Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Darcy

Reading is my hobby. Even before the movie â€Å"The Jane Austen Book Club† came out in theaters, I was reading all of Austen’s novels! I am all of the characters she portrays in her books, weaving my present life situation into each storyline! My love of reading began when I first picked up one of the Nancy Drew mysteries. I think I have read every one of them, plus a lot of the Hardy Boys books (after all, Ned is Nancy’s boyfriend). I thought Nancy had the best life in the world, and I wanted to be just like her, helping her solve all of those mysteries, and to be fearless, just as Nancy was fearless!If you are as passionate about reading as I am, then you know the excitement it brings when you curl up on the sofa with a good book, especially written by Jane Austen! Can you imagine reading â€Å"Sense and Sensibility† or â€Å"Pride and Prejudice,† bringing characters to life reminiscent of Lizzie, Jane, and Mr. Darcy? What fun it would be for you and I to start our own â€Å"book club† and share the same hobby together! Not only would we get the chance to hear each other’s synopsis on what we were reading at the moment, but we could share each other’s company as well!Socialization and conversation all rolled up into our one hobby; reading. There are so many benefits to reading. Reading expands your thinking, especially if you are someone who lacks the means for anything but the essentials of life. Books can export you anywhere in the space of a chapter, using only your imagination! Did you read â€Å"Mansfield Park† and imagine yourself in the tiny, dirty room that Fanny and her family shared before she was taken to Mansfield Park at the request of her mother?How do you think Fanny felt amidst the richness and beauty of that magnificent mansion? How do you think she felt about her rich, gloating aunt and uncle? Reading can be a real confidence builder, enhancing self-esteem in one’s eyes a s well as the eyes of others. Suppose you were at a dinner party and a subject comes up from a book you just finished? What a boost to your ego to think that you are in a position to take part in this casual conversation because you are well versed. Reading begets knowledge and knowledge begets notice! Reading enhances your ability to focus.You are bending the brain to your will, concentrating on the activities and characters in the chapter at hand. I often find myself daydreaming about my book long after I have put it down. I rehearse in my head the next plot in light of the story I have read so far. Will Lizzie get Mr. Darcy? Will she have Mr. Darcy? We have to wait and see! I think readers can learn diversity and acceptance of other cultures from books. Reading dissolves the fear one might feel from an unknown subject by exposing oneself to another person’s perspective.I work in the International Center at a local college. Three years ago we had a group of ten young Egypti an students come to study on a Fulbright scholarship referred to as the â€Å"Egypt Initiative. † Their culture is so different from ours that I thought it helpful to take a humanities class in world religions. I finished the class before the students arrived, and I was very happy I did. I was in procession of knowledge that I otherwise might not have acquired if not for this event. It proved to be very useful in understanding their behavior.I think we can be inspired to accomplish more in life by reading a brief story line written by the author in the introduction, or just inside the flap of the book cover. There are so many positive reasons for making reading your hobby. Reading brings the satisfaction of accomplishment, knowledge, wisdom, and sometimes spiritual growth, and what more can you ask from a hobby? It is sad how reading is getting lost in today’s technological society. Our world is changing exponentially. There is little chance for conversation out in pub lic.People are so rushed for time they barely notice you walk by! Society is becoming totally disconnected from each other. People are consistently staring at their iPhones, iPads, and Androids; checking their Facebook, text messages, apps, and emails! I am afraid the art of book reading will soon become a myth told only by the few people left on earth who were fortunate to have a grandmother telling them a story about their great grandmother reading them a book as a child. Let’s us be that grandmother!

Water Imbalance

Phu Pham 002815421 Water Imbalance When we talk about water imbalance, it is necessary to first know of water’s tendency to move from high concentration to low concentration. This property of water is influenced by three conditions: isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic. Isotonic condition exists when the concentration of the solute is the same as the concentration inside the cell. Because the concentrations are the same on both sides, there is no movement of water.In hypertonic, however, the concentration of solute is greater on the outside than on the inside, water moves outside of the cell until concentration on both sides reach equilibrium. Because water moves outside, this causes the cell to shrink. In hypotonic solution, the concentration of solute is greater on the inside than on the outside, water is drawn inside the cell to reach equilibrium while busting the cell opened.Inside the human body, there are many solutes that together make up blood and other solution necessa ry for life such as sodium, calcium, potassium, water†¦ These ions are called electrolytes, a vital key in maintaining the homeostasis. Serious electrolytes usually associated with sodium, potassium, and calcium. Other electrolytes disturbances are less common. A sodium imbalance occurs when there is too little or too much sodium in the bloodstream. Hyponatremia happens when there is too little sodium, and hypernatremia occurs when there is too much sodium.In normal activity, sodium is absorbed by the kidney to regulate water levels in the body. But when there is a water imbalance, such that of too much or too little of water, the body either gets rid of or absorbs too much sodium. Regular symptoms includes: muscle cramps, confusion, restlessness, agitation, tissue swelling, depression, lack of coordination, seizures, and more seriously coma. Hypernatremia, a condition when there is more sodium ions on the outside than the inside of the cells, causes fluid to be pulled from the cells of the brain resulting in cell shrinkage. This is the primary cause of neurological symptoms.Hyponatremia is a condition when there is more sodium ion on the inside than the outside of the cells. Osmotic movement of water into the brain cell may increase the brain size above normal. This can lead to seizures and other severe neurological effects. Therefore, the maintaining of electrolytes is very important in order for the cells to last. Any imbalance in the concentration of water inside the body will directly affect the concentration of solutes (electrolytes) in the blood and cause severe damage. http://rnbob. tripod. com/sodiumimbalance. htm http://www. medscape. com/medline/abstract/15982544? src=emed_ckb_ref_0

Business Practices of Woolworths and Wesfarmers

The Australian retail industry is dominated by big game players. There is no chance of a small retail brand to ever grow and prosper in the retail market of Australia. The big brands dominate the entire market with their ‘House products', the products labeled under their brand and exclusively available in their stores only (Gas price regulation for a retail market administrator 2004). The Australian retail market constitutes liquor sales, tobacco, and grocery retail. The big players dominate 60 per cent of the Retail trade, 50 percent of the tobacco trade and 80 per cent of Liquor and vintage alcohol sales. The promotion of their in-house products can be devastating for generic brands. The supermarket brands downgrade and run campaigns against generic brands. The supermarket brands have a huge impact on the flow of liquid cash from the hands of the wealthy to the poor segments. The supermarket brands have also been associated with the tag of highest growing grocery prices in th e entire world. The first brand that we have selected for this study and discussion is Woolworths and Wesfarmers. The brand has been dominating the retail trade since its inception. The Coles supermarket brand is owned by Woolworths and Wesfarmers. The Coles has the largest number of grocery retail outlets in entire Australia (Sinapuelas and Robinson 2008). This brand is a common name that we come across each and every day, but we do not pause to think and ponder about the downfall of the economy that this company and its counterparts have brought to our nation. This segment of the industry is dominated by the cash rich and big names who have been major players since their inception. The companies like Coles offer high degrees of resistance to small details and their products by motivating the customers to buy only their products. The second company we have selected for our discussion regarding its ethical pursuance of business is Metcash (AÃ…Â ¾man and GomiÃ… ¡Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ek 2012). Metcash is a company which operates in the distribution and whole selling of grocery and retail. Besides, Metcash operates in the Automotive and luxury car servicing segment. The company has invested time and effort in agreeing to the policy of good packing and has been playing a key role in up keeping the deals made at the Australian Packaging Covenant signatory. The company has made an excellent reputation in the way they package their product. The company has been an outstanding player in upgrading themselves and their way of packaging to a level of utmost importance. The importance they give for their packaging of the product plays a key role for the customer at the final moment of the choice of buying is made. The company has been involved in many overseas trade agreements with many third world nations (Supply chain technologies – at Woolworths 2003). The commitments have been made regarding direct cooperation to technical knowledge transfer and consultation. The involvements in Bangladesh and Vietnam for direct purchase of their country made cotton and other products. The Uzbek Cotton commitment is one such agreement, the company ahs signed for a direct role in involvement and cooperation. Apart from this; the company has earned the ranking of 67.4 % from the Greenweek rankings. The score is an overall reflection of the environmental commitments and implementation that the company has been engaged in. The Woolworths and Wesfarmers have the largest number of poker machines in Australia. The company earns huge revenue from the sale of chips and gambling (Prospectus for the 1 for 8 Entitlement Offer of approximately 89 million New Wesfarmers Ordinary Shares at an Offer Price of $29.00 per New Wesfarmers Ordinary Share to raise approximately $2.57 billion 2008). The company has been accused many times of robbing the money of its countries' citizens by luring them to earn some money. The customers have complained that they always fail to win money. The company has earned a lot from the sale of poker chips country full. It's time the company makes some effort to stop robbing the people of their hard earned money by stopping these poker centers, and allowing only visitors of other nations to engage in this gambling activity.   The Australian legislature can also make some notable changes to stop this trade of poker and gambling. The Nepal government has restrictions in place which bars its countrymen and women from the casinos spread all over the city. The locals are allowed only on the New Years Eve, Christmas and other special days (Prus 2004). The casinos in Nepal are major revenue generators but only at the expense of foreigners. The Australian legislature may take heed of the matter. The company has been criticized by industry experts and public forums for misleading the customers on many matters.   The act of negatively influencing the customers has a significant disadvantage for the company and its brand perception. The company often urges the customers in their supermarkets to buy their particular products. This act affects the companies offering generic products or own products a significant loss of revenue and client base. The company has also been fined regarding the above matter. The company we must say has not yet learned to form its mistakes, and continue to embark on its current trend of misleading the consumers. The Coles have been criticized and fined huge amounts by the competent authorities for misconduct and bad behavior towards its customers. The company has had a reputation of mistreating its employees and customers on the premises and various grounds. There have been police investigations on many matters. The company has also been charged with a fine for anticompetitive product and conduct. There might be individual rivalries among many business groups, but the company has been fined for negative conduct. The company earns huge revenue from the direct sale of tobacco and alcohol. The company owned and operated about two-thirds of the total alcohol sales (Paynter and Edwards 2009). The negative health impact the company creates by promoting its alcohol sales and tobacco usage is very harmful to the overall growth and health of the society. This brand has also been getting awards consistently on its good packaging practices. The quality of the packaging has been lauded to be pretty good. The company is also a principal signatory of the Australian Packaging Covenant (Ahmed 2009). That marks the company to strictly adhering to its good packaging practices. The company signed the deal promising to supply packaging which is healthy for the customer’s yet environmental friendly when disposed of as garbage.   The company promotes the use of GE-free products in its retail lineup. The company has been using the GE free products before any company in the entire industry. The company believes in the goodness of the GE free products in edible items. The company bagged the Packaging Award of 2015 for the healthiest and safest packaging in all of their products. The company policy of Genetically Modified crops or products is quite satisfactory (Clow and Baack 2004). The companies’ commitment to the cause of the environment is also well known. The company must embark on a strategy of sustainable progress and development. The company cannot succeed in the long term without implementing the policies of the sustainable business. The aspects of the business which make the industry comment on the negative aspects of Metcash’s business practices are related to gaming. The causes of significant revenue for the company apparently come from the gambling industry. The company relies heavily on its gambling trade for its generation of major revenue annually. The trade is a major hit among the countries citizens. But the trade heavily drains out money from the pockets of the poor and middle class. The company owned and operated major casinos all over Australia. The citizens must not only be discouraged from gambling, but these broad casinos must be closed urgently (Revenue 2005). The downfall of the economy can be attributed by some to gambling and massive spending. The company also accounts for almost major tobacco trade. The company has been tremendously criticized for its direct involvement in tobacco and alcohol promotion. The company portrays the image of alcoholism and gambling along with smoking tobacco as a positive aspect of this culture, except that in reality it's not. The company is involved in the grocery. The company sources its palm oil from unreliable and uncertified sources. The palm oil cultivations in Indonesia and Java, Sumatra are done by burning forest tracts and cultivating on them. The lungs of South Asia, which are the tropical rainforests of these countries suck out significant carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses (Jope 2012). The clearing of these forests for the cultivation of palm trees is harmful to the environment. Moreover, where palm trees are planted, the soil is rendered ineffective for any advancement in future times. The company must stop these unsustainable business practices at the earliest or must face destruction (Saharjo et al. 2006). The company cannot survive with all these negative criticism in the long run. The company must embark on the strategies of free trade and must promote competitive behavior among its contemporaries. It is high time, the company is made to realize this, and amend on its mistakes or it may suffer massive losses regarding the brand value and public perception. Ahmed, A. (2009). Good manufacturing practices.  ISBT Science Series, 4(1), pp.6-10. AÃ…Â ¾man, S. and GomiÃ… ¡Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ek, B. (2012). Asymmetric and Nonlinear Impact of Attribute-Level Performance on Overall Customer Satisfaction in the Context of Car Servicing of Four European Automotive Brands in Slovenia.  Organizacija, 45(2). Clow, K. and Baack, D. (2004).  Integrated advertising, promotion & marketing communications. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. Gas price regulation for a retail market administrator. (2004). Adelaide: Essential Services Commission of South Australia. Jope, J. (2012). Special Edition: International Palm Oil Sustainability Conference 2012 Abstracts.  Palm Scent, 3(6), pp.51-74. Paynter, J. and Edwards, R. (2009). The impact of tobacco promotion at the point of sale: A systematic review.  Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 11(1), pp.25-35. Prospectus for the 1 for 8 Entitlement Offer of approximately 89 million New Wesfarmers Ordinary Shares at an Offer Price of $29.00 per New Wesfarmers Ordinary Share to raise approximately $2.57 billion. (2008). Perth, W.A.: Wesfarmers. Prus, R. (2004). Gambling as activity: Subcultural life-worlds, personal intrigues and persistent involvements 1.  Journal of Gambling Issues, 10. Revenue. (2005). Kuala Lumpur: Lembaga Piawaian Perakaunan Malaysia. Saharjo, B., Sudo, S., Yonemura, S. and Tsuruta, H. (2006). Greenhouse gasses produced during burning in the land preparation area using fire in peat area belong to the community.  Forest Ecology and Management, 234, p.S247. Sinapuelas, I. and Robinson, W. (2008). Entry for supermarket feature me-too brands: An empirical explanation of incidence and timing.  Marketing Letters, 20(2), pp.183-196. Supply chain technologies – at Woolworths. (2003).  Work Study, 52(1).

Buffering Work-Family Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Buffering Work-Family Conflict - Essay Example The government has formulated policies that restrict the time for working. The employers implement these policies in a bid to buffer work-family conflicts. This occurs through giving employees a greater flexibility at work. The employees have freedom of choice on the appropriate time to work either part time or full time. Another factor is social support, where employees have the chance to receive members of their families as visitors during working hours. This helps the employees to reduce their personal and social pressures, as they are able to focus on both family and work. The competition between work and family reduces, thus buffering the work-family conflicts. The other factor relates to the management of the employees’ set of behavior that are incompatible for work and family (Poelmans, 2005). The most important factors in the reduction of work-family conflict are the implementation of government policies and social support for workers. Government policies govern the working hours of the employees. The employees have the ability to take time off from work, whenever they require taking care of their families. The government policies also capture the minimum wage of employees. This helps to reduce the financial conflicts that could arise due to the lack of money for satisfying basic family needs. On the other hand, social support is important because it helps employees in becoming efficient at work. Companies that provide emotional support to their employees have shown high performance. Such organizations also offer appraisal support that involves giving feedback on the employees, performance on their duties. Such employees also receive encouragement and affirmation on job promotions. Through social support, the employees are able to receive informational support through directives and advice from their seniors. This ensures that they avoid common mistakes at their places of work. The employees also

Marketing in a Foreign Country Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing in a Foreign Country - Case Study Example Therefore, in this case, the paper is going to consider the following products such as men’s neckties in Saudi Arabia, digital cameras in South Africa and men’s shoes in Russia. The aforementioned nations have varied cultures and traditions that may have adverse effects of marketing of products and acquisition of profits. It is also imperative to note that culture affects numerous facets of international trade in the context of rejection from consumers and lack of sales in the market. For example, in South Africa, they believe in the culture called ‘Ubuntu.’ Ubuntu means the art of loving one another through sharing and assistance (Clark, 2008). Therefore, for a business to prosper in a country especially in terms of promotion and advertising, it should factor the aspect of ‘Ubuntu.’ In other words the promotions should lean on the guiding ideals of ‘Ubuntu’ that will motivate consumers to buy the products. Additionally, another fa ctor that would require product change entails the culture of social mores. In South Africa, women are still considered inferior and hence the company that wishes to sell its digital cameras should employ more men than women to attract more customers. However, when it comes to men’s neckties in Saudi Arabia, it is a different case. ... On that aspect, sale of men’s ties should mostly be targeted at the foreigners who are exempted from the rigid dress code. Alternatively, these neckties should be accompanied by long trousers and shirts that make the wearer decent by covering the upper torso. This suggests in the context of packing size the men’s neckties should come with additional shirts and long trousers to compliment the decency. Furthermore, in terms of promotion and advertising in the media, Saudi Arabia has a limited freedom of the press and the expression of opinion in public. In other words, when the foreign company is making its advertisements, it should not arouse conflicts of traditional Islamic values. These include questioning the role of women in Saudi Arabia such as encouraging them to also buy men’s ties. When it comes to Russia and its sale of men’s shoes, there are varied cultures that would affect packaging size, promotion, and advertising. For instance, it is essential to observe that Russia has a rich culture that dates to many centuries with significant achievements. On that account, the dress code is much respected especially in the business context and hence its promotion consists of different things. Therefore, for a foreign company to succeed in Russia, it is crucial to observe shoes supposed to be highly polished at all times. Additionally, men are required to wear business suits that depict formality and conservatism (Nickles, 2008). This suggests that the packaging size of men’s shoes should also come with complimenting men’s suits. However, in terms of promotion, it should not so business. Russians dislike people who are so business and hence it should be made friendly and casual. Additionally, when conducting an advertisement

Negligence Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Negligence - Case Study Example does not have a policy of requiring a background check on persons hired for any positions with ABC Properties, Inc. In addition, when you investigate Rob's background you find that Rob has a criminal record including convictions for robbery, sales of narcotics, and attempted rape. Mary wishes to sue ABC Properties, Inc. for damages as a result of the assault on a negligence theory. Negligence may be defined as intentional or unintentional breach of duty one is obliged to perform under existing laws. Under the United State of America laws, negligence is equivalent to tort. A tort is a private or civil wrong or injury, other than breach of contract, for which a court of law may provide a remedy through a lawsuit for damages or payment of compensation. When a person violates his/her duty to others created under general or statutory law, a tort has been committed ("What is a tort) In order for tort to exist, four elements must exist namely: 1) the existence of a legal duty owed by a person to others; 2) the breach of the duty by one person (negligence); 3) the breach of the duty being the proximate case of damages suffered by a person; and, 4) damages incurred by a person. Each of the four elements of a tort typically must be present to be compensated ("What is tort"). An example of compensable negligence is negligent hiring. ... parties to actions which can create legal liability ('Negligent hiring practices"). In the United States of America, an employer is obliged to take several measures before hiring an applicant ("Negligent hiring"). The most important of these measures is to conduct a background check and references to determine whether the applicant has a criminal record or has a dangerous or untrustworthy character. If an employee performs a violent or criminal act while working, such as rape, murder, or robbery, the employer can be held liable for torts for negligent hiring if it will be found out that he/she did not exert effort to perform the required obligation to conduct a background check before the employee who caused the unlawful act (Employer Liability for Employee's Bad Acts). In this case, it is very evident that the employer was negligent in hiring Rob as an employee and holding a key position in the company. First, the employer did not perform a background check that is required for him to do under the US laws before hiring Rob. Should he have conducted a background check, he should have found out about the criminal record of Rob and probably, could not have accepted him in the company. And should Rob was not accepted in the company, he will not have any access in entering the room of Mary, thus, the crime committed against her could not have been possible done. The four elements of tort were all consummated, therefore, Mary have a cause of action for negligence against ABC Properties Inc. Works Cited "What is tort". FreeAdvice.com. (Online). Retrieved on February 8, 2009. Retrieved from "Negligent Hiring Practices". Northern Arizona University. (Online). Retrieved

Judgment Not Included by Thomas L. Friedman Research Paper

Judgment Not Included by Thomas L. Friedman - Research Paper Example Judgment Not Included by Thomas L. Friedman. Friedman reflects on the rationale of the Boston bomber suspects and the internet’s role in informing the rationale. According to Friedman, investigators reported that the surviving suspect indicated that he and his brother were upset about the U.S.’s invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and that their opinions and feelings were informed by websites visited on the internet. Friedman is not surprised that the brothers were bothered by the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan as it probably angered lots of Muslims. Friedman however, takes issue with how the two suspects chose to express their dissatisfaction. Bombing the Boston Marathon and taking the lives of individuals who have nothing to do with the official acts of the U.S. government and who may have even been Muslims is particularly disturbing when the suspects had a number of more effective and far less dangerous options open to them. To begin with, the suspects were living in the U.S. and could have organized peacef ul assemblies to draw attention to their opposition to the U.S.’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, they are at liberty to raise and draw attention to any issue that they might feel warrants attention. Friedman also wonders why the brothers did not chose to do something productive for Afghanistan. For instance, the brothers could have contributed to community development in Afghanistan with a view to making them less vulnerable to foreign invasion. The brothers could have obtained a higher education and repatriated to one of those Muslim states and made productive contributions to those communities. Certainly the choice that was ultimately made did nothing to help Iraq and Afghanistan nor the brothers themselves. In fact their actions did more harm than good. Friedman argues that the brothers are a small sample size, but do represent a trend among Islamic radicals. They have a tendency to use violence as an expression of their dissatisfaction with Western governmentsâ₠¬â„¢ treatment of Muslims. In the process, they end up hurting and even killing Muslims and therefore doing more harm to Muslims than the Western states that motivated their actions in the first place. With respect to the internet’s influence on the suspects’ thinking, Friedman suggests that the internet is an entirely enigmatic invention. On the one hand it is a source of valuable information and on the other hand it is also a dangerous forum for spreading and perpetuating hatred. In this regard, hatred and important information enjoy an uneasy co-existence and unfortunately, the information highway is navigated by children and the rest of the world without supervision. The opinions and a lot of the information exchanged via the internet are uncensored and should be read and processed with caution. Moreover, our judgments should not be informed by random and uncensored opinions and expressed by strangers on the internet. Instead, our judgments should be informed by ou r actual social learning which begins at home and sadly, this did not happen for the Boston bombing suspects. Part III: Analysis Although Friedman’s suggestion that the Boston bombing suspects alleged acts of terror were counterproductive to their end goals, his suggestion is meaningless to terrorists. As Doran explains, in order to understand why terrorists commit acts of violence we need to ask ourselves â€Å"

Faith and Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Faith and Knowledge - Essay Example Deduction, induction, and abduction in relation to reason in the works of Charles Sanders Peirce are also valid in relation to faith. Gdel's Incompleteness Theorems and Ontological Proof of the Existence of God are also valid when it comes to understand the limitations and shortcomings of both reason and faith. At the end of the road we find the unconditional love of God, and this knowledge springs out of the inner being of faith. The most important point that we ought to keep in mind is the fact that faith and reason are two sides of the same coin. In the same way in which reason is a source of knowledge, faith has also a gnoseological component in the very core of its essence. In the next passage we can assume that Dr. Chong Ho Yu (1994) -when referring to Peirce's concepts- was speaking about faith instead of reason, and the resulting assertions would be completely valid in the realm of faith. Let's see: "The philosophical notions introduced by Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914) are helpful for researchers in understanding the nature of knowledge and reality. In Peircean logical system, the logic of abduction and deduction contribute to our conceptual understanding of a phenomenon, while the logic of induction adds quantitative details to our conceptual knowledge. Although Peirce justified the validity of induction as a self-corrective process, he asserted that neither induction nor deduction can help us to unveil the internal structure of meaning. As exploratory data analysis performs the function as a model builder for confirmatory data analysis, abduction plays a role of explorer of viable paths to further inquiry. Thus, the logic of abduction fits well into exploratory data analysis. At the stage of abduction, the goal is to explore the data, find a pattern, and suggest a plausible hypothesis; deduction is to refine the hypothesis based upon other plausible premises; and inducti on is the empirical substantiation." (Yu, 1994). Deduction, induction, and abduction are three interdependent facets of the same process of reasoning according to the insight of Charles Sanders Peirce. Those three elements give shape to faith too. Abduction is a form of guessing, and when we speak of "blind faith" we are indeed referring to the abductive aspect of faith. When we take a look at the Universe, and out its evident majesty we recognise the existence of God, we are using the deductive aspect of faith. In the same way, when we wake up any morning to go to work once again having faith in the idea that everything will work out right during the next 24-hour period, then we are exercising the inductive aspect of faith. And the process of living full of faith every second of our lives has a gnoseological content that makes us be better knowers in our experience of everyday relying and trusting, growing in faith. It doesn't matter if that faith is religious or secular. Faith is faith without any regards of the labels we put on it. As proof of the fact that faith and reason work together in the realm of knowledge, we can clearly see how faith and reason go hand in hand in the following passages from the Bible. Let's see: "Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not

Environmental Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Environmental Studies - Essay Example We shall look at the influences that science has made in the energy sector, climate change and agriculture among others. In the scientific world, agriculture is a more recent human activity that humans experimented. Human beings were originally hunters and gatherers who survived by killing wild animals in the jungle. Then agriculture was accidentally discovered through man’s scientific exploration. Man began cultivating land in order to get food. Studies have shown that hunters and gatherers were more healthy, well nourished than the latter farmers. In fact, agriculture did not improve the lives of humans and the skeletal evidence revealed that hunters and gatherers were healthier than the farmers were. Agriculture needed vast amounts of land for cultivation, and this led to the destruction of forests and animal’s natural habitat. The energy threshold of plants then decreased as most natural vegetation was destroyed and cleared to make way for cultivation. This interfer ed with the natural energy cycle since animals get energy from plants, which in turn obtain the necessary energy from the sun for photosynthesis. Most of the percentage of the world’s energy relies on plants. If plants are destroyed, the energy needed by most organisms is decreased, and this can have devastating effects. This causes animals to face extinction as the energy cycle is affected by man’s activity, which in this case is agriculture, a scientific invention. Therefore, there is evidence that as much as science has helped the environment, it also hurts the same environment by altering nature’s normal activities (Rees, web). The clearing of natural vegetation gives way to soil erosion. In today’s world, oil is the only form of energy that humans have resulted to use. It is interestingly hilarious that man secures oil more than food. This is because energy is vital for most activities and oil is the usual form of energy used to meet the demands of m an. Research in America has shown that for every 2.3 calories of food energy produced there is a calorie of fossil energy used (Manning, web). This is devastating to the human life because as more oil is used to produce food energy that is required by a growing population, levels of pollution in the environment continue to increase. All this is attributed to science inventions among other factors such as population growth and industrialization. The more industrialized we get, the more scientific inventions are discovered which continue to damage the environment in an attempt to meet the needs of man. In the 20th century, engine fueled cars dominated the roads which made transportation and communication easy. However, these advancements usually have a negative impact on the environment. For example, the greenhouse effect is caused by emission of gases into the atmosphere, which comes from combustion of fossil fuels and oil. Scientific advancements in chemistry have also had a profoun d effect on man (Griffith, web). For example, in the cultivation of wheat in leading countries, fertilizers containing nitrogenous compounds are used to speed up the growth and maturity of wheat. However, studies show that these chemical compounds have adverse effects on human health. A research carried out showed that a child born in rural places producing wheat based on nitrogenous chemicals has high chances of suffering birth related defects compared to a child born where wheat is not

Medical Law & Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Medical Law & Ethics - Essay Example There are proponents of a universal healthcare insurance plan for all Americans. In this policy, everyone will be entitled to government-controlled health insurance regardless of their financial background (WHO, 2010). I believe that everyone in the US is entitled to equal rights and this includes equal access to medical services. This means that no one should be turned away from a hospital just because they are not properly insured, or because their insurance is not enough to cover medical expenses. Yet there are over 50 million American citizens who cannot afford basic health insurance (Bardes, Shelley and Schmidt, 2008). It is true that not all Americans are well endowed in terms of material wealth. Therefore there are many out there who cannot afford health insurance. I think the introduction of a universal system of health insurance would help lessen the burden of medical costs for many people in America who deserve the same medical care as those who have the means of paying hefty health insurance cover money. I do not think that there is anyone out there who is wiling to part with his or her hard earned cash paying for someone else’s health insurance. However, if this universal health insurance is adopted, someone has to bear the cost. It is a known fact, however, that the money needed for an ambitious project such as a universal healthcare plan will come from the Americans themselves (Bardes, Shelley and Schmidt, 2008). I do not think that this is as bad as people think it is. In any case, this is a classic case of Americans helping their fellow Americans. In my opinion the government is doing a great job in pushing for a universal health insurance system. I believe that the federal government is very capable of running a well organized health insurance system for all Americans. It is about time we started thinking about out fellow Americans who cannot

Genre Theory - Robocop Essay Example for Free

Genre Theory Robocop Essay

Analysis Of Internet Banking

Analysis Of Internet Banking The definition of Internet banking varies in many ways. Basically, Internet Banking can be understood as the new means to provide information related to banks and their services via an online homepage (Mahmood and Steve, 2009; Ongkasuwan and Tantichattanon, 2002). Daniel (1999), Arunachalam Sivasubramanian (2007) also defines Internet Banking as the delivery of banks information and services to customers via different delivery platforms, such as computer or mobile phone. Via the Internet using PC or mobile phone and web-browser, a banks customers can request information and carry out most banking services (Daniel, 1999; Mols, 1998; Sathye, 1999). Ongkasuwan and Tantichattanon (2002) defined Internet banking service as banking service that allows customers to access and perform financial transactions on their bank accounts from their computers with Internet connection. Some researchers defined Internet Banking based on which services it offers to customers. Internet Banking is delivery channel of banking services which allows both private and corporate customers to use different banking transactions such as new account opening, payment, loan application and approval, cash management, etc. (Pikkarainen, Karjaluoto, and Pahnila, 2004). Internet Banking is also an electronic connection between the bank and the customer with the aim of preparing, managing and controlling financial transactions for both parties (Burr, 1996). Pikkarainen et al (2004) define internet banking as an internet portal, through which customers can use different kinds of banking services ranging from bill payment to making investments. With the click of a mouse, Internet Banking can help banking customers to access to almost any type of banking transaction (De Young, 2001). Other researchers define Internet Banking based on its benefits brings to banks. Pikkarainen et al, (2004) considered Internet Banking as one of the cheapest delivery channels for banking products. Despite high starting-up costs of Internet Banking channel, Internet Banking still can become profitable when achieving a critical mass (Mahmood and Steve, 2009). Additionally, the use of the internet is seen as a new alternative channel for the distribution of financial services which offer competitive advantage (Flavià ¡n et al, 2004; Gan and Clemes, 2006). Because the needs of todays customers are more sophisticated and demanding in the banking industry, branches alone are no longer sufficient (Mahmood and Steve, 2009). Internet Banking has provided an alternative means to acquire banking services more conveniently and become ideal for banks to meet customers expectations. Thanks to Internet Banking, banks can use information and communication technology to provide services and manage customer relationship more quickly and most satisfactorily (Charity-Commission, 2003). Internet Banking has become the main means for banks to market and sell their products and services help banks stay profitable and successful (Amato-McCoy, 2005). This electronic distribution of services offers various benefits which will be discussed in the next section. Additionally, the main characteristic of Internet Banking is that Internet Banking brings the differences between traditional, physical market place and the virtual one (Rayport and Sviokla, 1994). Customers conduct banking transactions using online electronic channel instead of bank branches. Without visiting a brick and- mortar institution, through Internet Banking, a customer may perform banking transactions electronically (Al-Abed, 2003). In conclusion, for the purpose of this research, the researcher defines electronic banking as the new delivery of banking services and products through the use of electronic means such as mobile phones, or computers which connected to Internet in all the time and in all places. Such products and services can include deposit-taking, lending, account management, the provision of financial advice, electronic bill payment, and the provision of other electronic payment products and services such as electronic money. 2.1.2 Internet Banking Advantages and Disadvantages 2.1.2.1 Internet Banking Advantages 2.1.2.1.1 Customers Convenience Customers enjoy the conveniences of internet banking services since Internet Banking makes banking transactions faster, easier and more efficient. Convenience has been identified by a number of studies as an important adoption factor (ACNielsen, 2005; Pew, 2003; Ramsay and Smith, 1999; Thornton and White, 2001). For customers, the benefits are more choice; greater competition and better value for money; more information; better tools to manage and compare information; and faster service (Sergeant, 2000). With the provision of Internet Banking services, customers can possess convenience in terms of 24/7 access (Pew, 2003). Traditionally, visiting a physical branch is the only way for customers to do banking transactions which require security and privacy. Without Internet Banking, bank transactions are only implemented within office hours. On the other hand, banks which offer Internet Banking are open for business every time and every place with Internet connection. Therefore, Internet Banking users are able to save time and transportation expenses, waiting time as well. When accessing the Internet connection, via phones or computers, customers can do banking transactions without any efforts. Internet Banking enables users to have mobility since transactions can be performed in any time and at any place. Customers are increasingly mobile and demand for flexible services, as a result, they prefer quick delivery of products and services. Additionally, Internet Banking also provides paper free, complete and up-to-date transactions (Wright and Ralston, 2002). Internet Banking users are easy to know all details of their current and past financial data and banking transactions. Any inquiry or transaction is processed online without any reference to the physical branch at any time. Instead of filling out application form and sign many papers, or use ID card for security, consumers just log in their account and type account password, they get the accurate and updated financial data. Real-time account balances and information are available. For example, customers always update the information about interest rates and money-spending options. Compared with traditional over-the-counter banking, Internet Banking quality is not influenced by personal contact between customers and banks (Lu Nancy Zheng, 2010). Banking transactions with the provision of Internet Banking can be automated. When banks do not offer Internet Banking, any banking transactions need the involvement of bank employees. Although human communication plays an important role in marketing, this can be considered as a double-edged sword. The quality of services depends on attitudes of bank employee. Moreover, Internet Banking benefits banks for minimizing the likelihood of committing errors by bank tellers (Jayawardhena and Foley, 2000). To some extent, not offering face-to-face contact can be seen as one of the advantages of Internet Banking. 2.1.2.1.2 Increased Profits Firstly, Internet Banking helps improved profits by lowering operation costs. Expanding geographically by opening new branches requires high starting-up cost and maintenance costs. With the help of Internet Banking, banking transactions do not require a physical presence. As a result, Internet Banking enhances reduction of overhead costs of physical channels, which require expensive buildings and a staff presence. Additionally, all banking transaction of Internet Banking is largely automatic which enables banks to reduce the workload of branch staff. Also, Internet Banking helps avoid errors related to data entry and personal communication mistakes. Indeed, banks not only save costs but also easier expand the traditional customer bases. Internet Banking replaces some of traditional bank functions to reduce significant overheads related to bank branches, as a result, Internet Banking is considered as one of the cheapest delivery channels for banking services (Arunachalam and Sivasubra manian, 2007). Moreover, Internet Banking helps banks in cutting cost, improve market share, maintain various E-business services, extend marketing and communication channel, search for new innovation services, and improve cross-selling opportunities (Ongkasuwan and Tantichattanon, 2002). Secondly, another reason why Internet Banking improved economic returns for banks is that Internet Banking allows banks to diversify their value creation activities. While doing transaction banking online, users easily approach with many other cross-selling banking services with details. Selling an additional product or service to an existing customer is called cross-selling. The profits can be gained not only based on current offered services but also other cross-selling activities (Arunachalam and Sivasubramanian, 2007). According to Mahmood and Steve (2009), the higher than average income and education levels are more attracted by Internet Banking is high profit customers. Based on detailed data about customers financial profiles and purchasing behavior, banks which possess detailed understanding of customers create customized advertising, customized products for bank users. By this way, not only current services banks offer but also other services can be sold. Internet Banking pr ovides faster delivery of banking services to a wider range of customers (Oghenerukevbe, 2008). Not only did the number of its online customer grow very quickly, but the new customer base was also very profitable. 2.1.2.1.3 Competitive Advantage The use of Internet Banking can gain competitive advantage to deal with globalization and fiercer competition (Flavià ¡n, Torres, Guinalà ­u, 2004). Firstly, Internet Banking enables banks to achieve competitive advantage since having a large online and physical branch network. Operation cost per Internet Banking transaction is much lower than for other service delivery channels (Shah et al., 2007). Jayawardhena and Foley (2000) reported that the transaction cost for non-cash payment at a branch relative to the internet can be 11 times more than online transaction. By lower operation cost, Internet Banking enables a bank to survive the economic pressures and down-turns. Secondly, Internet Banking helps banks to gain competitive advantage since it is seen as one of those innovative ways to meet customers expectations (Mahmood and Steve, 2009). In this customer-centered business, customers are more demanding for products or services with high-quality, sold at less cost and delivered quickly. Thanks to its characteristics, Internet Banking is one of the best options. Internet Banking helps banking users can access any transactions in all time and everywhere with the lowest costs. Thirdly, Internet Banking is considered as a key in both keeping customers loyal and accessing new markets. Apart from expansion by selling products or services for new customers, maintain existing ones is equally important, especially in current difficult economic situation. There is more and more pressure on banks to diversify their products to create value. Otherwise, banks are likely to drag behind competitors and new entrants in financial sectors lose important current customer segment. For example, Woolwich Bank in the UK, compared with traditional banking customers, Internet Banking customers hold more number of financial products on average (Mahmood and Steve, 2009). 2.1.2.1.4 Enhanced Image Internet Banking helps to enhance the image of the organization since banks is seen as innovative organization offering innovative products. This image also helps banks more effective at e-marketing. Internet Banking enables customers to access internet bank all the time and in all places which means that there is no boundary of spaces and time brings more opportunities to extend their relationship with the customers Robinson (2000). More effective marketing and communication at lower costs will not only improve market image but also prepare banks to have better and quicker response to market evolution (Jayawardhena and Foley, 2000). Offering extra service delivery channels means wider choice and convenience for customers, which itself is an improvement in customer service. Internet Banking can be made available 24 hours a day throughout the year, and a widespread availability of the Internet, even on mobile phones, means that customers can conduct many of their financial tasks virtu ally anywhere and anytime. 2.1.2.2 Internet Banking Disadvantages 2.1.2.2.1 High costs Although Internet Banking saves infrastructure costs for banks as above mention reasons, banks introducing Internet Banking just made little savings (Young, 2007). The reason is that any savings are offset by above average wages and benefits per worker. Internet Banking needs a more skilled labor force to run the more sophisticated delivery system. Moreover, costs related extra security measures need taken into consideration. 2.1.2.2.2 The negative effects on banks and customers relationship The traditional channels of offering banking services strongly focus on personal relationships. It is essential to maintain the human touch in customer services (Avkiran, 1999). Customers might be satisfied with the greeting, politeness, neatness of bank employees, ability to express concern for customers needs, apologize for customers complaints. The way of staff members serving customers are likely to influence customer satisfaction directly. Internet Banking completely changes this aspect of customer and bank relationship since it is fully automated. A traditional bank provides the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with that bank. At a local bank branch, employee can make a conservation to ask their customers demand or help them to solve their problems, consult their financial decisions. It is increasingly personal contact with customers. The banker also will get to know the customer and his unique needs. Meanwhile, Internet Banking just performs common transactions without any face-to-face contacts (Cho et al. 2007). According to Broderick and Vachirapornuk (2003:333), customers do not have interaction with employees in person. 2.1.3 Internet Banking Barriers 2.1.3.1 Accessibility to the Internet Wireless communications enables Internet Banking become more and more accessible. Although the growth of the Internet has been very fast, there is still a large population who do not own computers or mobile phones connect to the Internet. For example, different from developed countries, Internet connectivity is still a problem in some rural areas and several developing countries. Lack of computer literacy is one of the reasons Internet Banking is less developed (Walczuch et al., 2000). 2.1.3.2 Consumer Behavior As above mentioned, convenience is not only a key determinant of consumer satisfaction (Yang et al., 2003) but also one of the dominating factors in transaction channel preferences (Ramsay and Smith, 1999). In the field of Internet Banking, this is one of the most cited beneficial features because it offers more leisure-time when doing banking transaction (Devlin, 1995; Daniel, 1999; Liao and Cheung, 2002). Despite the awareness of Internet Bankings benefit, users are still reluctant to use Internet Banking. It is very common in developing countries to physically transfer money. The minority of customers are willing to use Internet Banking, whereas a large number of consumers of financial services are still uncomfortable to conduct their financial management online. The reason is that the use of new technology depends on the technology acceptance of customers and the consumer habits in each country. 2.1.3.3 Security Issues Security challenges banks to deal with customer fears in perform financial transactions using website as a channel (Aladwani, 2001; Sathye, 1999; Gerrard and Cunningham, 2003). In the first quarter of 2005, 80% of global online attacks towards the financial services sector (IDC, 2005). Customers tend to lack confidence in technology-based services delivery systems (Walker et al., 2002). For example, they are unsure that the transaction was completed or the transaction is delayed or not. Also, they are afraid that slow response time after completing leads to a delay of service delivery. This can result in transaction risk (Westland, 2002). This concerns mainly because of the quality of online services systems. Reputation of the bank also significantly affects customer adoption of new technology-based service delivery (Aladwani, 2001). Interestingly, other researchers found that consumer is very much confident about their bank but they have less confidence in technology (Howcroft et al., 2002). Consumers express their concern that online banking is not likely to keep their information of transaction secure and private (Belanger et al., 2002; Salisbury et al., 2001). Therefore, it is essential for Internet Banking banks provider higher degree of security that enables customers to trust internet banking at all times and places (Daniel, 1999, Black et al, 2001; Polatoglu and Ekin, 2001; Suganthi et al, 2001; Gerrard and Cunningham, 2003). 2.2 Understanding of Customer Satisfaction Both business practitioners and academic researchers pay more and more attention to customer satisfaction (Bolton and Drew, 1991; Christian Bettina, 1999). Jamal and Naser (2003) emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction for marketers and researchers as well when stating that it is an important theoretical and practical issue. Thus, from the past on, customer satisfaction is defined by different studies in different ways which brings a diversity of definitions for customer satisfaction. Firstly, customer satisfaction can be basically defined by using its determinants. Many researcher used expectation and disconfirmation (Kang, Nobuyuki and Herbert, 2004), or expectation and performance (Johnson, Anderson and Fornell, 2001), or quality and disconfirmation (McQuitty, Finn and Wiley, 2000), or expectation and quality (Giese and Cote, 2002) as customer satisfactions determinants to define customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, Prabhakar (2005) found customer satisfactions factors include the price factors, product or services quality, customers expectations. Secondly, customer satisfaction can be defined based on two different conceptualizations, namely Transaction-specific satisfaction and Cumulative-specific satisfaction (Boulding, 1993). Transaction-specific satisfaction is a customers evaluation, based on both experience and reactions, towards a particular service encounter (Cronin and Taylor, 1992; Boshoff and Gray, 2004). Cumulative-specific satisfaction is defined as customers overall evaluation based on total purchase and consumption experience (Johnson, Anderson and Fornell, 1995). While transaction-specific satisfaction provides specific transactional information about specific purchase occasion (Anderson, 1994b), cumulative-specific satisfaction refers to customers experience with past, current, and future performances. Thirdly, customer satisfaction is the gap while comparison between pre-purchased expectation and post purchase (Barsky, 1992; Oh and Parks, 1997; McQuitty, Finn and Wiley, 2000). This conceptualization is called the expectancy disconfirmation theory which developed by Oliver (1980). According to this theory, customers experience satisfaction when product or service is better than expected. Otherwise, if the performance is worse than their expectations, negative disconfirmation or dissatisfaction occurs. Customer satisfaction is a highly personal assessment which consists of not only cognitive element but also emotional element. Customers buy products or services because the benefits products or services offer. Hanan, Mack and Karp, Peter (1989) stated that customers receives significant add-value is satisfied customers. Therefore, customers always expect products possess benefits they need. Apart from other above mention definitions, more definitions of customer satisfaction are presented in following Figure 2.1. Figure 2.1 Customer Satisfaction Definition No. Author Definition 1 Olshavsky Miller (1972) The consequence of the confirmation or positive disconfirmation of expectations, which means that the perceived performance is equal to or better than the expected outcome 2 Churchill and Surprenant (1982) An outcome of purchase and use resulting from the buyers comparison of the rewards and costs of the purchase in relation to the anticipated consequences 3 Woodruff et al. (1983) An emotional feeling in response to confirmation/disconfirmation 4 Peter Olson (1996) The degree to which a consumers pre-purchase expectations are fulfilled or surpassed by a product 5 Oliver (1997) Satisfaction is the consumers fulfillment response. It is a judgment that a product or service feature, or the product or service itself, provided (or is providing a pleasurable level of consumption-related fulfillment, including levels of under or over fulfillment 6 Andreassen Lindestad (1998) The accumulated experience of a customers purchase and consumption experiences Definition of customer satisfaction and debates relate to this definition is widely discussed. On the other hand, in this study, customer satisfaction can be simply understood that customer satisfaction is the customer pleasure when products or services meet customers demand. 2.3 The relationship between Customer Satisfaction and its antecedents Due to the importance of customer satisfaction, a variety of research has been done to determine the factors influencing customer satisfaction (Churchill and Surprenant, 1982; Oliver, 1980; Barsky, 1995; Zeithaml and Bitner, 2003). According to Oliver (1980), there are three factors influencing Customer Satisfaction: Service Quality (1), Price (2), Privacy and Security (3). Figure 2.1 Factors influencing Customer Satisfaction 2.3.1 The relationship between Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction Concepts of Service Quality The most important component affecting customer satisfaction is Service Quality (Shelly Gandhi et al; Cronin and Taylor, 1992; Oliver, 1993; Spreng and Machoy, 1996). Similarly with customer satisfaction, many academic researchers paid attention to service quality since it is a means of creating competitive advantages and customer loyalty (Dawn et al., 1995). Generally, service quality measures whether services meet customers needs and expectations or not (Lewis and Booms, 1983). Cronin and Taylor (1994) defined service quality as a long-run overall evaluation of products or services whereas Bitner, Booms and Mohr (1994) defined service quality as the overall impression of the organization and its services. Similar to customer satisfaction definition, according to Parasuraman et al. (1985), service quality can be defined as the consumers comparison between pre-purchase service expectation and actual service performance. Since Parasuraman et al. (1985) proposed their conceptual model of perceived service quality, more and more attention has been paid to services quality. On the other hand, the research conducted by Parasuraman et al. (1985) is mostly recognized. Table 2.2 Dimensions of Service Quality Author Dimensions of Service Quality Gronroos 1982 Technical quality Functional quality Corporate image Zeithamls (2002) Efficiency Reliability Fulfillment Privacy Responsiveness Compensation Contact Jun and Cai (2001) Reliability Responsiveness Competence Courtesy Credibility Access Communication Understanding Collaboration Continuous improvement Yang et al. (2004) Reliability Attentiveness Ease of use Access Credibility Garvin (1988) Besterfield (2003) Performance Features Conformance Reliability Durability Service Response Aesthetics Reputation After researching different types of services, such as long-distance telecommunication companies, credit card companies, motor repair shops and banking industry, Parasuraman et al. (1985) stated that there are ten determinants of Service Quality as follows: Reliability: The ability to perform services to customers right the first time and provide reliable and accurate services as promised. Tangibles: Physical evidence of the services (neat appearance of employees, modern equipment and facility). Security: Providing services without any risk or danger. Access: Easy to approach with services and contact with employees for request. Communication: Understanding and listening ability to customers, knowing what customers want to help. Courtesy: Respect customer, being polite and friendly to customers, express the concern related to customers problems. Credibility: Building and achieve honest and trustworthiness towards customers. Understanding: Knowing the customer what is customers needs. Competence: Possession of the required skills and knowledge to perform the service. 10. Responsiveness: The willingness or readiness of employees when interact with customers requests. However, later in 1988, these above mentioned ten dimensions were cut down to fives by Parasuraman et al. (1985): Tangibility: the appearance and availability of physical equipment, appearance of personnel. Reliability: the ability to perform the service promptly with high quality in the dependable and accurate way. Responsiveness: the readiness to help customers. Assurance: includes four elements, such as Competence, courtesy, credibility and security. The ability to communicate with customers in the knowledgeable and understandable way to persuade customers and convey trust and confidence to them. Empathy: includes access, communication, and understanding the customer. The ability to express the concern with customers, pay attention to their needs and problems in a caring and individualized way. The relationship between Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction Various academics have studied service quality and customer satisfaction in order to understand customer evaluation (Bitner Hubber, 1993; Boulding, Staelin, Kalra, Zeithaml, 1993; Oliver, 1993; Parasuraman, 1985). In many study researching on customer evaluation, quality and satisfaction are used interchangeably since they both presents the comparison of customer expectiation and actual service performance (Lowis and Boom, 1983; Parasuraman, 1985). On the other hand, there is still difference between two concepts. Customer satisfaction is more specific, short-term evaluation while service quality is more general and long-term evaluations (Dabholkar, 1993 and Gotlieb, Grewal and Brown, 1994). In contrast, according to Wilson et al. (2008), customer satisfaction is more permanent than service quality since it generally is a broader term, some dimensions of customer satisfaction are specifically focused on by service quality. As defined above, customer satisfaction has two definitions as transaction-specific and cumulative-specific customer satisfaction (Boulding, 1993). Regardless of whether customer satisfaction has been defined by transaction-specific or cumulative-specific definitions, service quality is one of the most important antecedents of customer satisfaction (Oliver, 1993; Anderson Sullivan, 1993; Fornell et al., 1996; Spreng Macky, 1996). The higher service quality is, the higher satisfaction is (Parasuraman et al., 1985). From the past on, service quality and customer satisfaction is highly related which proved by many studies with practical examples. For instance, Brady et al., (2001) used SERVQUAL in examine the relationship between customer satisfaction and service quality in fast-food restaurants in America and Latin America. SERVQUAL model includes ten aspects: responsiveness, courtesy, communication, reliability, security, competence, access, understanding the customers, credibility and tangibles. Additionally, LISREL was used to conduct the test the same positive relationship in a health care service in Ruyter et al. (1997). Based on the research conducted by Yang et al. (2004) related to E-Service, the study will focus on five Service Quality Dimensions as follows: Reliability: Accuracy and prompt of transaction performance. Attentiveness: Availability to serve customer, willingness to help customer, pay individualized attention and personal contact to customers. Ease of use: Easy to remember URL address, well-structured web-design, easy-to-follow, update information, concise, simple and understandable contents, terms and conditions. Access: Accessibility of different transaction services, availability of communication channels such as chat rooms or emails, details contact of service personnel. Credibility: The reputation of service providers. Based on the above discussions, the hypothesis (H1) is formulated. H1: Service quality has a significant relationship with customers satisfaction in Internet Banking. 2.3.2 The relationship between Price and Customer Satisfaction Concept of Price Price plays an important role in the survival of the company since it decided the competitiveness and revenue of a company. According to Price Theory, price reflects interaction between supply and demand in the market. In other words, price is determined by what a customer is willing to pay and what a seller is willing to accept. With this agreement, both customers and sellers get mutual benefits because customers take advantage of the product usage while sellers get their economic returns. Similarly with Price Theory, Stanton (1985) defined price as the amount of money or goods needed to acquire some combination of another goods and its companying services. These findings are also consistent with other research findings. For example, Kotler (2002) defined price as the total amount customer needs to exchange in order to obtain a benefit of the products or services price is the amount of money charged for a product or service. In order to achieve marketing objectives, The Marketing Mix is essential for firms and includes four P (Product, Price, Promotion, Place) creating general and specific marketing strategies for the whole company (Kotler, 2002). Price is one of the four P in The Marketing Mix which developed by Philip Kotler. The relationship between Price and Customer Satisfaction There is a clear link between customer satisfaction and price perceptions (Kyriazopoulos, 2007). Numerous studies discussed the relationship between price and customer satisfaction. For example, this relationship is proved through the study conducted in German car dea

Developing a Professional Identity as a Teacher

Developing a Professional Identity as a Teacher To me, motivation is the first and foremost driven force for a teacher to develop professional identity. If a person does not have the ambition for a profession, it is easy to drop the struggle in vein. Motivation can persist in form of altruistic, intrinsic, extrinsic reasons or combination of all among teachers to choose teaching as a profession. In an explanatory way, altruistic reasons: deal with seeing teaching as a socially worthwhile and important job, a desire to help children succeed and a desire to help society improve (Coulthard, 2000, p. 117, as cited in Thomson, Turner, Nietfeld, 2011). On another hand, intrinsic motivation is doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequences. In contrast, extrinsic motivation is defined as doing an activity for the attainment of a separable outcome (Deci Ryan, 2000, p. 56, as cited in Thomson, Turner, Nietfeld, 2011). Vanessa, Early Childhood Teacher concluded that, passion to work with child ren and inspiration from teachers with whom she had worked or who shaped her educational degrees are the reasons to build an aspiration in her to choose teaching. To build a different bonding with the children and their parents along with an aim to keep the children the way they are have become the eternal visions to make a different difference in teaching sector, according to Vanessa (Vanessa, February,2015). On another note, Christine, Secondary School Teacher argued that, even though teaching was never a chosen profession beforehand, gradual interaction with learners in special education sector triggered herself to join teaching later on. Even though initially teaching was a platform to expose own creativity through making lesson plans or content structure, on the long way to journey, teaching had become synonymous of love for the students. To her, it is the best to become a mentor to show guidance being with them instead of having a superior position over them and this is how a teachers professional identity must develop by providing a sense of belongingness (Christine,February, 2015). So, visibly through the lens of shared experiences, for Vanessa, altruistic and intrinsic motivation have interplayed successfully where she held a desire to benefit children alongside the self-less affection for teaching, as a profession whereas in Christine, Intrinsic motivation made her heart placed into teaching. However, followed by motivation in the row second comes experience which is kind of an aspect, never to devalue in anyway. Experience which emends the professional identity of a teacher over time through increased knowledge and practice. It is the proficient journey which enacts professionalism of a person over others in a row. As a result of experience, teachers seem to have developed rich, well-organized knowledge bases that enable them to draw readily on their past experiences (Calderhead, 1996, as cited in Beijaard, Verloop, Vermunt, 1999 ). In this regard, arising frequent questions, taking risks, listening to the unheard sayings of children, and most importantly developing a relationship with colleagues to learn better are few steps to brighten as a pre-service teacher Christine (February, 2015). And these precious responses cannot be retrieved from anyone except having a profound professional identity enriched with experiences of trials and errors. This are experiences which help the teacher to realize which teaching methods will be useful or what content should be modified to feed the learners need efficiently. And also, the perk of experience lies in the fact that anyone can use experiences related to other aspects of life in teaching whenever needed and it is visible when Christine concluded that she had used problem solving skills of another course into her English teaching lessons. Another finding reveals that the experiences the participants had and the people they met during the teaching practice period were vital in shaping the way they valued themselves, including their commitment, motivation and the satisfaction of becoming a trainee teacher(Khalid, 2014). Learning theories shape the nature of learning, hence comes teaching. Teachers need to try, practice, and amend different theories of learning to finalize which suits the best for proper learning of the students since profound teaching is theory driven. Vanessa(February,2015) argues that Sociocultural frame of learning theory has made difference in her teaching because of which she turned out to be more accessible to childrens families than before; such theory complied her understanding of learning which is relational to the background of a student along with several other factors and materials of teaching itself. It had become easier for her to teach when her learners became more aware of their social and cultural existence where they belong to. Likewise, different learning theories may tailor the classroom teaching for another teacher. For example, Christine(February,2015) points out that Vygotskys theory has helped her to recognize her students individual goals to assess where the y are at present and where they need to be by moving forward. It has given her a wisdom of evaluating her learners along with summative and formative assessment of having personal conversations with them to recognize their skill levels. On a beneficial note, it helped to compare between where the students thought they were and where she thought they were and making further changes accordingly. Pedagogy is an umbrella term under which factors of different paradigms exist each of which are equally a necessity to develop a professional identity of an educator. It is the quality of pedagogy that most directly and most powerfully affects the quality of learning (Department of Education and Training [NSW] 2003, p. 4, as cited in Moss, 2016, p. 38). It vastly is a combination of how to teach and what to teach to the learners which determines the professional identity of a learner severely. It variably also includes physical and emotional environment in the class, class rules and discourse of the class, structure of groups works or working as groups (Nirenjan, 2017). In this regard, collaborative pedagogy helps to determine class rules which can lead to consistent discipline by providing dignity and respect to everyone to ensure social environment of a class by assuring proper class culture.

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Major George E. Pickett was from a Virginia family that came to the Colony in 1635. George was a friendly and brave man who made the decision to attend West Point Military Academy, later graduating last with the class of 1846, but with George B. McClellan and Thomas J. Jackson. Due to George’s academic standings at his graduation, he was placed in the infantry and became an army officer, who received two brevets in the Mexican War with officers that he would later have to fight against. When the 9th U. S. Infantry was established, Pickett was soon promoted to Captain stationed within Washington Territory. He and 68 of his men went against hundreds of British troops, giving him a victory in what is known in history as â€Å"the Pig War†. After serving 15 long years in the United States army, Pickett was assigned as a brigadier general for the CSA in January 14, 1862. When the Seven Days Campaign began, he injured himself while serving with his command during the Battle of Gaines Mill. With all his hard work acknowledged upon rejoining the army, his rank went up to being Major General Geor...

Schools and Education - Junior College is the Best Option :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Junior College is the Best Option   Ã‚  Ã‚   Oftentimes we hear negative opinions and comments about attending a junior college over a university. Through my experiences I feel there are many benefits in attending a junior college. The benefits I have found include: convenience, educational benefits, and financial savings.      Ã‚  Ã‚   First of all, attending a junior college is convenient in many ways. For example, if a student attends a junior college there is a better chance of having someone that you know in a particular class. Knowing someone in a class is a little less scary than being in it all alone. It is also convenient to attend a junior college to be closer to home. If a student decides to attend a junior college, he or she could choose to live at home, which saves money. By attending a junior college a person does not have a long drive home for holidays or weekends. Furthermore, attending a junior college is convenient because students will be able to keep their high school jobs. If they are not able to keep their high school jobs, they are more familiar with other job openings in the area.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Educational benefits is another good reason for deciding to attend a junior college instead of a university. I feel that a student can learn more and get more out of a class lecture when there are smaller classes. It is easier for me to ask questions when the class size is 30 versus 300 students. Having a smaller class means that the instructor will have a little more time for one-on-one meetings and discussions. In one of my classes this semester at Sauk Valley Community College, the professor goes over the tests after grading is done with each individual student. I am sure you won't find this at a four-year college. The classes at a junior college are held in classrooms, and at universities they are often held in big lecture halls. Another educational benefit to attending a junior college is the smaller campus. The campuses at most universities are huge! It takes less time to get from one class to another at a junior college. Most of the time the junior col lege has one main building that holds all the various classes offered.

The Use of Portfolios to Measure Classroom Performance as an Alternativ

The Use of Portfolios to Measure Classroom Performance as an Alternative to Mandated Testing â€Å"Teachers teaching to the test† has become an ongoing issue among grade schools around the world. Teachers are changing the curriculum to revolve around standardized testing hoping to ensure good grades on this test. They are obsessed with doing this in order to gain a good reputation for the school and are throwing curriculum out the window. Requiring students to take these mandated tests to evaluate how much knowledge they gain throughout the year is not necessarily accurate. But limiting the students’ absorption of knowledge to strictly the test is not teaching students to think critically. Almost everyone who disagrees with mandated testing have come to a conclusion that the main alternative to this issue is to assess students’ learning growth by the use of portfolios. Observing how students perform in the class room should be measured by critical thinking exercises and portfolios that are a reflection of what they are actually learning. Portfolios are a great collection of what is ...

Cause or Effect of Gambling

Cause or Effect of Gambling â€Å"Che-Ching! † â€Å"Yes! Jackpot! † shouted the man as he jumped up and down. However, will his happiness last forever? The nest time the man gambled, the money in his pocket completely turned to dust. From that day onwards, like a broken glass, his life is destroyed and almost impossible to bring back happiness. From this man’s case, clearly there are several negative effects of gambling. First of all, gambling will cause a person to have bankruptcy. Luck is not always by our side.When a person grasps a lot of money, he will have more urge to gamble and eventually lose all of his money in the end. Following up by bankruptcy, gamblers will face many hard times with loan shark. Most of them are unable to pay back as the interest rate gradually increases. Time after time, loan shark will disturb their lives and force them to pay back in any chance. Reports review that loan shark can be so inhumane that they will wreck and destroy th e victim’s house, kidnap and blackmail any family members, or even strangle them to death.Subsequently, gamblers will have a broken relationship with their family. Their action brings disgrace on the whole family due to bankruptcy and being hooked by loan sharks. More trouble will occur and family members have to leave them alone, desolated and unwanted, those gamblers are led to only one road, suicidal. In conclusion, gambling can ruin and even ends a person's life. So before one choose to gamble, one must consider the deadly effects of gambling, before thinking of being filthy rich.

Calico Joe by John Grisham

In Calico Joe, the story revolves around a young boy, Paul Tracey, the son of a professional baseball pitcher, and his awe over an upcoming rookie star and his relationship with his father. The novel switches back and forth between Paul’s youth in 1973 and his present in the early 2000’s. In 1973 when Chicago Cubs player Jim Hickman injured his back, the Cubs call up Joe Castle, a first baseman from the Cubs’ AA team, to play in the major leagues.At his first at bat, Castle hit a homerun and went on to hit 2 more homeruns and a perfect bunt to end the game with a win. Castle’s outstanding first game draws the attention of every American, especially that of Paul Tracey, becoming his new baseball hero. Castle continues to amaze everyone when he hits homerun after homerun, steals base after base, and wins his team game, after game. In just a few games, Castle breaks more rookie records than any other baseball player.A few of these records include the most con secutive hits at 15 straight hits, the most back-to-back stolen bases, and tying the record for most homeruns in a first game. By his third or fourth game, everyone in America was tuning into the Cubs game on their radios, watching replays of Joe’s amazing at-bats, and crowding around any store that had a radio or television in its window.Back at the Tracey family’s house, all is not well for Paul or the rest of the family. Warren Tracey, Paul’s father and pitcher for the New York Mets, has a declining career as a major league baseball player, losing the Mets game after game and forcing them to sink lower and lower in the National League rankings.After each game Warren loses, he goes out drinking all night, often not coming home until very early in the morning, too drunk to function. Whenever Warren came home drunk, he would often yell at his wife and beat Paul. On Warren’s off days, he would go to watch Paul’s little league games, only tom  crit icize Paul and yell at everyone for everything they were doing wrong.On most occasions where his father attended his games, Paul would leave the game crying because his father had yelled at him or hit him after the game. As â€Å"Calico Joe† continued to grow in fame, he caught the eye of Warren Tracey, and Warren had now made a target out of Joe.It would only be a matter of time before the Cubs would meet the Mets for a series game. In August, 1973, the Cubs met the Mets in Shea Stadium, New York for a game that would change the lives of both Warren and Joe. Paul attended the game with his mother off of free tickets that Warren had given them in reconciliation for hitting Paul. Warren was the starting pitcher for the Mets that day and does not hesitate to cause trouble on the mound. At Joe’s first at-bat against Warren, he swings at two and misses, gets three balls called for him, and fouls off eight consecutive pitches before hitting an out of the park homerun.Warren Tracey saw this as an attack against him and would be looking for vengeance on his next at-bat. At Joe’s next at-bat, Warren throws two outside pitches, but the third pitch is directly on course for Joe’s head, hitting him in the eye, cracking his skull, and breaking his jaw. Joe remained unconscious on the field for 30 minutes before the ambulance got there with Warren standing on the mound smiling. The entire country was shocked and enraged when they heard the news that â€Å"Calico Joe† had been hit by a career-ending beanball. When people got news of who hit the star rookie player, death threats poured into Paul’s house telephone. For the next two games in the series against the Mets, Cubs players charged the mound, beating up Warren and other players on the Cubs’ team.Warren denied the fact that he had intentionally hit Joe and his career spiraled downward. Warren never pitched the same again and was dropped from the Mets into their AAA team and eventually down to their AA team. After a month of being in a coma, Joe finally woke up, unable to ever play another game of baseball. Joe had lost eighty percent of his vision in his right eye and sustained some minor brain damage.A few months later, Joe has a stroke that leaves the left side of his body partially paralyzed, forcing him to retire for good. For years after the incident, Joe lives the life of a cripple in his home town of Calico Rock, Arkansas under the protection of his brothers. Thirty years go by and Paul is grown up with a wife and two kids. Warren Tracey left the family years before and has gone through 4 wives since then,  marrying only for money and lust.In another attempt at fame, Warren tries golfing, winning only one tournament in Florida. Tracey is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and his health is deteriorating very quickly. Paul goes to visit him in his Florida home, not because he is concerned with his health, but because he has one last request b efore his father dies. Paul asks Warren to travel with him to Calico Rock, Arkansas to make amends with Joe and shake hands and apologize.After several days of yelling, arguing, and threatening blackmail, Warren warms up to the idea and goes with Paul to visit Joe. When they arrive in Calico Rock, they are greeted by Joe’s friend Clarence Rook who takes them to the field Joe looks after.Warren finally has the chance to apologize to Joe, and surprisingly is sincere and means it. Joe ultimately forgives Warren for ending his promising career and they shake hands and take pictures afterwards. A couple years after that, Warren finally succumbs to the pancreatic cancer and dies at the age of 76.A small funeral is held but very few people show up. To Paul’s surprise, in the middle of the minister’s sermon, Joe and his two brothers walk in and sit next to Joe. After all that Warren had done to Joe, Joe still goes to his funeral to pay his respects. After the funeral th e Castle brothers talk with Paul and want him to publish the story about the truth behind Warren beaning Joe and the story of their reconciliation in Calico Rock, Arkansas.Important CharactersPaul TraceyAt parts in the story, Paul Tracey is an 11 year old boy and son of Warren Tracey. Like his father, Paul has a passion for baseball and is a fairly skilled player in his community’s little league. As a boy, Paul is physically abused every time he does something wrong in any of his games, getting beat the moment they get home. Paul is also verbally abused by his father, sometimes even getting cussed out on the field. At other parts in the story, Paul Tracey is a middle-aged man in his 40’s. With a father dying from pancreatic cancer, Paul feels forced to go visit him; consequently, influencing his father to make amends with the man whose career his father ended.Warren TraceyAt parts in the story, Warren Tracey is a 34 year old journeyman for the New York Mets. Warren Tra cey plays off the old rules of baseball and plays a mean-spirited game of baseball whenever he does play. As a regular drunk, Warren abuses alcohol, his wife, and his son, Paul Tracey. In one pitch, Warren ends the promising career of a record breaking rookie by hitting him in the head, knocking him into a coma. Soon afterwards, Warren loses his ability to pitch and finds himself out of the game with no job. He eventually does reconcile with Joe after being blackmailed by his son and being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Warren dies at the end of the novel at 76 years old.Joe CastleJoe Castle was a rookie baseball player for the Cubs’ AA team before he saw an opportunity to become a star when the Cubs’ first baseman injured his back. Joe became a baseball legend when he broke a record in his first game in the major leagues and went on to break several more. At the height of his rookie career, his career was suddenly ended when he took a pitch to the head. Joe went in to a coma for a month before waking up with partial vision and permanent brain damage. After his stay in the hospital Joe retreated to his hometown of Calico Rock, Arkansas where he was the groundskeeper for the field the town had built and named after him. Joe agreed to meet with the man who ended his career and forgave him for everything he had done and even attended the man’s funeral.Hero/HeroineJoe Castle, nicknamed â€Å"Calico Joe† is the hero of this novel. Joe Castle wowed the crowd in each of his appearances on the field and won the hearts of most Americans. In his journey to fame, Joe never let the fame get to him and although he did get cocky at times, he never seemed overly arrogant or overly proud to anyone but Warren Tracey. When Joe’s career was ended shortly by Warren Tracey’s bean ball to the head, he did not blame anything on him or call Warren out in any way.Joe was always sincere about everything after the incident and looked at his li fe with only positive thoughts. When Warren finally comes to apologize, Joe accepts his apology and forgives him without any hesitation. When Warren dies of pancreatic  cancer, Joe treats him as an old friend and travels all the way to Florida to attend the funeral. In the novel, Joe truly is a hero to the American people, Paul, and eventually, Warren Tracey.Main ConflictIn Calico Joe, there the main conflict is a man vs. man type of conflict between Paul Tracey and his dad, Warren. In Warren’s eyes, Paul was always a failure and could never do anything right. Warren would scream at him during Paul’s little league games, criticize his every move, and beat him for what he did wrong when they got home. In Warren’s later years the role reverses and Paul blackmails Warren into doing what he wants and refuses to accept Warren as his father. Paul and Warren did not have a very healthy father-son relationship and during parts of both their lives, they were miserable. SettingCalico Joe takes place in both 1973 during some parts of the novel, and the early 2000’s during other parts. It is set in America, bouncing around different parts of the eastern half of the country, including Shea Stadium in New York, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, Calico Rock, Arkansas, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Florida.Significant Quotesâ€Å"Neither my sister nor my mother wanted to be bothered by the news either. The big decision was whether to go to Warren’s funeral, not how quickly we could arrive to his bedside. But I knew I needed to see him again. We still had some unfinished business before he died.† – Paul Tracey This quote both sets up some foreshadowing to what is going to happen to Warren and it shows how weak the relationship between Warren and the rest of his family truly is.â€Å"Warren didn’t come to my college graduation or my wedding. But when I heard about his cancer I went to see him one last time.† – Paul Tracey Even though Warren wanted nothing to do with Paul after his career had ended, Paul still made attempts to have his father be a part of his life, but this will be his last attempt.â€Å"In Joe’s second at bat my father beaned him. I can still hear the sound of the ball hitting his helmet today. Joe collapsed in a heap and he didn’t get up. Then I saw my father  smile.† – Paul Tracey This shows that it was no accident that Warren Tracey hit Joe in the head when he stepped up to the plate the second time. Warren sick, twisted rules of baseball taught him to bean the batter for hitting a homerun and â€Å"showing up† the pitcher.â€Å"Over the following months it became obvious that the incident had had an effect on Warren Tracey. He performed terribly and was quickly pitching himself out of the rotation. He was a toxic influence and was hated in every ballpark.† – Paul Tracey The guilt of intentionally hitting Joe to knock him down and take him out of baseball was getting to Warren and causing him to play bad, however, Warren continued to lie even after he had been dropped from the major leagues.â€Å"It was the first time in years that he seemed to care about my family. He told me that he had just tried to call my sister as well. I knew that he was finally starting to face death† – Paul TraceyWarren only tries to get his family back when he knows that he is going to die soon. Nonetheless, Warren does make attempts to make amends with his family and Joe before he passes.â€Å"Just before the service started I was shocked to see the three Castle brothers walk in and sit in the last pew.† – Paul Tracey This shows that Joe had truly forgiven Warren for ending his career and now saw him as a close friend.ForeshadowingThe very beginning of the novel discusses Warren Tracey’s diagnosis of having pancreatic cancer, so, we are forced to foreshadow that this will cause compl ications later in the novel. Also in the beginning, Paul says that â€Å"[his] dad would throw a pitch that would change the history of baseball forever.† This leaves many different possibilities as to where the storyline could go and we are forced to foreshadow and think of where it might go.Novel’s ConclusionI was very surprised at the novel’s ending. First of all, I did not think that Paul was going to be able to persuade both his father and the Castle brothers into having Warren visit Joe in Calico Rock to apologize and ask forgiveness. The Castle brothers thought it was a great idea and once Warren knew he was going to die soon, he wanted to make amends. I was also  surprised when Warren said that he wanted Paul to publish the truth about him beaning Joe Castle. All of his life, Warren denied that he had intentionally hit Joe in the head, but then wants everyone to know. Lastly, I was very shocked that Joe and his two brothers traveled all the way to Flor ida for Warren Tracey’s funeral after knowing Warren for only a short amount of time.Meet a CharacterIf I could meet any one character in the book, I would want to meet Joe Castle. I used to play baseball for seven years and I know the game really well. I have met a couple Angel’s baseball players before, but I think it would be really cool to meet a rookie record breaker. Everyone in America loved Joe Castle, not only because of his extreme talent in baseball, but also for his natural charm and personality. If I did meet him, I would probably congratulate him on everything that he had done in baseball and feel bad for the accident he had been in.Reaction to the NovelI normally never like reading novels; however, I really enjoyed reading this novel. I thought it had a very clear story line that was easy to follow and was very well written. It also helped that I was familiar with baseball, the major theme/topic of the novel. Reading this novel has definitely given me so me thought into reading some of his other novels in the future.

Our School Exhibition

Our school held a very interesting exhibition of students' art and craft work last year. Itwas surprising to see the various pieces of handwork of such high standards. Theseexhibits were attractive and colourful for they had been prepared and designed well bythe students with guidance from the Art teachers. The students were obviouslyenthusiastic about their work; for each item was rendered carefully and lovingly withoutthe slightest trace of sloppinessThere were many sections to interest parents and friends who came to see the work of their children. The painting of nature, Malaysian scenes, flowers and fruits was of anexceptionally high standard. Other items such as puppets, dolls and articles of embroidery  were admired, too.In the geography section, there were clay models of physical features like hills, mountains and plateaus set in a natural environment of greenlandscape with rivers meandering  through the land.Some articles like flowers made from silk were for sale and lad ies readily bought theseitems. Our school exhibition was appreciated by all. Cameron Highlands – a Malaysian Hill ResortAfter living in the busy city of Kuala Lumpur with its noise and bustling traffic, it is a pleasure to go up to Cameron Highlands, a cool mountain resort, for relaxation.Enroute  you will enjoy the scenic countryside as you drive up hilly roads amidst jungletrees, waterfalls and small villages. Then, you feast your eyes each time you pass a flower nursery or a vegetable farm. The cool, crisp air at Tanah Rata makes you feel invigorated.At the same time, you are able to admire the quaint-looking English-style cottages alongthe way. Roses creeping up and clinging to the walls of the cottages remind you of England and the scenery is enchanting  if you happen to be a nature-lover. Usually, avisitor gets quite hungry as he  goes up the highlands and he is able to enjoy the piping hotmeals served in the restaurants.As the sun goes down, temperature drops and it becomes quite chilly. You can then sit bythe fireside with your favourite story book and laze around in a sweater or a jacket as it isquite a contrast to the warm and sunny weather on the plains in your hometown.A visit to the famous Boh Tea plantation is interesting and worthwhile for have you ever wondered how you get you cup of tea? It comes mainly from the tea plantations onCameron Highlands. Jungle walks are also a good way of spending your time while youare there. Cameron is indeed an ideal holiday resort.