Growing-Up Explored in Banana Yoshimoto’s Kitchen Essay -- Yoshimoto K

Growing-Up Explored in Banana Yoshimoto’s Kitchen The first time I read Kitchen, I knew I was experiencing something very special. Not since my initial reading of Catcher in the Rye have I witnessed such a perceptive look at the joys and pains of growing up. These coming-of-age novels capture our attention with plots that, while twisting and turning in creative, off-beat ways, remain believable. The writers of these novels tell us their stories with a subtle style more exciting than that of textbooks and assigned reading, a style not unlike a good one-sided conversation. Finally, within this great style of writing, the authors infuse honest insights, often humorous and sometimes poignant, which do not carry a lecturing or authoritative tone. Banana Yoshimoto, as translated by Megan Backus, incorporates these three elements of a successful coming-of-age novel into Kitchen skillfully. The result is magnificent. To keep a young person interested, an author must weave an interesting story. Kitchen is fascinating because the premise of the story is original: A Japanese twenty-something's grandmother dies and is taken in by an employee of her grandmother's favorite flower shop and his transvestite mother. Along the course of the story, the heroine discovers a passion for cooking, the young man dreams a dream with the heroine, and a crazy admirer kills the transvestite mother. In the end, the heroine and the young man realize their love for each other, without even having shared a passionate kiss. Such a plot is interesting to the average teenager who craves the out-of-the-ordinary; she wants escape. Kitchen certainly provides something different, but it does so in a familiar way. When the heroine Mikage finds out that Yuichi's m... ...xperiencing life. When I read Kitchen, I sympathized with Mikage's loss of her grandmother. Until now, I still do not truly know how such a loss feels. So, in some ways, to read a coming-of-age novel is an identification with what you have experienced and a preparation for that which has yet to come. Some may argue that Kitchen is interesting simply because it is written by a foreigner. Without speaking Japanese and reading the original material, we may not know how close the translation is. I argue that it doesn't matter. No matter from where you have come or how far in life you have gotten, after spending a little time in the Kitchen, you will have learned without feeling you have been taught. In the world of those who are still growing up, that is the best way to learn. Work Cited Yoshimoto, Banana. Kitchen. Trans. Megan Backus. NY: Washington Square, 1988.

Dekada 70 Starting Summary

In the 70's, the Republic of the Philippines was suffering under the midst of then- President Ferdinand Marcos' reign as ruler. It was in September 21st, 1972, that he chained close whatever inkling of democracy the Filipinos had by declaring Martial Law. Unfortunately, it was a rule of a a twisted sort: the nation would be under the rule of the Armed Forces, but contrary to its definition, Marcos' Martial Law kept himself in power. Dekada '70 (Translated into English, the 70's decade) is a bittersweet tale of love in the face of hate, hope in the face oppression, and new life in the midst of death. It is a novel of a mother, her examination of her oft-unappreciated role in modern society, and how she struggles to find for herself a sense of purpose and identity while suffering through the very pit of the nation's disintegration. It is a novel of a mother and her family, how society around her affects her family. It is a tale of she becomes torn between the letter of the law or her responsibility as a mother. Dekada '70 tells of how under hate, greed and corruption, one normal person transcends beyond right and wrong: instead learns that it is freedom that entails survival. Set in the 70's, urban Metro Manila, Amanda Bartolome is a middle-class mother of five young men. Amanda acts as a supposed symbolism of detachment. First of all, she was a mother, a housewife; such were not considered integral parts of society during those times. She was not the breadwinner; she did not experience the foremost effects of the decline of the Philippines economy back then. She was a member of the middle class; her family did not take money, like the rich, nor did her family suffer the worst of the financial crises, like the poor. The lives of Amanda's children each went in different directions in the story, and each varied. Her eldest son was Jules. Jules grew up normally, similar to every other ideal family. His upbringing was that of what ideally conformed to normal.

The Small Company with a Big-Time Motivation Program

Question 1 – How strong was the overall employee motivation program at Badger Mining? On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best, Badger Mining gets a 10! The company focuses on employees needs, is flexible with scheduling lets employees take off for family matters, matches 401k, generous profit sharing program, and a good health care package. This touches upon every aspect of a good employee motivation program. Question 2 – What evidence of participate management can you detect in this case? One key example was the example of the expansion to the Taylor plant. The company V. P. Dan Valiquette made sure to consult with the employees who would be affected by the expansion. He wanted the guys having to run the equipment involved in the redesign of the process, thus promoting employee buy-in, and the employees felt valued. He also included contractors and vendors involved with the change, which made everyone involved with project feel part of the process and take ownership. Question 3 – How well do you think open-book management would work at Badger Mining? I think it would very well at Badger Mining. The level of trust between upper management and their workforce is extremely high; they have a very cohesive group that is committed to excel. They already have several of the key blocks in place to be successful using OBM; trust and empower employees and profit sharing. Question 4 – Keys to successful employee participation programs. The examples of successful employee participation programs in this case are 1) Profit sharing, 2) long term security of employees working for Badger Mining and the company’s history, 3) the training programs and culture within the company, and 4) the protection of the individuals who work for the company by letting them have flexible schedules and take time off for family. These examples make Badger Mining perfect for participative management. The employees want to participate because they feel valued and that they have ownership in the company, in short they feel like they matter. Question 5 – Would you like to work for a small company like Badger Mining? Yes I would love to. Working for public education has its rewards, but they’re not financial, but I do feel very lucky to love what I do. However, it would be good to work for a company that I could work hard and e rewarded for the effort.

How to Use a Bug Bomb Safely

How to Use a Bug Bomb Safely Bug bombs, or total release foggers, fill a confined space with pesticides using an aerosol propellant. People tend to think of these products as quick and easy fixes for home insect infestations. In truth, few pests can be wiped out using bug bombs. The devices arent particularly useful for controlling infestations of  cockroaches, ants, or  bed bugs, and for this reason, its important  to know when its appropriate to use them. Used incorrectly, bug bombs can be downright dangerous.  Each year, people ignite fires and explosions by misusing insect foggers. Bug bomb products can also cause respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, which in the young or elderly can be fatal. If you are planning to use a bug bomb in your home, make sure to do so safely and correctly. Why Bug Bombs Alone Are Not Effective Bug bombs- sometimes called roach bombs- can be a useful part of an integrated pest management program. Alone, however, they are not especially effective. The reason is simple: The pesticide in a bug bomb (which is not always particularly effective against roaches, fleas, bedbugs, or silverfish) kills only those bugs with which it comes in direct contact. Most household pests are well known for their ability to hide under baseboards, inside cupboards and mattresses, in drains, and along baseboards. Set off a fogger  and youll kill off only those bugs that happen to be out in the open at any given moment. Any pests that are inside or under a protective covering will survive to bite another day. Meanwhile, your counters and other surfaces will have been coated with pesticide, meaning youll have to scrub them down before cooking or sleeping on them. If you are serious about eradicating an infestation, youll need to do much more than simply set off a bug bomb. Because it does take work and know-how to safely and effectively rid yourself of pests, you may want to hire a pest control company. Experts may use bug bombs as part of their arsenal, but they will also: Set bait trapsSpray directly into areas that are protected and likely to harbor pestsUse chemicals that are specifically intended to eradicate particular pests; pyrethrin, the main pesticide in foggers, is most effective against flying insects- but not cockroaches or fleas.Return to reapply pesticides as needed How to Use Bug Bombs Safely Bug bombs are somewhat risky as they contain flammable materials including potentially harmful pesticides. To use them safely, follow all of these instructions. Read and Follow All Directions and Precautions When it comes to pesticides, the label is the law. Just as the pesticide manufacturers are required to include certain information on their product labels, you are required to read it and follow all directions correctly. Understand the risks of the pesticides you are using by reading carefully all label sections beginning with danger, poison, warning, or caution. Follow instructions for use, and calculate how much pesticide you need based on the package directions. Most foggers are intended to treat a specific number of square feet; using a large bug bomb in a small space can increase health risks. In addition, most foggers have information about how long to wait before returning to the sprayed area (typically two to four hours). Use Only the Number of Bug Bombs Specified Contrary to popular belief, more is not always better. Manufacturers test their bug bomb products to determine the safest and most effective number to use per square foot of living space. If you use more than the specified number of bug bombs, you only increase the health and safety risks that come with using them. You wont kill any more bugs. Cover All Food and Childrens Toys Prior to Using the Bug Bomb Once the bug bomb is activated, the contents of your home will be covered with a chemical residue. Do not eat any food items that were not covered. Young children tend to put toys in their mouths, so its best to seal toys inside garbage bags or put them in toy boxes or drawers where they wont be exposed to pesticides. You may also want to cover sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture that cant be wiped down. Tell Your Neighbors About Your Bug Bomb Plans Condos and apartment buildings usually share common ventilation systems or have cracks and crevices between units. If you live in close quarters, make sure to let your neighbors know when you are using any airborne pesticide product, and ask them to turn off any ignition sources (stove and dryer pilots, for example) in their units. Your neighbors may prefer to cover their adjacent ductwork, too. Unplug Anything That Can Spark The aerosol propellants used in bug bomb products are highly flammable. A gas flame or ill-timed spark from an appliance can easily ignite the propellant. Always turn off all pilot lights, and take the extra precaution of unplugging refrigerators and air conditioners. To be extra safe, place the bug bombs a minimum of six feet from any potential source of a spark. Once You Activate the Bug Bomb, Vacate the Premises Immediately Silly (and obvious) as this may sound, a good number of reported incidents have occurred because individuals were unable to vacate prior to discharge of a bug bomb. In fact, a CDC study on bug bomb safety showed a full 35 percent  of reported health issues occurred because users failed to leave the area after activating the fogger. Before you activate the product, plan your escape. Keep All People and Pets out of the Area for as Long as the Label Indicates For most bug bomb products, you need to vacate the premises for several hours after activating the product. Do not, under any circumstances, return to the property early. You risk serious health issues, including respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, if you occupy the home prematurely. Dont reenter your home until it is safe to do so according to the product label. Ventilate the Area Well Before Reentering Again, follow the label directions. After the prescribed amount of time to allow the product to work has passed, open as many windows as you can. Leave them open for a minimum of one hour before you allow anyone to reenter the home. Once You Return, Keep Pesticides out of Pets and Peoples Mouths After returning to your home, wipe down any surfaces where food is prepared, or that pets or people may touch with their mouths. Clean all counters and other surfaces where you prepare food thoroughly. If you left pet dishes out and uncovered, wash them. If  you have infants or toddlers who spend lots of time on the floor, be sure to mop. If you left your toothbrushes out, replace them with new ones. Store Unused Bug Bomb Products Safely Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of airborne chemicals, and you shouldnt risk an accidental discharge of pesticides by a curious child. Like all hazardous chemicals, bug bombs should be stored in a childproof cabinet or other secure location. If You Are Exposed to a Bug Bomb While most people understand that they should leave the house after setting off a bug bomb, there are quite a few reasons why someone might be exposed to pesticide-containing fog. According to the CDC, the most common reasons are related to: Bug bombs being set off without warning in apartment buildings with shared ventilation systemsSomeone reentering a building because a bug bomb set off an alarmHomeowners returning too soon after setting off a bug bombInfants and pets being exposed to residual pesticides on blankets, carpets, or other surfaces If youre exposed to pesticide from a bug bomb, you may experience nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, leg cramps, burning eyes, coughing, or wheezing. These symptoms may be mild or severe; they are, of course, most dangerous among very young children and people who are allergic to the pesticide. If you do experience symptoms, visit the emergency room to avoid complications.

The Caribbean Islands of Greater and Lesser Antilles

The Caribbean Islands of Greater and Lesser Antilles The Caribbean Sea is filled with tropical islands. They are popular tourist destinations and many people refer to the  Antilles  when speaking of certain islands in the archipelago. But what are the Antilles and what is the difference between the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles? The Antilles Are Part of the West Indies You probably know them as the Caribbean Islands. The small islands that scatter the waters between Central America and the Atlantic Ocean are also known as the West Indies. Trivia Time: The West Indies received its name  because Christopher Columbus thought he had reached the Pacific islands near Asia (known as the East Indies at the time) when he sailed west from Spain. Of course, he was famously mistaken, though the name has remained. Within this large collection of islands are three main groups: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The Bahamas include over 3,000 islands and reefs on the north and east side of the Caribbean Sea, beginning just off the coast of Florida. To the south are the islands of the Antilles. The name Antilles refers to a semi-mythical land called  Antilia  which can be found on many medieval maps. This was before Europeans traveled all the way across the Atlantic, but they did have an idea that some land was across the seas to the west, though it was often depicted as a large continent or island. When Columbus reached the West Indies, the name  Antilles was adopted for some of the islands. The Caribbean Sea is also known  as the Sea of the Antilles. What Are the Greater Antilles? The Greater Antilles are the four largest islands in the northwestern portion of the Caribbean Sea. This includes  Cuba, Hispaniola (the nations of  Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. In total, the Greater Antilles make up almost 90% of the land in the West Indies.  Cuba is the largest single island in the Caribbean.During the colonial period, the island of Hispaniola was known as Santo Domingo, named for the capital city of what is now the Dominican Republic. What Are the Lesser Antilles? The Lesser Antilles include the smaller islands of the Caribbean to the south and east of the Great Antilles. It begins just off the coast of Puerto Rico with the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and extends south to Grenada. Trinidad and Tobago, just off the Venezuelan coast, are also included, as is the east-west chain of islands that stretches to Aruba. The Lesser Antilles are further divided into two groups: the  Windward Islands and the  Leeward Islands.Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are known as the ABC islands and are territories of the Netherlands.A number of the Lesser Antilles islands are dependent on or territories of larger countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and France.

Advance organizational behaviour Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Advance organizational behaviour - Coursework Example Thus, one of the most important contributions of romanticists is the creation of the inner self. The creation of the deep interior is common among mankind. All of us have capacities or capabilities or habits which are built deep inside us in our consciousness. These capacities are neither so visible nor so prevalent that they can be understood easily. Deep inside us in the interior there is a major constituent known as the soul. It is this soul which created more value and charm amongst the humans thereby, portraying them as powerful holding the ability to accomplish many tasks. The romanticists believed that the inner self of people had great potential and it was this which they discussed. For the romanticists today, people should try to spread love and moral values should be upheld. One should try to find the meaning of life and should figure out the importance of human life. Lately romanticists have been on the decline and even though there vocabulary and ideas still exist their i nfluence has mostly been from the sidelines. It has been the modernists that have taken over the position of the romanticists. Modernist ideas can be said to be a revival of the enlightenment beliefs of reason and observation. These relate to Darwinist ideas that there should be evolution and evolvement of the theories for its survival in the modern world. Also there are many truths hidden in this world that are yet to be discovered and therefore, there should be a search for these fundamentals or important truths. Along with the above two, modernism has other assumptions as well such as the faith in progress and the absorption of ideas into the way of life in the society. These assumptions have been largely encouraged by the scholars and have been implemented broadly when the society’s organization theories have been formed. As years have progressed modernism and romanticism have been studied, researched and analyzed in detail. However, when it comes to the application of th ese theories in the real world today these theories seem livid or impractical. As a result, people tend to look towards other theories and this is where post modernism comes in. People tend to look towards post modernism as a relevant theory because it tends to discuss those topics such as culture and intellect which the people are interested in. Postmodernist view, objective, universal, recognizable as the truth is the mythical, all we have ever found in the search for truth is painful â€Å"truths† that the only compelling in their own time and culture, but of course the truth is not has never been ours. Also, if we make a mistake to claim to know the truth, there are misleading at best and dangerous at worst. A person’s sense of identity is a complex designed by the forces of the surrounding culture. Individual consciousness – a vague â€Å"decentered† the collection of conscious and unconscious beliefs, knowledge and insight of themselves and the worl d – is malleable and arrived at through interaction with the surrounding culture. Postmodernism, then, as opposed to modernity is the dissolution of self. The postmodern perspective, we should not regard ourselves as unique, unified, confident, independent individuals. The language of our culture (visual and verbal cues that we use to represent the world to ourselves), literally â€Å"build† what we consider â€Å"real† in our daily lives. In this sense, the reality is a â€Å"text† or â€Å"composite† of texts and the texts (rather than God created reality) is the only reality we can know. Our sense of self – who we are, how we think about ourselves and how we see and interpret the world and give us a sense in it –

BP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

BP - Essay Example Among the various factors that affect blood pressure measurement is the lying or seated position. Clinicians suggest that the seated position is best for the measurement. While in the seated position another factor that also has an influence is the leg position. A flat feet position is generally recommended during blood pressure measurement. However, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of two leg positions on blood pressure in stage 1 or 2 hypertensive patients of Turkish origin and between 18 and 65 years of age. The measurement of the changes in blood pressure taken within a 3 minute interval between the two positions viz., feet flat and cross legged position is the major procedure of the study. The changes in both the systolic and diastolic pressures are to be considered. A comparison of the mean values of the two measurements calculated by a t-test is proposed to determine the effect of both the positions on the blood pressure of the patients. Previous studies carried out by other researchers have shown that crossed legged position had a prominent effect on blood pressure in hypertensive patients as it increased both the systolic and diastolic pressures. The physiological reason for the increase can be attributed to â€Å"a translocation of blood volume from the dependent vascular beds to the thoracic compartment†. While some other studies have not found any significant changes in blood pressure due to cross legged position and though the clinical guidelines do not emphasize the patients to keep a flat feet during measurement, the majority of studies that have recorded significant changes in blood pressure when the leg is cross legged cannot be ignored. Hence it is wise to follow the flat feet position during blood pressure measurement to avoid any errors or unwarranted changes in the measurement. The