The Work of Frida Kahlo Essay -- Self Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trots

The work of Frida Kahlo often labeled and defined as feminist art continues to describe and establish what feminist art is. Wife of the well known and highly regarded Diego Rivera, Frida struggled to become an artist in her own right. Her extremely passionate love for and devotion to her husband manifested itself in an unusual manner in their already unconventional and unique marriage. However it is partly this obsession with Diego that helped motivate her own success as a feminist artist. Her passionate political and revolutionary spirit resonates in the subjects of her paintings as she herself states, "I want my work to be a contribution to the struggle of the people for peace and liberty." (Herrera p.263). She confronts her pain and suffering and openly exposes herself in her work. Essentially Kahlo's work includes and encompasses all of the theories and themes discussed in Art History 466. Pain and suffering, active political and social awareness are present in her paint ings, and most importantly an acute awareness of the power of the feminine and of feminist art is prevalent as well. The passionate, seductive and exotic nature of Frida's work is used combined with humor, pain and endless emotion emphatically stating her awareness of the power she as a woman and an artist possessed, despite her unquestionable and undeniable insecurities, frustrations and suffering. She utilized these attributes to her advantage in producing some of the most astonishing works unarguably and undisputably renowned for their aesthetic and intellectual superiority. Despite its initial appearance of a simple image lacking the usual surreal qualities of Frida's work, her Self Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky is saturated in sensuality and mystery demanding further investigation. With her directed, seductive gaze Frida holds a private conversation with Leon as she presents herself as a gift to him. In her biography on Kahlo, Hayden Herrera notes Frida "was flattered to be loved by the Great Russian, fascinated by his mind and moved by his desire. Frida was delighted to have an affair with Trotsky" (Herrera p.212). Kahlo's portrait, while presenting a relatively small image, is monumentalized by the saturation of passion and emotion that she shares with Trotsky. The portrait, lacking the usual bloody and shocking imagery often seen in Kahlo's work, is not di... ... Numerous times of ill health in Frida's life coincided with times she felt more alone, depressed, upset and helpless as a result of present occuances. Thus, even Frida herself could not deny the effect Trotsky had on her and her life, as additionally evidenced in the monumental qualities of her image peaking out from "Behind the Curtains". Through her portrait Frida is saying thank you while still teasing her former lover with her seductive irresistible image. She is acknowledging Trotsky's's effect soon to be felt as the "bomb", being Frida, bursts through the "ribbon." The "ribbon" is the pain and suffering, the limitations and frustrations caused by Diego. The "ribbon" represents a Frida truly becoming an artist in her own right. She, of course, realizes the role Trotsky played in this revelation as evidenced in the Self Portrait she presented to him on the seventh of November, 1937, "with love." With girlish fascination Frida flirted with the political idol only to find it was she to be admired and idolized. Kahlo combats the struggle of a woman presenting herself as if announcing, "Yes, I am to be looked at, to be noticed, to be remembered and to be fantasized!"

Influences Woman

ence womanPlease discuss the relationship between desire and permission to have sex. Is desire necessary for permission? Is permission necessary for desire? What if someone is torn between having desire but not permission—what recourse does he or she have? To see the relationship between desire and permission to have sex I would like to start with ‘desire’, so what is desire – its sense of longing for a person or object or hoping for an outcome. Desire is the fire that sets action aflame.When a person desires something or someone, their sense of longing is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of the item or person, and they want to take actions to obtain their goal. I think the relationship between desire and sex, is a sexual desire that involves the lustful, sexually passionate feelings people have for each other. Sexual desire is a very intense and powerful emotion; it can cloud one’s judgmental and prompt risk-taking. For example, man’s sexual desire is typically omnipresent, ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of a sexual encounter.His desire is, for all practical purposes, an automatic response, requiring nothing more than suggestion. His goal is sexual gratification; most typically, self-gratification and his thoughts generally are of pleasure rather than intimacy and relationship. If to talk about women†¦we are complex beings. We differ greatly from men and even between ourselves when it comes to feeling and experiencing sexual desire. If we are to comprehend the true nature of our sexual desire, we must appreciate the role of the female sex standard.Our sexual desire lies deep within our souls; slumbering, awaiting an awakening that requires a specific degree of commitment and psychic receptivity on behalf of our partner. It is anything but automatic. Our goal is intimacy, relationship, and ultimately, transformation of our lover. Our thoughts too are of pleasure, but in a different contextà ¢â‚¬â€we relish pleasure, not so much for itself, but for the transformation it brings to our partner. In my opinion desire doesn’t need permission or permission for desire.Your desire†¦the longing to do and act†¦is all the permission you need. The moment that the wanting of a new, more delicious form of expression rears its glorious head, you have all the permission you will ever  need. Willingness and permission must be communicated clearly and unambiguously. Just because a person fails to resist sexual desires does not mean that s/he is willing, and that’s when the person have to find other resources like, fantasizing, masturbating or having a nocturnal orgasms (orgasm during sleep) .

The Impeachment Process in US Government

The impeachment process in U.S. government was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Noting that the traditional mechanism for removing â€Å"obnoxious† chief executives — like  kings — from power had been assassination, Franklin glibly suggested the impeachment process as a more rational and preferable method.   Key Takeaways: Impeachment Process The process of impeachment is established by the U.S. Constitution.The impeachment process must be initiated in the House of Representatives with the passage of a resolution listing the charges or â€Å"Articles of Impeachment† against the official being impeached.If passed by the House, the Articles of Impeachment are considered by the Senate in a trial presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with the 100 Senators serving as the jury.If the Senate votes in favor of conviction by a 2/3 supermajority vote (67 votes), the Senate will then vote to remove the official from office.   Under the U.S. Constitution, the President of the United States, the Vice President, and â€Å"and all civil Officers of the United States† may be impeached and removed from office if convicted of â€Å"Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.† The Constitution also establishes the impeachment process. Presidential impeachment may be the last thing you would ever think could happen in America. In fact, since 1841, over one-third of all American Presidents have either died in office, became disabled, or resigned. However, no American President has ever been forced from office due to impeachment. Taking the vote on the impeachment of President Johnson. Historical/Getty Images Only four times in our history has Congress held serious discussions of presidential  impeachment: Andrew Johnson was actually impeached when Congress became unhappy with the way he was dealing with some post-Civil War matters, but Johnson was acquitted in the Senate by one vote and remained in office.Congress introduced a resolution to impeach John Tyler over states rights issues, but the resolution failed.Congress was debating his impeachment over the Watergate break-in when President Richard Nixon resigned.William J. Clinton was impeached by the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in relation to his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was eventually acquitted by the Senate. The impeachment process plays out in Congress and requires critical votes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is often said that the â€Å"House impeaches and the Senate convicts,† or not. In essence, the House first decides if there are grounds to impeach the president, and if it does, the Senate holds a formal impeachment trial. House Judiciary Committee Meeting in 1974 discussing Nixons possible impeachment.   Bettmann/Getty Images In the  House of Representatives The House Judiciary Committee decides whether or not to proceed with impeachment. If they do...The Chairman of the Judiciary Committee will propose a resolution calling for the Judiciary Committee to begin a formal inquiry into the issue of impeachment.Based on their inquiry, the Judiciary Committee will send another resolution composed of one or more Articles of Impeachment to the full House stating that impeachment is warranted and why or that impeachment is not called for.The Full House (probably operating under special floor rules set by the House Rules Committee) will debate and vote on each Article of Impeachment.Should any one of the Articles of Impeachment be approved by a simple majority vote, the President will be impeached. However, being impeached is sort of like being indicted for a crime. The president will remain in office pending the outcome of the Senate impeachment trial. Bill and Hillary Clinton at the start of the Clinton Impeachment trial. David Hume Kennerly  /Getty Images In the Senate The Articles of Impeachment are received from the House.The Senate formulates rules and procedures for holding a trial.The trial will be held with the president represented by his lawyers. A select group of House members serves as prosecutors. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (currently John G. Roberts) presides  with all 100 Senators acting as the jury.The Senate meets in private session to debate a verdict.The Senate, in open session, votes on a verdict. A 2/3 supermajority vote of the Senate will result in a conviction.The Senate will vote to remove the President from office.The Senate may also vote (by a simple majority) to prohibit the President from holding any public office in the future. Once impeached officials are convicted in the Senate, their removal from office is automatic and may not be appealed. In the 1993 case of  Nixon v. United States, the U.S. the Supreme Court ruled that the federal judiciary cannot review impeachment proceedings. At the state level, state legislatures can impeach state officials, including governors, in accordance with their respective state constitutions. Impeachable Offenses Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution says, The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors. To date, two federal judges have been impeached and removed from office based on charges of bribery. No federal official has ever faced impeachment based on charges of treason. All other impeachment proceedings held against federal officials, including three presidents, have been based on charges of â€Å"high crimes and misdemeanors.† According to constitutional lawyers, High Crimes and Misdemeanors are (1) real criminality—breaking a law; (2) abuses of power; (3) violation of public trust as defined by Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers. In 1970, then-Representative Gerald R. Ford defined impeachable offenses as whatever a majority of the House of Representatives considers it to be at a given moment in history. Historically, Congress has issued Articles of Impeachment for acts in three general categories: Exceeding the constitutional bounds of the powers of the office.Behavior grossly incompatible with the proper function and purpose of the office.Employing the power of the office for an improper purpose or for personal gain. The impeachment process is political, rather than criminal in nature. Congress has no power to impose criminal penalties on impeached officials. But criminal courts may try and punish officials if they have committed crimes.

The Various Language Skill Development - 1250 Words

Being social animals, human beings experience an innate drive to communicate and share their thoughts and feelings with others. The essay discusses the various language skill development stages among the children from zero to seven years. It analyses the importance of nature and nurture with the aid of behaviourist and nativist perspectives. In the light of the explanations by Vygotsky and Jean Piaget, the essay attempts to discuss the role of culture, experience, maturation and willingness to learn. Cambridge dictionary defines language as #39;a system of communication#39; among human beings. This communication system consists of sounds and words. The element of grammar makes communication meaningful (Cambridge Dictionary 2016).†¦show more content†¦Gradually the child imitates the words from its environment. Children are more used to the words, like mom, milk, dad, no, that are recited to them frequently. At this stage, the child associates these words to their meanings. After the age of two, there is a tremendous exploration of vocabulary (Clarke, 2009). Children accumulate thousands of words till the age of six. Initially they go for replacement of difficult terms with simple ones. This is due to their struggle with complex vocabulary. This tendency changes after six. The conventional word order, tense and grammar are grasped during these ages. By the age of four, children would be good conversationalist. At this stage the syntactic and semantic developments occur in children (Choice2099, 2014). Children, in their early years, imitate sounds and words that are produced by adults. B.F. Skinner employs his theory of behaviourism to explain this mental process (Nellie, 2013). Skinner argues that language development like any other behaviour or habit, can be imbibed through repetition and reinforcement. He uses the concepts of classical conditioning and operant conditioning to explain this phenomenon. Children associates the frequently used terms with its meanings. The word #39;mom#39; brings the mental image of their mother. They tend to use correct words and pronunciation to experience positive

Abortion And Birth Control Pro Choice And Pro Life Essay

Different Arguments for Different Ends Shana Meyer December 7, 2016 Different Arguments for Different Ends Abortion and birth control have long served as very heated, very debated topics, especially in the equal rights movement. Groups on both sides of the dispute have made strong arguments either in support of or against a woman’s right to use birth control and/or seek an abortion. Interestingly, many of the arguments share very similar foundational thoughts but are used to suggest very different conclusions. Through the duration of this paper, the two opposing groups will be defined as Pro-Choice and Pro-Life. Groups on both sides of the argument have historically used the same base topics, such as women’s health and personal liberty, to bolster their opposing arguments, which further convolutes the issue. A common idea that consistently appears in both Pro-Choice and Pro-Life arguments is the topic of protecting the woman’s health. In Roe v. Wade, 1973, the author points out that, â€Å"When most criminal abortion laws were enacted, the procedure was†¦ hazardous†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 1, adding that abortion mortality rates were reasonably high.1 Human Life International states that steroids, which include contraceptives, target and affect a body’s hormonal balance which can lead to a long list of side-effects. This list includes both physical symptoms, ranging from headaches to death, and mental symptoms, such as depression.2 Additionally, abortion procedures can also haveShow MoreRelatedShould Abortion Be Legalized?1172 Words   |  5 Pages Although some believe abortion is morally and ethically wrong should it be legal for victims of rape or incest who have no other alternative? Pro-Life advocates believe as horrible as abortion is, the baby is still innocent of any crime. Nobody should be killed for the crime of another person. While Pro-Choice advocates believe if a woman is pregnant by rape, compassion demands that she be allowed to abort. On the other hand, the pro-life vs pro-choice debate tends to overlook the fact that theRead MoreShould Abortion Be Legal?1347 Words   |  6 Pagesthe right to an abortion. This is a constitutional right that all women must have in order for everyone to have true equal rights. The two sides of this debate argue whether or not the fetus is â€Å"alive,† whether abortion is ever necessary, and whether or not the procedure has negative consequences. While the â€Å"pro-life† side focuses mostly on the interpretation of the definition of life, â€Å"pro-choice† advocates stress the importance of women’s rights. A woman should always have control over her body withoutRead MorePro Life Or Pro Choice1291 Words   |  6 PagesPro Life or Pro Choice The restrictions and the debate that surrounds the issue of abortion has changed dramatically throughout the course of history and it continues to change until this very moment. All around the world and in every known society, women have used abortion to control their reproduction, regardless of it’s legality. Abortion used to be exercised freely in the United Sates, up Until all the states started to ban It and place a lot of restrictions on it. They stated that a womanRead MorePersuasive Essay On Abortion1575 Words   |  7 Pageswhen her birth control failed and she had an abortion. ‘It allowed me to choose when to become a mother,’ she said. ‘As a mother now, I know I was correct at 21†¦ I didn’t have a college degree†¦ I didn’t have an income. I didn’t have a marriage. I didn’t have anything a child needs. And I didn’t want it† (Liptak, 2016). Brenneman, among the 24% of women who will undergo an abo rtion during their lifetime by the age of 45, chose the best decision for herself at that specific instance in her life, describedRead MoreWoman ´s Right on Abortions1198 Words   |  5 PagesPersonal Choices Women’s reproductive rights have been endangered from early history. A woman’s job included housework and child birth. Around 1920, women started receiving their choices and rights. In the 21st century, women are looked at with fairness and receive equal opportunities, but there is one right being stripped from women: the choice of using birth control and aborting pregnancy. Society frowns upon aborting a fetus in the womb, but it fails to realize the circumstantial standing eachRead MoreAbortion Essay879 Words   |  4 PagesAbortion An estimated 1.3 million abortions are performed annually or approximately two and a half abortions every minute (Abortion). In all societies, women have sought to terminate pregnancies for many reasons. Republicans and democrats support either the right to live or the right to decide. The debate whether abortion should be made legal continues to divide republicans and democrats long after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision on Roe v. Wade declaring abortion a â€Å"fundamental† right (RoeRead MoreLegal Abortion: Arguments Pro and Con.984 Words   |  4 PagesLegal Abortion: Arguments Pro and Con. Abortion is one of the most controversial issues in the world nowadays. Currently, abortion is legal in America, and many people believe that it should remain legal. These people, pro-choice activists, say that it is the womens right whether or not to have a child. However, there are many groups who are lobbying the Congress to pass laws that would make abortion illegal. These people are called the pro-life activists. Both pro-life and pro-choice activistsRead MoreShould Abortion Be Legal?1052 Words   |  5 PagesAbortion is a personal matter and is a very sacred and sensitive topic. The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy is what we know of as an abortion. Although abortion is considered to be immorally wrong to some people, it should be a fundamental right for women to control their own bodies. Abortions are one of the many things that everyone has an opinion on. It is one of the most controversial topics anyone will not agree upon. When abortion is discussed, people tend to assume one of two positions:Read MoreWhy Is The Abortion Rate Falling By David Frum979 Words   |  4 PagesWhether it’s right or wrong, the age old debate on abortion may finally be heading in a different direction. â€Å"Why is the Abortion Rate Falling† by David Frum is a web article from The Atlantic. The author argues that although society is changing, one thing has stayed the same throughout time. This age old debate between pro-life and pro-choice groups has remained consistent. Pro-life groups believe that abortion is never an option, while pro-choice groups believe that only the woman who is carryingRead MoreWhen does Personhood Begin and Where do we Draw the Line?1403 Words   |  6 Pagesfirst controversial issue that caught my attention was personhood and abortion. Most of th e people that I had conversations with were concerned about this issue and were against the personhood legislation in Oklahoma which prohibits abortion and birth control. Mostly the women viewed the whole issue as an infringement upon their rights. Likewise, the men were concerned about the rights of their loved ones. Though they are the choice of a woman and are private, the issue is still morally challenging

The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 2 Free Essays

He Does Not Preach Pessimism My workout is interrupted midday, when Mom descends the basement stairs and says I have an appointment with Dr. Patel. I ask if I can go later that night, after I have completed my daily weights routine, but Mom says I’ll have to go back to the bad place in Baltimore if I do not keep my appointments with Dr. We will write a custom essay sample on The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 2 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Patel, and she even references the court ruling, telling me I can read the paperwork if I don’t believe her. So I shower, and then Mom drives me to Dr. Patel’s office, which is the first floor of a big house in Voorhees, just off Haddonfield – Berlin Road. When we arrive, I take a seat in the waiting room as Mom fills out some more paperwork. By now, ten trees must have been cut down just to document my mental health, which Nikki will hate hearing, as she is an avid environmentalist who gave me at least one tree in the rain forest every Christmas – which was really only a piece of paper stating I owned the tree – and I do feel bad now for making fun of those gifts and won’t ever poke fun at the diminishing rain forest in the future when Nikki comes back. As I sit there flipping through a Sports Illustrated, listening to the easy-listening station Dr. Patel pumps into his waiting room, suddenly I’m hearing sexy synthesizer chords, faint highhat taps, the kick drum thumping out an erotic heartbeat, the twinkling of fairy dust, and then the evil bright soprano saxophone. You know the title: â€Å"Songbird.† And I’m out of my seat, screaming, kicking chairs, flipping the coffee table, picking up piles of magazines and throwing them against the wall, yelling, â€Å"It’s not fair! I won’t tolerate any tricks! I’m not an emotional lab rat!† And then a small Indian man – maybe only five feet tall, wearing a cable-knit sweater in August, suit pants, and shiny white tennis shoes – is calmly asking me what’s wrong. â€Å"Turn off that music!† I yell. â€Å"Shut it off! Right now!† The tiny man is Dr. Patel, I realize, because he tells his secretary to turn off the music, and when she obeys, Kenny G is out of my head and I stop yelling. I cover my face with my hands so no one will see me crying, and after a minute or so, my mother begins rubbing my back. So much silence – and then Dr. Patel asks me into his office. I follow him reluctantly as Mom helps the secretary clean up the mess I made. His office is pleasantly strange. Two leather recliners face each other, and spider-looking plants – long vines full of white-and-green leaves – hang down from the ceiling to frame the bay window that overlooks a stone birdbath and a garden of colorful flowers. But there is absolutely nothing else in the room except a box of tissues on the short length of floor between the recliners. The floor is a shiny yellow hardwood, and the ceiling and walls are painted to look like the sky – real-looking clouds float all around the office, which I take as a good omen, since I love clouds. A single light occupies the center of the ceiling, like a glowing upside-down vanilla-icing cake, but the ceiling around the light is painted to look like the sun. Friendly rays shoot out from the center. I have to admit I feel calm as soon as I enter Dr. Patel’s office and do not really mind anymore that I heard the Kenny G song. Dr. Patel asks me which recliner I want to relax in. I pick the black over the brown and immediately regret my decision, thinking that choosing black makes me seem more depressed than if I had chosen brown, and really, I’m not depressed at all. When Dr. Patel sits down, he pulls the lever on the side of his chair, which makes the footrest rise. He leans back and laces his fingers behind his tiny head, as if he were about to watch a ball game. â€Å"Relax,† he says. â€Å"And no Dr. Patel. Call me Cliff. I like to keep sessions informal. Friendly, right?† He seems nice enough, so I pull my lever, lean back, and try to relax. â€Å"So,† he says. â€Å"The Kenny G song really got to you. I can’t say I’m a fan either, but †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I close my eyes, hum a single note, and silently count to ten, blanking my mind. When I open my eyes, he says, â€Å"You want to talk about Kenny G?† I close my eyes, hum a single note, and silently count to ten, blanking my mind. â€Å"Okay. Want to tell me about Nikki?† â€Å"Why do you want to know about Nikki?† I say, too defensively, I admit. â€Å"If I am going to help you, Pat, I need to know you, right? Your mother tells me you wish to be reunited with Nikki, that this is your biggest life goal – so I figure we best start there.† I begin to feel better because he does not say a reunion is out of the question, which seems to imply that Dr. Patel feels as though reconciling with my wife is still possible. â€Å"Nikki? She’s great,† I say, and then smile, feeling the warmth that fills my chest whenever I say her name, whenever I see her face in my mind. â€Å"She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I love her more than life itself. And I just can’t wait until apart time is over.† â€Å"Apart time?† â€Å"Yeah. Apart time.† â€Å"What is apart time?† â€Å"A few months ago I agreed to give Nikki some space, and she agreed to come back to me when she felt like she had worked out her own issues enough so we could be together again. So we are sort of separated, but only temporarily.† â€Å"Why did you separate?† â€Å"Mostly because I didn’t appreciate her and was a workaholic – chairing the Jefferson High School History Department and coaching three sports. I was never home, and she got lonely. Also I sort of let my appearance go, to the point where I was maybe ten to seventy pounds overweight, but I’m working on all that and am now more than willing to go into couples counseling like she wanted me to, because I’m a changed man.† â€Å"Did you set a date?† â€Å"A date?† â€Å"For the end of apart time.† â€Å"No.† â€Å"So apart time is something that will go on indefinitely?† â€Å"Theoretically, I guess – yes. Especially since I’m not allowed to contact Nikki or her family.† â€Å"Why’s that?† â€Å"Umm †¦ I don’t know, really. I mean – I love my in-laws as much as I love Nikki. But it doesn’t matter, because I’m thinking that Nikki will be back sooner than later, and then she’ll straighten everything out with her parents.† â€Å"On what do you base your thinking?† he asks, but nicely, with a friendly smile on his face. â€Å"I believe in happy endings,† I tell him. â€Å"And it feels like this movie has gone on for the right amount of time.† â€Å"Movie?† Dr. Patel says, and I think he would look exactly like Gandhi if he had those wire-rim glasses and a shaved head, which is weird, especially since we are in leather recliners in such a bright, happy room and well, Gandhi is dead, right? â€Å"Yeah,† I say. â€Å"Haven’t you ever noticed that life is like a series of movies?† â€Å"No. Tell me.† â€Å"Well, you have adventures. All start out with troubles, but then you admit your problems and become a better person by working really hard, which is what fertilizes the happy ending and allows it to bloom – just like the end of all the Rocky films, Rudy, The Karate Kid, the Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies, and The Goonies, which are my favorite films, even though I have sworn off movies until Nikki returns, because now my own life is the movie I will watch, and well, it’s always on. Plus I know it’s almost time for the happy ending, when Nikki will come back, because I have improved myself so very much through physical fitness and medication and therapy.† â€Å"Oh, I see.† Dr. Patel smiles. â€Å"I like happy endings too, Pat.† â€Å"So you agree with me. You think my wife will come back soon?† â€Å"Time will tell,† Dr. Patel says, and I know right then that Cliff and I are going to get along, because he does not preach pessimism like Dr. Timbers and the staff at the bad place; Cliff doesn’t say I need to face what he thinks is my reality. â€Å"It’s funny, because all the other therapists I’ve seen said that Nikki wouldn’t be back. Even after I told them about the life improvements I have been making, how I am bettering myself, they still were always ‘hating on me,’ which is an expression I learned from my black friend Danny.† â€Å"People can be cruel,† he says with a sympathetic look that makes me trust him even more. And right then I realize that he is not writing down all my words in a file, which I really appreciate, let me tell you. I tell him I like the room, and we talk about my love of clouds and how most people lose the ability to see silver linings even though they are always there above us almost every day. I ask him questions about his family, just to be nice, and it turns out he has a daughter whose high school field hockey team is ranked second in South Jersey. Also he has a son in elementary school who wants to be a ventriloquist and even practices nightly with a wooden dummy named Grover Cleveland, who, incidentally, was also the only U.S. president to serve two terms that were not back-to-back. I don’t really get why Cliff’s son named his wooden dummy after our twenty-second and twenty-fourth president, although I do not say so. Next, Cliff says he has a wife named Sonja, who painted the room so beautifully, which leads to our discussion about how great women are and how it’s important to treasure your woman while you have her because if you don’t, you can lose her pretty quickly – as God really wants us to appreciate our women. I tell Cliff I hope he never has to experience apart time, and he says he hopes my apart time will end soon, which is a pretty nice thing to say. Before I leave, Cliff says he will be changing my medication, which could lead to some unwanted side effects, and that I have to report any discomfort or sleeplessness or anxiety or anything else to my mother immediately – because it might take some time for him to find the right combination of drugs – and I promise him I will. On the drive home I tell my mother I really like Dr. Cliff Patel and am feeling much more hopeful about my therapy. I thank her for getting me out of the bad place, saying Nikki is far more likely to come to Collingswood than to a mental institution, and when I say this, Mom starts to cry, which is so strange. She even pulls off the road, rests her head against the steering wheel, and with the engine running, she cries for a long time – sniffling and trembling and making crying noises. So I rub her back, like she did for me in Dr. Patel’s office when that certain song came on, and after ten minutes or so, she simply stops crying and drives me home. To make up for the hour I spent sitting around with Cliff, I work out until late in the evening, and when I go to bed, my father is still in his office with the door shut, so another day passes without my talking to Dad. I think it’s strange to live in a house with someone you cannot talk to – especially when that someone is your father – and the thought makes me a little sad. Since Mom has not been to the library yet, I have nothing to read. So I close my eyes and think about Nikki until she comes to be with me in my dreams – like always. How to cite The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 2, Essay examples

Banking and Emerging Multidisciplinary Processes †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Banking and Emerging Multidisciplinary Processes. Answer: Introduction Bank Muscat is the provider of financial services in the Oman Sultanate. The company has a strong presence in the section of corporate banking with most of the corporate organizations having accounts in Bank Muscat. The bank also has a presence in retail banking, investment banking, treasury, private banking and management of the asset. The bank is estimated to be worth US $15 billion, the bank has over 130 branches across the country. Bank Muscat was voted the best bank in Oman for seven continuous years by The Banker, FT London. This report analyzes the marketing strategies that the bank uses to market itself to new and existing customers. The products offered by the bank include; money deposit, loans for SME`s offering financial advice services, Card services, Banking channels, Insurance, Payment services, money transfer and remittances(International, 2009). The report contains an environmental analysis to determine the competitive environment and the other internal and external f actors that may affect the operations and the strategies and tactics that the company will use to compete in the market (Ian, 2014). This marketing plan aims at developing marketing strategies and tactics that Bank Muscat will apply in order to retain its market position and to achieve its vision of better customer services. The marketing plan will seek to establish ways in which the bank can improve its relations with customers and also improve its already big market share in the industry. This section involves an analysis of the external environment in which Bank Muscat is operating. The analysis of the external environment is important in designing strategy for the organization since it will help to identify opportunities and threats in the external environment. Opportunities can be utilized to profit the company more. The weaknesses identified can help the company to make decisions that reduce the risk of the business. The environment will be accessed using the PESTEL analysis method. Political environment The political environment in which Bank Muscat is operating is favorable to the organization. The sultanate is peaceful since the political activities in the country are not as violent as those of other middle East environment (Academy of Marketing Science In Crittenden, 2015). The Sultanate also makes policies that favor growth and expansion of banking sector and this has ensured that Bank Muscat is operating in a very stable political environment. The economy of Oman is vibrant and growing at an impressive rate. There are also major in infrastructural projects going on currently in Oman and this contributes hugely to the growth of the economy and the banking sector at large. The interest rates in the country are controlled by free market forces and this ensures that demand and supply determine the cost of credit. One challenge in the economic environment in Oman is that the fluctuations in prices of oil have a major hit on the economy of the company hence making it difficult to predict the future with certainty. The consumption patterns of consumers in the banking sector are affected by social factors. Since Oman is a majority Muslim country, there are a slot of social factors at play. The religion of Islam does according to Sharia law does not allow lending at an interest commonly referred to as riba. The products and services offered by Bank Muscat, therefore, has to consider the religion factor in order to accommodate most of its customers. Some of the technological factors affecting the banking industry not only in Oman but also globally include the mobile phone banking, mobile phone money transfer and online customer services as well as electronic banking (Molyneux, Lloyd-Williams Thornton,2015). These factors have a huge impact on banking because they contribute to efficiency as well as increased customer satisfaction. Environmental factors The Bank of Muscat is committed to ensuring environmental sustainability in all its operations and activities. The bank obeys and fulfills all the environmental regulations that are put in place by the Sultanate. The banking industry in Oman is regulated by the central bank. The players in this industry are required to adhere to all the legislation regarding lending, money deposits, money laundering laws and all other laws that are meant to prevent financial crime in the banking sector. The following is a SWOT analysis of Bank Muscat. The SWOT analysis is used to make investment decisions and to strengthen the company further in other aspects. Bank Muscat is the largest financial institution with large presence in all the areas of the country. The bank has a customer base exceeding 1.79 million customers and more than 3,500 employees. This means that has an advantage due to its strong network and its huge scope of operation Bank Muscat also enjoys the strong financial position. The bank maintains a capital adequacy ratio of about 16% for the last 4-5 years which is very healthy. The company has net profit ratios of 16.5% and its still growing(Rama, 2017). This has given the bank a competitive advantage over its rivals. Another strength is that the bank has implemented successfully Islamic banking policies which have helped the bank to enjoy huge client base. Investment in technology by the company has been borne fruits and the bank has been able to achieve its efficiency goals and objectives. The bank raises very little revenue from fees they charge for services such as credit services, asset management, private banking, and investment banking. This has contributed to declining organizations revenue levels. Oman strategy of building a diversified economy through vision 2010 provides the bank with a great opportunity to lend to corporate organizations especially those winning big government contracts and tenders. Another opportunity for Bank Muscat is that the demographic factors of the country favor further growth in the retail banking sector. Statistics indicate that about half of the countries` population is composed of persons below the age of 25. the youth are more vibrant than the old people and therefore the bank can benefit a lot by focusing on these customers and fulfilling their financial needs(Bank al-Markazi.2010) Fluctuations in prices of oil which is the major source of income for the country makes the economy venerable and this factor affects the banking sector a lot hence making it planning difficult. Another threat of Bank Muscat is the political turmoil in the neighboring countries like Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon. These conflicts have spillover effects which end up affecting the banking sector of Oman. Bank Muscat market segmentation The company segments its market using various techniques. The main technique is based on demographic factors. Demographic factors include factors like age, gender, population and education levels. The bank segments its market depending on the age of customers. The bank that designs products which are aimed at attracting the youth and products designed for the older generation. This helps the company to carry out target marketing efficiently. The bank also segments its marketing depending on income levels of consumers. Consumers of higher income are offered products that are tailor made to suit their specific needs. Another important factor in market segmentation by the bank is population (Academy of Marketing Science In Bahn, 2015). In this, geographical segmentation is carried out depending on the population of the areas in which the bank is operating. The bank offers priority to densely populated areas which have more complex customer needs. The objective of this marketing plan is to increase the market share of Bank Muscat by 6% by the end of the next financial year. This objective is based on the opportunities of growth especially by targeting the youth. Another objective of this marketing plan is to improve the customer satisfaction by focusing on service provision and more personalized banking. The positive customer feedback messages should increase by 4% so as to measure the extent to which the customer satisfaction objective has been achieved. Designing of more products specially tailored to cater for the needs of customers through technological advancement. The bank should develop at least three products in the next two years which are focused on fulfilling customer needs. By the fourth year, the bank should have come up with at least 7 products that help to promote effective interaction between the bank and its customers. Marketing mix strategy recommendations The marketing mix of Bank Muscat should be designed in such a way that all the aspects are able to work harmoniously to achieve the objectives of the organization. The following is the recommended marketing mix of Bank Muscat. The products that Bank Muscat currently offers its consumers include accounts and deposits, loans and mortgages, insurance, card services and priority banking. In the new products strategy to help cater for the needs of consumers, the bank should introduce products and services that are more consumer oriented and unique. Such products include mobile money transfer, mobile banking, and customer self-service portal and localized banking where shops and small groceries act as agents of the bank. The introduction of these products and services will increase the product portfolio of the bank and hence providing more value to consumers. These products will also contribute to increased efficiency within the organization as well as offer consumers convenience. Bank Muscat distributes its products and services mainly through its branches. The bank has over 130 branches distributed in all areas across the country. This ensures that services reach all potential customers conveniently. There are shortcomings in the current distribution strategy of the company. The following strategies should be implemented in order to improve the distribution system of the bank. The first strategy is opening up more branches especially in the rural areas so as to increase customer satisfaction and needs since customers in the areas will no longer have to travel for long distances to access banking services. Another strategy is opening local banking agents which will ensure that a customer can carry out transactions in a shop next door (Sarlak Hastiani,2017). The use of mobile technology in banking will also go a long way in improving the distribution system of Bank Muscat. The price of Bank Muscat`s products and services is currently fair and very competitive. The prices charged by the bank especially as services fee are the lowest in the region. This aspect of marketing has been important in attracting customers. The bank can achieve increased revenues and consumer satisfaction through price by setting prices that are lower compared to competitors. Lower cost will be achieved through increased efficiency in the organization. Care should be taken to make sure that quality is not compromised as a result of low prices. Promotion is a very crucial aspect of marketing. For Bank Muscat to achieve its marketing objectives as stated above, it has to improve its promotion and advertising. The first strategy that the company should adopt is increase the use of social media advertising. This will be very effective for the company since the population of the Sultanate is mainly composed of young people who constitute the majority of social media users. This will ensure that the bank reaches as many customers as possible through this method. The bank should also invest more in mainstream media advertising such as TV ads and newspaper advertisement (Krishnamacharyulu Ramakrishnan, 2012). This strategy will contribute to increased customer satisfaction since the customers will be able to get timely updates and communication on new products and services. Evaluation and control To monitor the implementation of the marketing plan, the bank will appoint an implementation and monitoring committee which will keep track of the progress in the marketing plan. The committee will monitor to determine factors that may be hindering the achievement of objectives stated in the marketing plan. They will work closely with the management of the Bank. Item Estimated budget US$ Social media marketing 12,000 Administration of social media and online accounts 7,500 Product development and research 34,900 Advertising budget 23,450 Customer call center 17,600 TOTAL 95, 450 Conclusion To achieve the objective of increased customer value and satisfaction, Bank Muscat should implement the marketing plan to the letter. The recommendations stated in the plan should be implemented .The monitoring of the marketing plan will be important to ensure that the bank does not veer off the path of achieving the predetermined objectives. The report contains an environmental analysis to determine the factors that influence strategies in the banking industry in Oman. The analysis is done using both SWOT analysis and PESTEL analysis. The report clearly highlights and discusses the strategies that Bank Muscat will implement in order to achieve its strategies. These strategies include increased use of social media and technological innovations in the company. References Academy of Marketing Science., In Crittenden, V. L. (2015). Proceedings of the 1992 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference. Academy of Marketing Science., In Bahn, K. D. (2015). Proceedings of the 1988 Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada, April 27-May 1, 1988. Ian, S. 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