2014 Winter Olympics

After the Winter War Wipert von Blucher, the German envoy to Helsinki, concluded that the U.S.S.R. was not a first-class military power, and that Germany didn’t need to view the Soviet Union as a serious military or economic threat. Between 1937 and 1938 around seven…

I am of course old enough to remember when festivals still retain a whiff of their alternative roots. How far have we travelled from those calm, peaceful tranquil and lens flared days. The meaning of carnival has changed dramatically over the period of time. Carnival has always been and would continue to be the show for the elite in society. In many parts of the world where Catholic Europeans set up colonies and entered into the slave trade carnival took root. Carnival, an annual…

According to Nick Carraway, “You can’t repeat the past,” Gatsby astonishingly replies: “Can’t repeat the past? … Why of course you can!” To Gatsby time appears as submissive to his will as wealth or power. (Miller) All Gatsby wants is to turn back time to before he was well known and wealthy, he wants to be great. How does he achieve this “greatness” you may ask? Gatsby’s actions prove him to be a sincere and loyal person, even during a time of corrupt social values. From taking the blame of…

The days of the Olympic Games being an event focused on sport, if they ever existed, are long gone. We now see a heavy emphasis on money and politics in the Games, which is demonstrated by the concept of the Olympic legacy. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), “The Olympic Games have the power to deliver lasting benefits which can considerably change a community, its image and its infrastructure” (International Olympic Committee [IOC], 2013). These apparent benefits are what…

September 17, 2014 English Class Assignment Have you ever seen how gymnasts tumble and do cool things? It definitely takes a lot of dedication and hard work. Gymnasts show professionalism through their sport. Especially Gabby Douglas, a hard working gymnast who traveled across country just to do her best. She was separated from her family for almost two years just to train, she showed professionalism. With her determination she won all- around gymnast and group gymnastics in the Olympics.…

In February of 2002, at the Winter Olympics taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah, two Canadian figure skaters were trapped during what was the most high-profile judging scandal of all time. At no fault of their own, the pair consisting of Jamie Salé and David Pelletier lost their chance at the gold medal when a French judge voted in favour of the Russian pair. Thus, the Russians claimed the gold medal and the Canadians settled for silver. When confronted, the French judge admitted to being…

However, the cities may run into different legacy issues such as white elephants. Smith (2012) explains how they are venues that are built purposely for the mega events like the Olympics, however, after the event they are often abandoned because they are too expensive to open to the public. Cities of the event often think they need a new venue to attract more people to come their event, but smith (2012) argues that cities build the…

Harper paused for a while after knocking before putting her ear to the door. It didn’t seem like anyone was home. Harper’s heart started to race. She hadn’t considered that the Director might not be in residence that morning. If he wasn’t at Winters Hall, how would Harper get her hologram? As Saskia hurried down the corridor, Harper tried pushing at the door to no avail. It was sealed shut and there was no point trying anything else because the door to the Director’s office was powered by a…

Human Nature through Ron Hansen “Wickedness” In the winter of 1888, in a small town in Nebraska, a massive and unexpected storm paralyzed the community without warning. Humans, animals, agricultural life forms experienced massive destruction. Ron Hansen, in his short story called “Wickedness,” describes the brutality of the storm, and it’s affect on individual lives. Hansen uses human traits to illustrate the wickedness of the storm. Over one long dark night, the snow storm of 1888…

One of these such traditions is dressing up in costumes. Several hundred years ago, the Winter months were uncertain and frightening times, when food supplies got very low and many people were scared of the dark and of the dangers that came with it. On Samhain when the veil is the thinnest and spirits are said to roam free, people were afraid…