Category: Life Changing Experience

AI is the category of computer science that deals with the exceptional performance of the devices. The application of AI in many of the management sectors, modest and immense businesses, security framework, natural and energy resource management is nearly at the top. Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence has grown so much in terms of technology. It is now recognized all over the world as a developing field. Large organizations and corporations have started adopting AI technologies to enhance their business. Many of the companies are already working on various Artificial Intelligence projects that will remold the prospect of technology. Moreover, AI is a multi ranging tool that allows the people to think it more efficiently how they could perform data analysis, combine useful information, and improve the ability of decision making. One of the prominent reasons for the progressing role of AI is the vital and marvelous opportunities which it is providing in the economic development sector.

How does artificial intelligence work?

Artificial intelligence is a complicated field consisting of several methodologies and components which are implemented to obtain the final result that is an Intelligent machine. Ai was designed by researching the human behavior of thinking and decision making. Artificial intelligence works on the base of providing an intelligent machine with input and providing the desired outcome after processing. The machine set and chooses its path to achieve the goal based on its intelligence technology. This factor of AI enables the computer and intelligent machines to work and produce the results better than humans.

How fast is AI Evolving?

The AI has developed so much in terms of driverless cars, facial recognition, neural networks, and deep learning in the workplace. AI has the potential to transform the world into something extraordinary.AI requires the support of innovative and visionary people who know the perfect use of tools at the right time. Most of the peoples are expecting a powerful breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence in the year 2020. It is just a few years away when we shall be living dependently on the future and relying on the technologies for almost every task. It is also most likely that the next generation of Artificial Intelligence shall be more intelligent and exemplary. Machine learning is the chief distinction between current and future generations of AI. The machines will be able to learn automatically through the surroundings. The AI of the next generation will be seen as at least as intelligent as humans are, but they would be more efficient and smarter.

Subcategories in AI

AI makes use of different techniques for proper implementation. Let have a look at those techniques:

Automation

It is a set or group of rules-based programs that work on a solid basis of if-then-else.RPA is a term referred to as Robotic Process Automation. It occurs when a machine becomes capable of modifying circumstances. It comes under the category of AI automation.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is a technique used for the subcategory of AI programs. It includes unsupervised learning, supervised learning, and reinforcement learning. For most of us, AI may seem like science fiction, yet it just been utilized in a wide variety of applications. The case of AI was teaching neural systems the best way to perceive faces in a database.

Machine thinking is a term applied to machines that can gain from data. It’s a method for figuring data, enabling PCs to process information in new and frequently astonishing ways.

The term uses learning from mistakes, which means machines can use the information to stay away from errors.

Deep Learning

Deep Learning is a universally useful, AI-based PC strategy for ordering an informational index as containing fascinating or uninteresting includes and delivering a preparation calculation applied to explicit models.

The machine figures out how to do the math and material science without anyone else! It adjusts each part about the material and the data it investigates. This procedure has become prominently called ‘profound adapting’.However, the term itself is progressively recognizable with regards to ‘profound neural systems Network dependent on complex numerical standards’. Profound neural systems can deliver shocking outcomes. They can discover shrouded designs in information by learning state, to distinguish the recurrence of one or two letters in a book. This is called backpropagation and takes a lot of human work on account of AI innovation.

AI that has changed Human Lives

Artificial Intelligence is the most powerful technology of the 19th century. With time the technology has become more powerful and advanced. It has helped humans a lot and almost in every field of life. Let have a look at major changes in different fields because of IoT:

AI is changing Education

Artificial Intelligence is also evolving in the education field and helping the students to learn fundamental maths and enhance their writing skills. The AI technology is progressing day by day that it is entirely reliable to say that it shall be able to teach higher-level thinking in the upcoming years. AI enables you to have an individualized learning experience. The AI technology may help to identify the subjects in which the student is lacking and suffering and allow the teachers to support the students in those suffering subjects. The latest research about the students of 14 years shows that more than half of the students are using either laptop or Smartphone for the assignments each day. The growth of the education sector is observed with the enhancement and betterment of technology. In the coming time, there is a high possibility that we see the combination of education and artificial intelligence. That will facilitate students to acquire and study in a much more enjoyable and comfortable way.

Finances and Artificial intelligence

Artificial technology is capable of to execute a particular amount of data speedily. This type of technology enables the banks and other huge businesses to do more accurate and précised wealth management advice to their customers. AI owns the ability to work and process faster and evaluating customer information. Huge organizations like banks are already implementing. AI customer services with Automated tellers, voice automation, and chatbots. The most leading number of United States banks have already invested a huge amount of money in artificial intelligence applications to enhance the performance and add up to their entire revenue.

Artificial Intelligence in Business settings

Artificial Intelligence is also expected to transform the company’s process of doing business. It has already started transforming the way companies process their products, find their target market and manufacture their products. AI is paying a tremendous impact in the manufacturing sector, especially in the management of the project. Like the oil drilling companies are applying AI while drilling for oil. Companies have started utilizing AI to prevent the human errors that they would face while drilling process. The statistics show us that this type of technology will dissolve human errors.

Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

Cyber attacks are a significant problem in today’s world that needs to be solved.AI plays a vital role in cybersecurity.AI take protective measures to lessen the cyberattacks on networks, data websites, and other platforms. It is used to detect cyber attacks on different platforms before time.AI makes use of machine learning algorithms to detect the cyber attack and alert the user about it. There are various approaches used to implement ai in cybersecurity that includes cybersecurity ratings, biometric login access and much more.

Artificial Intelligence in Health care

Improving the health sector for the betterment is very necessary. Although the Health sector is already improving with the latest technologies invented at a rapid rate.AI being the most prominent technology of the 21st century is contributing a lot in the health sectors. In the field of ophthalmology AI algorithm is used for an accurate diagnosis. A team of the researcher is working on utilizing AI in skin cancer. They performed a small experiment that cleared the fact that AI will be helpful in skin cancer treatment in the future. It is not all in the field of neuroscience machine learning algorithms are helping a lot to study MRI and predict an accurate diagnosis of the disease. There will come a time where everything will be done using AI. The latest technologies invented using AI will be a part of everyone’s daily life.

There are certain specific life-changing experiences that have both a positive and negative contribution in the general lifestyle and personality of an individual. Based on my personal reflection and experience, I lost my job after working 16 years for the same company. The loss of my job resulted in a complete shift in my entire life. The uncertainty and depression ultimately led me to enroll into college. That in turn led to a much more positive direction in my life by pursuing my degree in Travel & Tourism. In order to make the hard decisions in your life you must also understand the general outcome it will have on your life.

The career I had for 16 years came to an abrupt end when the company I worked for was sold and my job as an outbound sales rep was eliminated. To stay employed I took another position and a year later that job was moved out of the area. The shock was unbearable under the circumstances so it was time to dictate a new beginning and career change. I love to travel so I though a career in travel would be good. The need for a new career fueled my desire to go to college and pursue a degree in Travel & Tourism. So I became a full time college student.

There was some depression along with negative feelings after losing my job. I was two weeks away from signing the final paperwork for my mortgage when I found out about my job being moved out of the area. That was a major setback since I had to put building my new house on hold. At least I found out about it before I was completely committed to the mortgage and not being able to pay for it due to my financial constraints. My life was put on “hold” and that was the worst feeling ever.

The decision to leave and pursue a different career path in Travel & Tourism has given me back my self-esteem and hope for the future. There have been many positives going into this chapter of my life. The new skills and attributes I am learning in college will provide me with many great opportunities. I have had a job offer as a travel agent at a local travel agency that I have wanted to work for. I have currently landed a job as a Guest Service representative at Homewood Suites by Hilton. I have also wanted to work for a Hilton property. So things are looking up and going good. That also includes getting back on track with my life and starting on the new house in the future.

The decision to leave my job after 16 years was a life changing event that has led to a complete shift in my entire life and career. Enrolling in college and pursuing my degree in Travel & Tourism has led me too much more positive direction in my life. I have been offered a job as a travel agent when I am done with school.

On the first day of tenth grade my teacher, Mrs. Sergeevna, told my class a story of her husband Victor, who is a brain cancer survivor. This Russian family lived over 8 years in Mongolia teaching Russian language in Mongolian schools. She became emotional as she talked about their journey through his treatment and recovery. I have never seen a person radiate so much hope from an adverse situation. After what Mrs. Sergeevna experienced with Victor ‘s illness she decided to dedicate part of her life to helping people in similar situations.

She told us about a local organization she was part of called “Khamtdaa” means “Together” in Mongolian. Her strength and attitude toward her situation inspired me and led me to realize some significant lessons about positively love and hope. Mrs. Sergeevna always had a story to tell that would make us laugh or smile. Along with typical Russian grammar and literature she taught valuable life lessons. Throughout the years, Mrs. Sergeevna shared stories with us about people in “Khamtdaa” who had overcome some taxing and unfair battles. Mrs. Sergeevna never showed any sadness or frustration toward the disease. She instead spoke only with of determination to find a cure. Whether news from “Khamtdaa” was good or bad, she always looked a t the situation as an opportunity to improve and do more.

Through her positive spirit she showed us how strong hope would be. My parents taught me from a very young age that making wise choices with my money are important. This financial wisdom led me to save my money. In that days I was playing music in live band besides school and I would always set aside most of my money 15 to 20 dollars a week allowance. One day I was looking my money that I had saved, wondering what to do with it. I did not feel like any video game or activity was worth the time I had spent saving. I thought about the stories Mrs. Sergeevna told us, about Victor and all the remarkable she worked with through “Khamtdaa”.

I decided that was where I wanted my money to go. I kept to myself about the fundraising, putting a few dollars aside every month and a little extra on Christmas. By the end of the school year, I had saved over 1 million tugriks, which is around 510 dollars to be exact. As the last day of school approached, after all the other kids had left from class, I handed Mrs. Sergeevna the present little box with money. As she opened it, I told her that I wanted the money to go to “Khamtdaa” organization to help people like Victor. She broke with into tears and hugged me tightly. I was surprised that my little box with gift made her cry.

On spring on my 11th grade I began to understand the meaning of that little box. I was invited to “Khamtdaa” organization’s annual fund raiser and auction. That night’s theme was “Hope and Giving”. Many stories were shared, one of the inspirational ones was of a young girl named Uyangaa. She was a six-year-old girl who had suffered a serious brain tumor. I remembered her from stories Mrs. Sergeevna shared, she had explained to us that Uyangaa’s cancer was strong, but she always managed to have a positive and happy attitude. I understand that people like Uyangaa who kindled the hope that fueled organizations like “Khamtdaa” At the end of the night’s auction, people were asked to donate what they could. I was called on that stage and stood next to Uyangaa’s siblings. The auctioneer told everyone the story of my gift to Mrs.Sergeevna, the 510 dollars. He then asked for generous donations, working back from high dollar amounts. At the end he asked, “How many of you willing to do what a high school kid did and donate 500 dollars” At that point nearly everyone in the room raised their bidding numbers. At that moment I realized that a couple months of allowance had become something bigger than that. Even though I have left her class, Mrs.Sergeevna continues to inspire and teach me. I continued my fundraising to the years.

Today I still try to be connected with Mrs. Sergeevna and “Khamtdaa” organization because the joy that I found in this organization never came from any recognition that I received for my action. I gained perspective and hope from the people that I met and worked with this organization. These events and experiences have shown me how much love can ensue in bad situations. People may not always realize how big of an impact one kind gesture can make. One teacher sparked a decision in my life that changed how I live.

Throughout a lifetime, everyone will experience an obstacle that may be difficult to encounter. Many of these obstacles that come our way may seem impossible to overcome. We react to these difficulties in our own ways. At the beginning of my senior year in high school, I received the shocking news that changed the way I viewed the past seventeen years of my life. Unexpectedly, and by accident, I found out that my father was not my birth father.

As I sit in the doctor’s office waiting patiently for my appointment, I finally hear the lady call my name. Before the doctor can see me, I must fill out paperwork. Once I finish filling out all of the questions she asks me for my social security number to finish the process. After I read out loud the numbers, she tells me she already has Samantha Melendez under that social security number. At first, I’m worried someone has stolen my information, but then right at that very moment, my brain clicked. Flashbacks from my childhood rushed into my head all at once. I suddenly remember seeing numerous amounts of baby pictures tucked away from me with Melendez written on the back. The fact that none of my baby pictures have my father in them makes my suspicions even stronger. At that precise moment, everything was clear to me. My father, the man who raised me practically my whole life, was not my birth father.

As I leave the doctor’s office and drive home on a cloudy day, I felt devastated. I was confused and felt lost. I wanted answers, but most importantly I wanted the truth. I went straight to my mother, who was shocked and disappointed that I knew. She told me that she and my father had made an agreement to tell us once my little sister turned eighteen. My last question was, who is my

Throughout a lifetime, everyone will experience an obstacle that may be difficult to encounter. Many of these obstacles that come our way may seem impossible to overcome. We react to these difficulties in our own ways. At the beginning of my senior year in high school, I received the shocking news that changed the way I viewed the past seventeen years of my life. Unexpectedly, and by accident, I found out that my father was not my birth father.

As I sit in the doctor’s office waiting patiently for my appointment, I finally hear the lady call my name. Before the doctor can see me, I must fill out paperwork. Once I finish filling out all of the questions she asks me for my social security number to finish the process. After I read out loud the numbers, she tells me she already has Samantha Melendez under that social security number. At first, I’m worried someone has stolen my information, but then right at that very moment, my brain clicked. Flashbacks from my childhood rushed into my head all at once. I suddenly remember seeing numerous amounts of baby pictures tucked away from me with Melendez written on the back. The fact that none of my baby pictures have my father in them makes my suspicions even stronger. At that precise moment, everything was clear to me. My father, the man who raised me practically my whole life, was not my birth father.

As I leave the doctor’s office and drive home on a cloudy day, I felt devastated. I was confused and felt lost. I wanted answers, but most importantly I wanted the truth. I went straight to my mother, who was shocked and disappointed that I knew. She told me that she and my father had made an agreement to tell us once my little sister turned eighteen. My last question was, who is my birth father? My mother told me she had me when she was twenty years old with her husband at the time. When I was about one they separated because they couldn’t see eye to eye anymore. Not too on after that, my birth father’s mother was dying, so he went back to Mexico to say bye to her. The sad part was that he couldn’t find a way back to the United States. Two years later my mother met my father and got married a couple of years after.

After taking in all this information, I couldn’t help but wonder what my life could’ve been like. My head was spinning and it felt like my brain was going in a million different directions. I felt like I had been living a lie for the past seventeen years. I felt like I was in a dream, or a nightmare, and I just wanted it to be over. I looked back at my seventeen years of life and felt stupid for overlooking the thousands of clues right in front of my face. Knowing that my two older siblings were full siblings, and my two younger siblings were full siblings make me feel alone, and even different. It felt like my whole world was crashing down all at once and I could do nothing to stop it.

This moment changed the way I viewed everything. From the very first moment I found out about this life-changing news, I viewed the whole situation negatively and wished it had never happened. After I had the time to reflect and think about the situation, I was grateful. I realize that if my dad had never come into my mother’s life I wouldn’t have met my two older siblings, wouldn’t have gotten my little sister two years later, and wouldn’t have gotten my little brother fifteen years later. I look back and realize that if my father hadn’t adopted me when I was a little girl, and if my mother hadn’t adopted my two older sisters, my life could be completely different.

The fact is, everyone faces obstacles that can affect us mentally in difficult ways. The only thing that matters, in the end, is how you react to it. We all just have to know that everything happens for a reason, and even though we may not know what that reason is at the moment, eventually we will. The only way I could overcome feeling lost was to look back at what I got out of it and be thankful.

How I Become a Man

On Saturday we left Atlanta before dawn, and before his departure for Ghana, my father Anwar drive us by car, me Charbel, my mother Lina, my brother Alex, and my sister Rita; after parking the car, he took us on the hiking trail up to the top of the Stone Mountain from where we watched the sunrise in the eastern sky. It was the first mountain we had ever seen. Standing on the granite ridge, with the light coming from Georgia, we felt like we had the whole world lying at our feet. Far, far away, we saw the modest horizon of Atlanta taking shape in the sun. On the side of the mountain, the half-finished effigies of Jefferson Davis Stonewall Jackson, and Robert Lee were carved into the rock, and these horsemen without bodies caracoled in the granite in a timeless ride.

My mother had prepared a picnic and laid a white tablecloth on top of the largest piece of granite in the world. It was a clear and windless day, and the tablecloth stuck like a postage stamp to the rock. We, the children, were heckling gently with our father on that mountain it was for us, alone. It was at the top of Stone Mountain that I had my first glimpse of the true nature of my father’s character and how it would affect my childhood. That day, I had the sudden and acute revelation of the dangers faced by our family.

“Why do you have to go back to war, Dad?” asked Rita to my father who was lying flat on his back, his head against the stone and his eyes lost in the blue sky.

The veins of his forearms seemed to run on his muscles like the rope rolls on the deck of a boat.

“That I would like to know, my angel,’ he replied

With a panoramic view of the surroundings, Alex whispered under my father’s breath ” I want to go back home. There’s no shrimp here,”

“I’ll only be gone for a year. Then we’ll go back home,” replied my father.

My mother took out a feast of ham sandwiches, eggs, and potato salad, but she was surprised to see a colony of ants move in close rows toward the food.

“I’m going to miss my babies,’ stated my father while staring at her. “I’ll write to you every week and I’ll put millions of kisses in every letter I write. But not for you boys, you don’t care about kissing, do you?”

“No, Dad,’ replied Alex and me simultaneously.

“You boys, I’m raising you to be tough. Exactly! I don’t want my sons to become pretty hearts,’ he mentioned by throwing us a soft, trowel at the back of our skull. “Tell me you won’t let your mother turn you into pretty hearts while I’m gone. She’s too tender with you. Don’t let her put on you the fanfreluches dresses to go have tea with her. I want you to promise me one thing. Don’t let a day passes without beating up one guy from Atlanta, one each. I don’t want to find some guys in the city who are giving themselves a breath of air when I get back from Ghana. All right? Remember, you’re the guys of the country, and the guys of the campaign, it’s always tough.”

“No,” pronounced my mother with a tranquil firmness.” My sons will never become brutes. They’ll be the sweetest boys we’ve ever seen. If you want a tough guy, Anwar, you got one right here.” My mother pointed to Rita.

“Yeah, Dad,” applauds Rita. “I’m a real tough person. I beat Charbel when I want to. And I can almost beat Alex when he is using one hand.”

“No, you’re a girl, you. Girls, that must be cute. I don’t want you to fight. I want you to be all sugar and honey, your daddy’s sweetheart.”

” I don’t want to be all sugar and honey,’ yelled Rita.

” You,” I said. “You’re far from it.”

Rita, faster and stronger than me, punched me in the stomach. After this, I began to cry and ran to take cover in the embrace of my mother where she opened for me her protective wing.

“Rita, can you stop bothering Charbel? You’re always after him,’ scolded my mother.

“Did you see that?’ asked Rita while turning to defy my father. “I’m a tough girl, I know how to fight.”

“Charbel, you shame me, son,’ said my father, whose gaze passed over Rita, without seeing her. “Crying because a little girl hits you! What a scandal! A boy doesn’t cry. Never and under no circumstances.”

” He’s sensitive, Anwar,’ my mother insists, gently caressing my hair.

My father ironically said. “In that case, I wouldn’t want to say anything that might shock the that sensitive soul. But you’d never see Alex cry like a baby for a reason like that. I corrected Alex on the belt without seeing him shedding a tear. He’s been a man since the day he was born. Charbel, come here and fight with your sister.”

“He better not or I’ll punch him again,’ Rita repeated, but I could hear from the sound of her voice that she regretted what she had triggered.

Unexpectedly, my mother went on fire as she disagreed with the way, my father was threatening, teaching, and raising us. The atmosphere gets hot under the collar, and the fight between my mother and father looks like hell. Suddenly, I held my breath, stopped the waterfalls falling from my eyes, left my mother’s arms, stood facing my father, and with the voice of a man I yelled: “I am a man, I am a man!” After these words, silence dominated the chaos, and a painted smile on my father’s face took place, and even more, we could hear at that moment the sound of a dropped nail.

Finally, after this unforgettable day, a day engraved in my heart like stones, my father left for Ghana and disappeared for a year. Before his leaving, and when we were snoring in bed, he gave each one of us kisses roughly on the cheek. Nowadays, when I climb Stone Mountain, my memory takes me to that day when I was a six-year-old boy, takes me to that place where I have been assigned a man, a man who expresses his strong opinions and stand in face of injustices. As my father wants a promise, I promise him I will never forget his word and the word of the man till my last breath.

Every day, we experience changes in our lives. Whether it be a new job or a different route to work, embracing change can often seem like a daunting task. It is human nature to be resistant to new things, especially if they involve uncertainty. But learning how to embrace change in your life is essential if you want to grow and reach your full potential.

The truth is, these transitions do not have to be seen as something that we have to endure; instead, they can become opportunities for growth and development. Here in the essay, we will discuss tips and strategies on how to make the most of life’s changes.

Identify Your Fears

The first step in embracing change is identifying any fears or anxieties you may have regarding the transition. It is essential to acknowledge your feelings and recognize that they are valid before trying to move forward.

Once you’ve identified your worries, take some time each day to focus on them. Meditation or journaling can help with this. And slowly start replacing those negative thoughts with more positive ones. This will allow you to approach the situation from a place of understanding and kindness rather than fear and judgment.

Take Small Steps

The best way to approach change is by taking small steps. Rather than trying to make drastic changes overnight, break down the process into manageable chunks. This will make it easier for you to stay on track and less overwhelming.

Start by setting achievable goals for yourself; this could mean taking one hour each day dedicated solely towards learning something new or creating an action plan for tackling bigger tasks. For example, if you want to make a career change, start by researching different job opportunities or taking classes related to the field that interests you.

Taking small steps will help you gradually move toward your goal without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

Be Flexible

Instead of focusing on a specific outcome, aim to remain open and flexible when changing your life. This way, you can adapt and be willing to take advantage of potential opportunities that may come your way. Be brave and trust that the steps you’re taking will get you closer to where you want to be.

A flexible attitude also helps you cope with stressful situations such as job loss or serious illness by allowing you to adjust your expectations and plans accordingly. Being easygoing allows you more freedom and creativity, as well as allows room for growth and development as circumstances evolve over time.

Be Positive

Staying positive while embracing change is essential for success. Negativity can be mentally and emotionally damaging and interfere with progress in any situation.

If necessary, seek out sources of inspiration or motivation that will help keep a positive attitude during times of transition or upheaval. A positive outlook allows us to see things differently, often revealing solutions or answers we hadn’t considered previously!

Positive Affirmations

Another way to make the most of life’s transitions is by using positive affirmations. Writing down affirmations such as “I am capable” or “I am resilient” can help shift your mindset from one of apprehension towards one of optimism and hope.

You can also use affirmations as mantras when facing difficult times; repeating them out loud throughout the day can help keep you focused on the bigger picture, even when it feels like things are getting overwhelming.

Additionally, try speaking positively about yourself—this will reinforce your belief in yourself and your ability to handle whatever comes your way!

Conclusion

To sum up, embracing change can feel intimidating and overwhelming, but with the proper mindset, it can be achieved successfully. Taking small steps, being flexible, keeping a positive outlook, and seeking out sources of support are all important for creating meaningful changes that lead to greater fulfillment. Navigating life’s transitions does not have to be as daunting as it may seem. I think with these thoughts in the form of tips in mind, you can take charge of your life and embrace change confidently.

While I was in Washington, DC, I never realized how many people there were homeless. This was a real eye-opener for me because this could happen to anyone. There are many people out on the street hoping that each day some random person will give them enough money for food each day. For some people that are taken away from their families and now live on the street is even more heartbreaking to me. This was an experience that made me see the bigger picture in life and about myself.

I am currently attending King University in Bristol, Tennessee, to play baseball and this is my freshmen year. I am in my second semester and our season is just around the corner and I can’t wait. But, during the first semester, the whole freshmen class got the opportunity to take a trip all the way to Washington, DC. In this exciting moment, everyone was scrambling trying to write out what attraction they wanted to see and figure out all the money they would need to save up. I have been saving up for about 2 years trying to figure out the right time to spend it and I feel like now is the perfect time to do so. I have been to Washington, DC before, so I somewhat know what to expect when going there.

On September 26th, 2019, all the freshman packed their things and headed to the buses for the long and cramped trip. We arrived around 10:30 p.m. and everyone went to the hotel lobby to figure out the groups we would be in throughout the whole trip. Once that was all figured out, I could finally go to sleep. The next morning, our group had planned on going to the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, which wasn’t that far from where we were staying, and getting the whole place to ourselves. After that, we decided that it was time to go get some lunch. Our group leader told us that we could go eat wherever we wanted and to be back at the hotel in about an hour or so.

My place of choice for lunch was an old Italian restaurant called ‘Valentino’s’ and it was only a couple of blocks down the street. People around the city say they have the ‘best pizza in town’ so I had to try it out. When I finally arrived, I noticed something that many people would look past. I witnessed a homeless woman sitting there by the door waiting for someone to finish their food so she can clean up their food and sweets around the tables outside. I go up to her and ask how she is doing, and she says: “I’m feeling blessed to be alive! I’m out here trying to clean around this establishment, so they see that I am hard working and give me a job”. She also said that it is her third week living right outside of this restaurant, cleaning every day, and doing her best so that the owner will notice her taking responsibility and trying to earn a spot in this establishment. This woman was wearing old, grey, nasty clothes that most people would ignore if they saw her but, for me, I wanted to know her story.

I asked her: “Why do you keep cleaning and being nice? What do you need the money for?”. She proceeds to tell me: “My daughter started living with my mom after I got fired from my last job and lost everything. I’m trying to get enough money for a plane ticket to go prove to them that I have changed”. This really touched me because I know I would do anything for my family and the fact that she has been out here for three weeks trying to get a job just to see her family is remarkable. I decided to give her $200 just to get her started and I feel that one day the workers and owner will realize the hard work she is putting into this and give her a job.

I feel that homelessness has been an ongoing problem in the United States for hundreds of years and it cannot be decreased until each state comes up with a plan that is effective enough to give them a spot in our society. Her story really touched me and I feel like the government needs to help these people out. However, for this to work, the economy needs to recover to the point where no one is left without a job and is paid enough to manage everyday life. The negative stereotypes of the homeless need to be stopped and people need to be educated that homelessness can affect anyone at any time. Although there are many services available to assist the homeless, it is not enough. Big corporations can play a major role in assisting the homeless by training and hiring, as well as donating goods to people in need.

Life-cycles ensure that a project completes all necessary phases to competently deliver the business case, providing a standard logical method to assist in project planning. Typically stages of a project consist of; concept, definition, deployment and handover. Utilising a life-cycle exerts a level of control over the project, with reviews at the end of each phase to obtain approval to proceed, which are further discussed in section 2.5 (Kerzner, 2013). Depending on the complexity of the goal there exist three recognised life cycles employed to structure the management of the project; linear, iterative and hybrid.

A linear life cycle offers a very predictable and stable structure for an organisation to complete phases of a project in a progressive manner. Only on achievement of set milestones within a phase can control be migrated to the next step, allowing for clear coordination; which is particularly advantageous across large organisations and departments where many colleagues are collaborating on a project (Association for Project Management 2019). This application ensures that detailed criteria are achieved in each phase before proceeding to the next allowing for milestones and reviews to be maintained and communicated to the steering committee. The linear life-cycle ‘provides a framework for budgeting, scheduling, allocating resources’ and a mechanism to delegate the right employees each phase to efficiently deliver the attributed task (Association for Project Management 2019).

Where there is uncertainty as to how to achieve the desired outcome an iterative life cycle is employed. This life cycle allows development phases to run in parallel to explore various options and develop understanding of the clients needs. Interaction between project team and client is paramount in developing the project. As a result, this type of life cycle has a flexible duration as the team and end user work corroboratively to review prototypes to deliver the common goal with the end product user ascertaining a higher level of risk as more iterations of a phase require consistent funding and time (Association for Project Management 2019). The end user and development team can, using each iteration, develop upon previous ideas learning from each prototype on review to achieve their high-level vision. An iterative model although risker for the end user allows for alterations to be made to the project brief as ideas are explored which shall result in a more considered product as collaboration is encouraged (Association for Project Management, 2019; Project Smart, 2020).

A hybrid life-cycle merges element from the aforementioned models to create a novel approach to project development. Kerzner recognises that organisations employing this approach are ‘quicker to maturity’ in their projects as senior management are flexible and adaptative in achieving the project outcome (Kerzner, 2014). Through the addition of iterative components to a linear model the development phase is improved, prematurely realising the benefits of the project outcome to progress the strategic vision of the project whilst maintaining the logical phases for handover (Association for Project Management 2019).

There are a number of benefits attributed to the phases set out in the structure of a linear life-cycle. Foremost the structure improves planning efficiency as project managers can plan the whole project in high detail.as a change in project outlook isn’t projected (Kerzner, 2013). These stationary phases allow for ‘rolling-wave’ planning, as the criteria for the first phase are met the project can roll forward into the subsequent phase easing the transition of the project objectives as a task in the first phase directly feds into a task in the second phase.

As the statement of work is well-detailed in a linear life-cycle the tasks can be better estimated (Kerzner, 2013). In this manner tasks become shorter and easier for the project team to fulfil, as budgets are set and tasks well-defined, increasing project team productivity and motivation. The attributing of the appropriate budget and resources allows for this timely completion benefitting both the project team as well as the steering committee. Similarly, risk management is improved with mitigations becoming easier to define, implement and manage as tasks are broken down into more manageable objectives, future risks often become areas of uncertainty rather than the unknown. It is also possible when employing a linear model to utilise incremental funding on the approval of key decision gates on completion of each set phase. Ultimately setting out concise phases in a linear model exerts more control over the project and assurances to the senior management as progress is easy to define (Kerzner, 2013).

A project life-cycle exists within an organisation to see a project through to completion of the deliverable from concept to handover as a stand-alone project or part of an organisations wider programme (Association for Project Management 2019). An extended life-cycle builds on this to ensure that the project deliverable fully delivers the expected outcome to the user implementing a benefits realisation and operation phase to fully appreciate the outcomes and benefits the project delivers, as seen in Figure.1 below (Association for Project Management, 2019; Coventry University, 2020).

Extending the project life-cycle ensures that the project team can learn from the output of the previous project to aid future projects in a similar capacity (Association for Project Management 2019). For benefits to be realised an adoption or as the figure dictates, an operation phase is deployed alongside benefits realisation in which the intended user employs the project deliverable. If a life-cycle is to be extended in this manner considerations must be made during the project initial stages, ensuring that the additional activities are costed.

A project with an extended life-cycle considers the benefits as part of the project scope, rather than simply addressing the clients instructions for the deliverable the project team considers the impact the output will have for the organisation as well as the end-user (Association for Project Management 2019).

When I was about 12 years old I had a phenomena that sparked a question that we all ask sometimes. A question that even the most brilliant philosophers are still puzzled by. What is the meaning of Life? No matter weather we are choosing to live our lives foolishly, aimlessly or we choose to grow in our perspective, knowledge, work-ethic, and thought process. We all ask this question. After much contemplation, I realized that we are either thinking, experiencing, feeling, planning, or observing our surroundings. I know it seems broad, but we are talking about one of the most largely obvious things known to man. No matter what we believe I know this can be applied to most aspects of life because I am a living breathing human being with thoughts and emotions.From my young perspective, this applied to people both young and old. Believe it or not when I was in middle school, most people didn’t me or what I was going through. Therefore I used to ask questions and do research quite a bit. During that time, I also stumbled upon my original plan of being a biomedical engineer. I wanted to build robotic arms for the rest of my life and when you are 13 that sounds cool. But then, two years later, I realized that my plan did not provide job security, and I want to go into the medical field with a final goal of being a Trauma Surgeon. Therefore I came up with a strategic plan to achieve this goal.First of all, I must complete high school because in today’s society you are pretty much unemployable without a high school diploma or GED. Next I am going to spend two to four years at community college obtain my EMT certificate and my Cosmetology license. If I do not want to continue with school, I will not. But if I do I will get my bachelors degree in biochemistry and then go on to med

When I was about 12 years old I had a phenomena that sparked a question that we all ask sometimes. A question that even the most brilliant philosophers are still puzzled by. What is the meaning of Life? No matter weather we are choosing to live our lives foolishly, aimlessly or we choose to grow in our perspective, knowledge, work-ethic, and thought process. We all ask this question. After much contemplation, I realized that we are either thinking, experiencing, feeling, planning, or observing our surroundings. I know it seems broad, but we are talking about one of the most largely obvious things known to man. No matter what we believe I know this can be applied to most aspects of life because I am a living breathing human being with thoughts and emotions.

From my young perspective, this applied to people both young and old. Believe it or not when I was in middle school, most people didn’t me or what I was going through. Therefore I used to ask questions and do research quite a bit. During that time, I also stumbled upon my original plan of being a biomedical engineer. I wanted to build robotic arms for the rest of my life and when you are 13 that sounds cool. But then, two years later, I realized that my plan did not provide job security, and I want to go into the medical field with a final goal of being a Trauma Surgeon. Therefore I came up with a strategic plan to achieve this goal.

First of all, I must complete high school because in today’s society you are pretty much unemployable without a high school diploma or GED. Next I am going to spend two to four years at community college obtain my EMT certificate and my Cosmetology license. If I do not want to continue with school, I will not. But if I do I will get my bachelors degree in biochemistry and then go on to med school.

The thing is kids these days do not think like I do. I have overcome many situations in life, socially and academically. The people who influenced me like my parents, family, teachers, and some famous singers. They have taught me to be determinant and that I am in control of my life. They have taught me to be responsible and to use my voice to address issues and advocate for myself when I need something. They taught me to love, and loyalty. To be nice to people and welcome those who are in need. All in all, I strive everyday to make myself and the world a better place.

It had always been there, since before I could remember. Gran never told us about it before she passed. But as far as Dad knew, it was there before he was born. Whenever people came over, they would always ask: “What’s in there?” or “Is it empty?”. The only answer we could give was usually along the lines of “I don’t know” or “It’s always been there”. Whatever was inside that locked room was always going to remain Gran’s secret. Until that family reunion last spring.

We had been getting ready for a couple of days. Packing sleeping bags and toys for the long trip, at least my twin sisters were. It was going to be a two-stage journey, traveling for 6 hours each day, and we were all ready for it. Many of our overseas family were coming and no one wanted to miss out.

We woke up bright and early, excited to get going. I was old enough to drive, so was taking my own car. Mum and Dad left before me as the twins were anxious to get going. Apparently, there was a park at the hotel we were staying at and they needed to make the most of the money we were paying. So, I was left with the job of locking up the house. When I was sure all the windows and doors were locked, I headed off and grabbed a McMuffin and coffee from Maccas. All was well until I received a call later that day from Mum. One of my sisters had left her stuffed bunny toy at home, and that wasn’t something she could cope with. So, being the great brother I am, I told her not to worry, I’d go home and get it for her. A couple of hours and a few coffees later, I was back home. The plan was for me to be in and out as I wanted to be at the hotel before nightfall, but as usual, nothing I do ever goes to plan. Anyway, upon arrival I rushed inside, grabbed the bunny, and was about to rush out the door when I heard a weird sound, one I had never heard before and one I was sure that I would never hear again. It seemed to be coming from the end of the passage.

It was an odd sound, a beautiful and eerie whistle. It took all my mental power to not charge straight towards whatever was making the sound. I didn’t know what it was or if it would hurt me or not. After several attempts to overcome my fear and see what was inside, I finally decided that I needed a weapon of defense. So, l headed down to the laundry and grabbed a broom. Just like all those other cringy horror movies.

I think it ended up being a full hour before I worked up the courage to open the door, but when I did, it was the best thing I ever did. I poked my head in the door quickly and there was a flash of light. Sitting on the floor was a book half open. There was no dust on it and the pages were clean. I then looked around and noticed the cleanliness of the whole room. In the corner was a neatly made bed and a full bookshelf. A lit desktop lamp was sitting on the bedside table, but the thing that really caught my attention was the glow coming from under the bed. At this point, I didn’t care about my own safety. I was too intrigued.

I quickly ran to my room, grabbed my torch, and ran back. Lying on my stomach, I turned the torch on and saw the weirdest thing I’d ever seen: a creature, quite like a human, but it was glowing green. When my torch beam zoned in on the creature, it started to mumble, “Why, why, why?”. It took a while but it eventually came out of its hiding place. I was thinking of a good conversation starter when I noticed that it was looking quite thin, pale, and unhealthy, so I went and grabbed the fruit bowl.

I can’t really say what happened after that. It felt like a bit of a dream and I don’t remember most of it. The only thing I do know is that when we met each other, we both knew it would be a lifelong friendship, me and Larry.

At first, Larry was uncomfortable leaving his room, but after a bit of encouragement, he came to dinner one night. The look on Mum and Dad’s faces was one of pure shock, but they soon warmed up to him. And the twins, well that’s another story: each night they spend hours playing tag around the house with Larry. Sometimes the dogs even join in, then it gets dangerous to even take a step without being toppled over.

Larry and I have had so many great memories together, all because of that family reunion last spring.