Good vs Evil Essay

At what point in time does a child know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil? At what time does that interpretation change from its wrong to not share your toys with your baby brother to it is wrong to kill someone or steal? Are people born inherently good or evil? Is there any middle ground? When man first enters the world as an innocent child, he has no knowledge of what is good or bad. Therefore he cannot purposely commit a good or bad deed. At what age does that change—or does it? A child is born malleable, malleable through elements in his or her environment—upbringing, physical environment, peer pressure, economics, tragedy, stress, etc; the most important elements being upbringing, personal conviction, and peer-pressure. In more than one way, a child’s environment shapes their world, his perspective on life, his morals and standards; his definition of what is right and what is wrong. Knowing the power of love as well as having a sense of belonging is an environment that will give a child a solid foundation to turn back to; whereas children who have been neglected and abandoned, will turn to alternative pathways – usually not very good ones. Most recently, yesterday’s Record Searchlight tells a story of Daniel Scruggs, who grew up in a cluttered, dirty home where he committed suicide when he was just twelve years old. Critics say that Daniel was depressed and neglected. Unfortunately, Daniel saw only one way out of his misery†¦and that was to take his life. Even literature illustrates this truth – In the novel Animal Farm, a brood of pups are taken away from their mother and are raised by a greedy, power-hungry pig that uses them to maintain power and to reinforce his presence. The pups had no choice in the matter and grew up to be violent, blood-thirsty dogs. Upbringing is so important, it leaves life-long impressions. So many things affect a child’s perspective on what is right and what is wrong, and it is up to parents and guardians to instill in them those qualities which will enable them make good choices. As important as environment is, individuals have to make their own decisions. Peer pressure plays an integral role in our decision making. Once again literature supports this point. â€Å"We will proceed no further in this business,† says Macbeth and Lady Macbeth replies, †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail. † Lady Macbeth was willing to do it for Macbeth if he wouldn’t do it himself, and if left to make that choice on his own, Macbeth wouldn’t have had the gall to commit the crime. Lady Macbeth persuaded Macbeth to kill Duncan so that he could gain the crown and she could be queen. All throughout our lives we will be tempted in one way or another and the outcome is simply determined by standards, our own morals, and our own strength. Though many succumb to peer pressure, most of us have moral standards that help us to draw our boundaries. According to a class survey, two students said that they are tempted to commit illegal acts rather than go against their own morals because â€Å"if no one catches you, is it illegal? † and the thrill of â€Å"how much can I get away with? † Individuals must know their own limitations before they can discern what is right and what is wrong; therefore it is very important that from an early age, children learn to make, not a good decision, but the best decision. All men are not born good and all men are not born evil. I believe that men are born innocent yet with a human nature that if given the chance will do evil. If enough good influences can overpower one’s human nature and if the individual is disciplined from an early age – learning to obey boundaries and laws than they will know what is right and what is wrong. If they’ve been taught to respect those in authority, old and young, rich or poor; they will know what is right and what is wrong. We live our lives without knowing the impacts that they have on others around us†¦may we live accordingly. Works Cited Class Survey, 22 Jan. 2004 Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. 1605. 23 Jan 2004 (1. 7. 21) Baker, Russell, C. M Woodhouse, and George Orwell. Animal Farm. N. p. : Plume , 1996. 5-298. â€Å"System Failure. † Record Searchlight 22 Jan. 2004, sec. D: D-2-D-2.

Dating Single Parent Essay

Dating and the Single Parent is a book five star book, because Deal has done a marvelous job presenting useful steps for single parents who are divorced and is thinking of re-entering back into a dating relationship, or even remarrying. The book is divided into sections of dating to present a sequential sequence of steps to determine whether the single parent is ready, and what right decisions they need to make if they have children. The book is honest, and practical when it comes to addressing situations that every single parent goes through while trying to reenter the dating life. The book presented questions along with real life realties of dating when there are children involved in the mix. Deals admiration how the book as written from a strong biblical perspective. Deals main goal in this book is to motivate its readers to do the necessary work of a relationship building. The Appendix 2 of the book begins with a sample purity pledge. This section of the book organized activities for dating couples to involve in, such as flirtation and hugging, without having to be sexual involved with one another. Section one of the book focuses on dating with kids and dating willingness. Before an individual is ready to date the individual must have a goal in dating. Deals helps single parents determine whether or not they are ready to re-enter back into the dating world. Some single parents are single due to previous marriages that failed, which lead to divorce. Deal describes divorce as a traumatic experience. Yet some single parents never really get over the horrifying experience of divorce and remain single. But Deal has puts together a checklist to help single parents determine whether or not they are ready for the dating world Deal presents biblical principle throughout the book reminding single parents to always put God first in any relationship decision they decide to make. The part that stood out to me the most in this section was the discussion on when children are involved, how dating gets complicated. Ron Deal gives excellent advice on how to determine if kids are ready for dating, what to expect when dating a single parent, and things to consider before getting engaged, and growing the family into a step-family. Section two gives people supportive advice on right places to capture love. The section is split up into chapters labeled as â€Å"yellow light,† â€Å"red light, â€Å"and â€Å"green light.† Deal provides warning  signs that people should take into consideration when trying to date the opposite sex. Signs that single parents should take into consideration is â€Å"how will this person influence the kids?† â€Å"Is the man willing to date the person and their kids?† Last section Ron Deal provides readers with valuable guidance on marriage commitment, and step families. Deal’s has developed an interest ing perception on step-families. Throughout schooling many people have been taught that blended families were made up of step-families. But Deal argues that step-families should not be looked upon as blended families. Deal encourages single parents to take their time on dating and to trust in God for pursing a health Christian based relationship. Dating and the Single Parent Book so remarkable, because often time’s single parents suffer with trying to regain love, along with trying to find someone to accept their children. Deal offers awesome pointers to finding a relationship with kids, dating, and finding long lasting love. Discipline should always be done with love and with God’s approval, but not to make the children angry Ephesians 6:4(King James Version). Potential Use for Premarital Christian Couples The book, Dating and the Single parent does an excellent job at studying the difficult process of finding love in the center of having children and trying to date. Ron Deal does a marvelous job at citing biblical principles for single parent to follow while dating. I believe it’s unique that Deal offers biblical insight throughout the book. For example Deal refers to Christianity and faith in god when discussing learn all you can about stepfamily living. For example I’ve personally herd family members and friends say that stepfamilies are not Gods ideal for the Christian house hold. Many people believe this tale because they feel as though stepfamily ministry lessen to what God intended. I believe that Deal presents valuable content to premarital couples in the church, since church is the place where all types of families meet to hear spiritual teachings. Deal encourages couples to lean all you can about how stepfamilies function, operate best, and why they have the uni que complexities that they can do. Blended step families seems to be a growing trend in the United States of America. In fact blended families have been around since Christ created earth. Remarkable fact Jesus Christ was a part of a blended family. Remember Mary  and Joseph were in a commitment when she told Joseph she was pregnant. Mary and Joseph had not been sexually intimate when Mary told Joseph she was with child. At times Joseph thought about leaving Mary, but did not. Joseph chose to sick by his pregnant fiancà ©e, who he thought had betrayed him. Joseph was willing to go through the battle of scorn and believed in God. Joseph accepted Gods calling for him to love and care for Mary and Jesus. Ironically when you look at family dynamics point of view you can recognize that Christ, Joseph, and Mary were a blended family, a non-traditional unit. It’s very interesting to study that Christ came into the world experiencing a blended- family. In addition, Deal discusses how it is important for singles to take a good look at themselves in the mirror before trying to date again. When self is able to look, examine them they are able to piece together their motivations for dating, fears, loneliness, and unresolved hurt. In order for an individual to move forward in a healthy relationship one must be able to trust God when making future dating decisions and choices during dating process. Ron Deal teachings in his book presented challenges that face today’s modern Christian blended families. Deal presents awesome techniques to help strength relationships. Ron deal helps single parents and those who are dating understand unique family dynamics. Ron Deal help parents recognize that their families are lobed and favored by God. Critique As a future professional counselor, and friend to others, professional counselors should recommend this book to any person who is single with children, and or someone who is dating an individual who has children. Ron Deal has developed a straightforward spiritual guidebook for Christian single dating. The book Dating and the Single Parent opened up my eyes about the truths of relationship and family compatibility, by presenting scenarios to help me make decision.. It was great the way the author Ron Deal incorporated biblical teachings. Like Ron Deal teaches when a single parent is dating or thinking about remarrying someone, they should choose someone who involves setting a godly example for children and blessing them as God blessed us. Deal suggest all throughout the book for single parents whom are dating to â€Å"trust in God to manage the relationship.† Building a family after being single for so many years takes courage, perseverance,  tough skin, and determination. As mentioned earlier the bible presents many teachings of blended families, like Christ family with Joseph being Christ stepparent. I believe that Ron Deal book goes into great deal about giving guidelines for Christian families experiencing dating, and second marriages, while following biblical principles As Christian stepparents, it is important that they love children who are involved in the family unconditionally. Ministry teaches that it’s important that you don’t marginalize your step kids. It is important that the family that it is forming has some kind of respect and acceptance form one another in the family. As a new parent (step) entering the family they must submit themselves to the children with their heart. Another important principle that Deal discusses is educating oneself on stepfamilies. When single parents blend to create stepfamilies, sometimes the progress is not so successful. Many children do not want change and will become angry and frustrated with new family members. Even though remarriage is supposed to be a wonderful joy, many kids are often not as excited as parent and new stepparent. Deal has put together foundations for building a stepfamily. Deal suggests that single parent should take their time, and give everyone a chance to get to know one another and get use to the idea of marriage. Overall Dating and the Single Parent is a great read for single parents who are dating or who are thinking about entering the dating world. The book focuses on dating, and stepfamily relations. Deal sets forth approaches towards building romantic relationships on a Christian basis. References Demo, D. H., & Acocl, A. C. (2006). Singlehood,marriage,and remarriage the effects of family structure and family relationships n mathers well being. Journal of Family Issues, 17(3), 338-407. doi:10.1177/019251396017003005 Sweeney, M. M. (2010). Remarriage and stepfamilies. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 667-684. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00724.x

Augmentative and alternative means of communication for teaching Essay - 1

Augmentative and alternative means of communication for teaching students with severe disabilities - Essay Example American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has identified that â€Å"there are over 2 million individuals in the United States who cannot reply on speech as their primary means of communication† (Vinson, 2001, p. 139). This statistics reveal the scope and importance of AAC in the United States. These learners are subjected to various types of cognitive and physical deficits which add to their speech deficits in their developmental period. It has been identified that other systems of augmentative and alternative communication, such as gestures, sign language, picture or word boards, alphabet boards, and systems with synthesized or digitized speech are better suited for such students with severe disabilities. The rights of students with severe disabilities have long been recognized. There have been a good number of legislations that sought to address the issue of teaching students with severe disability through various augmentative and alternative communication means. ... e both augmentative and alternative means of communication present, explores the various ways they are being practiced today and tries to offer suggestions with regard to the instructional strategies that are being employed as part of the AAC. It is significant to understand the meaning and depth of augmentative and alternative means of communication for students with severe disabilities. Augmentative system of communication has long been discussed and researched upon. As Browder points out, â€Å"an augmentative system of communication may be used to assist students who have either expressive or receptive communication problems† (Browder, 2001, p. 312). Augmentative systems of communication can be categorized as either aided or unaided. While the aided system makes use of such instructional devices as picture wallets, communication boards, or computer system, the unaided system resorts to natural instructional methods such as hand gestures or manual signing. However, it is si gnificant to make use of the most effective augmentative communication system in accordance with the learners’ various social contexts. Alternative means of communication generally refers to such communication devices that enable students who cannot speak to communicate using other means. For Duran â€Å"accommodations, adaptations, and assistive technology all enable children with disabilities to fully participate in typical home, school, and community activities† (Duran, 2006, p. 79-80). Participative learning can very well be employed in the case of learners with severe disabilities. For instance, a child who is unable to write the letters may be assisted by another student in a general education class with the help of a keyboard or some other assistive technology devices. It is worthwhile to

Critical Analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Critical Analysis - Coursework Example It is for this reason that the new mantra of sustainable event management has begun to become almost inseparable with the planning of most large scale events that intend to leave a positive legacy. INTRODUCTION The holding of special events whether they are sports events, film festivals, music festivals or conferences have become an activity that is integral to modern western culture. As a result events management has become a recognizable discipline of its own. This discipline attempts to address the various planning processes and activities that revolve around the staging of a successful event. As stated earlier any event that is held is likely to have a substantial impact on the community in which it occurs and its ecosystem. This can include: physical infrastructure, environmental impacts, economic impacts, tourism destination impacts, image enhancement, social impacts, cultural impacts, political impacts and urban renewal (The Higher Education Academy, 2007). The impact can be b oth positive and negative and it is entirely possible that one aspect such as physical infrastructure may be positively impacted while another such as the environmental impact may be negative. ... For the purposes of this paper the primary focus will remain on the various environmental impacts of staging an event. The environmental impact is an aspect of events that has traditionally been ignored by organizers along with other potentially negative impacts (The Higher Education Academy, 2007). ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The environmental impact of an event is not something that becomes immediately obvious to the event manager. In fact, the nature and extent of environmental impact may not even be measurable. Generally the environmental impacts of an event can be grouped into positive and negative impacts. Positive impacts may include the raising of environmental awareness, development of waste land and the long-term conservation of an area. Negative impacts can include short-term and long-term damage to the location, pollution created by noise or by littering, congestion caused by traffic and the increase in energy usage caused by the event. It can be said that the majority of the e nvironmental impact is not because of the event itself but rather indirect yet natural occurrences that can be associated with the event. However, any event will undeniably have an environmental impact by virtue of the fact that attendance of the event will have an impact on the environment. For example, reaching the event itself causes the burning of fuel which in turn leads to the production of greenhouse gases that are said to cause climate change (Sawford, 2010). The most obvious of environmental impacts are those which can be measured or can be considered somewhat tangible. As mentioned above the burning of fuel and emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide can be considered as

Christianity as Mediated by America's Entertainment Culture & Justin Essay

Christianity as Mediated by America's Entertainment Culture & Justin Bieber - Essay Example Consequently, it is why celebrities are marketed and angled to entice a larger devotion, exploring more possible target consumers. A prime example of this scenario is Justin Bieber and how he projects his image as a devote Christian. He even inked a portrait of Jesus on his calf. In an article entitled â€Å"Are young, religious stars like Justin Bieber and Tim Tebow making Christianity cool?† (Foxnews.com, January 10, 2012), Jo Pizza also mentioned other stars such as Demi Lovatto and NFL player Tim Tebow credit and praise their religion for their success in . Whether it is a packaging and publicity stunt to showcase Bieber as a devoted Christian in order to further his career, it is important to scrutinize the effects that in entails to society, to popular culture and its followings, and also the impact towards the Christian religion or simply just to religion. It is also critical to note that while Bieber’s influence does not generally include the adult population, h e rather has a strong hold of fan base on the youth who calls themselves as â€Å"Beliebers†, wherein the influence and impression is more potent and lasting to society, notwithstanding the support that it garners from the religious sector. Thus, there is also a need to explore the link between how pop culture transcends from an idolizing and cult-like following into a significant religious influence. To understand better the American society and how religion is practiced, the media and its proponents must also be discussed. It is also important to delve and examine how religion evolved in the United States and outline how the secular theory has adopted through time through the aid of mass media and technology. Understanding how religion is now availed by the community through means of cable televisions and especially the internet will give better grasps as to how pop culture has found a way and rooted itself through the religious diversities of America. Celebrities are Sales men and Religion is a Product When someone is propelled into the spotlight, directly or indirectly, they sell something. Whether it is in the form of movies, appearances, albums, advertisements, and the like, celebrities are vessels to sell something. In fact, in today’s culture, the celebrities are even the product themselves.1 Compared to the previous decades, the consumers demand to know everything about their lives. Noteworthy is the emerging unprecedented growth of paparazzi and gossip chasers who literally stalk celebrities in chase of the latest piece of conversation or controversy that can be made. In this age of technology and media, the interesting is defined by what is visible. Following on that premise; the invisible is uninteresting, thus unpopular, and ultimately unsellable. Therefore, celebrities must constantly reinvent and find ways to be more and more noticeable to the public eye in order to be successful salesmen of their products. Religion is no different than any commodity. It is also a product that is like any other where it needs to be marketed and sold to the consumer.2 After all, one needs to be convinced of a product before one purchases it or (in this case) adheres to it. It is worth highlighting that in this modern age, forms of religion are being marketed and advertised through the media. Evidence of these are the television channels

The Analysis Of The Economic Activity Of The USA Essay

The Analysis Of The Economic Activity Of The USA - Essay Example The gross domestic product in the United States has been valued for the worth of 16800 US billion dollars in the year 2013. The value of the Gross domestic product of the United States includes mainly 27.10 % of the total world economy (Sexton, 2007). The United States is considered as the most technologically advanced and diversified economies of the world. Insurance, rental, leasing, health care, educational services, busiThe ness, real estate and finance contribute to around 40 % of the GDP. The retail and the wholesale sector contribute to around 12 % of the total GDP of United States. The government and the related services contribute to around 13 % of the total GDP of United States (Czinkota and Ronkainen, 2007). The agriculture sector contributes to around 1.5 % of the total GDP of the United States. When the Gross Domestic product of United States is compared with the other countries in the rest of economy it has been observed that US is considered as the most technologically advanced country when compared with the other countries of the world. The business firms of United States generally experiences and enjoys greater flexibility as compared to its counterparts in Japan and Europe (McEachern, 2008). The GDP of United States when compared with Japan can be explained by the fact that the worth of the Gross domestic product of Japan is 4901 billion US dollar in the year 2013. Japan contributes around 7.90 % whereas in case of United States it contributes around 27.10 % of the total world economy. The difference in the GDP of United States and Japan can be explained with the help of the following diagram (Gottheil, 2013).

The Aspect of Gay Marriage in the Society Term Paper

The Aspect of Gay Marriage in the Society - Term Paper Example Several thesis statements can be used to give the view of gay marriage in society. It can be based on people’s standards and perception of culture. One such thesis statement states that perception and existing idea about wrongness and rightness of individual’s actions depends on culture from which they come from and geographical region of their existence. Gay marriage Every society has cultural ethics that shape it up. These cultures are enforced as daily norms and way of life in which every member of the society respects and follows. Marriage in society is given much weight since it is regarded as a fundamental unit in family creation where society is advanced and continuity guaranteed (Majeed, 2004). Just like all marriages, gay marriage involves union of two partners. This case becomes different since it involves same-sex partners. They are allowed to have same set of legal rights as that which is held by heterosexual spouses. Several countries have legalized gay mar riage which has led to heated debates and conflicts between religious groups and gay parties involved. Acceptance and reinforcement of legal rights of the gay existence in society has become a dangerous threat to domination of traditional Christian norms regarding sexuality and sex. Several ethics rule and guide the society since they set symbols of what is generally accepted. Every religious society fears that supporting homosexuality will lead to massive breakdown of values. Ethics are values that protect and hold together family and society. Different cultures also have different views regarding issue of gay marriage but generally societies are formed behind believe of heterosexual marriage and it is perceived to be the natural way of life (Majeed, 2004). Ethical consideration Ethics are considered to be cultural values that shape individuals way of life. All ethical views are relative to individual preference within the society.  

Grameen Bank Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Grameen Bank - Assignment Example It works like a cooperative wherein borrowers and depositors are owners, and are paid regular dividends. It is different because of the conventional methodology it uses. The bank offers loans without collateral to the poorest of the poor like beggars. Grameen bank stopped getting donations and loans because they deemed that they had enough resources for operation. Prof. Yumus was prompted to resign from his position because of the Supreme Court ruling that he must retire since he had reach the retirement age already. Yumus is already 70 years old, while retirement age is 60. Yumus wanted to contest this ruling because prior to the SC ruling he was already willing to resign but under different terms but was not allowed by members. He wanted to leave the bank in a prestigious way. Many believe that the conflict is political because of the â€Å"blood bath† between Yunus and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the reason that Yunus planned to start a political party in 2007. Yunus later on, did not continue with the idea, but the hatred had started and because of this, he had gathered powerful enemies.(Epatko, Larisa, March 2011). Still another conflict that lingered with the bank was after a documentary was aired investigating a Norwegian Aid Funds being transferred from one entity to another in order to preserve bank’s tax exempt status. Eventually, investigation proved that there was no anomaly or fraud in the transaction.(Epatko, Larisa) The situation illustrates potential tension between the stakeholders of Grameen bank, the civil society and the government because of the government’s attacks that Yumus is trying to evade taxes following the release of the Norwegian documentary (Dhaka, Jan. 6, 20ll). Further to this, is the seeming insistence of the government to find faults in the Grameen bank’s operations. The government has just announced that it will conduct an

Sufficient Staff Training for Prevention and Management of Violence in Research Proposal

Sufficient Staff Training for Prevention and Management of Violence in Acute Inpatient Psychiatric and mental health care Units - Research Proposal Example This essay discusses that over the years, researchers have stressed on the relationship between caregivers and clients. Special consideration to this relationship is given in terms of behavioral health sciences because of the increased potential for aggression with this client population. Mental health caregivers can considerably reduce the number of violent incidents that are more likely to happen in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. Studies have revealed that healthcare workers including nurses, physicians, psychologists and social workers are likely to experience physical assault or verbal violence from patients in behavioral health units. The amount of violence has increased in various workplaces and researchers such as Rippon have identified exposure to violence as a significant problem for health care professional as well. The need to offer timely staff training programs to the healthcare professions for the prevention and management of violence has been pointed out by such researchers as Doughty; Warshaw & Messite; and Flannery et al. Similarly, the adverse effects and negative consequences of patient violence on the health care workers have also been pointed out by such researchers as Doughty and Stathopoulou. The before and after studies conducted by researchers such as Calabro, Mackey and Williams have also revealed that staff training enhances the knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and behavioral intention of the participants towards violence in the work place.... ers including nurses, physicians, psychologists and social workers are likely to experience physical assault or verbal violence from patients in behavioral health units. The amount of violence has increased in various workplaces and researchers such as Rippon have identified exposure to violence as a significant problem for health care professional as well (Rippon, 2000). The need to offer timely staff training programs to the healthcare professions for the prevention and management of violence has been pointed out by such researchers as Doughty (2005); Warshaw & Messite (1996); and Flannery et al (2000). Similarly, the adverse effects and negative consequences of patient violence on the health care workers have also been pointed out by such researchers as Doughty (2005) and Stathopoulou (2003). The before and after studies conducted by researchers such as Calabro, Mackey and Williams (2002) have also revealed that staff training enhances the knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and b ehavioral intention of the participants towards violence in the work place. Training staff servicing in psychiatric and mental health care units are more likely to experience incidents of violence and therefore it is imperative that further researches are undertaken in this regard to identify how far staff training helps in preventing violence in acute health care units. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the correlation of trained staff working in acute inpatient psychiatric units and the number of violent incidents observed within the milieu. The research aims to give prominence to the need of training which is required to prevent and manage the incidents of violent episodes. This research will be helpful for the population in the medical field including nurses, doctors,

My Grandfather Essay Example for Free

My Grandfather Essay The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. This quote by Samuel Johnson reminds of one person more than anyone else. A person so selfless, so generous yet he was a part of this same world we all live in, he inhaled the same air we do yet the ideas behind his words have a much different perspective than anything I have seen. This person was my grandfather Haji Qasim. Almost all of the memories I have of my grandfather are from a young age when all my relatives used to meet at my grandparents penthouse apartment. These get togethers were almost like weekly or family reunions. My cousins and I have had some of our best memories in that apartment and we also learned some very valuable lessons. My grandfather was a person who could always see the best in people and see the bright side of any bad situation. His generosity was unparalleled, but his most outstanding quality was his honesty which amazed everyone he met. I. Sees the best in people and situations A. Dont Judge a book by its cover My grandfather always saw the best in people and always gave people with a bad first impression the benefit of the doubt. * I remember Chinese restaurant to celebrate the first of my cousins going off to college. * Aunts, uncles and my grandparents were there. After being seated we were all given individual menus * Although at the time I was too young to even read the menu * After a few minutes a waiter came up to us.BUT * Unlike the other waiters Dirty white shirt, tie was loose, unshaven, (pause) his hair was a mess and he had the look of someone who had just woken up. * Said, Whadaya dam Indians want as he pulled out pencil from behind his ear. His unprofessionalism offended one of my uncles so much that he was about to punch the guy when my grandfather told him to sit down. * He took him aside and spoke to him out of our earshot. Surprisingly the man came back and had tears in eyes and apologized. * Although I was very confused I didnt ask any questions. * Later I learned from my cousins that our grandfather had asked the man what was wrong and after a few rude answers he finally told him that his wife of 5 years had terminal lung cancer and that is why he was being so rude. * Although I dont remember that day very well I do remember the lesson I learned. Now in my own life I try my best not to judge people based on their first impression II. Honest. A. General store change. * My grandfather always talked about the right thing to do. According to him there was there were only 2 options, the right thing to do and having done nothing at all. * I remember one day when a bunch of my cousins were sitting around in the Pinnacle which is what we called the apartment building our grandparents live in. Our grandfather decided to take us to the general store to buy us all candy. Now this may seem weird to you but this was a tradition in our family to go buy candy whenever we were at our grandparents apartment during the day. * After we had made our selection the cashier said to my grandfather that will be 14.50 and my grandfather paid the cashier and took his change. As we were walking back eating our candy nearly half way home my grandfather stopped us and made us walk all the way back to store. We followed him as he got in line again with the same cashier. When it was our turn my grandfather told the cashier that he had given him and extra ten dollars in change from before. * Not only was the cashier amazed but he told us that it was inspiring to have someone be so honest in his dealings because usually the opposite happens claim they got less change back from the cashier. Conclusion: * Not only is my grandfathers way of thinking refreshing but it is also contagious. When I was with him I also started to see the best in people and I learned not judge them by their looks or what they are wearing. * I always thought that my grandfather was a role model for me to follow but he was much more than that. He was the glue that kept my entire family together. After he passed away in the hospital at the age of 73 our whole family drifted apart. I now have cousins in all parts of the world. Some are Canada, Pakistan, California, New York, and Georgia. * We no longer have those reunions we used to. And only now do I truly appreciate how great those times we had. I guess its true what they say You dont know what you had until its gone

Physiology of Manic Depression

Physiology of Manic Depression Bre Wilson Manic Depression, or more commonly known as Bipolar disorder, is a disorder that causes the patient affected to cycle through periods of depression and mania (NIMH n.d.). There are three general types of Bipolar Disorder and then a fourth category for those who do not fall within any of the previous categories. Bipolar I Disorder is defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days and then a depressive episode lasting at least two weeks. Symptoms may be severe enough to seek immediate medical care. Bipolar II Disorder is defined by recurring depressive, and hypomanic episodes, but not to the extent of Bipolar I. Cyclothymic Disorder is defined by numerous periods of hypomania and depression that lasts longer than two years in adults, (for one year for children), but the symptoms exhibited do not fit the within the categories of a simple hypomanic episode or a simple depressive episode. The final category is Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders which is def ined as bipolar tendencies, and symptoms, that do not meet the requirements within the previous three categories (NIMH n.d.). The true cause of Bipolar Disorder is unknown but scientists believe that it could be due to many environmental and genetic factors, as well as chemical imbalances within the brain- such as: GABA, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (Bressert 2016). Some people experience rapid cycling of episodes while others experience a prolonged period of time between cycles of episodes. The exact cause behind the rapid cycling is unclear but researchers believe that its due to the consistent misfiring of receptors causing mayhem within the Central Nervous System. These neurotransmitters play a huge role in a persons circadian rhythm, their emotional expression and regulation, their behavior and how well they respond to stress. After years of study, Manic Depression is now thought to be a result of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine imbalance, as well as a GABA defect within the hippocampus (Frey 2007). GABA, a relative of Glutamate, is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter which means that it mediates other neurotransmitters to prevent over exertion. Glutamate is the most abundant neurotransmitter present within the Central Nervous System. Its hypothesized that erratic misfiring of the Glutamate receptors within the brain could possibly be the cause of GABA fluctuations (Frey 2007). This causes the neurotransmitters that GABA mediates, (norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin), to fluctuate unpredictably as well causing the mood swings, sleeplessness, depression and self-destructive behavior expressed by patients diagnosed with Manic Depression. Dopamine, which acts on the D receptors in the brain, is the neurotransmitter that regulates a persons feelings of pleasure and emotional reward. Norepinephrine , which acts on alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, is the terminal neurotransmitter of the Sympathetic Nervous System. Norepinephrine is the fight or flight molecule. Serotonin, which acts on the 5-HT receptors within the brain, is the neurotransmitter that fosters feelings of happiness and well-being. Modifying the effectiveness, or quantity, of these three neurotransmitters is what leads mania, hypomania, and depression exhibited in patients with Manic Depression. People who are experiencing a manic episode often engage in risky behaviors, (binge drinking or promiscuity), exhibit restlessness, and experience disruptions in their sleep patterns. Manic episodes can be triggered chemically within the brain, or they can be triggered by external factors such as: excessive stress, a change in diet or exercise, excessive caffeine intake, antidepressant medication, and certain other medications as well (Bressert 2016). Dopamine plays a role in the behaviors exhibited by patients in manic episodes. Dopamine acts on the D receptors within the brain and cause a person to be emotionally satisfied. When the receptors cannot receive dopamine due to a blockage, or antagonist, emotional satisfaction is dramatically lowered- causing patients to engage is risky behavior to try to fulfill their emotional needs. Rapid firing of norepinephrine receptors cause unpredictable, behavior due to the influence on the sympathetic nervous system. Some studies suggest that mania is due to certain circadian cues and insist that treatment for manic depression be scheduled around a persons circadian rhythm (Roybal et al 2007). Serotonin plays a role in mania because patients have decreased binding affinity at 5-HT receptors during a manic episode (Yatham 2010). Serotonin and norepinephrine play a major role in mania but has also been linked to the depressive episodes as well. Depressive episodes almost always follow manic episodes which is most likely the result of neurotransmitter reuptake and are the result of neurotransmitter imbalance within the brain. Many times, manic depression is often misdiagnosed as depression since depressive episodes are easier to diagnose than manic episodes, and therefore an antidepressant is prescribed. However, when a patient takes an antidepressant, such as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, it doesnt allow the active reuptake of serotonin which often leads to a manic episode because of the reduced binding (Yatham 2010). In contrast with manic episodes, brain serotonin 5-HT receptor binding is increased during bipolar depressive episodes. Treating manic depression is often very complex and combines a process of finding just the right regime of medication, as well as psychotherapy. Although manic depression is a life-long illness that cannot be totally eradicated, many patients can lead a semi-normal, productive life if properly medicated. Typical treatments for bipolar disorder include: psychotherapy, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and some Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (NIMH n.d.). In some cases, doctors will prescribe a medication to combat the depression, a medication to combat the mania, and then medication to combat any side effects caused by the other medications. Patients who exhibit a higher rate of serotonin 5-HT binding prior to starting medication had a higher chance of recurring episodes, even while taking medication, than did those who had a lower rate of serotonin 5-HT binding prior to medication (Parsey 2013). Lithium was a drug that works within the nervous system to strengthen the neural connections between cells to increase cell signaling therefore limiting the frequency and intensity of manic-depressive episodes. Lithium was ant icipated to have success rates as high as 70%-80% but studies now indicate that Lithium really has a success rate of approximately 40% and comes with a plethora of side effects (Surgeon General Report for Mental Health). Modafinil is an alpha-adrenergic agonist and directly stimulated the receptors within the brain (modafinil.com n.d.). The reuptake of noradrenaline by the noradrenergic is decreased and increase excitatory glutamatergic transmission is increased. This decreases GABAergic transmission, resulting in the elimination of GABA receptor signaling which could combat symptoms of bipolar depression by limiting the abundance of GABA receptor misfiring (modafinil.com n.d.). Studies show a significant improvement in depressive symptoms in the patients who received the experimental drug (Modafinil) by the second week with maintained improvement throughout the remainder of the experiment (Frye 2007). The drug did not seem to affect mania however, because during the experimental pe riod, there was no significant difference between the emergence of mania or in hospitalizations due to mania (one per group) (Frye 2007). Works Cited Bressert, S. (2016). Causes of Bipolar Disorder. Psych Central.   Ã‚   Frey B. N., Andreazza A. C., Nery F. G., Martins M. R., Quevedo J., Soares J. C., Kapczinski F. (2007). The role of hippocampus in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Behavioral Pharmacology, 18(5-6):419-30 Frye, M. A., Grunze, H., Suppes, T., Mcelroy, S. L., Keck, P. E., Walden, J., . . . Post, R. M. (2007). A Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Adjunctive Modafinil in the Treatment of Bipolar Depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(8), 1242-1249. Modafinil (Provigil). (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2017, from https://www.modafinil.com/ National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2017, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml#part_145402 Parsey RV, Olvet DM, Oquendo MA, Huang YY, Ogden RT, Mann JJ. (2013). Higher 5-HT(1A) Receptor Binding Potential During a Major Depressive Episode Predicts Poor Treatment Response: Preliminary Data from a Naturalistic Study. Neuropsychopharmacology. Roybal, K., Theobold D., Graham A., DiNieri, J. A., Russo, S. J., Krishnan, V., Chakravarty, S., Peevey, J., Oehrlein N., Birnbaum S., Vitaterna, M. H., Orsulak, P., Takahashi J. S., Nestler, E. J., Carlezon Jr., W.A., and McClung C. A. (2007). Mania-like behavior induced by disruption of CLOCK. PNAS. Surgeon General Report for Mental Health. (n.d.). Accessed March 28, 2017.  Ã‚   Yatham, L. N., Liddle, P F., Erez, J., Kauer-SantAnna, M., Lam, R. W., Imperial M., Sossi, V., and Ruth, T. J. (2010). Brain serotonin-2 receptors in acute mania. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 47-51

AIDs :: Free AIDS Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A.I.D.S   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A.I.D.S., also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a disorder of the body’s immune system. In A.I.D.S. the body stops producing some of its important natural defenses against disease. Victims often die from disease of infections they cannot fight. A.I.D.S is the result of an infection known as HIV, human immunodeficiency virus. A person with HIV gradually loses function of their immune system, becoming less able to fight off common colds and virus, thus eventually leading to death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  HIV was first revealed in the early 80’s in homosexual men. Infection with HIV does not necessarily mean that a person does have A.I.D.S. A person can be HIV positive for years without developing illnesses that are associated with the A.I.D.S. disease. HIV is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the immune system. Cells known as T-Helper cells are disabled and killed during the course of the infection. These cells play an important part in the human body because they signal other cells to perform their special functions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The AIDS epidemic is growing very rapidly among minority populations and is a leading killer of African American males.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  HIV can be transmitted by contact with infected blood, most often by the sharing of drug needles or syringes contaminated with blood containing the virus. The risk of contacting the HIV virus from blood transfusions has decreased since earlier years. Now all donated blood is screened for any signs of the HIV virus. HIV is spread most commonly by having sex with someone who already has the virus. The virus can enter the human body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Almost all HIV infected children get the HIV virus from their mothers before or during birth. A drug known as AZT can reduce risk of transmission of the virus from mother to child. The virus can also be transmitted when an HIV infected mother nurses her child with infected milk.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once HIV enters the body it infects many cell and replicates itself rapidly. Two to four weeks after the person is infected with the virus, they begin to suffer flu-like symptoms. HIV also is spread through contact with infected blood. Before blood was screened for evidence of HIV infection and before heat-treating techniques to destroy HIV in blood products were introduced, HIV was transmitted through transfusions of contaminated blood.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laboratory studies reveal that saliva has natural properties that limit the power of HIV to infect. Research studies of people infected with HIV have found no evidence that the virus is spread to others through saliva such as by kissing.

My Philosophy of Education :: Philosophy on Teaching Teachers Essays

My Philosophy of Education My philosophy of teaching is based on theories or ideas of philosophers and psychologists such as the Sophists, Plato/Socrates, Functionalists, Rousseau, Experimentalists, and Piaget as well as others. I will discuss my views on the nature of humans, the nature of knowledge, the purpose of education, the method in which I intend to conduct my classroom, the importance of library media in schools, as well as my plans of professional development. The nature of humans is a combination of both heredity and environment. Everyone has the ability to learn to some degree (Sophists). Piaget’s stages of cognitive development are to be considered when selecting materials for students of respective age groups. However, there are exceptions to the age ranges provided in Piaget’s stages. The Functionalists’ idea of one’s own choices, efforts, and merits directly effecting one’s success is good, but I feel other factors such as economic conditions, contribute to the outcome. As for the nature of knowledge, it is both relative and absolute. Knowledge is relative because views change, for example the concept that the Earth was the center of the universe was believed as fact at a particular time, but was disproved later. Mathematics is an example of absolute knowledge, because anytime you add the same numbers the answer is the same. I feel the purpose of education is to improve society by helping every individual reach his or her potential. I believe that every child is capable of success. As a teacher it will be my responsibility to find ways to help each child in my class achieve his or her greatest potential. I want to encourage my students, and instill a feeling of accomplishment and self-satisfaction. I hope my students will realize the untapped possibility of human potential. In my classroom, my teaching method will consist of hands-on activities, as I feel from personal experience that this is the most effective way to learn. I also know from personal experience that learning must be applicable to real life, so I intend show as much as possible the relationships between lessons and life. Some lecture will be required, but I intend to keep lecturing minimal and use the Socratic method of questioning. Discipline is essential in the classroom and in life. Discipline starts with rules, which should be reflective of the students’ input as well as any necessary regulations not covered by the students.

The Joy of Community Service :: Community Service Essays

Never in my wildest dreams would I have even begun to imagine that community service could  Ã‚  be such a rewarding experience. As the oldest child I never had the opportunity of having someone that  Ã‚  could help me with my homework, play with me and help me when I needed something. My parents  Ã‚  once in a while could help me with homework, but once we moved to the United States I was definitely  Ã‚  on my own considering my parents didn’t know enough English to help me. From this moment forward, I  Ã‚  can say I’m very proud of myself for being where I am now without any help throughout my school  Ã‚  years. Yet, I know I could have done better with the help of someone. I figured with the opportunity to  Ã‚  do community service, I could take advantage of this situation and choose something that would help  Ã‚  kids with whatever they needed and maybe even play with them if I had the chance. Looking through the long list of places to do community service, the YMCA Child Care Center  Ã‚  caught my attention. I knew this was going to be a great choice but I didn’t think it could make such an  Ã‚  impact in my life. This child care is an educational and fun place for kids after school to stay at while  Ã‚  their parents get off of work. They have a certain schedule where they eat snacks, do their homework,  Ã‚  go to a Sumba class, play outside and other activities. I had the pleasure of meeting a group of  Ã‚  wonderful little kids. Within the first week of me being there as soon as they walked in they would give  Ã‚  me a hug to greet me. When they needed help with their homework or to tie their shoe they would  Ã‚  come running to me to ask for help with whatever they needed. They made me feel good because I was  Ã‚  someone they looked up to and I had the ability to help them with anything they needed. At first I had  Ã‚  my doubts about doing c ommunity service here because I am a very impatient person especially when it  Ã‚  comes to kids. I didn’t think I could be around so many kids for so long. Yet, the love and respect this  Ã‚  kids showed me helped me become a better and more patient person with them and all other kids in my  Ã‚  personal life. Every day I looked forward to going to the YMCA and spending time with these kids,  Ã‚  helping, dancing Sumba, and playing games with them.

History of Chocolate Essay

Chocolate comes from the cacao bean, which comes from a cocoa tree, which are found in Central America. Mayans The Mayans found the cocoa trees down in South America, and then migrated up to Central America, where their empire stretched from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. The Mayans are known for being the first people to create plantations, where they had people working on a cacao bean plantation. They also referred to the cacao bean as the â€Å"food of the gods. † Aztecs The Aztecs then conquered the Mayans. The Aztecs would tax anyone who they conquered who grew the cacao beans to pay them as taxes. In fact, the Aztecs used cacao beans as currency, and it was always in demand. No one outside of the Americas would hear of this magnificent drink (as it was used for early on) until about the 15th century. European Influence Christopher Columbus was the first European in the Americas, who was also the first to find cacao beans. He brought these cacao beans back to the Spanish king, whose friars sent the word of it throughout Spain. When the Spanish conquered the Aztecs, cacao beans were imported and changed into a chocolate drink, and was widely popular along the people. They would remove the chili pepper and add milk, sugar, and vanilla to give chocolate a sweet taste. They used chocolate as a drink until the Industrial Revolution. Post-18th Century Chocolate The chocolate we know today is created by mills that could create cocoa butter. This cocoa butter made it to where chocolate could become hard. After the Industrial Revolution, people began to sell these mills and â€Å"cocoa butter† to other people. A man by the name of Daniel Peter bought one of these, and began work on a new type of chocolate, called â€Å"milk chocolate. † This milk chocolate was toyed with quite a bit until Rodolphe Lindt invented conching, and this allowed for Milton Hershey to make chocolate famous and mass produce a cheap candy bar. This leads us up to the chocolate we eat today!

Hometown Deli

Hometown Deli Case Study The Hometown Deli was established by your grandfather in 1952 in your hometown. It offers many different kinds of specialized coffees, teas, a full service bakery, homemade soups, sandwiches, and salads. The Deli has been a local hotspot for many years and has served as a community gathering place. Your grandfather recently retired from the business and has asked you to take it over. You are very excited about this opportunity! Unfortunately, business has been steadily declining over the last five years. Although your grandfather was an expert at running the deli, it is outdated.There are no computers in the store and all ordering takes place manually. Your grandfather had a terrific memory and knew all of his customers by name, but unfortunately, none of this information is located anywhere in the store. The family recipes for the baked goods and soups are also stored in your grandfather’s memory. Inventory is tracked in a note pad, along with employe e payroll, and marketing coupons. The Deli does not have a Web site, uses very little marketing except word-of-mouth, and essentially still operates the same as it did in 1952.Throughout this course you will own and operate Hometown Deli, taking advantage of business practices discussed in the class, the Course Modules and the textbook to increase profits, keep the business running, and bring the Deli into the 21st century. Note: As you approach these assignments, you will find it helpful to think about your own experiences with a local deli or sandwich shop. Making a trip to a local deli may help you think about the processes, challenges, and opportunities.Upon completion of these assignments you will have performed an array of activities to demonstrate your ability to apply the course content to a â€Å"real world situation† to: †¢Analyze the business environment and identify strategic areas for improvement (Stage 1) †¢Propose an appropriate technology solution to improve a selected business process (Stage 2) †¢Evaluate various IT considerations of the proposed technology solution (Stage 3) †¢Communicate your solution and the IT considerations to stakeholders using a presentation format (Stage 4) †¢Identify and explain the next steps in implementing the solution (Stage 5) The case study and assignments address the Course Outcomes to enable you to: †¢analyze business strategy to recognize how technology solutions enable strategic outcomes †¢analyze internal and external business processes to identify information systems requirements †¢identify and plan IT solutions that meet business objectives. STAGED ASSIGNMENTS The staged assignments are designed to follow the relevant course modules and chapters of the textbook in the class schedule, and are due on the dates shown in the Syllabus.Stage 1 Project: Business Environment Analysis (Word document with analysis) Stage 2 Project: Technology-Supported Solution Proposa l (Word document with proposed solution) Stage 3 Project: Template for IT Considerations (Word table) Stage 4 Project: Executive Briefing Presentation (PowerPoint Presentation on proposed solution) Stage 5 Project: Outline of Next Steps (Word document outline with next steps) The weight of the assignments is shown in the Course Syllabus. The due dates are shown in the Course Schedule. Because these assignments require you to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (as indicated in the instructions), you may need to â€Å"brush up† on your familiarity with these or use functions that perhaps are new to you. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to begin an activity.You should read through all the assignments in advance to ensure you (1) understand what is expected, and (2) allow enough time to effectively create the information being requested. Assignments for stages 1, 2 and 5 require external research, outside of the textbook. The grading rubric is included with each assign ment. These assignments are designed to help you identify how to effectively analyze and interpret information to improve the business. This is an opportunity for you to apply critical thinking skills and think like a business professional. When you are writing a paper or developing a presentation, prepare it as if it is going to a boss that you want to impress with your knowledge and abilities.Don't just go through the mechanics of pulling together information — think about what you are doing, why you're doing it, whether it make sense, whether the information seems realistic, and what the results show. Support your recommendations with your research. One of the prerequisites for this course is that you have a fundamental working knowledge of word processing and presentation software. Detailed instructions for each Staged Project, 1 through 5, are separately posted in the Course Content area. You must prepare each assignment in the indicated format (i. e. , memo, report, pre sentation or other specified format) and submit it as an attachment through your individual Assignments Folder in WebTycho. No credit will be given for assignments submitted in file formats other than those stated in the assignment instructions. Additional InformationThere is a significant amount of information available to you to assist in developing your skills in using the Microsoft Office Products. MS Word and PowerPoint are required for these exercises. The textbook comes with access to the publisher’s website (http://www. mhhe. com/baltzan) where there are a number of resources, including Tech Plug-Ins for Office 2003, 2007 and 2010. Don't hesitate to use the on-line help and wizard tools built into the MS Office applications for help as you work with the software tools. There are also other web sites, such aswww. eHow. com, and www. microsoft. com that provide tips. Even YouTube has some useful videos demonstrating various techniques.

Business Across Borders Essay

In the business world today, borders are blending and multi-national mergers are causing many company nationalities to become indistinct. As the globalization of markets rapidly increases, many companies are finding international expansion a necessity of competition. North America is greatly affected by this movement towards a global market, and many companies are finding it extremely important to adapt to other cultures. Favorable trade agreements and explosive growth of the middle class in countries once considered underdeveloped have both been important factors in the rush towards globalization. However, the most important factor in increased globalization has been technological advancements, including new transportation and information technologies. Presentation of information is more frequently processed by members of a virtual team – a work group not necessarily in the same geographical location. With the proliferation of e-mail, videoconferencing, fax machine, and the telephone, virtual teaming is becoming increasingly efficient. The most considerable obstructions to successful international marketing involve misinterpretations and contrary views resulting from cultural differences. Being both aware of some of these issues and prepared to make the necessary accommodations can save companies time, effort, and a considerable amount of money. Exploring Context Context is described as the most important dimension of culture and yet is the most difficult to define. Context refers to the stimuli, environment, or ambiance surrounding an event. Communication styles and business practices as a whole are often identified with the context of a country. North American, Scandinavian, and German communicators are generally considered to be low-context cultures. They expect a high level of detail in their visua,l verbal and written communication. Low-context cultures tend to  be analytical, logical and find words and contracts very important. Individualism, freedom and personal achievement are highly valued by these cultures. High-context cultures, such as Japan, China, Arabia, tend to assume the receiver does not need much background. Information and words are not as important as what is surrounding the situation. They are more aware of a communicator’s status, interpersonal relationships, the setting, and ambiance when conducting business relations. In general, tradition and social customs are more important in high-context cultures. These cultures emphasize membership in organizations and groups. Because they avoid confrontation, they frown upon individual decision making and prefer consensus. Relationships In many countries personal relationships are the key to success. It is important to not expect to get down to business right away, but rather get to know a person first. In Mexico, for example, business deals are only made with friends, so one must develop a friendship with any business partner. It is considered polite to ask personal questions about family, and also to answer any questions about your family. Discussions are warm and friendly. In Japan it is unlikely to get very far without connections. Carefully chosen intermediaries are a necessity. Not only will the Japanese feel obliged to be loyal to them, but rank of one’s associates will determine their status as well. A Japanese businessman will always consult within his group before making a decision. Because of their intense loyalty, one’s identity is subsumed into the group. It is important to never single out a Japanese counterpart, even for praise or encouragement. Contrarily, the Spaniards have a hierarchy style of management and it is best to deal with â€Å"el jefe† or â€Å"el pardon†-the one who will be making the decision. Spaniards also will expect whomever they are dealing with to have decisions-making authority. Saving Face When dealing with Spain or most Asian cultures, it is also critical to understand the concept of â€Å"saving face†. Any loss of control of emotions or embarrassment is considered disastrous in business negotiations in these cultures. Honor and personal pride mean everything and they must not be insulted. Because of this attitude it is very important to carefully prepare presentations so that they are easy for the audience to understand. Paying close attention to determine if anything is misunderstood during the presentation is also a must. Because of this concept of â€Å"saving face† the presenter will not know if they are having difficulties. Close attention must be paid to conversations in order to discern the sincerity of what is being said. In Japan, a deal is never refused directly, and any dealings with Japanese business culture should remain indirect. Business Cards In nearly all countries, it is important that business cards be printed one side in English, and the other in their language. When presenting the card, it should be presented with their language facing the recipient. In Japan, the exchange of business cards is not to be taken lightly. When you receive the card of a Japanese businessman, be sure to make a show of examining it carefully and then making a remark about the card. Ask any questions about anything on the card which is difficult to pronounce or understand. The card should then be placed in a case or on a near by table. A card shouldn’t be shoved into a pocket or be written on. Concepts of Time Time orientation is an important cultural difference that Americans must pay close attention to. In America, time is viewed as a precious commodity. Time is related with productivity, efficiency, and money. Many other countries have a much more relaxed perception of time. They take their time, and enjoy it. In Mexico you can ask if a scheduled appointment is â€Å"en punto† (the precise time), or â€Å"mas o menos†. â€Å"Mas o menos† appointments are often scheduled a half an hour to an hour before the actual time. With both  Mexican and Japanese cultures it is also important not to expect instant results. Plenty of time should be allowed for contemplation and decision making. In Mexico it is important to adjust any expectations regarding deadlines and efficiency. Conclusion Doing business over borders and through time zones has become commonplace in the twenty-first century. Technological advancements in communication and travel make it possible to do business across the globe almost instantaneously. Doing business with multiple cultures can be a challenging venture. International communication skills of an organization can determine success or failure. In order to interact with different cultures, it is necessary to understand the basic characteristics of the culture. This type of understanding helps to make adjustments and accommodations. We must rid our minds of pre-conceived notions, stereotypes, and prejudices. It is imperative that one be knowledgeable about such topics as: context, traditions, social rules, etc. It is equally important to possess competent listening skills and to be aware of one’s own nonverbal messages. The ability to adapt to an intercultural perspective is probably one of the most crucial aspects of doing business in today’s â€Å"global village†. Bibliography Sellin, Robert H. J and Elaine Winters. Cultural Issues in Business Communication. Berkeley: Program Facilitating and Consulting, 2000. Guffey, Mary Ellen. Business Communication: Process and Product, 4th ed. Mason, Ohio: South-Western, 2003 â€Å"Etiquette and Local Customs†. The Traveler’s Yellow Pages Online. http://www.infoservices.com/stpete/342.htm. InfoServices International, Inc., 2002 â€Å"What to Know Before Negotiting† Execitive Planet.com. http://www.executiveplanet.com/business-culture.html.

Obesity Is Not a Personal Problem

Obesity is Not a Personal Problem As the obesity wave crashes over the United States, more Americans are paying out of pocket to flourish the $33 billion commercial diet industry (Spake 283). As American’s waistbands continue to expand, they immerse themselves in one of the largest, most scandalous consumer markets: the weight loss industry. Amanda Spake, author of â€Å"Rethinking Weight†, addresses the question as to who should cover the overall cost of weight loss programs. Spake challenges that insurance companies should pay for the expenses that obese people encounter. This, she states, is due to the fact that obesity is a biological â€Å"disease† and it should be treated and paid for like any other critical illness (283). In this article, Spake does not present the importance of physical activity, only discussing unsuccessful dieting experiences and bad genetic makeup. Although Spake briefly suggests that exercising is an advantage to those who are obese, she puts the solitary blame for obesity on the genetic aspect. From 1986 to 2000, the number of people who are severely obese–which is identified by having a body mass index of 40 or more–has quadrupled, from about 1 in 200 adults to 1 in every 50. This startling statistic has caused more people to be aware of this rising occurrence that has swept over the United States. Obesity has medical professionals worrying; not only are the numbers of overweight people continuing to rise but weight-related medical costs are soaring. Healthcare costs for illnesses due to obesity have now exceeded those related to both smoking and alcoholism. The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to skyrocketing health care costs in the United States, partly due to the weight-related diseases that come hand-in-hand with obesity. Ailments such as type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol are closely connected to obesity and an alarming 80 percent of obese adults suffer from one of these life-threatening diseases (Spake 283). Many research foundations are now connecting obesity to a person’s genetic makeup, calling it a biological development that an individual cannot control. Spake suggests that insurance companies should cover the costs of obesity as it is a genetically and biologically determined disease thus the individual does not have the ability to lose weight on their own. As a result, researchers suggest that including the treatment of obesity in health care plans might bring science and sanity to the anarchy of weight loss (Spake 286). Many researchers do not identify obesity as a disease in fear that unhealthy weight-loss programs will someday be considered acceptable treatment and ultimately mandated to be covered by insurance. Although Spake validates her assertions by backing up her words with credible opinions and statistics, she weakens her argument by not addressing the importance of physical activity. Maria Pfisterer is an obese mother who Spake claims has tried every weight-loss strategy imaginable. However, nowhere does it say that in addition to the drugs and â€Å"quick-weight-loss fads† Pfisterer had attempted to include an exercise regime. She claimed that all of the programs she tried resulted in a few pounds lost and quite a few more gained; always returning to the same 197 to 202 pound range. Being overweight is the result of one thing: eating more food than one burns (Spake 285). Nowhere in the article does Spake suggest that physical activity is a effective, healthy and inexpensive way to lose weight, choosing to put forth the idea that weight loss comes only from high-priced dieting programs. In her article, Spake claims that genetics are the sole factor for obesity in America. There are many other factors mentioned in the article that play into someone’s weight including the food they eat, their level of physical activity, and societal factors such as advertising. Also, Spake quotes Arthur Frank, director of George Washington University’s Weight Management Program, â€Å"So saying to an obese person who wants to lose weight, ‘All you have to do is eat less,’ is like saying to a person suffering from asthma, ‘All you have to do is breathe better’† (284). Obesity and asthma are two very different things therefore should not be compared. An individual who is overweight can take control of their weight-gain by taking more personal responsibility and making healthier choices. However, asthma is an inflammatory disorder that can strike at any time which causes an individual to wheeze or gasp for air where an individual cannot control its effects. Not everyone agrees that obesity should be considered a disease, some stating that the obesity epidemic can be overturned by individuals taking more personal accountability for their wellbeing and opting to make healthier lifestyle choices (Spake 283). In an alarmed attempt to make readers believe that obesity should be considered a disease and insurance companies should cover the cost of the individual’s expenses, Spake fails to provide enough evidence to support her claim. She maintains that overweight people have a genetic flaw that causes them to be susceptible to weight gain. Physical exercise, which is seldom mentioned in Spake’s article, is an important weight loss tool that helps to burn the extra calories an individual’s body does not burn on its own. Spake portrays a defective argument that invalidates her main purpose. People with health insurance should look to see what is covered and seek healthier, less-expensive alternatives to fix the things that are not included. Regardless of what â€Å"Rethinking Weight† suggests, overweight individuals have an equal opportunity to replace their existing lifestyle with healthier habits. Works Cited Spake, Amanda. â€Å"Rethinking Wight. † Writing and Reading for ACP Composition. Eds. Thomas E. Leahey and Christine R. Farris. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2009. 282-88. Print.

Environmental analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental analysis - Essay Example Taking into consideration the facts, stated above this article seeks to discuss the business environment and will focus more on environmental analysis and its importance to every business organization. Several experts and scholars have come up with various definitions of environmental analysis. Environmental analysis, according to Marketing Intelligence (nd), involves studying the organization’s environment with an aim of pinpointing the environmental factors that impact the operations of the organization significantly. While some scholars prefer to divide the business environment into three major categories (operating, internal, and general environment), most experts prefer to categorize the business environment into two; the internal and external environments. Environmental factors may work for or against the business and hence they must be accorded due consideration if the business must remain in business according to Armstrong (1996). There have been developed quite a number of business environmental analysis techniques by several different scholars and organizations. Some of these techniques include PESTLE, SWOT, MOST, CATWOE, Five Whys, De Bono 6Hat, MoSCoW, and VPEC-T among others. However, the most common techniques commonly used include SWOT analysis and PESTLE analysis. During a SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organization are considered according to Hill and Westbrook (1997). The strengths of the organization include its competitive advantages, while its weaknesses are those aspects that it needs to improve on. Opportunities are those openings that the organization has for potential growth while the threats are those obstacles that it faces. A PESTLE analysis on the other hand involves the consideration of political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental factors that impact the organization’s performance (Marketing Intelligence, nd). The

Recruitment and Selection of personnel. How to evaluate the Essay

Recruitment and Selection of personnel. How to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment processes - Essay Example In the next step, the research establishes a correlation between hiring methods and organizational performance across various parameters like financial, productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and quality staff retention. Research finds that some of the recruitment and selection practices have a higher correlation with organizational performance across all the above stated parameters. Finally the study suggests methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the recruitment and selection practices. Among various studies on human resource practices, there aren’t many that focus on measuring effectiveness of recruitment and selection methods. Recruitment and selection are those vital components of HR function that provide human capital to the organization, which forms the core of competitive advantages for the company. Attracting quality manpower through various strategies, screening, short listing and carrying them through the selection process and finally inducting the most suitable candidates in the organization are the various stages involved. Some of the researchers like Breaugh & Starke (2000) have tried to find a correlation between recruitment process and subsequently success of the selected candidate on the job. That provides one parameter for measuring the effectiveness of one of the components. Retention of the selected employees cant be ignored from the scope of effectiveness of recruitment and selection strategies. Though once the suitable candidate is hired, half the job is done, some of the issues related directly to employee turnover and retention, might be unrelated to recruitment and selection processes. However, staff turnout before becoming productive, can be a sign of ineffective process. In todays competitive world, Human Resource function isnt just a support function and the measures like Balanced Score Card have been developed to measure HR from financial perspective as

Teaching English to Arab Students Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Teaching English to Arab Students - Assignment Example Background of the Problem: It has frequently been observed that the Arab students, arriving in the modern countries, are seldom familiar with the English language altogether. It is partly due to the very fact that they have obtained their primary and elementary levels education in the native Arabic language, the patterns including sentence structure, grammar, composition and syntax etc are entirely different from English in all regards. Consequently, they have to undergo serious difficulties while learning English language skills (McCardle & Hoff, 2006, p.43). Not only this that the students find it very problematic and challenging one, but also the teachers also witness grave problems while making attempts to coach the Arabs how to read, write and speak English in order to complete their studies and obtain higher degrees as well (Ansari, 2012, p.2). Since the English speaking nations, particularly the USA and UK have made marvellous inventions in all fields of life, which have force d the entire world to learn their language in order to survive and cope up with the latest challenges modern life offers to man. Consequently, technological superiority and economic stabilities of some of the most developed English speaking nations serve as the major reasons that have urged the non-English speaking nations to learn English language skills, so that they could be in a position of taking advantages of the latest developments being made all around them. English is, Graddol submits, closely associated with the leading edge of global scientific, technological, economic and cultural developments, where it has been unrivalled in its influence in the late 20th century (2000, p.4). Thus, the achievements made by the English speaking nations in the fields of... This essay stresses that the contemporary era is pertinently viewed to be the age of globalisation, where the activities being conducted in one region of the globe have their significant influence on even the remotest zones existing on the face of the earth. Technological advancements have played their decisive role in bringing the individuals and societies closer to each other in the wake of the inventions made in the field of science and technology including airplane, computer, the Internet and others, which have turned communication between the individuals very fast, simple and easy. This paper makes a conclusion that it becomes evident that the present study has been conducted in a limited scenario, which concentrates upon the differences between the style, diction, syntax and pronunciation of Arabic and English languages on the one side, and the cultural variation between both the civilisations on the other. In addition, the present study has also confined its canvas to the initial hurdles that appear on the way to the Arab students while seeking education in English language. However, some other research could also be conducted on the same or similar topic that could make more elaboration of the grammatical and technical differences between the languages under examination for drawing out conclusions regarding the problems of the Arab students while ESL learning procedure, as well as the difficulties of the teachers to cope with the issue.

HR- Grievance and disciplinary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HR- Grievance and disciplinary - Essay Example The two cases display the picture of what can happen in the real-life contract termination. There can be conflicts among the both parties which can potentially cost millions of pounds to the employer despite his efforts to prevent any breakdown in relationship with the workers and making sure that sanity surrounds the workplace and work environment. The best practice in employee termination is to give an employee proper warnings and compensation on his dismissal. Air Bus has rightly given the warning to Mr. Jones on his wasting time on work. He repeated his misconduct and one can say that Airbus was fair dismissing Mr. Jones. However, on the flipside of it there was no mention of any compensation paid to Mr. Jones. It has become an important norm for large employers like Airbus to pay around three month’s salaries to its employees in case of a dismissal. This would help the outgoing worker to sustain his family for the period for which he remains unemployed. However, there was no such mention of this kind of compensation payment in the case of Airbus and hence Mr. Jones can claim this compensation from the code. Although the law only asks for a lump sump payment, but the industry usually pays around three month’s salary and that should be paid to Mr. Jones. It was right on the part of Airbus to dismiss Mr. Jones a fter he was given second warning for wasting time on work. Although Mr. Jones insisted that the first warning has expired and hence Airbus Ltd cannot fire him. The law on the other hand would approve this firing because it was the second time Mr. Jones has made the same mistake and Airbus was right to penalize him. Hence, the only obligation on Airbus is to follow the market’s best practice and should compensate Mr. Jones for his services to the firm. The second case tells us about a strained relationship between the Chief Executive and Board of

Economic policy and global environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Economic policy and global environment - Essay Example The reduction in the government spending in 2012 has resulted in falling growth rates over the last three quarters. The shutdown of the government has greatly impacted the government spending. Though these workers will be paid their salaries retroactively, their better halves in the private sector cannot expect the same and this will lower consumption spending in the festive season. The uncertainty in the political environment is likely to affect the investments in the country, which will further result in the weaker growth. Governments Fiscal Policy: Past and Present perspective Historically, the fiscal policies, adopted by the government at state, local or federal levels, have mostly been tailwind for the economy. This implies that it has tried to boost the economy (International Monetary Fund, 2013). This has drawn references from the history that whenever the economy is in recession, the government follows an expansionary fiscal policy. This can be explained with the help of the following graph. Figure 1: Expansionary Monetary Policy (Source: Burnt Hills-Ballstan Lake, n.d.) If the government follows an expansionary policy, either by raising the level of government spending or reducing the level of the taxes, there is an outward expansion of the aggregate demand curve. This is represented by the shift of the curve from AD0 to AD1 (Burnt Hills-Ballstan Lake, n.d.). In this range of the SRAS, there is almost no effect on the rate of inflation which is measured by the price level, measured in the y-axis of the graph. The rationale working here is that during sluggish economic performance, the revenue that can be earned from taxes falls and the level of government spending has... This essay presents a comprehensive economic analysis of the effectiveness of the fiscal policy carried out by American government in 2013 year. Fiscal policy measures are the methods which are applied by the government to adjust the levels of government spending and tax rates that directly influence the growth of an economy. The fiscal policy is used in combination with the monetary policy to control the economic growth. The monetary and fiscal policies can directly affect the rate of inflation and determine whether the country will face conditions of growth or recession In designing the fiscal policies, the government has faced formidable challenges and hence, decided to reduce the level of spending. The rising age of the population, along with rising costs of health care, makes expansionary fiscal policies non-feasible in long run. The rising expenditure by the government would have soon surpassed the revenue earned by government and The analysis has revealed that the government had changed its fiscal policy from expansionary to contractionary for dealing with the recession in the present time. It has been observed that the recent federal shutdown, though for a short period, has slowed down the pace of recovery of the economy. The direct impact was the reduction of the GDP on account of the lay-off of the federal workers. The indirect impact came from the multiplier effects of the government spending cuts. The employment figures were also affected owing to the shutdown and resulted in the loss of investor confidence.

Need for Well-Defined Career Goals and Career Assessment Plans Personal Statement

Need for Well-Defined Career Goals and Career Assessment Plans - Personal Statement Example The present paper has identified that reflective practice facilitates assessment of career plans so as to achieve long term and short term goals of professional excellence. My long term goal is to become a highly successful cardiologist. Hence, I have set myself short term goals have been set for 3-5 years where I would be using my business management degree to earn money for my medical studies that would help me to become a cardiologist. I have been a conscientious worker and have gained considerable experience in managerial and administrative work while managing deans’ office. For five years, I have been in charge of 9 deans that involved considerable planning and administrative skills. It has also given me the impetus to improve my managerial skills by studying for my graduation in general business major in management. The course has greatly facilitated in giving me a more practical aspect of management skills that are needed to improve and improvise work paradigms for opti mal results. I have now put my experience and knowledge to my family business. This way, I would be able to earn higher wages which I can save for my medical degree. At the same time, I would also help to take the business to a higher level of success. Career assessment plans help to acquire skills and necessary knowledge for professional growth. They facilitate in the development of a wider perspective towards the issues which helps to apply the informed choices to meet the challenges of the career goals. Our family business is to provide security guards for events, offices etc. I have made extensive plans to widen the interests of our business and use more sophisticated state of the art technologies to enhance security within the campuses and homes. The expansion of business goals has tremendously impacted the scope of business across the wider region and customers resulting in significantly higher financial outcomes.  The financial results of our family business have inculcated great confidence in myself and in my abilities to go to the next stage of my career management plan. My savings and bonus earned can now be used for meeting the expenses of my medical study. I would be applying to NYU University of medical science for my medical study in the field of cardiology. Being a cardiologist has been my cherished dreams that can now be realized. I now intend to study hard for my long term goal. In the current time, stress and competitive working conditions significantly impact health and well being of people at large. The heart-related problems have especially escalated in recent times. My family has seen many casualties to heart diseases. My grandfather had always been a role model for me and he had been a strong pillar of support for me and my family during the hard times. When he died of sudden heart attack, it made me determined to become a cardiologist. I believe that having a cardiologist within a family would not help them to become more aware of the reasons that lead to heart diseases but it would also help them in times of emergency and save a life. I would like to become a highly successful cardiologist so I can save lots of lives and give happiness to people at large. I am a very sensitive person and have strong empathy towards people who are ill and infirm. I am also technology savvy which would be a great asset in my medical field, where state of art technology-based instruments, are used to diagnose the cause of diseases.

Near Earth Objects (NEOs) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Near Earth Objects (NEOs) - Research Paper Example Depending on how close they are to the Earth, they can be spotted with the naked eye, or they can be spotted with a telescope. Rather than clustered together, a comet is a single large object with a long tail. More often than not, it is the tail, and not the main part of the comet that can be seen. Near Earth Objects might be fun to look at, but they are capable of doing catastrophic damage. Craters around the world pay homage to the respect that they undoubtedly deserve. One of the most widely accepted theories for the extinction of dinosaurs is that a massive meteor struck the planet and radically changed both climate and atmosphere. Fortunately, when it comes to this modern age, there are methods and theories in which to deflect NEOs. All of these are untested, however, and have only performed in labs. A meteor, or meteorite, is a body of rock, ice, or metal that enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Many of these are small and harmless, and burn up upon entering the atmosphere. W hen you see a shooting star, or a meteor shower, that is what you are seeing. While no threatening meteors have recently struck the Earth’s surface, the evidence is all around us. The largest crater in the world, created by a meteor, is in South Africa in an area called the Vredforte Dome. This meteor hit the Earth more than 2 billion years ago, and was around 10 km in diameter. According to science, the impact of the meteor might have been massive enough to jumpstart multicellular life by increasing the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. There are, to date, 841 World Heritage sites around the world. A World Heritage site is a special place that has either a cultural or a physical significance. These sites are chosen by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), which has been around since 1945. While Earth appears safe for the most part, it has had its share of close calls. One such close call occurred in September of 2004. An asteroid b y the name of Toutatis swept by Earth, missing it by about a mile. Several kilometers in diameter, if Toutatis or a rock like it were to hit Earth, it would devastate life as humans know it. The sun would be obscured by a huge cloud of dust that would travel around the globe, changing the temperature and climate of the Earth. Plants would start to die from lack of sunlight, unable to complete their cycles of photosynthesis, and herbivores would begin to starve. Humans would have major crop failure as well, and would need to resort to another means of sustenance. Eventually, over time, civilization would cease to be. Food, if any survived at all, would be both precious and hard to come by. Water would become stagnant and toxic to drink, as the evaporation process would be altered without sunlight. The impact of a NEO of this size would ultimately either destroy all life on the planet, or force evolution into overdrive. A rare NEO that is usually only seen by astronomers with high-pow ered telescopes and other special equipment is the comet. These massive objects are made up of ice and organic material. They carry behind them a long ‘tail’, which consists of ice and other materials that it picks up as it hurtles through space. The ‘head’ of the comet is called a nucleus, which consists of the ice and organic materials. The core of the nucleus is as yet unknown. These beautiful objects are far older than many of the planets in the solar system, the majority of them estimated to be

Animal Farm Essay Example for Free

Animal Farm Essay In the movie, I began to see examples of collectivism and individualism. For instance, in collectivism the group comes before the individual. The â€Å"experts† do all the thinking for the people. Which in this case, the pigs, Napoleon and snowball were the experts. They made the rules that the farm animals had to abide: all animals were equal, no animal shall be killed by another, no sleeping on beds or drinking alcohol ect. As the revolution went on, the animals helped one another,like we as people do in the everyday world. Napoleon soon felt as if snowball was getting in the way of his dictatorship and had him killed. Napoleon now became the leader, and even spread the word to other farms so other pigs could start the same revolution. The weaker animals were sacrificed the laws that were set soon changed, the farm animals became more and more like slaves , they ate less, worked dawn to dusk and no longer were equal. The law now was some animals were equal but some more than others. While the farm animals did all the hard work, the pigs got to sit back, relax and eat all the food for themselves. With that said, Collectivism is a lot like communism, the pigs had control of the farm animals, made the laws, even everything the farm animals made soon belonged to the pigs. It’s like how the world is today, part of the hard earned money and things we make go to the government. The government and the corporations are the pigs. On the individualistic side of things, in individualism the individual comes before the group. They only worry about their family and close friends. Towards the end of the movie, the horse was sold off and later killed, because he was no more use for the pigs. The donkey who is a close friend to the horse took that as a final straw and recognized what the pigs were really doing. Compared to individualism they fought with what they believed in. That no individual should work for pigs like them. That’s how it is with humans we fight with what me believe in.

Why Marching Band Should Be Considered a Sport Essay Example for Free

Why Marching Band Should Be Considered a Sport Essay There may be as many as 500+ members in a marching band, each having their own part that inter-locks with the 499 others. I believe marching band should be considered a sport. Everyone must be incredibly coordinated and precise. The band as a whole, and individually must practice. Then theres all the physical stresses that you have to overcome. Coordination plays a key roll in marching. A lot of teamwork goes into it as well. All the musicians have to play in the right key, stay in step, and stay musically in time or else the entire show could be compromised. Memorizing game plays is a large roll in football and other team sports, same with band. You must remember the basic notes, key signatures, and various other musical symbols. Then there are the hundreds of sets, or where and when you have to be on the field during the show. Just one person off can throw off the entire form or melody. Athletes selected for the Olympics have trained for almost all their lives for their event. In Bellevue Wests marching training, we have a two week period of living hell, aka band camp. You basically do nothing but eat, sleep, and think band during the two hottest weeks of the entire summer. Mr. Haugen, our band director, pushes hard and some break down and quit, but in the end, the majority of the group is remaining. All thats left now is a well oiled machine, just like any sports team. I only hinted how physically demanding this â€Å"extra-curricular activity† actually is. You must carry an instrument exactly level while marching, and all your body wants to do is bounce up and down like loose luggage. Then if youre a sousaphone, like me, you have around 45-50 lb. ushing down on your shoulder as you try to elevate yourself as high as possible, as to follow correct marching form. Then you must remember that half your air as you march down the field, goes to playing your instrument. If thats not enough, youre also trapped in a dark, thick fabric uniform, squeezing the last whistles of your breath from your lungs. It may be only for 15 minutes, but even track athletes get breaks in-between events. In those god-forsaken uniforms, that quarter hour feels like centuries. For some odd reason, people have the idea that its easy to play in motion, its anything but! You must have incredible music-making skills, especially considering your bouncing up and down as you sometimes run to get to your spot. Sports are very physically strenuous and demanding, so is marching. Sports teams practice all year long to get ready to compete, we only the summer and a few weeks into school. Each individual plays such a key role in the tone and appearance of the band, its unreal. Marching band isnt just a bunch of nerds and fat guys playing tubas. Its a tight-knit brotherhood of strength and skill. Like football, if you are not in the right spot, you arent scoring the touchdown.