Thoughts. Future. Kindness

Thoughts. Future. Kindness In my blogging folder, I had a draft post that sums up my senior year experience, with many exciting things that I had the opportunity to experience, my thoughts about the future, plans, worry, all that. But I scratched that and began writing this post with a heavy heart. … Monday, April 15, 2013, I was sitting in the Margaret Cheney Room Women’s lounge on the 3rd floor of building 3 with a graduate student and we were both working furiously. I had a deadline at 5 pm for my Economics of Health class essay, so everything else happening around me was kind of a blur. Then I heard two loud claps of thunder. I looked up at the sky and it was greyer than usual and the only thought in my head was “I thought we would have beautiful weather today for the marathon? But it should be done by now though” and went back to work. Half an hour later, I checked my Facebook and couldn’t believe what I was looking at. It was one of those catatonic moments, when your body was so shocked you couldn’t move. It wasn’t thunder. I immediately called my mom who was in Vietnam, even though it was 3a.m, because I needed to talk to somebody. After the initial shock reaction, the only thought in my head was “I volunteered in the ER at MGH, I can help, I need to help”. I called Milton, the head of the volunteer department and he told me to come down. So I put all my things in the locker and ran to the T. The atmosphere at the hospital was visibly different, and security guards and policemen surrounded the premise. Since I left from campus and didn’t have my ID with me, I couldn’t enter the ER. Instead I helped out at the lobby, directing the traffic flow and helped bring families of runners/ spectators to the Blum center to locate their loved ones. The faces of family members stricken with worry and sadness would be engraved in my mind. I wanted to hug them, and tell them that everything would be okay. But I didn’t know that, so I didn’t. I prayed for every single minute that the patients would win in their fights against death. My heart somewhat lightened up as I witnessed how many people stopped by to ask where and how they can donate blood. “I am O-, and donating blood is the first thing that came to my mind”, one lady said. I saw other patients and their family members comforting the family members of the injured runners spectators. People of Boston came together in vulnerable moments like this. It was love. It was kindness Classes began on Wednesday with everyone trying to grasp, to understand the situation. Why? The question of why this happened came up again and again. I am in my last year of college and I can say with confidence that this is a peaceful and loving city. When I first arrived in the US from Vietnam, I literally didn’t understand how people could be so nice and welcoming. My host family picked me up at the airport, gave me cooking utensils, bowls, dishes, kettles, fans and all those little things that a freshman would possibly need and made a delicious meal every major holiday/celebration. People smiled at me on the street. Sometimes I was on campus until 3-4 am and didn’t feel a tinge of fear when I walked home because the MIT police drove around campus throughout the night to make sure that everything was fine. There are emergency notification posts scattered around campus that allowed students to be immediately connected to the police department. And those cold snowing winter nig hts when I didn’t even want to think about walking across campus to get back to Macgregor from the library? MITPD was always there to offer me a lift. But the atmosphere I saw on Wednesday was different, it was stressful and tense… it was because we haven’t had any closure. And then the most tragic thing happened. A young and passionate officer from MIT PD passed away in the line of duty. A friend of mine, who is also a friend of Officer Sean, wrote a note yesterday on Facebook that moved me to tears. It was a message about a young man who was so full of life, kindness and optimism about the future. It was a message of love. Everything happened too abruptly, too suddenly. The image of the Stata Center that you saw online and on the TV? That is where Tech shuttle drops students off for class, for lecture or for lab everyday. Who could have thought? Who could have known? I stayed at my dorm for the next 24 hours, watching the entire Cambridge and Boston area being emptied like ghost towns. Anxiety escalated as hours passed by with no signs of capture. I got some sleep at 7 am after an alert right outside my dorm. It was the strangest, most perturbed sleep that I have ever gotten: I woke up every hour or so, checking my newsfeed, my twitter, my Facebook, everything… hoping to see closure. And it came; the pressure and the anxiety suddenly disappeared in both Cambridge and Boston. Online, I saw that image of 19-year-old Tsarnaev being captured that was circulated on Reddit, Facebook and every news channel, next to a video of students who celebrated the capture in the streets of Boston, next to news about the Fertilizer Plant Explosion in Texas, next to messages about Islamophobia, next to articles about Czech ambassador explaining Chechnya Is Not the Czech Republic”, next to immigration debate, gun-control debate. A whirlwind of emotions formed inside me, so many thoughts jumbled up. I turned off my computer as I think I needed to take a step back to process all the information that flooded my newsfeed. The most burning question I have in my mind is as an individual, what can I do to help with all these issues? Hatred, poverty, prejudice and violence tend to follow in a vicious cycle that is so so hard to break. Arguments, whether its personal, national or international can get overheated and escalate beyond control in a split second, just because of a single act, a single phrase sombody says. Calmness, truth and positivity are hard to come by these days. So I decided to follow a religion, the religion of kindness. I need to drown out in my heads thoughts of negativity, of pessimism, of worry, of fear and live in the moment, passing on the message of kindness. Those moments when I was so occupied by work that I lost my perception of time, those moments when I was stressed and tired that I felt like I could collapse anytime anywhere, those moments when I chose surfing online, indulging in social media and watching TV shows over enjoying a beautiful day outside or reconnecting with my friends? No more. No more. Life is way too short. Look, my four years of college are almost over! And it only seems like yesterday when I first arrived at Logan. Yes, I will pass on the message of kindness and of love everyday, whether it is volunteering, whether it is helping someone cross the road, whether it is calling my parents, calling my friends and telling them I love them, whether it is helping someone pick up something he/she drops on the floor, whether it is forgiving someone, whether it is giving thanks to the baristas at Dunkin Donuts or at Starbucks, whether it is giving those little boys and little girls at the Stata Childcare Center the biggest smile I have when I pass by there every lecture. And when I have children of my own, kindness is the first thing I will try to teach them. Passing on the message of kindness is the most crucial thing, because once it multiples, the impact will be beyond what you can imagine. It is difficult, no doubt, as we have so many respo nsibilities and plans. But it’s do-able if we keep this thought close to our heart. As I watch this beautiful little boy playing at Steam Café in building 7, I can only hope that the next generations will have a better and more peaceful future. I will contribute my part today and the days to come and I hope you guys are with me. P/S: The little boy just came over to say Hi! So much love. Courtesy of The Tech A steady stream of visitors paid tribute to MIT police officer Sean A. Collier in front of Building 32 Messages and gifts of thanks and in remembrance of MIT police officer Sean A. Collier were displayed at the lobby of MIT Police headquarters. The Green Building at MIT was lit in tribute to MIT police officer Sean A. Collier on the night of Apr. 19. “Playing the bagpipes helps me get over bad times,” John Graham ‘16 said after he played “Amazing Grace” on the banks of the Charles River, in tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon attacks earlier that same day.

Marijuana Legalization - 1424 Words

Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana is the most common drug in America and all over the world. It is legalized in some countries, but most countries prohibit its use. It has proven medical abilities and was used for this purpose for a while before being federally criminalized. The United States has been debating on the legalization of marijuana with some states supporting the move and others against it. (10 Facts About Marijuana) Despite all these debates, the legalization of marijuana is the better option of the two. Legalizing marijuana will result in medical, economic and social benefits all over America. Americans are championing for the inclusion of marijuana among other social drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. The public has†¦show more content†¦91). It is the duty of the government to take care of its citizens and ensure their well-being. Several countries have legalized marijuana. This would not be possible if the repercussions were detrimental. Marijuana has been known to have medical benefits since long ago. It is tested and proven to be efficient in the treatment of various ailments. It has therapeutic effects and has been used since 1965 as a medicine (Syrakic et al. 92). The medicinal component of marijuana is known as cannabinoids and it was initially extracted and purified in 1965 (Syrakic et al. 92). Since then, more than four hundred chemicals have been extracted from marijuana (Syrakic et al. 92). This justifies the medical significance of the drug. It is used expansively to treat various ailments. Dronabinol, for example, is an extract from marijuana and a certified antiemetic for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (Syrakic et al. 92). It also stimulates the appetite in patients suffering from AIDS (Syrakic et al. 92). AIDS and cancer are terminal illnesses that lead to several deaths all over the world. In forming part of the medicine that can be used in mitigating the effects of these diseases, marijuana sh ows its contribution to the medical industry. Another extract that has proved useful in the medical field is sativex. Sativex contains 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol both of which have significant contributions in theShow MoreRelatedThe Risk Of Legalization Of Marijuana Essay722 Words   |  3 PagesThe risk of Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana, as we know, is a kind of drug. According to Thompson (2015), marijuana is not only one kind of drug, but also can be used as a medicinal material. The reason it can be a medicinal substance is that marijuana has a curative affect of relieving pain. Despite different states having a variety of regulations about the usage of marijuana, there is always one rule that is unified, which is the medicinal usage of marijuana must be approved by the FDA—theRead MoreLegalizing The Legalization Of Marijuana1012 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscourage is a way to fix the problem. Evident by Colorado and Washington, â€Å"the legalization of marijuana can stop most of these possession arrests† (Levine). After the first opening of the first retail marijuana stores on January 1, 2014, Colorado had decreased crime rates, decreased traffic fatalities and increase in economic output (DPA). Since 2010, the marijuana possession arrest have went down 84% since its legalization. The tact ic of legalizing, controlling, and discouraging has been proposed byRead MoreThe Issue Of Legalization Of Marijuana958 Words   |  4 PagesIt’s not as bad as smoking or drinking alcohol! The government knows what’s good for us! You can’t overdose on marijuana! Public schools told me â€Å"Be Healthy, don’t do drugs.† Arguments such as these are always thrown back and forth when going into a controversial conversation dealing with legalization of marijuana. Many people are on both ends of the spectrum when dealing with the legalization some may personally be involved due to run-ins with the law, family related issues, or personal beliefs. InRead MoreThe Legalization of Marijuana Essay1178 Words   |  5 PagesThere has been a debate over the legalization of marijuana since it was made illegal in the 1920s. There are opponents on both sides of the issue. There are many benefits to the legalization of marijuana, but there are also detrimental effe cts to society that are caused by marijuana use. These issues need to be debated to determine if the legalization of marijuana would benefit the United States. According to a 2003 Zogby poll, â€Å"the government should treat marijuana more or less the same way it treatsRead MoreLegalization of Marijuana Essay954 Words   |  4 PagesLegalization of Marijuana The only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of any subject is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion and studying all modes in which in can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise man ever acquired his wisdom in any mode but this. - John Stuart Mill (Mill. 7). The topic of legalizing marijuana is a very conservational issue in American politics today. There are many good arguments bothRead MoreLegalization of Medical Marijuana Essay863 Words   |  4 PagesMedical Marijuana: A Topic Leaving People Up in Smoke Renee Grant ENC 1101-1002 Professor Bahle March 30, 2013 Medical Marijuana: A Topic Leaving People Up in Smoke Medical marijuana has been an ongoing fight between the federal government, physicians and patients. Contrary to many beliefs, marijuana, whether it is used for medical reasons or recreational is non-lethal. It has been proven to be useful in many medical conditions. There hasRead MoreThe Legalization Of Marijuana Should Not Be Beneficial1240 Words   |  5 PagesThe legalization of marijuana is such a growing debate in the United States, whether it’s on television, in the classroom, or in your own kitchen; you may find yourself debating about it with someone. You are either for it, against it, or indifferent. Either way you still have an opinion of some sort about the legalization of marijuana. Christopher Beach and William Bennett are no different. The release of their article on called â€Å"Legalize Juggernaut† on WeeklyStandard.com timing is perfect sinceRead MoreThe Truth Behind Marijuana Legalization1462 Words   |  6 PagesBehind Marijuana Marijuana is arguably the most controversial drug in history. In general, when someone hears the word â€Å"drugs† they think of a terrible substance that will destroy the human body. However bringing up marijuana, many people think of different things. Some think of a degenerate hippie, but many Americans simply do not know what to think, and bringing up the legalization of the substance is even more controversial. There is a large group of people that believe the legalization of marijuanaRead MoreThe Legalization Of Marijuana And Marijuana Essay1314 Words   |  6 PagesMarijuana or Cannabis is one of the bused drugs in America and the rest of the world. Interesting accumulating evidence show that the significant negative impact of this drug outweighs the positive effects. However, the medical benefits of the drug seem on the process of chemical compounds as compared to the drug itself. Medical debates show that chemical compound in marijuana are the problem as compared to the plant. The said chemical compound affects the mental and physical health of the personsRead MoreEssay on Speech on Legalization of Marijuana in Brazil870 Words   |  4 PagesSpeech on Legalization of Marijuana in Brazil Good morning class mates. Today I am going to discuss the legalization of marijuana in Brazil. I strongly believe marijuana should be legalized. I am not here to encourage anyone to use or not use marijuana. Yet I do believe that many current problems may and can be solved by its legalization. Marijuana is the most popular drug in Brazil after tobacco and alcohol. Discrimination is the reason why marijuana has still

Depression Symptoms And Effects Of Depression - 1497 Words

When you hear that someone has a mental illness what do you think of? A psychopath, sociopath, schizophrenic? What about depression? It the largest psychological illness worldwide, affecting 5-15% of the adult population in the United States and around 13% of it’s teens. The numbers change to favor girls in their teen years,12-15, as their chances to adapt it rises 300% and stays the same when compared to teen boys. The effects of depression vary according from its severity, reason, or lasting to the person. Having depression doesn t stop a person from functioning, but slows them down considerably. Depression isn’t felt the same across the board from person to person. It might be more physical than psychological in some cases. Drowsiness, lack or gain in appetite, aches, restlessness and trouble sleeping at night are examples of how depression can affect your body that will then have a carrying effect. On the psychological side of depression symptoms include depression is just what it sounds like. You feel sad, anxious, like nothing works. An experience of helplessness, because nothing you try works out the way you expected it to, or good things just seem to avoid you. Even when the stars align, a pessimistic feeling will kick in to find the worst in everything. This all leads to the person feeling alone and withdrawing themselves from others. Also, depression can manifest itself in different extents from mild to major. This can be from just feeling sad to clinicalShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Effects Of Major Depression969 Words   |  4 Pageswho acknowledge symptoms of depression in 2010 in comparison to the 1980’s, according to San Diego State University’s Jean Twenge, there is not an increase in the number of people willing to admit that they suffer from this mood disorder (S.D. University, 2014). Consequently, it leaves one questioning how many of these individuals are proceeding in regular life routines while allowing the disturbances of mood to escalate; thus, increasing the symptoms and effects of major depression (Nevid, 2015,Read MoreSymptoms and Long-Term Effects of Depression950 Words   |  4 PagesDepression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of dea th. People that are depressed have sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason. It is a serious illness that affects thoughts, feelings, and the ability to function in everyday life. Thirteen to fourteen million Americans suffer from depression in any given year and overRead MoreThe Effects Of Psychoeducational Group Therapy On Symptoms Of Ptsd, Anxiety And Depression Among Incarcerated Women3447 Words   |  14 PagesThe Effects of Psychoeducational Group Therapy on Symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety and Depression Among Incarcerated Women Christa N. Walters University of Arkansas The Effects of Psychoeducational Group Therapy on Symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety and Depression Among Incarcerated Women Introduction The number of incarcerated women has increased significantly, increasing at a rate double to the rate of male incarceration since 1980 (Covington Bloom, 2006). Braithwaite, Treadwell and Arriola noteRead MoreDepression Essay : Depression : The Causes Of Depression893 Words   |  4 PagesDepression Depression affects many people in today’s society for a number of reasons. Depression is a serious disorder, numerous people are affected by it. However, there are places to go that give help that people with depression need. To begin, depression is a disorder that affects a great deal of people. According to Mayo Clinic, â€Å"Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest† (â€Å"Overview,† n.d.). There are many causes to why people have depressionRead MoreClincal Depression Essay1445 Words   |  6 PagesClincal Depression Depression is a very common disease that will affect a large percentage of the population at some point during their life span. At least 10% of all people will suffer from a major depressive disorder, while even a larger percentage will suffer from some type of mild depression. It is a serious disease that has been linked to other physical and mental illnesses. It has also been a cause of death in numerous cases due to suicide and heart disease. The most disturbing factRead MoreDepression And Postpartum Depression1042 Words   |  5 PagesPostpartum depression: What is it, how long does it last, and does it affect children on the long run? Postpartum depression is a depression that affects woman usually during the first months after giving birth. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 5 woman. It can also affect fathers. In most cases, postpartum depression can last many years. There are 3 types of postpartum psychiatric disorders: postpartum blues, postpartum psychosis and postpart um depression. According to Health Facty, there are 10Read MoreThe Effects of Physical Fitness on Depression on Female Adolescents799 Words   |  4 PagesThe effects of physical fitness on depression A growing epidemic in America is depression. Physicians are able to prescribe drugs to help with the symptoms of depression, but other therapeutic methods have been studied and show great results in recovery. Therapeutic Physical Fitness has shown to reduce depression and anxiety. Ihas been confirmed through experiments that physical exercise can be as effective as antidepressant drugs and some cases suggest that it better prevents symptomRead MoreDifferent Treatments Of Depression / Anxiety And Their Effectiveness1622 Words   |  7 PagesTreatments of Depression/Anxiety and their Effectiveness For years, the ideal treatment of depression/anxiety has been pretty much up in the air with literature that shows mixed results for responses to various treatments. Pharmacotherapy or treatment via medicine, and psychotherapy treatment via talk therapy are the two types paths for those with a diagnosis of depression/anxiety that will be considered. Depression is a disorder that globally effects more than 350 million people today (Depression (A)).Read MoreInformative Speech961 Words   |  4 PagesInformative Outline Topic: â€Å"Postpartum Depression† General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about Postpartum Depression Thesis: Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can greatly effect new mothers. Knowing how to recognize their symptoms and treating it can greatly increase chances of a healthy, happy living. Attention Getter: Imagine a bright sunny morning, lite clouds low chances of rain which is a great example of a perfect day. You receive a call from someoneRead MoreDepression Essay : The Causes And Effects Of Youth Depression1566 Words   |  7 PagesThe Causes and Effects of Youth Depression Most individuals spend a short downcasted period in their lives, but some individuals experience an extended period of dejection. This may be the cause of depression. Depression is a mental disorder that feeds on the negative self-evaluation of an individual. Eventually the individual is blinded of any positivity in their life by the overwhelming pessimistic views of a situation, continuing the cycle. Awareness of adult depression is substantial, but unprogressive

Chatsworth the Adventure Plyaground Free Essays

Chatsworth House, the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is one of the finest and most palatial houses in the UK, set in over 1000 acres of parkland in the Peak England. The original house was built over 400 years ago and rebuilt starting in the seventeenth century. The house is vast, with 175 room lit by over 2000 lights bulbs, and with a roof that covers 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Chatsworth the Adventure Plyaground or any similar topic only for you Order Now 3 acres. Chatsworth’s many rooms are full of treasure including famous works of art by painters such as Rembrandt, and tapestries, sculpture.Valuable furniture, musical instrument and even 63 antique clocks which need winding every day. The gardens cover over 105 acres with more than five miles of footpaths that guide visitors past fountain, small and large (the largest is 28 meters high), cascades, streams and ponds, all of which are fed by gravity from four large man-made lakes on the moors above the grounds. The gardens are mix of formal and informal areas. There are sculpture, statues, rock gardens, maze and garden views that constantly change with the seasons, all managed and maintained by a small team of 20 gardeners.Both the house and gardens are open from March to December and are just two of the experiences available to visitors. Other include an orangery gift shop, restaurant and farm shop, which are open all year round, and the surrounding park land which is open to visitors for walking, picnics and swimming in the river. The whole estate is owned and managed by an independent charity. Close to the house and gardens . , with a separate admission charge, is the farmyard and adventure playground.The farmyard is a popular attraction for families and provides close encounters with a variety of livestock including pigs, sheep, cows, chickens and fish. The staff provides daily milking demonstrations and animal-handling sessions. The woodland adventure playground is accessed through the farmyard and is one of the largest in the country with a range of frames, bridges, high-level walkways, swing, chutes and slides. Simon Seligman is the Promotion and Education Manager at Chatsworth house. As head marketing he is closely involved in the design and development of ew services and facilities. He explained the way they do this at Chatsworth. â€Å"It is pretty abstract and organic process. Looking back over the last 25 years we either take occasional great leaps forward or make frequent little shuffles. The little shuffles tend to be organic changes usually in response to visitors feedback. The great leaps forward have been the few major changes that we decided we wanted to bring about. † One those great leaps forward was the decision to replace the children’s adventure playground attached to the farmyard, Simon explained. The existing adventure playground was clearly coming to the end of its life and it was time to make a decision about what to do with it. It was costing us about 18,000 each winter to maintain it and these costs were increasing year on year. We believed we could get a better one for around 100,000. The trustees asked me, the deputy estate manager with line responsibility for the farmyard and the farmyard manager to form a group and put forward a report to the trustees setting out all the options.We asked ourselves several detailed questions and some fundamental ones too, such as why are we replacing it and should we replace it at all? We came up with four options: remove it, do nothing, replace with similar, replace with substantially better. It was felt that removing the playground altogether was a realistic option. The Duke and Duchess had view that Chatsworth should be true to its roots and traditions. Whereas one could make an argument for farmyard being part of a country estate, an adventure playground was considered to fit less well.The down-side would be that the lack of adventure playground, which is a big attraction for families with young children, could have an impact on visitor numbers. However, there would be saving in terms of site maintenance. The â€Å"do nothing† option would entail patching up the playground each year and absorbing the increasing maintenance cost. This could be a low-impact option, in the short term at least. However, it was felt that this option would simply delay the replace/remove decision by five years at most.The current playground was no longer meeting international safety standards so this could be a good opportunity to replace the playground with something similar. It was estimated that a like-for-like replacement would cost around 100,000. Replacing the playground with a substantially better one would entail a much greater cost but could have an impact on visitor numbers. Simon and his team keep close eye on their competitors and visit them whenever they can. They reported that several other attractions had first rate adventure playground or to go for great leap forward.The trustees asked us to bear in mind the â€Å"remove† option and take a closer look at the â€Å"substantially better† option. Three companies were asked to visit the site, propose a new adventure playground and develop a site plan and initial design to a budget of 150,000. All three companies provided some outline proposals for such a figure but they all added that for 200,000 they could provide something really quite special. Furthermore, the team realized that they would have to spend some additional money putting in a new ramp and lift into the farmyard at an estimated 50,000.It was starting to look like a very expensive project. Simon takes up the story. â€Å"One of the companies came along with a complete idea for the site based water which is a recurring theme in the garden at Chartsworth. They had noticed the stream running through the playground and thought it could make a wonderful feature. They told us they were reluctant to put up a single solution but wanted to work with us, really engage with us, to explore what would really work for us to visit their German partner who made all the major places of equipment.So, over the next few months, together, we worked up a complete proposal for a state-of-the-art adventure playground, including the structural changes in the farmyard. The budget was 250,000. To be honest, it was impossible to know what effect this would have on visitor numbers so in the end we put in a very conservative estimate that suggested that would make the investment back in seven years. Over the next few years we reckon the playground led to an increase in visitor numbers of 85,000 per year and so we recouped our investment in just three years. RECOMMENDATION: How to cite Chatsworth the Adventure Plyaground, Papers

Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll

'Jabberwocky' by Lewis Carroll English writer Lewis Carroll (1832- 1898) is best-known for his genre-bending work Alices Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and its sequel Through the Looking Glass (1872). The tale of a young girl who visits a strange land is a classic of childrens literature and cemented Carrolls place in the Western literary canon. Even though theyre widely considered to be important works, the talking animals and possible depiction  of what has been interpreted as drug use have placed Wonderland and Looking Glass on numerous lists of banned books. Lewis Carroll Life and Work Lewis Carroll was actually the pen name of   Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a cleric, scholar, teacher, and mathematician. Before turning to writing childrens fiction, Dodgson/Carroll wrote several mathematical texts while a student at Christ Church College, Oxford, including An Elementary Treatise on Determinants, Curiosa Mathematica and Euclid and His Modern Rivals. He met the Liddell family while a teacher at Christ Church College  and was enchanted by their young daughter Alice. Although he later said his fictional heroine was not based on any real person, Carroll reportedly made up the Wonderland stories, or at least their outlines, as a way of entertaining Alice Liddell and her friends. Carroll wrote several other works, some about Alice, in his later years, but never again achieved the commercial success of Wonderland and Looking Glass. Analyzing Carrolls Poem Jabberwocky Jabberwocky is a poem contained within Through the Looking Glass.   Alice discovers the poem in a book on a table during a visit to the Red Queen. From what we can understand, the poem is a mythical monster who is slain by the hero of the poem. Who is the hero? Who is the narrator? Its almost impossible for the reader to tell  since were already in the weird world of Wonderland. Even Alice doesnt understand what shes reading. Written in a ballad style, most of the words within the Jabberwocky are nonsensical, yet it hews to a traditional poetic structure. Here is the complete text of Lewis Carrolls Jabberwocky. Twas brillig, and the slithy tovesDid gyre and gimble in the wabe:All mimsy were the borogoves,And the mome raths outgrabe. Beware the Jabberwock, my son!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!Beware the Jubjub bird, and shunThe frumious Bandersnatch! He took his vorpal sword in hand:Long time the manxome foe he soughtSo rested he by the Tumtum tree,And stood a while in thought. And, as in uffish thought he stood,The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,And burbled as it came! One two! One two! And through and throughThe vorpal blade went snicker-snack!He left it dead, and with its headHe went galumphing back. And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?Come to my arms, my beamish boy!Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!He chortled in his joy. Twas brillig, and the slithy tovesDid gyre and gimble in the wabe:All mimsy were the borogoves,And the mome raths outgrabe.

Free Essays on War Is Real

The U.S. moves coincide with reports from Afghan officials in the border area that the United States and its allies were readying another major operation against members of the al Qaeda network and Afghanistan’s Taliban militia, which was ousted from power last year. The United States has blamed al Qaeda for the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon and New York. Advertisement U.S. military officials yesterday reported two firefights in the area, in which U.S. and Australian special forces troops killed four al Qaeda fighters. Army Maj. Gen. Franklin L. â€Å"Buster† Hagenbeck, the U.S. ground commander in Afghanistan, said the two fights occurred northeast of Khost, about a mile from the Pakistani border. In the first incident, Australian forces were attacked with mortar and rocket-propelled grenades, and returned fire, killing two, according to Australian military officials. In the second clash, Hagenbeck said, U.S. and Australian troops ambushed fighters who were moving near Khost before dawn yesterday, killing another two. The operation that appears to be looming promises to be smaller and more diffuse than the offensive against al Qaeda fighters by U.S. and allied forces in the Shahikot region west of Khost in early March. In that battle, which the U.S. military refers to as Operation Anaconda, al Qaeda fighters had dug-in positions with heavy weapons, such as long-range mortars and machine guns configured to shoot down aircraft. TRACKING HANDFULS OF FIGHTERS Cement was poured in some areas to provide firing platforms for the mortars. A communications wire ran from an entrenched position atop a 10,000-foot-high ridge to a nearby bunker serving as a command center, which was powered by a solar collector with a back-up car battery. In the border area, by contrast, U.S. intelligence has not detected massed groups of al Qaeda and Taliban members with prepared figh... Free Essays on War Is Real Free Essays on War Is Real The U.S. moves coincide with reports from Afghan officials in the border area that the United States and its allies were readying another major operation against members of the al Qaeda network and Afghanistan’s Taliban militia, which was ousted from power last year. The United States has blamed al Qaeda for the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon and New York. Advertisement U.S. military officials yesterday reported two firefights in the area, in which U.S. and Australian special forces troops killed four al Qaeda fighters. Army Maj. Gen. Franklin L. â€Å"Buster† Hagenbeck, the U.S. ground commander in Afghanistan, said the two fights occurred northeast of Khost, about a mile from the Pakistani border. In the first incident, Australian forces were attacked with mortar and rocket-propelled grenades, and returned fire, killing two, according to Australian military officials. In the second clash, Hagenbeck said, U.S. and Australian troops ambushed fighters who were moving near Khost before dawn yesterday, killing another two. The operation that appears to be looming promises to be smaller and more diffuse than the offensive against al Qaeda fighters by U.S. and allied forces in the Shahikot region west of Khost in early March. In that battle, which the U.S. military refers to as Operation Anaconda, al Qaeda fighters had dug-in positions with heavy weapons, such as long-range mortars and machine guns configured to shoot down aircraft. TRACKING HANDFULS OF FIGHTERS Cement was poured in some areas to provide firing platforms for the mortars. A communications wire ran from an entrenched position atop a 10,000-foot-high ridge to a nearby bunker serving as a command center, which was powered by a solar collector with a back-up car battery. In the border area, by contrast, U.S. intelligence has not detected massed groups of al Qaeda and Taliban members with prepared figh...

Strategies to Proofread Effectively

Strategies to Proofread Effectively Listen to what Mark Twain had to say on the subject of proofreading, and then consider our 10 tips for proofreading effectively. The difference between the almost-right word the right word is really a large matterTwains well-known observation appears at the top of the Language/Writing page of a universitys continuing education website- just above a blurb for Mistake-Free Grammar Proofreading. Except that Twains line is misquoted, and the word lightning is twice misspelled as lightening. Twain himself had little patience for such errors. In the first place God made idiots, he once observed. This was for practice. Then he made proof-readers. Yet as an old newspaper reporter, Twain knew full well how hard it is to proofread effectively. As he said in a letter to Walter Bessant in February 1898: You think you are reading proof, whereas you are merely reading your own mind; your statement of the thing is full of holes vacancies but you dont know it, because you are filling them from your mind as you go along. SometimesNo matter how carefully we examine a text, it seems theres always one more little blunder waiting to be discovered. Tips for Proofreading Effectively Theres no foolproof formula for perfect proofreading every time. As Twain realized, its just too tempting to see what we meant to write rather than the words that actually appear on the page or screen. But these 10 tips should help you see (or hear) your errors before anybody else does. Give it a rest.If time allows, set your text aside for a few hours (or days) after youve finished composing, and then proofread it with fresh eyes. Rather than remember the perfect paper you meant to write, youre more likely to see what youve actually written.Look for one type of problem at a time.Read through your text several times, concentrating first on sentence structures, then word choice, then spelling, and finally punctuation. As the saying goes, if you look for trouble, youre bound to find it.Double-check facts, figures, and proper names.In addition to reviewing for correct spelling and usage, make sure that all the information in your text is accurate.Review a hard copy.Print out your text and review it line by line: rereading your work in a different format may help you catch errors that you previously missed.Read your text aloud.Or better yet, ask a friend or colleague to read it aloud. You may hear a problem (a faulty verb ending, for example, or a missing word) that you havent been able to see. Use a spellchecker.The spellchecker can help you catch repeated words, reversed letters, and many other common slip-upsbut its certainly not goof-proof.Trust your dictionary.Your spellchecker can tell you only if a word is a word, not if its the right word. For instance, if youre not sure whether sand is in a desert or a dessert, visit the dictionaryRead your text backward.Another way to catch spelling errors is to read backward, from right to left, starting with the last word in your text. Doing this will help you focus on individual words rather than sentences.Create your own proofreading checklist.Keep a list of the types of mistakes you commonly make and then refer to that list each time you proofread.Ask for help.Invite someone else to proofread your text after you have reviewed it. A new set of eyes may immediately spot errors that youve overlooked.