Week 8 Comments and Feedback

I think I would rate the quality of feedback from the other students as a 11/10. I think all of the comments are useful. The encouraging ones allow me to see what I am doing well in. The constructive ones allow me to see what I am not doing well in. I think feedback is important! I think I would be my worse critic. I feel like the quality I leave for students is subpar. But, the opportunity to read other student's work helps me to write better. I think commenting on the blogs allows us to get to know each other more since as an online class, we are unable to interact with each other otherwise. Looking forward, I would like to create more constructive comments to help the other student become the best writer they can be!

(Cat feedback - Image Source)

Week 8 Reading and Writing

Overall, I think the reading and writing assignments are working well for me. I really enjoy creating my own story from the original ones I have read. I also enjoyed reading what other students have created. My reading notes have helped me understand the culture of India so I can incorporate into my storybook. I am relatively happy with my class project. It is so open-ended that I have trouble choosing a direction to go towards. My biggest accomplishments would be the assignments related to the growth mindset. Prior to this class, I have never heard of growth mindset. Now, I try to implement it in everything that I do. 

My favorite image would probably be the picture with Rama, Sita, and their twins. I adore children, but also because of the story I wrote about the family was something I was proud of. I also like the colors and the horse with the tabletop spinner. There is something real and something fantasy portrayed in the image. 

(Rama, Sita, and their twins - Image Source)

I think I am getting the most of this class. I want to do more of the extra credit opportunities. There are some extra credit assignments I have yet to try, such as the Wikipedia trail. I feel like I need to broaden my horizons as well. 

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part D

Bhima and Dushasana

Main Characters:
Bhima
Dushasana
Karna
Arjuna

Setting:
A battlefield

Plot:
Arjuna was enraged, he started fighting Susharman but then Karna started to attack as well. Brim decided to hold Karna until Arjuna finished fighting Susharman. It was only far for a one against one attack. Dushasana come to help Karna but Bhima reminded Dushasana about an oath. The oath that he made was to slay Dushasana and drink his blood because he showed his thigh to Draupadi and caused her shame. In the end, Bhima defeats Dushasana by chopping his head off and drinks his blood.

(Bhima and Dushasana fighting - Image Source)

Bibliography. "Bhima and Dushasana" from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. MacKenzie. Web Source.

Growth Mindset: Focus

7 Key Maxim of a Mindset Focused on Growth by Martin Zwilling

Focusing, in general, can be a hard task to accomplish. Martin Zwilling shares seven steps on focusing on growth:

1. A need to learn from customers, rather than educate them. 
2. Develop market insights and a growth vision far beyond today. 
3. Don't try to solve all the world's problems in one solution.
4. Foster leadership and accountability at all levels of the company. 
5. Partnering with customers, rather than acting as a supplier. 
6. Replace "push" marketing with value-added "pull" marketing. 
7. Manage by metrics rather than by crisis and emotion. 

Although, most of the key maxims are business related, it can be applied to more relatable topics. Here is my version of these key maxims in more broad statements. 

1. Learn from others around you. 
2. Look forward to the future. 
3. Don't try to solve all the world's problems in one solution. 
4. Be an accountable leader. 
5. Befriending everyone is better than being unknown or an enemy. 
6. Don't push people, but pull them in by intriguing ways. 
7. Think logically about your decisions. 

Some of my renditions do not convey the full messages that Zwilling's did but I think it can still be applicable in various situations. It is important to keep these maxims in mind to be able to grow. I think 1 is a very important statement. As humans, we are creatures who learn by watching and doing. I think everyone has something to teach to the world. 2 is also a very important statement. In order to go, we must look toward the future. Looking in the past could hold us back from our potential. But reminiscing is different from being held back in the past. 7 is important step. Decisions should not be taken lightly and be thought out thoroughly. 

(Growth Mindset - Image Source)

Growth Mindset: L.O.V.E.

Initially, it was difficult to create an acronym with a Growth Mindset theme. I wanted the acronym to have meaning such as love. I also tried worth and work. It was always the last letter that I was stumped on! Love is meaningful. It is also very versatile. You can love your friends, family, pets, and others but at different levels. It is an adaptable word. The saying "Let Optimism Veer Everything," means to make positive decisions and not negative ones, such as those that stem from jealousy, personal gains, or revenge. It also means that when things are tough, to keep going. It is to have an optimistic mindset to continue on the treacherous journey called life. 

(Made from Canva.com) 

Famous Last Words: Crazy!

This week has been crazy! It has probably been the craziest and busiest week of my semester so far. I do not want a week like this until a long while. I definitely am ready for this weekend. Since the ice storm, my Anatomy practical and exam got pushed back. Therefore, I had to take three exams on Friday. I was not ready for either of them. Fingers crossed I did manageable! I learned that I need to spend more time on my studies. This morning, right before my test, I found 1 Yuan in the South Oval. I think it was a sign that even though my tests may not go as planned, it's okay. At least my morning started off well. I was talking to my friend about my Yuan. 6 Yuans is about equivalent to 1 dollar. So the Yuan I found was about 16 cents.

I am starting to notice that my comments and posts are becoming longer with more ease. I think I am improving on my length! That is one thing I am happy about. The portfolio and storybooks I have read from my classmates shock me. I am amazed on how creative and well articulate my classmates are. I hope that they think the same of my work too!

I decided to use this photo because it summed up my week. Although my week was crazy, I like to think it added spice in my life. If it wasn't exciting or fast paced sometimes, life would feel stagnant.

(Crazy - Image Source)

Week 7 Review

In the daily announcements, this was my favorite photo. Not only because it was cute but also encouraging. I think that learning takes time and realization that it does not happen all at once. I am still learning about learning. I know that I am not a patient person, but I reassure myself more than average that change does not happen overnight. I think that this photo is empowering because despite the size of the kitten, it continues to go for its goals. 

(Growth Mindset - Image Source)

I decided to choose this video because I can't get enough of positive messages! I think it is important to surround yourself with positive images, messages, and videos. Environment has a lot to do with attitudes. It also does not hurt to learn new techniques to gain happiness through positivity. Some of the positive habits that I am lacking is exercising and being persistent. I have never been an athletic person, so getting into an active lifestyle is difficult for me. In some aspects, I am not persistent. Sometimes when things get difficult, I tend to stray away from the challenge. I hope that in the future, I will face challenges head on with no fear but full confidence! 

(The Biology of Positivity - Video Source)