Overview on Reasons to Learn Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin is â€Å"too hard† to learn, right? Despite this widely-held belief, millions of people are studying Mandarin Chinese as a second language. But if it’s so hard, why bother to learn Mandarin? Is Mandarin Difficult? There is no doubt that written Chinese is difficult to learn – even for the Chinese! But the spoken language is a different kettle of fish. In many ways, Mandarin Chinese is much easier to learn than European languages. Here are some features which make Mandarin easy: no subject/verb agreementno pluralsno conjugationsno tensessimple numbering system which is applied to dates and time expressionssimple conditional sentencessimple prepositions Why Learn Mandarin? So Mandarin is easy, but why learn it? The number one reason is that Mandarin Chinese is the most widely-spoken language in the world. Learn to speak Mandarin and you can speak with millions of people around the world. More reasons: Business - Business people who speak Mandarin have a huge advantage in tapping into the Chinese market. It is much easier to develop all-important relationships if you can speak Mandarin.Travel - China and Taiwan offer exciting travel opportunities. Getting around is much easier if you can speak Mandarin.Culture - With thousands of years of history, Chinese culture is endlessly fascinating. Whether your interests are in history, architecture, music, or cuisine, a knowledge of Mandarin will enrich your understanding of Chinese culture. Chinese Characters The Chinese writing system is quite a challenge, but this is another reason to learn it! Despite its difficulty, learning to read and write Chinese will give you a lifetime of intellectual stimulation. The real beauty of the language is revealed in the writing. There are thousands of Chinese characters, but they are not randomly constructed. There is a system to their design, and understanding that system makes it much easier to learn new characters. So take the challenge and learn Mandarin Chinese! It is your ticket to a lifetime of reward.

Understand Fiberglass Boat Delamination

In the early days of fiberglass boat construction the durability and strength of the material was underestimated. Builders formed thick hulls with integrated tubular ribs and stringers. Since this was the time before computer aided design tools, builders in the North Western United States built using the old default method of more is better. In 1956, when the first fiberglass boat was built, the material was very new but already found acceptance in aviation and automotive industries. The only way to build at that time used layers of fiberglass impregnated with acrylic resin that hardened when cured. Large molds allowed entire hulls to be made as one piece with no seams. Some wooden structure was added inside the hull for rigidity and it was bonded in with more fiberglass material. No precautions were taken to compress the curing hull or eliminate air bubbles in the structure as is done today. We know this method as solid core construction. Fiberglass materials remained expensive, and as demand for these new boats increased, manufactures began cutting costs to compete in the marketplace. Soon a layer of wood was added to lighten and strengthen the hulls and decks. The fiberglass and wood sandwich was a great combination until one of the outer surfaces of the fiberglass was breached. This is called wood core construction. It didn’t take a crash on the rocks to let water into the wood layer. Small cracks allowed the wood to become soaked and it swelled, and then rotted. Soon the inner and outer fiberglass layers couldn’t do their job and broke down from repeated flexing. This was the first type of fiberglass delamination and the failures damaged the boat building industry badly since many manufacturers had transitioned to all fiberglass construction, leaving more traditional materials behind. Fiberglass construction was quickly becoming known as poor quality because of delamination issues. Two Types of Delamination   The first type of delamination, where a wood core either separates or disintegrates, is very difficult to repair. One of the fiberglass surfaces needs to be removed to access the core. It’s usually the inner skin that’s removed because it’s less visible so finish quality is not as important.   The process is expensive and requires skilled labor; many boats were scrapped because of the cost of repair. Even with today’s modern materials and processes this kind of repair is difficult. Another type of delamination is similar but without the wooden layer. In these cases tiny flaws in the fiberglass itself allow air to be trapped. If the hull is cared for badly, water can enter through microscopic channels and enter these voids filled with air. Expansion and contraction of these tiny bits of water will make the voids grow horizontally along the layers of fiberglass cloth and resin binder. Temperature fluctuation causes the expansion and contraction of the water and if freezing and thawing are encountered the voids will grow quickly. Small bumps soon become visible in the smooth finish. These bumps are called blisters and it’s a serious condition. Blister Repair The only way to repair this damage is to remove the outer gel coat and underlying fiberglass material to access the damage. It is then filled with new resin and the gel coat is patched. It sounds easy, but unless you have considerable experience working with composites it’s easy to make the situation worse. If the boat is going to get a new coat of paint the problem of color matching isn’t an issue. Blending a patch into existing paint is an art form and lighter colors are much easier to match than bright or dark paints. Mechanical bonding is the larger issue since the new patch is only connected to the hull through adhesive properties. The same vibrations that formed tiny cracks will cause the boundary of the patch to loosen. Some blister repair involves drilling a few very small holes and injecting an epoxy compound. The blister is then compressed while the epoxy cures. This allows the patch to become a more integrated part of the hull. Causes of Blisters Marine growth can penetrate the gel coat and allow water into the structural area. Keeping a clean bottom and using an anti-fouling paint is the most important step. Abuse is another way tiny cracks form and allow the entry of water. Some boats are exposed to these conditions as a normal course of wear. Other boats are needlessly used in a careless way and this causes hull problems. Never allow someone to load heavy objects on the cabin top or jump onto the deck from the dock. Not only is it dangerous, but it can lead to delamination in these areas which will grow with further vibration from normal use. Poor storage practices like leaving water in the bilge can lead to severe delamination. Even in tropical climates the expansion and contraction of water trapped between layers of fiberglass can raise blisters. In climates which freeze and thaw often it’s possible a small blister can turn into a â€Å"pop† where the outer surface is torn away by the pressure of internal ice. Pops can be fixed with the same processes as a blister but the extent of the damage is unknown and the hull is permanently compromised. Sonic survey can reveal some of the damage but prevention is far easier.

Shakespeare s Macbeth By William Shakespeare - 987 Words

Shakespeare’s Macbeth was first written and performed over four hundred years ago in the early seventeenth century. It has survived the tests of time and is now repeatedly being reproduced for cinematic viewing, from one of the most recent productions created in 2010 by director Rupert Goold, to an older more rustic film directed by Roman Polanski in 1971. However, lacking either detailed instructions or Shakespeare himself, each of these directors interpreted Shakespeare’s original work in different ways for their film, resulting in two very different portrayals of the same tragedy. One of the many ways the two productions differed was in their portrayals of the witches, who set the spark which ignited Macbeth’s flaming tyranny. Rupert Goold’s Macbeth showed the witches as powerful and conniving figures who were often on screen and had a direct part in how the events of the tragedy transpired, whereas Roman Polanski’s Macbeth incorporated the witc hes as frail yet confident characters who appeared much more seldom, creating a sense of mystery for the viewer as to what exactly their roles in the progression of the plot were. At the time of the 1971 Macbeth, Roman Polanski did not have the technology available to create omnipotent witches with supernatural abilities on screen, but then again neither did Shakespeare. Therefore whether by choice or by restriction Roman Polanski’s witches followed the original playwrights’ very closely in that they were seldom involved, and theShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth 1363 Words   |  6 PagesMacbeth is without a doubt one of the most captivating plays, in my opinion written by William Shakespeare. Throughout this play there is definitely a numerous amount of things that can catch your attention, whether it is a trio of witches appearing, committing murder, or keeping secrets. However, what really catches my attention is the way Shakespeare uses language and u nique style to create a distinct mood, and reveal characters’ inner thoughts. In the play Macbeth written by William ShakespeareRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth 884 Words   |  4 PagesMacbeth Summary - Act 5 Scenes 1 - 9 Written by Josh, Corey, Sinead, Phoebe and Mason Phoebe Scene 1: So the first scene begins with a physician overseeing Lady Macbeth sleepwalking and muttering to herself while rubbing her hands, trying to remove the imaginary blood. ‘Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.’ (Act 5 Scene 1 Lines 11-12) This line is important as it represents Lady Macbeth at war with herself and shows she will never moveRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth 1652 Words   |  7 PagesMacbeth is one of William Shakespeare s most famous tragedies, it is believed to have been written and first performed in 1606. Sources indicate that the play was written to appease King James I, who had ascended to the throne after Queen Elizabeth I. The play tells a tale of a brave Scottish Thane named Macbeth, whose thirst for power brought him to murder Duncan, the King of Scotland, only to become a tyrant, and have his actions lead to his eventual demise as the tragic hero. Throughout the playRead More William Shakespeare s Macbeth 1289 Words   |  6 Pages 2015 Macbeth Literary Essay In this 16th century, classic play about a man hungry for power by William Shakespeare there are many intense instances of symbolism used to demonstrate and prove Macbeth’s feelings and behaviour throughout the book. Good symbolism makes you feel what the character feels when reading a story. In the story, â€Å"Macbeth†, Macbeth is shown to be a sly and deceiving person who betrayed his kingdom for his own gain. Three important symbols used to show Macbeth s greed andRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth 1909 Words   |  8 PagesKing James’ court, none more so than William Shakespeare, who was writing some of his best plays in that time. 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Macbeth understands theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth Draft1040 Words   |  5 PagesStuart Wodzro Honours English 9, Block 2 Shakespeare Essay February 26, 2016 MacBeth Draft No. 3 The strive for power is a human impulse, perhaps even a primitive compulsion. And, in the case of human beings at least, the impulse is not restricted solely to the necessities of life. Beings are devoted to gaining raw power itself and, through it, they loses themselves. As one may know, the lust for power is a mode of selfishness, where at one attempts to gratify every passion, but alas pleonexiaRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth Essay1406 Words   |  6 PagesMacbeth Essay Since the beginning of time people looked up to the stars asking Gods their fate. Fate is a belief, that there is a set path for an event that is both unavoidable and inevitable, that there is a fixed natural order to the cosmos. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, viewers can observe fate or (prophecy) playing a major role. William Shakespeare was born April 1564 and died May 1616, during his life Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, and 157 sonnets, Shakespeare is also knownRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth Essay1827 Words   |  8 PagesEnglish IV DE/AP 24 January 2016 Macbeth Research Paper Although William Shakespeare is not historically accurate with his play Macbeth, there are many possible reasons as to why his historical interpretation differs from reality. He may have wished to flatter the king and, when taken into historical context, may have wished to warn others of the fate handed to those who would oppose the king. 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Notes On Principles Of Marketing - 1785 Words

Minority Research Jc Snediker Melissa Hanstein MKTG 310 – Principles of Marketing 11/23/2014 Minority Research Introduction There are several minority groups currently residing in the United States. These minority groups belong to different ethnicities. Some of the major minority groups of United States include the African, Asian and Hispanic Americas. The minority groups of United States form a major portion of the total population of United States and in certain states they have gained majority over the majority of the population of the region. This research assignment will focus on these minority groups and their characteristics in relation to their incomes, education, consumption patterns, media usage and the areas in which they live.†¦show more content†¦% with college degrees 20% of the population of this minority group had a college degree during 2010 (Nielsen 6). Average or median income levels Average income earned by households owned by African Americans was $47,300 to $67,000 (Nielsen 9). Geographic location(s) – metro, states, etc. Major percentage (55%) of the African Americans resided in the Southern region of United States and the highest percentage of population (50%) was residing in the District of Columbia while 60% of the population of this minority race was concentrated in 10 states with the leading number of people (3.2 million) living in the state of New York (Rastogi 9). Brands that have higher than average purchase for each group This population is quite loyal towards brands that can be categorized as quick service restaurants and in this brand category around 65% of them prefer McDonald’s (Nielsen 14). This population spends more than 18% of their income on private labeled brands, while they even spend money on six unique brands including disposable diapers, frozen food, milk and others (Nielsen 13). Identify specific products which have above average usage for each group Product categories that blacks spend most of their income include frozen food products, vegetables that are dry in nature and juices that are refrigerated (Nielsen 12). In the product category of non-edibles they spend more money on ethnic hair and beauty aids as well as feminine

500 Word Illustration Essay Free Essays

A sense of humor can make a hard time easier to bear. It does not matter what type, from sarcasm to the everyday â€Å"knock-knock† joke, humor has always been a way that I have expressed emotion. Bad days are always going to be around, there is no way to change that, but Humor is always a way to make the saddest of people crack a smile. We will write a custom essay sample on 500 Word Illustration Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Laughter is a powerful path into peoples mind, and can relieve pain by forgetting and living in the moment. Pain can be caused by basically anything, death, bad grades, work, or family, but at the end of the day I am always smiling. Laughter is the best medicine has been able to cure people with mental and physical injuries. For me when I am hurt, I do not cry but laugh , maybe from shock of a physical injury, but I always feel better when laughing. When attending an event where something tragic has occurred or at a funeral, I hear laughter. I believe laughing is a way to remember and express feelings. The most unbearable thing I have ever done was say good bye to my team mate, Andy. Having died at the age of thirteen, it was a horrible experience to go through. My defense was humor, and being my sarcastic self relieved the pain and was the only option for me. I remember sitting at the wake feeling extremely uncomfortable, but just laughing with a friend on mine because if we weren’t laughing the pain and shock would tear at us. Math class was unbearable for me. Trying to find the the length of the arc of a circle, at ten in the morning was never fun. Usually my daily nap occurred during that forty minute period, but the constant jokes and comments kept me awake. I began to actually like the class, only because the inside jokes the class had without my teachers knowledged. Obviously Pain is unavoidable, and even though I am young, I have lived through my fair share of pain. I have seen death, and sorrow, but I always moved on with life. Pain never leaves but can be covered by happiness, which laughter creates, and which is very contagious. Living or even being around happy people always makes me smile. A joke is told and laughter explodes. Laughter makes me feel better, because it can make me feel alive, living in that moment and helping me forget the troubles. Laughter can truly cure anything. It helps me forget the pain and live my life. Making a bad situation into a bearable time is always good, Laughter is the key to move on, to smile and to be happy. If there was no humor, how would people react? How to cite 500 Word Illustration Essay, Essays

Comparison Between the Aeneid and the Iliad free essay sample

How are the passages similar? How are they different? What does this similarity/ difference tell us about a larger similarities/differences in the works of a whole? Example from teacher: Aeneid line 404-424 (Dido is broken hearted) Odyssey: 212-225 (Calypso- Can I be less desirable? ) similarity: both have broken-hearts- the protagonist is leaving them difference: Aneid- Rome calls, going to Italy to build a new home/ Dido refuses to accept his leaving/ Dido is simply a queen and mortal Odyssey: home calls, Ithika (past already his home) Calypso accepts that he must go/ she is a goddess demise The Iliad| The Aenied | Passage: The Aeneids last six book (the outbreak of war) resembles the Iliad. | Partoclus killed by Hector and the wrath of Achilles is ignited by the news of the death of his friend. | Pallas killed by Turnus and the wrath of Aneus is ignited when he also receives the news of her dead friend. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison Between the Aeneid and the Iliad or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page | Similarities/Differences| Similarities: * Both Achilles and Aneas share the same reaction towards the death of their fellow soldiers. Iliad pg 430 ll. 25-38Aenied pg 325 * Both Virgil and Homer display the same theme of revenge. Achilles avenges Hector for killing Patroclus and Aneus kills Pallas in order to serve vengeance for Turnus death. * Both soldiers are absent from battle and the news is brought to them. Differences: * Both men have different drives Achilles is driven by his pride and self-glory while Aneus serves the will of the Gods. * Reason behind the mens absence from the battle field: Achilles: self-loathing and stubbornness for the loss of his war prize therefore refusing to take part in battle. Aneus: carrying out his fate given to him by the Gods; in search of more men for his new army. *different characters| Works as a Whole| Homer The Iliad emphasizes the idea of hamartia and its capability of destruction with a strong presence of war. Virgil The Aenied focuses on glorifying the Roman Gods. Both In both works, the actions of the protagonists and antagonists are influenced by Divine Intervention,