Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) - 1759 Words

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired communication (verbal and non-verbal), social, and comprehensive skills. Distinct features of individuals diagnosed with ASD are repetitive or restricted behaviors, for example daily or patterned routines: others may experience symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, which delays cognitive/speech development: or other conditions similarly related to Down’s syndrome. ASD is often utilized as an umbrella term to encompass a wide range of genetic conditions and mental disorders; as such no two individuals diagnosed with ASD are alike. Because of this, researchers, therapists, and medical practitioners are still puzzled by the mysteries of ASD; however, many infants and toddlers are now beginning to show signs of ASD and many more are being diagnosed on the autism spectrum. With this increase, many people are beginning to understand and educate themselves on the effects of ASD an d also cope with the lifestyles of autistic peoples. However, even with the increase of autism awareness and advocacy, individuals with ASD are discriminated against because of many stereotypes and societal myths that surround the disorder. One of the main sources that distribute these false stereotypes and myths is the media. In truth, many popular movies, like Rain Man and Forrest Gump, portray characters that are affected by ASD in stereotypical ways that overshadow the true complications of ASD and theShow MoreRelatedAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1722 Words   |  7 Pagesin every sixty-eight births are diagnosed with the Autism spectrum disorder in other words (ASD), which is about one percent of the world’s population. And that more than three point five million people in America live with a person who has the Autism spectrum disorder. We all know that Autism is a spectrum disorder in which an abnormality is developed in the brain. It is a long life condition that h as no cure for itself. People who have Autism face many difficulties in their communication and theirRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1441 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder. Like many other psychological disorders, it is commonly misunderstood in popular culture. Many allude to it casually, often equating it with crippling social awkwardness and disability when it is in fact a spectrum disorder with many degrees of severity. It is somewhat of an enigma within the scientific community as well; there are many things we do not know about ASD and there is ongoing research to learn moreRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1535 Words   |  7 PagesHow Autism Influences the Interactions with Others There is a little boy that gets up every morning and goes to school. He goes home to his parents after school each day. He eats, sleeps, and plays just like any other child. There is one difference. He sees the world in a unique way than most other children not affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The boy’s life and actions are a bit different and can be challenging for him. He needs understanding parents, family members, and teachers. Autism SpectrumRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1444 Words   |  6 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder Dustin S. Staats University of Central Oklahoma â€Å"Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) formerly known as just Autism, is a disorder that affects about 1 in 68 children here in the United States.† (Facts about ASD) This is a pretty high prevalence and the number is continuing to rise. â€Å"Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant impairments in behavioral, communication, and social aspects of everyday life.†(Facts about ASD). The intellectual functioning ofRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1569 Words   |  7 Pagesdiagnoses for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occur has seen a dramatic growth in numbers. With diagnoses for ASD increasing, more siblings are also being found to have grown up with a sister or brother with autism spectrum disorder. Previous studies have shown no consensus on whether or not siblings of persons with ASD are at risk for negative effects. However, patterns of anxiety among these siblings are being examined to see if characteristics of a child with autism spectrum disorder and their parentsRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1369 Words   |  6 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Introduction I don t think people understand how unique children with Autism are or the demands of caring for a child with Autism is. In order to grasp the effect of this disability has on a child or their family it is important to understand the characteristics of a child living with Autism. So for you to understand I will be talking about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism in a childs life. I will be talking about what autism is, the history and descriptionRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1587 Words   |  7 Pages Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder  (ASD) Purpose: My audience will learn the importance of recognizing early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in children. Thesis: It is important to understand the early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and why early intervention is the best treatment. Introduction: Gain/maintain attention There is a television show I like to watch called â€Å"The Big Bang Theory, maybe some of you have seen it. This show focuses on the relationships between a group of friends, someRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) Essay1168 Words   |  5 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder, as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction (ninds.nih.gov). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a very complex developmental disorder and the term ‘spectrum’ was added to the original term simply known as ‘Autism’ due to the wide range of symptoms associated with the disorderRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd )1852 Words   |  8 PagesThe following paper is going to cover the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Using research and data collected from various authors and journalists the paper will describe the different variations of autism and discuss the impact autism has on a person- in society, at home, in the classroom, and in their careers. Beginning at infancy, autism has a major impact on not just the child but their family’s life as well. The child’s lack of ability to interpret social cues, gestures, and expressionsRead MoreAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of conditions grouped under the neurodevelopmental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013 (Kress Paylo, 2015). Those who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder must present two types of symptoms: 1) Deficits in social communication and social interaction and 2) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities (APA, 2013). The DSM-5 merged all autism

Should The Price Of College Be Lowered - 2320 Words

Morgan Hughes English 1102 8 December 2016 Should the Price of College be Lowered? Education becomes a part of most every individual’s life starting at a very young age. A majority of children are introduced to preschool or kindergarten around three to six years of age and school becomes a major role in their childhood. The idea of education being the only pathway to lead to a happy successful life is burned into the mind of young students. After growing up with education being an important role in their life these, now adults, feel obligated to continue with a postsecondary form of education. At this point, individuals start to question if attending a college is worth the risk of a lifetime of student loan debt. They also try to decide whether or not a college degree will result in a more financially stable lifestyle or if they are better off going straight to the workforce. The price of college has increased dramatically throughout the years which causes talented individuals to believe going straight to the workforce is the only thing they can afford and p rofit off of. If the price of college is what is keeping talented individuals away then that issue should be fixed. Most people argue that college should be completely free or that the prices should be lowered. When considering how a change in price for attending college would affect tax payers, students, teachers, and the education quality it becomes obvious that the cost of college should not be messed with. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Freie Universitat In Germany : The Price Of College Case Study720 Words   |  3 Pagesstories of lowered college prices are the Freie Universitat in Berlin, the average price of college there is around 304 Euros, which is $359.46 in the US. This cost covers mostly rooming and train fees. In 2006 colleges were able to impose prices on tuition, but students protested and the prices were reverted back in 2014. After 2014, enrollment increased by 22%, but the taxes went up 37% according to Quartz Media. Although Berlin isn’t sure how long they will be able to keep the low prices, 44% areRead MoreBinge Drinking On College Campuses1459 Words   |  6 PagesResearch – Final Draft English Composition Mr. Paul October 28, 2014 Binge Drinking On College Campuses Over the past few years, there has been this big debate about whether the drinking age should be lowered to 18 or if it should stay at 21. Those in favor of lowering the drinking age to 18 argue that someone who is old enough to serve their country should be allowed to have a drink. Those who are in favor of keeping the minimum legal drinking age at 21 because of consequencesRead MoreShould College Tuition Be Lowered Significantly?1365 Words   |  6 PagesYou are finally in college, and that summer you can finally sit back and relax. The bliss ends abruptly though once you start realizing how much college will cost. According to a CBS Money Watch poll, only 0.3% of incoming freshman will get a full-ride scholarship. If you’re the other 99.7%, then college will cost you, which will result in considerable debt. While some argue that college debt is worth it, others argue that this debt is crippling. College tuition should be lowered significantly becauseRead MoreUnderage Drin king Is Part Of The Culture Of College1734 Words   |  7 Pagesmore as they begin college (IUPUI). With being in college one thing that I did discover is that underage drinking is part of the culture in college, also the friends that I had in high school who are 21 now I have discovered they drink some of the least amount now. Which has begun to make me wonder why people who are 21 drink less than people who are underage. I believe that when people are 21 they now do not have to worry about the next time they can get alcohol. Congress should lower the drinkingRead MoreThe Rising Costs Of Formal Education1649 Words   |  7 Pages American youth have more pressure to get a good education than ever before, but at what price? The cost of education is at an all time high and rising every year. Many Americans are struggling with a large amount of student loan debt weather they graduated with a degree or not. The only way to secure the future of students today is to invest in the students themselves rather than investing their money into the corporate market. By preparing students for higher education and providing financialRead MoreA Brief Note On Parking At Grand Valley1629 Words   |  7 Pagesrepaved. As I grew even older and decided to come to college, I realized that parking on campus was going to be $360 for a full year. Luckily, I had enough financial aid so I was able to afford the parking permit, but unfortunately not all students have that advantage. The difference between a high school parking permit and a parking permit at Grand Valley was $280 and there are fewer spots at Grand Valley. Grand Valley should stop increasing the price for parking permits. The parking at Grand ValleyRead MoreCollege Campus : Dangerous Incidents On Colleges Campuses1716 Words   |  7 PagesCollege freshmen are so excited when they enter the campus with a hope of enjoying their freedom. They also expect to be safe on their college campus but dangerous incidents on colleges campuses have increased in recent years. In one situation, an 18-year-old freshman student at one of the Chicago’s university could not forget her Friday night at the university dorm when she was attacked (Schulte, 2014). She said she was being watched couple times around campus by other man from a distance. AfterRead MoreProhibition Of The National Minimum Drinking Age Act1376 Words   |  6 Pagesconsumed, produced, and distributed alcohol as if the regulations instituted by the government were suggestions. After the Prohibition laws were lifted in 1993, the drinking age was set at twenty one but was later lowered to e ighteen because of the passage of the 26th amendment which lowered the voting age to eighteen. In order to combat drunk driving, The National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed and stated that states must raise their drinking age to twenty one or lose 10% of their funds to payRead MoreTo Lower or Not to Lower the Legal Drinking Age to 18, That Is the Question881 Words   |  4 PagesEvery year thousands of young adults attend college with the hope of expanding their career opportunities, but are these young adults doing more than studying and homework? A new study suggests that binge drinking is on the rise among college students (Eisenberg n.p.). With an increase of alcohol consumption by underage drinkers, it only seems logical to lower the drinking age to prevent binge drinking, however there are far more consequences to be seen. Lowering the drinking age to 18 will notRead MoreCollege: Is it Still worth it? Essay1199 Words   |  5 PagesElementary school, middle school, hig h school, college―that’s how we’re told our education careers should go. After college you go on and get a job based on the degree you received. Seems simple right? According to Erik Lowe in his Seattle Times article â€Å"Keep Washington’s College Tuition Affordable,† he informs that people in his generation are the first to be less educated than their parents, in the United States. He explains that this is due to the high cost of tuition followed by a huge amount

Disaster in Franklin County Free Essays

Disaster in Franklin County Jennifer Wadsworth Western Governors University Disaster in Franklin County Role of Major Public Health Personnel The roles of major public health personnel must be delegated properly in a disaster situation in order to facilitate effective action. In the incident presented, a chain of command was established and assignments given to the appropriate personnel based on their skills and experience. As a whole, this group reports to the Incident Commander, an individual that is responsible for managing the entire disaster operation and various teams involved in every level of disaster management. We will write a custom essay sample on Disaster in Franklin County or any similar topic only for you Order Now In the first few hours following a disaster there are many things that need to be addressed. In the scenario presented, one of the initial messages that must be presented is water safety. Informing the public on the rationale of why their water is unsafe is important in helping them understand the necessity of boiling it before use to prevent illness. Also informing them of where they can obtain a safe water supply is crucial. The availability of temporary shelters and housing is also important in the first hours and days following the storm since many people may have had to leave their homes due to flooding, loss of power, or structural damage. Making sure citizens understand the dangers posed by downed power lines and the steps they should take when encountering them is a health issue as well. Proper food storage and handling is also critical when there is a lack of power in many homes. Knowing how long food will last in an inoperable refrigerator or freezer will help prevent foodborne illness. Other messages of importance in the weeks to follow include the topic of mold. While it may not be of the utmost importance initially, residents who have experienced flooding in their homes must be made aware of how to identify the source of the problem and how to treat and remove it in order to prevent any health risks associated with mold. Public health officials must assist in assessing shelter sites to ensure proper food handling, storage, and preparation. Ample and sanitary bathroom facilities must be assessed in order to arrange for additional portable services to be brought in if necessary. The living onditions that exist in the shelter must also be assessed in order to ensure individual privacy and personal safety. Tetanus was a concern for some citizens and the public health officials alerted area immunization clinics to who may be at risk for developing the illness as well as recommendations for vaccination by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safety of area restaurants and their ability to reopen came into question after the storm and public health officials, in cooperation with adjoining counties, worked to address the issue in a timely fashion in order to restore a sense of normalcy to the community. They must all be inspected to ensure that all public health guidelines are being followed and that the establishment is structurally sound. Providing culturally competent educational materials to members of the community, including those that may not speak English, is important and would potentially address the clean-up of hazardous materials, downed limbs, and trees as well as proper treatment of private wells. In the scenario members of the public health team joined other emergency workers in assisting those residents that may be cut off from supplies due to flooding in their area. Public health nurses assisted in door-to-door interview with those residents to address immediate health concerns or injuries that may have occurred as a result of the storm, as well as the availability of basic supplies. Basic physical assessments may be necessary in some situations. The nurse can address medication and medical equipment supplies, and the ability to use medical equipment such as nebulizers and oxygen concentrators. A lack of power would leave people with certain health conditions at risk of major health complications. Evacuation to temporary housing or shelters may be a better alternative for some, especially those requiring dialysis or chemotherapy, and the public health nurse could assist in arranging it. The public health nurse was able to help coordinate the delivery of necessary medications to those in short supply, enabling the patient to remain in their home for the time being. Safe food and water supplies would need to be addressed with homeowners. Information regarding the safe storage, handling, and preparation of food without power is a topic of concern. Inquiring as to any structural damage or flooding in people’s homes would allow the opportunity to provide helpful information pertaining to temporary housing, the need to boil water, and general personal safety. The public health nurse should also be available as residents return to their homes after flood waters have subsided. She can provide basic health information to those with questions or concerns. In conjunction with other public health officials, the nurse can assist in providing information regarding proper clean up, disposal of hazardous waste, mold, and the safety of food that remained in the home while the residents were in shelters. Public health officials, including the public health nurse, should be present at any informational meetings held for the public. They would be excellent resources for citizens that have questions regarding matters of health and safety and could supply written information for a variety of concerns, such as water and food safety, disease outbreaks as a result of the storm, and general health information including immunizations. Mental health issues may also arise as a result of the disaster and proving information on resources, as well as referrals, may be necessary. The Chain of Command The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Commander is the individual responsible for the entire disaster recovery. The Medical/Health Branch Director, in conjunction with the entire public health group, would report to the Commander and the EOC team regarding pertinent health issues that may arise. Those issues may require immediate action, or may be something that could arise during and after the clean-up from the storm. The public health group is a system unto itself known as the Incident Command System. The Deputy Director served as the Incident Commander and the remainder of the system was made up of individuals from the local health department. The lead role of Operations Section Chief is responsible for developing and implementing a plan, as well as ways in which to achieve the goals they establish. All other members of the Public Health Incident Command System will report to the Chief. The Operations Chief will also help to organize, assign, and supervise other outside resources necessary for the success of the plan. Other roles that the Operations Chief assigns to members of the department include: Public Information Officer, Finance/Administration Chief, Planning Chief, Liaison Officer, and Logistics Chief. The Public Information Officer is responsible for providing appropriate public health information pertinent to the disaster. They will be the media contact and will ensure that important information reaches the public in a timely manner to limit the risk of new health issues. They will also educate fellow public health staff so that they are able to act as a cohesive group with a consistent message. The Finance/Administration Chief will have an accounting background and will deal with any financial aspects that arise, such as payroll of employees and contracted workers brought on board specifically due to the storm. The Planning Chief will be the point of contact for all information that is released to the public regarding the disaster. The documentation they provide will be written in the languages necessary to ensure everyone affected by the disaster is informed. The Liaison Officer is the point of contact for outside resources, providing information and answering any questions they may have regarding the disaster or services needed. The Logistics Chief acquires things that Operations needs to get the job done such as space, supplies and equipment. The Community Health Nurse would report to the Incident Commander and the members of the Incident Command System. Resources Available to the Community Health Nurse Throughout the disaster recovery, the community health nurse would certainly encounter situations that were beyond her scope of practice. There are many resources available to her and she would best serve her clients by utilizing the individuals from the Incident Command System. They would be able to put her in contact with people from mental health services to home repair. The Logistics Chief would be an excellent resource in obtaining help from outside sources for sites for shelters, equipment and supplies. The Planning Chief would be a helpful resource in gathering and distributing culturally appropriate information to people who may speak a different language. Should the nurse not know who to go to regarding a specific need, she could go to the Incident Commander who would provide her with the necessary contacts. Social Services, Environmental Health employees, and independent contractors are only a few of the outside sources the public health nurse may be able to utilize. Actions of the Community Health Nurse During door-to-door interviews following the storm, the community health nurse came across several situations that required immediate attention. In one instance, a homeowner had flooding in his basement and a chemical spill in his garage. The nurse had an environmental health specialist advise the homeowner on how to clean up the spill. She also made certain the homeowner was given information on mold and the best methods for cleaning his basement once the flood waters subsided. Another homeowner was overwhelmed with the entire situation. She was immediately responsible for her mother-in-law, her baby, and her household. The nurse would be able to utilize several services in this situation. Providing basic provisions would allow the family to stay in the home should they wish to do so, however, a stay in a shelter would benefit everyone in the immediate situation given that they had lost electrical service. A social services consult would be beneficial to the family in the coming weeks if the mother-in-law remained in the home. At another residence, the client did not speak English and the nurse did not speak Spanish. Therefore, she communicated through the son and was able to provide instruction on proper and safe use of a generator indoors. She also made certain to have information on proper food storage, handling, and preparation as well as generator use that was in English and Spanish, delivered back to the home with the accompaniment of an interpreter. At the home of another citizen the nurse discovered someone who was in need of blood pressure medication. The nurse assessed the man’s condition and, with the clients input, determined that the best solution was to arrange for evacuation to a shelter. Coping with the Aftermath The community health nurse utilized several techniques to calm the fears of the people interviewed following the disaster. One of the main things that she did was to listen to them. When people had very specific concerns it was reassuring that someone was there to help. The ability to utilize resources to address their needs was of great help in reducing the anxiety level of those involved. The nurse also included each client in the decision making process regarding their individual situation. Providing them with options and then discussing with them the benefits of choosing one over another allowed them to feel in control of their own situation. When disaster strikes, there is often a feeling of helplessness that overcomes people. The ability to choose for themselves gives back a sense of control and self-confidence. The nurse also made certain that things that required follow-up were completed. She made certain that information regarding food safety, mold, and hazardous material clean-up was disseminated to those returning to their homes. She was also available to answer questions, on location as well as at community meetings. Techniques The community health nurse used several techniques to help calm the fears of her clients. She was calm and attentive to their needs. In situations of crisis, many people simply need someone to listen to their concerns. She made herself available to do so. She was informative and provided them with pertinent information to help them manage their day to day needs in the aftermath of the storm. She addressed issues that some of the people had not considered and assisted them in coming to their own conclusions regarding their situations. Preparation for Disasters Community health nurses could help prepare themselves for such a situation by participating in mock disaster drills. Many cities have such programs, and becoming even more involved and helping to organize such an event would be an excellent way of learning how to respond to the immediate needs of patients when faced with an emergency situation. The nurse is responsible for continuing education that includes emergency response and all public health nurses should be held accountable for maintaining those continuing education credits. Another way of preparing for such an emergency would be to research past situations to learn about the challenges that the health care professionals faced. Understanding what the needs are is the first step in preparing for a natural or man-made disaster. How to cite Disaster in Franklin County, Essay examples

Homelessness in Australia free essay sample

Homelessness Good Morning/ Afternoon members of the Gold Coast City Council, Let me introduce myself, my name is John Doe and I am here today to address a very serious issue in todays society. What is the issue I am talking about today? Well today I am going to talk about Homelessness in Australia. A man is out on the streets by himself, nobody to talk to, no home to live in, No food, No water and He has no money. This is one of many conditions a homeless person has to go through. On a cold winters day, whilst you are snuggled up in blankets and sipping on a hot beverage. Think to yourself how lucky you are to be living such a cozy life, while a homeless man is outside in the elements freezing. How common is homelessness in Australia? The population of homelessness in Australia is estimated over 100, 000 (2011). We will write a custom essay sample on Homelessness in Australia or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 1 in 7 Australians live and sleep with out shelter (2011). In 2006 a survey has estimated over 12,000 people are homeless in Queensland (Queensland Government). Most of these people have suffered from disabilities, Addictions to drugs or alcohol. A major cause to this is alcohol and drugs. This has a huge impact on homeless people. An interview took place on TV, about a year ago. It was on a 25-year-old man living on the streets, with no home or shelter. His story took place when his mum, dad and his sister died in a car accident. This left the man as an orphan. This drove him into binge drinking and use of drugs, his habit took all of his money, that he was left with nothing and started living in the streets of Sydney. The first few weeks the man suffered from depression and started to think about suicide, then after that torture he started to busk for money. What is the effect of homelessness? Homelessness can lead to a wide variety ot disorders: such as depression, anxiety and bi-polar. A lot of these people need help, like seeing psychiatrist and doctors, for medical attention. Is it safe to live on the streets? Living on the streets is a very dangerous thing to do, you are prone on getting bashed, raped or mugged. In 2010 an estimated number of 4,000 women were raped due to living on the streets. In 2011 a it was estimated that 2,300 homeless men and women were bashed while living on the streets. Homelessness is a big deal and we all need to prevent it. How can the citizens of the Gold Coast pitch in? Orginisations all over the Gold Coast have been helping homeless people for years. Some of these orginisations are Rosies, St. Vincent De Paul and Meals On Wheels. But these orginisations need our help. They need Donations for food, water, money and clothes. Right now the government has been hosting housing for the homeless to live in so they have shelter to sleep in and have a safe place to stay. What can we do to help? By donating old toys and clothes, Food and things we dont need anymore. This will help the people on the streets. We can make a difference as individuals, through these little things and spreading the word to our friends and families. Together we can improve the plight of the homeless, in the Gold Coast. Before we go to bed tonight, spare a thought, to these people and remember that as member of society and The Gold Coast City council, it is our duty to lend a helping hand, to those less fortunate than us. Thank you all for listening to my speech, I hope you have learned something new today.

Small Business Plan Essay Example

Small Business Plan Essay Sheridan Skills Basketball Academy (SSBA) Founder: Timothy Sheridan Sheridan Skills Basketball Academy (SSBA), 99 Yale Terrace Blauvelt NY 10913 B. Sheridan Skills Basketball Academy offers the teaching and tuning of Young Men and Womens Basketball Skills. Through A Limited Liability Corportation,. C. CEO and Founder: Timothy Sheridan Bachelors of Business Administration SUNY Cobleskill in Technology Management Experience: CYO Basketball Coach, Basketball Camp Senior Counselor, Captain of TZHS basketball team Employees: Tim Sheridan Sr: BBA Accounting Pace University Experience: Basketball Coach for over 20 years at all levels Ryan Sheridan: Bachelor of Business Administration SUNY Oswego Experience: CYO Basketball Coach, Basketball Camp Senior Counselor, Captain of TZHS basketball team, Captain Oswego State Basketball Team, All NY State, Rockland County POY Griffen Sheridan: Executive Summary SABB is a summer basketball program located in the lower Hudson valley that offers kids in high school and on their way to college. The camp will be highly competitive and not for the average player but focus on kids who have been recruited to play Division 1 Basketball. The target markets will be kids ranging from freshman in high school to graduated seniors. There is a market for such camps, and there are camps that are similar but I believe that I have the necessary drive and skills to offer kids a better opportunity than that is out there. The benefit of this camp compared to any other kinds of camps in the vicinity is there is no high-level basketball camp to offer kids with a serious amount of talent. One of the problems with high school basketball in the lower Hudson valley is that there is no exposure to show what the kids can do and give them the opportunity to show their respected talent to college scouts and amateur leagues. We will write a custom essay sample on Small Business Plan specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Small Business Plan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Small Business Plan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The camp will be held in the summer months, to maximize attendance and so that other obligation will be minimized like other leagues and school. Kids these days lives are run by sports, Basketball can be a opportunity for kids to make their lives better. They already dedicate their lives to sports, and this will help them to advance their skills and aid them in their goals and dreams. The experience that is needed by my staff and I could be considered ample and sufficient. We all possess basketball backgrounds and high IQ’s in basketball. As a entrepreneur I have had little experience myself but my father who also is a partner and our accountant; owns his own business. This is my first business, but I have had plenty of work experience. I have worked in the restaurant business which I can attribute my people to people sales skills. I also work as a consultant for JP Morgan Chase which I can attribute my business skills by honing them in a professional business setting and work experience. I am seeking finance in the amount of $150,000 and using $20,000 of my own money into SSBA. Vision At SSBA we want to advance the high school basketball competition in the Lower Hudson Valley by offering a high-level summer basketball camp. The exposure necessary for kids these days to get into college and recruited is the problem. SSBA wants to help these kids not only get better with Basketball but also give them the opportunity to get noticed. Mission Statement The Mission of SSBA is to enrich the lives of Lower Hudson Valley Basketball student athletes, by providing life development skills and opportunities to further their educational development through the game of basketball. It is the goal of this organization to assist athletes in becoming valuable and valued contributors to their community. Industry Profile and Overview Industry Analysis The basketball camp industry is very popular around the Hudson Valley in the fact that they are almost a glorified babysitting for kids during the day. Each school and local college has a basketball camp that anyone can attend and there are plenty of summer leagues that everyone can play in. The difference between these and SSBA is the exclusivity and competition that can be offered. The more exclusive the place the better, and the better the competition the better the kids who attend the camp will get. Recently the grades have increased with numbers of students so business should get better as the years go on which is important for business to grow and advance. The trends around my town is that every kids parents pay them to go to summer camps and all types of leagues so it should not be a issue for getting business. Also my family has a reputation for having good athletes and good coaching which is a start to an even better reputation when the camp gets off the ground. The future can be bright for SSBA because there are no other camps like the one that we are trying to start. The harder we work the more the business will expand. Background The history of SSBA started with my family and I having a discussion as how there were not enough places to play basketball and how no one had tried to tutor athletes in basketball. It eventually grew from tutoring and coaching, counseling at other camps to asking ourselves why we didn’t have a camp of our own. From then on we decided to start SSBA. The current situation is that summer is approaching which we would like to start small and work our way up to a bigger camp. I am recently graduating and will use my education to further the business. Market Analysis/ Target Market The potential buyers for this business could be pretty much anybody, hopefully one day it will turn into a high end corporation but as of now it is just going to be a small business. Other than that it could be some of the smaller camps that are run by the school or town recreation. Their motivation to buy this company is that this will be the only camp like it. The market contains a huge amount of customers. Just in my town alone is two highschools, in Rockland County there are a total of 8 public schools. The market is substantially big and because there are no privatized basketball camps it’s a great opportunity. Rockland County Student Enrollment Grade| Student Count| K-Half Day| 1,274| K-Full Day| 1,617| 1st Grade Students| 3,004| 2nd Grade Students| 3,032| 3rd Grade Students| 3,192| 4th Grade Students| 3,105| 5th Grade Students| 3,078| 6th Grade Students| 3,127| 7th Grade Students| 3,368| 8th Grade Students| 3,212| 9th Grade Students| 3,546| 0th Grade Students| 3,555| 11th Grade Students| 3,394| 12th Grade Students| 2,969| Total Students:| | Public School Districts in Rockland County, NY District Name| Grades  Served| School Count| Clarkstown School District| K-12, UE, US| 14| East Ramapo School District (Spring Valley)| PK-12, US| 14| Haverstraw-Stony Point School District| PK-12, UE, US| 10| Nanuet School District| K-12, US| 4| Nyack School District| K-12, UE| 5| Pearl River School District| K-12, UE| 5| Ramapo School District (Suffern)| K-12, UE, US| 7| South Orangetown School District| K-12, US| 5| Source: Newyorkschools. com The product that is offered is very durable, each year the reputation of the camp will increase and the more success the more campers. Eventually leading to multiple sites throughout the tri state region and the United States. The camp will start out only seasonally in the summer but the facilities can be used year round. The reason starting out to be in the summer is only to research and feel out how the camp goes. Learning from this experience will better suit us to serve our customers when we open for leagues in the spring, fall and winter. The advantage my business has is that I am still young, only 23 years old and having brothers and sisters that are in high school. Highschoolers are our demographic and I believe that I can serve them because I know what they want. Also having my parents on staff will benefit us because they know what kids parents want which are the ones who will be writing the checks. We also have advantage over others because we have a substantial basketball background. My brother and assistant have been playing college basketball for the last 3 years and he knows what it takes to play and prepare for the next level of basketball. We also have experience because we have attended all sorts of sporting camps, specifically basketball camps. We understand how they are run and what it takes to be successful and make it appealing to the customer. Product features that entice the customer are recognition, popularity, skill development, and exclusivity. Basketball players want to be the best and in order to be the best, they have to play the best. I believe that the camps around here are getting old and the competition is not substantial enough in the camps that are in Rockland county. They also let anyone in the public into the other camps which dilutes the competition and takes away from the campers getting better. With invitation only it will be already known that the campers attending will be playing good competition. SSBA will target high schools, parents and kids between the ages of 13 and 18. As shown in the charts above there are a large amount of students in Rockland. SSBA will operate a website to offer customers and clients up to date information on the camp and registration. The website will also highlight the past years and show how the camp works and proof that the camp is one of a kind. Pricing will be a one time payment in the coming weeks before the camp starts. Prices for other camps ranges from around $100 all the way to $1000. I will charge a fee of $500 dollar which could become more or less depending on the amount of sessions per summer, the economy and also the success of the camp. This is a reasonable asking price as it will pay out in practice and success. Advertising: SSBA will advertise in the Journal News, Our Town and other local newspapers and pamphlets. We will also advertise on facebook, online, twitter and social networking cites that kids in our demographic use. We can also advertise at schools, on the television and radio. Newspapers cost about $1000 an add to advertise in the classifieds. Online and in the schools is free. It is also free to advertise in local businesses and shops. Fliers will be printed and brochures can be printed out and mailed for stationary expenses. External Market Influence: Obviously the market and economy is not the best, but it is growing and it’s going to get better. Summer camp is a luxury for many families to give their kids and that’s one of the downsides for my proposal. Inflation, recessions, employment and interest rates will hurt my company if it gets serious because as a luxury expense it is the first thing to be cut. The only thing that is beneficial is that by attending such a camp can benefit your kids basketball ability and that will save you money in the long run for scholarships in college which is way more expensive than a summer camp. The thing about all these things affecting my company is that they affect all kinds of camps but being a good entrepreneur is that you react to these economic changes. Competitor Analysis: Existing competitors include a few high school, college and town recreational camps. As I said before these camps do not offer high end competition in basketball to hone a advanced kids skills. These camps are just sign up and attend where my camp would be invite only and very exclusive. The potential customers go to these camps because they are the only camps offered. As of now there are no other companies that are starting basketball camps as I know of. The strengths of these competitors is that they have no real competition. The weaknesses is that they are poorly run, thrown together and don’t offer the correct competition for kids who are pursuing a career in basketball. Strategic Plan: SSBA core competencies revolve around the kids, ranging from ages 13 to 18; we wish to bring out the best in our clients. We will treat all campers as professionals and expect them to reciprocate the same to counselors as we are working as a team to make them better on and off the court. They are eager to learn the game and earn educational opportunities. The Camp covers a one week time frame and activities include but are not limited to: structured basketball drills facilitated by qualified coaches and former professional basketball players, cardiovascular training, motivational presentations, lectures on the importance of academics, presentations on NCAA compliance, understanding the importance of teamwork and devotion sessions. Future camps will include presentations on simple financial management, cultural adjustments when living away from home (critical to scholarship recipients) and sports psychology. SWOT Analysis Strengths: -SSBA has a team that has coached and played at several levels that gives them an excellent basketball IQ. Each counselor and worker brings a different piece to the company that will benefit each kid in a different way. It is a family owned and operated camp, which not only operates with a caring and honest attitude. -Another strength that this business offers is that there is no other kinds of camps like this one with a competitive atmosphere that is strictly based on advancing the kids basketball careers. Weaknesses Although we are confident that there is no other camps like ours, there are other camps that are run and that’s always a weakness. -The concept of invitation only can be rough and tough on our potential customers because everyone is going to want to be part of it but its just not possible. -Making a investment like such is a big thing and it needs to be taken very seriously. Opportunities -There is serious opportunity to make this camp b igger and better if everything goes to plan. -We believe that we can offer the best kind of advice and basketball instructions for kids to be successful. Threats -Kids like to go to other camps around North America -Other kinds of camps are offered around, that offer more than basketball. Structure SSBA will be an A corporation. A company that offers all the advantages of a well run organization, such as continuity, easy transferability, and limited personal liability. The advantage of an S corporation of this company is that investors and owners can avoid losing their personal assets should a customer or counselor injure herself. I will be the owner with fifty-one percent of the company and maintain decision-making. Financial Plans: Located Below Loan Proposal I will be investing 20,000 of my own money into Sheridan Skills Basketball Academy. These funds are from my savings account. I will need a loan of $150,000 to cover my business and startup. Financial Forecast Balance Sheet Assets Current Assets Cash and Equivalents$20,000 Inventory$2,000 Miscellaneous$1,000 Total Current Assets$23,000 Fixed Assets Property$179,700 Total Fixed Assets$179,700 Total Assets $212,582 Liabilities Current Liabilities Notes Payable (short term)$ 0 Loan$21,839 Total Current Liabilites$21,839 Long Term Liabilities Notes Payable$138,904 Total Liabilities$160,743 Owner Equity$20,000 Total Liabilities and Owners Equity$212,582 Cash Budget June- August Item| June| July| August| Beginning cash balance| 15,000| -13,500| 20,000| | Expected Cash Receipts:|   |   |   | Cash Sales| 20,000| 25,000| 30,000| Collection of accounts receivable| 45,000| 55,000| 70,000| Other income| 0| 0| 5,000| Total cash collected| 80,000| 66,500| 125,000| | Expected cash payments:|   |   |   | Raw materials (or inventory)| 50,000| 11,000| 5,000| Payroll| 10,400| 10,400| 10,400| Other direct expenses| 2,000| 2,000| 2,000| Advertising| 10,000| 0| 0| Selling expense| 6,000| 8,000| 6,000| Administrative expense| 4,500| 4,500| 4,500| Plant and equipment expenditures| 10,000| 10,000| 10,000| Other payments| 600| 600| 600| Total cash expenses| 93,500| 46,500| 38,500| Cash surplus (or deficit)| -13,500*| 20,000*| 86,500| SSBA Income Statement Most Likely June- August Sales Campers$500,000 Gross Profit$500,000 Operating Expenses Advertising$50,000 Gas/ Electric$10,000 Insurance$20,000 Depreciation$10,000 Salaries$200,000 Water$10,000 Cable/Telephone/ Internet$600 Total Operating Expenses$300,600 Net Income$199,400

John Muir vs. Gifford Pinchot Essay Example

John Muir vs. Gifford Pinchot Essay Example John Muir vs. Gifford Pinchot Paper John Muir vs. Gifford Pinchot Paper Have you ever heard of John Muir and Gifford Pinchot? These two men expressed different beliefs over preservation and conservation. John Muir was America’s most famous conservationist. While Gifford Pinchot was one of America’s leading preservationist. Both of these men spent most of their lifetime defending the natural resources and the wildlife around the world. John Muir is one of California’s most important historical personalities. Born in Scotland, he has been called â€Å"The Father of our National Parks,† â€Å"Wilderness Profit,† and â€Å"Citizen of the Universe. As a wilderness explorer, his exciting adventures in the Sierra Nevada and Alaska’s glaciers led him searching for nature’s beauty. Gifford Pinchot was born to a wealthy family on August 11, 1865, at his family’s summer home in Connecticut. His family was upper-class merchants, politicians, and land owners. His father asked him what he thought about being a forester because not a single American had made forestry a profession. Pinchot had no idea what a forester was other than being in the woods. Since he liked everything about the woods he decided in favor of forestry. He studied at Yale and then furthered his education by attending a French forestry school where he learned the value of selective rather than unrestrained harvesting of forests. John Muir devoted his life to safeguarding the world’s landscapes. He was the founder of the Sierra Club and a major influence on conservation in the U. S. After an eye injury, he decided to turn his eyes to fields and woods. He walked from Wisconsin to the Gulf of Mexico, then sailed the Caribbean and the West Coast of North America, landing in San Francisco. He began writing about the western wilderness which attracted the attention of famous men of the time. He published many articles and 10 books about his travels. This led to an act of Congress that created Yosemite National Park. He strongly believed in preserving the natural land and taught people the importance of experiencing and protecting our natural heritage. Muir and Gifford had two different approaches to wilderness and the environment. Muir believed preservation was the priority but Pinchot was determined to stop exploitation through a wise use approach of all natural resources. Both men thought management was needed for preservation. They also thought America would fail to meet its future needs if natural resources and the environment were left uncontrolled. Muir and Pinchot were also obsessed with the fury of development. They knew development was necessary but wanted to keep and preserve the forests, mountains, fields, and lakes. Gifford Pinchot was chief of the Division of forestry in 1898. Under President Roosevelt, the Forest Service added millions of acres to the national forest, controlled their use, and regulated their harvest. Roosevelt’s successor, President Taft, did not really care for government ownership of land. This is what divided Roosevelt and Taft and led to the creation of the Progressive Party. Pinchot ran for the United States Senate but did not win. He then changed from national to State politics. His goal was governorship. This is where he believed he would have the greatest opportunity to bring about the reforms he proposed. As Governor, his plans focused on government reorganization and economy, enforcement of prohibition, and regulating public utilities. He was elected as governor a second time but never did win the nomination for election to the United States Senate. His last years were giving advice to the President and writing a book about his life as a forester. John Muir’s words and deeds helped inspire President Roosevelt’s innovative conservation programs like the first National Monuments by President Proclamation, and Yosemite National Park by congressional action. John Muir and other supporters formed the Sierra Club â€Å"to make the mountains glad. † He was the first president in the club, an office he held until he died in 1914. In order to make the mountains happy the John Muir Trust shows that the damage on the wilderness over the years can be repaired. He campaigned for the creation of Yosemite National Park, which Congress approved in 1890. John Muir got the title â€Å"The Father of the National Parks System† from President Theodore Roosevelt because he was a good and influential writer. Gifford Pinchot and John Muir encouraged preservation and conservation of our forests and natural resources. These men have started the process of repairing and keeping the forest safe. They believed in order for the United States to meet its future needs something had to be done. Many articles and books have been written to inform the people of the need to preserve. Without the achievements of this two men America and the World would not have the resources it has today. Their life reminds us of the important things that just one person can do.

Ancient art Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ancient art - Research Paper Example The kind of art and culture that developed during this phase came to be known by the name of Cycladic Art. The next phase initiated around 1900 B.C.E. and continued its influence till 1375 B.C.E. This phase was known by the name of Minoan Art. The last cultural phase of the civilization was known by the name of Mycenaean Art and it developed and flourished between 1400 to 1100 B.C.E2. Since the evolution and unveiling of the Aegean civilisation and culture, the Aegean art has evolved out as a subject of obscurity. The first phase of the artistic movement or the trends inherent in the Cycladic art of the Aegean period are based on simple geometrical shapes. The prototype figurine of the Cycladic period represents a nude woman with a position where they fold their arms across their abdomen. These kinds of woman figurine have been widely discovered in graves and settlements equally. The sizes of the figures have also varied widely from few inches to almost life-like sizes which depict t he form of human body in a highly schematic manner. Simple triangles, large in size, dominate the form. The body of the idol projects out from the large head and is marked by broad shoulders to a decreasing width resulting in tiny feet. The pubis is present within the body in an incised form and also appears triangular in shape. For ages, there have been intense assumptions regarding the use of schematic large triangles in the female body and the use of the nude figurine for depicting a deceased person, based on the fact that many such Cycladic statues were discovered from graves. Even, the male statues as one discovered from the graves and settlements, appear with simple geometric shapes. Here also a typified figurine or form is noticed.... Since the evolution and unveiling of the Aegean civilisation and culture, the Aegean art has evolved out as a subject of obscurity. The first phase of the artistic movement or the trends inherent in the Cycladic art of the Aegean period are based on simple geometrical shapes. The prototype figurine of the Cycladic period represents a nude woman with a position where they fold their arms across their abdomen. These kinds of woman figurine have been widely discovered in graves and settlements equally. The sizes of the figures have also varied widely from few inches to almost life-like sizes which depict the form of human body in a highly schematic manner. Simple triangles, large in size, dominate the form. The body of the idol projects out from the large head and is marked by broad shoulders to a decreasing width resulting in tiny feet. The pubis is present within the body in an incised form and also appears triangular in shape. For ages, there have been intense assumptions regarding t he use of schematic large triangles in the female body and the use of the nude figurine for depicting a deceased person, based on the fact that many such Cycladic statues were discovered from graves. Even, the male statues as one discovered from the graves and settlements, appear with simple geometric shapes. Here also a typified figurine or form is noticed. Male statutes appear in a sitting posture and are depicted as musicians playing a Lyre for his self amusement or to entertain the deceased or people from after life.

Aleister Crowley Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Aleister Crowley - Research Paper Example He retired early even before Aleister was born because of the business. He was also a radical preacher who travelled across Britain, writing pamphlets and bible study guides. His mother, Emily Bertha Bishop, came from the Devon and Somerset lineage. Both of his parents subscribed to the Brethren faith, which was a lot more conservative variant of the Plymouth Brethren. With this background Aleister was only allowed to play with children from similar backgrounds (Poem Hunter 5-7). His father’s death on March 5th 1887 from tongue cancer proved to be a turning point in young Aliester’s life having been very close to him. He turned rebelliously against the Christian faith as his mother’s attempts to keep him in the faith turned into a desperate futility. This never went well with the mother who labeled him a â€Å"beast†. This rebellious nature was the beginning of a life mainly characterized by extremism in diverse forms such as occultism, pansexuality, magic, drugs, poetry and mountaineering. On 1st December 1947 he died of respiratory infections that developed from his addiction of heroin. The addiction developed after he went on prescription for his asthma and bronchitis (Poem Hunter 11-13; Open Culture 1). In his early days, he was home schooled until the age of eight when he move to an evangelical run private preparatory - an experience which ended up with the young boy being bullied because he was not used to such a setting of education, he was a bit chubby, and fat and vulnerable such treatment (Golden Dawn Pedia 2). He later joined the Moral Science Tripos at Trinity Collegein in 1895 to study philosophy but late switched to English literature. It is at Cambridge that he developed an interest in alchemy as he interacted with Julian Baker who later introduced him to George Cecil Jones of the Hermetic order of the Golden dawn. He later left Cambridge as he almost graduated with a degree

Faisal -business development of small-scale businesses in saudi arabia Dissertation

Faisal -business development of small-scale businesses in saudi arabia - Dissertation Example A brief scan of the important theories and the challenges to them are as follows: Firm size: According to Schiffer and Weder, the prevailing assumption is that SMEs have more problems than large firms because of their size. The reasons favoring large firms include economies of scale and entry costs; political influence; and greater visibility. Life Cycle vs Age: Masurel & Montfort (2006) analysed the stages in the life cycle of small and medium scale enterprises, in particular in the professional services sector, and distinguishing one stage from the other. Four stages were distinguished – starting; growth; maturity; and decline. First three stages show a diversification in sales, increase in differentiation of labor force, and increase in labor productivity. In the last stage, all these measures decrease. These stages, rather than the firm’s age, are what determine its growth. ... As to innovativeness as a factor in itself, Masurel, et al (2003), Nijkamp (2000) found that the element of leadership fosters creativity in the management of SMEs are determinative of innovative behaviour. Structure: Laforet and Tann (2006) and Tidd, et al. (2001) state that there is a highly significant difference between structure and innovation. This indicates that innovation does not develop well under hierarchical structures, mainly because of high levels of bureaucracy, and flatter SME structures tend to lead to more successful innovative efforts. On the other hand, Wei Xiuli and Juan Zhao (2009) qualifies this, stating that the optimum line structure of SMEs should take into consideration the typical organizational structure of the industry, the maturity of the firm, the specific stage it is in, and other factors that impact on the firm’s performance. Strategic Alliances: Booz, Allen & Hamilton, (n.d.) showed in their studies that SMEs will benefit through the establis hment of cooperative arrangements with other organizations and businesses. Joining forces helps ease expenses by sharing expertise, assets, expenses, and risk without the need for cash, debt or trading equity. In many instances, cooperating groups resort to bartering. Research objectives It is understandable that small and medium scale industries are seldom made the topic of academic research, because of the many factors that are perceived to influence this segment of the business, the studies appear to be fragmented in that so many assumptions are made as to the type of industry and the specifications of the company (high-tech or low-tech, service or manufacture, start-up or mature, mass production or custom designed, and so forth). This study therefore

Hong Kong Peoples Social Values Of Welfare Sociology Essay

Hong Kong Peoples Social Values Of Welfare Sociology Essay Topic: Critically examine the development and changes of social values of welfare held by Hong Kong people before and after 1997. What are the factors affecting the changes? Welfare is all collective interventions to meet certain needs of the individual and/or to serve the wider interests of society may now be broadly grouped intoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ categories of welfare (Titmuss, 1959). The development in the social values of welfare has always been changing throughout the centuries, particularly the 20th century. In traditional Chinese society, people used to believed that social welfare, or fuk lei, was given by kind-hearted philanthropists in society (N. Chow, 1994, p.325). In the early 20th century, the concept of social welfare was still very weak among Hong Kong people. Majority of welfare services were provided by non-government organizations before 1965 (W. S. Chow, 1993, p. 41). The situation changed after the publication of the white paper of the social welfare in 1965. Together with the rise of social worker, more people consider social welfare is part of their civil rights in the following decades. In 1997, the change in sovereignty of Hong Kong and the Asian financial crisis brought a significant impact on the social values of welfare. In the following paragraphs, I will briefly discuss the development of social welfare in Hong Kong and the corresponding social values of welfare, particularly the changes before and after 1997. As will be argued, there are both long term and short term factors that led the changes. The former would be the increasing consideration of civil rights and the latter would be the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the change in sovereignty of Hong Kong and the publication of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Review. In the early 20th century, majority of people considered welfare was given by kind-hearted philanthropists in society. As Hong Kong was a colony of Britain at that time, the colonial government put their focuses on protecting the Britishs interest, particularly the British merchants. Hence, the living environment and welfare of local Chinese were not concerned by the colonial government unless it interfere the interest of British. With this colonial background, local Chinese rationalized the concept of welfare would not be given by the colonial government. The Chinese merchants used their wealth to establish and maintain their reputations and leadership roles through acts of charity (Leung, 1996, p.3). They set up organizations and gave welfare to the locals. Among these organizations, Tung Wah Hospital was the most noteworthy charitable organization which catered the medical services and welfare needs to the locals. Apart from these organizations, churches and clans man association would also give welfare to the locals too. In the post World War II period, the situation had a slightly change. In the post war period, a large number of non-government or voluntary welfare organizations were set up in Hong Kong. It is important to note that most of these welfare organizations had their parent-bodies overseas. A typical example of these organizations would be the Hong Kong Red Cross. During this emergency period, the internationally-linked welfare organization had probably done much more than the government in meeting the welfare needs of people (N. Chow, 1994, p.324). Although the concept of welfare is given by kind-hearted philanthropists was weaken, the majority of the Chinese in Hong Kong are still unable to wipe away the traditional notions of welfare and accept the modern idea that it should be the responsibility of the state to provide the necessary social welfare services (N. Chow, 1994, p. 325). Meanwhile, a large proportion of population was refugee from mainland China (Due to the civil war in Chin a). Part of them considered Hong Kong is there temporary shelter but not their home. Hence, welfare development would not be their consideration as they expected to leave Hong Kong soon. These factors made there were only little pressure groups would fight for the rights for the locals in that period. The situation further changed after 1965. In 1965, the colonial government published the White Paper on social welfare. N.Y. Chow (1993) suggests that to be exact, the beginning of social welfare policy of Hong Kong was after the publication of the first White Paper on social welfare in 1965 (p.41). The White paper was the first government document that discusses social welfare policy in Hong Kong. It explained the welfare development and integrated the experiences from the development. Also, it gives the stands of colonial government toward social welfare policy and reasons that made the government cannot implement comprehensive social policy in Hong Kong. Although the White Paper has been blamed for lacking in-depth discussion on the blueprint of social welfare development and the foreseeable challenges, but this White paper gives a foundation for the further development of social welfare system (W. S. Chow, 1993). The concept of social welfare and government were no longer disseve ring like the past. More people started to integrate social welfare into the role of government. The most rapid change was found in the 70s. There were two major factors that led the change, the Big Bang of social policy and the rise of social worker. The Big Bang of social policy was initiated by the 25th governor of Hong Kong, Murray MacLehose. After MacLehose take office the governor in 1972, he had a strong sense of responsibility towards social welfare, under his influence, amendment of social welfare policy was necessary (W. S. Chow, 1993, p. 52). Apart from it, the increasing social problems (i.e. the riot in 1966 and 1967, Corruption) led the demand for governments involvement in social welfare further increased. These factors urged the publication of the second White Paper of social welfare in 1973. The aim of the White Paper was giving a five year plan of social welfare development and dividing the responsibility in providing social welfare between government and voluntary organizations. The aspects of social welfare in the five year plan included education, housing, m edical service, social allowance, youth services etc. The comprehensive expansion of welfare services increased the involvement of people in social welfare system. The value of welfare would not be given by the colonial government was further weakening in this period. Apart from the Big Bang of social policy, the rise of social worker also led to the significant change in social value of welfare. The rise of social worker could be traced back to the professionalization of social work and the implement of professional training at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in the mid-1960s. In the 1960s, Fabian Socialism was the most fashionable approach taught in the social work schools of the two universities (N. Chow, 1994, p.327). Equality, freedom and fellowship are the central values of Fabian Socialism. The social work students in 60s and 70s were strongly influenced by these values. They had a strong sense of working towards a more equal and justice society. Hence, when the students became social workers in society, they would try to advocate policies that achieve to these two ideals. More people would consider welfare as a means to achieve an equal society. Meanwhile, the young social workers at that time also stres sed on civil rights. They believed that social welfare is one the important parts of civil rights. When they graduated, they would educate and advocate the public to uphold their civil rights through different social actions. As a result, under this influence, it led to the rise of the awareness of welfare system as rights enjoyed by citizen. Another significant change of social values of welfare could be found in 1997. The major factor that led to the change is the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. Before the crisis, the economy in Hong Kong was at boom. Majority of people were actively investing in property market and stock market. At that time, people emphasized on material values and short-term time horizon. Material values are the major criterion used to evaluate the worth of things and people (C.K. Wong, K. L. Chow K.Y. Wong, 2001, p.68). Meanwhile, majority of Chinese investor were looking for the maximum benefit in the shortest period of time. Topley states that many Chinese still prefer to invest in non-industrial property and trade because of the relatively quicker return of capital and profits. When investing in industry, the overwhelming desire of investors is to look for quick profits by whatever means present themselves as attractive in the short run rather than to look for opportunity for starting long-term investment. (as cited in Lau, 1982, p.70) As both of the property market and stock market were so flourished, the economic environment enabled people to achieve the above goals simultaneously. This in turn led Hong Kong became one of the wealthiest cities in Asia. The living standard in Hong Kong was one of the highest in Hong Kong history in the early mid 1990s. As most people could sustain their life in the market, they put less consideration on the welfare system. At that time, people would consider social welfare system was only for those who were in need in society, like elderly and disabled people. In other words, despite the underprivileged and the corresponding pressure group, majority in society would not care about the welfare system as they believed they could achieve self-sustentions in market. In general, social welfare development was overwhelmed by economic development at that period. But a significant change was provoked by the 1997 financial crisis. A great depression in both stock market and property market was provoked by the crisis. Lots of people were bankrupted because of the suddenly fall in the property market. Also, a massive unemployment was accompanied with the economic downturn, particularly in the financial sector. The decline in consumption led to further depression in other non-financial sector. The financial crisis brought two major impacts on the welfare system. First, it led to a significant fall in the tax income of the government. Second, more people fall into the safety net of the welfare system. In other words, it led an increase in demand for welfare services. Simultaneously, it would increase the welfare expenditure of the government. As these two factors happened at the same time, this brought heavy pressure on the financial budget of the government. At the same period, the sovereignty of Hong Kong changed back to China. One of the problems that foresee by the government is the increase in immigrants from China. In the review report of CSSA that published by the Social Welfare Department, it suggests that the increase in mainland immigrants would lead to an increase application for CSSA. It implies that the government believes that a number of mainland immigrants would rely on the welfare system for livelihood. Before the publication of the report, the government already spread this ideology through news and government press. At that time, the government disclosed different abusive cases of CSSA by the new immigrants. This made the public also be believed the new immigrants would bring pressure to Hong Kong welfare system. The economic downturn, mainland immigrants, together with the foreseeable aging population, these made the government believed a review for welfare system is necessary. As the government wanted to tighten the budget for social welfare expenditure, the publication of the review report was a means of government to the public support. This report brought a momentous impact on the social value of welfare. In particular, there were more people believed that abusive cases are common in the welfare system after the publication of the report. For example, the report suggested the level of benefits for four-person household is high. The average monthly payment for a four-person household increased in 120% from 1980s to 1990s. But the median wage of workers only increased 41%. The government suggested that this would create disincentive to work and lead to long term dependency on welfare system. According to a survey, 36.4% of respondents believed that the increasing number of CSSA cases becau se the criteria for application is too lenient (C.K. Wong, K. L. Chow K.Y. Wong, 2001, p.5). Although the way and method that government used to interpret and present the statistics had bias and hidden agenda, majority still believed that CSSA was breeding lazy people. Since CSSA has a strict income test and asset test, statistics of Suspected Fraud and Abuse was minimal. But the mass media created a negative image of CSSA recipients as they only reporting fraud and abusive cases. This, in turn, created a strong labeling effect on CSSA recipients. In a survey, 40.8% of respondents agreed that CSSA recipients are not deserved to be help (C.K. Wong, K. L. Chow K.Y. Wong, 2001, p.9). This reflected the fact that CSSA recipients were stigmatized. Apart from stigmatization of CSSA recipients, the role of welfare that interpreted by the public is also worth to discuss. Compare with giving direct welfare, people considered that self-reliance would be more appropriate. In a survey, 70.3% of respondents believed that people should satisfy their needs through self-reliance. On the other hand, only 8.6% respondents believed that people should satisfy their needs through social welfare (C.K. Wong, K. L. Chow K.Y. Wong, 2001, p.30). The development of the concept self-reliance could be explained by the Utilitarianistic Familism. Utilitarianistic Familism is social values of the Chinese people in Hong Kong (Lau, 1982). Chinese people would put the interest of family member in a higher priority over others. The bonding of the family members was strong. In addition to the extended family structure in the early mid 20th century, people would not look for help from government; rather, they would look for help from family members. As most problems could be solved without the help of government, it contributed to the development a sense of self-reliance. This concept is particularly prevailing value hold by the older generation (i.e. Those who born in the Post War Baby Boom). From the above discussion, we can see two sets of contradictory social values of welfare have developed in Hong Kong. On one hand, more people consider social welfare as their civil rights. On the other hand, people stigmatize some welfare recipients. It makes the rights of accessing welfare become alienated from the civil rights. These two contradictory values lead to different conflicts in society. Social workers, pressure groups and non-government organizations are striving for destigmatization of the welfare recipients. Lots of social actions like social demonstration and public forum are used to promote this civil rights. But at the same time, the government is attempting to marginalize the welfare recipients in order to reduce the welfare expenditure. From time to time, the government would publish the fraud and abusive case in CSSA. It seems that it wants to remind people that abusive cases are still common in welfare system. These, in turn, led to never-ending debates between the two interest groups. As seen in above discussion, it is hard to find a consensus towards the value of welfare in Hong Kong. The historical background, personal experiences and education would have a strong influence on the development of our value. But it seems that government would spread concepts and ideas that deviated from the principles of social welfare equality and equity, because its political agenda. Whether the ultimate goal of government is bring a stable and harmonious society in Hong Kong is questionable.

English Speech Against Physical Punishment of Children :: Papers

English Speech Against Physical Punishment of Children Good Morning/Afternoon ladies, gentlemen and chairperson. I am also arguing against the motion that states, this house believes that physical punishment including smacking young children is wrong. I am a firm believer that a short, sharp smack can keep children under control. This doesn’t mean they should be beaten up or even marked, but strict and fair punishment will benefit a child in the long run. Please picture this scene: a young child of around 3 years is having a temper tantrum in the middle of a busy high street because his mum won’t buy him a toy car. He tries to run away from his mother, screaming and shouting at the same time. To stop the noise the mother gives in a buys the toy car. Now ask yourself who is in charge here, the mother or the child? After all, the child gets his own way and now knows exactly what to do next time he wants something. In these circumstances, parents may have to resort to a smack to one, get the child listening and doing what they are told, two, stop the noise and temper tantrum and finally, for the child’s benefit and own safety. Also, what or who is going to stop an out of control child running out into the middle of a busy road? A quick smack is a lot less pain full then getting knocked down by a car or even a bus! There are many in favour of the government leaving the law as it stands that parents have the right to smack their children. Groups such as Family and Youth Concern feel politicians should let parents get on with bringing up their children as they see fit, and warn that any change in the law would risk turning thousands of parents into criminals. They also feel a ban on smacking would be impossible to enforce. The opposition may argue that there are other forms of punishment which are just as effective as smacking. For example, ignoring the

Daughter from DaNang Essay

Micro Assessment The majority of developmental theories say that children must develop a secure primary attachment in order to develop in a healthy manner. A secure and strong attachment is clearly essential for healthy future relationships. John Bowlby’s studies in childhood development led him to the conclusion that a strong attachment to a caregiver provides a necessary sense of security and foundation. Without such a relationship in place, Bowlby found that a great deal of developmental energy is expended in the search for stability and security. In general, those without such attachments are fearful and are less willing to seek out and learn from new experiences (Hutchison, 2013). The video did portray a close relationship between Heidi’s siblings and their mother. Heidi says she has happy memories from her child hood growing up in Vietnam (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). This leads me to believe she had formed an attachment with her mother. Bowlby says if the attachment figure is broken o r disrupted during a child’s critical developmental stage the child will suffer irreversible long- term damage. Heidi was completely uprooted toward the end of this critical period (Hutchison, 2013). She was 6 years old when her mother dropped her off at the orphanage operated by the Holt Adoption Agency. This is traumatic, and she says how she used to cry for her mother. She said she believed there was something wrong with her and that is why she was sent away (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Once in America Heidi was adopted by a single woman named Ann Neville. Heidi describes Ann as a cold, non – loving person. She provided material things but never any affection. One summer evening while Heidi was home from college, she came home one night to find herself locked out. When she returned the next day her mother had Heidi’s bags packed and said she was no longer welcome in her house. As far as Ann was concerned, she no longer had a daughter. Heidi has not spoken to her adopted mother since (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). This was the second time Heidi had been abandoned  by her mother figure. According to Erik Erikson’s stages of Psychosocial Development she would not make it past the 1st stage (Hutchison, 2013). Although Heidi is well over the age the trust vs. mistrust stage occurs, she still is unable to believe that either one of her mothers’ love her. After visiting Vietnam, she is quite sure it was not love driving her mother to show such affection, but rather financial reasons (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Her family is poor and they see Heidi as an escape from poverty. Heidi’s adaption to her American life is an example of a component in Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Theory called accommodation. Children are motivated to maintain a balance. Any experience that we cannot assimilate creates anxiety, but if our schemata are adjusted to accommodate the new experience, the desired state of equilibrium will be restored (Hutchison, 2013). In order for Heidi to adapt to her environment, she had to change the way she viewed everything. She was unable to change the environment so she had to change herself. Heidi became 101% Americanized (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Mezzo Assessment This documentary reveals the many confrontations of two cultures. It begins when an American soldier and a Vietnamese woman, Mai Thi Kim, who was abandoned by her husband, ensue a sexual relationship that results in a daughter, Mai Thi Heip also known as Heidi Bub. When the war ends and the American troops leave, Mai Thi Kim and her children are left to face the ridicule and scorn for Kim’s indiscretion of sleeping with an American soldier (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). This child was born half American and half Vietnamese. At the time there were rumors the Communist government was going to search for these children and kill them. They were a part of the enemy. In order to escape this persecution, the American government, along with several others governments, created Operation Baby Lift. They would put these children on planes and fly them to the United State where they would be given the opportunity for a better life. This is extremely telling of North American’s ethnocentr ism, assuming Americans could provide a better life to these children than their own parents (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). In America Heidi lived with her adopted mom in Pulaski, Tennessee. Ann was a dean at Pulaski’s Martin Methodist College. Heidi was baptized into the United Methodist Church, where she attended services, and Sunday school. Ann provided many material things for Heidi, taking her on great trips to various places and yet Heidi’s heart still longs for more. Heidi said she had everything growing up, but that she didn’t have a very loving mother. Ann sought hard to Americanize Heidi and often warned her to keep her Vietnamese heritage a secret. Ann is extremely adamant that if anyone asks where Heidi was born, she is to tell them Columbia, South Carolina (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). As Heidi enters her teenage years her relationship with her mother is strained. Anne cannot tolerate Heidi’s growing independence. The relationship comes to an abrupt end when Ann kick Heidi out of the house and denies she ever had a daughter (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Heidi’s biological mother does not have the money to provide material things like her adopted mother. She does have the capacity to love Heidi and expresses it openly, unlike her adopted mother (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). When Heidi returned to Vietnam to reunite with her family she experienced a dramatic culture shock. She was not properly prepared for the reunion. As a child she was forbidden to inquire about her heritage, so it was never discussed and she was never encouraged to learn about the Vietnam culture (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Heidi has a naà ¯ve idea that it is going to be a fairy tale ending. Heidi places huge expectations upon this visit to emotionally fill a void in her life from an unloving and damaged childhood. One of the major challenges Heidi faces was the dreadful clash between the two cultures. Heidi is overwhelmed by the open and often displays of affection. She says she was not raised in such a touchy, feely society so all of this affection was extremely uncomfortable. Heidi was raised as a single child by a single parent. She is not used to large families and having so many people around all the time. Heidi complains that she has only had 2 hours to herself the entire time sh e has been in Vietnam. She begins to feel the roles have been reversed because her mother is so clingy. It is as if she is the mother and her mother is the child (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). In Vietnamese culture family is very important. Extended family often live close or in the same home. In American this is not a common tradition. Generally when the children grow up they move out of their parents’ house to live independently and eventually begin a family of their own. Often families live hundreds of miles apart and may only see each other on holidays or special occasions. Vietnamese live in a collective society where the prosperity of the group is  the goal. They are community oriented, they take care of each other. So when Heidi’s sister, who is extremely poor, asks Heidi for more money that is entirely acceptable in their culture. It is normal and even expected for the wealthier family members to take care of the poorer ones. Those who make it to the States or another prosperous nation, are expected to send money back to their family. The children are expected to take care of their parents because the parents took care of the children when they were young (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). The video displays another example of how Vietnamese have a collective culture when Heidi returns, not only is her entire family excited to reunite, but the entire community is waiting to see her, they never forgot Heidi (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Heidi thought her sister was rude and she was insulted by her bold request. When Heidi’s brother mentions it is her turn to take care of their mother, Heidi explodes in anger (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). The United States is stigmatized an individualistic society, people tend to look out for themselves. What is theirs is theirs and no obligation to provide for others. This is most often true in urban areas, but in more rural parts, families do take care of their own. People in smaller communities tend to take care of each other, maybe not to the extent they do in Vietnam, but they do look out for one another. Language is a barrier for Heidi. Although her mother and some of her family members are able to speak English, Heidi does not speak Vietnamese and does not understand the language. It is difficult to communicate and makes interactions challenging (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Macro Assessment Daughter from Danang originates with American’s ethnocentrism and the declaration of â€Å"Operation Babylift.† by President Ford. Many American soldiers had left behind what was referred to as national embarrassment, American soldiers had slept with the enemy and fathered children with the women of Vietnam, these children came to be known as Amerasians. It was feared that the Communists threatened to kill both mother and child of this mixed race. President Ford made available over two million dollars for the needs of thousands of children that would be airlifted out of Vietnam to in efforts to avoid mass slaughter of the innocent, and provide a better living for the children (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). The ethnocentrism is clear when  the video shows a clip of an American social worker attempting to convince Vietnamese women to send their children to the United States. The Vietnamese feared the Communists could kill their children and the United States, along with other countries, were taking them away. What an awful experience for the mothers and children.  Heidi’s new life in the United States did provide her with opportunities she would have never received otherwise. The United States is a wealthier country than Vietnam. Most Vietnamese live in poverty and have little opportunity to improve financially. Vietnamese do not have the access to education that Westerners have. Heidi is a college graduate and her sister only made it through the 6th grade (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Vietnam lack many of the modern conveniences Heidi has grown accustomed to. Vietnam is a poor country, the people cannot afford the common luxuries American’s use in their daily life. When she is walking through the town she is stunned to see people cooking food on the side walk. At the market Heidi cannot get her mother out of there fast enough. The hot temperature, raw fish, and the smells are all too much for her to handle (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). You can see the surprise on her face when she first arrives to her family’s home. The family does not have indoor plumbing, the family must go to the bathroom outside and shower by pouring a bucket of water over themselves. Heidi also observes her mother washing laundry outside in a basin with a bar of soap, the dishes were also washed outside in basin as well (Dolgin & Franco, 2002). Summary The video portrays though Vietnamese have less materials belongings than Westerners does not mean they are less happy. Vietnamese place much more importance on the family relationships and love for each other. I think if Heidi had prepared herself for her visit by educating herself on the Vietnamese culture, thing would have turned out differently. At least she would not have been taken off guard with so much touching, constant family around, and their forwardness about money. The movie ends with Heidi consciously alienating herself from her cultural roots. She goes back to the familiar world of her adopted grandma’s home, where the most profound conversation is whether the corn is rotten in the refrigerator. She goes  back to a dopey husband who has not a clue. â€Å"We stopped talking about your (Heidi’s) trip because we were not getting anywhere.† Unfortunately it has been 2 years and Heidi has not responded to any of her families letters. It seems unlikely she ever will. My hope is that she can overcome her scars and teach her children about their heritage. Provide them with the opportunity to learn who they are. References Dolgin, G.(Producer), & Dolgin, G., Franco,V. (Directors). (2002). Daughter from Danang [Video].Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AU VUe2HX0 Hutchison, E. D. (2013). Essentials Of Human Behavior: Integrating Person, Environment, and the Life Cycle. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Compare and Contrast (Wap/Wml) and Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2Me)

(WAP/WML) and Java 2 platform Micro Edition (J2ME) architectures CSS 422 Compare and Contrast (WAP/WML) and Java 2 platform Micro Edition (J2ME) As technology is changing there are new ways to develop programs for the many types of mobile networked devices. Wireless application protocol (WAP) and Wireless markup language (WML), which work together to design and architect an application to be sent to wireless mobile devices for users to download and enjoy. The Java 2 platform micro edition (J2ME) is a more extensive platform that is used in designing wireless applications. Wireless Application Protocol The Wireless Application Protocol is a technical standard for accessing information over a wireless mobile network. This type of browser is used for mobile devices like cell phones. You can access such things as sports, public media information, political information, news, music, etc. (Mahmoud, 2002) WAP is based exceedingly on the web programming model, which allows the user/developer to design and architect a program inside a browser to enter information. The web pages are written in the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTTP). (Mackenzie & Sharkey, 2001) Comparing A developer can design a low-level program that allows a user to access simple programs such as games. A developer can also use the web programming model to make programs that are highly functional by having a program within a program. This is called Dynamic HTML (DHTML). DHTML allows another web page to change without having to wait for the server. Contrasting There are downfalls to WAP and the reasons are; just as the DHTML allows another web page to load without having to wait for the server. On the other hand, the standard of HTML is, once a web page is loaded from the server, it will not change until another request comes from the server. This takes more time away from the user, since they must wait for request from the server. Wireless Markup Language Wireless markup language is based on XML, which is a set of rules for encoding documents into computer-readable language. Previously called Handheld Devices Markup Language (HDML), is a markup language which is intended for devices that implement the Wireless application protocol qualifications, such as, the mobile devices. Comparing The comparison between the WML and the WAP are important, because the two work together as; the Wireless Markup Language is intended for devices that function with the wireless application protocol. Like HTML, WML provides data input, navigational support, and hyperlinks. Contrasting There is a big difference between WML and J2ME, because the Java 2 platform provides much more memory than WML. This may be a concern for Wireless Markup Language, because there could be a point that J2ME will contain more memory, and WML will be something of the past. This has happened with other stages in technology, such as Java going from HTTP to HTML. Java 2 Platform Micro Edition (J2ME) The Java 2 platform micro edition (J2ME) is an embedded system that operates on smartphones, PDA’s, and user appliances. The J2ME devices implement a profile called Mobile Information Device Profile. MIDP allows a user to write downloadable applications and services for network connected devices such as the devices listed above. When MIDP is combined with Connected Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) they create the special run-time environment that is on the latest mobile devices. (Oracle, 2011) Comparing Combining MIDP and CLDC they provide the core functions needed for mobile applications. If these two devices did not work together the services they provide would not be available to our mobile gadgets. Contrasting Unlike WAP/WML, J2ME uses a K Virtual Machine, which is a specialized virtual machine to interpret support for devices with limited retention. The virtual support along with the CLDC/MIDP makes the implementation superior to the WAP’s/WML’s. Conclusion As technology grows and changes so do the ways developers use their programming language to design new wireless applications for wireless mobile devices. It is exciting to see how far technology has come in the way wireless devices are made to use the simple and extensive wireless applications. References: Mackenzie, D. , Sharkey, K. (2001, 20 August). InformIT: Building the user interface with web forms. Retrieved August 7, 2011 from http://www. informit. com/articles/article. aspx? p=131102 Mahmoud, Q. (2002, February). Oracle: J2ME, MIDP, and WAP complementary technologies. Retrieved August 6, 2011 from http://developers. sun. com/mobility/midp/articles/midpwap/ Oracle. (2011). Mobile information device profile: (MIDP). Retrieved August 6, 2011 from http://www. oracle. com/technetwork/java/index-jsp-138820. html

THE INVASION OF THE NEW SPAIN essays

THE INVASION OF THE NEW SPAIN essays Who would have taught that a strong group of native Indians from Mexico would someday be defeated by the introduction of Europeans into their own world. It was the year 1519 and many European conquistadors set out to conquest the New Spain. They did not know in which circumstances Mexico was at the present time. In the city of Tenochtitlan, known today as Mexico City, lived a group of native Indians known as the Aztecs. Many indigenous people from Mexico did not like the Aztecs. The Aztecs were full of violence and some even became cannibals. They sacrificed human bodies and would sometimes eat some of their body parts. European conquistadors went out in search of wealth and in return they were amazed of how Mexico was flourishing, but feared the monstrosities that Mexican inhabitants were facing. The native Europeans went in search of gold as well. The need for the search of gold brought greed within the Europeans and Mexicans. They all envied one another. Bernal Diaz Del Castillo, a native European from Spain, writes The True History of the Conquest of New Spain. It is the only wealth and true story that Castillo leaves to his children and grandchildren. In the story Castillo writes about European attitudes toward the New Spain and its inhabitants. Castillo states, Next morning, we came to a broad causeway and continued our march toward Iztapalapa. And when we saw all those cities and villages built in the water, and other great towns on dry land, and that straight and level causeway leading to Mexico, we were astounded. These great towns and cues and buildings rising from the water, all made of stone, seemed like and unchanged vision from the tale of Amadis (44). It is said in Mexican history that Mexico lies above a huge lake and to Europeans it is very surprising to see a city built on water. Literally it is very hard to believe that buildings and temples can be built on top of water, especially ...