Post for 10-29 to 11-3

Practice Response:

I LOVE BACKBENDS. I don't know exactly why. I can only stay up for about 3 seconds, but I feel so accomplished when I do. I feel strong and flexible. I feel young again. I know that sounds a little silly, but it's true. When I was little, I used to be so into gymnastics. I always thought that I would be a professional gymnast. (We all know that didn't work out.) I would do backbends, cartwheels, and the splits all over the house. Every time I hung out with my friends, I would do something. One time, my friends and I made a music video to a S Club 7 song (please comment if you know who they are) and I did the splits for about 75% of the music video. So, I think that doing the backbend makes me feel like a kid. I'm doing something that I never thought I would be able to do again. It is still a challenge. I can probably work on it and improve over and over, but I am happy with my progress.


Reading response:

I want to go a bit off topic today for my reading response. In my children's literature class, we have been reading a few of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. While reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we inevitably ended up discussing the connections in the book with the Christian gospel story. However, Dr. Hanks brought up that the book is also vague enough to be relatable to people of all faith traditions. I was reminded of the reading we have been doing in the Gita. I thought about it and that is true. One of the themes in LLW is about good triumphing over evil. The only way that this can happen, however, is if everyone plays their part. Peter, the eldest, must step up and take his place as the ruler of Narnia, prepared to lead his people into battle against the White Witch. Edmond must forgive himself, turn back from betraying his siblings and join with the good forces. The animals must step up and join with Peter and Edmund to fight. Lucy, at the end of the battle, can not spend time worrying about Edmund, but must go administer her healing potion to the injured. This relates so well with the theme in the Gita about Arjuna acting in his Dharma and standing to fight his enemies. This is the way that Arjuna can honor Vishnu; in the same way, it is how the people and creatures of Narnia can honor Aslan. Not sure if that properly explains the connection, it was better said in class, but I was so interested to hear that even people not of the christian tradition could relate to the story of the LLW.