Marketing Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing Management - Assignment Example The company also plans to raise the prices of the brand in the future to cater for the rising price of raw material used in the production of the beverage (New, 2011). The company in an effort increase the pricing is also cautious about the effect of the rise on the volume of their sales. There is a probability of reducing the volume of sales when compared to the previous years. The company also faces the problem of their customers switching to the competitors soft drink. In view of all this, the company carefully looks at the probable way of raising the price without affecting their volume of sales (New, 2011). The coca cola company employs the two channels of distribution the direct market channelling which involves dealing directly with the customer. This direct marketing channel can also have intermediaries who are the wholesalers and retailers. The other channel is the business distribution channels the organisation utilises its own sales group to sell to business customers. This does involve multilevel distribution. This is the most commonly used procedure by the coca-cola company (MKT300, 2008). The business distribution channels consist of manufactures representatives and industrial distributors as the intermediaries. The manufactures in the direct marketing ensure that consumers get the soft drinks in time. They sell to the consumer in bulk or retail amounts and at an affair price. The retailers also ensure that consumers get the goods they usually sell in small quantities and a higher price than the manufacturers. In the business, distribution channels the manufactures representatives do sell in bulk to the industrial distributors or the Industrial customer. The distribution channels ensure that the goods reach the customer on time and in the right manner (Coca-Cola Company, 2008). Company’s monitor their channel performance to be able to plan. The channel

Roman Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Roman Art - Essay Example ially the Archaic period had several rigid rules of representation to be adhered to, and although they changed over time during that period, the beginnings were strict. In the sculpture of standing figures what has been termed the â€Å"law of frontality† was enforced till almost the end of the sixth century. This placement consisted of the figures being posed looking straight ahead, standing straight, the eyes often appeared more bulbous, never truly sunken in and the ears were usually placed for esthetic purpose and not for anatomical correctness, usually being placed too high on the head. Even the hair was arranged in an almost geometrical pattern like style. (Chase 46) We see the law of frotnality readily apparent in both figures. The stance of Hercules is perhaps more naturalistic and relaxed and does not have the left foot forward. However, the Wounded Warrior does and is more representational of the Archaic Style. Notably and fortunately missing from this period are some of the other Archaic element. The Roman art made correction for anatomy and the figures ears and eyes are more in proportion with their figures as well as being anatomically correct. Another feature that has been lost ois what was termed the â€Å"Archaic Smile† of this period in Greek sculpture (Chase 47) This smile is a rather too happy sort of smile that one might not expect from the more stoic aspects of this period. It seems often out of place and unnatural. Many critics felt that this was simply an attempt by the artist of the time to add some personality or expression to the face. The Roman art lost this appellation and created more natural figure. There is an overall more natural state, the figure and the face seem to be responding to their environment and are not contrived or artificially posed as in the Greek Archaic styles. The Wounded Warrior is actually a copy made of a Greek original from the Archaic period of the fifth century. At first it seems that the warrior

Legacies of colonialism in the world today Essay Example for Free

Legacies of colonialism in the world today Essay The colonization of one country by another is rampant throughout history. One country invades and subdues another, extending its sovereignty over the said country or territory for various reasons. Mainly, it is to use the resources of the invaded territory in order to enrich and strengthen itself. As early as the 16th Century, various empires were colonizing nations and territories all over the world. The Portuguese, French, Japanese, British and Spanish were all out to enlarge their territories and empires. When the age of colonialism was finally over, many of the colonized people found that there way of life had changed. Their colonizers had left legacies, both good and bad. Three area’s were the legacy of colonization is felt strongly are economic development, civilization development and cultural transformation. 2. 0 Economic Development Prior to colonization, the indigenous people of any country traded mostly with the surrounding peoples. Most of it was a barter trade that was aimed at making sure there was an even distribution of resources among the people. When the colonizers invaded the countries, they came in search of what resources they could use to enrich their own country, often at the expense of the natives. They looked at agriculture, what crops would easily grow in the region based on the climate of the colony that would satisfy the demands of the people in their home country. They also looked at the natural resources and minerals available in the said colony. In so doing, the colonizers dominated trade, trade routes and even products that could be traded. In the 15th Century Portuguese ships were exploring Africa, Asia and the America’s. Henry the Navigator was pursuing trade in gold and slaves on the West African coast, Bartolomeu Dias was discovering the Cape of Good Hope on the Southern tip of Africa, and Vasco da Gama reached India (Portuguese Empire). Islands like Madagascar, discovered by Trista da Cunha, did not escape. In all these places they established trading posts and fortresses, moving aggressively in their quest to dominate. They took over the ports and controlled trade in the bordering oceans. Brazil, discovered in the year 1500 by Pedro Alvares Cabral, become Portugal’s most important colony. The Portuguese were able to get gold, sugar cane, coffee, precious stones as well as other cash crops from Brazil (Portuguese Empire). 2. 1 Trade in Brazil The economic backbone of present day Brazil is still agriculture, mining and manufacturing. Having discovered the importance of their natural resource during the error of colonization, Brazil’s economy has been doing very well with a GDP per capita of US$ 10,300 estimated in the year 2008 (Central Intelligence Agency, 2009) With the rise of the sugar industry in Brazil established by the Portuguese, it became apparent that there was a great need for labour to ensure that the crop received the needed attention. This gave rise to a new form of international trade with a new product, African slaves. Diagram 1 – Slave Trade Routes Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://www. unc. edu/wrc/maps/08-Map. png Using their connections in Africa, Portuguese slave traders imported slaves by the millions to meet the demand for labour in the sugar plantations (Portuguese colonization). It is important to note though, that slave trade had began way before the need ever arose in Brazil, by the year 1470, the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, was already a major slave port. The rise of coffee plantations in the 19th century further increased the demand for slaves. There were other advantages to Portugal in businesses that were associated with the slave trade. These included the trade of Portuguese commodities that were traded and exchanged for slaves as well as goods produced by the slaves. In this period the Portuguese imported approximately three and a half million slaves (Slave routes, 2009). Due to this importation of slaves as well as the immigration into Brazil of other cultures, native Brazilians today are a minority. Of the approximately 180 Million Brazilians, 55% are Europeans mainly from Portugal, 38% are of mixed African and European descent, 6% are African and 1% are classified as other, which includes Amerindian (Brazil demographic profile). 2. 2 Introduction of new cash crops and plants. When the Portuguese came to Brazil they started the plantation method that had worked very well so far in their African colonies. This plantation method continued even after they left and is still in effect in Brazil today. Seeing as it is the world’s largest producer of coffee, sugar cane, orange juice frozen concentrate and tropical fruit, it is easy to understand why they have kept the plantation method all these years. Additionally, Brazil is also the world’s largest producer of beef, with 170 million head of cattle. Among the other cash crops produced by Brazil are soybeans, cotton, tobacco, cocoa, corn as well as forest products (US Department of State, 2009). Many plants were introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese when they came to colonize. Mangoes were among them, introduced to Brazil in the 1700’s (Tropical fruits). They also introduced rice and coffee, which was introduced in the 1600s and became the major cash crop of Brazil by the 1800s. Additionally, they brought sugarcane from South East Asia in the late 16th Century. Furthermore, the dende palm tree, whose oil is used in making most Brazilian foods was also introduced from Africa in the early 17th century and with it came hot peppers as well. Another plant introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese is okra, used in many Brazilian dishes today (Hamilton, 2005). It is therefore clear that Brazil owes much to their Portuguese colonizers who taught them how to farm by introducing the plantation method, introduced many plants and cash crops that are now the backbone of the Brazilian economy, and brought racial diversity to the country that in turn has created links to many parts of the world. 3. 0 Civilization Development Civilization development is tied in with human development. In many of the colonized territories, though the people had empires already in place, they were not literate, did not written laws or medical facilities. The colonizers brought these aspects to the colonized territories. However, in the process of bringing in their civilized ways, they erased much of the indigenous culture found there. 3. 1 French West Africa Much of West Africa was colonized by the French with a port set up in Senegal in 1659. By the early 1900s, countries like Mali, Benin, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea were under French rule. They were French subjects and were used in forced labor as well as imprisonment in a bid by the French to expand and maintain their interests. Agriculture was the main economic sector and they farmed cotton and peanuts where the climate allowed. They encouraged migration by the natives to areas where these plantations existed by touting them as wage-earning areas (Ali-Dinar). This is a legacy that has remained and pervaded all of Africa, with people in the countryside migrating to the cities in search of jobs. This has led to the creation of issues related to urban cities such as the creation of slums as low income housing, vices like prostitution as well as high crime rates. By the year 1960 all French West African countries were independent (Ali-Dinar). Diagram 2 – French West Africa Source: Earlham College http://www. earlham. edu/%7Emodelun/images/gif/west-africa. gif 3. 2 Legacy in Government in Senegal Prior to the French Colonization of Senegal, the Wolof Empire was ruling. It was ruled by a King who also doubled up as a religious ruler. The Portuguese, who had already been in Senegal before the French, had a mutually beneficial trade partnership with these people before the French came on the scene. (Wolof Empire, 2009). After they were colonized, the Senegalese people took a new form of Government that was introduced by the French. Even after the French were gone, that same form of government remained. Along with it, laws that had been laid down by the French stayed as well. In so doing, the traditional rulership of the Senegalese people was erased and the new form, which was very French, took over. The constitution, created in 1963, backs up a civilian government that has an executive branch, a judiciary that is independent and a National Assembly. In addition to these, the Senate, which is also legislative, was formed in 1999 (Diajayette). The president has the power to elect his Prime minister and together they elect the Council of Ministers who serve as the cabinet. The National assembly is made up of 140 members while the Senate is made up of 60. Of the 60 in the Senate, 45 are elected to office by local government officials and members of the National assembly, 12 are presidential elections, and Senegalese citizens in the Diaspora have the privilege of electing 3. Senegal is divided into 10 regions that are ruled by a governor. In regards to the Judiciary, Senegal has four courts above the level of tribunals and lower courts. These are the Council of State, the High Court, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Council (Profile-Senegal). In addition to taking on French law and government as the basis of the countries executive, legislative and judicial system, the Senegalese also took on the French education system. Prior to colonization, there were no formal schools of any kind. Today the system includes primary, secondary and tertiary education. Senegal has six national languages and one official language, French (Bruhn, 1984). French is also the language of instruction in tertiary institutions although the Senegalese are undertaking English lessons as well. 3. 3 Formal Education in Senegal Along with the introduction to formal education that opened the Senegalese up to the rest of the world, there was an introduction to medicine. Whereas previously the sick would visit a witch doctor or a medicine man, now they have access to modern medicine. It is important to note that as the colonizers traveled, they brought with them diseases that the natives had no immunity against. As such, many of them died from these diseases since they did not have a cure for the same. This went a long way in causing the defeat of the natives, especially in the America’s where a small pox outbreak would kill almost whole colonies. The diseases brought by the colonizers included chicken pox, typhus, dysentery, measles, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, cholera and dysentery (Eddins). The legacies of colonialism in government, education and medicine have been beneficial and far reaching.

Explaining The Purpose Of The Main Financial Statements Finance Essay

Explaining The Purpose Of The Main Financial Statements Finance Essay A financial statement (or financial report) is a formal record of the financial activities of a business, person, or other entity. In British English-including United Kingdom company law-a financial statement is often referred to as an account, although the term financial statement is also used, particularly by accountants. For a business enterprise, all the relevant financial information, presented in a structured manner and in a form easy to understand, are called the financial statements. They typically include four basic financial statements: Balance sheet: also referred to as statement of financial position or condition, reports on a companys assets, liabilities, and Ownership equity at a given point in time. Income statement: also referred to as Profit and Loss statement (or a PL), reports on a companys income, expenses, and profits over a period of time. Profit Loss account provide information on the operation of the enterprise. These include sale and the various expenses incurred during the processing state. Statement of retained earnings: explains the changes in a companys retained earnings over the reporting period. Statement of cash flows: reports on a companys cash flow activities, particularly its operating, investing and financing activities. For large corporations, these statements are often complex and may include an extensive set of notes to the financial statements and management discussion and analysis. The notes typically describe each item on the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement in further detail. Notes to financial statements are considered an integral part of the financial statements. The Balance Sheet The balance sheets purpose is to show the assets of the company. Balance sheets are based on a fix point called a reporting perioda day, a month, a quarter, a year. A quick glance at a balance sheet will show you what the company owns and how much it owes. Balance sheets include assets (property, cash, anything owned of value), liabilities (debt owed) and shareholders equity. Income Statements Income statements show the revenue earned during a reporting period.  Included in this report are the expenses and cost of creating the revenue. Once the expenses and costs are removed from the total revenue, the bottom line of the report reveals whether or not the company lost money or made money. This report is sometimes referred to as the profit and loss statement. Another feature of the income statement is the EPS, or earnings per share. This reveals what a shareholder would receive if you were being paid dividends per each share owned. Cash Flow Statements Cash on hand is important because it supports the daily activities of a business. There must be enough cash on hand to pay expenses and buy assets as needed. Cash flow statements track the inflow and outflow of cash. They reveal whether or not cash was generated by the business. The data for a cash flow statement comes from an income statement and the balance sheet. The cash flow statement reveals net decreases or increases of cash for the reporting period. Retained Earnings Once liabilities and assets are known and a balance sheet is created, it is known whether or not the shareholders have a positive or negative equity. From the equity is taken retained earnings. Retained earnings are broken down and explained in the statement of retained earnings. This statement reveals what the company keeps and does not distribute to the owners and how that amount changes over the reporting period. Losses are called accumulated losses, retained losses or accumulated deficit. Financial Statements Once a set of financial statements are prepared they can be used for loan applications, fund-raising or to place a value on a business. But they are typically used for making business decisions that will affect operations. The numbers and calculations in the financial statements are also used to calculate ratios and make further analysis. Common figures derived are operating margins, debt-to-equity ratio, P/E, working capital and inventory turnover Purpose of financial statements by business entities The objective of financial statements is to provide information about the financial position, performance and changes in financial position of an enterprise that is useful to a wide range of users in making economic decisions. Financial statements should be understandable, relevant, reliable and comparable. Reported assets, liabilities and equity are directly related to an organizations financial position. Reported income and expenses are directly related to an organizations financial performance. Financial statements are intended to be understandable by readers who have a reasonable knowledge of business and economic activities and accounting and who are willing to study the information diligently. Financial statements may be used by users for different purposes: Owners and managers require financial statements to make important business decisions that affect its continued operations. Financial analysis is then performed on these statements to provide management with a more detailed understanding of the figures. These statements are also used as part of managements annual report to the stockholders. Employees also need these reports in making collective bargaining agreements (CBA) with the management, in the case of labor unions or for individuals in discussing their compensation, promotion and rankings. Prospective investors make use of financial statements to assess the viability of investing in a business. Financial analyses are often used by investors and are prepared by professionals (financial analysts), thus providing them with the basis for making investment decisions. Financial institutions (banks and other lending companies) use them to decide whether to grant a company with fresh working capital or extend debt securities (such as a long-term bank loan or debentures) to finance expansion and other significant expenditures. Government entities (tax authorities) need financial statements to ascertain the propriety and accuracy of taxes and other duties declared and paid by a company. Vendors who extend credit to a business require financial statements to assess the creditworthiness of the business. Media and the general public are also interested in financial statements for a variety of reasons. Financial ratio analysis groups the ratios into categories which tell us about different facets of a companys finances and operations. An overview of some of the categories of ratios is given below. * Leverage Ratios which show the extent that debt is used in a companys capital structure. * Liquidity Ratios which give a picture of a companys short term financial situation or solvency. * Operational Ratios which use turnover measures to show how efficient a company is in its operations and use of assets. * Profitability Ratios which use margin analysis and show the return on sales and capital employed. * Solvency Ratios which give a picture of a companys ability to generate cash flow and pay it financial obligations. Differences between the formats of financial statements for 3 different type of business- sole proprietorship, partnership and Limited company Government financial statements The rules for the recording, measurement and presentation of government financial statements may be different from those required for business and even for non-profit organizations. They may use either of two accounting methods: accrual accounting, or cash accounting, or a combination of the two (OCBOA). A complete set of chart of accounts is also used that is substantially different from the chart of a profit-oriented business Financial statements of non-profit organizations The financial statements of non-profit organizations that publish financial statements, such as charitable organizations and large voluntary associations, tend to be simpler than those of for-profit corporations. Often they consist of just a balance sheet and a statement of activities (listing income and expenses) similar to the Profit and Loss statement of a for-profit. Personal financial statements Personal financial statements may be required from persons applying for a personal loan or financial aid. Typically, a personal financial statement consists of a single form for reporting personally held assets and liabilities (debts), or personal sources of income and expenses, or both. The form to be filled out is determined by the organization supplying the loan or aid. Differences between Sole Proprietorship, Partnership Corporation I want to do this! Whats This? There are a number of different types of business organizations an individual or a group can form. However, three of the most common types of business organizations are sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. These three types of businesses are similar in some ways, but a number of differences are important to note. Formation A sole proprietorship or a partnership may be formed without filing any formal paperwork. The creators of a corporation, however, must file a document known as the articles of incorporation. Liability The owner(s) of a sole proprietorship or a partnership may be held liable for any business activity and/or obligation. Corporate shareholders, however, usually are liable only for the amount they invested. Record Keeping Corporations are required to keep strict records of meetings and other similar administrative activities, while a sole proprietorship or a partnership typically is not required to do so. Size A sole proprietorship can have only a single owner, but a partnership or a corporation may have any number of owners. Taxes The owner of a sole proprietorship is required only to report the business earnings on her tax return, while a corporation or a partnership must file a separate return for the business. BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENT FORMAT PARTNERSHIP When preparing financial statements by hand the Income Statement would usually be prepared first because the net income or loss becomes part of the Statement of Partners Capital. The Statement of Partners Capital is usually prepared second because the ending partners capital balances become part of the Balance Sheet. Corporations are subject to income taxes but sole proprietorships and partnerships are not. Otherwise the income statements of each are identical. Income Statement (single-step format): HANSON RETAIL FOOD STORE Income Statement Year Ended December 31, 2006 Net Sales $262,000 Rent revenue 6,900 Interest revenue 1,400 Total Revenue 270,300 Expenses: Cost of Goods Sold $159,000 Salaries and wages 45,000 Advertising 12,400 Freight out 4,000 Depreciation 5,000 Taxes and licenses 3,000 Rent 6,300 Interest expense 350 Loss on sale of assets 250 Property taxes 2,000 Total expense 237,300 Net Income (loss) $ 33,000 ======== Owners equity statements of corporations are called Statement of Retained Earnings, those of sole proprietorships are called Statement of Capital and those of partnerships are called Statement of Partners Capital. Statement of Partners Capital: HANSEN RETAIL FOOD STORE Statement of Partners Capital Year Ended December 31, 2005 John Soo Mary Doe Totals Beginning balance $ 24,000 $ 33,000 $ 57,000 Net income (loss) 16,500 16,500 33,000 40,500 49,500 90,000 Withdrawals 500 1,500 2,000 Ending balance $ 40,000 $ 48,000 $ 88,000 =========== =========== ====== Balance Sheets of corporations have a Shareholders Equity section whereas sole proprietorships have an Owners Capital section and partnerships have a Partners Capital section. Otherwise the Balance Sheets would be identical. Balance Sheet: HANSEN RETAIL FOOD STORE Balance Sheet December 31, 2006 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash $ 3,000 Short-term investments/marketable securities 6,000 Accounts receivable, net 5,000 Inventory 10,000 Prepaid rent 2,000 Office supplies on hand 1,000 Total current assets 27,000 Long-Lived Assets: Long-term investments $ 10,000 Land 35,000 Building 86,000 Machinery equipment 50,000 Less accumulated depreciation ( 23,000) Patents 4,000 Total long-lived assets 162,000 Total Assets $189,000 ======== LIABILITIES Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,200 Notes payable 15,000 Interest payable 1,000 Wages payable 800 Total current liabilities 21,000 Long-Term Liabilities: Mortgage payable $ 30,000 Bonds payable 50,000 Total long-term liabilities 80,000 Total Liabilities 101,000 PARTNERS CAPITAL John Soo, Capital 40,000 Mary Doe, Captial 48,000 Total Partners Capital 88,000 Total Liabilities and Owners Equity $189,000 TASK 2 Last Year Current Ratio = C.A / C.L = 21 / 15 = 1.4 Acid Test = C.A / C.L = 15 / 15 = 0 Net Profit Margin = N.P / Sales =37/499 =0.07 Gross Profit Margin = G.P / Sales =99/499 =0.20 Return on Capital Employed = N.P / Equit + Debt = 17 / 75 = 0.23 Return on Ordinary Share holder fund = N.P after tax / Ordinary share holder equity = 17 / 14 = 1.2 Average Stock Turnover period = Avg Stock / CGS * 365 = 6 /400 X 365 =5.5 =6days Current Year Current Ratio = C.A / C.L = 11 / 11 = 0 Acid Test = C.A / C.L = 7 / 11 = 0.64 Net Profit Margin = N.P / Sales = 32 / 502 = 0. 06 Gross Profit Margin = G.P / Sales = 132 / 502 = 0.26 Return on Capital Employed = N.P / Equit + Debt = 5 / 79 = 0.06 Return on Ordinary Share holder fund = N.P after tax / Ordinary share holder equity = 5 / 14 = 0.36 Average Stock Turnover period = Avg Stock / CGS * 365 = 4 / 370365 =3.95 = 4 days

The Feminist Perspective of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Essay -- Buffy Va

The Feminist Perspective of Buffy the Vampire Slayer In her feminist critique of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Anne Millard Daughtey described Buffy as a show which "obviously promotes female strength and power" (159). Buffy herself is a "symbol of female empowerment" (149); as feminists we can all take comfort in the fact that Buffy "kicks butt and so can we all" (164). Sherryl Vint agrees that Buffy is a "positive role model for young women, one which feminism should celebrate" (para. 3). I find this understanding of Buffy, both the character and the series, to be very problematic, and with this paper I aim to undertake a revised feminist critique of the show, and expose the Buffyverse as the product of a very traditional patriarchal world view which pays lip service to a superficial feminist fashioning. This is not to deny Daughtey and Vint's reading of the Slayer completely; a defining feature of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the liminal position it occupies, at once advocating and refuting positivist feminist readings. However, it is my contention that women in the series are all portrayed in stereotypical ways which have been generated by patriarchy throughout the ages, and all of which serve to empty femininity, leaving the women as functional (fantasy) symbols only: the bluestocking (Willow, Jenny Calendar), the dumb but pretty cheerleader (Cordelia, and to a greater extent Harmony), the witch (Willow, Tara), the sexual hysteric (Dru), the madwoman (Glory). To return to Irigaray, in the Buffyverse there is "no such thing as woman", only artificial constructions of femininity, a theme neatly encapsulated in the character of Buffy's 'sister' Dawn. Dawn suddenly enters the show in season five in an initially bewildering ser... ...ague Summers. London: Arrow Books, 1971. Playden, Zoe Jane. "What you are, what's to come: Feminisms, Citizenship and the Divine". Reading the SIgler: An Unofficial Critical Companion to Buff and Angel. Ed. Roy Kaverney. London; New York: Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2002. 120-147. Purkiss, Diane. The Witch in History: Early Modem and Twentieth Century Representations. London: Routledge, 1996. Vint, Sherryl. " "Killing us Softly': A Feminist Search for the 'Real'Buffy". Slayage 5. 9 Dec 2002. <http://www.slayage.tv/essays/slayage5/vint.html> Whedon, Joss. Interview with Tasha Robinson. The Onion AV Club 37.31. 13 Dec 2002. <http://www.theonionavclub.com> Winslade, J. Lawton. "Teen Witches, Wiccans, and "Wanna Blessed Be's": Pop Culture Magic in Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Slayage 1. 9 Dec. 2002 http://www.slayage.tv/ essays/slayage 1 /winslade.html

Essay --

Along with the development of science technology and popularity of computers and internet, network becomes an important tool in interpersonal communication. We are studying in the university and we need computers to enrich our minds. Computers can not only make us fit into a new environment faster, but also can provide convenience to us. What else, they can also help us learn more abilities and new technology. So in my opinion, computers should be allowed to bring to school when we are freshmen. Firstly, computers can make us get news about the new environment and be part of it faster. We may get worried when we are in a new school. The feeling must be much stronger if this is the first time we leave our parents. We do not know where we can find a bank, a restaurant, etc . But if we have a computer, we will find them on the computer maps. What else, we can know the important information which is announced by our school at the first time. We live in the world which is full of information, so we should develop the ability to use the useful information for ourselves. I... Essay -- Along with the development of science technology and popularity of computers and internet, network becomes an important tool in interpersonal communication. We are studying in the university and we need computers to enrich our minds. Computers can not only make us fit into a new environment faster, but also can provide convenience to us. What else, they can also help us learn more abilities and new technology. So in my opinion, computers should be allowed to bring to school when we are freshmen. Firstly, computers can make us get news about the new environment and be part of it faster. We may get worried when we are in a new school. The feeling must be much stronger if this is the first time we leave our parents. We do not know where we can find a bank, a restaurant, etc . But if we have a computer, we will find them on the computer maps. What else, we can know the important information which is announced by our school at the first time. We live in the world which is full of information, so we should develop the ability to use the useful information for ourselves. I...

A Fortune by Joy Monica

A Fortune by Joy Monica T. Sakaguchi Maybe you are a thief and living by stealing wallets, emptying them from money and put them back. Or perhaps you are a rich man with a son; you maybe love but never show. And maybe you are the son of a man, who never noticed or loves you. Love and money are big things in life, and they are very important in everyday life. In the short story â€Å"A fortune† by Joy Monica T. Sakaguchi from 2000, is the relationship between a teenager and his dad illustrated. The short story ‘’A fortune’’ is about a young man who is a pickpocket.He crooked teeth, oily hair and bony knees. When he was only five years old, he started to steal. There is maybe a good reason why he had become a pickpocket. It all started in his childhood, with his mother, father and his uncle. It was his father who taught him to steal; he said that it was easy for a little boy to pickpocket, because when you are little, you are not always noticed. The fa ther was also that ma would find out, because the narrator used to save the wallets, and once a month his father found them and yelled at him. ’Hey, stupid, how many times I gotta tell you not to keep the wallets? Whatca gonna tell your ma if she finds them? That you old man’s got you stealing from him? ’’. His mother was an ugly lady with a curly black wig and cried all the time. But some credit he had to give her, because she tried to raise him well. She was always worried that he would end up like his â€Å"Stinking, rotting, lout-of-a-father†. His uncle was drunk all the time, and the only job he ever had, was to dress up as Santa Claus on every Christmas Eve.He always hid a bottle of Whisky in a pillow under his Santa Claus jacket. Sometimes he pulled the white bead to the side and asked for a stiff drink. The narrator is in many ways a bad person. Because steeling and actually taking a total stranger with him home, is illegal. But when he ste els, he doesn’t see that it is wrong and forbidden. He grew up with it. But even though his father left the town, he continued on steeling. But in another way he is a good man, because he tries to help a kid which father is a yuppie, and have a lot of money.The kid’s father is ignoring his son, and he always yells at him. And when the narrator sees them in the fish market, he follows them and listens to their conversation. He decides to steal the Yuppies wallet, because his does not deserve money. The meaning of the title â€Å"A fortune† is that the teenager isn’t his father’s fortune, but the money is. And when the narrator where a kid, he wasn’t his father’s fortune. He needed love and contact with his parents.So he created his own fortune of money, he believed that money could replace the missing love. But when he met the boy, he saw the meaning of love. Love is a need, and every kid should be loved by its parents or guardians. Th at is why he takes the kid at home, and takes care of him for the night. The main themes in this story are love and money. There are different meanings about what is most important. If you have all the money you want, you can buy everything but love. And when you have love, you can take care of your friends and family.