Achieving Sustainable Development In Developing State Of Grenada Tourism Essay

Achieving Sustainable Development In Developing State Of Grenada Tourism Essay In order to adequately address the question of why Sustainable Development is important in the context of the Small Island Developing State of Grenada it is important to first understand what Sustainable Development is and what it entails. Secondly, the characteristics of Grenada must be described in terms of the most viable approach for achieving Sustainable Development. According to the Brundtland Report (1987), sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs The commission also emphasizes that whether a country is considered developed or developing (in the context of Grenada) the goals of social and economic development must be defined in terms of sustainability. According to the CIA World Fact Book (2010), Grenada relies heavily on tourism as its main means of foreign exchange. The tourism industry contributed 72.98 % of Grenadas overall GDP in 2008 (World Bank Statistics, 2008), which underpins the importance of this industry to the economy. Therefore, sustainable development as it pertains to Grenada should be examined within the framework of tourism since it is Grenadas principal income generator and in essence what fuels the economy. However, it must be noted that tourism is not the only industry that can be looked at in terms of sustainability in Grenada. Agriculture, construction, textiles and food and beverages are also other industries. However, these also feed into the tourism sector. According to Joseph (2010), tourism utilizes the historic, economic, socio-cultural and environment to grow and develop. The concept of sustainability as it relates to tourism put forth by McKercher (2003) further strengthens this point since its approach is very holistic and encompasses four main pillars; economic, ecological/environment, cultural and local. All four pillars are recognized as being paramount in order to achieve any form of sustainability. Therefore each pillar will be examined in the in the context of Grenada. According to McKercher (2003) economic sustainability is geared at profiting the country in both the immediate and long term. Tourism affords the Small Island Developing State of Grenada the opportunity of improving its economic well-being (Joseph, 2010). Grenada derives many economic benefits from the tourism industry. The tax revenues collected as a result of accommodation, restaurant taxes, airport and sales taxes all provide the government with much required tax revenues. The jobs created are spread across the economy, such a retail, construction, manufacturing and communications (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 1999). Additionally, it earns the country valuable foreign exchange. This new money which is brought into the country in turn creates a multiplier effect, thus circulating many segments of the economy (Joseph, 2010). Tourism also attracts additional businesses and services as a means of support. Grenada is currently experiencing tough economic times as a result of the global financial crisis. As a result, unemployment and poverty levels are increasing creating the need of employment opportunities for locals. According to the International Monetary Fund (2010), the Gross Domestic Product of Grenada is estimated to have declined 7.7% with a 13% drop in tourism. Therefore, one of the economic concerns for tourism in Grenada that this brings to the forefront is the diversity of the local economy. According to McKercher (2003) the diversification of the products by developing a wide range of tourism activities is part of economic sustainability. This should be taken into consideration since the tourism sector in Grenada is seasonal thus being unable to provide steady streams of income. Also, Grenada is susceptible to natural disasters particularly hurricanes which have a devastating effect on tourism infrastructure. Therefore, the adoption of sustainable tourism development could serve to create diversity and thus mitigate against economic vulnerability in the tourism sector. Another economic consideration that pertains to sustainable tourism in Grenada is the minimization of leakage. McKercher (2003) promotes the formation of partnerships throughout the entire supply chain from micro-sized local businesses to multinational organizations. A major form of leakage in the context of Grenada is that many of the profits generated from the industry are exported since many of the major tourist operations are owned by foreigners. For Example, many villas are being built in Grenada by foreign investors who later sell these villas to individual owners, thus not significantly contributing back to the local economy. The Port Louis project is a perfect example. Although the lagoon is much more picturesque than it was before Peter De Savary invested in it. Grenadians havent directly benefited from this development since Mr. De Savary has made his profit by selling the pr operty to Camper and Nicholson, another foreign owner, and left with his money. Consequently, the occurrence of leakage results in the local population bearing the environmental and cultural costs of tourism while retaining relatively little of the economic benefits and thus reducing the multiplier effect. Over the last few years Grenada has experienced a tremendous amount of development as a result of tourism. However, many of these developments were not executed in an economically sustainable manner. Bhola (2010) emphasizes that economically sustainable tourism should ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income, earning opportunities and social services to host communities and contributing to poverty alleviation. The Brundtland Report (1987) further stresses the integration of economic and ecological considerations in decision making because these concerns need no necessarily have to be in opposition. McKercher (2003) purports that when it pertains to ecological/environmental sustainability that any form of development must be compatible with the maintenance of essential ecological processes, biological diversity and biological resources. However, in the context of Grenadas tourism industry, according to Kelly (2008) the Grenadian government is sacrificing the islands pristine [environment] to the fast buck of resort development. The Mount Hartman estate development is one such project identified as a potential threat to a tract of pristine dry forest and swampy mangroves and also the Grenada Dove which Mount Hartman happens to be a nesting site for. According to Dr. Clare Morrall (as cited by Kelly, 2008) Grenadas mangroves are incredibly important to the ecosystems of the surrounding area and what is happening in Grenada will have an impact on fishing stocksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦which are at the point of collapse. The environmental characteristics of Grenada are one of the main reasons that it is such an attractive tourist destination. These include the lush green vegetation, white sandy beaches and exquisite marine and terrestrial life. However, tourism puts added strain on these resources through excess demand and unbalanced economic development (Bhola, 2010). Some of the environmental problems associated with tourism are deforestation, water and air pollution, poor solid waste management practices and coastal destruction of coral reefs, mangroves etc (Joseph, 2010). The development of hotels, marinas and harbours along our coastline has served to damage shoreline ecosystems, coral reefs and mangrove systems. According to Burke, Greenhalgh Prager et.al (2008), the valuable goods and services provided by ecosystems such as coral reefs are often overlooked or underappreciated in coastal investment , development and policy decisions, resulting in short-sighted decisions that do not maximize th e long-term economic potential of coastal areas. Therefore, not only is the environment affected but the viability of Grenada as a tourist destination is also compromised which in turn threatens economic well being since these resources are depended upon to support Grenadas main industry. World Bank Statistics (2008) shows that Grenada currently has 3 mammals and three plant species that are threatened. The Caribbean region and by extension Grenada has been listed as one of the top hotspots for endemic species worldwide, yet the Caribbean retains only 11.3% of its primary vegetation (Myers et al, 2000). This exemplifies the lack of concern for the environment and how development has been allowed to significantly contribute to the reduction of our natural resources. According to Gardiner (2009), ever form of life on this planet does not stand on its own but is supported by, and supports, other living things. He further goes on to state that to lose one species is equivalent to losing an important part of the ecosystem. This therefore underscores what is at stake if these mammal and plant species identified by the World Bank as being endangered in Grenada are allowed to become extinct. As a result, both environmental and economic vulnerability of Grenada is being exacerbated by unsustainable development. Another very important aspect of sustainable development is cultural sustainability. According to McKercher (2003), cultural sustainability increases peoples control over their lives and is compatible with the culture and values of those affected and strengthen the community identity. Grenadas history of colonialism has created a very unique and diverse culture and history which serves to enhance its marketability as a tourist destination. Colonialism has facilitated a movement of people to the Caribbean and by extension Grenada from Africa and Asia with has greatly influenced the formation of the culture through the mixture of experiences from these different Diasporas (Smyth, 2010). Carnival, Parang, Maroon festival, Folklore, string band music, big drum dancing and patois are a few of the cultural aspects of Grenada that adds to the attractiveness of the tourism product (Joseph, 2010). Although tourism could serve to reinforce the preservation and conservation of heritage and trad itions, it can also degrade the cultural environment through the commercialization of the culture, religion and arts (Joseph, 2009). Many observers believe that tourism has negatively impacted the Grenadian culture and society. According to McKercher (2003), cultural sustainability should guarantee the protection of nature, local and the indigenous cultures and especially traditional knowledge.One of the key ways in which tourism negatively impacts society is through the conflicting lifestyles and ideas between the tourist and the locals. In the Grenadian context, the locals try to imitate these lifestyles and ideas which lead to a dilution of the culture and value systems on the island. This in turn increases social problems such as theft and prostitution, and increased alcohol and drug use. In addition, the divisions between the tourist and the local population can cause a lot of tension. This tension arises from the fact that small communities where poverty, unemployment and overcrowding are pervasive are sometimes located near to hotels and other developments specifically designated for the tourist. As a result, locals become aggravated since they feel a sense of inequality in their own country. Sometim e locals are even displaced in order to accommodate a tourist. This was exemplified during the development of the Port Louis project where many of the locals were relocated to La Sagesse in St. Davids in order to make room for the villas. In this case the new development was once where the locals depended on their livelihood through fishing. Local sustainability is also a key aspect of sustainable development. According to McKercher (2010), local sustainability should be designed to benefit the local communities and generate and retain income in those communities. The provision of quality employment to community residents and the equitable distribution of financial benefits throughout the supply chain are identified as being important aspects of local sustainability. Local industries such as farming and fishing should employ sustainable practices, which should also be developed to meet the needs of the tourist. This could in turn minimize the effects of leakage. Many of the goods used by the tourism industry are bought outside of the country because many times the local suppliers cannot adequately meet demand or provide the right quality. A locally sustainable approach would provide incentives and training to local suppliers (farmers, craftsmen, fishermen etc.) to improve their standards and also to find other avenues to benefit from tourism. The Gouyave fish Friday is an example of how a local fishing community was able to benefit from tourism not by directly supplying to the hotels but through their own initiative and thus directly benefiting. However, Tourism puts added strain on local industries such as fishing and farming, therefore, a sustainable approach must be employed in order to ensure that the locals continue to benefit. The Levera turtle protection group is another example of how the locals were diverted from exploiting the turtle, by killing them for meat, to protecting them. This is more sustainable because a protected turtle will be around for a longer period to generate income for the locals, whereas the previous approach would have eventually resulted in them becoming extinct. The importance of sustainable tourism in the context of Grenada must be emphasized since the benefits that can be derived from it are numerous. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (1999) further underscore this point by stating that the sustainable development of tourism is of importance for all countries, in particular for Small Island Developing States. The economic, environmental, cultural and local security of Grenada is at stake if sustainable development is not adequately adopted in Grenadas approach towards tourism. If a sustainable approach is not employed there is much at stake. The cost of repairing damages to the marine as well as the terrestrial environment could put added strain on the economy. Also, at stake is possibility of loss of endangered plant and mammal life and biodiversity. The country will also continue to experience and increased state of vulnerability towards the effects of climate change since according to AOSIS (2009), climate cha nge poses the most serious threat to our survival and viability and that it undermines our efforts to achieve sustainable developmental goals and threatens our very existence. Also at stake is the degradation of Grenadas culture and traditions. Nettleford (1977) emphasizes the importance of culture by stating that the issue of cultural identity is of great significanceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and as such should be treated with the same level of importance as economic self sufficiency. In addition, the welfare of the local population could be significantly compromised since there is a possibility of increased poverty. The Brundtland Report (1987) stresses that poverty reduces peoples capacity to utilize resources in a sustainable manner which intensifies the mount of pressure placed on the environment. Therefore, every aspect of life in Grenada can be affected if a sustainable approach to tourism in not immediately employed. Therefore it can be concluded that, since tourism is such an integral part of Grenadas economy, if a sustainable approach is adopted it can significantly contribute to environmental protection, conservation and restoration of biological diversity and the sustainable utilization of natural resources (UNEP, 2003). A sustainable approach to tourism in Grenada should employ a holistic approach encompassing the economic, environmental, cultural and local aspects since all these different segments of the country serve to benefit. The adaptation of a sustainable approach in the economic sense would improve the diversity and functionality of the sector while at the same time providing a wide range of economic benefits. The goods and services provided by the environment will be preserved through ecological sustainability. Cultural sustainability would serve to promote the preservation and celebration of the local culture and beliefs. And, local sustainability provides the locals with rewardin g and immediate work and income opportunities. Consequently, ever aspect of life would be positively impacted and the Small Island Developing State of Grenada could secure a more viable future.

Womens Pavilion at the Columbian Exposition Essay example -- Architec

The Women's Pavilion The Columbian Exposition was notable for its impressive architecture and large international attendance. Of particular importance was the Women's Pavilion. The first of its kind to have been designed by a female architect, it revealed much about the social plight of women at that time, and the need for further progress in the movement for equal rights. While its existence did not trigger significant changes for the Women's Movement, this pavilion was certainly a promising first step that would set a precedent for women's involvement in later years. All aspects of women's involvement in the Chicago fair were overseen by the Board of Lady Managers. This governing body, the first of its kind, had authority over all the decisions regarding the Women's Pavilion. It was headed by Mrs. Potter Palmer of Chicago, and composed of a diverse group of women from all over the United States. There were two women members from each state and territory as well as nine from Chicago. Invitations were extended to women across the world for their participation. Delegations from England, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Venezuela, Algeria, Siam and Japan all participated in the planning ,and particularly the interior decoration. Many of these organizers belonged to the upper-class or even aristocracy of their societies. The first women's pavilion had been erected in 1876 in Philadelphia. The previous year, women had been given their own section in the main fair building, but at the last minute this decision was revoked. Instead, women were told if they wanted a display, it would have to be in their own building and from their o... ... was still a long way to go on the path to equality between the sexes. Works Cited: White, Trumbull. The World Columbian Exposition ,Chicago 1893. Philadelphia. P.W. Ziegler & Co. 1893 Ralph, Julian. Harper's Chicago and the World's Fair New York, Harper and Brothers, 1893. 161-172 Bolotin, Norm. The World's Columbian Exposition: the Chicago World's Fair Washington, D.C., Preservation Press, 1992. Paul Greenhalgh. Ephemeral Vistas: The Expositions Universelle, Great Exhibitions, And World's Fairs, 1851- 1939 "Women: Exhibiting and Exhibited" Manchester, U.K.: Manuchester University Press, 1988. 174-195 "World's Columbian Exposition of 1893" Paul V. Galvin Library Digital History Collection, Illinois Institute of Technology. http://columbus.gl.iit.edu/ Torre, Susan. "Women in Design" Design Book Review 1991, Spring n20. Pg.74-76 ISSN 0737-5344.

Neil Postmans Technopoly Essay -- Neil Postman Technopoly Essays Pape

Neil Postman, writer, educator, critic and communications theorist, has written many books, including Technopoly. Mr. Postman is one of America's most visible cultural critics, who attempts to analyze culture and history in terms of the effects of technology on western culture. For Postman, it seems more important to consider what society loses from new technology than what it gains. To illustrate this, Postman uses the Egyptian mythology called "The Judgment of Thamus," which attempts to explain how the development of writing in Egyptian civilization decreases the amount of knowledge and wisdom in the society. He traces the roots of technology to show how technology impacts the moral and intellectual attitude of people. Postman seems to criticize societies with high technologies, yet he seems naive to the benefits technology has given society. Postman can be considered fairly conservative in his views regarding technology. His lucid writing style stimulates thoughts on issues in tod ay's technological society; however because of his moral interpretations and historical revisions, his ethos is arguable. For every good insight he makes, he skips another mark completely. Postman divides history into three types. He begins his argument with discussion of tool-using cultures. In these cultures, technology has an "ideological bias" to action that is not thought about by users. He says that this is a time of "logic, sequence, objectivity, detachment, and discipline," where historical figures such as Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, and others clung to the theology of their age. This was a world with God, which was concerned with truth and not power. Postman remarks that the mass production of books and the invention of the printing pre... ... Review. v42 n18 (Sept. 14, 1992) Copyright National review Inc. :58. Lubar, Steven." Engines of Change: The American Industrial Revolution 1790-1860." Smithsonian Institution. http://www.si.sgi.com/organiza/museums/nmah/homepage/docs/engin10.htm ( 1986). Mack, John. Out of Many, v 2, Prenther- Hall, Inc (1995) : 405-423. Moulthrop, Stuart. "Very Like a Book" Wired Subscribe. Wired ventures LTD.http://www.hotwired.com/wired/3.11/departments/moulthrop.if.html (1995). Ravvin, David. "Without Judgement or Morality, Technology becomes God" (I couldn't connect on-line so couldn't get the addess again when I went to do it- it kept saying the file was not found). Star, Alexander. "Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology." New Republic. v207 n5 (July 27, 1992):59. Weir, Stuart. Nation. v255, n6 ( Aug. 31, 1992) The Nation Company Inc.: 216.

Leader of my life: my mother Essay

An influential leader in my life is my mother because she exemplifies a godly woman in many ways. She is a whole person. She is a cooperative leader in the home. She also understands and accepts her role, despite cultural trends and pressure. She models authentic spirituality. She is the keeper of intimate feelings. She demonstrates and teaches compassion. She desires to complete duties with her heart. Her strong faith in God is contagious in my life. As a whole person, my mother is beautiful, healthy, and wealthy in God. Her beauty radiates from her modest and humble personality and her tastefully modest clothing style. Her desire for nutrition and personal hygiene is key to her amazing health. She knows her wealth comes from God because he blessed her with a strong Christian husband and three daughters. She gives me a beautiful reminder to remember who I am and whose I am. My mother is also a cooperative leader at home. She understands God’s design for marriage. The love and respect she gives to my father is an example of that leadership. She demonstrates cooperation through building a healthy marriage in partnership with my father. Despite trends and pressure from culture, my mother understands and accepts her role as a godly woman. Growing up, my mother taught me the dominant values of Christianity so I can carry those values into my adult life and be a Christian witness to others. She holds to her values at work as an anatomy professor, and sometimes she gets ridiculed for her faith, but she stands strong. My mother models authentic spirituality daily. She understands what is at stake, and I am willing to do anything to stand up for my faith. She invests time to strengthen her walk with Christ, and has instilled that in me as well. Another leadership quality my mother holds is her ability to never share the feelings, fears, and dreams I express to her. She is an excellent listener and provides me with spiritual advice. I like to think that I am a confidant and can be trusted by those who need a listening ear. Throughout my life, my mother has demonstrated and taught compassion. She is the source of my care, protection, nourishment, and sacrifice. Adopted at birth, my mother has sufficiently provided for me out of love. She guards  me with her life to keep me on the right path. She taught me to love healthy and nutritious food so I can do the same for my children. My mother has also made an abundance of sacrifices to make sure I live by God’s design. Finally, my mother desires lasting results with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. She utilizes her wisdom by teaching me the ways of life. She rejoices as I apply her teachings in my life and she understands me. The abundance of knowledge my mother has supplied me with continuously fills my life with rare and beautiful treasures. My mother continually molds me into the person God intends. She shares a special partnership with God that nobody can take away from her. My mother is an influential leader in my life as an example of a godly woman. She is pure and whole in the eyes of God. She demonstrates cooperation by understanding and accepting her roles against cultural trends and pressure. She is a model of authentic spirituality, and provides a listening ear. The compassion she beholds is contagious, and she desires to complete duties with her heart. This is how my mother models leadership.

Cultural Pathways Through Universal Development

This article examines the independent self vs. interdependent self theories of development. It also presents three theoretical approaches to culture and development: ecocultural; sociohistorical; and, cultural values. Main Ideas: * Culture is a socially interactive process of construction, comprising two main components: shared activity (cultural practices) and shared meaning (cultural interpretation). The Cultural Values Approach – Culturally relevant developmental goals are represented in the form of implicit ethnotheories of development, i. e. , a system of beliefs and ideas concerning the nature of the ideal child and the socialization practices necessary to achieve this ideal. * The Ecocultural Approach, sees the child’s behavioral development and the acquisition of culture as resulting from the interaction between human biological potentialities and environmental conditions. In short, the ecocultural approach emphasizes development as an adaptation to different environmental conditions and constraints. * The Sociohistoric Approach emphasizes processes of social construction, particularly cultural apprenticeship, cultural activities or practices, the use of cultural artifacts, including tools, and the historical dimension of these processes. The primary focus of this approach has been on explaining the child’s cognitive development. Criticisms: * One common criticism of these cultural paradigms is that the approach is too simplistic and reductionistic; the dichotomous binary quality of individualism and collectivism is seen as problematical. * Another criticism of the framework involves the notion that independent and interdependent concerns coexist in the same culture * The core theoretical approach to relationship formation is attachment theory. Attachment theory stresses the evolutionary basis of attachment relationships as a phylogenetically evolved adaptive system with a core of standard assumptions that are supposed to constitute universals of ontogenetic development. Basically, it assumes that maternal sensitivity, defined as the prompt, adequate and consistent reaction towards infants’ cues, is causally linked to attachment security and that this constitutes the normative and healthy developmental pattern across cultures.

Part Four Chapter VII

VII It was a bright, balmy morning, and the computing lab at Winterdown Comprehensive became stuffy as lunchtime approached, the dirty windows speckling the dusty monitors with distracting spots of light. Even though there was no Fats or Gaia here to distract him, Andrew Price could not concentrate. He could think of nothing but what he had overheard his parents discussing the previous evening. They had been talking, quite seriously, about moving to Reading, where Ruth's sister and brother-in-law lived. With his ear turned towards the open kitchen door, Andrew had hovered in the tiny dark hall and listened: Simon, it appeared, had been offered a job, or the possibility of a job, by the uncle whom Andrew and Paul barely knew, because Simon disliked him so much. ‘It's less money,' Simon had said. ‘You don't know that. He hasn't said – ‘ ‘Bound to be. And it'll be more expensive all round, living there.' Ruth made a noncommital noise. Scarcely daring to breathe in the hall, Andrew could tell, by the mere fact that his mother was not rushing to agree with Simon, that she wanted to go. Andrew found it impossible to imagine his parents in any house but Hilltop House, or against any backdrop but Pagford. He had taken it for granted that they would remain there for ever. He, Andrew, would leave one day for London, but Simon and Ruth would remain rooted to the hillside like trees, until they died. He had crept back upstairs to his bedroom and stared out of the window at the twinkling lights of Pagford, cupped in the deep black hollow between the hills. He felt as though he had never seen the view before. Somewhere down there, Fats was smoking in his attic room, probably looking at porn on his computer. Gaia was there too, absorbed in the mysterious rites of her gender. It occurred to Andrew that she had been through this; she had been torn away from the place she knew and transplanted. They had something profoundly in common at last; there was almost melancholy pleasure in the idea that, in leaving, he would share something with her. But she had not caused her own displacement. With a squirming unease in his guts, he had picked up his mobile and texted Fats: Si-Pie offered job in Reading. Might take it. Fats had still not responded, and Andrew had not seen him all morning, because they shared none of their classes. He had not seen Fats for the previous two weekends either, because he had been working at the Copper Kettle. Their longest conversation, recently, had concerned Fats' posting about Cubby on the council website. ‘I think Tessa suspects,' Fats had told Andrew casually. ‘She keeps looking at me like she knows.' ‘What're you gonna say?' Andrew had muttered, scared. He knew Fats' desire for glory and credit, and he knew Fats' passion for wielding the truth as a weapon, but he was not sure that his friend understood that his own pivotal role in the activities of the Ghost of Barry Fairbrother must never be revealed. It had never been easy to explain to Fats the reality of having Simon as a father, and, somehow, Fats was becoming more difficult to explain things to. When his IT teacher had passed by out of sight, Andrew looked up Reading on the internet. It was huge compared with Pagford. It had an annual music festival. It was only forty miles from London. He contemplated the train service. Perhaps he would go up to the capital at weekends, the way he currently took the bus to Yarvil. But the whole thing seemed unreal: Pagford was all he had ever known; he still could not imagine his family existing anywhere else. At lunchtime Andrew headed straight out of school, looking for Fats. He lit up a cigarette just out of sight of the grounds, and was delighted to hear, as he was slipping his lighter casually back into his pocket, a female voice that said, ‘Hey'. Gaia and Sukhvinder caught up with him. ‘All right,' he said, blowing smoke away from Gaia's beautiful face. The three of them had something these days that nobody else had. Two weekends' work at the cafe had created a fragile bond between them. They knew Howard's stock phrases, and had endured Maureen's prurient interest in all of their home lives; they had smirked together at her wrinkled knees in the too-short waitress's dress and had exchanged, like traders in a foreign land, small nuggets of personal information. Thus the girls knew that Andrew's father had been sacked; Andrew and Sukhvinder knew that Gaia was working to save for a train ticket back to Hackney; and he and Gaia knew that Sukhvinder's mother hated her working for Howard Mollison. ‘Where's your Fat friend?' she asked, as the three of them fell into step together. ‘Dunno,' said Andrew. ‘Haven't seen him.' ‘No loss,' said Gaia. ‘How many of those do you smoke a day?' ‘Don't count,' said Andrew, elated by her interest. ‘D'you want one?' ‘No,' said Gaia. ‘I don't like smoking.' He wondered instantly whether the dislike extended to kissing people who smoked. Niamh Fairbrother had not complained when he had stuck his tongue into her mouth at the school disco. ‘Doesn't Marco smoke?' asked Sukhvinder. ‘No, he's always in training,' said Gaia. Andrew had become almost inured to the thought of Marco de Luca by now. There were advantages to Gaia being safeguarded, as it were, by an allegiance beyond Pagford. The power of the photographs of them together on her Facebook page had been blunted by his familiarity with them. He did not think it was his own wishful thinking that the messages she and Marco left for each other were becoming less frequent and less friendly. He could not know what was happening by telephone or email, but he was sure that Gaia's air, when he was mentioned, was dispirited. ‘Oh, there he is,' said Gaia. It was not the handsome Marco who had come into view, but Fats Wall, who was talking to Dane Tully outside the newsagent's. Sukhvinder braked, but Gaia grabbed her upper arm. ‘You can walk where you like,' she said, tugging her gently onwards, her flecked green eyes narrowing as they approached the place where Fats and Dane were smoking. ‘All right, Arf,' called Fats, as the three of them came close. ‘Fats,' said Andrew. Trying to head off trouble, especially Fats bullying Sukhvinder in front of Gaia, he asked, ‘Did you get my text?' ‘What text?' said Fats. ‘Oh yeah – that thing about Si? You leaving, then, are you?' It was said with a cavalier indifference that Andrew could only attribute to the presence of Dane Tully. ‘Yeah, maybe,' said Andrew. ‘Where are you going?' asked Gaia. ‘My old man's been offered a job in Reading,' said Andrew. ‘Oh, that's where my dad lives!' said Gaia in surprise. ‘We could hang out when I go and stay. The festival's awesome. D'you wanna get a sandwich, then, Sooks?' Andrew was so stupefied by her voluntary offer to spend time with him, that she had disappeared into the newsagent's before he could gather his wits and agree. For a moment, the dirty bus stop, the newsagent's, even Dane Tully, tattooed and shabby in a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, seemed to glow with an almost celestial light. ‘Well, I got things to do,' said Fats. Dane sniggered. Before Andrew could say anything or offer to accompany him, he had loped away. Fats was sure that Andrew would be nonplussed and hurt by his cool attitude, and he was glad of it. Fats did not ask himself why he was glad, or why a general desire to cause pain had become his overriding emotion in the last few days. He had lately decided that questioning your own motives was inauthentic; a refinement of his personal philosophy that had made it altogether easier to follow. As he headed into the Fields, Fats thought about what had happened at home the previous evening, when his mother had entered his bedroom for the first time since Cubby had punched him. (‘That message about your father on the Parish Council website,' she had said. ‘I've got to ask you this, Stuart, and I wish – Stuart, did you write it?' It had taken her a few days to summon the courage to accuse him, and he was prepared. ‘No,' he said. Perhaps it would have been more authentic to say yes, but he had preferred not to, and he did not see why he should have to justify himself. ‘You didn't?' she repeated, with no change of tone or expression. ‘No,' he repeated. ‘Because very, very few people know what Dad †¦ what he worries about.' ‘Well, it wasn't me.' ‘The post went up the same evening that Dad and you had the row, and Dad hit – ‘ ‘I've told you, I didn't do it.' ‘You know he's ill, Stuart.' ‘Yeah, so you keep telling me.' ‘I keep telling you because it's true! He can't help it – he's got a serious mental illness that causes him untold distress and misery.' Fats' mobile had beeped, and he had glanced down at a text from Andrew. He read it and experienced an air punch to the midriff: Arf leaving for good. ‘I'm talking to you, Stuart – ‘ ‘I know – what?' ‘All these posts – Simon Price, Parminder, Dad – these are all people you know. If you're behind all this – ‘ ‘I've told you, I'm not.' ‘ – you're causing untold damage. Serious, awful damage, Stuart, to people's lives.' Fats was trying to imagine life without Andrew. They had known each other since they were four. ‘It's not me,' he had said.) Serious, awful damage to people's lives. They had made their lives, Fats thought scornfully as he turned into Foley Road. The victims of the Ghost of Barry Fairbrother were mired in hypocrisy and lies, and they didn't like the exposure. They were stupid bugs running from bright light. They knew nothing about real life. He could see a house ahead that had a bald tyre lying on the grass in front of it. He had a strong suspicion that that was Krystal's, and when he saw the number, he knew he was right. He had never been here before. He would never have agreed to meet her at her home during the lunch hour a couple of weeks ago, but things changed. He had changed. They said that her mother was a prostitute. She was certainly a junkie. Krystal had told him that the house would be empty because her mother would be at Bellchapel Addiction Clinic, receiving her allotted amount of methadone. Fats walked up the garden path without slowing, but with unexpected trepidation. Krystal had been on the watch for him, from her bedroom window. She had closed the doors of every room downstairs, so that all he would see was the hall; she had thrown everything that had spilt into it back into the sitting room and kitchen. The carpet was gritty and burnt in places, and the wallpaper stained, but she could do nothing about that. There had been none of the pine-scented disinfectant left, but she had found some bleach and sloshed that around the kitchen and bathroom, both of them sources of the worst smells in the house. When he knocked, she ran downstairs. They did not have long; Terri would probably be back with Robbie at one. Not long to make a baby. ‘Hiya,' she said, when she opened the door. ‘All right?' said Fats, blowing out smoke through his nostrils. He did not know what he had expected. His first glimpse of the interior of the house was of a grimy bare box. There was no furniture. The closed doors to his left and ahead were strangely ominous. ‘Are we the only ones here?' he asked as he crossed the threshold. ‘Yeah,' said Krystal. ‘We c'n go upstairs. My room.' She led the way. The deeper inside they went, the worse the smell became: mingled bleach and filth. Fats tried not to care. All doors were closed on the landing, except one. Krystal went inside. Fats did not want to be shocked, but there was nothing in the room except a mattress, which was covered with a sheet and a bare duvet, and a small pile of clothes heaped up in a corner. A few pictures ripped from tabloid newspapers were sellotaped to the wall; a mixture of pop stars and celebrities. Krystal had made her collage the previous day, in imitation of the one on Nikki's bedroom wall. Knowing that Fats was coming over, she had wanted to make the room more hospitable. She had drawn the thin curtains. They gave a blueish tinge to daylight. ‘Gimme a fag,' she said. ‘I'm gasping.' He lit it for her. She was more nervous than he had ever seen her; he preferred her cocky and worldly. ‘We ain' got long,' she told him, and with the cigarette in her mouth, she began to strip. ‘Me mum'll be back.' ‘Yeah, at Bellchapel, isn't she?' said Fats, somehow trying to harden Krystal up again in his mind. ‘Yeah,' said Krystal, sitting on the mattress and pulling off her tracksuit bottoms. ‘What if they close it?' asked Fats, taking off his blazer. ‘I heard they're thinking about it.' ‘I dunno,' said Krystal, but she was frightened. Her mother's willpower, fragile and vulnerable as a fledgling chick, could fail at the slightest provocation. She had already stripped to her underwear. Fats was taking off his shoes when he noticed something nestled beside her heaped clothes: a small plastic jewellery box lying open, and curled inside, a familiar watch. ‘Is that my mum's?' he said, in surprise. ‘What?' Krystal panicked. ‘No,' she lied. ‘It was my Nana Cath's. Don't – !' But he had already pulled it out of the box. ‘It is hers,' he said. He recognized the strap. ‘It fuckin' ain't!' She was terrified. She had almost forgotten that she had stolen it, where it had come from. Fats was silent, and she did not like it. The watch in Fats' hand seemed to be both challenging and reproaching him. In quick succession he imagined walking out, slipping it casually into his pocket, or handing it back to Krystal with a shrug. ‘It's mine,' she said. He did not want to be a policeman. He wanted to be lawless. But it took the recollection that the watch had been Cubby's gift to make him hand it back to her and carry on taking off his clothes. Scarlet in the face, Krystal tugged off bra and pants and slipped, naked, beneath the duvet. Fats approached her in his boxer shorts, a wrapped condom in his hand. ‘We don' need that,' said Krystal thickly. ‘I'm takin' the pill now.' ‘Are you?' She moved over on the mattress for him. Fats slid under the duvet. As he pulled off his boxers, he wondered whether she was lying about the pill, like the watch. But he had wanted to try without a condom for a while. ‘Go on,' she whispered, and she tugged the little foil square out of his hand and threw it on top of his blazer, crumpled on the floor. He imagined Krystal pregnant with his child; the faces of Tessa and Cubby when they heard. His kid in the Fields, his flesh and blood. It would be more than Cubby had ever managed. He climbed on top of her; this, he knew, was real life.

Admission Essay for Counseling Psychology Program

My country, Serbia, underwent a period of terror and wars, especially during the NATO Bombing in 1999. This marking event in our history taught me more than what my formal education could. Before this disaster struck, I was a full-time student and the University of Pristina majoring in English Language and Literature. During the high of political upheavals, the situation in Kosovo was already tense.Minorities had constant provocations, and hatred had a firm imprint on the people. My life was heavily influenced, as well as my education. I had experienced first hand what it means to be â€Å"persona non grate† in the your childhood community.I wished everyone could understand what this meant for all of us, regardless of who we were and where we came from. Being prosecuted and not having the right to enjoy our college days was a sour memory, but something I live by as a source of my strength. I experienced biases and prejudice, yet I stand firm.I was treated badly, but my dreams never blurred from my sight. I was emotionally affected, but I was more inspired to pursue these dreams, and become a counselor. Freedom in this country was taken for granted, and our college life overlooked.The war made it necessary for me to leave Pristina and Kosovo. Shocked and scared, I came back to a home where fires, bombings and NATO planes assailed my daily itinerary. The screeching sirens did not help our situation. It seemed that we merely waited for the bomb to drop on our heads and defy us from mere existence.During all the madness, I tried to suppress my stress by being optimistic for my family and friends.   As a child, I have been my family's â€Å"corrupter of words†, as I've always seen myself as one of Shakespeare’s fools. My mom always pointed out my ability to rearrange words and it's meanings to create a personal â€Å"philosophical† statement.I would often add humor when the our lives would seem bland, other times when we feel the panic crawling through our bones, and fear completely etching our faces. The bombings taught us this.As you watch the planes every day, you'd get to realize that there are things you can do as not to be so stressed. Since we could not prevent the many disasters in our lives, we can re-frame the fear and pain to something more positive. The idea was to live your life as normally as possible, by teaching yourself to be blind of some of the negative events in our lives.It wasn't all that bad during those terrifying days. There were positive outcomes as well, like in social gatherings where the unique humor and spirit in my culture gave me a good faith and optimism to survive next days. If I couldn’t eliminate stress by changing or ignoring the situation, the least I could do was offer social support.My profound interest in teaching English to people of different languages didn’t falter due to the war. It allowed me to complete my education on time, and start my career as an Eng lish teacher. In the classroom, it is particularly important for me to understand the point of view of the student, and use humor and real-life situations to get my points across.I developed my interest in researching about language through my undergraduate studies. My greater interest is on how sociocultural factors have an impact on the awareness, design, implementation, and assessment of a second language in a multicultural community, in comparison to those in culturally homogeneous communities.ESL classes in Serbia were more British oriented, both in linguistics and culture. As a young teacher, I have always been open to new teaching methods. I also tried to add novelties into the curriculum. My decision to spend a year in the United States was supported by my desire to learn more about the American culture.I believe this will broaden my perspectives on cultural diversity and different systems of education. Furthermore, this will heighten my personal and professional development . I can say that life can be very unpredictable because my one year visit become a life of adventure and possibilities by studying psychology.You would know if you are experiencing life if the wind pushes you in all directions. My senses were surrounded with uncertainty as I involved myself in a different culture. I knew how it felt to be a little fish in a big pond. Being an international student from Eastern Europe did not prepare me for the many interesting things a new country can offer me.The initial knowledge gained from textbooks, and the places I've traveled to see, were put to waste as I stepped onto unknown territory. I felt helpless, and wanted desperately to go home. I could have been with my family, a cup of cappuccino and the newspaper within my grasps. However, even though I experienced culture shock, I believe hands-on education is still the best teacher.Soon after arriving in a new country, I was caught between my old values from my native culture, and the new value s of the host culture. I was pressured to adapt in order to survive. Adjusting to a new culture, new system, and new life, was not an easy task. But my ability to adapt allowed me to face any obstacle. My goals were always set whenever I face any challenge. I never let my self-esteem falter.I love to feel challenged because it makes me work twice as hard. I proved this by obtaining my second undergraduate degree (BA in Liberal Arts/Psychology) and graduating with the highest honors.   I always tried to reach for the stars.   But the opposite side of the coin is nostalgia. Something that is present when I am working, studying, eating, and even when sleeping.Being an international student among fellow foreigners in the US made me realize how much social support and understanding was necessary to challenge and achieve academically in other countries. By considering the problems students have in the US, and by developing different approaches and solutions, I believe I can be a great counselor in a multicultural world. Just by the thought of it made me eager to learn more, and increase the repertoire of counseling styles and skills alongside others.During my senior year of college, I conducted an extensive literature review on â€Å"psychosocial adjustment issues of international students and the need for social support†. I refined my research skills in data analysis using SPSS, as well as my ability to present my findings in the manner of an accepted professional research paper.I enjoyed conducting the literature review the most, approaching it as a scavenger hunt and considering the quantity and quality of information found as my reward. This project, along with my other undergraduate studies, prepared me for the rigors of graduate study and the parameters of successful research. Professional experiences, research, and undergraduate courses at Menlo College have further stimulated my interest in psychology and reinforced my conviction that I am well su ited to the field.Although these varied research experiences have provided me with fundamental skills, I still feel the need for more training. In retrospect, college was one of the most stimulating periods in my life, and I found tremendous determination to achieve my goal of helping others through the study of psychology.Looking from the prospective of a student gave me more retrospection on my teaching profession, which I love so much.   However, life is an intriguing railroad with many stations.   Some of those stations I got off at were good experiences and some bad. But over all, it has been a journey that continues on.Helping others reach their goals, having a positive attitude, and dedicating both personal and professional growth were the traits I held when I entered Menlo College.   They remain as an integral part of my work ethic today.My international student experience, and many research projects, have helped me achieve a theoretical foundation for the important wo rk of helping students succeed in college. We must have an understanding and compassion for diverse student populations. I learned this from the years of teaching experience. Furthermore, I am able to demonstrate my strengths and abilities to relate effectively with individuals from all levels and cultural backgrounds.These experiences have not only taught me valuable lessons about student life, but have also reinforced my interest in pursuing my career in counseling psychology. Graduate school will enable me to develop vital research and counseling skills, and the solid academic background that I need to be a successful counselor and researcher.A master's program in counseling psychology will not only cultivate and refine my involvement in research, but also equip me to deal with the challenges of an MS program. The combination of MFT and my counseling degree will enable me to fulfill my career aspirations and passion for helping students in need. Furthermore, I can prepare myself in facing the complexity of psychotherapy and unpredictability when dealing with emotional issues of individuals and their families.I have all the traits needed to be a good counselor. Undoubtedly, my devotion to my education will be the greatest asset of all. Being able to successfully help   individuals in the future will be my greatest reward for the effort and investment I will put myself into