The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War Essay Example

The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War Essay The First World War raged on for four savage and bloody years, claiming lives and destroying the futures of those left behind as survivors.   As the war entered what would be seen in retrospect as its final official year, 1918, another enemy far more elusive and harder to defeat than even the most organized army would emerge on the scene in the guise of the so-called ‘Spanish Flu’.   When this pandemic is examined and discussed in comparison and contrast to the experiences of WWI, a greater understanding of human, international and military history during this pivotal time emerges.   Therefore, in this paper, these topics will be presented and interwoven with the intention, upon completion of the research, of presenting not only a story of history, but also one of humanity. An Examination of ‘Spanish Flu’ When conducting research into the ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic of 1918-1919, one literally finds thousands of sources of information about the clinical aspects of the illness, death tolls, and the like, but information regarding the true origin of this spreading of the influenza virus is typically a bit harder to find, but worth the search, for when the facts are presented, the reality of what has been falsely attributed to a Spanish origin can be seen to actually be anything but Spanish in retrospect. We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer ‘Spanish Flu’, as was suggested earlier, does not exist; as a matter of fact, the strain of influenza that was given this name actually can be traced back to an American army camp in the spring of 1918; from that camp, the sickness was carried to France by Expeditionary Forces that were allied with the French in the fighting of the war (Phillips, et al).   If this information is in fact accurate, the question arises as to how/why the name ‘Spanish’ was attached to this flu at all.   The truth of the matter is in fact multi-faceted. Generally, the world attitude toward Spain in regard to WWI was not favorable, due to the fact that the nation chose not to take a side in the war, and perhaps even more importantly, did not offer any troops, financial support, or equipment to anyone involved in the war effort itself (Larson); therefore, the stage was set for a great deal of resentment toward Spain for what was perceived as a lack of involvement in the war effort.   Moreover, during the time of WWI, when so many other nations were on the brink of destruction and bankruptcy, Spain was in fact enjoying a fair level of financial prosperity.   Whether this was due to a lack of involvement in the war is still a point of debate, but a logical conclusion can be drawn that the economy and populous of Spain would have been worse off had the nation been engaged in WWI. As news of the safety and prosperity of the Spanish nation began to spread throughout the war-stricken parts of Europe, a great deal of people, seeking to escape the ravages of war and take advantage of economic opportunity, immigrated to Spain (Page).   Because of this massive influx of people, the cities of Spain soon became less than desirable in terms of crowded living conditions, sanitation, and the like- a breeding ground for disease.   Upon this stage, sources indicate that many French refugees came to Spain, and many of these individuals were carriers of the influenza that has been traced back to American soldiers; therefore, the flu ravaged Spain and was exported when people, who did not have familial or economic ties to Spain, came and went with regularity.   In this sense, the biggest export from Spain at the time was in fact the flu, but it was not due to any action or inaction on the part of the Spanish people, government, or medical system.   The reality is that this flu could actually be more accurately called the ‘American Flu† if the criterion for naming it is the nation/nationality that originated the sickness in the first place. The Spanish press of the day can also be seen to have played a role in the creation of the term ‘Spanish Flu’.   Once the illness had begun to heavily affect those living in Spain, whether they were citizens, of Spanish descent or not, the national newspapers carried extensive accounts of the experiences of those afflicted, death tolls, and other associated news items (Phillips, et al).   The reality is that whatever the intention of Spanish reporters sensationalistic or not, the net effect was to give Spain an unfair burden of guilt as the â€Å"creators† of the influenza epidemic which began in 1918. The Experience of the First World War The experience of   WWI was more complex than one may imagine, even from its beginning, and once again, research reveals that much lurks beneath the surface of the traditional version of how the war started and progressed.   There was more to the onset of the war then the event of an Austrian prince being   murdered in Serbia, as is what most people consider to be the cause of World War I.   Ã‚  Furthermore, the effects of the war were not just concentrated to a post-war era lasting for a generation of Westerners.   Rather, it was the breaking point for Austria in its dealings with Serbia. The truth of the matter is that several factors played a role in the outbreak of the war.   WWI truly was the result of building aggressions among the countries of Europe which was backed by the rise of nationalism. To add to the disastrous pot, there was also imperial competition along with the fear of war prompting military alliances and arms  Ã‚  race.   All of these increased the escalating tensions that lead to the outbreak of WWI (Higham, et al). Another experience to come out of WWI was the first of what would become many â€Å"arms races†. With the hostile divisions of the nations of Europe   there came the expansion of armies and navies. Furthermore, the great powers came to copy Germany’s military   organization and efficiency, which called for universal registration for military duty, large reserves and detailed planning (Coetzee, et al). Efforts were made for universal disarmament, but the escalation of weapons continued unrestricted, much like a case of history repeating itself, when looked upon from the perspective of the arms races of today. The extreme popularity of the development of more and more weapons during the WWI era also served as a catalyst for another occurrence which even today is viewed as barbaric and unacceptable in virtually all war situations- chemical weapons and warfare.   Much like the more aptly named ‘American Flu’ used a naturally occurring situation to claim millions of lives, the scientists of the WWI era began to harness the power of chemical reactions to create weapons such as Mustard Gas, which would, without distinction between soldiers and civilians, literally poison men, women, and children en masse.   In fact, there is also evidence to suggest that these chemical weapons were not originated by crazed military geniuses, but rather were based upon the discoveries and studies conducted by some of the most brilliant minds of chemistry, found in the universities of the world (Russell).   In an ironic twist, chemicals originally formulated as pesticides, ostensibly to improve the lives of individuals, were adapted for the purposes of war and killing people by the thousands, indiscriminately (Russell). The experience of WWI also set the stage for some of the worst events that would befall human history in the decades to come.   In 1929 the American stock market came to a   crashing halt.   With the financial crisis also came a decrease of production, and naturally this lead to widespread unemployment. The era of the Great Depression was also the era of the rise of political dictatorship throughout Europe. These dictatorships involved a new form of tyranny and were most evident in the rise of Nazi Germany and particularly, Adolf Hitler. It is believed by many that Hitler would never have came to power if it had not been for the sounding defeat and humiliation of Germany as the result of WWI and its immediate aftermath (Luckhurst). Interrelationship Between The Elements Looking at the relationship between the experiences of what is commonly called ‘Spanish Flu’ and World War I, there are both concrete and abstract relationships between the two that emerge, and can be identified and discussed. First, the concrete associations between these elements virtually jump out at even the most casual researcher, and the parallels manifest themselves: both elements grew with tremendous ferocity to claim millions of lives, and leave behind nothing but misery and sadness for the survivors, most of whom spent the rest of their lives trying to understand exactly what happened, why it happened, and what can be done to prevent such a horrible tragedy from ever showing itself again.   Both elements, once they reached full speed so to speak, were unstoppable, and had to quite literally â€Å"run their course† before they subsided (Coetzee).   Moreover, both of these provided hollow victories, for both war and disease would emerge time and time again, and do so even in the 21st century.   Likewise, war and disease evolved for the worse during the time of WWI, and no one was able to find a way to complete erase either from the face of the earth. More abstract relationships between the two can also be seen; perhaps one of the most interesting common threads can be seen in the role of the media in both events.   In the case of the influenza outbreak, evidence presented earlier in this paper showed that the frenzy that was generated by the media led to the misnaming of the so-called ‘Spanish Flu’, and no amount of attempts to correct the error, after being placed in the minds of the people by the media of the day, could reach any level of effectiveness.   Also, those who carried the flu, as was also discussed earlier, were likely attracted to Spain in the first place by the media accounts of safety, freedom and economic prosperity in Spain, while the majority of the rest of the world was in the grips of a war that had the potential to destroy everyone and everything.   Therefore, it would not be too much of a leap to say that the media carried the influenza epidemic as much as the human body did. From an abstract viewpoint, the overall idea of frailty of human life is also critically important.   In an old adage, whose originator is lost to obscurity, it was once said that â€Å"man plans- God laughs†, meaning that for all that we think we control in the human condition, essentially, we in reality control very little.   Keeping this in mind, whether one is talking about a chemical weapon, human illness, or the natural tendency of man to conflict with other men in a pursuit of power and control of the physical world, there are some elements which are uncontrollable, no matter what one may attempt to manipulate.  Ã‚   As much as the human race may kid itself, and lull into a false sense of security by thinking that everything is in control and that the future can be at its brightest, the reality is that nothing is for certain.   Disease and war, as presented in this paper, are prime examples of this. Conclusion This paper has shown the concrete and abstract associations between war and disease, as well as the complexities of the human condition.   In closing, perhaps the best information that can be drawn from the research is that the human race, as has been said time and time again, must either learn from history or be condemned to repeat it.   Perhaps, finally, no wiser words have ever been said. The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War Essay Example The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War Essay The First World War raged on for four savage and bloody years, claiming lives and destroying the futures of those left behind as survivors.   As the war entered what would be seen in retrospect as its final official year, 1918, another enemy far more elusive and harder to defeat than even the most organized army would emerge on the scene in the guise of the so-called ‘Spanish Flu’.   When this pandemic is examined and discussed in comparison and contrast to the experiences of WWI, a greater understanding of human, international and military history during this pivotal time emerges.   Therefore, in this paper, these topics will be presented and interwoven with the intention, upon completion of the research, of presenting not only a story of history, but also one of humanity. An Examination of ‘Spanish Flu’ When conducting research into the ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic of 1918-1919, one literally finds thousands of sources of information about the clinical aspects of the illness, death tolls, and the like, but information regarding the true origin of this spreading of the influenza virus is typically a bit harder to find, but worth the search, for when the facts are presented, the reality of what has been falsely attributed to a Spanish origin can be seen to actually be anything but Spanish in retrospect. We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Relationship Between Spanish Flu and the Experience of the First World War specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer ‘Spanish Flu’, as was suggested earlier, does not exist; as a matter of fact, the strain of influenza that was given this name actually can be traced back to an American army camp in the spring of 1918; from that camp, the sickness was carried to France by Expeditionary Forces that were allied with the French in the fighting of the war (Phillips, et al).   If this information is in fact accurate, the question arises as to how/why the name ‘Spanish’ was attached to this flu at all.   The truth of the matter is in fact multi-faceted. Generally, the world attitude toward Spain in regard to WWI was not favorable, due to the fact that the nation chose not to take a side in the war, and perhaps even more importantly, did not offer any troops, financial support, or equipment to anyone involved in the war effort itself (Larson); therefore, the stage was set for a great deal of resentment toward Spain for what was perceived as a lack of involvement in the war effort.   Moreover, during the time of WWI, when so many other nations were on the brink of destruction and bankruptcy, Spain was in fact enjoying a fair level of financial prosperity.   Whether this was due to a lack of involvement in the war is still a point of debate, but a logical conclusion can be drawn that the economy and populous of Spain would have been worse off had the nation been engaged in WWI. As news of the safety and prosperity of the Spanish nation began to spread throughout the war-stricken parts of Europe, a great deal of people, seeking to escape the ravages of war and take advantage of economic opportunity, immigrated to Spain (Page).   Because of this massive influx of people, the cities of Spain soon became less than desirable in terms of crowded living conditions, sanitation, and the like- a breeding ground for disease.   Upon this stage, sources indicate that many French refugees came to Spain, and many of these individuals were carriers of the influenza that has been traced back to American soldiers; therefore, the flu ravaged Spain and was exported when people, who did not have familial or economic ties to Spain, came and went with regularity.   In this sense, the biggest export from Spain at the time was in fact the flu, but it was not due to any action or inaction on the part of the Spanish people, government, or medical system.   The reality is that this flu could actually be more accurately called the ‘American Flu† if the criterion for naming it is the nation/nationality that originated the sickness in the first place. The Spanish press of the day can also be seen to have played a role in the creation of the term ‘Spanish Flu’.   Once the illness had begun to heavily affect those living in Spain, whether they were citizens, of Spanish descent or not, the national newspapers carried extensive accounts of the experiences of those afflicted, death tolls, and other associated news items (Phillips, et al).   The reality is that whatever the intention of Spanish reporters sensationalistic or not, the net effect was to give Spain an unfair burden of guilt as the â€Å"creators† of the influenza epidemic which began in 1918. The Experience of the First World War The experience of   WWI was more complex than one may imagine, even from its beginning, and once again, research reveals that much lurks beneath the surface of the traditional version of how the war started and progressed.   There was more to the onset of the war then the event of an Austrian prince being   murdered in Serbia, as is what most people consider to be the cause of World War I.   Ã‚  Furthermore, the effects of the war were not just concentrated to a post-war era lasting for a generation of Westerners.   Rather, it was the breaking point for Austria in its dealings with Serbia. The truth of the matter is that several factors played a role in the outbreak of the war.   WWI truly was the result of building aggressions among the countries of Europe which was backed by the rise of nationalism. To add to the disastrous pot, there was also imperial competition along with the fear of war prompting military alliances and arms  Ã‚  race.   All of these increased the escalating tensions that lead to the outbreak of WWI (Higham, et al). Another experience to come out of WWI was the first of what would become many â€Å"arms races†. With the hostile divisions of the nations of Europe   there came the expansion of armies and navies. Furthermore, the great powers came to copy Germany’s military   organization and efficiency, which called for universal registration for military duty, large reserves and detailed planning (Coetzee, et al). Efforts were made for universal disarmament, but the escalation of weapons continued unrestricted, much like a case of history repeating itself, when looked upon from the perspective of the arms races of today. The extreme popularity of the development of more and more weapons during the WWI era also served as a catalyst for another occurrence which even today is viewed as barbaric and unacceptable in virtually all war situations- chemical weapons and warfare.   Much like the more aptly named ‘American Flu’ used a naturally occurring situation to claim millions of lives, the scientists of the WWI era began to harness the power of chemical reactions to create weapons such as Mustard Gas, which would, without distinction between soldiers and civilians, literally poison men, women, and children en masse.   In fact, there is also evidence to suggest that these chemical weapons were not originated by crazed military geniuses, but rather were based upon the discoveries and studies conducted by some of the most brilliant minds of chemistry, found in the universities of the world (Russell).   In an ironic twist, chemicals originally formulated as pesticides, ostensibly to improve the lives of individuals, were adapted for the purposes of war and killing people by the thousands, indiscriminately (Russell). The experience of WWI also set the stage for some of the worst events that would befall human history in the decades to come.   In 1929 the American stock market came to a   crashing halt.   With the financial crisis also came a decrease of production, and naturally this lead to widespread unemployment. The era of the Great Depression was also the era of the rise of political dictatorship throughout Europe. These dictatorships involved a new form of tyranny and were most evident in the rise of Nazi Germany and particularly, Adolf Hitler. It is believed by many that Hitler would never have came to power if it had not been for the sounding defeat and humiliation of Germany as the result of WWI and its immediate aftermath (Luckhurst). Interrelationship Between The Elements Looking at the relationship between the experiences of what is commonly called ‘Spanish Flu’ and World War I, there are both concrete and abstract relationships between the two that emerge, and can be identified and discussed. First, the concrete associations between these elements virtually jump out at even the most casual researcher, and the parallels manifest themselves: both elements grew with tremendous ferocity to claim millions of lives, and leave behind nothing but misery and sadness for the survivors, most of whom spent the rest of their lives trying to understand exactly what happened, why it happened, and what can be done to prevent such a horrible tragedy from ever showing itself again.   Both elements, once they reached full speed so to speak, were unstoppable, and had to quite literally â€Å"run their course† before they subsided (Coetzee).   Moreover, both of these provided hollow victories, for both war and disease would emerge time and time again, and do so even in the 21st century.   Likewise, war and disease evolved for the worse during the time of WWI, and no one was able to find a way to complete erase either from the face of the earth. More abstract relationships between the two can also be seen; perhaps one of the most interesting common threads can be seen in the role of the media in both events.   In the case of the influenza outbreak, evidence presented earlier in this paper showed that the frenzy that was generated by the media led to the misnaming of the so-called ‘Spanish Flu’, and no amount of attempts to correct the error, after being placed in the minds of the people by the media of the day, could reach any level of effectiveness.   Also, those who carried the flu, as was also discussed earlier, were likely attracted to Spain in the first place by the media accounts of safety, freedom and economic prosperity in Spain, while the majority of the rest of the world was in the grips of a war that had the potential to destroy everyone and everything.   Therefore, it would not be too much of a leap to say that the media carried the influenza epidemic as much as the human body did. From an abstract viewpoint, the overall idea of frailty of human life is also critically important.   In an old adage, whose originator is lost to obscurity, it was once said that â€Å"man plans- God laughs†, meaning that for all that we think we control in the human condition, essentially, we in reality control very little.   Keeping this in mind, whether one is talking about a chemical weapon, human illness, or the natural tendency of man to conflict with other men in a pursuit of power and control of the physical world, there are some elements which are uncontrollable, no matter what one may attempt to manipulate.  Ã‚   As much as the human race may kid itself, and lull into a false sense of security by thinking that everything is in control and that the future can be at its brightest, the reality is that nothing is for certain.   Disease and war, as presented in this paper, are prime examples of this. Conclusion This paper has shown the concrete and abstract associations between war and disease, as well as the complexities of the human condition.   In closing, perhaps the best information that can be drawn from the research is that the human race, as has been said time and time again, must either learn from history or be condemned to repeat it.   Perhaps, finally, no wiser words have ever been said.

Free Essays on Jealousy

True Friends Jealousy is the route of many evils, and can effect us, all from the poorest of paupers to the richest of kings. It has lead men to lie, cheat, steal and exhibit other harmful acts toward their fellow man. This one emotion has broken the spirits of men since the dawn of time, and there is no end in site. In A Separate Peace by John Knowls, Gene, an all American boy, is griped with the age old torment of jealousy towards his best friend. This drives him to do despicable things. Gene's jealousy flourishes for Phineas every time Finny accomplishes something new. It reaches it's pinnacle when Phineas beat the school swimming record and does not want anyone to know about it. As if the feat itself wasn't enough, being humble about it angers Gene even more. He tries to deny the jealousy by figuring: " I was more certainly becoming the best student in the school; Phineas was without question the best athlete, so in that way we were even. But while he was a very poor stude! nt I was a pretty good athlete, and when everything was thrown on the scales they would in the end tilt definitely toward me"(47). So in Gene's mind he was better than Phineas, and this appeased the grip of jealousy for awile at least. Peace is once again retained at the Devon school, but it wont last. Neither Gene nor Phineas can foresee the agony which will soon be beckoning them.(4) The summer was quickly passing for these two boys and Gene nearly forgot his jealousy towards Finny. The stress of trying to be better and follow Finny's wild ideas finally got to Gene. He has had enough, and the jealousy turns to rage without Genes knowledge. Finny has another wild idea, he and Gene will jump off the large tree into the river together. Carelessly, Phineas ambles up the tree first with Gene following closely behind.(1) They reached the top "...I took a step toward him, and then my knees bent and I jounced the limb"(52). Finny fell, shattering his leg as well as hi... Free Essays on Jealousy Free Essays on Jealousy True Friends Jealousy is the route of many evils, and can effect us, all from the poorest of paupers to the richest of kings. It has lead men to lie, cheat, steal and exhibit other harmful acts toward their fellow man. This one emotion has broken the spirits of men since the dawn of time, and there is no end in site. In A Separate Peace by John Knowls, Gene, an all American boy, is griped with the age old torment of jealousy towards his best friend. This drives him to do despicable things. Gene's jealousy flourishes for Phineas every time Finny accomplishes something new. It reaches it's pinnacle when Phineas beat the school swimming record and does not want anyone to know about it. As if the feat itself wasn't enough, being humble about it angers Gene even more. He tries to deny the jealousy by figuring: " I was more certainly becoming the best student in the school; Phineas was without question the best athlete, so in that way we were even. But while he was a very poor stude! nt I was a pretty good athlete, and when everything was thrown on the scales they would in the end tilt definitely toward me"(47). So in Gene's mind he was better than Phineas, and this appeased the grip of jealousy for awile at least. Peace is once again retained at the Devon school, but it wont last. Neither Gene nor Phineas can foresee the agony which will soon be beckoning them.(4) The summer was quickly passing for these two boys and Gene nearly forgot his jealousy towards Finny. The stress of trying to be better and follow Finny's wild ideas finally got to Gene. He has had enough, and the jealousy turns to rage without Genes knowledge. Finny has another wild idea, he and Gene will jump off the large tree into the river together. Carelessly, Phineas ambles up the tree first with Gene following closely behind.(1) They reached the top "...I took a step toward him, and then my knees bent and I jounced the limb"(52). Finny fell, shattering his leg as well as hi...

International Health Care Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Health Care - Assignment Example Also there are many â€Å"barefoot doctors" that are working for the health care of citizens. All these policies that are being implemented in China are in accordance to the Mao’s initial ‘prevention first’ health policy. During Mao’s era the healthcare was taken as an utmost priority (W & Sidel, 1977 ). China did a surveillance to check for any social inequities in the healthcare system (W & Sidel, 1977 ). Few inequities were found as a result of the surveillance and these inequities seemed difficult to resolve. But the authorities figured out that the health care responds directly to the demonstrated needs of citizens. The surveillance also helped China in activation of political will and community participation among the public because it provided realistic information for local, district and national decision-makers (W & Sidel, 1977 ). This activation of community participation was done through the famous Model County Project. This model showed how an efficiently organized system can be extended to test procedures in experimental areas and adapt them for wide-ranging achievement of specific goals. This project shows how ideological commitment to impartiality and objectiveness can improve health care. Between the early 1960s and late 1970s, China used barefoot doctors to monitor the health of locals and also to give health care to people nearby. Local health cooperatives and the barefoot doctors together, spread knowledge related to healthcare. The activities from the implementation of Model County Project showed a considerable decline of infant mortality which was 275 to 250 (CE, 1992). The general economic reform occurred in China in 1980. China shifted to privatization which reversed the earlier priority of equity. This has caused Chinese rural health care system to go through a rapid transformation. According to some researches, the modernization of China has caused its once viable model of health care system to fall apart.

Economy of Venezuela Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Economy of Venezuela - Essay Example Venezuela is situated in the Northern Hemisphere, to the North of the South American plate, very close to the Equator. It shares borders with Colombia to the West, Brazil to the South, Guyana to the East and the Caribbean Sea to the North. Venezuela has 2,800 km of coast line and a number of islands can be observed off its coast: Barbados, Aruba, Curaà §ao, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Leeward Antilles. Venezuela shows a great diversity of landscapes: the Andes stretch towards the northwest of the country, where its highest peak Pico Bolà ­var (4,979 m) is located; the middle part of the country, which stretches from the Orinoco river to Colombia, is flat; and to the south, the Guiana Highlands are located in the fringes of the Amazon Basin. It is in this latter area where the highest waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls, is situated. The USA, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil are the main trade partners of Venezuela. The economy of the country is dominated by the petroleum sector, which accounts for approximately one third of the gross domestic product (GDP). The oil trade, controlled by the state-owned company Petrà ³leos de Venezuela (PDVSA), represents more than a half of the government revenues and 80% of the country’s exports. Other major exports are aluminum, steel and agricultural produce. Within the agricultural sector, which the country is highly dependent on, the main products are coffee and cocoa. The growth in the production of these two crops is dictated by the export market. While Venezuela had been world leading in terms of coffee production, the petroleum market of the 1960s and 1970s converted the country into the richest of South America and the coffee trade was relegated to a secondary position.

Hassans Story Essay Example for Free

Hassans Story Essay Quote: â€Å"The way we see the problem is the problem.† Stephen Covey This quote means to me that when dealing with a problem the first mistake made is calling the problem a â€Å"problem.† When a problem occurs an individual usually automatically begins to attempt to mentally process ways to solve the problem. Problem solving involves critical thinking, and with critical thinking comes a lot of stress. Stress from a problem can be avoided if an individual looked at the situation in a more positive way, rather than automatically thinking negatively. I feel this quote is relevant to the work we do in the class. In this class we focus a lot on one’s self. I believe that the way you think when no one is looking describes your character. For example, one may assume that they have not learned anything from the class, but one with and open-mind would be able to express information that has been learned in the class. Every â€Å"problem† should be approached with an open mind, because when everything has been completed â€Å"you† will still be â€Å"you.† And what that means is, is that life will continue to move forward rather you have conquered the problem or not. I chose this quotation because I felt that it is fitting for anything in life. In life you will always come across a new situation because life is always about change. When attempting to advance, I feel that is when the majority of change comes. You are always going to come across a personality, a strategy, or method that you are not going to like and will take you out of your comfort zone. What is important is that you realize that everything is temporary and too shall pass. Once you’ve figured out that there is no such thing as a â€Å"problem,† rather than it is a â€Å"change† you can deal accordingly because change is inevitable.

My Big Fat Cultural Wedding Essay -- Culture Society

The wedding ceremony is a celebratory event romanticized by couples nationwide for its ability to unite creativity and tradition in a convenient package. One need only observe the plethora of wedding trends, from outlandishly alternative to stringently orthodox, to understand how important representing individuality remains among contemporary couples. In retrospect, much of the symbolisms attributed to these trends come from centuries of applied social significance; couples see the most value in a marriage celebration which allows them to flaunt their unique qualities as individuals while simultaneously modeling the long-standing customs of preceding weddings. In the 2002 film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, director Joel Zwick illustrates the colorful combination of culture and marriage, highlighting the prevalence of rituals within a wedding ceremony, the importance of this connection to the respective bride and groom, and the societal consumption of symbolism as a whole. By analyzing the various themes of religion, family, and emotion in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, we will gauge the true prevalence of cultural inclusion as it relates to the marriage ceremony. Wedding celebrations, for all their glitz and glamour, are sentimental occasions filled with submissive connotations. Commercial industries recognize the trendsetting potential of culture, which liberally applies significance to often extraneous but distinctive practices, and are quick to promote it as a commodity of taste requiring very little convincing to popularize. People do indeed gravitate toward more culturally based weddings when the attached customs relate to one’s intimate, inner values. To clarify the reasoning behind this social attitude, Otnes and Pleck claim in... ...l no strangers to the allure of individualism, especially as it relates to wedding ceremonies. The most popular, romanticized form of a wedding encompasses deep symbolism which allows brides and grooms to define themselves in a way they will rarely ever be able to again. Cultural weddings are a phenomenon of our time which may not hold the same meanings they once did, but definitely retain figurative importance to the participants of the ceremony. They are deeply ingrained within our societal desire for tradition as well as vehicles through which we can define ourselves as individuals. Works Cited My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Dir. Joel Zwick. Perf. Nia Vardalos and John Corbett. IFC Films, 2002. Film. Otnes, Cele C., and Elizabeth H. Pleck. Cinderella Dreams: the Allure of the Lavish Wedding. Berkeley: University of California, 2003. Print.

Personal Statement for college admission Essay

Every man has the capacity to make a difference in this world. The way to do it is by believing that all dreams can turn into reality. It also comes along with the choices that we make and the determination to work out in reaching the top. My name is (insert your name here) and I wish to continue my education in the field of Nursing at the Queens University. I have been interested in this field and I believe that by acquiring such degree, I can be of great service to people in the society. Being admitted in this university will make my dreams more attainable. I will be studying in a credible institution that recruits only the best and finest student. Moreover, this university is composed of wide array of educational resources and armed with excellent professors that will hone my expertise as a promising professional. After the said program I can go on and continue my life with full confidence because I have the necessary knowledge that can benefit other people. I will render the best service that I can so that whenever I will get recognize; it will also pay tribute to my Alma Matter. My experiences and academic standings have surpassed those of others. Looking back, I am a Technical Sgt in the USAF Delaware Air National Guard. My 8 years of service there granted me the award of being the Airman of the Quarter in 2005. The said award is for my outstanding performance as a Medical Material Specialist and at the same time doing volunteer works in Operation Enduring Freedom deployment. Aside from the aforementioned recognition I am also proud to say that I made it to dean’s list every semester because of my exemplary performance and dedication on my attendance at Delaware State University. I am a hardworking person especially when it comes to my personal and academic life. All of my achievements made me decide to attend medical school for two straight years. While I am studying as a medical student, I came to realize that my true calling is in the field of nursing. I believe that choosing to study at Queens University is one great choice because I can continue and pursue my career goals with an institution that produces nursing experts and professionals. The field of Nursing is the field that I can say as my cup of tea. I am willing to take all the risk because I am confident that I can succeed in reaching my dreams. I have the right mindset and I am determined to surpass every training and lectures that professors at Queen University will give me. I am an optimistic person who treats challenges as opportunities for me to grow. The rigorous training that I will go through will aloe me to learn more about myself, the nursing profession and how to be more disciplined in the field that I have divulged in. Life is really precious and we have to live on purpose. I realized that everyday spent is important may it be personally or academically. I should learn to give ways to others and render the best nursing service right after graduation. My quest for education will not stop after I graduated, I will find ways of sharing what I have learned to others and contribute for the benefit of healthcare in the society. By doing so, I would be able to show the world that nothing is impossible when a person puts dedication, heart and soul in everything we do. Pursuing a Nursing degree will help me build up an in-depth knowledge in most areas of medical healthcare and gain broader perspectives. I am confident that my academic journey at Queens University will prepare me for my future profession. I will learn fundamentals of nursing and more complicated subjects about it. I will also learn how to work more efficiently, overcome struggles and bring the best service to my patients. I believe that I can do everything as long as the determination is here in my heart. I am persistent enough that through my chosen field and academe, I can succeed and contribute in making this world a better place to live in.