Microeconomic and Tourism Essay Example

Microeconomic and Tourism Essay Example Microeconomic and Tourism Essay Microeconomic and Tourism Essay Microeconomic and Tourism I. Introduction †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. II. The significance of tourism to economic. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ III. The impact of tourism on local society. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ IV. The effects of tourism on microeconomics†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. V. UAE as an example for the subject. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. VI. Clusters and competitiveness of the UAE. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. VII. Conclusion. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ VIII. List of figures. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ IX. References. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ List of Figures: * Figure 1: Determinants Of Competitiveness. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. * Figure 2: Determinants of Competitiveness (Sophistication of Company . Operations and Strategy). †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. * Figure 3: Determinants Of Competitiveness (Quality of The National Business . Environment). †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. * Figure 4: Quality Of The National Business Environment)†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Figure 5: The Dubai Logistics Clusters Map†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. * Figure 6: Dubai Tourism Cluster Map†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world especially in the developing countries. Some countries consider tourism as a source of income and government revenues in addition to agriculture and industry or even oil and gas products. This report describes the important and major role tourism plays in the macroeconomic and microeconomic of some countries. This report also gives a brief account about tourism and microeconomics in the UAE, and the plans which include strategic objectives to closely connect tourism with micro businesses, demand, supply and local services as well as recreational facilities. Many countries, especially some developing countries like Caribbean countries, Kenya, Tunisia, Indonesia, Thailand and Egypt have tourism as the main income for local development, foreign currency, and poverty reduction and for economic growth. They invest on tourism considering it as their major industry. They ave it as a remedy for local economic development and to solve problems like unemployment. In this way they generate higher income for the local economic circuit, for individuals like taxi drivers, storeowners etc. , and for hotels, restaurants and local firms To attract tourists such countries build the required infrastructure like hotels, resorts, communication, roads, parks and other recreational facilities, which in turn aff ects demand and supply of many commodities. Moreover, â€Å"Community support is important for tourism, as it is an activity that affects the entire community. Tourism businesses depend extensively on each other as well as on other businesses, government and residents of the local community. Economic benefits and costs of tourism reach everyone in the region in one way or another. † In countries that depend on tourism as number one industry, tourism economy affects their, policy, strategic decisions and planning as it may reflect on the whole of its community and microeconomic. In addition to the plans for building the suitable infrastructure, they have to conduct economic impact studies, analysis and assessment to support decisions related to tourism. They have to know the contribution of tourism to the economy of the country, the government income from taxes and fees and whether the revenues of tourism will cover the cost of services in addition to making sufficient profits. They also have to conduct environmental impact assessment in order to know the effects on social, cultural, microeconomic, biological, physical, and ecological systems. Tourism microeconomic impact studies are vital for countries which depend on tourism industry as the main income. The studies and analysis will answer many questions that affect policies, planning and strategic decision making as well as actions to encourage tourism activity. The results of the studies include the amounts of money tourists spend, the portion of sales by local businesses, the income tourism generates for households and micro businesses, the jobs tourism support and taxes that are generated by tourism. It is worth mentioning that not only poor countries pay attention to the importance of tourism. There are some rich countries that care about tourism. United Arab Emirates is a good example. Although they have sufficient revenues from oil and gas exports but at the same time they have long term plans to promote tourism. They â€Å"made significant investments to diversify beyond oil production and enhance the quality of its business environment. † There are â€Å"numerous world-class development projects throughout the UAE especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – from new luxury hotels, resorts, leisure attractions and shopping malls, to low, mid and high-income residential communities – that dramatically attracts visitors. For example in Abu Dhabi â€Å"Saadiyat Island is undergoing remarkable transformation that will become a world-class leisure, residential, business and cultural hub. Saadiyat Island’s Cultural District will house the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural assets, including the Lord Norman Foster-designed Zayed National Museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Frank Gehr y-conceived Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A performing arts centre and a maritime museum will add to the portfolio of leading cultural institutions. There will be also Manarat Al Saadiyat, Monte Carlo Beach Club, Mesopotamia exhibition, Beach Golf Club, Zayed National Museum. Another interesting and entertaining place is Yas Island which includes Marina Circuit, Yacht Club, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and many more interesting places. Such projects enhance the microeconomic in UAE. Moreover, in Dubai there are many projects that attract visitors which in turn encourage tourism and increase expenditure. The following figures and facts show the microeconomic competitiveness of the UAE and Dubai logistic and tourism cluster maps. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Clusters in the UAE Remarks: Cluster developments include all emirates while the efforts that are made by each Emirate are not the same. The main efforts are made by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The present UAE’s clusters support the infrastructure investments, and the attraction of outside companies and foreign manpower. In spite of the remarkable efforts made by the experts and the departments of UAE overnment, the success in making clusters is still not comprehensive, but The UAE is still better in cluster-based economic variations than some other oil-dependent economies. The building of better, more developed and sustainable clusters is still important for UAE government. Competitiveness in the Regions Economic performance of each country is deferent. Local policies and investments may help all countries i n the region make much more efforts in competitiveness. To improve competitiveness there should be more coordination and cooperation among the individual Emirates and other GCC countries. â€Å"Different emirates have developed their own economic strategies, e. g. , Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and Dubai Strategic Plan 2015† Figure 6 Dubai Tourism Cluster Map Finally, it is true that tourism has some disadvantages with regards to demand and supply, prices, environmental pollution, cultural and traditional lifestyle degradation, but in our opinion tourism is and will remain a source of profit and has many more advantages especially to microeconomic growth and in creating different levels of employment for people as well as a source of profit to individual and firms business. References: tandfonline. com/doi/abs/10. 1080/00220389808422535#preview https://www. msu. edu/course/prr/840/econimpact/pdf/ecimpvol1. pdf propoortourism. org. uk/Publications%20by%20partnership/Tourism%20and%20Local%20Development. pdf allfreeessays. com/topics/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-tourism/0 visitabudhabi. ae/en/abudhbi. tomorrow. aspx isc. hbs. edu/pdf/2010-0124_UAE_SessionTWO. pdf scribd. com/doc/25183529/United-Arab-Emirates-Country-Analysis

Is Webers concept of instrumental (or formal) rationality useful today Essay

Is Webers concept of instrumental (or formal) rationality useful today - Essay Example Weber alleged that most civilizations throughout history were ruled by tradition and that the most important trend in contemporary sociology is a growing rationalization of every part of our daily lives. The growth of scientific study, the improvement of entrepreneurship, and the introduction of civil service into government over the past two centuries or so are all major cases of this trend. Instrumental rationality is regularly viewed as a definite form of rationality centering on the most effective or cost-effective resources to attain a definite end, but not in itself redirecting on the significance of that end. It can also be explained as a way of thinking about the world which in some senses stops us thinking about non-instrumental values so that more and more things are unimportant except in terms of some end goal. Therefore, to the point that rationality is involved with critically assessing activities, instrumental rationality has an inclination to emphasis not on the  "whys of an activity, rather, the how’s (Bennis, 1967, p. 22). Moreover, it can be compared to forms of rationality, either by improving human comprehension on a much common level or with promoting the human condition. It encompasses the rational scheming of means to ends grounded on commonly practical laws rules, and regulations. It is established on such large-scale constructions as the capitalist economy, current law and bureaucracy. The selection of means to ends is defined by these larger constructions and their laws and rules. Weber’s concept of formal rationalization seems to be quite useful in many areas in todays’ world as the world has adapted to it (Bendix, 1956, p. 279). Formal rationalization has influenced in shaping the current capitalization in the society. Opposition has risen against in relation to the theory of formal rationality and its inferences for capitalist society. Its principles of proficiency in the dominions of economic and

Wheat Seed Treatment in Australia Research Paper

Wheat Seed Treatment in Australia - Research Paper Example Seeds are subject to attacks not only externally but also internally as fungi or bacteria may attach to their coating or even within eventually causing plant diseases. The dangers that threaten seeds are present during storage and after planting. The soils upon which seeds are planted also contain fungi and bacteria that could harm them and the degree to which they could endanger seeds depend upon the condition of the soil at the time seeds are planted, which do not favour fast germination. Seed treatment had been practiced as early as 60 A.D. when seeds were treated with wine and crushed cypress leaves to deter insects from destroying them while in storage (Munkvold et al. 2006 7). Also, during the Egyptian and Roman periods sap from onion was used; in the Middle Ages, chlorine salts and liquid manure, and; in the 1600s, hot water started to become a ST method, one that is still being used even to this day (Australian Seed Federation 2010). The earliest treatment for wheat seeds was accidentally discovered in the 17th century when a ship carrying a load of wheat grains sank. When grains that got soaked in the seawater were recovered from the sunken ship and were planted they produced plants that have less bunt or stinking smut than the usual crops planted using ordinary seeds. Thus, soaking seeds in seawater became one of the earliest treatments to seeds to prevent bunt until in the year 1750 a Frenchman discovered that salt and lime can control bunt in wheat significa ntly. The advent of the mercurial compounds in the 1920s, although later banned, had revolutionised contemporary seed treatment (Munkvold et al. 2006 7).

Standardization of sodium hydroxide by ethanedioic acid solution Essay Example for Free

Standardization of sodium hydroxide by ethanedioic acid solution Essay Experiments: 1. Standardization of sodium hydroxide by ethanedioic acid solution 2. Determination of the concentration of commercial colourless vinegar Standardization of sodium hydroxide by ethanedioic acid Objective: To determine the molarity of sodium hydroxide. As the molarity of the sodium hydroxide is unknown, in order to standardize it, the concentration of the acid has to be known. Result: Titration Trial 1 2 3 4 Initial burette reading() 18. 33 8. 05 7. 52 8. 21. Final burette reading() 45. 48 36. 25 35. 79 36. 82 Volume of sodium hydroxide solution used() 27. 15(rejected) 28. 20 28. 27 28. 61 Average volume of sodium hydroxide solution used() 28. 36 Treatment for result: Molarity of the standard ethanedioic acid solution Mass of ethanedioic acid= 0. 8g Molar mass of ethanedioic acid= 2? (12+16+16+1) +2? (1+1+16) = 126 Number of mole of ethanedioic acid= 6. 35? Molarity of the ethanedioic acid= = 0. 025M Â  Molarity of the sodium hydroxide solution. Number of mole of 25. 0 ethanedioic acid= 6. 35 10 = 6. 35? Number of mole of sodium hydroxide = 6. 35 2 = 1. 27? Molarity of sodium hydroxide= 1. 27? = 0. 045M Determination of the concentration of commercial colourless vinegar Objective: The concentration of ethanoic acid in different brands of vinegar would be determined. As the compositions of vinegar in different brands are different, the highest concentration of ethanoic acid in the vinegar was said to be the best to buy. Result: Titration Trial 1 2 3 4 Initial burette reading() 5. 99 9. 28 8. 50 7. 05 Final burette reading() 20. 32 26. 22 25. 17 23. 86 Volume of sodium hydroxide solution used() 14. 33(rejected) 16. 94 16. 67 16. 80 Average volume of sodium hydroxide solution used() 16. 81 Treatment for result: * Concentration of ethanoic acid in the commercial vinegar(ShanTou) Number of mole of sodium hydroxide = 0. 045? 0. 01681 = 7. 56? ?Number of mole of ethanoic acid = 7. 56?

Hypercholesterolemia :: Diseases, Disorders

In the simplest terms, hypercholesterolemia may be any excessive amount of cholesterol in the blood. The clinical definition however, as outlined by the University of Maryland Medical Center [UMMC] (2010), considers a total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or higher to be high cholesterol. Within this total is the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL or â€Å"good† cholesterol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL or â€Å"bad† cholesterol). Below 40 mg/dL is considered poor for HDL, while an optimal level of 60 mg/dL or above is more desirable. A LDL level of 160-189 mg/dL is considered high, and the optimal level is 100-129 mg/dL. In addition to LDL and HDL cholesterols, a third type of fatty material, collectively known as triglycerides, may be found within the blood. A triglyceride level above 200 mg/dL is high, but the desirable level is below 150mg/dL. Generally, as triglyceride levels rise, HDL cholesterol falls (UMMC, 2010). Tortora & Derrickson (2009) further illuminates the distinction between LDL and HDL cholesterols and why these differences incur such conflicting effects in the body. LDLs convey about 75% of the total cholesterol in blood and deliver it throughout the body to cells so that they may repair cell membranes and create steroid hormones and bile salts (p. 991). However, when their number exceeds what is necessary, LDLs leave cholesterol in and around the smooth muscle fibers in arteries (p. 991). Thus, LDLs have earned a â€Å"bad† reputation. In contrast, HDLs remove excess cholesterol from body cells and blood and transport it to the liver for subsequent elimination, preventing its accumulation in the blood (p. 991). Thus, their â€Å"good† reputation is safe. It is important to remember though that both LDL and HDL cholesterols, as well as triglycerides, are essential in certain amounts, and LDLs and HDLs together make up the total cholesterol level used in the dia gnosis of high cholesterol. According to the UMMC (2010), there are usually no symptoms of high cholesterol, especially in the early stages of the condition. The only way to diagnose an individual with high cholesterol is with a blood test, and doctors recommend that patients fast beforehand so that results only reflect usable HDL and LDL levels (â€Å"How to get†, 2012). Since too much cholesterol circulating within the blood can create sticky deposits called plaque along the artery walls, a diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia may have very real health significance for the patient.

A Couple Interview with Darlene and Mike Lumpkin Essay

A marriage is the creation of a new family by bringing together two distinct people from individual and very distinctly different backgrounds. The bringing together of two different people often can cause conflict. Merging families can also create a harmonious relationship of balance and teamwork if both of their differences and similarities compliment each other. After conducting an interview with Darlene and Mike Lumpkin it became very evident that theirs was a seemingly balanced and harmonious relationship. The interview asked questions about how things like their backgrounds, challenges together, boundaries, family interactions, and spirituality have developed into a family and marriage relationship that successfully navigates through life together. The couple walked into the interview with a very happy demeanor, which seemed to set the tone for the remainder of our conversation. Their happiness clearly showed by sitting very close to each other on the couch with their arms aroun d each other. Mike shared jokingly that he felt like he was in a shrink’s office because of the blue couch. His lightheartedness helped keep things comfortable. The interview began by asking them some detailed background information about their individual family upbringing and experiences. Out of respect to their time constraints they were each given a printed out copy of the interview schedule and asked to spend a few minutes answering the individual background questions. They then shared what they deemed relevant from their answers. After some discussion about background section, the interview progressed by going through each of the remaining questions. Mike Lumpkin is a 40-year-old male college graduate who is employed by a real estate company. He has one younger brother and both parents are alive. His father is a pastor, which Mike shared, â€Å"my father has been a huge influence throughout marriage, family and in the way I live.† Mike described the majority of his family upbringing as stable, supportive and privileged. However, he wanted to highlight a particularly challenging time during college when he lost his best friend to suicide. He explained, â€Å"my faith got deeper through this experience because of all of the support of others.† The importance of faith is also reflective in his answers to questions about spending his free time with church and family. Darlene Lumpkin is a 43-year-old college graduate, housewife who has eight siblings. She started by highlighting the distinct differences between her and Mike’s family and upbringing. Her father was divorced five times and was undiagnosed but had a history of Manic Depression. This obviously affected her saying: â€Å"That is the reason I got married at thirty-one.† Additionally she shared, â€Å"Girls like to marry someone like their father and I definitely did not.† She explained that all of her brothers had also been diagnosed or un-diagnosed with Manic Depression and or substance abuse issues. She expressed that although she is very close to her family that it is fractured. At twenty she lost her stepfather to a sudden, unexpected heart attack. During mid-twenties her fractured family influenced a bout with depression where she sought the help of a counselor. However, her answers on the sheet that she was given, indicated that her current outlook on life as very positive because of her relationship to Mike and their children. Mike and Darlene’s relationship started while working for the same company, the couple met at a training event. Sha ring about how they met brought up a point of tension. There was a hesitancy to share that Mike was living with another women when they first started dating. Darlene discovered this and there relationship was on and off. The tension in the room was awkward for a brief moment but did not last because Mike then expressed that although it started rough and that they came from very different backgrounds, they were supposed to be together. After two to three years, the couple was married. Two years later they had Grace, currently age nine, and then Seth age seven. There explanation of deciding when to have kids was, â€Å"We tried a dog, and it didn’t work so we thought we would try kids.† One key observation made surrounding this set of questions about their relationship was that although their backgrounds were different, their personalities really complimented each other to guide them through life’s challenges. Although throughout the interview the couple seemed very happy talking about their marriage relationship, they did express some times in life, that in spite of being a challenge helped them grow closer. One such time occurred while working for the same company as store managers, their stores were down the street from each other causing them to be in direct competition. Additionally when Mike was laid off, Darlene found it difficult to interact with colleagues. Their families being brought together presented some of the greatest challenges, especially when they took in Darlene’s brother, who has battled an alcohol addiction. When an incidence occurred of him drinking at home while watching their children, they dealt with some confrontational stress. More recently another incidence happened when Darlene’s other brother attacked her personally. Mike and him got into some arguments but she chalked it up to his substance abuse and depression, saying, â€Å"All this drinking and addiction stuff has caused stress because Mike was not used to it.† Considering how difficult some of the challenges were early on in their marriage, they did not seem to outweigh the strengths. Darlene said: â€Å"The biggest thing is Mike and I talk, weather it is comfortable or uncomfortable†¦ you know the important things that need to be talked about.† Proper communication is vital to the success of a healthy long lasting marriage. Mike with Darlene agreed saying: â€Å"To sum it up we compliment each others’ strengths and weaknesses well.† Darlene wanted to also share that, â€Å"We both have a really good sense of humor, we can laugh at each other.† She shared that this was how they got through the difficult family situations. Their solid communication, humor, and complimenting personalities, were obvious strengths to their relationship. Frequently during the interview they both expressed that their children dictate much of how they are guided as a married couple and as a family. Family became even more of a priority because Darlene quit her very successful upper-management job in order to spend more time with their children. Mike expressed the importance of this, â€Å"What it comes down to is her and I are responsible for this family we brought into this world.† The only negative aspect of their relationship, specifically as in relation to boundaries was that they both agreed that marital intimacy had suffered. According to them this was one area of their marriage that could use some growth. Although not always the case it is reported as being a common problem for married couples to have decreased intimacy as a result of children. They both agreed that a way to combat this was being more intentional about the time they did have as a couple such as dates and anniversaries. Regardless of how much it was agreed that this was an area with a need for growth in their marriage, their boundaries seemed to be very healthy and clearly defined by their family as a whole. A reoccurring theme throughout the interview with Mike and Darlene was how much their spirituality influenced their marriage and family. Faith became particularly helpful during the difficulties with their families coming together. Mike: â€Å"I don’t know that we would have been as strong, I don’t know that we could have got through our situations without faith.† They have intentionally included their Christian faith throughout their relationship as a foundation for how their family operates and leans in times of life challenges. A lot of how their family is guided is by their faith and membership to a United Methodist Church. Both shared that they enjoyed spending a great majority of their free time volunteering in church activities. Mike, â€Å"Faith for us has been huge.† When asked why they felt this was relevant, they expressed that their children are cared for, nurtured, and supported in this environment. Darlene, â€Å"Our kids love church, I feel like it has become a family or support for us, we get more back from it then we put in.† They seemed to share about their relationship to their church as if it were an extended family that could be leaned on for support when needed but would allow for others to lean on them too if need be. Darlene and Mike are a truly amazing couple. A marriage that seems so balanced in spite of the many life challenges, and personality differences that they encounter. Although they would not admit so, their marriage is a perfect blend of two complimentary individuals. Having clearly defined family boundaries, complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses, while being guided by and supported in Christian faith, they continue to navigate through life together.

I Consider Myself A Great Patriot - 1324 Words

I consider myself a great patriot. Every day when I wake up I thank God for America. When I go brush my teeth I do it in the name of America. As I eat breakfast I turn on inspirational all-American artists (like Team America). Throughout the day I always make sure to wear something patriotic: an American flag t-shirt; red, white, and blue shoes, and even an American themed suit at swim practice. At night, I go to bed in my ‘Murica sheets with Captain America’s shield hanging above my bed. I am a great patriot!! Yeah right. No one wakes up saying this. In fact, all of it is entirely made up (except for the Captain America’s shield part). Thus, if it makes so little sense for everything that I do to be purely inspired by patriotism, why do we assume that the founding fathers of America thought this way (class notes)? The traditional picture of our founding fathers usually reflects a group of unfairly treated renegades who assemble a magnificent revolution and break free from the horrors of Great Britain. Patriotism was in their every bone and they would do anything for their country. There is also an element of rags to riches, that these poorly treated people became the great leaders of America (class notes). However, the motives of the founding fathers likely drove deeper than mere patriotism. As Mark Twain once asked, â€Å"What is the chief end of man? To get rich. In what way? Dishonestly if we can, honestly if we must† (Brands) This was quoted in the article â€Å"Founders Chic† byShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Article Give Me Liberty Essay1448 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.† A quote by Abraham Lincoln, which (I think) accurately describes Give Me Liberty by Naomi Wolf. 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MostRead More Americas Culture Essay1589 Words   |  7 PagesKorean, and many other cultures combined. The people of these various backgrounds came together for a common cause. To attempt create the society that they believed was better than there original origin’s way of life. Many of these founders undertook great hardships and some even death to create something that some people many times overlook or take for granted. If you look at our American society as a whole, you will notice that many Americans share certain beliefs and even customs in common. From theRead MoreEssay about Comparison of McCarthyism and the U.S. Patriot Act1947 Words   |  8 Pagestime-bound terms of the notorious anti-terror law, originally planned to end on December 31st, 2005 and later extended. Advoc ated by Attorney General John Ashcroft and accepted by the Congress in the scared upshot of the 9/11 fanatic assaults, the Patriot Act has been depicted by its critics as the utmost warning to U.S human rights since the Alien and Sedition Acts or the postponement of habeas corpus during the Civil War. The Alien Registration Act approved by the Congress on 29th June 1940, madeRead More Analysis of Howard Zinns Argument in his Article Dying for the Government1339 Words   |  6 Pagesthe American media (we would need to read the foreign press) a full picture of the human suffering caused by our bombing† (159). This is a very strong assertion, but he does not tell us if he actually has read the foreign press. With that statement, I have to assume that he has read the foreign press to believe that he is telling the truth. To make up for his lack of evidence, Zinn uses strong authority in his essay. He first uses the Declaration of Independence, which he says is â€Å"the fundamental