The Choir Room free essay sample

This room is filled with old, uncomfortable plastic chairs. The linoleum floor is so faded and scratched that Im not sure which marks are part of the pattern and which are from the bottom of someones shoe. The whiteboard has the previous periods songs of the day and the occasional doodle if Mrs. Reed was in an expressive mood. The pianos chips and dings are covered by sheet music, worksheets, and whatever some absentminded student didnt remember yesterday. Angel and Marcos arrive out of breath, arguing over who was first. The rest of the group trickles in, some on time and some not, and the Monticellos are ready to start singing. Theres something about the choir room and the group that I sing with that takes me away from my typical anxious self and drops me into a state of tranquility. Perhaps it is because I dont have to take the derivative of anything when I sing. We will write a custom essay sample on The Choir Room or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Or that theres not an ecological hierarchy involved in the music. In the choir I can escape from the academic classroom, the social pressures of school, and my inner concerns. Everything else just seems less important compared to what would happen if I missed my entrance or started on the wrong note. The choir room is where I have the chance to let out the perfectionist in me. There are so many factors that must be just right in order to create a good performance; the timing, the notes, and even our facial expressions all contribute to the piece. When there are eight different notes sung in less than three seconds, none of us wants to mess up. It can throw the entire choir off for the rest of the piece, or even the concert. In the choir room, no one is the best. Everyone sings together as a group, and every single person is needed for the performance. No matter how good one person sounds, you need others to sing an attractive chord. My junior year, this group dynamic was especially important because there were only eight of us in the Monticellos. Ive always been anxious about everything, reasonably or unreasonably. I worry about how I look, how I perform in class, and seemingly everything else possible. This was true in the choir room too when I first joined freshman year. But now, going into senior year, I can sing in front of large groups and sing well. My heart no longer races before I belt out a tune or give a speech in class. I dont have to sit to collect myself after a solo during a concert. And Ive even gotten my teacher off my back by not scrunching my eyebrows during performances. The choir room may be old and dusty, but I will always remember it as a place of inspiration and fulfillment. I can close my eyes, picture the chipped black piano, sing one of the catchy songs, and return to that state of contentment.

A Biography of American Painter Andrew Wyeth

A Biography of American Painter Andrew Wyeth Born on July 12, 1917, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Andrew Wyeth was the youngest of five children born to illustrator N. C. Wyeth and his wife. Andrew came equipped with a bad hip and frequent bouts with illnesses, and parents decided that he was too fragile to attend school, so instead hired tutors. (Yes. Andrew Wyeth was  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Ã¢â‚¬â€¹homeschooled.) While aspects of his  childhood were rather solitary, for the most part, life in the Wyeth home was filled with art, music, literature, storytelling, a never-ending succession of props and costumes that N. C. used to compose his paintings and, of course, the large Wyeth family. His Start in Art Andrew began drawing a very early age. N. C. (who taught many students, including daughters Henriette and Carolyn) wisely did not attempt to instruct Andy until hed reached the age of 15 and had some inkling of his own style. For two years, the younger Wyeth received rigorous academic training in draftsmanship and painting technique from his father. Turned loose from the studio Wyeth also turned his back on oils as a painting medium, choosing less-forgiving watercolors instead. Those familiar with later works are often surprised at his early wet brush numbers: quickly executed, broad strokes and full of color. N. C. was so enthusiastic about these early works that he showed them to Robert Macbeth, a New York City art dealer. No less enthusiastic, Macbeth staged a solo exhibition for Andrew. Most enthusiastic of all were the crowds who flocked to look and buy. The entire show sold within two days and, at the age of 20, Andrew Wyeth was a rising star in the art world. Turning Point Throughout his 20s Wyeth began painting more slowly, with greater attention to detail and composition, and less emphasis on color. He had learned to paint with egg tempera, and alternated between it and the dry brush watercolor method. His art underwent a dramatic shift after October 1945 when N. C. was struck and killed at a railway crossing. One of his two pillars in life (the other being wife Betsy) was goneand it showed in his paintings. Landscapes became more barren, their palettes muted, and the occasional figures that appeared seemed enigmatic, poignant and sentimental (an art-critical word the artist came to loathe). Wyeth later said that his fathers death made him, meaning that grief caused him to focus intensely, and forced him to paint with deep emotion going forward from the mid-1940s. Mature Work Though Wyeth did a lot of portraitures, he is best known for interiors, still lifes and landscapes in which figures are largely absent - Christinas World is the most notable exception. As the years passed his palette lightened up somewhat and late works contain hints of vibrant color. Certain art professionals decry Andrew Wyeths work as mediocre at best, even as a growing segment champions it. The Peoples Painters output is beloved by an overwhelming majority of art fans, though, and please know this as well: there are no artists who wouldnt have jumped at the chance to observe his working technique. Wyeth died on January 16, 2009, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. According to a spokesperson, Mr. Wyeth died in his sleep, at his home, after an unspecified brief illness. Important Works Winter 1946, 1946Christinas World, 1948Groundhog Day, 1959Master Bedroom, 1965Magas Daughter, 1966Helga series, 1971-85Snow Hill, 1989 Quotes From Andrew Wyeth I prefer winter and fall when you feel the bone structure of the landscapethe loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesnt show. If you display yourself completely, all your inner soul disappears. You have to keep something to your imagination, to yourself. I get letters from people about my work. The thing that pleases me most is that my work touches their feelings. In fact, they dont talk about the paintings. They end up telling me the story of their life or how their father died.

Public Authority Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Public Authority - Essay Example The paper intends to discuss the steps that can or should be taken by the Local Authority in both the short and the long run.  In response to the case mentioned above, it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to know what the real story behind the problems is. The Local Authority should discuss the matter with both the family members to resolve the problems and advise them to a lead a healthy life. As the Barnett family is staying in a rented house, it is obligatory for the landlord to look into the matter and try to resolve the problems. An option of mediation service can be substantiated in case the issue is not resolved. Another step that can be taken by the Local Authority for resolving the issue is to take both the family members to the court. This essay discusses that  the issue of domestic violence needs to be also looked into by the Local Authority which requires to be addressed immediately for safeguarding especially the children of Barrett family The Local authority needs to make the Barrett family aware of the rules and laws prevalent for such detrimental activities to bring back a peaceful environment within the community. Understanding and trust between the members residing in a community i.e. neighbours are equally important in maintaining healthy relations.  The landlord also can play an important role in the matter and can provide his/her view regarding the behaviour of the tenant as well as the particular neighbour.... In this regard, it was decided that the Local Authority is to be informed for revealing the facts appropriately. The paper intends to discuss the steps that can or should be taken by the Local Authority in both the short and the long run. What Steps the Local Authority Can and Should Take In response to the case mentioned above, it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to know what the real story behind the problems is. The Local Authority should discuss the matter with both the family members to resolve the problems and advise them to a lead a healthy life. As the Barnett family is staying in a rented house, it is obligatory for the landlord to look into the matter and try to resolve the problems. An option of mediation service can be substantiated in case the issue is not resolved. Another step that can be taken by the Local Authority for resolving the issue is to take both the family members to the court1. In the case, it was observed that the Barrett family showed anti-soc ial behaviour towards Mrs. Smith, their neighbour, by shutting the door while she came to invite their children for a birthday party. Moreover, the issue of domestic violence needs to be also looked into by the Local Authority which requires to be addressed immediately for safeguarding especially the children of Barrett family The Local authority needs to make the Barrett family aware of the rules and laws prevalent for such detrimental activities to bring back a peaceful environment within the community. Understanding and trust between the members residing in a community i.e. neighbours are equally important in maintaining healthy relations. Moreover, the Local Authority in order to judge the matter and its possible outcomes can involve the other neighbours in the locality

Annotated Bib Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Bib - Annotated Bibliography Example Study asserted that the impact of violence affected human resources, their employment, and their economic activities, thus, resulting to losses in the gross domestic products (GDP). Power fixes the outcome of political decisions. The theory of political movements illustrated that those who are able to wield power imposes to opponent the strategy that must be adopted. As such, the underpowered is compelled to comply terms or be punished. Dobbs argued that Cuban missile crisis is a case of presidential power and security management. He argued that the issue is better understood within the context of the limits of presidential power and of crisis management. Since this involved nations, it is personality-based politics is significant for negotiations. 8. Blight, J. (2004).The Cuban Missile Crisis: Considering its Place in Cold War History. Choices for the 21st Century Education Program. Watson Institute for International Studies. Brown University. pp 1-55. The world was almost unleashing nuclear war amid Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. The United States under former president John F. Kennedy discovered the weapons by the use of U-2 spy planes which created tensions between Americans, Cubans and Soviets. The document proposed recommended readings for academic studies. Good for

Past, Present and Future Document Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Past, Present and Future Document - Essay Example It humbled me to realize just how rapidly our society is evolving based on the continually expanding role of technology. Without proper training, I would only be able to start a position with a company from the ground up and learn as I went. However, I wanted more than that. I wanted to be able to offer my services to an employer on the basis of my knowledge. The variety of courses offered by the University of Phoenix allowed me to obtain a extensive knowledge about a variety of topics which are key to survival, and success, in today's society. Prior to the advent of my enrollment in the University of Phoenix, my personal experience with the techniques and skills involved in problem solving, written and oral communication skills, information retrieval and utilization, and collaboration were practically nonexistent. In high school, classes touched upon these subjects, but did not fully delve into the implications of utilizing these skills in a business context. Prior to my enrollment in the University of Phoenix in the Business Science of Management program, I did not have a clear career goal in mind. I knew that I was interested in business applications and certainly wanted to be a member of a management team, but I did not have a specific industry in which to apply the skills I was eager to learn. I needed to experience various aspects of management before I could truly decide in which direction to pursue a business career. II. Growth A. Contribution of University of Phoenix courses The class, "Essentials of College Writing" was extremely helpful to me in taking the basic writing skills I'd used in high school to the next, more professional level. My management classes, as well as "Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making" were essential in realizing the importance of problem solving, as well as collaboration, in practical business applications. Without learning these skills, I would never have been ready to accept a management position with a company based on my lack of prior experience. The class "Skills for Professional Development" offered me an overview of information retrieval and utilization that I have continually referred to throughout my journey while "Communicating in a Virtual Workplace" took that overview and expanded it to include relevant applications in a modern company. I have grown personally as well as in my professional competency. Through such courses as "Cultural Diversity" and "Ethics in Management" I have learned to view the world and its events in a more discerning manner and I found a personal affinity for exploring diversity and celebrating human differences. I also realized I am concerned with the rights of others and how ethics impacts some of our basic human rights. "Foundations of Research" also aided in helping me critically analyze various pieces of data which surround me in the everyday course of my life, such as news articles and political coverage. B. Courses with Greatest Impact The classes "Human Motivation" and "Organization Psychology" were both instrumental in having an impact on the direction of my

Evaluation Of Mission Statement Business Essay

Evaluation Of Mission Statement Business Essay I used the vision statement matrix and shortcomings to review the vision statement. The components included are directional, focus, feasible, desirable and easy to understand. In shortcoming analysis, there are only 2 matrix involved which are vague and not distinctive. I used the mission statement evaluation matrix to analysis the mission statement. The mission statement got the components such as products/services, market, concern for survival, growth, profitability, philosophy and concern for employees. 2.0 Introduction PepsiCo is an American multinational food and beverage corporation with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products in around 200 countries. PepsiCo offers the worlds largest portfolio of food and beverage brands included 22 different product lines. PepsiCo is the biggest rivalry of Coca-Cola in soft drink industry. I, as a business analyst in PepsiCos Corporate Strategy department, had appointed to review the PepsiCos current vision statement and mission statement. I used the vision statement matrix table and shortcoming matrix of vision statement to review the vision statement of PepsiCo while used the mission statement evaluation matrix to analysis the PepsiCo mission statement. 3.0 Analysis of vision statement Vision statement is concerning a firms future business path such as where we are going. I had used the vision statement matrix to review the PepsiCos vision statement. I used the components such as directional, focus, feasible, desirable and easy to understand to evaluate the vision statement. (refer Appendix 1) In directional component, it is about the direction of PepsiCo target in future. Through viewing the vision statement, PepsiCo wants to become the truly sustainable company by improving the aspects involved and emphasizes on environment management, CSR and commitment to shareholders. By becoming a truly sustainable company, PepsiCo will become a strong and stable company and well known globally. Market expansion will bring opportunities to PepsiCo to extend its products range and lines and thus able to get in many other industries. Besides that, become a sustainable company will get PepsiCo into a more intense competition with competitors such as Coca Cola and other competitors from other industries that PepsiCo took part. For graphic component, it is about the picture that the company that the management trying to create. Well, in the vision statement of PepsiCo, the products portfolios are not mentioned. People are hard to get the picture of what the company wanted to do. Thus, the graphic component is not appeared in the vision statement of PepsiCo. In focus component, it is about whether the vision statement of PepsiCo is specific enough for PepsiCo to focus on actions that PepsiCo want to choose. From the vision statement, PepsiCo focus on environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society and commitment to build shareholder value to become a truly sustainable company. Thus, management of PepsiCo will make decisions based on the 3 actions that PepsiCo focused on. By completing the environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society and commitment to build shareholder value, it will make PepsiCo be environment friendly and gain good reputation with good CSR and fulfillment of commitment to shareholders. Thus, PepsiCo is able to gain the awareness of customers by good CSR and investors by good shareholder value. Well, it may bring opposite effects to PepsiCo if PepsiCo is not doing well of what it emphasizing which are stated in its vision statement. The shareholders might complain about the un-fulfillment of the comm itment to build shareholder value and public might have a bad image toward PepsiCo with poor CSR. In feasible component, it is about whether the company able to achieve the target. By viewing the vision statement, the feasible part of PepsiCo is improving all the aspects that PepsiCo operates in to create better tomorrow and thus become sustainable company. PepsiCo expected to able achieve the improvement of the aspects that PepsiCo operates. By achieve the improvement of the aspects, PepsiCo will has better control and understand of the aspects that PepsiCo involved. Thus, it is one step forward for PepsiCo to become a truly sustainable company. Well, some aspects are uncontrollable and PepsiCo has to stick in the uncontrollable aspects. In desirable component, it is about the long term interest of the stakeholders. Through the vision statement, the desirable part of the PepsiCos vision is commitment to build shareholder value. PepsiCo promise the shareholders benefits in order to gain full supports of the shareholders. Thus, the internal of company will become more united. Contribution of shareholders are become more significant such as introduce the investors and partners. By the way, it may be create barriers among the shareholders if the distribution of value is not equal. In easy to understand component, it is about ease to understand and communicate of the vision statement. By viewing the vision statement, PepsiCos vision statement is a bit lengthy but in clear English. The vision statement has 2 long sentences of stating what PepsiCo set for future vision. The vision statement is in clear and simple English but it is better to make it shorter and simpler. 3.1 Shortcoming of vision statement (refer Appendix 2) Vague mean that the vision statement is short of specifics about the company. The vision statement of PepsiCo is a little vague. It is because there are few options of actions in the vision statement and not sure which actions that PepsiCo want to follow. People will feel a bit confuse with the vision statement and will worry that whether PepsiCo is able to fulfill the actions in the vision statement. Next, the vision statement of PepsiCo is not distinctive. There are many actions in the vision statement for PepsiCo to go on and not specific enough. Besides that, the vision statement is too normal and can be any company using the same vision statement. There are only 2 shortcomings for PepsiCo vision statement and the other 3 shortcoming matrices are not related to the PepsiCo vision statement which are not forward looking, rely on superlatives and bland. Not forward looking mean the vision statement is not concern about the future. Well, PepsiCos vision statement is forward looking because in the vision statement, PepsiCo is concerning about the future with wanting to create better tomorrow by improving the aspects that PepsiCo involved. Rely on superlatives mean that the vision statement is set to be the most successful position. PepsiCos vision statement is not relying on superlatives because it didnt mention that PepsiCo want to be the top company but only want to create a better tomorrow and become a truly sustainable company. Bland is the lacking of motivational power of the vision statement. PepsiCo is making commitment to build shareholder value in the vision statement. The commitment will motivate the shareholders to fully support the company. 3.2 Recommendations Since there are few options in the vision statement and make the vision vague, I recommend that the vision statement should become directly to points which mean that PepsiCo should combine all the options of actions into 1 sentence. This will make people know that what PepsiCo want to do and goes on when they read the vision statement. Next, the vision statement is not distinctive to let people differentiate itself from other companys vision. PepsiCos vision statement is too broad and any company can use the same vision as PepsiCo. Thus, I recommend that PepsiCo simplify its vision statement and make the vision statement short and memorable for people. Based on the recommendations above, the old vision statement of PepsiCo is vague and not distinctive. Thus, I had modified the old vision statement based on the recommendations to enhance the old vision statement. The new vision statement of PepsiCo is as below: PepsiCo aims to keep improving all aspects that we operate and focus on environmental management, CSR and commitment to shareholders to create a truly sustainable company. 4.0 Evaluation of mission statement Mission statement is focused in current business activities such as who we are and what we do. A company mission is not to make a profit but what we will do to make a profit. Making profit is only an objective. (refer Appendix 3) I used the mission statement evaluation matrix to review the PepsiCos mission statement. From reviewing the PepsiCos mission statement, there are components such as products/services, markets, concern for survival, growth and profitability, philosophy, concern for public image and concern for employees can be seek from the mission statement. By the way, the customers, technology and self-concept are not exist and absent from the mission statement. Products/services component is about what the company offered. From reviewing the mission statement, PepsiCo is offering the convenient foods and beverages such as snack foods, soft drinks and etc. Well, this component can be enhanced by expanding the products portfolio. PepsiCo can try to get into more foods and beverages industries other than its already owned products such as instant noodles and perhaps alcoholic drinks and etc. The strong brand name of PepsiCo will make the new products adapt easier by customers and to successful. Market component is about what the market that the company is targeting and occupying. From the mission statement, PepsiCo want to serve the global market. PepsiCo is a well known company around the world and PepsiCo is now serving the world market as well. Thus, I would like to recommend PepsiCo to put efforts in penetrate into deeper demographic markets. For example, PepsiCo can cooperate with the vendor companies and put its drinks in the vendor machines in even smaller places such as schools, colleges, some grocery shops and etc. For concern for survival, growth, profitability component, it is about how the company concern about its survival in the industry, growth and profitability of itself. By reviewing the mission statement, PepsiCo provide financial rewards to investors and also chances of growth and enrichment of the employees and business partners. PepsiCo build good relationship with investors to guarantee the sources of capital for survival and grow. The enriched employees with skills are significant for the company to survive, grow and gain profits. The upgrade of business partners of PepsiCo also vital to earn profits. Thus, I recommend that PepsiCo could build a really stable and strong relationship with the investors, enriched employees and business partners. Hence, keeping the talented and skillful employees in the company and strong business partners are a very important step for PepsiCo to survive, grow and earn profit in the industry. The philosophy component is about what the company always strive to do. From the mission statement, PepsiCo strive for honesty, fairness and integrity in everything. PepsiCo would like to care for customers, consumers and the world. PepsiCo put the customers at the first place before anything. The concern for public image component is about whether the company is concerning about the public image. Through the mission statement, PepsiCo is concerning its public image by providing the opportunity for its business partners and communities to grow and upgrade. PepsiCo become environmental friendly and implement the CSR to gain the reputation. Concern for employees is about how the company cares about its employees. From mission statement, PepsiCo provide opportunities for growth and enrichment to employees. Well, PepsiCo can build good relationship with the employees and bring the sense of belonging toward company to them. By here, I recommend that PepsiCo to add in the 3 missing components which are customers, technology and self-concept to enhance the mission statement. Customers component is about the target market that the company served. PepsiCo can improve the mission by stating that it will serve the global customers of all ages since PepsiCo is serving the world market. For technology component, it is about the technology of the company adopt and using. This component is absent in the PepsiCos mission statement. By the way, PepsiCo can add in the component by stating easier delivery of products to customers with the advance technology and thus save cost and time. For self-concept component, it is about the self concept that the company hold as concept. This is missing from the PepsiCo current mission statement too. The self-concept of PepsiCo can be add in is delivering sustained growth through empowered people acting responsibly and building trust. By the new descriptions added in, I would like to suggest few modifications to the current mission statement. Our mission is to be global premier consumer products company serving the global market with customers of all ages focused on wide product lines of foods and beverages. We seek to produce financial rewards to investors as we provide chances for enrichment to our employees, business partners and the communities in which we operate. The technology makes us easier to reach customers. And we strive for honesty, fairness and integrity in everything we do. 5.0 Conclusion As a business analyst of PepsiCo, I had reviewed the vision statement and mission statement of PepsiCo with the analysis and evaluate matrix. Thus, I had recommended few enhancements and modifications to the current vision statement and mission statement. With the enhanced vision statement and mission statement, it is easier to read and understand by people. Hence, with a clear and simple vision statement and mission statement, PepsiCo can create a better future and become a truly sustainable company.

Research Critique of Study on Newborn Temperature Regulation Essay

Abstract   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The authors (Chiu, Anderson, & Burkhammer, 2005) of the article present all the essential components of the research study. There will be a decrease in temperature in the newborn if having difficulties breastfeeding while having skin-to-skin contact with the mother. That was the inferred hypothesis. The method used to gather the information was a pretest-test-posttest study design and the sample consisted of 48 full-term infants. The key findings showed most infants reached and maintained temperatures between 36.5 and 37.6 degrees Celsius, the thermo neutral range, with only rare exceptions. Problem Statement   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The research problem is thermoregulation in newborn infants. The purpose of the research study is to find out if Kangaroo, or skin-to-skin contact, facilitates safe temperatures in newborn infants during the first few minutes and hours after birth, specifically during breastfeeding. In this article the problem statement is written clearly and it expresses a relationship between two or more variables, specifically temperature and skin-to-skin contact. In this study the problem statement is testable and states a specific population being studied (full-term newborns). The significance to nursing is apparent in the problem statement. It is important for newborns to maintain a body temperature within a normal range so that â€Å"caloric expenditure and oxygen consumption are minimal. If excessive effort is needed to produce heat when cold stress persists, newborn infants may experience adverse metabolic events such as hypoxemia, acidosis, and hypoglycemia† (Chiu et al., 2005. p. 115 as cited in Kenner, 2003). Literature Review   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The literature review is comprehensive and makes explicit the relationship among the variables and discusses the relevant concepts. All sources are relevant to the study topic and are critically appraised. Both classic and current sources are included ranging in date from 1977 to 2004. Most sources are primary sources but only supporting research is presented. Chiu et al states that one gap in knowledge about the problem identified is that â€Å"temperature has not been reported in studies of skin-to-skin contact with a focus on the breastfeeding process.† This study intends to fill the gaps by studying mothers and newborns that are having tro... ...sing Practice   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The temperature results provide solid evidence that this study is valid. According to Chiu et al (2005), â€Å"When mother-infant couples breastfeed skin-to-skin using a safe technique, concern for hypothermia is unfounded† (p. 120). Patients benefit from the research findings because, â€Å"healthy full-term infants, with or without breastfeeding difficulties, could safely breastfeed in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers† (Chiu et al., 2005. p.120). Direct application of the research findings is feasible in terms of time, money, and legal/ethical risks. These findings indicate that nurses no longer need to worry that infants will become cold during skin-to-skin contact especially during breastfeeding. The results of this study should be applied to nursing practice because skin-to-skin contact facilitates a bond between mother and baby and because it helps regulate baby’s temperature. References Chiu, S., Anderson, G.C., & Burkhammer, M.D. (2005). Newborn Temperature During   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Skin-to-Skin Breastfeeding in Couples Having Breastfeeding Difficulties. BIRTH,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  32(2), p 115-121.