Monday, July 27, 2020

How Do You Know When its Time to Help an Elder With Their Finances

How Do You Know When its Time to Help an Elder With Their Finances How Do You Know When its Time to Help an Elder With Their Finances? How Do You Know When its Time to Help an Elder With Their Finances?This is a talk youll want to have sooner rather than later.It’s Older Americans Month, and you know what that means: more articles about elder finance management. Today’s article is about how you know when it’s time to step in and help an elderly relative who can’t manage their finances on their own anymore.It’s not a particularly fun topic, because no one wants to think about a parent, aunt, or even themselves growing older and losing their capabilities. It can also be a very uncomfortable conversation to have with a relative because no one wants to believe that they could be losing their faculties.How do you know if it’s time to have “the finance talk” with an elderly relative and how can you have that talk in a sensitive way? We spoke to the experts to find out.Noticing the signs.You don’t want to imagine that your elderly friend, relative, or parent could start fading away mentally. Finances are such a personal, private thing, so it feels uncomfortable encroaching upon it. Your parents probably kept their finances under wraps to some degree while you were growing up because they were the adults and therefore knew better. That could have lead to you viewing them as more qualified to handle finances than you are. But at some point, it may be time to stop assuming they know better when they make financial choices that seem odd to you.One major warning sign that your family member may need assistance with finances is when they begin making irrational financial decisions,” explained Matt Schmidt, CEO of Burial Insurance Pro. “Some examples are canceling life insurance policies out of the blue, sending large sums of money to a distant relative, or maybe donating money to random charities or causes. When a person begins making financial transactions that are out of the norm, it is probably a good idea to approach them, and begin having a discussion.Watch out for memory loss.Sa hara Powell is a PR assistant for Bratton Law Group, a law firm specializing in elder care and estate planning, and she offered some additional signs to look out for:“Memory loss is a natural part of aging, however, when the loss of memories becomes more frequent and leads to neglected responsibilities, it should not be ignored. If you notice your elder forgetting appointments, birthdays, important events, and other distinct memories, you may need to discuss with them the possibility of taking over their finances.“Everyone loves to treat themselves from time to time, but when you begin to notice your elder has been making more expensive purchases, or even multiple purchases of the same product, it could be a sign that they need help with their finances.Make note of any changes in spending patterns of your elders. For instance, if they typically shop once a month, but more recently you notice they’ve been splurging and shopping multiple times a week or have called in to order m ore than the normal amount of QVC products.“One of the clearer signs your elder may not be well enough to be financially responsible anyone is if they have many bills that are unpaid and past due. It may be difficult to discover this information, but keep your eye out for eviction notices, or envelopes that have ‘PAST DUE’ plastered on top.It may also be a good thing to check in with your elder from time to time and offer your assistance in helping them with their bills. This will ensure bills are paid on time and allow you to keep an eye on when it may be time for you to take over the finances of your elder in full force.”Dont wait to have the talk.You should even consider starting The Conversation before the signs become apparent. Unfortunately, aging can happen faster than you think, as one author we spoke to made clear when she shared her story with us.“My story is extraordinary in that my father was military intelligence, so when dementia began to come in, he became p aranoid to a new height,” recounted Alexandra Allred (@AlexandraAllred), athlete, activist, and author of Operation Caregivers: #LifewithDementia. “In fact, our situation is so extreme that I was contracted to write a book about it because I lived the story of what happens when there was NO conversation about finances.“When my father fell, hit his head and was rendered 100 percent incapacitated, it was a nightmare. He had been taking care of my mom, who had Alzheimers. I did not have passwords, medical or financial info, no legal standing that I knew off. We lost over $30,000 of his savings in under 10 months and I couldnt stop anything.”Hopefully, you now understand why the conversation has to happen, even if it might be uncomfortable. So how does that conversation happen?How that conversation should happen.We know speaking to an elderly relative about finance can be an awkward and uncomfortable conversation. We’ve spent multiple paragraphs acknowledging that fact. You pr obably thought it was uncomfortable even before we spent all of these words explaining how uncomfortable it can be. But it’s a conversation you’ll need to have, and there are steps you can take to try to make it a little less rough.“Every eldercare conversation is subject to a communication breakdown,” warned Joy Loverde (@joyloverde), author of The Complete Eldercare Planner. “Conversations can come to a screeching halt at any time and when you least expect it. Every conversation is tainted with the underlying theme of our elders’ need for independence; keeping the trust factor high requires us to assure them time after time that our motive is not to ‘take away’ what is rightfully theirs.“To better accomplish this goal, listen more than you speak, and ask more questions. You can be a better communicator when you resist the temptation to offer unsolicited advice. When circumstances dictate that the caregiving situation requires a more aggressive communication appro ach, you will likely know when the timing is right to do so.”You can also consider starting the conversation in a more roundabout way.“If the opportunity to start an eldercare conversation doesn’t present itself, and you want to get things started, create your own,” suggested Loverde. “Clip a current newspaper article that reports a growing eldercare issue, like long-term care. Read the article and highlight important sentences. Mail the article with a personal note, or next time you visit your elder hand him or her the article and say, ‘I didn’t realize that in-home services are not covered by Medicare. Did you? What are your thoughts on this?’“Clipping articles works especially well if the person you want to talk to is your parent. Remember, in your parents’ eyes, you’re still ‘their child’ and news articles can well serve as an authority figure when you, yourself, are not considered as such.”Figure out what level of assistance is necessary.There’s a large range of assistance you can offer an elderly relative, from taking over their finances entirely to just giving some advice every now and then. It’s important not to be condescending, especially if they’re still capable enough such that you could be a partner rather than some sort of “reverse parent.”“Keep your elders in the driver’s seat as much and as long as possible, and encourage them to make decisions and solve their own problems along the way,” advised Loverde. “Here are some sample questions that can prompt capable elders to take more responsibility for their own well being: What do you plan to do to solve this problem? Given what you know now, what do you think is your next step? Do you have someone to talk to about this?“It doesn’t matter if what you have to say is ‘truth.’ It doesn’t matter if you are ‘right.’ It doesn’t matter that you are the voice of reason if they would only listen to you. Imposing your will, offering unsolicited a dvice, doing too much, forcing your values, and coming across as experts on their lives will only result in your being perceived as manipulative and overbearing, rather than loving and caring.”We hope this advice has allowed you to start thinking about how you’ll manage the prickly finance conversations that come with age. To learn more about managing your finances, check out these other posts and articles from OppLoans:8 Good Habits to Get Your Financesâ€"and Your Lifeâ€"on TrackSave More Money with These 40 Expert TipsHow to Responsibly Maximize Your Credit Card RewardsYour Guide to Escaping a Debt TrapDo you have a   personal finance question youd like us to answer? Let us know! You can find us  on  Facebook  and  Twitter.  |  InstagramContributorsAlexandra Allred (@AlexandraAllred) is the daughter of a (retired) US Diplomat and had the unusual upbringing of the world being her playground, including making the first ever US womens bobsled team. Allred teaches human function a nd design of special population classes for Tarleton State University and Navarro College but her greatest challenge came when forced to tackle long-term care for her parents. www.13Able.com.The experienced attorneys and care coordinators at Bratton Law Estate Elder Care focus exclusively in specialized practice areasâ€"elder law, life care planning, estate planning,  asset protection, and tax. By concentrating our knowledge and expertise in these niche areas, we are able to make and maintain important  personal and professional connections necessary to advise our clients.Joy Loverde (@joyloverde) is the author of the best-seller, The Complete Eldercare Planner (2009) and Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old? (2017). She is a mature-market consultant, keynote speaker, and media spokesperson. Visit her website at www.ElderIndustry.com.Matt Schmidt is a burial insurance advisor, who helps families across the country obtain affordable burial insurance policies. These specific end-o f-life policies help families cover funeral costs, and other final expenses.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Washington University Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores

Washington University in St. Louis is a selective research university with an acceptance rate of 16%. Academics are supported by an impressive 8-to-1  student/faculty ratio. Every undergraduate at Washington University belongs to a residential college, creating a small-college atmosphere within a mid-sized university. WashU was awarded a chapter of  Phi Beta Kappa  for strong liberal arts and sciences, and it is a member of the American Association of Universities for its strong research programs. Washington University appears among the top Missouri colleges, top Midwest colleges, and top national universities. Considering applying to WashU? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students. Acceptance Rate During the 2016-17 admissions cycle, Washington University in St. Louis had an acceptance rate of 16%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 16 students were admitted, making WashUs admissions process highly competitive. Admissions Statistics (2016-17) Number of Applicants 30,463 Percent Admitted 16% Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 37% SAT Scores and Requirements Washington University in St. Louis requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2016-17 admissions cycle, 22% of admitted students submitted SAT scores. SAT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th percentile 75th percentile ERW 720 770 Math 750 800 ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing This admissions data tells us that most of WashUs admitted students fall within the top 7% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to WashU scored between 720 and 770, while 25% scored below 720 and 25% scored above 770. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 750 and 800, while 25% scored below 750 and 25% scored a perfect 800. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1570 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at WashU. Requirements WashU does not require the SAT writing section. Note that Washington University in St. Louis participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT dates. WashU accepts self-reported test scores from applicants, with official scores required upon enrollment. SAT Subject tests are not required at WashU. ACT Scores and Requirements Washington University in St. Louis requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2016-17 admissions cycle, 81% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. ACT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25% percentile 75% percentile English 33 35 Math 31 35 Composite 32 34 This admissions data tells us that most of WashUs admitted students fall within the top 5% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to WashU received a composite ACT score between 32 and 34, while 25% scored above 34 and 25% scored below 32. Requirements Unlike many universities, WashU superscores ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. WashU does not require the ACT writing section. GPA Washington University at St. Louis does not provide data about admitted students high school GPAs. Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph Washington University Applicants Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex. The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Washington University in St. Louis. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account. ​Admissions Chances Washington University in St. Louis has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, WashU has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside WashUs average range. All admissions data has been sourced from the  National Center for Education Statistics  and  Washington University in St. Louis Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

The Great Depression Changed America - 845 Words

Arsh Rajwani Humane Letters I Mr. Baker February 24, 2017 History Essay The Great Depression changed our whole society but not in a bad way. The drop of the stock market gave buyers two choices; work harder to earn their money back or give up. After families lost most of their money they gave up and couldn’t provide for themselves. The Great Depression has majorly affected our current world. The Great Depression had shown how big companies affected America, how much the Executive branches power had grown and how the bank could not always be trusted. The Great Depression had shown how big companies affected America. The big companies of America affect our economy and our lives even when we never think about them. The shutting down of†¦show more content†¦He came with the New Deal and tried to help the people by establishing many acts such as: The Agricultural Adjustment Act, Public Work Administration, and Civilian Conservation Corps, and the National Industrial Recovery (NIRA) act which was the cornerstone of the New Deal. The NIRA was de clared unconstitutional and FDR started a Second New Deal. FDR’s Second New Deal included The Social Security Act and unemployment insurance. If Hoover had shown this much persistence and did not give up like FDR he would not have been hated as much as he is now. FDR’s willingness to go on even when everything looked hopeless made people feel safer and believe in the president which the people did not do before. Hoover showed no responsibility and neglected most of the United States’ problems and made the people feel unsafe and not believe in the president which changed after the depression. The Great Depression had how the bank could not always be trusted. The bank was first created because the government was in debt after the revolutionary war and we needed a new currency. Most people in our current world just think of a bank as a place that holds your money. In reality it is much more, they give out loans and add interest to make money off your own money. Th e bank doesn’t always run very smoothly though. During the Great Depression when the stock market fell the people ran to the bank to getShow MoreRelatedThe events of the 1930’s, or the Great Depression, did the most to influence contemporary America.900 Words   |  4 Pagesof the 1930’s, or the Great Depression, did the most to influence contemporary America. During the twenties, America was at its most prosperous economic times until the stock market crashed in 1929. The stock market crash led to a dramatic decline of the U.S. economy. The decline in the economy changed Americans everyday lives. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president and he created the New Deal to provide relief, recovery and reform. The Depression impacted America in the 1930’s in everyRead MoreEssay on Modernism at Its Finest in Literature756 Words   |  4 PagesModernism at Its Finest In the beginning of the twentieth century, literature changed and focused on breaking away from the typical and predicate patterns of normal literature. Poets at this time took full advantage and stretched the idea of the mind’s conscience on how the world, mind, and language interact and contradict. Many authors, such as Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, and Twain, used the pain and anguish in first hand experiences to create and depict a new type of literature, modernism. In thisRead MoreThe Great Depression : The Fall Of A Nation1701 Words   |  7 PagesCollin Brunton Ms. Biondi English II 3 March 2015 The Great Depression: The Fall of a Nation The Great Depression was a hard time for America. The name fits like a glove because it was, in fact a depression. The Great Depression was crucial to American history because it changed every aspect of American life, revealed how big a power America was, and it established multiple government agencies around the world to make sure something like it never happens again. The economy was at a highpointRead MoreEssay on Great depression1599 Words   |  7 PagesMaterial The Great Depression Part 1 Complete the chart by filling in each president’s views on the Great Depression. Herbert Hoover Franklin Delano Roosevelt Causes of the Great Depression *Weak agricultural and industrial growth in the US was due to foreign competition with domestic businesses, and a solution that helped both domestic and foreign economies grow mutually was not necessary. *The lack of individual and voluntary response to the depression, especially responseRead MoreCulture during the 20s-40s: Great Gatsby1365 Words   |  6 PagesHistory has shown that music, dance and fashion have a great affect on society and culture. Iconic artists and performers, and particular events during these decades influenced many rebellious outbreaks going against societal norms. The â€Å"Roaring 20s† (1920-30), had a major impact on adolescent behavior in America, starting in New Orleans, moving into Chicago and later, New York City. Throughout the 1930s-1940s a new adolescent culture emerged, influenced by early upheavals during the 1920s. TheRead MoreGreat Depression Outline1529 Words   |  7 PagesHistory Outline Monsy Rodriguez The Great Depression Thesis: In its duration and magnitude, the Great Depression was indefinitely more severe than any other episode of â€Å"hard times† in our history and it was the molding force of the America we live in today. Purpose of Your Hook: The purpose of my hook is to get the reader’s attention and have them keep reading and get through the whole essay. Key Point of Introduction: The purpose of my introduction is to expose the reader of my topic and myRead MoreBlack Tuesday Essay796 Words   |  4 Pagesworst financial crisis in U.S. history, The Great Depression. The Great Crash itself had a devastating impact. Hundreds of banks failed, and because bank deposits were uninsured, their depositors lost some or all of their money. â€Å"Frightened customers drew their savings from solvent banks, forcing them to close.†1 And that was just the beginning. Government’s response to the Great Depression changed the lives of non-elite members of society. It changed them negatively at first. Herbert Hoover’s strategiesRead More Roosevelt a Liberal and Hoover a Conservative Essay1079 Words   |  5 Pages Roosevelt a Liberal and Hoover a Conservative Thesis: Because the Great Depression quickly changed Americas view of liberalism, Roosevelt can be considered a liberal and Hoover a conservative, despite occasionally supporting similar policies. Written for the Advanced Placement U.S. History Document Based Question from the A.P. test. Hoover The political shifts in American history during the last two centuries are often explained by Arthur Schlesingers cyclical explanation of eras of publicRead More The Great Depression Essay1212 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Depression was one of the lowest times in American history. Although this depression brought great poverty to some areas, most were not even phased by it. For some it brought extreme poverty for others who had little money invested in banks or into the stock market, nothing really changed. It even seemed that those who were impacted the least, their changes would not occur until after the Depression was over. In fact some never even knew that there was a depression going on until itRead MoreThe Great Depression and the New Deal Essay example999 Words   |  4 PagesGreat Depression The Great Depression and the New Deal In response to the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt was ready for action unlike the previous President, Hubert Hoover. Hoover allowed the country to fall into a complete state of depression with his small concern of the major economic problems occurring. FDR began to show major and immediate improvements, with his outstanding actions during the First Hundred Days. He declared the bank

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Athletes and Financial Investment Firms Free Essays

The goal for a large majority of individuals in today†s society is to achieve maximum financial stability in the shortest period of time possible. However, most do not achieve this goal as expeditiously as they once had hoped. It is for this reason that a majority of individuals view their success in relation to what one obtains in the form of both material goods and financial acquisitions. We will write a custom essay sample on Athletes and Financial Investment Firms or any similar topic only for you Order Now Does the acquisition of material goods or financial gains insure financial stability? Is there peace of mind for an individual once these goals of procurement are achieved? Is there anyway to insure financial peace of mind? The simple answer would be to become a professional athlete, to win the lottery, or marry into Bill Gate†s family. However, these are all long shots for a majority of the world. But even these do not guarantee long-term financial stability. That is why it is becoming increasingly important to possess a high level of competency in the area of wealth management. What exactly is wealth management? Wealth management is the proficient administration of one†s total assets through financial planning and accurately allocating wealth to achieve a financial goal. Financial planning integrates the execution of various financial services, which promote growth, and stability of an investor†s wealth. Planning is differentiated according to the specific needs and focus of individuals. A high-net-worth individual would bear distinct goals that differentiate from that of a small-time investor. Albeit that these investors may have unique objectives, the necessity for a competent provider of such financial services is evident. The world of finance is unpredictable and continuously shifting. Investors find themselves overwhelmed by intimidation caused by the perception that investment firms are bottom-line oriented with no regard to their personal financial goals. As a result, investment firms are making resilient efforts to educate investors and offer them extended financial services. These services are specifically designed through a financial plan, which caters to the individual investor. How to cite Athletes and Financial Investment Firms, Essay examples

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

The portion you read culminates with a Major Crux What does tearing the pardon mean Essay Example For Students

The portion you read culminates with a Major Crux: What does tearing the pardon mean? Essay It is safe to assume that the tearing of the pardon at the end of Passus VII signifies more than a criticism of the excessive trust people placed in religious documents of that type in the late fourteenth century. Indeed, this mindset was commonly criticised even in sermons of the time. The actions of Piers, in destroying the pardon, reveal to the reader his discomfort in living as a man who is concerned with his place in the physical and the spiritual world and feels himself torn as a result. The provision of a pardon is expected to function as the final act in the process of penitence, as a sign of forgiveness. We will write a custom essay on The portion you read culminates with a Major Crux: What does tearing the pardon mean? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Piers rejects this satisfaction and, consequently, the reader is forced to struggle with the reasoning behind his actions. The pardon as a physical manifestation of apparent spiritual change emerges as extremely problematic as does the implication of whether it is won by grace or labour. The events preceding Piers receipt of the pardon are central to the readers understanding of his actions. Langland attempts to inform the reader, through the events of passus VI, of the conflicting forces of Gods mercy and mans need to earn it through work. Moreover, the uncertain nature of these events has implications for the readers understanding of Langlands intentions for the poem and the extent to which he allows the possibility of broad and discursive interpretation of it. The tearing of the pardon disrupts the readers expectation of the process of penitence being played out in Passus V-VII. This idea of interrupting familiar patterns of behaviour is initiated by Piers insistence in Passus V that he must postpone guiding the pilgrims to St. Truthe because he has a half acre to erie by the heighe weye. Indeed, the ploughing eventually displaces the pilgrimage and the reader is left to infer that the labour Piers gives the pilgrims is the means by which they fulfil the demands of Truthe rather than through the pilgrimage they initially expected. This is made explicit early in the passus when Piers sets the women to work saying so commaundeth Truthe. The implications for the reader of this interruption of the pilgrimage and its exchange for ploughing are that they come to equate physical labour with spiritual fulfilment in the poem. The terms of reference Langland uses in this section of the poem are thus centred on the idea that physical work will fulfil the pilgrims. This mindset emerges as the similar to the content of the pardon where Do wel and have wel is presented as the route to God and salvation. Indeed, the author extends this concept to the more direct comparison of spiritual fulfilment with the satisfaction of hunger. this case, that will The sequence of events in passus VI reveals that it is only physical need, a desire for food in motivate the pilgrims to work and even this has only a short-term effect. Piers invokes the figure of Hunger in an attempt to control the pilgrims and the latter obliges. The dreamer recounts that Hunger rebukes the representative figure of Wastour and wrong hym so by the wombe that al watrede hise eighen. The physical pain inflicted on the pilgrims is clear from these words but their response is short lived and respite from Hunger sees Wastour again wandren aboute rather than working. Without an active need there is no catalyst for change in the pilgrims. It is revealed to the reader that Piers actively appreciates the spiritual implications of the pilgrims actions. Moreover, when the pardon arrives, later in the poem, he is aware that it represents a spiritual change of precisely the kind that the pilgrims lack the motivation to achieve. His attempts to enable them to work and reap food as a reward have failed and in invoking Hunger he uses the words: Awreke me of thise wastoursà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦that this world shendeth! Piers asks hunger to avenge him for the damage that the behaviour of the pilgrims is inflicting on the world. The affirmation that the pilgrims actions will harm the world reveals to the reader that Piers is aware of the broader spiritual concepts involved. A quality of separation is created in the poem because Piers functions on a more profound level of spiritual understanding than the pilgrims, as he understands what their actions signify. The reader is also able to experience this understanding through him because they too can appreciate the spiritual dimension that exists in the events of passus VI. Thus, his actions on receiving the pardon are of particular importance because Piers acts as a means through which the reader can perceive Langlands meaning. These events preceding the appearance of the Priest with the pardon are vital in appreciating the reasoning behind Piers tearing it atweyne. Essentially, Langland has allowed the reader to gain access to the idea that men will, as Hunger says, Labores manuum tuarum For the labours of thy hands. This is exactly the sentiments of the pardon when it arrives which offers to man either that God shal have thi soule or hope thow noon other according to his actions. The question of why Piers tears the pardon can be answered by his frustration that the pilgrims have no motivation to work for their own good, as described above. .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 , .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .postImageUrl , .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 , .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:hover , .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:visited , .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:active { border:0!important; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:active , .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8 .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc3bf354114a4ed6203a7ddb5627eb9a8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Ode of Autumn EssayThey have already proved that the words of the pardon will not function for them because only their physical needs are important enough to them to act upon. The rejection of the pardon becomes, in itself, a physical act as Piers tears it and this seems a fitting response because it is the pilgrims inability to function outside satisfying their immediate physical need that leads to the frustration that Piers experiences. However, the reader must also appreciate that the pardon comes to Piers from Treuthe who bad hym golde hym at home and erien hise leyes. Treuthe, as the figure representing God in the poem, encourages the continuation of Piers labour and offers the pardon to hise heires for everemoore after. Thus, the idea that Piers tears the pardon through his frustration at the way in which he needed to invoke Hunger to force the pilgrims to labour does not take account of his personal reaction to the pardon. The reader knows he has found elements of the pilgrims behaviour problematic but his place within it in deciding who ought to receive food also casts doubt into his mind. His uncertainty is clear when, after Hunger advises him to feed the truly needy and ignore the idle, he says Mighte I synnlees do as thow seist? Piers is unsure about whether he ought to have mercy on the beggars or ignore them. When the pardon arrives, it is inconclusive in this question leaving Piers uncertainty intact. Moreover, this event is symptomatic of the larger recognition the reader must make that the pardon by no means offers Piers satisfaction in his struggle to understand the processes by which he can seek salvation. The words of the pardon appear practical and simple. It is clear that to do wel is the route to God but the reader also struggles to assimilate, from the creeds that have been presented in the poem so far, what the pardon means by this. The nature of what the priest brings, as a pardon, is Gods mercy physically represented. This aspect of it bears a link to Holy Chirches assertion that God mercy gan graunte and her counsel to haveth ruthe on the povre. These ideas, principally those of the New Testament, are then reversed by the contents of the pardon that suggests that Gods love must be earned by good works. Essentially Piers, in revealing the difficulty he faces in deciding whether or not to be merciful to the beggars, has opened up to the reader the central opposition in the pardon. The reader can see Piers as a man who is struggling with the same weighty spiritual matters that he/she is contending with in the poem as a whole. When Piers tears the pardon the reader is forced to consider that for Piers, the problematic nature of these two elements of the spectrum of Christian belief means they cannot be contained in one whole document or approach. Tearing the pardon and recognising that these two elements of belief may not be compatible does not end Piers personal struggle to discover the way in which he can gain salvation. Indeed, Piers continues to respond to the pardon, even following its destruction, in the same terms of reference, those of hunger and satisfaction that have functioned as a representative for the spiritual life of the characters since the opening of passus VI. Moreover, he shifts from the previous approach to hunger saying: I shal cessen of my sowingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and swynke nought so harde, Ne aboute my bely joye so bisy be na moore; Of preires and of penaunce my plough shal ben herafter. Piers chooses hunger rather than satisfaction through labour because he will no longer sow and plough. However, the last line in the above quotation indicates that a transition has taken place. Piers has swapped the allegorical dimension that labour and satisfaction of hunger previously held and makes it overtly clear that he intends to aim his efforts directly at spiritual satisfaction. He will continue to labour but in the spiritual context of preires and penaunce. Essentially, Piers decides to continue struggling with the labour that has characterised his existence but he has made a decision to ultimately concentrate on his spiritual life above that of his physical because the pardon has made him realise the implications of doing the contrary. Physical labour is replaced with spiritual struggle of an even greater magnitude in order to gain salvation and despite the recognition and expression of the turmoil in Piers that tearing the pardon illustrates, it must continue. .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 , .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .postImageUrl , .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 , .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:hover , .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:visited , .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:active { border:0!important; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:active , .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3 .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ude22f5205b8bc23677b44a3cdec03ac3:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Scarlet Letter Symbolism EssayThe tearing of the pardon, then, can be interpreted as a reaction that is, in a sense, temporary. While it is true that he rejects the form of a pardon as issued by a priest on Gods behalf, in tearing it Piers realises that he has also rejected the priests as those who apparently provide a link between man and God. He has made himself the subject of Gods judgement alone by abandoning the alternative of the Churchs interpretation of Gods will. The fear in evidence following the destruction of the pardon confirms the magnitude of this act. He quotes from Psalm twenty-two saying, For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils: for thou art with me . Piers faith is intact and so the reader is left to analyse his actions in the knowledge that he has rejected the conventional methods of communication with God. Thus the analysis of whether or not tearing the pardon was a bad thing for Piers to do becomes central in the readers mind. Piers certainly does not reject God, rather the physical embodiment of a forgiveness which will only impede his realisation that the spiritual is of paramount importance. The contents of the pardon only serve to affirm that his labour must continue and the reader is clear that it is not a negative approach to take because the mindset that has been created in the previous passus is one where above all labour and struggle is a noble act and a route to good. The critic Rosemary Woolf supports the idea that tearing the pardon was a positive act, saying the document was not a pardon when it was received, but it was a pardon after Piers had torn it . She argues that the tearing of the pardon symbolizes the mercy of the redemption. This view supports the idea that Piers in destroying the pardon surrenders himself to the necessity of spiritual work but in Woolfs approach it seems that the redemption comes only as a result of this action. Langland makes the nature of humanity consistent in both Piers and the pilgrims he seeks to help and the fact that both express directly or indirectly their spiritual approach in terms of hunger and satisfaction strengthens this link. However, the tearing of the pardon symbolizes the difference between Piers and the pilgrims because he achieves the correct priority, placing his faith above his physical comfort, and hopes to achieve mercy through a continuation of his labour in this new light. While Woolf suggests that the removal of the pardon as a false mechanism for forgiveness signals the possibility of mercy, it seems clear, in opposition to her approach, that such mercy also requires the preires and penaunce that Piers chooses to work on and that Langland has primed the reader to accept this through his affirmation of the merits of labour in the preceding passus. The tearing of the pardon provides a climax to this creation of an attitude to labour that Langland encourages the reader to advocate. However, it is not so climactic as to ultimately bring about a change in this approach either from Piers perspective or the readers because they still recognise the need and worth of labour in the spiritual world. The pure tene that Piers is described as displaying adds to the drama of the moment because it illustrates the frustration and anguish that he feels both towards the concept of pardons and, more personally, the fact that his struggle and labour must continue. Indeed, it is fair to say that Piers reaction to the pardon, following its tearing is most central to the argument of the poem because it illustrates that the only resolution to the pardon is for Piers to continue struggling to understand the dichotomy between Gods mercy and the need to earn it. In conclusion, the dreamers vision ends with the preest and Perkyn apposeden either oother. This opposition summarises the division that has been in evidence in the vision as a whole. Langland in allowing this open-ended conclusion encourages the reader to analyse the events that have unfolded. The tearing of the pardon embodies the oppositions in the poem that the reader and the characters struggle to recognise. His chief success in crafting the vision that contains the tearing of the pardon is to create a mindset in the reader that will ultimately affect the way they interpret the events that follow. The reader is aware from the pilgrims experiences that labour and effort is essential to a healthy existence. Thus, when Piers changes the focus of his labour, it is the struggle for his spiritual health and enlightenment that becomes most central. Langland does not attempt to deny the difficulties that exist in Christian Life and the understanding of it; rather he allows Piers humanity and his willingness to continue struggling to remain a consistent force even after the tearing of the pardon has symbolised this difficulty.

Friday, March 20, 2020

The Geography of Crimea

The Geography of Crimea Crimea is a region of the southern area of Ukraine on the Crimean Peninsula. It is located along the Black Sea and covers almost the entire area of the peninsula with the exception of the Sevastopol, a city that is currently being disputed by Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine considers Crimea to be within its jurisdiction, while Russia considers it a portion of its territory. Recent severe political and social unrest in Ukraine led to a referendum on March 16, 2014, in which the majority of Crimea’s population voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. This has caused global tension and opponents claim that the election was unconstitutional. History of Crimea Throughout its very long history, the Crimean Peninsula and present-day Crimea have been under the control of a number of different peoples. Archeological evidence shows that the peninsula was inhabited by Greek colonists in the 5th-century BCE and since then there have been many different conquests and invasions. Crimea’s modern history began in 1783 when the Russian Empire annexed the area. In February 1784 Catherine the Great created the Taurida Oblast and Simferopol became the center of the oblast later that same year. At the time of Taurida Oblast’s establishment it was divided into 7 uyezds (an administrative subdivision). In 1796 Paul I abolished the oblast and the area was divided into two uyezds. By 1799 the largest towns in the territory were Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Yevpatoria, Alushta, Feodosiya, and Kerch. In 1802 Crimea became part of a new Taurida Governate that included all of Crimea and a portion of mainland areas surrounding the peninsula. The Taurida Governate’s center was Simferopol. In 1853 the Crimean War began and much of Crimea’s economic and social infrastructure was badly damaged as most of the war’s large battles were fought in the area. During the war, native Crimean Tatars were forced to flee the region. The Crimean War ended in 1856. In 1917 the Russian Civil War began and control of Crimea changed around ten times as various political entities were set up on the peninsula. On October 18, 1921, the Crimean Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic was established as a part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (SFSR). Throughout the 1930s Crimea suffered from social problems as its Crimean Tatar and Greek populations were repressed by the Russian government. In addition, two large famines occurred, one from 1921-1922 and another from 1932-1933, that exacerbated the region’s problems. In the 1930s, a large amount of Slavic peoples moved into Crimea and altered the area’s demographics. Crimea was hit hard during World War II and by 1942 much of the peninsula was occupied the German Army. In 1944 troops from the Soviet Union took control of Sevastopol. During that same year, the region’s Crimean Tatar population was deported to central Asia by the Soviet government as they were accused of collaborating with Nazi occupation forces. Shortly thereafter the region’s Armenian, Bulgarian and Greek populations were also deported. On June 30, 1945, the Crimean Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic was abolished and it became the Crimean Oblast of the Russian SFSR. In 1954 control of the Crimean Oblast was transferred from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. During this time Crimea grew into a large tourist destination for the Russian population. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Crimea became a part of Ukraine and much of the Crimean Tatar population that was deported returned. This led to tensions and protests over land rights and allocations and political representatives from the Russian community in Crimea sought to strengthen the region’s ties with the Russian government. In 1996 Ukraine’s constitution specified that Crimea would be an autonomous republic but any legislation in its government would have to work with Ukraine’s government. In 1997 Russia officially recognized Ukraine’s sovereignty over Crimea. Throughout the rest of the 1990s and into the 2000s, a controversy over Crimea remained and anti-Ukrainian demonstrations took place in 2009. In late February 2014 severe political and social unrest began in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, after Russia suspended a proposed financial aid package. On February 21, 2014, Ukraine’s president, Viktor Yanukovych agreed to accept a weakening presidency and hold new elections by the end of the year. Russia however, refused the deal and the opposition escalated their protests causing Yanukovych to flee Kyiv on February 22, 2014. An interim government was put into place but further demonstrations began to take place in Crimea. During these protests, Russian extremists took over several government buildings in Simferopol and raised the Russian flag. On March 1, 2014, Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, dispatched troops to Crimea, stating that Russia needed to protect the ethnic Russians in the region from extremists and anti-government protestors in Kyiv. By March 3rd, Russia was in control of Crimea. As a result of Crimea’s unrest, a referendum was held on March 16, 2014, to determine whether Crimea would remain a part of Ukraine or be annexed by Russia. The majority of Crimea’s voters approved secession but many opponents claim that the vote was unconstitutional and Ukraine’s interim government claimed that it would not accept the secession. Despite these claims, lawmakers in Russia approved a treaty on March 20, 2014, to annex Crimea amid international sanctions. On March 22, 2014, Russian troops began storming air bases in Crimea in an effort to force Ukrainian forces from the region. In addition, a Ukrainian warship was seized, protesters seized a Ukrainian naval base and pro-Russian activists held protests and rallies in Ukraine. By March 24, 2014, Ukrainian forces began to withdraw from Crimea. Government and People of Crimea Today, Crimea is considered a semi-autonomous region. It has been annexed by Russia and is considered a part of Russia by that country and its supporters. However, since Ukraine and many western countries deemed the March 2014 referendum to be illegal they still consider Crimea a part of Ukraine. Those in opposition say that the vote was illegal because it â€Å"violated Ukraine’s newly re-forged constitution and amounts to †¦ [an attempt]†¦by Russia to expand its borders to the Black Sea peninsula under a threat of force. At the time of this writing, Russia was moving forward with plans to annex Crimea despite Ukraine’s and international opposition. Russia’s main claim for wanting to annex Crimea is that it needs to protect the ethnic Russian citizens in the region from extremists and the interim government in Kyiv. The majority of Crimea’s population identifies themselves as ethnic Russian (58%) and over 50% of the population speaks Russian. Economics of Crimea Crimea’s economy is based mainly on tourism and agriculture. The city of Yalta is a popular destination on the Black Sea for many Russians as are Alushta, Eupatoria, Saki, Feodosia, and Sudak. The main agricultural products of Crimea are cereals, vegetables, and wine. Cattle, poultry and sheep breeding are also important and Crimea is home to a variety of natural resources like salt, porphyry, limestone, and ironstone. Geography and Climate of Crimea Crimea is located on the northern part of the Black Sea and on the western part of the Sea of Azov. It also borders Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast. Crimea occupies the land making up the Crimean Peninsula, which is separated from Ukraine by the Sivash system of shallow lagoons. Crimea’s coastline is rugged and made up of several bays and harbors. Its topography is relatively flat as most of the peninsula is made up of semiarid steppe or prairie lands. The Crimean Mountains are along its southeast coast. Crimea’s climate is temperate continental in its interior and summers are hot, while winters are cold. Its coastal regions are milder and precipitation is low throughout the region.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

How to End a Conversation With Sayonara

How to End a Conversation With Sayonara Click here for the dialogue for Introducing People. 1. Short Questions When asking information about someones name or country etc., a shortened form of a question is often used. This leaves just the topic, which is said with rising intonation. O-namae  wa  (nan desu ka).        Ã‚  (What is) your name? 㠁Šå  Ã¥â€° Ã£  ¯Ã¤ ½â€¢Ã£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹Ã£â‚¬â€š O-kuni  wa  (dochira  desu ka).     Ã‚  (Where is) your country? 㠁Šå› ½Ã£  ¯(㠁 ©Ã£  ¡Ã£â€šâ€°Ã£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹)。 Go-senmon  wa  (nan desu ka).     (What is) your field of study? 㠁”å °â€šÃ©â€"ۋ  ¯(ä ½â€¢Ã£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹)。 2. How to End a Conversation Sayonara㠁•よ㠁 ªÃ£â€šâ€°) is not normally used when leaving ones own home or places of temporary residence unless one is leaving for a very long time. If you know that you will see a person again soon, expressions like Ja mata 㠁˜ã‚Æ'㠁 ¾Ã£ Å¸) or Mata ashita (㠁 ¾Ã£ Å¸Ã¦ËœÅ½Ã¦â€" ¥) are used.Shitsurei shimasu  (Ã¥ ¤ ±Ã§ ¤ ¼Ã£ â€"㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢) is a formal expression used when announcing that you are leaving someones presence or when you are leaving before someone else (in this case, it is often said as Osakini shitsurei shimasu(㠁Šå…ˆã  «Ã¥ ¤ ±Ã§ ¤ ¼Ã£ â€"㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢).) It is also used when entering a house or room, passing in front of someone, or leaving in the middle of a gathering. Dewa  mata.                    See you later.   㠁 §Ã£  ¯Ã£  ¾Ã£ Å¸Ã£â‚¬â€šÃ‚              Ã‚   Ja  mata.                             See you later. (less formal) 㠁˜ã‚Æ'㠁 ¾Ã£ Å¸Ã£â‚¬â€š Mata  ashita.                    See you tomorrow. 㠁 ¾Ã£ Å¸Ã¦ËœÅ½Ã¦â€" ¥Ã£â‚¬â€š Sayonara.                          Good-bye. 㠁•よ㠁 ªÃ£â€šâ€°Ã£â‚¬â€š Shitsurei  shimasu.     I am going to leave.  (very formal)  Ã‚   Ã¥ ¤ ±Ã§ ¤ ¼Ã£ â€"㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š