Psychology & Religion: The Spirtual Side to Counseling Essay -- essays

Abstract: In today’s society the field of psychology and the study of religion have hardly ever set will with one another. New information is being composed about the two fields working together, this paper is a brief description of those ideas and thoughts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The psychological study of religion in the United States illustrates tensions and opportunities that exist between psychology and religion. It also demonstrates the multifaceted views taken by psychologists as they address areas of living that have personal implications. Following the early period, American psychology’s push toward behaviorism resulted in the neglect of spiritual matters. The reductionism methods of behaviorism left little room for matters of faith, or for any other theoretical constructs that were not measured directly. Consequently, psychology left religion for other topic that were considered to be more scientific and several decades of neglect ensued. Psychologist’ interest in religion resumed in the 1950’s. Gordon Allport’s (1950) attempt to describe the role of religion in people’s experience began his indelible mark on the field, and to this day his Intrinsic-Extrinsic distinction in religious motivation r emains the most influential approach in psychological studies of religion in the United States. In the years since then, several developments have combined to suggest, according to the traditional view of psychology of religion, that the fields is experiencing a resurgence of interest. These include the establishment of professional journals giving an outlet to psychological study of religion, and the apparently increasing availability of college classes focusing on psychology of religion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Psychologists who study religion, however, address â€Å" an object whose reality can be received only in the state of faith† (p.32). the act of belief is critical to religious knowledge and experience. In psychology, skepticism is an enduring value, but in religion it is an intermediate step on the pathway to belief. This sets up a tension between psychology and religion, which results in psychologists having low rates of religious activity, when compared to other scientific and academic groups (Richards & Bergin, 1997). The methods and assumptions favored by psychology have appeared to be incompatible wi... ...terest to psychologists. It also challenges the psychologist’s ingenuity to conduct research on constructs that cannot easily be studied experimentally. At a more abstract level, the link between psychology and religion helps psychology maintain its historical connection with philosophy. As psychologist seek to employ the techniques of the natural sciences, the psychology of religion reminds us that our roots are in philosophy, and that the assumption we make regarding our subject matter have important implication for our science. Bibliography   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Baston, C.D. (1996) You take the high road. The International Journal for the Pyschology of Religion, 6, 159-164.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bergin, A.E. (1980). Psychotherapy and religious values. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 75-105. Hood, R. W. Jr. (1999, November). American Psychology of Religion and the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Wulff, D. W. (1998) Rethinking the rise and fall of the psychology of religion. In A.L. Molendijk and P. Pel (Eds.), Religion in the making: The emergence of the sciences of religion, (pp.181-202). .

Performance Evaluation of a Private Bank

[pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] An Assignment On Performance Evaluation of a Private Bank IFIC Bank as a private bank in the private sector of Bangladesh. Prepared For: Narzia Florin Lecturer, Dept. of Business Administration Prepared By: Saleh Ahmed BBA – 02406160 24th GI Dept. of Business Administration Stamford University Bangladesh. Submission Date: 15th May 2006 Letter of Transmittal Dated: May 15, 2006 Narzia Florin Lecturer, Dept. of Business Administration Subject: Submission of report on performance evaluation of a private commercial bank. Dear Madam, It has been a great pleasure to submit the report on performance evaluation of a private commercial bank. You are aware that I collected information on a private commercial bank. I choose IFIC Bank for the report purpose. I am fortunate enough that I got all those information necessary for the assignment purpose. I believe that this assignment has given me a great experience to me and it has enriched both my knowledge and experience. I tried my best to prove my skills while preparing this report. I cordially seek your kind advice or suggestion regarding my mistake which will help me in my practical and theoretical works in the days to come. Sincerely yours, Saleh Ahmed BBA – 02406160 24th GI Table of Contents ? Executive Summary. ? Profile of IFIC Bank. ? BANK'S MISSION: Quest for Excellence. ? The bank in a sketch. ? Ownership Structure. ? Financial Position. ? Product & Services. ? Human Resources Development. ? Rates of Deposit Schemes. ? Conclusion. Executive Summary: In this report on the Performance Evaluation of a private bank as IFIC bank, I collect the necessary information from its web site, catalog, bossier and personally by information collection. I found that these private companies are very competitive and want to capture the vast market of Bangladesh at any cost. So they provide various types of product and services. I also found that the companies counterattack their competitors by their offers. Some gives high or low interest rate, new facilities etc†¦ Every company has their own strategy to capture the market. In my report I tried to include most of IFIC bank’s product, services and facilities. Though I have some limitations I tried my best to show the Performance Evaluation of IFIC bank as a private bank. BANK'S MISSION: Quest for Excellence Our Mission is to provide service to our clients with the help of a skilled and dedicated workforce whose creative talents, innovative actions and competitive edge make our position unique in giving quality service to all institutions and individuals that we care for. We are committed to the welfare and economic prosperity of the people and the community, for we drive from them our inspiration and drive for onward progress to prosperity. We want to be the leader among banks in Bangladesh and make our indelible mark as an active partner in regional banking operating beyond the national boundary. In an intensely competitive and complex financial and business environment, we particularly focus on growth and profitability of all concerned. THE BANK IN A SKETCH: International Finance Investment and Commerce (IFIC) Bank Limited started banking operations on June 24, 1983. Prior to that it was set up in 1976 as a joint venture finance company at the instance of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Government then held 49 percent shares while the sponsors and general public held the rest. The objectives of the finance company were to establish joint venture Banks Finance Companies and affiliates abroad and to carry out normal functions of a finance company at home. When the Government decided to open up banking in the private sector in 1983, the above finance company was converted into a full-fledged commercial Bank. Along with this, the Government also allowed four other commercial Banks in the private sector. Subsequently, the Government denationalized two Banks, which were then fully Government-owned. While in all these Banks Government held nominal 5 percent shares, an exception was made in the case of this Bank. It retained 40 percent shares of the Bank. The decision by the Government to retain 40 percent shares in IFIC Bank was in pursuance of the original objectives, namely, promotion of joint participation of Government and private sponsors to establish joint venture Banks, financial companies, branches and affiliates abroad. Ownership Structure BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Board of Directors of the Bank is a unique combination of both private and Government sector experience. Currently it consists of Ten Directors. Of them five represent the sponsors and general public and four senior officials in the rank and status of joint secretary/Additional Secretary represent the Government. Managing Director is the ex-officio Director of the Board. |Elected Directors | |Representing ‘A' Class Shareholders | |01 |Mr. Manzurul Islam |Chairman | |02 |Mr. Saiful Islam |Director | |03 |Mr. Abul Matin Khan |Director | |04 |Mr. Abdul Hamid Chowdhury |Director | |05 |Mr. A. R. Malik |Director | |   | |Nominated Directors | |Representing ‘B' Class Shareholders | |(Government of Bangladesh) | |06 |Mr. Mohammad Janibul Huq |Director | |07 |Mr. ATM Ataur Rahman |Director | |08 |Dr. Chowdhury Saleh Ahmed |Director | |09 |Mr. Md. Mokhles ur Rahman |Director | |   | |10 |Mr. Mashiur Rahman |Managing Director | Financial Position CAPITAL & RESERVES: The bank started with an authorized capital of Tk. 100. 00 million in 1983. Paid-up capital was then Tk. 71. 50 million only. Over the last Twenty One years, the authorized & paid-up capital has increased substantially. Authorized capital was Tk. 500. 00 million and the paid-up capital stood at Tk. 406. 39 million as on December 31, 2004. The Bank has built up a strong reserve base over the years. In last twenty one years its reserves and surplus have increased significantly. This consistent policy of building up reserves has enabled the bank to maintain a better capital adequacy ratio as compared to others. With the active support and guidance from the Government, the bank has been showing a steady and improved performance. In its twenty One years of operations, the bank has earned the status of a leading bank in terms of both business and goodwill. Starting with a modest deposit of only Tk. 863. 40 million in 1983 the bank has closed its business with Tk. 20, 774. 49 million of deposit as on December 31, 2004. The annual growth rate has mostly been higher compared to both banking sector growth and individual growth rates achieved by others. As against a profit of Tk. 21. 94 million in 1984, the bank earned a record profit of Tk. 700. 25 million for the year ended on December 31, 2004. PRODUCT & SERVICES Presently 5 (five) products/services have already been launched in the market: A. Pension Saving Scheme (PSS) B. Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) C. Tele Banking / Tele Link D. Death Risk Benefit Scheme (DRBS) E. Consumer Credit Scheme (CCS) A. Pension Saving Scheme (PSS): 1. Name of the Scheme: Pension Saving Scheme . Delivery Points: 62 Branches 3. Highlight of the product: Duration of the Account: 5 (five) Years & 10 (ten) Years Monthly Installments: Tk. 500 or Tk. 1000 or Tk. 2000 Payment after Maturity: | |PAYMENT AFTER MATURITY | | |5 YEARS |10 YEARS | |INSTALLMENT |WITHOUT BONUS |BONUS |WITH BONUS |WITHOUT BONUS |BONUS |WITH BONUS | |Tk. 00 |36265/- |1500/- |37765/- |93050/- |3000/- |96 050/- | |Tk. 1000 |72530/- |3000/- |75530/- |186100/- |6000/- |192100/- | |Tk. 2000 |145060/- |6000/- |151060/- |372200/- |12000/- |384200/- | Eligibility for PSS Account: A person of 18 years of age and above having a sound mind will be eligible to open an account in his/her own name. Bonus Payment: If the account holder, from commencement to maturity of term, pays all the monthly installments in time (i. e. within 10th day of each month) and never defaults in paying monthly installments, the account holder will receive extra bonus payment equivalent to 3 (three) times of monthly installment for 5 years term and 6 (Six) times of monthly installment for 10 years term. Income Tax Rebate: Under this Scheme, income tax rebate will be available on the total amount payable i. e. after maturity of deposited amount; such amount will also be income tax free. Monthly installments to PSS will also qualify for showing as investments (like provident fund) in yearly Income Tax Return. Payment of Pension: One can receive the entire deposited amount with interest at a time or receive a pension on monthly basis at a desirable amount of monthly installments. B . Monthly Income Scheme (MIS): 1. Name of the Scheme: Monthly Income Scheme. 2. Delivery Points: 62 Branches. 3. Highlight of the product: 4. Duration of the Account: 5 Years (Deposited principal amount will be returned on maturity). 6. Amount to be Deposited: Tk. 50000/- and it’s multiple. 7. Payment after Maturity:Tk. 450/- and it’s multiple. Procedures for paying monthly income: The payment of monthly income will start from the subsequent month after a clear minimum gap of 1 (one) month from the date of deposit. If an account is opened on 7th of any month, monthly income will be paid on 7th of the subsequent month. The account holder will receive monthly income in any SB/CD account of same name maintained with the branch. In case, the account holder does not have any SB/CD account with the Branch, he/she/they will have to open a SB/CD account for receiving the monthly income. The minimum balance requirement will be waived for these types of accounts for a new customer. However, a minimum initial deposit of Tk. 500/- will have to be deposited. This procedure will eliminate the hassle of coming to the Bank Branch for taking interest every month. Eligibility for Monthly Income Scheme: A person of 18 years of age and above having a sound mind will be eligible to open an account in his/her own name. A person can open more than one account in his/her/their name in the same Branch or any Branch of the Bank. C. Tele Link/Tele Banking: 1. Name of the Scheme: Tele Link or Tele Banking. . Delivery Points: Gulshan, Federation, Dhanmondi, Motijheel Branches. 3. Basic Features of the Product: Phone Banking is a fast convenient and easy to use service that will complement one's lifestyle and keep one in complete control of his banking. One can access all the Telelink services at any time, day or night, from anywhere. It is far more convenient than traditional banking. T elelink is really simple to use. One can just dial our phone number from anywhere and an automated computerized voice response will guide him step by steps through his transactions. Confidentiality: A customer is given a 6 digit Registration Number when he applies for Telelink that will ensure total confidentiality of his account information. When the customer chooses to obtain specific information about his account, he will have to use his Registration Number and the confidential Personal Identification Number (PIN) by pressing the number keys on his phone. Banking Services Supported by Telelink: A. Transactions Relating to Transfer of funds from one account to another B. Inquiries relating to †¢ account balances †¢ transaction details †¢ exchange rates †¢ interest rate information †¢ products and services †¢ remittances C. Requests for †¢ balance certificates †¢ account statement †¢ 7-days withdrawal notice on accounts †¢ cheque books/pay order/drafts †¢ renewing or opening of fixed deposits †¢ assistance for opening other accounts In addition, the service can also deal with lost cheque books and credit cards, change of address and stopping of payment. Fees: We are not charging any fees for this technical service but the facility has been offered to Saving Bank customers with a minimum balance of Tk. 50,000/-, to Current Deposit Account customers and STD customers with a minimum balance of Tk. 100, 000/-. D. Death Risk Benefit Scheme (DRBS) . Name of the Scheme: Death Risk Benefit Scheme. 2. Delivery Points: 62 Branches. 3. Basic Features of Scheme: IFIC Bank's Death Risk Benefit Scheme offers its Savings Bank Account holders' interest on savings, a lump sum amount and some peace of mind – three in one benefits at no extra cost! Benefits of Scheme: Death Risk ben efits in lump sum amount to nominee(s)/heir(s) on the death of an account holder. Eligibility Criteria: Account must be maintained for a period of minimum one-year before the death of the account holder. At the time of death, the customer must have been within the age group of 18 to 50 years. The account must have been opened with a minimum deposit of Tk. 5000 in case of new accounts. (Since 1-8-97). Average balance of Tk. 10,000/- minimum must be maintained within one-year period prior to the death of the Account Holder. Extent of Benefit 50% of the average balances of the account for one-year period prior to the death of the account holder or Tk. 100,000 whichever is lower. Account balance exceeding Tk. 10, 00,000/- will not be taken into consideration while calculating average balance for one year for the purpose of Death Risk Benefit. E. Consumer Credit Scheme (CCS): 1. Name of the Scheme: Consumer Credit Scheme. 2. Delivery Points: 62 Branches. 3. Highlight of the product: |Main Features |Particulars | |Selection Criteria / Who Can |A Self employed person of fixed income $ a confirmed or permanent service holder. | |apply | | |Products Eligible for Finance |Vehicles, Domestic Appliance, Office Equipment, Entertainment, Medical Expenses, Intangibles, etc. |Limit Range |Tk. 15,000 to Tk. 7,00,000 | |Repayment |By 12, 24, 36 or 48 equated monthly installments (EMI) depending on the loan amount. | |Interest Rate / Fees |Interest: | | |@ 16. 00% P. A. ithoutany tangible security and | | |@ 14. 50% P. A. where the loan is 100% secured with 20% margin against lien of FDR, MIS, PSS, Savings | | |Certificates issued from any Bank & Financial Institution. | | |Service Charge: | | |For 1 and 2 Years term – 2% of the Loan amount (minimum Tk. 00/-) | | |For 3 Years term – 3% of the Loan amount | | |For 4 Years term – 4% of the Loan amo unt. | |Down Payment / Equity |Minimum 20% of the invoice value of the Consumer Products. | |Contribution |For Vehicles: 30% to 40% in Cash / Financial instruments.. | Q-cash: Q-cash is a new service provided by the IFIC Bank. In this quick cash service system there consumer can withdraw money easily in any time in exchange of a little yearly fee. This kind of services is very helpful for their current consumers and for their new consumers of their services. This kind of services is raising the living standard of people. For implementing this kind of new service we are grateful to IFIC Bank. HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT Human Resources Development (HRD) activities aim at fulfilling the bank's Mission. One of our four major missions is to: â€Å"Provide service to our clients with the help of a skilled and dedicated workforce whose creative talents, innovative actions and competitive edge make our position unique in iving quality service to all institutions and individuals that we care for. † Skilled and dedicated workforce with creative talents, innovative actions are not always readily available. Appreciating the scarcity of such manpower, the bank from the very beginning laid importance to HRD that conceptually includes activities like: pre-recruitment drill, recruitment, induction, training in the Academy, job rotatio n, placement & posting, reward and promotion. All these activities are planned by the bank in an integrated way aiming at manpower with required amount of technical, managerial, human and conceptual skills. Management of IFIC Bank not only appreciates the need of skills required for day to day banking but also realizes the need for skills to meet the global & national financial and economic environments that are changing fast. Meeting the needs of new skills arising out of Financial Sector Reforms Programme (FSRP) is also a major concern of the management. The bank, therefore, set up a Division namely HRD Division under a separate Group called Services Group-I. The Academy of the bank works under this group. The other Division, which works under the Services Group-I, is Planning, Research & Statistics Division. Current News IFIC BANK JOINED SHARED ATM NETWORK IFIC Bank Ltd. and ITC Ltd. have signed a shared ATM network participation accord. . The Signing ceremony was held in presence of Mr. Ataul Haq, Managing Director of IFIC Bank Limited and Mr. Kutubuddin Ahmed, Chairman of ITCL and President of BGMEA. Executives and senior officials of IFIC Bank were also present on the occasion. In the process, the bank has joined a group local bank for introduction of shared ATM network. Automated teller Machine (ATM) with electronic device located at the bank branches or other convenient public locations extends 24 hours access to cash and other banking facilities to the customers without requiring to enter the branch or to wait in queues for cash withdrawal. This will establish the banks commitment for valued customers to bring a new era in banking services. Under this new facility, IFIC Bank will install few ATMs at its branch premises in Dhaka city. Similarly, few more units of off site ATMs will also be installed in some prominent public places in the city by the syndicate partners. GROUP OPERATION-I: Operations-I, a group segment of Head Office operation of the Bank mainly handles General Advance/ Credit Portfolio, Project finance excluding Overseas Operations of the Bank and Lease Financing. The Group is headed by Senior Executives having commendable professional knowledge and experience supported by a talent pool of MBA's, Engineers, Economists, and Statisticians etc. with the blending of credit experience. GROUP STRUCTURE: A. Name of Group Executive/ In-Charge: Mr. Md. Ziaul Bari, Executive Vice President B. Functional Structure: The Group Comprises of 3 Divisions as under: i) General Credit Division ii) Project Finance Division iii) Lease Financing Division C. Area of Operation: i) General Credit Division a) Sanction Department: This department mainly handles Credit Portfolio of the Bank related to Working Capital and Trade Finance. Proposals of such nature are processed/appraised and disposed of by this department. The department is manned by a group of professionals from respective discipline with commendable banking experience as well as exposure in modern concept and technology. ) Credit Administration Department: The function of this department is to monitor credit portfolio of the Bank through physical inspection of various periodical returns, Audit/Inspection Report etc. with a view to maintaining a healthy asset base of the Bank. c) Credit Information & Returns Department: This department deals in preparation of different periodical returns related to credit portfolio of the Ban k for management information as well as for submission of information/data to Regulatory Body and various controlling agencies. The department also centrally handles all jobs relating to Loan Classification of the Bank. d) Ancillary Functions: The Group also handles various Loan Schemes for the employees of the Bank. ii) Project Finance Division: Project Finance Division is a shared resource center of the Bank which provides back office support to the branches – the marketing outlets of the Bank – in their endeavor to meet the credit needs of the corporate clients. The Division helps the corporate clients in their decision making for undertaking venture project or BMRE of the existing projects. It also assist them to structure their long term and short term finance and to raise fund from own source of the Bank or through syndication with other Banks. In case of difficult business situation and unexpected low turnover vis-a-vis poor performance of the clients, the Division offers customized solution through business and financial restructuring. The Division also provides counseling to the corporate clients for minimizing their business risks and optimizing growth in the context of rapid globalization. The Division so far financed 250 projects (New and BMRE) since 1996, major concentration being in textile sector – both export oriented and backward linkage units. Other mentionable sectors are Steel and Engineering, Cement, Real Estate, Consumer Products, Printing and Packaging, Hotels, Hospitals, Cold Storage etc. iii) Lease Finance Division: To assist bona-fide entrepreneurs acquire capital machinery and equipment increasing / up-grading productive capacity without trying up equity and to contribute to the industrial development of Bangladesh IFIC Bank Limited has introduced Lease Finance. For more please contact the Branches. RATES OF DEPOSIT SCHEMES |Deposit Schemes |Deposit Rates | |Savings (SB) |5. 0% | |Special Term Deposit (STD) |4. 00% | |Fixed Deposit |Rate of Interest | |Three Months |6. 75% – 7. 50% | |Six Months |7. 00% – 7. 5% | |One Year & above |7. 25% – 8. 00% | * Figure in LAC Taka Conclusion: To prepare this report on Performance Evaluation of a private bank I collect information of many banks and finally select The IFIC bank to prepare this Performance Evaluation Report. For collecting information regarding different bank, I found that these private companies are very competitive and want to capture the vast market of Bangladesh at any cost. So they provide various types of product and services. I also found that the companies counterattack their competitors by their offers. Some gives high or low interest rate, new facilities etc†¦ Every company has their own strategy to capture the market. In my report I tried to include most of IFIC bank’s product, services and facilities. I tried to focus all their branches. In my opinion the bank provide many attractive facility to their customer but it should provide more service and product to its customer and must easy on its customer on there services.

The Woman Warrior

Brittany Tiano Ms. Wenzel WLS Tutorial 24 October 2012 Reality vs. Fantasy: Kingston’s use of Juxtaposition in The Woman Warrior In The Woman Warrior, Maxine Hong Kingston writes an honest memoir that focuses in on the lives of five woman; the most important being Kingston, and is told in 5 chapters. As a reader, we get a glimpse into the realities of life for many Chinese emigrants in America and their children. Kingston, who is the narrator in the book, creates an elaborate fantasy in the second chapter, called â€Å"White Tigers†.In it, Kingston portrays a strong warrior woman, who leads her army to victory by overthrowing the emperor at his palace. In reality, she was in America, struggling to get noticed by the unfamiliar people surrounding her. This section of the book bares great importance because it shows the authors use of juxtaposition on the girls reality and a fantasy world she wishes to be in. Readers feel sympathy that she can’t reach her goal of b ecoming a warrior, but must be stuck in an unfamiliar country where she is ignored and made fun of. Life in America was not all it was cracked up to be.Kingston learned this pretty quick. Since she was of chinese dissent, she had a very slim chance of ever becoming anything big, maybe an owner of a laundromat, but that’s it. Men would be especially difficult for Kingston to get the hang of as well. She tried to look feminine and be sweet but nothing worked. At school she wasn’t respected. At work she wasn’t respected. While working at an art store, her boss was telling her to order more of a certain type of yellow and he used the â€Å"N† word to describe it. She says, â€Å"‘I don’t like that word,’ I had to say in my bad, small persons voice that makes no impact.The boss never deigned to answer†(Kingston 48). In America, Kingston is especially down on herself and winey: â€Å"Nobody supports me at the expense of his own adven ture. Then I get bitter: no one supports me; I am not loved enough to be supported†(Kingston 48). She feels like she has nobody to turn to, nobody to relate to, and worst of all, nobody to love her; which made being in America harder for her. In reality, a woman's place in society was beneath those of men, and then being an Asian-American woman would direct her to the bottom of the food chain.In a quick second though, things would change and she was a whole new person. This was possible in her fantasy world, one which she created in her minds eye and loved to be in. Imagine being two people at once; only one of them turned off and the other brought to life. That’s how kingston felt when she was in her fantasy world of being a warrior. She trained for 15 years to be the best she could be and impressed all who she met. She had the ability to give life; giving birth to a baby boy, and take life; executing many targets she had seen in the magical gourd.As the author writes this, you can see just how juxtaposed the two worlds are and wish that Kingston lived a better life, or that the fantasy could become a reality. In her fantasy, she has a son, confidence, a killer army (literally), and a loving husband. She has such passion for going after men that had impressed her brother and father: â€Å"I watched the baron’s piggish face chew open-mouthed on the sacrificial pig. I plunged my hand into the gourd, making a grab for his thick throat†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Kingston 45). She was so eager to destroy him and get her family members back.Such confidence then led to a numerous army that would â€Å"attack fiefdoms† and â€Å"pursue enemies† that she had seen in the gourd. Kingston notes, â€Å"I inspired my army, and I fed them†¦ We brought order where ever we went†¦ I won over a goodly number of fighters†¦ † (Kingston 37). She practically had people bowing down to her, and for once in her life, she was loved, a wish sh e had had for so long. She realized that her â€Å"son was so delighted that the shiny general was his mother too† and a sense of accomplishment and honor was brought about her. (Kingston 45). Between this fictional life, and her reality, she was stuck in a rut.Right off the bat, Kingston tells the reader that her American life has been such a disappointment† (Kingston 45). Being an Asian-American was no easy task. Kingston suffered through bias, and it came â€Å"to the point that as long as you ‘look’ Asian, you’re open to attack, regardless of which group you belong to†¦ † (Lindsey). The most interesting part of this chapter is the last few pages when Kingston gets back to talking about her fantasy life. She says, â€Å"I mustn’t feel bad that i haven't done as well as the swordswoman did; after all, no bird called me, no wise old people tutored me. I have no magic beads, no water gourd sight†¦My brain had momentarily lost it’s depth perception. I was that eager to find an unusual bird†(Kingston 49). In this last part, Kingston self-reflects on her fantasy and how badly she wants it. She feels like if she just looks hard enough for the signs; the bird, the clouds, the mountains, she’ll find her way to the old people’s home and fulfill her fantasy. As readers, we know this will never happen, which makes us feel sympathetic that her future will never be as appealing as she wants it to be. There are numerous examples of juxtaposition throughout the book but this chapter most likely held the bulk of them.Maxine Kingston’s writing was filled with stories and unfortunate realities that made a reader understand what it was like to be so different now matter how much she did to blend in. The opposition between the two lives gave us an inside look of a culture’s myth brought to an imagination, and a reality that pain staked a girl to disliking a place that she lived. K ingston, Maxine Hong. The Woman Warrior. New York: Vintage International, 1976. Print. Lindsey, Robert. â€Å"Asian-Americans See Growing Bias. † New York Times 10 09 1983, Special Edition n. pag. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. .

Corrosiveness of Soda Essay

Soft drinks, also called as sodas, are one of the most popular beverages that are drunk worldwide. Several brands of sodas, mainly from the brands The Coca-Cola Company, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper-Snapple, are competing in their sales. As of 2012, the leading brand of food beverages is Coca-Cola. Statistics show that more than a billion Coca-Cola products are consumed daily worldwide. That means that we are consuming more sodas than ever before, and many health issues are showing up, including teeth problems. Soft drinks can be found almost everywhere, from sari-sari stores, canteens, stalls, groceries, restaurants, and other places. The average capita consumption of sodas in the Philippines is seven liters per day, which is alarming. Most soft drinks contain high sugar content, as a typical 12-ounce can of soda contains 9 to twelve teaspoons of sugar. Sugar has been shown to suppress the immune system and has been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypoglycemia, gout, kidney hypertrophy, retinopathy, obesity, hyperactivity, learning disability, viral, bacterial, fungal, and yeast infections, peptic ulcer, hiatal hernias, gallstones, Crohn’s disease, shortened life span, and depression. Sodas also provide empty calories, and that is also not a good point in drinking it. These are calories that enter your bloodstream without even providing vitamins, minerals, or proteins that you need for your health. Also, most brands of soda pop are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup has been shown to be more very harmful than sugar. As much as we are more concerned of sugar content and the empty calories that soft drinks have, we must also consider the acidity of it. The corrosiveness of soda is ten times that of fruit juices, as they have this certain ingredient, called phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acids in sodas are used as an acidifying agent to give the sodas their tangy flavor. A latest research in the Academy of General Dentistry even states that this acid reports that drinking any type of soft drink hurts teeth due to the phosphoric/ and or citric acid in the beverages. Although phosphorus is also important to the body, imbalance in phosphorus to calcium in your bones can cause your body to break down calcium from your bones and release it to your blood to balance acidity. Not only does it affect your bones, it also causes  teeth to rot and turn yellow, and can also result to digestive problems. Phosphoric acids in high concentrations are actually used for rust removal, which makes it all the more dangerous to intake. People have been drinking lots of soft drinks each day. We see them buying it from stores everywhere, and they drink it to â€Å"quench their thirst†, instead of just drinking plain water. Drinking water is always the best option in quenching thirst than soft drinks. The average capita consumption of sodas in the Philippines is seven liters per day per person. Seven liters per day per person is quite a shock, because sodas are not supposed to be taken in large amounts, let alone drinking it each day. So that means that if you don’t drink in a day or two, others might be taking twice or thrice the amount of the sodas that you do not drink. Many people just consider the sugar content, and some even believe soft drinks to be harmless. But prolonged exposure to sodas lead to significant tooth enamel loss, a study from the Academy of General Dentistry showed. This proves that we must be careful in drinking soft drinks, even if we do not let the soft drinks stuck inside our mouths. The corrosive effect of sodas start nearly immediately, and it increases within time. Sodas that are dark-colored are the most corrosive. As much as you see the effect that they did to the coins, the effect would be far greater to our teeth, as they corroded tarnish easily. The phosphoric acid content, added by the sugars of these sodas is the root cause of the erosion of tooth enamels. The soda that removes the tarnish the fastest is the most corrosive and dangerous to people’s teeth enamels.

Two Professional Athletes of Nfl Football

Two Professional Athletes Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice both played College and NFL football, but for different Teams and they played different positions. They were the greatest football players in there Time when they were playing. Emmitt Smith also played football in high school and shined on the field there as well. He played football for Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida. Escambia won the state Football championship, and Emmitt rushed for 106 touchdowns and 8,804 yards, which was the Second most yardage in the history of American high school football at the time.Emmitt rushed For over 100 yards in 45 of the 49 games he started for Escambia (including the last 28 in a row) Where he finished with a 7. 8 yards per carry average. Twice, he broke the 2,000 yard rushing mark in a Season. Emmitt was named the USA Today and Parade magazine high school player of the year For 1986. In 2007 twenty years after Emmitt had graduated from high school, the Florida High School Athletic Ass ociation named Emmitt to its â€Å"All-Century Team,† recognizing him as one of the 33 greatest Florida high school football players of the last 100 years.As part of its â€Å"100 Years of Florida High School Football† awards ceremony, Florida High School Athletic Association Named Emmitt as its â€Å"Player of the Century. † Emmitt Smith played College football for the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida Where he played for the Florida Gators from 1987 to 1989. He was picked by the Dallas Cowboys In the NFL Draft in 1990 round 1 pick 17. He retired from playing football in 2004. His position on The field when he played was running back. He played with Dallas Cowboys from (1990 to 2002), Then he went to play for the Arizona Cardinals from (2003 to 2004).He played NFL football for Fifteen seasons. Was considered the greatest running back in the NFL. With other team members Led his team to three Super Bowl Championships during the 1990s. While he played college football he shined on the field there as well. In his first full game, Emmitt promptly broke Florida’s 40-year- old all time single game rushing record, carrying 39 times For 224 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Gators upset the Crimson Tide. Emmitt went on to break The 1,000-yard barrier in the seventh game of his freshman season, the fastest any running back had Ever broken the barrier to begin his college career.He finished the 1987 season with 1,341 yards and Was named Southeastern Conference and National Freshman of the Year. He also finished 9th in that Year’s Heisman voting. In 1989 he finished his junior season with Florida records for rushing yards in A season with (1,599), rushing yards in a single game (316 versus New Mexico in 1989) longest rushing Play (96 yards against Mississippi State in 1988), career rushing yards (3,928), and career rushing Touchdowns of (36) among many others.In all Emmitt owned 58 school records at the conclusion of His Florida career. At the conclusion of his junior season in 1989 Emmitt was named a first-team SEC Selection for the third year and SEC Player of the Year, was a unanimous first-team All-American, and Finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting. His senior year Emmitt decided to forego his senior Year at Florida and entered the NFL draft.Emmitt was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a â€Å"Gator Great† in 1999, the Gator Football Ring of Honor in 2006. Was inducted in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in (2010). He holds many NFL records for rushing. NFL record for career rushing yards (18,355), NFL record for career rushing touchdowns (164), NFL Record for career 100- yard rushing games (78). He attempted (4,409), had receiving yards of (3,224), Touchdown receptions of (11), he had (515) receptions in his career.He played in 8 pro bowls from (1990 to 1999), 6 all pro games (1991 to 1995), 4 times NFL rushing leader (1991 to 1995), 3 time Super Bowl Cha mpion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX ), NFL 1990s all-decade team, ap NFL MVP (1993), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1990), Super Bowl MVP (XXVIII), NEA NFL MVP (1991, 1992), PFWA NFL MVP (1993), Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, Bert Bell Award (1993), Gator Football Ring of Honor University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, Unanimous first-team All-American (1989). Jerry also played football for the high school football team of Starkville, Mississippi.He Outshined on the high school football field as well. Jerry Rice played college football for Mississippi Valley State University from 1980 to 1984. While on the football field playing college football his statistics from his college years are sparse. The College Football Hall of Fame website claims that Jerry, as a sophomore in 1982, caught (66) Passes for (1,133) yards and (7) touchdowns. That was all achieved in his first season. He also had a Record-setting 1983 campaign including NCAA marks for receptions (102) and receiving yards(1,450) H e was named first-team Division I-AA All-America.He also set a single-game NCAA record for Catching 24 passes against Southern University. In 1985 the San Francisco 49er’s drafted Jerry in the 1985 NFL Draft round 1 pick 16. He retired in 2005. His position when he played on the field was wide receiver. He played with the San Francisco 49er’s from (1985 to 2000), he then went and played for the Oakland Raiders from (2001 to 2004), Then he went to play for the Seattle Seahawks for 1 season in (2004), after that season he went To the Denver Broncos and was on the team rooster for the season of (2005). *offseason and he was a practice squad member only. He played NFL football for a career spanning two decades. Was considered the greatest wide Receiver in the NFL. With other team members led his team to 2 super bowls for the San Francisco 49er’s, and then 1 super bowl for the Oakland Raiders. Was inducted in the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in (2010). Received many awa rds while playing For the NFL. Rated #1 NFL player of all-time by NFL. com, 2 times AP NFL Offensive player of the year (1987, 1993), 3 time NFC Offensive player of the Year (1986, 1987).Played in 13 Pro bowls from (1986 to 2002). 12 times all-pro selection (1986 to 2002), 3 times Super Bowl Champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX). Pro Bowl MVP (1996), Super Bowl MVP (XXIII), PFWA MVP (1988), UPI NFC Player of the Year (1988), UPI NFI-NFC Rookie of the Year (1985), Bert Bell Award (1987), NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, NFL 1990s All Decade Team, He also holds many NFL records. He had a total Receptions of (1,549), Receiving yards of (22,895) he has total touchdowns of (208), and has total points Scored of (1,256).As you can see these two football players where the greatest players of all time when they got On the football field to play. They out-shined many other football players on the same team as they Played for. They were exceptional players when they were a t there prime. They were both inducted In the Pro-Football Hall of Fame in (2010). They were both inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in (2006). The difference between the two is that one was a running back, and the other was a Wide receiver.

Humans' Limit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Humans' Limit - Essay Example Thus, limiting what you are doing plays an important role in your life. In the story â€Å"Rose for Emily†, there are so many unnecessary extremes; which are obsession, super strictness and discrimination, causing a sad ending. Must we cease to exist before it is understood that we as humans have reached our mortal limit? According to the fiction piece â€Å"Rose for Emily†, Emily’s father himself was actually a strict person with his child. He didn’t allow Emily to go out of the house like the other children did since she was young. It is clear as to why he behaved this way. He loved his daughter and does not want her to be misled. But if we reflect on how the child may have felt, it is clear that she could have had a better childhood. All kids deserve to be happy. In fact, keeping Emily inside the house only causes her to lose her sense of motivation, communication, and knowledge of how to survive in society. She subsequently loses all her positive view on the world since the world she is living is not the same as others. Her life would be extremely routine consisting of getting up in the morning, eating what her father fed her, and obeying her father Looking at in psychologically, it is clear that Emily’s complacency with the world around her can lead her into depression and mental disorders.

Why women are enthusiastic about Birkin bag by Hermes Research Paper - 1

Why women are enthusiastic about Birkin bag by Hermes - Research Paper Example It is included in Forbes magazine’s Most Extravagant Handbags list. Bag prices range from US$6,000 to US$120,000 depending on the materials used and the craftsmanship that goes with it (Prabhakar, 2007). So, why do women go gaga over a Birkin bag? What strategy does Hermes adopt making it very successful all these years despite tough competition and the worldwide financial crisis? Where lies the â€Å"mystery† of the Hermes Birkin? According to Hermes CEO, Patrick Thomas, â€Å"Hermes has no desire to become a â€Å"masstige† (a mass producer of prestige goods) (Wright, 2009). Our strategy will be a strategy of value, not a strategy of volume; we are not in the mass luxury† (Agathe, Imadec-Bentata & Zimmerman, 2009, p. 8). They say no to short-term profit; thus, even in times of recession, few discounts are offered (Xie, n.d.) They cannot compromise the quality and the finishing of the product just to increase their sales (Wright, 2009). Hermes strategy is centered on the respect of the legacy of the luxury brand’s history, its heritage. (Xie, n.d.) Their mission is the pursuit of excellence. They adopt a model of scarcity to preserve its prestige and integrity. They do not change their strategy according to the state of the economy (Wright, 2009). They stick to the rule of luxury, that is, even in the worst financial crisis; the world will still have rich people who would like to hold on to exclusive items that can hold value such as a Birkin bag (Xie, n.d.). A purchase of a Birkin bag is viewed not an expense but an investment that could last for 40 years and whose price could go up to more than double as the years go by (Wright, 2009). One of the marketing techniques employed by Hermes is to keep a waiting list with high-profile customers such as Hollywood stars. They also put a â€Å"Reserved† sign on their display bag and they limit the number of Birkin sold to each customer for every purchase