Biography: An Italian Paradise

Italy is the country I fell in love with, and it only took two weeks when I was only eighteen years old. I had only ever been out of the country twice, to go to Mexico, so to say the least I had never been so excited. I could have lived without the flight that seemed to last forever, but it was worth it. The trip that inspired me to study their language for two years in college, and the country that drove my passion for culture, food, and fashion. From traveling to Venice, Rome, and cities throughout Tuscany, there isn't a day I don't wish I was back there. The beautiful thing about Italy is that everyone can name multiple cities they have heard of. It is a country of rich history and nature that enamor the tourist that get the opportunity to visit. To the cities I haven't been able to travel to yet in Italy, Florence, Milan, Naples, Sicily, Capri, and many more, I will come back to my home away from home.

Note: I wanted to write my story in the first person point of view so the reader could experience my vacation in a more indulgent manor. But rather the vacation itself, I want the reader to experience the love I developed for Italy from that trip alone. I want the story to come alive and the best way I know how to is to speak to my reader, as if it is written just for them.

(Italian Vineyard by me)

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part B

Wife of the Five Pandavas is the one story that stood out to me the most. The Pandava brothers went towards their mother, Kunti, to tell her that had a marvelous gift. Kunti told her sons to share the gift, as they become a foundation of brotherhood. Yudhishthira, one of the brothers, told their mother that the gift was Princess Draupadi. Arjuna had won her at the "auction" of sorts for wives (might I add, I find great offense to this). Kunti becomes a little upset at the idea of this and the fatal consequences that may follow. Arjuna then said how he had won the princess and so she was destined to be his bride. They begin to bicker a little and decide that Drupada should have the final say in who Princess Draupadi should marry. Every Pandava desired to have her as bride though. King Drupada was sad his daughter had been sent away and sent his son away in disguise to see what was happening with his daughter. When Drupada's son returned with what had just happened, the king was happy that the brothers were kshatriyas and not the brahmins. Drupada sent word to the Pandavas that there would be a wedding feast, so the Pandavas went. The brothers tell Drupada that Arjuna had won Draupadi. Drupada visibly ecstatic. Drupada invited the Pandavas to stay at the palace for a couple of days so the brothers did. The oldest brother and Drupada decided that a great rishi should be invited to way in on the decision of who Drupadi should be the bride of, so Vyasa came. Vyasa told them that Draupadi was the re-incarnation of a woman who had prayed five times for a husband. So Draupadi was destined to marry all five of the brothers, as these brothers were all incarnations of Indra. Drupada gave permission for his daughter to marry all the brothers, so all the brothers wed Draupadi. Drupada gave the Pandavas many gifts and this was the end.

Source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie


(Pandavas: wikipedia)

Reading Notes: Mahabharata Part A

Drona was the biggest character that stood out to me within this reading. This story was written by Donald A. Mackenzie and surrounds the life of Drona. We start of with Bhishma looking far and wide for a warrior that had brains. This man would be Drona, son of Bharadwaja. Drona was more than happy to train the princes and bring them to their title of standing. Drona had no mother, since he was born by a nymph. Drupada was somewhat of a brother to Drona, as he was of similar origin. Drupada's father though was Prishata. As they grew into men, fate divided the two apart. Drupada became King of Panchala and Drona married Kripi. Drona and Kripi had a son named Ashwatthaman. Drona was devoted to raising his son. Drona received heavenly weapons and the power to control them from Jamadagni. Drona wanted to share his wealth with Drupada, so he went to his childhood friend. Drupada basically spit in his face through words and so Drona hurried away from the kingdom without a remark.

The next story that is important to the previous is Drona's Revenge written by Donald A. Mackenzie. Drona, at this point, has built a mighty army that is ready to fight Drupada. Drona tells his army to defeat Drupada and to bring him to Drona. A war began and Drupada was eventually defeated by Pandava. They destroyed the city and brought Drupada to Drona. The two men begin to speak, in a passive aggressive tone. Drupada asks to be friends again and Drona agrees. Drona took possession of half of Drupada's kingdom and the two men went on their way. Drupada also knew that he would never be able to defeat Drona, so he never tried to fight again. The Pandavas started a great war with surrounding kingdoms and extended their kingdom for many miles.

Source: Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie



(Mahabharata: wikipedia)