The Teen (By Nyus Alfred)

Cricket Poll

2010-10-10T10:08:00.001-07:00

China Today

2010-05-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

China in the Global Economy
China in the Global Economy
Moderator:
William C. Kirby, Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration, HBS;
T.M. Chang Professor of China Studies, Harvard University
Panelists:
Victor Kwok-King Fung, Group Chairman, Li & Fung Group
John M. Stropki, Chairman, President, and CEO, Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.
G. Richard Wagoner Jr., Chairman and CEO, General Motors
Marjorie M.T. Yang, Chairman, Esquel Group
Overview
“China will not be insulated from the global
economic downturn but the slowdown will be mostly
China’s economy has transformed from an export-driven
on the export side.”
economy to a domestically driven economy. While the global
Victor Kwok-King Fung
economic downturn will affect China’s exports, the domestic
economy is expected to remain strong. Given its size, the
It is important to recognize that China’s economy is closely
Chinese domestic market is strategically important for all
integrated with other Asian economies. Companies are
global companies striving to maintain their global positions.
increasingly developing dispersed supply chains with
operations in China and other Asian countries.
In the short term, companies doing business in China will
face challenges such as an underdeveloped infrastructure,
To retain global leadership, foreign companies must
unfamiliar business structures, and limited skills among
win Chinese consumers.
middle- and upper-level managers. Despite these obstacles,
The domestic consumption estimates for the Chinese
the current and long-term potential in China is immense.
market are staggering. The automobile market provides an
excellent illustration. In 1997, there were 1.5 million
Context
automobiles sold in China. By 2007, annual auto sales had
grown six times, to over 8.5 million. With annual growth in
The panel discussed the economic outlook for China, as well
the 20% to 25% range, in five to ten years China will be
as the opportunities and challenges related to doing business
the largest auto market in the world.
in the country.
Foreign companies recognize that the Chinese market is a
Key Takeaways
critical source of growth.
General Motors. General Motors first entered the
Economic growth will continue in China, driven by
domestic consumption.
Chinese market through a partnership with Shanghai
Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in the mid-
Although China’s economy will probably not grow in 2008
1990s. GM’s sales in China have been steadily growing
at the rate predicted by the government, the prognosis is
ever since. In 1997, GM sold 50,000 cars in China. In
still for stable and significant growth. China will likely
2007, GM, with its partners, sold over 1 million cars. GM
manage 9% growth in both 2008 and 2009.
is also working on a venture to produce a car at a
$3,500 to $5,500 price point. Almost all of the cars that
The largest driver for this sustained economic growth is
GM makes in China are sold in the country. The
domestic consumption. Last year China experienced 11%
company’s primary interest is in the massive domestic
growth. This was comprised of 5% growth from domestic
market.
consumption, 4% from investment, and 2% from net trade.
“We sell more Buicks in China than we do in the U.S.”
“I see China as in a period of stable growth.”
G. Richard Wagoner Jr.
Victor Kwok-King Fung
Lincoln Electric. Lincoln Electric is the world’s largest
In recent years, the Chinese economy has transformed
manufacturer of welding equipment. Because China is
away from an export-driven economy towards a domestic-
the world’s largest market for welding products, China is
consumption-led economy. That trend is expected to
strategically important to the company’s future. The
continue. Net trade is decreasing as a driver of growth for
amount of building in China, particularly for infrastruc-
a few reasons. There has been a surge of imports, and
ture, has driven Lincoln’s investment in five Chinese
the global economic downturn has dampened demand
plants. Just a small amount of the products that Lincoln
for exports. At the same time, the government has de-
produces in China are exported outside of the country.
emphasized export processing (i.e., importing raw
materials, adding a small amount of value, and then
“China is the #1 market for welding products. If
exporting) in favor of more value-added exports.
we aren’t #1 in China, we can’t be #1 globally.”
John M. Stropki
Summit Report 2008
2
©2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College
China in the Global Economy
The experience of Esquel Group over the past 30 years
“The infrastructure is still not what it needs to be.
reflects China’s evolution from a planned to a market
The cost and time to ship products is high.”
economy.
John M. Stropki
Today, Esquel Group is a multibillion dollar vertically
integrated global manufacturing company. But that hasn’t
While progress is being made in improving the “hard”
always been the case. The company started in 1978 as a
infrastructure, Mr. Fung believes that the soft infra-
small shirt manufacturer. When the company started, there
structure, such as inconsistent licensing requirements
were no export quotas, as there were no exports.
and laws across provinces, still must be improved.
Unfamiliar business structures. In the United States,
In the late 1980s the company produced shirts for clients
companies are accustomed to competitors who are
such as Ralph Lauren and Nordstrom. These clients
focused on profit. In China, the environment can be very
wanted to maintain high quality while keeping their retail
different. There is a mix of private companies, state-
prices flat. Esquel couldn’t meet these goals by continuing
owned companies which lack a profit motive, and hybrid
to purchase fabric from Japan as it had done. In response,
businesses. Government businesses exist to provide
the company built its first woven fabric mill to manufacture
employment, rather than to create profits.
its own high-quality, low-cost fabric.
Limited management skills. Although the quantity and
Once the company operated its own mill, it experienced
the quality of the human capital in China is very
another challenge: The quality of the cotton being grown in
strong—with abundant skills and a strong work ethic—
China was not adequate. The reason: In China the cotton
the country is lacking good middle- and upper-level
market is government controlled. The prices set by the
managers. This lack of managerial expertise is due in
government were low, which incented farmers to create
part to the cultural revolution which shut down
cotton for high yield, rather than for high quality. Out of
universities for a ten-year period. Because of the
necessity, Esquel has entered cotton farming to grow high-
shortage of good managers, foreign companies often
quality cotton. The government encouraged Esquel to
must bring in large numbers of expatriates to support
make this move. These events—and more—reflect China’s
operations. This can be expensive.
evolution from a country of low-cost manufacturing to a
country of value-added solutions. This path and evolution
Corruption. There remains a great deal of corruption in
have been supported by China’s government.
all elements of Chinese business. It is considered the
norm, but slowly that is beginning to change.
“Esquel became cotton farmers and the government
encouraged us to do it. They want to introduce the
Concerns mentioned by the panelists that could negatively
affect China’s sustained growth include: if China were to
private sector into government-controlled markets.”
move away from an outward orientation to an inward
Marjorie M.T. Yang
focus; if there were a shift breakdown in U.S./Chinese
As Esquel and China matured, export quotas were
relations; and if China were to fail to establish a social
established. To navigate in this environment Esquel has
safety net for its citizens.
established operations elsewhere around the globe.
Other Important Points
In addition, Esquel participates in an industry association
of textile companies that engages in a dialogue with the
Urbanization. The Chinese government has a goal of
government about the economy, even at times advocating
moving 1% of the population to cities each year, which
against state-owned enterprises.
represents 13 million people per year moving from rural
to urban locations. At the same time, the country wants
Although the future looks bright for business in China,
to avoid urban sprawl. The goal is to create high-density
challenges still exist for foreign companies.
urban centers that are connected by a high-speed rail.
Despite China’s sustained growth, significant challenges
still exist for the country and for foreign companies wanting
Use of English. Mr. Fung believes that the language
to do business there.
used in China for software will be a telling sign regarding
if China is inwardly or externally focused. In his view,
Infrastructure. The Chinese infrastructure is still not
use of English is needed to sustain an external focus.
what it needs to be to support an industrial economy of
the scale of China’s. There is tremendous investment in
China and alternative energy. Mr. Wagoner said that in
infrastructure of all types (roads, railroads, airports,
20-30 years, the likely fuel source for cars will be hydro-
ports, etc.); China is investing the highest percent of
gen. Evolving to hydrogen will require a public/private
GDP in infrastructure of any country in the world. While
partnership. This will be difficult in many countries, but
much of this investment is occurring in the major cities,
due to the heavy involvement of the government in the
farther west and in rural areas much work remains to be
economy, China may be well positioned to pull off such a
done.
partnership.
Summit Report 2008
3
©2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College
Speaker Biographies
Speaker Biographies
Fung was chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development
William C. Kirby (Moderator)
Council (1991–2000), the Hong Kong representative on the
Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration, HBS;
APEC Business Advisory Council (1996–2003), and
T.M. Chang Professor of China Studies, Harvard University
chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (1999–May
2008). He is now chairman of the International Chamber of
William Kirby is the Spangler Family Professor of Business
Commerce and a member of the Commission on Strategic
Administration at HBS and the T.M. Chang Professor of
Development.
China Studies at Harvard University. He is a Harvard
University Distinguished Service Professor. He serves as
On the Chinese mainland, Fung is a member of the Chinese
director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies and
People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Inter-
chairman of the Harvard China Fund.
national Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of
Beijing and an economic advisor to the People’s Government
A historian of modern China, Kirby examines China’s
of Nanjing. He is also an honorary trustee of Peking Univer-
business, economic, and political development in an
sity, and a member of the advisory board of the School of
international context. He has written on the evolution of
Economics and Management at Tsinghua University.
modern Chinese business (state-owned and private);
Chinese corporate law and company structure; the history
Fung is chairman of the Asia advisory board of Prudential
of freedom in China; China’s environmental challenges;
Financial Inc. (U.S.A.) and an independent nonexecutive
relations across the Taiwan Strait; and China’s relations
director of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Ltd., Orient Overseas
with Europe and America. His current projects include
(International) Ltd. in Hong Kong, Baosteel Group Corpor-
case studies of contemporary Chinese businesses and a
ation in the People’s Republic of China, and CapitaLand
comparative study of higher education in China and the
Limited in Singapore.
United States. He is an honorary visiting professor at Peking
University, Nanjing University, Chongqing University, and
In 1995 Hong Kong Business Awards named Fung Business-
Fudan University.
man of the Year for his entrepreneurial success and his
contribution to Hong Kong’s economic development. He was
Kirby has also held appointments as visiting professor at the
also chosen as Hong Kong Leader of the Year in 1998, and
University of Heidelberg and the Free University of Berlin.
BusinessWeek named him one of 50 Asian leaders leading
Before coming to Harvard in 1992, he was professor of
the region out of economic crisis. He was made a
history, director of Asian studies, and dean of University
commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1993 in
College at Washington University in St. Louis. At Harvard, he
recognition of his commitment to public service. In 1997 the
has served as chair of the History Department, director of the
University of Hong Kong awarded him an honorary doctor of
Asia Center, and, most recently, dean of the Faculty of Arts
laws degree, and in 2001 he was awarded the Harvard
and Sciences. As dean of Harvard’s largest school from 2002
Medal for outstanding service to Harvard University. In 2003
to 2006, he initiated major reforms in undergraduate educa-
the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
tion in Harvard College; enhanced Harvard’s international
Region awarded Fung the Gold Bauhinia Star for
studies at home and abroad; substantially increased financial
distinguished service to the community.
aid in the College and the Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences; supported the growth of the Division (now School)
Fung holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical
of Engineering and Applied Sciences; and oversaw the
engineering from MIT and a doctorate in business economics
construction of major new buildings in the life sciences,
from Harvard University. He also taught for four years as a
engineering, and the arts. During his tenure the faculty
professor at HBS before returning to Hong Kong in 1976.
expanded at its most rapid rate since the 1960s.
Fung is married with three children.
Kirby holds degrees from Dartmouth College and Harvard
John M. Stropki
University, and an honorary doctorate from the Free
Chairman, President, and CEO, Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.
University of Berlin. He is a fellow of the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences.
John Stropki is chairman, president, and CEO of Lincoln
Electric Holdings Inc., where he has been a director since
Victor Kwok-King Fung
1998. He was named president and CEO in June 2004 and
Group Chairman, Li & Fung Group
elected chairman of the board in October 2004. From May
2003 to June 2004, he served as Lincoln’s COO.
Victor Fung is the group chairman of the Li & Fung Group of
companies, which includes major subsidiaries in trading,
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric is a global
distribution, and retailing, including publicly listed Li & Fung
manufacturer and market leader of welding, cutting, and
Ltd., Integrated Distribution Services Group Ltd., and
joining products. Lincoln has 38 manufacturing locations,
Convenience Retail Asia. He is also chairman of the Hong
including operations and joint ventures, in 20 countries and a
Kong University Council and the Greater Pearl River Delta
worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering
Business Council.
more than 160 countries.
Summit Report 2008
4
©2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College
Speaker Biographies
Stropki started at Lincoln more than 35 years ago, working
He moved to GM of Canada Ltd. in 1987 as vice president
summers in the factory of the Cleveland operations while an
and finance manager. In October 1988, he became group
engineering student at Purdue University. After graduating in
director, strategic business planning, for the former
1972, he joined Lincoln full-time as a sales trainee and later
Chevrolet-Pontiac-GM of Canada Group.
worked in the Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Chicago district
offices. He also served as district manager for the offices in
Wagoner is a member of the board of trustees of Duke
Columbus and Cleveland. He was national sales manager for
University, the Tsinghua School of Economics and Manage-
Canada from 1992 to 1994, when he was named senior vice
ment advisory board, the Board of Dean’s Advisors of HBS,
president of sales, U.S. and Canada. In 1996 he was
and the boards of directors of Catalyst and the Detroit
appointed EVP and president, North America.
Country Day School. He is chairman of the Society of Auto-
motive Engineers’ A World in Motion executive committee
Stropki earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering
and a member of the Business Council, the Business Round-
from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University.
table, and the Detroit Renaissance executive committee.
He is a recipient of Purdue’s 1998 Outstanding Industrial
Engineer Award.
Marjorie M.T. Yang, MBA 1976
Chairman, Esquel Group
In 2002 the board of directors of the American Welding
Society elected Stropki an honorary member for serving the
Margie Yang is chairman of Esquel Group, a leading textile
welding community with great distinction, citing his expertise
and apparel manufacturer with operations throughout the
and knowledge of the science and application of welding.
world.
Stropki now serves on the board and executive committee of
the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI and is a member of the Gas
After growing up in Hong Kong, Yang attended MIT, where
and Welding Distributors Association. He is on the executive
she earned a BS in pure mathematics. In 1976 she received
committee of the National Electrical Manufacturers
an MBA from HBS. In 1978 she returned to Hong Kong and
Association board of governors and on the board of the
became a founding member of Esquel. She was named
Greater Cleveland Partnership.
chairman of the group in 1995.
Stropki is active in the American Lung Association and the
Under Yang’s leadership, Esquel has become vertically
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). He was the
integrated. Its operations comprise cotton farming; yarn
honoree at the JDRF Greater Cleveland chapter’s gala and
spinning; fabric, apparel, and accessories production; R&D;
fundraiser in 2007. He also served as the honorary chairman
and design and merchandising services. Esquel’s 47,000
of the Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts of
employees across the world provide one-stop cotton-shirt
America’s annual Good Scout Luncheon in April 2008.
solutions to Abercrombie & Fitch, Brooks Brothers, Hugo
Stropki and his wife have two adult children and two
Boss, Next, Nike, Nordstrom, Polo Ralph Lauren, and
granddaughters.
Tommy Hilfiger. Esquel produces over 65 million shirts a
year.
G. Richard Wagoner Jr., MBA 1977
Yang sits on the boards of Novartis International AG., Swire
Chairman and CEO, General Motors
Pacific Ltd., the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpor-
Rick Wagoner was elected General Motors chairman and
ation Ltd., and CLP Holdings Ltd. She is also a member of
CEO on May 1, 2003. He had been president and CEO since
the MIT Corporation and an honorary member of the Court of
June 2000.
the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Wagoner was elected president and COO in 1998 and had
Yang is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese
been EVP of GM and president of North American operations
People’s Political Consultative Conference. She has an
since 1994. He served as EVP and CFO from 1992 to 1994
strong interest in conserving the country’s environment and
and also had responsibility for worldwide purchasing from
culture, especially in Xinjiang, western China. Yang has been
1993 to 1994. Wagoner was president and managing director
chairman of the textile and clothing sector committee of the
of General Motors do Brasil (GMB) in 1991 and 1992. Before
China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment
that, he was vice president in charge of finance for General
(CAEFI) since 2003 and vice chairman of CAEFI since 2004.
Motors Europe based in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1989 and
She is dedicated to strengthening cooperation among
1990.
foreign-invested textile firms and enhancing communication
with the Chinese government.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1953, and raised in
Richmond, Virginia, Wagoner received a bachelor’s degree
Yang is also interested in promoting education, particularly
in economics from Duke University in 1975 and an MBA
the development of young managers. She has been very
from HBS in 1977.
involved with the MBA programs at Harvard, MIT, Tsinghua,
Fudan, and Lingnan universities and sits on various advisory
Wagoner began his GM career as an analyst in the
boards of these institutions.
Treasurer’s Office in New York in 1977. After several
promotions there, in 1981 he became treasurer of GMB in
São Paulo and, in 1984, GMB’s executive director of finance.
Summit Report 2008
5
©2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College

The emergence of China in the Global Economy by Lester Thurow HM

2010-05-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

Crazy Taxi

2009-08-22T17:09:00.001-07:00

Taxi Gone Wild

Click here to play this game

Cricket Master Blaster

2009-08-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

Cricket Master Blaster

Click here to play this game

High Dive (Game)

2009-08-22T17:06:00.001-07:00

High Dive Hero

Click here to play this game

Fast and Furious 4

2009-06-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Lesbian Vampire Killers

2009-06-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Drag Me To Hell

2009-06-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

Yes Man

2009-06-13T18:31:00.001-07:00

Appleseed Ex Machina

2009-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Lets joke around!!!

2009-05-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

Glad to be drunk
A completely inebriated man was stumbling down the street with one foot on the curb and one foot in the gutter. A cop pulled up and said, "I've got to take you in, pal. You're obviously drunk."

Our wasted friend asked, "Officer, are ya absolutely sure I'm drunk?"

"Yeah, buddy, I'm sure," said the copper. "Let's go."

Breathing a sigh of relief, the wino said, "Thank goodness, I thought I was crippled."

10 Husbands, Still a Virgin
A lawyer married a woman who had previously divorced ten husbands.

On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle, I'm still a virgin."

"What?" said the puzzled groom.

"How can that be if you've been married ten times?"

"Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative: he kept telling me how great it was going to be.

Husband #2 was in software services: he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me.

Husband #3 was from field services: he said everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.

Husband #4 was in telemarketing: even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver.

Husband #5 was an engineer: he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method.

Husband #6 was from finance and administration: he thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.

Husband #7 was in marketing: although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it.

Husband #8 was a psychologist: all he ever did was talk about it.

Husband #9 was a gynecologist: all he did was look at it.

Husband #10 was a stamp collector: all he ever did was... God! I miss him! But now that I've married you, I'm really excited!"

"Good," said the new husband, "but, why?"

"You're a lawyer. This time I know I'm gonna get screwed!"

Little Johnny's Playing Partner
Little Johnny is walking down the hall when he hears a noise from his parents room. He knocks on the door and asks his mom what’s going on. “Playing cards,” she replies. “Who’s your partner?” asked little johnny. “Your father!”

Content with his answer, Little Johnny walks further down the hall towards his room when he hears the same noise coming from his sister’s room. Again, he knocks on the door and asked his sister what was she doing. “Playing cards.” “With who?” he asks. ”My boyfriend!” she says.

A short while later, Little Johnny’s father is walking down the hall and hears a noise coming from Little Johnny’s room. He knocks on the door and asks ”What are you doing?” “Playing cards!” replied Johnny. ”Who’s your partner?” asked his father…

Little Johnny answers promptly, “With a hand like this who needs a partner?”

THE LETTER

After numerous rounds of "We don't know if Osama is still alive", Osama
himself decided to send Ted Kennedy a letter in his own handwriting to
let him know he was still in the game.

Kennedy opened the letter which appeared to contain a single line of
coded message: 370HSSV-0773H.

Kennedy was baffled, so he e-mailed it to John Kerry. Kerry and his
aides had no clue either, so they sent it to the FBI. No one could solve it at
the FBI so it went to the CIA, then to the NSA.

With no clue as to its meaning, the FBI finally asked Marine Corps
Intelligence for help
Within a few seconds the Marines cabled back with this reply: "Tell
Kennedy he's holding the message upside down."

India and Bangladesh in the West Indies 2009

2009-05-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

India tour of West Indies, 2009June 2009
Fri 26
09:30 local, 14:30 GMT 1st ODI - West Indies v India
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Sun 28
09:30 local, 14:30 GMT 2nd ODI - West Indies v India
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

July 2009
Fri 3
09:30 local, 13:30 GMT 3rd ODI - West Indies v India
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Sun 5
09:30 local, 13:30 GMT 4th ODI - West Indies v India
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Bangladesh tour of West Indies, 2009July 2009
Fri 3 - Sun 5
14:00 GMT TBC v Bangladeshis
Venue TBC
Barbados
Thu 9 - Mon 13
10:00 local, 14:00 GMT 1st Test - West Indies v Bangladesh
Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent

Fri 17 - Tue 21
10:00 local, 14:00 GMT 2nd Test - West Indies v Bangladesh
National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada

Fri 24
13:30 GMT TBC v Bangladeshis
Venue TBC
Dominica
Sun 26
09:30 local, 13:30 GMT 1st ODI - West Indies v Bangladesh
Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

Tue 28
09:30 local, 13:30 GMT 2nd ODI - West Indies v Bangladesh
Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

Fri 31
09:30 local, 13:30 GMT 3rd ODI - West Indies v Bangladesh
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

August 2009
Sun 2
14:00 local, 18:00 GMT Only T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

Children are quick---Just some humour

2009-05-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

Children Are Quick
____________________________________

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________

TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
____________________________________________

TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________

TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________

TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
_______________________________________

TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with 'I.'
MILLIE: I is . . .
TEACHER: No, Millie . . .. Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right . . . 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
_________________________________

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.
______________________________________

TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
______________________________

TEACHER: Clyde, your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE: No, sir. It's the same dog.
___________________________________

TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher

__________________________________

Xavier Marshall recalled to Windies Team for Twenty20 World Cup

2009-05-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

May 9, 2009

Xavier Marshall, the Jamaica batsman, has been recalled to the West Indies side for the World Twenty20. His team-mate, the allrounder Dave Bernard who is currently part of the team trying to defend the Wisden Trophy in England, has also been picked for next month's tournament.

Chris Gayle leads the full-strength 15-man squad, with Denesh Ramdin as his deputy. The only player from the side that was selected for West Indies' previous Twenty20 (against England in Trinidad) to miss out is opener Devon Smith.

The explosive but inconsistent Marshall had been a part of the New Zealand tour late last year and also played the first Test against England in February before losing his place after an extended lean patch.

West Indies will be looking to improve on their poor showing in the inaugural World twenty20 in 2007, when they crashed out in the first round after losing matches to South Africa and Bangladesh. In this year's tournament in England, they are grouped with Australia and Sri Lanka in the first phase.

West Indies squad: Chris Gayle (capt), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard jnr., Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor

I want to be an Economist, but is Economics really about? Let me tell you!!!

2009-05-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

In order to begin a discussion of economics, we first need to understand (1) the concept of scarcity and (2) the two branches of study within economics: microeconomics and macroeconomics.

1. Scarcity
Scarcity, refers to the tension between our limited resources and our unlimited wants and needs. For an individual, resources include time, money and skill. For a country, limited resources include natural resources, capital, labor force and technology.

Because all of our resources are limited in comparison to all of our wants and needs, individuals and nations have to make decisions regarding what goods and services they can buy and which ones they must forgo. For example, if you choose to buy one DVD as opposed to two video tapes, you must give up owning a second movie of inferior technology in exchange for the higher quality of the one DVD. Of course, each individual and nation will have different values, but by having different levels of (scarce) resources, people and nations each form some of these values as a result of the particular scarcities with which they are faced.

So, because of scarcity, people and economies must make decisions over how to allocate their resources. Economics, in turn, aims to study why we make these decisions and how we allocate our resources most efficiently.

2. Macro and Microeconomics
Macro and microeconomics are the two vantage points from which the economy is observed. Macroeconomics looks at the total output of a nation and the way the nation allocates its limited resources of land, labor and capital in an attempt to maximize production levels and promote trade and growth for future generations. After observing the society as a whole, Adam Smith noted that there was an "invisible hand" turning the wheels of the economy: a market force that keeps the economy functioning.

Microeconomics looks into similar issues, but on the level of the individual people and firms within the economy. It tends to be more scientific in its approach, and studies the parts that make up the whole economy. Analyzing certain aspects of human behavior, microeconomics shows us how individuals and firms respond to changes in price and why they demand what they do at particular price levels.

Micro and macroeconomics are intertwined; as economists gain understanding of certain phenomena, they can help nations and individuals make more informed decisions when allocating resources. The systems by which nations allocate their resources can be placed on a spectrum where the command economy is on the one end and the market economy is on the other. The market economy advocates forces within a competitive market, which constitute the "invisible hand", to determine how resources should be allocated. The command economic system relies on the government to decide how the country's resources would best be allocated. In both systems, however, scarcity and unlimited wants force governments and individuals to decide how best to manage resources and allocate them in the most efficient way possible. Nevertheless, there are always limits to what the economy and government can do.

My Valedictory Address (2008)

2009-05-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Masters of Ceremony, as I stand before this distinguished audience and my fellow graduants, I am experiencing mixed emotions. I feel such a great sense of pride. I feel extremely honored and privileged to be chosen as the valedictorian of this year graduating class. Being the valedictorian, was in my mind, was impossible, but I continued to dream - should I say, the impossible dream. Today, I realized what Bob Procter said is true,
‘The only limits in our life are those we impose on ourselves.’

Masters of ceremony, today marks the end of one very important chapter in the lives of class 2008. The road to this destination was not easy. There were many hiccups along the journey, but like all hiccups, they did not persist and did not prevent us from achieving our goals. So, here we are, the pillars of our secured future have been built through discipline and perseverance.

I must point out that, we, the graduants, did not make it our own but through the input of a number of individuals.

Among my colleagues, are some very talented individuals. There are comedians who made life very enjoyable. There are so many of them, that if I mention any by name, the others will get envious. One incident in the Chemistry class will remain with me . During our first class, I attempted to light the Bunsen burner ( I did not know how ). Afterwards, the beaker exploded with the iodine crystals and there was purple gas all around. Everyone ran for cover. They thought they had the ‘symptoms’ and were going to die. There was never a dull moment.

Our dedicated teachers went beyond the call of duty in order to prepare us for this day. They were much more than just teachers, they were more like parents, more like our confidantes. What would we have done without them? Sometimes, we went out of our way to make them angry…make them frustrated. For these moments, I apologize wholeheartedly for all of us.
Sometimes, like many of us here, I felt I could not go on but teachers, such as, Ms Saywack, Mrs Brown and Mrs Charles, among others, believed in me and inspired me to be the best I could be.

Zig Ziglar said, ‘If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner’. We should all remember this simple but profound quote.

Masters of ceremony, we strayed from the straight and narrow paths so many times but we were dragged right back on track by Mr. Augier and Ms Mondesir. Sometimes, we felt that they were too harsh but now I realize that it was all for our benefit. Thank you.

Further, this day would not be possible without the support of our loving parents and guardians. Their support was so crucial. There were times when our mothers feel that the only thing we should do is study. We got angry but today we say thank you. You had our best interest at heart.

Masters of Ceremony, the class of 2008, was more fortunate than the previous classes. We were allowed eight subjects but some of us did more that that. Our school environment was made more conducive to learning and we enjoyed the use of more facilities. For this privilege, we express thanks to the staff and the Ministry of Education.

Today, we are standing on another rung of the ladder of success.

Mahatma Ghandi said,
‘ Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a struggle and a victory’.

So my fellow graduants, do not give up when things are not going your way. Persevere and remember, happiness is the by-product of your achievements and great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice.

Masters of ceremony, some of us will enter the world of work immediately. To those who will, I say to you, enjoy whatever you do and do it to the best of your ability. Remember, there is dignity in all forms of work.

I believe that many of us will be moving on to higher education. Sometimes we may feel that we can’t do it. Persevere, you will reach the next level. I quite agree with Walt Disney.

He said,
‘Somehow I can’t believe that there are many heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret can be summarized in four C’s. There are: curiosity, confidence, courage and constancy and the greatest of these is CONFIDENCE.

Remember the four C’s my friends and the sky will be your limit. Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. If you do, then you will become your worst enemy. Your destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of your choice. It is not a thing that you can wait for. IT MUST BE ACHIEVED.

Once again. Remember your school motto: Discipline and Perseverance, the keys to success and the theme of our graduation : Discipline and Perseverance : the pillars of a secured future.

Masters of ceremony, we have come to the moment when I have to bid farewell to my colleagues. It is the moment that I fear the most but I find great consolation in the words of this anonymous writer:

‘Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before we can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends.’

Fellow graduants, my friends, this occasion marks the end of this chapter of our lives. We are about to open the next significant one. As I say farewell, I wish to leave with you words of Zig Ziglar:

‘You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win’.

Farewell my friends until we meet again. Farewell.
Thank you.

Going Green

2009-05-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

Most of us wonder: Will there ever be an end to this global economic crisis that looms over the economies of most of the world's countries? Greed on the part of wallstreet plunged our countries into an bottomless economic disaster. But isnt the onus on us to do whatever we can to help our government in controling the situation? Afterall, we need not consider it as a government problem, but as our own problem. Many world countries have taken extensive measures to try to conserve as much as possible preferably by going green. I too have tried to conserve energy and not doing too good a good may I add. So how can we help save energy? Its quite simple actually...because we need not go overboard-every small step taken occurs well for the cause. Media houses have asserted basic ideas such as turning off electrical appliances when not in use or limiting the time spent in the shower in their now wide range campaign of going green. But is this really enough? That is a question with no affirmative answer as there can never be a limit to what can be done to conserve energy and costs. I believe that through a combined initiative, young people can achieve great things and see this a way to help solve our problems. We do face the problem of scarce resources and so need to conserve as much as possible. National campaigns by young people across different communities in other to inform persons about the benefits to be gained from conserving energy is a huge step in that direction. This can be done partly with the support of government agencies and private sector agencies. But how now do we take accross the message to young people and get them interested? I say target them using the internet as the youth has become absorbed into social online networks. This therefore is the best way to catch their attention and get them on board with the whole issue.
IM SURE WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ON MEASURES WHICH CAN BE TAKEN TO HELP SPREAD THE GREEN MESSAGE ACROSS NOT JUST THE UPCOMING YOUTH GENERATION, BU ACROSS ALL GENERATIONS. IF YOU DO, THEN LEAVE A COMMENT OF YOUR IDEA. I WILL PUBLISH AN ARTICLE LATER ON ABOUT ALL THE VARIOUS IDEAS I RECEIVED FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND WRITE AN ARTICLE TO THE VARIOUS NEWSPAPERS ON THE GREEN ISSUE SOON.
BYE AND THANKS FOR READING.....

2009-05-07T17:35:00.000-07:00

the

Life goes on

2009-02-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hey readers!!! It has been a long time since I've posted an article. I guess thats because I have been very busy. Anyway the confusing factor here is life, the best gift ever given to us by our Lord and personal saviour. But wow, life can be very deceptive.Most of the time life just seems great and that all is well; that it couldn't be better. I guess we have many people to thank for that; first and foremost our families. Well I have an incredible family. Normally when we believe that we are receiving our fair shares of attention to our families, this prompts us to strive to succeed in other to make them proud. Our friends also make our lives much easier, providing us with a medium to share our social experiences and to engage in fun activities---What being a teenager is all about. Most teens are actually much closer to their friends than their actual families and confide in them more. Why is that? It's actually very simple. I have no doubt that we all believe that there are some things that are just not worth talking about with family, Most of us want to confide with someone who knows what we are going through and can offer 'credible' advice. Most teenagers tend to feel insecure around the parents partly because of the feared reactions from them. But all this is life and all part of the socialization process. There's no questioning it.

But what about the times when life just seems to suck? These are the moments when we feel like everyone is against us and that we are carrying the weight of the whole world on our shoulders... Times when our friends seem to be against us, our parents, just everyone.. But have we ever really taken time out to think and maybe realize that its just us-----we all kinda have mood swings once in awhile. One solution to this is that we stop finding fault in what others do and instead try to find fault in what we do---just a thought. Maybe we might actually learn something from ourselves and be more proactive in trying to live a more fulfilling life.

Anyways just think about because according to an author, whose name I cannot seem to recall " The only limits in our lives are those we impose on ourselves"

Barack Obama's Historic Election Victory

2008-11-09T16:57:00.001-08:00

I am sure you all followed intensly as Barack Obama seeked to make history by becoming the first black US president-44th in counting. I followed the race very closely-ever since Obama was left to compete with Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Many of us never expected that we would live to see that day, but I guess we did. Barack Obama-first ever black US president---what an achievement!!! When the results started coming in, it was a little shaky for Obama since the first set of results were from Republican strongholds like Tennesse and Kentucky, but as time went on--Obama's lead just kept on increasing with overwelming victories in states like Califonia,New York, New Jersey and his home town of Illanios. During this whole process

, im sure that we were all on the edge of our sits, but when i heard CNN's Wolf Blitzer announce that Obama had won, I could not help tears of joy from running down my face. Truly inspirational. Now that Obama has won, I hope that he will stand out as an instrument of change and think not only of the US but of the entire world. My heart filled congrats go to the Obamas on this historic win---landslide victory may I add.

A big up to my friends at school

2008-10-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

As might have expected, I have made alot of new friends at school, but my old friends are still very important,so let mme give everyone a shout out--if I left you out,not my fault,just let me know and I will big you up...A big up to my long time friends Kate,Johnita,Nickson,Emery,Annazilta,Annatalia, Kiserah,Rimbert,Delan,Chrishna and Elinsa.You guys have been great friends and I thank you.Friends for life.I also want to big up some friends from my former secondary school-Fercinta,Suelanie,Karema,Bradley M,Bradley D,Dwight,Degia,Marva,Sarah,Kelan,Magdalene,Melanie,Sutanya,Mia,Anika,Randy,Kervina,Okima,Shara,Shana,Valin,Micheline,Neri,Kizzy,Kenton,Ahmed,Merciah,Ria and many many more.Like I said,if i left you out just let me know.I have also made alot of new friends at SALCC-Big up to Shardy, Dominic aka Domz,Liandra aka Sumie,Vernessa aka Chris Brown,Stevenson aka Stevo,Cleojenny aka CJ,Sannys,Noelina,Petal,Kady,Janoi,Denise,Jerren aka white boy,Yani,Ernest aka Kin,Irwin, Phil, Rema, Nisa,Yeona, Kate, Verna, Saedie, Gaurav a.k.a Sagar, Samira, Nicholina and the whole of my Comm,Econ,Socio and MOB classes.Just give me a shout out if you got forgoten. Also a shout out to my other friends Sheldon,Derrick,Sueann and Tarik aka Showtime Genius--Tarik is a musical genius and you can check out his music page at www.myspace.com/showtimegenius. I would also like to shout out to my wonderful teachers. Firstly all the teachers of the Choiseul Secondary School including Ms. Saywack, Mrs. Browne, Ms. Serville, Mrs. Charles, Ms. Clifford, Mrs. James and the entire staff. A shout out is also in order for the college lecturers including Mrs. Marilyn Gayle-Paul, Mrs. Callista Regis, Ms. Alexandra Serieux and Mr. Clarence Henry. You guys are all great!!! Bye my people.

My pick for top graduation songs

2008-10-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

I know that graduation is an event which has high expectations for any high school student and one key component of any graduation is the song. Here is my pick for the top 12 graduation songs...

01) Extraordinary-Mandy Moore

02) Whenever You Remember-Carrie Underwood

03) My Wish-Rascal Flatts

04) Welcome To Wherever You Are-Bon Jovi

05) I'm not Gonna Cry-Carey Smith

06) You're Gonna Miss This-Trace Adkins

07) It's the End of the World as we know It-R.E.M.

08) These are Special Times-Celline Dion

09) Graduation Day-Tod Potter

10) Today-Smashing Pumpkins

11) Do I Make You Proud-Taylor Hicks

12)Send Me on My Way-Rusted Root

13)Breakaway-Kelly Clarkson

Graduated already? Then why dont you share the song you sang at graduation with us! We'd love to know.

Just Me

2008-10-13T13:18:00.001-07:00

DOB: 15.01.92
AGE: 16 years old
MIDDLE INITIAL: D.
HOMETOWN: Esperance Choiseul
RESIDENCE: Ti Rocher Castries
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Tell you later
RELIGION: Catholic
LANGUAGE: English
BEST QUALITY: Loyalty
FAV. FOOD: Mac and Cheese
FAV. COLOR: Green
FAV. MOVIE: The Dark Knight
FAV TV SHOW: Reba
NUMBER: 17582870821
EMAIL: nyus15@hotmail.com
BLOG: nyusalfred.blogspot.com
PIZZA TOPPING: Pepperoni/mushroom

Peer Pressure

2008-10-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Peer Pressure affects all individuals throughout their lives. Individuals who have a strong belief in their own worth cope most successfully with peer pressure. Pre adolescents and adolescents however,are at an age where theyare particularly susceptible to be influenced by their peers. It is for this reason that young people are often persuaded to challenge authority by skipping school, by using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and by vandalising or stealing.

The dangers of giving in to such pressure-of allowing oneself to be misled-must be impresssed on young people and fully discussed in the classroom. The sample activities for this topic provide students with oppurtunities to examine ways in which people maybeinfluenced by their peers, to become aware of strategies people use to influence one another, either positively or negatively, and to consider ways of coping with such pressure.

Ontario Education Ministry

Favourite quotes

2008-10-12T10:41:00.001-07:00

1) "The only limits in our lives are those we impose on ourselves."-Bob Procter

2) "The pertinent question is not how to do the right things, but how to find the right things to do."

Best Quotes

2008-10-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Friends Forever

2008-10-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

My Friends

Here we are on our first day of college.We were a little bit nervous but not alot since we had each other. We cant wait to surf through this part of our lives together. Some friends are missing in the photo though.From the left you have Annazilta, then Kiserah, then me,then Johnita and finally Annatalia.

Sports at school

2008-10-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some highlights of sports activities at my past high school.We were a force to be reckoned with-some of the times.lol

Friends

2008-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

I believe that friends are an important part in our personal development,and hence,they cant actually determine the type of persons that we become in future.The type of friends we hang out with can determine how we behave and consequently can impact on our lives. But i am fortunate enough to have very good friends who i can both have fun with and focus on my studies.What more do we need-life has to have a balance,a time for olay and a time for work.My friends love to have fun-who doesn't? But the realise when the fun is enough and that we need to focus on school. Thats why we need to be careful on how we go about choosing our friends. We're talking about our future here.

About Me

2008-10-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. My name is Nyus Alfred and I am 16 years old. I was born on January 15th,1992. I am originally from Choiseul St.Lucia but now I leave in Castries. I presently attend the Sir Arhtur Lewis Community College and I am currently pursuing Economics, Sociology, Business Management and Communication Studies. I am a kind,generous,friendly,funny,caring,helpful,handsome,charming and intelligent individual.