all I have to do in a notebook. Then stare at it. Then take a nap- in order to prepare myself for this workload. Then eat... maybe I'll watch some Netflix and then I'll start in on the list. 

(Procrastination Meme)

Moral of this blog post- don't come looking for tips on how to be organized from the girl who's doing this assignment (due at 12am) at 10:26pm the night of. 

(Procrastination meme)

My Ramayana Reading Options

I actually took this class because my roommate Natalie took this class last semester and absolutely loved it! Therefore she was gracious enough to allow me to use her books! With that being said, I will be using Narayan's Ramayana. 

This class is actually very exciting because all of this material is new to me! I have not ever researched anything about India Epics but I'm very eager to learn about them. Truthfully I haven't been into any type of mythology, of course I have watched movies that had ties to mythology but besides that... I am pretty uneducated in this area!! I did attend a private Christian college once upon a time and i did take two religious classes. In those classes we did touch briefly on other religions but it was really nothing too in depth. 

Indian culture seems like something I would truly enjoy learning about. Though I have no ties to Indian culture really, I think this will allow me to grow in new ways. I am so excited to gain more knowledge on the Indian culture and epics that are intertwined within in. I am sure that there are many things I can take away from reading these epics and I hope I will walk away knowing more than a thing or two about Indian epics and mythology!!

(Narayan's Ramayana)

Storybook Favorites

There are so many talented authors and so many wonderful storybooks to choose from but here are three of my favourites!!


Hello, Where Am I?
I found this storybook to be extremely intriguing! The thought of falling through puddles and essentially time traveling is such a fun idea. I'm sure this storybook keeps it's readers interested and engaged the whole way through! The topic is unfamiliar to me, I actually know nothing about Indian Epics so I don't even know who Sita is. (Except for the fact that she's in love, and you know how I love me a good love story!) I was hooked after reading the intro, I loved how it began with the speaker in the story talking to herself, it made me eager to learn what she was talking about. I felt like the layout of the page was very easy to read, large print with a nice font which I felt allowed me to really indulge in the story. I found that the storybook was very easy to navigate with links to each part of the story located at the top. Each part included one picture which I liked because it made it look neat and I feel that if too many pictures were included it could look cluttered or feel a bit overwhelming.

Photo from Hello, Where Am I storybook

CSI: Indian Epics
What a creative idea!! This seems so interesting! Honestly I don't watch much CSI but I've always enjoyed murder mysteries. This is such a fun twist to put on the Indian Epics and its cool that the reader has the goal of solving the mystery of who killed Bhishma. I am not particularly a fan of the notebook paper layout though I do understand it fits with the theme. I usually appreciate something more simple that allows you to really focus on the storyline. I do think this storybook is very well written and is able to capture and keep the readers attention. This was a fantastic idea for a storybook!

Love Through the Eyes of Nature
I actually laughed out loud when I saw the end of the introduction which says "xoxo, gossip squirrel"! I used to watch Gossip Girl and loved that show and all of its drama, as cheesy as it may be. The show kept you hooked with all the major twists and turns they would throw at you constantly! The love stories are probably what kept me watching the most though. I liked the layout, this one was also very easy to read with links to each part located on the sidebar. I just love the idea behind this and that the storybook is based off the gossip the animals hear. So so clever and hilarious!!! I think this would be a great read and I'm sure the author had tons of fun coming up with this idea and writing it!!

Introduction to... The Possibilities Are Endless.

Hola. Hello. Howdy. Hi there! My names Madelyn Amacher, you can call me Madelyn- or Mads... if you're feelin' lazy!(; So, I'm supposed to tell ya'll a bit about me... let me see if I can do so and manage not to put you to sleep!

I am twenty one years old, born on Thanksgiving (they call me a turkey baby). I have two wonderful parents and I am the eldest of three. I have an 18 year old sister named Malori and a 15 year old brother named Will. I am from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma born and raised. I know, I clearly went SUPER far to college but let me tell you coming to OU was an upgrade. I started out at Southern Nazarene University, which I hated more than anything... closest thing I can compare that university to would be jail. Since I could no longer stand to spend another second at that school I left after the Fall 2014 semester and spent Spring 2014 at UCO, just taking nine hours and commuting from my home (compromise with the rents). FINALLY, for Spring 2015 semester I came to OU. Best. Decision. Ever. Yes, this is only my second year at OU. 

You're probably thinking at this point, okay awesome Madelyn you win the award for the person who's transferred schools most in college- but whats your major? Well, well, well I am actually taking suggestions currently for a good major- please leave your suggestion in the comment wall. Kidding, but yes it is true I am a fourth year and I am undecided. (I'll be taking that fifth year victory lap.) I actually did declare a major once upon a time, I was Biology Pre-Veterinary Medicine my second semester of freshman year. But after failing Organismal Bio I realized that maybe being a Vet just wasn't really in the cards for me.

And that brings me to talk about my biggest passion of all, animals. (Yes that is a bird in the top left picture.) I have had a heart for animals ever since I can remember. Over the years I have rescued countless little furry friends, most being kittens. I am a huge supporter of the saying "adopt don't shop" and I'm not particularly fond of breeders. I hope to one day be able to educate people on the importance of spaying and neutering our pets and how it contributes to the overpopulation issue around the world. The more animals I can save from being euthanized the happier I'll be. I hope to one day be able to open my own animal rescue as well! I have four dogs and one sugar glider! One dog lives at my dads and her name is Sweetie and the other three live with my mom, their names are Star, Willow and Maggie. And for those of you who are thinking "what the heck is a sugar glider?", well let me enlighten you! A sugar glider is much like a flying squirrel except she is actually a marsupial. So like kangaroos she has a little pouch where she would keep her babies if she had any! They are also nocturnal, meaning they are awake at night and sleep during the day! (The kind of schedule I'm typically on!)

Can you tell that this little girl is one of my favourite rescues of all times? I got to raise her from an itty bitty baby, bottle feeding her every two hours! Exhausting yes, but it was so worth it! She was by far the hardest baby to give up but she has such a perfect loving forever home! I named her Nugget, Nug for short but her name is now Poppy!

Another passion I possess is a passion for people. I love being a friend, as silly as that may sound. But I think there is truly so much importance in knowing how to truly be a good friend to someone. These days with technology and social media in the way it can be really tough on any relationship. But loyalty and acceptance are two of the most important qualities I think someone can possess so I try my hardest to give that to others.

Hmmm, what else? Ah... I also love writing. I write songs as well as poetry- it's kinda my outlet. I sing as well and can play piano a bit and am attempting to learn guitar. Music is a big part of my life and I truly don't know if I could live without it! I also love love love country two-stepping. I've always wished I were a dancer and during my freshman year at SNU some students there taught me how to two-step and I fell in love. I typically go to Cowboys OKC every Friday night to dance because its free with a college ID! I would absolutely love to one day compete. I also do photography on the side as well.(:

I can't wait to get to know you all as well! Cheers to a fun semester ahead!

Week 1 Story-telling: The Love of The Lion and The Unicorn

The Lion and the unicorn

Were fighting for the crown;

The lion beat the unicorn 

All round about the town.

Some gave them white bread,

And some gave them brown;

Some gave them plum-cake,

And sent them out of town.

(traditional nursery rhyme)

~~~

In a land where animals rule and unicorns prance happily through towns made of candy, there was a Unicorn named Estel and a lion named Uriah. 

(Estel)

Estel and Uriah were both born to royal families. They were very well known in their society and since they grew up together they knew each other very well. You could say the two may have fallen a bit into love, but they would never admit that. (Shh, it's our little secret.) 

(Uriah)

But there came a time- the time they had both dreaded for so long, to decide who the crown would be bestowed upon. So the families shackled the two together and told them who ever could escape first, could take the crown. 

~~~

The Lion and the unicorn

Were fighting for the crown;

       

For the sake of keeping their love secret, they played along. Working against each other, so that the town would not suspect anything. Estel let Uriah appear to win, but they had another plan in mind all along. 

Their act was very convincing and they knew they were going to succeed in their quest to be together.

The lion beat the unicorn 

All round about the town.

They traveled as a pair, but shackled as one all the way across, through and around the town while all the towns animals came to watch. Once they reached the edge of town, they knew it was time to run. Surrounded by the towns animals they turned to each other, knowing it was finally their time. They shared a kiss before breaking free from the shackles. The towns animals and Uriah and Estel's families were furious and disgusted by this sight. A unicorn was not to be with a lion, it was absurd and unheard of and absolutely NOT ALLOWED. Everyone started throwing food at them, white bread, brown bread even plum-cake. So they grabbed what they could before turning to run. (It was smart to have snacks for their journey.)

Some gave them white bread,

And some gave them brown;

Some gave them plum-cake,

And sent them out of town.

(Estel and Uriah)

They knew their actions had banished them from the town and that now neither would take the crown. But they had their love, and now they could run free... without a care or worry about what others may think. After all it is forbidden a unicorn and lion be together, but love knows no boundaries and that town was just too small for a love that big.

(Estel and Uriah)

So they lived happily together, on the outskirts of town. No one knew them, they were no longer part of their royal families since each of them had turned their backs on the couple when they found out about their secret romance. But they had all they needed, they didn't need to be someone to everyone when they were already everything to each other. 

~~~

Author's Note. So as you can see, I am a sucker for love and I'm sure I'll be writing about love the majority of this semester (promise I will attempt to branch out though). You can read the original nursery rhyme at the beginning of my story, as well as within it. I wanted to put a little twist on it- though the nursery rhyme depicted this as a battle where the lion conquers the unicorn, I thought it would be a bit more intriguing if they were in love (hopeless romantic, ok?). I really didn't base my story off of anything, just my own imagination. Though it may seemed a bit star-crossed lovers like and give a Romeo and Juliet kind of feel, though no one dies at the end. As for the name Estel- I did have some inspiration. We actually have a unicorn head hanging on the wall in my moms house, she named her Estel. So it only seemed right to name the unicorn in the story Estel as well!

Meet the original Estel!

Bibliography. This story is based on the nursery rhyme "The Unicorn and The Lion" in The Nursery Rhyme Book, edited by Andrew Lang.

Comment Wall

Hello everyone! My name is Madelyn Amacher! I'm excited to get to know you all this semester, please leave your comments for me here!(:

Nashville, Tennessee- My Favorite Place

Nashville, Tennessee. This summer I had the privilege of visiting music city. I went for the Country Music Festival with my mom. I instantly fell in love with the city! We stayed at the Omni Hotel which is fairly new and just a block away from music row. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nashville, music row is a strip in downtown Nashville where all of the bars and clubs are located. Countless famous country singers started out singing in these bars!!

This is a picture of me on the night of the Country Music Awards, the first night we arrived in Nashville. We didn't go to the awards show but we hung out around music row which was such a cool experience. You can see there is a stage behind me, throughout the night artists came out and played a song for us. It was so crowded though, you could barely move through the streets!

(Music Row Nashville, Tennessee. Source: Music Row)

My mother and I are both very social people and on our flight to Nashville we made a friend named Inga! She is from Latvia but now lives in Tulsa. She works for Chevy so she was on a business trip to Nashville since Chevy is one of the CMA Festivals sponsors. We talked with her the entire flight and even met up with her a couple times in Nashville. One night we got to enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the restaurants in our hotel with Inga. We still keep in touch with her too!

We had to walk over this GINORMOUS bridge every night from Nissan Stadium (where the nightly concerts were- yes concerts every night, *woop woop*)  to get to the other side where our hotel was. It was pretty comical walking across this bridge with thousands of other people all at once.  Since it was hard for us to move very fast we honestly looked like zombies. Heres a photo from the bridge we would cross. Nashville has such a gorgeous skyline!



Here is my lovely mom and I (yes I know, I will be lucky if I age half as well as her!) on the night of the CMAs. Snapchat allowed me to put this cute little sticker thing on our picture!! We had a blast in Nashville for five days! We got to see so many amazing artists including Keith Urban, Brett Eldridge, Carrie Underwood (shoutout Checotah, Oklahoma) and Dierks Bentley (who WAVED to me!!), and many many more amazingly talented artists! I am hopeful to get an internship with CMT for the spring semester which will allow me more time in this amazing city! I highly recommend you visit Nashville at least once in your life, especially if you have a heart for country music like I do!




OH MY! How could I forget? I also scored a free backstage pass to Bonnaroo, another music festival just an hour from Nashville in Manchester, TN. I got to see Third Eye Blind and X-Ambassadors. But the best part was running into Adam DeVine from Pitch Perfect (Bumper) and other shows and movies including the new movie Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (where he plays alongside Zac Efron *drool*). He was SO incredibly nice and even told me it was nice to meet me, I was so honored. Haha, anyway- it was all around an amazing trip!!!