Globalization & American Studies

Does globalization mean that we are condemned to lead our lives at the mercy of American corporations such as Microsoft, McDonalds and Coca-Cola? Is the totality of our culture shriveled to the depth of a Disney cartoon or a Hollywood blockbuster?

‘Whether we like it or not, America leads the way in the globalization process and there must b e considerable merit in knowing more about the structures shaping the environment in which we will live and work in the 21^st century.’

The aim of this study is to provide a holistic approach to the study of the culture and society of America. Whatever your main interest – history, literature, geography, politics – you will have the opportunity to experience a broad-based range of options in American Studies. Added to this a reader will have the opportunity to study in one of an expanding number of universities in Canada or the United Sates.

Through American Studies you will learn to face the challenges of the ‘real’ world by expanding the knowledge and analytical skills as well as developing communication skills, both written and oral. These studies deal with the issues of importance to today’s students such as gender issues, race and ethnic relations, economic and political conditions, as well as exploring the impact of popular culture (films, music, etc.) on the development of American society.

If you are looking for a forward-thinking, exciting, and expanding program of study, then this is the real subject for you.

Gawadar … A Gateway to the Future

Gawadar with its more than 300 kilometer coastline and captivating beaches on the shores of the Arabian Sea is all set to play an important role in Pakistan’s history. Its significant location has gained instant recognition as a result of which Gawadar has established itself as the emerging hub of international trade with China, Central Asia, Gulf Countries and even Europe, in the not too distant future.

The small fishing village of yesterday is known today for its Deep Sea Port that can be compared with the likes of Singapore, Hon Kong, Dubai and Colombo. Declared as a Duty Free Port and free Economic Zone by the Government of Pakistan, Gawadar is innovatively planned as a an Industrial Hub, Residential & Commercial Zone and as an enchanting tourist attraction.

Keeping in view the 529 Kilometer Makran Coastal Highway and the fast developing M-8 Motor way linking Gawadar to China, along with the development of a railroad network, Gawadar stands poised to become the most rewarding nerve center of business and trade in Asia. The setting up of a digital telecommunication exchanges, optic fiber networks and enhancement in Airport facilities further bear testimony to the emergence of an ultra modern city of the future. And the discovery of off shore oil enhances the prospects of Gawadar to become the mother of all progressive activities in the field of energy.

Am I Insomniac …?

I think I’m an insomniac. Am I right or just a superstition…I’m dubious about it because I can’t sleep before five a.m. Don’t know if it’s the uncountable cups of caffeinated drinks I consume throughout the day or the fact that I believe nights are my ‘me’ time.

Whatever the reason, I finally go to bed by five and sadly have to be up between 9:30 and 10 in the morning. Although my spouse follows the same sleep pattern, he’s got to leave for work by 10, as it takes him an hour to get to his factories at Gulberg.

While having our space cleaned, I consume two cups of tea, chat with the cleaners and go through the papers. After spending 10 minutes on what to wear …am I in business mood, editor mood or in a bohemian mood? I finally hit the shower…the one thing that actually wakes me up.

I am in the office by 11:45, almost 30 minutes before the rest of the staff arrives. I need this half hour to settle in, but the office boy/cleaner announces his list of ‘things to buy’, Harpic, phenyl, sponges; and we get into an argument about him wasting, because I only bought all this a week ago. There goes my ‘setting on’ time! I love doing what I do. In fact, it was always a dream to bring out my own magazine… but it’s this micro management that get on my nerves!

Staff walks in sharp at 12:15 and I with my creative director and my assistant editor immediately go into our Monday morning meeting. We are a fortnightly, which means lots of planning. The minute we hit the stands, we are already closing the nest issue…which means no time for BS!

During the meeting we work out our next issue. In the rough dummy, we add the happenings and the latest news, minus the crappy stuff (things that looked exciting a week ago, but sad now), discuss and draw the layouts and plan the shoots and interviews we need to line up. The meeting is over and done by 1:30 p.m.

I use my lunch break to go waxing at a salon! Being a working person at times is painful! Thankfully the office location is such that everything is close by; so I am done within 45 minutes.

I am back in the office and by 3:30 I am done checking and responding to emails. My next meeting is with a new photographer called Mario Lanzi.

After four years as the editor of a weekly magazine and another year as a vice president at Xinhuao a digital channel. I took a two year break to get married and then get used to the whole concept of ‘marriage’ and just chilling out. Coming back to print media is exciting because of the new talent out there. I dedicate two days a week to meeting new designers, photographers and models because we really need new blood in this business.

It is just a chew out of my activities of daily routine and if completely write down all my jobs I perform I’m sure you’ll think I am not a person but rather a jinni. I’m sure you might be suspecting on my statements but you may believe it or not I have to go through all of these. Now being a good critic or advisor or good friend, or what else, reviewing my timetable what do you suggest me what should I do? If you are a doctor then prescribe something for but it must be in herbal. Waiting from you….

Promotion THAI Land Airs

The word ‘Thigh’ arouses sensational feelings in the hearts of young men and ‘thighland’ may madden them but I am not talking about Thigh’s land but Thailand. Now be patient and study it calmly with your hearts throbbing normally.

THAI’s marketing and sales promotional efforts include a huge range of activities with annual expenditures of millions of dollars. The airline’s advertising and public relations campaigns cover the world, informing potential passengers about THI’s fascinating destinations and supplying information about specific ‘products’ such as new routes, Royal Orchid Holidays and Royal Orchid Plus frequent flyer programs.

Recent campaigns have also supported special events such as the annual Trang Underwater Wedding. The Colorful Lanna- style wedding ceremonies in Chiang Mai, and appealed to international golfers to experience Thailand’s wonderful courses by offering them special package tours.

Much of the airline’s promotional efforts is directed towards education, the informing of influential groups about the countless attractions of the kingdom. During 2005, for examples, THAI, in close cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, hotels and local tour operators, is inviting over 2,000 overseas travel agents, travel writers and TV teams to visit Thailand to experience its wonders for themselves. This campaign is resulting in massive worldwide publicity to boost the nation’s tourism industry and is helping, particularly to encourage visitors to those revitalized regions which were affected by the tsunami.

Another large scale promotion is THAI’s ‘Revisit Thailand Lucky Draw’, which is giving away 20,000 tickets to passengers on flights to and within Thailand. The lucky winners are able to return, with a free flight, from their homelands for another visit.

Special fare promotions have also been launched to encourage. Thais resident aboard to return home for vacations and to persuade passengers from, say Greece or Italy, to stop over in this country when they are traveling to Australia, or New Zealand, Another recent promotion offered a ‘Buy one, get one free’ incentive, for Executive Class passengers and special packages were created offering free flights to children traveling on vacation with their parents.

Beauty Lies in the Eyes ….

Beauty has a number of definitions and every one has ones own definition to explain. But after all, any definition it may be, it includes a specific sense of refinement, sophistication, delicacy, sensitivity, sublimity and all that touches to another persons mind, soul, thoughts and feelings. What do you think or what comes in your mind when the word Beauty is uttered before you. You may think anything but I’d like to express myself to expose my feelings, passions and sensations about Beauty. Because when any thing beautiful is exposed to me, either it is a beautiful thought, beautiful physical or material article or a living being … a beautiful baby, beautiful lady, beautiful old personality, a beautiful landscape, an old autumn beaten lifeless tree, a white wrinkled celectial face, I get impressed and driven to acctecy. Beauty has its own grandeure that bewilders a person. My faith is that there is no ugliness in the universe --- beauty is lying everywhere in the world. Peaple

think that lizard is the ugliest animal in the world or a crocodile is the most sinister living animal on the earth but I think that these animals play an important role in the definition of beauty. A very beautiful saying about it is that “Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder”. If we could not have a crocodile or a lizard we were altogether unaware of beauty. We must be thankful to these animals that by comparing these animals, we were able to feel beauty--- a universal heavenly divine existence on earth in the guise of beauty.