A Review of “Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)” Essay

The Spanish culture has been known for its masculinity. Bullfighters, soccer players, and other manly figures are often associated with the image of the Spanish culture. They had even introduced the word â€Å"machismo† to the English language. One movie provides us a slice of the Spanish culture: â€Å"Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)†, a film written and directed by Pedro Almodà ³var. The film had received a wide reception both in Spain and other parts of the world. The film â€Å"Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)† talks about an issue that is very rarely associated with the Spanish culture: Womanhood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story was basically about Manuela’s search for the father of her dead son, Esteban. Manuela did not tell her son anything about his real father, she only told her that he was already dead long before he was born. However, Esteban wanted to know his father better than her mother’s one-sentence description. As the driving conflict of the story, Esteban died and his notebook revealed that he desired to know his father. It would be revealed that Esteban’s real father was a prostitute transvestite with the name Lola. The search for the man named Lola had set Manuela’s life in a rollercoaster ride full of unpredictable turns and loops. During the course of the search, Manuela meets colorful people that would make her realize that life is still worth living.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Almodà ³var’s plot could be described as unpredictable, which gives the film realism. Conflicts are introduced one after another, and at some points intertwined. The camera work was executed with high regard to modern aesthetics. The characters were beautifully designed, some so realistic but most are certainly peculiar. Manuela’s search for Lola had led her back to the underground world of Barcelona, where transvestites were not an uncommon. The underground version of Barcelona is certainly a visual treat to the audience to an unfamiliar yet colorful world. There, Manuela meets up with old friends, like Agrado, and some new ones. In addition, through those new relationships, Manuela had somehow managed to heal a portion of the wound inflicted by the death of her son.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The film’s highlighting of womanhood in the Spanish context is admirable. From the title alone, â€Å"All About My Mother†, the audience are immediately notified that this would be a story about a woman. Even the name of the protagonist Manuela, supposedly derived from a man’s name: Manuel, suggests that this film would talk about womanhood. But the most interesting aspect of the film is the inclusion of a transvestite. It would be helpful to reiterate that the Spanish culture takes pride on its oozing masculinity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, womanhood was not entirely glorified by the film. It seems that the film had utilized a negative and rather offensive stereotype to women. In the initial part of the story, Manuela had told Esteban that his father had died long before he was born. It would not take long that the audience would discover that Manuela is telling a lie. There are other points within the narrative that a woman (and the woman-like) would tell lies. It seems that Almodà ³var is arguing that Spanish women make lies, not because there is a lack of morals, but for the benefit of others, much like a white lie. Manuela did not inform Esteban about the unconventional truth about his father, supposedly to protect her son from the implications of having a transvestite for a father.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Almodà ³var’s casting of a woman protagonist and transsexual males could be interpreted as a social satire, but if we try to analyze the intention behind the film, we are likely to arrive at a positive note. â€Å"Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)† becomes a representative for the Spanish culture. Other cultures who would watch the film would realize that the Spanish community is not all about machismo. The film somewhat deconstructs the stereotyped image of the Spanish culture as being male-dominated. The film is seemingly arguing that the Spanish women are just as interesting as Spanish men.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   All in all, Almodà ³var’s â€Å"Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)† shares the culture of the Spaniards in a new yet more vibrant light. The English subtitles are really helpful for those without a background on the Spanish language. However, the original language should be preserved for the audience to have a distinct Spanish experience. Bibliography ALMODÓVAR, P. (1999) â€Å"Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother)†   

Engagement Letter Essay

The memo verifies the agreement of the purpose of the engagement and the quality and constraints of the services the firm offers. Talbot Auditing Firm will review the financial statements of Apollo Shoes at the end of the year. Talbot auditing firm will review the accounts such as the operations records, retained earnings, and cash flow accounts. An audit’s goal is to form an opinion about the fairness of the accounting records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The audit will be performed according to auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. The firm will perform tests of the accounting records and other procedures essential in stating an opinion. If the opinion is not unqualified, the firm will give reasons. If the firm cannot complete the audit, they might not give out a report on the engagement. The firm will test the existence of inventory, and confirm receivables and payables and other assets and liabilities by letters to a few customers, creditors, and financial institutions. The auditor will ask for a letter of representation from the company’s attorney. The attorney might bill Apollo Shoes for replying to the query. When the firm concludes the audit, the firm may ask for written statements about the financial statements and other issues. The auditor will carry out the audit to know if the records are free of material misstatement. The auditor’s intention is to give reasonable, not absolute assurance. The auditor will not provide a thorough assessment of each transaction so a risk of material errors, fraud, and illegal acts might exist and go unnoticed by the auditor. The firm may terminate the services for nonpayment and consider the engagement completed upon a written request of termination even though the auditor fails to complete a report. Apollo Shoes will pay for extended time and out-of-pocket cost through date of termination. If you agree to the above conditions of this engagement, sign the letter at the bottom. Please return the signed letter and keep a copy for company records. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.

Stock Market Recap Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Stock Market Recap - Assignment Example Analysts’ opinion predict significant and consistent rise in price that could reach a high of $ 114 per share in the next one year but $ 95 is most probable. Risk of loss is minimal as a low of $ 80 is forecasted in a year. The forecast further suggest long-term price increase (CNN 1). Forecasted earnings per share that show steady increment (Nasdaq 1) also supports possibility of sustainable price increment to inform the decision to purchase more shares for long-term investment. Telsa Motors promised continuous rise in stock prices and this informed its selection. A one-week consideration, before purchase, informed this and saw an increase by $ 13. Information on possible launch of a new product by Telsa influenced the positive price change, positive experience with the proposed product is likely to sustain stock price increase, and the speculated rise in prices informed the selection. I would hold the current shares. Telsa Motors stock prices have gained, steadily, over the past eight weeks but a review of its trend before the eight weeks and investor analysts’ opinions suggest high risks. Divine (1) reports that previous discount initiatives could have influenced the current trend and that the trend may not be sustainable. A one-year forecast on the stock price also identifies greater risk of loss and analysis recommend hold of the stock (Markets 1). Two factors that suggest sustained price increase of The Walt Disney Company informed its selection. Announcement of a movie influence positive price changes and while rise is likely to last for a while, opening of Disneyland Park in Shanghai is likely to influence further price increase. The two events informed a short-term investment prospects in the company’s shares. I would purchase more of the company’s shares because of the company’s internal factors that suggest

Critical analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Critical analysis - Essay Example With these clearly set, one can now set on to writing, and this makes writing simple. In earlier stages, students write based on their experiences. However, in academic writing, one maybe required writing on a totally new topic, and this requires one to have good research skill. Research in academic goes beyond Google and Wikipedia, to databases with scholarly writings. One also must have the ability to read complex texts and analyze them to succeed in academic writing. Academic writing is described as an argument. This is because; one presents a case and offers support to it, in an attempt to convince others. This depends on the writers ability to present their ideas in an organized manner and persuasively. Academic writing is also an analysis where the author focuses on the how and why questions. It is advisable to start with a draft and then develop the ideas on the draft to create the final paper. Success in academic writing depends on how well one knows what they are doing as well as how they approach

Improving Maternal health Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Improving Maternal health - Research Paper Example Despite maternal health concern being in the millennium development goals, the condition is still wanting. Maternal has for been a leading cause of death for many women and children. Efforts have been made to handle the situation with political aid. According to world health organization report of 2012, it has led to the global reduction of maternal health by 47% since 1990 to 2012. However, approximately 800 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In most underserved and marginalized communities are unable to access the information, resources, and services leading to prevailing of poor maternal health. Filippi demonstrated the health condition in developing countries to be poor compared to the developed countries (361). The factors that drive communities to high mortality rates despite the measure put to control are variety. Poverty, lack of knowledge, cultural ties, few skilled attendants and distance to hospitals are contributing factors to mor tality deaths. There is a need to look into the issue deaths related pregnancies to safeguard the lives the mother and the child. WHO report of 2013 suggested an estimation of 289,000 women died during delivery. According to Bergsma, the situation in developing countries is 97 times worse than in developing countries. Antenatal care would reduce maternal mortality (35-54). The majority of deaths are reported to occur during and immediately following birth. WHO â€Å"Maternal Mortality† report shows that excessive bleeding causes 25%, 15% due to infections, 12% for the seizure disorder and 8% are due to obstructed labor. Other causes of death during pregnancy include unsafe abortions that account for 13% of the total deaths. The situation is so alarming in the society and needs further actions to reduce the deaths globally. The issue of death is extended to the postpartum period.  

Today's digital media impact on young people of America Research Paper

Today's digital media impact on young people of America - Research Paper Example Furthermore, numerous young Americans are multitasking, whereby they can be surfing the internet and listening to their favorite music at the same time, thus leading to consuming an average of eleven hours in media content and a minimum of seven hours. Enables Young People to Gain Technological Skills and Literacy Digital media has made a substantial contribution to inclusion of young American into the globalization which is knowledge based. Moreover, there is a substantial difference in the skills required during the past and present in order to foster success. Nevertheless, there are no clarified definitions by policy makers in America regarding education in the digital age, which can contribute to full realization of educational opportunities available for young Americans during the modern world. Furthermore, there are technological and literacy skills that are offered by educators through integration of digital media with the mainstream of the school curriculum, instructions and assessment (Gee, 33). Therefore, digital media have been used as a way of fostering engagement in personalization of leaning for the young Americans in order to facilitate high academic performance. In this case, relevant application of technology can has offer technological and literacy skills that enable children to learn more and provide a basis for assessment though conventional tests. In addition, digital media offers a platform to young Americans to facilitate informed decision making through application of meaningful information that alter the learning opportunities. Consequently, these opportunities are translated into personalized learning, which is the focus on availability of feedback to both students and teacher. Offers New Standard for Communication, Socializing, Interacting Digital media facilitates engagement of young Americans into full-time intimate communities, whereby they have a chance to communicate through various electronic devices such as mobile phones and co mputers (Tamar, 1). In fact, young American have been using new media to socialize and interact, by exploring romantic relationship and other casual interaction ensuring no problems in a situation where the other parties is not interested in an intimate relationship. Therefore, there is ambiguity associated with online socializing, whereby numerous young people are able to shift to an era of exploring in the process of seeking information from the internet. There are ways though which young Americans use digital media to probe into a certain area of interest, whereby they use the interactions consisting of online interest group. In addition, the digital media facilitate a degree of autonomy and freedom for the young Americans, which is less perceptible in a classroom. In this way, the young Americans are able to respect the authority of each other; thereby remaining motivated to learn from peer groups. Fosters a Generation that is Thinking "global" Young Americans are living in a wo rld of globalized media, and there are numerous complexities involved, whereby the young people are able to access globalize media through various forms of technologies. Nevertheless, there are challenges faces in the process of developing theoretical and methodological assumptions concerning research on youth, culture, learning and the use of digital media. There is a significant issue considered in the currently in a

Magnet Beauty Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Magnet Beauty - Case Study Example The proprietor behind Magnet Beauty Products Inc. is an entrepreneur called by the name Janette Clark. Her plans for the company collide with the new leasing laws. With a shift in the laws regarding leasing, changes in the lease contracts will have an implication to the income statement, balance sheet and the cash flow statement of the company. The two lease options that are available include a long term lease which will decrease the net income of the company but will reduce expenditure and improve the companies leverage level in case it wanted to sell out. However ,a short term lease will increase the net income of the company but costs will increase annually and the leverage of the company will stagnate. The leasing options provided by the recently reviewed FASB and IASB will ensure that a lease is considered an as an asset in the company’s balance sheet(Epstein et al., p.866) .According to Brigham, Eugene and Joel (p. 630),the capitalization of leases will mean that the benefits of the lease and the rights to use are transferred to the lease holder. This, according to Delaney, Patrick and Ray (p. 442) is capital expensive in the first year, but the expense of the lease declines gradually annually as the lease term expires due to amortization.. As an asset, the valuation of the company will include the leased property. This creates a higher valuation for the company which translates negatively on the profitability and efficiency of the company because the returns on assets will be much less. According to Epstein(p.826) ,for the short term leases under the current proposed leasing laws, the renewable clauses and the leasebacks normally attract an increased percentage in interest for the property value. After five years, with the current interest of property rates at 5%,the cost of property will be 25% more expensive. For Magnet Beauty Products Inc., I would advice that they go

CONFLICT OF LAWS IN BUSINESS & COMMERCE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

CONFLICT OF LAWS IN BUSINESS & COMMERCE - Essay Example This report will first provide a brief explanation of basic issues that arise in reference to the enforcement of foreign judgments in England and then apply them in the context of the four different instances where damages have been levied on Pulman Technics by foreign courts. A dispute over a foreign judgment may involve one of three elements (a) whether the Court which issued the judgment has the necessary jurisdiction (b) choice of law applicable in those judgments and (c) recognition and enforcement of judgments (Clarkson and Hill, 2007:131). Foreign judgments are recognized and given effect to by courts in other countries, because the recognition of foreign judgments is one of the essential elements of private international law on the basis of res judicata provisions. Through the application of the full faith and credit doctrine, courts do recognize the judgments delivered by other courts functioning within a competent jurisdiction. The Theory of obligation rests on the premise that if the original court’s assumption of jurisdiction was in order, then it should prima facie be recognizable in England.(Clarkson and Hill, 2007: 133) In the case of judgments that have been passed within countries that are a part of the Brussels Convention, such judgments would be enforceable in England, provided they are not repugnant to the principles of morality and fairness advocated under English law.In the case of foreign judgments passed in countries that are not a part of the Brussels Convention and where no reciprocal enforcement treaties exist, the action to enforce the judgment must be brought under common law rules. The matter of consent will be established if there is a contractual clause allowing jurisdiction to the foreign court, or if there is a voluntary appearance by the judgment-debtor. (Clarkson and Hill, 2007:136). A defendant must have been present in the foreign country where action is being brought against him or her and in the event,

Mexican American Essay Example for Free

Mexican American Essay ?Even though we as a society live in a more liberal world as compared to life in eighteenth century or even nineteenth century, there are still people who separate themselves from people of different race, age, sex, religion because perhaps they do not handle change well. People all across their world at one point in their life time can have directly or indirectly experienced stereotypes, racism, and or discrimination. Most likely their race or ethnicity was the basis of why the experienced happened. The concept of race and ethnicity has to be established first among people to get a better understanding of the people they interact with on a daily basis. Race is a concept that is dividing people into groups or populations based on their genetic or biological appearance. A factor that people most associate this with is skin color. Then there is the concept of ethnicity that is more complicated for people to completely understand. Ethnicity is a population in which people identify themselves with by shared culture and history. This will help a person understand why people identify themselves with Mexican, Latino, Cherokee, American, German, and even African American. Personally I have dealt with and experienced stereotypes, racism, and discrimination based on my race. Stereotypes are beliefs and assumptions that are associated with individuals based on their sex, religion, race, or age that may not accurately reflect reality. Some of the stereotypes that I have come across are all Mexicans speak Spanish, all Mexicans are here illegally, illiterate, and have families of ten or more. Those are just a few stereotypes that some of my white and Asian friends have told me that quite offended me. In fact not all Mexicans speak Spanish and even though I am bilingual don’t mean people should automatically assume that every Mexican they come across will know Spanish because sometimes it is based on whether or not they learned from their parents growing up or in school. Then the part where some have said that all Mexicans are here illegally is far from being completely true. I was born here in good ole Lubbock, Texas. Yes, my mom is from Durango which is a city in Mexico but after coming here to the United States at age fourteen she became a U. S. citizen to be able to work and support her family in Mexico. There are in fact some people here illegally but that should not be reflected onto those who were born in the U. S. Not all Mexicans are illiterate because what person would not have trouble trying to read or write in another language that is not their primary language. That means that they have to take time and learn to read, write, and speak English, just like any other foreigner coming from another country. Also to address the stereotype that Mexicans have families of ten or more is not accurate. It is in the culture to have big families because sometimes it has to do with the common religion amongst Mexicans is catholic and therefore birth control is something that is frowned upon and even a sin in that religion. But usually having big families is a choice between the husband and wife; it’s not just something that is instilled within every Mexican to want big families. Moreover, racism and discrimination sort of go hand in hand with one another. Racism is when a belief that all members of a race are inferior or superior to another race. Discrimination is treatment and judgment towards a group of people based on class, age, sex, and race that they are in favor for or against. Discrimination is one I had to deal with on my first time applying for a job once I turned seventeen. I was living in Alice, Texas for the summer and I applied to a small fast food restaurant. I spoke to the manager who happens to be an older white woman on the phone about positions that were open for hire and she was more than willing to speak to me in person. I walk into the restaurant on the set date to meet and she was surprised when I told her, â€Å"Hi, my name is Addy; I am the person you spoke to on the phone about jobs†. She then quickly said, â€Å"Were fully staffed now, I am sorry† and walked off through the double doors to the kitchen. I was so upset because I knew it had to do with me being Mexican because I took a look around the restaurant and all the waitresses, cashier, and cooks were white. My dad and I had a long talk of his experiences through his life in regards of discrimination. He is going to be seventy-two this November and it is sad to know that through all those years discrimination has not disappeared. Also racism is something I currently deal with at my job at Covenant usually amongst the older generation. My position at the hospital is a phlebotomist and it typically is racist comments or even as straight forward as them saying, â€Å"Can I have Chance, the white guy? † instead of me to draw their blood. I have got to the point where it does not faze me much at work because I know I need to keep my composure and stay professional in a situation like that. Therefore, people of all ages, gender, and race have had an experience where stereotyping, racism, and discrimination were involved. Whether it was directly happening to them or indirectly where they have witnessed it happening to someone else, it still has affected their life in some way. It is how a person handles the situation that makes all the difference. Maybe one day in the near future people will be more accepting of change and differences amongst everyone that diminishes stereotypes, racism, and discrimination.

Glucose Improves Listening Span Essay Example for Free

Glucose Improves Listening Span Essay This study was conducted to see the consequences for listening comprehension by examining the effects of a glucose drink on performance. The researchers predicted a hypothesis. The hypothesis being that listening span will be sensitive to glucose consumption. Students who fasted overnight would improve after drinking a glucose drink, where the placebo drink would not improve performance after fasting. The hypothesis was supported. There was an alternate/ research hypothesis used in this study. The independent variable was the glucose and the placebo that was being used in the study. It also shows that there was a difference between the two groups being tested. The numbers show that the glucose level was higher when real sugar drinks were being used. The data was collected by physical measures. They took a convenience sampling of eighty A- level students from two colleges. Within the sample there were 44 males and 36 females. The participants were asked to report to a specific room at 9 a. m. No more than 10 were in each room within a particular college. They were randomly assigned either the glucose or placebo group (they were unaware of any distinction). They were administered a version of the Listening Span Test. The students listened to a series of sentences. Then on a response sheet, they would record whether the preposition in each sentence was true or false. Then the students were required to write down, in forward serial order the last word in each sentence. After completion there was a twenty minute interval. Students were given orange juice to drink. One group got real orange juice; the other was given a placebo drink to emulate orange juice. They were then given a different version of the Listening Span Test. Researchers took ten samples of blood; five from placebo and five from glucose group. There wasn’t a difference in the taste of the beverages that was given to the students, even though one drink had 50 grams of glucose and the placebo contained the 2 grams of sweetex in place of the glucose. There was a clinically trained staff member that handled all of the sampling as well as the disposal of the materials that was being used to conduct the study. The students that took part of this study gave three blood samples before the drinks were consumed, and three more samples of blood was required 20 minutes after the Listening Span Test was given for the second time. They used the experimental method to analyze the data, using the glucose drink and placebo drink as an independent variable compared to the test scores as the dependent variable. The researcher controlled as much as possible to determine the cause and effect relationship exists between the variables being studied. The research design was quantitative due to the data analysis and cannot take place until all data had been collected. The researcher starts with a hypothesis for testing, observes and collected the data, analyzes the data, and drew conclusions. There was a statistical significance found when comparing listening span test score of 2. 4 before the drink to 3. 1 after the drink. In examining the data collected, the corollary effects shown were the scores showed improvement in the glucose group after receiving the drink compared to no performance difference before the drink was consumed. Controlling blood sugar is very important because sugar is used as a fuel, but cannot be stored; it is broken down and released into the blood stream. Every person’s glucose levels are different; this test was done on healthy students that had never been diagnosed with having any problems with high glucose/sugar levels. If it had been done on some people that had been diagnosed with diabetes and some that are in good health, the results would have been much higher. There was a factor that could affect the internal validity of the study. The pancreas could affect blood glucose levels; because when blood sugar drops it releases glycogen from the liver. So after the fasting the body its self would release glycogen into the bloodstream. Therefore they could not present a clear relationship between blood sugar level and cognitive capacity. What we did learn was the brain uses glucose as its fuel. The glucose levels of the students that did participate in the study stayed the same, and the listening span did improve after the consumption of the glucose drink. There was no difference or change in the listening span of the students that had beverages containing saccharine. Fasting also played a role in this study; it helped improve the listening span after the students received drinks that contained real sugar (glucose). The purpose of using the Listening Span Test was to measure the capacity of verbal memory. Sentences were read to the students the longest was six sentences long. This was done to determine how much the students could comprehend in a short period of time. In conclusion the research showed a modest increase in listening span performance after a glucose drink was taken. It was preferable for students to eat a nutritious breakfast but if not the students could consume a convenient form of glucose to elevate blood sugar levels that suggests a relationship between glucose drink and improvement level of performance. This conclusion falls into explanatory use. It meets guidelines such as having a dependent and independent variable, a control group and experimental group. This study showed a clear cause and effect relationship due to the increase in listening span after drinking the glucose. All students were given guidelines to follow before the test was administered and was randomly selected from their local colleges. While the study had merit, the potential threat to the internal validity needs to be addressed. How much did the pancreas contribute to raising the glucose levels in the body?