Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Health Behavior Change Diary Template On Quitting...

Health Behavior Change Diary Template on quitting cigarette smoking Health behavior I wish to change: Significant number of people has been addicted to the habit of smoking despite of knowing the fact that it is injurious to health. In the past, it was considered as the taboos and only adult group was habituated but currently, it is common among both adolescent and adult population. Cigarette smoking is habit of inhaling smoke of cigarette and releasing it. A study by Gong (2011, pp.48) reveals that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adult of age group 45-65years is higher than adolescent age group 15-24 years with 63% and 33.6% respectively. The two common reasons for cigarette smoking are habit and relaxation, beside that†¦show more content†¦A study by Husten et al., (2012, pp. 177) reveals that the awareness program including the involvement of health professionals, discussing the method of cessation of smoking and exploring the health hazard due to cigarette smoking reduces the prevalence of smoking. In the process of quitting the smoking there is two method s elf-change and therapy-change, self-change include the process like verbal process where the similar group member for a instance smoker communicate with each other, exploring the benefit of smoking cessation. Secondly, decision making on quitting the cigarette and lastly behavior change (DiClemente, Prochaska, 2010, pp.141). I choose self-change method to quit my smoking habit for long term plan. And for short term plan I will be using gum and e- cigarette which will substitute the smoking behavior. Smokers using e-cigarette are found to be highly motivated, higher self –efficacy and success in quitting (Pokhrel, Fagan, Little, Kawamoto, Herzog, 2013, pp.59). Costs/benefits analysis of changing behavior: Cost/benefit analysis method covers the economic analysis by observing whether the cost of the product has its justified beneficial value or not. Often this method assist in decision making because untilShow MoreRelatedFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 PagesFind Workers? 118 Matching Labor Demand and Supply 118 Job Analysis 120 Job Analysis Methods 120 Observation Methods 120 Individual Interview Method 120 Group Interview Method 120 Structured Questionnaire Method 120 Technical Conference Method 120 Diary Method 121 Discipline and Employee Rights 97 What Is Discipline? 97 WORKPLACE ISSUES: Managers Should Be Prepared before Disciplining Employees 98 Factors to Consider When Disciplining 98 Disciplinary Guidelines 99 Disciplinary Actions 101 WrittenRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pages Organizational Behavior This page intentionally left blank Organizational Behavior EDITION 15 Stephen P. Robbins —San Diego State University Timothy A. Judge —University of Notre Dame i3iEi35Bj! Boston Columbus Indianapolis New York San Francisco Upper Saddle River Amsterdam Cape Town Dubai London Madrid Milan Munich Paris Montreal Toronto Delhi Mexico City Sao Paulo Sydney Hong Kong Seoul Singapore Taipei Tokyo Editorial Director: Sally Yagan Director of Editorial Services:Read MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pages mymanagementlab is an online assessment and preparation solution for courses in Principles of Management, Human Resources, Strategy, and Organizational Behavior that helps you actively study and prepare material for class. Chapter-by-chapter activities, including built-in pretests and posttests, focus on what you need to learn and to review in order to succeed. Visit www.mymanagementlab.com to learn more. DEVELOPING MANAGEMENT SKILLS EIGHTH EDITION David A. Whetten BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

Sunday, December 22, 2019

My Final Artwork Project Was Produced And Inspired By The...

My final artwork project was produced and inspired by the reading of Herbert Marcuse. It is a glass puppet. This puppet came to life due to the reflection of his book, titled One Dimensional Man. Marcuse was a German-American philosopher, sociologist, and political theorist. He was associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory; a social and political philosophical movement of thought. Also during the 60’s and 70’s, he became a major theorist of the New Left. This was a broad political movement against capitalism and communist society. His goals were to implement a broad range of reforms on issues such as civil rights, gay rights, abortion, gender roles, and drugs. Marcuse critiqued capitalist social structures, as well as the impositions made on human freedom expression and joy. He expressed how we may see ourselves as free, but we are really living in a false democracy and false sense of freedom which subtly masks an authoritarian rule. In his written works, he criticized capitalism, modern technology, historical materialism and entertainment culture, arguing that they represent new forms of social control. These modern cultures strictly divide, brainwash and influence the way we should live. They really do not represent the real world. Specifically the entertainment business. Entertainers live their millionaire life behind a wall and totally forget and ignore the common folks. They are constantly selling us things we cannot afford, how thin we shouldShow MoreRelatedOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pages. Organization Theory Challenges and Perspectives John McAuley, Joanne Duberley and Phil Johnson . This book is, to my knowledge, the most comprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precisely what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of work

Saturday, December 14, 2019

MIS answer Free Essays

Most of the mobile devices such as phone and ‘pad provide convenient social networking applications helping people communicate, collaborate and obtain essential information via e-mail, typing messages. These easy-used applications can let people get along with each other anywhere they like no matter between colleagues or families easily. Based on a fast and high-efficiency data-obtained function; people tend to use these handy applications making business decisions day by day. We will write a custom essay sample on MIS answer or any similar topic only for you Order Now A true application of app used by Gee’s Mobile Center help decision makers mom in from the map to a specific transformer getting all key performance Indicators and diagnostic information. 2. Some specific examples by using Phone to achieve a better control In the production line are a lot. For example, TECH chocolate company make their integration industry come true since getting to use phone in order to quickly change temperature with an alert, turn-on or off the chocolate machine and achieve faster time-control; GE employees use pad to access email, contacts people and help them find patterns and trends in large volumes of data; Dhow Corning’s Analytics get results f sales conditions for the silicon products, data analysis by using the App devices, and their employees use phone to check email, exchange information, presenting ideas too; Sunbelt Rentals start to use a single data package system for sales team with a smart equipment of Mobile Salesperson. It’s appeared with a clear and complete system reports listed integrates data from different basic functions which takes a shortcut for sales managers to make any decisions in time; SAP’s business develops a one time applications for users to stay connected with customers and business anytime afte r work and get the information of products inventory and sales discount. 3. Nordstrom, a top shopping place, improves their price-check and check-out time under the help of the connection between phone and leader-computer. Just using the Phone to scan the bar code is ready to go. The employees also use the smart phones to clock on and off in one time. 4. There Is no denying the fact that mobile devices really did a good Job In cost down among business field. It not only let market sales get a maximum profit but also shows an easy and fast way for customers and sellers to get along with each other. So, business Industry has gotten a huge improvement In working efficiency, products and service quality, time control and so on when we use these high technology tools. Except that, it did a very important role in assisting person’s social life, no matter in communication or team work. If we lose those precious applications, we do nothing to develop our industry and quality for people’s life. Location of each stop, shipping time, package tracking information. Processing include basic package transform information, customer online account, and central computer. Output is composed of pick up, delivery efficiency, tracking routes, delivery mime and so on. 2. UPS uses Aids, barded scanning system, center computer. UPS uses the high- tech software to track packages and shipments, and do a cost calculation. Each of them can help UPS save time getting a better service by cutting down paper usage, transportation costs. 3. Service (try best to meet their customers need): Customers can download their order details whether they want to replace order or make a refund back. This process is fast and easy to do. Cost (save costs but keeping service quality): â€Å"340 Methods† is used to optimize performance from lifting and loading boxes to select a package; this teeth increase cost savings and goods safety. Competitive advantage (a leadership among global delivery service): by using high tech installment, UPS has been the leadership for many years since Faded and USPS appear. Their supply chain let them achieve a standardized service and build a reliable brand image among competitors and customers at the same time. 4. The scanning device like barded, Aids software, handheld devices and other methods keeping Pup’s management system fast and precise for inventory checking, fees calculation, customers accounts management. That is the key why this company till remains strong competitive advantages. 5. If the technology is not available for the UPS, they will lose thousands of customers and stay at the original place keeping awkward step without any competitive advantages among the whole delivery companies. Because of losing technology, they will spend tons of dollars on costs and the time they use isn’t proportional as what they want. 1 . This case illustrates the reasons why health care fees are so expensive in United States. One big reason is that the medicine records are currently paper-based, making it difficult to be shared and accessed. Another reason is to achieve an automatic electronic medicine record system still tough before 2015. Not only for a privacy concern by using these devices, but also unreliable data available for doctors to gain main points which they need. As a result, to improve a valuable electronic health device is still the main topic for us to explore so that our health organization can do a better Job with efficiency and control resources lost. 2. People factors are involved by physicians, government agencies, patients and insurance company. Physicians will easily be tired and exhausted by adding extra erasures of 20 hours learning and training if we use the electronic medicine system. Government’s goal is letting this high technology system used in national wide in combination difficulty within several distinct systems. Patients all strongly need their privacy information being kept properly. Organizations are including the EMMER systems to be built. To get a complete set of patient information in full national wide is still a long-term way to go. Because different companies have different systems for health record, and to integrate all the systems without privacy leakage, unusable information of each patient yet pretty formidable. At the same time, a high-tech system needs a high-level doctor or physician to accommodate, how to train our doctors in limited time is also a key point to emphasize. For the technology factors, how to use EMMER systems to report the same data from government agencies to another one without a key is not easy. One of the most headache things is totally keeping patients’ data proper and safe. 3. The business will trends to traditional way by continue using thousands of papers; and health care will be more and more expensive due to the personal records peeping. So, government has to spend thousands of money each year for those patients who can’t afford their health fees helping them solve their financial problems. The insurance industry may also grasp such a big chance to earn money for those unaffordable patients. The other industries will also be affected because of the monopoly of medical institutions. Competition among social industry will be more and more ruthless. 4. Digitizing medical reconsidering can bring a fresh working efficiency for both companies and social industries. As a reason of convenient and swift operational yester, people no long dare their high cost of health care fees but a comfortable price instead. Governments no more nervous for the low income payments and health care bonus each year. Insurance companies can go on carrying out their insurance friendly plan in order to keep on their original industry purpose of ensure people’s life but not prolong people’s lifespan. 5. In my points, I like this solution to use electronic systems to solve health problems. One reason is that this system solves an expensive system for person’s health care and does huge contributions to doctors’ diagnostic time before looking up the specific information they need. Another reason is that this kind of perfect system can bring good news to governments to ensure people’s life quality and economy stability at the same time. Under the economic prosperity times, we need to try our best to use the high technology helping us improve working efficiency and get maximum profits day by day. So, the above details tell us a fact that this system definitely helps us solve several chain problems of economy monopoly, peaceful development, working productivity by increasing service and quality attitudes for a long time. How to cite MIS answer, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

Technologizing War and Peace

Question: Describe about the Report on Technologizing War and Peace? Answer: Introduction and need for peace Peace is a safety state of human life and it is the freedom from the disturbance[1]. Peace is the opposite of violence. People need peace for protecting the human rights and environment. Peace is worthy for securing a meaningful international integration. The study analyses the reason for not having too much peace in the world. The study also analyses the negative effect of not having peace and positive affect of having peace in the world. Reason for not enough There are various reasons for not having peace in the world. People are going to be so much greedy about their power and position. They usually do a high level of corruption for getting a high level of position and power that destroys the power of peace [2]. People of the world do not like to maintain a good relationship with their neighbor. Unequal distribution of resources among different world makes them let war amongst them. Effect of not having enough It has been found that the mortality rate of the world has been increased for not having peace in the world. Due to war happens in the world most of the countries face economic loss. People face psychological trauma due to lack of peace in the community. It may also create political and cultural bias. Positive effect of having enough Having enough peace leads to low level of corruption among the people. The political instability in the world can be minimized through having enough peace. The conflict among the people would be would be less, and that would, in turn, lead to well functioning of the government. A sound business environment would be possible as there would be an equal distribution of resources among the countries through having peace. Conclusion While concluding the study, it can be said that peace is a period where there is no war. It is the safety state of human life. High level of corruption and unequal distribution of resources are the reason for not having peace in the world. Lack of peace leads to increase in the mortality and morbidity. However, having enough peace may lead to political stability and well functioning of government. Reference list Ang, J, "Technologizing War and Peace". in Peace Review, 27, 2015, 469-476. McFarland, S, "Culture, individual differences, and support for human rights: A general review.". in Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 21, 2015, 10-27. [1] J Ang, "Technologizing War and Peace", in Peace Review, vol. 27, 2015, 469-476. [2] S McFarland, "Culture, individual differences, and support for human rights: A general review.", in Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, vol. 21, 2015, 10-27.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Why Curation is Essential for Your Content Strategy

By: Coleen Ryan, Account Manager Is content curation a part of your current content marketing strategy?If not, you may be missing out on a powerful tactic that can help you stay ahead of the content curve. Creating enough original content to maintain a fresh and relevant feed is a huge challenge.But curating content is a great way to add some valuable diversity for your audience, build your own content ideas and establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry. Curated Content vs. Aggregated Content Content curation is becoming increasingly common with about one-third of all marketers sharing industry news, blogs or other information resources daily. Some of this daily sharing, however, is more likely to be defined as aggregated content, which isthird-party content that’s shared without any edits or added comments. Alternatively, curated content involves adding a bit of your own unique editorial flair. You might highlight important points or add your own comments before you share the content.No matter how you choose to editorialize it, curated content can keep your company’s social media feeds from getting stale and set your brand apart. Why Curate Content? Among most marketers, thought leadership is the biggest draw for content curation. However, there are several other compelling reasons to add this practice to your marketing strategy: It saves resources: When your time and resources are limited, content curation can help keep a steady flow of material coming through your social feeds in addition to helping guide your original content strategy. It can boost your SEO: If you can position yourself as a leading source of information in your industry and get more people going to your page, that can be a big SEO boost. Sharing videos and infographics will help you get the best SEO benefits with one study showing that posts containing videos attract up to 3 times the number of inbound links as text-only posts. Additionally, sharing content may get you some engagement from the original poster. It fills in the gaps: If you want to stay visible and build strong connections with your social networks, it’s important to post frequently.Unless you’re producing several original posts a day, there can be undesirable gaps in your schedule. Curated content helps fill these gaps and keep your visibility high. Best Practices Content curation can be powerful, but it only works if you do it well.Keeping a few best practices in mind will help you get your own curation efforts right: Maintain a healthy balance: There’s no definite ratio of curated-to-original content that will work for every brand. To add another layer of complexity, different social channels will have their own optimal frequency. Ideally, you should have as much original content as possible and then fill in the gaps with curated pieces. Post on a consistent basis: There are varying opinions on how often a brand should be posting content, but experts tend to agree that consistency is key.Don’t overwhelm your following with a barrage of content one day and then disappear from the social media landscape for days.Spread out your content over hours and even days (there are plenty of tools to help you schedule posts).Not only will this maintain a steady flow of content to keep your audience’s attention, but it will also help you catch the eye of users that are online at different times. Be picky: Not all content is worth sharing.Don’t fall into the trap of automatically sharing posts and tweets from specific sources.Take the time to read articles and select only those that are truly relevant and insightful. Be sure to fact-check your curated content as carefully as you would an original piece. Inspire engagement: Curated content can act as a terrific conversation-starter between your brand and its following.When you share content, throw in a comment about why the piece was relevant or interesting, or add an opinion on the item.Many brands like to tack on a question that gets their audience thinking and commenting.Content that provokes discussion is more likely to be shared, which will broaden your exposure and boost your following. Takeaway: While content curation is an effective tool to help establish yourself as a trusted source for information, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.You also need to be creating your own high-quality content to attract more readers and demonstrate your originality – nothing can take the place of your own fresh, original content. But content curation can, and should, play a key role in nearly every business’s marketing mix.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Feasibility Study Essays

Feasibility Study Essays Feasibility Study Essay Feasibility Study Essay Is a preliminary evaluation of any Idea to determine If Its worth pursuing, giving you a high level overview to see If the Idea Is doable.  There are several components of a full feasibility analysis that have to be considered to have a better success in implementing your idea but the following four are the most critical: * Product/service feasibility * Industry/Market feasibility * Organizational feaslblllty * Financial feasibility Description of the business The business that I would like to implement is a home security system that is capable f facial and voice recognition with full view capability that would alert the appropriate authorities In case of any emergency. The system will also have the capablllty to continue to operate even If the source of power Is terminated or wires unplugged. In recent years with the downturn of our economy we have seen an increase of home invasions during all hours of the day, especially in the morning when they believe no one is at home. The standard security systems that are currently being offered are not enough to provide the security required to cover all bases and the more security that is needed, the higher the prices of the equipment nd additional charges for the extra support. The name of my business will be Safely Home, which the name alone will Indicate that you can safely stay at home, and the service being provided is backed by ADT, which is one of the best monitoring companies around. They have been providing monitoring services since the 1890s. Description of the Entrepreneur Marcos Miranda will be the owner of the company. He currently works for a Paper Company doing business analysis for the Procurement organization where he spends almost ten hours during the day at work and two hours commuting back and forth. : He also has technical background and has installed several wireless cameras all throughout his house and outside his perimeter. The idea of starting a home security system that offers a better solution at a competitive price came while shopping around for a home security system that would provide full security while constant monitoring the house and its perimeter while he was at work. He shopped around for one business solution that offered everything In one package but he was not able to do it, he then decided to study the monitoring industry and come out with his own solution. Through trials and errors he successfully implemented security and monitoring devices at his home while shopping around for the best components at a reasonable price. He was also able to contact ADT and negotiated a contract where they would provide the monitoring service at half price since all of the equipment and Installation was done by him, A few of his friends saw what he had managed to He contacted ADT and was able to have them agreed that anyone that installed his system will be able to get a contract for half off of their entirety. With that proposal he saw an opportunity to start his own business backed by a corporate giant like ADT. The Product/Service Unique features: Benefits Safely Home will provide the best protection around by giving the home owners a full range of capabilities that are not standard with other monitoring systems, providing a piece of mind for the whole family. Our system will have the capability to offer full wireless capability, complete sensing and motion detection and full 360 view capabilities in color with facial and voice recognition, and the potential of up to eight hours of recording capability. You can be sure that every aspect of your home will be monitored and safely guarded against any harm or emergencies situation where it an go undetected, like fires or carbon monoxide. Full wireless capability With most standard security systems a telephone line is required for the system to be able to place calls when are needed. If a telephone line is not in place, the home owner is giving the option to acquire a line from their local telephone service provider or upgrade to the most expensive wireless solution that they offer. In our systems the wireless capability comes built-in, giving the home owners a true full sense of security since there is no need of wires that can be easily cut off. The ireless capability also allows other smart devices to be controlled by the security system, smart devices like outside lighting system, irrigation or inside temperature control right from their cell phone. The home owner will also have the capability to remotely arm or disarm their system from basically anywhere in the world through an app or via the internet. The system can also monitor fires and carbon monoxide by using existing fire alarms and carbon monoxide units utilizing the frequency that is emitted by these devices and alerting the proper emergency response team. The ireless unit has also a built-in power supply that can maintain up to eight hours of running time in case of power outages which will continue to protect without having to reset the unit. Complete sensing and motion detection Standard units come with two motion sensor units that are normally located in opposite sides of the house to provide a wider coverage but are limited to structural issues, and the bigger the house the more motion sensors are required. There are also four contact units that goes on doors and windows, which only covers half or maybe a third of the house and if more contacts are needed they will have to be urchased separately. Our system comes with standard four motion sensors units that provide full 360 degree coverage for any household area; the motion sensors units are wireless and have the capability, if upgraded to a different model, to provide emergency lights if the power goes out. The contact units are provided in are wireless and no wiring is required and setup is easy since no especial installation is required, Just peel the adhesive backing and place where is appropriate. In case of a break-in, the system will silently alert the authorities while a loud siren will go off to care off the intruders while also alerting the homeowners via email, text and a call from ADT. The motion sensing units can be adjusted to accommodate pets and normal household traffic if the system is armed. Full 360 view capabilities with facial and voice recognition Our home security units are also packaged with four wireless night vision cameras that can be placed inside or outside the house to provide another level of security. The video feed transmitted is clear and can be received in any internet capable device even cell phones. The camera system are wireless but do required to be wired for the power supply. An xternal power supply can be purchased and easily installed for areas where hard wire is not an option or for stealth. The night vision is one of the best one out there, the cameras also have facial and voice recognition with in thirty feet of their location. This special feature allows the home owner to set up the camera system to automatically arm or disarm the system by Just saying a word in combination with the face recognition. The setup for the face recognition is easy and the software is user friendly Up to eight hours of recording With the camera system there is also an additional component that has the capability f recording what the camera system is capturing. The setup is very easy and can be synchronized with the motion sensors to start/stop recording when movement is in the area. The recordings can be easily retrieved and played back in any computer. This is also a great surveillance feature that can be of tremendously help in case of any break-ins. The recording system can also be placed in a discreet location where only the home owner would know of the location, eliminating the possibility of burglars taken all of the evidence or erasing the contents.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Interview Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Interview Paper - Essay Example She was asked about the degree of knowledge that would be required by an individual who would be venturing into this field and choosing it as a career path. She was also asked what it was that she looked for when hiring new employees. The interview was very effective in getting an idea into the world of real estate. The subject is no doubt a very vastly practiced one, and the services are used by an individual at least once in their life time and yet there are dimensions of this field that are unknown by the common man. The field is very diverse and encompasses a variety of different aspects. Price and value of land will vary regardless of size and shape based on other aspects such as location, commercialization soil quality and other such factors. The market trend keeps changing and is very similar to the stock exchange. Far out locations and various apartment buildings and investments to such housing schemes require a great deal of research n the part of the real estate agent. The displaying and placing of the right priced, with in budget house and/or land with potential buyers is also a very tedious job as all individuals do not belong to the same socio economic statuses. Ms Delores when asked about her assessment of the market trend and potential employees was kind enough to spill the beans.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Police Inhuman Treatment of Female Offenders Essay

Police Inhuman Treatment of Female Offenders - Essay Example She believes her complaint would have been "swept under the carpet" if not for a letter on her behalf from former Supreme Court judge Ted Mullighan’ (news.com.au). The news primarily deals with the complaint of one ‘Lee’ (name changed) who was picked up by the police when she had failed to attend a court hearing on a minor theft from a shop in the 1990s. It had taken the court proceedings and police more than 13 years to pick her up from the same address where she had been residing since the time she had committed the offense. She was stripped naked by four male police and put in the padded cell for about an hour before letting her join the rest of the jail inmates. As a child, Lee was sexually abused in a foster home and gave evidence to the same in the Mullighan inquiry. She is a mother of three children and for her, this incident ‘was like being raped all over again†¦I cant put words to what they have done to me, it is just inhumane’. She had lodged a complaint to the complaints authority in 2006, the verdict of which is still awaited. Judge Mulligan has said that despite her traumatic childhood experience, Lee has largely kept herself out of any trouble and has brought up her children alone. Since her complaint, more people have come out in her support, who themselves had undergone same humiliation in the Christie beach police station. In a letter to Police Commissioner Mal Hyde, obtained by The Advertiser, the Police Complaints Authority says it has "long-standing disquiet" over the practice, which has been labeled "violent and disturbing" by civil libertarians. The complaints authority investigator, Helen Lines has been concerned about the practice that violates the personal dignity of the persons and ‘would focus on the practice of using padded cells to confine distressed prisoners to prevent them from harming themselves with their clothing’. George Mancini of SA. Council of Civil Liberties has also been shocked at the ‘humiliating and violent’ practice and says that the distressed prisoners need to be handled with more sensitivity and care.

Monday, November 18, 2019

High School English Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

High School English Experience - Essay Example Being a member of the Middle East region, I personally have experienced the difficulties the non-English speaking communities undergo predominantly while living in an English speaking country as well as while rendering one’s services at a multinational organization. Being the citizen of one of the Arab states, I did not have English speaking background altogether; consequently, having least knowledge about this international language was certainly a natural phenomenon. While recalling my school years to my mind, it becomes evident that a large majority of my school-mates had been undergoing the same problem of having almost no knowledge or information about English language. Somehow, it was my elder sister that not only provided me with information about this foreign language, but also laid stress upon learning the same. I had obtained an opportunity of seeking the knowledge of English from my intermediate years. Our dedicated professor at college increased the passion of gett ing acquainted with the basics of English in his students. However, his immediate departure and replacement with a non-serious and demanding instructor lessened my passion for learning English to a great extent, and feelings of not getting able to learn English started haunting my thoughts subsequently. Though the hopes of embarking upon the process of learning English appeared to be losing ground, when I got a job at a multinational company, where speaking in English was the only source of communication partly because of the very reality that the employees at the company belonged to divergent nationalities and regions of the globe working under the same environment. Though English was not the primary language of all co-workers; nonetheless, almost all people could convey their message by speaking some words and phrases of English language. As a result, the idea of having command of the language made its certain place in my mind subsequently in order to make sure headway on the way to making achievements in professional life and career. In the meantime, I proceeded to the USA for higher education, and emphasized upon paying due heed in the learning of language. I had got admission at Ashland University, where the supervision of sincere and devoted teachers during my under graduation years turned out to be extremely supportive in respect of obtaining understanding of the language in a skillful and proficient manner, though I experienced serious challenges on the way to obtaining command over the subject actually. As a result, I developed great taste for English language and literature. Actually in Arabic language, there is no helping verb, and the structure of sentences is quite different one in comparison with English. The concept of definite and indefinite articles i.e. a, an and the, as well as appearance of subject in the beginning of sentences are also quite different ones in my primary language i.e. Arabic. Somehow, developing taste for the great literary giants including Shakespeare, Milton, Pope, Coleridge, Keats, Jane Austen and Emily Bronte etc wide opened new horizons of knowledge before my eyes, and I was determined to elect English 100 as an optional subject in my four year graduate program.  

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Why is it important for managers to know about motivation theories?

Why is it important for managers to know about motivation theories? Introduction The key function of managers is getting things done through employees. The following assignment looks at the role of motivation and why it is essential for managers to be aware of the various motivational theories and how the motivational theories could be implemented in a professional context to achieve organisations goals and objectives. Motivation has been defined as: the psychological process that gives behaviour purpose and direction (Kreitner, 1995); a predisposition to behave in a purposive manner to achieve specific, unmet needs (Buford, Bedeian, Lindner, 1995); an internal drive to satisfy an unsatisfied need (Higgins, 1994); and the will to achieve (Bedeian, 1993). Organisations exist to achieve corporate objectives and employees working in those organisations aide in achieving those objectives by working towards their individual goals and targets. In an ideal world, if every individual was providing his best performance then organisational goals would be met sooner too; however in the real world it is often not the case. Organisations lag behind and more often than not the reason is a demotivated staff. An understanding of the basic human nature is important for effective employee motivation in the workplace and also for effective management and leadership. In todays business world with rapid changes happening all around, it has become even more important for managers to motivate their staff and help their staff in optimising their performance. Besides, research and observation proves that motivated employees are more creative and productive in the work place. Several theories of motivation have been presented amongst which Maslows theory states the purpose of human existence is Self-actualisation and the only way that state can be attained is when the basic human needs are met. Thus according to Maslow, human needs can be represented in the form of a pyramid. According to Maslow, the basic human needs are: Physiological needs Safety needs Love needs Esteem needs Self-actualisation. Whilst Herzberg theory states that in a work environment context there are mainly two factors which determine the motivation levels of employees. The first set of factors which he termed as the hygiene factors do not lead to positive motivation, however a lack of those hygiene factors could lead to de-motivation. Herzbergs theory is particularly useful as it discussed the importance of providing a good working environment and to a certain degree highlighted the importance of a good working environment in achieving a better performance from employees. Herzberg’s work categorized motivation into two factors: motivators and hygienes (Herzberg, Mausner, Snyderman, 1959). Motivator or intrinsic factors, such as achievement and recognition, produce job satisfaction. Hygiene or extrinsic factors, such as pay and job security, produce job dissatisfaction. McGregors theory stated that staff would contribute more to the organisation if they were treated as responsible and valued employees. Likert (1967) suggested that for an organisation to perform better, managers must adopt a participative-group system, whereby, leadership is by the superiors who have complete confidence in their employees and motivation takes the form of economic rewards which is further based on goals set by participation. Various other theories presented by Vroom, equity theory etc all discuss how employees can be motivated and should be motivated to enhance performance. As stated above individual performance taken collectively determines organisational performance and when organisational performance is not up to the required level, the organisation would not be able to sustain itself and might loose out in competition. Motivation theories provide an insight into what makes an employee perform better. It provides managers with a tool to motivate employees and helps them in understanding how the staff can be managed better. It is therefore no surprise that the area of human resource management and organisational behaviour is looking into how important it has become for organisations to focus on retaining employees. Recent literature has emphasised the importance of knowledge management. It is a known fact that high labour turnover, costs the company which results in lowering the level of profits. Profit maximisation is the ultimate corporate objective, it would be fair to say that is the sole reason why companies exist to maximise profit, generate revenue and anything that can result in increasing profit levels will be looked upon favourably. Lack of knowledge about motivation theories might lead the managers to believe that monetary incentives are the only way of motivating staff, however, the theories has helped the managers in understanding that individuals have different needs. It might be that employee A prefers to have more responsibility as compared to employee B. Hence increasing As responsibility and appreciating A motivates him more than B who would be satisfied with getting a monetary incentive. Similarly, employee C might be a single mother who would prefer to have more flexibility in the job and would be able to perform better if the work that she is doing enables her to look after her child and work. The above examples prove that in a professional environment for a manager it has become even more important to understand the needs of his internal customers. A concept which can be borrowed from marketing is if the customers needs are met the organisations objectives can be achieved. The argument can be extended in this context as well where it can be said that when internal customers are kept happy, external customers will automatically be happy. The above is an example to explain Vrooms theory, according to which rewards and incentives should be based on what the employee perceives to be important rather than what the managers perceives to be important. Thus he aimed to explain employee motivation by explaining the link between how individual goals influence individual performance. Thus the knowledge of motivational theories provides a deeper insight into the psychology of employees and staff. The importance of organisational performance cannot be highlighted enough. Research and surveys are being conducted to understand what can improve the organisational performance and the obvious link is individual performance. Performance more generally is defined as a function of ability and motivation. However, in order to motivate staff it is important to have an effective performance management system. In order to provide rewards to the staff it is imperative to have appropriate benchmarks to measure the performance. Literature in this area has highlighted the importance of having formal appraisal systems which can either be in the form of self-evaluation or 360 degree appraisal, top-down, bottom up etc. The above mechanism enables managers to scientifically assess and then provide appropriate rewards and incentives to the staff, whether monetary or non-monetary in nature. In addition to the performance levels, retaining staff by continuously striving to motivate them helps managers to retain knowledge which the employees have acquired over the period, it helps the employees to complete tasks faster as they are already aware of how things are done around here and more importantly it helps the systems to be developed so that work can be done quickly. It helps in achieving specialisation and employees acquiring key skills. Thus the main tools a manager must have to motivate his/her staff are: Approval, praise and recognition Trust, respect and high expectations Loyalty Removing organisational barriers which might stand in the way individual performance Job enrichment Providing Financial incentives Good communication. Even though there is not a perfect formula for motivation in the workplace however, an understanding of how the human nature works can help managers to perform better and keeping the end goal (corporate objective) in mind the challenge for every leader and manager to reach a balance where organisational and individual performance can be maximised to reach the same goal. Conclusion From the preceding paragraphs it can be concluded that it is imperative for managers to have a thorough understanding of the motivation theories. However, it is easier said than done. There is no simple answer of how to motivate people, though an understanding of the theories does help. It enables the managers in enhancing not only the individual but also the organisational performance. The primary objective of organisations is to survive, sustain and grow and the objective can be met when the employees and staff are happy. This can be achieved by understanding the motivation theories and implementing them effectively to achieve optimal results for the organisation. Thus it can be said that effective implementation of the motivation theories can help the organisations to have a competitive edge and it can serve to be a source of sustainable competitive advantage which would ensure its growth, survival and maximised revenue generation in the long run. Thus, it can be concluded for managers to perform efficiently it is imperative for them to have knowledge of the motivation theories. Bibliography Armstrong, M., A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice, (2003), Kogan Page. Bratton, J. and Gold, J., Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice, (2003), Palgrave Macmillan Hall, L., Torrington, D. and Taylor, S., Human Resource Management, (2004), FT Prentice Hall Hook, C. and Foot, M., Introducing Human Resource Management (Modular Text for Business and Economics), (2005), FT Prentice Hall Marchington, M and Armstrong, A., Human Resource Management at Work, (2005), Chartered Institute of Personnel Development Mullins, L.J., Management and Organisational Behaviour, (2004), FT Prentice Hall Purcell, J and Boxall, P., Strategy and Human Resource Management (Management, Work and Organisatons), (2002), Palgrave Macmillan Schwarz, R.M., The Skilled Facilitator: A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Managers, Trainers and Coaches, (2002), John Bass and Wiley.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Eastern Airlines Facing Bankruptcy :: essays research papers

Eastern Airlines Facing Bankruptcy In 1986, Eastern Airlines was in desparate trouble. The fourth quarter of 1985 had shown a $67.4 million loss, and financially experts had told Frank Borman, president and chief executive officer, that the airline had three choices: 1) a 20 percent pay cut for all union and noncontract employees. 2) Filing for Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) or 3) Selling the airline. On February 23, 1986, Eastern's board of directors met to decide the fate of the company. Frank Borman, quickly left his home in Coral Gables to Building 16 at Miami International Airport that Sunday evening, to discuss plans on saving the airlines. The board of directors had recessed for dinner following afternoon session and was scheduled to convene at 7:30 p.m. At the earlier meeting, Wayne Yeoman, senior vice president for finance, had spent most of the time outlining the details of Texas Air's offer to buy Eastern. Frank Lorenzo and Frank Borman had been talking since December originally about consolidating the computerized reservation systems, then , as Eastern's problems deepen, about a possible sale. As Frank entered his office, he found his his loyal excutive assistant; Wayne Yeoman; and Dick Magurno, Eastern's senior vice president for legal affairs. For about 20 minutes the three discussed the fourthcoming meeting and the prospects for saving the airline. Negotiations were going to come around for ALPA and TWU but no break from the IAM. The IAM would not budge since Charlie Byran, head of the machinist's union, stood firm against a 20 percent wage cut. At 7:30 the board meeting began with the discussion of the Texas Air offer, concentrating on some of the conditions attached to the buying of the company. More talk and hours dragged on. Finally word got out that ALPA was nearing an agreement. The meeting recessed for an hour. During the recess Frank needed to get Charlie's surport on the 20 percent pay cut, otherwise the company was going to sold. He told Charlie to come up to his office. Frank told Charlie, " we've been at this since 83' and you have to recognize it can't go on. I have every reason to believe that the pilots and flight attendants are going to give us what we need. I know it's more difficult for you because your contract is not open. But I know you have a sense of history. We have a very good opportunity to cure this airline, and if you just understand this, in the long run you'll come out a stronger, more admirable person. Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and

Monday, November 11, 2019

My Puppy Love

Daisy and Johann were together in one renowned university in Malaysia called University of Science Malaysia.   They were both in their second year college when Johann first met Daisy at the University's Registrar's office during an interview for a scholarship.   Her silent and evading ways caught the attention of the young man.   He tried coming near her to start a conversation, but no amount of effort gave him a chance to get acquainted with her that day.   A week after, he read in the Bulletin Board that Daisy topped the scholarship, and found a valid reason to congratulate her. Waiting for her in the hallway, he grabbed every opportunity to greet her, â€Å"Congratulations Daisy, I saw your name on the Bulletin Board†¦.†Ã‚   He was never allowed to finish his greetings for immediately Daisy rushed into her Chemistry class. Nodding his head sideways, he tried to squeeze himself in the crowd just to get near to Daisy for the second time in their encounter. â€Å"Hello! Have I done wrong?† inquired Johann. Daisy looked at him with a straight and sharp look and said â€Å"We don't even know each other!† â€Å"I understand, I am Johann, and I'm interested to be your friend,† he said stretching his arm to shake hands with Daisy. But she  refused to meet it and instead she said, â€Å"Okay, I hope only until then! Bye.† Daisy hated him so much ever since the first day they met in the registrar's office, she already noticed his being forward.   But at the same time, she couldn't understand what she was feeling inside her.   He preoccupied her thoughts most of the time and whenever it happened it excited a lot. What’s more, she loved see him from a distant every time classes would end.   These thrilling feelings were so disturbing and caused some sleepless nights.   She hoped such feelings would end, so that she could concentrate in her studies and do more to excel. It was late in the afternoon the following day when Daisy noticed somebody following her. She sped up and hurried on her way until at the corner of the building there was no more way of escape.   â€Å"Why such a rush?† said the man she hated most but at the same time the one who brings color to her life these last few days. â€Å"Nothing, ah,†¦I still   have to do some research in the library,† Daisy formally replied. â€Å"Library?! It has been closed since four this afternoon, hah!?!†Ã‚   Johann said sarcastically. â€Å"And for what reason are you following me? You annoy me so much, and I hate it!† she said nervously, being scared also to lose him that very moment. â€Å"I'm sorry; I know I have been trying to get your attention.   Can I walk with you home?† â€Å"What for, I can manage.† â€Å"Yes, of course you can, but you see I was just trying to be a friend.†Ã‚   Daisy didn’t know how to react in such a situation and tried every  reason to again evade his company. Having known of her ways, Johann quickly engaged into a conversation hoping to get her this time.   To his dismay Daisy made her way of escape for the third time. Exhausted when she arrived the dorm, she was sulking and crying.   She hated herself.   She knew she like him, but at the same time she was scared and   just didn’t know what to do and how to act when he was around. The sun began to set when the phone rang.   â€Å"Hello!  Ã‚   Daisy, it's me Johann, let me get things straight,  I found myself in love with you when I first met you. That’s the reason why I become a shadow to you.   I know I irritate you, but please can we just talk so that I may have time to explain?† Daisy  found herself nervous, and speechless.   â€Å"Daisy, are you still there? Okay, can we meet tomorrow? Please, I'll meet you in the hallway after your Chemistry class, and then we'll go somewhere else to talk†. This time Johann made sure he will be the one to hang-up the phone first, and said â€Å"Good-bye, see you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The night seemed very long, but how she wished it will be longer so that she could meet with Johann.   But no matter what she did, she had to be in her Chemistry class, and Johann was just on time as he promised. This time she decided to meet with him and hope to end everything despite her feelings.   The next time she realized she's already with Johann in the park, and as they exchanged ideas and got to know each other found themselves in a mutual understanding that they were already as boy-girl who are in an exclusive intimate relationship. Since then, Johann would always be around to fetch her from her Chemistry class, and they would always end up working on their assignments together or study each of their lessons hurriedly to be able to still have time discussing their personal lives.   This had been for two to three months, and how they treasured their time together, until one day Daisy opened a long been buried mail in her internet.   It was the news of her scholarship in Oxford some three months from now. When Johann came to her life, she forgot her application for a scholarship and having passed it, she is now called for a decision.   It is either her future career or staying in Malaysia with Johann.   She tried a lot to postpone thinking about it, but she was overtaken by the news in the University announcing her scholarship in Oxford.   Soon after the breaking of the news, Johann did not wait after the Chemistry class would end.   Before it started he was already outside the classroom waiting for her. â€Å"I'm sure it was true†¦Are you going? Ah, yes, I know you are of course†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚   then he left, not knowing what to say more, and fearful to hear the answer. Johann did not arrived after the Chemistry class, for the first time since they were related Daisy walked her way to the dorm by herself, once more a lone figure.   After a few minutes the phone rang. â€Å"Hello! Daisy, I'm sorry, it was just difficult for me.   I tried to refuse thinking about it, but you see, is it not that if we are really for each other, we will meet again?† â€Å"Thank you for understanding Johann, but I know I will be missing you a lot, and as of today, I cannot yet imagine how will it be far from you., I love you Johann, I just knew it.† â€Å"I love you Daisy, sorry to miss you after your Chemistry Class, can I still go there in your dorm?† â€Å"I'll be waiting†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Daisy hanged up the phone with a smile on her face. She was assured that Johann understood her and that their relationship had a hope in the future.   

Friday, November 8, 2019

ACT Hand Scoring Should You Order It

ACT Hand Scoring Should You Order It SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Did your ACT scores seem way out of whack? Enough that you think there was an error in the scoring process? It’s possible to get your test rescored manually for a fee. Read on to find out why you might decide to use ACT Score Verification (also known as ACT Hand Scoring) and how you can order it. What Is Hand Scoring? The multiple choice sections on the ACT are scored with scantron machines, which is why there's so much emphasis on filling in the answer sheet accurately with dark marks.Machines may interpret a stray mark as an answer or penalize you because you accidentally skipped a question and bubbled in a string of answers in the wrong spots.If you order score verification, your test will be reviewed again by a human being to see if there was a problem in the original scoring process or if you made an obvious bubbling error that would be apparent to a human grader but not a scantron. ACT score verification is available for both the multiple choice and essay sections of the test (if you did ACT Writing).It’s a $50 fee for the multiple-choice section, $40 for the essay section, or $90 for both.If you're at all familiar withSAT Hand Score Verificationor have ordered it before, you should know thatACT Score Verification differs in one important way.For SAT Hand Scoring, there's the risk tha t your score will go down if mistakes in scoring are found that aren’t in your favor.For the ACT, your score will either stay the same or go up- ordering hand scoring can’t hurt your score, it can only hurt your wallet.If the ACT does find a scoring mistake that works in your favor, your scores will be changed and the fee will be refunded. Special note: In past years, ordering ACT essay score verification meant that your essay was reread and rescored (if your score was higher; otherwise, your score stayed the same). Now, however, getting score verification for your ACT essay only gets you confirmation your essay was scored by two independent graders (or by a third grader if the two scores differed by more than a point in any domain) and that your essay was scanned correctly. When Should You Use Score Verification? Here are a couple of scenarios where you might consider Hand Scoring as a score verification method: Scenario 1: Your Overall Score Was Very Different from What You Expected How different is â€Å"very different†?If you get a score on one or more of your ACT sections that is five or more points lower than the score you consistently earned in practice sessions, you might consider hand scoring. With this much of a discrepancy, it’s likely that something weird happened in the scoring process or you did something on the answer sheet that caused your answers to be read inaccurately. Scenario 2: You Missed Many â€Å"Easy† Questions That You Would Normally Get Right If you look at your score report and notice that you got a bunch of questions wrong in subjects that you usually ace, you might start to question your scores.However, you should consider ordering the Test Information Release, described in my next point, to verify the difficulty level of the questions you missed before jumping to any conclusions. Scenario 3: You’ve Investigated Other Score Verification Options The ACT Test Information Releaseprovides a more comprehensive view of the test. It includes all the questions, a list of your answers, the answer key, scoring instructions, and the writing prompt and scoring rubric along with your scores (if you took the ACT with Writing).You can order the Test Information Release for $20 (per test date). This will either clear up confusion about your scores or verify that something went wrong and you need to order ACT Score Verification (hand scoring). When Should You NOT Use Hand Scoring? You shouldn't jump right to hand scoring if your score is only a little lower than you expected it to be. Say you get your scores back and you did about four points worse than you expected on one or more sections. Do you order hand scoring?I would say that’s the tipping point. A discrepancy between expectations and reality of four points or less is probably not significant enough to indicate an error in scoring. If you're still concerned, you should go ahead and order the Test Information Release so you can understand your scores better.Try not to jump right to blaming the test if you score a couple points lower than you expected- it’s not going to help you learn from your mistakes! The best place to learn is on top of a pile of past mistakes. How to Request Hand Scoring To have your test hand scored, just fill out this form and mail it to the ACT within 12 months of your test date.Include your name (the original one that you wrote on the test), address, and date of birth along withthe ACT ID, testing location, and test date from your original score report. You should also include a check made out to ACT Student Services with the applicable fees for whichever part of the test you want hand scored.Remember, multiple choice is $50, essay is $40, and it’s $90 for both. Mail everything to this address: ACT Student ServicesP.O. Box 414Iowa City, IA 52243-0414 You can also request to be in the room for the hand scoring process for your multiple choice questions (but without access to the test questions) at a location designated by the ACT. If you would like to do this you should mail this request in writing along with everything else, although I would say that unless you are super paranoid about them messing up the scoring again you probably don’t want to bother with it. The ACT says that additional fees apply, but the information they give about it is very vague- you may want to call them to find out more details before you decide to put in a request. The number for ACT Customer Service is 319-337-1270. After you mail your score verification request, you should get a letter back from the ACT in three to five weeks. It will tell you whether your original scores were confirmed or changed due to an error in the original scoring process. If they were changed, you and all your designated colleges will get new score reports free of charge. What's Next? Are you wondering whether you should take the ACT again? Learn how many times you can take the ACT and how to decide whether you should retake it. Are you just unsure of when you should take the ACT? Use this guide to the best test dates to make an informed decision. If you need to go over your mistakes on your last ACT to prepare for the next test date, check out this article for advice on the best way to review. Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also have expert instructors who can grade every one of your practice ACT essays, giving feedback on how to improve your score. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Cannibal Tours essays

Cannibal Tours essays The anthropology film, Cannibal Tours, portrays how the civilized and primitive people tried to understand each others culture. The film shows two different perspectives, one from the tourists, and the other one from the natives. The group of European tourists were interested in seeing how the primitive lived. They brought with them cameras and camcorders to take pictures of the natives. On the other hand, the natives did not know where the tourists cam from, but assumed that the tourists lived in a village just like them. In addition, the natives were confused to why the tourist took pictures of them. The native old man described that during the colonial time the Germans came to the village, and disrupted the natives way of life by trying to civilized the natives. In addition to civilizing the natives, the German missionaries destroyed the spirit house, and tried to spread their religion to the tribal people. The native old man explained that they made money by selling their crafts to the tourists, but the tourist hardly bought anything from them. In addition to selling their crafts, the natives received money from the tourists, by allowing the tourists to take picture of them. Also, the natives charged the tourists two dollars to take pictures inside the destroyed spirit house. At the end of the movie, it seemed that both the civilized and primitive remain confused with each others culture. I think the film, Cannibal Tours, shows how disrespectful the tourists were to the natives, and how ignorant the tourists were to the natives culture. The tourists wanted to help the primitives with their economic situation, yet they asked for a cheaper price on the craving. The natives believed that the price they asked should be paid, and not bargained. Thus due to the haggling, the natives were pissed off at the tourists, because by asking for a cheaper price on the craving, it would be hard for the natives to make e...

Monday, November 4, 2019

WK Secondary Data Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

WK Secondary Data - Essay Example It facilitates in making primary data more specific as gaps and deficiencies within primary data are taken care of through already available secondary data. As an example, secondary data assists in the comprehension of a problem and also provides a basis for comparison of the data that has in essence been collected for the purpose of research (Kiel, 1984). On the other hand, secondary data also has its fair share of disadvantages. Secondary data might not fit within different frameworks and hence the customized feel that primary data can offer seems missing at times. Thus the marketing research been done under such concerns comes out to be improper and inadequately drawn. At times, the accuracy and genuineness of secondary data might not be authenticated and thus there is a great amount of concern with regards to the market researchers under this facet (Ghauri, 2005). Lastly, as an example, secondary data might be outdated for researches done in the past, which is quite a significant issue when one understands how secondary data can fail within certain research

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Technology Studies Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Technology Studies Case Study - Essay Example It is no surprise that moisture is one of the main dilemma of the hotel maintenance department because UK copes up with something like 25,000 gallon of water annually. Nearly all moisture problems are much less severe than they actually look. Moisture can be very dangerous to our health. It can intensify respiratory problems and it can even encourage mites and moulds to grow. The properties of moisture can be very serious and even makes the whole surrounding cold and unpleasant to see. Moisture can be anywhere. They could be on the roof, on the walls, on the floors, windows, doors and pipeline. Oftentimes, the presence Saturated up through permeable materials like concrete hollow blocks into the floors and walls of the home, and it usually occurs in building which did not have any waterproofing in the track of its construction. Consequently, rising moisture can be detected easily. We can conclude that there is rising moisture in the area if, the wall is in contact with the ground, if the walls feel dampy and cold to touch and if there are stains on wall decorations. Nevertheless, rising moisture rarely goes up above one meter on the wall. Penatrating moisture is frequently caused by the building plumbing. The trouble comes in when the water is tolerable to enter the property. Symptoms of rising moisture frequently becomes noticeable during the rainy season. It usually affects roofs, ceilings and walls. Water marks appear if water continues to enter the house. It can be caused by groove or roof problems which had allowed rainwater to trickle in and soak area of walls. This is frequently seen in old houses that has solid wall. Penetrating moisture is very Not easy to find and may require proficient help. There are many ways of treating moisture. Rising moisture is worse at the bottom of a wall than at the top. Aside from blocked airbricks, the most frequent cause is 'bridging", this is when soil from the garden climbs up directly on the house wall and trap moisture. This problem is frequent and it can be easily worked out. Excavate the soil from the house so that the soil can no longer knock against the wall. A technique used in old properties is the inoculation of chemical in the problem areas. If the moisture is getting higher through the floorboard, a moisture-proof membrane maybe frayed so it is best to have a refitting. Penetrating moisture More often than not forms when water get into the property. Check up in details grooves, downpipes, flashings and window frames. It will be best to check everything inside and around the property area. Check the sealing of window frames to make sure that there must be a drip groove to get rid of rainwater. If there are blocks, clear them comprehensively. An ill-fitted roofing on a flat roof will probably cause moisture and a fractured wall can let water in. Repair a fractured wall with protective material and fit insulation rubber to all door frames. Application of Outdoor water proofing fluid will be helpful if the outdoor brickwork is already absorbent. A moisture proof track is also one means of avoiding increasing moisture. This is a process where in two layers of bricks with a space between can avoid moisture. This is frequent

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Essay 2, Comparative Politics Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

2, Comparative Politics - Essay Example The IRGC in iran has incredible influence through military, political and economic power. They have the right to refuse government contracts, and the level of corruption is incredible. Their tax-exempt foundations have monopolized much of the economy, and freedom of expression is extremely limited. The government controls all televsion and radio broadcasts, satellite dishes are illegal, as anyone caught in ownership of one faces confiscation and huge fines. Authorities have successfully hammed dissident satellite stations, and have banned Persian channels. They also cut communication lines to prevent â€Å"illegal international contacts.† Freedom of the press is severely limited. Any publication of books and the distribution of foreign books must be inspected and approved by the Ministry of Culture first. The Press Court has pervasive power over the prosecution of journalists, editors and publishers for â€Å"insulting Islam† or â€Å"damaging the foundations of the Is lamic Republic.† according to Ahmadinejad, the media is to support the government through reporting, not commenting. The penalites for inference is so severe that there is little public criticism of the president and any source that criticizes the government cannot be used in journalism. The Association of Iranian Jounralists (AIJ) was accused by the labor minister as being an illegal organization in 2008. Jopurnalists who supported women’s rights, suspicion of international connections or speak against the government can potentially face the death penalty. Internet use has exploded in iran, thus causing the government to intervene and block immoral or politically charged sites. This occurrence has also moved he parliament to allow the death penalty for â€Å"the creation of web logs and websites promoting corruption, prostitution and apostasy.† Religious freedoms are limited, and anyone perceived as straying from the â€Å"official† interpretation of Isla m face dire consequences. Academic pursuits are also restricted. Scholars are often arrested for voicing their political opinions, students who protest are attacked and arrested as well. According to the 1979 constitution, public demonstration that â€Å"violate the principles of Islam† are used to justify the violence that disbands assemblies. Similarly, the government is also allowed to disband private assemblies, under the facade of â€Å"countering immoral behavior†. the only organizations that are allowed are those that do not violate â€Å"freedom, sovereignty and national unity†. The judicial system is dependent, and in practive trials are closed, and there is no legal council. The penal code is based on Sharia law and allows flogging, stoning, amputation and hanging, depending on the social or political offense. Arbitrary detention is a common method of silencing dissidents, although the laws call for equal rights. Freedom of movement is also highly rest ricted. Political activists are not allowed to leave the country, and often, people who are retruning are often interrogated upon their return. Women are especially targeted in their freedoms. They cannot get a passport without her husband’s permission, her court testimony is only given half the weight of a man’s, and any blood money giben to a dead woman’s family are also half of a man’

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Time of the Butterflies Essay Example for Free

Time of the Butterflies Essay Back in the present (1994), Dede considers how Fela, their longtime servant, thinks that she is possessed by the spirits of the dead Mirabal sisters. She had accidentally come across Felas shrine to the girls one Friday in the shed behind the house. She had ordered Fela to move the shrine, but Minou scolded her for being intolerant. Minou often stops at the shrine, which is now down the street. She asks Dede where Lio Morales now lives, since Minerva has asked her to deliver a message to him—just to say hello, and to state how much she thinks of him. When the interview woman presses on, asking Dede, When did all the problems start? Dede begins to speak about Lio Morales. She met him one hot and humid afternoon while she was organizing her fathers shop with Minerva. They are finishing up before they head to Tio Pepes to play volleyball with their friends. Dede knows that her cousin Jaimito, on whom she has started to have a crush (even though he once annoyed her), will be there. Mario, one of their distributors, arrives with Lio, and introduces him as his cousin. He knows Elsa Sanchez and Sinita Perozo from the university. When Dede mentions that they are committed to playing volleyball, Minerva invites Mario and Lio. Minerva gets their fathers permission, and the girls go to Tio Pepes with Mario and Lio.A few weeks later, Lio is still joining them for volleyball. Jaimito suggests that the girls come to play. As they take off their shoes and begin to assign positions, Dede notices that Minerva and Lio are missing. She is unsure if it is actually an accident, but she hits the ball into the hedges, startling the hiding couple. Once Lio emerges from the hedges, Jaimito starts a fight with him, and the game ends in awkwardness. Lio and Jaimito both begin to come to the Mirabals house more and more. When Maria Teresa accidentally reads aloud to Mama a newspaper article that reveals that Lio is a communist, a subversive, Mama becomes upset that she has been letting him spend time at their home. But Minerva continues to see him on double dates with Jaimito and Dede. Still, Minerva refuses to admit that she is in love with Lio. When Dede asks him how he wants to accomplish his revolutionary goals, Lio cannot give her the direct answer she wants. Dede becomes more and more nervous as Lios name continues to appear in the newspapers, and she and Minerva lie about spending time with him. Then Lio announces that hell be going into exile with some of his comrades. One night, after a gathering of the Dominican party in San Francisco, Jaimito asks Minerva if Lio has invited her to go into exile with him, and she says that he has not. Jaimito tells them that the police were looking for Lio at his house and that he was taken down to the station for questioning. He told them that Lio had given him girlie magazines to get them off his back. Minerva leaves, and Dede and Jaimito begin to kiss. Jaimito tells her there is something he wants her to see out back. They get into Papas car, and he slips a ring on her finger, proposing. But they are surprised by Lios cough from the backseat—he has been hiding there. Jaimito is furious that he would endanger the Mirabals, but Lio gives Dede a letter to deliver to Minerva. As Dede walks Jaimito to his car, she agrees to marry him. Alone, Dede decides not to tell Minerva that Lio is hiding in the backseat of Papas car. She goes into her bedroom and opens the letter Lio asked her to deliver to Minerva. In it, he invites her to go into exile with him. Dede decides that she will not expose her sister to that danger, so she burns the letter in the lamp. Analysis This chapter reveals the tense relationship between Dede and Minerva. Their personalities are at odds: Minerva is full of questions and mischief, while Dede is much more organized and chooses to smile and dismiss things without stirring up trouble. But it is Lio who brings out Dedes resentment toward her sister. Though she loves Jaimito, Dede is jealous of Lios interest in Minerva. She sees them as a glamorous couple doing exciting things, while she and Jaimito are merely expected to end up together. She exposes them hiding in the bushes together and even burns the letter from Lio that was intended for her sister. Dede tells herself it is to protect Minerva, but her action is clearly also out of jealousy that her sister might get involved in such a daring adventure with Lio. As the narrator, Dede uses exclamations often, characterizing herself as someone whose placid, smiling demeanor is interrupted by bursts of emotion. When she considers her task of being the grande dame of the bea utiful, terrible past by relating her familys history to the woman interviewer, she exclaims, But it is an impossible task, impossible! In talking about her husband, she wonders, But who could control Jaimito, only son of his doting mother, unquestioned boss of his five sisters!The metaphors of knotted string and captivation carry through this chapter, as Dede describes herself getting caught up in the twists and turns of life. When Lio teases her for going to play volleyball in a dress, Suddenly, Dede feels foolish, caught in her frivolity as if she were a kitten knotted in yarn. As Dede reads articles in the paper about how people are getting arrested, Dedes courage unraveled like a row of stitches not finished with a good, sturdy knot. Being sown up can be for protection or for captivation. She does not think Lio has a plan, and she becomes afraid to be involved with him. The diction that Dede uses as narrator recounting the events of the past ties Minerva to death. After Maria Teresa reads to Chea Mirabel the article calling Lio a communist, Chea calls for Minerva, and From her bedroom, the book she was reading still in hand, appeared the death of them all. Though the phrase to be the death of can be used lightly to mean someone is a handful, in this case, Minerva actually is the death of them all. When Lio announces that he is going to leave to go into exile with his comrades, Minerva was deathly quiet. It is clear that Dede in some way blames Minerva for getting the family involved in politics and thus bringing about her own death and that of her sisters. There is a hint of foreshadowing, too, at the end of the chapter, when Dede considers Jaimitos marriage proposal. She is not surprised by it because she has always seen it as inevitable that she would marry Jaimito. There was no question was there? but that they would spend the rest of their lives together. Notably, the question that interrupts her thought is both in the young Dedes mind and in the memory of the older Dede in 1994, remembering how she felt and how she might have suspected that she and Jaimito would end up getting a divorce. Even when she thinks of Jaimito fondly, as he begins to propose, Dede from the present cannot help but check the enthusiasm she felt at the time: Her spoiled, funny, fun-loving man. Oh, what a peck of trouble she was in for. What do you want, Minerva Mirabal? Summer Minerva has been living at home for a few years, and rumors are starting about her being a lesbian. She also realizes that something is amiss between Mama and Papa. She is bored and jealous of Elsa and Sinita, who are studying in the capital. Out on drives, she begins to notice her fathers Ford always parked in front of the same campesino family home. Four girls run out to the road, and she sees that they have Mirabal eyes. She realizes that Enrique Mirabal is their father and that they are her half-sisters.Since Lio went away, Minerva has been having headaches and bad asthma. One afternoon she goes into her fathers armoire and goes through the pockets of his clothes. She finds four letters addressed to her from Lio, and she reads them. He refers to his proposal that she leave the country with him, which of course Minerva knows nothing about. Furious, she drives the Jeep over to the campesino house where she knows she will find her fathers Ford. He comes out and asks her what she wants, but she just speeds away. When Papa gets home that night, he leads Minerva outside into the garden, where he slaps her. But when he says she owes him respect, she tells him he has lost it.Minerva has also found an invitation to one of Trujillos private parties in her fathers coat pocket; it specifically mentions that Minerva should attend. Mama is scared for Minervas safety, so she insists that Pedrito, Patria, Dede, and Jaimito go along, too. Before the party, Papa sends the Ford to the shop, so Minerva drives him to his medical appointments in San Francisco. One day, he means to stop by the house he has bought for his ex-mistress and his other children after the appointment, and Minerva insists she be allowed to go along to meet them. She even meets Carmen, their mother, with whom Papa says he is no longer involved. Discovery Day Dance, October 12 The family arrives at the party an hour late, having gotten lost. But Trujillo is late, too, as they learn from Manuel de Moya, his secretary of state. A table is reserved for the Mirabals, but Don Manuel tells Minerva she is going to sit with Trujillo. Finally El Jefe arrives, but he does not sit with Minerva; instead, she is entertained by Manuel de Moya. It is about to rain, but the tables are pushed back for dancing. When Don Manuel asks Minerva to dance, she says she has a headache and cannot. Patria brings her calmantes before Don Manuel returns with some for her as well. Finally, Minerva agrees to dance with him.Soon, Trujillo becomes her partner. He flirts with her, and she tells him she wants to study in the capital to be a lawyer. But when he implies that he would like to conquer her, she says she is not for conquest. He tells her the university is no place for women, mentioning the communists and agitators, implying they have been caught. By mistake, Minerva blurts out, Virgilio Morales? She must backtrack and pretend she does not know Lio, and Trujillo believes her. When he pulls her inappropriately close, thrusting at her in a vulgar way, she slaps his face.The rain begins immediately, and the party moves quickly inside. The Mirabals rush off, but Minerva forgets her purse. She and Patria cannot find it anywhere, and they assume that someone already brought it inside and that it will be mailed to them. But on the ride home, Minerva realizes that she has put the letters from Lio in the pocket of the lining. Rainy Spell The Mirabal family left the party before Trujillo did, which is against the law. Two guardias arrive at their house and say that Governor de la Maza wants to see Enrique Mirabal and Minerva immediately, but Mama says, If she goes, I go. At the governors palace, Papa is sent to the capital for questioning. He whispers to Minerva that she is to take money to the illegitimate family in San Francisco every two weeks until he is back. Minerva does so, but she cannot find the house in the rain. She sees Margarita, the oldest daughter, and asks her to lead her to her mothers house. Once there, Minerva gives Carmen the money and asks if she can enroll the daughters in school.Minerva and Chea return to the capital to petition for Papas release. They get a room at a hotel. At the Office of Missing Persons, Minerva meets a man who has named all his sons Pablo Antonio so that if one of them is captured, he can swear he is not the son they are looking for. But the mans case takes so long that there is not time to hear the Mirabals.The next morning they are woken at the hotel and taken to the National Police Headquarters for questioning, where Minerva is interrogated about Lio by General Federico Fiallo and Don Anselmo Paulino. She admits that she lied to El Jefe about not knowing Lio, but she says it was because she was afraid of displeasing him. She says she is no longer in communication with Lio. Manuel de Moya enters and suggests that a private conference with El Jefe would be the quickest, most effective way to end all this nonsense. He means, of course, that Minerva should sleep with Trujillo, but she insists that her father and mother come along to the meeting. Three weeks later, they see Trujillo. Papa has just been released, but he has gone mad due to his imprisonment. In Trujillos office, it is revealed that Tio Chiche, one of Trujillos friends, is related to Chea Mirabal. He is a gambler and Mama doesnt like him very much, but she jumps on this connection in order to appeal to Trujillo. Minerva notices a set of dice on Trujillos desk, and she realizes that they are loaded. She makes a bet with him: they will roll the dice, and if she wins, she can go to law school, but if he wins, he gets to sleep with her. Minerva knows to use the heavier set of dice, and of course she wins, to Trujillos annoyance. Minerva, Chea, and Enrique Mirabal drive home in the rain. Analysis As Minerva asks herself what she wants, she uses the conceit of that princess put to sleep in the fairy tale. It is Lio who woke her up when she met him: The givens, all Id been taught, fell away like so many covers when you sit up in bed. This conceit is ironic, since Minerva is anything but the stereotypical woman of a fairy tale, waiting for a man to come and wake her up so her life can begin. In actuality, Minerva speaks out for womens rights and takes matters into her own hands.Imagery of woven thread appears again in this chapter, as Minerva struggles with decisions about where her life should go: Back and forth my mind went, weaving a yes by night and unraveling it by day to a no. The dilemma is whether she loves Lio; she cannot decide. The decision is made for her when he decides to seek asylum. The imagery appears again when Mama clings to her connection of Tio Chiche (a friend of Trujillos) and Papa in his madness points out that Chiche cheats too much. I wont play with him . As a result, Mamas eyes are boring a hole in Papa. Our one lifeline in this stormy sea and Papa is cutting the rope shes been playing out.Violent diction appears once again in this chapter, as it has throughout the novel. As Enrique Mirabal leads Minerva down the driveway into the garden, The moon was a thin, bright machete cutting its way through patches of clouds. This metaphor is continued when Minerva describes its light as sharp, and it foreshadows the slap she is about to receive from her father.The theme of Trujillo being conflated with God comes out in the paper fans that the girls received at the party they went to, thrown by Trujillo. The fans had the Virgencita on one side and Trujillo on the other. The combination bothers Minerva: Sometimes it was El Jefes probing eyes, sometimes it was the Virgins pretty face I couldnt stand to look at.The events of the party are mirrored by the weathers progression to a rain storm. When they arrive at the party, there is a strong breeze, announcing rain. When Minerva mentions Lios name, suspicion clouds the gaze of Trujillos face, and when she refuses to dance with Manuel de Moya initially, a cloud of annoyance crosses his face. When Minerva slaps Trujillo, it is like the clap of thunder that begins the storm: and then the rain comes down hard, slapping sheets of it. In the midst of the storm, her family is the ship that steers her to safety: Dede and Patria are turning in all directions like lookouts on the mast of a ship. Completing the conceit, Minerva steals a little decorative ship as a souvenir for Maria Teresa, who was too young to attend the party. As they escape in the rain, it looks as though the ship is being steered safely through the storm. But there are two problems. Once Minerva realizes she has left the letters from Lio in the forgotten purse, all hope is lost. She feels something hard against her leg and reaches down to discover the little caravel sunk in the folds of my damp dress. And the family has committed a crime by leaving the party before Trujillo. If Trujillo is the captain of a doomed autocratic ship, protocol states that the captain is to leave last; but at this point the regime is still strong and can arbitrarily declare that the nation’s captain must be allowed to leave first. The resistance still has a long way to go. Chapter 7 Maria Teresa writes this chapter in her new journal, another gift from Minerva. Enrique Mirabal has passed away, and Maria Teresa is outraged that Carmen and her four daughters attended the funeral. Maria Teresa is struggling with her fathers death. She had a troubling dream in which she found her wedding dress inside her fathers coffin. She has the same dream again in February, but this time Manolo, Minervas husband-to-be, is in the coffin. In October, while she is a student at the university, she again has the dream, but now it is Armando Grullon, one of Minervas friends, in the coffin.She has also developed crushes on both her cousins, Raul and Berto, and she asksFela to help her determine which of the brothers she will marry. She kisses Berto on the lips on January 1 but is confronted about it by Raul on January 8. These events cause her to become fed up with both of them. Meanwhile, Tio Chiche has suggested that Mama write a letter toTrujillo affirming their loyalty to his regim e. Maria Teresa is helping her write it, just as she helped Minerva with her speech at the Salcedo Civic Hall in which she praised Trujillo (earning permission to go to law school). But Fela has helped her put a curse on the letter. Minerva has fallen in love with a man at law school named Manolo, but he is engaged to someone else. She comes to visit in January, demonstrably in a revolutionary mindset, reciting Fidel Castros words that she has heard on illegal radio stations. On Valentines Day, she visits again, this time bringing Manolo along. Maria Teresa has cooked dinner and is completely taken with Manolo. By March, however, she becomes suspicious since he met Minerva while he was engaged to someone else.Maria Teresa has arranged to live with Dede and Jaimito and their sons, Jaime Enriqueand Jaime Rafael, in San Francisco during the week, and come home to Mamas house on the weekends. Unfortunately, their ice cream business is failing, and soon they decide to move back to Mamas house and help run Papas store. On July 3, Maria Teresa graduates. Tia Flor bakes a cake for the party. Tia Flor also confronts her and says that she needs to choose between her two sons, Raul and Berto. Maria Teresa responds that she wants neither one. Meanwhile, the familys yardboy, Prieto, has betrayed them by reporting to Security everything they have done. They cannot fire him, however, since it would look suspicious.In September, Maria Teresa goes to join Minerva at the university in the capital, and they are roommates. While Minerva encourages Maria Teresa to stick with law, the younger sister eventually decides to switch to Philosophy and Letters. She meets one of Minervas and Manolos friends, Armando Grullon, who tries to kiss her.Now it is 1955, and Minerva is getting married in the rain. She moves in with Manolo, and by December 11 she is pregnant. By April 1956, Maria Teresa has started using her diary as an all-purpose supply book. She is attempting to write a speech to give as Miss University, and Minerva is advising her how much and when to mention Trujillo. Minerva has given birth to Minou and is helping her younger sister write the speech.Now it is July 1957, and Maria Teresa writes that Minerva is moving to Monte Cristi with Manolo after graduation. Trujillo, however, plays a terrible trick on Minerva by not actually granting her a license to practice law; her diploma is useless. Maria Teresa helps Minerva set up her new home in Monte Cristi, and it comes out that Manolo is cheating on Minerva with another woman. By August, though, the couple is on the mend, and Minerva credits Maria Teresa with bringing them back together.In her entry of September 28, 1957, Maria Teresa reports that she accidentally intercepted a delivery of guns from Leandro (codename Palomino) to the house. Manolo and Minerva explain about the national underground thats forming, and Maria Teresa joins them. Maria Teresa begins to fall in love with Leandro. Maria Teresa becomes a hub of a revolutionary cell, living with Sonia and storing deliveries in the munitions room. While Sonia is away in La Romana, Leandro comes over and says that he is going to stay with Maria Teresa to protect her. Maria Teresa ends up marrying Leandro on Valentines Day, 1958. Analysis Because of the diary style of Maria Teresas narration, often the reader must figure out what is being referred to because of the lack of specifics. For example, in the December 15 entry, Maria Teresa writes, I cant believe she came to the funeral mass with her girls without saying who she is. It is as if she is in such an upset state of mind that she doesnt bother to explain herself (after all, it is a diary and Maria Teresa knows who she is talking about). The reader infers that she must be referring to Carmen.In one sense, Maria Teresas story is told via Minerva, since both diaries were gifts from her older sister. Yet, in this chapter the reader learns about many important events in Minervas life through Maria Teresas diary entries. For instance, we learn in Maria Teresas report about the speech at Salcedo Civic Hall that Minerva has gained permission to attend law school. We also learn about Minervas marriage to Manolo, the birth of Minou, and Trujillos denial of her license to p ractice law upon graduation from law school. It is important to remember that we are learning about the events primarily from one point of view. The personal, family matters are related in the diary, while the political matters are often underground enough not to make it into the diary, generally because Maria Teresa does not know much of what is going on. By late 1957, however, the personal and political spheres are merging more quickly for her again.As a narrator, Maria Teresa uses the technique of rhetorical questions, but they are influenced by the brooding nature of her diary entries. On December 31, 1953, as she looks out at the stars, she asks, What does it all mean, anyway? When Leandro spends the night on December 1, 1957, she writes, Guess whose name was in my right shoe all day? referring to the love spell Fela taught her years ago.Another characteristic of Maria Teresas narrative voice is the use of exclamations. After she kisses Berto, she exclaims, Oh horror! Oh shamelessness! Oh disgust! In July, when she eats two pieces of the cake Tia Flor cooked for her graduation party, she writes, My hips, my hips! This technique characterizes her as an emotional, dramatic woman. Even in a serious situation, such as when Minerva sobs before telling Maria Teresa that Manolo is cheating on her, Maria Teresa writes, My brave Minerva!Death seems to lurk throughout the chapter. Of course, Enrique Mirabal has actually died, and Maria Teresas recurring dream revolves around a coffin. But she also uses language that calls death to mind. The chapter opens with her statement, I feel like dying myself! When she comes back to her diary on July 3, she writes, Diary, I know you have probably thought me dead all these months. Chapter 8 Patrias children, Nelson and Noris, have grown up, and they all live in Pedritos great-grandfathers house. Eighteen years after getting married, she has spent New Years Eve at Mamas new house in Conuco, and she has fallen asleep at her own house. But she is woken up by Minerva, Manolo, Leandro, and Nelson, who report that Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara have ousted Batista in Cuba. That night, Raul Ernesto, Patrias next son, is conceived.Patria is afraid for her sisters and for her son Nelson, who is always tagging along behind his Tio Manolo and his new Tio Leandro, men of the world who had gone to the university and who impressed him more than his country father. She sends him to Santo Tomas de Aquino, a seminary in the capital, with the help ofPadre de Jesus Lopez. When Nelson begins to talk about joining the liberators, Patria goes to Padre de Jesus Lopez for help, but he tells her he, too, is lost, and cannot show her the way.Minerva and Maria Teresa both have had babies, M anolito and Jacqueline, respectively. Minerva asks Patria to take care of Manolito, explaining that she is going to be on the road a lot. But she and Manolo visit from Monte Cristi every week; they meet on Patrias and Pedritos land with many other revolutionaries. But this gives Nelson the chance to get involved when he is home from school. He reports back to her that the revolutionaries are expecting an invasion by the liberators from Cuba.Though she is pregnant with Raul Ernesto, Patria decides to go on a retreat with Padre de Jesus and the Salcedo group to Constanza. They are the Christian Cultural Group, led by four priests including Padre de Jesus and Brother Daniel. Trujillo has heard rumors of the pending invasion and has declared a state of emergency, but the retreat goes to Constanza anyway. They stay in a retreat house that resembles a nunnery, and Patria feels peaceful.On June 14, while they listen to Brother Daniel speak about the Assumption, the mountainside is bombed. The first wave of the liberating invasion is the target, and as Patria watches, one of them (who is about Noriss age) is gunned down. The Christian Cultural Group comes back down the mountain, and Patrias family meets her on the road coming into town. In the newspaper, they read that 49 men and boys died in the attack. They read six days later that the second wave of the invasion force was intercepted and also defeated.At the next meeting of the Christian Cultural Group, the mood has changed considerably: Padre de Jesus speaks like a revolutionary, and they change their name to Accion Clero-Cultural, or ACC. Their mission is to organize a powerful national underground. Patria volunteers Pedrito, Nelson, Minerva, Manolo, Maria Teresa, and Leandro for the organization. However, Pedrito becomes upset that the revolutionaries are meeting in their backyard, since a new law has been passed that will allow the government to confiscate the land of anyone found to be harboring any enemies of the regime. Patria is able to sway him when she reveals that their son Nelson is involved, too.The Fourteenth of June Movement is founded then, in Patria and Pedritos home. There are about forty people, with Manolo as president. They make bombs, called nipples, and hide weapons. Patria sends Noris to Chea Mirabals house, and they use her bedroom as an ammunitions room. Analysis As narrator, Patria uses similes and personification that connect her to both heaven and earth. When Padre de Jesus tells her he cannot help her because he, too, is lost, she says, I was shaking like when a breeze blows through the sacristy and the votive candles flicker. She is in the place of the prayerful candles, being shaken by nature. When she is overwhelmed by the beauty of Constanza, she personifies the land and nature more generally as if it is tied to God: Purple Mountains reaching towards angelfeather clouds; a falcon soaring in a calm blue sky; God combing His sunshine fingers through green pastures straight out of the Psalms.Pedrito also ties Patria to the Earth. This is evident in the language she uses to express not being worried about him like she worries about her sisters: Pedrito didnt worry me. I knew he would always have one hand in the soil and the other somewhere on me.Patria uses a style of narration that involves direct address and exclamations, characterizing herself as deliberate but also at times as emotional as her younger sister Maria Teresa. For example, when Nelson sees an excited look on her face after he tells her about the invasion, she says, But you know why that look was there? Ill tell you. Similarly, when she explains why Noris does not want to go along with her to the retreat, she says, I certainly couldnt talk her into a retreat with old ladies and a bunch of bad-breath priests. (Lord forgive her!).When Noris meets her after the mountainside is bombed, Patria notices a change in her, as if her soul had at last matured and began its cycles. This metaphor comparing the soul maturing to a menstrual cycle hearkens back to Chapter 2, in which Minerva begins her complications both physically and emotionally as she realizes the country is in danger, and the po wer and evil of Trujillo. It also is reminiscent of Maria Teresa, who in her diary entries as a young girl yearned to discover her soul.Patria also struggles to reconcile her commitment to God with her desire to protect her family and defend her country. Symbolically, she and Maria Teresa make a list of the weapons theyve assembled in the pretty script wed been taught by the nuns for writing out Bible passages. Even when the retreat house is bombed, she describes it spiritually: His Kingdom was coming down upon the very roof of that retreat house. As they ride back down the mountain after the retreat, she says, I tried looking up at our Father, but I couldnt see His Face for the dark smoke hiding the tops of those mountains.This chapter also keeps the reader informed about the larger history. We learn about the role of Cuba and its revolutionaries. We also learn about the events of June 14 and the origins, filtered through the narrator, of the Movimiento 14 de Junio.