Reading Notes: The Kaurava Empire Vol. 1 Part A

Cover Art (India Epics: Reading and Resources)

The Kaurava Empire Volume 1: Abhimanyu and The Conquest of the Chakravyuha
Written by, Jason Quinn
Illustrated and Colored by, Sachin Nagar

About the book

It is a graphic novel based on the Mahabharata.  Part A constists of  pages 66 to the end (cast of characters and author's note) and pages 1-32.  This book changes the setting to an outer space environment.  Focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the Kaurava and Pandava families.  Kurukshetra is the battle field where all events take place.  Hastinapura is the capital of the Kaurava Empire.

Charatcers

The two main characters are teenagers:

1. Abhimanyu:
1. Is the son of Arjuna
2. Just as talented with a bow as his father
3. His wife is Uttaraa, preganent, lives in the Pandava battle camp
4. A proven warrior in his own right
2. Durmashana:
1. Is the son of Dusasana.
2. Wants to prove him self a warrior
3. Made fun of by his cousin Laxman
4. trained to use a mase

The Two Heroes  Both are written as heroes of their own story, and they occasionally interact with each other.

1. Abhimanyu's adventure:
1. believes in the Pandava quest for dharma (justice) after the exile of the brothers
2. almost kills Bhishma (commander of the Kaurava army)
3. almost kills Laxman (Crown Prince Duryodahana's son)
4. Almost kills Shakuni (guy with the loaded dice), but the days end of battle horn sounded
5. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part one, "Do I feel fear out here on the battlefield? No. Out here I feel invisible. Out here I feel as if I'm going to live forever."
2. Durmashan's adventure:
1. Believes the Pandavas are lying about the rigged game of dice and the humiliation of Queen Druapadi.
2. Looks for Abhimanyu on the battle field, thinks that if he kills him, he will be a hero
3. Instead he meets Ghatotkacha (Bheema's half deamon son)
4. Ghatotkacha almost kills him, but lets him go, calling him a baby
5. He knows fear and is terrified after the encounter
6. His state of mind in his own words at the end of part one, "No one has faith in me. Why should they when I have no faith in myself?"

Growth Mindset: More Cats

Feedback Cat (Growth Mindset Blog)

I like this one, because I believe that friends are the family you choose.  Friends are always their for you.

Feedback Cat (Growth Mindset Blog)

This one got me laughing.  It reminds me of one of my favorite sayings, "keep it simple stupid."

Feedback Cat (Growth Mindset Blog)

I like this one because it has been beaten into my head since kindergarten.  If there is one thing that every teacher wants, it is to show your work.

Tech Tip: AutoMotivator

My first poster (AutoMotivator)

I used the random picture option.  So I then used one of my favorite says.  It was fun and easy.  I my try to add more of these to future posts.

Wikipedia Trail: Complex Plane to Daniel Bernoulli

Graphical Representation of Euler's Formula (Wikipedia)

Complex Plane:

This is one of the main concepts my control systems class focuses on.  It simplifies a lot of the math.  This is accomplished by switching between cartesian coordinates and polar coordinates.  There are to parts to the complex number, the real part (x-axis) and imaginary part (y-axis).

Euler's Formula:

Most concepts that engineers learn in school were developed by Leonhard Euler or one of the Bernoulli family.  Euler's Formula is one of the most important tools that an engineer can use.  It shows the relationship between trig functions and exponential functions.  

Johann Bernoulli:

Most of his work was the development of infinitesimal calculus.  The is is a fancy way of saying it is the study of continuous change with really small numbers.  He taught Euler when is was a kid.  Most of his sons became mathematicians.  

Daniel Bernoulli:

He is the son of Johann Bernoulli.  The aerodynamics class all aerospace engineer majors are required to take devoted to Bernoulli's Principle.  The most important thing to remember about Bernoulli's Principle is that when velocity increases, then pressure decreases.  This is the main concept for a wing in flight.

Week 8: Progress

Happy Cat Meme (ImgFlip)

After comparing my accumulated points to the progress chart, I should be to get the grade I want.  If I work ahead I may even finish early, which would be very nice.  I must be honest and say that setting up my web site was challenging for me.  I'm not very technologically hip so it took me a lot of time to set it up correctly.  I think I am starting to get the hang of it now.  I do take advantage of  of the extra credit.  I like to do the tech tips and Wikipedia trails.  They are fast and fun. I think the editing challenges are my favorite thing to do when it comes to writing.  I am not that good at grammar and punctuation.  So, these activities have helped me learn a lot.

For the rest of the semester I don't plan on changing much.  I tend to be a mule on my path.  My website and blog are designed to my personal tastes.  So, I think I will leave well enough alone.  My biggest concern is falling behind because I devote more time my engineering classes.  So I will try to work ahead and do more of the extra credit options.  I think I will try to focus on improving my punctuation skills.  Engineers do a lot of technical writing, and the same rules apply.

Week 8: Comments and Feedback

Growth Mindset Cats (Growth Mindset and Feedback Cats)

I would like to say that I truly appreciate all the feedback I receive from my classmates.  It helps me some much when I revise my portfolio stories.  Especially with  The Curse of the Praying Mantis.  All the suggestions about adding details about the shop wrecks and the goblins' powers really improved the story.  I hope all of you will do the same with my second portfolio story, The Exclusive Interview with Hanuman.  

When I give comments I tend to ask a lot of questions.  Usually I ask for more details about something I really liked about the story.  Also, I like to ask about characters thoughts and actions.  I am always curious about what drives a character to make the choices they do.  Finally, I always state in no uncertain terms about things that impress me.  All my classmates have come up with beautiful websites, and amazingly creative stories.

 I find that blog comments, especially the introduction posts, let me really get to know my classmates.  When I read an introduction posts I find that I always have something in common with the person.  It feels more like a community more than a class.  We all help each other out to achieve our goals and make the best projects we can.  All I can say about my personal blog and portfolio site is I write what I like and hopefully someone else finds enjoyment in it as well. 

Looking ahead I may make some changes how I give feed back.  I would like to try the Let's Pretend option.  It sounds fun and challenging.  I don't think I would change my introduction or comment wall, I tend to keep things simple to not overwhelm the viewer.  However, I did change my blog design to my favorite color. 

Week 8: Reading and Writing

Hanuman mistaking the sun for a piece of fruit (Wikimedia Commons)

Website and Blog Check Up

This morning I went over my portfolio website and changed a couple of things on my home page.  I decided to go with a library theme for my website.  So, I am now the librarian of Mona's Bookshelf.  I added a link to my comment wall, so it would be easier for my fellow classmates give me some feedback.  Also, I added a story blurb section to the homepage, and I named it "Card Catalog."

I also changed the theme of my blog this morning.  I wanted it to have a little bit of originality, but not overwhelm the posts.  I chose a green background because it is my favorite color.

Reading and Stories

After reviewing my reading note posts, I think it works well for me.  I like writing short sentences in an outline format using bullets or numbers.  It is easier for me to quickly scan them when I start to write a story.  I have tried a few different things when I write.  That way I won't get bored, and I challenge myself.  For example, adding dialog, or trying the interview format.  So far my favorite reading has been the two graphic novels I read.  Tales of Durga: Tales of the Mother Goddess and Sundarkaand: The Triumph of Hanuman.  The art work really helps setting up the scene and characters.

Image

So far the image of Hanuman mistaking the sun for a fruit is my favorite.  First, Hanuman is my favorite character.  Second, the amount of detailing makes it an absolutely beautiful piece of art.

Looking Forward

Honestly, I think everything is working.  I don't have a problem making the deadlines, or trying new things.  Like all mechanics say, "If it's not broke, don't fix it."