Religious Approaches Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Religious Approaches - Essay Example The non-Christian Chinese should engage them through these core values that are also shared by the Christians and they should come in it knowing that it is not an event for hostile arguments. They should not seek to defend nor to attack for at the end no one will emerge as the winner. The dialogue should be conducted with the aim of increasing understanding. The non-Christians Chinese should at all times make sure that the formal debate doesn’t occur outside the dialogue. This doesn’t imply that there should no, or there will be no disagreement at the time of the dialogue. Since the differences that exist at the core of individual’s systems of belief are at issue, frequent disagreements are bound to be there. However, the dialogue isn’t the forum for trying to demonstrate the greatness of one system of belief over another. Open disagreement is supposed to primarily take place only whenever a participant is convinced that another participant has prompted or made a misconception to the practices and beliefs of the first. The non-Christians Chinese when engaging Christians in dialogue, they are supposed to let them their own self-definition. This is a very important rule in such type of dialogue. Christians have to be given the chance to define their beliefs, as well as their understanding of the religious teachings without being contradicted by the non-Christian Chinese. They should also be willing to critically look into their very own religion as they look into Christianity.

Woman's Building Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Woman's Building - Assignment Example at is also stated by Chadwick (1990): â€Å"By the time †¦ World’s Fair opened in Chicago in 1893, American women had evolved a new sense of identity and purpose. †¦ [R]epresentatives of all groups came together to organize a woman’s building intended to prove that women’s achievements were equal to those of men† (p. 247) But it would not be right to insist that it was the final event in American culture that changed the course of the history. â€Å"[Women] remained caught between the demands of careers and motherhood, struggling continually against the limitations placed on them by the social category of femininity, against the trivializing of their work in relation to that of men, and against the mythologizing of its ‘otherness† (Chadwick, 1990, p. 248). Though, it was a true victory because â€Å"despite the unevenness of its displays and the critics’ argument that mediocrity was the only possible result when â€Å"femininity was the first requisite and merit a secondary consideration,† the Woman’s Building overwhelmed visitors by the sheer magnitude and ambition of its displays† (Chadwick, 1990, p. 250). Summing everything up, the whole idea of Woman’s Building was not accepted completely but the set of people’s minds was changed due to that. Further steps led to the present where women have the right to express themselves, to compete with men and to be free in all meanings of this

Effect of Technology on De-Skilling

Effect of Technology on De-Skilling Critically assess the contention that the introduction of new technologies into an organisation inevitably leads to de-skilling? As technology becomes ever more prominent in working practices the de-skilling debate is becoming more crucial. The following arguments will look at the effects of new technology with regard to de-skilling from the social deterministic point of view, particularly within the craft and service industries. The social deterministic view is that technology has no impact whatsoever on an organisation, apart from the strategic choices made by those who control the organisation. Marxists believe that the introduction of new technology has negative social connotations, arguing that technology is introduced by management with the sole intention of controlling and de-skilling labour. This perspective has been adopted by Braverman. Managerialists however, favour the positive social impacts of technology, believing it is management choices that determine the effects that technology has. Bravermans (1974) de-skilling thesis, based on Marxist theories, focused on the Taylorist aspects of breaking down complex skilled work into simple unskilled tasks. This enabled the introduction of technology to replace workers. Braverman also theorised that the introduction of new technology into the workplace, was carried out with the intention of replacing workers or making them work faster, as in the case of Fords production line assembly. Braverman argued that together, these were the two principal factors which led to the degradation and de-skilling of work. Braverman (1974:171) states, The unity of thought and action, conception and execution, hand and mind, which capitalism threatened from its beginnings, is now attacked by a systematic dissolution employing all the resources of science and the various engineering disciplines based upon it Braverman argues that the introduction of capitalist equipment is introduced with the intention of de-skilling workers by simplifying task s in a Tayloristic manner, or by simply replacing workers roles with technology. Much of Bravermans theory was based upon his own personal experience as a sheet metal worker, and subsequently an office worker. Bravermans de-skilling theory is associated mainly with the craft and service style proletariat industries. However, skills today can be perceived as something very different to skills in the 19th century. Certainly the jobs today differ greatly from those in the past. Barron and Robinson (2007) use the more recent example of the catering industry. New technology has enabled the outsourcing of production, provisions and labour. In essence this has lead to the de-skilling of catering workers, through the removal of many of their tasks. For example, chefs in many of the hospitality industry sectors are no longer allowed to demonstrate individuality and creative flair, but instead produce a standardised product. . Standardisation, or industrialisation, in foodservice, aims to guarantee consistent output while controlling the production process. Typically, this involves the replacement of skill with technology. (Barron and Robinson, 2007). Here the Tayloristic aspects of Bravermans de-skilling thesis are evident as the production process is broken down into simple controlled tasks, whereby new technology can replace workers. This process may be even more evident in multi-national corporations, where the same standard of product and service is expected worldwide. The Tayloristic principles adopted by many fast food restaurants, particularly noticeable in McDonalds, have led to repetitive and un-skilled tasks (Ritzer:2004). Ritzer argues that many of these have been made possible by developments in technology. Bravermans theory is demonstrated perfectly here. A Tayloristic management style coupled with the introduction of new technology has led to the simplification of jobs and ultimately their de-skilling. Ritzer also examined how the principles implemented in McDonalds were becoming more apparent in other sectors of society, such as call centres, supermarkets and even hospitals. The development of technology alongside Tayloristic management principles has meant it is possible for companies to outsource call centres, from Western European and American countries to India and other developing third world countries. Marxist theorists view the introduction of capital as a way for managers and companies to control and de-skill labour by reducing bargaining power and use value (Corbett:2009). The outsourcing of call centres is removing jobs from employees in Western Europe and America. Employees and knowledge are replaced by technology, so diminishing the bargaining power of the labour force. Outsourcing also employs lower skilled labour which translates to reduced wages and increased profits. Hence, the capital introduced has been employed to control and de-skill workers. Marxists have a radical perspective of how workers should accept the means and ends of a firm, arguing that workers should resist against the firm. They argue that the introduction of capital is exploiting workers as a higher value product is created, but wages are generally not increased (Roberts:2009). Profit made by workers is disproportionately divided between employees, managers and owners and as such a conflict of interest arises (Roberts:2009). Bravermans hypothesis and Marxists views on social determinism are not without detractors or limitations. The social -deterministic managerialist perspective of new technology holds the view that technology has no impact whatsoever on de-skilling. The decisions to de-grade or up-grade the skill of workers are the strategic choices of those who control the organisation. This perspective is supported by the New Technology Power Loop, which demonstrates that the design and choice of new technology, that is the strategic choices of management, can shape the control of a workforce. This in turn defines the level of expertise needed for implementation. The social-deterministic managerialist perspective holds the view that the expertise of the workforce has an influence over the design and choice of the technology at the beginning of the loop. Looking back to the example Barron and Robinson use of the hospitality industry it can be said that it is managements decision to standardise product s and menus through the simplification and de-skilling of jobs and the subsequent introduction of new technology. Wood (1987) considers the decisions of management regarding the introduction of technology, Certain tasks may be de-skilled in content because of technological changes, yet this may not amount to the de-skilling of any particular individual. Unskilled men may be allocated to these jobs, which for the purpose of argument may require a higher level of skill than they previously exercised, and skilled men who occupied the job prior to the change might be moved to superior skilled jobs, for example, the maintenance of new technology. Here Wood argues that, with the right job reorganisation technology can lead to the upgrading of skill. Atwell (1987) examines the work of data entry clerks in an insurance company. These are relatively unskilled workers who are able to enter the insurance claims onto the system and then pass them onto the examiner to process. In this example the examiners job is upgraded as the lower skilled tasks have been removed. The data entry clerks have also gained ne w skills as the introduction of technology has enabled them to begin entering insurance claims, a more highly skilled task than they were previously completing. The de-skilling effect, which the introduction of new technology can bring, can be revoked by managements strategic choices. The introduction of new technology, and the de-skilling effect it may or may not have, cannot be fully divorced from the context in which it occurs. The social-deterministic model also supports the theory that the successful introduction of new technology can be reliant on the tacit knowledge and skills of employees, as the choice of technology made by managers is affected by the expertise of employees. Wilkinson (1982) uses the example of the optical lens manufacturer. When new technology was introduced, the highly skilled staff were retained in order to exploit their knowledge and experience of the production processes. This indicates that not all skills can be degraded with the replacement of workers with technology. Jones and Wood (1984) also argue the importance of existing working knowledge and tacit skills to the effective implementation of new technology. As a result, it is impossible to say that new technology completely de-grades workers skill as the tacit knowledge that many have would still be regarded as a skill. Furthermore, the social-deterministic technology power loop model suggests that the tacit knowledge is ne cessary for successful introduction of new technology. Although some aspects of a workers job may have been de-skilled the worker has the ability to enrich their job with other tasks, perhaps more complex than their prior job, thus wholly up-skilling their job. Managerialists support the social -determinism theory and talk of technology as enabling organisational change and improvements (Corbett, 2009) Fincham and Rhodes (2005 need to check whether this is a direct quote and add page number) stress that technological development should be seen as a positive force, as part of the progressive elimination of alienating working conditions and their replacement with work which is more socially integrating is happening more or less as part of industrial evolution. In the instance of outsourcing, although the introduction of new technology is initially de-skilling, it is removing the lower skilled jobs from the economy and making way for more highly skilled jobs to be created as part of the economic development. Therefore, although in the short term technology has increased job mobility by providing temporary job cuts, it can have positive effects, such as en-skilling, as workers learn new trades. New technology may well have had an effect on the increasing number of career changes, but if this is leading to workers gaining new skills in new careers then surely it is re-skilling (the growth of wholly new skills) in the long term. Littler (1982, 1990) and Littler and Salaman (1982) critiqued Bravemans work arguing that if industrial capitalism itself can create new skills there can be no simple de-skilling process Fincham and Rhodes (2005:396). The managerialist perspective holds the view that, technology has no impact on people or performance in an organisation independent of those who would use it and the responses of those who have to operate it (Jones, 1982:199). This suggests that the introduction of technology has no impact on a firm, unless a resistance against technology is made by those who have to use it or operate it. Managerialists have a unitarist perspective on workers co-operation with management decisions. They believe that management should be able to make strategic choices that benefit the firm and that will have the desired economic outcome. Workers, from this perspective are required to co-operate with the means and ends of the firm as management will have the workers best interests at heart. The means of a firm relates to how work is organised, and the ends, the creation of private profit (Roberts:2009). In relation to the introduction of new technology, the managerialist view is that workers should co- operate with the strategic choices made by firms. It can however, be said that it is un-realistic to presume that managers always have employees best interests at heart. From this point of view a Marxist approach can be adopted, holding a negative opinion of the social impact of technology. They believe that management introduce capital with the sole intention of control and de-gradation of working practices and skill. Thus to conclude, the managerialist social-deterministic view that technology can have a positive social impact on working practices, disproves the contention that the introduction of technologies inevitably leads to de-skilling. Managements strategic choices, regarding job re-organisation, job numbers, and the type of technology employed, will always have an effect on the level of de-skilling which occurs. Subsequently, the level of de-skilling cannot be divorced from the context in which it occurs. Many factors can revoke the level of de-skilling, be it the tacit knowledge of existing employees or managements re-organisation of job roles once technology has been introduced. Furthermore, managerialists hold a unitarist perspective of how workers should re-act to change. The underlying belief that managers have workers best interests at heart would encourage employees co-operation with the means and ends of a firm. In addition, managerialists view the introduction of technology as a method of enabling change and economic development within an organisation, and should be viewed as a positive force.

The Mexican War Essay -- History Historical Mexico American Essays

The Mexican War   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The factors that started the Mexican War lay heavily on American shoulders. Whether if the factors were created by social, political or economical needs, they have all become the center of attention for the question of being a national interest or disgrace. However, the Americans felt that they existed for â€Å"†¦spreading the blessings of peace.† according to Andrew Jackson. There will always be controversy between the two sides of this matter, the Americans who feel that it had to be done, to the Mexicans who felt that it was an injustice done to their nation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First of all, socially, the Americans felt that it was their duty to spread their blessings of democracy and peace. Through manifest destiny, they insisted that their motives were pure and unselfish, and were done to help their neighboring nations. However, it actually served as the main driving force for America’s desire for the conquest of Mexico’s land that stretched to California. Another factor that added to their decision of America’s territorial conquest was best said by Walt Whitman, â€Å"†¦What has miserable, inefficient Mexico-with her superstition, her burlesque upon freedom, her actual tyranny by the few over the many-what has she to do with the great mission of peopling the new world with a noble race? Be it ours, to achieve that mission! Be it ours to roll down all of the upstart leaven of old despotism, that comes our way!† America felt that inferior races like Mexico were there ...

Emotions Are Perfectly Permissible Signs of the Healthy Body’s Response to Stress Essay

What are the essential factors that help to mould a person’s character? The formation of character begins from the early childhood. Of course family plays significant part in character building. Carrying out some simple duties, the child is accustomed to respect and love work, to feel responsibility for the charged business. Under the influence of requirements of parents and tutors, their personal example the child gradually has concepts of what he can do and what he can’t, and it starts to define its behaviour, lays the foundation for a call of duty, discipline, endurance; the child is accustomed to state an estimation to own behaviour. With the Ð µntering school begins the new stage of formation of character . This stage is characterised by that the child faces a considerable quantity of new, strict rules and the duties rigidly defining all its behaviour. Usually these circumstances promote formation of such character traits, as organisation, purposefulness, persistence, accuracy, discipline, diligence. Especially intensively character traits develop at teenagers . And this sensitive period is formed set of character traits, especially what express the relation of the person to a society and people. The major means of a character building is work. In the serious and socially significant work connected with overcoming of difficulties, the best character traits – purposefulness, a collectivism, persistence are brought up. The character building is influenced by the literature and art. Images of literary heroes and their behaviour often serve for the pupil as the original sample to whom it compares the behaviour. The character building is influenced also by a personal example of the tutor, whether it is parents or teachers. What the teacher does much more influences a life of the child, than what he speaks. How the teacher his work how he follows public norms of behaviour, how he control his feelings, what style of his work – all that has enormous importance for a character building of children. Character is not a stiff foundation(Ð ·Ã °Ã' Ã'‚Ã'‹Ð ²Ã'ˆÐ µÃ µ Ð ¾Ã ±Ã'€Ð °Ã ·Ã ¾Ã ²Ã °Ã ½Ã ¸Ã µ),it moulds during all person’s life. It’s known that physiological bents(Ð ·Ã °Ã ´Ã °Ã'‚Ð ºÃ ¸) do not predetermine absolutele development of character. A great assistance( Ð ±Ã ¾Ã »Ã'Å'Ã'ˆÐ °Ã'  Ð ¿Ã ¾Ã ¼Ã ¾Ã'‰Ã'Å') in a character building is rendered by more skilled people and it’s important to find a worthy example for imitation. Character of the person is formed in interaction with others. But the one who undertakes to help another, at first should show itself an example of purposefulness, activity, organisation, firmness and other character traits which he should generate at the pupils. Here it is impossible to forget about mechanisms of imitation which first of all extend on negative displays of behaviour. At first mother, the father, other members of a family, then tutors in a kindergarten, contemporaries, teachers are potential instructors. So those potential instructors should first of all look after themselves. Much depends on them. They should make aware of all responsibility that they take. What are the ways and means by which a person’s character is revealed and estimated? We all know that people are different. Sometimes we meet people whom we don’t like. But some people attract us. Usually when we meet people first of all we look at their appearance, how they look. Of course if a person is untidy, slovenly and unpleasant we don’t want to communicate with him. We don’t even want to be near them. We always look at person’s clothes. As for me I like well-dressed people, who are always neat, tidy and elegant. And if we like person’s appearance we are eager to socialize with them. But sometimes it happens that we are disappointed in people, even we like their appearance. It happens when a person is rude, impertinent, impolite or fussy. So what I want to say that we also pay attention to people’s speech, in what way they communicate. It’s very important to communicate with people politely, friendly, affably and calmly. And I want to say that first impressions play the leading role for further communication. When we meet new people we pay attention to everything, to their appearance, their speech, voice, manners and behaviour. Person’s behaviour says us about some of his or hers character traits. If a person can’t cope with his feelings, always throws tantrums we can understand that he is very nervous, fussy and unrestrained. And if he always hides his feelings, doesn’t let off stem, behaves himself calmly and coolly we can say that this person is reserved, uncommunicative and secretive. But it’s not good. I think it is more interesting to communicate with open, sociable, easy going and cheerful people. I think everyone will agree with me. And I want to say that the more we communicate with a person, the more we know him. And person’s behaviour just helps us to know him. Through some of his deeds we can understand whether a person is scrupulous, sincere or on the contrary unscrupulous and false. Also I always pay attention to person’s attitude to the life, to his parents, friends and other values. Does he respect his parents and friends or not, has he any aim in his life or not. I like purposeful people, they always know what they want and finish whatever they start. These are good traits of character. And also I want to add that I don’t like people who tease animals. May be I don’t like them because I have my cat, but nevertheless I think intelligent person will never hurt animals, they are weak and we should take care of them. And if a person is cruel towards animals I can consider that he is brutal in the life. What is the role played by personal traits of character in choosing a profession? The problem of choosing the future profession has always been very important. The profession a person chooses in many ways determines his future life. For many people choosing a career is not an easy task. It is one of the most important decisions one makes in life. The properly chosen career makes a person happy and successful for the rest of his life. There are several factors that influence on the decision of young people to make their choice. Much depends on the inclinations and interests of the person. Also the profession of the parents often in this or that way influences on the future profession of their children. And of course personal traits of character play a great role in choosing a profession. It’s very important to take them into account. Because for example if a person is ill-natured, hard-hearted, insensible, fussy and cruel, he couldn’t be a teacher or a doctor. I think teacher should control her or his feelings, not to take her or his irritation out on students or pupils. Of course it’s difficult, because teachers are people and sometimes it’s difficult to cope with feelings. As for me I’m going to be a translator. At school at first I wanted to be a journalist. I admired them. I thought I was born to be a journalist, because I’m communicative, responsible, reliable, sociable, I’m easy to deal with, but I couldn’t write compositions and it was enough for me to refuse that idea. I liked English at school, and I wanted to speak English without any difficulties that’s why I decided to go to our institute and to study English. But I think it’s too little to have only a wish to be a translator, some traits of character are also very important. I think translator should be first of all communicative, sociable, and responsible. And a lazy person couldn’t be a translator, only hard-working, industrious and patient person could manage it. And of course it’s necessary to have a good memory. And I think a good person can choose any profession, it depends on his interests. If he or she is polite, affable, attentive and honest everyone will want to hire him or her. But as for ill-natured people it’s always difficul t to find a good job for them, first of all it’s difficult to get an education, because usually they are unrestrained, intolerant, self-willed, harsh and impertinent, they can start their studying but couldn’t finish it. And they are difficult to deal with. And even if they got an education, nobody wants to work with them. For example nobody let nervous people to work with their children. Or no one wants to hire irresponsible or dishonest person. There are some people who are always shy, not self-confident and it’s hard for them to communicate with other people, they always think that they do something wrong, they become concerned about what people think about them. I think such people can’t achieve any success in their career. They should be more active, assertive and persevering but within reasonable limits. Negative feelings seem to change character with intensity. There are a lot of difficult situations in our life. We are all different, some people are not afraid of problems. They are persevering and self-possessed. They know how to cope with different problems. But there are some people who always unlucky. They are gloomy and sullen. They usually claim of their troubles. I suppose it is very difficult to communicate with such kind of people. I think that it is better to be more optimistic when you are in a bad mood. Is it interesting to be through the difficulties? In my opinion it is very interesting and most of all it is impotent to cope with problems when we meet with them. Hard situations train our willpower. We should learn how to calm down and to try not to let off steam. Usually when we are tense and jumpy, we take our irritation out on friends, parents. Such kind of behavior only makes the situation worse. It is necessary to say that negative feelings can spoil everything. Usually we can’t take easy many problems. For example, when we quarrel with our family or with our friends, we become tense and sulky. There is no mood to do something. We began to feel anxious. We think that it will be impossible to achieve some good results. When the situation becomes more difficult, we begin to throw tantrums. We can’t find the right decision or to be more exact we don’t try to do it. I’d like to say that when you don’t know how to pull yourself together and to calm down, your character will change with intensity. You will get irritated more often, even without any reasons. Some people lose all hope to realize their dreams. For example, they failed once. And it was difficult for them to cope with negative feelings. People of weak character usually despair deeply and lose any hope to achieve a success. So, I think that it is necessary to be an optimistic person. We should take easy a lot of distressing situations. Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet. There are a lot of difficult situations in our life. We are all different, some people are not afraid of problems. They are persevering and self-possessed. They know how to cope with different problems. But there some people who always unlucky. They are gloomy and sullen. They usually claim of their troubles. I suppose it is very difficult to communicate with such kind of people. I think that it is better to be more optimistic when you are in a bad mood. Is it interesting to be through the difficulties? In my opinion it is very interesting and most of all it is impotent to cope with problems when we meet with them. Hard situations train our willpower. We should learn how to calm down and to try not to let off steam. Usually when we are tense and jumpy, we take our irritation out on friends, parents. Such kind of behavior only makes the situation worse. Who is a lucky person? I think a person who coped with some difficulties and achieved a success is really lucky. There is a good proverb. Who has never tasted bitter knows not what is sweet. It is a golden rule. We shouldn’t look for easiest ways in our life. We should be more persistent. For example your friends are planning a hiking tour. But you refused their suggestion to go on a hike with them. You are afraid of bad weather; you don’t know how to make a fire. You don’t want to cut a foolish figure. You prefer to sit at home and to be unnoticeable. But is it right? No, it is not right. There are a lot of children from rich families. They have everything but they do nothing. They get a good education without making any efforts. I don’t think that such children are happy. In my opinion the problem of choosing the future profession has always been very important. The profession a person chooses in many ways determines his future life. For many people choosing a career is not an easy task. It is one of the most important decisions one makes in life. The properly chosen career makes a person happy and successful for the rest of his life. People make much effort to enter the university and to realize their dream to be for example a translator or doctor, etc. They are studying for 5 or six years and after that people try to find a good job. it is a fantastic feelings when you are proud of yourself! You worked hard, you passed a lot of exams and you got a certificate of degree. Now you are a specialist and you have got a gut job. Emotions are perfectly permissible signs of the healthy body’s response to distress There are a lot of difficult situations in our life. We are all different, some people are not afraid of problems. They are persevering and self-possessed. They know how to cope with different problems. But there some people who always unlucky. They are gloomy and sullen. They usually claim of their troubles. I suppose it is very difficult to communicate with such kind of people. I think that it is better to be more optimistic when you are in a bad mood. Is it interesting to be through the difficulties? In my opinion it is very interesting and most of all it is impotent to cope with problems when we meet with them. Hard situations train our willpower. We should learn how to calm down and to try not to let off steam. Usually when we are tense and jumpy, we take our irritation out on friends, parents. Such kind of behavior only makes the situation worse. When we are in a bad mood our body suffers from it too. When we feel anger, physical tension develops automatically. We need to realize this tension through action of some kind. I think it is not bad to let off steam in such a way. They say that physical exercises influence on our mood positively. There are a lot of situations when we need to express our feelings. To be more exact, we need to let off steam. Anger that is expressed automatically clears the air and removes the tension. Sometimes it is necessary to burst into tears. When you are furious, you shouldn’t disguise your feelings. Accumulation of irritation, annoyance and stress leads to headaches, sickness of various kinds. We should take care of our health. I suppose it is better to say a person everything what you think about him. Don’t accumulate fury. Of course we should know where to stop. Otherwise people will be afraid of you. They will begin to avoid communicating with you.

Favorite Holidays Essay

1. One of my favorite Holidays is 4th of July. A few years ago my dad and I went to Washington to pick out some illegal fireworks. So we went to the Black Cat firework store . I got some mortars and roman candles and all the fun fireworks you could think of. So the day before 4th of July we were lighting off a few roman candles and all of a sudden a under cover police car pulled into our driveway and the police officer inside the car said â€Å"are you lighting off illegal fireworks?† because he saw me with the roman candles, and my dad said â€Å"yes† so the police officer confiscated all the fireworks we had bought and were fined a thousand dollars. We did get our ticket reduced down to $250 because we attended a fire works class. This definitely opened my eyes to the danger of fire works. From that day forward, I’ve learned not to do anything your not supposed to do, like buy illegal fireworks. 2. My sister graduated last year and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion. She grew up training in dance and singing. We have a close family and we support her all the way. My family and I traveled to see her this summer. She sang originals song and danced with her back up dancers for the music label industry. Very important people were their to see her. She did fantastic and is signing with a major record label. She will be releasing her single by the end of this year and her album in Januarary of 2014. This was a big eye opener to me to know that working hard and pursuing your dreams can really come true. 3. A couple years ago my grandmother passed away. She was very sick the last few days she was alive and my family and I knew she only had a few more days before she was to pass away. I helped her all that I could and so did my parents. She was a great grandmother and nobody could replace her, she was my dads mother, she was the best grandmother anybody could ask for. I remember the game we use to play when she would babysit me, it was called hide the thimble. She had a thumb thimble for sewing, and we use to hide it all over her house kind of like hide and seek, she also used to make the best brownies I have ever eaten. But from that day on I have always learned one thing, you never know how much you miss someone until there gone.