The Defense Finance and Accounting Service Strategic Plan free essay sample

To be competitive in a turbulent and rapidly changing economy, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) must continually strive to improve business practices within each of our major business lines (Accounting Services, Military and Civilian Pay Services, Commercial Pay Services) and within corporate support services (e. g. , Resource Management, Human Resources, Information Technology). This Strategic Plan describes how we will leverage our people and technology, not only to meet and exceed expectations, but also to excel as the world’s largest finance and accounting firm. In October 2000, we set forth a plan to streamline our operations and improve customer service by restructuring the organization. The DFAS Business Evolution, or DBE, outlined steps to strengthen customer relationships and improve business processes as we deliver â€Å"best value† services to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and Defense civilians. It redefined internal DFAS executive responsibilities and relationships to better focus on customer needs and more clearly identified access to and accountability for each DFAS service. We will write a custom essay sample on The Defense Finance and Accounting Service Strategic Plan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The DBE set the stage for the creation of an environment for innovation and professional growth for every DFAS employee. Prior to the implementation of the DBE Plan, DFAS was organized by geographic location, providing finance and accounting services to military and civilian personnel across the world. Over the past year, we shifted from a geographical structure to a business line and client executive matrixed organization to better serve customers and to improve operational efficiency. This change was designed to benefit customers by focusing DFAS on our individual customer’s needs, identifying clear accountability for each DFAS business service, and improving the â€Å"value† of business services provided. Business lines were established. Client Executives were designated. Feedback was encouraged. A commitment to service was reinforced. DFAS is committed to becoming a world-class provider of finance and accounting services for its customers. To do so, we have further developed a strategy that will be supported by performance metrics to measure the impact of strategic goals. In the last several months, we developed a Balanced Scorecard that will allow everyone in the organization to understand the linkages of performance, help illuminate the importance of a strong strategy, and demonstrate the indicators of success across the business lines and throughout the organization. This current Strategic Plan takes our approach with the organization, through the DBE, to the next level by highlighting the principle priorities we will undertake in the coming years to realize our strategic goals. Thomas R. Bloom Page 3 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work II. Introduction In developing strategy, DFAS analyzed its current state, articulated its desired future state, and identified the case for change. Last year, DFAS reorganized to build on strengths and to create new synergies to advance the desire to be more customer focused. Throughout the past year, the DFAS Leadership Council has met monthly to monitor key initiatives that have begun to transform the organization. The landscape is changing and the direction of DFAS remains clearly focused. Strategic initiatives concentrate on opportunities to make DFAS outstanding in customer service. DFAS is well on its way and the strategic planning process is becoming firmly imbedded in the organizational culture. A key initiative that DFAS embraced, the Balanced Scorecard process, was designed and implemented in Fiscal Year 2001. The Balanced Scorecard provides a consistent view of organizational performance and enables DFAS to measure the most pertinent areas supporting the mission and vision of DFAS. The first step in designing and rolling out the Balanced Scorecard was to understand and identify the four broad areas, or perspectives, to be measured: Customer, Financial, Internal Business Processes, and Growth and Learning. At the same time, feedback mechanisms were established to ensure progress in these areas and alignment to DFAS strategy. In addition to the Balanced Scorecard, DFAS advanced strategy through other key initiatives. The new Client Executive (CE) role was established to serve DFAS customers. The CE serves as an attentive steward for customers, helping them find solutions for their needs. DFAS conducted needs analysis and customer surveys within business lines to better understand the critical areas needing improvement. Additionally, DFAS conducted endto-end process analysis, or Activity Based Costing analysis, on major processes in order to improve quality and lower costs. As always, DFAS continues to strive toward meeting 100% of Agency Performance Contract commitments as well as the goals that are outlined in the Financial Management Improvement Plan. DFAS understands that in order to implement the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan, each DFAS employee must acquire and develop additional skills. DFAS is committed to steering that charge by helping all employees equip themselves with the competencies they need to provide extraordinary service. To that end, DFAS is committed to spending five percent (5%) of the labor budget on training. Work is also underway to identify and develop core competencies necessary for workforce and mission success. The Strategic Plan is an integral part of what is done at DFAS everyday. With the strategy clearly in mind and present at every operational level, DFAS continues to strengthen customer partnerships, improve quality, and reduce costs. DFAS will look for innovative solutions to maximize the potential of technology to meet customers’ needs. DFAS strives to be a world-class Page 4 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work organization by measuring itself against others in the industry. It is through the continued commitment to strong partnerships, highest quality, operational effectiveness and a skilled workforce that DFAS will achieve its vision and provide world-class, costeffective services for its customers. DFAS believes that the right structure is in place to implement the Strategic Plan. A clear roadmap is defined. Page 5 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work III. Strategic Planning Approach The DFAS mission and vision reflects a conscious decision by DFAS to become more customer-focused. The DFAS Strategic Plan focuses on goals and objectives to advance the DFAS mission and to attain the vision. Through the Balanced Scorecard process, individual units participated in developing goals and objectives, linking all DFAS organizational initiatives together. Additionally, DFAS strives to be world-class in the finance and accounting industry. DFAS utilizes other world-class organizations and best practices as gauges to measure performance. The Strategic Plan is the product of DFAS internal expertise, external benchmarking, legal and regulatory guidance and industry consultation. DFAS firmly believes that strategic plans and processes only work when embraced by all the employees in the organization and integrated into their day-to-day events. This Strategic Plan will be communicated in a way that enhances employees’ and managers’ understanding of our strategy, calling them to action. Various methods of communication including face-to-face interactions as well as electronic and print media will be employed. In addition, and most importantly, communication will be leadership driven. The Strategic Plan is the framework that all employees and managers will use for creating their business planning processes. This plan will be monitored monthly, reviewed annually and updated every five years. DFAS Board of Advisors DFAS Strategic Plan Congress Administration DoD Industry Best Practices DFAS Internal Knowledge Page 6 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work IV. Core Values DFAS is engaged in an intensive process of strategy development, implementation and renewal. DFAS Strategy is comprised of mission, vision and goals. The goals are supported and will be achieved through their respective Balanced Scorecard objectives. All of these areas are guided and supported by a set of core values. DFAS strategy is designed to deliver the best value to the customer. Throughout the process of defining DFAS’s direction, leadership has continually relied on the following core values when making decisions. Integrity Integrity is doing what is right. Uphold the laws and regulations ? Demonstrate accountability ? Communicate openly and honestly ? Treat everyone with fairness and respect ? Follow through on our commitments Service We are committed to be the Department’s trusted financial partner. ? Partner with our customers ? Leverage technology and resources ? Strive for excellence ? Train and develop our employees ? Recognize and reward e xemplary performance ? Bottom line—we exist to serve America’s best! Innovation We embrace change and aggressively seek new ways to do business. ? Encourage best business practices ? Invest in leading-edge technology ? Reduce cost and improve quality through leadership and teamwork Page 7 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work V. Situation Assessment The DFAS current state, or situation assessment, reflects an organization making strides and continuing to address needed improvements. The following success stories highlight milestones achieved along the way, while challenges accentuate the issues DFAS continues to address. Both are mapped to the DFAS vision statement to ensure a linkage to the desired future state of DFAS. A. Success Stories Best Value to Customer ? Increased our clients spending power ? Reduced the number of overaged invoices ? Increased the use of electronic commerce FY 2002 bill to our customers is $140 million less than in FY 2001; our cost structure is $120 million below budget for last two years ? World-class Provider of Finance and Accounting Services ? Met client needs for more timely and accurate financial information ? Delivered to SOCOM a system solution for better management information ? Reduced problem disbursements by 85% Expanded web based capabilities ? Self service electronic pay statements ? DFAS strategy is comprised of: A. Mission Provide responsive, professional finance and accounting services for the people who defend America. B. Vision Best Value to Customer ? World-class Provider of Finance and Accounting Services ? One Organization, One Identity ? Trusted, Innovative Financial Partner ? Employer of Choice, Providing a Progressive and Professional Work Environment C. Goals Goals are the critical success enablers for DFAS to accomplish its mission and achieve its vision. The goals are directly linked to the vision of DFAS as follows: World-class Provider of Finance and Accounting Services Goal: Fully satisfy customer requirements and aggressively resolve problems to deliver best value services Goal: Use performance metrics to drive best business practices and achieve high quality results Goal: Optimize the mix of our military, civilian, and contractor workforce to achieve competitive advantage Trusted, Innovative Financial Partner Goal: Establish consultative relationships with leaders Goal: Deliver business intelligence to drive better decisions Page 10 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work One Organization, One Identity Goal: Ensure everyone is working toward the same vision and can connect what they are doing to make the vision a reality Employer of Choice, Providing a Progressive and Professional Work Environment Goal: Embrace continuous learning for our workforce to ensure critical, high quality skill sets Goal: Develop the next generation of DFAS leadership. Page 11 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work VII. Strategy and Performance Measurement Linkages: DFAS employs the Balanced Scorecard methodology to measure organizational performance and track progress in achieving its strategic goals. The various DFAS organizational units embarked on the development of individual scorecards, consistent with the goals articulated by the leadership. These individual scorecards were analyzed and a crosscutting â€Å"corporate view† scorecard was developed. This process was an iterative one that involved participants throughout the entire organization at all levels. The goals embodied in the strategy are divided into a four-perspective view of organizational performance. The perspectives are: ? ? ? Customer o Focuses on organizational performance as perceived by the customer Financial o Measures the traditional fiscal health associated with organizational performance Internal Business Processes o Measures internal business practices and system processes for efficiency and effectiveness Growth and Learning o Measures progress towards achievin g the attraction, development and retention of DFAS employees Each perspective contains unique objectives. Objectives are the means whereby DFAS will achieve its strategic goals. The DFAS corporate scorecard will be continuously monitored and revised based on identified priorities. The corporate scorecard will be used as the basis for other unit scorecards to cascade performance measures and track action plans throughout the entire agency. Page 12 of 16 DFAS Strategic Plan Your Financial Partner @ Work A. Objectives Linked to Goals DFAS will measure progress toward achieving goals through the Balanced Scorecard objectives. The goals provide linkages from the DFAS vision to objectives, and the goals are crosslinked to the objectives at the corporate level. Mission: Provide responsive, professional finance and accounting services for the people who defend.

Opinon Essay on Iraqi War-Global Studies

Opinon Essay on Iraqi War-Global Studies John MillerGlobal Studies3-6-05Iraqi War EssayOn March 3, 2004, the United States military invaded Iraq for the following reasons, an imminent threat brought on by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the tyrannical leadership of Saddam Hussein, Iraq's "homicidal dictator" and his threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The reasons for the occupancy of Iraq have been something that have been debated over again and again, and too often people are not properly informed to be debating on the topic, due to the bias media. However, the nation was still prepared to enter the costly "quagmire" of a conflict.A country can go to war for several reasons. One may be simply because one country has been physically attacked by an other. Another is because another country is causing disturbance or bloodshed in that country. Or the country is being forced into submission by another by means of colonization.Carlos Cardoen meets with Iraqi Leader Saddam Huss...These are the only justifiable and moral reasons for going to war with another country. Iraqi's were not the one's who committed the terrorist acts against America; it is a known fact that Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden were hated enemies. Iraq caused no bloodshed in our country, and they caused no trouble in our country at all. If one looks at this in a broad spectrum, they might say the United States is the "bad guy" in the situation. They might also consider if the United States was interested in gaining control of Iraq's oil business, the largest in the world. However, the main reason as of now is to bring democracy to a country filled with chaos and anarchy, also created by the United States.In a 9th grade Global class at Glens Falls High School, a survey was done to...

Knowledge Sharing Networks and Strategic Alliances Essay

Knowledge Sharing Networks and Strategic Alliances - Essay Example The fruits of this research are going to be reaped by many firms in the future when they decide to form a Strategic Alliance and Networks with another firm. Strategic Alliances can be defined as voluntary agreements between firms for exchanging, sharing, and codevelopment of products. A strategic network may also be formed for the purpose of information sharing and using the knowledge learned from one part of the world by one firm, and then applying this learned knowledge to another part of the world through a different company. In the past research was also done to determine the behavior and performance of firms as a consequence of these alliances and partnerships. However, the major focus of the past research was the proclivity of firms or motivation behind entering into the partnerships and what variables were used by these firms for choosing their strategic partners. One important factor that was unearthed by this paper that gives firms motive to form strategic partnership is the use of information. As the paradigm of knowledge has shifted and firms rely on quick and fast information transfer and usage to increase their profitability, information has a premium attached to it. Many firms form strategic alliance and networks to get hold of this information and use it in their businesses for better profitability and performance of the organization. Hence, strategic networks and alliances have become increasingly important in the sphere of businesses today. (Gulati, Alliances and Networks, 1998) There are various factors that have to be considered before a firm makes a decision about the type of strategy that it is going to implement. Historically, businesses or focal firms can either take hold of other firms through investment, joint ventures or acquisition. However, as the time has elapsed it has become increasingly difficult to predict what kind of strategy, the focal or a firm in need of partnership is going to follow. In a study done on 87 firms and 9276 d eal announcements, it found that a lot of factors play an important role in strategic partnership decisions. These factors range from economics to other important fields in a business context. They include transaction costs, R & D benefits internalization view and the level of technological stage of the targeted firm. It was also worth noting that other conventional theories also hold importance in the decision made by the firms to form Strategic Alliances and Networks. Agency Theory, for example, provides grounds for Strategic Alliances and Networks to materialize. Agency theory states that agents act on the behalf of the principle. The finding in the paper says that one firm agrees to act on the behalf of the other and chooses to forego its own business and resources. it becomes fairly easy to form Strategic Alliances and Network. (Belen & McGahan, 2005) Many other important factors play a very important role in the formation of Strategic Alliances and Networks. A study done on Ne twork and Alliances show that profitability of a firm is likely to increases if there is some sort of connection between the industry participants. This is one major reason why firms operating in an Oligopoly collude and form cartels. Hence, forming strategic alliances and networks increase the

Effectiveness and Extent of the Convergence between Public and Private Research Paper

Effectiveness and Extent of the Convergence between Public and Private Security over the Next Decade - Research Paper Example es helping private firms and individuals to identify crime and other insecurity problems and report them to the government officials for law enforcement. Private security officers offer private risk management consultancies, implement security approaches to protect private property against theft and fire, and also investigate frauds in private companies. There are various private security companies which carry out those security functions mentioned above. The public and private securities have recently been seen to converge as they help each other to combat insecurity issues in the society. The success of community security can be achieved through partnership building between the private and public security. Convergence of private and public security enhances identification of opportunities for collaboration in the security sector in order to encourage innovation in problem-solving and decision making; hence making it easier for security personnel to deal with security issues and meet the needs of the society in terms of security. Collaboration between private and public security opens doors for effective problem-solving through technology and innovation. This convergence between the public and private security also enhances advanced community policing and achievement of mutual goals in the private and public sector. Therefore, the convergence between the public and private security is expected to expand and become effective over the next decade due to its benefits to the society. The convergence between private and public and private security is a contemporary issue in security studies which has become common in many countries worldwide. The convergence between private and public security refers to the collaboration and partnership building between the public and private security personnel. It involves bringing together the activities of private and public security personnel in order to encourage innovation and technological advancement in the security sector.

Health Care Reform and Nursing Profession Term Paper

Health Care Reform and Nursing Profession - Term Paper Example A study conducted by the World Health Organization (1999) revealed that the health care system in United States ranked 37th in overall performance and 72nd in overall level of health among 191 nations reviewed in the study. Again, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2012), the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 49.0 million in 2009 to 49.9 million in 2010. A recent study also revealed that more than 44,800 excess deaths occur annually in U.S. due to lack of insurance (Wilper, Woolhandler, Lasser, McCormick, Bor, & Himmelstein, 2009). These were the major driving factors that led to the release of the health care reform act, also called the patient protection and affordable care act or the PPACA. The U.S. Health care reform act extends healthcare coverage to nearly 32 million people by providing subsidies for people who cannot afford insurance on their own, developing consumer-friendly rules clamped on insurers, offering tax breaks and developing marketplace s to shop for insurance plans (Frellick, 2010). This act gives new opportunities to nurses to deliver care and play a vital role in leading change. It challenges nurses to do more to prevent diseases, provide chronic care management especially to the growing geriatric population and offer end-of-life care that focus on comfort and compassion. Following are some of the provisions in the healthcare reform that affect nurses: Reauthorization of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs The new healthcare reform reauthorized some of the major workforce development grant programs like advanced education nursing, workforce diversity grants, nursing education, practice and retention grants and nursing student and nurse faculty loan programs (Health Resources and Services Administration, n.d.). In 2010, $243 million was allocated towards Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Wood, 2011). These programs have been made available to promote nursing education through loan repayment an d scholarship programs and ensure that there are enough nurses to care for the growing healthcare needs in the future. These grant programs under the Public Health Service Act are the chief source of federal funding for nursing education (Frellick, 2010). Nurse-Managed Health Clinics The passage of the U.S. 2010 Health care reform act has resulted in the authorization of nurse-managed health clinics (NMHCs) which are nurse practice arrangements where advanced practice nurses serve as primary care providers, managers and administrators (Esperat, Hanson-Turton, Richardson, Debisette, & Rupinta, 2012). NMHCs provide health care services ranging from basic health promotion and disease prevention approaches to full service primary care including chronic disease management programs to the underserved populations and is associated with a school, college, university or department of nursing, federally qualified health center or an independent non-profit health or social service agency (Espe rat et al., 2012). These NMHCs provide a ‘safety net’ for medically underserved populations in crucial health care access points in areas where primary care physicians are in short supply (Frellick, 2010). In 2010, the Human Resources and Services Administration released $14.8 million in prevention fund dollars to support grants to 10 NHMCs, but this funding was not renewed in

Machiavelli And Friedrich | A comparison

Machiavelli And Friedrich | A comparison It is interesting to note that Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) and Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) share a great deal of similarity, so that in fact, both have at one time been referred by the clergy of their times as the herald of the antichrist. Nevertheless, the similarity that exists between the two is mainly underpinned by their philosophical standpoints, given that Machiavellis and Nietzsches philosophical postulations were characterized by their antithetical standpoints towards Christian values, ethics and doctrines. Particularly, a case in point is Machiavellis maxim that the end justifies the means. In his II Principe, Machiavelli sees man as a political animal, but not because of mans gregarious tendencies as seen by Aristotle. To Machiavelli, man is a political animal in that in the quest for power, he has to act swiftly and be very cunning. Therefore, this brings in the concepts of competition which ensures that only those who are really determined and enthusiastic on whatever they are doing are able to keep up with the stiff competition. The divergence between Machiavelli and Christianity is further widened when he maintains that to seize and consolidate political power, it is necessary for the prince to move faster than his real and perceived enemies and crush them. The rationale behind this standpoint is that the person who moves fast and first emerges the victor, whereas the slow paced are victims (Machiavelli, 175). The similarity between the above standpoint and Nietzsches ideas is that both advocate against Christian ethics such as modesty and justice. Similarly, both disagree with the very fundamentals of Christian ethic as they both see man as an animal, whereas Christianity sees man as the most important being, with this importance being underpinned by rationality and morality. Therefore, the concept of seeing human being an important being they are regarded as civilized and are not intended to act like animals such as being not thoughtful. The main difference between human beings and animals is that human beings have conscious and are able to think and reason out in whatever they do unlike animals. Nevertheless, Nietzsches animal instincts of man is covertly mentioned, as he only refers to it, by critiquing Christianity for shutting its doors on pleasure, self, the natural and appetitive elements of man. In so assuming their controversial standpoints, both Machiavelli and Nietzsche postulate that the need to act towards self preservation, self actualization and self aggrandizement is paramount. This relegates man into likeness with the animal kingdom, given that the animal kingdom is merely driven by the need for self preservation, through instincts. As it were, the place for rationality in lieu of pure pleasure and self seeking is not given a big berth by both Nietzsche and Machiavelli. This is well proven by the fact that Machiavelli casts aspersion on the importance of values such as trust and mutual respect or agreement. Machiavelli argues that after fatally closing in on political enemies, the Prince must later on turn to his friends and eliminate them, since friends as confidants will have accrued a lot of political and administrative secrets adequate to turn against the Prince. However, it is important to take note of the fact that Nietzsche and Machiavelli had somewhat different reasons for assuming their controversial standpoints. While Nietzsche maintained his standpoint on the account that he saw Christianity a curse and God as being dead [non-existent] as the basis of his standpoint, Machiavellis concern was not concerned with atheism, theism or the concern over the existence of a deity. Machiavelli did not write his radical standpoint for the sake of dethroning Christianity, unlike Nietzsche. In respect to the above development, as a matter of fact, by conjoining ethics to Christianity, and criticizing Christianity for its moralist stands and its shunning of pleasure, debauchery and self seeking, Nietzsche basically made a dereliction on the importance of ethics and morality as important constructs that hold the society together. It is at the same time, this juncture that Machiavelli and Nietzsche part ways, as far as their philosophical standpoints are concerned. Despite his radical political standpoints Machiavelli sees the need for tampering political administration and rule with some elements of ethics. This standpoint is seen explicitly when Machiavelli urges the Prince to always make sure that he did not amass wealth and affluence by rapine. Similarly, Machiavelli argued that in order that the Prince realizes a peaceful and stable administration, it is important that he stayed away from mens women and wives. To Machiavelli, the failure to steer clear of mens wives and the failure to shun the temptation of wealth acquisition through larceny are the very factors that would drive men into vengeful tendencies and thereby sparking off a political resistance, and subsequently, instability. To any one analyst or careful reader, this is indeed a moralist standpoint. So moralist it is that many a world leader has not been able to keep. This is not the case with Nietzsche. In almost the same vein, Machiavelli does not see religion as being retrogressive or disposable to the domains under the Prince. As a matter of fact, Machiavelli reiterates to the need by the Prince, to desist from interfering with the Church and religious matters. To Machiavelli, the failure to do so would warrant the loathing by the masses. As a corollary to this standpoint, Machiavelli advised the Prince on the need to acquaint himself with the clergy, so as to be able to rule effectively. However, it must be remembered that Machiavelli advised the Prince on the need to ensure that the Church remained under the control of the state, since the Church existed under the auspices of his domains, and the Prince ought to know the developments taking place within his jurisdiction. On the other hand, Nietzsche in his condescending criticism against the Christian religion or faith, becomes blinded to the point of disposing off, any need for morality, ethics and self restraint. To him, the fact that God is dead has given man the liberty to indulge himself. This is the fatal mistake of Nietzsches works (Nietzsche and Mencken, 139). Conclusion There is no civilization that can exist in the absolute absence of ethics. In the same vein, it is not tenable, the idea of governance and administration of a people who have a totally laissez faire condition to do as they please. The veracity of this concept is well established by the law which seeks to control and ward off the excesses of man. Nietzsche fails to realize that removing the concept of absolute authority to which all are accountable is to issue a blank check on mans actions. On the other hand, handing man absolute rights will make life intractable, given that in seeking to exercise these absolute rights, the rights of others and the authority of the state to exercise its powers will have been compromised. In summation, it is important to realize that the main difference that lay in Machiavellis and Nietzsches works was that of purpose. While Machiavelli only sought to advise the Prince on the technicalities of politics, Nietzsche mainly sought to produce an atheistic t reatise.

My Grandparent’s House Essays -- Personal Narrative

My Grandparent’s House It was another summer at my grandparent’s house that I woke up to one sunny Saturday morning. The smell of eggs, bacon, and tortillas was a greeting to the home-cooked breakfast I could sense as I lie in the bedroom still lightly dreaming. I could hear my grandpa in the distance, chopping wood for the stove my grandma was cooking with. Very old fashioned my grandparents were, convincing me to become more independent, I always enjoyed their company. It was a summer where I would be taught the value of wisdom and of the people I love. Though the past summer at my grandparent’s place was pretty much the same, I didn’t understand the words and talks my grandparents would have with me. At such a young age I wasn’t able to account for everything they had said or appreciate what they had to say, but this particular summer was different. My cousins were about the same age I was and had only live half a mile away from my grandparents. As I quickly did my chores, I could see three of my cousins walking down an old dirt road form their house. When they reached the porch I was just about finished packing my water bottle along with my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I opened the door finding my cousins outside replying â€Å"Hey Kev! How are you?† As we started our walk towards the creek behind my grandparent’s house, I looked back and saw my grandmother frowning, knowing that we were going to use the rest of the day to our own content. Becoming full of excitement, one of my cousins yelled â€Å"last one to the creek is a rotten egg!† as everyone dashed towards the wash. As midsummer approached, our rendezvous at the creek became an even more popular event for more of relatives to join in on. At certain times, there were as many as 15 of us down at the creek laughing, running around, and splashing each other with the cold refreshing water containing a sweet scent from the near by willows. I still remember my grandma’s dogs barking and running after the little kids. I could feel the squishy sand between my toes and hear the trickling of the water brushing against the grass. We followed the creek and it led through a small pond where we swam in. We were having so much fun that we didn’t see that it was getting late as the sun sat gleaming, sinking beneath the horizon, giving one last wave bef... ... the time spent with people you love and those who love you because life isn’t very long for anyone to not regret spending time with your loved ones. Here's one of my favorite songs by the Smashing Pumpkins: {rotten apples} dirty your face with longing and grace, God-given suffer her heart, and love her when your love goes unrequited Where the cool winds blow, I must surely go For my love calls me lo, drag her from the depths of my soul When will I see her again? The other side of friends The darkened clouds of death The empty-breathed desire Dirty your face with longing and grace, God-given Suffer her heart, and love her when your love goes unrequited Restless in my speech And ruthless in my teach So vacant in my breach, I drive the dirt of her garden Sorrow She'll never listen again No other lovers to bend Just rotten apples to eat Slathered yellow distant scorn Dirty your face with longing and grace, God-given Suffer her heart and love her when your love goes unrequited Life just fades away Purity just begs Dust to dust we're wired into Sadness