Journal 17

TJ Montgomery
Stephanie Gai
English 100
21 April 2009

A review of a business presentaion I witnessed

Corey Fenton, Soleil Deknatel, and Luis Mejia gave an exceptional presentation on estate planning. With a loud, strong voice, Corey introduced their topic with a brief definition of estate planning and the process in which it is created. He then explained why it is more valuable for a business owner to consider estate planning. In Corey’s own words, “most of your personal wealth will be tied up in the business,” and therefore, more valuable. After Corey went over the difficulty of transferring businesses through estate planning, Luis brought probate to the class’ attention.

Luis appeared to be nervous, but managed to deliver the information in an audible manner. He started with a brief but suitable definition. He defined probate as, “a court supervised procedure used to distribute assets to beneficiaries after death.” Luis gave a few reasons as to why probate is useful and useless. While probate is indeed organized, it is also time consuming and expensive. Luis recommends using probate only when necessary. One way to avoid probate as suggested by Luis, is to jointly own your business. This way, in the event that the death of a partner occurs, the business can still operate. Three examples later, Soleil explained trusts.

Soleil appears to be the most knowledgeable of the group. Although using note cards, Soleil was able to maintain appropriate eye contact as she was not reading her notes, but explaining them. She explained that in addition to the options given by Luis, trusts are also great ways to avoid probate as they are easy to create. In order to create a trust: it must be written, witnessed, and notarized. As well as funded to work. She explained the differences between two types of trusts, revocable and irrevocable. She recommends revocable trusts because they are more flexible and can include sub-trusts. A few advantages of having a trust are that it provides liquidity for a family or business when needed. It may be combined with another trust or with other estate tools in the planning toolbox. And among many other advantages, it has “tax saving potential.” Corey returned to speak after Soleil went over gifts as a means of avoiding taxes.

Corey educated the class of the in-and-outs of a power of attorney, buy-sell agreements, entity purchase agreements, cross-purchase agreements, force out provisions, and right of refusal of provisions; all of which, are designed to help the business continue operation after a partner has been removed due to retirement, divorce, disability or death. Luis concluded the group’s presentation with a quick review advising the class to: plan ahead, use attorneys only when necessary, and give gifts. All will help to ease the process of leaving things behind to loved ones.

Journal 16

TJ Montgomery
Stephanie Gai
English 100
21 April 21, 2009

• What have you done well?
• What needs attention?
• What score do you think your portfolio as a whole will achieve?

In this class, English 100, I feel that I have accomplished many things. I have successfully written four essays that have been assigned to me in a timely manner. And within those four essays I have composed well informed introductive paragraphs and emotionally moving conclusions. Also amongst my accomplishments, are my successful uses of that cool dash thingy I that appear in fashion magazines. I have always wondered when those were necessary. And lastly, I must say that I am quite proud of acceptance of criticism. Two years ago I would not have been so pleased to know that my writing was mediocre. But I have grown and I understand that the suggestions given to me by my peers and my instructor, are only meant to help me to improve my writing abilities.

When it comes to writing and everything else in the world, nothing is perfect. This is especially true with my writing. I have always had trouble with grammar, and punctuation and even after this class, I still do. Rather than follow the rules of composition, I use tools like: commas, semicolons, and colons whenever I feel it is necessary. It’s not that I don’t respect the rules of the trade, I just don’t understand them. Another issue I have with writing is with too much emotion. While many forms of writing welcome emotion, most prompts assigned to me do not. I don’t know why but I just can’t seem to take me and how I feel out of the explicit equation. I haven’t figured out how to say “I believe” without using the words “I” and “believe.”

As far as my portfolio score, I have so much revising to do that I cannot even guess at what I might receive. But I sure am hoping for something better than a ten!

Journal 14

TJ Montgomery
Stephanie Gai
English 100
04 April 2009

Questioning the text: Scenes from the Exhibitionists

Kay S. Hymowitz suggests that the celebrities who expose themselves too much are naïve about the effects that too much revelation will have. I believe this to be true. I don’t think half of the celebs know just how damaging one photo can be. Sure many celebs know what it’s like to be the latest joke or the number one search inquiry on Google, but do they know how their family feels? Do they know if their parents are ashamed of them? Do they know who their real friends are? Maybe they do, but it seems as though, through their actions, they do not. Being naïve isn’t harmful within itself; it’s being naïve around people that know you are naïve and looking to benefit from your lack of wisdom.

She doesn’t mention the non-famous as much the famous, however, I feel that for this situation it is ok to single out one class over another. The reason being this, the not all women are exhibitionists, not even in their own minds. Using average women as examples may have hindered her ability to gain the reader’s attention. Many women, who do not identify as open or comfortable sexual beings, may feel that they do not understand or connect or relate to the subject and become uninterested. But using popular figures with familiar faces will allow the average citizen to feel they, in some way, identify with the topic. It’s not always about the what; who may be just as important.

I do believe that a lack of discretion threatens the identities of average citizens. Maybe, not in the same as others, but I do. Too much information can be damaging to anyone in any situation. Opening a window can let air in and out. The average citizen can be greatly influenced by those under the spotlight. When Paris, Brittney and Lindsay indulge in their naïve shenanigans, they let information flow out of the window and right into some young teens gaping window. If the average citizen were to start committing the same open acts, they run the risk of being shamed by their friends and loved ones. Their sales won’t increase. They won’t get a huge signing bonus. They won’t be rewarded with front cover ads. They only thing come to them is shame and disgust.

On the other hand, not all individuals are susceptible to the behavior showed in the media. I have faith in the common. They are common because they don’t step out of the ordinary are make daring attempts to be the hot new thing. People that are satisfied in their safe bubbles are not facing any major issues by lack of discretion made by others. And I doubt that they themselves will be flashing anybody’s camera.

Journal 13

TJ Montgomery
Stephanie Gai
English 100
03 April 2009

Song analysis of "In the Midst of It All"

In Yolanda Adam’s song, “In the Midst of It All,” she points out that Jesus will always be there when times are good and bad. This song expresses why Adams chooses to believe that Jesus is always watching over her. It mainly emphasizes that no matter what trials or tribulations a person is going through, He will always love and protect them. This idea is one of the main beliefs in the Christian religion and is central to the faith of those who practice that religion. Yolanda Adam’s song “In the Mist of it All,” encourages people to believe that anything is possible, to never give up hope, and when it comes to Jesus Christ himself, always remember that you can make it through.

Many people in our society today are crying about all their painful times and how they believed there was no way out until God came along. Adams says in her lyrics, “Through the pain and all of my sorrows, through the tears and all of my fears. The Lord was there to keep me, for he’s kept me in the midst of it all.” Going deep into depth this powerful woman of God believes that no matter what obstacles may come her way, the Lord will be there to help her to overcome them. When hearing those words one must think and wonder how it is possible for Jesus to help you throughout your problems when you feel like there is no way. She perceives Jesus to be the one person to do all things for you when you are in the time of need or in a troublesome situation, and all you must do is call upon his name.

There may even be times where the devil will try to garnish the things you love away from you and make your life appear to be upside down. In Adam’s song, her lyrics elaborate how there will be times where the devil will try distract and reposition you. She says, “Satan tried to stop me and to place my feet in sinking sand, (personally I would have eliminated this last part of the lyrics, as they are unnecessary) but Jesus loves me so dearly.” In these words Adams proclaims that the devil will try to stop you from loving Jesus even if that means by risking your very life. Adams cannot stress enough through the words in her lyrics how much you should have more faith in Jesus, regardless of what the odds are against you. She never stated at any point how she would give up and let the devil win control over her life. She was single-minded when it came to believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.

Jesus doesn’t just love you because you do good things. He loves the faith that people display on a daily basis throughout their lives. “Not because I’ve been so faithful. Not because I’ve always obeyed.” Here, Adams is implying that Jesus will still be there even if people didn’t obey his commandments, but that he loves you just because He chooses to. She concludes that even if you don’t believe and you don’t have faith in God, He will still be there for you in the “midst of it all.” This is what makes Jesus Christ’s love so powerful.

The overall theme of the song, is having faith in the Lord. Yolanda Adams expresses her own life testimony on how Jesus has kept her spirit strong throughout the trials and tribulations of her life. By doing so, she realized how Jesus uplifted her and the major impact that his presence has imposed. Jesus was the source that Yolanda Adams looked to in the time of need and in the time of comfort. He was truly that one person that she could turn to in the midst of it all.

Journal 12

Journal 12 is the second half of Journal 09. You gave me permission to split Journal 09 in two when I accidently read and wrote about both instead of just one.

Journal 11

Journal 10

TJ Montgomery & Jeffrey Day
Stephanie Gai
English 100
28 February 2009

Benefits of Using Data Entry


Most business type computers today rely on the internet for most of its data entry; therefore, it is vital for the end user using such technology, to have sufficient computer literacy. Data entry can be a lot of hard work and very time consuming, and having exceptional computer skills can dramatically speed up the tedious process. In business, companies use data entry software that helps their productivity become more efficient; the faster and more accurate the system, the better. When a company’s data team does a system information update, they generally try to keep track of their competitors’ status as well. Having the most updated data is of the utmost importance. Without it, it is almost impossible to stay ahead of the game.


When data entry is done correctly there can be great rewards for the entity that is dependent on that system. The customers of the TELUS energy sector have experienced firsthand, the benefits of adequate data entry. Due to a recent agreement between Cortex Business Solutions Inc. and TELUS, customers, along with suppliers, can expect a cut in costs to them. The union of services between these two companies will broaden the capabilities of each company. Cortex is an eCommerce service provider with an eProcurement network that has proven to cut costs and increase productivity through effective data entry. Now that TELUS has access to this network, they can, "enable energy sector companies to exchange procurement and accounts payable information electronically with their customers and suppliers, regardless of which accounting software they use; this in turn, “will reduce administration costs, improve validation and accuracy of invoicing and deliver visible cost benefits to procurement processing” (Cortex Business Solutions Inc.).

Everyone in the business world needs to have up-to-date data entry at all times. Especially today, the pace that business is running at requires a superior method of data entry. As you were recently made aware, data entry can be very helpful with your customers and clients, also where they live and the overall market itself. Being able to process orders quickly will produce satisfied customers. Having satisfied patrons will encourage them to continue purchasing your services as well as refer friends and family to do the same. This is what the market likes to call good customer service. Data entry just doesn’t secure you to have good customer service and a well ran business, it allows you to integrate and maybe even develop new technological ways that may help your business keep up with the fast moving corporate America.


Data entry is designed to manage commercial financial exchanges in a way that will enable the most complicated of procedures into simple courses of action that make the biggest of differences. It lowers the routine stresses of workplace ergonomics on system users due to the decreased amount of time it takes to perform systematic tasks. Simplicity is symbiotic. Workers need to be able to perform the tasks that their job descriptions entail. The system of data entry needs to invite a symbiosis of mutual benefit to both the worker and company. Consequently, workers will be more likely to build confidence in their performance if they are comfortable with the work they produce and the way in which they produce it. (Kumar)


In Corporate America, you must learn every aspect of using data entry to be highly successful. If you are not willing to use data entry then your whole business runs the risk of falling behind while competing businesses flourish in the technological advances. The economical society is changing every day and people of all professional fields must stay current with software updates that can help their investments profit. This class of aid is not limited to data entry software, but it is a key piece to successful managerial duties. If computers and technology are our future, we have much to gain.




Works Cited
Cortex Business Solutions Inc. Paperless Supply Chain Management. 15 October 2008. 27 February 2009 .

Kumar, Aravind. Data Entry Service. 15 November 2006. 2009 28 2009 .