Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Human Vomit essays

Human Vomit essays Durante este periodo de evaluacin la calidad de su trabajo se ha mejorado. Ud. ha manejado bien su presupuesto y recursos y ha evitado gastos innecesarios. Ud. ha estado al dà ­a con las plizas de la compan. Con respeto a sus relaciones con otros tengo que destacar el trato bueno de su personal y su facilidad para trabajar en equipo. Ud. trabaja atentamente con sus compan me han dicho que Ud. siempre cumple sus promesas y hace caso a su bienestar. Ud. proyecta una imagen de honradez y promueve confianza en nuestra compa Ud. es un comerciante muy competente y demuestra un potencial excelente y un afn de superacin fuerte. No obstante, hasta el presente, su trabajo aà ºn sufre por problemas en el manejo del tiempo y la productividad. Aunque no hemos recibido ninguna queja de sus clientes, nos hemos preocupado de la cantidad de trabajo que ha producido y sobre su habilidad de ponerse en un horario ms consistente(el à ºltimo mes, por ejemplo, a menudo lleg tarde y sali pronto casi cada dà ­a y est acostumbrado a tener largas conversaciones telefnicas personales). Le pedimos que tenga presente que para ser lucrativa nuestra compan. Esperamos que pensar en su futuro con nosotros y destacar sà ­ mismo para mejorarse en este aspecto de su trabajo. Ud. tiene el derecho a responder por escrito a esta evaluacin. ...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Choose the Right Setting for Your Play

Choose the Right Setting for Your Play Before you sit down to write a play, consider this: Where does the story take place? Developing the right setting is essential to creating a successful stage play. For example, suppose you wanted to create a play about a James Bond-styled globe-trotter who travels to exotic locations and gets involved with lots of intense action sequences. It might be impossible to effectively bring all of those settings to life on the stage. Ask yourself: Is a play the best way to tell my story? If not, perhaps you may want to start working on a movie script. Single Location Settings Many plays take place in a single location. The characters are drawn to a specific place, and the action unfolds without dozens of scene changes. If the playwright can invent a plot that focuses on a limited amount of settings, half the battle of writing is already won. Sophocles of Ancient Greece has the right idea. In his play, Oedipus the King, all of the characters interact on the steps of the palace; no other set is needed.  What started in ancient Greece still works in modern theater bring the action to the setting.   Kitchen Sink Dramas A kitchen sink drama is typically a single location play that takes place in a familys home.  Often time, that means that the audience will see only one room in the house (such as the kitchen or dining room).  This is the case with such dramas as A Raisin in the Sun.   Multiple Location Plays Plays with a wide variety of dazzling set pieces are sometimes impossible to produce. British author Thomas Hardy wrote an enormously long play entitled The Dynasts. It begins in the farthest reaches of the universe, and then zooms down to earth, revealing various generals from the Napoleonic Wars. Due to its length and the complexity of the setting, it has yet to be performed in its entirety. Some playwrights don’t mind that. In fact, playwrights such as George Bernard Shaw and Eugene O’Neil often wrote complex works that they never expected to be performed. However, most dramatists want to see their work brought to life on stage. In that case, it is essential for playwrights to narrow down the number of settings. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Some plays take place on an empty stage. The actors pantomime objects. Simple props are used to convey the surroundings. Sometimes, if a script is brilliant and the actors are talented, the audience will suspend its disbelief. They will believe that the protagonist is traveling to Hawaii and then on to Cairo. So, playwrights must consider: will the play work best with actual sets? Or should the play rely upon the audience’s imagination? Relationship Between Setting and Character If you would like to read an example of how details about setting can enhance the play (and even reveal the nature of the characters), read the analysis of August Wilsons Fences.  Youll notice that each part of the setting description (the garbage cans, the unfinished fence post, the baseball hanging from a string) represents the past and present experiences of Troy Maxson, the plays protagonist. In the end, the choice of setting is up to the playwright. So where do you want to take your audience?

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Week 6 reading Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Week 6 reading - Article Example It has contributed to medical technology especially by helping treatment. Porter Beer is a dark beer made from brown malt. Brown malt was pale in color and was made from barley that was sprouted and then toasted. The process involved heating towards the end where some of the barley grain was burnt. This process also gave a smoky taste to the porter beer. However, this smokiness was not fit to be consumed which is why it was kept in wooden vats to reduce the smoky flavor2. The result of the process was a dark beer with a thick consistency that also included a tinge of yeast. Porter beer is significant in technology because it was an innovation of the time as coffee-roasting technique got to be applied at malt brewing. A whipstaff is a bar which is attached to the tiller. It is a mechanical component that helps in steering. It is an important component and its invention was a huge success in engineering the sailing ship. It was a sophisticated technology of its time. The history of the ship steering wheel lends itself to the whipstaff which aided turning of the wheel. Moreover, it added convience for steering because it held the tiller. It is one of the earliest form of engineering design that added convenience for steering and paved way for further innovation in steering technology, especially for sailing ships. 2. London was an active site of production during the period of industrialization. With the onset of industrialization, it grew to become one of the fastest growing industrial city. The presence of River Thames provided a great opportunity for the construction of a canal and dock complex so as to help with the transportation of goods. London soon became a trade hub and a growing site of textile production. Textile mills were initiated as industrialization hit the city. London soon became an industrialized city with mills and factories characterizing its routine life where often families including children and women were employed. With growing

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

In What Way, According to Rousseau, is Humanity Perverse Essay

In What Way, According to Rousseau, is Humanity Perverse - Essay Example In these regards, Rousseau points to a number of pre-Enlightenment collectives, such as the Germanic tribes, that, he believes, were able to function in a more harmonious state as a result of their proximity to natural human instincts. German philosopher Immanuel Kant considered many of the same aspects of human nature and Enlightenment similar to Rousseau. There are varying degrees to which Kant’s celebration of the Enlightenment is inconsistent with Rousseau’s view of the perversity of humanity. Kant’s celebration of the Enlightenment is, perhaps, most inconsistent with Rousseau’s views on the perversity of humanity in terms of the beneficial social gain achieved in the move from the Medieval Ages to the Renaissance. It has been demonstrated that Rousseau rejects blanket assertions of this move as being an indictor or social progress as to an extent he believes that it perverts the natural state of humanity. This is contrasted with Kant’s perspect ive on Enlightenment as a clear and direct means of humanity absolving itself from its immaturity. Consider Kant’s writing, â€Å"Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. Immaturity is the inability to use one's understanding without guidance from another† (Kant, p. 45). To a large extent, the inconsistency between Kant and Rousseau’s perspective here can be linked to notions of intellectual modernism. While Kant has embraced the idea that intellectual and social progress operate on a linear path of enlightenment, Rousseau has resisted this concept, contending instead that it is oftentimes possible for ostensible social progress to be a perversion of humanity’s natural... This essay has examined Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s conception of human perversity. It has further considered the extent that Rousseau’s perspective on human perversity is inconsistent with Kant’s celebration of the Enlightenment. In these contexts of understanding, it’s argued that the main inconsistency between the perspectives is in terms of micro and macro-scales of thought. On an individual scale, Rousseau rejects the Enlightenment as pure progress, while Kant embraces it as an escape for immaturity. Conversely, on a large-scale, both theorists recognize that in rejecting divine sovereignty, society can be entrusted with achieving self-governance through the social contract and categorical imperative. While Rousseau and Kant disagree on the blanket nature of social progress as achieved through the Enlightenment, to a degree it’s clear that Rousseau’s perspective on the social contract and Kant’s perspective on social mores are consist ent. The divergence in understanding between Kant and Rousseau’s perspectives on human perversion and social progress are evident when considered from a larger scale.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Personal Ethics Essay Example for Free

Personal Ethics Essay When faced with a decision which requires an ethical framework, my usual pattern of decision making follows a pattern of reflection and introspection. The introspective element is both cerebral, that is: based in a rational analysis of the issue or matter at hand, and also intuitive, of which is to some degree an assessment of the emotional components of the decision at hand. However, intuitive introspection, at least in my opinion, transcends the boundaries of rationality as we understand it, and it even transcends our understanding of emotional responses, so intuition, although critical to my own decision making process is a slightly difficult aspect to illuminate. I once read the following paradigm somewhere. The origin of the paradigm is lost to my present memory, but the paradigm was this: whenever you are faced with a truly perplexing yes or no or do or dont or either or decision, and you really cant seem to make up your mind, flip a coin and assign heads to one outcome, and tails to the other. Now, when the result of the coin flip is shown, assess your feeling about the result and you will see what you wanted to do all along. In other words, say your choice is between going to a movie or playing a video game with your friends online. You cant make up your mind which would be abetter choice, so you flip the coin, assigning heads to going to the movie, and tails to playing video games, vowing to abide by the result. Now, lets assume the result of the coin flip is tails staying home to play video games and you feel excited, pleased and happy right away without thinking. Then staying in is what you wanted all along. If the coin-flip result of tails staying home to play video games made you want to flip the coin again for a different result, then you would know the same thing, that what you actually wanted to do was stay home and not go out to the movie. That is not to say that I make my decisions, trivial or profound, based on a coin flip! What I am driving at is that we often have intuitive feelings that lurk below the level of our rational consciousness and we can access this intuition in some cases when making decisions. As someone who has little faith in absolute ethical systems, or in a morality which is based on abstract philosophy, I like to include my own feelings, as well as my rational understanding of ethical concepts when I am faced with decisions. The underlying principles which inform the way I live my life are also drawn from the aforementioned notion of intuition or deep-introspection. For example, if I refuse a certain job offer, or even the offer of friendship on specific occasions this may have less to do with something which could be expressed in a linear fashion: the job was too demeaning, or that person had the wrong hair-style or hobby, but with something that might be more difficult to articulate clearly, but which is much more crucial than any superficial notions that might be viewed by some as important gauges or cues. In short, I dont have any kind of maxim or concrete set of principles edicts, I believe they are called but rather a sense of personal disposition and emotional bearing. For example, I dont like to hurt peoples feelings; viscerally: I just do not like to witness their pain so I avoid doing so when I can manage it. On the other hand, I take a rather dim view of altruism or the notion of helping people or giving them charity. I feel awkward placing myself in a position where I am apt to start pitying or feeling sorry for people; I myself dislike being pitied or felt sorry for, so I guess I assume it is the same for others. I tend to adopt the pursuit of happiness and personal joy (not to be confused with hedonism) as key aspects of my world view. That is, I am, at heart, an optimist who dislikes whining and cynicism and the pursuit of superficial self-gratification at the expense of others. That certainly does not mean that I advocate selflessness whatever that term may indicate as a way of life, but rather, that I view joy, success, and fulfillment at least to some degree to be communal in nature. It is necessary that all acknowledge that everyone is a part of the human experience, no matter who or what they are. there are no exceptions. In my work, I try very hard to be both competent and respectful of those who I work with and for but I often find it difficult to refrain from voicing my opinions, especially when I believe there is a possibility that my input may be helpful. I realize that work is a primary form of self-expression and self-fulfillment in life. My idea is that most people either love their jobs and derive a large part of their self-identity and worldly power through their jobs, or they hate their jobs and are constricted, limited, and oppressed by them. So, to my mind, it is crucial that you endeavor as much as possible to find a job that puts you in the former rather than the latter category because so much of life keys off of ones work. One thing that I am convinced about is that everyone should bring the same emotional involvement and enthusiasm to their jobs as they very often bring to their hobbies, just as I believe most people should try to bring the same level of integrity and competence to their personal relationships as is usually required by their jobs. Obviously, I would not advocate the pursuit of money as a reliable indicator of whether or not a job is the right or wrong job. It is much more important that a job facilitate ones sense of self-esteem and emotional security than whether or not the financial rewards are above and beyond fair. That said, a fair salary is always indicated because without it, maintaining self-respect and self-esteem is made more difficult. While there is no single litmus test for whether or not ones work is the right work for them, the emotional and intuitive aspects of decision making can help as much in assessing a jobs strengths and weaknesses as a cold rational evaluation of the facts.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Marbury v Madison Trial :: essays papers

Marbury v Madison Trial Marbury v. Madison The issue before the Supreme Court was the question of the court’s own constitutional authority, and to decide whether or not to issue the writ and if this would make the court seem weak. The facts of the case that were presented in the court was that this particular case was, in fact, being thrown before the Supreme court, and there was an argument as to whether or no the court real had the jurisdiction to decide this case at all. The result of this case was that the Supreme Court decided to entitle Marbury his court order. It was the first time the Court openly declared an act of Congress unconstitutional. The Court ruled that Congress exceeded its power in the Judiciary Act of 1789 and it established its power to review acts of Congress and declare invalid those it found in conflict with the Constitution. I actually think that the framers of the constitution would have consented to the idea of the Court to have this power of Judicial Review, because it works out quite well for the system of checks and balances because without it Congress would almost have too much power and I am sure the framers wouldn’t have accepted that. If the decision had not have validated the idea that the Supreme court had the power of Judicial Review, then Americans would have been a little concerned about the competency of the Court and would have thought that it was acting outside it’s jurisdiction. Justice Marshall stated that the power to decide this case did not come from the constitution, but from an act of Congress. The Supreme Court further more had original powers that extended beyond the constitution, so, in this case, it had the right to pass judgment.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Profiles of a Spa Customer Essay

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Business travelers who want to minimize jet lags, mothers who wants to spend time for themselves, persons with back problems seeking for relief, weekend warriors who are sore from overexertion, an obese man who needs help in controlling his weight, or a couple who wants to reconnect, all come to one place to seek help, the spa. Today’s spa is a center for healing and nourishing mind, body, and spirit. People go to spas for fitness, stress management, peace of mind, pampering and pleasure, and health and wellness. Spas are everywhere. According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), the number of spas in the United States grew at an annual rate of 21% from 1995-1999 and continues to show strong growth. The size of the U. S. spa industry in 2001 was estimated at 9,632 locations; in 2000, that number was 5,689. (Register, 2008). Here in the Philippines, the demand for spa services continues to grow. According to Libarios (2006), as more and more people pine for inner-healing-this and alternative-lifestyle-that, the market for spas and wellness centers has ballooned over recent years. These so-called health-hubs sprouted in the metro like wild mushrooms in the forest—from the most exclusive centers that cater only to society’s well-heeled set down to the modest hole-in-the-wall that offer services at affordable rates. Libarios further adds that even the Department of Tourism (DOT) has sunk its teeth into the trend. Sensing that the demand for spas is not a novelty that would later die a sudden death, it took the initiative to transform the Philippines into the â€Å"sparadise† of Asia. Despite the noticeable dip in the economy, the demand for spas has shown no signs of slowing down. The demand for spa services is driven by personal income and demographic trends. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient resource use and effective marketing. That is why the profile of spa customers is very essential. This study is intended to determine the profile of spa customers in Bacolod City in order to effectively create an effective feasibility study in putting up a spa business in the future. Statement of the Problem This study tried to determine the profile of spa customers among the selected spa establishments in Bacolod City. Specifically, it tried to satisfy the following questions: . What is the personal profile of spa customers of the selected establishments in Bacolod City in terms of their: a. Gender; b. Marital status; c. Age; d. Employment Status; e. Educational Background; and f. Monthly Income. 2. What is the customers’ prevalence of spa visits in a year? 3. What are the factors that influence their choice of spa to visit? 4. What o ther information may be included in order to support the proposed feasibility study? Operational Framework In this study, the researcher wants to find out the profile of spa customers in the five selected spa establishments in Bacolod City. The personal profile of these spa customers may vary from their gender up to their monthly income. Once their personal profile is established, the next step is to identify the type of spa that they will prefer to avail of once they visit a spa. The researcher is also interested in finding out the influential factors that controls their choice of spa treatments. And finally, the researcher would further sought to find out the necessary information that may be gathered that he deemed were necessary in order to support his proposed feasibility study on the establishment of spa business in Bacolod City. Figure 1 presents the schematic diagram of the operational framework. Figure 1 Schematic Diagram of the Operational Framework Significance of the Study The study is deemed beneficial in the following manner: This study will provide necessary background for future spa entrepreneurs in putting up their own spa establishments. The profile of the customers may also help identify consistency, and repeat purchase and filter posers versus the people who will really come back for not only a 2nd and 3rd massage therapy, but to identify dependable, consistent, steady and reliable customers. The additional information that will be gathered from this study may help ease the possibility that future spa businesses in the city may not suffer the same fate as those business establishments who closed shop early. This study may be replicated by other researchers who are envisioning operating other spa business outside of the city, but on a much wider scope, which may involve other variables not covered in this study. Scope and Limitations of the Study This study was only concerned in finding out the profile of the 5 selected spa establishments in Bacolod City. The respondents of the study were limited only to the customers of the selected spa establishments. The personal profile of the spa customer only covered their age, gender, marital status, educational background, employment status, and monthly income. In the process of conducting this research, the following constraints were identified, namely: the non-participation of some identified respondents in the data gathering and the non-availability of some important respondents during the data gathering. Definition of Terms The following terms were defined operationally for better understanding. Age. This refers to the stage of the life of the spa customers grouped in 6 categories ranging from 18 years and below to over 65 years. Gender. This refers to the sexual characteristics of the spa customers classified as male and female. Educational Background. This refers to highest level of education attained by the spa customers grouped in 4 categories namely: did not complete high school, completed high school, university/college degree holder, and post graduate degree holder. Employment Status. This refers to employment condition of the spa customers grouped in 4 categories: employed full-time, employed part-time, unemployed, and retired. Marital Status. This refers to civil condition of the spa customers grouped in 3 categories namely: single, married, and couple/in a relationship. Monthly Income. This refers to monthly net earnings of the spa customers classified into 6 groups ranging from below Php 20,000. 00 to over Php 20,000. 00. Profile. This refers to personal description of the customers of the selected spa establishments in Bacolod City. Spa Establishments. This refers to five selected spa businesses in Bacolod City such as the Bacolod Spa, Grand Royal Spa, Body and Sole, and Quintessence Spa. Swedish Massage. A kind of massage offered in most spa businesses in Bacolod City. It is a system of therapeutic massage and exercise for the muscles and joints, developed in Sweden in the 19th Century. Shiatsu Massage. A kind of massage offered in spa businesses in Bacolod City. It is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. Spa. A place of treatment, or is associated with water treatment, which is also known as balneotherapy. Facial. A facial is involving a variety of skin treatments, including: steam, exfoliation, extraction, creams, lotions, masks, peels, and massage. Normally performed in a beauty salon but it is also a common spa treatment. Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Related Literature According to the Spa Signature (2008) website, the word and concept of spa actually originates from the time of the Roman Empire when battle weary legionnaires tried to find a way to recover from their military wounds and ailments. They sought out hot wells and then built baths so that they could heal their aching bodies; calling these places ‘aquae’ and naming the bathing treatments undertaken there † Sanus Per Aquam† (SPA) which means health by or through water. During this period, the town Spa in Belgium was founded for this purpose, rising to fame in the 14th century and still existing today. Having originated from this time, the culture of Spa developed in different ways throughout Europe, from the ongoing use of mineral water, through to using sea water and marine substances (Thalassotherapy) and a wide range of body and other therapies. Yet even today, the concept of health or healing forms the basis of the spa culture worldwide and hydrotherapy is seen as its defining feature. A spa differs from all other beauty businesses principally through the implied promise that the total experience of being there–everything from the initial greeting to checkout–will be exceptionally serene. The spa is a respite from the pressure and rigors of routine life, a genuine escape, and customers can and do expect almost flawless treatment and care ( Preston, 2008) The Spa Book: The Official Guide to Spa Therapy). According to SpaBoom. com, website, spas are booming due to a surge in stress. The International Spa Association (ISA) says this shows that people feel they should reward themselves for working hard. It is expected that specialized spa services that help people quit smoking, lose weight and treat depression will be a big growth market. In the U. S. , 40 percent of spa customers are men, and spas just for men are emerging in many corners of the nation (English. Chosun, 2007). These days spas come a dime a dozen, and massage parlors are as prolific as muscle aches. If before getting a spa treatment was a luxury only few could afford, the times have changed to adapt to the indulgent desires of an evolving status quo. Today spa treatments come in a range of prices, the spas themselves catering to particular markets. There is bound to be one in your neighborhood, just as likely as there is one off-shore in some fancy beach resort. Student prices now apply to the service of Swedish or Shiatsu, and body scrubs can either polish your resources and leave you dry, or keep you satiated without stripping you clean of your budget. The key is finding the right pressure points without pressuring you with the prices. Because at the end of the day, regardless if you’re rich or poor, everyone could do with a little rest and relaxation (Yu, 2009) www. discoverspas. com/book_store/books. shtml). Get the Best from a Spa According to eHow fashion website (n. d), in order to get the best from a spa, a series of steps must be conducted of which the first is to look at the spa facilities – ideally, the spa must be clean and is up to date with the latest technology. The next step is to pick a spa that has a relaxing atmosphere – an ideal spa must have soft lighting and plays relaxing music. The next thing to do is to get the best package since most spas will offer package deals to their clients. The fourth step is to ask for experienced therapist and talked to them during the session. And finally, relax during the treatment since your body will respond much better if you relax your muscles. How to Enjoy Spa Experience According to Ritajo (n. d), so as to enjoy a spa experience, the following procedures must be followed: first, research the type of spa you are interested in visiting; then, decide what treatments you want to experience; third, plan to take advantage of all that the spa facility offers; next, arrive early (at least 30 minutes) before your first treatment; and finally, enjoy the treatment and ask questions if you need to about what is being done. Related Studies In a 1997 spa-goer market study conducted by Health Fitness Dynamics (HFD) Inc. , clearly indicated women become less stressed as they age and that each age group seeks different results from a spa. Female spa-goers comprised 74% of the 2,332 spa-goers who used a spa while staying at a resort, an increase of 5% since HFD’s landmark 1992 study of the spa-goer. This study further revealed the following account: 59% of the women under 30 years of age go to a spa at a resort when they are stressed; 34% of women over 60 visit spas to exercise and get fit; 48% of the younger women go to a spa at a resort when they feel like splurging. Here is what the study found women want from their resort-based spa experience: Women younger than 40 feel higher stress so they want to exercise and be pampered; In the 40-49 age group, a slight shift occurs since pampering becomes more important and exercise is of secondary importance; the 50-59 year olds are the most vulnerable group in terms of considering leaving spas as this group appears to have the least interest in most spa services, whether these services be exercise and fitness oriented or beauty and pampering oriented. In a study conducted by the International SPA Association (2006), in both the U. S. and Canada, about one quarter of adult consumers (26% of Americans and 25% of Canadians) has visited a spa. These percentages translate into roughly 57 million U. S. adults (aged 18 and older) and 6. 3 million Canadian adults. More recently, 15% of all Americans and 14% of all Canadians have visited a spa within the previous 12 months. These active spa-goers, representing 3. 7 million Canadian consumers and 32. 2 million U. S. consumers, are the focus of this study. When presented with a list of possible benefits sought (or highly valued) on most spa visits, U. S. nd Canadian spa-goers concur on the top five benefits they seek: relaxation, calm/quite/peacefulness, pampering, time out for themselves, and refreshment. When seeking information on which spas to visit, consumers (in both countries) are most likely to trust friends, followed by family members and coworkers. In another study conducted by the ISA’s (2007), it revealed that of the 70% of U. S. spas that offer packag es, the most commonly offered are those for men, couples, pregnant women and teens. According to firstresearch. com, Demand for spa services is driven by personal income and demographic trends. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient resource use and effective marketing. Larger companies have some economies of scale in marketing and purchasing. Small companies compete by offering unique services, serving a local market, and delivering a superior customer experience. The spa industry is labor-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is less than $80,000. An industry study by Walter Walsh, author of the Book, â€Å"The Spa Apprentice, Major providers of spa services are day spas (70 percent of industry revenue); resort and hotel spas (20 percent); and medical spas (5 percent). Other providers include club spas, mineral springs spas, and destination spas. About 80 percent of the spa facilities in the US are day spas. Medical spas are similar to day spas, but focus on services by healthcare professionals, such as Botox injections and laser hair removal. Destination spas offer lodging and a specific health regime, such as weight loss or detoxification programs. The most popular spa services are full body massages, manicures and pedicures, and facials. Other services include movement classes, body scrubs or wraps. An article from the Sun Star Cebu, (courtesy of their website- www. Sunstar. com. ph,) ,The health and wellness industry in Cebu is expected to grow further this year as more people seek out services offered by local spas. However, Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu Inc. (Swac) president Johnie Lim warned that small establishments and those with less dedicated owners will not survive as competition becomes stiffer this year. â€Å"The industry will explode with growth in the market but many small spas will close,† said Lim, also owner of Body and Sole. â€Å"Those who will survive are those that have captured their own markets. Lim said growth in the industry will be caused by an increase in the number of people who seek the services of spa and wellness centers. â€Å"More people have realized the benefits of going to a spa, even those in the lower middle income (bracket). The trend can be seen even among people who have never been to a spa before,† he said during the first anniversary celebration of Body and Sole Minglanilla, a fran chised outlet. Lifestyle â€Å"It’s becoming a part of the lifestyle of many Cebuanos. (With the growth), Cebu is becoming wellness island,† he added. He said this year’s growth will surpass that of last year, which saw the number of registered spa centers rise to 160 from 90 in 2006. The competitiveness of a spa center would depend on its services, he said, adding that Body and Sole has a good following because it offers value-for-money services. Body and Sole has 41 company-owned and franchised outlets in the Visayas and will be opening another one in Toledo City, Cebu on Jan. 18. It also has three branches in Luzon. While more people now have enough money to pay for an occasional visit to a local spa, Lim said upscale spa centers in Cebu would not have a lot of room for expansion. The middle-end spa centers will expand but (the) high-end (ones), not so much. Cebuanos will still be price-conscious,† he said. Accreditation With this expected growth in the industry, Lim said Swac will ask the Cebu City Council to require new spa and wellness establishments to get an accreditation from the association. â€Å"The accred itation would ensure that spa and wellness centers in Cebu would follow the same standards,† he said. This is in line with Swac’s goal to promote Cebu as a spa and wellness center in the country, he added. Lim said he disagrees with the notion that Cebu’s spa and wellness industry cannot compare to those in Thailand. â€Å"Thailand has been offering spa and wellness services for more than 20 years. We’ve only just started,† he said. He said that while he is â€Å"very positive† about the local industry, the sector could grow further if government, particularly the tourism department, provides more support. â€Å"We in the private sector have been doing most of the promotion on our own. The government should be more supportive instead of critical,† Lim said. (LAP) Related Literature Sources: 1. http://www.dayspamagazine.com/top-10-spa-wellness-trends-2016/ www. researchandmarket. com/reports/spa_industry_profile 11. http://www.spabusiness.com/digital/index1.cfm?mag=;codeid=0;linktype=XY;ref=n;issue= www. willenbooks. co. uk https://ru.scribd.com/document/262580027/1fb8ee5f097d1c7e70cb2caa6010f859 http://www.galleybayresort.com/massage.htm http://www.yeheyjp.com/product-category/mobile-phone http://lubbockonline.com/news/crime-and-courts/2017-03-08/police-1-critically-injured-shooting-near-downtown-lubbock http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19388160.2013.841502?src=recsys;journalCode=wctr20 http://www.spahandbook.com/ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/ https://www.spafinder.com/blog/content/affiliates/ http://www.cdaresort.com/discover/spa/treatments www. firstresearch. om/ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-titanium-dioxide-market-research-report-2017—research-and-markets-300401915.html ;

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Mark Sexton and Todd Story

FIN 6130: Individual Assignment (case study) Case Study: Mark Sexton and Todd Story, the owners of a manufacturing company have decided to expand their operations. They instructed you as their newly hired financial analyst to enlist an underwriter to help sell $35 million in new 10-year bonds to finance construction. You have entered into discussion with Kim McKenzie, an underwriter from the firm of Raines and Warren about which bond features your company should consider and what coupon rate the issue will likely have.Although your Bosses are aware of the bond features, they are not sure about the costs and benefits of some features especially how they will affect the coupon rate of the bond issues. This is more so that your firm is not a publicly traded company. You have been asked to prepare a memo on the effect of each of the following bond features on the coupon rate of the bond. It is expected that you will emphasis on their perceived benefits. The bond issuer/the borrower/the b osses: Mark Sexton and Todd Story Bond value: $35 million Bond maturity: 10 years Financing purpose: constructionHired underwriter: Kim McKenzie (Raines and Warren) .Case Studied Memos: 1. The security of the bond- that is, whether the bond has a collateral. Secured bond is with collateral, whereby the issuer pledged specific assets in case of bankruptcy or unable to pay debt. A bond with collateral will have a lower coupon rate (interest/return) and lower the security’s risk but with higher credit ratings, which less likely it is to default. But the issuer need to ensure that the collateral is in good working order and cannot be sold until the bond is matured.Considering bond with collateral is secured investment to investors, during default, the investors may receive all or part of the collateral in the value of debt unpaid. Collateralized bond is also marketable to the secondary market especially if it is a non-publicly traded or listed company recognized among investors. In term of outlining the specific security of collateral attached to a bond, it’s best to put clear guideline of what sort of asset eligible to be put as collateral and define certain rule of how the asset’s value can be sum up to secure the bond maturity period. 2.The seniority of the bond In case of liquidation or bankruptcy, senior bond has higher priority to be paid first compared to another bond that is considered junior or the subordinated bonds. Senior bond gets full payment in bankruptcy which its covenant may restrict the borrower from issuing any future bonds senior to the current bonds. A junior bond’s security ranks lower than other bond securities in regard to the owner's claims on assets and income if the issuer becomes insolvent. Bondholders of secured debt (with collateral) must be paid before the holders of unsecured debt.Bondholders of unsecured debt must be paid before preferred shareholders, and finally, preferred shareholders must be satisfi ed before common shareholders. In general, a junior security entails greater risk but offers higher potential yields than securities with greater seniority. To be more appealing to investors, the bondholders should propose senior bond in able to offer lower coupon. 3. The presence of a sinking fund Bond sinking fund is a restricted asset where the issuer is required to set aside money for redeeming back or buying back some of its bond payable by deposited money with an independent trustee.Sinking fund is a partial guarantee to bondholders that will reduce the coupon rate. By having sinking fund, it allows the issuer to repay specific bond’s value at a certain period or retire a portion of the bond every year until it’s matured. It’s a great program but the issuer must be able to generate cash flows to make the interim payments into a sinking fund or else, face default. By having the presence of a sinking fund as collateral support of a bond, it promotes financia l security which will attract investors to accept bond with lower interest rates.With the sinking fund, it will also gain benefits through taxation and enjoy capital gain. It also secured a good management of long-term debt in advance. 4. A call provision with specified call dates and call prices Adding provision to a bond with specific call date and prices will benefit the bond issuer more than the bondholder but it will definitely increase the coupon rate. Able to repurchase bonds before maturity (or at a specified date according to provision) is called callable bond (or redeemable bond) at a special price (not obligated).Any future payment to the bondholder is immediately and indefinitely cancelled once the bond is called. Recalling a bond with lower the debt and is hence liberated from paying interest on the called bond. Normally, the bond is called because the issuer no longer needs to borrow the money, or because interest rates have fallen and the issuer want to issue new bond s at a lower interest rate. In security purpose of long-term benefit with uncertain financial forecast, it is not applicable to issue call provision. 5. A deferred call accompanying the call provisionA bond with call provision accompanied by a deferred call will actually prohibited from calling the bond before a certain date. It is call protected or Period of Call Protection during the period of time which the bond may not be prematurely redeemed. During the call protected period (the cushion period), coupon rate payments are guaranteed but not later. After the call date, the bond may be redeemed by returning principal to the bondholder and ceased the coupon rate. The call provision accompanied by deferred call in a bond is to protect the bondholder from the falling of interest rates before the call date.A deferred callable bond may demand a slightly higher coupon rate compared to a normal bond due to its callable feature as investors are exposed to the reinvestment risk assuming th at the prevailing interest rates then is lower than the coupon paid by our bond on the callable date. 6. A make-whole call provision A bond with a make whole call (provision) allowing the issuer to pay off remaining debt early by making lump sump payment based on NPV (net present value) of future interest payments that will not be paid in cause of the call.This type of call should lower the coupon rate than the normal call provision with specific dates. Bondholders will receive the market value of the bond if it is a make whole provision which then they can reinvest in another bond with same criteria. The make whole call will be defined in the indenture. Normally, an issuer doesn't expect to have to use this type of provision, but if the issuer does, investors will be compensated, or â€Å"made whole†. Because the cost can often be significant, such provisions are rarely invoked.Hence, it is recommended that the bond issuance should not have a make-whole call provision. 7. An y positive covenants. Discuss any overall positive covenants that your firm may consider. The presences of positive covenants (also called as affirmative covenant) protect bondholders by forcing the company to undertake actions that benefit bondholders. A positive covenant would reduce the coupon rate but will increase the trust of bondholders. For instance, it requires the issuer to cover the principal of the bond; enough liquid assets must be maintained.More commonly, a positive covenant requires the issuer to have a certain amount of insurance or submit to periodic audits. 8. Any negative covenants. Discuss any overall negative covenants that your firm may consider. A negative covenant would reduce the coupon rate. Remember, the goal of a corporation is to maximize shareholder wealth. The presence of negative covenants protects bondholders from actions by the company that would harm the bondholders. This says nothing about bondholders. In example, the issuer cannot increase divid ends, or at least increase dividends beyond a specified level.The downside of negative covenants is the restriction of the issuer’s actions. 9. A conversion feature The conversion feature is a financial derivative instrument that is valued separately from the underlying security. Therefore, an embedded conversion feature adds to the overall value of the security. The conversion feature would permit bondholders to benefit if the company does well and also goes public. Even though the company is not public, a conversion feature would likely lower the coupon rate.The downside is that the company may be selling equity at a discounted price. Convertible bond is an example of an asset that can undergo conversion. It gives the bondholder the option to exchange the bond for an amount (predetermined) of the bond issuer’s equity. Typically, the bondholder will exercise the option when the total value of the shares received from conversion exceeds the bond's worth. 10. A floating rate coupon Floating rate coupon is a bond with floating coupon payments that are adjusted at specific intervals.It is all known as a variable rate bond which has a floating or variable rate interest, or coupon rate. The bond is payable to the bondholder upon demand following an interest rate change. The rate adjusts according to a predetermined formula outlined in the bond’s prospectus or official statement. Generally, the current money market rate is what is used to set the interest rate (plus or minus a set percentage). As a result of this, the coupon payments can change over time. A floating rate coupon or variable rate bonds' market values fluctuate less than other bonds.

Friday, November 8, 2019

The Plant Life Cycle for Kids

The Plant Life Cycle for Kids Plants have a life cycle, just like humans and other animals. The plant life cycle describes the stages the plant goes through from the beginning of its life until the end, when the process starts all over again. Seeds The life cycle of a plant begins with a seed. (Some non-flowering plants, such as ferns, begin with spores.) You are probably familiar with seeds and may have even eaten a few, such as sunflower or pumpkins seeds. A seed has a protective coating called the shell. The shell contains everything needed to start a new plant. Inside the seed coating is an embryo, which will become the new plant, and the endosperm, which provides the nutrients for the embryo. Seeds are dispersed, or spread, in a variety of ways. Some are blown by the wind. Others float on water. Still others are carried by birds, bees, other insects, or on the fur of animals. Some are even eaten by animals and spread through their waste. And, of course, humans plant seeds for their fruit or to make their lawns attractive. Once a seed reaches its destination, the next stage of the life cycle begins. Germination Seeds need four things to grow: oxygen, moisture, sunlight, and the right temperature. When the proper conditions are met for the seed, it will begin to sprout. The roots push their way through the seed coating and begin growing into the soil. This process is called germination. Seedlings A small, fragile young plant called a seedling will then poke its way out of the ground and start growing towards the sunlight. The seedling gets many of the nutrients it needs to grow from the soil through its roots. The seedling also gets nutrients from the sun. A plant’s leaves contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. This pigment uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce energy for the plant in a process called photosynthesis.   Adult Plant Photosynthesis helps the seedling grow into a mature plant. The mature plant produces flowers, which ensure that the life cycle continues. A mature plant has leaves, roots, and a stem. The roots extract nutrients and water from the soil. These are carried to the plant by the stem, which also serves to support the plant. The leaves create energy through photosynthesis. The flower is the part of a plant needed for reproduction. It is made up of many different parts. The petals are usually bright and colorful for attracting insects to help with the pollination process. The stamen is the part of the plant that produces pollen. Pollen is a powdery substance, often yellow, that contains half of the genetic material needed to create a new plant.   The stigma is the part of the flower the receives the pollen. It contains the ovules of the plant. The ovules will become seeds when they are fertilized by the pollen. Pollination The process of getting the pollen from the stamen of one plant to the stigma of another is called pollination. Pollen may be carried by the wind, but it is often transported from one flower to another by insects. Some types of bats even help with the pollination process. Bees, butterflies, and other insects (or bats)  are attracted to flowers by the colorful petals. The insects drink the nectar (a sweet liquid)  that flowering plants produce. While the insect crawls around the plant drinking the nectar, it gets pollen on its legs and body. When the insect flies to another plant to drink more nectar, some of the pollen from the first plant is deposited onto the second plant. Remember, pollen contains half of the genetic material needed to produce a new plant. The ovules, located in the stigma, contain the other half. When the pollen reaches the ovules of a plant, they are fertilized and become seeds. Then, the plants fertilized seeds are dispersed by wind, water, or animals, and the whole process begins again.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

How Should You Spend the Night Before the ACT

How Should You Spend the Night Before the ACT SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Planning the night before the test is the last thing you really have to worry about before taking the ACT. But how do you know what to do so that you get the best score possible the next day? This comprehensive guide will lay out everything you should (and shouldn’t) do before you head to bed the night before the ACT. Follow these tips - covering everything from logistical concerns to last-minute exam prep - to wake up confident, refreshed, and ready. Let’s get started! Take Care of the Small (But Important) Details If you square away all of these small logistical concerns the night before the ACT, you’ll cut down on stress and worry the next morning. Logistical Details to Take Care of the Night Before the ACT Print your admission ticket.This ticket has important details printed on it - you also won't be able to take the test without it. Know what time the test is and when you need to be there - standard check-in time is 8 am. If you’re late, you won’t be allowed to take the exam.Plan on getting there 15-20 minutes early so that you won’t be rushed (or late) if anything happens in the morning, like unexpected traffic. Know where the test is, how to get there, and how long it’ll take you to get there.You can double-check the location on your admission ticket or at your ACT Account. Try usingGoogle Mapsto plan out the fastest route. Enter your arrive-by time for the next morning in addition to the testing center address and your starting point - Google Maps will tell you when to leave! Have a wake-up plan, especially if you're prone to oversleeping.Set multiple alarms, giving yourself an extra cushion of time (10-15 minutes) to get ready.Plan on having a family member wake you up as a backup plan. Set out all your outfit for the next morning. Choose something you’d be comfortable sitting around in for several hours. Layers are a good idea, in case the testing room is warmer or colder than ideal. Organize everything you need to bring for the test. There are only a few items you have to bring, but there are several other items that would be smart to have for the test: Mandatory: Your admission ticket Mandatory: Photo ID Mandatory: Several sharpened #2 pencils Good quality erasers An approved calculator + extra batteries A watch (without an audible alarm) A bottle of water and snacks to eat during breaks. Officially, you won’t be able to eat or drink in the testing room, but you should have access to food + water during breaks. Plan on leaving forbidden items at home.If you bring any forbidden items, you could jeopardize your scores. Here’s a list of items you should leave at home: Any electronic device aside from your calculator and watch (no smart watches, obviously) Anything with an alarm Any writing utensils or tools aside from your #2 pencils Any pamphlets or papers Dictionaries or other books You can find more info on prohibited behavior here- basically, just listen to directions and be polite and you'll be fine A note about cell phones: If you don’t have to bring it, then don’t. If you do choose to bring your phone, make sure it’s turned off and out of reach during the test and during breaks. If it goes off at any point - even if it’s an innocent alarm - all of your scores will be canceled. Have a Plan for Self-Care I think that the best thing you can do before the ACT is to make sure you’re relaxed, well-rested, and well-fed. Even if you prepare really well for the exam, you won’t do very well if you’re stressed, tired, or hungry. Here, I’ll go over the things you should and shouldn’t do the night before to make sure you’re in the best possible shape the next morning. Things You Should Do Eat a satisfying and healthy dinner -ideally something with produce, fruits/vegetables, and whole grains. Your brain needs fuel! On that note,plan your breakfast for the next morning.Something quick, easy, and filling should do the trick, like whole-grain cereal or a bowl of oatmeal. Get to bed earlier than usual - maybe 30-60 minutes prior to your normal bedtime. This gives you a bit more time to fall asleep if you're having trouble. Take a shower to save time the next morning.This may also help you relax and get to sleep. If your normal routine is to shower in the morning, though, then skip this step. Still having trouble falling asleep?Here are some things you can try: Gentle stretches (no cardio!) Listening to relaxing music A warm bath Caffeine-free tea (chamomile is always a good choice) You can't go wrong with a cup of tea if you need to wind down and relax. Things To Avoid Disrupting your regular routine. Our normal bedtime rituals help prepare us to fall asleep - try not to deviate too much from what you’d normally do. Playing video games, texting, or surfing the internet.Staring at screens for fewhours before you head to bed can keep you up longer than you’d like. Taking any sleep aids. Unless sleep medications are part of your normal bedtime routine, avoid them. They can make it really difficult to wake up the next morning, and you don’t know if you’ll have other adverse reactions. Prepare for the ACT You might be feeling pressure to cram as much info as you can into your brain the night before the test. You want to make sure you remember as much stuff as possible, right? Well, stressful cramming might do more harm than good. The ACT isn’t a test where memorizing factoids will help you perform better - the best preparation strategy is a long-term one. Ultimately, there are a couple of ways you could â€Å"prep† for the ACT the night before the test without stressing yourself out. Here are your options: Strategy #1: Don't Prepare at All If you feel well-prepared for the ACT - or even if you don’t - there's not much you can do toprocessimportant, helpful information the night before the test. Good ACT prep happens through long-term practice, not short-term cramming. Last-minute prep for any test tends to stress me out, so I avoid it. If you feel the same way, this is probably the strategy for you. Strategy #2:Briefly Review Key Concepts or Problems Some students might get nervous if they’re missing out on time to review tricky concepts or practice problems. It would be silly to actively avoid ACT preparation if this would stress you out more than flipping through your study materials. The best way to approach Strategy #2 is to work through a few practice problems on paper (remember, stay away from screens). You don’t want to pick particularly difficult problems - we’re trying to avoid stress - but reviewing problems that’ll help you start thinking through weaker skill areas may help ease some of your anxiety. Putting Your Best Foot Forward: The Morning of the ACT No matter what you ended up doing the night before, there are a few things you can do the morning of the ACT to make sure you do as well as possible. Here are the most important steps you can take to ensure success: Eat breakfast.Hopefully, you’ve planned one the night before, but if not, make sure to grab something on the way out the door. Avoid caffeine, unless you usually have caffeine in the mornings. It’ll make you more jittery and anxious than awake and alert. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, which means more bathroom breaks for you during the ACT - this could lead to less time available to work on the test. Take the test one step at a time. Once a section is over, it’s over - your only responsibility is to the section you’re currently working on. Try not to let concerns about earlier sections of the ACT affect your performance. Treat yourself! Taking the ACT is stressful and exhausting. Plan on doing something nice for yourself - like getting lunch with a friend, going for a nice run, or even watching episodes of your favorite TV show - after you’re finished with the test. No matter how you feel about how the test went, remember that you followed through on a really important commitment - that’s a big deal! If this is the first time you take the ACT, and you plan on taking the test a second time, this first test will serve as a really important learning experience. Good luck, and (who knows), maybe even have fun! Think of the ACT as a marathon, not a sprint. What's Next? You know now what to do the night before the ACT, but what aboutbefore that? Don't worry - we've got you covered. You'll want to start off by checking out our last-minute tips and strategies for taking the ACT. If you have more than a night to prepare for the test but you're still on a tight schedule, you'll definitely want to take advantage of our 10-day ACT study guide. If you're just looking for some easy reading to ease your nerves before the test, check out our guide to the ACT rules and regulations you have to know before the test. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Politics in the Phillipines Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Politics in the Phillipines - Research Paper Example Benigno Aquino, III graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and after he graduated, he joined his family in exile in the United States (Senate of the Philippines). When his father was assassinated in 1983, he returned to the Philippines. He was later elected as Congressman, representing Tarlac province. He was reelected several times and in 2007 won a seat with the House of Senate (Encyclopedia Brittanica). On 2009, his mother Corazon Aquino passed away. By that time, the people of the Philippines were experiencing much dissatisfaction with the Arroyo Administration. President Corazon Aquino’s death revived feelings of the first Edsa Revolution which was also triggered by the people’s dissatisfaction with the government (Teves). A significant clamor for him to run for president in the upcoming elections was expressed by the people. A month after his mother’s death, he announced his presidential bid in the upcomi ng 2010 elections. On May 2010, after a landslide victory, he was elected as the 15th president of the Philippines (Teves). As soon as he was elected as President, he immediately expressed his vow to fight corruption in the country, declaring that there would be no poverty in the Philippines if there was no corruption (Sunstar). ... He has been accused of continually blaming the previous administration for the current state of the Philippines (Sunstar). He has also been accused of doing nothing, and the media has labeled his inactions as ‘Noynoying’ (Gamil and Aurelio). Being the first bachelor president of the Philippines, he has also been criticized for paying more attention to his romantic life. He has been known to date several women since his term started, and as yet, none of these romantic engagements have produced any significant relationships (GMA News). As president, he has maintained diplomatic relations with other countries. Recently however, the Philippines and China have been in a politically tense situation with the latter claiming territorial jurisdiction over Scarborough Shoal (Bautista, 35). President Aquino has firmly expressed that the Shoal was part of the Philippine territory and he has asked for assistance from the US and the international community in order to protect its terr itory (Tulfo). At present, the Scarborough situation has yet to be settled. 2. Arroyo, Gloria Macapagal (450 words) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the 14th president of the Republic of the Philippines. She is the second female president of the Philippines and is also the daughter of a former president – Diosdado Macapagal (Spaeth). She married businessman Jose Miguel Arroyo in 1968 and they had three children. She studied at the Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C and later earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Assumption College in Manila, a Master’s degree from Ateneo de Manila, and a doctorate degree from the University of the Philippines, Dilliman (Spaeth). She

Friday, November 1, 2019

Drugs, Alchohol and tobacco Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Drugs, Alchohol and tobacco - Essay Example The disease of substance abuse is distinguished by compulsivity, or the irrational, negligent, uncontrollable act of resorting to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco (French et al., 2010). This essay tries to prove that addiction is a disease through a thorough examination of the nature and extent of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use in the United Kingdom. Some people consider addiction a disease because a number of occurrences can be associated with a biological tendency and because addictive substances alter the brain. Nevertheless, every goal-directed action is moderated by the brain, and acquired behaviour is largely influenced by changes in mental functioning (Pates & Riley, 2012). For instance, genetic research suggests a biological tendency towards different kinds of criminal activities, and it appears probable that later studies will reveal that particular environmental phenomena change the brain in ways that raise the possibility of aggression or violence (Ghodse et al., 2011). Hence, by the principle of biology, criminal acts would in time develop into a disease. The assumption that addicts abuse substances against their will has been fluently explained by researchers and medical practitioners. Miller and Chappel (1991 as cited in Brownsberger & Heymann, 2009, p. 100) stated that addiction is a disease because addicts have a n uncontrollable urge to abuse substances. Yet, the assumption that behaviour is ‘uncontrollable’ does not appear to involuntarily make it a disease. Moreover, the argument that addicts are not capable of controlling their substance use is incorrect (Barton, 2012; Rassool, 2008). For instance, DSM criteria classify people who smoke one pack a day as addicts, but ever since the 1964 statement of the Surgeon General on the health impacts of smoking, tens of millions of heavy smokers have stopped smoking (Brownsberger & Heymann, 2009, pp. 100-101). Furthermore, majority of them quit without clinical support; they