Sustainable Development and International Business Law Report

Sustainable development and international business law 1) Executive summary This scenario involves four countries and four separate business transactions. Further, it involves several main legal issues which will be dealt with in the discussion. * The first issue is which law will govern the transactions between the parties – domestic or international law, and the implications of both. * The scenario raises the issue of the selection of incoterms which will best accommodate the interest of both parties in the first and second transaction between WCO and China and WCO and Philippines respectively. * The second issue raised is the difference in currency the parties would like to use again in the first and second†¦show more content†¦Prime examples of issues which arise thereof are distance, difference in the legal systems and currencies which have different value to them. Even though UK is not a signatory to CISG, in order for the transaction to exist, an agreement has to be made between the parties that where CISG does not cover certain issues, SGA 1978 will apply to fill in the gap automatically. In this case the dispute arises in Chine, Filipines, Japan or Thailand, the domestic law of the country in which the issue arises will be applicable to resolve it. International contracts can either be regulated by choice of one legal jurisdiction or through a uniform international Convention – United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (UNCISG). The latter is a uniform code comprising all different laws which applies to all international business transactions, subject to the agreement of the parties to the contract. The rationale behind CISG is that it is a compromise between civil law and common law for the sake of a smooth international transaction, where benefits such as creation of capital, employment, money flaw, better standard of living are a priority underpin the creation of a more sustainable world harmonising law systems in order to reach a single understanding of legal situations. The use of CISG in an international business transaction like in the present scenario is beneficial mainly because of the stability and predictability itShow MoreRelatedThe Role of Private Sector in Social and Economic Development1172 Words   |  5 Pagesthat the private sector plays in social and economic development led the International Labour Conference to discuss the concept of sustainable enterprises in June 2007. The promotion of sustainable enterprises ensures that human, financial and natural resources are combined equitably. 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Racial Compare and Contrast Free Essays

Many different cultures and races faced hardships just because they were a certain religion or nationality. They have been punished time and time again for no apparent reason. We have seen many instances of this throughout history. We will write a custom essay sample on Racial Compare and Contrast or any similar topic only for you Order Now Specifically I will touch on the holocaust and the Japanese American internment. I am going to compare and contrast the two stories, â€Å"Night† by Elie Wiesel and â€Å"Farewell to Manzanar† by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston. These are two stories that are very alike but still have many differences. There are some between these two stories. You could start with the fact that in both, the main character is a child whose family is forcibly moved from its home to a restricted and enclosed area due to an official government policy of discrimination against the family’s ethnic group. In both stories, family members are separated, many hardships are endured, persons struggle to understand why this is happening to them and how to maintain their identity in the face of the dehumanizing conditions in which they are being held. Both stories contain many elements show the emotions of suppression and separation. In both cases, the narrator of the story survives and becomes a spokesperson for all who were in the camps in later years. There are also many differences between the two stories. The specific ethnic and religious backgrounds of the subject persons are much different. One is Japanese and the other is Jewish. Many of the Jews are killed and annihilated by the German Nazis, whereas many of the Japanese were allowed to return to life in the general society of the United States after the war was ended. The types of activities undertaken by the persons in the different camps are very different, reflecting the differing attitudes toward the camp’s residents by the governments of the United States and of Germany. The oppression of people has been seen many times and history and should not be taken lightly. We have to learn from our past mistakes. We can use the perspective of these authors to learn from the mistakes of the human race. Most of the time we only see the outside of situations, but these stories let us see the interior perspective of the situation. How to cite Racial Compare and Contrast, Papers

Health Economics Equity

Question: Discuss about the Health Economicsfor Equity. Answer: Introduction: Equity, efficiency and effectiveness are the three key terms that had been intricately associated with health economics (Culyer, 2014). With the present generation being more cautious and careful about their health, needs and demands for healthcare have increased. This has resulted in a situation of resource wastage which resulted many needy patients to return from healthcare centers empty-handed. Patients with low socio economic background are the ones with most financial constraints and are the one who are mostly affected (Docteur Oxley, 2004). To ponder more light on the issue, one must have a detailed knowledge about the key terms and how these terms are used by economists to refer to the current situation. Equity: As emphasize on literature review, it seems that there is no simple way of defining the concept of equity. Guinness and Wiseman (2011) refers it as a policy objective which tries to do fair allocation of resources. According to World Health Organization 2017, equity is principle of being fair to all, with reference to a defined and recognized set of values (WHO, 2015) More specifically it explains, everyone must have an equal opportunity to achieve full health and at reasonable cost. It should not be based on personal characteristics such as sex, ethnicity, location and social and economic status (Braveman Gruskin, 2003). Equity can be in different seven aspects such as equity of expenditure input per capita, equal access for need, use of equal resources, equal treatment and equal health outcome (Price et al., 2014). To provide universal coverage health, OECD countries are providing universal insurance coverage and taking steps to remove financial barrier and ensures the adequate supply and address social disparity (Philipson, 2015). To follow this approach, Australian health department through Medicare health insurance have tried to provide health care to all. On the other hand, some countries found that comprehensive health insurance is not enough to provide equal health services to all due to shortage of health workers, infrastructure and cultural difference and so on (Docteur Oxley, 2004). Australia also focuses on indigenous people for better health outcome. It is fact that government always focus on private insurance for addressing different health problems (Guinness Wiseman, 2011). In OECD countries, private health insurance has small share of total health funding but it covers 30% population in these countries and play a significant roles, primary coverage for specific population to sup port the public systems but some opponents observed that private health insurance is not capable to provide equitable services because of social inequity (Colombo Tapay, 2004).In Australia, equity and access of primary health care is significantly very low in rural and remote areas as compared to urban areas. Low socio-economic status, poor education rate and low income contribute to poor health (AIHW. 2008b). Efficiency: The recent trends of the spreading of health awareness among the entire nation of Australia have in turn resulted in a positive aspect of health care. People have become more cautioned about their healthcare and do not tend to take risks with any occurrence of ill health (Colombo Tapay, 2004). Therefore, growing demands in health care has been seen in the recent era which had in turn created another major issue for the healthcare providers. Decision makers have failed miserably to reconcile the growing demand of healthcare services with that of the funds allotted to them (Auerbach et al., 2013). This had emerged as a new challenge for policymakers, economists as well as for the hospital authorities. Herein one can find the usage of the term of efficiency. Efficiency is defined as the correct way of measurement that monitors whether the resources that are allocated and available to the healthcare sectors are being utilized efficiently in order to get the best value for the money (Ferraz, 2015). It should be aimed by every sector in the healthcare industry that they should be able to achieve a higher efficiency from the scarce resources that are available to them without compromising the quality of the care provided (Baicker Robbins, 2015). Scientists have defined efficiency as the relation between the resources input like costs which can be in the form of labor, capital or equipments and that of either intermediate outputs like numbers of patients who have been treated, waiting time and others. There is also a relationship with that of the final health outcome like lives saved, life years gained, quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and others (Baio Dawid, 2015). All these act as components that help in the correct measurement of effe ctiveness in the healthcare services provided. Recent studies have suggested that there are many instances where it is found that the higher cost providers do not provide higher quality care intentionally. This shows that the system requires potential for improvement in order to stop exploiting the financial resources of patients and their family members (Andrews Van de Walle, 2013). Efficiency in this domain would require provision of absolute high quality care in the minimum of available resources without any exploitation of the healthcare resources and also preventing financial exploitations of patients and careers (Baicker Robbins, 2015). In many instances, it is seen that older patients are often provided with medications that are inappropriate for them and as a result they require to be admitted to hospital that result in draining of excess money (Docteur Oxley, 2004). Not only older patients, a huge number of other cohorts are also observed to have received the order of hospitalization or they tend to force the providers to seek treatment (Docteur Oxley, 2004). However a bigger issue of debate arises here about the terms of healthcare needs and healthcare demands. There are many admissions where good outpatient care and early intervention in home or dispensaries can prevent the need for costly hospital treatments (Braveman Gruskin, 2003). These can save resources of both the hospitals and personal finance and as a result efficiency can be maintained by providing this saved resources to the needy patient for whom healthcare service is an emergency requirement (Philipson, 2015). Technical efficiency can be achieved when the healthcare sectors are providing more outputs from a definite set of inputs or by producing a set amount of output using the minimum number of inputs (Malik, 2013). We can define this with an example. If a healthcare organization can deliver service to 25 people with 2 doctors and 4 nurses, then serving 20 patients with the same number of doctors and nurses keeping other patient waiting is technical inefficiency (Colombo Tapay, 2004). Economic efficiency mainly is derived from the cost effectiveness perspective and can be defined as the production of the most output for a given cost or the production of a set of amount of output at the minimalistic possible cost (Culyer, 2014). If one ponders over the previous example, technical efficiency can be achieved by providing 2 doctors and 4 nurses to treat 25 patients or 4 doctors and 2 nurses to treat the same number of patients (Colombo Tapay, 2004). Technical efficiency is not affected here but economic efficiency is affected because 4 doctors in place of 2 doctors would require more financial drain by the organization and therefore cannot fulfill economic efficiency. Effectiveness: By the term effectiveness, one can mean the extent to which goals, objectives and planned outcomes are achieved with the application of a well planned strategy, activity, intervention or initiative (Baicker Robbins, 2015). The main objective for this was to achieve the desired outcome in the treatment under ordinary circumstances. There are certain components that help to define the term effectiveness in a much better way. The term effectiveness is often considered by different stakeholders with different values and therefore the differences between effective and ineffective care is also found to vary among different individuals (Auerbach et al., 2013). Different components that had remained intricately associated with the concept of effectiveness is definitions of medical necessity, assessing the term appropriateness, evidence based medicine and its application and also value based care (Danzon et al., 2015). Effectiveness of a healthcare service provided refers to the outcome of t he services provided which are of the proven value and have no important tradeoffs. By the sentence, it is meant that benefits of the service provided must outweigh the risks that remain associated with all the patients with specific medical needs (Baio Dawid, 2015). For example if someone wants to apply beta blockers to a present, its effectiveness should be judged. This application should be backed by well articulated medical theory and strong evidence of efficacy which could be the result from valid cohort studies and clinical trials (Steel et al., 2016). Clinical effectiveness of an intervention, strategy, medication and other applications always remain backed up with different types of researches that are conducted by scientists usually carrying out single or multiple experiments and trials which may bring out expected results in the first go or may require a number of experiments which may still show conflicting results (Sanders et al., 2016). Application of such evidence based strategies and interventions prove more effectiveness when followed for the treatment of a patient. The cost effective analysis helps to assess the benefit in the terms of health outcomes which may be in the form of improved symptoms and survival (Baio Dawid, 2015). This can be very well explained by the example. The cost effectiveness of a project was analyzed. A study was conducted for assuming the effectiveness of in-vitro fertilization of women with that of a mild approach (Malik, 2013). The cost associated of the approach was compared with the net outcome of the project in the form of the love births that resulted from the cumulative pregnancies in the project. Scientists have thereby defined the term cost effectiveness as the ratio that exists between the cost and expenditure of the therapeutic or preventive intervention to that of the relevant measure of its effect and outcomes (Malmivaara, 2014). Cost is mainly allocated in the form of dollar or pounds. The measure or effects is however is dependent on the intervention that is being considered by the concerned authority (Neumann, 2016). Interaction Between Equity, Effectiveness and Efficiency: Before establishing the interactive networks of the three important components of equity, effectiveness and efficiency one must try putting each of the concepts on a similar platform. This would in turn be helpful in establishing the webbed network that exists between them (Neumann, 2016). Effectiveness mainly focuses on the outcomes which are intended and desired that had been provided by health services. It is mainly measured by the different levels of improvement and health preservation. The outcomes include not only the outcomes related with health like disease symptoms, physical and mental functioning, mortality, and life expectancy but also impact of health outcomes like economic productivity, quality of life, and well-being (Andrews Van de Walle, 2013). However when evaluating efficiency, concerned analysts determine this concept of health service delivery in terms of input or output. When considered as output, evaluation is made on production efficiency and when considering input the focus is on allocate efficiency which mainly depends on the concept of cost and effectiveness of a given service with that of other related service (Philipson, 2015). Equity however remains concerned with distribution of fairness in the provision of health services and health status among subgroups of population. All these components play very important roles in analyzing the achievement of health services functioning and policy aims. If one wants to establish how the interaction exists between the components, it can be stated as that the improvement of the effectiveness of the healthcare services at the same time of holding the resources constant provides opportunities for the increment of efficiency (Price et al., 2014). Again increased efficiency helps in the creation of opportunities that result in improved effectiveness and equity. However a number of conflicts may also arise when tacking the components on the same platform. If one wants to expand the limits of effectiveness by the allocation of additional resources for improving the healthcare services, it may compromise efficiency (Steel et al., 2016). This mainly happens when the cost of the resources are high in relation to the effectiveness. Another aspect also needs to be focused here. When a person maximizes effectiveness and efficiency by distribution of the resources to persons who would gain most health, equity is compromised (Malmivaara, 2014). This is unfair in respect of the procedural or substantive equity as this might lead to an uneven distribution of health services and health status coming under the policies. Conclusion: One can easily find out that an extensive relation exists between different components of health economics. The concerned authorities, healthcare sectors, policy makers and others must discuss and plan different systems effectively so that the components may perform in harmony when evaluating the economics in the healthcare sectors. This would ultimately help in solving the problems of resource management and help in sustainable maintenance of resources in healthcare. References Andrews, R., Van de Walle, S. (2013). New public management and citizens' perceptions of local service efficiency, responsiveness, equity and effectiveness.Public Management Review,15(5), 762-783. Auerbach, A. J., Chetty, R., Feldstein, M., Saez, E. (Eds.). (2013).Handbook of public economics(Vol. 5). Newnes. Australian Government productivity commission. (2015). Efficiency in health. Retrieved from:https://www.pc.gov.au/research/completed/efficiency-health/efficiency-health.pdf Baicker, K., Robbins, J. A. (2015). Medicare payments and system-level health-care use: the spillover effects of Medicare managed care.American journal of health economics. Baio, G., Dawid, A. P. (2015). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis in health economics.Statistical methods in medical research,24(6), 615-634. Braveman, P Gruskin, S. (2003). Defining equity in Health. Journal of epidemiology community health. Retrieved from: doi:10.1136/jech.57.4.254 Colombo, F Tapay, N.(2004). Private health insurance in OECD Countries: the benefits and costs for individuals and health systems. Culyer, A. J. (2014).Encyclopedia of health economics. Newnes. Danzon, P., Towse, A., Mestre?Ferrandiz, J. (2015). Value?Based Differential Pricing: Efficient Prices for Drugs in a Global Context.Health economics,24(3), 294-301. Docteur, E Oxley, H. (2004). The OECD Health Project: Towards high performing health systems: policy studies. Chapter 1. Page 19-86 Ferraz, M. B. (2015). Health economics, equity, and efficiency: are we almost there?.ClinicoEconomics and outcomes research: CEOR,7, 119. Griffith University. (2017). Teachers notes: Economic Ideologies. Retrieved from: Griffith portal. Guinness, L., Wiseman, V. (2011). Introduction to Health Economics. 2nd edition. McGraw Hill Open University Press. Page 251 Malik, A. (2013). An innovation in the undergraduate medical curriculum: integrating a course on health economics longitudinally. Malmivaara, A. (2014). On decreasing inequality in health care in a cost-effective way.BMC health services research,14(1), 1. Neumann, P. (2016, October). PANEL: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECOND PANEL ON COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE. In38th Annual North American Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making. Smdm. Philipson, T. J. (2015). Paying for cost-effective health care: Does it violate both static-and dynamic efficiency?.Nordic Journal of Health Economics. Price, R. A., Elliott, M. N., Zaslavsky, A. M., Hays, R. D., Lehrman, W. G., Rybowski, L., ... Cleary, P. D. (2014). Examining the role of patient experience surveys in measuring health care quality.Medical Care Research and Review,71(5), 522-554. Sanders, G. D., Neumann, P. J., Basu, A., Brock, D. W., Feeny, D., Krahn, M., ... Salomon, J. A. (2016). Recommendations for conduct, methodological practices, and reporting of cost-effectiveness analyses: second panel on cost-effectiveness in health and medicine.Jama,316(10), 1093-1103. Steel, A., Sundberg, T., Reid, R., Ward, L., Bishop, F. L., Leach, M., ... Adams, J. (2016). Osteopathic manipulative treatment: A systematic review and critical appraisal of comparative effectiveness and health economics research.Manual Therapy. WHO, (2015). Health financing for universal coverage. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health_financing/documents/health-system-efficiency/en/ WHO, (2017). Gender, equity and human rights. Retrieved from: www.who.int

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

Introduction The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international system that is used in standardizing the classification and labeling of chemicals. The GHS describes the hazards of chemicals to health, environment, and body (Roughton Crutchfield, 2008).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It also used in classification of other materials when they are compared with the other known hazardous chemicals. The GHS also assists in communicating information about hazardous chemicals including the protective measures needed to be taken that are placed on the labels and safety Data Sheets also known as the SDS. The GHS is important, because the information it gives is used in determination of hazardous chemicals as well as gives information about what is n eeded to prepare a label or the SDS when needed. Its application (GHS) is of benefit to governments and companies as well as the workforce and the public. According to researchers, using the GHS helps to lower the costs of healthcare, offer a safer working environment, increased efficiency, and lastly disseminating knowledge about hazardous materials and chemicals that a person can come into contact. (Roughton Crutchfield, 2008). The GHS method of classifying chemicals is used worldwide as a tool of creating a standard advancement in understanding dangerous chemicals and their properties. It provides a guideline and a mechanism that details how to use safely dangerous chemicals as well as how to transport and dispose of the chemicals. People also use the GHS to learn about the effects and precautions that are needed when handling hazardous chemicals. With the adoption and implementation of the safety data sheets in many work places, knowledge about the dangers of chemicals is becom ing more accessible and this has helped in formulating preventive and protective measures aimed at improving the health and safety of the work places. This paper will look at the history of the GHS, hazard classification of materials, testing requirements, and finally implementation. Discussion History The Globally GHS was created by the United Nations. It is an internationally agreed system of identifying and categorizing hazardous chemicals. The system was made to replace the many standard of classification that was being used in different countries. It was intended to introduce constituent criteria for labeling and classifying chemicals worldwide.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Development of the GHS began in 1992 at the Rio Conference, when various organizations such as the International Labor Organizations and government stakeholders met at a United Nations Conference (United Nations, 2005). Before it was instituted by the United Nations, different countries had different methods for identifying chemicals and their regulations differed. Although in part the systems were similar, they always resulted in creating multiple standards for classifications and labeling of essentially the same hazardous chemicals in different countries (United Nation, 2010). This difference in classification and labeling standards in different countries posed a great challenge to importation and exportation of hazardous chemicals. The system was and is meant to replace the different systems that are found in different regions. Although the GHS is not mandatory under the UN laws, the system helps participating countries by offering the infrastructure needed in its implementation. This has been very helpful especially to developing countries who cannot meet the cost of the infrastructure. During the 1992, United Nation Conference at Rio members agreed that there was need for a harmonized system. They said in a statement that, â€Å"A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labeling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available if feasible, by the year 2000† (PHMA, 2010). Hazard Classification of Materials Under the GHS classification of hazardous materials (substances and mixtures), three steps are followed: Identification of relevant data regarding the hazards of a substance or mixture; Subsequent review of those data to ascertain the hazards associated with the substance or mixture; and A decision on whether the substance or mixture will be classified as a hazardous substance or mixture and the degree of hazard, where appropriate, by comparison of the data with agreed hazard classification criteria (United Nations, 2006). The criterion that is used by the GHS to classify hazardous material can be summarized as follows. Physical Hazards The Physical hazards a re identified and classified based on the ststem used by the UN in identification of these goods. Below are some of the substances labeled as hazardous and their definitions.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Explosives– under the GHS explosives are divided into six groups depending on how hazardous they are. The classification is adopted from the UN Dangerous Goods system. A Flammable Gas– under the GHS this is a gas that will burrn at temperatures below 20  °C when exposed to the air and their pressures are around 100 Kpa. The products or materials that are in this group are classified into either a one or two hazard category based on the results gotten after calculations. Flammable Aerosols– these are placed either under the category one or category two if their comp osition contains a component that is flammable. These can either be flammable solids , liquids or gasses. Oxidizing Gases these are gases that will release oxygen. they either cause or increase the rate at which substances are going to burn. The materials in this category are put under one class of category based on their ability to support ignition and fires. Gases under Pressure – thisare gases that are placed in counters that have very high pressures. They are also those gases that are stored as liquefied gases. The GHS considers them hazardous because if they are suddenly released they can cause physical damage or freezing. Their damage can extend to bodily harm, property and the environment. A Flammable Liquid liquids in this category will have their flash points at below 93 °C. these products under this class will be placed in four groups according to the boiling and flash points they have. A Flammable Solid these are solids that are going to ignite if they are moved just a little or they experience friction. Under this are powdered or granular in nature. They will be easily ignited when they come into contact with open flames and ignition sources. Self-Reactive Substances- these are mostly unstable liquids or solids that are going to heat up and burn even in closed containers. They do not require air to burn, excluded in this category are the explosives and oxidizing substances (United Nations, 2006). Others include, Pyrophoric Liquid, Pyrophoric Solid, Self-Heating Substances, Oxidizing Liquids, Oxidizing Solids, Organic Peroxides, Substances Corrosive to Metal, and Substances which on Contact with Water Emit Flammable Health Hazards Several substances have been labeled as being health hazards under the GHS. According to the GHS, they are identified by the effect they have on the health of a living thing. Acute Toxicity– substances and mixtures under this are placed under five categories. From these categories people can know what is required for protection, transportation and handling. Skin Corrosion – the term is used to refer to situations where the damage to the skin is irreversible after a person has been in contact with the chemical or substance for a substantial amount of time. Materials under this category are placed into one category known as the corrosion category. Skin Irritation the term is used to refer to situations when a person gets into contact with a substance and the damage they suffer on their skin is reversible.. These substances are placed under a special category of irritants.,but for some products there are other categories that can be applied such as mild irritants. Serious Eye Damage. This means that the damage caused by the substance or mixture affects the eye and the damage done is irreversible within a time frame of 21 days afte coming into contact. Materials that are in this category are classified under a single category that is harmonized. Eye Irritation this means that the damage caused to the eye can be reversed with in a time frame of 21 days after being into contact with the hazardous material. Marterials and products under this are placed under categories of irritation, but for special occasion and after application from relevant authorities products can be placed under special categories according to the severity of the damage they can cause. Respiratory Sensitizer the term will be used to refer to products that are going to cause hypersensitivity while breathing. It is characterized by wheezing and sneezing. This will in turn cause difficulty in breathing after the substance has been inhaled. Materials and roducts under this are placed under a single hazard category. Skin Sensitizer. This term under the GHS is used to refer to all substances and mixtures that are going to cause an allergic reaction after coming into contact with the skin. Another term for this is contact sensitizer. Materials and products under this are placed under a single ca tegory of hazardous products. Germ Cell Mutagenicity. The term is used to refer to the rise and increase of mutations of living cells. Materials and substances that cause these mutations are placed under two categories. This is according to the severity of the mutation they are going to cause after coming into contactn(United Nations, 2006). Other definitions include, Reproductive Toxicity, Target Organ Systemic Toxicity (TOST), Aspiration Hazard, and Carcinogenicity. The Environmental Hazards They are classified according to their toxicity as follows Acute Aquatic Toxicity. Under the GHS the term is used to refer to the intrinsic property of a substance or mixture to cause harm or injury to animals and organisms in water after being exposed for a short time. There are three levels of toxicity under the GHC. These are based on available data on toxicity of substances. In some regions the levels and categories will be extended into various sectors such as fishing, hotels etc. Chron ic Aquatic Toxicity– the term is used to refer to the potential or properties of substances and mixtures to affect the aquatic living organisms after being exposed. The effects are measured in relation to the organism’s lifecycle. The level of toxicity determines the categorization of these substances. There are four categories that are available under this (United Nations, 2006). Hazardous Classification of Mixtures Under the GHS protocol Under the GHS system mixtures are tested to see their effect on the environment and the health of organisms. This is based on the information that is available concerning the effect of the mixture and the substances or subcomponent of it. The practice used in identifying hazardous mixtures is borrowed from the EU system used in preparing mixtures and classifying them.In summary, the classification of mixtures under the GHS is based on the following three steps. If there is data available regarding the toxicological or the ectoxicol ogical aspect of the substance, then it is used in the identification and classification process. A bridging principle is undertaken when the data on this mixtures is not available. It tests the individual property of the components making the mixture. If both data for the mixture and the bridging principle cannot be applied, then a calculation or cut off values that is described in the specific end point is used in the classification of the mixture. Requirements needed for testing The guideline that is used in the GHS does not give information on how substances are going to be tested if they are hazardous or not. This is because GHS tries as much as it can to avoid using animals to test the materials and prefer other methods applied in the science world. This means that the determination of health and environmental hazards is based on various scientific methods that are based on international procedures and criteria already approved in different systems. the test data that is avai lable from different sources is used when classifying hazardous materials in different regiosns is adopted and encouraged.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This thereby avoids the need for animal testing. Under the GHS, materials are tested to see if they are physical hazards by using various test methods used by the UN. The tests for mixtures are also based on the same rules. When substances or mixtures have been ascertained to be hazardous according to the GHs, the information is supposed to be passed or communicated to relevant people including authorities and those that will be using the material. The methods used to communicate this messages are essentially the same as those used in other systems only that the GHS is internationally accepted. The GHS standards are put in place to help people and users to understand the things they need to do to protect themselves. The guiding principles used under the GHS are, Although business information and trade secterts are important in business they should not put the lives of workers at risk. The information transmitted should be placed in different modes such as labels and placards. The m essages should be written in a language and a way that an average person can understand easily. The information passed should contain a hazard statement as well as a statement that details the precautions that are needed.. The information should be consistent to each other to avoid confusion in interpretation and understanding. The communication should take into consideration all research and any new evidence that has been carried out. Some of the factors that affected the work included the comprehensibility of the labels because of difference in culture and language. Other factors that affected the work included Philosophies were sifferent in the systems being used regarding the things that were to appear on the labels. Ability to translate the phrases that were used Ability to appropriately understand the meaning and respond to the symbols or pictograms used These factors were considered when the GHS communication tools were being developed. The GHS developed the GHS purple b ook that gave a comprehensibility instrument to guide in formulating the labels. Label elements The standard label developed by the GHS includes the following. Symbols: the symbols transmit information on the healthbodily, and the environmental hazard information about the substance or mixture. They also include the GHS hazard class and category associated with the material. The pictures used should include also the harmonized symbol and other elements such as background and pattern. The symbols are borrowed from the EU system. Signal Words: include warning and danger words. These are used to emphasize hazards associated with the product. They are used to show the people the severity of the product they are using so that they can take the measures that are needed in handling it. The GHS says that only one of these signal words can be placed on a label so that confusion can be reduced. Hazard Statement: this is a statement that is placed on a label and will be used mostly on product s that have more than one risk. It will help people to identify potentially more dangerous substances. This is used to help people identify the hazardous substances and mixtures. The other additional label elements that are included according to the GHS are Precautionary Statements, Product Identifier, Supplier identification and, Supplemental information. Implementation of the GHS The implementation and adoption of the GHS is expected to help in making the international trade efficient. This going to be helpful in different countries that presently use different methods to communicate the hazard information of products. The implementation of the GHS has not been put on a time frame, but the goal of the United Nation was to have it adopted by many countries by the end of 2008. Different countries require different schedules to update and implement the GHS system and conform to the standards. For example, on United States published in an article that was going to guide the country i n adoption of the GHS. This was based on based on the Directive 67/548/EEC and needed to have it changed to conform to the GHS. The new regulation was expected to be passed by 2009 and to be adopted between 2010 and 2015. Australia expects to have the new regulations in place by the end of 2012. The United Nations monitors progress made by countries in implementing the GHS and it publishes summaries of the current status (United Nations, 2005). References PHMA. (2010). Global Harmonization of Hazard Classification and Labeling Systems. Web. Roughton, J. E Crutchfield, N. (2008). Job hazard analysis: a guide for voluntary compliance and beyond : from hazard to risk : transforming the JHA from a tool to a process Chemical, Petrochemical Process. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann. United Nation. (2010). Resolutions and Decisions of the Economic and Social Council. New York : United Nations. United Nations. (2004). A Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Web. United Nations. (2005). Achieving the internationally agreed development goals: dialogues at the Economic and Social Council. New York : United Nations. This research paper on The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was written and submitted by user Jazmin Sutton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Ancient Traders and Merchants of Mesoamerica

Ancient Traders and Merchants of Mesoamerica A strong market economy was a very important aspect of Mesoamerican cultures. Although much of our information about the market economy in Mesoamerica comes primarily from the Aztec/Mexica world during the Late Postclassic, there is clear evidence that markets played a major role throughout Mesoamerica in the diffusion of goods at least as recently as the Classic period. Further, it is clear that merchants were a high-status group of most of the Mesoamerican societies. Luxury Goods for the Elites Beginning during the Classic Period (AD 250-800/900), merchants supported urban specialists with raw materials and finished goods to convert into luxury goods for the elites, and exportable items for trade. Specific materials traded differed from region to region, but, in general, the merchant job involved acquiring, for example, coastal items such as shells, salt, exotic fish and marine mammals, and then exchanging them for materials from the inland such as precious stones, cotton and maguey fibers, cacao, tropical bird feathers, especially precious quetzal plumes, jaguar skins, and many other exotic items. Maya and Aztec Merchants Different types of merchants existed in ancient Mesoamerica: from local traders with central markets to regional merchants to the professional, long-distance merchants such as the Pochteca among the Aztecs and the Ppolom among the lowland Maya, known from Colonial records at the time of the Spanish conquest. These full-time merchants traveled over long distances and were often organized into guilds. All the information we have about their organization comes from the Late Postclassic when Spanish soldiers, missionaries, and officersimpressed with the organization of the Mesoamerican markets and merchantsleft detailed documentation about their social organization and functioning. Among the Yucatec Maya, who traded along the coast with large canoes with other Maya groups as well as with Caribbean communities, these merchants were called Ppolom. The Ppolom were long-distance traders who usually came from noble families and leaded trading expeditions to acquire valuable raw materials. Probably, the most famous category of merchants in Postclassic Mesoamerica, though, was the one of the Pochteca, who were full-time, long-distance merchants as well as informants of the Aztec empire. The Spanish left a detailed description of the social and political role of this group in the Aztec society. This allowed historians and archaeologists to reconstruct in detail the lifestyle as well as the organization of the pochteca. Sources Davà ­d Carrasco (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures, vol. 2, Oxford University Press.

Grammar Tips Using the Present Tense - Get Proofed!

Grammar Tips Using the Present Tense - Get Proofed! Grammar Tips: Using the Present Tense â€Å"Carpe diem† is a Latin phrase often translated as â€Å"seize the day.† It’s used to urge people to appreciate the present moment instead of thinking about the past or future too much. And in that spirit, we’ve written this blog post about using the present tense. Carp diem, meanwhile, means Be a fish for the day. After all, you certainly won’t be â€Å"seizing the day† if you spend all your time worrying about errors in your writing. So, do yourself a favor and seize this grammatical advice instead. Simple Present The simplest form of the present tense is, appropriately, called the â€Å"simple present† tense. This is possibly the most common grammatical tense in English, as we use it to describe: Current facts (e.g., I live in Chicago.) General truths (e.g., Many people live in Chicago.) Things that happen regularly (e.g., The bus arrives in Chicago at 8am.) Things due to happen at a fixed time in the future (e.g., The festival begins in July.) The base verb form is usually correct in the simple present tense. However, the verb form changes slightly in when writing in the singular third person. For example: First Person: I live in Chicago. Second Person: You live in Chicago. Third Person: He/she lives in Chicago. As above, when using the third-person singular, an extra â€Å"s† is added to the base verb. Present Continuous The present continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing or incomplete action. It is formed by combining â€Å"am,† â€Å"is,† or â€Å"are† with a present participle. For example: I am learning Latin. They are going to the beach. She is dancing on the ceiling. All of these examples emphasize an ongoing or incomplete process. But they’re also things that have an endpoint or where progress can be made, not steady states of affairs (e.g., I live in Chicago) or general truths (e.g., Rain is wet) that don’t change over time. Present Perfect The present perfect tense is used for actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past: We have visited New York twice. It can also be used to describe actions that began in the past and continue into the present (or that happened in the past and continue to be true in the present): She has lived here since she was young. In both cases, the present perfect tense combines â€Å"has† or â€Å"have† with a past participle.   Most past participles, including â€Å"visited† and â€Å"lived† above, are formed by adding â€Å"-ed† to the end of a base verb. However, keep an eye out for irregular verbs that don’t follow this pattern. For instance: The leaves have fallen from the trees. In this case, since â€Å"fall† is an irregular verb, we use the past participle â€Å"fallen† (not â€Å"falled†). Present Perfect Continuous Finally, we have the present perfect continuous tense, which combines elements of the present perfect and present continuous tenses. As such, it’s used to describe ongoing actions that began in the past. We indicate this by combining â€Å"has been† or â€Å"have been† with a present participle: I have been waiting for the last half hour. Here, for example, â€Å"have been waiting† describes an ongoing process of waiting, but with an emphasis on how long the speaker has been there. This makes it distinct from the present perfect â€Å"I am waiting.† Hopefully that clears up how different present tense forms are used. If you want to make sure your writing is error free, though, embrace the spirit of â€Å"carpe diem† and have your work proofread today.

Brown Jim Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Brown Jim - Essay Example He played from the Cleveland Brown’s side from 1957 to 1965. He showed excellent skills and expertise in the game in his high school and university life that earned him more opportunities to get proper training and move ahead to playing for NFL. He is considered to be among the greatest running back players of all times. Due to his success in sports, he received All-American honors in football and lacrosse. His name has appeared in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame (Jim Brown Biography). An amazing thing about this player is that he retired at the age of 30 when he was at the peak of his career, yet he has been able to collect numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding game. He has even set multiple records as a running back player for his team. 2. Life after Football After his retirement, he joined the film industry to pursue his career as an actor. He always believed in equal rights for all humans, irrespective of their rac e, religion or origin and this attitude even prevailed in the film industry. Due to this positive attitude towards equality, he got the opportunity to act in numerous films and performed the kind of work that had not been done by an African American actor before. He also directed and produced films in Hollywood. 3. Contributions to the Society Jim Brown has been a social activist and a humanitarian, who has made numerous contributions for the betterment of the societies. He was one of the few famous people of his times who realized the powers that they had- fame and fortune. He realized that he could use these powers for many valuable causes. One of his first endeavors was to help the African Americans who were struggling to start their own businesses to earn their livelihood (Simmonds). This endeavor was termed as Black Economic Union and the main aim of this effort was to make the African Americans self-reliant and to earn them a respectable position in the society. The law enforc ement agencies took this as a threat for the peace and security of the region since Jim Brown and his peers were perceived to aim for something harmful, rather than meaningful. The suspicion earned Jim Brown a place in the watch list of the FBI, but times have shown the world that Jim Brown meant nothing but good for the people. In 1966, Jim Brown and his associates got a major grant of over $ 1 Million from the Ford Foundation Grant (Jim Brown - NFL's Greatest) for the social cause. It has been recorded that over 400 African American benefitted from the monetary support and technical guidance provided by the respective establishment. In 1980, the humanitarian joined hands with an organization Vital Issues Project to help the ex-convicts (individuals who had completed their sentence in jails and prisons) (Brown). Such people require guidance and opportunities to earn their livelihood and become useful members of the society. Jim Brown’s efforts and reputation as a social refo rmer earned that company a respectable position in the market, due to which they were able to help greater number of such individuals to get back to their lives. The dedication of Jim Brown towards the cause of getting the ex-convicts settled in life, can be analyzed by the fact that 95% of the jobs at Amer-I-Can Foundation (Jim Brown’s non-profit organization) have been given to them (Jim Brown - NFL'

Should taxes on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for Research Paper - 3

Should taxes on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for rising medical costs - Research Paper Example Consequently, there are views that these two drugs are legal in the society, yet there challenges to human health are extremely uncontainable. The following discussion sets the basis of the prescribed solution in accordance with the professor’s view, an evaluation of the advantages of the solution, and an argument of the demerits likely to emanate from the tax increments. A critical review of the professor and classmates’ response indicates that the group acquired success to the extent they were able to determine the reasons as to why the society continues to suffer the menace of drug abuse and addiction (Jones, 2011). They indicated alcohol and tobacco as the most abused substances despite the administration setting constitutional constraints to ensure proper or reduced usage rates on them (Brisbin, 2008). The group indicated that most of the people indulge in the consumption of the legalities but health hazardous substances while seeking to relieve themselves from traumas and other types of psychological stresses. Amicably, the response sets a proper basis for the society to decipher vital knowledge on the untamed use of alcohol and tobacco products. In turn, the essay articulates the irresponsible behaviors that obviously pose threats to the society at large. For instance, consumption of alcohol has contributed to the spread of diseases since the consumers, make decisions based on the idealization. While they think that they are right, alcohol consumption impairs ones judgments and these drunks often find themselves in more troubles after realizing their deeds (Berry, 2005). The group indicates that in the absence of increased taxes on the commodities, the users are vulnerable to unprotected sex thus the consequences remain at large while they extend the infections to their spouses too. Therefore, the response seems to be successful as it denotes on the risks

Saint Clare Essay Example for Free

Saint Clare Essay St. Clare was born on July 16, 1194 and died on August 11, 1253. She was the daughter of a count and countess. She heard St. Francis preach in the streets of Assisi and told him of her desire to give herself to God. They grew to be close friends. On Palm Sunday in the year 1212 the bishop of Assisi presented a palm to this noble maid of eighteen who was beautifully garbed. That same night she left her castle with one acquaintance and went to the church of Our Lady of the Angels, where she met Francis and his Brothers. At the altar of Our Lady, Francis cut off her hair and Clare gave her life to Christ. In an old house outside Assisi she began her Order of the Poor Clares. Later, her sister and mother and other noble ladies joined her. They lived a life of prayer, silence and fasting. One day, enemies of the Church were about to attack the convent. The saint had the Blessed Sacrament placed in a monstrance above the gate of the convent and, kneeling before it, she prayed for help. Abruptly the enemy fled. During her illness of 28 years the Holy Eucharist was her strength. She died in 1253. She is the patroness of, eye disease, goldsmiths, laundry, embroiderers, gilders, good weather, needle workers, Santa Clara Pueblo, telephones, telegraphs, and television. Pope Pius XII selected her as the patron saint of television in 1958, on the basis that when she was too ill to be present at Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room. Her remains were entombed at the chapel of San Giorgio while a church to hold her remains was being built. On August 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IV canonized Clare as Saint Clare of Assisi. Construction of the Basilica of Saint Clare was completed in 1260, and on October 3 of that year Clares remains were moved to the recently completed basilica where they were buried under the high altar. In further acknowledgment of the saint, Pope Urban IV officially altered the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the Order of Saint Clare in 1263. About 600 years later in 1872, Saint Clares remains were transferred to a newly constructed memorial in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Clare where they can still be seen now.

Karl Marx - Capitalist Alienation Essay -- Socialism Communism Labor

A century and a half ago, Karl Marx established a theory that today is known as the backbone to modern socialism and communism. Marx viewed the early capitalism of his own day as inherently exploitive. At the core of capitalist production is what is considered surplus value, the value left over after the producer (in Marx’s case, factory owner) had paid the fixed costs of production such as raw materials, machinery, overhead and wages. The left over amount was kept as profit, a profit that Marx saw that was earned from the sweat of the labor. Derived from his idea of surplus value was that of alienation. Marx gave an economic interpretation to alienation. People were alienated from their own labor; their work was appropriated by someone else and the work itself was compulsory, not creative; the cause was capitalism, and the cure was socialism. Marx believed that modern labor is an evolution of something that began centuries ago and encompassing everything from slave states to European feudalism right on up to today’s version of commercial capitalism; which, completed or perfected the capitalist technique of worker alienation. Marx is correct in saying that capitalism exploits the working class, and that working under capitalism is in fact â€Å"alienating†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Worker alienation became an effective tool by which the capitalist could separate themselves from the laborers of their nations. The separation, however, was more to show a capitalist’s class status rather than having...

Breaking the Cycle of Violence

â€Å"Experience in the cities shows that the cycle of violence is a self-perpetuating phenomenon, constantly generating new violence from within itself. † (Enns 2002 p. 3). When we observe our nation of children, as a whole group, we see a higher and higher incidence of violence among them, not to mention that it occurs at an earlier and earlier age. It is becoming almost commonplace to hear of pre-teens who have committed acts of violence, and we now are beginning to hear of children as young as six and seven committing violent acts.It is a fact that violence begets violence, and our children are exposed to unimaginable acts from parents and caregivers. Drugs are rampant in our nation, and poverty and domestic violence are merely a way of life for many children today. According to author Kathy Sitarski, â€Å"we all tend to take out our pain on others to one degree or another, even if only in fantasy. † (Sitarski 2004 p. 1). This phenomenon does not occur because we a re in some way inhuman, but rather because we are unable to deal with the feelings of terror and rage that come along with memories of our own pain.When we feel helpless and powerless, or when terror threatens to overtake us, acting out toward others makes us feel more in charge in some strange way. Of course there are those who consciously choose not to take their rage and pain out on another human being, and, in many cases, turn it against themselves in the form of abusive relationships or endangering their own lives. (Sitarski 2004 p. 2). Violence can isolate us as human beings because it brings shame into our lives.We are ashamed to have hurt another or we are ashamed that we have allowed ourselves to be abused; â€Å"a beating feels shameful and humiliating and the survivor often internalizes that he or she somehow deserved it. † (Sitarski 2004 p. 2). Even witnessing violence against another can cause us to feel shame as we feel powerless to stop it. Most rapists can rec all rape and physical abuse in their own histories, then they later act out the same form of violence on another. How likely is it that today’s abused, neglected and ignored children will become tomorrow’s violent offenders?According to the National Institute of Justice it is extremely likely; results of a detailed study show that childhood abuse and neglect â€Å"increase the odds of future delinquency and adult criminality overall by 29 percent. † (National 2001 p. 1). Further statistics are equally appalling: the abused or neglected child has a 59 percent increased likelihood of juvenile arrest, and 28 percent increased likelihood of adult arrest, and 30 percent increased likelihood of having committed a truly violent crime. These statistics give us an idea of what the â€Å"cycle of violence† leaves in its wake.Nationwide, the incidence of neglect is some two and a half times that of physical abuse. Neglect can also have the potential to be even more damaging to the development of a child than physical abuse. (National 2001 p. 3). When we think of abuse and neglect, we rarely think of malnutrition. Some children are literally starved of the basic nutrition and food their bodies need to grow as small children. Malnourished children will later show attention deficits, reduced social skills, and poorer emotional stability than the comparison group.Unfortunately, our system of incarceration fails miserably in the sense that the â€Å"punishment phase† of prison is meant to â€Å"blame, shame, ridicule, beat down and break the spirit of people who have broken the law. † (Sitarski 2004 p. 3). While most all of us would certainly agree that those who commit violent crimes must be incarcerated, must be kept from the population at large, we are punishing these people in the same ways that actually turned them to violence in the first place. Those long-held feelings of terror and rage, rather than being relieved in some way, only increase with every day spent in the violent atmosphere of prison.If we really believe in the rehabilitation theory of prison, a long hard look needs to be taken at our prison system, and some practices put into place to actually break this vicious cycle of violence that will continue to repeat itself until interrupted. Early intervention is the key to stopping this destructive cycle; children at risk need to be identified early and swift measures need to be taken to try and relieve some of the terror and rage felt by the abused and neglected child.When this takes place, one link in the cycle is broken, perhaps leading to another and another. Works Cited About Domestic Violence (2003). Cycle of Violence. Retrieved December 11, 2006 from: http://www. edvpor/aboutDV/cycle. htm Enns, Fernando (2001). Breaking the Cycle of Violence. From the Ecumenical Review, Volume 53, Issue 2. Retrieved December 9, 2006 from: http://www. questia. com Hopper, Jim (1997). Factors in the Cycle of Violence: Gender Rigidity and Emotional Constriction. Retrieved December 11, 2006 from: http://www.jimhopper. com/cycle National Institute of Justice (February 2001). An Update on the Cycle of Violence. Retrieved December 8, 2006 from: http://www. ncjrs. gov/pdffiles1/nij/184894. pdf Siris, Karen (2004). Interrupting the Cycle of Bullying and Victimization in the Elementary Classroom. From Phi Delta Kappan, Volume 86, Issue 4. Retrieved December 9, 200 from: http://www. questia. com Sitarski, Kathy (2004). The Wheel of Violence. From The Humanist, Volume 56, Issue 3. Retrieved December 7, 2006 from: http://www. questia. com

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 †A Book Analysis Essay

In his book, Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury highlights the power and importance of obtaining knowledge through books but decries the impact that technological innovations, particularly the television, pose in stifling intellectual and creative development. As a science fiction book that was first printed in 1953, many readers — particularly literary critics and students — correlate the book to state censorship and subsequent cultural decay presaging the eras following the book’s publication. Indeed, it can be easily gleaned from the main character’s occupation as a book-burning fireman that the book burning per se may be emblematic of   a common situation that most societies have found themselves grappling with – specific stages in nations’ histories whereby basic inalienable rights and freedoms were suppressed. Literary censorship, in particular, has been a recurring theme in many great works of literature. In real life, censorship is something that most governments have resorted to for varied reasons other than as a means of quelling what they categorize as rebellion or insurrection, and in almost every instance, books that echo the sentiments of many great nationalists or radical-thinking individuals have borne the brunt of censorship laws. Some analysts point out that in Ray Bradbury’s book, Fahrenheit 451, â€Å"The book burning is not a government mandated censorship†¦ Instead, it is a society-built degradation of the written word. Society has rejected the black and white messages bound in leather and paper† (Przybyszewski).   The author himself does not dispute this observation. Whether it is art imitating reality or the other way around, Fahrenheit 451 is a successful attempt in making readers — including those who got to read the book generations after its initial publication — ponder on key social and political issues like censorship, even if the author himself had clarified that his novel â€Å"is actually about how television destroys interest in reading literature† (Oleck, par. 1). A lover of the written word, Ray Bradbury hails from humble beginnings in Illinois, which set the stage for his profound yet realistic insights, searing views and cunning overall approach to his subject matter. He was born on August 22, 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois; studied in a Los Angeles High School in 1938, and furthered his education by working nights in the library and pounding away at   typewriter keys and selling newspapers in Los Angeles by day (â€Å"Ray Bradbury Biography†).   It can be noted that Fahrenheit 451, in many ways, pays homage to Bradbury’s Waukegan hometown.   It is in this locality that he developed an enormous and lasting appetite for books and a love for libraries, something which is continually described in his book. As Bradbury himself narrates: From the time I was 9 up through my teens I spent at least two nights a week in the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   town library in Waukegan, Ill. In the summer months, there was hardly a day I could   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   not be found lurking about the stacks, smelling the books like imported spices, drunk   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   on them even before I read them (Moran). Based on the author’s personal narrative, one clearly sees how he obtained the characteristic ease in describing to readers a well-stacked library, and how he skillfully let some of his characters express forceful sentiments about books not just as a storehouse of knowledge and cultural heritage of nations, but as instruments to guide man in living and making decisions about the future. Ray Bradbury’s Waukegan roots likewise armed him with first-hand knowledge and distinct style of writing about a specific subject matter as firefighters. As another writer gathering from Ray Bradbury’s musings in writing Fahrenheit 451: Bradbury’s wary respect for fire can be traced back to his Waukegan youth, where he   Ã‚  Ã‚   would pass the firehouse on his way to and from the Carnegie Library and end up   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   writing down his descriptions (Moran). Ray Bradbury’s remarkable style is indeed something which has not escaped discerning book readers and analysts. â€Å"While a lesser writer would have to content himself with beating the reader over the head with description and exposition, Bradbury is able to make his nightmare world real with economy and subtlety. The horror never grabs you by the throat as in a Stephen King novel; instead it creeps into your soul almost unnoticed† (Wright). Content-wise, what American writer Ray Bradbury sought to impress on his readers is the fact that humanity stands to be strangled by the very forces – or trappings of modern living —   that had originally been conceived to make life better. Bradbury makes a very good point in singling out television as the piece of equipment that most people have been overly relying on, and it comes at a very huge price: a stifled intellectual development. Indeed, of all the new modern conveniences or gadgetry the world has ever seen, one medium of communications which remains all-powerful or influential to minds and attitudes of people of all ages is the television. It is evident that Bradbury possessed remarkable foresight in ascertaining early on that people are bound to be enslaved. One of many insightful reviews about Ray Bradbury and his book states: Bradbury’s novel — or novella, really — is an inspired criticism of what we now call   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the â€Å"information society,† and the yawning chasm it is creating in our collective soul.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In it he managed to predict with frightening accuracy such current social pathologies   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   as the dumbing down of popular entertainment and education, our growing addiction   Ã‚  Ã‚   to empty sensory stimulation, the rise of random violence among youth, the increasing anomie and alienation among everyone (Wright). Indeed, it takes a meticulous eye attuned to his surroundings for a writer to realistically depict current real-life situations as well as future scenarios. One important point that Ray Bradbury stressed in Fahrenheit 451 is that most of the time, people’s enslavement, whether by societal forces or modern technological advances, do occur from their own volition or free will. â€Å"It’s ordinary people who turn away from reading and the habits of thought and reflection it encourages. When the government starts actively censoring information, most people don’t even bat an eye† (Bradbury 183). It is true, of course, that in the present society, there are many cases of jaded individuals – especially ordinary citizens who wield little or no power to go against the powers-that-be – who initially protest but end up allowing circumstances like government   restraints on media/information to prevail or take place.   It is, however, an inescapable fact that many freedoms, like free speech and expression of ideas through books, are not absolute. This is something that advocates of censorship keep harping on. Introspection will show that in many ways, people, during these increasingly complex times and informational bombardment, do succumb or let government impose controls as the latter may deem morally and socially and politically fit. In doing so, it becomes a clear case of the antagonist turning into an ally. In societies which do a good job of balancing interests and rights, this may be permissible. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. There are people may rant and do nothing, but there are some individuals who even band together to form a coalition or cause-oriented group/association to bat for what they perceive as just. To their minds, the words of 18th century political theorist and philosopher Edmund Burke, of letting evil triumph if good men do nothing, may be ringing loud and clear. Reverting to the other main issue tackled by the book, which is the tendency of people to allow themselves to be enslaved by new technology and turn away from the many virtues of reading books, this is a universal problem pervading modern societies today. Ray Bradbury may have crafted decades ago a concise book about a dystopian society, but its message reverberates up to the present age, when gadget-toting new generations turn to books only when school requires them to, or when a bestselling book-turned-movie or escapist adult novels catch their fancy. In effect, the firemen’s task of burning books in the novel is actually a metaphor for the way a society’s citizens allow themselves, or their knowledge and future, to be stunted.   â€Å"The firemen are rarely necessary. The public itself stopped reading of its own accord† (Bradbury 87).

Oh My God Essays - Asil Chicken, Oh My God, Oh My, School Nurse

Oh My God Essays - Asil Chicken, Oh My God, Oh My, School Nurse Oh My God Story It was just like the movies, last year on Saturday morning before the Islamic exam. I was startled when I saw my best friend fainting in front of me. ?Oh my god, HELP!? ?Asil fainted!? My friends shouted, and immediately called 911. I froze, and felt that everything was dimly. The news was relayed like lightning to the entire school; therefore, everybody rushed to help her. A circle of people was immediately formed around her; every single one standing there felt condolence. Asil didn?t move for five minutes. I cried so much when the school nurse was covering her because that?s when we knew she was gone. Unexpectedly she opened her eyes gradually. It was a miracle her heart stopped for over five minutes, and started working suddenly. Everyone had a worried smiled on. The principle tried to enable her to stand, and start talking but he failed. She was oblivious of the surroundings, and extremely limped. The ambulance arrived just in time. The principle proved, in uniquely human way, that he cares about the students in the school because he carried her to the ambulance, and continually visited her at the hospital for the past year. When I first saw Asil after the school incident at the hospital, she was lying in bed tremendously sedated, but as the days, months, and year passed by she recovered. Her Anemia is all most gone, and is currently making up for all the work she missed in addition she will graduate in the year 2012.

Exploring Prague 15 Top Things to Do and See

Exploring Prague 15 Top Things to Do and See SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips I didn’t have a specific reason to study abroad in Prague. I wasn’t studying Czech literature or language, and I didn’t have any ancestralconnection to the city. One thingmade mepack my bags and move to the Czech Republic: pictures of Prague, which revealed the most beautiful place I’d ever seen. Prague is inarguably one of the most picturesque and best-preserved cities in Europe. Founded in the late 9th century, it still has medieval lanes and architecture, along with a mixof art and architecturethat span the centuries. As I suspected, Prague turned out to be a place of pure aesthetic bliss. Duringmy four months there,my understanding deepened as I encountered darker parts of Prague'shistory, from the old Jewish ghetto toscars of the Holocaust and the Communist occupation from 1948 to 1989. Prague is a complex place, and there’s a ton to see, do, and learn withinits maze of cobblestoned streets. This guide will tell you the top 15things to do and see when you visit Prague to get a full sense of the Czech capital in its past and present. Top 15 Things to Do In Prague: Table of Contents Here's the full list of the top 15 places to see and things to do in Prague, Czech Republic. Click on each to go toit directly, or just scroll down for the full list! See the Astronomical Clock Climb the Bell Tower of Old Town Hall Explore Old Town Square Stroll Around the Novà ½ SvÄ›t District Walk Across the Charles Bridge Visit the Prague Castle TourJosefov, the Historic Jewish Ghetto Visit World-Class Museums See Bizarre Public Sculptures Experience the Nightlife Eat Czech Food Drink Czech Beer See Opera at the National Theater Climb Petrin Hill Take a Day Trip to Cesky Krumlov 1. See the Astronomical Clock One of the first things to see in Prague is its famous astronomical clock, the oldest one of its kind in the world. It was installed over 600 years ago, in 1410. The clock is mounted on Old Town Hall in Old Town Square, the central square of the historic district. The clock has several dials and arms, including one dial that shows the positions of the sun and the moon and another that points to the months of the year. There are several figures that move around the clock each hour. Twelve represent the apostles, and four symbolize Vanity, Greed, Lust, and Death. Death, a figure of a skeleton, rings the bell each hour, and the other figures shake their heads at him. The performance ends when the figure of a rooster crows. Around the turn of the hour, a crowd usually gathers around to see the figures move. Since the clock and square are favorite places to visit in Prague, this crowd canget big during tourist high season. The figures move every hour, so you can pretty much catch the show whenever. Even if you don't catch themoving figures, you'll enjoy seeing the beautiful astronomical clock. Where Is Prague’s Astronomical Clock? The astronomical clock is located on the side of Old Town Hall in Old Town Square. If you’re taking public transport, either the underground metro or the above-ground tram, then you should get off at the Staromestska stop. Metro: Line A to Staromestska Tram: Lines 17 or 18 to Staromestska. The figures move on the hour every hour from 9 AM to 9 PM. 2. Climb the Bell Tower of Old Town Hall After the rooster crows the end of the astronomical clock show, head to the 14th century bell tower of Old Town Hall. You can climb this 228-foot tower for gorgeous, 360 degree views of Prague. Climbing the bell tower was something I didn’t do until the end of my study abroad semester, and I wished I’d done it sooner. It’s a beautiful view over red roofs, spires, church domes, and the Vltava River that runs through the city. How to Visit You can climb the stairs up the bell tower or take the elevator, which is wheelchair accessible. The fee is about $5 for adults and $3 for children. By the way, the Czech Republic uses the Czech koruna (CZK). As I write right now, one US dollar equals 24 CZK. The tower is open from AM to 10 PM on Mondays and 9 AM to 10 PM Tuesday through Sunday. 3. Explore Old Town Square Prague largely escaped destruction during World War II, so a large part of its historic district dates all the way back to the 10th century! The historic core is now under protection as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The central nucleus - and where I was lucky enough to take classes on Czech theater and the literature of Franz Kafka - is the Old Town Square. It’s a big cobblestoned square lined by buildings that span the centuries, from Gothic to Baroque to Rococo architectural styles. The square was a market place place until the end of the 19th century, but now it’s filled with cafes, shops, galleries, restaurants, vendors, and street performers. It also hosts a magical Christmas fair in the winter that makes the entire square smell like cinnamon and sugar. Below are a few of the most notable buildings and statues in Prague’s Old Town Square. What to See in Prague’s Old Town Square After you’ve admired the 15th century astronomical clock, check out these buildings around the square, along with the large memorial in its center. Tyn Cathedral: On the opposite side of the square from the astronomical clock sits the imposing Tyn Cathedral. This Gothic cathedral has been Prague’s main church since the 14th century, and you can easily spot its 262-foot towers topped with black spires. The church contains the oldest pipe organ in the city, and it hosts Roman Catholic services and classical concerts. St Nicholas Church: This 1735 church with a white facade was built and decorated in the Baroque style. It actually didn’t touch Old Town Square until a house in front of it was knocked down in 1901. To find Tyn Cathedral, just look up. Kinsky Palace: This former palace, built in the mid-1700s, is now an art museum. Look for its Rococo-style pink and white exterior. House of the Stone Bell: This medieval house dates all the way back to the 1200s. The stone bell you’ll find inside is a replica of the one used in 1310 to signal the future king, John of Luxembourg, that he could come with his army and occupy the square. Jan Hus Memorial: This large monument was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of martyrdom of Jan Hus, a religious reformer and predecessor of Protestant movement. Hus suffered the medieval consequences of criticizing the Catholic Church when he was burned at the stake in 1415. This monument eventually became a symbol of dissidence duringthe Communist occupation. Sitting by the monument became a quiet way for Czech people to show resistance to Soviet rule. 4. Stroll Around the Novà ½ SvÄ›t District Old Town Square, while definitely worth the visit, can get crowded with tourists, especially in the summer months. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track, you should check out the quieter Novy Svet district of Prague. This â€Å"New World† neighborhood consists of just a few small streets that date back to the 14th century. Walking past the log cottages with thatched roofs feels like you’ve discovered a small village in the middle of a city. This area’s a great place to stroll or stop by the Novy Svet Cafe for delicious coffee without a wait. Where to Find the Novy Svet District The Novy Svet district is on the other side of the Vltava River from Old Town Square. It’s just down the hill from Prague Castle, so you could walk through here to get to or from the castle as an alternative to the primary, more crowded route. The best metro stop to get to Novy Svetis Malostransk. 5. Walk Across the Charles Bridge When I studied abroad in Prague, I took an art history and architecture class. Most days, we wandered around the city, admiring and learning about the structures that straddled the line between art and architecture. Charles Bridge is one such structure, a bridge from 1357 lined by 30 Baroque statues. All of the statues along this cobblestoned bridge over the Vltava are religious figures heavy with symbolism. Most of the statues you’ll see today are careful replicas. The originals are on display in the National Museum. As a top pick in most guide books for what to see in Prague, the bridge can get crowded with visitors, as well as vendors competing to sell food, portraits, and jewelry. If you want to beat the crowds and get away from the commercial aspect of Charles Bridge, you could wake up early and catch the sunrise over the river. If you don’t mind the early wake up call, strolling across the empty Charles Bridge through the mist of sunrise is an unforgettable experience of natural and urban beauty. Where Is Prague's Charles Bridge? You can approach the bridge from either side of the river. The closest metro and tram stop is Starometska, on the Old Town Square side of the Vltava. 6. Visit the Prague Castle Prague is pretty much in a category by itselfwhen it comes to medieval art and architecture, and its castle is just one more reason why. The Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle in Europe. It was founded all the way back in 880 AD. Building and renovations continued over the centuries, with one big project implemented by Emperor Charles IV in the 1300s. The palace complex covers over 18 acres and includes royal residences, gardens, and churches. Today, the complex includes the official residence and office of the president of the Czech Republic. There’s even a daily ceremony of the changing of the guards. What to See in Prague Castle Royal Palace: This Gothic palace dates back to the 14th century. One highlight is the huge Vladislav Hall, which was used for coronations, banquets, market, and even jousting tournaments (it’s that big). Leading up to the hall is the Riders’ Staircase, where knights could ride through on horseback. You should also check out the Observation Gallery, which has a great view over the gardens. St Vitus Cathedral: This huge cathedral contains the remains of the much celebrated 14th century emperor, Charles IV. It has an extremely detailed facade, tall spires, lots of religious statues, and gorgeous art nouveau stained glass windows. Inside, you can also see the silver tomb of St. John of Nepomuk. St George’s Basilica: This 10th century structure contains the tombs of several princes. Golden Lane: The Golden Lane is lined by small 16th century dwellings, originally built for servants and tradesmen. At one end sits the Daliborka Tower, which was once used as a prison. The famous Czech writer, Franz Kafka, lived at #22 Golden Lane for a few years. Royal Garden: These sprawling manicured gardens encircle the castle. They’re a beautiful place to spend an afternoon wandering past flowers, hedges, moats, grapevines, pavilions, and fountains. The primary Royal Garden was built in 1534. Castle Picture Gallery: This gallery contains over 4,000 works, including 100 paintings. It has an especially large collection of 17th century European Baroque art. Admission is free every Monday from 4 to 6 PM. Otherwise, tickets to the gallery are just $4.00. Visiting Hours and Fees You can buy tickets for most individual parts of the castle complex, but if you want to visit several parts of it, you should get a combined ticket. Because the Prague Castle is so big, the tickets are good for two days. The most comprehensive ticket is the Circuit A for about $14.50. It includes St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, an exhibition called the "The Story of Prague Castle," St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane with the Daliborka Tower, and Powder Tower. You can take $3 or $4 off if you skip the Powder Tower. From April to October, Prague Castle is open everyday from 6 AM to 10 PM, and the historical buildings are open from 9 AM to 5 PM. From November to March, the historical buildings close at 4 PM. How to Get There The Prague Castle is just about a 22-minute walk from Old Town Square. Keep in mind that most of this walk is uphill. If you do choose to walk, you’ll want to turn around to see the beautiful views over the river and Old Town. By public transportation, take the tram to one of these stops: Krlovskà ½ letohrdek, PraÃ… ¾skà ½ hrad, or PohoÃ…â„¢elec. You can also take the metro and get off at Malostransk or HradÄ ansk. 7. See Josefov, the Historic Jewish Ghetto Josefov is the Jewish quarter located between Old Town Square and the Vltava River. The area was once a walled ghetto where Jews were forced to live beginning in the 13th century. Much of the district was destroyed when Prague remodeled parts of the city between 1893 and 1913. Today, you can see six synagogues, as well as Europe’s oldest Jewish cemetery. Visiting the cemetery especially can be an intense and difficult experience. Most of the Jewish population in Prague was forcibly relocated to concentration camps and murdered in 1941 by German occupiers and Czech Nazi collaborators. As of 2014, only about 3,900 Jewish people lived in the Czech Republic. There were over 356,000 in 1930. Historical Places in Josefov Pinkas Synagogue: This is the second oldest synagogue in Prague. Today, it’s a museum commemorating the thousands of Czech Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Spanish Synagogue: This synagogue was built in the Moorish revival style. Inside, you can find an exhibition about Jewish history in the Czech Republic Old New Synagogue: This is Europe’s oldest active synagogue. It was built in 1270. High Synagogue: This synagogue is actually excluded from tours, as it’s meant for local and foreign visitors who want to attend services and pray. It was built in the Renaissance style in 1568 and features impressive Gothic ribbed vaulting in the tall ceiling. The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague dates back to the 1400s. Old Jewish Cemetery: This is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. It dates to the early 15th century and is now administered by the Jewish Museum in Prague. Since Jews were not able to get more space for the cemetery, the ground is uneven and higher than the surrounding streets. The Holocaust memorial in Berlin emulates the uneven ground of the Prague Cemetery. Franz Kafka’s Birthplace: Famous Czech writer Franz Kafka was born in the Jewish quarter on July 3, 1883 on the corner of Kaprova Street and Maiselova Street. His family lived here for a few years before moving to Wenceslas Square. Where to Find Josefov Josefov sits between Old Town and the Vltava River. You can click on the pins to find the specific addresses of the synagogues, museums, and Jewish cemetery. 8. Visit Museums Among the many Prague attractions are over 25 renowned museums with all sorts of collections. Some house great works of art, while others contain memorials to the victims of the Holocaust and Communist occupation. You can learn about technology, music, or the life and writings and Franz Kafka. For a lighter experience, you can go to museums of chocolate, toys, or traditional Bohemian puppet art. You can also find some oddones, like the Sex Machines Museum or the Museum of Historical Chamber Pots and Toilets. Below are some of my top picks for museums in Prague(plus one graffitied wall). Top Museums in Prague National Gallery in Prague: This gallery contains the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic. It’s actually housed in various buildings throughout the city. You’ll find major works by renowned European artists, as well as one of the largest collections by Czech artists, like Kupka, Benes, and Mucha. National Museum: If you’re looking to step away from art and check out natural history and other fields, then you should go to the National Museum. Like the National Gallery, the collections, which comprise over 14 million items, are housed in various buildings. Some of the main departments are prehistory, protohistory, botany, zoology, Czech history, ethnography, theater, anthropology, and paleontology. Jewish Museum in Prague: The Jewish Museum administers the exhibitions in the various synagogues and other buildings. Its collection of Jewish heritage contains over 40,000 objects and 100,000 books. Museum Kampa: This museum is located on an island in the Vltava and houses a large collection of European modern art. As you walk in, you’ll see Magdalena Jetelova’s famous sculpture of a chair. Check out the Museum of Communism to learn the REAL TRUTH about Russian nesting dolls. Museum of Communism: The Communists occupied the Czech Republic from the end of World War II until the Velvet Revolution in 1989. They arrested over 200,000 Czechs and killed hundreds that tried to flee. This museum shows the history of Communist rule through photos, films, sculptures, and propaganda from the era. Lennon Wall: Not a museum, but rather a wall where protesters of the Communist regime would paint pictures and words of peace, most of them Beatles, particularly John Lennon, inspired. In 2014, a group of art students painted white over the wall, leaving just the words, "Wall is over," which werelaterchanged to "War is over." New artwork and graffiti have since reappeared. Sex Machines Museum: This three-story museum has a collection of sex devices, some dating back to as early as the 16th century. According to its website, it has â€Å"an exposition of mechanical erotic appliances, the purpose of which is to bring pleasure and allow extraordinary and unusual positions during intercourse.† Where to Find Them Click on a pin for the specific address of each museum on the list above! 9. See Bizarre Public Sculptures Perhaps one thing that helped people get through dark times in their history was the so-called Czech sense of humor. Czech people have a reputation for beingsarcastic and controversial, and they like to make fun of their politicians. Nowhere does this stereotype appear to be more true than in the strange public statues around the city, most of them by the famous Czech sculptor, David Cerny. The rebellious Cerny first gained notoriety when he painted a Soviet tank pink and was briefly arrested. Below are six notable statues by Cerny around Prague, along with a seventh by Czech sculptor, Jaroslav Rona. Public Statues Around Prague Babies: This Cerny exhibition has 10 huge babies crawling up the side of the Zizkov TV Tower and around Kampa Park. Brown-nosers: Here, Cerny invites viewers to climb ladders and you through the backsides of two giant statues. When you look through, you’ll see video of an actor who looks like Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president from 2003 to 2013, eating baby food. Piss: This fountain features two male statues urinating toward each other. The streams spell out quotes from Czech literature. UnUtero: People can walk underneath and inside this statue of a huge silver pregnant woman. Hanging Man: This statue has moved around the world, and many people have mistaken it for someone jumping. It shows Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand from a beam coming off a roof. Franz Kafka Statue: This famous Kafka statue is not by Cerny, but by Jaroslav Rona. Unveiled in 2003, it shows a smaller man riding atop the shoulders of a larger headless man and is inspired by Kafka’s short story, â€Å"Description of a Struggle.† 10. Experience the Prague Nightlife While walking around the cobblestoned streets of Prague may transport you into the past, experiencing its bar and club scene will take you right past the now and into the future. Prague has such a big nightlife scene that it’s gathered a reputation as a party city. You can choose among pubs, bars, dance clubs, jazz bars, sports bars, breweries, beer gardens, rooftop terraces, and underground cave bars. Here are a few suggestions, but they’re really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Prague’s nightlife scene. Where to Go SaSaZu: This huge club hosts renowned DJs from all over the world and plays mainly house music. It opened in 2009 and can hold over 2,500 people. Duplex: Dance inside a glass cube at this rooftop nightclub while enjoying views over the city. Chapeau Rouge: This underground club has three levels, one with a bar and tables and two with DJs and dance floors. It’s located close to Old Town Square. Karlovy LznÄ›: This is the largest nightclub in Central Europe and has over five stories, each with its own dance floor and type of music, including hip hop, 80s, and trance. The interior has mosaics dating back to the 15th century. Karlovy Lazne is more popular with foreign visitors than locals. Retro: Go to Retro for electro-house music and a great light show. It can hold over 1,200 people. The crowd is generally a mix of Czech people and foreigners. Radost FX: Radost is on the smaller side and typically plays American hip hop. If you don’t feel like dancing, there’s a loungewith fuzzy couches to hang out in. To get a sense of what it looks like, check out Rihanna’s "Please Don’t Stop the Music" video. She shot it in Radost in 2007. Bunkr Parukarka: This underground club is located in a 1950s nuclear bunker. You’ll get electro-pop and industrial tracks from some of Prague’s top DJs. Zizkov: This last recommendation is not a club, but actually an entire neighborhood. Zizkov is a former industrial suburb with over 300 bars in just 2 square miles. It’s a super casual, somewhat gritty spot. You’ll see lots of dive bars and beer in plastic cups. Where to Find These Bars and Clubs Check out the Prague map for the locations and addresses of the bars and clubs listed above. . Eat Czech Cuisine While I was enamored with the city of Prague, I was less in love with itsfood. Traditional Czech food involves a lot of meat and starch, and I found it to be pretty heavy. There are plenty of more modern restaurants with great cuisine. I did love the desserts, especially the cinnamon-sugar pastries that were sold by street vendors in the winter. You should definitely try some traditional Czech foods to find your favorites. Below are some of the main ones. Traditional Czech Foods Knedlà ­ky, or dumplings: These dumplings are typically wheat or potato-based, steamed and sliced, and served on the side of meat. Roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut (or cabbage): This is the most typical Czech dish. Pork is the most common meat eaten in the Czech Republic. Koleno: pork knee marinated in beer and usually served with pickled vegetables and dark bread. Loupk: a sweet crescent-shaped roll covered in poppy seeds, usually eaten for breakfast. GulÃ… ¡, or goulash: another staple Czech dish (though originally from Hungary). Goulash is usually stewed beef in gravy served with dumplings. Trdelnà ­k is a rolled dough with cinnamon and sugar. Yum! Schnitzel: thinly sliced veal, pork, or chicken, covered in breadcrumbs and fried. Schnitzel is usually served with potato-based side dishes. PalaÄ inky: These are similar to French crepes, though they’re cooked with a different batter. They can be sweet or savory and are commonly sold at food markets. Trdelnà ­k: a rolled pastry wrapped around a stick and coated with cinnamon and sugar. These are popular at Christmas markets, where they’re heated up over an open flame. SmaÃ… ¾enà ½ Sà ½r: This is a deep-fried cheese, often sold by vendors at food markets. Below are a few recommendations for food markets. A couple are year-round, while othersjust pop up around the holidays. Farmer’s and Holiday Markets in Prague Havel’s Market (Havelske trziste): This permanent market is open everyday, year-round from 9 AM to 6 PM. Come here for fresh fruits and vegetables, food, flowers, crafts, toys, puppets, leather goods, and souvenirs. Address: Havelska Street, Prague 1 off Melantrichova, a pedestrian-only street between Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Naplavka Farmer’s Market: popular riverside Saturday market with fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese and meat stands, cooked food, beer and wine, and coffee. It’s open from 8 to 2 on Saturdays by the river bank close to the metro stop Palackà ©ho nmÄ›stà ­. Prague's Christmas markets are magical! Jirak Farmer’s Market: This market’s located around the Jiriho z Podebrad stop on the metro from Wednesday through Saturday. In addition to the usual fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, you can find delicious breads and pastries. It’s open from 8 AM to 6 PM Wednesday through Friday and 8 AM to 2 PM on Saturday. Christmas Markets: the largest ones are located in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square and are pretty magical. You’ll find cinnamon-sugar pastries, roasted nuts, mulled wine, thick hot chocolate, and crackling meat turning over an open fire. Craft tents sell traditional handicrafts, wooden toys, tree ornaments, puppets, jewelry, and other great gifts. The Christmas markets are open everyday from early December to early January. Easter Markets: The best Easter markets, like the Christmas markets, are located in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. You can find lots of food and gifts among the brightly painted tents, along with activities for kids and people in traditional costume. The Easter markets are typically open for the first three weeks in April. 12. Drink Czech Beer While the Czech Republic may not have a reputation for the world’s best cuisine, it does have some of the best beer! Happily, it’s also some of the least expensive. You can find Czech-made beer (pivo) at all of the bars, pubs, and breweries. My favorite bars were the atmospheric underground cave bars with stone walls, candlelight, and wells that tunneleddeep into the ground. Czech Beer Brands The majority of Czech beers are light in color and served chilled. They’re brewed from hand-picked hops and have a transparent golden color and light taste. The most widely distributed brands are Pilsner Urquell (you can visit the brewery in the town of Plzen) and Budweiser Budvar. Other Czech brands are Bernard, Gambrinus, KruÃ… ¡ovice, Radegast, Starobrno, Staropramen, Svijany, and Velkopopovickà ½ Kozel. There are also microbreweries throughout the city. Below are a few recommendations for breweries and a beer museum. Where to Go for Beer: A Few Recommendations Zly Casy: This bar has 48 delicious beers on draft from small Czech breweries. Address: ÄÅ'estmà ­rova 390/5, 140 00 Prague. U Medvidku Beer Hall and Restaurant: This 550-year old beer hall is famous for its dark lager, X-Beer 33. X-Beer 33 is the strongest Czech beer at .8% alcohol content. Address: Na PerÃ… ¡tà ½nÄ› 7, Starà © MÄ›sto, 0 00, Prague. Prague Beer Museum: the Beer Museum has exhibits on the history of beer-brewing, plus over 31 beers on tap. Address: Na Perstyne 7, Pr 1, Prague. 13. See Opera at the National Theater Are you looking for a more glamorous experience out on the town? Prague is renowned as a center for opera, as well as ballet, music, and theater. Not only will you see great productions, but you’ll do so in the gorgeous National Theater, a 19th century neo-Renaissance building on the Vltava River and important cultural institution in the city of Prague. Ticket prices range from $15 to $50, and you can reserve them online on the National Theater’s website, as well as find the full schedule of productions. When I saw an opera here, there was a screen with English subtitles so I could follow the story. Where to Findthe National Theater The National Theater is located at Narodni 2 in Prague’s New Town. You can take the metro to Narodni trida on Line B or the tram to Narodni Divadlo, lines 6, 9, 17, 18, or 22. 14. Climb Petrin Hill If you’re craving greener spaces, head out of the main part of the city toward the 1000-foot tall Petrin Hill. A popular spot among locals, the park around Petrin Hill has landscaped gardens, a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower, a rose garden, and a Hall of Mirrors. You can climb the 299 steps of Prague’s mini Eiffel Tower for sweeping views over Prague. How to Getto Petrin Hill You can walk or take a funicular railway to Petrin Hill. The walk is just about 30 minutes, but it’s pretty steep. The railway leaves from Ujezd Street and goes up to Petrin Hill. This park is open from 10 AM to 8 PM, March to October and 10 AM to 6 PM, November to February. 15. Take a Day Trip to Cesky Krumlov While Prague has endless things to do and places to see, it’s also surrounded by incredible towns and sights. One awesome and popular day trip takes you south to Cesky Krumlov. Cesky Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s a picture perfect medieval Bohemian town. It has the same fairytale quality of Prague with even fewer signs of modern life. You’ll see a big castle, lots of puppet museums and shops, outdoor markets, and Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Does it sound like a small town version of Prague? That’s a pretty apt description, right down to the fact that it’s also situated around the Vltava River (just 100 miles south). How to Get to Cesky Krumlov If you’re renting a car, you can drive to Cesky Krumlov along route E55. The drive is about two hours and take you through forests, fields, and villages. The most popular way to get there is the bus. This direct, 3-hour bus ride drops you off at the bus station in Cesky Krumlov. From there, it’s just about a 10-minute walk to the center of town. Since the buses can fill up, you should make reservations in advance. The train is probably the least convenient option, since there aren’t any trains that go direct. You could travel between 2.5 and 3.5 hours to ÄÅ'eskà © BudÄ›jovice and then go another 45 minutes on a new train to Cesky Krumlov. The train station is about a 30-minute walk from the city center. So there you have it, the top 15 things to do in Prague. (I could add a 16th for any college undergrads - study abroad there!) In closing, let’s go over some final thoughts about what to do in Prague, the beautiful city in the heart of Bohemia. Historic Prague: Final Thoughts Prague is a paradise for anyone who likes to wander amid art and architecture from centuries past. As a well-preserved medieval city, Prague transports you back in time with its Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo buildings and sculptures. While it’s easy to fall under Prague’s magic spell, you’ll also find reminders of tragedies in its past. It’s important to acknowledge these realities while appreciating the resilience of the Czech people, who have a history of resistance through politics, theater, literature, music, and art. Prague is not all museums, cathedrals, and heavy history, though. It’s also a seriously fun city with world-renowned nightclubs and buzzing bar districts. When it comes to good party spots, I definitely trust Rihanna to know what’s up. Even if you’re not into dancing, you may appreciate the fact that cheap world-class beeris only ever a few steps away. I may not have known about all of Prague's attractions when I decided to study abroad here. Like I said, I was mostlymotivated by aesthetics. As I soon found out, though, Prague isindeed as beautiful as thepictures promised. Plus, the city hasso much more.