Famous Last Words Week 14: Coming to an end

I can't believe this class is almost over... time flies... I really enjoyed Indian Epics and glad I took this class. We recently just nominated for the best storybooks and portfolios. I thought everyone did a great job and I'm glad I saw the ones I really liked won as one the the favorite projects. Everyone is so creative with their work! It's amazing!

Well... this week is going to be DEAD week. The worst week of all semesters in college... I am so not ready for exams or anything like that. My first exam is my capstone class this Thursday and I guess I'm ready? I'm more worried about my China Art of Warfare class... that class is so hard especially for an elective. Anyways... it will all be over soon and the week after that will be finals and graduation. I am so ready to be done with school.

I am looking for a job right now. I got a few calls back but still waiting for an answer and seeing if they pay enough. It sucks that college graduates don't get paid a lot but heyI guess we need more experience. I'm still debating on going to grad school and getting a masters degree but I don't know what degree I should get. I don't think I want to do political science anymore.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my college past since I'm about to graduate. I thought about changing my major and if I worked harder in school I would have probably done better or won't have to struggle. When I started out college, I was so passionate about being a political science major but after graduating with a political science degree. I felt like it wasn't worth it... this is my opinion though. It's so hard to find a good paying job with a political science degree honestly. Unless you are for sure going to law school then it is a good major to get into but other than that. it's really hard to find a good paying job. Political science had taught me to become a better writer and learn to do more critical thinking and analyzing. I also learned to not be bias and listen to both sides during debates but really... I just got tired of all it. In the end.. it's all about being passionate about what you're doing.

PSC Political Science

Week 14 Storytelling: Ashwatthaman as a Sacrifice

The night was dark and Ashwatthaman decided to raid the Pandavas camp site. He had wanted to enter the camp for the longest time and finally it was a good time to do it. However, he did not know that Krishna and the Pandavas were sleeping outside that night... He was caught by surprised... the camp was guarded by a white tiger that was a manifestation of Shiva.

"What is this? A white tiger!" said Ashwatthaman.

"I will kill this tiger! How dare this beast get in the way of entering the camp!" said Ashwatthaman.

Ashwatthaman then raised his sword and started to attack the tiger. The tiger dodged the sword and Ashwatthaman started chasing after the tiger. The tiger growled and swallowed Ashwatthaman's sword. He was surprised. How could this tiger just swallowed his weapon like that? He must be a god! 

Then the tiger started transforming into it's real figure. The tiger was the god Shiva... Ashwatthaman stood there with his eyes wide opened. He did not realize that it was Shiva. He felt embarrassed for trying to attack the almighty Shiva. 

"Oh almighty Shiva! I am so sorry for trying to attack you! I did not realize it was you! If I had known I would not have tried to kill you! I apologize..." said Ashwatthaman.

"How dare you try to attack me just to get inside of the Pandavas camp?! Did you not realize that I am more than just a tiger? When you tried to attack me, did you not see that I have abilities that a normal tiger doesn't have? What are you doing trying to raid the Pandavas camp?!" said Shiva

"I am sorry Shiva, I really did not realize that you were a god until you swallowed by sword. My stupidity had caused you to be angry with me. I am sorry. I am trying to get into the camp because I need to kill Krishna and the Pandavas! Let me kill them!" said Ashwatthaman.

"I cannot just let you kill Krishna and the Pandavas just like that. I am not going to let you enter this site unless..." said Shiva

"Unless?..."said Ashwatthaman.

"Unless, you sacrifice yourself to me. I want you to become my eternal slave. You will be under my control and everything you do will be under my command. You are to fulfill every mission I tell you to do. You will not question anything." said Shiva.

Ashwatthaman looked at Shiva. He thought to himself if he does not sacrifice himself than he will never be able to kill Krishna and the Pandavas. However, he did not want to be under the control of Shiva.. what should he do... 

Ashwatthaman thought for a very long time and decided to sacrifice himself as a slave to Shiva. 

"I have decided. I will sacrifice myself to you. You have my word." said Ashwatthaman.

"Very well, you shall enter the camp now." said Shiva.

Ashwatthaman entered the camp and killed Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, and Panchala. He was ruthless and slaughtered every single one of them. After that Ashwatthaman decided to let Rakshasha to eat the remains of the dead warriors... Rakshasha entered the camp and started devouring the dead bodies. He was hungry... 

Ashwatthaman left the camp to bring news to Duryodhana. 

Rakshasha is hungry:  Hindu Demon

Author's Bibliography: I decided to do the story over Ashwatthaman and how he sacrificed himself to Shiva in order to kill Krishna and the Pandavas. He was so angry with them that he was willing to become an eternal slave to Shiva just to kill them. I chose a third person point of view with some dialogues between Shiva and Ashwatthaman.

Bibliography: William Buck Mahabharata 

Week 14 Reading Diary B: The End

p. 351-412

The book is coming to an end...and Bhishma and is waiting for the moment. There seem to be so many deaths in Indian epics. Ganga is upset and mourn for his son's death. Bhishma's ashes were poured in the Ganges river. Yud is sad and in despair and Bhima tried to cheer him up and he becomes the king.

Overall, the story of Mahabharata comes to an end. Compared to the Ramayana, I think I like Buck's version of Ramayana better even though I didn't enjoy the character of Rama much. The beginning of the Mahabharata was interesting especially about Ganesha. I just wished there were more stories about Ganesha. It was getting confusing when the Pandavas were in battle with everyone. I was getting so confused with the characters. They were either dying or coming back alive. I did thought the dice game was interesting and felt bad for Draupadi. She should not have been treated that way by the men. There was a lot going on towards the end but overall it wasn't a bad story.

 Battle Scene: The Mahabharata

Week 14 Reading Diary A: After the Battle

p.307-349

The part that interested me the most is the night raid and the survivors. So Ashwatthaman, I will call him Ash for short since the name is so long. So Ash decided to invade the Pandava camp but didn't realize that Krishna and the Pandavas decided to sleep outside that night... he chose a bad night to invade their camp. Ash tried to attack Shiva but Shiva swallowed his weapons. That caught me by surprised.. I did not know Shiva can just swallow weapons or items like that? How powerful is he? Then Ash goes and starts killing the armies led by king Draupada and then Rakshasas started eating the dead bodies? That is so gross!!! I was quite disturbed when reading that part in the book... couldn't be more disgusting.

Then the survivors all came together and that is how the Mahabharata was formed. They prepared funerals for the dead ones or those who lost the battle.

Fierce Ash fighting in the battle: Ashwatthaman