Take a Stand for Language Standards

Take a Stand for Language Standards Take a Stand for Language Standards Take a Stand for Language Standards By Mark Nichol English usage is always evolving, but the rate of evolution seems to accelerate all the time, and careful observers will note in a wide variety of content pervasive examples of the relaxation of standards for written English. This post discusses several categories in which it appears that even professional writers often seem unaware of basic precepts of good writing. As discussed in previous posts, the velocity of change in what is considered acceptable written English has sped up thanks to the proliferation of media resources available to the average person and the dynamics of the publishing industry. Because of the explosive increase in content produced by poorly trained writers (amateurs and professionals alike) and the decrease in rigorous editing, substandard writing spreads unchecked, with the following results. Writers often, out of ignorance and/or apathy, close compound words that are treated as open and hyphenated in dictionaries and other writer resources, so that, for instance, we increasingly see â€Å"life span† styled as lifespan and â€Å"time frame† written as timeframe, and mind-set and light-year appear, respectively, as mindset and lightyear. This process has occurred for hundreds of years as a natural progression, but we appear to be in the midst of multiple evolutions occurring simultaneously. In a similar case, â€Å"all right† frequently appears as alright. It has done so since the mid-nineteenth century, but what’s new is that it is now creeping over from lay writing such as personal blogs to professionally produced content such as online newspapers. Amateur and professional writers alike are also increasingly failing to observe two types of distinctions between essential and nonessential phrases. First, for example, is the error seen in identifications of people such as the one in â€Å"Company president, John Smith, was also named in the suit.† The mistaken use of internal punctuation, due to the confusion of the simple job description â€Å"company president† with the appositive â€Å"the company president,† which would require the name to be set off from the descriptor because that phrase and the name are interchangeable (while â€Å"company president† and â€Å"John Smith† are not), is nothing new but is becoming commonplace in professionally produced content. As an example of the second type of essential/nonessential confusion, the following sentence is flawed because it implies that more than one Emergency Alerts system exists, and the one in question, unlike one or more others, can send alerts about catastrophic events: â€Å"The agency sent the alert through the national Emergency Alerts system that can send alerts about catastrophic events.† The following revision correctly observes that â€Å"can send alerts about catastrophic events† describes the system’s function rather than explains the specific function of one type of system (which is the point of the sentence): â€Å"The agency sent the alert through the national Emergency Alerts system, which can send alerts about catastrophic events.† That type of error, published on the website of a metropolitan newspaper, unlike the others noted above, is a cardinal sin rather than a venial one because it doesn’t just â€Å"look wrong†; it affects clarity and comprehension. I’m well aware that observations such as these can make me sound like a get-off-my-lawn geezer, but this is my point: Such shifts in our language are inevitable, but as a treasure hunter tells intrepid teenage Indiana Jones when the latter fails to prevent an artifact from being sold on the black market, â€Å"You lost today, kid, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it.† That is not to say I don’t â€Å"like it,† that I don’t approve of language evolution (which is just as futile as not approving the sun going down or the tide coming in), but what I don’t like is a failure to respect and observe current standards. Just as we agree that certain letters, numbers, and other symbols represent various sounds, quantities, and functions, we should agree on precepts of grammar, syntax, usage, and punctuation. As a professional editor and writer, it is my responsibility to help preserve the language as it is now, according to standards codified in numerous writing and editing guides and other resources, and not anticipate revisions that will appear in future editions, and I recommend that you do so, too. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Cost-Effective vs. Cost-Efficient10 Techniques for More Precise Writing15 Idioms for Periods of Time

Please, Thank You, Youre Welcome

Please, Thank You, You're Welcome Please,  thank you, and  youre welcome  are perhaps the most common phrases  in English. Use  please  to politely ask for something,  thank you  or  thanks  when someone does something for you or gives you something. Finally,  use  youre welcome  as a polite response when something thanks you for something. Learn the rules and alternate forms of these three important phrases in English. Please for Requests Please is used in order to make requests more polite. It is added to the end of polite questions and is preceded by a comma. Polite Question , please ? Could you give me a hand, please?May I use your telephone, please?Can I join your table, please? Please  can also be placed before the verb when asking a polite question: Would you please help me with this?Could you please explain the grammar again? Please for Confirming Help Please is also used to confirm an offer of help using the phrase  yes, please. Would you like to come with us? - Yes, please.May I help you? - Yes, please. Id like to know more about this months sale. Giving Directions and Please Generally, please is not used when giving directions or instructions, especially if there are a number of instructions to follow.  For example, a teacher might give the following instructions to a class: Open your book to page 40.Read the introduction.Do the introductory exercises.Read the passage.Take the multiple choice follow-up quiz. Please can be used when giving instructions to make the order more polite. This is usually done when only one order (or instruction) is given and is used only in spoken English. Please sit down.Pay attention, please.Please fill in this form. Notice that please is placed at the beginning or end of the instruction. Thank You Thank you is used when a compliment is given: Youre a fantastic tennis player! - Thank you.I really enjoyed dinner. It was very tasty. - Thank you, Im glad you like it. Thank You to Accept and Refuse Offers Thank you is often used at the beginning of a reply to an offer. It can be used in both the positive and the negative form to either accept or refuse an offer. Would you like something to drink? - Thank you. Id like a cola, please.Do you want to join us at the concert tonight? - No thank you. I need to study! Thanks Thanks is also used in the same manner as thank you in informal situations. Youre Welcome The phrase youre welcome  is the most common response when someone thanks you for something.  Youre welcome  is a phrase that comes from the German word  willkommen.  However, as you can read below, the use is very different than in German. Other phrases for saying  youre welcome  include: Formal   Dont mention it.Not at all.My pleasure.Im glad to have been of help. Informal No problem.Sure.Certainly.   When to NOT use Please Please  is not used as a response to  thank you. WRONG Thank you. - Please. RIGHT Thank you. - Youre welcome.Thank you. - No problem.Thank you. - Not at all. The Use of Please and Thank You Compared to Other Languages The use of please and thank you in English is very important. Please and thank you have their equivalents in other languages, but the usage of please and thank you in English is not always the same. Lets take two examples one from German and one from Italian in which a translation of please is used in Italian or German, but not in English. Italian Please - Prego Posso sedermi? - Prego Literal English translation: Can I sit down me? - Please Proper English translation: Can I sit down? - Certainly German Please - Bitte Vielen Dank! - Bitte schoen! Literal English translation: Many thanks! - Please pretty! Common English translation: Many thanks! - Youre welcome! Please, Thank You, Youre Welcome Quiz Fill in the gap with  please,  thank you,  or  youre welcome  depending on the situation.   Could you _____ help me with my homework?Would you like to have dinner early today? Yes, _____.Thank you for your advice. - _____. Im glad you found it helpful.Would you like something to drink? _____. Im not thirsty.Another way to say  _____ is my pleasure._____ sit down and begin the lesson.Could I sit down next to you? Certainly. - _____.May I use your restroom, _____?_____ to use my study if you would like._____ for your help on the test. I got an A! Answers pleasepleaseYoure welcomeThank youyoure welcomePleaseThank youpleaseYoure welcomeThank you About English Functions The use of  please  and  thank you  are known as functions. Learning correct language functions will help you understand and use the correct phrases and grammar in specific situations.

Hoe does Beth Israel west side comprehensive cancer center in NY Essay

Hoe does Beth Israel west side comprehensive cancer center in NY operate with the collaboration of aptium oncology and continuum - Essay Example Beth Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center is a chief product of Continuum Cancer Centers of New York (CCCNY). CCCNY, a non- profit organization, beforehand used to look after more than 6,000 new cancer patients per year. This new addition to CCCNY makes it one of the biggest and most effective multi- site cancer research centers of the North East (Beth Israel Medical Center Officially Opens Its Manhattan West Side Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2010). The Beth Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center will be working in collaboration with Aptium Oncology, Inc., a Los- Angeles based prime profit organization with more than 25 years of practice in cancer research program development that provides support and enhancement in oncology related programs to private physicians and hospitals. It also provides consulting and organizational expertise to leading institutions around U.S. Aptium Oncology also boasts of having a large and advanced clinical research facility in cancer through the Aptium Oncolog y GI Cancer Consortium (AGICC), and in myeloma through the Aptium Oncology Myeloma Cancer Consortium (AMyC) (Research, 2011). ... Here one needs to first understand the definition of Alliance and the differences in the concepts of Alliance, Partnerships and Collaborations. Alliance is a formal agreement that establishes an association among partnering organizations to achieve a particular aim wherein both organizations agree to share the responsibility through common goals. Partnerships generally mean co existing and usually voluntary relationships among participating groups that are ready to share responsibility of achievement of certain specific goals. Partnerships also contain mutual sharing of available resources, risks and returns realized on terms of pre- agreed legal bindings. Collaborations, on the other hand is a combination of the previous two concepts and is generally used to describe various different joint or multiple efforts. This term is more often than not used to refer long lasting and durable relationships wherein the parties join hands to bring separate organizations into an innovative struct ure with full fledged commitment towards fulfilling a common mission. The associating parties jointly optimize the resources available to them and also share the outcomes and the rewards. Regardless of the name of the associative relationship, working together requires proper policy formulation and policy formulation can be done through thinking backed with evaluation (Evaluation and Collaboration, n.d. pp.1). â€Å"Alliances are a big part of this game [of global competition]†¦They are critical to win on a global basis†¦.The least attractive way to try to win on a global basis is to think you can take on the world all by yourself.† Jack Welch, CEO, General Electric (Speech at Harvard Business School,

Porter s 5 forces analysis for luxury good industry Assignment

Porter s 5 forces analysis for luxury good industry - Assignment Example They usually have brand loyalty and may not want to switch because the brand defines them. However, their preferences can shift very often, making it hard for the firm to meet their needs continually. As a result, firms in this industry have to work harder to be able to continually impress the customers with the latest innovations. This costs the firm very much, but they can get their investment back because the customers are willing to pay more dollars for the products, as long as they are happy with the product. The threat of substitutes is high for this sector because they are readily available. Furthermore, the luxury goods are not a necessity and so the buyers can easily survive without them. As a result, when the economy is not doing well, the luxury market is likely to suffer first and the most. In such a case, the buyers can easily switch to substitutes because the switching cost is very low, or no switching cost at all. This makes it hard for the firms in this sector to have a strategic advantage over its customers. Firms in this industry are therefore hard pressed to make sure that the customer will not have the need to switch to an alternative because if they do not do that, they will easily lose their customers. One of the factors identified by Porter (1998) with regard to the strategic position of a business is the supplier bargaining power. For the luxury products sector, the suppliers do not have much bargaining power. This is because they can easily switch to other suppliers in an easy and efficient way without any significant cost. This means that the bargaining of suppliers is moderate, or even very weak in some instances. The firms can easily get the items being supplied by one supplier from almost any other supplier in the market. If the firm is able to buy in bulk, they even have an even bigger advantage. Usually, the number of suppliers is very high ad this gives more bargaining power to the buyers and less power to the suppliers.

Writing a commentary of your charity advert Essay Example for Free

Writing a commentary of your charity advert Essay My charity advert is for children addicted to computer games. At first I thought of sensible ideas like heart disease or cancer but then I thought why dont I do something wacky. Once I thought of the idea all these things started flowing through my brain.  The audience for my advert is parents and old people. This is because if you were a parent and you had children then you would think I dont want my child to turn out like that. So they would give money to the charity so that other parents can get help before it is too late. Then with the grandparents they would be thinking I dont want my grandchild to be brain washed by these computer games I would prefer for them to go out get some fresh air and play. Also they would be thinking how much money they would have to spend on the games. So they would like to help someone in need. The purpose of the advert is for people to donate money to help needy kids. I hope that the reader will see the picture of brain playing computer games first and think that it is funny. Then they would go on to read the advert to find out how serious the matter is and how they should donate. The brain makes the advert look interesting because it is eye catching. I hope that the reader will find it funny but I also hope they would understand why I have chosen that picture. I have written the heading IS THIS YOUR CHILD? WELL IT COULD BE in bold lettering so that readers would have a quick insight into what the advert is about. When you see the big bold heading you read on. This is because you want to find out not only what the advert is about but also how it can affect your children. I used big words which the average everyday person might not know. When they see these large words like rehabilitation they will think that they are professionals and that they have also be educated. I hope that the reader would find it shocking that this is happening right under their noses. They would start thinking what if it happened to the woman next doors child. She would want some support. They would also be thankful that it is not their child but they would still like to help.  When I showed the advert to my friends and family they thought the brain idea was good. They also liked the way I used big words. If it was a real advert I think that people would find the advert comic. Maybe they might think that it is a joke at first so that would make them read it. Then when they read on they would realise the seriousness of the advert and how we need help

education Essay -- essays research papers

The dynamics of the student population yields no two students who are exactly alike. For this reason, it seems unreasonable to use one form of instructional materials, curriculum delivery, and assessment standards for all students. Educators realize that students learn at different rates and through different avenues. Individualized instruction approaches attempt to make the learning experience suitable for each student in terms of his or her learning needs, interests, and developmental level. Individualized instruction programs focus on objectives that are personal for each child. The child is an active partner in decision-making in terms of activities, subject matter, and assessment. Because students learn at different rates, individualized instruction is flexible in instructional pacing and the scheduling of class material. Individual instruction should be varied for each student in order to provide a variety of learning modalities best suited for the student. Teachers must be de dicated to curriculum planning and instructional decision-making, and encourage students to be responsible for their learning and take an active role in the learning process. Individualized instruction is not just a philosophy, but rather is comprised of a specific plan for meeting every student’s educational needs. Individualized instruction begins with a system to diagnose student strengths and weaknesses. Teachers use this pre-assessment to define goals for the student and understand their academic interests. The next step is to determine the best possible arrangement to group students for instruction, whether it is by needs, interests, or developmental levels. Once the teacher has determined student needs and organized the students into groups for effective instruction, the teacher must decide how to instruct the students to produce maximum benefits for each individual student. This includes instruction delivery, course content, integrated activities, and a learning time frame. In order to evaluate the student’s progress, a design for record keeping and a variety of assessment techniques must be must be made. The purpose of this paper is to design a plan for implementing an individualized instruction program in mathematics education. The plan will focus on mathematics content in 4th to 5th grade. The content area for this plan is geometry, and will include components of mea... ...many tests do. Students must show that they can apply their learning to novel places and demonstrate a technique for using mathematical strategies. These performance tests will be beneficial for problem solving tasks, manipulation of objects, construction activities, and identifying patterns and relationships. Performance tasks can be evaluated in real-learning situations or learning centers through teacher observation using a rubric with performance indicators. This way, the teacher can describe the mathematical processes that the student is capable of doing, rather that simply assigning an arbitrary letter grade, which only compares a student with his or her peers. Achievement tests have their place in the evaluation process. While the process is nearly as important as the product, as educators, we want students to be solving problems appropriately. Parents, administrators, and school board officials (as well as teachers) want to know that students are learning skills that follow the curriculum. Additionally, students need to know that they are solving problems correctly, and if they are not, the teacher needs to determine why that is the case. Evaluation of This Plan Appendix

Cebu in Philippines: Mabuhay Essay

Mabuhay! It means â€Å"Welcome!† in Philippines. And here, you truly are. On Tourism Philippines Guide, you’ll find friendly unbiased updated travel information for touring Philippines, what to see and what to avoid. More [+] Cebu Posted by Roz Visarra on May 4th, 2009 Filed Under: Cebu, Featured Cebu CEBU TRAVEL GUIDE Why Not Go Why Go Best Time to Visit Where to Stay Where & What to Eat Nightlife To Do List Stay Away From Getting There Cebu is a very beautiful city with countless beaches and nature parks. It offers everything you need- from a relaxing retreat in a tropical island, to all the conveniences that a first class metropolis can give. In contrast to the bustling metropolis, the rest of Cebu ‘s 167 islets and islands are lined with idyllic white sandy beaches and pristine clear waters. The Queen City of the South is the capital of the Visayas (also the political, economic, educational and cultural center of the Visayas) and is the second biggest city in the country. Located in between two straits, and several surrounding islands, Cebu is about 225 kilometers long, a narrow island that is home to 2.4 million people. Cebu is the jump-off point to satellite destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao Islands – Leyte, Samar, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Cagayan De Oro, Camiguin & Surigao Del Norte. Spectacular Metro Cebu: This is an aerial view of Metro Cebu, showing Cebu City (top left), Mandaue City(right), Mactan Channel(the body of water), and LapuLapu City(part of Mactan Island, bottom left). The bridge farther in the image is the first Mactan-Mandaue bridge, the second one is the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. This is one of the finest aerial shots I have for Metro Cebu. The timing was perfect for the plane to take this approach, the weather was right, the sun was like a flood light that is constantly illuminating the subject from this angle. This angle and this view was observable for just a few seconds. Luckily, I was able to take the shot within that time frame. Photo by storm-crypt The Heart of Cebu City: The western half of Osmena Boulevard, from the Fuente Osmena circle to Cebu’s provincial capitol. Photo by storm-crypt Why Not Go Everybody loves to go to Cebu so there is really no reason why anyone would not want to go there, if given the chance. Although if you want to go to a very quiet, provincial place, you can always go to its neighboring towns such as Bantayan, Badian and Argao. Why Go Can’t Outdo Cebu: With an island like this, it is difficult to miss summertime in Cebu. A resort on the east side, and in the foreground(west side), is a fish sanctuary, teeming with corals, and a huge variety of species of fish, that you can view closely to the point that you can touch them. And you can do all that with just snorkeling. Shot taken off the southeastern coast of Mactan Island, just a few minutes of side trip on the way to the airport. This island is called Hilutungan Island — a few kilometers off the southeast coast of Mactan Island. Photo by storm-crypt Simply because Cebu has it all. If you are looking for a place to spend your honeymoon, there are several 5 star resorts nearby. If you are planning a  family vacation, you can enjoy parasailing and scuba diving in the island hotels, and you can also go mountain climbing or camping in one of its nature parks. When it is thrill and excitement you long for, it has a one-of-a-kind amusement park that you cannot find anywhere else- the Sky Experience Adventure at Crown Regency. Now, if it is shopping and dining you want, Cebu has it too; a lot of them in fact. Anything which your adventurous and wandering heart desires, you can find it in Cebu. Central Cebu Mountains: Going strait to north from the municipality of Sibonga will get you to this point.Taken somewhere in central Cebu’s mountain range, shortly before heading east to the city of Cebu. Photo by storm-crypt Best Time to Visit Summer in Cebu is usually very hot while in November-January, the wind is often cold. If you want to frolic in the beach, you should go there during summer which is from March to May. But, if you want to see what Cebu has in store for all its visitors, go there in January, specifically on the 3rd week as this is the time they celebrate one of the country’s biggest festivities, the Sinulog. But you need to book early as hotels are bound to be booked even a week or two before the festival. The rainy season begins in July bringing torrential downpours that would sometimes inhibit movement, typhoon activity is minor compared with other parts of the Philippines. Sinulog: Sinulog, on the third weekend in January, honors the baby Jesus (Santo Nino) with a solemn religious parade on Friday evening, and an all-day festival on Saturday. Sort of like Carnival with thousands of participants. Spectacular! These girls are your average Filipino teenagers, but are dressed up in the style of â€Å"cultural minorities† who still live in the more remote locals of the country. Photo by friskodude The Cebuano’s flair for showmanship and love for celebrations is manifested in the Sinulog, a colorful festival of pageant proportion observed every third Sunday of January. Sinulog is a dance ritual in honor of the  miraculous image of the Santo Nià ±o. The dance moves two steps forward and one step backward to the sound of the drums. This resembles the current (Sulog) of what was then known as Cebu’s Pahina River. Thus, in Cebuano, they say it’s Sinulog. SINULOG ’07 Photo by 2rokbotoy Where to Stay Save up to 75% on hotels in Philippines Since Cebu has always been a popular tourist destination, it is equipped with hotels and resorts for every budget. If you want to splurge a bit to experience luxury at its best, you can stay at the following hotels and resorts: Marco Polo Plaza- located at Nivel Hills, this is a great hotel with such awesome customer service. The food buffet at Cafà © Marco is like no other, plus you get a fantastic view of the city. Rates start at around $105. Waterfront Hotel and Casino- there are two Waterfront Hotels, one is beside the airport and the other is within the uptown area but I would recommend the hotel in the uptown area because it is so much nicer, with better amenities. Plus it is near everything else. Rate starts at $95. Plantation Bay- this is located in Lapu-Lapu, it is an island city just about 30 minutes away from Cebu. This is a truly lovely resort where you can really experience luxury and relaxation. Rates start at $150++. Shangrila Mactan Resort and Spa- this is probably the most popular resort in Cebu and with good reason too. It has a beautiful beach front, swimming pools, a huge garden, a play area for kids plus a wonderful spa. Rates start at $165++. If you are on a budget, you may prefer to stay at cheaper hotels. Don’t worry, Cebu has a lot of them and they are quite clean and nice too. Golden Peak Hotel- located in uptown Cebu; this is a newly built hotel. Rates start at $30. Maxwell Hotel- another newly built hotel, with a spa and coffee shop with free DSL internet. Rates start at Golden Prince Hotel- this hotel is very near food and shopping establishments, particularly one of Cebu’s biggest malls which is Ayala. Rates start at $49. Heritage of Cebu: The Heritage of Cebu monument in Parian showcases the significant events of Cebu. You can also see sculptures of Lapu-lapu, Rajah Humabon, Ferdinand Magellan, martyr Pedro Calunsod and other prominent historical figures that have moved and shaped Cebu in more ways than one. This monument is the work of national artist Edgardo Castrillo. It was constructed on July 1997 was inaugurated on Dec. 8, 2000. Photo by Brennan Mercado Where & What to Eat †¢Abuhan- Have you ever heard of Pochero? It is a great tasting soup with pork or beef bone marrow, corn and cabbages. Abuhan is famous for it. You can try this in one of their 3 brances. I would recommend the branch they have at Asiatown IT Park. †¢Golden Cowrie-This is probably the most frequented Filipino restaurant, particularly by tourists. Their food is simply amazing. You can try their sautà ©ed mushroom and chicken pandan. They have 3 branches: in Lahug, SM, and Hukad in Ayala. †¢Spice Fusion- this restaurant offers Asian Cuisines that are quite delicious. A favorite, roti in curry sauce is highly recommended. Spice Fusion has two branches, one at the Banilad Town Center and the other one at North Wing, in SM. †¢Sutukil- visitors should never leave Cebu without going to the famous SUTUKIL. It is an area with several restaurants offering the freshest seafood. You can actually choose from live fish, crabs, and shrimps, and then you can have it cooked SUTUKIL style, which comprises three different food: grilled, raw (with vinegar, tomatoes, ginger and chili), and soup. This is located beside the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu. †¢Cafà © Laguna-a place where you can taste authentic Filipino dishes. Try their bistek tagalog, it is simply heaven to the palate. You can find Cafà © Laguna in the mall and garden area of Ayala Mall. †¢Larsians- sample Cebu’s street food at its finest. Grilled chicken, pork and fish plus you can try their ‘puso’ or what others call ‘hanging rice.’ It is rice wrapped and cooked in palm leaves. †¢Harbour City Dimsum- great Chinese food- try their siomai and steam rice. Harbour City has branches in two malls, Ayala and SM. Nightlife Cebu has lots of places to go to enjoy your night – from downtown to uptown, Metropolitan Cebu comes even more alive as dusk sets in, with queues leading to music bars, discos and the casinos. If you want to go dancing, you can go to Sunflower at Lahug, or at Pump in Archbishop Reyes Street. If you want to go Karaoke, you can go to POD5 at the Banilad Town Center, or at K1 KTV at the Crossroads. If you just want to hang out in a restobar, you can go to Sinners and Saints in Banilad or a sportsbar called Badgers. You can also go to T.G.I.F. in Ayala where the food, beer and service are really good. Now if you just want to have some nice and quiet evening, you can go to Tops, it sure is nice there during the night; you get to see all the lights around Cebu. My to do List †¢Island Hopping- You can rent a pumpboat for about $60 and this will take you to 3 beautiful islands around Cebu. It is a whole day activity so you may want to bring in some lunch and snacks. †¢Mountain View- You can go there day or night- it does not matter as they are open 24/7. It is full of tall trees and flowers, plus hangout areas and playgrounds for kids. You also get a great view of the city at the top. Entrance fee: $1.25 per person †¢Nature Tripping- You can go to one of its many waterfalls, especially the one in Badian which is the Kawasan Falls, it is about 2  ½ hours away from the city. †¢Bantayan Island- This is about a 3 hour drive to the southernmost port, and then you will take a RoRo to the island which is about an hour’s travel. Bantayan is great for those who want some quiet time in sugary white sand beaches. Turtle with two live sharksuckers Photo by alfonsator †¢Moalboal- You should go there if you want to dive. It is about 2  ½ hours away from the city. They have several diving packages at different rates. The islands of Mactan and Camotes are not to missed by diver addicts too. †¢Sky Experience- located at the heart of the city, this is where the city’s tallest building is. Experience the thrill of walking hundreds of feet above ground! †¢Basilica del Sto. Nino- this very old church is located at the heart of downtown Cebu. There you can see the many faces and images of the Little Jesus. It has been said that miracles happen if you ask the Sto. Nino to pray for you. Cebu Cathedral Photo by neiltoot †¢Shopping- there are two kinds of shopping you can do-high end and low end. You can find some really good buys in downtown Cebu, specifically at Colon Street where tops can go as low as $2. You can also go to two big malls where you can find clothes, shoes and accessories: Ayala Mall and SM. Stay Away From Cebu is also home to a lot of pickpockets and robbers. Stay away from the downtown area late at night. Even during the day, you should keep your valuables in places where it is difficult for robbers to get access to it.

The Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving

In today’s society, most people communicate using of cell phones. Just 15 to 20 years ago, cell phones were a rarity for the average person. The average income person could not afford a cell phone. Today, cell phones are affordable and the majority of people own them. The days of waiting until you are home to use a telephone or searching for a pay phone if you are out are long gone. In fact, pay phones are being removed, which increases the need for a cell phone. The government will provide a cell phone with limited monthly service for those that are low income and meet certain criteria. The cell phone has also created people to feel the need to be accessible to constant communication. The major problem lies with cell phone use while driving, which presents a constant danger on the road. In many instances, it is a deadly danger. Based on my experience and experiences of those I know, I believe that law should ban all cell phone use. Laws have passed recently restricting the use to a hands free device while driving. I feel this is a good move in the right direction however; a hands free device can be equally as distraction. Some claim the distraction is no different from changing a radio station or taking a sip of your beverage. I do not believe this claim to be true. I cannot count the number of times I have witnessed a driver using their cell phone, not giving their full attention to the traffic. I have witnessed drivers pull out directly in front of on coming vehicles barely avoiding an accident. My adult children are prime examples of this practice. I have been a passenger with them while they take a call or look at a text message. During the conversation or glancing at the text message; they have crossed the centerline, weaved over onto the shoulder of the road, and swerved within their lane. I fear for their safety, others safety, and my own. Many feel the use of a hands free device is safer. In many ways, it is safer but still is a major distraction. A friend of my son was in a deadly accident while using his hands free device. He was riding his motorcycle and having a conversation on his â€Å"Bluetooth†. He was speaking to a friend and told them he was going to pass a trash truck. He was traveling on a single lane roadway. While passing at a high rate of speed he lost control. The friend heard what was happening. The young man was thrown over the front of the motorcycle landing on his head. His neck was broken. He was paralyzed from the head down and was only able to mouth words as his larynx was paralyzed. He was mouthing the words, â€Å"let me go†. After a year, his parents made the agonizing decision to remove him from the ventilator. He died shortly after at the young age of 22. I cannot help but wonder had he not been talking on the phone would he have made a better decision about passing the trash truck. Most people feel these horrors cannot happen to them. Driving any vehicle requires full attention. I believe that using a cell phone can be as impairing as driving while under the influence of alcohol. Many laws have passed in Maryland and nationwide concerning the issue. I feel the laws are necessary and should go a stop further with a full ban. A full ban would save many lives across the state and the nation.

Ligation essays

Ligation essays The court system was derived to pass laws and settle disputes. With the rapid growth of population a strong judicial system is needed to maintain stability in our country. In this essay I am going to discuss the methods of mediation. I will explain the purpose of mediation, as well as the procedures and advantages. Following I will explain the civil litigation process from the state level through the Supreme Court. Which court makes what decision and what the plaintiff and defendant can do about it. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) is dedicated to use different means to obtain resolution for disputes. Methods in which can cost tax payers substantial less, than a conventional trail. This gives parties a chance to stat their claims without the expensive lawyer fees and lengthy court appearance. Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution that is offered by the United State. Mediation is the process where a neutral party aids two opposing parties in the resolution of a dispute. The Mediation is voluntary among the disputing parties. This process ultimately gives the opposing parties a chance to discuss all factors to obtain an arrangement or a speedy compromise. This course of action is confidential; the information does not get disclosed to any other parties outside the plaintiff and defendant. According to the EEOC initially a representative will contact the employee and empower concerning their participation in the program. If both parties agree, a mediation session will be conducted. Parties will have a representative with the authority to resolve the problem. If one or both of the two parties needs formal representative, one well be appointed to them. This fairness is clearly an advantage in this costly process. If the mediation method is not a success, charg es will be investigated in accordance to the law. Here is some advantage of Mediation that arrived from the EEOC web site. ...

How to Work with an Indecisive Boss

How to Work with an Indecisive Boss There’s an unspoken truth in the world of work- although we usually get to pick our jobs we don’t get to pick our bosses. If we’re lucky, we get to work with the sort of boss whose a pleasure to be around- fair, pleasant, supportive, decisive, and encouraging. If this is your reality, then count your blessings and try to appreciate your situation. However, if you have a boss who’s something else, then it can pose some real challenges. One category of tricky boss includes the one who never seems to know what he or she wants. They either constantly waste time dragging their heels and delaying making any type of clear decision, or they’re forever changing what they tell you to do. Both of these types can be quite difficult to work with and can really impact your ability to perform your job effectively. But it’s not exactly easy to confront a boss who never seems to know what they want- so what do you do when you’re in this position?Learn your boss’s quirksTry your best to get to know your boss- including their decision-making behaviors and habits- as well as you possibly can over time. Although it can be tricky to expect the unexpected, as you get to know your boss more you may get better at anticipating how they’ll react to any given project or during any key decision-making moment, which may help minimize the ill-effects of their indecisive nature.Stay calm and kind, even when you want to screamYour best bet is to remain patient and do your best to anticipate your boss’s needs- and shifts- and try to work with them, not against them. First off, an indecisive boss is usually an anxious person by nature, and adding to their anxiety by developing an adversarial relationship with them will only serve to make matters worse. With the way many workplaces are structured, the fact is that you have to answer to your boss’s professional whims, as fickle as they may be. Once you know your boss oper ates this way, brace yourself and expect it. Knowing the madness is coming makes is a little easier to swallow.When you find yourself at a crucial point that requires a final decision from your boss, try and make the moment as stress free as possible. Also, do your best to reduce any external distractions that may make it challenging for your boss to concentrate and focus on the decision at hand. If it’s your job to present your boss with information so they can make a decision, be as clear and straightforward as possible. Always try to approach your boss in a calm and patient manner when a decision needs to be made- this will help put them in their best mindset to determine what they want at any given time.Keep a paper trailAlthough these strategies may prove helpful in a variety of decision-making moments, chances are it won’t completely fix the problem. The truth is, it’s hard for a leopard to change its spots. A boss who doesn’t know what they want wi ll likely remain this way- it’s just human nature to revert to your â€Å"core programming† and making lasting change is hard. That said, it would be helpful for you to get things from your boss in writing, so if they change their mind later on they can’t hold you accountable if projects go over budget and off schedule. Physical proof is always a good way to minimize the effects of their indecisiveness on your productivity and work reputation.A boss who never seems to be able to make up their mind and determine what they want when a decision needs to be made can be a challenging situation for you, but it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle. Use the strategies and advice provided here to make the best of a tough situation, and hopefully with a little time, experience, and luck, things will get better (or your next boss will know what they want and when they want it).

Fire and Building Codes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fire and Building Codes - Essay Example It was the National Board of Fire Underwriters which published in 1905 the first model building code. Seeing the blatant unhealthy housing conditions, charitable organizations were established and many of them formed the National Housing Association in the 1900 which pressed for housing reforms. This movement also provided the stimulus for passing the New York Tenement House Act of 1901 which was used as a model for other cities. In 1939, the American Public Health Association (APHA) developed housing codes which served as a prototype as it specifies health and sanitation requirements including room dimensions and arrangements. The Engineering Profession provided the technical expertise for specifying applicable structural design thru the American Society of Civil Engineers, mechanical codes by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and plumbing codes and standards (American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE).