Women and Wicca Essays

Women and Wicca Essays Women and Wicca Essay Women and Wicca Essay In recent centuries, the concept of religion has evolved along with other human   advancements in every aspect.   Though some contemporary religious sects are mere revivals of early and forgotten systems of beliefs, there are still notable changes in the revived creed.   The archetypal changes and modifications in religious belief systems often coincide with the advocacies and philosophies of its founder and adherents, such as the neo-paganist feminist religion Wicca.Wicca is a religious belief which focuses on earthly spiritual upbringing deriving its principles from the celtic society together with masonic and magick practices.[1]   Wiccas code of morality and spirituality is unique for it does not conform to the traditions and practices of abrahamic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.   It also tends to stray away from culture based systems of morality found in Buddhism and Hinduism.The general premise of Wicca encompasses on the i dea that beliefs are subjective and unique in every person.   In this sense, Wicca is to be viewed as a new form of religion, a modified version of practices done by ancient civilizations.[2]   And though diverse opinion over tenets of coverage are exercised, the major doctrines of Wicca centers on deities, environmental concerns, gender equality, and human sexuality.[3]Primarily, Wicca differs from Christianity wherein God is a single divine entity in three personas. The latter promulgates that the existence of God is dependent on a persons belief.   In this sense, some Wiccans believe that there is only one supernatural being called â€Å"The All† or â€Å"The One† and this single Deity covers both the male and the female aspect.[4]   Likewise, Wiccans can also deem God in a duotheistic manner wherein a God and a Goddess are worshipped while a number of Wiccans also conform to the traditional pagan practice of worshiping numerous Gods and Goddesses.   There are also Wiccans who view God as a symbol rather than a living entity, this again is dependent of the Atheist perscpective a Wiccan accords with.[5]In a political context, Wicca appears to be a feminist conclave advocating for gender equality and incorporating it with religion through the celebration of the sexual polarity of nature.[6]   Fact of the matter is, self-professed Wiccans present high enthusiasm in the rise of earth based spirituality, Miriam Simos (Starhawk) for example sees the increasing number of Wiccan adherents as a crucial transformation of the conventional culture from male dominance of main religions to the love of life, environment, and feminine principle.[7]A notable premise of Wicca is the concept of liberty, particularly for women, since Wicca is a religious practice that does not limit women to be second rate members or conformists.   The concept of liberty is not simply through the religions focus but on the entirety of Wicca as well. In a strict sens e, Wicca is similar to most religious practices such as Christianity and Islam wherein clergy members are restricted to the male half of the sect and the womens roles are limited to being passive, submissive, and weak.   Wiccan beliefs are not bound by dogma and doctrines that tend to stifle and strangle a woman.[8]   In connection, feminists who prefer to stay with Christianity may just deem the Wiccan belief as a radical feminist movement because the Christian faith advocates for the fulfillment of Gods will and it does call for equality among humans regardless of race, ethnicity, social status, and gender.The rituals of Wicca meanwhile are discussed in a general context, meaning it manifests in different forms.   In any case, the actions involved on the rituals may appear similar to that of satanism, if the perspective is peripheral.   However, the ritual proper suggests harmony of several elements and becoming one with the Goddess.   In this regard the rituals can be c omparable to the meditations practiced by Hinduism and Buddhism wherein individuals concentrate their entire life to achieve Nirvana and become one with God.   In Wiccas case, the rituals are performed to become one with the Goddess. A form of preparation for the event when a Wiccan unites herself with the Goddess is considered to be solemn.The energy being spoken of concerns a positive energy that gives harmony to an individual, harmony that is chi in Chinese tradition.   A Wiccan harmonizes her spirit with the Goddess and the earth. As Zsuszanna Budapest states, a cleansing of the self from the filth and negativity of the patriarchal world.[9]   Through this ritual, the Wiccan rids herself of the ways which have become polluted and corrupted by male authority.

10 Exercises to Become a Better Writer

10 Exercises to Become a Better Writer 10 Exercises to Become a Better Writer It’s true that practice makes perfect, so if you want to polish your writing abilities and become a better writer, the best thing to do is - you guessed it - practice! From creating your setting to beating writer’s block, we share ten exercises that can help you sharpen your skill set. Some of these come from different Reedsy Learning courses, so be sure to sign up to get even more advice, all by trade professionals, in your inbox each morning.Exercise 1: Change the Scenery - With Writing PromptsThere are very few things as frustrating as a bad case of writer’s block. But don’t despair! Instead of getting frustrated with it, try a change of scenery. Not literally (although that might also help) - do it with your writing.Activity: If your own story isn’t getting the creative juices flowing, using writing prompts  can help you break through the slump. This can help you change your mindset and any expectations your might have from what you are cu rrently writing. Have some fun with it! Here are a couple of examples to get you started:An accident during an experiment freezes you in time in public, completely invulnerable. Millennia later, you come out of stasis to find entire cultures centered upon your statuesque presence throughout their history. via /r/writingpromptsOn your path you meet two guards, one who always answers in sarcasm and one who answers a question with a question. via /r/writingpromptsGoal: Use writing prompts and short story ideas to get your creative juices flowing with a change of scenery that can help you clear out the block. "Use writing prompts for a change of scenery" and 9 other exercises that can help you become a better writer Exercise 2: Create character profilesCreating multifaceted and complex characters is something that takes time and effort, and it only gets trickier the more characters your story has. For readers to connect with your characters, you, the author, need to understand who they are and what motivates them. Easier said than done, but this exercise might help.Activity: Create character profiles for as many characters as you need. This can help you see the differences between them and give you a unique perspective on each of them. Going beyond their basic information and physical appearance can give you a greater understanding of what drives them and can help you capture their voice and point of view in an authentic way.Goal: Give characters their own unique voice, goals, wants, and needs. Exercise: Use character profiles to give your characters their own unique voice Exercise 3: Read out loudOne of the occupational hazards of being a writer is writer’s block. We can all agree that it’s difficult to get any ideas on paper when nothing seems to want to come out. But don’t fear: there are many ways to overcome it. Bec Evans and Chris Smith from Prolifiko show a tried-and-tested method to push through that wall in their writing routine course.Activity: As the name suggest, this exercise consists of letting yourself write freely - there are no rules! Put aside 15 minutes of your day and let the ideas flow. Write whatever is in your head. Don’t edit. Don’t consider your words. Don’t wait for that one beautiful sentence to appear. And, above all, don’t let your inner critic show its ugly face. Just write!Goal: What you write may not be pretty and it may not make much sense, but it will exercise your creative muscle and get your ideas out of your head and onto the page. "Freewriting - a tried-and-tested method against writer's block" and 9 other exercises Need more exercises to get your writing going? Check out this directory with over 100 exercises that cover topics from character development to writer’s block.As English author PD James once said: â€Å"Don’t just plan to write – write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it that we develop our own style.† Developing your writing skills doesn’t happen overnight, but exercising your writing muscle is the one tried and true way to become a better writer and reach your writing goals.What are some of your favorite exercises to become a better writer? Add yours in the comments below!

TARGET MARKET & COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

TARGET MARKET & COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS - Essay Example A diverse set of customers visit the Geary St. Part of the reason is that there are many upscale shops like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Michael Kor and Apple Store as well as many outlets like Forever 21, H&M, Zara, Gap, and Guess that keep medium ranged apparel and stocks. As a result of this people with high incomes, middle income groups as well as a lot of students visit this area. Since these people belong to different economic and psychographic groups, they want different food items and at different price points. The Cheesecake Factory has a numerous menu options including burgers, sandwiches, pastas, salads, side dishes, cheesecakes, specialty desserts, ice creams and creamy milkshakes. The restaurant also offers hot drinks, iced and frozen drinks and specialty drinks. Blended cocktails, bottled bears, champagne and sparkling wine are also served at the restaurant. This vast array of menu options has the potency to satiate the taste buds of a diverse guest base. With close to 200 items on its menu ranging from $11 to $30, the restaurant chain can cater to all shoppers across all income groups. The second value that shoppers seek is convenience. People who have been on a shopping spree are likely to seek convenient seating arrangement. Couples and families will like to spend quality time together. On the other hand, there would be some shoppers who are running against time. They want to have a quick snack and move on. The quick service and take-out facility available at The Cheesecake Factory will appeal to such customers. The choice of food may also vary depending on what time shoppers visit The Cheesecake Factory. The restaurant is open from 11: 00 am to 11: 00 pm from Monday through Thursday. It is also open from 10: 00 am to 11: 00 pm on Sunday. Thus shoppers can visit the restaurant anytime during these hours. They have the option of eating lunch or

Bullying and the longterm effects Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bullying and the longterm effects - Thesis Example Bullying Statistics (2009) asserts that Internet has invented quite a few new forms of bullying techniques through chat programs, email, or on social media sites. Cell phones are the newest form for bullying someone. All these forms are equally applicable to the present generation children studying in schools. Colorado Trust (2012) argues that the effects of bullying can prevail lifetime. Victims of bullying may have more health issues, low self-esteem, weaker social interactions and high chance of academic failures. At the same time, those who are involved in bullying develop a criminal record before age 24. The perceptions, attitudes and behaviors of teachers, parents, and other adults contribute a lot in reinforcing bullying. Many adults deal with the issue of bullying as a normal way of growing up and even instill bullying behavior themselves. It is such a serious issue that 30 states have enacted anti bullying laws so as to control and eradicate bullying from their states. State laws either define bullying or ask state boards of education to do so. Colorados law, for example, defines bullying as "any physical act, or verbal or written provocation, that may cause distress to anyone in the school or at any school related places including school grounds, school vehicles or at designated bus stop. In a state like Georgia, any district that fails to make anti bullying policy does not get state funding. Several states have integrated bullying prevention programs into the curriculum. In Virginia, every school needs to address the inappropriateness of bullying in their schools character program. Bully Police USA is an organization that scrutinizes state policy laws on bullying and grants rating to them. Oklahoma state education department spearheads research-based programs for the prevention of intimidation, harassment and bully ing of students at every public school in the state (State Policy Trends

Ethnography Essay Example for Free

Ethnography Essay The late night diner is one of the many staples of urban areas – they act as beacons to all those with no place better to be. Whether the bar has long since closed, or staying home just isn’t an option any more, 24 hour eateries are the place to be when all else fails. I recently made an educational trip to a 24 hour IHOP for some middle of the night hash-browns and ethnographic field notes. I was escorted to one of the largest tables in the room by a tired looking but albeit enthusiastic young man, and was surprised by how many people were actually there. It was three in the morning, so I’d half expected to not see a soul, but there were always at least four tables being served. Among the clientele was a couple; a group of hoodlums whom I could only guess had been band geeks in another life; and, my personal favorite, a group of middle aged drunken sushi connoisseurs. Being seated closest to the sushi lovers, I got to eavesdrop on their conversations – and creepily bond with them, unbeknownst to them. Unsurprisingly, almost everyone in the room was varying shades of inebriated. The conversation was fairly educational in the sense that they were all very proud of their sexual endeavors and had decided to meticulously compare notes. They were surprisingly comfortable with themselves, as well as those within ear shot. It was sort of a contagious comfortable-ness – there was almost a community in the grungy little IHOP. Every one there had probably been kicked out of somewhere else because of closing time, or discontentment – all of us came together not only for diner eggs and pancakes, but for a place to be. Closing time had become the great equalizer, bringing people from all walks of life – from star crossed lovers to raucous sushi lovers – into their local IHOP, more for a place to be than anything else. Many forces were at work in that IHOP. The waiters were trying to make as much as they could off of tips, iHop stayed open late to facilitate all those who just weren’t ready to go home yet during the witching hour, and the establishment’s patrons were filling many societal expectations. All of these worked together to create a very different aesthetic than one would see in the daylight. People were more uninhibited because of the late hour and whatever they’d been a part of earlier, yet certain societal standards and ideals were being held up – while others, such as quietness, were generally thrown to the wind. Meanwhile, my incredibly exhausted waiter worked to be as professional as possible while exerting the least amount of work possible – granted, that isn’t necessarily that different from the daytime. This reflected the corporate values of IHOP that were at play. It caters to a very specific demographic – the less wealthy, and very hungry. IHOP is also one of the only places in its suburban zip code that offers 24-hour service. Which, I admittedly found surprising I would have assumed there would be more places to go in the middle of the night, but realized very early into my pre-dawn adventure that there wasn’t much for one to do past midnight. This proves not only that nothing good happens after 2am, but also that nothing interesting will happen either. IHOP was the only place with its doors open after last call, after the kitchens had closed, and after the kids still couldn’t head home but had to something anyways. It’s interesting how so few places were there for the people who weren’t ready to head home for the night – and how many people stubbornly refused to go home. All the factors played together to set the scene for a bad Romantic Comedy (which undoubtedly could have been playing itself out in the corner booth, where the very young and very passionate couple were paying more attention to themselves than to their pancakes. All of the behaviors in the restaurant came together to form a cultural idea of the late night scene that one might get from the movies. People were far more uninhibited whether from lack of sleep, or intoxication, but they all still played their roles in the scene. There was a delicate balance between outlandish behavior and the rules of interaction between wait-staff and customers at play. Multiple expectations came together to form a very unique dynamic. It is worth saying that people were in the IHOP at that ungodly hour to be seen. They at least subconsciously knew that they were performers in very large scale production, and decided to stay out because of their role in social norms. They chose not to hide away in their homes until dawn, because someone needed to uphold the night owl character. Mumford argues in What is a City? That the city requires and creates drama, unlike the suburbs – which is interesting in regards to the very slim options one has in the suburbs past midnight beyond just going home. The percent of the population who want drama and tension (which in this sense are played out through late night excursions) is far lower in the suburbs, not because of the difference between structures in the city and the suburbs but because of the difference in mindset between these two areas (which also yielded the different structures). The characters in the story at hand are therefore outliers, in a sense. They seek out an experience that one generally only sees –though is not exclusively- in the city, and have a more unique experience because of it. There was a surprising amount of diversity in the demographics that night (really, no matter what tax bracket you’re in, you’re not going to find a place open in Aurora at 3am beyond Wal-Mart and the very occasional late night eatery), which created even more forces at play in the room. With every now demographic came a new set of ideas that were being prescribed to and upheld. Many sponsors played into the behavior of the performers. Societies’ concept of morality is a very large factor here. Many of the patrons had ducked in to iHop as a way to pass the time while sobering up and moving on with their life – which was caused by society’s laws and idea of moral behavior. While having a night out, they also were influenced not only by their preconceived notion of behavior that one is to have in the night, but also by the behavior that is not acceptable in society generally. Being overly drunk in public is generally frowned upon, as well as driving under the influence, which explains why many people ducked in to the restaurant – it was the best place to go so their night out wouldn’t have to end, but so they could also start to sober up. A variety of laws are in place that work to discourage public intoxication and bad behavior that might happen during intoxication, but there are at the same time a plethora of ideas at play constructed by the media about youth and the role of alcohol and late nights into the youth culture. It all plays into an equilibrium between two different sets of expectations and guidelines for behavior. The economy is also a sponsor of the performance. It is in the economy’s best interest that every performer takes on the role of the consumer, and consumerism is marketed from every angle possible so that every person will feel the need to participate. The need to stay out and continue the adventure is an idea partly concocted by the economy and media to influence people to connect the idea of leading an interesting life with products and experiences that can be profited off of. By staying open all night, IHOP offers an experience to a select group of customers, who for whatever reason need to stay up late and have eggs and coffee. Performers, for a variety of reasons, all take part in consumerism as a means to the experience of staying out late, or getting away from something. The late night patronage of IHOP is indicative of much larger forces and ideas that influence society as a whole. Customers from all walks of life participate in a late night performance that reveals influences from the economy and society as a whole. Each performer has a different reason for being there but plays into the greater whole of societal norms and expectations. A suburban 24 hour restaurant seems at first like an unlikely place for big ideas to be at play – especially when the place is sort of dead, and the customers look worn-out and inebriated, but every component of the large whole has meaning in its own way – and is essential for the bigger picture to exist.

The Post-Modern Reality of Hollywood Essay -- Essays Papers

The Post-Modern Reality of Hollywood The shower of bullets leave white grooved funnels in the air, as the hero in slow motion leans back to avoid the deadly aims of the gunmen—all the while his black trench-coat billows underneath him. The saddened husband in heaven spans the chasm of hell to be reincarnated with his soul-mate wife. The young business executive places the pistol in his mouth, his blood-shot eyes rolling upwards as beads of sweat trickle down his grimy face. Moments later, after the bullet has been released into his head he turns to see that his nemesis, his alter-ego, is now dead on the concrete. Sound unbelievable? Perhaps, but when realized as scenes from famous movies such as The Matrix, When Dreams May Come, and Fight Club, they seem not quite so unreachable as before. In recent years, Hollywood has been inundating the American public with movies that question the very essence of reality. While set in highly entertaining, thrilling, and spectacular films, the very foundations of reality have been challenged, and some unsettling questions have been left unanswered in the minds of the American public. When did Hollywood become such a philosophizer? But more importantly, why has Hollywood taken to creating powerful films that manipulate the emotions and beliefs of their viewers as specifically concerns reality and their understanding of it? Surely the foundations of reality have not always been so heavily emphasized in Hollywood in years past. Looking to motion pictures such as Casablanca, The Sound of Music, Clint Eastwood Western’s, Indiana Jones, and James Bond 007 (a handful of famous films), we do find questions posed and important scenarios of life brought to the screen. However, such movies were... ...wood with a nice paycheck. Granted, not all films produced by Hollywood are illusionistic mind-benders such as The Matrix, and there are still films which present a very â€Å"real† reality. However, the increasing number of films such as Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, and The Matrix, and the subsequent encouragement by the American viewing public is most definitely a phenomenon worth exploring in greater depth. Hollywood has indeed become one of the largest mediums and beneficiaries of the post-modern, and this can be seen clearly in the post-modern reality which it so brilliantly presents. According to Michael Albert in his article â€Å"Post-Modernism†. http://zena.secureforum.com/znet/ZMag/articles/albertold10.htm Godwa, Hollywood Worldviews, pg. 17 Veith, Postmodern Times, pg. 35-36 Godwa, Hollywood Worldviews, pg. 19 Downing, When Heaven Becomes Desolate, pg. 6

Rizal Life and Works

INTRODUCTIONRizal left Europe for Hong Kong, where he lived from November 1891 to June 1892. His reasons for leaving Europe were:life was unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H. del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain. to be near his idolized Philippines and family.FAREWELL TO EUROPERizal left Ghent for Paris on October 3, 1891He proceeded by train to Marseilles and on October 18, he boarded the steamer Melbourne bound for Hong Kong. He brought with him a letter of recommendation by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus, a compatriot living in Singapore, and 600 copies of the Fili Manuel Camus-During that time, he was a student and was made as a mason on October 12, 1898 at Zetland in the East Lodge No 508 in Singapore under the jurisdiction of the M. W. Grand Lodge of England. He then became a Senator of the Philippines on his later years. There were over 80 first class passengers – mostly Europeans, including 2 Spaniards He befriended many missionaries and on e of them is Fr. Fuchs, a Tyrolese, which he enjoyed playing chess with. He even wrote to Blumentritt saying: â€Å"..He is a fine fellow, a Father Damaso without pride and malice..†RIZAL AND THE GERMAN LADIESâ€Å"One evening at a dinner time the passengers were having their meal in the dining room. Rizal; being the only Asian, was eating alone at one table. Near him was a bigger table occupied by some German ladies who were gaily eating and gossiping about the lone Asian male who was quietly taking his meal. Rizal, who was fluent in German, understood what the talkative German ladies were saying about him, but he simply kept silent, letting the ladies enjoy their gossip.Suddenly the fast running steamer encountered a heavy  squall and the door of the dining room was blown open. Nobody among the passengers who were busy eating stood up to close the door. A lady said to her companions in German : â€Å"If this man in front of us were a gentleman he would close the doorâ⠂¬ . Upon hearing her remark, Rizal, without saying a word, rose and closed the door, after which he resumed his seat. He then conversed with German ladies in perfect German. Of course, the German ladies were very much embarrassed, and, thereafter they treated Rizal with admiration and respect, despite his brown skin, for he was a cultured gentleman.†ARRIVED IN HONG KONGNovember 20, 1891 – Rizal arrived in Hong KongHe was welcomed by the Filipino residents, especially his old friend, Jose Ma. Basa. He then established his residence at No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace, where he also opened his medical clinic. December 1, 1891 – he wrote his parents asking their permission to return home. On the same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter, relating the sad news of the â€Å"deportation of twenty-five persons from Calamba, including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano, and the rest of us.† Also stated in his le tter that he was preparing a letter to the Queen Regent of Spain explaining the Calamba situation in order to secure justice. Even saying such as : â€Å"If the Queen will not listen, we will write to Queen Victoria of England appealing for protection in the name of humanity†¦Ã¢â‚¬ FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONGBefore Christmas of 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law) in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefa , and Trinidad also arrived. January 31, 1892 – he wrote to Blumentritt recounting their pleasant life in Hong Kong, as follows: â€Å"Here we are all living together, my parents, sisters, and brother in peace and far from persecutions they suffered in the Philippines. They are very much pleased with the English government.†OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONG KONGDr. Lorenzo P. Marques – a friend and admirer who helped him to build up a wide clientele. He successfully o perated on his mother’s left eye so that she was able to read and write again. January 31, 1892 – writing to Blumentritt, he said :â€Å"Here I practise as a doctor and I have . . . Here many sick of influenza because there is an epidemic. Through the newspaper I am informed that this sickness is also causing ravages in Europe. I hope you and your esteemed family will be spared. In our house, my mother, my brother-in-law, and one of my sister are sick. Thank God, they are out of danger.† Rizal was given moral support and substantial aid in his medical practice in Hong Kong from some of his friends in Europe. Mr. Boustead (the father of Nelly Bousted)– wrote to him on March 21, 1892, praising him for his medical profession Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin – sent him a congratulatory letter and a book on Diagnostic Pathology by Dr. H. Virchow and another medical book entitled Traite Diagnostique by Mesnichock. Don Antonio Vergel de Dios – offered him his services for the purchase of medical books and instruments which he might need in his profession. Rizal possessed the qualities of a great ophthalmic surgeon. In the words of Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo, a distinguished Filipino ophthalmologist: â€Å"He had all the qualities that would make an ideal ophthalmic surgeon – a keen and analytical intellect, lightness of touch and artistry of a painter, courage and imperturbability, a broad and deep knowledge of medicine and ophthalmology, and last but not the least, he had been properly and adequately trained by master ophthalmic surgeons.†BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECTRizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah) He planned to move those Filipino families to that British-owned island and carve out of its virgin wilderness a â€Å"New Calamba† March 7, 1892 – he went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony. His mission was successful.The British Authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipino colonists, 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges. By April 20, he was back in Hong Kong.Rizal friends in Europe enthusiastically endorsed his Borneo colonization project. Lopez Jaena express his desire to join the project and wrote to Rizal saying:â€Å"I have a great desire of joining you. Reserve for me there a piece of land where I can plant sugarcane. I shall go there. . . to dedicate myself to the cultivation of sugarcane and the making of sugar. Send me further details.† Hidalgo, on the other hand, objected to the colonization project saying:â€Å"This idea about Borneo, is no good. Why should we leave the Philippines, this beautiful country of ours? And besides what will people say? Why have we made all these sacrifices? Why should we go to a foreign land without first exhausting all means for the welfare o f the country which nurtured us from our cradles? Tell me that!† The infamous Weyler, whom the Cubans called â€Å"The Butcher† was relieved of his gubernatorial office. A new governor general Eulogio Despujol, the Count of Caspe, announced to the Filipino people a fine program of government Rizal sent him a letter of felicitation (dated December 23, 1891) and offering his cooperation, but instead the governor did not even acknowledge receipt of his letter.Rizal wrote a second letter (dated March 21, 1892), in this second letter, he requested the governor general to permit the landless Filipinos to establish themselves in Borneo. Despujol, did not give Rizal the â€Å"courtesy of a reply†. Instead, he notified the Spanish consul general in Hong Kong to tell Rizal that he could not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that, â€Å"the Philippines lacked laborers† and â€Å"it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil† WRITINGS IN HONG KONGHe wrote â€Å"Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao† (a tagalog translation of â€Å"The Rights of Man† proclaimed by the French Revolution in 1789) About the same time (1891), he wrote â€Å"A la Nacion Espaà ±ola† (To the Spanish Nation), which is an  appeal to Spain to right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants. Another proclamation, entitled â€Å"Sa Mga Kababayan† (To my Countrymen) was written in December 1891 explaining the Calamba agrarian situation. Rizal contributed articles to the British daily newspaper, The Hong Kong Telegraph, whose editor, Mr. Frazier Smith, was his friend.March 2, 1892 – Rizal wrote â€Å"Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol† (A Visit to Victoria Gaol), an account of his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong. In this article he contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the modern and more humane prison system. He wrote an article entitled â€Å"Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de Familles de Iles Philippines† (Colonization of British north Borneo by families from the Philippine Islands) to elucidate his Borneo colonization project He elaborated on the same idea in another article in Spanish, â€Å"Proyecto de Colonizacion del British North Borneo por los Filipinos† (Project of the Colonization of British North Borneo by the Filipinos) June 1892 – he wrote â€Å"La Mano Roja† (The Red Hand) which denounces the frequent outbreaks of intentional fires in Manila. â€Å"Constitution of the Liga Filipina†Ã¢â‚¬â€œ printed in 1892, was the most important writing made by Rizal during his Hong Kong sojourn To deceived the Spanish authorities, the printed copies carries the false information that the printing was done by the LONDON PRINTING PRESS, No. 25, Khulug Street, London. The idea of establishing the Liga Filipina was originally conceived by Jose Ma. Basa, but it was Rizal who wrote its constitution and realized its establishment .DECISION TO RETURN TO MANILAMay 1892 –Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila The decision was spurred by the following: 1.) To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project. 2.) To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila 3.) To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he being comfortable and safe in Hong Kong, had abandoned the country’s cause. Lete’s attack which was printed in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1892, portrayed Rizal as cowardly, egoistic, opportunistic – a patriot in words  only. Rizal protested to Del Pilar saying:â€Å"I am more convinced that yourself to be carried away. Friend or enemy, if the article has harmed me, it would harm more the interests of the Philippines. Who knows, however, if after all it was for the best; it has shaken me awake, and long after a long silence I enter the field anew. .. I am going to activate the Propaganda again and fortify the Liga.† To Ponc e, Rizal confided on May 23, 1892:â€Å"I am very sorry that Del Pilar allowed the article to be published because it will lead many to believe that there is really a schism among us. I believe that we can well have little misunderstanding and personal differences among ourselves, without exhibiting them in public. . As for myself. . . I always welcome criticisms because they improve those who wish to be improved†LAST HONG KONG LETTERSOn June 19, 1892 he spent his 31st birthday in Hong Kong.Evidently, he had premonition of his death, for the following day, June 20 he wrote two letters which he sealed, inscribed in each envelop â€Å"to be opened after my death,† and gave them to his friend, Dr. Marques for safekeeping. The first letter was addressed TO MY PARENTS, BRETHREN, AND FRIENDS, is as follows:â€Å"The affection that I have ever professed for you suggests this step, and time alone can tell whether or not it is sensible. The outcome judges things according to t he consequences; but whether the result be favorable or unfavorable, it may always be said that duty urged me, so if I die in doing it, it will not matter.I realize how much suffering I have caused you yet I do not regret what I have done. Rather, if I had to begin over again I should do just the same, for what I have done has been only in pursuit of my duty. Gladly do I go to expose myself to peril, not as an expiation of misdeeds for in this matter I believe myself guiltless of any, but to complete my work and so that I, myself, may offer the examples of which I have always preached.A man ought to die for duty and his principles. I hold fast to every idea which I have advanced as to the condition and future of our country, and shall willingly die for it, and even more willingly sacrifice all to secure justice and peace for you. With pleasure, then, I risk life to save so many innocent persons – so many nieces and nephews, so many children of friends, and children too of oth ers who are not even friend – who are suffering on my account. What am I? A bachelor, practically without a family and sufficiently undeceived as to life. I have had many disappointments and the future before me is gloomy, and will be gloomy if light does not illuminate it with dawn of a better day for my native land.On the other hand, there are many persons, filled with hope and ambition, who perhaps might be happier if I were dead, and then I hope my enemies would be satisfied and stop persecuting so many entirely innocent people. To a certain extent their hatred is justifiable as to myself, and my parents and relatives. Should fate go against me, you will all understand that I shall die happy in the thought that my death will end all your troubles. Return to our country and may you be happy in it. Till the last moment of my life I shall be thinking of you and wishing you all good fortune and happiness.†The second letter was addressed TO THE FILIPINOS, and is as follo ws:â€Å"The step which I am taking, or rather am about to take, is undoubtedly risky, and it is unnecessary to say that I have considered it for some time. I understand that almost every one is opposed to it; but I know also that hardly anybody else understands what is in my heart. I cannot live on seeing so many suffer unjust persecution on my account; I cannot bear the sight of my sisters and their numerous families treated like criminals. I prefer death and cheerfully shall relinquish life to free so many innocent persons from such unjust persecution.I appreciate the fact that at present the future of our country gravitates in some degree around me, that at my death many will feel triumphant, and thus,  many are now wishing for my fall. But what of it? I hold duties of conscience above all else. I have obligations to the families who suffer, to my aged parents whose sight strikes me to the heart; I know that I alone, only my death can make them happy, returning them to their native land to a peaceful life at home. I am all my parents have, but our country has many more sons who can take my place and even do my work better.Besides I wish to show those who deny us the boon of patriotism that we know how to die for duty and principles. What matters death, if one dies for what one loves, for native land and beings held dear?If I thought that I were the only resource for the consummation of a policy of progress in the Philippines and were I convinced that my countrymen were going to make use of my services, perhaps, I should hesitate about taking this step; but there are others who can take my place, who can do my services that are not utilize, and I am reduced to inactivity.Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that I shall continue loving it till my last moment, in case men prove unjust to me. My career, my life, my happiness – and all I have sacrificed for love of it. Whatever my fate I shall die blessing it and longing for the dawn o f its redemption.June 21, 1892 – Rizal penned another letter in HK for Governor Despujol. In this letter, he informed the governor general of his coming to Manila and placed himself under the protection of the Spanish government. June 21, 1892 – (On the same date) Rizal and his sister Lucia left HK for Manila. They carried a special passport or â€Å"safe-conduct† issued by the Spanish consul-general in Hong Kong.RIZAL FALLS INTO SPANISH TRAPThe Spanish consul-general sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim â€Å"is in the trap†. On the same day a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers â€Å"for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation† Despujol ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to find out if  Rizal was naturalized as a German citizen, as was rumored, so that he might take proper action against on â€Å"who had the protection of a strong nation† Meanwhile, Rizal and his sister were peaceful ly crossing the China Sea. They were fully unaware of the Spanish duplicity.

Explore Anita Desais intensely evocative, descriptive style in Studies in the Park Essay

Anita Desai is a world renowned, Indian novelist and short-story writer. ‘Studies in the Park’ is merely one of her vast collection of short-stories, however, it is one of the most expressive stories, and it also conveys Anita Desai’s immensely communicative style of writing. ‘Studies in the Park’ is set in the late 1970’s, in contemporary India. It talks about a young boy, Suno, who is determined to do well in his exams that are a few months away. He is frequently pressurised by his parents, to study hard, and do well. However he is constantly disturbed by the repeated noise, and cannot study. He decides to go to a nearby park, which turns out to be an ideal location for him to study. The pressure that is mounted on him slowly starts to rise as the exams approach, this in turn, results in him becoming a workaholic: eventually his whole life revolves around his studies. He then sees a life changing vision that completely transforms his perspect ive of life. ‘Studies in the Park’ contains various descriptions, and images that enables the true message of the story to be brought out. The story begins with the line â€Å"-Turn it off, turn it off†¦What next, my god† this line evidently depicts the irritability that Suno is experiencing. This example is a perfect case in which Desai uses a very evocative stream of consciousness to illustrate emotion. This story is written in first person, and because of this Anita Desai is able to express true emotion and sentiment, as shown in the example above. In the line â€Å"So I raced out of my room†, Anita Desai indicates that Suno, the protagonist, is annoyed and cannot bear his surroundings anymore. This example is a typical instance where Anita Desai utilises first person, to portray an emotion. Diction is an essential component of Anita Desai’s style of writing, she uses a diverse collection of words to indicate the precise feeling that the protagonist is experiencing. For example, in the line â€Å"†¦rest of them standing and peering in†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the word â€Å"peering† is accurate as it portrays the â€Å"curiosity† and the â€Å"nosiness† of the brothers and sisters. Another example is in the line â€Å"†¦ snarled at him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The word â€Å"snarled†, in this context, implies that Suno is very irritable and ill-tempered at this moment. The word is precise, and specific, and thus, it makes the line more communicative and expressive. Anita Desai uses imagery as well, at many occasions, in an attempt to invoke vividness and clarity in the story. For example, in the line â€Å"Bag-like women in grey and fawn saris †¦ with their sackcloth backs to the rails† This description of the park is very clear and vivid, it is a description of one instant in the park: it talks about the children falling, the women screaming and the madmen prancing. The description allows the reader to infer many details about the park such as: it is very active, there many people present there, etc. These sorts of descriptions are present all over the story, hence it makes the story more understandable and suggestive. Desai also uses imagery to elaborate on one point, for example, the description â€Å"The afternoons would be quiet†¦bazaars and slums† This paragraph talks about the serenity and tranquillity present in the park in the afternoons, and early evenings. Anita Desai stresses on this point with help of various images. The use of imagery and diction has been used extensively in the story. However it is most effective, when the protagonist experiences the vision, in which he realises the importance of the aspects of life. The line â€Å"Just then she lifted her veil†¦Divine, I felt, or insane† indicates a new revelation that takes place in Suno’s mind, and with the use of imagery Anita Desai is able to depict this more vividly. During this phase, Desai uses many similes to describe the lady in the epiphany, and hence depict the new revelation. For example, in the line â€Å"†¦her borkha, like a flower†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This line compares the lady’s face to a â€Å"wax-white†, lifeless flower that shows importance of health in life. ‘Studies in the Park’ is very communicative and expressive; there are various descriptions and accurate diction that are essential components in the story. These have made the story more understandable and comprehensible, thus the central theme and message of the story has been portrayed competently. Anita Desai’s descriptive writing style is extremely graphic and illustrative: it focuses mainly on descriptions, images and precise diction to portray a particular point. Thus she has been able to depict the importance of everything in life: health, religion, family and love.

Privatization of Social Security essays

Privatization of Social Security essays Social Security affects almost every American family. Currently, it pays benefits to more than 46 million people, including retired and disabled workers and their families, as well as the survivors of deceased workers. Although, it is believed that number of people receiving benefits is expected to drastically increase up to 68 million by the year 2020. In the State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush has stated that one of Americas most important institutions (social security) is need of reform.# I believe that solving social securitys long term financing problem is more important and complex than simply adding the numbers and structuring designs of future trust funds which President Bush and his administration are proposing. And personally, I do not believe that privatization of social security would be a viable option for solving a problem such as this one. In this short opinionated statement I hope to convince my reader that the reform that Bush administration is proposing is not only risky, but will result in high costs and will not guarantee benefits to future retirees. Over the long term, as the baby boom generation retires, social securitys financing loss presents a major program solvency and sustainability challenge. It is evident that the sooner we take action to solve this problem, it will allow the changes to be introduced so that individuals who are most likely to be affected, mostly younger, students like myself, and future workers, such as every American, will have time to adjust the retirement planning. Either one of the option that we as the Americans in the future choose to take, will result in penalizing those who are currently and in future will be depending on the program. Private accounts, which Bush and his administration believe to give the younger workers a chance to build a nest egg, would not only undermine the meaning of social security as we have kno...

Written English - Definition and Examples

Written English s Written English is the way in which the English language is transmitted through a conventional system of graphic signs (or letters). Compare to spoken English. The earliest forms of written English were primarily the translations of Latin works into English in the ninth century. Not until the late fourteenth century (that is, the late Middle English period) did a standard form of written English begin to emerge. According to Marilyn Corrie in The Oxford History of English (2006), written English has been characterized by relative stability during the Modern English period. See also: WritingAlphabetColloquializationFormal Style and Informal StyleKey Events in the History of the English LanguageLiteracyPresent-Day English (PDE)SpellingStandard EnglishWhat Is Standard English?What Is Writing? Early Written English [T]he vast majority of books and manuscripts produced in England before the invention of printing were written in Latin or (in later times) French. Administrative documents were not written in English in any number until the fourteenth century. The story of early written English is one of a local vernacular language struggling to achieve a distinct visual identity and written usage.(David Graddol et al., English: History, Diversity, and Change. Routledge, 1996)[A] new standard form of written English, this time based on the usage of London, began to emerge from the fifteenth century onwards. This was generally adopted by the early printers, who in turn provided a norm for private usage from the sixteenth century onwards.(Jeremy J. Smith, Essentials of Early English. Routledge, 1999) Recording Functions of Written English The history of writing in the English-speaking world reveals a balancing act between competing recording functions of the written word. While written English has always had a role in creating durable records that were never intended to be read aloud, the oral side of writing has been far more important than we tend to realize. Through most of the languages history, an essential function of writing has been to aid in subsequent representation of spoken words. Overwhelmingly, those spoken words have been formal in characterdrama, poetry, sermons, public speeches. ( . . . [B]eginning in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, writing developed a new set of quintessentially written functions with the emergence of newspapers and novels.)In the latter part of the twentieth century, a new twist was added, as writing increasingly came to represent informal speech. This time, there was no intention of later rendering such texts aloud. Gradually, we learned to write as we spoke (rather than preparing to speak as we wrote). As a result weve generally blurred older assumptions that speech and writing are two distinct forms of communication. Nowhere has this muddying of boundaries been more apparent than in the case of email.(Naomi S. Baron, Alphabet to Email: How Written English Evolved and Where Its Heading. Routledge, 2000) Writing and Speech When writing developed, it was derived from and represented speech, albeit imperfectly . . ..To affirm the primacy of speech over writing is not, however, to disparage the latter. If speaking makes us human, writing makes us civilized. Writing has some advantages over speech. For example, it is more permanent, thus making possible the records that any civilization must have. Writing is also capable of easily making some distinctions that speech can make only with difficulty. We can, for example, indicate certain types of pauses more clearly by the spaces that we leave between words when we write than we ordinarily are able to do when we speak. Grade A may well be heard as gray day, but there is no mistaking the one phrase for the other in writing.(John Algeo and Thomas Pyles, The Origins and Development of the English Language, 5th ed. Thomson Wadsworth, 2005) Standard Written English Standard or standardized written English (SWE). Its alive and well in our culture, but what does it mean? Many varieties of English get into print in various contexts, but standard doesnt refer to all of themnot even to everything published in mainstream books and magazines. It refers only to one slice of mainstream writingbut an incredibly important and powerful slice: the slice that people happen to call correct edited written English. When people champion Standard Written English, they sometimes call it proper or correct or literate writing. . . . [I]ts a language that is found only on paperand only in the texts of certain established writers, and its rules are in grammar books. So again: standardized written English (or prescriptive written English) is no ones mother tongue.(Peter Elbow, Vernacular Eloquence: What Speech Can Bring to Writing. Oxford Univ. Press, 2012)Unlike most other kinds of English, standard written English is strongly codified. That is, there is almost total agreement as to which forms and usages form part of it and which do not. . . .Mastery of standard written English is a requirement for many professions, and it is highly desirable in many others. But nobody comes naturally equipped with this mastery. Standard written English has to be acquired, usually by formal education. Sadly, however, in recent years schools in most English-speaking countries have pulled back from teaching this material. As a result, even university graduates with good degrees often find themselves with a command of standard English that is at best inadequate and at worst distressing. This is not a trivial problem, since a poor command of the conventions of standard English will often make a very bad impression on those who must read your writing.(Robert Lawrence Trask, Say What You Mean!: A Troubleshooters Guide to English Style and Usage. David R. Godine, 2005)

Natural Gas Plants Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Natural Gas Plants - Research Paper Example Natural gas is also known to be a necessity of this world. Gas in its pure form is of no particular use to the human beings but after being furnished in a Natural Gas Plant it can be used for several purposes. In some parts of the world it is used as a purpose of fuel and in some parts of the world it is used to light fire. Natural Gas Plants use different processes through which they can produce the sort of gas required by the individuals. It is seen that raw form of gas needs to pass through different stages to produce the productive gas. The processes respectively are known as Removal of Oil and Condensed particles, removal of water, separation of the gas liquids and lastly the removal of carbon dioxide and sulfur from the gas. Gas Plants use Low Temperature Separator, Liquid and Solid desiccant dehydrators, and Fractionators. This report would further revolve around Gas Processing Plants and would provide with further details about it. Natural Gas Plants use different devices to filter out the natural gas into productive forms. This report would revolve around the two main components of natural gas production which are Fractionators and Liquid and Solid Desiccant dehydrators. Both these components are used by almost all the gas plants to effectively produce the right form of gases. Fractionators use the different boiling points of hydrocarbons to their advantage whereas the dehydrators use different solutions which have the power to absorb and adsorb. The different processes in purifying gas would also be described in this report with emphasis on the two main components. This report would present with findings about the natural gas plants as a whole and not specifically about certain plants (Scott et al 1999) Gas in its pure form consists of many impurities which need to be filtered by the gas plants so that the gas can be used by the consumers.