Layer Upon Layer of Grime... free essay sample

Layer upon layer of grime stuck to every square inch of my bare skin. I was homeless. On the streets with no where to go; I had nothing. No family, no money, one pair of shorts, one shirt, one pair of socks, and only the shoes on my feet. I was alone. My senior Christian Service Project involved myself and seven of my classmates immersing ourselves into the life of the homeless in Sacramento, California. The experience began much like that of beginning high school as a freshman. Initially I felt isolated, insignificant, ignored, and invisible. This would change. The very first morning while waiting in line for breakfast at Loaves and Fishes, a non-profit organization in Sacramento that works with the homeless to get them off the street and on their own two feet, I met an older couple. Their names were Chris and Donna. They explained to me that they were parents, and just how much they couldn’t stand to see teenagers like myself on the streets. We will write a custom essay sample on Layer Upon Layer of Grime or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was at this time that I began to feel a sense of community all around me. I watched as the handicapped received help from the healthy, and people saving each other spots in the breakfast line so the other could obtain lunch tickets for them. Basic acts of kindness such as these often go unnoticed in our busy world. Everyone was there to help one another. There were no cliques. There were just people, of all races, denominations, and all ages. The couple began interrogating me. Why are you here? Where are you from? Where are you sleeping? For every â€Å"I don’t know?† they had advice. This advice proved useful over the course of the week; such as where to find a toothbrush, how to get a shower, a fresh pair of socks, deodorant, and other basic necessities. For the rest of the week they kept a close eye on me. They constantly bombarded me with â€Å"How are you?† and â€Å"Did you eat this morning?† They were complete and total strangers, yet they took me under their wing as if I was their own child, much like my own parents do. The kindness that radiated from the hearts of this couple, and many more people I encountered, demonstrated to me that every little action counts. It is in our nature that we help others. Sadly though we forget about the simple aspects of life, and the most basic ways to make others days just that much better. To have made one person breathe easier is to have succeeded. Whether it be done by helping the little old lady across the street, or serving food to the homeless, every action counts. It was St. Ignatius who said, â€Å"Love ought to show itself more in deeds than in words.† Every action I take in life will stand out more boldly than any dollar I make. To have been a part of a community rather than to live solely as an individual is to have lived truly, so long as our actions speak louder than our words. From having been homeless, it is very possible for one to be an individual and still remain interdependent amongst the community. All it takes is action. A simple hello and a smile to the average stranger on the street, to lending a helping hand builds a worldly sense of community. When the day comes that no one has to walk down the street staring at their feet, and they can say, â€Å"Hello, how are you?† to one another, we will all have succeeded. By the time I left to return home, and my first shower of the week stripped the rancid scent of the streets from my body, people like Chris and Donna proved that acceptance will build community. It is so sad but true that there is more community amongst the homeless than I have seen in most of my own high school classrooms. This is because there exist no borders or boundaries between people. Everyone is an equal. Everyone lives, not only for themselves but for each other, because we all serve a greater purpose than ourselves. It is the community service that I have taken part in that has developed the individual that I have become. I have become smarter, a critical thinker, a leader, and a man for others. Living life with only the bare necessities in the most trying of conditions brought out of me all of who I am. Whether it was finding my way around, writing about my purpose and reason for being there, or helping others; all of my experiences from the week as a whole have shown to me that I can handle most any situation presented to me. On the rugby pitch I am a captain. As a member of the Senior Retreat Team I am a leader. In the classroom I am there to help, as well as to be open to the help that I need. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that, â€Å"Children are all foreigners.† Well then in that case I believe that men and women alike are molded into unique individuals by way of experience. College will be a new challenge, a new experience in my life. It is opportunity. Broadening my horizons can only help me in my quest of discovering what purpose I serve outside of myself. I believe that in serving that purpose we discover why we are here to live before we die.

Problem Solving in Mathematics

Problem Solving in Mathematics The main reason for learning about math is to become a better problem solver  in all aspects of life. Many problems are multistep and require some type of systematic approach. There are a couple of things you need to do when solving problems. Ask yourself exactly what type of information is being asked for:  Is it one of addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?  Then determine all the information that is being given to you in the question. Mathematician George Pà ³lya’s book, â€Å"How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method,† written in 1957, is a great guide to have on hand. The ideas below, which provide you with  general steps or strategies to solve math problems, are similar to those expressed in Pà ³lya’s book and should help you untangle even the most complicated math problem. Use Established Procedures Learning how to solve problems in mathematics is knowing what to look for. Math problems often require established procedures and knowing what procedure to apply. To create procedures, you have to be familiar with the problem situation and be able to collect the appropriate information, identify a strategy or strategies, and use the strategy appropriately. Problem-solving  requires practice. When deciding on methods or procedures to use to solve problems, the first thing you will do is look for clues, which is one of the most important skills in solving problems in mathematics. If you begin to solve problems by looking for clue words, you will find that these words often indicate an operation. Look for Clue Words Think of yourself as a math detective. The first thing to do when you encounter a math problem is to look for clue words. This is one of the most important skills you can develop. If you begin to solve problems by looking for clue words, you will find that those words often indicate an operation. Common clue words for addition  problems: SumTotalIn allPerimeter Common clue words for  subtraction  problems: DifferenceHow much moreExceed Common clue words for multiplication problems: ProductTotalAreaTimes Common clue words for division problems: ShareDistributeQuotientAverage Although clue words will vary a bit from problem to problem, youll soon learn to recognize which words mean what in order to perform the correct operation. Read the Problem Carefully This, of course, means looking for clue words as outlined in the previous section. Once you’ve identified your clue words, highlight or underline them. This will let you know what kind of problem you’re dealing with. Then do the following: Ask yourself if youve seen a problem similar to this one. If so, what is similar about it?What did you need to do in that instance?What facts are you given about this problem?What facts do you still need to find out about this problem? Develop a Plan and Review Your Work Based on what you discovered by reading the problem carefully and identifying similar problems you’ve encountered before, you can then: Define your problem-solving strategy or strategies. This might mean identifying patterns, using known formulas, using sketches, and even guessing and checking.If your strategy doesnt work, it may lead you to an ah-ha moment and to a strategy that does work. If it seems like you’ve solved the problem, ask yourself the following: Does your solution seem probable?Does it answer the initial question?Did you answer using the language in the question?Did you answer using the same units? If you feel confident that the answer is â€Å"yes† to all questions, consider your problem solved. Tips and Hints Some key questions to consider as you approach the problem may be: What are the keywords in the problem?Do I need a data visual, such as a diagram, list, table, chart, or graph?Is there a formula or equation that Ill need? If so, which one?Will I need to use a calculator? Is there a pattern I can use or follow? Read the problem carefully, and decide on a method to solve the problem. Once youve finished working the problem, check your work and ensure that your answer makes sense and that youve used the same terms and or units in your answer.