Iron And Silk Essays (619 words) - Mark Salzman, Iron Silk

Iron And Silk Salzman, M., (1986). Iron and Silk. New York: Random House. This book was given to me by a good friend who knew that I had an interest in Asia. I chose to read it because it was a true story and was told that it was a good read. The author travels to China as an English teacher for the Hunan Medical School. There he stayed for two years picking up many anecdotes along the way. The author already had spent a large amount of his life studying Chinese language and the martial arts. However, when he arrives in China he meets teachers who have dedicated their entire lives to perfecting a particular art or skill, whether it be martial arts or calligraphy. Mark Salzman was perfecting his calligraphy skills and as weeks had passed he began to make progress. He was getting tired of the models and wanted to try something new. When he told Hai Bin,(his teacher), he frowned and said,?Some people spend their entire lives researching a single model. You should be willing to spend a year on this one.? This is an example of the dedication and perseverance these men have towards their chosen artform or skill. Another example of this theme, was Mark's Wushu teacher, Pan, who punched a fifty pound plate of steel up to ten thousand times a day. Mark's relentless practicing of the many forms of Wushu was influenced by Pan. Salzman also showed that there was great oppression. The people of China were under constant surveillance and control. Rarely were they able to make important decisions for themselves. It was sad to see that in a country with so many people there was so little freedom. The government controlled everything from the railroad to the Rat Collection Office to whether families and friends could mourn for lost loved-ones. Mark found this way of life troublesome yet he had stay strong and focused for his calligraphy and martial arts. Mark Salzman's Iron and Silk did a wonderful job of illustrating the people of China. He brought to life a corner of the world that we would rarely be able to see, outside of picture books. His representation is a very personal one, taking you beyond the scenery and into the action and heartache. Throughout this book, Salzman expertly reveals the personality and spirit of the Chinese people. He does this with his own type of special imagery. He drops in enough key details and leaves the rest to your imagination. This caused me to pay close attention to what was going on. His style of writing makes you feel like you are right there beside him, participating in each of his many escapades. I was influenced by the dedication his teachers had for their chosen artform and will remind myself to use that dedication and perseverance in my long-term goals. Mark Salzman's purpose was to take you to China and introduce you to the people he had met on his journey. He had published this book only two years after he had gone to China. He desperately wanted to share an outsiders look into China and what influences were in his life. Mark wrote so fluidly that it was person to person. Anyone can pick up this book and be an observer in the memories of the author. I found that my reading skills vary like a roller coaster. I had days when I found my reading to be very choppy and I had to remind myself to see the words in the book as speech and not words in a book,(if that makes any sense). My vocabulary was up to par and the book was an easy read. I began to use my speed reading techniques without discomfort near the last few chapters in the book. Book Reports

Surefire Tactics to Meet Girls in College

Surefire Tactics to Meet Girls in College High school is over and its time to matriculate in more ways than one. With the passing of a momentous occasion in your life you now find yourself poised and prepared to head off to college where, among the homework, study sessions, pizza, and parties, you will have the chance to meet what you have been dreaming of for your entire high school life College Girls! While you may have been a maverick at the school you were just at, you might find that girls in college arent as impressed by your achievements as your previous interests might have been. For some, meeting new people in a new environment can put knock you off of your game and make others retreat to the sidelines completely to avoid the ever so brutal rejection shots. For others, meeting people was never their forte, and at a time when hormones are high and the urge to experiment is even higher, meeting girls in college can seem like an insurmountable task. But it doesnt have to be! Girls in college, like every other human being, ARE PEOPLE! And because they are people, you can do typical people things to meet, chat, and evenwait for itgo on dates with them! It doesnt matter if you are: Shy Quiet Nervous Inexperienced Have a Fear of Rejection You can learn to push through the fear, worry, stress, and over excitement with The Best Guide To Meeting Girls In College! Common Sense Knowledge First and foremost, we want to point out that while meeting girls in college requires talking, it ALSO requires listening. Consent is REAL. If someone doesnt want to talk to you, dont shame, blame, or harass them. We all have our own lives going on and right now, for her, life has you two moving in different sequences. Respect that and move on to the next girlunless she isnt interestedthenrespect her right to consent and keep looking until you have found someone who values their time and yours. Secondly, there are a few things that you are just going to have (or do) to meet girls in college. It isnt anything you havent heard but we will cover it with a quick list in case you need a refresher: Be Polite Be Confident Be Authentic Be Noticeable Be Precise Manage Your Appearance Make Eye Contact (We will go deeper into this later) While we cant tell you how to be some of these things, we can tell you some tips for using your natural talents to meet college girls! Meeting College Girls in Social Scenarios Parties The most well-known scenario for meeting girls is the college party. Notorious for being wild, loud, and a fantastic gathering of (what is for tonight) the most amazing girls you have ever seen. And after soaking up the vibes of everything going on around you, you want to talk to one of those college girls now. But what do you do? Approach her? Wait for her to approach you? Talk to one of her friends first? Do something stupid? Maybe Dangerous? The answer is simple. Pay attention to the situation around you and work your environment to your benefit! If there is a game she is playing, go over and play. If she is talking with a group of her friends, invite them all to join in on a party activity. If she is alone in a corner not talking to anyone, maybe check to see if she needs anything. Maybe she has been waiting for someone to talk to her all night. If you can juggle, just start juggling, girls will notice and they will come over. The trick is to add to the situation not diminish it. Avoid overt gestures that single a girl out or ruin the vibe of the party. If you arent sure whether your plan to meet a college girl is something that is going to create unforeseen negative consequences ask a friend. Be confident and loosen up a bit. You are at a party for goodness sake! Sports Games Organized Activities Meeting girls at a college sports game is very similar to meeting college girls at parties except you have the benefit of already having an icebreaker to lead with. The score of the game. While it may not be the most creative line on the planet, it breaks the ice for the conversation to continue. For example: Dude: â€Å"Hey, do you happen to know the score of the game?† College Female: â€Å"Ummm I dont know, but I think we are winning? I dont really follow sports, just came to support my friend.† Dude: â€Å"Oh cool, is your friend playing?† College Female: â€Å"No, they are in the marching band.† Dude: â€Å"Right on. Are you into music as well? I am Dude by the way, and you?† College Girl: â€Å"I am College Girl. Yeah, I like music! I play an instrument myself† As you can see here, with a simple question related to what is already happening, you can start, build, and continue a conversation with an actual college girl! If you are someone who never knows what to say, meeting college girls at sports games or other organized campus activities is probably a really good option for you. It is a singular and focused event that sets up every opening line for you. Meeting College Girls in Low Key Scenarios The Library For a lot of students, the library is one of two places: a place to get work done, or a place to blow off work and look for ways to procrastinate while looking like you are getting work done. If partying isnt your thing and you prefer to meet a college girl in a setting that has a bit less chaos to it then the library is the perfect spot! Talking to a girl in a library can be tricky because, as we stated earlier, people are there for a purpose and dont necessarily want to be disgraced. Our advice is to make sure that you are not perceived as a distraction. This includes: Comment on a book that she is reading/holding Reach for something that she needs that is out of her reach Find common ground by complaining about the paper you are writing Ask if she knows where the ::insert category:: section is. (Doesnt matter if you even need it) At a library, people are focused on the task in front of them. While you might not be able to pull them away from it completely, you can at least do your part with a nice gesture, a curious request, or a mutual dislike for the current days work. No matter how you do it one fact remains: You will be talking to and meeting more girls in college this way than by hiding in the stacks desperate for that girl to come and talk to you. On campus Sometimes you just see a girl walking out of class or around campus and you think, I want to meet that girl! Bogged down by nerves, fear, or a combination of the two you pass and let her go just as you have done any other day. If you see a college girl walking around and you want to meet her, there are a few things you can do to make that scenario go a lot smoother: Have something that you want to say Make sure that whatever you say isnt rude, shaming, or â€Å"negging† Make eye contact. But also blink. But not too much. Staring creeps everyone out. And not looking at someone makes them feel unimportant. Both things that wont help you meet girls in college A good opener for this type of meeting could be: â€Å"Hey, I have seen you around campus a few times and always notice your backpack. It is really cool. Where did you get it?† A line like that is simple, non-threatening, and leads to follow up answers and questions. Those answers and questions could provide the foundation for getting a phone number, making a date, hanging out, studying together, etc. Things to Never Worry About We know that as you have been reading this there have probably been a series of what ifs and buts and I just couldnt running through your mind. We want you to add the following frames of thought to your own as a way of reminding you that you are not alone: Yes. Rejection is real and it hurts. But there are other fish in the sea. You will probably make an ass of yourself in an attempt to meet a girl in college. If it works who cares? No girl is out of your league. You need to get in the game. Funny matters. A lot. Sensitivity Matters. A lot. Your body type is not indicative of the person you are on the inside. You can make someone happy if you first learn to make yourself happy. The Takeaway College is a melting pot of people, interests, and ideas. College girls are part of that pot and if you want to meet them, you need to first find the confidence to talk to them. Once the first few words are out, it is easy to build a dialogue, learn about mutual interests, throw in a charming compliment or two, and seal the deal whatever your intentions may be. By the way, do you know these 10 things about dating a college classmate? Everyone has their own tastes when it comes to body type, personality, and characteristics. While you may not be one college girls specific type, it doesnt mean that there arent a million other college girls out there who would really like to get the chance to meet you. So, take a shower, brush your teeth, put on something that makes you look approachable, and go start meeting girls in college!

Miller-Urey Experiment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Miller-Urey Experiment - Essay Example There is no denying the fact that this experiment till date is regarded to be a classic experiment pertaining to the origins of life. This experiment was carried on by Harold C Urey and Stanley L Miller at the University of Chicago in the year 1953. The scientific community was in doubt about the chemical components that constituted the atmosphere of the early earth. Thereby in their experiment, Miller and Urey selected Water, Hydrogen, Ammonia and Methane, considering them to be the salient components constituting the atmosphere of the early earth, when the life was still not there (Willis, 2000). These chemicals were made to circulate in an array of flasks and glass tubes which were completely sterilized. These glass tubes and flasks were connected together in a loop as is shown in the above figure. One of the flasks was half filled with water, while the other flask in this loop was fitted with electrodes. The water in the half filled flask was heated to create water vapors in the loop and the gases so created were circulated through the loop to simulate the atmosphere of early earth. The water vapor so produced represented the water in the lakes and rivers on the early earth which eventually evaporated and consequently precipitated down as rain. The electrodes in the other flask were intermittently fired to create lightening storm like effect, which was believed to be pervasive on early earth (Willis, 2000). After carrying on the experiment for one full week, Miller and Urey found out that that almost 10 to 15 percent of the carbon existent in the system they contrived in their experiment had turned to organic compounds (Willis, 2000). They also discovered that nearly 2 percent of the carbon now constituted 13 of the 22 amino acids that went into the making of proteins in living cells (Willis, 2000). Glycine was found to be the most abundant amino acid in this protein soup (Willis, 2000). No doubt the

Operatios Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Operatios Management - Essay Example The author has presented his idea and has used different sources and reliable sources for this journal article in order to improve the information presented. Forecasting techniques can be improved and this can allow the businesses to improve their overall supply chain planning and control. The findings of this article are very much the same as of the other authors as they have also emphasized on collaborating with other players in the supply chain. Ramanathan is working in the department of Business Systems in the Bedfordshire Business School and has sufficient knowledge of business and he has used different books and research papers thus, the knowledge and information presented in the article is reliable. Article 2: Moyano-Fuentes, J., Sacristan-Diaz, M., & Martinez-Jurado, P. J. (2012). Cooperation in the supply chain and lean production adoption: Evidence from the Spanish automotive industry.  International Journal of Operations & Production Management,  vol. 32, no. 9, pp. 10 75-1096. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=17048068 Journal: International Journal of Operations & Production Management Lean production is important in managing the overall supply chain in business. ... The article discusses about the evidences from the Spanish automotive industry. This article has been written by three different authors, Jose? Moyano-Fuentes, Macarena Sacrista?n-Daz and Pedro Jose? Martnez-Jurado. All these three authors work in different universities in Spain and therefore these authors have the knowledge regarding supply chain, business and operations management. Moreover, with different research studies cited by these authors, the information presented is highly reliable. Article 3: Wee, H., and Wu, S. (2009). Lean supply chain and its effect on product cost and quality: a case study on Ford Motor Company. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 335 – 341 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1810704&show=abstract Journal: Supply Chain Management: an International Journal The other article that has been used for this research study is on the company, Ford Motors. The article analyzes the lean supply chain of t he company and how this system has helped the company in improving the cost and quality of Ford Motors. The findings of the article have revealed that by implementing lean supply chain, the company has been able to reduce its cost, enhance its quality and reduce its lean time. The article also presents recommendation for the company. Wee is one of the authors of the article and he is working at Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in a university in Taiwan, Chung Yuan Christian University. The other author is Simon Wu and he is not only working in the Chung Yuan Christian University but he is also involved with the ford motors in the Ford Production System Manufacturing Division. Thus this

Challenges of the Twenty-Year Veteran Seeking Federal Employment Research Proposal

Challenges of the Twenty-Year Veteran Seeking Federal Employment - Research Proposal Example The paper tells that the Federal Executive branch has been recognized to be the principal owner with regard to Veteran employees in the United States. A huge number of Veterans are believed to be engaged presently in different agencies throughout the country as well as the world. The Federal government is learnt to comprise augmented number of Veterans as its employees in comparison to the other private segments. It has been further found that the Federal government even plans to increase its recruitment of Veterans in the various fields of services. Employing Veterans by the government is not only considered to be morally appropriate but is also believed to be advantageous from the business point of view. It is considered to be quite beneficial as the government is often believed to put in noteworthy amount of resources for the reason of training as well as development with regard to the military service workforce. The insistent steps taken towards keeping hold of the evolutionary m ilitary service workforce within the government aid in making the most of their return on the made investments. This also facilitates the government to make recruitments and fill up the places that entails higher requirements in the Federal agencies. The twenty-year veterans’ were found to witness challenges while seeking federal employment after the completion of their service in the armed forces. This is proving to be discouraging for the twenty-year veterans’ as they are being held back from leading a normal life post service. The main challenges faced by the twenty-year veterans’ along with the causes are considered to be the problem which is aimed to be explored in this study. Purpose Statement The purpose of this study will be to focus on the various challenges faced by the twenty-year veterans while seeking federal employment. The study will also intent to identify the causes triggering the challenges along with suggesting suitable solutions. Conceptual T heoretical Framework The aim of this research will be to identify the challenges faced by the twenty-year veterans while looking for federal employment. The research will relate to the laws favoring the appointment of twenty-year veterans’ in federal employment and the other relevant laws related to the preference and disabilities along with the needed steps that is required to be undertaken in this context. Research Questions The research questions in relation to the topic of the research identified are: The kind of challenges witnessed by the veterans’ The role of the Veterans’ Preference Laws in overcoming the challenges Literature Review From the time period with regard to the Civil War, considerable extents of preference in the course of selection in relation to the Federal jobs are being provided to the Veterans related to the Armed Forces. Taking into consideration the degree of sacrifices made with regard to those individuals offering their services in t he field of Armed Forces, the Congress passed laws with the intention to avoid or check veterans on the lookout for Federal service from being reprimanded owing to the amount of time spent by an individual in the field of military service (Howell, 2011). According to the regulations, the physically disabled veterans or the ones who rendered their respective service in relation to dynamic responsibility with regard to the Armed Forces in the course of definite particular time phases or even in military movements would enjoy certain

Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? Essay -- Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? The play Romeo and Juliet was one of the most famous love tragedies ever written. This love story unfortunately had a fatal ending. Many people argue over why the lovers had died, was it over Free Will or Fate? The death of Romeo and Juliet was partially because of free will. The fact that Romeo and Juliet got married knowing that there was a bitter feud between their families, the Montague and Capulet’s. This feud brought on many problems, such as the murder of Tybalt by Romeo. Juliet knew that this might be a problem for Her and Romeo. Juliet had said: â€Å"What’s in a name†? Which explains her ill fate of being a Capulet and Romeo being a Montague. When Romeo tells his servant â€Å" Ay, mine own fortune in my misery†. This illustrates that he does not...

Booker T Washington A Representative of the Black Population

It is considered general knowledge that slavery was one of the biggest struggles this nation faced. However, many forget that the strife did not end when slavery was abolished. Reconstruction laid a heavy hand on this country and nearly tore it apart. Booker T. Washington explains this concept in his famous tree analogy. â€Å"Before our freedom, a giant tree was growing in the garden [slavery], which all considered injurious to the progress of the whole nation. The work to be done was direct and simple-destroy the hurtful tree. The work before us now is not the destruction of a tree, but the growing of one. Slavery presented a problem of destruction; freedom presents one of construction. This requires time, patience, preparation of the soil, watering, pruning, and most careful nursing† (Washington, 50). Booker T. Washington became a representative of the black population during this turbulent time. However, he was met with much criticism due to his controversial ideas and public speeches. The white citizenry largely appreciated his pacifying tone, but many of the blacks were irritated by the inactive agendum Washington was suggesting. Some of Booker T. Washington†s ideas were practical and worthwhile, however some of his theories contained many contradictions and fallacies. I agree with his ideology to a point, but at certain times, I feel that he is too much of a pacifist. Washington stressed repeatedly in his speeches the importance of an industrial education. His own contribution to this was the Tuskagee Institute. It taught young blacks a trade that was practical, so they would be able to easily find a job, and begin earning income. Washington†s thought was that an industrial education was far more important than a liberal education. He believed that a liberal education was a waste of time, because there weren†t any immediate benefits, or instantaneous wage earning possibilities. Washington†s point was that the blacks needed money at once, so they should excel at what they already know. African Americans already had the skills they learned from slavery, which was mostly farming and agriculture. He thought that they should utilize that knowledge in the work force. â€Å"†¦let the Negro begin right where he is by putting the greatest amount of intelligence, of skill, and dignity into the occupations by which he is surrounded† (Washington 42). Many blacks did not like that suggestion, because they felt that they had been trapped in the agriculture business because of slavery, and they did not want to go back to that way of life. It would mean no change in labor and little chance that the white employer would treat them any better than they had in the past. The ex-slaves wanted experiences in life that they never before had the opportunity to have. They wanted a liberal education, because it had been denied to them in the past. They wanted to rise out of working the fields. Washington believed in sticking to one thing and excelling at it. He thought that blacks should learn a trade and become the best at it, so there is no room for discrimination. â€Å"Whenever in the South, for example, the Negro is the carpenter, let him realize that he cannot remain the carpenter unless people are sure that no one can excel him as a carpenter. This black carpenter should strive in every way possible to keep himself abreast of the best woodwork done in the world. He should be constantly studying the best journals and books bearing on carpentry. He should watch for every improvement in his line† (Washington 42). Personally, I think that B.T. Washington was right in aspiring to use the skills one already had, however I don†t think it is right to deny anyone the chance of stepping up and bettering themselves. Washington claims this change will happen, but it will occur gradually. â€Å"The second or third generation of this black man†s family need not be carpenters, but can aspire successfully to something higher because the foundation has been laid† (Washington 43). However, the black man, at this time, did not want gradual change. They wanted the change they deserved, and they wanted it right away. In my opinion, Washington†s idea to learn a trade to have an immeidate source of income is a good one. It is practical and promotes a way for blacks to meet financial needs. Nonetheless, it is important to have a well-rounded education if the change for bigger and better places is to ever take place. Another problem with Washington†s dogma, is that he is lumping all black people into one category. He is assuming that all of the ex-slaves will not mind going back to the same labor force they were in pre-abolishment. That is untrue. Many African-Americans at this time had untapped interests that they wanted to pursue. Many would actually be more talented in other fields. When slavery was abolished, this implied freedom for blacks. Freedom is all about the ability to choose. In taking choices away from the ex-slaves, Washington is stifling independence. As the representative man of his time, Booker T. Washington made several public speeches. In these orations, it was quite evident that he was aspiring to be as diplomatic as possible. He sought to keep the whites on his side, even amongst the most racially controversial issues. In regarding crime, he not only chastised white people for the heinous hate crimes that were rampant, but he also admonished the black people for their criminal acts. â€Å"†¦idleness and crime should cease, and that no excuse be given the world to label any large proportion of the race [blacks] as idlers and criminals†¦bring to punishment those who commit crime, when proper legal procedure is sure†¦we consider no legal punishment to severe for the wretch of any race who attempts to outrage a woman [lynching]. The lesson for the other portion of the nation to learn is that†¦the same laws should be made to apply to the Negro and the white man whether it relates to citizenship, the protection of property, the right to labor, or the protection of human life† (Washington 49). The manner in which Washington addressed the mixed crowd was filled with diplomacy, and therefore, did not anger the white citizens. Booker T. Washington realized that this was intelligent, because he knew that if he aroused the whites, the black population would have a much more difficult time in their rise through reconstruction. During all his addresses to the public, B. T. Washington stressed economics. He did this to speak to the white population about racial equality in terms that they thought would benefit the entire nation. Racial equality would lead to a better economy, and since the South was almost destitute after the civil war, the Southern whites were willing to listen to anything that would help the financial situation. â€Å"It is not only the duty of the Negro to thus put himself in possession, but it is also the plainest duty of the white man†¦No state can have the highest civilization and prosperity with one-third of its population down. This one-third will prove a constant millstone about the neck of the other two-thirds† (Washington 43). Economics, Washington also said, would bring about political and racial equality. He argued that once African-Americans obtained money, property, and/or other tangible goods, they would be given more respect, and hence, equality. â€Å"†¦when he [the black man] has paid the cost-paid the price of his freedom-it will appear in the beautiful, well-kept home, In the increasing bank account, in the farm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Washington 42). I don†t agree with B.T.W.†s theory on this. Just because one has material commodities, this does not guarantee them respect or equality of any kind. The white southerners were brought up on racist beliefs. A black man†s wealth will not change the white bigot†s opinion. If anything, the whites will just begin to resent the black man. Moving up financially, was a good idea for the black race, as long as they protested equality simultaneously, because equality would not just appear along with financial stability. Agitation was not one of Washington†s endeavors. He believed that blacks should not provoke the white populace. He states in one of his articles, â€Å"Vastly more courage is often shown in one†s ability to suffer in silence†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Washington 48). This enraged many blacks. They had already been ‘suffering in silence† through the endless years of slavery. Washington averred that rather than agitation, the black move upward should be a constant struggle. â€Å"The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality, is the extremest folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of sever and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing† (Washington 140). Washington needed to realize that no political changes would come about without the black population demanding them. If the African-Americans did not command civil rights, the whites would never have bothered to change their ways. In this situation, speaking out is necessary.