Learning Challenge: A Favorite Health/Happiness Meme

As the end of the semester get closer, the stress only continues to rise. At this point in the year, I find myself longing for Christmas Break and forgetting about the things that can make me happy right here right now. It is important to stay positive and remember to keep your own mental health on your radar! A problem with college students is that we often forget to take care of ourselves. On top of eating, sleeping, showering, and exercising...we also need to take care of that valuable resource between our ears. Our mind is a powerful tool and simply doing things that make us happy can improve our mental health. For this learning challenge, I found the following meme:

(This photo came from an entire blog of cute puppy memes!)

For me, I absolutely love dogs. So, when I have had a bad week or receive a bad grade on a test, I call my friends who have pets and ask if I can come play with them. This might seem strange, but my friends are used to it. I also FaceTime my sweet pups back home sometimes! This is a simple way for me to relieve my stress and focus on something that always makes me happy, even if only for a few minutes. This might not be dogs for everyone (even though I don't understand how it isn't). But, everyone has something that makes them smile! Maybe it's a night of Netflix binging, baking a sweet treat, or taking a drive with the windows down. Whatever it is, make time for it in your day!

No matter how busy you are, you are never too busy to take care of yourself. Try a Health/Happiness Challenge!

Story Planning: Letters from Krishna

I decided to try a Story Planning post this week. I usually jump right into writing, but I decided to slow myself down this week and see if it helps me come up with something better. I'm wanting to explore new styles, so hopefully this helps!

Possible Scenes to Use:

• Krishna Comes - An Introduction: Here we learn about all the enemies that Krishna had. I thought it would be fun to create a story with completely different characters, but going through a similar situation. I thought about a girl moving to a new high school, with a gang of "mean girls" that already didn't like her for some reason (which I would need to come up with).
• Krishna Episode 2 - Vasudev Meets Yamuna: In this scene, Vasudev escapes with baby Krishna to protect him. It would be interesting to write a first-person scenario from Vasudev's point of view. He was in danger and was also probably so sad to be leaving his baby with someone else.
• Krishna Episode 3 - Durga Speaks to Kamsa: Kamsa hears of the birth of the 8th child and laughs when he finds out its a girl (it's not really, they were switched....but, you know). The girls ends up making a fool out of Kamsa and I would love to be able to make an empowering story out of this.
• Krishna Episode 12 - Krishna rides Hastin: Krishna rides the bull instead of killing it, teaching everyone a lesson of kindness. I would love to incorporate this theme into a story somehow
• Krishna Episode 13 - The Saviour of Dharma: Krishna learns about his destiny and all that this will require of him. A very emotional scene.
• Krishna Episode 14 - Akrur Invites Krishna: Krishna appears to be fearless about facing his destiny. But what would happen if he was secretly more afraid than he lead on?

Possible New Styles:

• Letter writing: this is a style I haven't tried yet, but want to. I have seen other people do it in their stories and they are always fun to read!
• Journal entry: similar to the letter, but more personal. This would be good for Episode 13 or 14!
• Script: lots of dialogue and an opportunity to explicitly state what emotions the characters are supposed to be feeling

Goals:

• Try something new
• Make it fun to read
• Create a story with good flow
• Start strong and finish strong the first time (not just after editing)

(I am leaning toward the idea of a letter or journal entry from Krishna!)

Title:  Krishna
Author:  Epified TV (India)
Year:  2015

Reading Notes: Epified: Krishna, Part B

Krishna Episode 11- Krishna Humbles Brahma

Brahma wonders why Krishna and his friends are eating together from the same plate

He kidnaps the cows and friends

Krishna re-creates what was stolen to trick Brahma

I thought this scene was funny. It would be interesting to turn this into a story somehow

Krishna Episode 12 - Krishna rides Hastin

Hastin is a massive, vicious bull whom everyone is afraid of

Krishna advises his brother that killing Hastin isn't good

K says he will ride Hastin and everyone freaks out

He does what they said couldn't be done...what seems to be a reoccurring theme

Through this act, Krishna teaches the people a lesson of kindness. I love this theme!

Krishna Episode 13 - The Saviour of Dharma

Krishna learns the truth about his birth! This must be a shocking moment for him. He learns that he can't marry his love because his life has a larger destiny. Although this is an incredible discovery, this must be a heartbreaking and earth-shattering thing for him to learn. This scene contained a lot of emotion that I think could have been elaborated on.

Krishna Episode 14 - Akrur Invites Krishna

Krisna is not afraid to face his uncle because he knows that it is his destiny. Again, there is an overwhelming amount of emotion in these scenes. I can't imagine how he or any of his loved ones would feel during this time.

Krishna Episode 15 - Krishna's Farewell

Krishna prepares to leave and everyone is distraught

It's amazing how Krishna leaves his safe, happy place and prepares to risk his life

Krishna is extremely selfless

Vishnu reveals himself to Akru

Krishna Episode 16 - Krishna Arrives At Mathura

Krisna begins working miracles which is great news to everyone except the uncle who wants to kill him...oops

Krishna Episode 17 - Krishna Kills Kuvalayapida

Kamsa plans to use the giant scary elephant to kill Krishna

Here, we reflect upon all the murders Kamsa committed in an attempt to kill Krishna. Disgusting.

Krishna slays the elephant and Kamsa is terrified

Krishna Episode 18 - Krishna Kills Kamsa

Krishna breaks Shiva's bow!

Kamsa is freaking out at this point...his death is evident

He tries to run, but Krisna and Baldram fight their way to him

Kamsa dies...the prophesy has been fulfilled

Krishna Episode 19 - Freedom For Mathura

Everyone is relieved by the end of Kamsa...Krishna and Baldram are heroes

Mathura learns that Kamsa is dead

Krishna meets his birth parents!!!!!!!

Everyone cheers--a happy ending!

Krishna Episode 20 - Dwarka - Krishna's Kingdom

Jarashand is furious that Krishna killed Kamsa

Krishna, instead of worrying about himself, worries about everyone else

To fix this problem, they move Mathura. I thought that this was a very interesting and painfully complicated solution.

(Krishna must slay a ferocious elephant before making his way to Kamsa.)

Title:  Krishna
Author:  Epified TV (India)
Year:  2015

Reading Notes: Epified: Krishna, Part A

I loved the Epified version of the Mahabharata so much, that I decided to dedicate this week to learning more about Krishna through their videos! The way that they bring these stories to life aligns perfectly with my learning style and keeps me very entertained.

Krishna Comes - An Introduction

This talks about the enemies that Krishna had before even being born. Talk about being set up for failure! It would be fun to write about someone coming to a new place with people disliking them before they even got a chance to introduce themselves

Krishna Episode 1 - Kamsa

Kamsa (an evil ruler) learns that his sister's 8th child will be the cause of his death

He thinks about ending their lives, but throws them in jail instead

Instead, he kills all of their children - awful

She becomes pregnant with 8th child (why)

No one could harm this baby! Still, they were scared (as they should be)

So dramatic! I can't think of anything specific right now, but I would love to make a story out of this scene

Krishna Episode 2 - Vasudev Meets Yamuna

The parents are so proud but so afraid. I can't even imagine this feeling.

Vasudev is able to escape...seems to be some divine intervention

He carries the child through the dark rain (again, so dramatic!)

V asks the river for help...interesting

A serpent comes to help. I thought this was interesting since serpents are typically evil symbols

V switches the babies...scandalous. It is so sad that he had to abandon his son, but why did an innocent baby have to be put in danger!? Not fair.

Krishna Episode 3 - Durga Speaks to Kamsa

Kamsa hears of the birth of the child and fears. This is another emotion that I can't even fathom.

He sees that the baby is a girl (it wasn't, but they were switched) and laughs...annoying

I'm still angry that V put this girl in danger. Nothing happens to her, but it easily could have!!

The girl makes a fool of Kamsa and this makes me happy. I would love to make a story like this too...of a fierce girl competitor who is not taken seriously

Krishna Episode 4 - Putana

Okay so the mother of the girl is now VERY confused that she has a baby boy. Again, can't imagine this feeling.

She loves the child as her own anyways.

Everyone loves little baby Krishna.

Putana shows up and makes her way into the family and then becomes a demon and steals Krishna...wow

The demon cannot kill the baby...mama finds baby K next to the corpse of the demon

Krishna Episode 5 - Maakhan Chor

Krishna becomes a very ornery child

Y always defends her little boy then interrogates him when people leave...hehe

Krishna Episode 6- Krishna's mouth

Someone tells Y that Krishna is eating mud but when she demands that he opens his mouth, she finds...........the universe. WHAT?

This was different and surprising but this is the turning point when she realizes that Krishna is not an ordinary little boy.

Krishna Episode 7 - Dreams and Music

The boys love exploring the forest

Krishna starts to become interested in music and soon conquers it (still a child!)

K finds his friends all dead and challenges the snake. He plays scary music and dances viciously on the snake's head.

Krishna Episode 8 - Kamsa's Terrors

Krishna is now a young man. He is still a trouble maker!

He has become a fierce warrior and has fought off many demons

Krishna Episode 9 - The Govardhan Hill

Indra creates a terrifying storm and everyone comes to Krishna

He lifts the Govardhan Hill and uses it as a giant umbrella for everyone

Indra begs for Krishna to forgive him!

Krishna Episode 10 - Radha's love

Women love to dance to the music Krishna makes, but Krishna has his eyes on a girl that he grew up with. So cute.

Radha drinks hot milk and Krishna's tongue blisters

Radha loves Krishna more than anything. Their love is quite sweet.

(I've noticed the reoccurring theme of serpents in this series!)

Title:  Krishna
Author:  Epified TV (India)
Year:  2015