Entry Twenty

I think writing without a topic is a vey dificult task and it is probably more difficult than writing on a very narrow topic. It is very dificult to start with so much freedom. It is ironic that such limitless possibilities poses such a problem.  When I have to write, I need some sort of direction or guidance as to what to write about.

Entry Nineteen

Education in Trinidad and Tobago is backward and underdeveloped. To begin with, the education system focuses more on memorization than on critcial thinking. It is also lacking in terms of the use of technology in the classroom not only for students but also teachers as grades and reports are still handwritten. Also, subject offerings are not standadrized as some schools have more subject offerings than others. In terms of infrastructure, it can be a lot better. Schools, in my opinion, should also be zoned in order to facilitate a comprehensive bus system and also to reduce traffic.

Entry Eighteen

I thought that all the group presentations were good ones. I especially thought the first group that did the engagement party was very funny. I also thought that the group that did the presentation on  healthy bites had the best overall presentation. It was short and to the point. They basically marketed their product very well.

Entry Seventeen

I think it is a good idea that USC is looking at the possibility of consrtucting a second campus in south Trinidad. It will increase accesibilty to higher education for those who live there and also reduce the burden of those students who live there and currently have to travel far distances to the cuurent campus. It also means that USC is growing and that they are keeping up with their competitors who are also expanding.

Entry Sixteen

Headline: San Juan Business Association: over 200,000 on the breadline

This artice was about the San Juan Business Association claiming that the Trinidad Cement Limited strike was causing massive unemployment and they are calling on the government to intervene. I think the strike is not benefiting any party. The economy is suffering, workers aren't getting paid and the company's revenue is taking a hit which makes it more difficult  for them to afford any increase in workers' salary. Salary increases should be based on productivity and not on profitability.

Entry Fifteen

Headline: Government names team to set up building code

This article was about the Government finally appointing a committee to establish a national building code. I was beginning to think that this would not happen unless Trinidad experienced another earthquake. I think this is long over due since Trinidad and Tobago is at a high risk of a devastating earthquake considering our geographic position which is between two plates.

Entry Fourteen

Headline: Education Minister announces: morality to be taught in schools

I think this is a good intiative since axiology has been completely neglected in our education system. As a result of this neglect, it is no suprise the Trinidad and Tobago has a problem in the areas of ethics or the lack thereof and corruption. I also think the subject of civics should be reintroduced. Far too much people don't know the contents of the constitution which includes the rights of citizens and also the laws of the land.

Entry Thirteen

Headline: Mobilise URP & CEPEP to collect waste plastics

This article called for URP and CEPEP to be involved in the process of going green especially in the area of plastic collection which can then be recycled. I think it is a good idea because the current mandate and scope of works of these organizations, in my opinion, are too limited. It is also as good idea because Trinidad and Tobago needs to clean up its environment as it is one of the worst polluters in the world.

Entry Twelve

Headline: REDjet's licence revoked in T&T

This article was about the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority revoking the licence of REDjet due to their financial problems and their frequent disruptions of service. This was no suprise to me since their business model is flawed. Their prices are simply too low; even though good for consumers. Theier revenue is too low which means they can't match costs. To compond the problem fuel prices are high and they are not subsided like their competitor.

Entry Eleven

Headline: Retirees benefit from $3,000 promise

This article was about retirees finally getting their promised increased NIS payments from $2,000 to $3,000. Even though the beneficiaries will be happy about this, I don't see this as sustainable and I can see several problems in the future. The National Insurance Board simply cannot afford this 50% increase based on the revenue from current payments. NIS payments would certainly have to increase in order to fund this increase.

Entry Ten

I do not use slang in every day conversations. I don't use it because I simply think it is unnecessary in that I can convey the message I want to convey effectively without the usage of slang.

Entry Nine

I think I am an average verbal communicator in terms of effectivness in which there is room for improvement. In terms of clarity of speech, I think my volume needs to be amplified in order to be more effective as a communicator. For the most part, I do demonstrate linguistic sensitivity with only the aspect of jargon usage needing to be reduced.

Entry Eight

Headline: Warriors Offered $15m

I perceive the article to be about the continuing conflict between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and the world cup players regarding the promised bonus. After reading the article, I perceive the situation to be an embarrasment for Trinidad and Tobago's football and for the country as a whole. I also perceive the players to be mercenaries. On the other hand, I thought it was very irresponsible for Jack Warner to make such a promise.

Entry Seven

From my presentation, I learned about who the Geishas are and what they do. I also learned about Japanese culture on a whole. I learned about their non verbal communication particularly eye gaze. I also learned about their cuisine and their collectivist culture. I didn't at any point think that the culture was strange. Instead, I thought that many countries would be better off, if some of the aspects of the Japanese culture were included in theirs.

Entry Six

I learned several new things from the class presentations. I learned about the meaning of the flag of Antigua and also that Antigua has its own dialect. I also learned that polygyny is common for the Marrons from Suriname. Additionally, I learned about the History of Spanishtown and also about the cuisine of Jamaica.

Entry Five

My culture impacts the way I communicate in a number of ways. In terms of verbal communication, ambiguous as opposed to very detailed and specific speech is used and is common in Caribbean culture. It can be seen as trespassing on someone's privacy by being too specific and detailed. In terms of nonverbal communication, I don't have constant eye contact with the person I am communicating with as it can be seen as being rude. Also, haptics is used at a minimum when I communicate unless it is with someone I know very well.

Entry Four

Headline: Longlines at payment centres as WASA's 'name and shame' drive continues

I perceive the article to be about customers of WASA paying outstanding bills after they are threatened with the possibility of disconnection. After reading the article, I think that there is something fundamentally wrong with the mentality of some Trinidadians and local businesses. They have no respect for rules and obligations. They are simply delinquent. I also thought it was interesting since this could of been avoided if WASA was more organized in terms of record keeping. They were negligent in allowing the matter to reach this magnitude.

Entry Three

I perceive myself to be a very assiduous person; I will work hard to get what I want. I also see myself as a very confident person as I think I can accomplish anything I want. Also, I am somewhat of a stubborn person since I am not easily influenced or persuaded into doing things I don't want to do. Furthermore, I percieve myself to be a quiet and not a very talkative person.

Entry Two

An event that had an impact on my life would be when I moved to Miami for two years. That experience helped me to be more knowledgeable and respectful of different cultures as I met people from many different countries. I also became a more well rounded student as a result of the wholistic education system there. This experience has changed my view of Trinidad's education system as it opened my eyes to the many deficiencies and narrowness of the education system here, especially in the area of science.

Entry One

My name is Andrew Maharaj and I am from Arima. My major is Finance and I am in my second year. I like sports particularly football. I also like politics and my favourite subject is Mathematics. If I had to rate myself as a communicator I would give myself a seven since I don't like public speaking. It would be easier for me to speak in front of people I'm familiar with but overally, I am not comfortable with public speaking regardless of how well I know the audience. To improve on this weakness, I guess the only way to do so would be just to practice public speaking more often to gain experience and overcome the anxiety.