Storybook Favorites

A Hermit's Tales of the Himalayas

I’m not at all familiar with the story being told. The title of the storybook immediately drew me in with the mention of the Himalayas. Next, the storybook kept me captivated through the dialogue included in the first few sentences. By beginning in the dialogue, I felt as though I  needed to continue reading in order to gain a better understanding of the plot. The images themselves were enough to capture my attention and the story was a proverbial ‘cherry on top.’ I enjoyed the overall layout of the page; being that I enjoy nature as well, I may very well create my storybook such that it includes images of the landscape.

The Ganges River

The title itself immediately carried me away into an imaginary ‘spiritual river,’ so, as one might expect -- I enjoyed their wording with the title. I appreciate the creativity by the author in explaining the significance of the Ganges to a Hindu. The author of this storybook, like any great author, opens up at a point in the story that urges the reader to continue on; I think I will attempt to incorporate this into my storybook. I did not like the colorful background included in this storybook as it seemed to distract me from the text.

Epics-India Travel Journal

The way in which the author of this storybook was able to reinterpret the story and add detail really appealed to me. Additionally, the idea of a ‘travel journal’ appealed to me as I enjoy traveling and adventure. The style of the storybook was not something I am fond of; it included too much text and few pictures of the amazing setting in which the story took place. Understanding the setting is just as important as understanding the story for me. And by not including images until the end, I was left wondering throughout the story.  


Image Information: Berggasthaus Aescher Hotel; Source

Epic Overview

This will be the first course that I have taken that centered around Indian culture. This will be the first class that is primarily concerned with this idea of “stories from stories;” with that being said, I am excited to see what all of this is about. I do look forward to reading these literary epics. I have not traveled to Asia, however, I think this class will provide great insight into some of the culture.

I am looking forward to reading about the setting in which some of these epics take place. I read a little about the forests, rivers, and mountains -- I think that will be an aside for me as I read the stories. Also, it seems that some quarreling leads to war. I find this interesting and I’m looking forward to understanding just as to why this occurred and why they resorted to war.

                                                     
                                                      Source; a comforting hug; by Raja Ravi Varma

I chose this image because of the interaction in the image as well as the setting in which it took place -- both of which interest me.

Introduction - A not so normal, normal life

My name is Lance Ramos. I grew up in Tulsa, OK and have lived there all of my life. However, I’m looking to move somewhere warmer upon graduation. I’ve fallen in love with the state of California primarily due to the fantastic weather, proximity to water, mountains, and national parks. I major in Health and Exercise Science (yes, I can help you workout). I plan to attend Physical Therapy school in the Summer and become a PT! I am also a McNair scholar; this entails doing research and presenting it at research conferences. I’ve had several great experiences through the McNair scholars program. For example, I had the chance to speak to the Associate Program Scientist for NASA about their exercise methods on the International Space Station. Additionally, I am a ‘Big’ for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Oklahoma -- a very fulfilling experience. I have a girlfriend of five years who is also an OU student. We both hope to become health care professionals. I enjoy playing racquetball, soccer, and most anything outdoors (i.e. fishing, hiking, swimming, cycling). Growing up, soccer was always a major part of my life -- I played for as many as 4 teams at one time.

 

 

Sooners at Griffith Park!

                               (Image information: personal photo taken in Los Angeles, CA;

photo taken July, 2014)

 

 

Unfortunately, I took a class over the winter break; as such, I read and wrote for approximately 4-7 hours each day. On the bright side, I’ll be graduating in May. As a matter of fact, I will be the first in my family to graduate from a four-year university. I enjoy reading when I have free time. Sadly, college has dampered reading aspirations with all of the mandatory reading imposed on us by professors. I typically don’t watch television -- as I mention earlier, I’d prefer to be outside. I love listening to music; some of the genres I listen to are: Christian contemporary, classical, rock, country, nortenas (Spanish country), and bachata (Spanish dance music).

Storytelling- Week 1

Two boys of a tennis team groaned incessantly about the rigor of their training.

“It is too hot to play tennis today,” quipped one.

“I’m thirsty,” remarked two.

Meanwhile, two other boys – also members of the tennis team – worked tirelessly at perfecting their back hand shots.

“I’ll surely win my next match if I keep this up,” said three.

“No one will be able to return this serve,” shouted four.

 

 

 

 

                                        (Tennis court in Racice. Photographed by Jiri Sedlacek.)

                                                        Source: Wikimedia Commons

The boys happen to have traveled very different roads to make it where they are today. The first group’s families are well off and pretentious. The second group’s families are quite the opposite, they have very little but are thankful for their blessings.

Having taken a seat under a shade umbrella, boys one and two rest and drink a sports drink.

“I just want to go home and swim and eat ice cream,” said one.

“These new shoes that my father bought don’t seem to be helping my performance like the advertisement promised,” proclaimed two.

Meanwhile, three and four smash the ball back and forth in a heated match in order to prove who was the better of the two.

“I really think that we could win the national championship in doubles,” claims four as they pause between matches.

“I guess I’d play with you – you are all right,” three explained.

See, three and four work at age fourteen on weekday afternoons in order to pay for their tennis lessons and equipment; one and two? They watch television and ride dirt-bikes.

It is a seen as a gift to be able to play the sport that three and four so love.

One and two see it as an obligation set forth by their parents that was their demise.

Three and four realize that tennis afforded them the only opportunity to thrive.

Author’s note. This story is based on the fable titled “The oxen and the wheels.” The fable is out of the book The Aesop for Children by (anonymous), illustrated by Milo Winter (1919). The story involves two ox who pull a heavy wagon without complaint. Meanwhile, the two wheels of the wagon complain non-stop because they have to work. I thought about many children today who have so much and appreciate so little, so I adapted it to fit something they would likely do.