Free Essays on Domestic Partners And Benefits

Benefits and Domestic Partners â€Å"Diversity† has been an increasingly popular buzzword in the workplace over the last several years. Traditionally, approaches to diversity primarily referred to the manner in which companies addressed legislative and regulatory issues of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action related to race and gender. In today’s business culture, diversity has become a strategy that will increase a company’s ability to remain competitive in the face of changing demographics and the rapid globalization of business. Many companies, both public and private, have recognized the need to take advantage of the variety of skills and experiences that today’s diverse workforce offers. Recognition of this diversity has brought to the forefront new issues that employers must address. Equitably managing the employee benefits portion of a compensation package is one such issue. Since employee benefits can account for 30 to 40 percent of an employee’s co mpensation, the manner in which these benefits are offered and administered can have a significant impact for both the employer and the employee (Isaacson 1). In particular, the issue of offering domestic partner benefits has caused considerable debate. "Domestic partnership" is defined in this paper as two adults in an ongoing, emotional and financial relationship similar to a marriage, who cannot legally marry or who are not married. While some people feel that domestic partner benefits are not cost effective and are morally wrong, many companies have realized that to accurately value the diversity of their workforce they must offer domestic partner benefits, therefore domestic partner benefits should not be an issue. In today’s competitive marketplace, companies must look at every decision with an eye towards cost effectiveness. Initially, costs were the primary concern when the first companies began to contemplate offering domestic partner be... Free Essays on Domestic Partners And Benefits Free Essays on Domestic Partners And Benefits Benefits and Domestic Partners â€Å"Diversity† has been an increasingly popular buzzword in the workplace over the last several years. Traditionally, approaches to diversity primarily referred to the manner in which companies addressed legislative and regulatory issues of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action related to race and gender. In today’s business culture, diversity has become a strategy that will increase a company’s ability to remain competitive in the face of changing demographics and the rapid globalization of business. Many companies, both public and private, have recognized the need to take advantage of the variety of skills and experiences that today’s diverse workforce offers. Recognition of this diversity has brought to the forefront new issues that employers must address. Equitably managing the employee benefits portion of a compensation package is one such issue. Since employee benefits can account for 30 to 40 percent of an employee’s co mpensation, the manner in which these benefits are offered and administered can have a significant impact for both the employer and the employee (Isaacson 1). In particular, the issue of offering domestic partner benefits has caused considerable debate. "Domestic partnership" is defined in this paper as two adults in an ongoing, emotional and financial relationship similar to a marriage, who cannot legally marry or who are not married. While some people feel that domestic partner benefits are not cost effective and are morally wrong, many companies have realized that to accurately value the diversity of their workforce they must offer domestic partner benefits, therefore domestic partner benefits should not be an issue. In today’s competitive marketplace, companies must look at every decision with an eye towards cost effectiveness. Initially, costs were the primary concern when the first companies began to contemplate offering domestic partner be...

Cooperative Learning Tips and Techniques

Cooperative Learning Tips and Techniques Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy classroom teachers use to help their students process information more quickly by having them work in small groups to accomplish a common goal. Each member that is in the group is responsible for learning the information given, and also for helping their fellow group members learn the information as well. How Does It Work? In order for Cooperative learning groups to be successful, the teacher and students must all play their part. The teachers role is to play the part as facilitator and observer, while the students must work together to complete the task. Use the following guidelines to achieve Cooperative learning success: Arrange students heterogeneously in groups as few as two and no more than six.Assign each member of the group a specific role: recorder, observer, bookkeeper, researcher, timekeeper, etc.Monitor each groups progress and teach skills necessary for task completion.Evaluate each group based upon how well they worked together and completed the task. Classroom Management Tips Noise Control: Use the talking chips strategy to control noise. Whenever a student needs to speak in the group they must place their chip in the middle of the table.Getting Students Attention: Have a signal to get students attention. For example, clap two times, raise your hand, ring a bell, etc.Answering Questions: Create a policy where if a group member has a question they must ask the group first before asking the teacher.Use a Timer: Give students a predetermined time for completing the task. Use a timer or stopwatch.Model Instruction: Before handing out the assignment model the instruction of the task and make sure every student understands what is expected. Common Techniques Here are six common cooperative learning techniques to try in your classroom. Jig-Saw: Students are grouped into five or six and each group member is assigned a specific task then must come back to their group and teach them what they learned.Think-Pair-Share: Each member in a group thinks about a question they have from what they just learned, then they pair-up with a member in the group to discuss their responses. Finally they share what they learned with the rest of the class or group.Round Robin: Students are placed into a group of four to six people. Then one person is assigned to be the recorder of the group. Next, the group is assigned a question that has multiple answers to it. Each student goes around the table and answers the question while the recorder writes down their answers.Numbered Heads: Each group member is given a number (1, 2, 3, 4, etc). The teacher then asks the class a question and each group must come together to find an answer. After the time is up the teacher calls a number and only the student with that number may answer the question .   Team-Pair-Solo: Students work together in a group to solve a problem. Next they work with a partner to solve a problem, and finally, they work by themselves to solve a problem. This strategy uses the theory that students can solve more problems with help then they can alone. Students then progress to the point that they can solve the problem on their own only after first being in a team and then paired with a partner.Three-Step Review: The teacher predetermines groups before a lesson. Then, as the lesson progresses, the teacher stops and gives groups three minutes to review what was taught and ask each other any questions they may have.

The Difference in CSR Agenda by Oil and Gas Companies Analyzing Essay

The Difference in CSR Agenda by Oil and Gas Companies Analyzing Projects in Developing Countries - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that CSR is the process by which a company integrates the economic, its environmental and social objectives at the same time, addressing the expectations of its stakeholder and enhancing as well as sustaining the shareholder value.   CSR is the overall association between a corporation and the stakeholders that include its customers, its employees, its communities, owners/investors, the government, its suppliers, and competitors. Elements of CSR will include investment in the community outreach, its employee relations, creation and the maintenance of employment, the environmental stewardship and its financial performance. A firm which is committed to the development of its employee and empowerment is, by default, already incorporating some components of activities related to CSR. A firm that freely shares information with its employees about any move toward downsizing, and then helping the displaced employees in finding new jobs, is said to actively practice CSR. Moreover, a firm which is actively committed towards the production of reliable, safe and many innovative products and services which is in line with the customer needs is said to be strategically involved in the CSR activities. There can be situations where employees can become cynical that while on one side the organization is fairly generous in its donations and charities, it does not adequately express sensitivity to the working conditions or to employees' safety. In such conditions, the public could become critical if it so turned out that an organization is not showing responsibility towards its environmental issues. CSR is, thus considered a management approach which takes into account several integrated procedures. The socio-economic and cultural background that is present in developing countries provides a context for CSR that is different in many ways from the developed countries.

Writing for life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Writing for life - Essay Example It turns out that I am the kind of person who is able to make something bad. And the fact that I have this potential makes me feel uncomfortable. So I decided to work with myself to make sure that if one day I find myself in situation of a harsh choice, I will not make a wrong decision. The point is that we always judge others. We believe that we know what is good and bad and we give ourselves this right to judge others. But in fact, considering every single situation deeply and putting ourselves in somebody’s place we may find that we would act the same way. And still we keep judging. But if we know how to act properly to be good, why often we don’t do it? I want to believe that people can be changed; moreover, I think people can change themselves. Because frequently it happens that something really bad changes person’s way of thinking, and she or he decides to make some personal changes. Does it mean that some sad event is the only way to start your personal changes? I think it’s not. Noticing some bad part in my personality makes me think of changing it into a good one, so I make decision to work on my personal qualities. Obviously working on my personality is hard for me, because I almost struggle with myself. This struggle is the mo st difficult thing in the world, because your personality is the only thing you can’t hide from. But when I think of results I’ll receive lately I feel that these difficult attempts of mine on the way to my virtue are worth being made. I hope sooner or later more and more people will come to the same conclusions as I have. This understanding of the truth that everything in my will and I’m responsible for my personality and only I can change it – it is definitely something inspiring. I wish you to experience the same, my dear

Serious dramatic deficiency Essay Example for Free

Serious dramatic deficiency Essay It is not only in period pieces, however, that the rejection of our countrys history and tradition robs actors performances of authenticity. In postwar Japans cultural climate, it is exceedingly difficult for actors in any type of role to convincingly express complex, deep or intense emotion — in fact, any dramatic emotion at all. To appear real, this sort of emotional expression demands exactly the right modulation and combination of subtle elements, including not only choice of words and facial expression, but also posture, gesture, tone of voice, direction of gaze, and distance from other actors. And the right modulation and combination differs from culture to culture. Every culture has its own framework of expressive conventions from which actors must draw in order to express emotion that will strike their audience as authentic. As long as Japanese actors refuse to work within the framework of emotional expression stipulated by Japanese culture, they cannot express dramatic emotion in a convincing manner. The famed Meiji-era novelist Natsume Soseki once taught his students that the true Japanese translation for I love you is Tsuki ga tottemo aoi na (The moon is so blue tonight); what he meant was that to express within the Japanese cultural framework the same emotion expressed in English by I love you, one must choose words like The moon is so blue tonight. Since every culture evolves naturally over time, the cultural framework for emotional expression is by no means immutable. But in post-war Japan the process of change has been unnatural and rushed. Regarding their traditional modes of expression as archaic and feudalistic, and eager to Westernize, the Japanese have attempted to adopt the Western (more specifically, the American) expressive framework wholesale. Yet given that they continue to use the Japanese language as their vehicle for verbal expression, any attempt to affect a de-Japanized manner at this level is half-baked. Today, one might say, a Japanese person is unable to convincingly express passion for another either by the English I love you or by the Japanese The moon is so blue tonight. This may be why, since the 1980s, young people in Japan have increasingly disdained the expression of serious or dramatic emotion as kusai, or corny, and prized the appearance of emotional detachment as kakko-ii, or cool. In terms of dramatic expression, then, the Japanese film labors under a heavy burden. If it portrays emotion within the traditional Japanese framework, it may achieve authenticity, but the effect is antiquated. If it portrays emotion within the Western framework, it comes across as meretricious and unconvincing. Films that try to blend the two modes often end up antiquated and unconvincing. Yet in animation, which lacks visual realism and features de-Japanized characters to begin with, the expression of emotion paradoxically takes on a more convincing sense of reality. This may explain why most of the serious and ambitious film efforts have used the vehicle of anime. Given the serious dramatic deficiency, Japanese live-action films can no longer tackle any serious or profound subject matter. In the context of contemporary Japanese film, then, anime often conveys a greater sense of reality than live-action films. The thin, insubstantial reality of animated film, that is to say, is more alive — literally, more animated — than the flesh-and-blood reality. And if anime is perceived as more real (i. e. , closer to physical reality) than live-action, this means that, increasingly, anime embodies the Japanese consciousness of reality. The Japanese conception of reality is undergoing a process of animation. The rise of anime as well as manga is a cultural by-product of modern Japans tendency to promote modernization and Westernization while rejecting its history and traditions. A medium that fuses elements of East and West, and lacks a clear national identity, could be considered international in a certain sense, and this is doubtless a major reason why anime has so many fans overseas. But the current state of affairs, in which anime represents the mainstream of Japanese cinema, is by no means desirable, inasmuch as it signifies an ever-widening gap between physical reality and peoples conception of it.

Review of Research Paper on Cold Perecption via TRPM8 -- Biology Nerve

Introduction: The first reaction to a minor wound or sprain is to apply ice. Cold's analgesic effects are a profound and under appreciated phenomenon. The nerve providing the sensation we know as cold acts to inhibit the "pain pathway." This wonderful nervous pathway is called TRPM8. This study indicates that the ion channel called "transient receptor potential melastatin 8", or TRPM8, is a primary component of cold sensation. Cultured nerve fibers devoid of this ion channel have considerably less response to the sub-ambient temperatures and cold-simulating chemicals that these nerves normally respond to fervently. Mice that have been genetically deprived of the TRPM8 channel also display a noticeable decrease in non-noxious cold sensitivity. Essentially without this component of the nerve, mice don’t notice mild cold, and actually have no particular preference to warmth. This appears to be true only for non-noxious temperatures (roughly above 12C in this case). Below that threshhold, it is thought that cold is perceived by thermal nociceptors as pain due to the extreme and potentially harmful aspects of severe cold. Methods: The analysis of this ion channel was observed on both the cellular and behavioral perspectives in an attempt to identify the biochemical properties and characteristics of the channel and the ramifications thereof in a model organism. Methods: Gene Deletion Overview: Gene Deletion: The researchers deleted a significant portion of the TRPM8 gene. This was done through PCR, digestion, and ligation, effectively stopping the production of TRPM8 ion channel. PCR or polymerase chain reaction is a process which uses enzymes and primers to amplify or modify a DNA sequence. Deletion is accomplished by ... ...ficient, producing concurrent and decisive data. TRPM8 plays a vital role in sesation of its temperature range. These observations lead to the fact that all senastion is a balance of multiple pathways. Any perceived stimulus is actually a complex combination of neurons all being stimulated differently and decifered by the brain. So when one is exposed to cold, the sensory cortex is actully receiving stimulus of the absence of heat, the pain, the local vascular changes, and cold each delivered by a specific neuron. This must be true for all sensations. Further definition of this fact could lead to break throughs in pain management, virtual reality, artificial flavor and scent stimulation, physical therapy or perhaps futuristic massage devices. Sources Nature magazine article "The menthol receptor TRPM8 is the principal detector of environmental cold "

Body of the Paper Essay

People see marriage as a bond between two people that involves responsibility and legalities, as well as commitment and challenge irregardless of how the ceremony took place. This concept of marriage hasn’t changed over the years. The notion of marriage as a sacrament and not just a contract can be traced from the writings of St. Paul who compared the relationship of a husband and wife to that of Christ and his church (Eph. v, 23-32). Different cultures are rich with wedding rituals and traditions. The said practices have some sort of historical and spiritual explanation amongst people with varying traditions drawn from their ancestors. A certain belief was incorporated in their culture which makes every ritual unique from one another. Nonetheless, all of them acknowledge the union of two individuals. One universally known tradition is that of the engagement ring. It is a ring that is given prior to the wedding ceremony which means that two people are engaged and are scheduled to be married soon. This custom can be dated back to the ancient Romans. It is believed that the roundness of the ring represents eternity. Therefore, wedding rings symbolizes a union that is to last forever. It was once thought that a vein or nerve ran directly from the â€Å"ring† finger of the left hand to the heart (Wedding Traditions 2008). The objective of this paper is to review wedding rituals and traditions being practiced by people across cultures. More specifically, we will look into the rich and unique wedding practices observed by the Filipinos, Chinese and Hindus. Moreover, we will study the significance of each wedding ritual for every culture and why it is part of their tradition. Body of the Paper A wedding ceremony is celebrated in recognition of the union or so-called â€Å"marriage† of two people. It may be performed by either a highly-respected religious elder or a government-sanctioned officiator. Marriage generally creates commitment between the individuals involved and also with their extended families in most cases. Throughout history, and even today, families arrange marriages for couples. The people involved didn’t and don’t have much to say about the decision. Most couples didn’t marry because they were in love but for economic contact. People marry for various reasons—it may be one of the following: public declaration of love, wants to gain legal, social and economic stability, formation of a family unit or legitimizing sexual relations. Some marriages involved a bride price wherein the groom or his family will give money or a present to the brides family; some required dowry where the bride’s family will be the one to offer money and gifts to the groom’s family, few had underwent some sort of dating or courtship for some time, but most of us are generally accustomed to our own traditions (Wedding Traditions 2008). In this paper, seven wedding rituals across different cultures will be discussed. Egyptian, Korean, Lebanese and Libyan wedding traditions will be reviewed. Specifically, the Filipino, Chinese and Hindu wedding rituals will be studied in details and will be compared. Weddings in Egypt are huge family events irregardless of their social status. Even in this generation, some of them still hold the significance of customs and symbols to the celebration. Al-zaffah is a slow procession performed by the couple’s family and friends. It is accompanies by music until they reach the reception hall. Also, the henna party called laylat al-hinna is still an important tradition to them. Egyptian weddings are celebrated with a strength that comes from the respect of family bonds. Like other couples, they also wish for a happy married life. In Korean wedding ceremonies, wild geese is used as a symbol of faithfulness. The groom’s father will throw red dates at the bride for fertility and good luck. In addition to that, cotton seeds, red beans and salt are thrown by their neighbors to drive evil spirits away. Three days after the wedding, the bride will be sent to the groom’s house. There, the bride then crosses a sack of grain and burnt straw to wish for a good harvest. In Lebanese weddings, roses are generally used. The bride then wears bangles and tiara on the wedding day. The new couple will serve ghoraibi to their guests as a symbol of the bride’s purity. Their weddings are inspired by rose petal shaped chocolates and white butter cookies. Libyan weddings ceremonies are Islamic in nature and is generally presided by an imam. At the bride’s house days before the actual wedding ceremony and reception, the marriage contract is already being signed. At the reception, the couple doesn’t eat with their guest. Rice and candy are showered on the bride. a. Filipino Marriage Gone are the days of arranged marriage (kasunduan) and shotgun marriage (pikot) where individuals, the bride and the groom, had no choice but to obey and comply with their parent’s wishes of them getting married. However, the Filipino style of courtship (ligawan) and suitor’s serenade (harana) have been lost over the years, too. These so-called traditional courtship styles have been reduced to dating. SMS messages and emails are means of communication of single men and women in today’s generation, and Filipinos have their way of adapting to these changes. Though these rituals have vanished as time passes by, engagements and wedding practices are still pretty much the same. Despite these revolutionizations, the essence of marriage remains in Filipinos—that is having the purest and sincerest intentions, respect for the elders and spiritual devotion. a. 1 Filipino Wedding Customs In early times, Filipino groom-to-be threw his spear at the front steps of his future home, which is said to be a sign that the bride has been spoken for. Nowadays, a ring is used as a symbol of engagement. a. 2 The Engagement Pamanhikan is an activity done by Filipino families where the groom and his parents visit the bride’s family to ask for her in marriage. In this event, wedding plans are included in the said activity participated by both families. The plan includes the discussion of guest list and wedding budget. Usually, the groom-to-be is seen to run some errands around the bride’s house. Paninilbihan is the tradition where the groom-to-be renders service to his future wife’s family to gain their approval (Celeste, T. 1997). a. 3 The Ceremony The wedding ceremony lasted for three days during the pre-colonial days. On the first day the couple was brought to the house of babaylan (priest) and will join hands over a plate of raw rice and give blessings to the couple. The priest will then prick the chest of both the bride and groom and draw a little blood on the third day. They then will join hands and proclaim their love for each other three times. The couple will be fed with cooked rice by the priest on the same plate and will give them a drink with some of their blood mixed with water. Binding the couple’s necks and hands with a cord, the priest will then declare them married. Today, most Filipino weddings are performed as Catholic weddings though some native ritual still remains. Sponsors are special people chosen by the couple to act as their witnesses. Thy can be godparent, counselors or relatives. Secondary sponsors will take charge to some special parts of the wedding ceremony such as the candle, cord and veil ceremonies. Lighting the candle symbolizes the joining of two families and representing Jesus Christ as the light of their married life. Placing the veil over the bride’s head and groom’s shoulder symbolizes that the two individuals are joined or unified. The cord, which is made of a decorative silk cord called yugal, in a form of figure eight, is placed in the couple’s shoulders symbolizes everlasting fidelity among the bride and groom. Arrhae or 13 coins which are blessed by the priest is given by the groom to his bride as a sign of his commitment, dedication to his wife and future children’s welfare (Filipinafiancevisa. com 2001). b. Chinese Marriage Chinese wedding is a ceremonial rite within Chinese folks wherein marriage is established by pre-arrangement between families. In short, the spouse-to-be of sons and daughters in Chinese families are determined by their parents. Within the Chinese culture, romantic love is prohibited and a monogamous relationship is common among citizens. Between 402-221 B. B. , Chinese marriage started to become a custom. Though the country China has many geographical as and is filled with extended history, generally there are six rituals to be followed, known as the three letters (request letter, gift letter and wedding letter) and six etiquette (proposal, birthdates, bride price, wedding gifts, arranging the wedding and wedding ceremony). Before modern age, women and not allowed to choose the person they will spend the rest of their lives with. Marriages were chosen based upon the needs of reproduction and honor as well as the needs of the husband and father-to-be (The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project 2001). b. 1 Chinese Wedding Customs Ancient Chinese believes in destiny. In prehistoric times, the gods tie a red string around the ankles of a man and a woman who will be a couple in the future. The Chinese tradition of determining their destiny is through their parents. The parents of the groom will write the bride’s eight characters which her year month, day and hour of birth and will then be placed in their family altar. After three days and nothing unfortunate happened in the family, it is a sign that the match is approved. The same ritual is performed by the bride’s family. If the match is granted, the celebration begins (About. Com 2008). b. 2 The Engagement Twelve gifts were exchanged by both parties to seal the couple’s marriage agreement. Chopsticks are famous engagement gift symbolizing the wish for sons. Usually, the family of the groom sends a whole roast pig to the bride’s house. In olden times, the bride’s family will send back the pig’s head and hind portion showing that everything has a beginning and an end. The wedding announcement in China is done by the groom providing special cakes to the bride’s family for it to be sent to family and friends. b. 3 The Ceremony Firecrackers are used to drive away evil spirits and are fired upon the arrival of the bride to the wedding ceremony. In a traditional Chinese wedding vow, the couple will kneel before an altar with offerings such as roast pig, ducks and chickens decorated with red candles. With cups tied with red strings, the bride and the groom will then sip wine as a sign of their vow. They will then cross their arms, exchange cups and drink again. The sharing of wine symbolizes the harmony of their married life together. After the event, the bride will serve a cup of sweet tea to each member of the groom’s family (The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project 2001). c. Hindu Wedding Sanskit is the language used for most holy Hindu ceremonies. One of which is the Hindu wedding. Traditionally, Hindu weddings are conducted in this language, thought not always. They have many wedding rituals that have evolved over the years and are different in many ways from the modern western wedding ceremony. The Hindu marriage ceremonies vary in different regions and according to family traditions. The Hindus give a lot of emphasis and significance to marriages and the ceremonies are very colorful and extend for several days. However, modern Hindu weddings are much shorter and do not involve the traditional ceremony that lasted for days. Also, some of their rituals are being altered. Instead, ceremonies are chosen by the couple’s family depending in their family tradition and class. Therefore, ceremonies differ among various ethnic groups that practice Hinduism. Generally, the wedding is conducted under a canopy with four pillars and a sacred fire in the middle of the altar which serves as the witness of the ceremony (National Association of Wedding Ministers 2008). c. 1 Hindu Wedding Customs In Old Hindu wedding ceremonies, the whole family participates in the ceremony, from nephews and nieces to the couple’s siblings. Moreover, the mothers of the groom and the bride play a special part of the entire celebration. c. 2 The Engagement The priest visits the bride’s home to recite reading and prayers so as to bless the wedding a few days before the formal wedding ceremony. On the evening before the wedding the groom will come over to the bride’s house and the bride’s family will welcome them with a small ceremony. Sometimes, the bride’s mother will be offering a gift to the groom’s mother. During this activity, the couple is not allowed to meet. If they see each other, it is believed that it will bring bad luck to their marriage (National Association of Wedding Ministers 2008). c. 3 The Ceremony The bride is escorted to the canopy by her maternal uncle. On the other hand, the groom is accompanied by the best man and a young girl whose role is to keep him alert by shaking a metal pot filled with coins. The entire ceremony is divided into three parts. The Kanyadaan is the first part where the bride’s parents will wash the couple’s feet with milk and water to cleanse and purify them for a new life together. The Hastamelap or known as the joining of the hands, the couple’s hand are joined together. The priest will then chant some verses in their holy scripture then a loop pf white raw cotton will be placed around the couple’s shoulders to symbolize their bond. A small open fire is lit in the center of the place. The bride’s male relatives will be called to lead the couple to walk around the fire. The number of times that they will walk around the fire will depend on the village they came from. In the southern state of Kerala, couples walk around coconut blossoms instead of a fire. In the couple’s hands are grains of rice, oats and leaves which symbolizes the blessings of good health, prosperity, happiness and wealth. At the end of the ceremony, rose petals are sprinkled to the couple to ward off evil spirits by the groom’s brothers. When the entire ceremony is over, the bride will feed her groom with mouthful of Indian sweets to show her responsibility to cook and take care of him and their children. In turn, the groom does the same act to show that he will provide her needs as well as for their future family. After the rituals, the relatives are invited under the canopy to place red dots in the couple’s foreheads and sprinkle them with rice grains to wish for a long, happy and prosperous knowledge together (Triveni Wedding Cards 2007). Discussion Marriage has been a very significant event among men and women. It symbolizes the union of two souls as well as recognition of the bonding of individuals in the presence of a minister or a government-sanctioned officer. In addition to this, wedding rituals have made cultures across nations rich and unique. These rituals exemplify their beliefs and lifestyles which explains some psychological theories. This paper primarily focuses on wedding rituals of Filipinos, Chinese and Hindus. The Egyptian, Lebanese, Libyan and Korean wedding styles and traditions were also reviewed. They differ in a way that is shows or portrays their traditions, however everyone has a common goal and that is to present how two individuals are joined and unified. That is, the need to express and acknowledge the joining of two souls, in the eyes of God or a government officiator for the recognition to be legalized. Filipino rituals only show how Filipinos value and respect their family’s approval for their soon-to-be spouse and that spiritual cleansing is important as a commitment and devotion to one’s lifetime partner. Valuing family ties can be observed to all Filipinos. Moreover, this concept can be seen in Filipino’s way of living—that they are still attached to their own families though they already have a family of their own. Chinese, on the other hand, believes in destiny and marriage is pre-determined. Their practices and beliefs show the Chinese way of living. Chinese nowadays are known to bloom in the business field, and from what was discussed in this paper, their marriage also depends on one’s economic stability. In addition to that, their rituals show the wealth of every Chinese family showing their capability to build and sustain a family. Lastly, the rituals of the Hindus show more of their spirituality. Driving evil spirits and wishing for happiness, wealth, prosperity and good health are some of the elements significant in the ceremony. Their ceremonies are usually colorful which indicates their lifestyle. Also, since family members and relatives play an important role in the festivity, it shows how significant family togetherness is to them. Having seen and discovered various rituals from different cultures, it clearly illustrates the diversity of people’s beliefs and traditions. It appears that every ritual and practices observed in different nations shows a historical, spiritual and psychological background that explains their lifestyles. Historical in the sense that these practices are drawn from their ancestors and are still practiced nowadays. Spiritual, because they honor and ask blessings from the gods that were introduced in their culture. Moreover, these rituals have specific meaning that will result to spiritual empowerment for the married couple. And lastly psychological, because there are certain reasons why people get married depending on their background and culture, how they choose the person to marry and the effect of their marriage in their future together. In my own point of view, further studies should be recommended for more explicit explanations of reviewed traditions and practices. In addition to that, results or outcomes should be recorded to analyze the accuracy of certain rituals that are observed. This may be helpful for further developing traditions as to giving more fruitful effects to couples who are soon to be married. In this case, comparison will be avoided to whether what culture is more rich and meaningful; rather respect for every culture’s belief will be promoted. Though such recommendations may seem tedious as to disrespectfully changing one’s belief and modifying a certain culture, acquiring these ideas may also help elevate people’s lifestyle as well as establishing a more logical and significant culture. References About. Com 2008. Chinese Marriage since 1950s Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://chineseculture. about. com/library/weekly/aa112200a. htm Celeste, T. 1997. Filipino Wedding Rites. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. snoopydude. com/wedding/filipinowedding. htm Down, J. 2002. Chinese Wedding. Retrieved on March 17, 2008 from Newsfinder 2002, Culture Section. Ehow. com 2008. Wedding Customs and Traditions. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. ehow. com/information_1329-wedding-traditions-customs. html? ref=fuel Filipinafiancevisa. com 2001. Filipino Wedding Traditions. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. filipinafianceevisa. com/FilipinoWedding. htm Finch, P. 2007A Filipino Wedding – What To Expect Retrieved March 17, 2008, from http://ezinearticles. com/? A-Filipino-Wedding—What-To-Expect&id=821770 Huanxing Q. and Zhongmin L. 1999 Unique Chinese Customs in Hui’an, Fujian Province Retrieved on March 17, 2008 from Xindeco Business Information Company Kasal. com 2006. Despedida De Soltera. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. kasal. com/html/rr/fili/fili5. html Morgan, P. J. Weddings in Egypt. Retrieved on March 17, 2008 from Saudi Aramco World, pages 34-39 National Association of Wedding Ministers 2008. Hindu Wedding Ceremony. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. aweddingministers. com/ceremonial_mat/hindu_wedding. htm Persian cultures 2007. Wedding in different culture. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. coxformat. co. uk/images/_backup/wedding-in-different-culture. html The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project 2001. Chinese Wedding Traditions. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. chcp. org/wedding. html Triveni Wedding Cards 2007. Hindu Wedding Ceremony. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. weddingcardshoppe. com/Hindu_Wedding_Ceremony. htm Wedding Traditions 2008. Wedding Traditions and Folklore. Retrieved on March 14, 2008 from http://www. vfwpost1503. org/wedding_traditions. htm Xing Q. H and Zhongmin 1998 Lu Wedding Customs Northern Shanxii Retrieved on March 17, 2008 from Folk Customs of China

Is Striving to Achieve a Goal Always the Best Course of Action?

Topic:Is striving to achieve a goal always the best course of action, or should people give up if they are not making progress? We are blase about the mentality people hold toward success, especially in this modern society, that don't waste time on something any more if you haven't achieved accomplishment. While, I still cannot help but believe despite my own cynicism that persistence is the panacea to reach the goal.When it comes to the clash between insistence and relinquishment, a well-known saying originates from the British dramatist, William Shakespeare, appears before my eyes, that is†Do not, for one repulse, give up the purpose that you resolved to effect. † Nowhere has the significance of determinedness been so vividly and accurately expressed as by Jack Welch and the King' s Speech. I cannot imagine the GE without Jack Welch, but I am sure that if he left GE at that time, we will lose the â€Å"most revered CEO†. Welch joined General Electric in 1960. At first, he worked as a junior engineer, at a salary of $10,500 annually.Welch was displeased with the $1,000 raise he was offered after his first year, as well as the strict bureaucracy within GE. However, Reuben Gutoff, a young executive two levels higher than Welch, persuaded Welch and tried to convince him to stay. After deliberation, he gave up the idea of resigning and resolved the thought to change the bureaucracy. If he resigned at that time, he would not have such success in the future. After many years hard-working, Welch eventually took his oath of CEO and brought GE ushering in a prosperous era. During his office, Welch took many measures to reform the corporation system.For example, he shuted down factories, reduced payrolls and cut lack-luster old-line units. What's more, Welch fired the bottom 10% of his managers resolutely. Because of his actions, many staff rejected him and a man who was fired by him even tried to kill him. Confronting these frustrations, he never tho ught about withdrawing, but executed his regulations more unswerving. I wonder if he gave up his ideas just due to so many difficulties, GE might not have such achievements. Jack Welch attained his goals by his firm actions and the spirit of never saying die.Bernard Shaw said that â€Å"Success covers a multitude of blunders. † Obviously, successful people's accomplishments are based on the experience of failure. Jack Welch tells us like that, and the King' s story also corroborate this truth. The King's Speech, just like its title, describes a king who overcomes the impedance of stammer and eventually becomes the symbol of resisting spirit of Britain during the World War Two depends on his inspiring speech. At first, because of his stammer, George VI doesn't want to take the oath, but after a series of accidents, he is forced to become the king.Fortunately, Geroge VI encounters the language impedance therapist Lionel, who helps him cures his stutter. During the treatment, Ge roge VI gives up for so many times, but by virtue of his wife's encouragement and Lionel's genuine, he conquers his difficult and achieves following attainments. If he surrenders to the illness, maybe today we just know that there is a stammer king in the history of Britain, but not a great king. All in all, resoluteness is not only a sort of attitude toward failure, but also a key element of success which we cannot never ignore just like Jack Welch and Geroge VI.

Biography of Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander

Biography of Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander Born December 10, 1891, Harold Alexander was the third son of Earl of Caledon and Lady Elizabeth Graham Toler. Initially educated at Hawtreys Preparatory School, he entered Harrow in 1904. Departing four years later, Alexander sought to pursue a military career and gained admission to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. Completing his studies in 1911, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Irish Guards that September. Alexander was with the regiment in 1914 when World War I began and deployed to the Continent with Field Marshal Sir John Frenchs British Expeditionary Force. In late August, he took part in the retreat from Mons and in September fought at the First Battle of the Marne. Wounded at the First Battle of Ypres that fall, Alexander was invalided to Britain. World War I Promoted to captain on February 7, 1915, Alexander returned to the Western Front. That fall, he took part in the Battle of Loos where he briefly led the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards as an acting major. For his service in the fighting, Alexander was awarded the Military Cross. The following year, Alexander saw action during the Battle of the Somme. Engaged in heavy combat that September, he received the Distinguished Service Order and the French LÃ ©gion dhonneur. Elevated to the permanent rank of major on August 1, 1917, Alexander was made an acting lieutenant colonel shortly thereafter and led the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards at the Battle of Passchendaele that fall. Wounded in the fighting, he quickly returned to command his men at the Battle of Cambrai in November. In March 1918, Alexander found himself in command of the 4th Guards Brigade as British troops fell back during the German Spring Offensives. Returning to his battalion in April, he led it at Hazebrouck where it sustained heavy casualties. Interwar Years Shortly thereafter, Alexanders battalion was withdrawn from the front and in October he assumed command of an infantry school. With the end of the war, he received an appointment to the Allied Control Commission in Poland. Given command of a force of German Landeswehr, Alexander aided the Latvians against the Red Army in 1919 and 1920. Returning to Britain later that year, he resumed service with the Irish Guards and in May 1922 received a promotion to lieutenant colonel. The next several years saw Alexander move through postings in Turkey and Britain as well as attend the Staff College. Promoted to colonel in 1928 (backdated to 1926), he took command of the Irish Guards Regimental District before attending the Imperial Defense College two years later. After moving through various staff assignment, Alexander returned to the field in 1934 when he received a temporary promotion to brigadier and assumed command of the Nowshera Brigade in India. In 1935, Alexander was made a Companion of the Order of the Star of India and was mentioned in despatches for his operations against the Pathans in Malakand. A commander who led from the front, he continued to perform well and in March 1937 received an appointment as an aide-de-camp to King George VI. After taking part in the Kings coronation, he briefly returned to India before being promoted to major general that October. The youngest (age 45) to hold the rank in the British Army, he assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division in February 1938. With the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Alexander prepared his men for combat and soon deployed to France as part of General Lord Gorts British Expeditionary Force. A Rapid Ascent With the rapid defeat of Allied forces during the Battle of France in May 1940, Gort tasked Alexander with overseeing the BEFs rearguard as it withdrew toward Dunkirk. Reaching the port, he played a key role in holding off the Germans while British troops were evacuated. Assigned to lead I Corps during the fighting, Alexander was one of the last to leave French soil. Arriving back in Britain, I Corps assumed a position to defend the Yorkshire coast. Elevated to acting lieutenant general in July, Alexander took over Southern Command as the Battle of Britain raged in the skies above. Confirmed in his rank in December, he remained with Southern Command through 1941. In January 1942, Alexander was knighted and the following month was dispatched to India with the rank of general. Tasked with halting the Japanese invasion of Burma, he spent the first half of the year conducting a fighting withdrawal back to India. To the Mediterranean Returning to Britain, Alexander initially received orders to lead the First Army during the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. This assignment was changed in August when he instead replaced General Claude Auchinleck as Commander-in-Chief, Middle East Command in Cairo. His appointment coincided with Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery taking command of the Eighth Army in Egypt. In his new role, Alexander oversaw Montgomerys victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein that fall. Driving across Egypt and Libya, Eighth Army converged with Anglo-American troops from the Torch landings in early 1943. In a reorganization of Allied forces, Alexander assumed control of all troops in North Africa under the umbrella of the 18th Army Group in February. This new command reported to General Dwight D. Eisenhower who served as Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean at the Allied Forces Headquarters. In this new role, Alexander oversaw the Tunisia Campaign which ended in May 1943 with the surrender of over 230,000 Axis soldiers. With victory in North Africa, Eisenhower began planning the invasion of Sicily. For the operation, Alexander was given command of the 15th Army Group consisting of Montgomerys Eighth Army and Lieutenant General George S. Pattons US Seventh Army. Landing on the night of July 9/10, Allied forces secured the island after five weeks of fighting. With the fall of Sicily, Eisenhower and Alexander rapidly began planning for the invasion of Italy. Dubbed Operation Avalanche, it saw Pattons US Seventh Army headquarters replaced with Lieutenant General Mark Clarks US Fifth Army. Moving forward in September, Montgomerys forces began landing in Calabria on the 3rd while Clarks troops fought their way ashore at Salerno on the 9th. In Italy Consolidating their position ashore, Allied forces commenced advancing up the Peninsula. Due to the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of Italy, Alexanders forces pushed forward on two fronts with Clark in the east and Montgomery in the west. Allied efforts were slowed by poor weather, rough terrain, and a tenacious German defense. Slowly falling back through the fall, the Germans sought to buy time to complete the Winter Line south of Rome. Though the British succeeded in penetrating the line and capturing Ortona in late December, heavy snows prevented them from pushing east along Route 5 to reach Rome. On Clarks front, the advance bogged down in the Liri Valley near the town of Cassino. In early 1944, Eisenhower departed to oversee planning of the invasion of Normandy. Arriving in Britain, Eisenhower initially requested that Alexander serve as the ground forces commander for the operation as he had been easy to work with during earlier campaigns and had promoted cooperation a mong Allied forces. This assignment was blocked by Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, who felt that Alexander was unintelligent. He was supported in this opposition by Prime Minister Winston Churchill who thought the Allied cause to be best served by having Alexander continue to direct operations in Italy. Thwarted, Eisenhower gave the post to Montgomery who had turned Eighth Army over to Lieutenant General Oliver Leese in December 1943. Leading the newly re-named Allied Armies in Italy, Alexander continued to seek a way to break the Winter Line. Checked at Cassino, Alexander, at Churchills suggestion, launched an amphibious landing at Anzio on January 22, 1944. This operation was quickly contained by the Germans and the situation along the Winter Line did not change. On February 15, Alexander controversially ordered the bombing of the historic Monte Cassino abbey which some Allied leaders believe was being used as an observation post by the Germans. Finally breaking through at Cassino in mid-May, Allied forces surged forward and pushed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring and the German Tenth Army back to the Hitler Line. Breaking through the Hitler Line days later, Alexander sought to trap the 10th Army by using forces advancing from the Anzio beachhead. Both assaults proved successful and his plan was coming together when Clark shockingly ordered the Anzio forces to turn northwest for Rome. As a result, the German Tenth Army was able to escape north. Though Rome fell on June 4, Alexander was furious that the opportunity to crush the enemy had been lost. As Allied forces landed in Normandy two days later, the Italian front quickly became of secondary importance. Despite this, Alexander continued pushing up the peninsula during the summer of 1944 and breached the Trasimene Line before capturing Florence. Reaching the Gothic Line, Alexander commenced Operation Olive on August 25. Though both Fifth and Eighth Armies were able to break through, their efforts were soon contained by the Germans. Fighting continued during the fall as Churchill hoped for a breakthrough which would allow for a drive towards Vienna with the goal of halting Soviet advances in Eastern Europe. On December 12, Alexander was promoted to field marshal (backdated to June 4) and elevated to Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces Headquarters with responsibility for all operations in the Mediterranean. He was replaced Clark as leader of the Allied Armies in Italy. In the spring of 1945, Alexander directed Clark as Allied forces launched their final offensives in the theater. By the end of April, Axis forces in Italy had been shattered. Left with little choice, they surrendered to Alexander on April 29. Postwar With the end of the conflict, King George VI elevated Alexander to the peerage, as Viscount Alexander of Tunis, in recognition of his wartime contributions. Though considered for the post of Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Alexander received an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King to become Governor-General of Canada. Accepting, he assumed the post on April 12, 1946. Remaining in the position for five years, he proved popular with Canadians who appreciated his military and communication skills. Returning to Britain in 1952, Alexander accepted the post of Minister of Defense under Churchill and was elevated to Earl Alexander of Tunis. Serving for two years, he retired in 1954. Frequently visiting Canada during his retirement, Alexander died on June 16, 1969. Following a funeral at Windsor Castle, he was buried at Ridge, Hertfordshire. Selected Sources History of War: Harold AlexanderWorld War II Database: Harold Alexander

3 Clarifications Thanks to Commas

3 Clarifications Thanks to Commas 3 Clarifications Thanks to Commas 3 Clarifications Thanks to Commas By Mark Nichol The omission of commas in a sentence can damage its comprehensibility. Employed according to the statement’s structural requirements, they clarify the syntax and therefore the meaning. Here are three sentences repaired with the assistance of one or two of these punctuation marks. 1. â€Å"Egyptian boys held posters of Ahmed Hussein Eid who was fatally stabbed by three bearded men during his funeral procession.† One might misread this photo caption and come away with the impression that the victim was stabbed during his funeral procession. However, the subject of the image is boys in a funeral procession carrying posters of the victim; the explanation of the victim’s fate is parenthetical nonessential to the sentence and should thus be set off by commas: â€Å"Egyptian boys held posters of Ahmed Hussein Eid, who was fatally stabbed by three bearded men, during his funeral procession. 2. â€Å"Several job schedulers like Quartz and Flux are available on the market.† This sentence reads as if Quartz and Flux have already been mentioned, which is not the case. Because they are being introduced, the phrase in which they are mentioned should be parenthetical: â€Å"Several job schedulers, like Quartz and Flux, are available on the market.† Better yet, though like is often interchangeable with â€Å"such as,† in this case, the latter choice is the preferable one. 3. â€Å"The State Senate voted 29 to 5 to approve a revised version of the deal, and a few hours later, the State Assembly also passed the updated legislation by a vote of 54 to 12.† This sentence is contradictory: It states that that one legislative body passed a bill by a particular vote, and then adds that another group did the same thing passed a bill with a certain split of yes and no votes but then provides a different vote result. The statement thus needs to be amended to indicate that the simple outcome passage of the bill was replicated, but that the initial vote was not. The solution? Insertion of a comma that changes the meaning by setting the second vote count off from the rest of the sentence: â€Å"The State Senate voted 29 to 5 to approve a revised version of the deal, and a few hours later, the State Assembly also passed the updated legislation, by a vote of 54 to 12.† Or, more elegantly, transform the appended parenthetical phrase into an interjected one by moving it to an earlier position: â€Å"The State Senate voted 29 to 5 to approve a revised version of the deal, and a few hours later, the State Assembly also passed, by a vote of 54 to 12, the updated legislation.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Useful Stock Phrases for Your Business EmailsConfusing "Passed" with "Past"Epidemic vs. Pandemic vs. Endemic

Media affects Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Media affects - Research Paper Example Notable cases are; the media-coverage of Iraq war, various terrorist attacks all over the world and the media influence on the belief that all Muslims are terrorists. The media has also been accused on many occasions to be bias since it tends to support some groups while others are struggling. Although the media claims it handles tragedies well, offers a positive picture in regards to Muslims and terrorism and that it is not bias, is not convincing enough because evidence to the contrary lies all over an example being the Iraq war. BACKGROUND Back in the World War II the media seemed not to be aware of a great deal of horrifying events that occurred. It was quite serious that â€Å"we did not know† was coined to mean the media all over Europe. This was mostly in respect to concentration camps that littered Germany where people were tortured and even killed (Petren, Clinton and Nyama 2). Such information could not have gone off the media’s radar. Despite this, the media insisted that it was as surprised to find out the truth about the existence of concentration camps just like the rest of the people. The modern era of heightened technology a great deal of information can be gathered and disseminated as news but using the same technology the media can gravely manipulate the truth to serve certain purposes and interests. The current revolutions happening in the Middle East and North Africa are a good indicator of how modern technology can be used to transmit information. Egypt and Tunisia are countries whose presidents, Hosni Sayyid Mubarak and Ben Ali respectively, were ousted by the general public (Howard). Mubarak blocked the internet as his regime considered it as one of the most reliable links among the protesters. The sites useful in sharing information and escalating the protesters’ messages of anti-Mubarak and Ali’s regimes were Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain and Libya among others are undergoing same revo lts and the same digital media is proving helpful in relaying the actual scenario on the ground. It is even noted that aides to the Libyan leader Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi have advised him to tender his resignation on Twitter (Howard). The media has done a good job in publicizing the Iraq war and terrorism activities in Afghanistan but the truth value of these publications is largely questionable. The media was quite keen to offer live coverage on events as they unfolded in the Iraq war but when it was over and the country was on its path to reconstruction, media attention became scarce (Sydney 482). The media has oversimplified the reality in the post-war Iraq and as it now unfolds a great deal of corruption and poor governance is going on. It is clear that the media covering the war in Iraq followed the Bush administration’s advice of failing to reveal the extent of the damage and loss of lives that the war was causing (Kuypers 68). Many restrictions in the name of urging the media for restraint were initiated by the administration. The press was not allowed to cover funerals of fallen soldiers nor the arrival of their caskets at the Dover Air Force base (483). Although the government claimed it was not censoring the media in coverage of Iraq, the media should not necessarily have complied as their mission is to get the story right by bringing forth the actual footage and photographs without letting their impact or shock lure their judgment