Entry 10

The use of slang is frequently ridiculed by culturally-ignorant people who feel it is the product of insufficient education and believe it to be counter-evolutionary. Human language has been a state of constant reinvention for centuries, and slang has been used and created by poets and writers of all sort. I use slang in my everyday conversations as most of the people I communicate with at work relate with me on a friendly level. It is more comfortable communicating this way. It is a different level when communicating with my supervisors, and the use of slang is not adopted. Once we know how and when to use slang in our conversations, communication could be effective and clearly understood.

Entry 9

The basis of communication is the interaction between people. Verbal communication is one way for people to communicate face-to-face. Some of the key components of verbal communication are sound, words, speaking, and language. More often than not, I believe I communicate effectively. One of my favorite sayings is "its not what you say but how you say it". The tone and inflection in our voice is as indicative as what we are saying and the words we use. The tone always reveals something about what we think about the person we are communicating with or the current experience. I will agree that there is clarity in my speech. I grasp a good command of the English language which aids in my effective communication overall.

Newspaper Article

Newspaper - Express
Date - October 14 2011
Title - Persist! Persist! Persist!
Author - A. P. Toussaint

Whatever we may be facing or experiencing right now, the author is encouraging us to go through and not give up. The way God helps us make spiritual progress is by being with us to strengthen and encourage us to 'keep on keeping on' in rough times. It is easy to quit; it takes faith to go through. You and I will have many choices to make throughout our lives. When we begin to feel that the battle of the mind is just too difficult and that we aren't going to make it, then we must be able to cast down that kind of thinking and choose to think that we are going to make it! Not only must we choose to think that we are going to make it, but we must also decide not to quit. It is vitally important that we get our minds renewed and learn to choose our thoughts carefully. We need to make up our minds that we will not quit and give up until victory is complete and we have taken possession of our rightful inheritance.

Entry 7

The culture presented by my group was the East Indians Of Trinidad and Tobago. This culture is not new to me as I am a Hindu by faith. I was born and raised learning to accept and make good use of the many teachings and practices under this rich heritage.

Entry 6

The in-class presentations on culture were very informative. It broadened my intellect in realizing that each individual is unique. The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation etc. By exploring these differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment, I was able to understand the different cultures, beliefs and practices. I've learnt to move beyond simple tolerance to embrace and celebrate the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

Entry 5

Being a Hindu by faith and growing up in a home with strong moral and spiritual values, I was taught several principles which I was constantly reminded, will govern the rest of my life. some of these included:

• Mind and self control
• Tolerance
• Hospitality - demonstrating magnanimity and the value of service
• Compassion - the ability to feel for others as we feel for ourselves
• Protection - an essential duty is to give shelter to others, especially those less fortunate
• Respect - for all living beings and for the sanctity of all life
• Wisdom - knowledge is contrasted with ignorance
• Austerity - essential to gain wisdom in addition to mere theoretical knowledge
• Celibacy - important for spiritual life
• Honesty - essential to build legitimate trust within relationships and to avoid self-deception
• Cleanliness - includes external hygiene and inner purity

Changing with each culture is the translated definition of body language. When at first exposed to a new environment where attitudes, language and behavior are all unfamiliar, people may often suffer from culture shock.With these varying meanings from country to country it is easy to see how misunderstanding may occur. Culture gives meaning to manners, different hand gestures, our patience, and even handshakes and greetings; and thus culture influences every aspect of nonverbal communication.
Within the Hindu culture staring at the impoverished population is considered a way to humiliate. Before
entering any sacred area, footwear are removed. Elders must be addressed with the proper title. When greeting someone, palms are pressed together with fingers pointing upwards and we say Namaste.

Newspaper Article

Newspaper - Express
Date - August 01 2011
Title - Thank You
Author - A. P. Toussaint

If there is anything we need to be reminded of from time to time, it is the importance of thanksgiving. It is a way of life that closes the door on the enemy's attacks and opens the door to the blessings of God. It is God's will that we thank Him at all times and in every circumstance. It is also His will that we do all things without grumbling and fault finding and complaining. This does not mean that we need to thank God for all the negative things in our life. It just means that we are to thank Him in them. Being thankful is not a one-time event or something we do when all our circumstances are wonderful. It is also not something we are supposed to start and stop. Being thankful is a way of life-it is an attitude of our hearts that we maintain by God's grace.

You and I need to make it our daily aim to have a grateful heart and avoid complaining. There is a saying which goes like this - "When we complain, we remain, but when we praise, we're raised".We must guard our minds and our mouths from complaining. If we start making a list of our blessings, we will quickly become aware of just how good we have it. Even if we have problems and we spend time with the Lord, He'll make us strong enough to overcome them and give us the wisdom to know how to handle them. God created us with a purpose. But we all share one common purpose - to walk uprightly and glorify God. God desires for us to pursue Him with all our hearts, seeking to know him better. When we do, it brings His blessings upon our lives.