Go Ask Alice Book Review Essay

Introduction Go Ask Alice is a 1971 book about the life of a troubled teenage girl. The book continues its claim to be the actual diary of an anonymous teenage girl who became addicted to drugs. Beatrice Sparks is listed as the author of the book by the U.S. Copyright Office. The novel, whose title was taken from a line in the Grace Slick, penned Jefferson Airplane song â€Å"White Rabbit†, â€Å"go ask Alice/when she’s ten feet tall†, is presented as an anti-drug testimonial. The memoirist’s name is never given in the book. Revelations about the book’s origin have been a cause of doubt as to its authenticity and factual accounts, and the publishers have listed it as a work of fiction since at least the mid-late 1980s. Although it is still published under the byline â€Å"Anonymous†, it is largely or wholly the work of its purported editor, Beatrice Sparks. Some of the days and dates referenced in the book put the timeline from 1968 until 1970. Its major themes would be difficulty of communication and problems of adolescent identity. It is written a series of events in the form of multiple diary entries. Summary of Content September 18th- December 25th Alice explains that she bought herself a diary in high spirits, after being asked out by a guy she liked. She believed she finally had beautiful thoughts to shear with herself through writing. Following the next day, he rejects her. Alice is miserably insecure and wonders why people always seem to hurt her feelings. Days go by and her fifteenth passes, and her boredom with life is interrupted only by weight gain and her accompanying self-hatred. She later learns that her father has accepted a teaching position at a different college and the family has to move at the start of the New Year. Over the time Alice’s mother has taken noticed of her irregular eating habits and forces her to eat. She then starts to reject her mother’s care and wonders if she could make herself throw up after eating. As time passes Alice writes that she is mostly herself with her dairy, and fears the loss of her identity trying to fit in with everyone else. Throughout this time she displays a sharp sense of intelligence and awareness of her emotions and recalls many observations as a well as her feelings. She refers to her diary as a person, confiding in it and asking it to help her monitor her weight-loss plan as if it were a close friend. This indeed is one of the major themes in Go Ask Alice. January 1st- July 14th Alice writes about her excitement for the family’s big move, but confides to her diary her fears of not adjusting to life in a new place. After settling in, Alice changes her mind about the house which she first thought was unappealing, but now she sees it as beautiful. As time goes by the rest of the family has adapted well to their new surroundings, but Alice feels like an outsider. She wonders how, in a family of outgoing people, she always manages to feel distant from others. With the passing of time, Alice hasn’t made any friends and has gained weight again. Throughout this time, her approached grows more and more unattractive and she feels like a social outcast and is frustrated with everyone and everything around her. She also talks about her new friend she meets named Greata; who she feels is just as unattractive and awkward as her. Along with Greta, she talks about Beth a Jewish girl who she meets that lives down the block. She finds that she can talk to Beth about anything; after expressing that she and her mother can no longer talk like they use to. She continues to write as he summer has started and plans to spend the summer with her grandparents. While there she is invited to a party where she is introduced to a game which includes randomly dripping LSD in several soda bottles which she becomes the recipient of. After she became aware of the aftermath she happy for the experience but never wants to do drugs again. Throughout this time, she compares her voyage into the new world of drugs to Alice in Wonderland. Alice goes through a series of social changes in with in the first half of the year, and her instability helps explain her curiosity for drugs. She sought refuge in writing but drugs provide an easier access into her fantastic world, where she feels a relationship with people and the things around her. July 20th- September 10th She goes on a date with Bill and experiments with more drugs. She feels like a complete new person, better about herself and she loves going out. While at her grandparents her grandfather had a mini heart attack. She strays away from her friends in the efforts in assisting her grandmother with her grandfather. Later she subsumes to the pressure of her friends and goes out to a party at Bills house where she takes acid. She also loses her virginity to him while on acid; which she expressed it as being another brilliant, freaky way out, part of her drugged adventures. Now, she looks for someone to talk to about drugs but she doesn’t know who to ask. Trying to sort out her many feelings she starts to take sleeping pills which she loves. Drugs makes Alice feel like the person she never was before. Under the influence of speed, she says, she feels like a member of a â€Å"different, improved, perfected species†. What Alice got from the drugs was a sense of being loved for who she really is, by others around her who is on drugs. September 12th-November 22nd Alice in now back home where she meets a friend name Chris and is given a job working with her are a local grocery store. She continues to pop pills whenever she gets tired or hungry. She is then introduced to marijuana and is now using as well as selling it. She then finds herself in what will turn out to be a heart breaking betrayal; when she finds out the truth about Richie’s secret affair with Ted. As time pass, Chris and Alice decides to flee San Francisco and vows to turn Richie in and stays sober with Chris. She gets to San Francisco where she and Chris both find jobs to support themselves. She also matures within this time frame, learning about her sexuality. However, she has not have sex sober yet. Beneath Alice’s psychedelic adventures is her continuing desire to find someone with home she can have the same open, loving relationship she once had with her family. Her shifting emotions concerning her family were the major cause for her departure, yet she longs for them in San Francisco. November 23rd- End of Diary One Alice has now passed through her by trail by fire, and she feels like an adult from the way others treat her as an individual. She declares â€Å"I am somebody: but her real maturation is not from how others respond to her, but from wise reflections on what it means to survivors the troubled times of adolescence. She is not completely ready to accept her past, she wants to repent for her sins, but she also wishes she could push her nightmares in the back of her mind. Alice finally gains enough absolute experience and converse more honestly with other runaways in this section to understand better what has caused her decline. Alice diagnoses her real problem when, happy about her father’s love for her, she wishes she could only love herself. If she could do this, she would care less about rebelling or satisfying her parents and instead focus on her own, separate desires. Throughout this section she develops a belief of Christian redemption on her own when it occurs to her that suffering may have been worthwhile, as she can now understand and be more understanding of people. Her decisions to h help others has deep religious reasons, and she ends the first diary. Diary 2 April 6th-May 21st Alice matures deeply in this section, expanding her sensitivity. Her increasing desire to become a guidance counsel shows. She has now find an identity that will someday suite her, and while she is still in pain at times, she is already getting better at communicating with others and enjoying a life with soberness. She and her parents both now treat each other with respect and concern. Her grandfather dies and she is having a hard time dealing with the situation at this point. More frightening to Alice is her true helplessness inn her flash back episode and the resulting fear that she may lose her mind. May 22nd Updated July Alice writes in her undated diary from a hospital. She is unsure how she has ended up here and can only think of the worms she thinks are eating her alive. She has apparently been biting her fingers down to the bone; she relates this to the death of her grandfather. Alice reveals that an accidental dose of acid is the cause of her breakdown. Her mother and father believe that someone else â€Å"tripped† Alice without her knowing it. she finds out she is being sent to an insane asylum. Her father tells her that when her case was brought before a juvenile court, Jan and another girl testified that Alice had still been on drugs and was selling them. She registers at the State Mental Hospital. She is frightened by the ugly building and by the inmates, whom she feels are different from her. Despite the mental horrors Alice endures, her mind stays somewhat resilient and her diary becomes her true sanctuary. She is sent away to the asylum to get help. July 27th Epilogue Alice tries to pray but feels the words are false and meaningless. She yearns for death. She starts going to school at the Youth Center, which is a relief compared to her room. Life in the asylum is draining her in all ways, as it has already done for Babbie. She listens to other kids in a group therapy session, which she finds helpful. Alice’s mother and father visit. Another visit from Alice’s parents brings a long letter from Joel. Her father reports that Jan has retracted her statement, and they’re trying to get the other girl to do the same, in which case Alice will be let out soon. Alice returns home and is happy to be with her family. At home, Alice is invited to go swimming by Fawn, a â€Å"straight† kid. Alice is insecure around Fawn and her friends, even though they seem to like her. She gives her father a sweater and a poem by her for his birthday. Joel surprises her by showing up and kisses her on the lips in front of her family. Alice is worried about starting school again but feels stronger with the support of her new friends and Joel. She comments that she no longer needs a diary, for she now has people in her life with whom she can communicate. In the epilogue, we are told that Alice died three weeks later of an overdose—whether it was premeditated or accidental remains unclear—and that she was one of thousands of drug deaths that year. Part II Memoir Review Go Ask Alice was originally promoted as nonfiction and was published under the byline â€Å"Anonymous.† However, not long after its publication, Beatrice Sparks, a psychologist, began making media appearances presenting herself as the book’s editor. The memoirist’s name is never revealed in the book. Alice is not the protagonist’s name. A girl named Alice is mentioned briefly in one entry during the diarist’s stay in Coos Bay, Oregon; she is an addict whom the diarist briefly meets on the street. Commentators often refer to the diarist as â€Å"Alice† in error, or for the sake of convenience. In the ABC Movie of the Week film version of Go Ask Alice, broadcast 24 January 1973, the protagonist is named Alice. Go Ask Alice is an honest portrayal of the life of a drug addict. Originally published in 1971, the book provides an empathetic description of one 15-year-old girl’s descent into a life of drugs that still resonates in today’s teen culture. The book’s strength lies in the breadth of the first-person account, from her early days as an innocent youth whose main worries were popularity and image to her life on the street, where the only thing she worried about was where she would get her next fix. It also details her difficult, uphill battle back to sobriety. Another strength of this novel is that it verbalizes feelings that most teens experience. For example, Alice states, â€Å"I don’t need the sleep as much as I need the escape. The one weakness/caution for Go Ask Alice is that the book is graphic in detail. It includes descriptions of her sexual experiences and the sensations of each drug, and her off-balance ramblings while on different drugs. This is not appropriate for young readers. I would direct this book to teens and adults. I think it should be required reading in high schools. Since this is about a teen struggling with addiction and the social pressures of the drug world, it is a real eye-opener to anyone who is already struggling and for those who may be confronted with the option to use. Conclusion This book had many great reviews, and I would agree that this is an outstanding book. In fact, I believe it is one of the best young adult novels I have ever read. There is much speculation over whether the diaries are fictional or true; however, I didn’t feel that affected how I felt after reading it. The accounts in this diary seem so real and well written. Many would argue that a fifteen year old girl couldn’t muster such talented compositions. On the contrary, the late 60’s early 70’s were a very different time. Although parents appeared stricter in this time, it seemed laws and drugs were much freer. It is easy to imagine all of the runaway teens and preteens prostituting themselves, using drugs, and sleeping in parks and on curbs—and most of them didn’t care where they wound up! This isn’t as common today, but it still happens, we just don’t hear as much about it. I think the author of the diary did a great job capturing the positive, beautiful feelings of her experiences with drugs. Similarly, the writer equally described the melancholy and loss of identity associated with drug use. This novel could change lives, if not simply relate to them. Overall, a frightening and well-written account of a young girls’ disheartening story from a regular teenager, to a popular free teenager, to a teenager that must be put back together. Future drug users must ask themself, â€Å"Should I try using?† Well, go ask Alice, and she’ll tell you how to stop from losing your identity as well as sanity. Works Cited â€Å"Go Ask Alice A Real Diary PB N (Paperback) By (author) Anonymous.† The Book Depository. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2013

Lecture Fm

Vietnam National University – HCMC International University SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COURSE SYLLABUS BA016IU Fundamentals of Financial Management 1. COURSE STAFF Lecturer: Ms. Phan Ng? c Anh, MBA Room: #205 E-mail: [email  protected] edu. vn Consultation hours: Thursday OR by appointment (preferred) Teaching Assistant: TBA Should the students wish to meet the staff outside the consultation hours, they are advised to make appointment in advance. 2. COURSE INFORMATION Prerequisite courses: Principles of Accounting 1 2. 1 Teaching times and LocationsLecture: Saturday, 13:00 – 16:00 Venue: C102 1 2 2. 2 Units of Credit: 3 credits 2. 3 Parallel teaching in the course: N/A 2. 4 Relationship of this course to others BA207U – Fundamentals of Financial Management provides students with basic concepts of financial management. The course is provided based on foundation knowledge of financial accounting and economics. This course may fulfill requirements of curric ulum for students majoring in business administration in general; however is the foundation for students majoring in finance and accounting.For those students that major in finance and accounting, they can take higher level of courses in finance after this course, to count for some, Corporate Finance, Financial Institutions and Market, Investment and Portfolio Management, International Finance, etc. 2. 5 Approach to learning and teaching Employing the interactive learning and problem-based teaching approach, this course emphasizes the interaction between lecturers and students. The lecture materials will be uploaded in Blackboard to help the students to preview the materials and to concentrate on listening and critical thinking during the lecture.This will help students to interact with the lecturer during the classroom. The sessions for presentations and discussions comprise company case studies as well as answering some theoretical and conceptual questions, which help the students to see how the concepts are applied in the real international business context. Students will present the case to the class and discuss with the peers. 3. COURSE AIMS AND OUTCOMES 3. 1 Course Aims The aim of this course is to expose students to and familiarize them with the theoretical frameworks and practical matters of financial management..The learning experience will include: an introduction to financial management; time value of money; techniques of pricing of financial instruments such as bonds and stocks; evaluation of major projects; the relationship between risk and return; an introduction to Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Portfolio theory; and cost of capital and capital structuring. 3. 2 Student Learning Outcomes After completing the course, students should be able to: * Explain the purpose, goals, and importance of financial management; * Understand the relationship between risk and return; Understand time value of money and possess skills to convert financial t ime values; * Make basic valuation of bonds, stocks, and investment projects; * Evaluate capital budgeting alternatives, using the firm’s cost of capital in conjunction with internal rate of return and net present value techniques; * Compute cost of capital and capital structure. 3. 3 Teaching Strategies The learning system in this course consists of lectures and discussions. Lectures elaborate the appropriate theoretical content in the textbook and readings.Classes provide a more detailed and refined analysis of both concepts and applied materials. Classes are strongly oriented towards interactive discussion of the text and cases. 4. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT 4. 1 Workload It is expected that the students will spend at least eight hours per week studying this course. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, and attending classes. In periods where they need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. 4. 2 AttendanceClass Attendance is Mandatory. Roll will be taken by random quizzes’ submissions at times of classes. University regulations indicate that if students attend less than eighty per cent of scheduled classes they may be refused final assessment. Exemptions may only be made on medical grounds. 4. 3 General Conduct and Behavior Beepers, cell phones, and pagers need to be turned off before entering the classroom. The students are expected to conduct themselves with consideration and respect for the needs of the fellow students and teaching staff.Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students will be asked to leave the class. 4. 4 Keeping informed The students should take note of all announcements made in lectures or on the course’s Blackboard. From time to time, the university will send important announcements to their university e-mail addresses without pro viding a paper copy. The students will be deemed to have received this information. 5. LEARNING ASSESSMENT 5. 1 Formal RequirementsIn order to pass this course, the students must: * achieve a composite mark of at least 50; and * make a satisfactory attempt at all assessment tasks (see below). 5. 2 Assessment Details Two Class tests 30% Mid-Term Exam 30% Final Exam 40% Total 100% Mid-term Exam and Final Exam: Mid-term and final test will be a combination of short answer questions, application problems and multiple-choice questions and will cover all the reading, homework, and lectures associated with the topics noted on the reading list. 5. 4 Class participationStudents are expected to attend class regularly, and are responsible for materials covered during their absences. Although it is the responsibility of the student for non-attendance, the lecturer has full authority to drop a student for excessive absences. 5. 5 Special Consideration Request for special consideration (for final examination only) must be made to the Office of Academic Affairs within one week after the examination. General policy and information on special consideration can be found at the Office of Academic Affairs. 6. ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISMPlagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as one’s own (definition proposed by the University of Newcastle). Students are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of the identified causes of plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient time for research, drafting, and the proper referencing of sources in preparing all assessment items. The university regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct, and has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. 7. STUDENT RESOURCES 7. Course Resources Required textbook: Brealey, R. A. , Myers, S. C. and Marcus, A. J. , Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 5th ed, McGraw Hill 2007 Note: the course will cover Chapter 1 – 12 Recommended readings: Recommended website: http://highered. mcgraw-hill. com/sites/007353062x/information_center_view0/ http://www. mhhe. com/business/finance/corpfinonline/. Choose â€Å"Finance Tutor Series†. www. finance. yahoo. com www. bloomberge. com www. reuters. com www. vneconomy. com www. efinance. com. vn Other recommended books: Brigham, E. F. and Houston, J. F. 2007), Fundamentals of Financial Management, 11th edn, South-Western. Ross, S. A. , Westerfield, R. W. , and Jordan, B. D. (2010) Fundamentals of Corporate Finance – 7th ed, McGraw Hill. Additional materials provided in Blackboard The lecturer will attempt to make lecture notes and additional reading available on Blackboard. However this is not an automatic entitlement for students doing this subject. Note that this is not a distance learning course, and you are expected to attend lectures and take notes. This way, you will get the additional benefit of class interaction and demonstra tion. 7. Other Resources, Support and Information 1 Additional learning assistance is available for students in this course and will be made available in Blackboard. Academic journal articles are available through connections via the VNU – Central Library. Recommended articles will be duly informed to the students. 8. COURSE SCHEDULE: Week| Topic| Learning materials| 1| Introduction to corporate financeIntroduction CorporationGoals of the corporationAgency problemsFinancial DecisionInvestment DecisionFinancing DecisionDividend PolicyRoles of Financial ManagerWhy corporations need financial markets?Functions of financial markets and intermedias| Textbook, Chapter 1| 2| Time Value of MoneyBasic conceptsTime line/ Future values (FV)/ Present values (PV)Simple interest rate (SR)/ Compound interest rate(CR)Multiple cash flowsFuture value of Multiple Cash FlowsPresent value of Multiple Cash FlowsPerpetuity cash flowsPresent Value of a PerpetuityOrdinary annuity cash flow/ Annuity d ue cash flow Future Value of an AnnuityPresent Value of an Annuity| Textbook, Chapter 4| 3| Time Value of Money (Cont. Growing ordinary annuity cash flow/ Growing annuity due cash flow Future Value of an growing annuityPresent Value of an growing annuityMortgate loansInflation and time value of moneyReal versus nominal cash flowsEffective annual interest ratesQuiz 1| Textbook, Chapter 4| 4| Bonds and their evaluationBond characteristicsBond evaluationCoupon bonds, semi-annual coupon bondsZero-coupon bondsBond yieldCurrent yieldYield to maturity (YTM)Rate of returnRelationship between market interest rate and bond priceBond premiums and bond discounts| Textbook, Chapter 5| 5| Stock and their evaluationEquity versus debtCommon stocks Preferred stocksBook values, Liquidation values, and Market valuesStock valuation: Dividend Discount Model (DDM)Zero growth common stocksConstant growth common stocksDifferential growth common stocksPreferred stocksGrowth stocks and Income stocksMid-Term| Textbook, Chapter 6| 6| Project Investment Criteria and Capital Budgeting DecisionCapital budgeting decisionCapital budgeting processProject classificationsNet Present Value (NPV) methodInternal Rate of Return (IRR) methodPayback Period (PP)/ Discount Payback period (DPP) methodProfitability Index (PI)| Textbook, Chapters 7| 7| Project Investment Criteria and Capital Budgeting (Cont. Principles of identifying cash flowsCalculating Cash Flows Capital investmentOperating cash flowsInvestment in working capitalTerminal-year incremental cash flowMinicaseQuiz 2| Textbook, Chapter 8| 8| Introduction to Risk, Return and Opportunity Cost of CapitalIntroduction relationship between Risk and ReturnHistorical overview of risk and returnRates of returnMeasuring riskVariance and standard deviation Risk and diversificationDiversificationAsset versus portfolio riskVariance and standard deviation of returns for a two-asset portfolioUnique risk versus market risk | Textbook, Chapters 10| 9| Risk, R eturn and capital budgetingMeasuring market riskConcept of betaPortfolio betasRisk and returnCapital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)Security Market Line (SML)Capital budgeting and Project Risk| Textbook, Chapter 11| 10| Capital Structure and Cost of CapitalMeasuring capital structureMarket versus book weightCost of capital Cost of debtCost of preferred stocksCost of equityCost of retained earningWeighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)WACC and business evaluation| Textbook, Chapter 12| 11| Revision| | ——————————————– [ 1 ]. This is adapted with kind permission from the University of New South Wales.

Gender Imbalance

If such a large gender imbalance continues, effects on Asian society will include having a bad economy, a slower birthrate and many detrimental psychological effects especially on Asian men. Firstly, there will be a bad economy if the trend of a large gender imbalance whereby there are many woman short, continues. This is due to two main reasons. Men will very likely subject to frustration based on the fact that they have no one to release any sexual pleasure on, hence many stay bachelors, despite the want to find a partner and settle down. Men will also lose any focus on work as they constantly think about â€Å"sex† and what-nots so when there is no focus put on their jobs, there will be no improvements or progress made, thus the economy is bound to slow down. Also, many men will stay unmarried as there is not enough women. Hence, if men do not get married, they would not need to purchase any additional supplies for both marriage and children needs, thus these industries sup plying such products will have loses as the demand will be lesser than the supply. Secondly, Asia will meet with a slower birthrate.Take Singapore for example, already there is a huge problem with the slow birthrate – thus the government are stepping up efforts to kerb this problem. However, with the current gender imbalance, things will only detiororate. This is mainly due to men, who many stay bachelors , as they cannot find a suitable partner, they won't get married thus they would not produce any babies. If this trend continues, the birthrates will fall by a lot, as for every woman Asia is short of , that is the possible number of men that will stay as bachelors , in this case 160 million – which is 40 times Singapore's population, hence it is a very big number.Also, 160 million times the replacement rate of Asia will be the number of babies that can be given birth to , if there is no gender imbalance, thus there would be a huge difference and the birthrate will be very slow as these babies are not given birth to, based on the absence of 160 million women. Thirdly, Asian men will face with many negative psychological and sexual effects. They will have sexual frustration as they would have no place to let out their sexual desire- hence possibly turning to prostitution, which is wrong.Also, they will let out any sexual desires in the wrong place, leading to a wrong sexual orientation, which will also lead them to committing crimes and sins. The fact that a large majority will never get married will be a huge blow to them as they will never find a partner for life. This is due to the lack of 160 million women in Asian, thus these men will definitely face such effects. In conclusion, a large gender imbalance will lead to a bad economy, a slower birthrate and detrimental psychological effects , in the long run.

Discuss the Means by Which Gastronomy

Principles of Gastronomy Topic: Discuss the means by which gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product. Introduction The emergence of gastronomic tourism is observed when a number of tourism organizations have incorporated gastronomy gastronomic elements into tourism as part of an marketing strategy, giving rise to the gastronomic tourism. (Hjalager and Richards, 2000). In first place, the essay is going to explain the respective concepts of gastronomy and tourism, following by description of gastronomic tourism with reference to the typology suggested by Hjalager AM (2002).Typical examples of tourism products with gastronomy focus range from food events, cooking class and workshops; food fairs featuring local products, visits to markets and producers, museums to souvenirs. In the later session there will be explanation on how gastronomy is understood as a tourism product, by fulfilling different motivations of tourists. Tourism and tourists motivation In a simple context, tour ism refers to traveling and visiting new destinations away from their usual place of residence.By definition, tourism product includes the total tourist experience that meet its expectations, including experience with housing, natural and cultural attractions, entertainment, transportation, catering. Tourists seek for travelling experience that fulfills their motivations. According to Fields (2002) and McIntosh RW, Goeldner CR & Ritchie, J. R. (1995) , , tourists’ motivation for traveling can be categorized into physical motivators, which include thrill seeking, escape from routine , sensory seeking, health concern.Also, there are cultural motivators, interpersonal motivators and status and prestige motivators. Gastronomy as a tourism product The study of gastronomy was first undertaken by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1994). The word gastronomy is derived from Greek word gastros, meaning stomach, and gnomos, knowledge or law. According to Kivela J & Crotts JC, gastronomy is understood as the study of the relationship between food and culture. This includes the tasting, preparing, experiencing, experimenting and researching, discovering , understanding and even writing about food and wine .Embodying the idea of art of living, gastronomy has become an indispensable element in order to get to know the culture and lifestyle of a territory. Being regarded as a new trend in tourism, gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product by the means that it fulfill several tourists’ values and expectations: seeking knowledge and appreciation in food and beverage, understanding the culture and heritage of a place, searching for healthy lifestyle, experiencing authenticity or enjoying retreats from urban lifestyle, seeking for prestige and status, and lastly pursuing sustainability.Moreover, active promotions by marketers contribute to the understanding of gastronomy as a tourism product. The following sessions will explain the concepts in details. Gastrono my – enhancing knowledge and appreciation of food and beverage A formal dining experience in foreign countries is an example of gastronomy tourism product. Apart from the atmosphere and leisure experience enjoyed, formal meal experience provides tourists with the opportunity to learn local culture, such as exploring table manners and gain knowledge about local food.In particular, the differences in use of ingredients and methods of preparing, cooking, and preserving food between countries can be considered as authentic or traditional culture (Fields 2002). Therefore, displaying authentic, and local cultures is a way that gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product. Cooking classes in famous culinary destinations is another way in which tourists can explore deeper about the gastronomic world. Vacationing and cooking classes is increasing in popularity because tourists can learn to cook amazing food instead of merely tasting good food.Classic culinary destination includes Burgundy and Loire Valley in France . Furthermore, Biltmore Culinary Academy (2012) , at the Biltmore Hotel is a recreational  cooking School that has a dedicated learning area and fully equipped professional kitchen offering a variety of classes, workshops, team-building events. Special foreign cooking techniques can be acquired through the learning process. Such tourism experience is far reaching and bringing long lasting benefits to travellers. Understanding culture and heritage by gastronomic tourism product Fields 2002) pointed out that local food and beverages can be included amongst cultural motivators because when tourists are experiencing new local cuisines, they are also experiencing a new culture. Tasting local food can be one of the ways to understand and experience local culture. According Leigh (2000), there is a strong relationship between types of food consumed and certain locations. Types of food consumed varies among different locations . For example . it is nor mal for French to eat eat frogs and snails, horse in their meals; Arabs eat camel meat and drink camel milk while?Australian eat Kangaroo and Emu. Different places have very distinctive food cultures. Such differences serve as uniqueness of each location and provide reasons for tourists to travel away from home. Moreover, regional gastronomic routes contribute to the understanding of local culture and enhance of agricultural knowledge (Munster 1994). In Benelux, there are seasonal routes that reflect links between agricultural cycles and local food production such as asparagus route, a mussel route, a hops route and a gin route.Seasonality of these routes coincides with the main tourist season to cater their needs. As these routes showcase specific products of a particular location in particular season, gastronomy can be understood as tourism product by its relevance to agricultural knowledge. Gastronomy in searching for healthy lifestyle as a tourism product Gastronomy can be under stood as a tourism product through the emphasis on health concerns (Richards G, 2002). Tourists from the developed countries are increasingly cautious about their health.For example, some health farms offer food products which have positive impacts on health and physical condition; The ‘Mediterranean Diet’ in Greece and Italy, or the ‘Atlantic Diet’ in Portugal also emphasizes the health benefits of their food. Western tourists who are burdened by obesity or high cholesterol level are particularly attracted to pay a visit. Gastronomy can therefore be a tourism product by fulfilling tourists physical needs of improving health conditions.Experiencing authenticity or enjoying retreats from urban lifestyle In working farms, tourists can get a touch with simple and unsophisticated peasant food and beverage that is prepared with care and respect to tradition. The authentic experience is particularly treasurable for tourists who seek for retreats from tourists spo ts with extravagant decor and service. In a vineyard, tourists can participate in harvesting of grapes and fruits. These experience enable tourists, who are mainly city dwellers to try something new and enrich their personal experience.Gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product by allowing city dwellers to visit farmers’ market. Visitors can obtain country experience outside city and gain knowledge outside school textbooks. For example, interactive farm experiences offered in Collingwood Children’s Farm (2012) include fun activities such as bottle-feeding lambs, milking the cow. Trained staff will teach visitors how to approach and handle farm animals correctly. The Farmers’ market also brings about real and fresh produce from over 70 farmers in the region.Products such as seasonal fruit, regional olive oil, smoked meat & fish, artisan cheeses, home made condiments, and artisan cheeses are examples. A wine tour experience in the relaxing suburb is also po pular gastronomic tourist activity. Wine tours typically include session of wine tasting, with adorable cheese or chocolate. Visitors can also walk through a heritage trail from the picturesque vineyards to the historic settlement; tourists can also meet the winemaker who will share their experience in winemaking process, and have a gourmet lunch experience paired with high quality wines ( Wyndham Estate 2012 ) .Gastronomy as a tourism product to express prestige and status One of the motivators for tourism is seeking of status and prestige. Gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product as it fulfills requirement in this aspect. According to Fields (2002) , eating nice food in a luxury place or attending special occasions can be regarded as a means to be distinguished from others. Moreover, tourist can express their prestige by tasting unique local food.Reynolds (2002) further pointed out that eating food in a nice restaurant and being seen to eat there can be considered as a to ol of drawing status distinctions. Gastronomy in form of souvenirs can also be tourism product that fulfills ones’ motivation of seeking prestige. Distinctive food and beverage products that is not available at home place are popular among tourist. Examples are authentic ingredients, designer glassware, porcelain, cutlery, and kitchen gadgets souvenirs, which can highlight the local culture of a place.Souvenirs can serve as a status symbol that allows tourists to share their prestigious and unique memories with family and friends. Large-scale events such as food and wine festivals are the most popular tourism product in gastronomy context. For example, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination annual event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities (SOBEFEST 2012).Tourists can have a chance to meet the culinary celebri ties such as Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Rachel Ray and so on. Events such as tribute dinner are rare opportunity for tourists to have a touch with featured dishes of some of the world’s most renowned chefs. Moreover, smartest designer cafes and restaurants that serve innovative menus and offer equally chic service are equally attractive to tourists who enjoy indulging themselves in trendy foods and wines. The Fat Duck restaurant in England is an excellent example.The restaurant is known for its menu of unusual dishes, created following the principles of molecular gastronomy including egg and bacon ice cream. Luxurious food and wine styles and cuisines with the extravagant uses of ingredients often form a part of their image and prestige Gastronomy as a tourism product by achieving sustainability With the emphasis on achieving sustainability, gastronomy can be understood as tourism products that boost the economies and reputation of a destination.For instance, as supported by FEHGRA, a gastronomic association in Argentina, a great diversity of high-end culinary offerings can be found throughout the country that use creative regional ingredients of the highest ancestral grains and tubers in the north and meat and dairy in the center. By using local ingredients, the place of origin and production of each ingredient are respected instead of travelling ingredients from a long way. Tourists’ destinations are also given a boost through their cuisine, as people travel to consume these excellent foods searching for balanced and healthy dishes with least possible wastage in heir preparation. * Marketing promotions to merge gastronomy with tourism product Apart from linking gastronomic experiences to tourist needs, active promotion and marketing strategies of tourism organizations is equally important. With more promotions tactics, gastronomy is much easier to be understood as a tourism product. According to the World Tourism Organization (2012), common ma rketing techniques used are organized events , and print brochures or websites. A sound illustration will be the Prove Portugal programme (2010) held in Portugal. It aims to communicate the national brand through the recognition of Portuguese cuisine.A website dedicated to Portuguese food and wine is established along with other communication tactics to further promote International culinary tours, books, training in the Schools of Hospitality and Tourism, and the fundamentals of Portuguese regional cuisine and chefs. Great efforts are put to make the place a strong- branded culinary destination for tourists. Conclusion In a nutshell, the rocketed development of gastronomy tourism proves that food is no longer a basic necessities for human, but a cultural element that associated with leisure and relaxation.Gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product in many ways such as food events, cooking class and workshops; food fairs featuring local products, visits to markets and produce rs, museums to souvenirs. Its vital role in tourism is further enhanced through the promotions and marketing efforts by tourism organizations. By fulfilling different motivations of tourists, namely in physical, cultural, experimental and prestigious level, gastronomy is understood as a tourism product. Reference: 1) Brillat JA ,1994). The physiology of taste (A. Drayton, Trans. ).Harmondsworth, UK: Penguin 2) Chaney, Stephen; Ryan, Chris Analyzing the evolution of Singapore's World Gourmet Summit: An example of gastronomic tourism International Journal of Hospitality Management , Volume 31 ,no 2 3) Collingwood Children’s Farm, ; http://www. farm. org. au/; 4) FEHGRA ;http://www. fehgra. org. ar/; 5) Fields, K. (2002) Demand for the gastronomy tourism product: Motivational factors. In A. Hjalager and G. Richards (eds. ), Tourism and Gastronomy (pp. 37–50). London: Routledge. 6) G Richards, AM Hjalager, G Richards 2002 Greg Richards,Gastronomy: an essential ingredient i n tourism production and consumption, Tourism and gastronomy, 2002 London and New York 7) Hjalager, A. -M. (2002). A typology of gastronomy tourism. In A. -M. Hjalager ; G. Richards (Eds. ), Tourism and gastronomy (pp. 21-35). London: Routledge. 8) Jaksa Kivela and John C. Crotts 2006 Tourism and Gastronomy: Gastronomy's Influence on How Tourists Experience a Destination Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research 30: 354 9) L James Leigh 2000, Implications of Universal and Parochial Behavior for Intercultural Communication, Journal of Intercultural Communication, No 4 10) Long, L.M. (Ed. ). (2004). Culinary tourism. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. Mennel, S. , Murcott, A. , & van Otterloo, A. H. (1992). The sociology of food: Eating, diet and culture. London: Sage. 11) McIntosh RW, Goeldner CR & Ritchie, J. R. (1995). Tourism principles, Practices, philosophies, (7th ed. ), New York: Wiley. 12) Reynolds, G. (2002). Gastronomy: An essential ingredient in tourism production an d consumption? , In A. Hjalager & G. Richards (eds. ), Tourism and Gastronomy (pp. 3–20). London: Routledge. 3) The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival 14) Stephen L. J. Smith ,1994 ,The tourism product, Annals of Tourism ResearchVolume 21, Issue 3, Pages 582–595 15) The Biltmore Culinary Academy 16) Wolf, E. (2002). Culinary tourism: A tasty economic proposition. Retrieved July 12, 17) 2004, from http://www. culinarytourism. org 18) Wyndham Estate 2012 19) World Tourism Organization (2012), Global Report on Food Tourism, UNWTO, Madrid

Case project analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Case project analysis - Assignment Example There were used two different project delivery methods: design -build system for Springfield Interchange Improvement Project (SIIP) and design-bid-build system for the Guri Dam Project. For both projects there were used scope statements as tools of project planning process. However, the extent of the project scope statements varied substantially and depended on the number of details and relevant elements related to the project. Implementation stage of both projects was controlled and monitored. However, in contrast to SIIP project, the Guri Dam project was closely monitored by the Edelca Company. For the Guri Dam project there were introduced severe economical penalties for breach of the project/contract terms. Based on the review and analysis of the project management practices, applied in the SIIP and the Guri Dam projects, it is possible to state that the Guri Dam Project performed better than the SIIP project across all four practices: project selection, project delivery system, project planning, and project control. Springfield Interchange Improvement Project is a case study of one of the transportation megaprojects. It is a project of the interchange reconstruction, situated in fifteen miles south of Washington, D.C. on the intersection of the Capital Beltway and Highways 1-95 and 1-395. The project was mainly initiated because of the safety risks and danger imposed to all road users, especially motorists (Kwak et al., 2002). Reconstruction of this Interchange had vital importance to a variety of stakeholders, including: local entrepreneurs and businessmen, commercial carriers, and local residents. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) began project management work on this project. The project has been divided into 8 key stages. While the general scope of the project was defined in a right way, there were some obvious problems with cost estimate calculation of the project. Thus, for example, the cost estimate was $US 220

Analyze a current or past relationship and create a strategy for Essay

Analyze a current or past relationship and create a strategy for managing it - Essay Example Losing contact with each other, we both had strings of relationships until both of us had our families. Both of us had only one child out of our own marriages and both of us got divorced from our spouses. Twenty years later, Andy came back to visit me at my mom’s house. He just took a chance if I was there, and was surprised when I was, as I was also visiting her. It was a pleasant surprise for both of us. At first, it was awkward seeing your first love two decades later when a whole lifetime has passed in between. We caught up with each other’s lives, but did not have enough time, since he was flying back to Australia the following day. A week later, I found a friend request on Facebook from Andy which I happily accepted. Since that time, we have spent much time chatting with each other, and even tried video-chatting a few times. Over time, we realized we were still in love with each other after all these years. Although we did not officially declare that we are once a gain a couple, we treat each other as if we are. I cannot fully commit to him because I did not really believe in long distance relationships, and somehow, had doubts as to his relationship history, since he has shared that he’s been into several relationships after his divorce. I, myself, have not gone dating after my divorce, so I had several qualms about getting into a serious relationship at this point in my life. Meanwhile, I decided to enjoy what Andy and I currently have, without the complications of commitment. It is what is known in social networking sites as a relationship status of â€Å"It’s Complicated†. Attraction Our initial attraction to each other was physical. Andy was a very handsome teenager, and was quite popular with the girls. On the other hand, I did not look bad myself, being a cheerleader and a prom queen contender. Knowing each other well as we dated exclusively in our teens, the attraction went beyond the surface. I discovered that he had a kind heart which was compassionate to others in need. He was a very good son and brother and to top it all, he had a sense of humor that complemented mine. I admired his drive and ambition to be successful, and envied his focus and persistence in his studies. I was sure that he was a great catch and would be an ideal husband and father as well as a successful professional in the future. Andy admitted that he fell in love with my feminine ways and the way I treated my family and friends. He felt very protective over me because I was so naive. He liked the fact that I was very down-to-earth and did not waste my time on shallow things such as fashion, make-up and boys. He loved my simplicity and the fact that I was a homebody, very skilled in cooking and home design and organization. He also thought I would make the perfect wife and mother someday. Our short term and long-term attraction factors for each other may be explained theoretically. Matlin (2008) explains gender differe nces in attraction partner as based on an evolutionary psychology approach. According to this approach, people’s preferences have roots in evolution where men prefer young, attractive, healthy-looking women who are likely to pass on men’s genes to the next generation. On the other hand, women are drawn to men who are economically stable to ensure that their future children are well provided for (Matlin, 2008). Women were also found to value a partner’s ambition, industriousness and social dominance as well as emotional

Stem Cell Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Stem Cell - Research Paper Example The stem cell research has been supported by many who have observed the scope and the need for such a research. However, there are arguments contrary to these by people who effectively disagree with the said phenomena ab initio. In respect of embryonic stem cell research it is argued by many to be an unethical procedure whereby lives of people are taken in the process. The important question in this respect is the ascertain ability of when actual stages of life begin. A blastocyst is where a cluster cells which are known as the inner cell mass is where the embryo is arises. The outer layer of the cells gives rise to the placenta as well as other supporting which are required for fetal development within the uterus and as far as the tissues of the body are concerned they rise by means of the inner cell mass cells. The problem in respect of stem cell research, in particular the embryonic stem cell research was one of the most important political issue of the first tenure of President G eorge W. Bush of the United States of America. The first and foremost action that was undertaken by the aforementioned President was on 09th August 2001 whereby he imposed a ban whereby no federal spending would be done for the reason to obtain new embryonic stem cells from fertilized embryos. The argument put forward by the President was that the said research was destroying human life and therefore such incidents should be curtailed. Furthermore, during the period of the 109th Congress there was a bill passed by both houses which was signed by the President which banned the creation of fetuses by people for the sole reason that they would eventually be destroyed and the body parts would be harvested upon. There were bills passed by the 109th and 110th Congress so as to overturn the band, however, the same were vetoed by the President. Contrary to the said motion, the Senate passed a bill so as to encourage research so as to create stem cells without destruction of human embryos. T he stance in respect of embryonic stem cell research can be said to be a trend worldwide, however the governments of the rest of the world have found that there have been effective contributions that have been made by the research on stem cells and have created a difference. Therefore after such analysis the governments have been granting adequate funds and grants so as to excel the said research. China: The website stemcellschina is a mechanism that has been adopted by way of which people who spread over the entire world are connected with the centers who are actively performing stem cell therapy in China. In January 2004 the Ministry of Science of Technology and Ministry of Health, issued the "Guidelines for Research on Human Embryonic Stem Cells," however it can still be easily construed that China is by far the most unrestrictive country in respect of embryonic stem cell research. The guidelines tend to prohibit any research in respect of cloning and state the embryos that are o btained should come only from Spared gamate or blastocyst after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures;Fetal cells from accidental spontaneous or voluntarily selected abortions;Blastocyst or parthenogenetic split blastocyst obtained by somatic cell nuclear transfer technology; or Germ cells voluntarily donated. Australia: In respect of Australia there is partial support that is research on embryonic stem cells that have been derived by means of the procedure of IVF are allowed, however, reproductive cloning is not allowed. The main