Biography: Okinawa

As my grandma and I walked out of the plane into the Japan airport, I was overwhelmed. Signs all around us were only written in Japanese characters. I did not know nearly enough of the language to figure out where to go. I glanced at my grandma, concerned that we wouldn't be able to get to our next plane, but I had never seen her more confident in my life. She steered us to the exact right place, weaving in and out of crowds, down long hallways, and through baggage claim. She had not been here in years, but muscle memory took over. She was home.

In Okinawa, we met family, stopped by my grandma's favorite childhood spots, and visited ancient castles. My grandma saw Okinawa from a touristy perspective for the first time (for my sake) and was shocked by the growth of the island as a vacation destination. As for me, I learned to live off the few Japanese words I knew, as well as the kindness of my relatives. They did whatever they could to communicate their love without words (when my grandma couldn't translate). One day I told my great-aunt that I loved the sata andagi (Okinawan donuts) she had given me. The next day, she handed me two bags full of them to take home. The language barrier felt very minimal at times like that.

Visiting a non-English speaking place changed my perspective on the world. It was extremely humbling to have to depend on someone else to translate everything for me. I had to learn to let go of being in control because I couldn't. Language barriers are tough, but allowing that to stop you from exploring places with one will cause you to lose out on a lot of incredible experiences. The day we left Okinawa, I felt a sadness in my stomach that I had never felt for any other place. I know I will go back someday, and until then, I'll keep brushing up on my Japanese.

(Personal image of Okinawa from the top of an abandoned castle.)

Author's Note:

For my post, I used this prompt: Have you traveled or lived in a place where you did not speak the language spoken around you? Write a story prompted by that experience. I was going to make it a 100 word microfiction, but I ended up wanting to tell a longer story. Japan (and Okinawa specifically) means a lot to me, and I wanted to write a bit more of an emotional story than the one I wrote for my favorite place post.

Week 5 Story: Snapshots from Sita's Imprisonment

On day one of imprisonment, Sita's faith in Rama was steadfast. Her love for him was unwavering, and her belief in his ability to rescue her was resolute. Ravana could do what he wanted to her; she would not give in. She would choose death over his hand in marriage.

On day five, Sita walked the ashoka grove peacefully, refusing to spend more time than necessary in the palace of the evil man who had captured her. Her anger and revulsion towards him was unmatched. How could he think she would ever choose him over Rama?

Day 38 came and went. Sita momentarily felt a trace of doubt but crushed it only a second later, thinking of her lover's face. It shone brightly in her mind, a source of light that she would not let go.

Day 97. "He's not coming," Ravana said, smirking smugly. Sita crossed her arms, tilted her chin up, and defiantly looked away from him.

"Silly girl, forget about Rama. I can give you anything you want," Ravana said on day 56.

"Anything I want?" Sita asked, a small, mocking smile forming on her lips. "Give me Rama, then."

Ravana rolled his eyes and decided he would try again tomorrow.

Day 170 was a day of weakness for Sita. The pain of the unknown began to suffocate her. Was Rama still alive? When would he rescue her? She did not know how she would survive another day of imprisonment. She fell asleep that night hoping that tomorrow would bring her the faith that she needed to survive.

Day 252. Sita's heart was stirring with anxious joy. A rumor had been spreading that Rama was desperately attempting to rescue her. There were stories of brave deeds and near-death fights. Sita wasn't sure any of it was real, yet still she held on to each tale for dear life.

Ravana approached her on day 350, as he did most days. She sat in the ashoka grove, staring absently at the ground and not even bothering to look up as Ravana's footsteps grew louder.

"You must be feeling some doubt, hm?" Ravana asked fiercely. "Your lover has yet to come. Maybe he does not love you in the same way I do. Let me make you my queen."

His voice woke Sita from her depressive stupor. Hatred boiled inside her, threatening an explosion. Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet his. "Never. Rama will save me."

Ravana's composure broke for the first time in 350 days. His eyes lit with impatient anger and he raised his sword. "He will not, for you shall die."

"Good!" Sita stood quickly, glaring daggers into Ravana's eyes. Rid me of my sorrow! Kill me!"

They glowered at each other for minutes, until Ravana backed down and turned away, muttering under his breath. 

Sita let out a frustrated breath and slumped back down, head in her hands. A moment later, she felt something light bounce off her feet. She looked down, and there sat Rama's ring. Heart beating rapidly, she looked up, only to find a monkey standing in front of her. She yelped with fear.

"It's okay!" he said. "I'm here with a message from Rama. He's coming to rescue you."

On day 364, Rama and Sita embraced, holding more tightly to each other than ever before.

_________

Author's Note:

My story gives snapshots of what Sita might have been doing and feeling during imprisonment. We barely get any information about her actual time spent with Ravana, but for the few scenes we are given, I added them in (e.g. I took the "never", "He will not, for you shall die", and "rid me of my sorrow" lines directly from page 53 of The Divine Archer). Also, I wasn't exactly sure how many days Sita was imprisoned, so I made it a year. 

Bibliography: The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould.

Image information: Ravana and Sita painting from Wikimedia Commons.

Microfictions: The Bow and Sita's Commitment

Story 1: Rama and the Bow

The strength of love had won.

Story 2: Sita's Commitment

Even in her deepest pain and sorrow, Sita remained firm in her devotion to Rama. No threat or temptation would ever replace the love and longing she felt for him.

__________

Author's Note:

For my first story, I was inspired by the part of The Divine Archer where Rama has to bend the bow to marry Sita. The way the story talks about Rama's love for Sita (and vice versa) makes their love seem more powerful and stronger than any object, which is what inspired my six-word story. I chose this short of a story because I feel like fewer words packs more of a punch; it makes the story even more charming and emotional.

For my second story, I wrote a two-sentence story summarizing Sita's time under Ravana's capture. I imagine the imprisonment was difficult emotionally, but the original story makes it seem like her love for Rama never faltered. Although corny, it does make for a beautiful love story!

Bibliography: The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould.

Image information: Rama bends the bow from Wikimedia Commons.

Week 5 Reading Notes: The Divine Archer, Part B

• I'm considering doing a story about Sita's time as a prisoner, so here are some details about that:
• Sita is kept prisoner in a mansion in a grove of asoka trees.
• Sita was "pale and sad" and "her dark hair was twisted in one braid and knotted, as a sign of mourning for her absent lord."
• Ravana keeps asking Sita to marry him. She keeps saying no.
• Sita would rather Ravana kill her than marry her.
• I would imagine that while waiting, she was becoming more and more sorrowful and depressed each day. It could be interesting to write about her experiences with Ravana, and the hope she has in Rama for him to come rescue her. I could do a day-by-day recap of her thoughts or something like that. 
• Here is a good article on asoka groves. I could use this for details in Sita's story.

________

Image information: Ravana and Sita painting from Wikimedia Commons.

Bibliography: The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould.

Week 5 Reading Notes: The Divine Archer, Part A

• Four sons are born, one of them is Rama.
• Rama grows to a massive size and then shrinks back down, which indicates to his mother that he is a cosmic being.
• Rama and Sita fall in love at first sight. Rama wins Sita's hand in marriage by bending (and snapping) the bow.  
• Manthara makes Queen Kaikeyi (Rama's brother's mother) oppose Rama. Dasharatha owes Kaikeyi two wishes, so Dasharatha is forced to make Bharata the successor and send Rama into exile. 
• Rama goes into exile, and Sita and Lakshmana join him. This could be a really interesting part to write a story about--Rama's emotions and his courage. 

• I love the character of Bharata. He is angry with his mom for what she did and tries to convince Rama to come back. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, he tried to mend it. It's rare to see two people insisting it's the other who should receive the success.
• A sage gives Rama divine weapons that will help protect him. 

________

Image information: Image source. Rama leaving for fourteen years of exile from Ayodhya from Wikimedia Commons.

Bibliography: The Divine Archer by F. J. Gould.

Tech Tip: HTML Link

I never understood how people were putting links in their comments on sites like blogger, but now this tech tip has taught me!

I have edited HTML before on Tumblr, but it wasn't that tech-y. I mostly just did it to make tiny adjustments to a pre-made layout.