Author: chris

Immediate Burial Vs Embalming

            In most communities, human life is greatly valued and so are the means of disposing the body after death. Funeral ritual is quite important because it signifies separation, mourning of the dead and celebration of life. It is very important to the family because through it, they are able to face and realize the reality of death. There are however many ways of body disposal which are inclusive but not limited to cremation, immediate burial, embalming, direct disposal, body donation and organs or tissue donation. Although all methods are used, burial method is commonly used. However, in some instances, embalming which means temporally preserving human bodies to delay or prevent decomposition with an aim of making them suitable for display during funeral is practiced (Jaypee Brothers, Medical Publishers, Ajmani pp. 1). In other cases, once a person dies, the body is buried immediately without any other procedure. Some people prefer embalmment while others prefer immediate burial. Bent on that, this essay shall argue against embalmment in relation to the immediate burial.

Embalming is process that takes several procedures before it is complete. The first step involves preparing the body for the whole process which is closely followed by positioning the body and the facial parts in the right position that will be used for viewing during the funeral service. Arterial embalming then follows which involves injecting the embalming fluid in the arteries and draining the blood from the nearby veins. To prevent further decomposition, cavity embalming which involves sanctioning the fluid from the internal organs like the bladder or stomach is carried out. The last stage involves washing the body thoroughly and drying it to make it presentable. That is just an overview of the process since before the whole process is over, various minor steps are under taken to ensure that the body is fit for public display. As a mater of fact, those steps are not only unnecessary but they involve so many procedures that anyone close to the deceased will not want to witness. Most people have very little information about what takes place and that is why they do not hesitate to request for the service. Would they have known, majority could be reluctant to subject the body of their loved one to all the procedures. Immediate burial is not only easier, but it saves the body of the deceased much trouble which may signify the respect paid to him not only during life but also after death (Jaypee Brothers, Medical Publishers, Ajmani pp. 129).

According to the studies of Ward (p. 7-46), embalming is a costly procedure because even the present laws require that the family be contacted before the process is carried out. It is however regarded as an unnecessary expenditure and most of the funeral homes just advice or influence families towards requesting for it in order to make profits. In most cases, where immediate burial or cremation is chosen, the family is not required to pay for the extra service. Since the main aim of embalming or immediate burial is to appropriately dispose the body of the deceased, it sounds more realistic to choose the method that is cost effective as long as the method will not violate the rights of human beings. In that case, there is no reason why immediate burial should not be chosen and similarly, there are few or no reasons why people should opt for embalming.

As much as one aim of embalming is to  prevent the spread of infection during and after the burial, studies of  Creely (Para.1)  have indicate that the process carries considerable number of risks especially to the embalmers and funeral directors. Although several measures have been established to prevent infection during the process of embalming, it still considered as a great risk. Apart from that, the embalming fluid known as formaldehyde is still an environmental health hazard. In United States according to the estimates of the National Funeral Director’s Association, about two million Americans are embalmed annually. Since an adult requires 3.5 gallons of the embalmment fluid, it therefore means than about seven million gallons of formaldehyde are disposed in to the soil every year. In that case, embalming is great risk to public health since the fluid contaminates not only the soil but also the underground water. Bent on that, it therefore makes no sense to choose a method that is a health and an environmental hazard in place of other methods that may pose minimal or no such risks like the immediate burial (Chiappelli and Chiappelli, Para 8).

It is true that bodies that require to be transported over long distances for burial may require embalmment to preserve the body during transportation. However, having said that, there are efficient and effective means of transport that can be used to transport the body within the shortest time possible and save the body and the family the problem of embalming. In addition, the extra cost that is required to carry out the process of embalmment can be used to look for faster and efficient means of transport.

Embalming may therefore have some short-term benefits, but what about the long term and the short term risks? There is the extra cost of carrying out the whole procedure not to mention the risks involved. Embalmers are exposed to various risks. In addition, the fluid extracted from the dead body and the embalming fluids are dangerous health hazards. On the other hand, immediate burial is not only easier and cost effective, but it prevents majority of the risks save the fact that it signifies a natural way of disposing the body after death. No one would negate that an embalmed body may look presentable during burial, but the benefit cannot be compared to the risks involved. Moreover, the close members and friends already know the deceased person and therefore there is no much need if any of making the deceased more presentable. I therefore strongly believe that all factors taken in to consideration, immediate burial is most suitable and more desirable compared to embalming.

 

Introduction

Life without emotions is not only dull but also not real since human beings are emotional beings. There are many types of emotions which are inclusive but not limited to fear, joy, excitement, fear, disappointment, and love. Given that emotions are the greatest driving force in our lives, they are good but on the other hand, they can make people miserable and even affect other people in the society. Emotions are however dependent on various situations and it is even possible to experience two emotions simultaneously. They are necessary in our every day life but turn into a problem once they become too intense. For instance, some people experience a strong fear to some objects and that incapacitates them because they fail to function properly in presence of such objects. In addition, there are specific habits that develop from such emotions and more often than not lead to more trouble than the emotion itself. It is however important to note that fears do not just occur but they are caused by specific situations or experiences in our lives as most psychologists suggest. Bent on that, this essay shall discuss fear of knives.

Fear of knives or any other sharp object known as aichmophobia started in may early childhood as early as I can remember (Corsini, 2002). During my early life I could not stand seeing any one holding a knife for I feared that they may end up cutting themselves to attacking me with the same. I could not even trust my own mother with a knife. Kitchen was a no go zone for me whether there were people or not. I always imagined that I would find someone ready waiting for me with a sharp knife and there I avoided being in the kitchen at all costs. Nonetheless, my problem increased during meal time as people would use knives to cut their food like meat or fruits. Many are the times I would eat very fast and I avoided staying close to where knives were placed on the table. My greatest companion was my big brother because he rarely used knives expect when it was very necessary.

My problem did not only result from visible knives but also from the fact that I would visualize imaginary people having very sharp knives and always headed to attack me. Consequently, I experienced a lot of nightmares as I always dreamt of people attacking me with sharp knives. Sleeping alone was a problem and that forced me to share my bedroom with my small sister. My mother was particularly worried as she never understood the origin or the remedy for my problem. Every time I was alone either at night or during the day I experienced great fear. To me, death was inevitable as long as there were knives around.

Interacting with other people became a problem not to mention living a normal life at home. The fear caused me hospitalization in some instances. For instance, one incident that occurred when I was nine remains vivid in my mind. Since I am a bit hot tempered, I happened to fight my small sister who had interfered with my play objects. My mother was in the kitchen preparing some meal and after she had her cry, she rushed to where we were of course to check and rectify the problem. Seeing the knife in her hand, I could not help it but run for my dear life. My mum could not understand why I was running and screaming and she came after me and since she was faster, she was able to catch up with me within no time. Seeing the knife on her hand, I thought the end had come. From what I was told later, I fainted immediately and was taken to the hospital unconscious. After the medical examination, doctors confirmed that I was okay only that I had become anxious.

As I had mentioned earlier, may fear for knives affects even my social interaction since am I always anxious while in a crowded place. I am very observant as I have to keenly look whether people are holding knives in their hands. Worse still, I cannot help imagining that they are carrying knives in their handbags and bags. As a result, I am always alert and always keep a safe distance while in crowds. I can trust people, but I cannot trust anyone with a knife whatsoever. Now that I am a grown up, I use knives since I cannot avoid doing so. However, in my house, knives are always stored out of view. I cannot be comfortable at the sight of a sharp knife since I imagine that someone can come and attack me with the same. Due to that, I keep all my knives out of sight and only remove them when I am using them.

As most psychologists suggest, different emotions in our lives result from experiences that we have passed through. I also strongly believe the same since if it was a problem of genetics, several people in my family could be suffering from the same. In addition, when I look back at my past, I can identify the incident that caused my problem. My dad happened to own butchery and had employed a man to run it on his behalf since he was working as a civil servant. We always loved to go there but to keep us away, the butcher used to tease us with the sharp knives that were being used in the butchery. We were made to believe that he could have cut us if we failed to obey his orders. As if that was not enough, I once witnessed a robbery in our butchery. Thieves came and since the butcher was reluctant to give them money, they actually stabbed him almost to death and he also stabbed one of them who I learnt that succumbed to the injuries and died. There may have been other factors that may have contributed to my problem but as far as I am concerned, the two incidents are to blame for everything.

I have gone through numerous psychotherapy sessions and even though the problem is not solved, I am able to live with the problem. In addition, it does not incapacitate me as it did initially. I am able to carry out my activities and interact with other people. The nightmares are now minimal and I can afford to sleep in my own house. Nonetheless, that does not mean that the fear is absolutely gone but I have learnt to manage it and live almost normally like other people.

 

 

Reference

Corsini, R. J. (2002). The dictionary of psychology. London: Psychology Press.

 

Introduction

Strategy implementation and control is very important in each and every business because is just one of the many difficult tasks of business managers. It involves applying the process of management in order to come up with the desired results and is inclusive but not limited to developing information and decision making, approaches to leadership, resource allocation and designing organization structure (The Nature Of Strategy Implementation, 2005). It is the most important topic in management and one of the most significant management skills. It incorporates systematic thinking in order to change intentions in to actions and taking care of factors related to strategy implementation. This paper will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a business strategy that involves operating an acquired company as separate business entity and secondly merging the two to become one company. In addition, the paper will also focus on means of evaluating the success of the strategy.

Question A    

Operating the Companies as two Different Business Entities

What are the Disadvantages of the Strategy? 

            To begin with, managing the acquired company becomes difficult since managers are forced to adhere to polices formulated by the senior management even under a different business environment. No one can negate the fact that polices should be established in relation to each business environment. However, this is not possible when two companies have the same senior management. Secondly, the management of the acquired business entity will have little incentive to commit their energy to the success of their company as their main aim will be to meet the targets of the parent company. As a result, the growth of the acquired company may be slow and face many hindrances (Kaplan, Norton, & Rugelsjoen, 2010).

Lastly, freedom of the managers of the acquired company is greatly curtailed and so are other operations in that company. For instance, if the company needs to make an important change in the production department, such a decision cannot be implemented promptly because the senior management has to be consulted. It is true that there are efficient and effective means of telecommunication but since the management may not be well oriented with the other business environment, they may take quite sometime to respond. Some business decisions can wait but others require urgency if the success of the business entity is expected. For instance, in marketing, some strategies need to be changed or adapted immediately especially while the competitors are involved. Failure to act promptly in marketing may not only cause short-term problems but it may affect the long-term performance of the business.

What are the Advantages of the Strategy?

            One of the immediate benefit is better governance which results  from having polices in a central place and also having data centrally placed place which makes accessibility easier and less time consuming. When two companies are managed by one management, it is very important to have data at a central place since a lot of decisions that are made daily require the use of such data and statistics. In addition, it is vey important to have such data at the central place for comparison purposes and by so doing, it becomes pretty easy to establish the trend that the business is taking.

Secondly, efficiency results which later translate to more growth since the business can make it to respond to changes in the business environment more dynamically. For instance, if the business requires more quality products, policies to enhance quality can be formulated centrally and implementation is also easier and cost effective (Immediate Benefits, 2010). On the same note, it is important to mention that the business may benefit from economies of scale while still operating as different business entities. For instance, incase the company is dealing with the similar products, purchasing can be done by the parent company and due to buying in large scale; the cost may be greatly reduced.  Reduction of cost of production directly results to increased profits.

Question B

Merging the two Companies

What are the Disadvantages of the Strategy? 

            One of the major disadvantages of operating the two companies as one business is that the company stands to lose more incase a certain risk is undertaken and leads to a loss. It is not all business decisions that end up being successful. There are many risks that are undertaken daily in course of running of any company. Some turn out to be successful while others end up being unsuccessful and causing much loss which may take some time to be corrected (Kaplan, Norton, & Rugelsjoen, 2010). Secondly, some problems in management may arise because managing a large company is more difficult than managing two companies independently.

What are the Advantages of the Strategy?

One advantage that ought not to be overlooked is the fact that the company will reap the benefits of operating as a large scale like having a large market share and at the same time reaping the benefits of the economies of scale. Producing in large scale is very effective since it ensures that the company will never run out of stock. Secondly, raw materials can be purchased in large scale and by so doing the cost of production will turn out to be low which leads to increased profits. On the same note, it is important to mention that other costs like the marketing cost will be also be reduced after merging the two companies not to mention that the management will also be the same.

Finally, there is greater control when the companies are merged. Better control in business is very important because the senior management should monitor every activity that takes in the company. Better control results because all business activities take place at the same place not to mention the same management. In addition, policy formulation and implementation becomes easier since the management will be dealing with one single company.

How will you know if the strategy is working?

Evaluation can be done to test whether the strategy is working since one question that characterizes strategy implementation and control is the direction that the strategy takes (Daft & Marcic, 2008). It can be done differently but to begin with, it would be important to check the sustainability of the strategy. For instance, if the strategy will result to large economies of scale, then that can be translated to mean that the strategy is effective and should not be done away with. Secondly, if there are no resource constrains involved in the implementation process, then means that strategy is feasible. Lastly one can check the acceptability of the strategy by focusing on the reaction of the stakeholders which include shareholders, customers and the employees, to mention just a few.  Continuous monitoring and reviewing can be very helpful in the evaluation process meant to test whether the strategy is effective.

Conclusion

Strategy implementation and control is very essential since it allows the managers to only major in the business practices that can be beneficial to the business. For instance, while evaluating the effectiveness of the policy, the manager is able to take into consideration the effect of the same on the major stakeholders. In addition, the process allows the manager to identify major advantages and disadvantages of every strategy. In this case, having a central management is beneficial since it allows for better control of the company and implementation of policies. On the other hand, it becomes increasingly hard for the acquired company to change the policies to suit any change economically and politically. Such a situation greatly affects that the success of the company. Operating the two companies as one merged company is also beneficial because the strategy allows the business to reap from the benefits of economies of scale. Whichever the case, there are pros and cons of both strategies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mathematics like any other subject is important since it helps students in understanding spatial relationships, solving problems and in thinking logically. In addition, all concepts that students learn help them not only in communication, but also in using logical reasoning. It is therefore very important for any teacher to have clear objectives that can help him in achieving his goals and help the student derive maximum benefits from the course. However, the objectives are dependent on the grade that the teacher is teaching. In addition, every teacher needs to develop teaching strategies that can help him in achieving his goals and objectives. In that case, this essay shall focus on discussing two strategies that can be used by grade five teachers to help them in achieving their goals.

Strategies are just ways designed to help students learn and achieve their goals and objectives. However, each strategy is best suited for a particular subject and grade. Active learning is very effective in a mathematics lesson since learning mathematics requires students to be actively involved in class. For instance, in a particular lesson, the teacher can incorporate the use of white boards as illustrated in the studies of Kawas (Para 7). Every student is given an eraser, eraser marker and a white board. In this method, the teacher asks a question and asks the students to write their answers in their white board and hold it for the teacher to view. It is a very effective method towards the end of the lesson or at the beginning since it allows the teacher to assess the performance of each and every student. In addition, it allows the students to apply the skills that they have been tough to solve problems independently. By so doing, the teacher will not only be able to assess the performance, but will also be in a position to plan for the future lessons. In case it is only one student who gets the answer correctly, the teacher can know that the lesson needs some reinforcement or a different approach. The method is also very helpful as it can help the teacher identify particular students who may be slow and require help.

It is equally important to encourage all students to participate in class and learn from each other. A teacher can use various strategies to encourage this and a think-pair and share approach can be used. In this strategy, the teacher asks the students to think on how they can respond to a certain question and write their response down. After some time, the teacher asks the students to share their responses with their partners and at the same time, the teacher is supposed to monitor the process. The teacher then calls the names of the student randomly to explain their partner response and whether or not they agree with the response. The strategy is not only effective because it allows the reluctant students to participate, but also due to the fact that it can perfectly help a grade five mathematics teacher achieve the objective of  number operation and quantitative reasoning.

A concrete-representational-abstract instructional approach can also be effectively used since it is applicable in all grades. It is a method that involves three stages namely, concrete, representational and abstract stage. In the first stage, the teacher starts by modeling each concept with a concrete material like geometric figures or cubes. In the second stage, the concrete level is transformed in to the semi concrete level. The stage is very important since it helps students to visualize mathematical problems. The last stage is the abstract stage during which teachers represent mathematical problems using mathematical symbols and numbers. The method is very effective since students who use it are able to from mental representations of mathematical problems and apply mathematical concepts and ideas in real life situations (American Institutes for Research Para 4). All strategies are important and can be used effectively but the instruction methods like concrete representational abstract approach and methods that encourage active learning and participation are best suited for grade five students due to the goals and objectives of their course and also due to their age.

Abstract

In any organization, the manager is faced with various tasks that require that they use the managerial skills to ensure smooth running of the organization. Employee supervision, communication and exercising managerial responsibilities are some of the tasks that a manager is often required to undertake. The manager is supposed to keep a constant check on every happening within the organization while still maintaining the right flow of information and emphasizing on the right channels of expressing issues and grievances. This research draws from the managerial responsibilities facing a middle level organization manager. The research explores how the manager tackles two scenarios where a worker reports a fellow worker to everyone in the department concerning his misconduct and in another scenario a task force incomprehensively compiles a final report that is found wanting. This research follows the actions of the manager as he seeks to resolve respond and solve the two issues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

As a manager in a middle level organization several issues are bound to face the day to day running of the institution. These issues require the immediate attention of the manager and the manner in which the manager handles these affairs tests his capability to appropriately run the organization. An example of such issues is a recent case of a worker who forwarded a memo to all the workers in the department complaining about the misconduct of a coworker who they named openly. He was particularly displeased with the worker making strange noises from his cubicle, his tendency to converse with colleagues in loud voices usually over his cubicle, and his behavior to leave trash on his cubicle and along the highway. In another scenario, a task force constituting of members from my department charged with the task of looking into the impact the recent government regulations will have on the organizations operations, submitted a final report that lacked in the content, understanding of concepts like the recent regulations made by the government as well as lack of creativity and knowledge to organize their ideas and findings logically. As the manager, here are the responses I particularly gave to the two issues.

 

            Response to the Email

A clear sign of an organization that is tending to its downfall is breakdown in the channels of communication. In response to the memo that circulated in the organization through email to all the employees concerning a complaint launched by one employee in regard to the misconduct of a fellow worker, as a manager it is my responsibility to restore order and to prevent a possible crisis from erupting. The employee complained that the co-worker is fond of making noises when in his cubicle, engaging in loud conversations across the cubicles, trashing his cubicle as well as the hallway. Evidently a problem is present as identified by the employee, but the fact that the employee chooses to launch the complaint through forwarding an email to the whole department is a sign that there are lapses in the channels of internal communication. With the information already out there, my immediate response would be to calm the situation before it elevates. The first step would be to respond to the email by calling for an urgent meeting of the employees expressing that am also in receipt of an email victimizing a particular individual which is unnecessary since it has been in my knowledge that the listed misconducts have been evident in several members of the department and it was time to put an end to such behavior. The meeting would be followed by a memo to all the employees describing the dos and don’ts among the employees. This would start like “The following misconduct has been observed and should not be happening….” This way there would be no victimization and it would also take care of anyone who was developing such habits. The next step would be to have a talk with the person who sent the email. I will explain to them that they did well to raise the issue of the misconduct of the employee but they used the wrong channel to communicate since any issue that they want to raise should be reported to the next in command. This will be followed by handing each employee with a handbook manual explaining the internal communication protocol indicating that they should report all issues to the management (Miller, 2008).

 

 

Response to the Final Report

In a case where the task force submits a final report that does meet the expectations in terms of the contents, the arrangement of ideas as well as the skills of writing and thinking critically, I as the manager would definitely handle the issue by first understanding that such members do lack in certain aspects and skills required in the organization. I will let them know they did well in dedicating their time to undertake their task although it needed some revisions. I will then submit those members to an in-service training program that will be specially designed to improve on the various skills needed to finish writing a comprehensive report. The areas of emphasis for the training will be research, critical thinking, report writing and organization of ideas (McNamara, 2010).

Conclusion

            As a manager in an organization it’s important to understand the tasks associated with the responsibility. Among them are supervision, communication and problem resolution. In the case of the email, lapses in the communication protocol were exposed which could have resulted in a dispute as one worker was the target of scorn. It is always good to keep a constant reminder to the employees that communication moves from top to bottom and vice versa and as a manager it’s good to get feedback on issues continually to avoid piling up of mistakes. In the second scenario where a task force compiles a faulty report, it is clear that employee are lacking in essential basics that are vital in undertaking their delegated tasks. A in service training for the employees would prove helpful in freshening up the workers with essential knowledge to undertake any task delegated to them by the manager.

Introduction

The term personality is usually used to refer to the qualities and traits in a person that make them different from the other people. This way when people seek to know a person’s personality they are usually looking to unveil the uniqueness in them. Personality theorists however, seek to come up with explanations as to how the commonalities in different people come into being. Personality theories therefore are set of statements that seek to explain human behavior by studying the way of thinking, actions and feelings in human beings, and more importantly what causes humans to show such behavior. Several theories exist that seek to explain personality. These include:  behavioral theories, psychodynamic theories, humanist theories and social learning theories

            Over the years more theories have been developed that attempt to explain personality but it has proven hard to state that there is any one theory that can solely and perfectly explain personality behaviour. The question of whether the personality theories differ therefore arises. While each theory seeking to explain personality can be proven true on its own, the difference between the theories lie in the aspect of behaviour they attempt to explain. For this reason, attempts to take a keen look at the individual theories reveals that certain theories will fit certain individuals or certain experiences, some theories back some aspects more than others and some theories fit certain circumstances in an individual’s life. In essence, Nye (1981) noted that although the theories explain different aspects of human behavior they cant be categorized as differing owing to the fact that they all explain the same human behaviour and in some cases they support the same ideas and in the ideal sense several theories can be used to explain one person’s behaviour.

As a result of the interlocking of several theories in their quest o explains personality, there are possibilities that in the future all the concepts will combine to give birth to the concept of science of personalities instead of dealing with theories. The possibility however is being down played by the fact that personality is dynamic. Engler, (2006) established that personality is bound to change from time to time depending on factors such as place, climate or mood, and state of affairs in a person’s life. Several experiences are also said to shape the way a person behaves at a given time. Examples are medication that results in change of behavior, gaining knowledge on a certain issue which probes the person to react differently and reactions from taking certain food or lack of such food. The problem with the theoretical concept of explaining personality lies in the tendency of the theories to focus on stable human behaviour which in the real sense has not been the case since human behaviour has been seen to change depending on the circumstances. Merging the theories of personalities therefore will require further research on the understanding of the changes in human behaviour as triggered by different situations (Allport, 1937).

Theoretical eclecticism as a concept refers to the tendency of proponents of a theory to make assumption and settle for what fits best after failing to account for certain aspects. When it comes to looking at the personality theories, this view is clearly evident especially owing to the fact that there exists no one theory that wholly explains personality. Each theory has been proven to explain certain behavioral inclination without explain other aspects of behavior. These include free will, uniqueness, and nature versus nurture among others. Another reason that clearly brings out theoretical eclecticism is in the way the theories fail to account for changing human behaviour and instead explain a stable situation in human experiences. These assumptions can be said to be contributing to non-existent of a solid concept that fully describes human behavior (Hjelle, 1992).

 In conclusion, personality theories will continue to invite criticism owing to the amount of assumptions made as well as the loads of unexplained concepts. This however does not completely prove them inapplicable. Personality theories are often used to explain human behaviour but the full understanding requires a look into the factors surrounding the behavior.

 Co.

ORIGINAL TEXT CHOSEN

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a late 16^th Century play written by the famous English playwright of all times, William Shakespeare. The play is a portrayal of medieval societies, which were often ordered and structured along social-class boundaries. It presents the influence of parents over their children in the choice of marriage partners, and how even the authorities were skewed to assert the parents’ wishes. Particularly, the play explores the concept of love and marriage, especially how the two overlapped each other: arranged marriages that preceded love and occasional instances of the reverse, such as the characters Hermia and Lysander being in love, and then eloping with the intentions to marry at the latter’s aunt’s place. Nonetheless, the play also integrates both Greek mythology and fairy-tale dimensions to reflect the role of supernatural powers in ancient times, such as the use of love potions to charm people’s hearts and evoke feelings of love. In this regard, the play is more or less a presentation of a parallel view of love, i.e. from a fairy perspective in a magical world, as well as from a more realistic perspective. In the former context, the power of magic overrules any personal convictions, and thus makes perfect matches of the most incompatible partners. Hence, life is made easier and predictable, reflecting the common trend in fairy tales, which always climaxes in the characters last-minute fulfillment of their desires by overcoming obstacles, and living ‘happily thereafter. In the second context, however, reality is presented as usually unpredictable and at variance with individuals’ plans, for instance Egeus’ desire for his daughter to marry Demetrius and not Lysander. The paper discusses the transformation of the play a Midsummer Night’s Dream into a movie, the Color of Love.

 

 

ORIGINAL CONTEXT AND SETTING

The setting of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is situated within the context of classical English society, where nobility was regarded highly by distinguishing the commons from the upper class members of society. It takes place in a cultural setting where nobility and the belief in the supernatural world significantly influenced people’s actions and effectively, their lives. The place of superstition in society is particularly portrayed by the play’s adaptation of Greek mythology, suggested by the casting of the characters of the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania respectively. This integration of superstition into the play underlines the overlap of superstitious beliefs into social life, especially those of a religious nature, such as the belief in gods and their powers of mortals. At the same time, the casting of fairies is employed to dismantle the socially constructed wall of distinction and by extension separation, between the noble and lower classes of society. For instance, Shakespeare mocks the assumed importance and reverence accorded the noble classes when, by a touch of Puck’s magical flower, fairy queen Titania falls in love head over heels, literally speaking, with the lowly craftsman Bottom, hence dismantling the believe that the noble class cannot merge with the lower class in marriage.

TARGETED AUDIENCE

The original text targeted a section of society, especially the noble class and scholars. This is due to the fact that its presentation makes meaning to be achieved at an allegorical level, indicating that only the learned and truly critical audience can decipher its connotative references. At the same time, 16^th century theatre goers usually composed of the high class, who could afford to buy tickets. It should be noted that acting and actors at the time were preserves of the nobility such as kings who had frequent performances at the palaces. On the contrary, the transformed text has been modified in form and presentation to be accessible to a wide audience. At a cathartic level, it appeals to all ages and groups who can understand English or follow the storyline. At the level of thematic concerns, the transformed text targets especially overprotective and imposing parents who often the private lives of their children by planning their marriages and consequently, manipulating their future. This practice of arranged marriages is commonly witnessed among the high class, who prefers to intermarry amongst themselves rather than open their tightly guarded circle of nobility to the commons. In this respect, the transformed text is targeted for a general audience as it relates to the aspects of life experienced by all members of society.

EFFECT OF NEW AUDIENCE ON TRANSFORMATION

The new audience’s effect on the transformational process was significant in the choice of the plot, setting and the casting. The modern audiences are most effectively enthralled by an interesting, suspense filled, and simple yet intriguing episodes. The media industry today is more tended towards entertainment than informing, largely due to economic considerations to gain popularity and in return, high income form commercial adverts or sale of records. Thus, the transformed plot departs from the slow-paced manner of the original text. The plot has been simplified to focus on the major characters and a single storyline, so as to avoid the boredom that often results from frequent digressions of plot. The main thematic concern will be the endurance of love on the part of the heroes over the machinations of their opponents, who at the end will emerge as villains. Similarly, the modern audience’s ambivalence towards the supernatural world and the influence of magic, or its reality, necessitated the removal of all scenes pertaining to the natural setting. In terms of setting, the 16^th century jungles and inhibited forests (perhaps the inspiration for the fairy scenes) is a far cry from today’s world of technology and civilization. The modern audience is more at home in a Hollywood setting than in a strange dark forest- which is only best suited for horror films. Accordingly, the forest setting is overlooked in favor of a park garden, which is the closest depiction of nature in a civilized setting. It makes an appropriate romantic setting for the film, particularly on scenes where the lovers could meet. In place of the king’s palace, the transformed text adopts a mansion setting for the rich. This is because palaces are not a common feature today, and the modern audience is more used to privately owned high-rise residences. This is more realistic compared to an imitated palatial setting.

CHARACTERS INVOLVED

Original Story

The characters of the original story consist of noble man (Egeus) who takes his daughter (Hermia) to the king (Theseus), to have her forced to marry the man of his choice (Demetrius). He also takes along the man who the daughter loves (Lysander) but is not allowed to marry, as well as Hermia’s friend Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, although he doesn’t love her back. The king is also arranging for a wedding to Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. There are also craftsmen to perform at the wedding, as the fairies of the forest: king Oberon, Queen Titania and Puck, the king’s servant.

Transformed Text

The characters of the transformed text will comprise of characters acting on a relatively similar capacity, but with profound changes. The role of the king will be replaced by the rich parents of the son (Demetrius), and who have considerable political influence- Eliano, Demetrrius’ father, is the local mayor. For his own selfish ends (Egeus is a local businessman and wants to win government contracts through his intended relations to the mayor) he would like Hermia to marry Demetrius. Presently, Egeus has gone to see his future in-laws to discuss Hermis’s stubbornness. The state of affairs between the two will remain the same as in the original text: Demetrius is rich (apparent heir of his father’s estate) and in love with Hermia, (equally rich, being Egeus’s only daughter) but she is not willing to marry him, hence the fury of her father.  In place of the fairy characters administering to the fairy king and queen, the new text will have servants of both families. In this case, Helena will not be Hermia’s friend, but rather her maidservant. On his part, Lysander will be a commoner from a poor background, with whom Hermia has fallen in love.

The new casting will consist of well known actors and actresses who will appeal to the modern audience.

The transformed text will incorporate well known Hollywood celebrities, largely because of their fame and popularity. This strategy is intended to make the film appeal to a wide fan base and ensure its success. In this regard, the role of Egeus will be taken by Harrison Ford, due to his experience in acting and age to fit the role of a father. Similarly, Bruce Wills will take the place of Eliano, the father of Demetrius, played by Willard Christopher Smith (Will Smith). His role in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air makes him suitable for the role. On the part of actresses, Angelina Jolie will play Hermia, due to her experience in a similarly transformed movie, Beowulf. Helena will be played by actresses Catharine Zeta Jones, who is a famous Hollywood Star. Finally, Tom Cruise will take the place of Lysander, especially for his charming looks which beguiled Hermia.

PLOT

Original Text Plot

In the original plot, the king gives Hermia an ultimatum to make a decision, with the threat of banishment to the convent or death if she defies her father. Upon an opportunity to escape, she elopes with Lysander into the forest, but are soon tracked down by Demetrius, with Helena following him with the hope of winning his love. In the forest, the fairy king Oberon has planned to gain the queen’s love by dropping on her eyelids the juice of a magical flower- with the effect that the recipient falls in love with the first thing he/she sees upon waking up. However, he instructs Puck to administer the magic on Demetrius to reverse his cruelty to Helena. Puck makes a mistake and inflicts Lysander instead, who in turn falls in love with Helena when he saw her. Hoping to undo the mistake, he gets to Demetrius with the magic, and both falls in love with Helena. However, the day is saved when Puck deceives the two men to move in opposite directions, and makes a timely administration of the magic on Lysander to turn his love to Hermia, hence both lovers end up with their originally desired partners.

New Text Plot

In the new text, Egeus has known the mayor from his previous dealings with the local council, and the two are good friends. They arrange for the marriages of their children to strengthen their family ties. Initially Hermia is not opposed to the plans since she respects her father. One afternoon a few days to the wedding, while on a walk in the park garden with Helena, Hermia sees Lysander and is instantly attracted to him. Meanwhile, Helena secretly admires Demetrius, but cannot express her feelings for fear of reprimands from her masters. At the same time, Demetrius finds her charming, but dismisses her as a mere maid not worth his tender feeling- least of all love and marriage.

Hermia tries to ignore the pangs of passion that surges in her chest when she thinks of Lysander, but it gets to a point where she cannot stand it. She confides in Helena, who, for her secret reasons- though apparent to the audience, encourages her to seek him. She soon confronts her father with the news and vows that she will never marry Demetrius. Enraged, her father gets the unsuspecting Lysander and drags them to the mayor’s place- with the intention of having Lysander warned against marrying his daughter.

While they are gathered in the living room discussing the issue, Demetrius comes home and pumps into Helena in the corridors. They stood staring at each other, her blood racing, and his conscience at war with his feelings. Unable to control himself, he reaches out and embraces her, and walks her into the living room. The mayor has just warned Lysander and ordered his guards to see him off, and presently they are waiting for Demetrius. They are jolted when the two walks in hand-in hand. In the tension of the confusion, Hermia rushes out and follows Lysander to the woods, where they embrace each other and resolves to run away. However, a messenger arrives to inform them that her father and the mayor to talk to Lysander and Hermia- apparently to formally arrange for their marriage.

Discourse and Ideologies

As noted before, the ideologies of the original text were about the place of nobility and superstition in society. It showed how the two determined people’s actions and their social relations. In the new text, the explored ideologies will include class-differences and their impact on social relations, especially on the institution of marriage. It will portray a changing trend, in which the younger generation has dismantled the barriers of class status that previously punctuated social relations.

Sound Track for the Transformed Text

Finally, the sound track from the song Stuck with You by Lionel Richie will be adapted for the film. This is because its message echoes the sentiments the characters’ wishes, which was ‘sticking’ to their beloved ones. While Demetrius stuck with her decision to marry Lysander, Demetrius chose Helena.

In conclusion, text transformation is important in making an original text set within a different context appeal to a new audience. Through transformation, the new text identifies the contemporary trends and issues most relevant to the audience, and adapts them to achieve acceptance and positive reception. For instance, the film Beowulf is an adaptation of a narrative by the same title, which was set in ancient Denmark. However, the film has a modern touch to it by incorporating characters familiar to the audience, such as the hero Beowulf by Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie, who acts the role of Grendel the monster. Its success demonstrates that transformation is an inevitable process when adapting written stories for screen viewing. It is for this very purpose, then, that the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare gives birth to the intended film, The Color of Love.

 

 

 

The movie, A History of Slavery in American, is an emotional tale of the inhumanity suffered by captured Africans who were transplanted from their homes in Africa, to work in the sugar and tobacco plantations in the New World (The Americas). It all began in the 17^th Century, in 1619, when a Dutch merchant sold 20 slaves to farming settlers in Jamestown. This marked the beginning of a thriving slave trade across the Atlantic Ocean. By 1860, over 4 million slaves had been forcefully transported to the United States alone, while millions more had found their way into the English colonies in the Caribbean region.

However, the liberation struggle began in the early 28^th century, when fleeing slaves sneaked to the North using underground trails, where they joined antislavery and abolitionist movements opposed to the slave holding tradition of the Southern States. Notable figures in the struggle were Fredrick Douglas who upon leaving the south joined the Massachusetts Antislavery Society, and in 1847 founded The North Star, an abolitionist newspaper. Similarly, famous journalist William Lloyd Garrison started The Liberator in 1918, which popularized the war against slavery in the South. It culminated in the first and only American civil war in the mid 19^th century, when the Northern Union states defeated the Confederate South. This moment, when the southern states put down their arms and the slave man became his own man, was the turning point of American history that gave birth to the modern day United States of America.

Nonetheless, the movie portrays worrying aspects of slavery in America. Most concerning was the existence of social institutions that perpetuated slavery. The legal system was particularly skewed to favor slaveholding, through legislations that prohibited slaves from engaging in activities that would enable them to be independent and self-reliant. As Nell Irvin, a painter historian at PrincetonUniversity puts it, “they were literally banned from owning property, seeking an education or raising families”. In addition, most of their rights were suspended in times of crisis or slave rebellion.[1]Religion was also exploited to this end, in the guise that slavery was good for the lost African soul, as it introduced them to Christianity and a superior civilization. Slaveholding was further exalted by the fact that only a few wealthy men owned slaves, including 8 of the first 12 American presidents.

Another aspect of slavery was the system of inheritance of slaves among the whites, in which case the whites and their descendants were the masters, while the Africans were the ‘inherited property,’ so to speak, thereby promoting a vicious cycle of white master-black servant relations.  The tag of ‘property’ upon the head of a slave was suggested in the manner in which they were selected: young, healthy males and females- chosen the way a farmer selects the best breed of animals, perhaps for purposes of profitable breeding. This degradation of the dignity of the Africans was made even more explicit in the selling of slaves like wares in the open market. On scene in the movie depicts an auctioneer’s parlor with the catchwords ‘Auction & Negro Sales!’ it provokes images of chained men and women, tethered in a cage like animals waiting to be sold to the highest bidder.

This notwithstanding, however, the movie points out an often forgotten fact in the debate on slavery in America: the fact that while slavery was partly promoted by industrial revolution- such as the invention of the Cotton Gin Machine by Eli Whitney in 1793 that increased the processing of cotton- hence the need for more slaves in the fields, slavery as experienced in America was purely a colonial import. The poor African who were mercilessly uprooted from their native homes, leaving behind their culture and families, were victims of colonial greed– for want of a better expression, which inspired colonial masters to get the best bargain in their venture to the agriculturally rich colonies in the Americas and other parts of the Caribbean Region. Thus, while the taint is smeared in the white slave owners in America, nothing is said of the English colonialist, who put in motion the gears that opened the Transatlantic route from the western African coast, to the Eastern coasts of North and South America.

 

 

 

Part A

Answer the following questions on the case of:

Peter Smythe v Vincent Thomas [2007] NSWSC 844 (3 August 2007)

 

1. In what court was the case heard? 1 mark (30words)

The case was heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, under the jurisdiction of the Division of Equity.

2. Name the judge and explain his title. 2 marks (80words)

Appellate Judge Rein; sitting in the Court of Appeal, he reviews records of other court trials related to the case in question and read briefs as submitted by the parties to the case. In addition, they listen to verbal arguments put forward by the attorneys of the plaintiffs and defendants, after which they make consider their truthfulness and acceptance in light of the facts of the case and the relevant laws. Finally, they make judgments on whether there was injustice during the trial.  They review trial court records, read briefs submitted by the parties, and listen to oral arguments by attorneys, and then decide whether error or injustice occurred during trial.

3. Name the Plaintiff and defendant and their counsel. 4 marks ( max. 150words)

The plaintiff in the case is Peter Smythe, a buyer who had placed a bid for a Wirraway Australian Warbird aircraft on eBay. The defendant, Vincent Thomas, had allegedly rescinded on his promise to sell the aircraft to the plaintiff on account of him (plaintiff) being the highest bidder at the expiry of the bidding time-frame, and despite his (defendant) having made a promise to accept the bid. D Kasep is the counsel of the plaintiff, while D M Loewenstein stood as counsel for the defendant. The counsels are legally recognized advisers of their clients during a court proceeding, by way of presenting evidence in support of their respective clients’ cases.

4. What particular circumstances led Rein AJ to doubt the credibility of the defendant’s version of events? 3 marks ( max. 200word)

The Appellate Judge doubted the defendant’s argument due to the following reasons. Firstly, the defendant had not specified any circumstances under which a contract cannot be reached. The judge also noted that the defendant had previously used eBay services, and therefore it was deemed that he understood, the circumstances under which a contract was reached, and hence his obligations to sell. Similarly, the defendant’s registration with eBay is defined by definite terms and conditions, whose implications bind him to a regal relation with prospective buyers. Thus, it was unconscionable for the defendant to argue that the terms of engagement between him and eBay are only parallel to the terms of engagement between eBay and the buyer (plaintiff). The judge determined that they crossed to suggest seller-agent-buyer relationship present in traditional auctions.

Finally, the phone conversation between the plaintiff and the defendant shortly prior to the expiry of the bidding indicated that that was a contract reached between the two parties in the form of a promissory agreement. The existence of common intention and acceptance of the payment deposit offered by the plaintiff suggest that an agreement had been reached. As the judge pointed out, “The automatic close of bidding at a fixed time and the generation of an eBay advice headed “won” appear to have been accepted by the parties to an eBay auction as the equivalent of the fall of the hammer” (Rein, 2007).

 

5. The defendant argued there was no binding and enforceable agreement, what were the components of this argument? 4 marks (max. 200words)

The defendant’s arguments that there was no binding and enforceable agreement were based on the following observations. First, that his engagement terms with eBay do not imply a binding regal relation with a third party, and therefore the law should not presume his obligation to sell under eBay terms and conditions. Secondly, the defendant contended that the placement of an advert on eBay is not practically different from one placed in a newspaper classified section, in which case there is no binding obligation by the seller to sell. Further, he pointed out that eBay was not a means through which enforceable contracts can be effected, as there was no direct and physical seller-buyer dealings. On the contrary, he asserted, it was merely a forum in which potential buyers met potential sellers, with no guarantee that the selling or buying of items will take place. His maintained that the listing of items on eBay website was nothing more than ‘an invitation to a treat.” Finally, he argued that since he had not discussed the payment terms with the plaintiff, the contract had not been finalized hence unenforceable.

6. How is agreement reached in a traditional auction? 2 marks (max. 80 words)

In a traditional auction an agreement is reached through the seller contracting an agent to sell items on his/her behalf. The agent- an auctioneer, acts as a bridge between seller and potential buyers. During the auction, the highest bidder will win the item, and the selling is sealed at the fall of the hammer, which effectively signifies an agreement to sell at the offered price. It is made formal by the signing of documents prepared prior to the auction, of whose contents both parties have knowledge of.

7. What differences did Rein A J outline between a traditional auction and an on-line auction? 5 marks (max. 250words)

The differences between a traditional auction and an on-line auction are characterized by the medium and manner in which they are performed. In a traditional auction, the items to be sold may be physically present during the time of bidding. An online auction, on the contrary, involve bidding and payment for listed items that are not physically present, but whose quality and physical state is made available to potential buyers through descriptions and graphical presentations. Secondly, a traditional auction is conducted by an agent with the authority to sell, or make an agreement on behalf of the seller, with the seller reserving the right to withdraw the items before the fall of the hammer. On the other hand, there is no physical agent in an online auction, since the service provider has no authority to transact on behalf of the involved parties. Equally, the seller cannot withdraw the items on sale.

Thirdly, traditional auctions are said to be concluded, and an agreement reached, when the hammer falls upon the highest bid. In an online auction, there is no specific ‘moment of the hammer,’ so to speak. The conclusion of the auctioning, and the reaching of an enforceable agreement, is determined by the highest bid upon the expiry of the auctioning period, provided such a bid is above the minimum bidding price. Finally, a traditional auction may involve the supervision of the items on sale before the placement of a bid. It can also involve the verification of the seller’s identity prior to making an offer. An online auctioning departs from this framework in that the bidding, and in fact the payment for items, can be made before their actual state has been verified. The buyer relies solely on the information provided by the seller on the service provider’s website.

 

8. What did Rein A J regard in an eBay auction as the equivalent of the fall of the hammer in a traditional auction; and what is the significance of each?(80 words)

Rein AJ regarded “The automatic close of bidding at a fixed time and the generation of an eBay advice headed “won” appearing on the screen, and the acceptance by the parties to an eBay auction as the equivalent of the fall of the hammer” (Rein, 2007). The close of bidding at a fixed time automatically shuts off further bidding or new offers, therefore giving the highest bidder upon closing the right to buy. The fall of hammer in traditional auctioning has a similar implication, in that it determines the winning buyer and the selling price, which cannot be reversed even if higher bids are offered thereafter.

9. Why was an order for specific performance of the contract appropriate in this case? 2 marks (80words)

The order for specific performance was appropriate because both parties had acted in manners that both implied and demonstrated their intention to enter into a regal relation, buy accepting the offers made in relation to the selling-buying of the item on sale. Additionally, some key elements of a contract such as agreement on certain binding terms were fulfilled, such as the buyer’s willingness to pay the reserve price as determined by the seller. Similarly, there was explicit consideration by both parties through performance, since the buyer paid the deposit for the aircraft, a sum that the seller had previously agreed upon.

 

10. Why was the final order not made in this hearing? 1 mark (50 words)

The final order was not made in the hearing because it had not been discussed and agreed upon by the parties. The mode of payment of the remaining amount was yet to be finalized, and therefore could not be subject to a court hearing.

11. Why was the matter heard in the Supreme Court? 4 marks (max. 250 words)

Under normal circumstances, the Supreme Court usually determines cases whose verdict as determined by the trial courts is disputed by one party to the case. However, this particular case has not been tried in the lower cases, making it technically ‘illegible’ for the attention of the Supreme Court.

Nonetheless, the nature of the case and circumstances surrounding the dealings between the parties falls beyond the jurisdiction of the lower courts. Firstly, the plaintiff and defendant come from two different jurisdictions, i.e. South Australia and Albury respectively. Consequently, the only law determined relevant to the case was that of New South Wales under the jurisdiction of the Division of Equity of the Supreme Court.

Secondly, the involvement of eBay as a third party to the case made it necessary to review the case in the Supreme Court. EBay is a Dutch company operating in a foreign territory. As such, state laws may not apply since its operations are not limited to the jurisdiction of a state court. Finally, the breach of the terms and conditions of engagement as stipulated by eBay suggest a dispute between the parties, which necessitates the attention of a relevant intervener, which in this case is the judgment of an appellate judge. The Supreme Court was the only authority with the powers to review the terms of online auctioning via eBay.

Part B 10 Marks

McMuffins Ltd is a fast food company based in Queensland. Yesterday, before work had started, an argument arose between three kitchen hands: Tom, Dick and Harry. Over the weekend, Tom had offered to sell his motorbike to Dick for $5000. Dick said this was far too much but he would pay $4000. Tom refused. Before Tom left for work this morning Dick phoned to say he would buy the motorbike for $5000 but Tom said he had already sold it to Harry for $4,500. It was not a good day for Dick: he was one of the six employees of McMuffins Ltd that buy a weekly lottery ticket, each contributing an equal amount of money. Every week the money is collected by Lotty, the office junior, who also buys the lottery ticket. The group has always agreed to share any winnings equally but have not to date won anything. Lotty discovered this morning that the lottery ticket has won $1,000,000, she tells the other members of the group

that she intends to claim the money for herself and leave McMuffins Ltd.

 

1. Has Tom reached an agreement? 4 marks (Up to 150 words)

Under the circumstances, it could said that Tom has reached an agreement with Harry, but not with Dick. For a binding agreement to be made, there are two basic elements that the involved parties must fulfill. First, there must be an offer by either party, or the acceptance of the offer by both parties. In this case, Tom has proposed an offer to sell his motorbike. However, Dick has not accepted the terms, i.e. the price of $ 5 000. Likewise, Tom has not accepted the offer of $ 4 000 made by Dick.

On the other hand, it is within reason to presume that there is an agreement between Tom and Harry because there was a transaction between the two parties. The transfer of title of ownership to Harry presumes the fact that either Tom made a new offer which Harry accepted, or the latter offered to pay $ 4 500, which the former equally accepted.

2. Is Lotty obliged to share the lottery winnings amongst the group? 6 marks (Up to 250 words)

Lotty is under obligation to share to share the lottery winnings amongst the group. Considering the terms of agreement among the parties, it is clearly evident that there is a binding contract. First, there was an agreement to enter into the lottery competition, and members were required to make weekly contributions- which was accepted . There was also an executed consideration, since the parties made prompt payments as agreed. By fulfilling these elements, the parties, Lotty included, had expressed their intention to create a legal relationship. Further, there is lack of evidence to overturn or refute any presumption that such an intention is present. If any, then the burden of proof shifts to Lotty against whom the presumption is made. Until she proves otherwise, the court, acting as a reasonable bystander, can objectively determine that there was a common intention for the lottery winnings to be shared equally amongst the group.

Finally, Lotty’s decision to claim all the winnings for herself cannot be justified under the circumstances surrounding her dealings with the other parties. It is a private intention since it is not what the other parties were thinking or believed was the case at the time of making the contract. On the other hand, thoughts/intentions are private until they communicate to the other stakeholder parties. By failing to make her private thoughts known, it is therefore presumed by the law that her decision is a breach of contract, and in effect not enforceable.

 

Ever heard of the National Museum of Nicaragua? This preserver of forgotten artifacts, statues, ceramics and valuable documents- the very reminders of ancient life, is one of the major tourist attractions in Nicaragua. When I perused through my historic books, I discovered that the museum is located in an historic building known as Managua. Forthrightly, it is in this museum that one can get a chance to learn about the history of Nicaragua even before getting to know about its modern times. The museum is also known as Dioclesiano ChÁvez, home to several ceramics that can be backdated to 3,000 years. I learnt that one can get evidences of ancient civilization by just looking into its extensive collection of ancient artifacts. As one explores the various rooms of exhibits of the museum, be sure that you take notes of the modern art. At the natural Historic room, one is taken through the Nicaragua’s history of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. These exhibits give an insight of the active volcanoes that are in existence till today. Even with their destructive nature, the Nicaragua volcanoes are the main tourist attraction and contribute a lot to the country’s economy and the tourism industry. Without doubt, the National Museum of Nicaragua is a wonderful historic site that gives visitors a breathtaking glimpse into the old world.

 I come from Honduras, Central South America. The journey to Nicaragua was long and tedious, taking five tiresome hours in a rattling train to cover the more than 148 miles of mountainous terrain from Tegucigalpa in the North to Managua in the south.  Anyway, I took a rest on my way and therefore, I cannot complain. Well, the capital city of Nicaragua is not known for its beauty but, it is the best place to stay for two days. For those who are not familiar with this capital city, it is a congested place and somehow hot, so I took a taxi that I intended to use whenever I went. My first stop was at a place called Loma de Tiscapa that is situated at the interior centre of the town. Here, my driver advised me that I should take my time and take a good view of Lake Managua. I realized that the lake had a very beautiful volcanic crater lagoon. How I wish I could have been accompanied by my long time girlfriend! She could love this. I had a sleepover at a nearby restaurant and, the following day embarked on the rest of my journey.

The museum opened at around 8.00 am and I was among the first people to enter. I paid an entrance fee of $50, which later leant included an informative price, which roughly takes two hours. At the national museum was an administration body located within the same building. Most significantly, they provided me with tour guides who showed me around the museum.  In the museum, my first stop over was at the natural history room. This is a paleontology room with a pre-history fossil remains well displayed. I had a number of questions but the guides were friendly and more than willing to answer questions regarding the artifacts. The guide then took me to a Room containing Pre-Columbian Ceramics; this room was even more interesting as it contained a variety of ceramics designed with different cultures. Notably, I learnt that the pieces were dated back to the 2000 A.C or better still, the beginning of the 17^th century, a period at which the Spanish conquers started arriving in Nicaragua. At this site I was exposed to various samples that showed various techniques with varied collection of pieces. I was more interested on the various shapes of containers, utensils, rings as well as the utensils. I then passed through the traditional art room that was made up of a small but diverse exposition of contemporary, and traditional which I was reliably informed was created from different regions of Nicaragua. The pieces were more elaborated by the artisans and, were made of clay, ropes, seeds, and ceramics among other materials.

Then there were the metates; stone instruments which are used by various indigenous tribes when processing corn.  I found these in a very interesting room known as the metates room. I established that the whole room was dedicated to artifacts and that the corns had a cultural importance attached to the tribes that long lived in Nicaragua. There were different displays of metates on which their usage were well demonstrated by different panels. I keenly observed the different designs and the figures of different animals which were of course well curved in objects. You might wonder how these metares are formed. Well, I was informed that they are created from volcanic rocks. My guide also informed me that they were formed in between 800 and 1200 years. Satisfied from his explanations, I had no alternative but to move into the next room meant for friends and general supports of art and culture. Well, it is a space meant for temporal expositions and is supported by different institutions, museums, or individuals. Interestingly, these entities are always willing to lend their collections for exhibitions.  This of course lasts for two to three months. My guide reliably informed me that on different occasions, this museum investigates various themes and on other occasions borrows pieces which enable it to complete a temporary exhibition of the room. Moreover, there was an exposition of sacred art, or can I say a religious image, which was provided non other than San FranciscoConventMuseum in Granada. Again, there were exhibitions of statuettes, some of which I learnt were brought into the country during the colonial times.

Trying as much as I can, I managed to pass through the Güegüense room. The name sounds funny but you can call it macho Raton, as commonly known. Well, the name is from a theatrical play that was recognized as patrimony of humanity in the early days of colonialization. These terminologies sounded Greek to me but what can I say, I was determined to learn a lot. The paintings I found in this room were created using a pen. The exhibition was complete with traditional clothing. When I turned my eye to the left, I got a glimpse of college photos and videos performed on festivals during the traditional plays of El Güegüense.

 I checked my watch and it confirmed to me that it was exactly 6.30 pm. The night was fast approaching and my tour guide equally wore a tired face. Anyway, I was happy and satisfied despite my bones being tired. I thanked my all day partner and went to a nearby restaurant.   Although I cannot vividly remember the name of the night club, but I can say, without fear of contradiction that it was a great one. I discovered that most local and foreign tourists love the place because of its casual and more relaxed environment. I enjoyed my beer while at the same time a football game and, when food arrived, it was terrific. It was that kind of food that I will live to remember. To compound my evening experience, I joined some gentle men for a pool game before finally retiring to bed.

Having said that, for those planning to visit this place, let me promise you that it is a lifetime vocation. It is a place that you will learn everything about the history of Managua and more to this, there is a perfect place to rest your head after a long day activities. I therefore find no reason not to belief that it is one of the finest places of the world.