Midterm Exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Midterm Exam - Essay Example The previous utilized increasingly male, industrial, less-taught laborers who required worker's organizations (Warner, 2012). The last utilizes progressively increasingly female, professional, increasingly instructed laborers who have less requirement for associations. These patterns sway essentially on the pertinence of work relations to directors. To start with, while declining unionization may seem to apply less weight on administrators, the pattern toward laborers re-appropriating the guardianship of their work rights to attorneys infers nearer investigation for the chiefs. Presently supervisors should be progressively cautious in managing their representatives, in case they succumb to the attentive gaze of a legal counselor. At that point, the pattern toward bosses to devise plans for representative investment in the running of the association implies that supervisors will persevere through less resistance from worker's guilds. In the old modern economy, the worker was seen as a wellspring of modest work (Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2011). Their solitary job was to help products available to be purchased in the market. There was next to no contact with the administration. This view, be that as it may, has changed with the rise of the alleged post-modern market economy. The ascent of the information specialist, specifically, has been instrumental to the psychological move. Extensively characterized, the information laborer is accused of creating new thoughts rather than just actualizing approaches received by the administration. This move in the manner the worker is seen has required an adjustment in the manner the working environment is represented. The new way to deal with administration puts more accentuation on the dynamic association of the representative in the dynamic procedures of the association (Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2011). There are numerous prizes that accumulate to the firm that connects with its workers in its dynamic procedures. The advantage that is most refered to is expanded worker efficiency (Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2011). The worker

Risk management for Macville

Question: Talk about the Risk the executives for Macville. Answer: Presentation: There are different dangers related with any completely utilitarian business activity, including burglary, extortion and so forth. The harm to the business activity by the hazard can hugy affect the business activity and procedures relying upon the size and event recurrence of the hazard (McNeil, Frey Embrechts, 2015). This task will endeavor to survey and assess the hazard circumstance that have emerged for the mimicked business situation for Macville and actualize a hazard the executives activity plan that with chance treatment alternatives Hazard investigation report: For the reenacted business situation the Macville visit and investigation has indentified four potential dangers that can hurt the operational wellbeing of the association. So as to investigate singular dangers it is critical to evaluate the probability, outcome, hazard grid scoring and most conceivable treatment for each hazard. Banking burglary: Probability: The probability of the money burglary from the premises can happen effectively (Lam, 2014). Inside the initial not many months, before appropriate security is set up for the store the potential for overnight burglary will remain. Result: upon the gathering with the administration board it was found that short-term burglary of money surrendered on premises over to $4000 won't have significant ramifications for the association anyway various events may detrimentally affect the budgetary standing. Treatment choice: The most conceivable treatment for money burglary from the premises will be the robbery money protection for the store and setting up cutting edge and proficient security framework (Lam, 2014). Directors travel chance: Probability: The head supervisor has a ton of duties upon their shoulders, and here and there they need to travel a great deal also. Any danger of physical injury to the administrator can be a feasible circumstance in the beginning of limited time exercises for the store. The chief can wish to request foul pay from the administration Results: The outcomes of a hazard like that will be minor with the chance of the store staying without the oversight of the administrator. Treatment: The answer for this circumstance can be a set wellbeing plan for the workers which will cover any unplanned or non unintentional wellbeing complexities. Other than that care ought to be taken to guarantee for the security and prosperity of the staff during limited time visits (Kaplan Mikes, 2012) Law consistence chance: Probability: Law consistence is one of the most significant parts that can present enormous difficulties in the way for the development of the store (Hopkin, 2017). The probability of the store representatives not holding fast to the ordinances is likely, inside the finish of opening week. Results: The gathering with the administration uncovered that the Toowoomba Council watches will guarantee any rebelliousness to be handily uncovered and afterward outcomes of that can be profoundly negative to the store Treatment: The best way to guarantee that the staff sticks to the laws and guidelines is orchestrating an observing framework that will disregard and redress any occasions of resistance already. Other than that consolidating punishment framework for absence of consistence can be achievable to the association (Hopkin, 2017). Danger of loss of brand acknowledgment: Probability: There can be a great deal of examples where the organization representatives probably won't consent to the brand advancement procedures (Ghadge, Dani Kalawsky, 2012). For instance the greater part of the staff are extremely aware of their dressing style and may differ to wear the store shirt promptly, its probability can be inside the initial three months. Outcomes: The results of a portion of the staff not consenting to do mark advancement can be extremely inconvenient to the brand advancement and the absence of going along disposition of the staff can influence the buyer reaction. Anyway with the greater part of the workers being open to the business prerequisites the outcomes of starting resistance will be minor. Treatment: There is requirement for restricting approaches in the agreement that will be disclosed to the staff at the hour of acceptance so they conform to it. In the event that a portion of the staff doesn't comprehend the seriousness of the enrollment provision they ought to be talked about with the administration. The measures ought to be observed also (Ghadge, Dani Kalawsky, 2012). Hazard framework investigation: Hazard rating Need Reaction Scoring Hazard to loss of brand acknowledgment low None or long haul 4 Hazard to expedite burglary Low to medium medium term 8 Danger of physical injury to the senior supervisor Medium to high present moment 12 Hazard or rebelliousness to by laws High to extremely high Right away 16 Hazard framework examination (Duijm, 2015) Hazard the executives activity plan: Hazard Survey Risk (Score) Controls Checking Activity Priority (1-5) Courses of events Mindful Money burglary chance 4 Improve security Empower caution frameworks Fuse burglary protection (Aven, 2015) Checking the safety efforts taken Inspecting the protection spread for the store burglary 1 Long haul The administration and hazard examination group Loss of brand acknowledgment hazard 8 Incorporate clothing regulation approach as anon debatable statement in the enlistment contract Clarify and rouse the representative to go along (Aven, 2015) Observing the representatives for the adherence to clothing standard approach. 2 Medium term The human asset group and the hazard investigation group Hazard Evaluate Risk (Score) Controls Observing Activity Priority (1-5) Courses of events Dependable Travel hazard to head supervisor 12 Start wellbeing spread designs for the representatives (Booth, 2015) Observing the medical coverage plan created for the workers 3 Present moment The human asset group and the hazard examination group Hazard to not going along to by laws 16 Counting punishment framework for the workers Disclosing to the staff the results of not agreeing to by laws (Duijm, 2015) Checking the staff for consistence Forcing punishments where important to set up positive model 4-5 Quick The executives and the hazard examination group End: Dangers are related with any expert endeavor, and its event is for all intents and purposes inconceivable at the vast majority of times. There fire there must be powerful hazard the board that can address any hazardous circumstance emerging that can hurt the manageability of the business in the market. On a closing note it very well may be said that in spite of the fact that Macville has various dangers as related with their business activity however lion's share of them are minor dangers. With the fruitful usage of hazard the executives techniques and strategies these dangers can be stayed away from. References: Aven, T. (2015).Risk investigation. John Wiley Sons. Corner, S. A. (2015).Crisis administration methodology: Competition and change in present day ventures. Routledge. Duijm, N. J. (2015). Proposals on the utilization and structure of hazard matrices.Safety science,76, 21-31. Ghadge, A., Dani, S., Kalawsky, R. (2012). Flexibly chain hazard the board: present and future scope.The International Journal of Logistics Management,23(3), 313-339. Hopkin, P. (2017).Fundamentals of hazard the executives: understanding, assessing and actualizing compelling danger the board. Kogan Page Publishers. Kaplan, R. S., Mikes, A. (2012). Overseeing dangers: another structure. Lam, J. (2014).Enterprise hazard the board: from motivators to controls. John Wiley Sons. McNeil, A. J., Frey, R., Embrechts, P. (2015).Quantitative hazard the board: Concepts, procedures and instruments. Princeton college press.

Case Briefing and Problem Solving

Issue Spotters Delta Tools, Inc. , markets an item that under certain conditions is able to do truly harming customers. Does Delta owe a moral obligation to expel this item from the market, regardless of whether the wounds result just from abuse? Why or why not? I think Delta Tools, Inc. doesn't owe a moral obligation to expel the item from the market except if the organization doesn't caution its clients of the peril they can endless supply of the item. On the off chance that the organization takes all the measures to caution their clients of the threat of the item once it's abused, clients know about the hazard and intentionally expect it.For model, the utilization of any anti-infection agents with the liquor can prompt numerous destructive procedures and exercises. By and by, pharmaceutical organizations don't expel these items from the market hence. It's a client's obligation to utilize the item appropriately. Case issues 8â€1 Business Ethics. Jason Trevor claims a business pa stry kitchen in Blakely, Georgia, that delivers an assortment of merchandise sold in markets. Trevor is legally necessary to perform inner tests on food created at his plant to check for contamination.Three times in 2008, the trial of food items that contained nutty spread were certain for salmonella defilement. Trevor was not required to report the outcomes to U. S. Food and Drug Administration authorities, be that as it may, so he didn't. Rather, Trevor trained his workers to just recurrent the tests until the result was negative. In this way, the items that had initially tried positive for salmonella were in the end transported out to retailers. Five individuals who ate Trevor's prepared products in 2008 turned out to be truly sick, and one individual passed on from salmonella.Even however Trevor's lead was lawful, was it untrustworthy for him to sell merchandise that had once tried positive for salmonella? In the event that Trevor had followed the six fundamental rules for settl ing on moral business choices, would he despite everything have sold the sullied products? Why or why not? The issue for this situation issue is whether Trevor's activities were deceptive. As I would see it was exploitative for Jason Trevor to sell products that had once tried positive for salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause numerous illnesses.Two essential moral methodologies can be applied to this case. Right off the bat, Trevor should've contemplated his clients from the strict position. He could've predicted that items constructive tried on salmonella would hurt individuals definitely. Besides, he needed to think about the result of this deal. He didn't consider the outcomes that can follow. He acted careless by letting his representatives transport the items to the retailers. In the event that Trevor followed the six essential rules for settling on moral business choices he would not have offered the tainted merchandise to the public.Having five individuals tru ly sick and one individual passed on due to the sullied items hurts the name of the brand related with this occurrence. Subsequently, organization loses its clients and, thus, some portion of the incomes. I think Trevor likewise should feel regretful about what befell those individuals implying that on the Conscience step, which is the fourth rule, he would've reexamined his activities and most likely adjusted his perspective. I surmise he would've not been glad to be met about the activities he was going to take.And the subsequent stage, which is Promises to his clients, would've settled on him question his choices due to the trust of the clients that he grasped. Also, I am certain Trevor's legend would not have acted the way that can hurt individuals. Along these lines, Trevor would not have sold the sullied products had he followed the essential rules for settling on moral business choices. Brody v. Transitional Hospitals Corporation United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 280 F. 3d 997 (ninth Cir. 2002). http://caselaw. findlaw. com/us-ninth circuit/1019105. html FACTS Jules Brody and Joyce T.Crawford recorded a class activity grievance against Transitional Hospitals Corporation (THC) and its officials on August 28, 1997 blaming THC for unlawful insider exchanging after THC purchased 800,000 portions of its stock between February 26 and February 28 without first unveiling that Vencor and different gatherings had communicated enthusiasm for THC. What's more, Brody and Crawford asserted that THC, in its March 19 and April 24 public statements, really deluded them about THC's goal to sell the organization. The locale court conceded the respondent's movement to excuse the cases. The offended parties spoke to the US Court of Appeal, Ninth Circuit.ISSUE Are Brody and Crawford the correct offended parties to sue THC for harms for infringement of the resolution and rule? as to insider exchanging? Choice No. US Court of Appeal, Ninth circuit, asserted the re gion court's choice to excuse Brody and Crawford's protest for inability to express a case whereupon help can be allowed. REASON The Court noticed that offended parties didn't meet a contemporaneous exchanging necessity, a judicially-made standing prerequisite, which determined in Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-3 that the offended parties more likely than not exchanged an organization's stock at about a similar time as the affirmed insider.In expansion, the Court concluded that the offended parties' protest must indicate the explanation or reasons why the announcements made by THC in its public statements were deceiving. Brody and Crawford contended that all together for proclamation not to be deceiving, â€Å"once divulgence is made, there is an obligation to make it complete and accurate†, for which the Court found no help for the situation law. The case law? just disallows deceiving and false articulations, not proclamations that are deficient. Commentaries: ? Segments 10(b), 14(e), and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, 15 U. S. C.  §Ã¢ § 78j (b), 78n (e), and 78t (an), and Rules 10b-5 and 14e 3, 17 C.F. R.  §Ã¢ § 240. 10b-5 and 240. 14e-3, proclaimed thereunder by the Securities Exchange Commission (â€Å"SEC†) ? Rule 10b-5 and Section 14(e) Full case: BRODY v. TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION Jules BRODY; Joyce T. Crawford, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. TRANSITIONAL HOSPITALS CORPORATION; Wendy L. Simpson; Richard L. Conte, Defendants-Appellees. No.? 99-15672. Contended and Submitted July 11, 2001. †February 07, 2002 Before: HALL, WARDLAW and BERZON, Circuit Judges. Jeffrey S. Abraham, New York, NY, for the offended parties appellants. Imprint R. McDonald, Morrison and Foerster, Los Angeles, CA, for the respondents appellees.In this case we address a few protections misrepresentation issues, focusing on whether an offended party more likely than not exchanged at about a similar time as the insider it assert abused protections laws. ? Jules Brody and Joyce T. Crawford brought suit against Transitional Hospital Corporation (â€Å"THC† or â€Å"the company†) and its officials guaranteeing infringement of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (â€Å"Exchange Act†) and state law on the grounds that the respondents both exchanged dependence on inside data and discharged deluding open data. ? The region court allowed the respondent's movement to excuse for inability to express a case. Brody and Crawford currently offer the locale court's structure on a few grounds. Foundation In deciding if the grumbling states a case whereupon help could be without a doubt, we accept the realities asserted in the grievance to be valid. ?Ronconi v. Larkin, 253 F. 3d 423, 427 (ninth Cir. 2001). ? The realities asserted in the protest are as per the following: THC was a Nevada enterprise that conveyed long haul intense consideration benefits through medical clinics and satellite offices over the United States. ? In August 199 6, the organization declared its arrangement to repurchase now and again on the free market up to $25 million in organization stock. After two months, THC extended the repurchase plan to $75 million. On February 24, 1997, Vencor, Inc. submitted to THC's top managerial staff a composed proposal to get the organization for $11. 50 for each offer. ? THC didn't reveal this offer freely. ? Between February 26 and February 28, THC bought 800,000 portions of its own stock at a normal cost of $9. 25 for each offer. ? This $7. 4 million repurchase was notwithstanding another $21. 1 million that THC had spent buying its stock in the multi month time frame that finished on February 28, 1997. The offended parties don't charge that the all out repurchase surpassed $75 million. THC gave a public statement on March 19, 1997, specifying the advancement and degree of its stock repurchase program. ? The public statement didn't specify Vencor or some other gathering's enthusiasm for gaining THC. The o ffended parties contend that in light of this exclusion, the March public statement was deluding. On April 1, 1997, Vencor expanded its proposal to buy THC to $13 per share. ? In the following not many weeks, THC additionally got proposals from two other contending bidders. ? On April 24, in the wake of accepting all hree offers, THC gave another official statement, expressing that the organization had â€Å"received articulations of enthusiasm from specific gatherings who have demonstrated an enthusiasm for acquiring† it. ? A similar report likewise expressed that THC had recruited â€Å"financial guides to prompt the organization regarding a potential deal. † ? The offended parties contend that this public statement was additionally deceptive; on the grounds that it didn't express that generous due perseverance had just occurred, that THC had gotten contending offers surpassing $13 per share, or that a THC executive gathering would happen two days after the fact to c onsider these offers.At the executive gathering, the THC board casted a ballot to arrange a merger concurrence with Select Medical Corporation (â€Å"Select†). ? On May 4, THC freely reported that it and Select had gone into an authoritative merger understanding and that Select would buy THC at $14. 55 for each offer. ? Vencor immediately undermined an unfriendly takeover. ? To battle off that move, THC at last concurred, on June 12, to a takeover by Vencor instead of Select, at $16 per share. Brody and Crawford sold offers now and again that sandwich the April 24 press rel

The Green Mile Essays -- essays research papers

The Green Mile Forthcoming Darabont (essayist executive maker) in 1999, came back to the director’s seat without precedent for a long time. Darabont, who coordinated Shawshank Redemption, yet adjusted it from a Stephen King story, followed precisely the same way with The Green Mile. The film was discharged by Warner Bros. Pictures, and Produced by Castle Rock Entertainment, Darkwoods Productions, and Warner Bros. David Valdes is the maker, David Tattersall, B.S.C. is the executive of photography, Terence Marsh is the creation creator, and Richard Francis-Bruce is the film proofreader. Thomas Newman is the author of The Green Mile, who has had the unmistakable respect of gathering his initial two Academy Award selections for Best Dramatic Score around the same time. He went up against himself as the main twofold candidate in 1994 for both The Shawshank Redemption and Gillian Armstrong’s Little Women. He got a third Oscar gesture for his work on Diane Keaton’s â€Å"Unstrung Heroes,† and furthermore earned Grammy designations for â€Å"The Shawshank Redemption† and â€Å"Unstrung Heroes.† Conceived in Los Angeles, Newman is an individual from one of Hollywood’s most regarded melodic families. His dad, film author Alfred Newman (All About Eve, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), won nine Academy Awards (out of 45 selections). His uncles are prestigious film-score craftsmen Emil and Lionel Newman (Oscar-champ for Hello, Dolly!). His cousin, likewise a multi-Oscar candidate, is artist lyricist Randy Newman (The Natural), and sibling David is additionally a bustling film writer (The War of the Roses). Newman contemplated organization at USC with teacher Frederick Lesemann and noted film author David Raksin. He later finished his scholastic work at Yale University under the tutelage of Jacob Druckman, Bruce MacCombie and Robert Moore. Newman, who formed his first film score at age 29, considers as a real part of his latest film credits American Beauty, Meet Joe Black, The Horse Whisperer, Oscar and Lucinda, Mad City, American Buffalo, Red Corner and Up Close and Personal. The Green Mile is one of Stephen King’s best works, which all occur in jails. The film's title alludes to the perfect green floors of Cold Mountain Penitentiary, a Deep South, Depression-period jail. The film stars Tom Hanks as jail corrections officer Paul Edgcomb, accountable for the death row (nicknamed â€Å"the green mile†) at a southern prison I... ...t Give You Anything But Love (composed by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, performed by Billie Holliday) (3:27)  That’s The Deal (1:37)  L’Homme Mauvais (2:21)  An Offense to the Heart (1:08)  Morphine and Cola (2:56)  Night Journey (2:12)  Danger of Hell (2;27)  Done Tom Turkey (1:00)  Did You Ever See A Dream Walking (composed by Harry Reed and Mack Gordon, performed by Gene Austin) (2:52)  Trapingus Parish (0:51)  Boogeyman (3:26)  Shine My Knob (0:54)  Briar Ridge (0:42)  Coffey on the Mile (5:12)  Punishment (1:52)  Charmaine (composed by Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee, performed by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians) (2:25)  Now Long Gone (1:08)  No Exceptions (0:57)  Green Mile (3:38) The music, which was formed and directed by Thomas Newman additionally incorporates organizations by Thomas Pasatieri. Highlighted melodic soloists incorporate George Doering, Michael Fisher, Rick Cox, Sid Paige, Steve Kujala, Jon Clarke, George Budd, and Bill Bernstein.

January in Paris

January in Paris Bonjour de la France! Photo credit: Rebecca Grekin. I’ve spent the last two weeks in Paris with an MIT program called JSFâ€"January Scholars in France. The students of JSF 2018 and our chaperone, Prof. Perreau (on the right). Photo credit to Sophie de Loubens, one of our JSF guides. JSF is an IAP program sponsored by the French department for students who are committed to learning French at MIT. You spend two weeks in Paris exploring the history and culture of the city and speaking exclusively en français. (Forgive me, Professor Perreau, for writing this post in English!) JSF is a really unique program. Unlike IAP Madrid, which I did last year, it’s not a class (no homeworkâ€"yay!!!). Instead of going to class, we had a packed schedule of walking tours of different neighborhoods, musical and theatrical productions, and delicious meals. Literally, we spent two weeks doing nothing but soaking in the atmosphere of Paris. And the program is funded by MITâ€"airfare, lodging, metro transportation within Paris, and most meals. I’m really not exaggerating when I say that JSF was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were exposed to a side of Paris that tourists don’t usually see. Our tour guides were native Parisians who were very acquainted with the historical background and day-to-day workings of the city, so we got to learn about things like the design process behind the trash cans and the type of barricades built by revolting Parisians from the 17th straight through to the 20th century. We saw parts of the city, like the business sector and a neighborhood “populaire” housing many African immigrants, that are not frequented by tourists. We saw performances from some of the most celebrated troupes in Paris, or even the world, staged in the most avant-garde architecture in the city. And maybe most importantly, we got to interact with Parisians not as tourists, but as students who were genuinely interested in learning the culture and mastering the language. One of our guides, Vincent, talking about the mobilier urbain (urban furniture for lack of a better term)the streetposts, bus stops, benches, and other surroundings that govern your interaction with the city space. Photo credit: Bruno Perreau. The program was so great because there were so many knowledgeable people who gave their time to make it possible. Our guides Vincent, Emily, and Sophie showed us sides of the city, artistic, historical, and quotidian, that we would never have imagined just walking through the streets. And our chaperone, Professor Bruno Perreau (as well as the other faculty and staff of MIT’s French department) worked really hard to organize and plan the trip and make it an incredibly rich experience. To give you a sense of what it was like, Im going to share some standout moments from the trip! A private tour of the Paris Opera. The first day of JSF, we had on our schedule a tour of the Opéra Garnier. It’s safe to say that none of us really knew what we were in for. We were met at the entrance by Germain Louvet, a “star dancer” of the Opéra de Paris. “Star dancer”â€"danseur/danseuse étoile in Frenchâ€" is an official rank that designates the most accomplished and prominent performers in the Opéra. Only the most graceful and disciplined dancers are honored with the rank of a star, a role which means not only international recognition but also a guaranteed role with the Opéra until past the age of 40. We learned from Germain that he was elevated to the role of danseur étoile at the age of 23 as recognition for his standout performance as Prince Siegfried in Le lac des cygnes (Swan Lake). He has been training as a dancer since he was 4 years old. Germain Louvet, danseur  Ã©toile. We were lead through the breathtaking foyer of the Opéra Garnier, up a series of rosy marble staircases surrounded by gilded statues and rich paintings, into a collection of exquisite chambers. The public spaces in the Opéra were specifically designed to create a sensation of fantasy. The internal temperature is kept toasty to encourage visitors to shed their practical outer layers and indulge in admiration of the audience’s fashion. From the moment you enter the building, you are transported into the whimsical world of the opera, and separated from the drudgery and utility of the outside. The ceiling above the main staircase into the opera. Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. We then entered the main chamber, where the performances take place. Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. The ceiling dates to the 1960s. It was very controversial when it was installed. This phenomenon of seeing a very modern piece of artwork juxtaposed against the traditional scenery of Paris is fairly common. Germain took us onto the stage where the dancers perform! The stage is slanted to give the audience a better perspective, but this creates complications for the dancers, since their movements have to change depending on where they are facing. Photo credit: Bruno Perreau. Then, we got to go behind the scenes and see parts of the opera that are never open to visitors. A private practice room. Ringing the ceiling is a balcony where in centuries past, male patrons of the opera could stand and watch the female dancers practice, with a view that afforded an especially good perspective of their legs, with an eye for deciding which of the dancers they would like to sleep with later. There is a disturbing history of prostitution behind the opera. Photo credit: Bruno Perreau. In the basement there is a bomb shelter dating back to WWII. There is also an underground river flowing underneath, complete with blind albino fish! Photo credit: Rebecca Grekin. The practice room under the dome that caps the Opéra Garnier. Kind of reminds me of Barker library! Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. Afterward, we went out for drinks with Germain. I can’t believe I got to chat casually with a Paris opera star. Im in the same picture as Germain!!! Photo credit: Bruno Perreau. The crowning of a new star I’ve oversimplified a little bit. There are actually two opera buildings in Paris: the Opéra Garnier, the ornate 19th century building we toured with Germain, and the Opéra Bastille. The Opéra Bastille, so named because it is located in the square where the Bastille prison used to stand, is an enormous building finished in 1989. Though it chooses to downplay the importance of scenery setting the mood for the opera, it at least provides an effective, well-oiled venue for staging and performing breathtaking operas. The outside of the Opéra Bastille. Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. The inside of the main performance room of the opera. The vertiginous stacking of the seats in the Opera Bastille means that the stage can be flat while still providing a good view to the audience. Thus, for the dancers, the Bastille is an easier venue to perform in. The students of JSF went to go see Don Quichotte at the Opéra Bastille. Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. At the end, while the performers were taking their bows and receiving their applause, an unexpected figure appeared on the stage. The Directrice de la Danse of the opera stepped out looking somewhat disheveled. After making a joke about her casual appearance, she announced that the performance of the lead danseuse, Valentine Colasante, in the role of Kitri had been so incredible that night that she was now being nominated as a danseuse étoile. The moment was magical. The audience erupted. The danceuse received a standing ovation for the next five minutes. She was almost crying. More than one JSF participant was tearing up. It was a moment of incredible joy to watch a beautiful performer be recognized for something she had been working for her entire life. Star dancers are nominated about once every two to three years, and we just happened to be there to see it. The opéra was really smiling on JSF that night. A hidden lair When I think of Paris, I think of boulevards lined with five-storey gray limestone houses with black wrought-iron balconies and hints of gold decoration. That’s because a surprising fraction of Paris is filled with gray limestone houses with wrought-iron decoration! But there’s another neighborhood of Paris with a very different feelâ€"the neighborhood of la Défense. La Grande Arche of la Défense, a modern mirror of the Arc de Triomphe. Photo credit: Kaymie Shiozawa. La Défense is the business area of Paris. Built specifically for that purpose in the second half of the 20th century, it is filled with quirky skyscrapers and imaginative displays of modern art and architecture. We were accompanied on our tour of La Défense by an architect who works in the area. With his supervision, we were allowed into part of the neighborhood that is usually hiddenâ€"the underground basement. There, we discovered Le Monstreâ€"the Monsterâ€"an enormous work by the artist Raymond Moretti. Photo credit: Rebecca Grekin. The roar of the underground metro lines that pass nearby give the monster his voice.  Photo credit: Rebecca Grekin. When his old studio was destroyed, the artist set up shop in the underground basement of la Défense. When he died, it was sealed up, leaving a hidden monster lurking under the bustling metropolitan square. Les blagues There were also some days that were less adventurous. One morning, we tried to get into the library of the Sorbonne, but were shut out because it was full of students studying for final exams. Instead, we headed over to a café and enjoyed lunch with some of our guides. With l’addition came some little candies. On the inside of the wrappers were written some jokes (blagues). Photo credit: Bruno Perreau. We quickly went to work deciphering the jokes. Anyone who has learned a foreign language knows that humor is one of the hardest things to understand, because it usually relies on subtle puns or cultural context. We learned a lot of new vocabulary that day! Here’s our favorite joke: Comment est-ce que un zéro se fait draguer par un huit? Il met une ceinture ! How does a zero get hit on by an eight? He puts on a belt! Sitting in the café, chatting with each other and our guides, practicing French, and laughing at les blagues is one of my fondest memories of Paris. If you want to see more pictures I might have lied a little when I said that there was no homework for JSF. In order to commemorate the trip, for the use of future participants and planners as well as for our own scrapbooks, we made our own JSF 2018 blog detailing our adventures. Check it out! There we have a day-by-day breakdown of all our activities. It’s in French, but there are a lot of pictures. :D Also, each of the participants is writing their own entry about a part of the city or the experience that they found interesting and wanted to dive deeper into. I wrote mine about the relationship between modern and traditional architecture in Paris. For the next two weeks, I’m taking advantage of being in Europe to do some traveling with my mom. Until next time, à bientôt! Photo credit: Rebecca Grekin. Photo credit: Rebecca Grekin. Photo credit: Sophie de Loubens. Post Tagged #photography