Modernist Poetry: Effectiveness

Modernist Poetry: Effectiveness When it comes to opinions everyone has one. Saying that Modernist poetry has no specific structure or form and therefore means it is not as ‘effective’, is like myself saying curry is spicy, sweet and doesn’t fit in with my taste buds and therefore curry is the worst seasoning. Poetry is far too complex to reduce to a simple â€Å"effective† or â€Å"not effective† dichotomy. To object to an opinion maybe you need to understand where they are coming from.Taking a look at traditional poetry you see rhyme schemes and specific meter and other rigid aspects of form. Modernist experimented vigorously with the poetic forms, language and versification, often doing away with rhythmical sweetness and the regularity of the traditional forms. Like a teenager that never finishes high school. She is considered by society to be a failure because she never met their ideals. However, she then goes out, gets signed and now almost every one knows her name, Christina Aguilera. Also read: Platos Attack on PoetryWhatever be the structure of a modern poem, there is a hidden meaning and rhythm of course. Even, that particular structure bears significance. That beauty and meaning cannot be interpreted by traditional readers. Others, of course, prefer traditional poetry, but I do not think either is more effective than the other; they just cater to different tastes. Just like when it comes to tastes in music, some people like country others prefer rap. Just because one become before the other doesn’t make it the right one and the other wrong, it makes them different.

Adoption from China vs the United States Essay

When a couple begins to explore the idea of adopting a child, it is easy for them to quickly become overwhelmed with information, questions and decisions. One of the first dilemmas couples face is whether to pursue international adoption or domestic adoption. By thoroughly researching and weighing both options, a couple can decide whether international or domestic adoption is best for their family. Some of the requirements that must be met to adopt in China include marital Status, only married couples with marriage defined as between a man and a woman, who have been married for at least 2 years are able to adopt from China. If either has been divorced, the couple must be married for 5 years before considering adopting from China. No more than two divorces are allowed; the age of prospective adoptive parents must be between 30 and 44 years old to adopt babies around 1 year old. Prospective adoptive parents can be between the ages of 30 and 50 for other children (about. com, 2012); Educational requirement for both parents are that they must have a H. S. diploma or vocational training. Typically from start to finish it will take 36-48 months for the adoption to be final. The biggest factor influencing the wait for a child is the time it takes the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) to make a referral to a family. The current referral time is approximately eight months after the detailed prospective parents files are submitted and registered with the CCAA. The cost to adopt from China is not inexpensive; it can run $20,000 to $40,000, including travel. This cost also covers registration and program fees, applications, and home study fees, necessary paperwork and background checks, just to name a few. Medical records of children adopted internationally are often minimal, if available at all. Information regarding the social history of the child’s birth parents, such as family medical history is also often unavailable (the Adoption Guide, 2012). In comparison, some of the requirements to adopt in the United States include marital status; couples do not have to be married to adopt; however, it will be easier for them to adopt if they are married. If the adopting parent is married, a minimum of a three year marriage is a common requirement; the minimum legal age to adopt is generally 18 years of age to 40 years of age. In most situations, however, there will be a requirement that the adopting parents must be at least 20 years older than the child they are seeking to adopt; history of employment stability, and the prospect of future employment stability, are always considered to be big plusses in the eyes of birthparents; there is a thorough background check done in an attempt to uncover evidence of any prior legal or criminal problems, or any problems with child abuse, financial instability, or substance abuse. The average time from preparation of portfolio to match with a birthmother can vary from 3 months (this being the majority) to being longer than 24 months; this includes time spent in false starts. The final adoption decree is usually finalized 6 months after the placement of the child with an adoptive family. The cost of adoption in the United States can range from $5,000 to $40,000 for agency and private adoptions. The cost includes; Agency applications nd program fees, attorney fees, birthmothers expenses, and travel just to name a few. One very large legal concern in domestic adoption is that in an attorney-facilitated adoption, a birth parent can try to withdraw consent to the adoption before the final adoption decree goes into effect, which is six months after placement. To exercise this right to withdraw consent, a birth parent must present clear and convincing evidence that the â€Å"best interests of the child† have changed (adoption. com, 2012). Furthermore, the numbers of children in China awaiting adoption has dropped significantly in the past few years. In 2006, about 6,493 Chinese orphans came to the United States; in 2011 only 2,587 children were adopted. The belief for the decline is the rather strict adoption requirement that have been placed on prospective parents. Despite the fact that we live in one of the most fortunate nations in the world, there are 115,000 children in the U. S. foster care system waiting to be adopted. Unfortunately some of these children are waiting because they are difficult to place due to their age, the fact that they are part of a sibling group, or their disability. The total number of children worldwide who are orphaned and waiting to be is approximately 2. 2 billion. Out of those 2. 2 billion children, 16 million children are estimated to be orphans. How do you even wrap your brain around that many parent-less children? The total number of children adopted worldwide each year, out of those 16 million orphans, is a mere 250,000. These numbers are pretty overwhelming when you think about it (the Adoption Guide, 2012). The decision between domestic adoptions vs. international adoptions only scratches the surface of this big decision. Because a family’s experience with adopting from China will be very different from a family adopting from the United States, it is difficult to describe what to expect in either situation. Couples should fully research each of these adoption venues and then weigh their options to see which best matches their adoption plan.

12th Night Essay

To what extent? The majority of Shakespeare’s characters did not get what they deserved in the end, there definitely is a strong scent of injustice that hangs in the air around Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This, however, does not mean that it made life harder for his characters. In quite a few cases, it actually leaves them better off. Nevertheless, this is not to say that they are not punished for their wrong deeds, sometimes in ways that are completely unfair. Shakespeare shows us painful truth of the injustice that exits within humanity. In the case of Malvolio, we are quick to act, but not to investigate. We also learn that love can fix many things, but it can also tear them apart, as we see with Olivia, Orsino, Sebastian and Viola. Also, as seen through the character of Antonio, bad things can be forgotten if a good enough deed replaces it. As many of us know, humanity is infamous for their willingness to judge and act against a person before they fully investigate the situation; Malvolio is just one example of this. We are aware that Malvolio did treat others in a derogatory manner, â€Å"Go hang yourselves all! You are idle, shallow things; I am not of your element,† – Malvolio, Act 3 Scene 4. He never actually incapacitated anyone; he never broke the law or strayed from his duties. He was simply just a spiteful individual and did not deserve to be imprisoned in a cage for however many hours of his life. I feel that this was an extreme measure and in the end, it may have inflicted more anger and discourtesy towards Sir Andrew, Sir Toby and Maria, reversing the entire effect their ‘plan’ was intended to make. When the truth was eventually exposed, and Malvolio freed after facing an invalid punishment, he was understandably furious, proclaiming, â€Å"I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you! † – Malvolio, Act 5 Scene 1. Perhaps this was a harsh act of karma, all we know is that Olivia was quick to accuse him without further evidence, proving that for once and for all that humanity is unjust. Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy, and romantic love is the play’s main focus. Despite the fact that the play offers a happy ending, in which the various lovers find one another and are married, Shakespeare shows that love can cause pain. Many of the characters seem to view love as a kind of curse, a feeling that attacks its victims suddenly and disruptively. Various characters claim to suffer painfully from being in love. At one point, Orsino describes love miserably as an â€Å"appetite† that he wants to satisfy and cannot, Act 1 Scene 1; at another point, he calls his desires â€Å"fell and cruel hounds,† Act 1 Scene 1. Olivia more bluntly describes love as a â€Å"plague† from which she suffers terribly, Act 1 Scene 5. These metaphors contain an element of violence, further painting the love-struck as victims of some random force in the universe. Even the less melodramatic Viola sighs unhappily that â€Å"My state is desperate for my master’s love,† Act 2 Scene 2. This desperation has the potential to result in violence, as in Act 5 scene 1, when Orsino threatens to kill Cesario because he thinks that Cesario has abandoned him to become Olivia’s lover. Love is also exclusionary: some people achieve romantic happiness, while others do not. At the end of the play, as the happy lovers celebrate, Malvolio is prevented from having the objects of his desire. Malvolio, who has pursued Olivia, must eventually face the realization that he is a fool, socially undeserving of his noble mistress. Love, therefore, cannot overcome all obstacles, and those whose desires go unfulfilled remain no less in love but feel the sting of its absence even more severely. Sometimes in life, we can make up for our crimes, merely by doing respectable deeds instead. This is what Shakespeare demonstrates for us through the character of Antonio. We become conscious that Antonio’s past is shadowed with unlawful activity when he voices to Sebastian of â€Å"many his enemies in Orsino’s court,† Act 2 Scene 3. Nevertheless, he still follows Sebastian, showing courage and loyalty. He then defends Viola (Dressed as Cesario but identical to Sebastian) from Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, bringing himself to the attention of the officers, who recognise him from his shady past and drag him away. Yet it is when Orsino sees him and Viola takes Antonio’s side, reimbursing the favour he did for her, that Orsino concludes that Antonio is free to go, insisting that he is a, â€Å"Notable pirate† and wonders how he, â€Å"Hast made thine enemies? Act 5 Scene 1. So he is pardoned of all of his corrupt deeds, purely because he was kind and displayed courage and determination. As a result, it is quite clear that no one in Twelfth Night truly gets what he or she deserves. Shakespeare’s plays are just as unjust as the world itself, perhaps this is why we love to read and watch his works, we can relate to them. Twelfth Night has helped to show me just how one-sided life can be, but also that that unfairness can also work in my favour.

Mc Donalds and Coca Cola Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mc Donalds and Coca Cola - Essay Example As the discussion stresses the innovative and appealing advertisements of Coca Cola have created a great demand for the product in the current market. They are using the social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which form effective means of marketing mix in the modern world where most of the population are technology savvy. This has enabled makes the company to capture the minds of young generations and impress upon them a definitive brand image. The most effective means of traditional media behind the success of the brand Coca cola has been was television.   Newspapers and websites also attract consumers. Thus, the brand image has remained very consistent for this company.This paper stresses that McDonalds is the largest chain of fast food restaurant in the world. The customers recognize its logo instantly as it appears in the media. They also use social media like Facebook, Twitter, My Space and in addition to traditional media like TV, newspapers as well as magazines. In their case also, a marketing mix using both the forms of media, has helped them create and retain an everlasting brand image.  Both media are effective communication tool with the consumers. Both companies use these media to generate the demand for their product.  This has increased the brand image name of both companies. It has become a significant factor in the business.  Coca cola is a soft drink company and McDonalds maintains the top spot in the fast food industry.

M13 Comparative Law in a Global development Context Essay

M13 Comparative Law in a Global development Context - Essay Example Legal systems within the national levels and the lawyers as well as the judges administering such legal systems seem to be destined to interact with unfamiliar legal systems within national, regional, and super-national levels/nature in various ways that are typically multi-faceted. The associated trends and the resulting developments are therefore found to exert a significant effect on the legal environments in any region. There is thus the need for traditional doctrinal curriculum to create a balance through offerings, which would enhance young lawyers’ perspectives by instilling the practical appreciation of the prevailing comparative issues in them. This paper specifically identifies the various issues within the context of comparative methods of dispute settlement in a Global Development Context. Usually, any parties to a given dispute are under the duty of settling the dispute peacefully according to Article 2 of the UN Charter. The parties are expected to remain in principle for the dispute settlement. The parties are also free to make decisions on particular dispute settlement means that they prefer, especially in the absence of a specific treaty obligation according to Article 33 of the UN Charter. All settlements in this category depends inevitably on the parties’ agreement. In this regard, international dispute settlements are accompanied by inherent tensions between the legal duties to peaceful dispute settlements and the absence of real and compulsory mechanism for rendering such obligate effective. According to Menski, in Ãâ€"rà ¼cà ¼ and Nelken (2007:213), â€Å"Non-European informal methods of dispute settlement might resemble healing rituals rather than legal processes, but they are just as powerful as formal legal mechanisms.† This assertion is certainly true to a great extent since the settlement of disputes covers a wide range of settlement devices. Typically, there is a complex relationship between law and religion and that is why the

What was the most important factor behind Saladin's series of Essay

What was the most important factor behind Saladin's series of successes - Essay Example Saladin was one of the important warriors in the history of Islamic world who has great influence on the West also. Due to his successes in crusades, Saladin has remained one of the important historical figures for West to study and explore specially the reasons and key factors behind his success. He was a Kurdish Muslim who became the first Ayyubid ruler of Egypt and Syria and also the major force behind the recapturing of the Jerusalem from the European crusaders. It was mostly because of this reason that he is a very well known figure in Islamic history and is considered as one of those individuals who could muster the courage and strength to recapture Jerusalem. (Hamblin)1 A closer analysis of his successes however, would reveal many important facets of his rise to the power and glory. His success against the crusaders in Jerusalem is mostly attributed to the internal conflict between the Crusader States. Further, his own ambitions to create an alternative Ayyubid dynasty in Arab world and use of Jihad as a tool to gain military power are other important reasons which could be considered as the key reasons behind his rise to the success. The lack of interest by the Franks as well as the failure of the agreements with the Byzantines can also be considered as the different factors which provided Saladin a perfect environment to establish his own authority and might. This paper will attempt to discuss the key success factors behind the success of Saladin and his rise to the power Saladin’s rise to Power It is important to discuss briefly as to how Saladin actually rose to the power in Arab world and became the force which actually defeated the Crusader States. Saladin’s father, Ayyub, was in military services for the Turkish Military Leader Zangi who was controlling Aleppo and Mosul. At the early age, Saladin joined his father and uncle in the army at Aleppo which was at that time controlled by Zangi’s son Nur al-Din who also emerged as on e of the strongest personality within Muslim world to successfully challenge the threat posed by the Crusaders. (Davenport)2 Saladin’s real chance for success came when Nur al-Din sent army to Egypt when the Fatimid Empire in Egypt was weakening due to the internal conflicts as well as the constant invasions from the Frankish States. It was during this campaign that Saladin’s uncle, Shirkuh, leader of Army, died and Saladin started to take control. He was first appointed as the Vizier in Egypt and than subsequently overtook the Egyptian government in the name of Nur al-Din. (Lane-Poole). 3This episode is also considered as the starting point of the rising conflicts between Nur al-Din and Saladin and on the death of Nur al-Din, Saladin went on to capture the Syria from the heirs of Nur al-Din also. (Meri and Bacharach)4 This brief recapture of Saladin’s rise to the power indicates that he actually attempted to take advantage of the internal conflicts which were e xisting within Muslim dynasties at that time. Fatimid Empire weakened not only due to the internal strife within the empire but from the constant invasions and threats posed by the Frankish States. This not only weakened the State but also allowed alternative forces like Saladin to take make their move to the throne. It is also important to note that Saladin’s rise to become the Vizier of Egypt was also based upon the fact he was Sunni Muslim and due to his age and family background, he was preferred over others as it was considered that he was too weak to pose a significant challenge. His rise to this position is also considered as a political maneuvering by the existing regime to undermine other stronger forces within the Muslim Empire. It was during his tenure as a Vizier in Egypt that Saladin started to use religion as one of his weapons to start consolidating his power. (Azzam)5 It is also important to note that Nur al-Din also emerged as one of the strongest forces agai nst the Crusader States and also help widening the conflict between the Crusader Stat

Coping, Stressor Anticipation and Endurance Assignment

Coping, Stressor Anticipation and Endurance - Assignment Example ctions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, or despair; physical reactions like sleeping problems, change in appetite, health issues can occur. Disturbances in social aspects may be in the form of taking over other family responsibilities, interacting with family and friends, ability to return to work etc. In such situations, grief counselling and grief therapy can be very effective. It helps the person to accept the loss, to live without the loved one and to make decisions, emotional separation from the person, and makes the mourner stronger mentally, emotionally and physically. Allowing the mourners to experience the entire grief process helps in relieving them from grief and depression, and in bringing their lives back to normality (Cancer, 2003). Kissane et al.’s (2006) research identified that a family-focussed grief therapy is most effective in coping the grief from loss of loved one. This specifically brings about reduction in complications of bereavement, helps the family members function normally, and helps in cohesion and communication among family members. In conclusion, coping with loss and grief due to illness is specific to every individual and should be approached considering all the impacting factors and their

Final Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Final Project - Assignment Example But due to be too slow and too heavy in the American’s highways, the product did not yield high profit and thus the brand had to be taken back to Japan. In my own opinion, the Japanese considered American as the market target because at that time the World War II had just ended and thus they considered that the vehicle would be used in transport and other commercial assignments. The new brand of Toyopet which the company considered to be accepted in the market was because the car could carry a few passengers and more baggage than any other brand during 1950s. The target market in terms of demographics was in consideration of the family size since the product was manufactured as small brand that would not encourage a lot of passengers. The model considered psycho-graphics, the social class and lifestyle since the model was seen as a personal social class of individuals who did not like to use it for transportation purposes. The company, after manufacturing Toyopet Crown then st ated that it was the start and new models like Toyota Prius and lexus RX 450h were coming in the future. According to my research after going through the history of Toyopet and the target market, the consumers behavior changed towards the model because the product did not offer 0-to 60- mph performance as an American car and thus meaning that as the company was manufacturing the model they did not consider the environment in which it was going to operate in and thus concluded that the car was not engineered for the united states. The low income earners were the target market for the product since the product was small size automobile that was designed for low cost purchase and operations. Toyopet model resembled the British Ford Consul and Zephyr which were designed for a settled family with young family that needed their first car. Market target for the Toyopet Crown in terms

Quoting, summarizing and paraphrasing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Quoting, summarizing and paraphrasing - Essay Example Employers using the services of these people usually pay them much below the minimum wages. It should also be noted that not all illegal immigrants enter a country voluntarily. Many times girls from poor family are deceived into thinking that they will get good jobs in the foreign country and then smuggled into a country for prostitution. This kind of illegal immigration is a problem in Middle East and Europe (Illegal Immigration, http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/illegal_immigration.html). In recent years, the problem of illegal immigration has become a cause of concern in the United States. The state has stepped enforcement measures leading to many illegal immigrants feeling insecure. The Pew Hispanic Center carried out a survey in 2007 to understand the view of the Hispanics, the largest minority group in the US, regarding the recent tough stand of the administration against the illegal immigrants. The study found that â€Å"just over half of all the Hispanic adults in the United States worry that they, a family member or a close friend could be deported.† Many Hispanics are also wary of the inability of the government to enact an immigration reform bill. It was also widely felt that increased public attention was making life more difficult for them and that they were less likely to use government services or travel abroad. As many is 75% of all the Hispanics surveyed opposed stepped up enforcement measures against illegal immigrants. However, non-Hispanics supported such measures and there was a â€Å"wide variance in the views of the Hispanics and the non-Hispanics.† (Pew Hispanic Center). The survey also found that even within the Hispanic community there was significant variance between the views of native-born and foreign born Hispanics, with native born Hispanics having a view closer to that of the rest of the US population. These enforcement measures were stepped up after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

The Water Pollution Essay Example for Free

The Water Pollution Essay What can the government do as of now to resolve problems in pollutions, specifically water pollution? Considering the fact that health hazards poses the greatest threats to the people’s survival. On the other hand, how water pollution occurs is the first issue that has to be clarified. According to Hayes (2007), water pollution takes place if there is great accumulation of foreign materials in a body of water. A source of water pollution are categorized into two levels, first is the point source which comes from canals or other sewage tunnels flowing directly to the water system, and second is the non point source when there are instances that pesticides, other chemicals and or garbage fluid leaks to the water system. Water pollution however does not only occur in the bays or streams as a result of runoff of contaminants, and it is not only the big industrial companies are responsible or the source of such contamination, in fact the pollutants being carried in the runoff might have first come from the neighborhood. Posted in Mbgnet (2006) there are many causes and or types of water pollution, these came from toxic substances like herbicides, industrials compounds and other chemicals; organic substances like dung, sewage or other household wastes that increases the eutrophication process of the water system; the thermal pollution which results when large industrial plants uses water from the river to cool their production process resulting to less dissolved oxygen in the water; and ecological pollution like siltation. Based on GEMI (2007), almost 40% of the world will live in fresh water scarcity by 2025 because of the depletion of the water source. This is one of the most adverse effects of water pollution to the ecosystem. As this is seen by continues pollution in underground water and increasing contamination of the river, lakes, oceans and other water systems mostly by industrial wastes and garbage. As cited in Edugreen. teri. res. in (2007), health impact caused by water pollution is primarily water borne diseases like viral, bacterial or protozoan infections. This is a great hazard to the human health because it cannot be acquired only through the water that people drink but also to the organisms that live in or nearby the contaminated waterways. Based on Krantz and Kifferstein’s (2007) study one of the most common practices that are being used to reduce water pollution is the waste water treatment. This is done to lessen the harmful solids and other compounds that were dissolved in the water. The possible compounds are materials that consume oxygen, dissolved inorganic compounds like that of the detergents, and harmful bacteria. According to Norris (1994) water pollution could be lessen if the citizens will do some regulatory influence over the agricultural, industrial, and municipal sector that contributes most of the pollution in water in terms of chemical runoffs and other contaminants. The citizens could either demand for a clean water act that the government will take a lead of. Problems with water pollution can never be answered by the government alone as stated by Krantz and Kifferstein’s (2007). Hence if that kind of negative phenomenon will continue to flourish, little by little life on earth will be put to risk. The people have the greatest responsibility about how it occurred and responsibility also on how to clean it up. Familiarization on what and how water pollution takes place is a big help to stop it from overrunning the whole water system of the planet. Hence pollution is like a network and it covers not only the water or the land but also the air or atmosphere, it is our choice to react and make some motions on how we can stop it or if not, at least lessen its unfavorable consequence. In cases like greenhouse effects, it is not only the emission of the cars and or the wastes coming from industrial companies that the government or the environmentalists should have concern of. But instead to a broader level like considering the population size, its activities and its contribution to carbon dioxide emission. References Edugreen. teri. res. in, 2007. Health Impacts Of Water Pollution. Retrieved on May 14, 2007 at http://edugreen. teri. res. in/explore/water/health. htm GEMI, 2007. Water Trends. Retrieved on May 12, 2007 at http://www. gemi.org/water/watertrends. htm Hayes, W. 2007. Non Point Source Water Pollution. Retrieved on May 12, 2007 at http://ohioline. osu. edu/aex-fact/0441. html Krantz, D. and Kifferstein. B, 2007. Water Pollution And Society. Retrieved on May 14, 2007 at http://www. umich. edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution. htm Mbgnet, 2007. Water Pollution. Retrieved on May 12, 2007 at http://mbgnet. net/fresh/pollute. htm Norris, J. 1994. How To Lessen Water Pollution. Retrieved on May 12, 2007 at http://scholar. lib. vt. edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/vp941108/11050020. htm

Essential Skills for Management and Business

Essential Skills for Management and Business Introduction Managerial skills are important attributes for employees, managers and executives to possess. Without several basic fundamental skills, a business will never achieve its objective. Skilful staff represents the capital of any successful business and are, and will always be an important reason for its success. This report discusses some of the essential managerial and business skills acquired by companies. Firstly, leaderships importance and significant role is well highlighted in this report, for the belief that, in addition to any other business skills that you possess, possessing leadership attributes is crucial, because it will benefit your associates, managers, staff and even customers. People in General are influenced by leaders and sometimes, unconditionally follow their thoughts. Leaders are the primary target for marketers for they know, for the reasons mentioned above those leaders are more likely capable of increasing their market segmentation more than any other average person. Besides leadership, critical and creative thinking is an important attribute that every successful manager has to have. Critical thinkers main role starts when there are no solutions in the horizon for certain problems. Their creativity and the experience they gained assist in this process. Moreover, another vital skill a manager wont survive without technology. Technology is the moderns world tool of communication and not having enough knowledge about it will not end up with good results for the company. Based on my studying in Kent University and doing two degrees in Electronics and Communication Engineering and Financial accounting, there are important skills that I learned attending these courses which I also think will be of much significance for my career. New product development guarantees more success for the company because it relies on market analyses and innovative ideas to produce something new. In addition, financial management is a fundamental skill for any type of profession a person might chose. Any type of business has to be organized and sources of money received and spent have to be kept, otherwise the company will just be performing randomly. Leadership as a concept Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership is influencing peoples behaviors so that they become willingly prepared to work more towards achieving mutual objectives .consequently, an inspirational organizational culture will be created (Kotelnikov, 2001).The ability to inspire people to attain greater heights and dimensions of performance and consistent success is a skill acquired by Leaders in the new century. Passion and effective communicating are important attributes to make the leader inspirational, which will reflect on the organizations culture, making the employees more committed as we as turning the workplace into a thrilling environment (Heathfield, nd) Type of Leaders Leaders are the engine of a work, the motivation for employment, and the face of a company, thats why it is important t o choose the right leader into the right position. 3.1 Executive leaders (CEOs) shoulder the responsibility of clarifying the vision, mission and direction of the firm (Couler, 2010). CEOs participate in formal event; they also make speeches, but in fact have little impact on the daily business operation (Radcliffe, 2010). 3.2 Line leaders are the connections between low and top levels; especially in organizations with high hierarchy They have the power of presenting the executive leaders message to his/her staff. They are very influential in organizations, not only they can stop or alter any project, but also they can take a leadership position and promote change (Fletcher, 2010). 3.3 Network-leaders They are the invisible strength behind how the real firm operations. Whether they were Union Representatives or technical experts, These Leaders create a network of relationships that allow them to know much about the organization, and thus gain real knowledge about the organizations operations (Radcliffe, 2010). Creative and Inspirational Leadership In a survey that involved more than thousand and a half employees which asked those employees what attribute would they like to see most in their managers . More than half of the survey takers answered inspiration (DTI, nd). An inspired workforce is fundamental for any ambitious business that hopes to be ahead of its competitors. Inspiring people motivates them, makes them more objective oriented and enhance their creativity (Northouse, 2010). Our environment is shifting quickly and unpredictably. Creative employees are those who are capable of foreseeing future opportunities and are also able to change the workplace in which they work to a positive atmosphere (Northouse, 2010). Creative leaders are mostly needed in vital moments, where the organization cant find convenient solutions. They seek and find opportunities, bring in positive change and make huge efforts towards creating new products/services through new processes and innovative techniques (Kotelnikov, 2001). In addition creative thinkers have the capability to transform ambiguous problems to business opportunities. Besides their ability to analyse the environment, they also take part in building relationships, alliances and encouraging creativity (Fletcher, 2010). According to Jack Welch, the previous legendary CEO of General electric, a good leader is one who is capable of making people feel that they are real a contribution to the organization. Welch adds that working toward a shared and worthwhile goal can produce huge positive energy. In his Beginnings, Jack Welchs goal was to make General Electric the worlds most competitive multinational enterprise. He, therefore realised that only can revolutionary thoughts turn his dream to actual reality (Kotelnikov, 2001). The American corporate business model in the United States had not changed since 1980.Employees did their job, managers managed , and everybody knew his/her place. Those days were ruled by rules and forms and bureaucracy (Fletcher, 2010).. Welchs revolution meant changing the old ways of doing Business in the company and restructuring the company entirely. As a result of his inspirational influence and charismatic attributes, Today, General Electric stands as one of the worlds most admired and unique companies (Kotelnikov, 2001). Welchs successful techniques are applicable to small, growing and large companies. Those techniques mainly focus once again on articulating the companys vision, since creative managers inspire their employees with obvious visualizations of how things can be achieved better. Welch also recommends that the manager has to be simple. Simplifying things is a key factor of business (Kotelnikov, 2001). Simple messages travel faster, simpler designs reach the market faster and the elimination of clutter allows faster decision making., according to John Welch Clarifying and sampling things makes it easier for employees to know their position better, as a result they become more energized and focused on achieving objectives. Furthermore, Welch advices managers to always face reality, and act according to the actual situation. Ignoring reality means shifting away from long term objectives. Also, a company should seek any opportunity of change. Change is a big part of the reality in business, and readiness to change is a strength, even if it involves temporary confusion within the company, however in certain circumstances, it is a necessity. In addition Creative, Inspirational leaders are known as Risk Takers, they have a clear affinity to break the rule and take considerable risks, towards producing this change (DTI, nd). Critical Thinking Critical thinking is the procedure by which an individual comes arises with a new innovative idea (Powell, 2010). The process involves actively and proficiently gathering, analysing and evaluating information, based on an individuals observations, knowledge and past experiences. To be able to think creatively you have to be clear, precise, consistent and fair (The Critical Thinking Community, 2009) Critical thinking could involve integration of ideas which have not been combined before. Brainstorming is one significant form of creative thinking: it works by the unification of two or more peoples ideas in order to create a new innovative one (Powell, 2010). Besides the cooperative efforts taken to produce a new idea, however this process could sometimes be accidental (Brainstorming, 2006). This occurs when a certain circumstance arises and leads someone to start thinking about situations in a different manner, and sometimes leads to a valuable change(Powell, 2010). Nevertheless, new ideas are usually produced through pure use of mutual intelligence and logical sense to come up with something new, this is what could be referred to as a deliberate critical thinking situation. When a group of people share their knowledge and experiences, particularly if those people come from different cultures, new ideas start to appear in the horizon, because people from different cultural backgr ounds have experienced different situations and obstacles, hence, grouping the efforts in this manner will most likely produce this change (Brainstorming, 2006).Nevertheless, with continuous practice, (ongoing investigation, questioning and analysis) will develops an individuals general knowledge and understanding, resulting in a better perspective and forth seeing in sticky situations (Brainstorming, 2006). Critical thinking is the process in which of reasoned and disciplined thinking to a certain subject are implemented. In order to succeed in your studies future career you must be able to think critically about the things you have read, seen or heard. And in order to develop your critical thinking, there are certain levels (The Open University, 2009). Procession receiving information (i.e. in what you have read, heard, seen or done). Understanding Comprehend the key aspects, assumptions and evidence presented. Analyses Examining how those key aspects fit together and are related to each other. Comparison realizing the similarities and dissimilarities between the ideas you are developing. To Synthesise Bring together several sources of information to create an argument or an idea you are building. Also, it includes your ability to make logical associations between the various sources that help you outline and support your ideas. Evaluation Assessing the value of an idea in terms of how is it relevant its to your needs, the facts on which it is based and how it relates to other applicable ideas. Application Transforming the understanding you have gained from the evaluation level in order to use it in response to questions, assignments or projects. Justification Using critical thinking to develop your own arguments, draw conclusions and identify implications (The Open University, 2009). 6. Technology Skills Knowing only how to use basic technology skills such as internet browsing or e-mailing is not enough anymore. Possessing solid technological skills, on the other hand, will put you a step above your colleagues (Pavlina, 2006) In general, companies are extremely reliant on IT that they cant lay off the people who keep their data centre operations running, and neither they are willing let go of their developers, who will be familiar with the forthcoming technology. In general those are the most essential IT skills an employee, who is chasing a good career shall has: 1. Database Database expertise is an important skill that employers would love to see in their employees. Companies are looking for IT workers with experience, particularly in Microsoft SQL Server and the Oracle Developer Suite. According to a survey in 2008 which was conducted bye the Society for Information Management and was intended to know which skills do CIOs prefer for their job candidates. Expertise in databases was one of only four technological skills listed by CIOs, who besides, database also listed other attributes such as teamwork, problem solving and communication in hiring recent college graduates (Marcan, 2009). 2. Messaging/Communications Messaging and communications is one of few skills that experienced a pay raise in the fourth quarter of 2008. Firms are for the most part interested in hiring staff with experience in unified communications and messaging systems. Efficient communication saves time, expenses and energy. Also it promotes a cooperative environment where people can communicate easily (Turner, 2005). 3. Project management SIMs 2008 CIO survey listed project management as one of the top 10 skills needed for mid-level employees. Companies require project planning leaders. Someone who has the ability to plan, schedule, and gets the results done.Project management skills are going to be more important over the next few years, according to Henry Eckstein, senior vice president of strategic technology at York Insurance Services Group (Marcan, 2009). 4. Networking Every company plans to increase its profits. And that could be done more conveniently whenever the company has more customers, partners and friends. Furthermore, the individuals own circle of people contributes to the overall companys network. Therefore, an employee with networking capabilities is another attribute job employers seek while recruiting (Turner, 2005). 5. Security Its true that there are many benefits for technology, but also it has some other disadvantages that can sometimes cause real obstacles in the firms track towards development. Hacking, Spamming and data system crashes can sometimes be very costly. Hence, the security of your data is worth money (Turner, 2005). Financial Management Through the past few years, and exactly starting from the electronics department at Kent University, the idea of business was gradually crossing my mind, since business field is very important now days, and because I always wanted to study this subject and improve my knowledge about it, the idea came to specialize in this major and learn about the management techniques and strategies to be able to combine my engineering degree in electronics and communications with the business skills I earned through this year, which contains valuable information on how to manage my life style, how to deal with others and be successful in the practical life, and last but not least to connect everything to business. I really believe that business management is a priority subject to be taught, and in my case I can combine my business MSc degree with my previous degree, and look for more opportunities like the consulting field for example, rather than looking into one direction only. It has been concluded that management accounting is a crucial when it comes to a company making vital and well-timed management decisions about their business (Abraham, 2008). However, it is obvious that different types of businesses will acquire different management accounting requirements. Financial management is important when considering the following areas: The sales process: which includes distribution, debtors and pricing. The purchasing process: includes records of stock levels and creditors. Records regarding employees. A fixed asset registers (Collier, 2009). Financial management is a very important major as I mentioned before, but personally I prefer to be specialised in the accounting finance sector and risks, because I think the accounting field is a sensitive one, also managing risks as well, because it helps ordinary people to understand the market, especially stock exchange market, by using the income and financial statements anyone with a bit knowledge about accounting and finance will be able to figure out the real prices per shares, dividends, return risks and more readings, which will lead us to think more realistic about facts and how to deal with them. Financing risks also very important, it prevents from falling into business traps and circumstances related to it, as well as crisis which can happen anytime and cause big manufactures to collapse, so being aware from risks is a benefit itself; James porter once said avoiding risks is more valuable than the income earned by that risk. There is no legal obligation for companies to draw up management accounts; however, many companies find that it makes running the business much simpler if they do prepare the accounts. In fact, many companies produce account reports monthly, quarterly and yearly to keep track of the financial transaction (Abraham, 2008). Management accounts are useful for analysing the previous and present performances, in order to visualise future trends. This includes looking at profit forecasts, income and cash flow statements in addition to sales (Abraham, 2008). The actual numbers collected from the analysis shall be continuously compared against numbers that have been previously predicted while designing the budget. The information collected for the management accounting is usually broken down so that the performance of different departments of the company can all be measured individually to make sure that all these departments capabilities are exploited (Collier, 2009). A convenient plan to start with is to design a fitting budget, which represents a roadmap for managers to constantly know where their businesses are actually standing. In order to design the budget the financial team has to design income and expenses tables, which will assist financial managers to notice where does the money come from and where does it go, so they can afterwards focus on those products that are generating products for the company, at the same time, getting rid of extra expenses (BBB, 2009). For businesses who are engaged in selling a selection of products, they are advised to produce a financial breakdown for each of them. This will allow you to make sure that very gainful products are not subsidising those that are failing to sell as well. By organising the financial side of the company in this manner, managers will have the ability to supervise trends in the business, consequently indicating any variations in income and spending that may require alternation (Collier, 2009). ANT is a global packaging supplier that provides equipment to the food industry. The company developed a computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) machine for packaging. And even though it was two to three times more expensive than its competitors, but it operates twice as fast. Worthy to be note than 10% of ANTs annual sales are invested in research and development (Abraham, 2008).. The company has branches in US, Europe, Australia in addition to the Middle East. Normally, the manufacturing of the CNC project is outsourced to less expensive labour countries to reduce the capital investments (Abraham, 2008). 8. New Product Development Another skill I was able to develop during my studying in the University of Kent is the importance of new product development. Product development is the integrative process which includes the strategic organization, concept generation, product and marketing plan creation and estimation, and afterwards the commercialization of the new product (Ulrich, 2009).New product development is the energy that pumps the organizations innovation engine, and it is impossible for a firm to grow without developing new products (Ulrich, 2009). 8.1 LAUNCHING A NEW PRODUCT Once the product-line structure has been initiated and a new product is being developed, it is time for the company to consider how the product could be successfully launched to its target market (Reference for Business, 2010). This is the phase where an advertising or public relations agency can participate, especially for small businesses that lack the internal resources needed to handle such a job by them. However, when utilising an outside agency to launch a product, a company should firstly, have a well-defined product concept, also provide the agency with background information about its products and aims. Thirdly the firm has to have an official business plan. Lastly marketing and advertising plans should also be determined (Reference for Business, 2010). With annual sales that exceed  £4.5 billion, Kelloggs is the worlds leader of cereal products and convenience foods products, such as cookies, crackers and frozen waffles (The Times 100, 2010). Kelloggs is a multinational organisation. Its products are manufactured in 19 countries globally and sold in more than 180 countries. Kelloggs realize the importance of maintain positions in manufacturing products they are good at. However, the worldwide companys executives suggest that in such an uncertain world there is a continuous need for chance and production of new products. New product Development depends on the marketing mixture, so that the company analyses the products characteristics (The Times 100, 2010). 1, Product: This element is related to how the company offers meets the continuous shifting needs and wants of consumers. In this particular industry, the growth in healthier lifestyles creates opportunities for Kelloggs to increase the number of products for this segment. 2. Price: The sum a company charges for its product is imperative in influencing the sales number, and giving the firm an idea about it. Big Brands like Kelloggs can charge a premium because of the quality of its product and the fame of its brand. 3. Place: Where customers can find the product is also an essential factor in determining sales. Your products have to be available where customers are most likely willing to buy them. This depends on the market analyses (Ulrich, 2009). 4. Promotion: Kelloggs uses above the line promotion like TV advertising as well as below the line promotion like on-pack promotions and sampling. Managers can take a decision on when to make key changes to core products by analysing its position within the product life-cycle. Life-cycle analysis accepts that products have a limited life, and analysts makes charts for products performance through several phases, starting with its launch stage through various phases of growth until it finally reaches development maturity and ultimately decline. An average products life cycle may last for few months, for instance food products. Nevertheless for super products it could last for years like the car industry (The Times 100, 2010). 9. Conclusion: This report is a reflection of the managerial skills obtained from studying at the University of Kent in both the Engineering and the Business departments. Doing both degrees supplied me with a flow of very essential skills which i think about as a future investment. Firstly, this report discussed the role of leadership and critical thinking in taking the companys success to another dimension. Those two attributes are crucially important. Leadership implies seeing and being able to analyze circumstances before it arises so that you are always ready to face them. Critical thinking is the mechanism that you use to produce innovative solutions in complex situations. These two attributes require expertise and cannot be acquired easily. Furthermore, this report discussed the importance of Technology in our modern world. There is no doubt about the fact that technology has already and will have a more significant role within which people will communicate with each other. Technology facilitates the way we live and communicate. Technology, when used efficiently will be a huge assistance for the company. The benefit of technology doesnt only stop at facilitating communication within the organization, but also it has a significant role for new product development. To produce a new product you need to be innovative and you also need the required technology to be available so the process of new product development is formed. And even if sometimes the new product is more expensive, but if it has good quality it can still be sold. Finally, Financial Management and budgeting skills are required by both small firms and giant Multi National Enterprises. Cash flow is the actual capital of the organization. It is important to realize how this capital is built accurately, thats why you have to keep track of all the money you spend in addition to the money you received. Appropriate Financial Management keeps the company away or at least lessen the risks it may face in the future. Looking at previous years trends can sometimes, but not always be useful. Circumstances change regularly, thus a successful manager is one who analyzes the whole environment strategically before taking and business decision. Successfully and efficiently managing is an integrative process. It is true that nobody can be excellent in every skill, being good in some of them, however, and always working on developing the other skills you are not very familiar with will improve your attributes as an individual, an employee or a manager. As a result, possessing business skills and developing them will end you up with a better career and a better life.

Personal Narrative †Singing Poorly :: Personal Narrative Writing

Personal Narrative – Singing Poorly It was a year like any other, or, at least I suppose it could have been, but, it wasn't. It was actually 1965. This particular year, the Beatles released Help! the movie; for the second time, Jack Nicklaus won the Masters golf title; on Palm Sunday, 51 reported tornadoes touched down in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Iowa resulting in 256 deaths and over 1500 injured; and, a young boy in Smalltown, USA was turned away from his school choir. "Some people just aren't right for choir. Son, you couldn't hold a note with a bucket." And so began a life-long career in singing poorly. Singing poorly. It's an art. It takes feeling, passion. The chanteur/chanteuse in question must believe in herself, in the song, in the very message she is projecting. Not just anyone can do it. In fact, believe it or not, there are those who can even sing poorly, poorly. Now, there are many different angles from which I could attack this topic, but, I'm not sure I want to pick one just yet...so, bear with me. As well as there being different levels and "classes" among talented, quality singers, there are different levels and "classes" among talented, poor singers. Stay with me now. When I say poor singers, I mean they sing poorly, not sing without any money. Although, I suppose that there could be those out there who are poor enough singers, that they could actually be, poor poor singers. The first class of poor singers I would like to discuss is a little group I like to call the "Hello, my name is Britney Spears and these are my various other counterparts of the female and male persuasions† posse, or, simply "Biapse" for short. This group of artists is famed the world over. They own Top 40 radio and are infamous for paying as much as possible, for as little as possible (when it comes to their clothing, that is). They play "idol" for the young and the...not so young (both of which, disturb me equally) despite their obvious lack of singing talent, which they cleverly cover up by showing off their "range" using different techniques, like wailing, moaning, sighing, and combinations thereof. Despite their shortcomings, however, I must give credit where credit is due. These people are doing their jobs, and doing them well.

Kroisos vs Doryphoros :: Essays Papers

Kroisos vs Doryphoros The difference between an archaic statue such as Kroisos (fig. 5-11) and a classical statue such as Doryphoros (fig. 5-42) may not seem very great in a single glance. In fact, you may not notice any differences in that one glance. Yet, if you were to look at them closely, you can see that these two statues actually have very little in common. The first glance you’ve taken at those two statues, you just see a man standing there. They are not doing anything in particular, just standing there. That was only in the first glance of course. Now take a good look at each one. In the archaic Greek kouros figure, the pose of the figure is very frontal. The entire figure is relatively stiff with the exception of the left leg, which is in front of the body giving it the early contrapposto pose. Even though it does have a much more natural pose to it with the one leg out, the rest of the body is not in a pose as if the weight of the body was put into one leg. The head is stiff with the hair being geometric and with the hair falling back on the body. The physical stature of the body is moderately realistic. The muscles are not quite as well defined but they are still semi-realistic. They are portrayed as if they were tense. The arms are also at the side. In the other figure, Doryphoros, there seems to be much more expression. The contrapposto pose is very realistic. The weight is shifted all throughout the body. Arms are not stiff at the sides, but one is relaxed while the other is at a forty-five degree angle from the elbow. There is tension in the calf from the leg, which is being raised up. The torso is also somewhat at an angle because of the hips. The head is not frontal, but at an angle. The muscles are very defined but very relaxed. The hair is not naturally flowing, but not geometric. The emotion in the figures is also very different. In the archaic figure, the face contains emotion other than the archaic smile. The eyes are closed with no facial expression. The classical statue on the other hand does not have any facial expressions but has open eyes and no smile.

Oligopolists :: essays research papers

Oligopolists There are four market structures in our economy today : Perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopolies and monopolies. This essay shall describe the oligopoly market.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The definition of an oligopoly states that in an industry, a small number of firms dominate the market. There are a low number of firms in the industry, becasue and adding to the barriers to entry. The barriers of entry to an oligopolistc market include the financial resources needed to enter and such regulations from the government or patents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this market, there is a high degree of differentiated products, and so with all of the above factors combined in this market, the competition is of sales, not of price. There is also a factor of concern from the firms in an oligopolistic market - where the actions of one firm will subsequently effect the other firms in the industry. This results in each oligopolist watching its competitors closely, and is a method of competition between the firms, other than by price wars.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Kinked Demand Curve, is the economical graph that shows why oligopolists tend to adopt a common price -to achieve the greatest price and output.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Hilmer committe, estabilished 1993, is a government body who acts in the interests of recommendations of National Competition policies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1995, the Trade Practises Act (T.P.A.) was introduced. The T.P.A. sets out the general responsibilities of sellers, such as the firms of oligopolies, and out laws actions that may be unfair to the consumers. This includes misleading advertising, market sharing and collusion. Collusion is where the firms of an industry meet a set, common price, or agree not to come into each other in the market area. Oligopolists :: essays research papers Oligopolists There are four market structures in our economy today : Perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopolies and monopolies. This essay shall describe the oligopoly market.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The definition of an oligopoly states that in an industry, a small number of firms dominate the market. There are a low number of firms in the industry, becasue and adding to the barriers to entry. The barriers of entry to an oligopolistc market include the financial resources needed to enter and such regulations from the government or patents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this market, there is a high degree of differentiated products, and so with all of the above factors combined in this market, the competition is of sales, not of price. There is also a factor of concern from the firms in an oligopolistic market - where the actions of one firm will subsequently effect the other firms in the industry. This results in each oligopolist watching its competitors closely, and is a method of competition between the firms, other than by price wars.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Kinked Demand Curve, is the economical graph that shows why oligopolists tend to adopt a common price -to achieve the greatest price and output.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Hilmer committe, estabilished 1993, is a government body who acts in the interests of recommendations of National Competition policies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1995, the Trade Practises Act (T.P.A.) was introduced. The T.P.A. sets out the general responsibilities of sellers, such as the firms of oligopolies, and out laws actions that may be unfair to the consumers. This includes misleading advertising, market sharing and collusion. Collusion is where the firms of an industry meet a set, common price, or agree not to come into each other in the market area.

Adult Learning Today Essay

Summary Adult learning has become the number one priority in everyone’s lives. The motivation and drive that is brought on by dreams and goals is phenomenal. Adult learners must be motivated to want to further their education. â€Å"Back in the 20th century various individuals, such as John Dewey, Eduard Lindeman, and Martha Anderson all pursued theories about Andragogy which was first used by Alexander Kapp in 1833† (Abela J, 2009). Andragogy means man and was used to describe the educational theory of the Greek philosopher Plato. Adults engaging in continuing education were studied in this theory. Andragogy assumes that â€Å"adults are independent, have various experiences, are motivated by internal drives, and integrate their learning into everyday life† (Abela J, 2009). It is easier to learn and teach when it is something that is well known. This article covers Andragogy learning theory because it is used now a day more than ever. The drive that keeps continuing education is oneself. The drive to motivation is based off of the Hierarchy of needs: self-actualization, esteem needs, social needs, safety needs, and physiological needs. The role of educators is the catalyst for motivation. It is easier to learn when the person teaching is knowledgeable and cares about the education aspects. However, reflection and motivation are insufficiently addressed by this concept. Learning activities should address the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to what is needed to become knowledgeable in retaining the information. Feedback when learning new information becomes an important role so that one may know whether the information is being comprehended as well as being retained for further use. Adults find motivation within the demands and desires of their lives, in providing for themselves and for their families, and in satisfying personal dreams and ambitions. Motivation may also come from inside a person or the surrounding environment. In everyday life as well as in the work aspects furthering education is the best way to stay up to date. Andragogy is a great theory and is used in everyday life more than realized. Reflection By looking into the reasoning behind all my motivation there are the answers I have always tried to find. What am I working towards? For who? I am an adult learner and motivation is key to my life and what I want out of it. Motivation is my drive to furthering my own education. Andragogy actually describes me perfectly. I am motivated, independent, and I apply all my knowledge to everyday life. It helps greatly when professors and educators actually work with you and help you better understand the information being taught versus just being a â€Å"teacher† for the money. I feel as if teachers online especially have lost sight of the education aspects. Left out from the summary Andragogy is a popular theory used in medical education. Theory works perfectly into my life even though I am a Business major; I also have the drive to help the elderly, so I am a certified nursing assistant. My professors have been there for me and helped me greatly. My learning style is independent much like Andragogy but, I also have to apply everything I learn into everyday life or I won’t be able to retain all the information given. Motivation is the key to anything you want to achieve in life and motivation is what keeps me going during the long work weeks and the long school hours. If one concept doesn’t work then move onto another concept until the learning style clicks. In this article the medical field and this adult learning theory works exceptionally well. Although this may be just another theory, it is of great importance to the adult learners furthering their education. We can better understand the world around us and how things are done if we understand how to retain the information given. As a full-time student, young mom, and full-time worker, online education has been more than helpful. It is my motivation to finish my associates, then finish out with my bachelors, and move forward to the next steps in my life. They say, â€Å"You can’t teach an old dog new tricks†, teach things the first time and use all concepts needed and you will soon achieve life goals. By furthering your education you may open up doors and opportunities you would not have gotten if you had not decided to go to school. Education is the best decision you could make for yourself as well as to make the world a better place by being educated. Works Cited Abela, J. (2009). Adult learning theories and medical education: a review. Malta Medical Journal, 21(1), 11-18. Merriam S (2008). Adult Learning Theory for the Twenty-First Century. Pg. 119.

King Lear Loyalty

Eastern and Western Perspectives on Loyalty Loyalty is a strong feeling of support and allegiance in which it is reflected upon two proclaimed movies with different setting and subplots, but possesses a similar understanding to what the writer was trying to convey. By watching Olivier’s â€Å"King Lear†, and Kurosawa’s â€Å"Ran†, the audience finds there are many themes that are portrayed throughout each movie, but the one that provides the largest impact within the plot has to be loyalty. King Lear displays the meaning of loyalty in a western approach with high class Elizabethan characters as its main cast.The second movie, Ran, is based on an eastern society with conflicting warlords who rule during a particular era. With their differences, also come their similarities. Many characters within their respective movies all share one common analogy, that one should be loyal and faithful to their master. Since the concepts of the two movies are similar, the characters and their roles would parallel each other as well. Lord Hidetora’s advocate, Tango and King Lear’s Earl, Kent have one attribute in common; that they both serve their king with devotion.The Earl of Kent’s loyalty is shown during the movie after he is banished by King Lear for opposing the idea of disowning his youngest daughter, Cordelia. Kent proves this when he disguises himself as a normal citizen, to obtain proximity with the king. Most men would leave the kingdom, never to return but Kent proves differently. Aside, Kent reveals his plan â€Å"Now, banished Kent, If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemned, So may it come thy master, whom thou lovest, Shall find thee full of labors. † (I. iv. 24. 4) This quote explains that even though his master condemned him, he is loyal and still willing to serve King Lear.From there, he gains King Lear’s trust as â€Å"Caius† and works to aid him throughout the rest of the play. Ke nt’s honesty is also a big role when serving King Lear, since he helps the King to understand his faults about banishing Cordelia from his kingdom, acting as a voice of reason. He’s not afraid to stand up to the King, because he holds King Lear’s best interest at heart even before his own. Kent is very selfless when it comes to his relationship with King Lear, and without prompting would end his own life to continue serving his King even in the afterlife.Kent tells the Duke of Albany â€Å"I have a journey, sir, shortly to go. My master calls me. I must not say no. † (V. iii. 17. 340) Kent decides to continue serving his king and denies the request from the Duke of Albany to help revive the kingdom that King Lear once ruled. Parallel to Kent from â€Å"King Lear†, Tango from â€Å"Ran† also had a similar role as Lord Hidetora’s loyal advocate. Tango is banished from Lord Hidetora’s domain because of his negativism towards his L ord’s decision to banish Saburo, since he did not want to deceive his father like his elder brothers.Tango left Hidetora’s domain, but did not feel it was right to leave his Lord since he made a pledge to serve him, no matter the situation. Tango returns to Lord Hidetora when Hidetora is in need of food and supplies after he, himself is banished from both Taro and Jiro’s castles. Tango explains to Lord Hidetora â€Å"I, Tango Hirayama, though banished have followed my lord in disguise. Seeing how you suffer, I beg to offer you these provisions. † This quote displays that the relationship between Lord Hidetora and Kent are more than servant and Lord and that the trust between the two of them go far beyond even Lord Hidetora and his own sons.From that part in time, Tango stays with Hidetora for the remainder of the movie while they endure the agony and suffering that tie into the tragedy. The differences between the characters are the strength of their loya lty towards their masters. Kent’s perspective of loyalty is more extreme, since he is willingly to die for King Lear and follow him eternally. Kent puts his service towards his master as his top priority which is more important than his own life. Tango’s approach is more subtle, since he does not take extreme precaution when returning to his King after his banishment, but Tango still has a strong sense of loyalty.Kent and Tango’s roles within each movie are very significant towards the tragedy. It helps the audience see there are genuine characters within the movies that are not influential towards the tragedy. The loyalty that is instilled within the two characters cause a positive flexure within the tragedy; by helping eliminate the conflict more than continuing the progression towards it. Unlike the positive effect that Kent and Tango had on the plot, Oswald and Kurogane both serve their antagonistic masters, Goneril and Jiro.Oswald shows his full allegiance to Goneril; he even disobeys King Lear’s attempt to talk to his daughter during Kent’s arrival to the Goneril’s castle and denies Regan’s offer to join her side, also ripping up her letter in the process. Oswald serves Goneril with utter loyalty, but his understanding of devotion is different than a man such as Kent. Oswald explains to the Duke of Cornwall why Kent attacked him â€Å"I never gave him any, It pleased the king his master very late To strike at me upon his misconstructionWhen he, conjunct and flattering his displeasure, Tripped me behind; being down, insulted, railed, And put upon him such a deal of man That worthied him, got praises of the king For him attempting who was self-subdued. And in the fleshment of this dread exploit Drew on me here again. † (II. ii. 5. 110) The fight between Kent and Oswald is symbolic, showing a battle between good and evil. Kent’s loyalty is trustworthy but Oswald is a sycophant who attempts to wi n over people with his insincerely flattery to get what he wants, similar to his master Goneril.Kurogane is parallel to Oswald with both of them serving the main antagonists of the movies. Kurogane is very loyal to Jiro, acting as his voice of reason when Jiro becomes extremely influenced by Lady Kaede and tries to take over Lady Sue’s position as his wife. When Lady Kaede asks Jiro to slay Lady Sue and bring back her head, Kurogane comes back with a head of a statue, After finding out that Lady Sue is murdered, Kurogane tells Jiro he’s will not let Lady Kaede escape punishment â€Å"Who rules this domain,You or Lady Kaede? I pledged fealty to you, but never to her! † Similar to Oswald’s scene where he rips Regan’s paper, Kurogane kills Lady Kaede for her disobedience because he serves Jiro, displaying that his loyalty goes towards his master and no one else. There is a comparison between Kurogane and Oswald, but there are also many differences as well. Oswald seems to use flattery in order to display his loyalty towards Goneril, whereas Kurogane is honest towards Jiro and will even step up to Jiro.Oswald’s loyalty seems cowardly since he hides behind a shadow of lies and Kurogane’s loyalty is sincere and generally, more positive. Oswald and Kurogane’s roles provide influence towards the downfall of the tragic hero and create a progression towards the tragedy. Since they have a negative impact on the storyline, they help magnify the audience’s perspective on the tragedy that is yet to happen. In conclusion, the two movies contain many comparisons and contrasts that approach from two distinct cultures.The four characters; Oswald along with Kurogane and Tango along with Kent, can relate with and differ against each other. All these characters carry traits of loyalty towards their masters, while each individual can be classified as either good or evil. These characters enlighten the tragedy that both directors portrayed through the plot. Olivier’s â€Å"King Lear†, and Kurosawa’s â€Å"Ran† is comprised of multiple themes that are depicted during the films, but the theme with the most significance towards the storyline and the tragedy is loyalty. King Lear Loyalty Eastern and Western Perspectives on Loyalty Loyalty is a strong feeling of support and allegiance in which it is reflected upon two proclaimed movies with different setting and subplots, but possesses a similar understanding to what the writer was trying to convey. By watching Olivier’s â€Å"King Lear†, and Kurosawa’s â€Å"Ran†, the audience finds there are many themes that are portrayed throughout each movie, but the one that provides the largest impact within the plot has to be loyalty. King Lear displays the meaning of loyalty in a western approach with high class Elizabethan characters as its main cast.The second movie, Ran, is based on an eastern society with conflicting warlords who rule during a particular era. With their differences, also come their similarities. Many characters within their respective movies all share one common analogy, that one should be loyal and faithful to their master. Since the concepts of the two movies are similar, the characters and their roles would parallel each other as well. Lord Hidetora’s advocate, Tango and King Lear’s Earl, Kent have one attribute in common; that they both serve their king with devotion.The Earl of Kent’s loyalty is shown during the movie after he is banished by King Lear for opposing the idea of disowning his youngest daughter, Cordelia. Kent proves this when he disguises himself as a normal citizen, to obtain proximity with the king. Most men would leave the kingdom, never to return but Kent proves differently. Aside, Kent reveals his plan â€Å"Now, banished Kent, If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemned, So may it come thy master, whom thou lovest, Shall find thee full of labors. † (I. iv. 24. 4) This quote explains that even though his master condemned him, he is loyal and still willing to serve King Lear.From there, he gains King Lear’s trust as â€Å"Caius† and works to aid him throughout the rest of the play. Ke nt’s honesty is also a big role when serving King Lear, since he helps the King to understand his faults about banishing Cordelia from his kingdom, acting as a voice of reason. He’s not afraid to stand up to the King, because he holds King Lear’s best interest at heart even before his own. Kent is very selfless when it comes to his relationship with King Lear, and without prompting would end his own life to continue serving his King even in the afterlife.Kent tells the Duke of Albany â€Å"I have a journey, sir, shortly to go. My master calls me. I must not say no. † (V. iii. 17. 340) Kent decides to continue serving his king and denies the request from the Duke of Albany to help revive the kingdom that King Lear once ruled. Parallel to Kent from â€Å"King Lear†, Tango from â€Å"Ran† also had a similar role as Lord Hidetora’s loyal advocate. Tango is banished from Lord Hidetora’s domain because of his negativism towards his L ord’s decision to banish Saburo, since he did not want to deceive his father like his elder brothers.Tango left Hidetora’s domain, but did not feel it was right to leave his Lord since he made a pledge to serve him, no matter the situation. Tango returns to Lord Hidetora when Hidetora is in need of food and supplies after he, himself is banished from both Taro and Jiro’s castles. Tango explains to Lord Hidetora â€Å"I, Tango Hirayama, though banished have followed my lord in disguise. Seeing how you suffer, I beg to offer you these provisions. † This quote displays that the relationship between Lord Hidetora and Kent are more than servant and Lord and that the trust between the two of them go far beyond even Lord Hidetora and his own sons.From that part in time, Tango stays with Hidetora for the remainder of the movie while they endure the agony and suffering that tie into the tragedy. The differences between the characters are the strength of their loya lty towards their masters. Kent’s perspective of loyalty is more extreme, since he is willingly to die for King Lear and follow him eternally. Kent puts his service towards his master as his top priority which is more important than his own life. Tango’s approach is more subtle, since he does not take extreme precaution when returning to his King after his banishment, but Tango still has a strong sense of loyalty.Kent and Tango’s roles within each movie are very significant towards the tragedy. It helps the audience see there are genuine characters within the movies that are not influential towards the tragedy. The loyalty that is instilled within the two characters cause a positive flexure within the tragedy; by helping eliminate the conflict more than continuing the progression towards it. Unlike the positive effect that Kent and Tango had on the plot, Oswald and Kurogane both serve their antagonistic masters, Goneril and Jiro.Oswald shows his full allegiance to Goneril; he even disobeys King Lear’s attempt to talk to his daughter during Kent’s arrival to the Goneril’s castle and denies Regan’s offer to join her side, also ripping up her letter in the process. Oswald serves Goneril with utter loyalty, but his understanding of devotion is different than a man such as Kent. Oswald explains to the Duke of Cornwall why Kent attacked him â€Å"I never gave him any, It pleased the king his master very late To strike at me upon his misconstructionWhen he, conjunct and flattering his displeasure, Tripped me behind; being down, insulted, railed, And put upon him such a deal of man That worthied him, got praises of the king For him attempting who was self-subdued. And in the fleshment of this dread exploit Drew on me here again. † (II. ii. 5. 110) The fight between Kent and Oswald is symbolic, showing a battle between good and evil. Kent’s loyalty is trustworthy but Oswald is a sycophant who attempts to wi n over people with his insincerely flattery to get what he wants, similar to his master Goneril.Kurogane is parallel to Oswald with both of them serving the main antagonists of the movies. Kurogane is very loyal to Jiro, acting as his voice of reason when Jiro becomes extremely influenced by Lady Kaede and tries to take over Lady Sue’s position as his wife. When Lady Kaede asks Jiro to slay Lady Sue and bring back her head, Kurogane comes back with a head of a statue, After finding out that Lady Sue is murdered, Kurogane tells Jiro he’s will not let Lady Kaede escape punishment â€Å"Who rules this domain,You or Lady Kaede? I pledged fealty to you, but never to her! † Similar to Oswald’s scene where he rips Regan’s paper, Kurogane kills Lady Kaede for her disobedience because he serves Jiro, displaying that his loyalty goes towards his master and no one else. There is a comparison between Kurogane and Oswald, but there are also many differences as well. Oswald seems to use flattery in order to display his loyalty towards Goneril, whereas Kurogane is honest towards Jiro and will even step up to Jiro.Oswald’s loyalty seems cowardly since he hides behind a shadow of lies and Kurogane’s loyalty is sincere and generally, more positive. Oswald and Kurogane’s roles provide influence towards the downfall of the tragic hero and create a progression towards the tragedy. Since they have a negative impact on the storyline, they help magnify the audience’s perspective on the tragedy that is yet to happen. In conclusion, the two movies contain many comparisons and contrasts that approach from two distinct cultures.The four characters; Oswald along with Kurogane and Tango along with Kent, can relate with and differ against each other. All these characters carry traits of loyalty towards their masters, while each individual can be classified as either good or evil. These characters enlighten the tragedy that both directors portrayed through the plot. Olivier’s â€Å"King Lear†, and Kurosawa’s â€Å"Ran† is comprised of multiple themes that are depicted during the films, but the theme with the most significance towards the storyline and the tragedy is loyalty.

Al Muerzo Resto Bar

He is the current General Manager of Shanghai-La Hotel in Manila. A She graduated com lauded at Southern Luzon State university, finished her master degree major in culinary arts. Currently the executive of golden dragon restaurant. , CYRIL He graduated at Southern Luzon State University. Major in bartering and cocktail mixing. He is the current owner of cheers and Jump He graduated at Southern Luzon State university, major in housekeeping mane alms to be the unique premier organization of casual dining Mexican restaurant.To serve freshly prepared high quality Mexican food in a relaxed and Steve atmosphere by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. We will do so by providing our guest with the most entertaining dining experience in flavor of Mexican cuisine. Toys sounds, energy, fun and flavors of being part of Lucian, Guenon that is so rich and colorful. We provide also who work with us a friendly, hospitable, cooperative and rewarding environment which is the best character of being Lu cian.Our vision is to provide the extraordinary flavor of Mexican, the premium quality food at a reasonable price with the commitment of promoting a unique twist of tastiness n every bite. Introduce the flavor and culture of a Mexican food item and refreshment. Is innovating the new food experience for Lucian though the constant pursuit of perfection. Maintain the hygiene and good facilities of restaurant and using the alternative materials for the better of Lucian, Guenon in no plastic policy.We strive to bring our guest the ultimate dining experience though excellent food, outstanding customer service and genuine hospitality. Is a place where people who truly enjoy real and authentic Mexican cuisine will find an enormous and extensive selection of dishes, appetizer, desserts and drinks from a various part of Mexico. Offers their guest very Mexicans experience ambiance even if where located in Lucian, Guenon, decorated a Mexican style, with bright colors pleasing to the eye, plants , fine art, music, and paper-art found in Mexicans festivals.

Mohsin Hamid Essay

Mohsin Hamid is the author of three novels: Moth Smoke (published in 2000), a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award; The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007), a million-copy international bestseller that was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, made into a feature film, and named one of the books that defined the decade by the Guardian; and, most recently, How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia (2013). His fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, Granta, and the Paris Review and been translated into over 30 languages. The recipient of numerous awards, he has been called â€Å"one of his generation’s most inventive and gifted writers† by the New York Times, â€Å"one of the most talented and formally audacious writers of his generation† by the Daily Telegraph, and â€Å"one of the most important writers working today† by the Daily Beast. He also regularly writes essays on themes ranging from literature to politics and is a contributor to publications around the world, including the New York Times, the Guardian, the New York Review of Books, Dawn, and La Repubblica. A self-described mongrel, he was born in 1971 in Lahore, Pakistan, and has lived about half his life there. The rest he has spent drifting between places such as London, New York, California, the Philippines, and Italy. â€Å"Moth Smoke† Moth Smoke is a steamy (in both senses) and often darkly amusing book about sex, drugs, and class warfare in postcolonial Asia. Hamid struc- tures Moth Smoke somewhat like a murder trial. On the stand is Daru, a cynical, hash-loving 28-year-old bank drone and onetime boxer now accused of running over a child. Daru relates his decline and fall after being fired from the bank (a moment he compares to a â€Å"quick sidestep in un- reality, like meeting your mother when you’re tripping†) in chapters that alternate with self-justifying monologues by the witnesses against him. Moth Smoke foregrounds Daru’s slacker predisposition and resentment toward the aristocrats (with whom he associates but cannot join) against an apocalyptic background of nuclear testing reminiscent ofRobert Aldrich’s 1955 film-version take onMickey Spillane’s Kiss Me Deadly. An underdog redress occurs when Daru steals his rich best friend Ozi’s wife, Mumtaz, a iscontented young mother who has become a clandestine investigative reporter since moving back to Lahore, Pakistan, from New York. Their romance generates big heat and smoke and Hamid leaves no nook or cranny of the fire metaphor unexplored, reinvigorating its archetypal metaforce with everything from the titular play of moth and flame to the apocalyptic burnout of nuclear war. When Daru and Mumtaz meet for the first time, she leaves a smoldering cigarette butt in an ashtray bed. â€Å"I crush mine into it,† relates Daru, â€Å"grinding until both stop burning. Daru’s meager resources wane as the couple’s passion intensifies, and their relationship—not unlike that binding India to Pakistan—threatens to destroy everyone around them. Halfway through the book, to cool things off, Hamid tosses in an only slightly ironic chapter titled â€Å"what lovely weather we’re having (or the importance of air-conditioning),† in which Daru’s former economics professor discusses how Pakistan’s elite â€Å"have managed to re-create for themselves the living conditions of say, Sweden, without leaving the dusty plains of the subcontinent. Although the novel is woozy with alcohol, hash, Ecstasy, and heroin, they serve less as pleasure vehicles than as tokens of societal decadence. Daru’s social status plummets even further when he becomes a part-time dealer to the rich kids who overpay for his wares. Maneuvering in the background are the hardcore Islamic â€Å"fundos,† whose one-size-fits-all fanaticism, Hamid suggests, possesses seductive qualities no less compelling than Ozi’s self-righteous aria justifying his own corruption (he’s not a bad guy, he argues; he just makes people jealous). As for Daru, Hamid leaves unclear whether it’s class rancor that drives him over the brink, or the displaced nurture he derives from bad-mother Mumtaz. The Falstaffian figure of Murad Badshah, the rickshaw driver and dealer who enlists Daru in a wack scheme to knock over upscale boutiques, offers comedy relief. â€Å"Armed robbery is like public speaking,† says Murad. â€Å"Both offer a brief period in the limelight, the risk of public humiliation, the opportunity for crowd control. † Daru’s moment in the spotlight goes awry during a suspenseful scene whose panicky, botched outcome is pure Tarantino mishegaas. By novel’s end, the morally and financially impoverished Daru—all thirst, no quenching, and recently introduced to the joys of heroin smoke—amuses himself by playing desultory games of â€Å"moth badminton† with the insects that have overtaken his barren home. The atmosphere is vacant and corrupt, the sense of loss reminiscent of the empty, overgrown swimming pools that populate J. G. Ballard’s Empire of the Sun, the sort of slipstream masterpiece Hamid obviously admires. But Moth Smoke reads more like a tough and sinewy B movie, the kind whose dark complexities expand the more you ponder it. â€Å"The Reluctant Fundamentalist† Some books are acts of courage, maybe because the author tries out an unproven style, addresses an unpopular theme or allows characters to say things that no one wants to hear. Mohsin Hamid’s novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, does all those things. Told in the form of an extended monologue, the novel reflects on a young Pakistani’s almost five years in America. After excelling at Princeton, Changez had become a highly regarded employee at a prestigious financial firm. He seemed to have achieved the perfect American life. We know from the beginning, however, that it will not last long. Changez narrates his story from a cafe in Lahore, his birthplace, while speaking to an American man whose role is unclear. Changez tells him, â€Å"Yes, I was happy in that moment. I felt bathed in a warm sense of accomplishment. Nothing troubled me; I was a young New Yorker with the city at my feet. † (Tellingly, while he didn’t see himself as a foreigner during this time, the two colleagues closest to him were also outsiders: one â€Å"non-white,† the other a gay man who grew up poor. ) In the aftermath of Sept. 11, as the tone of the country becomes more hostile, Changez’s corporate cloak lifts, and his life in America no longer seems so perfect. Paralleling the narrative of Changez’s work life is the tale of his romantic involvement with Erica, an elegant and well-to-do New Yorker who has emotional baggage that eventually leads to a breakdown. The impossible love story softens the book, allowing Changez to tell the same story from a different perspective. Both of his potential conquests (America, Erica) have deep appeal, yet both have been damaged, making it impossible for them to be part of Changez’s life. Hamid’s writing is strongest when Changez is analyzing the finer points of being a foreigner, â€Å"well-liked as an exotic acquaintance. When he goes out with Erica, he takes â€Å"advantage of the ethnic exception clause that is written into every code of etiquette† and wears a kurta and jeans because his blazer looks shabby. Later, when he is back in Pakistan and his parents ask for details of his American life, he says, â€Å"It was odd to speak of that world here, as it would be odd to s ing in a mosque; what is natural in one place can seem unnatural in another, and some concepts travel poorly, if at all. † Perhaps as a result of speaking Urdu and English, Hamid’s style is delightfully distinct. His clever tale lingers in the mind, partly because of the nature and originality of the troubled love story and partly because of Changez himself, who is not always likable. Or noble. The courage of The Reluctant Fundamentalist is in the telling of a story about a Pakistani man who makes it and then throws it away because he doesn’t want it anymore, because he realizes that making it in America is not what he thought it was or what it used to be. The monologue form allows for an intimate conversation, as the reader and the American listener become one. Are we sitting across from Changez at a table in Lahore, joining him in a sumptuous dinner? Do his comments cause us to bristle, making us more and more uncomfortable? Extreme times call for extreme reactions, extreme writing. Hamid has done something extraordinary with this novel, and for those who want a different voice, a different view of the aftermath of 9/11, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is well worth reading. â€Å"How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia† The city of â€Å"Rising Asia† remains nameless, but through the lens of Hamid’s critical eye, we understand it to be a metropolis closely resembling Lahore, Pakistan. Drones fly overhead. Corruption, terrorism, and violence are everyday occurrences. Written in a fast-paced, second-person narration a la Jay McInerney’s â€Å"Bright Lights, Big City,† we track our nameless hero, known simply as â€Å"you,† through his journey from poor rural boy to successful tycoon of a bottled-water empire. Similarly, â€Å"Filthy Rich’’ ends up being both a personal saga of love and ambition and a pointed satiric commentary on the head-turning changes in parts of the developing world. We first meet our hero as a child, â€Å"huddled, shivering, on the packed earth under [his] mother’s cot one cold dewy morning. † He’s sickly, infected with hepatitis E, living with his family of five in a cramped, one-room shanty. There’s nothing desirable about village life. Sex between his parents is a ritual undertaken entirely clothed and right next to the children pretending to be asleep. But better things lie ahead once the family migrates to the city, a place where â€Å"wealthy neighborhoods are often divided by a single boulevard from factories and markets and graveyards . . separated from the homes of the impoverished only by an open sewer, railroad track, or narrow alley. † It’s the bleak disparity between the rich and the poor that our hero is determined to cross in order to get filthy rich in rising Asia. Lest we forget, we’re still in the land of self-help, and in proper prescriptive fashion, each chapter homes in on a goal to improving one’s station (â€Å"Get an Education,† â€Å"Befriend a Bureaucrat,† â€Å"Dance with Debt†) and each is a glimpse into our protagonist’s career at a different stage of life, from childhood to old age. He enters the workforce as a teenager, working the night shift as a delivery boy of pirated DVDs. As a result, he meets his soulmate, known only as â€Å"the pretty girl. † She works at a beauty salon but is destined for bigger things. And he’s a poor boy still wet behind the ears searching his â€Å"inner salmon† for the proper motivation. Their relationship develops into a mutual crush, and she deflowers him, but this is a love that could never be, and she finds a better mate to run off with, a marketing manager in advertising. Love, we are told, only â€Å"dampens the fire in the steam furnace of ambition, robbing of essential propulsion an already fraught upriver journey to the heart of financial success. † Hamid’s ear for replicating infomercial mumbo-jumbo is fine-tuned, producing some hilarious moments of dramatic irony. As the novel progresses through our narrator’s life’s work, from street salesman of â€Å"non-expired-labeled expired-goods† to his true calling, the bottled-water trade — a business so dirty that he must lie, cheat, cook his books, make bribes, and sometimes murder — it reveals a rather moving portrait of a life lived in regret and denial. He marries the wrong woman, fails as a father to his only son, and once his bottled-water business becomes an empire, he loses it, and the rise toward staggering wealth becomes a quick plummet to the bottom. There’s an unfortunate side effect to a novel of such admirable ambition. Hamid attempts to find the universal in the non-specific. And it’s an experiment that’s not completely successful. With his intentional generality and the many nameless players— â€Å"you,† â€Å"your mother,† â€Å"your father,† â€Å"your wife,† â€Å"your brother-in-law† — Hamid has created a set of characters we begin to love but are unable to clearly see. But it’s the lifelong affair the narrator has with the pretty girl that helps us regain our focus time and again. Their lives parallel over the course of several decades. As he rises in business, his infatuation grows, and he tracks her career as a model on billboards, then as a TV personality on his wife’s favorite cooking show, then as a small-business owner in her own right. When the two come together, Hamid allows these scenes to linger pleasantly on, and in turn, his two characters appear at their most human. Hamid has admitted that the genesis of â€Å"How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia† springs from the idea that reading novels can at times feel like a form of self-help. We empathize with a novel’s characters, seek their wisdom, experience their faults, find solace in their lives. Hamid’s novel embodies this concept in a tremendously profound and entertaining way, bringing to the page, front and center, why we read fiction at all. And the answer may very well be what his novel proposes: to get someone who isn’t yourself to help you.