The Value of Work and Money Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Value of Work and Money - Essay Example It is always a regular battle for people to find jobs, even to those who graduated from universities. For this reason, some are challenged to take jobs with low salaries or that are not related to their education at all. Some try to make sense of such circumstances, considering it to be a stepping stone, a way of taking some experience on work for them to eventually land the job they want, in time. The perseverance that I have seen in most Chinese makes a one who would not easily give up, no matter how difficult situations are. If John Updike considers that â€Å"one of the advantages of having been a child in the depression is that it takes very little money to gladden the heart† (Updike, 125), I, for one who was raised in a country where applying for one position in a restaurant is a competition among hundreds of applicants, consider it a joy to have a job, no matter how difficult it is. It also follows that regardless of the salary, it easily gladdens the Chinese heart for one to have a job. This probably reflects as well the Chinese upbringing of never being ashamed about small beginnings as most wealthy Chinese worked their way to where they are now through hard work, perseverance and not being choosy of the demands of work. I always considered this to be an admirable character so with the same principle, I volunteered for odd jobs in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. The jobs were physically demanding. At night, as I rest on my bed, I felt like my body was badly beaten during the day. Nevertheless, there was the feeling of satisfaction that boosted my value and importance. I usually congratulated myself for a job well done during the day and treat myself to a restful night for me to be able to face another day of hard work. In such times, I felt like I was a true Chinese. I was proud of myself. In addition, I worked for a few days at a Chinese restaurant. There, I learned a lot not only about work but about job. I was challenged to continue with my studies as I observed that a university education greatly helps in the success of a person. I realized that I could actually work hard, maybe in a different manner as when I am an employee at a restaurant; that I could equally be tired but would be more financially rewarded. What I mean is that, if I have a good education that will propel me to get a white collar job, I may work as hard as a waiter, tired as dog by the end of the day, but well compensated. If I have an education that will make me stand out among others, I will not be like most who are just able to work with their hands, feet and common knowledge but I will be armed with a special knowledge and skill that would give me the chance to earn better salaries. I know I can get to the point of being the one giving a tip to the restaurant employee and not the one taking it. I do not mean to minimize the value of such job and situation; I just want to have a higher value for what I do. Studying in the United States, I am cons idered to be stingy. I do not see it that way, though. I understand that the worth of every cent I spend is the value of my parents’ sweat, hard work and long nights. If Updike says, â€Å"coins were once worth their weight in silver or gold†, they are worth my parents’ dreams for me. Nowadays, money can be easily spent. There are a lot of things to buy, many malls and places to go to. Coins and paper money can easily disappear from one’s wallet. Yet, as a person raised in a family where money is spent only in meaningful and

Modern Latin America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Modern Latin America - Essay Example The colonial age in the Latin world should be considered as the region’s most influential years: the laws, norms, movements and conflicts, were significantly influential in deciding the character of the land today. It is known that the Spanish people were the only prominent power that fought over the Latin world to acquire their control (Keen & Haynes, 2012). This is why they have some much influence even to the Latin world of today. As Spain’s political power was merged in the second half of the 16th century, so was its capacity to control and regulate the colonial economy. Functioning in line with the mercantilistic strictures of that era, Spain endeavored to capitalize on ventures through exporting valuable products, such as silver and later other agricultural commodities and minerals (Keen & Haynes, 2012). They also supplied the new colonial market with already manufactured goods in order to create an encouraging balance of trade for the Latin world. Nevertheless, t he strongly regulated trading dominion, based in Seville, was not always capable of providing the colonies effectively, and; therefore the Latin world later saws its independence (Edwards, 2010). This was after a number of successful fights against the Spanish army. Therefore, what changes marked the transition to independence? This paper will discuss the above question especially noting the issues of the Church, race, political legitimacy, neocolonialism, imperialism, sovereignty and national identity. Some of the three primary factors that this paper considers being the landmark of Latin America’s independence are the Catholic Church (separation of the church from the state), imperialism (a free market, the extension of public education and industrialization) and political legitimacy. Church The Church in Latin America bore the marks of its colonial and Iberian past following independence. Spain Catholics adopted a custom of strong faith, a vital doctrinal of enduring piety and knowledge (Keen & Haynes, 2012). Adherence itself was a means of knowledge because, in the Mass, people learnt the scriptures, the doctrines, as well as the secrets of the Catholic faith. Portugal broadcasted an orthodox Catholicism, as well, but with a lower degree of adherence and a less doctrinal knowledge. Everywhere, religion and faith in Latin America was a religious conviction of the citizens and the Church went to receive the observance and the admiration of the mestizos, Indians and other popular people (Edwards, 2010). Supreme groups were less devoted, and the prominent respect for the Church in the 19th century was the apostasy of the influential people, not the neglect of the masses. The Iberian convention in religion favored a well known, honored and a state-ran Church (Keen & Haynes, 2012). But, following independence, the church opted to separate itself from the states. The influential, wealthy and privileged people of the Church were perceived by the new states as an opponent focus of adherence, a source of revenue and a substitute power. The risk of state control emerged in a new form after independence (Edwards, 2010). The Church, therefore, had to look to its own assets and these, in the early 19th century, were thinning. The church was granted an advantaged position because it was also prevalent in Europe at that time. The entire region was typified by great rates of Catholicism after independence. Catholicism rates reached as high as 90% out of the entire Latin American population. Following independe