Fraud, Deceptions, and Downright Lies About Topics to Do an Argumentative Essay on Exposed

Fraud, Deceptions, and Downright Lies About Topics to Do an Argumentative Essay on Exposed You need to create a thesis statement to the conclusion of your introduction. Then compose a thesis or focus statement, which needs to reveal your own viewpoint. Last word of advice is to seek advice from your teacher before the last decision about this issue selection for argumentative essays. There are a lot of excellent alternatives for ending an argumentative essay that may help you decide how to format your conclusion. A thesis shouldn't be more than 1 sentence in length. To show that you're an expert of the subject of your thesis, you must use some specific and relevant examples for support in your contrast essay. Generally speaking, argumentative essays ask that you support the argument you're making using logic and support from your research. Though cause and effect essays form another sort of essays, it may also be subdivided into four different types. Analysis essays separate a subject into its constituent parts for the intent of understanding their function in regard to the whole. Furthermore, you know where to search for reliable info. You must conduct extensive studying to finish your work in accordance with all the requirements. There are various techniques you may apply to boost your skills at understanding a source. Topics to Do an Argumentative Essay on Features It is crucial to get started writing a paper far enough ahead of time to allow yourself a couple days or even per we ek to revise before it's due. Remember that the absolute most time-consuming step is researching. You may say it is your very first step to getting work. So go and get your children vaccinated. Comparing important facts can be beneficial in research writing, which is the reason why Comparative essay writing is a significant exercise for tasks that you are going to be assigned at school. Stereotypes also are developing a false idea of the way that they interact with different individuals. Concluding an essay is the hardest portion of writing for a lot of people, but nevertheless, it may make more sense if you comprehend the use of the conclusion. When you select the essay topics, think if you're able to say something interesting through it. It's possible for you to learn to compose an argumentative essay by following some conventional steps for writing an essay together with by doing some things that are needed for argumentative essays, including citing your sources. If you're writing an argumentative essay it's important that you write on a topic that you have knowledge about and you feel you're able to win over the audience with your arguments. You should also be ce rtain to have in your argumentative essay Ask for clarification. There are lots of factors which one should remember whilst revising a classification essay. An individual must realize that writing an essay isn't an easy job and there's substantial effort that's required to develop oneself into an excellent essay writer. Basically, it takes an easy strategy to compose inspiring argumentative essays. Stereotypes have produced a distortion of the way in which every individual needs to be. Modern-day readers generally prefer a story that moves along with a reasonable level of alacrity. Put simply, it should provide a last statement that touches on the significant points you've made in your essay. The very first and foremost point that is necessary in drafting a classy history essay is establishing the simple fact that you've been requested to argue about. Every character has an identical voice at that stage. Generalizations Avoiding general statements or generalizations is a significant tool to produce a potent statement. You may start with an introductory paragraph. The rules for the two aren't the exact same.

Wal Mart Stock Analysis Essay - 2680 Words

I. Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to evaluate the stock price of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (which ticker symbol in NYSE is WMT) by fundamental analysis. According to this analysis, I recommend that Wal-Mart is worth to invest in the long term because of the potential growth of market shares and revenue. Besides, based on P/E method and Gordon model, WMT price is undervalued; therefore, if investors buy the stock, they will get benefit not only in capital gain but also in dividend cash inflow. II. Introduction of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) Wal-Mart, founded by Sam Walton in 1962, is the world’s largest retailer and public corporation. It operates over 6,500 stores worldwide, employs 1.9 million associates, and serves more†¦show more content†¦Beta is the slope of the characteristic line. As shown in appendix1, we use the monthly historical data from April 2003 to April 2008 to graph SCL. We use SP 500 as the market because it contains the stocks of 500 Large-Cap corporations and can reflect the market change broadly. As shown in exhibit 1, we can get the SCL: Ri-Rf = - 0.001 + 0.1649(Rm - Rf). So the beta is 0.1649 and the alpha (intercept) is -0.001. From the regression line, we find the R square is only 0.103. It reflects the degree that X variable explains Y variable is 10.3%. That is, Ri-Rf has no close relationship with Rm-Rf. In addition, due to the fact that beta is only 0.1649, it also provides the same result which Ri-Rf and Rm-Rf have no strong positive relationship. It is a good issue to cons ider why Wal-Mart stock return does not relate with SP 500 return very well. From exhibit 2, we find the Wal-Mart price did not change very much while SP 500 price went up. The major reasons may be that SP 500 includes many high-tech stocks and those stocks performed very well during the period; therefore the volatility is greater than Wal-Mart. Moreover, maybe Wal-Mart has lower weight in SP 500 so its trend of price change is different from SP 500. From exhibit2, we also find Wal-Mart had good relationship with SP 500 before 2004. To examine the situation, we use the data from 1998 to 2003 and find the SCLShow MoreRelatedStock Analysis : Wal Mart2907 Words   |  12 Pages Stock Analysis - Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Company Background: Name Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Industries served Retail Geographic areas served Worldwide Headquarters Bentonville, US Current CEO Mike Duke Revenue $ 466.950 billion (2012) Profit $ 15.699 billion (2012) Employees 2.2 million (2012) Main Competitors Dollar General Corporation, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Sears Holdings Corporation, Dollar Tree, Inc., Kohl s Corporation, Target Company Profile: Wal-Mart is the biggest AmericanRead MoreStock Analysis of Wal-Mart Inc.767 Words   |  3 PagesThe Wal-Mart company was established on July 2, 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas (History Timeline). 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Long-term debt commits a company to a stream of contractual payments over a long period of time. For instance, the more debtRead MoreWal Mart Stores, Inc. Analysis1124 Words   |  5 PagesWal-Mart Stores, Inc. Analysis of Annual Report In 1962, Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart in Rogers, Arkansas. Little did Walton know that a few years later, his company would be transformed into Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart officially became a publicly traded company in 1970, selling their first stock at $16.50 per share (Our History, 2016). In today’s society, Wal-Mart serves many different uses across the globe. However, their consumers are typically Americans. It is the one-stop shop forRead MoreThe Financial Health Of Is Wal Mart1193 Words   |  5 Pagesis Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated, manages chains of merchandising retailers in the United States of America as well as external retailers in the United States of America. In a duration of five years, Sam Walton opened additional retailers and the number of retailers enlarged to twenty-four retailers through Arkansas. Sam Walton released the first Wal-Mart store in Arkansas, United States to the public, in 1962. The merger of Wal-Mart Stores Incorporate d was finished in 1969. Wal-Mart expandedRead MoreTarget Financial Analysis Paper913 Words   |  4 Pagesslightly declined in 2016 to 2017(Stock Analysis on Net, 2017a). Wal-Mart Store cash and cash equivalents declined from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017 by 4%. Wal-Mart Stores receivables, net declined by 2.5% in 2015 to 2016 but then slightly increased to 3% in 2016 to 2017. Wal-Mart Stores inventories declined in 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017 by 1%. Wal-Mart Stores current assets declined by 1.5% in 2015 which carrier the 1.5% which carries over to 2016. Wal-Mart Stores property and equipmentRead MoreWalmart Finacial Analysis1250 Words   |  5 PagesInformation of Wal-Mart in 2005: * Sales Revenue: In 2005, Wal-Mart had $312.4 billion in sales, more than 6,200 facilities around the world—including 3,800 stores in the United States and 2,800 elsewhere, employing more than 1.6 million associates worldwide. * Other Innovations: Later in October Wal-Mart announced it would implement several environmental measures to increase energy efficiency. The primary goals included spending $500 million a year to increase fuel efficiency in Wal-Mart’sRead MoreOperational Planning for Wal-Mart1747 Words   |  7 PagesOperational Planning for Wal-Mart Introduction The first Wal-Mart was opened in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. By 1969 it was incorporated into Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and in 1972 went public on the New York Stock Exchange. The company grew steadily across the United States, and by 1990 was the nations largest retailer. In 1991 and 1994, Wal-Mart moved into Mexico and Canada respectively. By 1997 it was incorporated into the Dow Jones Industrial Average. As of 2005, Wal-Mart has stores in the United

Dead Poets Society Essay Introduction Example For Students

Dead Poets Society Essay Introduction This is a practise english essay for my year 9 exams. If you could give me as much critism as possible it would be much appreciated. ThanksIf you would like to give me tips your welcome to email meemailprotectedIt was Mr Keatings blatant abuse of position as teacher that led directly to Neils death.Welton was a dull and unexciting school before the highly qualified Mr. Keating came to Welton. Mr. Keating was a previous student and taught the boys many valuable lessons. Neil made his own choices but Mr. Perry (Neils Father) restricted Neil doing what he loved. Mr. Keating taught the class to do their own thing; Neil had a passion for acting long before Keating came to Welton. Mr. Keating told the students to make the most out of life and not do stupid things but still be daring. Neil committed suicide because he felt trapped between his passion of acting and his fathers ambitions for him. The reason Neil was unhappy in the first place is because he wanted to act while his father was focused on Neil becoming a doctor. Youre going to Harvard and youre going to become a doctor. Mr. Perry demanded when he took Neil home after the theatre play. Mr. Perry wants to live his ambitions that he never got through his son. But because he never cared to listen to Neil, he makes Neil suffer by not letting him do what he loves. The conflict between Neils passion for acting and Mr. Perry forcing Neil to become a doctor ruins Neils life. Keating never told Neil to follow acting and it was Neils Idea to avoid his father about it. Keating told the class to strive to find their own voice, to break out and make their lives extraordinary. Neil had loved acting all his life. Im going be an actor, ever since I can remember Ive wanted to try this Neil yells as he jumps up and down with excitement. Even though Mr. Keating encouraged the boys to seize the day, it was no abuse as a teacher. Neil had loved acting as long as he could remember. When Mr. Dalton nearly got expelled for writing in the school newspaper that Welton should have girls, Mr. Keating told him off. Sucking the marrow out of life doesnt mean choking on the bone. Keating tells Mr. Dalton in front of the DPS. Mr. Keating knows when something is stupid and daring. Mr. Keating takes the responsibility as a teacher to tell the boys what a stupid thing Mr. Dalton did. In the end Mr. Keating is sacked. Neils father needs the guilt over Neils death off his conscience and the school needs a scapegoat to protect their reputation. It was Neils idea to deceive his father and follow acting; it had nothing to do with Mr. Keating. Neils passion for acting began long before Mr. Keating came to Welton. Mr. Keating didnt encourage them to do stupid things and when they did go too far he let them know. Mr. Keating was sacked as well as Mr. Dalton. Mr. Keating was going to get the blame as soon as they started to pin it on someone. He was vulnerable and the teachers had their suspicions. Mr. Keating did not abuse his position as a teacher and taught the class lessons they will never forget.

Informative Speech Coconut Oil Essay Example

Informative Speech Coconut Oil Essay Intro Coconut oil had a bad reputation for a long time because of its high saturated fat content. Health experts have hammered into us that saturated fat is bad for your hear t health. According to the website, Gunners 201 3, Coconut oil contains a unique combo nation of fatty acids with powerful properties. The type of fat in coconut oil is called medium chain triglycerides, Which is a saturated fat that goes straight from your liver to you r digestive tract There it is used as a quick energy source and can even create ketene bodies which have a therapeutic effect on brain disorders such as epilepsy and alchemists accords Eng to Gunners 013. As far as health benefits goes,this seems pretty great right? Eat a little bi t of coconut oil,get a little bit of energy and fight off epilepsy and alchemies at the same it me. Well since it still has a high level of saturated its still not considered the best oil for your heart health. Another health benefit is a possibility of preventing infections. 2 char strictest of coconut oil make this possible. One, twelve carbon Laurie acids makes up alma cost 50% of fatty acids and Two, when it is digested it forms a monocotyledon called monolayer n. We will write a custom essay sample on Informative Speech Coconut Oil specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Informative Speech Coconut Oil specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Informative Speech Coconut Oil specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Both monocotyledon and immolation can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria,viruses tan fungi. This can be done of you take just coconut oil or if you just use it as a topical solution n as well. The last health benefit is weight loss! This benefit implements the Masts as well as the key tones from the benefits previously mentioned. According to Gunner 2013, 1 study f mound that 1530 grams of Masts per day increased 24 hour expenditure by 5%. Totaling about 120 calories per day. Stones have been shown to reduce your appetite. So increasing you r energy expenditure and decreasing your appetite equals weight loss. All thanks to co coconut Oil. So there you have it, quick energy source,brain disorder fighting stones,infection prevention,and weight loss. These are only a few of the many benefits of coconut oil. Now let s look at some of the ways we can use coconut oil. There are many resources online to find ways to use coconut oil. I have found one that has every use from all of the resources corn binned and then some. Wellnesss. Mom has a list of 101 uses for coconut oil and this where e first heard of the many uses from cooking,to personal hygiene, to baby care. Also on this w Bessie,including an addition to the 101 uses,there are comments from other users saying ha t they use their coconut oil for. So it is literally never ending. People are continually comments Eng on this page of what they use it for. Say I use my coconut oil for one thing while another us ere can say that they do the same thing but in a different way. So really its just endless in the different ways you can use coconut oil. Im going to discuss 3 of the many uses that I use my coconut oil for. First, I use to cook. I use it in everything from frying,to baking, you can even u SE it in pasta. You can use it in anything that you would use oil in your chokingly is ever hitting, you can use coconut oil. Its just going to have to go with your taste. Ive used it on my baby cousin before, she gets diaper rashes. All the chemicals in diapers and wipes can be very harsh on sensitive bottoms. Coconut oil is a great substitute for diaper cream because of the initiating properties. Also its obviously moisturizing. Finally I use it as an eye makeup re mover. It works like any other lotion but having the added benefits of the coconut oil makes it my #1 go to for any lotion applied to my skin. Again there are many more ways to use coconut oil.

Musics impact on Life essays

Music's impact on Life essays Personal Essay In peoples life there is a point, a main focus, that causes that person to become what they are. For me that point or focus is music. To me its more than just music, and it is involved, in some way, in virtually every aspect of my life. It is also what I hope to support myself on in form or another. That is my ultimate dream. Music governs my life everyday, and not just when Im singing, playing guitar, or studying music theory. It influences my life every time I hear a song and every time I even think about music. When I wake up the first thing I do is turn on music. It starts my day and gets my brain flowing in the morning. This is an essential part of my life as I find listening to music in the morning helps calm me down whenever things get hectic during the day. Then I go to choir and vibrations, all in a row. This aspect is the only time I regret it because I have to put so much time into it, whether it be rehearsals or just sorting things out. Not to say I dont enjoy it, its just taxing. These classes teach me appreciation for all types of music, not just the ones I listen/play. Also included in my school life is music theory, which is one of the most interesting classes Ive ever taken. This class helps me implement the things I learn into my own playing and writing. A fter I go home on the weekends I mostly write music and play in my band, Wynkus, with Andrew Roberts playing drums and Daniel Nix on bass. Playing in a band is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done. Its the foundation of why I want to be a musician. These things so far have all been directly related to music. But I also find that I am governed by music in the way I related and act towards people, the way I see current issues, how I si...

History and Background of the Kashmir Conflict

History and Background of the Kashmir Conflict Kashmir, officially referred to as Jammu and Kashmir, is an 86,000-square-mile region (about the size of Idaho) in northwest India and northeast Pakistan so breathtaking in physical beauty that Mugal ​(or Moghul) emperors in the 16th and 17th century considered it an earthly paradise. The region has been violently disputed by India and Pakistan since their 1947 partition, which created Pakistan as the Muslim counterpart to Hindu-majority India. History of Kashmir After centuries of Hindu and Buddhist rule, Muslim Moghul emperors took control of Kashmir in the 15th century, converted the population to Islam and incorporated it into the Moghul empire. Islamic Moghul rule should not be confused with modern forms of authoritarian Islamic regimes. The Moghul empire, characterized by the likes of Akbar the Great (1542-1605) embodied Enlightenment ideals of tolerance and pluralism a century before the rise of the European Enlightenment. (Moghuls left their mark on the subsequent Sufi-inspired form of Islam that dominated the subcontinent in India and Pakistan, before the rise of more jihadist-inspired Islamist mullahs.) Afghan invaders followed the Moghuls in the 18th century, who were themselves driven out by Sikhs from Punjab. Britain invaded in the 19th century and sold the entire Kashmir Valley for half a million rupees (or three rupees per Kashmiri) to the brutal repressive ruler of Jammu, the Hindu Gulab Singh. It was under Singh that the Kashmir Valley became part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The 1947 India-Pakistan Partition and Kashmir India and Pakistan were partitioned in 1947. Kashmir was split as well, with two-thirds going to India and a third going to Pakistan, even though Indias share was predominantly Muslim, like Pakistan. Muslims rebelled. India repressed them. War broke out. It wasnt settled until a 1949 cease-fire brokered by the United Nations and a resolution calling for a referendum, or plebiscite, allowing Kashmiris to decide their future for themselves. India has never implemented the resolution. Instead, India has maintained what amounts to an occupying army in Kashmir, cultivating more resentment from the locals than fertile agricultural products. Modern Indias founders- Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi- both had Kashmiri roots, which partially explains Indias attachment to the region. To India, Kashmir for the Kashmiris means nothing. Indian leaders standard line is that Kashmir is an integral part of India. In 1965, India and Pakistan fought their second of three major wars since 1947 over Kashmir. The United States was largely to blame for setting the stage for war. The cease-fire three weeks later was not substantial beyond a demand that both sides put down their arms and a pledge to send international observers to Kashmir. Pakistan renewed its call for a referendum by Kashmirs mostly Muslim population of 5 million to decide the regions future, in accordance with a 1949 UN resolution. India continued to resist conducting such a plebiscite. The 1965 war, in sum, settled nothing and merely put off future conflicts. (Read more about the Second Kashmir War.) The Kashmir-Taliban Connection With the rise to power of Muhammad Zia ul Haq (the dictator was president of Pakistan from 1977 to 1988), Pakistan began its slump toward Islamism. Zia saw in Islamists a mean of consolidating and maintaining his power. By patronizing the cause of anti-Soviet Mujahideens in Afghanistan beginning in 1979, Zia curried and won Washingtons favorand tapped into massive quantities of cash and weaponry the United States channeled through Zia to feed the Afghan insurgency. Zia had insisted that he be the conduit of arms and weaponry. Washington conceded. Zia diverted large amounts of cash and weaponry to two pet projects: Pakistans nuclear-weapons program, and developing an Islamist fighting force that would subcontract the fight against India in Kashmir. Zia largely succeeded at both. He financed and protected armed camps in Afghanistan that trained militants whod be used in Kashmir. And he supported the rise of a hard-core Islamist corps in Pakistani Madrassas and in Pakistans tribal areas that would exert Pakistans influence in Afghanistan and Kashmir. The corps name: The Taliban. Thus, the political and militant ramifications of recent Kashmiri history are  intimately connected with the rise of Islamism in northern and western Pakistan, and in Afghanistan. Kashmir Today According to a Congressional Research Service report, Relations between Pakistan and India remain deadlocked on the issue of Kashmiri sovereignty, and a separatist rebellion has been underway in the region since 1989. Tensions were extremely high in the wake of the Kargil conflict of 1999 when an incursion by Pakistani soldiers led to a bloody six-week-long battle. Tensions over Kashmir rose dangerously in fall 2001, forcing then-Secretary of State Colin Powell to de-escalate tensions in person. When a bomb exploded in the Indian Jammu and Kashmir state assembly and an armed band assaulted the Indian Parliament in New Delhi later that year, India mobilized 700,000 troops, threatened war, and provoked Pakistan into mobilizing its forces. American intervention compelled then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who had been particularly instrumental in further militarizing Kashmir, provoking the Kargil war there in 1999, and facilitating Islamist terrorism subsequently, in January 2002 vowed to end the presence of terrorist entities on Pakistani soil. He promised to ban and eliminate terrorist organizations, including Jemaah Islamiyah, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Musharrafs pledges, as always, proved empty. Violence in Kashmir continued. In May 2002, an attack on an Indian army base at Kaluchak killed 34, most of them women and children. The attack again brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war. Like the Arab-Israeli conflict, the conflict over Kashmir remains unresolved. And like the Arab-Israeli conflict, it is the source, and perhaps the key, to peace in regions far greater than the territory in dispute.

Merger between the United and US Airways Term Paper

Merger between the United and US Airways - Term Paper Example (Continental, 2012). Under the United Continental Holdings – the parent company of Continental and United, its 4th quarter 2011 revenue was increased by 5.5% with annual profit of $840 million (Omaha World-Herald, 2012). The US Airways is â€Å"the 6th largest U.S. airline by traffic and 8th largest by market value in the United States† (Nolan, 2011; Fenske, 2008). Marketed under the brand name of US Airways Express, the PSA Airlines and Piedmont Airlines are two of US Airways’ wholly-owned subsidiaries on top of its other four airline subsidiaries (Polek, 2008). The US Airways has 341 mainline and 319 regional aircrafts across 200 destinations around North- and South America, Europe and the Middle East. The company is operating 629 daily flights throughout its 133 non-stop destinations (Portillo, 2011). Its annual net profit excluding net special charges was $111 million as compared to $447 million in the previous year (PRNewswire, 2012). After deducting the net special charges, the company’s net profit was $0.68 million as compared to $2.34 million during the previous year (BusinessWeek, 2012). Incentives to Consolidate Although the merger plan between the United and the US Airways has not been successful ever since the United decided to merge with the Continental last July 2010 (Breaking Travel News, 2010), potential merger between the United and the US Airways never died (Portillo, 2011). In fact, Derek Kerr – the Chief Financial Officer of US Airways stated that â€Å"consolidation is one of the major ways this industry can become profitable† (Chakravorty, 2010). Aside from economies of scale, most of the existing airline companies are merging to expand or dominate a busy hub. In other words, merger enables these airline companies to have a competitive advantage by investing on geographically differentiated routes. This explains why other major airline carriers such as Delta was eager to merge with Northwest wherea s the United with Continental (Portillo, 2011). Furthermore, Portillo (2011) explained that the hub of US Airways is the key to 90% of the airport’s flights. This aspect will give the United the incentive to decide and consider consolidating with the US Airways in the near future. Analyzing Firms within the Industry Strategies made by the firms within the U.S. airline industry can be well understood by conducting an industry analyzing using the Porter’s five forces framework. Based on this framework, it makes sense that the U.S. airline industry has a low barrier due to the increasing threat of new entrants (Ramon-Rodriguez, Moreno-Izquierdo and Perles-Ribes 2011). Ever since the Airline Deregulation Act was implemented in 1978, firms within the U.S. airline industry started experiencing the business consequences of a tight market competition. Even though the U.S. government removed the political restrictions over the U.S. domestic routes, schedules and domestic fares, some of the airport regulations, limited takeoff and landing slots and airline

Holy Byzantine Women Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Holy Byzantine Women - Term Paper Example While we do have well documented accounts of powerful empresses, it is often more beneficial to understand the plight of the average Byzantine woman to truly understand the inner-workings of this particular civilization. Many women during this time period were quite religious and became the saints of their particular generation. Thankfully we do have some wonderful and cherished memories of their lives that will prove most helpful in this endeavor. It is important to see, through the perspective of history, the important role that women played in many different aspects of Byzantine society. This will allow us to envision that life, without Byzantine women, would have been difficult at best. Through a careful examination of four different holy Byzantine holy women, we will establish that the economic, social, and religious contributions of the common Byzantine woman enabled the continued existence of this society for centuries.  Biographical Analysis Saint Theodora of Arta is the fi rst holy woman we will discuss. As is typical of Byzantine women, we do not know exactly when she was born, but it must have been somewhere between 1224 and 1230. She was from Servia and her father was John Pertraliphas. He was quite famous in his own right, being the governor of Thessaly and Macedonia. She became married to the ruler of Epirus and Thessaly, apparently when she was still a child. This happened shortly after the husband’s accession to the throne in 1231. She became saintly due to her circumstances. Her husband preferred his mistress, which meant that Theodora was not allowed in the house or on the grounds, forcing her into a life of poverty on the streets. From written accounts, she suffered through these various hardships without complaining, even while she was pregnant, eventually gaining the attention of a village priest. The priest gave her shelter for nearly five years until Theodora’s husband saw the error of his ways and invited his wife back to live with him. From this account, we envision that Theodora’s mind and heart was pure. She did not choose the life she was given, yet she remained of positive attitude and worked hard to do right by her child and her God. Over the course of her life, she founded the convent of St. George, which was in Arta, and actually lived there after her husband died. To this day, her tomb is a pilgrimage site and many have ascribed miracles to it. Another saintly woman that we have a written account of is Saint Thomais of Lesbos. Thomais was in Lesbos, but spent much of her life in Constantinople. Subsequently, much of what we know about her is confined to that region. The parents of Thomais were named Michael and Kale. From all accounts, they were quite a pious and god-fearing couple. In addition, they were happy as a couple, so we are left to assume that Thomais was raised in a solid and pleasant environment and, while they did not have much, she received love and compassion at home. S adly, her particular marriage was not so happy. She married Stephen and we read that their marriage was a disaster. Thomais was perfectly content staying at home with her parents, and did so until the age of 24, perhaps foreshadowing her own fear of marriage. She did not have children of her own. During her adult life, she was in the habit of walking the streets of Constantinople and was

Underage Drinking Essay Example for Free

Underage Drinking Essay Do you remember how cool you felt the first time that you drank? All of us younger kids, hanging out with the older kids, everyone getting drunk together. Thinking about this when I was younger really made me raise the question of why we have a legal limit to drink in the first place. Underage kids have had no problem getting alcohol for decades so why put a legal limit on it? When I found myself asking these questions the answers seemed to make sense; or maybe it was my senior year of high school when I got suspended for ten days. After that had occurred it made me think that maybe they have a limit on alcohol for a reason. One of those reasons being that kids are not mature enough yet to handle the side effects that alcohol brings. Underage drinking has been around for years but it brings little to no good to our society. In the United States, there is a certain legal age that states the time in which individuals are allowed to drink or purchase alcohol. Even though you may not agree with most of the rules that the federal government has set in place, this is one rule that I am definitely in favor for. They have placed the legal age limit at 21 for all alcoholic beverages. It does not matter what state you are in; the drinking law is the same for all 50 states in the United States of America (Cost of Underage Drinking). Sadly, sometimes these laws are broken. Even with these laws in place, the alcoholic consumption by our youth still becomes an issue in the United States. After doing research I have come to find out that statistics show that at least eleven million teenagers are still underage drinkers, with about half of them being binge drinkers, meaning they usually have more than 5 drinks per occasion (Flewelling) . In my opinion I believe that America needs to have a change in culture and beliefs towards underage drinking and make it a main priority. While so many people are focused on the consumption of drugs and making that go away, underage drinking is still a humungous issue in America. The NIH News stated that, â€Å"Alcohol is the most used drug by young Americans these days.† When you have newspapers starting to agree with this theory, then you know it’s a serious issue. The risky behavior that is performed Is often associated with underage drinking can have devastating and long term consequences. â€Å"Forty percent of those who start drinking before the age of fifteen meet criteria for alcoholism at some point in their lives.† (Atwood). People often wonder the reason that makes teenagers take part in this terrible habit. There are many reasons why teenagers drink alcohol. For example many homes in America have developed a habit of sipping some alcohol before dinner every night. Another reason to use alcohol at such a young age would be to relieve stress, especially teenagers who use alcohol in time of a confrontation or an argument arises between their family and friends. I believe the main reason that teenagers use alcohol is because they do not much about their effects. In a society where the kid’s parents use alcohol on a daily basis and all the advertisement that is out there now that shows alcohol is very attractive or the cool thing to do; teenagers see these influences and think that it is the cool thing to do, and will make them be considered more of an adult. While I was conducting research I found out that those young people that start drinking at an early age are five times more likely to experience alcohol related complications later on in their lives. Studies have shown that alcohol has more harmful affects on a teenager’s brain and the giving of child birth than an adult would have (Dee) . A person’s brain usually develops the most between the ages of 12 and 21, and if you are consuming alcohol on a regular basis during that time then what do you think the effects are going to be? The use of alcohol doesn’t only have an effect on your brain, but can also drastically affect others. For example, an underage drunk driver hit my girlfriend 2 months ago, and she has to see the neurologist three times a week for treatment. All because of one man’s simple mistake, her life, my life and all of her friends and family were greatly affected. Studies have found that alcohol consumption by teenagers can cause drastic c hanges in the development in personality and general behavior. Many teenagers that drink think that they are invincible and that nothing will ever happen to them, but only if they would read and pay attention to the signs that warn them about these dangers, they would probably think differently. It is shown that those who drink for a short term or just in moderation have been found to impair their learning and memory much more in young people than in adults. It is also possible that those who drink often may not ever be able to catch up on adulthood, because alcohol prevents the growth of systems that are responsible for learning and storing new information (Kaiser). The brain isn’t the only thing in the human body that is affected. Another main body part that is affected is the liver. In many teenagers’ minds, the liver is the last thing they think about when consuming alcohol. Alcohol affects one’s liver in very large amounts. Alcohol can lead to a major liver disease known as, alcohol induced liver disease, a major cause of illness and death in the United States (Kaiser). Studies have shown that about 10 to 35 percent of those who drink heavily developed hepatitis. This causes about 10,000 to 24,000 deaths in the United States each and every year (Gruenebaum). â€Å"A serious epidemic is overtaking our country and underage drinking is spreading rapidly like a virus† (The Consequence of Underage Drinking). Teenagers in all 50 states are getting caught drinking illegally each and every day. The sad thing is, that it isn’t only teenagers in college that are doing it either. Students in high school, middle school and even elementary. How have we let the problem arise this far? There is just no excuse to be oblivious to the issue anymore. Underage drinking is right in front of our faces, and it is killing not only our children, but also the people that they hurt. Thomas Dee made a valid point by stating, â€Å"If we focused more on our children not drinking, than us needing a drink then we would be a lot better off.† It just seems that so many people are focused on getting drunk, than actually doing the right thing. I’m i n the Marines and every day on active duty it seemed that someone under the legal age was getting into trouble for drinking. Although, many believe that if you are old enough to die for your country then you should be able to drink underage. The thing is, the government has made it made very clear, and it is those duties to follow the rules of be punished for them. It is not only the health issues that make this law in effect, but the maturity level also. And teenagers over the years have proven over and over, that they are not responsible enough to handle the responsibility of alcohol consumption. On the other hand, trying to be in favor of those who are under the age, there is just no realistic solution in my opinion. Drinkers and parents need to take charge and responsibility for making sure that teenagers don’t drinks; especially don’t drink and drive. One solution for this would be to end all college sponsorships that have to do with any type of alcohol. Although it brings in big bucks for colleges and for scholarships, it’s the right thing to do to protect the students. The main target for alcohol brands is young people, especially college students. Many will say that it is the drinker’s responsibility, but according to Mark Clayton, education is just not enough. â€Å"Others will say that big companies are not a threat, it is local bars, but only big brewery companies sponsor colleges and universities† (Clayton). Another main issue for underage drinkers at college is adults providing alcohol and false identification. â€Å"Colleges should cut all sales of alcoholic beverages at sporting events, so that false identification cannot be provided.† (Cox). To prevent this problem, another way could be to educate youth about alcohol consumption well before middle school. For most students, before they even reach middle school they are already exposed to alcohol. The D.A.R.E. program teaches children about alcohol and its affects, should be taught in elementary school. My little brother who is in third grade came home and told me that he had learned about that last week, and said he never wants to drink alcohol. According to (underageddrinking.samhsa.gov), over 70% of 8th graders said alcohol is easy to get, and 30% of children age 12-14 get alcohol from a family member. These statistics just go to show how easy it is for kids these days to get alcohol. In some cases the police have no control over the issue. One example would be underground drinking. â€Å"Raising the drinking age to 21 was passed with the very best of intentions, but it’s had the very worst of outcomes. The law has pushed and forced underage drinking and youthful drinking underground, where we have no control over it.† (Hanson). This makes me think is underage drinking ever going to stop? The answer is no. Why teenagers drink is something we just do not have a definite answer for. There are many reasons why teenagers drink, and every one has their own reason for doing it. Peer pressure and stress are among the most common reasons that teenagers take up drinking (CDC). Everyone these days want to feel accepted by their peers, and they believe that drinking will give them the acceptance they seek. â€Å"Many teenagers will think they are invincible when they drink and get behind a wheel.† (American Driving Academy). Drinking and driving is just of the many issues that arise when teenagers get alcohol in them. And if you are under the age and think you can get away with it, you better think again. â€Å"If a minor who has been arrested for driving while under the influence refuses to submit to a sobriety test, the minor can be charged with a separate offense referred to as a referral† (Cost of Underage Drinking). The bottom line is if you under the age of 21, then you should never touch alcohol. If you do decide to make a stupid decision like this, then use your head and not get caught.

Essay --

Gandhi once said, â€Å"a man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.† Gandhi was a free-willed thinker and was the famous leader of the movement for Indian independence; he based his teachings on non-violence and truth. Being born and raised in India, he saw all the aspects of how British rule was controlling, but not knowing of any of the troubles of the British control, Gandhi set off to study law in England. He soon leaves for South Africa and opens a law office. But it was here in South Africa that where Gandhi organizes his first protest against anti-Indian laws in South Africa and was imprisoned. When he was released he returned to India and seven years later was put on trial and was sentenced to six years in jail. In jail, Gandhi began his â€Å"great fast† in protest of British control. But Gandhi was persistent to win the battle with no violence so he repeatedly was thrown in jail and fasted continuously. Even being imprisoned for years , nothing stopped the great independence leader of India. Gandhi once said, â€Å"you can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.† Gandhi’s beliefs can easily be translated into transcendentalism. Transcendentalism is a philosophy that promotes spiritual thinking and be one with nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote Nature and Self-Reliance and Henry David Thoreau who wrote Civil Disobedience and Walden are two famous examples of transcendentalists. They believe that people should not conform to society’s ways and beliefs and instead listen to their own conscious even if we are to be judged by others. They are true to themselves and find themselves through nature and being in solitude. Most nonconformists in the world were... ...e succeeded. Gandhi is known as the father of India but he can also be known as a transcendentalist because of his acts of civil disobedience, his careless thoughts of what others thought of him, and his persistence for racial and gender equality. When comparing transcendentalism and Gandhi, we can clearly see how closely related their philosophies were because like transcendentalism, Gandhi was self-reliant, a nonconformist, and believed in equality. Gandhi set examples for many others leaders to help gain independence because like all other actions it begins with ideas, and with ideas anything is possible. Everything can be accomplished if we all step outside of the pressures of society and find ourselves and be the person we intend to be and not society’s puppet. Like Gandhi once said before, â€Å"a man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.†

A Solution to a Problem

Accomplishing goals and tasks with others is an arduous task. A course I was taking in college required research work, and to make the task attainable and undemanding with the limited time, the professor decided to divide the class into groups.Deciding on what topic to conduct research on was hard enough, but accomplishing the research work was the hardest. Our research work required field work – school visitations, floating surveys, statistical calculations, and result interpretation. There were four of us in a group.The problem was we could not figure out how we would conduct the tasks due to our conflicting schedules and extra-curricular activities – we have different schedules, one works in the office, and one is busy with familial responsibilities.The problem was how can we conduct research and accomplish all tasks as a team, balance research work with other responsibilities, and assign tasks equally to all members of the team. During class, we sat together and tal ked about our problem.We set a time where all of us were available so we can talk about how we can go about conducting research. Once we were able to talk as a team, we laid out our schedules and our free time and listed all the tasks that we need to accomplish – chronologically, from simple to complex – in order to finish the research.Perhaps, this was the most important strategy that we employed in solving our problem, that is breaking down the main problem into simple ones in order for us to get a clear picture on how we can accomplish the smaller tasks to fulfill greater tasks.Another strategy was arranging our plan of action to make it fair and amenable to all team members. So we made it a point that everyone will be assigned simple to complex tasks and that all team members will consent to the task assigned to them. Moreover, the tasks were assigned to team members with related background knowledge and expertise. For instance, one member volunteered to do the sta tistical calculations because he was familiar with the chi-square).Once we settled the distribution and delegation of tasks, we talked about the importance of each task assigned to us to complete our research project. It was important for us to finish the research project, so everyone agreed to do his part responsibly. Finally, we made it a point to meet once a week in order to put together everything that we worked on individually. We also asked for each other’s contact numbers so we can communicate and confer with each other regarding the research.The most important approach that we employed to solve the problem was the planning and discussion process. It was important during that time to divide the research work into smaller tasks, and distribute and delegate these tasks in order to ensure that we can finish the project together as a team, while making sure that we do not neglect our extra-curricular activities.Moreover, our meeting as a team allowed as to communicate how we felt about doing each task, so the tasks were delegated to team members who were amenable to the responsibilities being assigned to them, while assuring the others that they are capable of finishing their duties. With these problem-solving strategies, we were able to finish our research project efficiently as a team. Â  

Ballet: The Ultimate Expression Of Romantic Imagination

Imagine your legs in rotation from the thin castle of hips to the small tarsal bones of the foot, tracing the path of a man lost in the paradise of love; they revolve around the tiny space underneath the straightened tip of hallux to reinstate the eternal truth: to love is all, to love is supreme. From the abdomen to the cradle of the neck, all muscles are contracted to give support to the flexible rotating limbs. You squeeze some ‘fluid’ off the buttock until it flattens to the dance of romance and strays away†¦Away? Oh! Not in the hands of ignoble men belonging to the immoral club but carried by the wind of romance with steps similar to heroic ballerinas like Taglioni and Cerrito. No one can describe that feeling better. No one can depict the imagination and express it in terms easy to understand than the excellent flexible and portable ballerina with graceful moves, steps and turns that drive the heart of the audience to the land of eternal bliss where romance re igns supreme.With the solo production of gracious music and the body movements on the heroic stage of wonders, from simple demi-plie to complex enchainement, one is swept off the feet, and fallen to the ground only to open one’s eyes to the reality of the imagination. This is what ballet can. Indeed, it is the ultimate expression of the romantic imagination. If you check out the message on display, the music that dictates and the serene environment that fills the hall, one comes to the conclusion that if grand opera were a god, it would bow when it sees ‘ballet’ and exclaims: ‘I am great and gracious.I bring music in its serenity and divinity. I fill the atmosphere with the grand performance of musicians, their notes and instruments. I do capture the imagination of romance in words and music lines but lack one thing: the calculated moves and accurate body characters of the ballet dancer; the language it speaks is far more reaching than words; it creates the imagination in acts eyes can behold, and sends the mind into the scene with a leader’ Is anything left to say? MATERIALS: Fiero, Gloria K. ; The Humanistic Tradition, Fifth Edition; Volume 5, Chapter 29. Fonteyn, M. (1980). The magic of dance. BBC Books, London

My Experience in Junior Achievement

My Experience in Junior Achievement Free Online Research Papers My name is Ekong Kubiateno Michael. I obtained my secondary education at Access High School Calabar, Cross River State. I aspire to study Economics at one of the prestigious universities in the United States of America. I joined the Junior Achievement family on the 6th of April 2009. It all started with the zeal and willingness to contribute to the society before proceeding to further my studies. Junior Achievement is a non-governmental organization with the mission to inspire and educate young people to become conscientious business leaders leading a vibrant economy. Mrs. Kunbi Wuraola, the Executive Director of Junior Achievement has been instrumental in helping underprivileged children bridge the gap between the classroom and workplace. She has been impact in the society where she and her team has inspired and educated over 100,000 students in Nigeria towards becoming conscientious business leaders leading a vibrant economy. She helps in inspiring and educating young people in Nigeria on the economic realities of the country and how they can find their feet in whatever circumstances they find themselves. She helps prepare Youth Corp Members for the world of business as managers and entrepreneurs through one of the programmes of Junior Achievement. Venture in Management Program (VIMP). She has contributed to the positive empowerment of disadvantaged young people helping to reduce poverty level in Nigeria. She is a phenomenal woman and I aspire to be like her. The first week was strange, unaccustomed to life in a corporate environment, I was a bit unsure of myself trying to get used to the environment. I caught up quickly I guess it was borne out of my zeal and excitement to impact something great into the lives of young people like me. During the induction process, I was introduced to the various programs conducted in Junior Achievement and their respective program officers by the Human Resource Personnel, Miss Rita David. Mr. Afolabi coordinates the Elementary School Program (ESP), which includes six age-specific themes. It highlights the relevance of education to the work place and prepares students for the secondary school lifelong learning. Mr. Akin coordinates the Company program (CP), which is JA Nigeria’s flagship program. It is popular amongst students of public and private schools in several locations in the country, due to its practicality and profit-making potential. Miss Rita coordinates Careers with a Purpose (CWAP). Mr. Ayo coordinates JA It’s my Business, which focuses on conveying entrepreneurial concepts, cultivating entrepreneurship and instilling the entrepreneurship spirit in young people.. After the induction process, I was assigned to the program department where the economic education programs are being organized and executed. Miss Rita took me to Aunty Ayo’s Comprehensive Secondary School to have an idea of the practical aspect of CWAP. I enjoyed every bit of the session and was eager to volunteer for the program. In April, I had training on the Elementary School Program delivered by the program officer Mr. Afolabi Salaam. I learnt how to teach financial literacy to kids of age 5-11. I visited some schools like, Tomobid School Ikeja, Estaport Gbagada, Chrisland School etc. In May I had two volunteer training; Career with a Purpose and Company Program. Mr. Akin delivered the Company Program volunteer training. Company Program is an extremely practical program where students establish and run their own company. I learnt how to guide the students in setting up a company by selling shares, electing company officers, designing, producing and marketing a product and finally liquidating the company and paying out dividends to shareholders. Careers with a Purpose volunteer training was delivered by Rita David. I leant how to guide students of age 14-17 on how to make career decisions that match their skills, values, interest and fulfill their noble purpose in life. I assisted Mr. Afolabi in planning and executing the Arts and Craft program. I assisted him in contacting schools and pupils for the competition. I visited a lot of places in order to aid our selection for a venue for the competition like Nigerian Law School, British Council, Terra Kulture and Afterschool graduate Development office. I registered and coordinated the children as they came in for the competition. The program is organized yearly for elementary schools pupils to show case their creative ability. This year’s competition was held at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island on the 27th of May 2009. With the theme â€Å"Lagos our Mega City†. It was a wonderful experience watching the kids expresses themselves through their works. I volunteered for Careers with a Purpose at Eko Akete Grammar School. I visited Eko Akete Grammar School with Miss Rita in order to seek permission to run CWAP in the school. The principal was very pleased with the idea and asked me to return after two weeks and start the program. I was asked to visit the students on Wednesdays by noon. My first presentation was a great experience. During the first session I introduced myself and gave them some information about my background. I shared briefly with the students an overview of JA Careers with a Purpose and went ahead to carry out the instructions in the Volunteer guide. I visited the students on a weekly basis by noon and continued with the program. I assisted sixty students in seeking careers that help them realize their life potential. I guided the students towards realizing the importance of positive values, life maxims and ethical decision-making within the context of career and life decisions. Apart from the regular programs of the organization, I also carried out other day-to-day general office operations, which included handling daily recording of petty cash itinerary where I learnt how to keep financial record, which is key to business operation and how to distribute meager resources to meet necessary ends. I was able to use basic accounting principles. Doing my internship at Junior Achievement is one of the best decisions I have made so far in life because it created an avenue for me to learn new and exciting stuffs everyday and in everywhere I go to. I have gotten a unique personal experience that obviously will influence me as a future professional in a very good way. Research Papers on My Experience in Junior AchievementStandardized TestingInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Project Managment Office SystemHip-Hop is ArtThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseTrailblazing by Eric AndersonTwilight of the UAWPETSTEL analysis of IndiaMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This Nice

7 Essential Details to Include in Your Research Proposal

7 Essential Details to Include in Your Research Proposal 7 Essential Details to Include in Your Research Proposal What’s that? You’re planning to study a PhD and you have a great idea for some groundbreaking research in the field of [insert subject of choice here]? But you’re not sure what to include in your research proposal? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In the following, we set out the seven essential elements of a research proposal. 1. Title Are we stating the obvious by saying you need a working title? Maybe. The point is that your title should be clear but memorable, quickly telling your reader what your research is about. 2. Introduction Every research proposal should begin by introducing the subject area and the specific problem your research will address. This sets the tone for the rest of your proposal and is therefore your only opportunity to make a good first impression, so make sure it’s well organized and informative. 3. Literature Review A research proposal doesn’t usually include a full literature review, but you should provide an overview of key studies in your field. Doing this supplies the reader with vital background information, helping them understand how your study will add to existing research. Following in the footsteps of Ben Franklin, my study will involve tying stuff to kites and angering Zeus. 4. Aims and Objectives Once you’ve established your research problem, your proposal should outline a set of aims and objectives. The distinction here is as follows: Your research aim is the broad expected outcome of the study and what you hope the research will achieve overall; Your research objectives are narrower and more focused, with each one detailing how you will meet the overall study aims. If required, you should also state the hypotheses your research will test. 5. Methodology Make sure to identify the methods you intend to use in the study, especially if you’re conducting experimental research. This will include things like whether you’re using a qualitative or quantitative approach, equipment, ethical concerns, and sampling and analysis techniques. Try to be as descriptive as possible, which may include justifying why you’ve chosen to use certain methods over alternative options. I chose to use lasers because lasers are awesome, dude! Science Bro, shortly before a laser-related injury. 6. Scope of Research A common mistake when writing a PhD proposal is failing to consider the scope of the research. Remember that you’ll be working with limited time and resources, so your study should be something you can realistically complete within these constraints. The proposal should therefore include something about what your work will focus on and what it leaves unaddressed, as well as any limitations to the methods adopted. 7. Outline and Timetable Finally, a good research proposal will also include a chapter outline and a timetable. The chapter outline sets out how you intend to structure the final dissertation, noting what each section will cover and how it fits into your overall argument. The timetable, meanwhile, will set out a step-by-step plan of when you expect to finish each stage of your study, including everything from initial research to writing up your results. Try to be a bit more specific than this. Doing this shows that you’ve considered the practical side of conducting research, making your proposal more convincing as a result.

Marketing Research and Plan for E-commerce Travel in Indonesia Proposal

Marketing and Plan for E-commerce Travel in Indonesia - Research Proposal Example In efforts to mitigate levels of competition by individual organizations, online research strategies such as web analytics have been created. Web analytics delves on collecting, measuring and analyzing web data to facilitate comprehension of web efficacy consequently leading to web usage optimization (Cutroni, 2010, p.1). This has enabled computations of highly essential information such as market size, growth rate, and relative stage of development. Additionally, web research advancements such as web analytics have enabled organizations in highly competitive industries such the travel industry to compare their performance against competitors in a bid to retain relevance (Burby and Atchison, 2007). Effective market plans are heavily dependent on accurate market research in determining crucial aspects such as target group and the general market status. The travel and tourism industry is a major backbone and contributor of economic development in many countries such as Indonesia. For example, the tourism and travel industry in Indonesia contributed about 9.2 % of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013 and was expected to have an increment of 7.5% of GDP in 2014 (Scowsill, 2014). This implies that tourism and travel industry is a relatively large industry in Indonesia. Additionally, the expected increments in relation to GDP are indicators of the growing market. The increased growth rate of tourism and travel industry is facilitated by increment in number of tourists visiting Indonesia. According to World Bank data on tourism, there has been a constant increment on the number of tourists visiting Indonesia from 2010 al through to 2012 (The World Bank). Moreover, development of the tourism and travel industry has facilitated growth of organizations within its territory such as hotels and travel agencies such as MyGlobalTrip. Although the levels of utilization of the internet are relatively low, increased focus by travel agencies is

Abstract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 27

Abstract - Essay Example The initial construction involved changes of building materials. The other change involved the introduction of new architecture as a depiction of various victories and accomplishments. There was also addition of more rooms to cater for entertainments. The other part of the paper focuses on the structure of the palace. The structure is shown based on Victorian era. This part also offers a comparison analysis of the building and how it could have been different if it was built in the current societies. The last part of the paper carries the concluding remarks. Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster and is the residence and office of the British monarch for over four centuries. The place is owned by the British government and is extended for the public and private use of the ruling monarch, which has to be given up when the King or Queen leaves their position. Buckingham Palace, originally known as Buckingham House, has housed generations of British monarch beginning from Queen Victoria and later including prominent rulers such as Edward VII, Queen Elizabeth and George VI. John Nash and Edward Blore mainly designed the Palace but later structural and other changes were incorporated in the original design to accommodate the changing needs and tastes of the ruling monarch. This paper will attempt to shed light on the history, structure and use of one of the most important houses in Britain- the Buckingham Palace. The site that is considered the Buckingham Paalace today was in the beginning three sites: Buckingham Gardens, Goring House and Arlington House. As the need for more space was required according to the lifestyle of the Dukes and rulers, the surrounding sites were added to the original Buckingham Gardens. Buckingham Palace began as Buckingham House when John Sheffield, the first Duke of Buckingham built the house in 1702. The Palace as one sees it today

Petroleum water injection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Petroleum water injection - Essay Example For the formation of this petroleum reservoir worth producing various geological elements are required. These elements include; porous reservoir rock which stores the petroleum, organic rocks which are the source of generating the gas or oil and lastly some kind of traps to prevent leaking away of the oil and gas (Souza at el). Usually these traps are found in predictable areas like next to faults, top of anticlines and under sandstone beds. The traps are of three types; structural, hydrodynamic and stratigraphic traps. Hydrodynamic traps are not common types of trap. They usually caused by water pressure differences that are as a result of water flow which creates a tilt of hydrocarbon water contact. Structural traps are bents and deformed areas beneath the surface that hold oil and gas. Mostly the traps are simple domes or more complicated faults. A fluid, which is water, oil or gas, fills the pores. Gas move to the top as it is the lightest, followed by oil then water stays down. Stratigraphic traps are depositional in nature as they are formed frequently by porous sandstone body or limestone getting enclosed in shale. The oil and gas are kept from getting away by the shale. Petroleum reservoirs are generally located beneath the surface at 1000 to 30000 feet. They vary in size, type and age. They often extend over hundreds of kilometers, plus include a number of oil wells spread out across a big area. Petroleum reservoir formation can be divided into; planktons, algae and protein rich life buried beneath sand layers and mud at source rock this involves sand accumulation, lastly buried reside transfer into liquid hydrocarbons. Topographical characteristics play an important role in the petroleum reservoirs formation. Petroleum reservoirs were discovered in the 19th century when Edwin Laurentine discovered that rock oil produces a distilled product for lanterns he then did the first well drill in 1859.The success of this drill which was close to an oil seep mo tivated further drilling in the same area, which soon led to same explorations in other places. The growing need for petroleum products led to petroleum reservoirs drilling in several states and countries. Petroleum reservoirs can be accidentally discovered, this mostly happens when oil seeps to the surface or it seeps into water supply thereby exposing its presence in that area. In some instances, it is necessary to deliberately explore different regions by the application f geographical and scientific knowledge with the intention of discovering locations A petroleum reservoir may be discovered by accident, as has happened when the oil seeps to the surface or when the oil seeps into water supply, consequently revealing its presence in that location. Other times, it is often necessary to intentionally explore different regions through the application of scientific and geographic knowledge with the view of discovering other places that may contain petroleum reservoir. Petroleum explo ration and production which is the way to get gas and oil is performed by geologists, engineers and geophysicists. Geologists examine areas of the earth where sediments gather together. They then analyze the areas of interest closely to find out whether or not reservoir rocks and source rocks are present in the area. Examination of the rocks is done at the earth surface and drilled wells in the area. Geologists also use satellite images

Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients with Radiotherapy

Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients with Radiotherapy Introduction and background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and leading cause of cancer related deaths of this gender (World Health Organization, 2014). Previously it was most common in developed countries but now it became commonest cancer both in developed and developing regions (Ferlay et al., 2010). Moreover, in USA, breast cancer has the highest incidence rate among all types of cancers involving one in every ten women (Njeh, Saunders, Langton, 2012). However, in Pakistan the incidence is more alarming as 1 in every 9 women is at the risk of developing breast cancer (Siddiqui, n.d.).This data indicates that Pakistan has highest incidence rates of breast cancer in Asian countries (Aziz, Sana, Akram, Saeed, 2004; Bhurgri, et al., 2000; Naeem, 2008). Furthermore, Hussain, Ahmad, Muhammad, Kakakhail and Matiullah (2008) identified the incidence of breast cancer 96.49 % among women registered in Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Peshawar, which are more frightening figures. There are certain treatment modalities for breast cancer among them radiation therapy (RT) is an important treatment choice, performed before and after the surgery which also have various side effects. During the course of treatment, about two-thirds of patients undergo radiation therapy, before and after surgery (Guo et al., 2013). In addition, more than 90% of the all breast cancer patients receive adjuvant radiotherapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease (Potthoff et al., 2013). Despite its wide use and significant role in cancer treatment, few studies addressed the experiences of its recipients. According to Welle (1998) radiotherapy patients are perceived as self-caring and their needs are not taken care of. The international literature indicates that breast cancer patient receiving RT not only suffers from disease process but also from the side effect of this treatment. The nature of disease, its prognosis and treatment related problems have devastating effects on physical , psychological and socio-economic wellbeing of the patient (Farooqi Chaudhry, 2012; Kirchheiner et al, 2013). However, these studies have been conducted in western context on different population which has stark difference in our culture. In addition, within the Pakistani context, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa is considered more conservative province. Therefore, it is important to explore experiences and problems of the local population to remedy their problems. Furthermore, data from Pakistan revealed that breast cancer was found mostly in younger age group ranging from 30-50 years as compare to west where it tend to occur in women above 60 years of age (Aziz, Sana, Akram, Saeed, 2004; Mamoon, Sharif, Mushtaq, Khadim, Jamal, 2009; Naeem, et al., 2008; Tfayli, Temraz, Abou Mrad, Shamseddine, 2010). Importantly, this age group is more productive and may have different responsibilities pertinent to their age group towards their family and society which may vary from western population in t erm of their concerns, needs and issues. However, in Pakistan, research in this area is not conducted to explore the experiences of breast cancer patient receiving radiotherapy therefore; research is a required to address the issues of this population. In addition, this is the first study of its nature in Pakistani context especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the field of nursing which will increase the awareness regarding radiotherapy related problems of patients among nurses and other health care providers. Significance This study is significant to generate information for nurses to care for patient undergoing RT in Pakistani context. It will help nurses to understand the feelings and experiences of the patients undergoing RT to design nursing care plan by addressing their needs. Moreover, findings of this study can help to identify recommendation for health care staff working in the radiotherapy units to facilitate their patients undergoing radiotherapy in a better way. It will also help health care professionals maintain a sense of the importance of the experience of the RT patient who are coming to them for treatment and want their care pertinent to their needs. Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of the female breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Study Questions What are the experiences of the of breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan? Data sources The review of literature was conducted through data bases CINAHL PubMed, Mosbys Nursing Consult, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Search for published research articles relevant to this paper was done. The combination of the following key terms was used to retrieve relevant literature â€Å"physical/psychological problems, breast cancer, problems with radiation therapy, quality of life, experiences of breast cancer patients. Search generated 283articles, 52 duplicate results excluded. Through a selection process title and abstract screened, among those 30 were found to be relevant to the topic. Literature review Radiotherapy is one of the essential components of the cancer treatment. It minimizes risk of recurrence, improve survival rate (Bese, et al., 2006). This is done by using high-energy x-rays or gamma rays targeted at the tumor to shrink the tumors or kill cancer cells (Radvansky, Pace, Siddiqui, 2013). During the course of treatment, about two-thirds of patients will undergo radiation therapy, before and after surgery (Guo et al., 2013). Beside this adjuvant radiotherapy is advised after breast conserving surgery as well as after mastectomy to minimize the chances of reoccurrence of the disease. As Darby et al. (2011) found in their meta-analysis study that RT reduced 15-years of risk of breast cancer related death rate after breast conserving surgery. Beside its effectiveness, it exerts multiple physical, psychological and socio-economical problems on patients. Physical problems related to RT Radiation therapy affects cancer as well as normal body cells within the treated area, result in injury of the cells which lead to many side effects. The RT induced side effects include skin and mucous membrane toxicities, sleeplessness, pain, swelling, dyspnea, cough and nausea. (Adams, 2009; Currie Wheat 2006; Darby et al, 201; Gordils-Perez, Duell, 2003; Rose, 2011). In addition, skin problems are the most frequent side effect of RT which affects nearly 85% to 95% of patients and also cause skin damage (Bergstrom, 2011). Additionally, there are many long term side effects of breast irradiation like cosmetic changes hyperpigmentation, fibrosis, lymphedema, and damage to underlying normal structures (Gordils-Perez, Duell, 2003). Moreover, fatigue, soreness and dryness of throat, headache, and desquamation were also common symptom reported by patients receiving RT (Sherminie Cottrel, 2014). Among them fatigue is reported by 80% of the patients receiving RT which affects the role functioning of breast cancer female in their daily life (Poirier, 2011; Potthoff et al., 2013). The RT patent also endure sleep disturbance as Dhruva et al. (2012) reported that approximately 50% breast cancer patients have sleep disturbance at the initiation of radiation therapy. In this connection, a study conducted by Graydon (1994) highlighted that sleep disturbance and fatigues were the main areas of the life of women affected by RT. It influence the physical, cognitive and emotional aspects of the 80% of breast cancer patients underwent RT (Alcantara-Silva, Freitas-Junior, Freitas, Machado, 2013; Stone, Richards, Hern Hardy, 2001). As Currie and Wheat (2006) suggested that it is very important to address and remedy the evident side effect of RT because these are capable of limiting the patient’s ability to tolerate the planned treatment. Psychological problems Breast cancer remarkably affects women’s psychological well-being. One out of two patients with cancer experience psychological disorder (Reyes-Gibby, Anderson, Morrow, Shete Hassan, 2012; Spoletini, et al., 2008). Beside the disease process its treatment modalities also contribute in the psychological problems of the patient. As, Reyes-Gibby et al. (2012) proved that depression among women have positive associated with symptoms of disease and treatment of the breast cancer. In addition, RT is usually prescribed before and after surgery which tend to have its psychological effects on patient. A qualitative study conducted in Sri Lanka to explore the experiences of breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, concluded that women feel fear of treatment, machines used in treatment and blackening of the skin. The study also reported patients feel uncomfortable and stressed in the presence of male staff members and waiting for long time in RT department (Sherminie Cottrel , 2014). In addition, Halkett, Kristjanson, and Lobb (2008) highlighted in their qualitative study, that the patients with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy, experience many kinds of fears like getting burnt, damage to internal body parts, and anticipating tiredness. These kinds of fears may have negative impact on compliance with the treatment regimen. Rose (2011) highlighted that patient feel high level of stress at the start RT because of unfamiliar technology, fear of potential side effects and being in an environment with other cancer patients. A literature review carried out by Lim, Devi, and Ang (2011) concluded that anxiety is predominant psychological issue of the all treatment modalities of the breast cancer across the globe and continue beyond the acute stage of treatment. In relevance to RT it is experienced by10 to 20% of the patients (Stielgelis et al., 2004). Moreover, the fatigue and pain related to RT may affect the sexuality of the patient by decreasing the desi re and arousal and skin changes result in burns affecting body image and self-esteem (Mercadante, Vitrano Catania, 2010). Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment can have a profound influence on a woman’s overall psychological well-being thus compromising the quality of life of the patient. Socio-economical Problems Breast cancer patients face multiple socio-economical problems because the cancer treatment is very expensive which may not be affordable for many of the patients particularly who belong to low income families. A well-established literature signifies that breast cancer patient treated with surgery also receives RT which may be additional financial burden for them especially in the limited resourced countries like Pakistan. Most of the developed countries of the world, large part of expenditure of the cancer treatment are paid by the government, but in Pakistan, the costs of the therapy are borne by the patient and their families (Zaidi, Ansari, Khan, 2012). Many breast cancer patients in Pakistan experience finical difficulties and use their savings to pay for treatment (Banning, Hassan, Faisal, Hafeez, 2010). Moreover, statistics also highlights that the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in countries with inadequate resources thus limiting the access to radiotherapy (Bese, 2006). Due to finical barriers, Pakistani female breast cancer patients face different challenges throughout the course of the disease (Ahmed, Shaikh, Hasan, 1997). Apart from economical issue woman with breast cancer faces many social and cultural problems in Pakistan. A qualitative study by Banning, Hassan, Faisal, and Hafeez (2010) reported that in Pakistani culture breast is considered a hidden organ that should not be exposed, discussed or touched by others. They also highlighted that most of their participants reported stigma attached to a diagnosis and likelihood surgery therefore they hide their diagnosis from family and local community. Furthermore, in conservative culture of developing countries female are less empowered and given low priority and their health issues are least bothered by the society (Tfayli, Temraz, AbouMrad, Shamseddine, 2010). In this regard, female with breast cancer may experience unbearable problems which may not be experienced by women of differen t cultural and social class (Aziz, Sana, Akram, Saeed, 2004). Knowledge of Treatment The above mentioned literature suggests that patients receiving RT face significant challenges and require appropriate information regarding their treatments, side effects of treatment and coping strategies allows them to feel more control over disease and its related problems. Such as, Halkett et al. (2012) emphasized that undergoing RT is difficult experience for patients which needs appropriate and specific information to have the better outcomes of the therapy. Though, the RT is an important treatment but their patients are found to be poorly informed (Halkett, Kristjanson, Lobb, 2008; Sherminie Cottrell, 2014). This may contribute in their fear, anxiety, stress, and compliance with treatment. Thus the appropriate information and guidance help the patient to make better choices of treatment modalities (Barnett et al., 2004). In addition, findings of a quantitative study by Zeguers et al. (2012) showed that RT patients want comprehensive information about their disease, treatmen t, and procedures, side effects, and prognosis with the mean scores between 4.1 and 4.4 on a scale from 1 to 5. In contrast, Barnett et al. (2004) emphasized that information needs vary among different individual therefore, a patient-centered approach must involve according to the tolerance and need of the patient. A randomized trial study conducted by Christman and Cain (2004) also concluded that patients receiving concrete objective information reported maintaining higher levels of usual function than those not receiving. Furthermore, giving information about symptom experiences helped them to mentally tackle uncertainty about their symptom experiences. Gap analysis The incidence of the breast cancer continues to rise worldwide. Multiple treatment modalities have positive impacts on prognosis of the cancer. Radiotherapy is one of the commonly used treatment modalities having its side effect as well. Moreover, available literature suggest that a series of problems faced by patients receiving RT. But, there is a profound need to develop clear understanding of the phenomenon that what patients experience when they undergo RT. Moreover, nursing literature needs to address the needs of these patients and recommend evidence based interventions to help them. Furthermore, in the context of Pakistani conservative culture women with breast cancer may be experiencing different problems than western women. Therefore, this study question needs a qualitative study to arrive at the desired outcome of better understanding of the situation.

Dream Deferred in A Raisin in the Sun Essay -- Lorraine Hansberry

"What Happens to a Dream Deferred?" Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore– And then run?" (Langston Hughes). It is important to never lose sight of one’s dream. Dreams are what keep people moving in life, but if they are ignored, they may morph and lose their prevailing form. This is evident in Lorraine Hansberry’s "A Raisin in the Sun", as Walter’s, Beneatha’s, and Mama’s dreams become delayed, distorted, and blurred. Walter has long dreamed of making his family’s condition better, of giving them wealth that his low-paying job is unable to do. Nature appears to be against Walter and his family, for they are living in a poorly maintained tenement apartment while surrounded with racism. Walter understands this situation, so he decides to use the $10,000 check for an investment in order to exceed his primitive state. In mid-morning, he excitedly asks his family about the check’s arrival, â€Å"Check coming today?† (Hansberry I.i.868). The check is one of the few reasons that forces Walter to get up each morning, so he will eventually be able to obtain success and self pride. Walter views the check as the only solution to all of his problems, so once Mama receives it, Walter confronts her and begs for her â€Å"financial† support. Walter exemplifies his sudden, new-found confidence to Travis when Mama unexpectedly entrusts him with the remaining $6,500, â€Å"†¦your d addy’s gonna make a transaction . . . a business transaction that’s going to change our lives† (II.ii.885). Walter is finally ready to realize his dream, and he has all the possible confidence he can acquire. He foresees the significant change that awaits his family when the money is invested. Unfortunately, nature has different plans for the Youngers. Whe... ...ccomplish this if they all understand what is important in life. All of Mama’s dreams are eventually recognized, although they certainly appear hazy throughout the play. The question about whether or not they should keep the house forms inside Mama’s head near the end of the play, but she quickly changes her mind. Mama never lost sight of her goals, no matter how hard nature attacked them. The dreams of Walter, Beneatha, and Mama in Lorraine Hansberry’s "A Raisin in the Sun", may take longer than expected, change form, or fade. Even if dreams seem to never get closer, one should never give up. Without something to work towards, society would just dry up, like a grape in the sun. Works Cited Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Literature and the Writing Process. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day, and Robert Funk. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2002. Dream Deferred in A Raisin in the Sun Essay -- Lorraine Hansberry "What Happens to a Dream Deferred?" Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore– And then run?" (Langston Hughes). It is important to never lose sight of one’s dream. Dreams are what keep people moving in life, but if they are ignored, they may morph and lose their prevailing form. This is evident in Lorraine Hansberry’s "A Raisin in the Sun", as Walter’s, Beneatha’s, and Mama’s dreams become delayed, distorted, and blurred. Walter has long dreamed of making his family’s condition better, of giving them wealth that his low-paying job is unable to do. Nature appears to be against Walter and his family, for they are living in a poorly maintained tenement apartment while surrounded with racism. Walter understands this situation, so he decides to use the $10,000 check for an investment in order to exceed his primitive state. In mid-morning, he excitedly asks his family about the check’s arrival, â€Å"Check coming today?† (Hansberry I.i.868). The check is one of the few reasons that forces Walter to get up each morning, so he will eventually be able to obtain success and self pride. Walter views the check as the only solution to all of his problems, so once Mama receives it, Walter confronts her and begs for her â€Å"financial† support. Walter exemplifies his sudden, new-found confidence to Travis when Mama unexpectedly entrusts him with the remaining $6,500, â€Å"†¦your d addy’s gonna make a transaction . . . a business transaction that’s going to change our lives† (II.ii.885). Walter is finally ready to realize his dream, and he has all the possible confidence he can acquire. He foresees the significant change that awaits his family when the money is invested. Unfortunately, nature has different plans for the Youngers. Whe... ...ccomplish this if they all understand what is important in life. All of Mama’s dreams are eventually recognized, although they certainly appear hazy throughout the play. The question about whether or not they should keep the house forms inside Mama’s head near the end of the play, but she quickly changes her mind. Mama never lost sight of her goals, no matter how hard nature attacked them. The dreams of Walter, Beneatha, and Mama in Lorraine Hansberry’s "A Raisin in the Sun", may take longer than expected, change form, or fade. Even if dreams seem to never get closer, one should never give up. Without something to work towards, society would just dry up, like a grape in the sun. Works Cited Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Literature and the Writing Process. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day, and Robert Funk. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2002.

Manu’s Soccer Team

Q. Evaluate Owen’s different options for growing MANU’s customer equity. A. The case study gave us four options that Owen is considering for ways to grow his customer equity. Option 1: Increase retention among kids over 14 years old. This option is tough because once kids get started in high school and get involved with school activities, it is hard to entice them to keep playing soccer in a non-school league. Many times, they school coaches/teachers will â€Å"ding† the students for missing games or events at school so kids will choose to miss a non-school related game vs. issing a school-related event because it affects their grades. Option 2: Encourage customers to buy more. I feel that Owen has offered a lot of variety in his academy offerings. I’m not sure what else he could add to get enough ROI on other products. Option 3: Grow the business by entering new markets and acquiring new customers. This option might be possible if Owen is able to hire mor e people to help him manage the programs at the different locations. He can’t be everywhere at once.Option 4: Serve more kids in surrounding markets such as Loveland, Longmont and Greeley. Owen will need to figure out how best to serve these kids. Build a program within their market, or have them commute to Fort Collins? Q. Develop a set of marketing strategy ideas for each of the options. Option 1: Marketing strategies for increasing retention among kids over 14 years old. I believe this option will be difficult, but Owen could try to start some programs for high school kids that involve refining their skills in order to prepare them for possible soccer scholarships.I might be able to develop a program around the idea of preparing the kids for college soccer, helping them understand soccer scholarships, helping them understand how to be successful in making a college team, etc. This strategy might attract the parents so that they keep their kids in the academy programs with the hopes that they will get an inside scoop on paying for college, getting into certain colleges of preference, and just helping their kids make the college teams. Option 2: Marketing strategies for encouraging customers to buy more.Although I think Owen has a lot of products in his product line already, he might consider looking at his branding. He already has a great word-of-mouth reputation in Fort Collins. Maybe he could come up with a logo and brand name for his academy that people will recognize. If he uses this brand on all of his advertisements, paperwork, and signage, then more people will begin to recognize his product. This will not only bring potential customers to his door, but it might also help to spread the word about his academy to other nearby markets.He might also think about giving away/selling shirts for his academy with this brand and logo on it. If parents and kids are wearing them, they are spreading the word for free to many people. Option 3: Marketing stra tegies for entering new markets. Branding is the key to moving to new markets, I think. I think Owen must get a brand in place in Fort Collins and then begin to feel out the new markets for recognition and interest in his product line. Option 4: Marketing strategies for serving more kids in the surrounding areas.These markets might be easier to break into than the markets further from Fort Collins. However, I still think branding is very important to this strategy as well. I think that Owen needs to get his brand in place and then entice some of the kids in nearby markets to his program. He should keep track of how many kids from these nearby areas are attending. Once he gets to a designated number of participants from each area, then he can think about opening a satellite program in those areas to promote more customer satisfaction among those families.Q. What could Owen do for market research to better assess his options? A. Owen needs to do a SWOT analysis in order to figure out his product’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for each of these new options. He needs to find some way to research these options with his current customers and potential customers in the markets that he is thinking about working in. He might conduct surveys via email with a targeted set of potential customers.He might speak at parent meetings held at schools in the new markets he is trying to develop to see what level of interest might be available. Owen might also offer program samples in the new markets where he wants to grow his business. In other words, he might offer an off-season 2 day camp, or 1-day camp program for kids in his target market. At the end of these programs, he can survey the families on future interest and he can assess the success of the sample programs by the number in attendance and the attitude of the kids and families during and at the end of the programs.

Succubus Shadows Chapter 1

I was drunk. I wasn't entirely sure when it had happened, but I suspected it had occurred around the time my friend Doug had bet me I couldn't take down three vodka gimlets faster than he could. He'd promised to take my weekend shift at work if I won, and I was going to do his stock duty for a week if he won. When we'd finished, it looked like I wasn't going to be working next weekend. â€Å"How did you out-drink him?† my friend Hugh wanted to know. â€Å"He's twice your size.† Through the crowd of people crammed into my condo, I peered at the closed bathroom door, behind which Doug had disappeared. â€Å"He had stomach flu this week. I'm guessing that doesn't go so well with vodka.† Hugh raised an eyebrow. â€Å"Why the fuck would anyone take a bet like that after having the flu?† I shrugged. â€Å"Because he's Doug.† Hoping Doug would be okay, I scanned the rest of my party with the pleased air of a queen sizing up her kingdom. I'd moved into this place back in July and had been long overdue for a housewarming party. When Halloween had finally rolled around, combining the two events had seemed like a pretty reasonable solution. Consequently, my guests tonight were clad in an array of costumes, everything from elaborate Renaissance fair quality garb to the slackers who'd simply thrown on a witch's hat. Me, I was dressed as Little Bo Peep – well, that is, I was dressed the way Little Bo Peep would if she was a stripper and/or a shameless strumpet. My frilly blue skirt stopped just above the halfway point on my thighs, and my puff-sleeved white blouse was so low-cut that I had to be careful when leaning over. The crowning achievement – literally – was my curly mane of flaxen blond hair, neatly arranged into two pigtails tied with little blue bows. It looked perfect, absolutely indistinguishable from the real thing because†¦well, it was real. Shape-shifting always came in handy as a succubus, but for Halloween, it was golden. I always had the best costumes because I really could turn into anything I wanted. Of course, I had to keep it within reason. Too much of a change would raise the suspicions of the humans around me. But for a hair change? Yeah. Shape-shifting was pretty convenient. Someone touched my elbow. I turned, and my smug enthusiasm dimmed a little when I saw who it was: Roman, my sociopathic roommate. â€Å"I think someone's getting sick in the bathroom,† he told me. Roman was a nephilim, half-angel and half-human, with soft black hair and sea-green eyes. If not for the fact he occasionally went on immortal killing sprees and had me on his hit list, he would have been a pretty good catch. â€Å"Yeah,† I said. â€Å"It's Doug. He lost a vodka challenge.† Roman grimaced. He wore devil horns and a red cape. The irony wasn't lost on me. â€Å"Hope he's got good aim. I don't want to clean that up.† â€Å"What, you don't do housework either?† asked Hugh. He'd recently learned Roman wasn't paying me rent because he was â€Å"between jobs.† â€Å"Seems like you should pull your weight around here somehow.† Roman gave Hugh a warning look. â€Å"Stay out of this, Spiro Agnew.† â€Å"I'm Calvin Coolidge!† exclaimed Hugh, highly offended. â€Å"This is the same suit he wore at his inauguration.† I sighed. â€Å"Hugh, nobody here remembers that.† That was one of the downsides of being immortal. Our memories became obsolete as more time passed. Hugh, an imp who bought souls for Hell, was much younger than Roman and me, but he had a lot more years than any human here. Slipping away from Roman and Hugh's argument, I headed across the room to mingle with my guests. Some of my coworkers from the bookstore Doug and I worked at were huddled around the punch bowl, and I stopped to chat. Immediately, I was bombarded with compliments. â€Å"Your hair is amazing!† â€Å"Did you dye it?† â€Å"It doesn't even look like a wig!† I assured them it was a very good wig and dealt out praise for them in return. One person, however, earned a rueful head-shake from me. â€Å"You have more creativity than all of us put together, and that's the best you could do?† I asked. Best-selling author Seth Mortensen turned to look at me with one of his trademark, slightly scattered smiles. Even when I was dizzy with vodka, that smile never failed to make my heart speed up. Seth and I had dated for a while, plunging me into the depths of a love I'd never imagined possible. Part of being a succubus was an eternity of seducing men and stealing the energy of their souls – a real relationship had seemed out of the question. And in the end, it had been. Seth and I had broken up – twice – and while I usually accepted that he had moved on, I knew that I would love him forever. For me, forever was a serious matter. â€Å"I can't waste it on a costume,† he said. His amber-brown eyes regarded me fondly. I no longer knew if he loved me too; I only knew for sure that he still cared about me as a friend. I kept trying to portray the same image. â€Å"Gotta save it for the next book.† â€Å"Lame excuse,† I said. His shirt depicted Freddy Krueger, which might have been acceptable if not for the fact I suspected he had owned it long before Halloween. Seth shook his head. â€Å"Nobody cares what guys wear at Halloween anyway. It's all about the women. Look around.† I did and saw that he was right. All the elaborate, sexy costumes were on my female guests. With a few exceptions, the men's dulled by comparison. â€Å"Peter's dressed up,† I pointed out. Seth followed my gaze to another of my immortal friends. Peter was a vampire, a very fastidious and obsessive-compulsive one. He was clad in pre-Revolutionary French garb, complete with brocade coat and a powdered wig over what was normally thin brown hair. â€Å"Peter doesn't count,† said Seth. Recalling how Peter had painstakingly stenciled swans around his bathroom's baseboards last week, I couldn't help but agree. â€Å"Fair point.† â€Å"What's Hugh supposed to be? Jimmy Carter?† â€Å"Calvin Coolidge.† â€Å"How can you tell?† I was saved from answering when Seth's fianc? ¦e – and one of my best friends – Maddie Sato appeared. She was dressed as a fairy, complete with wings and a gauzy dress nowhere near as slutty as mine. Fake flowers wreathed black hair that had been pulled into a bun. Her being with Seth was something else I'd more or less come to accept, though I suspected the sting of it would never leave. Maddie didn't know Seth and I had dated and had no clue about the discomfiture I felt over their whole relationship. I expected her to slip her arm around Seth, but it was me she grabbed hold of and jerked away. I stumbled a bit. Five-inch heels weren't normally a problem for me, but the vodka complicated things a bit. â€Å"Georgina,† she exclaimed, once we were far enough away from Seth. â€Å"I need your help.† Reaching into her purse, she pulled out two pages torn from magazines. â€Å"With wha – oh.† My stomach twisted uncomfortably, and I hoped I wouldn't be joining Doug in the bathroom. The pages showed photos of wedding dresses. â€Å"I've almost narrowed it down,† she explained. â€Å"What do you think?† Grudgingly accepting the man I loved was going to marry one of my best friends was one thing. Helping them plan their wedding was an entirely different matter. I swallowed. â€Å"Oh, gee, Maddie. I'm not very good at this stuff.† Her dark eyes widened. â€Å"Are you kidding? You're the one who taught me how to dress right in the first place.† She apparently hadn't taken the lessons to heart. The dresses, while beautiful on the anorexic models wearing them, would look terrible on Maddie. â€Å"I don't know,† I said lamely, dragging my eyes away. The dresses were conjuring mental images of Maddie and Seth walking down the aisle together. â€Å"Come on,† she entreated. â€Å"I know you have an opinion.† I did. A bad one. And honestly, if I were a good servant of Hell, I would have told her they both looked great. Or I would have endorsed the worst one. What she wore was no concern of mine, and maybe if she showed up at her wedding looking subpar, Seth would realize what he'd lost when we broke up. And yet†¦I couldn't. Even after everything that had happened, I just couldn't let Maddie do it. She'd been a good friend, never suspecting what had occurred between Seth and me before and during their relationship. And as much as that petty, selfish part of me wanted it, I couldn't let her go forward in a bad dress. â€Å"Neither are good,† I said at last. â€Å"The full skirt on that one will make you look short. The flowers on top of that one will make you look fat.† She was taken aback. â€Å"Really? I never†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She studied the pictures, face falling. â€Å"Damn. I thought I had this stuff down now.† I can only assume my next words came from the liquor. â€Å"If you want, I'll go with you to some places this week. You can try some stuff on, and I'll tell you what works.† Maddie lit up. She wasn't gorgeous in the popular, magazine sort of way, but when she smiled, she was beautiful. â€Å"Really? Oh, thank you. And you can look for your dress too.† â€Å"My what?† â€Å"Well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her smile turned sly. â€Å"You're going to be a bridesmaid, aren't you?† At that moment, I reconsidered my earlier thoughts about nothing being more painful than helping plan her wedding. Being her bridesmaid pretty much blew that out of the water. Those who believed we made our own hells on earth must have had something like this in mind. â€Å"Oh, well, I don't know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"You have to! There's no one else I'd rather have.† â€Å"I'm not really the bridesmaid type.† â€Å"Of course you are.† Maddie's eyes suddenly looked at something beyond me. â€Å"Oh, hey. Doug's back. I'm going to go check on him. We'll talk about this later. You'll give in.† Maddie scurried off to her brother, leaving me numb and speechless. I decided then it was worth risking illness to go get another drink. This party had taken a definite U-turn. Yet, when I turned around, it wasn't toward the bar. It was toward my patio. One of the best features of this condo was its expansive balcony, one that looked out over Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline beyond. As I stood there, though, it wasn't the view that captivated me. It was†¦something else. Something I couldn't explain. But it was warm and wonderful and spoke to all my senses. I imagined I could see colored light on my balcony, kind of like the waves of an aurora. I could also hear a type of music that defied all human words and had nothing to do with the Pink Floyd blasting from my stereo. The party faded into the background as I slowly moved toward the balcony. The door was open to air out the hot room, and my two cats, Aubrey and Godiva, lay near it to look outside. I stepped past them, drawn toward that which had no explanation or description. Warm autumn air engulfed me as I groped for what called me. It was all around me and yet out of my reach. It was summoning me, drawing me toward something right on the balcony's edge. I almost considered climbing on the ledge in my heels and looking over. I had to reach that beauty. â€Å"Hey, Georgina.† Peter's voice jerked me out of the trance. I stared around, startled. There was no music, no color, no beckoning embrace. Only the night and the view and the patio furniture on my balcony. I turned around, meeting his eyes. â€Å"We have a problem,† he said. â€Å"We have a lot of problems,† I said, thinking of Maddie's wedding dress and the fact that I'd nearly walked off my own balcony. I shivered. I definitely was not going back for that next drink. Sick was one thing. Hallucinations were another. â€Å"What's wrong?† Peter led me inside and pointed. â€Å"Cody's in love.† I looked over at our friend Cody, another vampire and Peter's apprentice. Cody was a young immortal, optimistic and endearing. He was dressed as an alien, with green antennae sticking out of his shaggy blond hair. The perfection of his silvery space suit made me think Peter had played a role. Right now, Cody was staring across the room, mouth open as he gazed at someone. He looked like I had felt just moments ago. Her name was Gabrielle, and she'd just started working at the bookstore. She was tiny, almost pixie like, and wore black fishnets and a ripped black dress. Her spiky hair was also black, as was her lipstick. Easy coordination. Cody was staring at her like she was the most beautiful creature on earth. â€Å"Huh,† I said. Hugh dated all the time, but I'd never really thought of the vampires – particularly Peter – having any sort of romantic interactions. â€Å"I think he likes that she's dressed as a vampire,† said Peter. I shook my head. â€Å"Actually, that's how she always dresses.† We walked over to Cody, and it took him several moments to notice us. He seemed excited to see me. â€Å"What's her name?† he breathed. I tried to hide my smile. Cody being smitten was one of the cutest things I'd ever seen and a welcome distraction from the other drama tonight. â€Å"Gabrielle. She works at the store.† â€Å"Is she single?† I looked back at her as she laughed at something Maddie had said. â€Å"I don't know. Want me to find out?† Cody blushed – in as much as a pale vampire could. â€Å"No! I mean†¦unless you think it wouldn't be too obvious? I don't want you to go to any trouble.† â€Å"No trouble for me,† I said, just as Doug walked by. â€Å"Hey.† I caught hold of his sleeve. â€Å"Do me a favor, and I'll take my shift back.† Doug, whose Japanese-American skin was normally golden tan, could have also currently passed for an alien with his green hue. â€Å"I'd rather have my stomach back, Kincaid.† â€Å"Go investigate Gabrielle's romantic status. Cody's interested.† â€Å"Georgina!† exclaimed Cody, mortified. Sick or not, Doug couldn't resist a little intrigue. â€Å"Sure thing.† He headed off across the room and pulled Gabrielle to him, leaning down so she could hear. At one point, he glanced over toward us, and Gabrielle looked as well. Cody nearly died. â€Å"Oh God.† Doug returned five minutes later and shook his head. â€Å"Sorry, kid. She's single, but she doesn't think you're her type. She's into the Goth and vampire scene. You're too mainstream for her.† I was sipping a glass of water and nearly choked on it. â€Å"That,† said Peter, as soon as Doug was gone, â€Å"is what we call irony.† â€Å"How is that possible?† exclaimed Cody. â€Å"I am a vampire. I should be exactly what she wants.† â€Å"Yeah, but you don't look like one,† I said. If Gabrielle had been a Trekkie, he might have had a shot tonight. â€Å"I look exactly like a vampire because I am one! What should I dress up as? Count Chocula?† The party continued in force for another couple hours, and finally, people began trickling out. Roman and I, playing good hosts, smiled and bade each of them farewell. By the time everyone left, I was weary and more than happy for it all to be over. I'd refused to drink after the balcony incident and now had a headache as a pleasant reminder of my indulgences. Roman looked as exhausted as me as he scanned the messy condo. â€Å"Funny, huh? You throw a housewarming party to show the place off, and then people trash it.† â€Å"It'll clean up fast,† I said, studying all the bottles and paper plates with remnants of food. Aubrey was licking frosting off a half-eaten cupcake, and I hastily took it away from her. â€Å"But not tonight. Help me take care of the perishables, and we'll do the rest tomorrow.† â€Å"There's no ‘we' in ‘clean,'† Roman said. â€Å"That doesn't even make sense,† I said, covering up some salsa. â€Å"And Peter's right, you know. You really should do more around here.† â€Å"I provide good company. Besides, how can you get rid of me?† â€Å"I'll get Jerome to,† I warned, referring to his demon father, who also happened to be my boss. â€Å"Sure. Run off and tell on me.† Roman stifled a yawn, demonstrating just how worried he was about his father's wrath. The annoying part was, he had a point. I couldn't get rid of him on my own, and I doubted Jerome would really help. Still, I could hardly believe it when Roman did wander off to bed and leave me alone with the cleanup. I hadn't thought he'd go that far. â€Å"Asshole!† I yelled after him, getting only a slammed door in response. He really wasn't that bad of a roommate, but our troubled past often made him want to annoy me. It worked. Fuming, I finished the necessary tidying and dropped into bed a half-hour later. Aubrey and Godiva followed me, lying side by side at the end of the bed. They were a contrast in colors, like some piece of modern art. Aubrey was white with black specks on her head; Godiva was a riot of orange, brown, and black patches. All three of us drifted off to sleep immediately. Sometime later, I woke to the sound of singing†¦or, well, that was the closest I could come to describing it. It was the same thing I'd felt earlier, an alluring, haunting pull that spoke to every part of me. Warm and bright and beautiful. It was everywhere and everything, and I longed to have more of it, to walk toward the light that shone with indescribable colors. It felt so, so good – like something I could melt into, if only I could reach it. I had the impression of an entrance, a door I simply had to push open and step through and – Rough hands gripped my shoulders and jerked me around. â€Å"Wake up!† Like before, the sensory overload vanished. I was left alone in a quiet, empty world. No more siren song. Roman stood in front of me, hands shaking me as his face stared down at me with worry. I looked around. We were in the kitchen. I had no memory of getting there. â€Å"How – what happened?† I stammered. The face that had taunted me earlier was now filled with concern, something that troubled a small part of me. Why should someone who wanted to kill me be worried about me? â€Å"You tell me,† he said, releasing his grip. I rubbed my eyes, willing myself to recall what had happened. â€Å"I†¦I don't know. I must have sleepwalked†¦.† His face was still drawn and anxious. â€Å"No†¦there was something here†¦.† I shook my head. â€Å"No, it was a dream. Or a hallucination. I had it happen earlier†¦. I just drank too much.† â€Å"Didn't you just hear me?† There it was again, fear for me underneath the anger. â€Å"There was something here, some†¦force. I felt it. It woke me up. Don't you remember anything at all?† I stared off, trying to summon up the light and haunting melody. I couldn't. â€Å"It was†¦it was exquisite. I wanted†¦I wanted to go to it†¦to be part of it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There was a dreamy, wistful note in my voice. Roman's expression grew dark. As a succubus, I was a lesser immortal, one who had once been human. Greater immortals, like angels and demons, had been created at the universe's beginning. Nephilim were born and fell somewhere in the middle. As such, their powers and senses were greater than mine. Roman could detect things I couldn't. â€Å"Don't,† he said. â€Å"You feel it again, you pull away. Don't let it draw you in. Under no circumstances should you go to it.† I looked back at him with a frown. â€Å"Why? Do you know what it is?† â€Å"No,† he said grimly. â€Å"And that's the problem.†