Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A Friend's Qualities

What is a "friend"? Even the world's most genius people have not yet managed to define exactly what a friend is, and what makes someone your friend. I think that it is a feeling – when someone is your friend, you just feel it. When it comes to me, there are two qualities that my friends must have; in this article I'll introduce them.

The first one is loyalty. There is a saying stating that "the dog is the man's best friend" because the dog stays loyal to its owner, no matter what happens. I don't think my best friend should act like a dog, but I do think he should be loyal. A person who is nice in person but says horrible things about you behind your back, is not a friend – because he is not loyal. Loyalty is the basis of any kind of relationship – a romantic one or a friendly one. I believe loyalty concludes all the very important qualities a good friend should have; reliability - because only the people who stay loyal are reliable, and understanding - because a person who is not loyal would not bother to understand you. This is why I find this quality so important.

The second important quality is that he should be someone who I have things in common with. People who are completely different might be great people to argue with, but I don't think that a person who has nothing in common with me, can be my friend.

But, just like I said in the opening paragraph, friendship is something which is very hard to define. There is an exception to every rule, and sometimes, you can find out that your best friend is your biggest enemy. However, I believe that a friend simply has to be loyal and have things in common with me, as long as I don't want the relationship to be hypocritical and boring.

Excellent work
(100)
Daphna

Chasing Community Giving

A recently published research shows that one of every four Israeli teenagers does volunteer work and practices community work in his spare time. This is a decent achievement, but still not good enough. I see so much potential of giving in my schoolmates, but most of them do nothing about it. I believe the school can easily encourage the pupils to be more active in their community.

The city of Holon offers a variety of places to volunteer in, for every type of person. From youth groups and nursing homes to animal shelters and charity organizations. I believe any pupil can find his way to contribute the community. The problem is that most teenagers spend most of their time in front of the computer and television, without even knowing that these kinds of organizations exist.

Therefore, the school can encourage students to become familiar with them – a fun day at the local animal shelter or a visit to a nearby home for elderly people, will sure make the students feel that they enjoy giving and they might consider volunteering as a habit. The school can also encourage students to be active in youth movements by contacting the movements and inviting them to the school, or vice versa.

But, we should not throw all the responsibility on the school. The students, who prefer occasional pleasures such as watching a comedy program or web surfing on Facebook, need to understand that this is fine - but this is not what they want to remember from their juvenility(ww.). A little bit of volunteer work or community activism can change and add interest to one's life and above all – contribute to society.

Great!
(100)
Daphna

Monday, May 3, 2010

The Trip to Egypt

19 Ha'Hail St.
Holon
April 19, 2010

Dan Cohen
CEO
Perfect Tours
48 Ramat HaHayal St.
Tel Aviv

Dear Sir,

My name is Avshalom. I'm 35-years old and I'm really interested in traveling around the country and abroad, also(מיותר). In the past years, I went to Germany, Switzerland and France through your travel company, and I am a very satisfied customer. Nowadays, I'm organizing a trip by myself. I would like to collect some details relevant to the tour I am planning.

For many years, my friends have asked me to organize a trip to the far Giza, which is in Egypt. Only recently, I (have) decided to carry out the mission. Except of(ww. - for) the Sphinx, and the Great Pyramids of Giza, I'd like to receive information about special, unusual places and sights that can be found in Egypt. The place should relate to both Egyptian and Jewish history. Please let me know of less-known but equally interesting attractions from the times of the Pharaohs, the Second Temple era, et cetera.

Moreover, I would also (like) to hear details about the prices. It is well known that entering historical places is no longer free nor cheap. I'd love to hear whether there are various ways to enter these sites with less money; bonuses, benefit cards, et cetera. In addition, I would like to hear about the accommodation. We would like to stay in a small, nice and inexpensive hotel, which is close to all the historical places(ww. - sites) in Giza.

In conclusion, I am sure that if you help me, my trip to Giza with my friends will be an unforgettable trip, and(מיותר). (New sentence) I hope to(ww. - you) help me to(מיותר) organize it the best way you can, since I am very pleased with different trips you have already organized. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Avshalom Cohen

(93)
Daphna

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Application to Yale

24 David Hemelech St.
Tel Aviv
May 1, 2010

Mr. Stathis N. Kalyvas
Head of the Political Science Faculty
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
U.S.A.

(Dear Mr. Kalyvas,)

My name is Avshalom. I am twenty seven years old. I am writing this letter to you because I am interested in studying for my second degree in your faculty. In this letter, I will explain why I think I fit the program and why I want this specific faculty.

I have recently completed my first degree in the Political Science faculty of(ww. - at the) Tel Aviv University. During the(ww. - my) studies, I was constantly at the top of the class. I am interested in getting my second degree diploma in Yale.

I would like to be very successful in the field of Political Science and I am convinced that the faculty in Yale is the best one for me and for every student who wants high-level education. Yale has been home to some of the world's foremost political scientists, including Gabriel Almond and Robert Dahl. I am planning to be as experts(ww.) as they were and even better.

In conclusion, I think I fit the Political Science program at Yale and I ensure(you) I will do my best and will not damage the faculty's good name with lack of success (phr.). I would be thankful if you send me an application form.

Thank you for your assistance,

(Sincerely yours,)
Avshalom Cohen.

(92)
Daphna