Friday, November 29, 2019

Is Twitter Down

IS TWITTER DOWN? Twitter has apparently been down since about 04:53:18 US Eastern Time, and its amazing how riled people can get about a FREE service being down. Some people are calling their service providers to make sure that Twitter hasnt been inadvertently blocked! Hey, I love Twitter, but Im not ready to deal with an hour on tech support with my Internet provider, until Im sure its not a Twitter problem first. In any case, if anyone still thinks that Twitter can be ignored, Id think again. The search term is twitter down has rocketed to the 21st most popular google search in last few hours. --> So, if you havent jumped on the bandwagon, you may want to come see what all the fuss is about. Follow us at @writers4hire. Im not as big a junkie as some, but I do have to admit, its kind of a bummer twitter is down. 🙠 Update: Twitter is back up! But not before twitter down made it to #17 on the most searched for topics on Google. Wowsers

Monday, November 25, 2019

Hispanics essays

Hispanics essays Mainly people recognized in the United States today as Hispanic or Latino are immigrants, or descendents of immigrants from countries that was under the rulings of the immense Spanish empire in the earlier days. Hispanics are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States today. At some indefinite moment within the next seven years, the Latino population in the United States will go beyond forty million, which will make the group the largest minority population (U.S Bureau of the census 1998). The three largest groups of Hispanic Americans are Mexican Americans (57%), who live mainly in the Southwest (the area conquered in 1848 by the U.S during Mexican War); Puerto Ricans (10%), living mainly in the industrial Northeast; and Cuban Americans (5%), concentrated in Florida. This group was comprised largely of political and economic refugees (and their descendents) who immigrated to the United States following the Cuban Revolution in the mid 1980s. Since World War Two, these three oldest and largest Latino communities have been joined by new migrants making the Latino population in the U.S more diverse. Other Hispanic groups gaining in importance are Dominicans, 520,151 of whom (1990) have settled mainly in and around New York City, where they have quickly gained political representation and improved their economic status. Political disorder in Central America has led to a recent flow in immigration from that area. 0f 1,323,830 Central American residents, 565,081 have come from El Salvador, 268,779 from Guatemala, and 202,658 from Nicaragua. The largest group from South America is the Colombians, who in 1990 numbered 378,726, many of them living in the borough of Queens in New York City. Colombians have been unique in importing their lifestyle to the United States. Friends, occupations, servants, goods, all have been replicated (U.S bureau of the census). ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Hazard & Vulnerability Analysis and Mitigation & Prevention Essay

Hazard & Vulnerability Analysis and Mitigation & Prevention - Essay Example On account of their interconnectedness, it can be stated that EMP is a holistic approach which links a disaster with development. As these different aspects of emergency management plan are robustly interlaced, mitigation as an isolated strategy, to deal with an emergency, is not comprehensible. It refers to plan strategies and programs to eliminate or reduce the effects of a disaster, and consequently to prevent the loss of property, personal injury or death. Hence, any effort to minimize the impact of a disaster can be termed as mitigation. Mitigation phase necessarily involves hazard identification and vulnerability analysis. Alternatively, it can be stated that without hazard identification and vulnerability analysis, it is not possible to mitigate an impending disaster. Moreover, mitigation includes a response with a plan of action for disaster preparedness, and the consequent prevention and risk reduction. Hazard identification requires preparation of a database of historical and archival information, analysis of the data, computer based simulations, preparation of a hazard map, and listing of all habitations and vital installations within a specific radius of the epicenter (Government of India 16). Some of the hazards include floods, storm, cyclone, earthquake, tsunami, volcanoes, fire, etc.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Reserch paper The Management of Innovation Essay

Reserch paper The Management of Innovation - Essay Example To explicate, therefore, is a process of describing in detail what we observe over a prolonged period of time shadowing principals, senior and middle managers, administrative and teaching staff as they go about their everyday work. This project attempts to investigate the nature of leadership and the everyday challenges of leading. It focuses on what leadership is and how it has become an ever-changing process. The text will be central to revealing the nature of leadership, relations between leaders and the led, risk-taking and entrepreneurship. In doing so, it would draw upon Richard Daft's text, Organization Theory and Design and apply his concept of the complexities of globalization (as in Chapter 6) in aiding managers design their organizations to be more effective on a global scale. As educational institutions in the word embrace new managerial and business approaches, they have simultaneously adopted a range of new technologies. This research summary reports on how information and communication technologies (ICT) are used to support aspects of educational leadership. Richard Daft makes it clear that no organization can stand still in today's reality - managers and workers have to think constantly of better ways of doing things, learn from every source, which bears knowledge, and can give the organization a better competitive advantage. Things have never moved so fast and threats and opportunities have never been so immense. Competitors have to be efficient and different to survive and stay on the top. Daft continues and presents the most recent developments in organizations' design - structures and management methods that have only emerged lately in response to the turbulences in the environments and competition worldwide. The rise of an emerging managerial philosophy of efficiency, system, and process is, according to Daft, reflected in the forms of internal communication that serve as mechanisms for managerial coordination and control. These have developed as a product not only of changing organizational needs but also of the technologies available to support them. Forms of organizational communication can thus be organized into specific and recognizable 'genres' such as letters, memorandums, meetings, agendas, proposals etc. These technologies as used by principals and senior managers within colleges not only to account for, but also to promote and disseminate, specific leadership visions and objectives. The overflow of more general managerial philosophies into the realm of globalizations in recent years has included the need to demonstrate competence, compliance and effectiveness to a variety of audiences. Going with Daft's idea1, the purpose of my study would suggest that this need for visible competence is now a dominant theme, driven by external inspection, funding and governance mechanisms as well as the service culture expectations of users and other stakeholders. Such 'audit cultures' (Strathern, 2000) are increasingly common in both

Monday, November 18, 2019

The history of African-Americans Research Paper

The history of African-Americans - Research Paper Example The paper will use the works of different Historians in understanding why Reconstruction Era efforts did not immediately guarantee civil rights and equality to African-Americans. The paper will highlight significant events that contributed to racial violence, cultural identity and black organisations that advanced the movements for social justice and civil rights to African-Americans and ultimately attainment of post-racial American society. The main events that the paper will focus on include the enactment of 13th amendment, Colfax Massacre, Wilmington race riots, Harlem Renaissance, Black power movements and recent election of an African-American as the President of United States. African Americans Introduction A majority of African Americans are the descendants of African slaves that were held in the US from 1600 until 1865. African-Americans were at times referred as the Negro, Blacks, colored Americans and Afro-Americans. African-Americans trace their ancestry from native Africa n tribes in Sub-Sahara Africa (Turner-sadler, 2009). African-Americans mainly came to the US as slaves working for both Portuguese and Spanish settlers. Most of the African-Americans were concentrated in the Southern states and a significant majority worked as slaves in the Southern plantations (Bair, 1997). According to Hornsby (2008), African-Americans history is characterized with racial struggles, violence, agitations for self-identity and determination and ultimately eventual integration in to the mainstream U.S political and social life. Thesis: the history and struggles of African-Americans have greatly contributed to the current civil rights in the United States. Enactment of 13th Amendment and commencement of Reconstruction Era There are numerous significant African-American historical events that shaped the current US bill of rights and social relations in the US. In 1865, American Civil War came to an end after Confederate forces conceded defeat to Union forces (Hornsby, 2008). Accordingly, Freedmen’s Bureau was also established in order to provide education and health services to the emancipated African-American slaves. The first significant event in African-American history was the enactment of the 13th amendment of US constitution in 1865 (Hornsby, 2008). The 13th Amendment effectively ended slavery and involuntary servitude across the United Slaves. McPherson (1971) is of the idea that President Lincoln was concerned that Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 had not effectively prohibited slavery since it had been declared only for Ten Confederate States and not the Border States. McPherson analyses the numerous House of Representative meetings that were geared at enacting the 13th amendments and the intentions of the legislators. According to McPherson, the 13th amendment offered the best opportunity for Reconstruction and end of slavery after the Civil War that had claimed lives of thousands of African-Americans. However, some states did n ot ratify the amendment the same year while others continued to subject blacks to involuntary servitude (Turner-sadler, 2009). The amendment contributed to the end of African-American slaves and later demand for equal human rights with White counterparts (Turner-sadler, 2009). The 13th amendment also paved way for subsequent reconstruction amendments that provided for equal protection under the law and due process in legal proceedings (Turner-sadler, 2009). Colfax Massacre of 1873 The Colfax Massacre that occurred on Easter Sunday 1873 is regarded as another critical event in the history of African-Americans since the end of the civil war (Laird, 2009). During the riots, more than one hundred African-Americans were

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Science And God In Frankenstein

Science And God In Frankenstein What is science? In the nineteenth century many believed it was attempting to play God. During this era new scientific discoveries in Europe were immense, and controversy over them was extreme. Not only did this new movement challenge the principles of Christianity but the belief in God. Mary Shelleys Frankenstein through Victor Frankensteins perilous journey shows the destruction behind mans thirst for scientific knowledge and the ethical reasons as to why man should not play God (cite). Victor Frankenstein attempts to go beyond human bounds and undertake in the greatest mistake of his life. Victors experiment created in the name of science holds the key to which Victor believes is his future success (cite). The Accomplishment of his toils is described as a wretched male figure formed from the corpses of others (Frankenstein, 34). Through his efforts, Frankenstein brings this figure to life, and his desire to succeed and discover impel him to play God. It was the secrets of heaven and earth that [he] desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied [him] (22) (cite.) However, Frankenstein is so deeply captivated with bringing about life that he fails to recognize the moral affects the creature will have on society, and most importantly that there could possibly be an explanation we cant create life unnaturally or be immortal. After the completion of his experiment, Frankens tein begins to recognize some of the consequences when he states, how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pain and care I had endeavoured to form?(34) (cite). Is it not irresponsible and foolish to create life from death, while what is alive is not fully comprehended? When Frankenstein saw his creation and admitted his dissatisfaction, some may ask why he would create such a monster knowing it would definitely not fit into society. The clear explanation would be he fears his own death, thus trying to obtain the knowledge of life to prevent it. Frankensteins scientific pursuit is for his selfish means, not for the betterment of society. Frankenstein remarks by saying, The labours of men of genius, however erroneously directed, scarcely ever fail in ultimately turning to the solid advantage of mankind (34). The novel goes on to prove this could be no farther from the truth. By simply addressing the issue that some scientists may be erroneously directed, Frankenstein shows he is considering the ulterior motives of his plans. He is recognizing that his motives may not be for the advantage of mankind, and that this would be simply a bi-product of his creation. Frankenstein also fails to realize what society would think of his creature and how the creature would be affected by the general public. The creature is sent out into the world with the temperament of man, but entirely lacking the guidance and nurturing that all creatures need. This role playing of God is not what man was intended for, and children are made of a sperm and egg, not the hands of man. Who could handle the responsibility of controlling life? Only a Divine Power could control such an intricate process, and is a responsibility no person could endure. Victor takes many simple things for granted in his life, which are symbolized through the monster. I am alone and miserable: man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me (129). All the monster requests is someone to share his life with, to live happily, and be loved; and through these pleasures the monster witnesses happiness. Victors scientific pursuit interferes with his life and ruins his happiness. He loses the desire for companionship because of his endeavors, and though Elizabeth longs for his return, he is too engaged in his work. Frankenstein has an opportunity to be happy, but the monster is never given the chance. This presents Shelleys argument that when you allow things such as science to get in the way of your true needs, such as love, you will not live a life worth living. Frankenstein and his monster are both miserable because they both live their life without love. He solved the most incomprehensible question, he reached the peak of scientific understanding, he accomplished his goals, yet he is miserable. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart (42). Shelley purposely lets Frankenstein accomplish his goal, but she makes a point that if the scientific knowledge of life cant bring happiness then no scientific knowledge can. Victor is so infatuated with completing his task and achieving fame that he fails to realize the lasting affects or consequences of his breakthrough. Shelley makes a valid argument that in many ways, we would all be better off without complex scientific thought: Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow (38). Victor advises Walton by declaring, Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries (200). This passage evidently discusses Victors selfishness in fulfilling his objective. Shelley argues that scientists who are only seeking fame and fortune do not consider the long term effects and will be considered notorious.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Interesting Facts :: essays research papers

Interesting Facts Got this from one of my daily joke emails. Thought it was interesting enough to share : 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321 If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple. Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them use to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired." Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village". There are two credit cards for every person in the United States. Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later. "I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language. The term "the whole 9 yards" came from WWII fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got "the whole 9 yards." The most common name in the world is Mohammed. The word "samba" means "to rub navels together." The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 672. The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher. Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots. Until 1965, driving was done on the left-hand side on roads in Sweden. The conversion to right-hand was done on a weekday at 5pm. All traffic stopped as people switched sides. This time and day were chosen to prevent accidents where drivers would have gotten up in the morning and been too sleepy to realize that *this* was the day of the changeover. The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin during World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo. Dr. Seuss pronounced "Seuss" such that it rhymed with "rejoice." In Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart never said "Play it again, Sam." Sherlock Holmes never said "Elementary, my dear Watson." More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes. The term, "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye" is from Ancient Rome.

Monday, November 11, 2019

My Generation’s Greatest Challenge

President Barack Obama once said, â€Å"All across the world†¦increasingly dangerous weather patterns and devastating storms are abruptly putting an end to the long-running debate over whether or not climate change is real. Not only is it real, it’s here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster. † The President’s words make it clear that climate change is a great challenge which must be faced, and soon. However, it is not the government’s job alone to deal with this crisis. Stopping climate change will be my generation’s greatest challenge.One of the reasons why climate change is such a formidable obstacle is that the needed change will come slowly. One image that comes to mind is a frog dropped into a pan of scalding water. Of course, the frog will reflexively leap away from the danger. However, if the frog is immersed in lukewarm water, and the water is slowly brought to a boil, the frog will remain and will suffer a serious penalty. My generation is the frog, and â€Å"the man-made natural disaster† is the boiling water. The inertia of the past cannot be overcome in a short time. Consequently, the drastic changes needed to combat climate change will not be effected quickly.However, time is of the essence. Society’s prompt reformation of environmentally destructive habits must be the goal if my generation wishes to subdue this serious threat. To deal with this vast challenge, education as well as reeducation must be made priorities. Not only must scientific knowledge about climate change be made readily available to young people, but the desire for improvement must be instilled in them. As harsh as it may seem, teachers need to constantly remind their students of the worldwide destruction that will ensue should young people fail to act proactively.Likewise, reeducation must provide a jolt to the older generation, shocking it out of its passive stupor and igniting passion for change. Finally, motivation will play a key role in stopping climate change. Nothing will happen if no one takes action. Balancing the welfare of the earth with personal desires is mandatory. If people ultimately decide to place their comfort above the health of the planet, it would be akin to an act of war against humanity. Thankfully, climate change can be dealt with if everyone takes small, easy steps against it.This is of paramount importance. Because the earth is the foundation of all man’s success, life without a healthy earth would not be worth living. The greatest test my generation will face is the challenge of stopping climate change. While success may not come quickly or easily, resignation to the imminent prospect of global catastrophe is to abdicate all bonds to our fellow man. Although the world may already have gone a distance down the path to destruction by climate change, there is still hope if everyone takes personal responsi bility for the protection of the planet.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Law of Hospitality in Odyssey essays

Law of Hospitality in Odyssey essays The Importance of the Law of Hospitality in Homers The Odyssey The Law of Hospitality is an unwritten law in which a host cannot refuse a guest, whether it is a weary traveler, a nobleman, or a beggar. This law is not widely used today, if at all, but in the time of Homers The Odyssey, this was considered a moral and ethical code. However, there were certain standards that were to be upheld in this agreement. The host could not refuse a guest or make him leave; at the same time, a guest could not mistreat or behave in an otherwise unacceptable way toward the others in the hosts house. In the same respect, a guest could not overstay his welcome in the hosts home. In The Odyssey, this guest-host relationship was shown in all of its forms throughout the book. There are three basic forms that the Law of Hospitality can be expressed in. Both the guest and host can benefit, or be unaffected by the visit. Another common situation that can result from a guest-host relationship is that the houseguest can affect the host in a bad way. Also, contrarily, the host can affect the guest in a bad way. All of these situations were present in The Odyssey in many forms. The Law of Hospitality is shown in what some may see as an unusual pair; a person of low status accepts a person of equal if not higher status. Eumaeus is the swineherd who used to work for Odysseus; who has remained loyal to him in his absence. When Odysseus, (disguised as a beggar) comes to his humble home, Eumaeus accepts him, regardless of the fact that he is of lesser status. Eumaeus treats him with the same respect as he would any person. When Eumaeus sees Odysseys disguised as the beggar, just barley surviving his dogs, he doesnt even give him a chance to speak before saying, Come to the cabin. Youre a wanderer to. You must eat something, drink some wine, and tell me where you are from and the hard times youve...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

How to Make APA In-Text Citations and Examples

How to Make APA Ins APA style is the format that is typically required of students who are  writing essays and reports  for courses in psychology and the social sciences. This style  is similar to MLA, but there are small but important differences. For example,  the APA format calls for fewer abbreviations in the citations, but  it places more emphasis on publication  dates in the notations.   The author and date are stated any time you use information from an outside source. You place these in parentheses  immediately after the cited material, unless you have mentioned the authors name in your text. If the author is stated in the flow of your essay text,  the date is parenthetically stated immediately after the cited material. For example: During the outbreak, the doctors thought the psychological symptoms were unrelated (Juarez, 1993). If the author is named in the text, only put the date in parenthesis. For example: Juarez (1993) has analyzed many reports written by psychologists directly involved in the studies. When citing a work with two authors, you should cite the last names of both authors. Use an ampersand () to separate the names in the citation, but use the word and in the text. For example: The small tribes along the Amazon that have survived over the centuries have evolved in parallel ways (Hanes Roberts, 1978). or Hanes and Roberts (1978) claim that the ways in which the small Amazonian tribes have evolved over the centuries are similar to each other. Sometimes you will have to cite a work with three to five authors, if so, cite them all in the first reference. Then, in following citations, state only the first authors name followed by et al. For example: Living on the road for weeks at a time has been linked to many negative emotional, psychological, and physical health issues (Hans, Ludwig, Martin, Varner, 1999). and then: According to Hans et al. (1999), lack of stability is a major factor. If you use a text that has six or more authors, cite the last name of the first author followed by et al. and the year of publication. The complete list of authors should be included in the works cited list at the end of the paper. For example: As Carnes et al. (2002) have noted, the immediate bond between a newborn baby and its mother has been extensively studied by many disciplines. If you are citing a corporate author, you should state the full name in each in-text reference followed by the publication date. If the name is long and the abbreviated version is recognizable, it may be abbreviated in subsequent references. For example: New statistics show that owning pets improves emotional health (United Pet Lovers Association [UPLA], 2007). The type of pet seems to make little difference (UPLA, 2007). If you need to cite more than one work by the same author published in the same year, differentiate between them in the parenthetical citations by putting them in alphabetical order in the reference list and assigning each work with a lower case letter. For example: Kevin Walkers Ants and the Plants They Love would be Walker, 1978a, while his Beetle Bonanza would be Walker, 1978b. If you have material written by authors with the same last name, use the first initial of each author in every citation to distinguish them. For example: K. Smith (1932) wrote the first study done in his state. Material obtained from sources such as letters, personal interviews, phone calls, etc. should be stated in the text using the persons name, the identification personal communication and the date said communication was obtained or took place. For example: Criag Jackson, Director of Passion Fashion, stated that the color changing dresses are the wave of the future (personal communication, April 17, 2009). Keep in mind a few punctuation rules as well: Always put the citation at the end of the material used.If you are using a direct quote, put the citation on the outside of the closing quotation mark.End punctuation (period, exclamation point) for the text follows the parenthetical citation.If you are using a block quotation, place the citation after the final punctuation mark of the paragraph.Always include a page reference for the material being cited.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Trends in Electronic Health Record Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Trends in Electronic Health Record - Coursework Example Spending 8 hours in a construction firm, mixing concrete and making floors can be considered as work. Spending hours on the desktop writing articles should be considered as work but monitoring a robot making car doors cannot be considered as work. Work done by nomal human being is actually hectic and requires an established health programme that can cater for one’s treatment at his or her work place. An organization or any work site, should establish an electronic health record for its employees or workers. Physicians should also be present inany work place. Physicians’ ability to deliver effectively in the health care has always been curtailed by the overwhelming amount of data that they receive and deliver in the event of discharging their errands. It is obvious that medical care gets complex as days pass by besides the fact that information gets to the physicians at uncontrollable rate. It is thus imminent that the physicians and other health care givers have access to latest technologies that would enable them cope with the overwhelming amount of information and therefore offer services based on latest information. This means that there has always been a need for the health care industry to develop computerized system that would enable the health care givers ranging from the physicians, nurses, pharmacists, to laboratory technicians capture, manage, and deliver health care information electronically. It is noteworthy that the dire need for the digital record gave birth to the Electronic Health Record (EHR). The Electronic Health Record (EHR) has been an important tool for the health care givers in providing effective and efficient health care services to the patients. Electronic Health Record (EHR) has been in the health industry for a long period estimated at four decades. It is plausible that majority of healthcare setup ranging from small to large operators have realized significant aspects of the EHR and are in the run to implement it. It is noteworthy that the present appetite for EHR is not only an American experience but also a global initiative taking into consideration that there is an ever-increasing global demand for EHR software. This claim can be justified by the escalating number of EHR developers and vendor companies that the world has been experiencing over the past few years. In other words, the demand for Electronic Health Record is growing day by day, which is a positive sign that various healthcare providers appreciate the value of computerized health record across the globe. Hospitals are presently one of the major consumers of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) owing to the large handling of the patients’ information and other related medical records. Overview and History of Electronic Health Record (EHR) Electronic Health Record (EHR) refers to longitudinal electronic record of patient’s medical data gathered and stored owing to a patient’s encounter with the healthcare provide r (MITRE Corporation, 2006). In other words, EHR involves collection and storage of patient’s health information in an electronic form in order to enhance ease handling and sharing of information within the hospital setup. The digitalized patients medical information contained in the EHR include but not limited to immunizations, patient demographics, problems, medications, vital signs, radiology reports, past medical history, laboratory data and progress

Saturday, November 2, 2019

To whom should I listen Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

To whom should I listen - Essay Example I have also picked up many traditions from all over the world and refused many because they do not go along with my religion or culture. For example, just like the Minnesota University student, Walter Hanson, the protagonist in the short story, The Undeclared Major, written by Will Weaver (2006), I have also learned to shake hands with people when we meet them, from the Euro-American tradition that I assimilated when I lived in England (p.364). In my native place, people embrace each other or just smile when we meet each other. I am experiencing the state of mind of Walter Hanson not only with respect to such simple things, but also by having a concern about how much my family and people will understand me as I continue to grow accepting new traditions from new cultures. Hence, when I am back in Saudi Arabia, I shift back to embracing people and smiling at them and never try to shake hands with them. At home, I try to behave as close as possible to how a Saudi youth of my age would b ehave so that I do not alienate my family members, friends and acquaintances. When I am back in America, I leave behind those culture-specific behavioral aspects and shift myself into a set of behaviors that is expected of me as an American Muslim. My family has a tradition of valuing education above all and it is this tradition that I also got into myself, and became crucial in my life choices. When I read Keizer (2006), writing that â€Å"I give thanks for my family, my church, the Supremes†, I also realize that it was my family and my religion that gave me confidence in becoming what I have become today (p.413). This reverence for family and religion has been a trait that I inherited from the culture and tradition that I was born into. When I think of old age, I always visualize myself as an old man living with my children and grandchildren as any other Saudi citizen would do. I also see myself as becoming more and more religious as I become older. This is so because in my native culture, the community (that is defined by family and religion) is important than the individual. For Keizer (2006), the conflict that he experienced regarding making a decision on what vocation to choose, was something that was to be answered by God himself (416). In such matters, I have grown to be a person, different from him to the core. I feel that regarding such worldly matters, I need to take up the responsibility of my own destiny. This approach, I have taught myself more from my host culture, that is, the Euro-American, individualistic culture. Keizer (2006) has said, â€Å"I wanted God, no one less, to make the decision for me. Believing that vocations were made in heaven, I wanted the matchmaker to speak from that height.† (p.416). In a similar situation, I would rather explore what interests me or what is my real passion. I will not want to bother God on such small choices of life. I feel that this is my Euro-American side. Also when Amy Tan (2006), in her novel, Two Kinds, discusses the element of obedience between a parent and an offspring, I feel empathy with the daughter in several aspects (p.370). Obedience to parents has been a tradition that I assimilated from my Muslim culture and also a tradition that I broke partially when I began to live as a student in England and later in America. As a child, I was not a rebel. I