Assessing English Language Learners

Assessing English Language Learners Grand Canyon University ESL 533N April 10, 2013 Abstract The OTELA test is the assessment given in Ohio to determine if a student can be removed from the ELL program and be a part of the mainstream classroom. The test is similar to the ELDA test given in many other states. It is a shorter test in duration of number of questions on each part. The OTELA is compared more in detail to the ELDA, STAAR and the AZELLA. Each of these assessments are very similar although they have some differences.A few states have reported to have changed the test they have used in the past. By states changing their assessment, it shows these states are looking for a better way to determine if students should stay in the ELL program at their school. The OTELA test is the current test used in the Ohio schools. This test is used throughout Ohio in grades K-12 to assess English language proficient. This test is similar to the ELDA test but shorter number of questions are giv en. The test covers the four standards of Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening.When giving the test, the two sections of Reading, Writing, and Listening may be given with a group however the Speaking assessment must be given individually. The Speaking and Listening assessment comes with a CD for students to listen to and respond. The answer document provides the assessor with a rubric to easily score the students response in the Listening section. The test has some benefits and some drawbacks. On the plus side, the test is quick to administer. It is straight forward as well. The test is used to determine if the student needs to be reclassified as no longer ELL.When students are determined to be ELL, they must stay in the ELL program until their 2nd grade year. After that, if the student scores a composite score of five or higher or scores a four and completes a trail period of mainstream instruction and receives a four or five, they can be reclassified as not ELL (Ohio Departme nt of Education). Some drawbacks are this test is only used to determine if a student is continuing as an ELL student. The test results are not shared in the mainstream classroom or with the special education teachers.The test results, if shared, could be used to help drive the differentiated instruction in the classroom to best meet their needs. Students that still show they qualify as an ELL student but speak fluent English get overlooked in the mainstream classroom. The assessment should be presented to teachers in a way of bringing awareness to the needs of the ELL student regardless of their level of need. When the school is administering the test with the knowledge that it is only used to determine their eligibility as an ELL student, it cannot be used as a workable method for monitoring student progress.The test is administered then forgotten about until the results come. Then forgotten once again. It does not matter what assessment is given, but how the results are being uti lized. Closing the achievement gap is always the goal in every educational setting. In order to do this, the assessments being used in the classroom is extremely important. All states are required to administer an assessment designed to measure students' progress in â€Å"†¦ attaining proficiency, including a child's level of comprehension, speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English†.The English Language Development Assessment (ELDA) was developed to meet these requirements. This test focuses on four tests to tests students’ ability to speak, write, listen, and read in English (South Carolina State Department of Education, 2012). This is different from the OTELA where it does not calculate a comprehension score. This test is given throughout seven states. Some states have been using this test over serveral years and others just recently adopted this test. The STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) assessment is a new assessment t hat the state of Texas adopted this year.TAKS ( Texas Assessment of Knowledge Skills) is the assessment used in prior year. The difference with the STAAR assessment is that it will test content students studied that year, as opposed to testing content studied over multiple years. Doing so will strengthen the alignment between what is taught and what is tested for a given course of study. While STAAR mathematics, reading, writing, and social studies assessments in grades 3–8 will continue to address only those TEKS taught in the given subject and grade, the content of other STAAR assessments will change (STAAR Resources, 2012).The AZELLA (Arizona English Language Learners Assessment) like the OTELA, meets both state and federal requirements for assessing the language proficiency of students identified as second language learners and determines placement for appropriate instruction. The AZELLA score is used for entry and exit criteria for ELL program services, for measuring ann ual progress, and for monitoring the language proficiency of students for two years after they have exited the ELL/SEI program.References â€Å"Ohio Department of Education ODE. † ODE. N. p. , n. d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. http://www. ode. state. oh. us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail. aspx? page=3 â€Å"STAAR Resources. † Retrieved on 11 Apr 2013, from http://www. tea. state. tx. us/student. assessment/staar/ â€Å"South Carolina State Department of Education. † English Language Development Assessment. Retrieved on April 10, 2013, from http://ed. sc. gov/agency/programs-services/42/

Need and New Faces

SPEECH OF WELCOME Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon and welcome to the Universidad de Zamboanga, School of Criminal Justice. It is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you, specially the new comers, today and welcome you to this amazing institution. I would like to raise a toast to all the new faces in here. New faces that we don’t know till now but would wish to know. The same new faces that once belonged to us an year ago. The same new faces that, over a short period of time, will no more be, ‘NEW’ faces.Well, I speak on behalf of all the second year students here. Just a few lines of how we all feel at this juncture. Here I go. Newness or novelty has been intriguing and fascinating to man since the Neanderthal times. Novelty for us is excitement and exuberance, surprise and science, cheerfulness and joy, hope and happiness, boldness and buoyancy, positive ness and passion. But men as we all are, novelty to us also means risk, unfamiliarity, uncertai nty, fear, doubt and disturbance.In the same token, the old and the established stands for ‘the familiar and comfortable’, ‘knowledgeable and therefore able’, ‘mature and therefore trustworthy’,‘rugged and therefore reliable. ’ But all this goes with accusations of ‘stagnation and staleness’,‘out-of-date and outmoded ness’ and ‘the slow and the stumped’. What I wish to express using all the ‘adjectives’ that I used is that these new faces in here, our juniors for the coming year, represent to us the same hope and challenge as new players in a cricket team or new twists in a good story.And we, as seniors,should ideally be the matured bunch, a bunch of guys and gals they could trust and depend upon. Together, we can make a terrific team. So, I, on behalf of all the ‘old’ faces here, welcome the new faces with open hands, open minds and above all, OPEN HEARTS. Thank You. COMMENCEMENT SPEECH Good morning faculty, families and class of Two Thousand Twelve. I am honored to be here speaking to all of you today. I want to begin with a quote from Winston Churchill from a commencement speech he gave to his prep school in 1941, â€Å"Never give in.Never give in. Never, never, never, never–in nothing, great or small, large or petty–never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy† (Churchill, 1941) I know that quote is timeless because here I am repeating it in two thousand twelve, and why you may ask†¦because it is very relevant to my story. Many years ago when I began this journey I had a friend, told me that I would never be able to accomplish a college degree.Although my journey has taken longer than anticipated I proved that friend wrong, and maybe many other’s that were not as candid. I also proved something to myself with hard work, determination, and grit anything can be accomplished. Because life throws so many obstacles and distractions in our paths on a daily basis, it is essential to have supportive and knowledgeable people to go to when needed. The advisers helped guide and encourage me to finish what I started, and fulfill the dreams I had for myself.I cannot begin to properly thank not only my school family that cheered me on when I passed math class, my church family who always had kind words to say to me to help keep me strong when the storm rose up and made me weary, and my family-family who accepted the long hours in front of the computer when I had to complete research, write a paper, or read the endless text books that helped me get here today. I want to be a testament to what can be accomplished when one person believes they can achieve what others do not think is possible.Class of two thousand twelve, do not let people tell you who you are and what you can do, do not let people decide what you are capable of. In 2005 during a commencement speech, Steve Jobs said, â€Å"figure out what you love and do it, do not settle† (Jobs, 2005). I encourage my fellow class mates to take that challenge, do what you love and do not settle. The education that we received during our years at Universidad de Zamboanga have prepared each of us to be diligent, creative, innovative, and successful.I want to leave you with a quote from former ESPN sportscaster, Brian Kenny, â€Å"There is no there. That is elusive, â€Å"there† with the job, the beach house, the dream, it’s not out there. There is here. It’s in you†¦right now† (Kenny, 2007) Don’t waste the life that God gave you, we are his masterpiece, and we can be anything we aspire to be. Thank you. ACCEPTANCE SPEECH Thank you everybody. Thank you dad, my brothers, family, friends and to those who are home watching, thank you so much, and to everyone who voted for me.There really is n othing more important to me than striving to be a good human being. So, to be here tonight and be acknowledged as the first to receive this honor is beyond expression in words for me. This award of being a Filipino from the Within is the recognition of my achievements and you can only imagine how important it is to me. My life, as you all know begun from nothing. I grew up at a far farm in Leyte. My parents held hands in cultivating every inch of soil we have just to earn a little amount of money.When I reached six years old, we moved to the city and it was the beginning of my education. It was once difficult, not knowing where to go and at an early age being independent, no one to baby sit me or be my chaperon at school. Time went so fast and as I grew older, there was this little feeling of pity for my co-citizens. The guy on the street, the woman in the classroom, the Muslim, the Protestant, the Catholic, the Visaya, the tausug, the gay, the straight, you, me—we all just w ant to know that we matter. We want validation. We want the same things.We want safety and we want to live a long life. We want to find somebody to love. Filipinos, thank you. We want to find somebody to laugh with and have the power and the place to cry with when necessary. The greatest pain in life is to be invisible. What I've learned is that we all just want to be heard. And I thank all the people who continue to let me hear your stories, and by sharing your stories, you let other people see themselves and for a moment, glimpse the power to change and the power to triumph. Maya Angelou said, ‘When you learn, teach.When you get, give. ‘ I want you to know that this award to me means that I will continue to strive to give back to the world what it has given to me, so that I might even be more worthy of tonight's honor. Thank you. CAMPAIGN SPEECH Ladies and gentleman. Our country has come to a  crossroad, and now you have the power to change the political landscape of the Philippines. As I have said time and time again, if you elect me to be your face in congress, there are several things I will do to  ensure  that your needs are met day in and day out across this land.First of all, I plan on proposing new legislation that will invest more tax peso in our public schools, not only to meet the needs of today, but to encourage developing minds for the future. Such new funding would be used to hire and  retain  good teachers, build and  renovate  new schools, and give great tax breaks to classroom teachers. To accomplish this, I am proposing no new taxes increases, but rather arechanneling  of our existing tax  revenue  to meet these demands. Now, theincumbent  and his staff have been talking about this for years with little progress.I plan to change all of this now. Second, economic development is on the minds of most of you, particularly with regard to our downtown area. For many years, economic prosperity has beenneglected   by current government leaders, and I plan to change all of that. I am proposing a city center  revitalization  project that would promote new businesses, new residential areas, and new open green areas to bring people back to the heart of our city. Current leaders have allowed the new city to die, preferring to invest in sport arenas in the  outlying  areas.And third, I am proposing the construction of a  light rail  train system, to be built over the next decade, to meet the growing demands of better and more efficient transportation for years to come. My opponent and his administration have lacked the vision of long-term solutions, preferring to take a look and see approach. Such a short sighted  stance  fails to consider the needs of future generations . . . our children and our grandchildren. My generation doesn't want to be remembered for a road we build today, but for a more visionary transportation system for our future.And finally, my opponent has  cited  my inexperience as a reason why you shouldn't vote for me. However, I am not a career politician who has lost touch with the everyday needs and concerns of day-to-day people. My work as an educator and business owner has given me a unique perspective on the pains and challenges you face. If elected, I promise to give my all to my elected position and make sure your issues and concerns are fully  addressed  at the local and national level. Thank you

A Good Man Is Hard To Find 2

A Good Man Is Hard To Find 2 Essay A Good Man is Hard to Find; In the short story, A Good Man is Hard to Find;, the main character is the grandmother. Flannery OConnor, the author, lets the reader find out who the grandmother is by her conversations and reactions to the other characters in the story. The grandmother is the most important character in the story because she has a main role in the stories principal action. This little old lady is the protagonist in this piece. We learn more about her from her direct conversation with the son, Bailey, her grandchildren, June Star and John Wesley, and the Misfit killer. Through these conversations, we know that she is a lady raised from a traditional background. In the story, her attitude changes more than once to accommodate the surroundings that she is in. With the data provided, we can tell that the grandmother goes from not wanting to go to Florida, to anxious to go, and in the end, I felt as if she went off the deep end. All of the sudden, the only thing she really concentrates on is Jesus and her not being killed. The action in the entire story surrounds and normally begins with something the grandmother has said or done. At the very beginning of the story, she starts off by stating that she does not want to go to Florida. She would rather go to east Tennessee and tried anything she could to change Baileys mind (Page 426). Later in the story, as they began the trip to Florida, the grandmother talked the entire time. She would tell stories of her youth to the grandchildren and lecture them about being more respectful to their native state, and to their parents. Although the grandmother is the protagonist, it is her fault that the trip ended in the devastating way that it did. She, unknowingly, led her entire family to their fate. She is even more responsible for the deaths because of what she brought on the trip with her. If there had been no cat, there would have not been an accident. If the accident would not have happened, the family had an extremely good chance to survive their vacation. There are many things that happen in the story that gives more information about the grandmother. The reader can tell that the woman is paranoid by her conversations at the start of this story. She reads about the Misfit killer and assumes it would be dangerous to travel to Florida with a man like that on the loose. She is also a lonely person because she sneaks her cat, Pitty Sing, along for the ride. The author states that the woman did not want to leave the cat because it would miss her too much or would rub against a burner and asphyxiate itself (Page 427). I believe that the cat was the only thing that showed her love and attention. Her only son, had a family of his own, her grandchildren were older now, and she felt like she was not important to them anymore, and the childrens mother was involved with the baby. By bringing the cat, she felt like she would not be lonely. The reader can also tell that the woman is extremely prejudice. She refers to the black child as a cute little pickaninny; and a nigger. You can also tell a lot about the old woman by what she is wearing. In the car, she wears white gloves, a sailor hat, and a navy blue dress. She states that the prominent clothes are worn so that if anything happens, the people that find her body will know that she was a lady (Page 427). I think she wore this outfit so that she could think she was something she was not. It is clearly seen that in her youth, she lived in prosperity. She had everything from youthfulness to money and to love. One of the most important scenes in the story .

American History 1584-1783 #3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American History 1584-1783 #3 - Essay Example They shared their goods like clothes, food and other equipments with them. The natives, in return showered them with expensive gifts like gold etc. Later the Spanish, in their quest for wealth and precious metals like gold and silver, tried to isolate the Native Americans from the other European invaders’ influence. In the early 17th century (1607) the British came to North America to have a strong foothold in the region. Jamestown in Virginia became the first place for British settlement followed by colonies in Massachusetts and eastern seaboard in the later part of the century. The initial friendly relationship with the native Indians turned hostile when the settlers started exploiting natives with respect to labor and sea faring activities. Diseases like tuberculosis, diphtheria were brought by the settlers who passed them on to the natives. The natives then refused to work for them. The settlers then brought Africans to work as bonded labors in the plantations and elsewhere, whom, they were freed after several years. Turn of the century saw the raced based slavery becoming a full fledged tradition with Africans and non whites becoming slaves for life. Control over the blacks became the main concern of the white because of the rebellion from the natives. The British Crown delegated the power to the companies who administered in their behalf with rules and regulations. The natives, on the other hand, did not believe in subjugation and rebelled against any revenue imposed by the settlers. French came to America in search of trading avenues and in 1599 the first serious fur trading was established as Tadaussac that grew into the city of Quebec. They had no desire for colonization. They did their trading with the Native Americans as equal. Though French claimed large area in Canada and north America by coming first to Quebec and later expanding from Louisiana in the south to great lakes in the North which included Montreal, Detroit, New Orleans and

Stagnancy Kills Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Stagnancy Kills Life - Essay Example I am a simple human being who is living a simple life in the state of Texas in a city called El Paso in country called the United States of America. I am not a philosopher or a psychologist or a millionaire to have a brilliant outlook towards life. Hence, what is stored in this time capsule is a genuine representation of the way the common people lived their life in the year 2010. It will give you an idea about how an ordinary life of mine was transformed into an extraordinary life because of the brilliant contributions in the field of music, literature, art, movies, cultural phenomenon etc. Looking at the past, I can see that there has been a tremendous change in the lifestyle of people with inventions of machineries and computers. However, one can definitely realize that even if the material and social aspects of life have changed, the emotional and the mental aspects of human beings have remained the same. That is, the emotions of love, affection, bonding, fear and comfort are the same as it was hundreds of years back. Also, the mental aspects like ambition, desires, power and basic needs have remained the same. This shows that even though the external means through which people try to fulfill their internal needs have changed from ages to ages, the basic human tendencies have remained same from ages. Hence, I am sure that the time capsule that I am going to leave to be opened after hundred years will help the people who open it to realize that no matter what changes a human being goes through on the material level, or how much ‘modern’ he becomes, his n eed for human touch will always remain the same.

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 15

Marketing - Essay Example In the food segment the Marks and Spencer’s company employs the following competitive moves so that it cab have an advantage over its rivals. First and foremost it changes its prices to suit the consumer’s purchasing power and this enables the company to have a temporary advantage over the other rivalry firms. Similarly the company makes further improvements in its food products differentiation and it also maintains good relationships with the suppliers. (Baryon 2006) In the industry this is a very strong force since the Marks and Spencer’s company’s food industry has strong brand images and this makes it very hard for the new entrants. The initial capital expenditures are very huge and the exiting companies are achieving their economies of scale by being global. Another threatening factor to the potential new entrants is the trade tariffs as well as the international regulations whereby they have to prove themselves to the foreign companies, customers and also suppliers. In the food industry the substitute food products belong to the other firms in the industry. The Marks and Spencer’s foods segment is highly affected by the price changes in the substitute food products. Since the more the substitute food products become available to the consumers then the demand of the food products from the Marks and Spencer’s company become more elastic. This further allows the consumers to have more alternatives in the market. However this is a moderate but weak force in the industry since the businesses and also individuals wish to use other cheaper food products. A close substitute food product in the industry further constraints the company’s ability to raise its prices. On the other hand there is a lot of price competition in the industry especially in the food substitutes. Most of the consumers in Marks and Spencer’s foods consider the suitability as well as the nutritive value

Comparison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Comparison - Essay Example There used to be one green board at the rear wall where we used to put up charts and drawings of our relevant subjects. whereas in US the classrooms I found were very much different from what I have seen in the middle east. the walls were colorful with more wall charts and drawings. The classrooms in the Us were more engaging and meant to keep the students in there more interested in studies. As compared to the schools and classrooms in US, Middle Eastern system had a stricter environment. The students in Middle Eastern schools are well behaved and disciplined as compared to the schools in US. The education system however, is very much better in the US, inspired from which improvements can be made in the education system of Middle East. From my experience, a classroom with a better engaging environment can be of great help to the students. As is seen in the classrooms of schools in US where they have maintained their classrooms according to the standard and age of the students studying in them. They have colorful walls, educational drawings and paintings all over the walls as well as for older and mature students they have all the relevant instruments and technologies within the reach of the students in their classrooms. Most of the schools and classrooms lack these advances thus making an American classroom far better to study and

PNM See attachments Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

PNM See attachments - Assignment Example As the H-19 joint system program officer, I have formulated key pricing indexes and audits to establish the most rational prices at which o conduct the program. These reviews have yielded calculations that are presented in the Excel-spreadsheets herein attached. My review is based on the PNM checklist provided and has managed to provide both the highest and lowest prices that can be achieved in the program. The challenges I faced in doing this include, among others, lack of transparency. ITP and H-19 are obvious competitors and selecting ITP to enhance T-19 computers was tantamount to asking them to share their ‘winning’ formula. As such, the company was not transparent in its issuance of pricing records for fear of revealing confidential information. However, the information they provided was sufficient to build a pre-PNM in the format of the checklist. It is important to note that without a pre-PNM, the Contracting Officer is incapacitated in his preliminary review of companies bidding for a contract. As such, being smart in pre-PNM is very important to an individual, organization or even a country at large since favorable and reasonable costs can be evaluated for any particular

Major Theorists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Major Theorists - Essay Example This pool of guilt and pain is where creativity, which is closely related to neurosis, comes from. Creativity is thus motivated by the need to express some of this guilt and pain in a more physical or outward arena as well as the means by which it is expressed. B.F. Skinner is one of the most well-known behaviorists, who believed that people were a product of the environment in which they were raised. Skinner suggested this occurred through operant conditioning as people were rewarded for approved behavior and punished for undesirable behavior. Rewards are thus seen as a means of strengthening behavior, even undesired behavior, while the failure to reward weakens these behaviors. In some situations, punishment can be interpreted as reward, such as when the ignored child receives attention through punishment for bad behavior. Creativity is thus seen as a mere product of the environment working on the individual who possesses latent creative talent. If the environment does not reward creativity, the child will be less likely to engage in it. It is important for the child to have an adult model that demonstrates creative behavior before the child can envision this as a likely activity for them. This is because they see the rewards for the cre ative adult as well as receive rewards from this adult as they engage in their own creative efforts. Humanism rejected the ideas of psychoanalytic theory of personality and creativity as a biological process and the ideas of behaviorism theory of personality and creativity as an environmental process and instead preferred to view creativity as a process in itself that provided individuals with the ability to discover their inner selves. In other words, creativity was an act of self-actualization. The main theorists of humanism are Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Maslow defined self-actualization as the tendency to realize our own potential based on our

Quantitative Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Quantitative Analysis - Assignment Example The study aims at both determining the effects of poverty on children’s psychology and how the effects subsequently influence different behaviours as well as to determine effects of a chaotic environment on children’s cortisol. This study involves families of children less than four years old selected from two geographical regions that report high poverty rates and which are Eastern North Carolina and Central Pennsylvania. A sample of 1292 children and families who live in the geographical areas are selected by the researchers for this study (p. 2669). Participants are carefully selected from disadvantaged families and sample selection is carried out over a twelve months period so as to ensure selection of a highly representative sample that improves the quality of the research findings, 51% of the children are male and 43% of the sampled children are African American (Blair et. all, 2013 p. 2669). Income-to-need ration is used to measure the levels of poverty for the different families that are used in this study which is calculated during every visit and a ratio of 1 or less than 1 qualifies a family for this study while Chaos in the household are measured using the number of changes in the primary and secondary caregiver, the number of people in the household as well as the number of moves in the house. All these are weighted to give an aggregate of the level of disorganization and chaos in the household by measuring the child’s behaviour and temperaments using a predetermined scale with scales from 1-10 (p 2669) included in the question that the child’s parent fills during every visit by the researchers. The child’s intelligence is measured using a predetermined formula foe intelligence quotient, which is important in determining the child’s cognitive abilities. However, this questionnaire on the child’s intelligence is administered when the child is thirty six months old. All

Applications of seven habits by Steven Covey Essay Example for Free

Applications of seven habits by Steven Covey Essay This classic best seller for management, organisations and personal development encapsulates Steven Coveys research on 200 years of success literature since his doctoral program. It is perhaps the most influential book for managers and organizations to learn the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, as the title suggest. It begins with the concept that people perceive the world differently, and we form our own paradigm how we view the world with our own unique lens. Covey explains that paradigms are the source of our attitudes and behaviours. Part of achieving insight involves making a paradigm shift which causes us to perceive things differently. Our paradigms will affect how we interact with others, which in turn will affect how they interact with us. Covey argues that any effective self-help program must begin with an inside-out approach, rather than looking at our problems as being out there (an inside-out approach). We must start by examining our own character, paradigms, and motives. Hence, character and principles are keys to success, effectiveness, and happiness in life. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People points out: Principles are guidelines for human conduct that are proven to have enduring, permanent value. The seven habits divided into two main groups: private victory (independence) and public victory (interdependence). Habits of Independence: Habit 1: Be Proactive We must use our resourcefulness to work toward our personal goals. Everyone has both a circle of influence and a circle of concern. Worrying endlessly about things outside of our circle of influence isnt particularly productive. Working within our circle of influence is productive. Further, the more effective we become, the more our circle of influence will expand. Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind What do we want people to say about us at our funerals? How will we be remembered? To succeed, Covey suggests visualizat ion. Every successful outcome is created twice; first one plan and second on implementation. Habit 3: Put First Things First The key to putting first things first is to understand that we have many things we can do which will have a significant, positive impact on our lives. Covey stresses that we must balance Production (P) with Productive Capability (PC). We must keep the golden eggs, but also maintain goose. Prioritization is the essence of time management. Interdependence The remaining habits in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People are habits of interdependence. Rather than being dependent upon other people, or trying to be totally independent, we learn how to be more effective by effectively working with others. Habit 4: Think Win/Win Thinking Win/Win means seeking mutual benefit in our human interactions. To be successful in the long run, we should learn to consider others win factors besides our own. Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood Most people talk more than they listen. Until we listen actively and seek to understand others, we would n ot be understood. Active listening is about sensing the three modes of communications, i.e. visual, vocal and verbal. Habit 6: Synergize It means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Combining the strengths of each individual yields multiple outcome beyond expectations, simply 1+12. Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw Just as a machine will wear out quickly if not properly maintained, the same is true for our own personal productivity. We must take care of ourselves. The four dimensions are physical, mental, social/emotional and spiritual renewals. To me, the first concept on paradigm is profound. I agree that when we change our perspectives, our attitudes and behaviours will change. To achieve enrichment in life, we need to understand our own paradigm, crystalize and anchor our principles. I have adopted these principles and find peace in self-awareness, social relationship and professional communications. Covey has successfully synthesised the successful habits of leaders, crystallised and organized them into two progressive segments. In line with child development from birth through death, one indeed grows from dependence to independence in early childhood to adolescence . We then mature to adults, where we progress from independence to interdependence. The seven habits are indeed proven to be critical for any individual to attain private and public victories. Hence it is no surprise that whenever I business leaders within my network on which are some books they would read to enrich their management knowledge, this book is voted as the most influential book that changed their lives. I have personally adopted these habits in my personal and professional communications and testify their effectiveness. I have sharpened my strengths in strategic thinking and leadership by adopting the habits of Begin with the end in mind and Synergize. For instance at the Polytechnic, I mooted the idea of Young GEMS(Go-the-Extra-Miles-for-Service) camp for upper secondary school students to build our prospects for future enrolment. Upon approval from management for the Young GEMS camp, I formed a program team and successfully lead it to implement the camp through skilful synergy of the individuals competence. This book has provided comprehensive coverage on the why and how of each habit. The only gap I see is that the context are US-based. It would be better if there is an Asian version with case studies of local enterprises and leaders, for the benefit of Asian readers. For instance, unlike Americans, Asians are generally weak in questioning skills to seek to understand others. It would be helpful if there are some recommended strategies in questioning to gain insights of others perspectives. Also, Asians tends to individual and less apt to working in teams, particularly in appreciating individual strengths, expressing diversified opinions openly. Asian case studies on Win-win and Synergize would certainly be helpful. There is no doubt that all seven habits are pivotal in todays managers and organisations. I personally have benefited as an account manager in Hewlett-Packard Singapore Sales when I was sponsored to attend the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People one-week course. It has significantly increased my self-awareness, strategic thinking skills, time-management skills and revolutionizes my perspectives in life. I can testify that the Habits are practical prescriptions for building trustworthy and lasting relationships, hence empowering managers to be effective leaders who could develop the most conducive working environment that attracts and retains like-minded talents for the good of society.

Deontology Definition Essay Example for Free

Deontology Definition Essay Whilst Deontology has its attractions it fails to provide a reliable foundation for moral decision making Examine and evaluate this claim (30) Deontology is based upon the actions of a person, not the consequences. The word deontology is derived from the Greek word deontos. It was developed by Immanuel Kant and it is an absolutist a priori theory, the phrase a priori means it is knowable through experience and absolutist means there are fixed rules that cannot be changed. This means Kant believed the duty of the moral law was unchangeable and through experience, if everyone followed these rules the world would be a better place. Immanuel Kant wrote Critique of Pure reason in this book he devised his deontological theory of duty. He believed it is the duty of one to follow the moral law and not judge situations with feelings, inclination, love and compassion. Kant also believed that all humans seek for summum bonum which is the state when all human virtue and happiness are united. To help people on their way to moral decision Immanuel Kant devised the categorical imperative, this is in contrast to the hypothetical imperative. The hypothetical imperative normally starts sentence with an if e.g. if you wish to complete a good essay you must spend time on it, where as a categorical imperative tells you that you should do something, e.g. you should brush your teeth in the morning. This then was devised into three different rules on how to live your life; The Universal Law, Treat Humans as Ends in Themselves and Act as if you live in a Kingdom of Ends. Kants second principle in the categorical imperative, So act that you treat humanity, both in your own person and in the person of every other human being, never merely as a means, but always at the same time as an end This shows that it could be an attractive theory as it has good intentions in mind. Like many theories, Deontology has its strengths and weaknesses. One of its main strengths is that it is an absolutist theory. This means it is either intrinsically good or bad, e.g. do not commit murder. This is a major strength as it makes an easy theory people to follow. This may attract people towards the theory as it shows guidelines to follow which some people may rely on to make their moral decision making. Another reason why it may attract people is because the rules are fixed so they do not have to question the rules whether they are right or wrong them just have to obey them keeping them in a comfortable position. This makes the theory practical in everyday use and people can depend upon the theory also there is no need to do any calculations. However there are many conflicting views to this strength. One of them is how people can become dependant on the theory. If they become to dependant upon the theory and it does not help them in a situation on moral decision making they may struggle to think of what to do next. WD Ross devised the notion of prima facie duties, this means first appearance. This is when we follow our duty unless there is an overriding obligation, e.g. telling a white lie to make someone feel good about them self. This goes against the principle of duty as you must not lie but you could argue that you will feel morally good about yourself if you make another person feel good. Therefore this does not help is moral decision making as you have conflicting duties. Strength to this theory is that justice is always the absolute. This means only intrinsically right actions are accounted for. This can be seen with Kants statement of good will. it is impossible to conceive of anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be taken as good without qualification, except good will. This shows that only good will is the only good we can achieve from the world. By justice being an absolute it means that you cannot justify immoral actions. This is attractive because it shows that by following this theory you will not act unmorally and you will be able to reach that summum bonum as you are fulfilled with good deeds. By not being able to do any intrinsically bad actions this will make people feel it is a reliable theory because if you follow these set rules you will not harm another person. Although it seeks justice, it does not seek the best interest of the majority, this means the minority may feel that justice has been done but on the other hand the majority may feel that justice has not been served. Personally I feel by pleasing the majority I will end up with a better outcome because there will greater happiness, this links in with Utilitarianism and the greatest pleasure over the greatest pain. Another reason why this theory has its flaws is the summum bonum. The summum bonum is the ultimate fulfilment but it can only be achieved by having an immortal soul as it cannot be achieved in the lifetime. This shows links with religion, even though Kant rejected theological arguments with the existence of God. This strikes a problem because not everyone believes in God so how could you follow the theory if you do not believe in his existence. Finally it is to legalistic because it assumes everyone is a law abiding person, people have different intentions so by assuming everyone has the intention of justice is wrong. To see whether is really does fail these reliabilities; we have to compare the strengths with the weaknesses. A weakness to the theory is that there are no limits to what can be universalised. This is because in one persons state of mind something may seem perfectly fine to another persons state of mind, e.g. a chronically depressed person. They may feel suicide is perfectly acceptable. This links in with the first law of the categorical imperative Do not act on any principle that cannot be universalised. This means moral laws should be taken into account into all situations. Again this is wrong because who is to say one right action is another persons right action, this makes it very unreliable with moral decision making. However if you take into account what the majority feel is wrong or right you could come to a conclusion on universal rules. This can be seen with rules such as do not commit murder as most people do not tolerate that and it is safe to say they do not agree with it. Finally another weakness is that Immanuel Kant starts to argue now is to be done but what ought to be done, this is known as the Naturalistic Fallacy. This is a weakness because it makes people feel as he is in control and he is telling what should and shouldnt be done. This is a weakness because Kant has different agreement on morals to another agreement, again he is assuming the masses will agree with this method making unreliable. By Kant saying what ought to be done he is showing what he feels is intrinsically good and that may vary from another. On the other hand by Kant saying he ought instead of is, it shows he is laying down ground rules and some people may like this as they will have rules to follow making it a attractive and reliable moral decision making theory.

Level of VEGF in Chronic Nephropathy Models

Level of VEGF in Chronic Nephropathy Models The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and requiring renal replacement therapy are increasing worldwide. In India, the age-adjusted incidence rate of ESRD is estimated to be 229 per million population (pmp), and >100,000 new patients enter renal replacement programs annually (1). Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of ESRD development among other disorders predisposing to ESRD. The costs of DN are significantly higher than those from other diabetic complications because the patients are subjected to haemodialysis programs and renal transplant when failure occurs. Thus, the burden of DN on public health is enormous (2). The current therapy for patients with renal injury includes glycemic control by antidiabetic medications. Blockage of renin angiotensin system (RAS) is the most commonly practiced way of controlling blood pressure in DN. However, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin recep tor blockers moderately slow the rate of progression but do not arrest or reverse the progression of disease. Moreover, RAS blockade is usually initiated only after DN manifests itself clinically with persistent proteinuria in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But despite knowledge of the devastating effects of these complications and the involved costs to patients, to date, there is still no method that is sufficiently sensitive and accurate for subclinical diagnoses of diabetic nephropathy. The pathomechanisms leading to these changes are not yet clearly understood and therefore, therapeutic approaches for relief of this disease are scarce or do not permit a favorable pharmacological intervention. Angiogenesis the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones is involved in physiological events and in pathological disorders including cancer, proliferative retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and neointimal formation. Angiogenesis is controlled by the balance between proangiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Experimental studies have demonstrated the involvement of an imbalance of angiogenesis-related factors in the progression of CKD and the potential therapeutic effects of modulating these factors have been identified (3, 4). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, a potent pro-angiogenic factor, is involved in the development of the kidney, and also plays an important role in maintaining the glomerular capillary structure and in the repair process following injuries of glomerular endothelial cells and peritubular capillaries (5-7). It is constitutively expressed in podocytes, proximal tubular cells and medullary thick ascending limb cells in the ju xtamedullary region of the normal kidney. Evidence is emerging that VEGF plays a critical role in maintaining renal homeostasis (8, 9). Altered (increased or decreased) expression of VEGF leads to glomerular dysfunction and proteinuria (3, 10-15). It has been demonstrated that VEGF administration has a beneficial effect in both acute and chronic nondiabetic renal disease. In the remnant kidney model and cyclosporine nephropathy, decreased VEGF expression was observed. These observations were correlated with renal dysfunction and capillary loss. VEGF administration was found to reverse the renal dysfunction in these models (4, 16, 17). In contrast, both circulating and local VEGF levels are high in diabetes. In diabetic nephropathy , the increases in the number of glomerular capillaries and in the glomerular levels of VEGF-A and its receptor VEGFR-2 are observed (3, 18). The role of abnormal angiogenesis induced by VEGF has been implicated in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephrop athy associated with progression of disease and the excessive VEGF has been shown to have a role in mediating glomerular hypertrophy (3). The precise mechanism is unclear for contradictory status of VEGF-A in diabetic and non diabetic kidney disease. So, in the present study we decided to investigate the level of VEGF in two different chronic nephropathy models; one was diabetes induced chronic nephropathy and the other was non diabetic nephropathy. VEGF and NO interaction has been explained as one of the regulating mechanism in causing paradoxical effects of VEGF by Takahiko Nakagawa et al.; 2007. The author explained the dark side and the bright side of VEGF effects. VEGF normally stimulates endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release and acts in coordination with elevated NO levels as a trophic factor for vascular endothelium. The increased NO derived from the endothelial cell acts as an inhibitory factor that prevents excess endothelial cell proliferation, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and macrophage infiltration. Normally, an elevation in VEGF expression should result in elevated endothelial NO levels, since VEGF increases both endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression and NO release from endothelial cells. However, in diabetes, despite high levels of VEGF, endothelial NO levels are low. The authors have summarized several mechanisms to explain the low endothelial NO bioavailability. First, glucose can scavenge NO. Second, t here is an impairment of eNOS activation. A third mechanism could be oxidative stress, which quenches NO to form peroxynitrite. Fourth, the formation of advanced glycation products in diabetes may also result in the consumption of endothelial NO. Fifth, both asymmetric dimethyl arginine and uric acid are commonly elevated in diabetes and can reduce endothelial NO bioavailability. Finally, NO may bind to glycosylated deoxyhemoglobin. Thus in diabetic settings high levels of VEGF, in absence of NO; lead to excessive endothelial cell proliferation, stimulation of macrophage chemotaxis, and vascular smooth muscle cell activation resulting in vascular injury (19, 20). Based on these observations we decided to investigate level of NO, in addition to VEGF; in two different chronic nephropathy models. The therapeutic effects of anti-VEGF-A strategies and anti-angiogenic factors in diabetic nephropathy have been reported (21). The beneficial effects of administration of VEGF in non diabetic CKD have been reported (17). The contrasting effects of VEGF in non-diabetic and diabetic kidney disease prompted us to review factors modulating VEGF expression in CKD. Hypoxia and certain cytokines are major regulators of VEGF expression (22-29). Physiological adaptation to hypoxia is an area of intense investigation. Adenosine is a critical mediator during ischemia and hypoxia and contributes to diseases as diverse as inflammation and carcinogenesis (30). Inhibition of adenosine kinase and the dephosphorylation of ATP and AMP by surface apyrases (e.g., CD39) and ecto-5’ nucleotidase (CD73), respectively, represent the major pathways of extracellular adenosine liberation during oxygen supply imbalances. Once liberated in the extracellular space, adenosine is either recycled (e.g., throu gh dipyridamole-sensitive carriers) or interacts with cell surface Adenosine Receptors (ARs). Presently, four subtypes of G protein-coupled ARs exist, designated A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. They are classified according to utilization of pertussis toxin sensitive pathways (A1 and A3) or adenylate cyclase (A2A and A2B). The A2BAR have been recently much investigated for their role on renal functions. A2BAR have been reported to inhibit PDGF induced growth of mesangial cells ,they also protect the kidney from ischemia (31, 32). A2BAR have also been reported to inhibit inflammation, so it is remained to be determined which type of A2AR are involved in inflammation associated with diabetic nephropathy. A2B receptors have a lower affinity compared with other subtypes and require higher concentrations of adenosine for their stimulation and such high levels can be reached during hypoxia, ischemia, inflammation, and injury. A2BAR regulate various pathological processes, including mast cell activation, vasodilatation, inhibition of cardiac fibroblast and vascular smooth muscle growth, stimulation of endothelial cell (EC) growth, and angiogenesis (8,9,10,11,12). The functional aspects of ARs responses may be determined by surface expression profiles. Microarray analyses of cDNA derived from endothelial cells subjected to various periods of hypoxia revealed significant changes in the ARs profile, wherein the prominent phenotypic change favored A2BAR expression, with concomitant down regulation of A1AR and A3AR(2). As chronic state of nephropathy also involve hypoxic intra renal environment (33), we decided to find the expression of A2BAR in two different models of chronic nephropathy. The most potent stimuli for VEGF production is hypoxia as stated above. The evidence of line also suggests the hyperglycemic state of diabetes to be hypoxic. Particularly, it has been demonstrated that in a mouse podocytes cell line the expression of VEGF increases under exposition to high D-glucose concentrations. At present however, it is not clear how glomerular VEGF production is unregulated in response to diabetes or high glucose concentration (13). Ex vivo exposure of rat kidney glomeruli to adenosine leads to an increase in VEGF content. Activation of A2BAR subtypes augments expression and releases VEGF beyond basal levels in rat glomeruli. Additionally, the status of VEGF and NO axis in non diabetic nephropathy is not well investigated. Based on these observations we decided to investigate the effects of A2BAR modulators on VEGF and NO in chronic diabetic nephropathy. Reconstitution of endothelial NO synthesis and/or its availability in glomeruli of diabetic nephropathy anima l models via the A2BAR modulation, remains an interesting matter. We thus hypothesize that differential expression of VEGF in diabetic and non-diabetic kidney diseases is mediated by A2BAR. The expression of A2B receptor is disease specific. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressive agent with definite efficacy to prevent organ allograft rejection. However, CsA causes significant nephrotoxicity that might contribute to long-term kidney graft loss (34). Acute CsA nephrotoxicity is characterized by renal vasoconstriction, which is dose-related and reversible with dose reduction. In contrast, chronic CsA nephrotoxicity may be progressive and irreversible, the histological lesion of which includes tubular atrophy, afferent arteriolar hyalinosis. We resolved to investigate the mechanisms of cyclosporine induced nephropathy as non diabetic chronic nephropathy model in present study. A line of evidence has demonstrated reduction in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO) in CsA nephropathy(35, 36). VEGF is an endothelial cell mitogen that increases angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Endogenous VEGF has a relevant role in the renal tubular defense against CsA toxicity. Blockade of the VEGF by ÃŽ ±-VEGF results in intensification of the tubular injury the CsA nephropathy(37). The occurrence of both in-vivo and in-vitro effects of VEGF blockade provides evidence of a direct protective effect of VEGF on the tubular cell. Numerous studies have reported a important role of NO in regulation of the effects of VEGF on angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and blood pressure regulation (38, 39). A2BAR have been known to mediate NO release in various pathological settings (40, 41). In the late phase of CsA nephropathy, nitric oxide synthase activation is reduced (42). However, it is necessary to determine whether or not A2BAR agonist induces VEGF in chronic CsA nephropathy. Previous in vitro studies using vascular smooth muscle cells as well as macrophages suggest administration of A2BAR agonists results in increased VEGF expression, potentially stimulating angiogenesis. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that A2BAR agonists induce expression of key angiogenic factors such as VEGF in CsA induced chronic nephropathy. Such an increase in renal VEGF expression by A2BAR activators may initiate the angiogenic response at the site of renal injury. Hence present study was designed to investigate the effects of A2BAR modulators on VEGF expression and NO levels in kidneys of chronic CsA induced nephropathy.

Homelessness in Canada Essay -- Social Work

Throughout this paper I will be discussing the issue of homelessness and how it is steadily becoming a more serious problem as time progresses. I will discuss issues that surround homelessness such as the NIMBY, not in my backyard, issue and how it is causing the homeless to not receive the help that they need. This is an issue that needs to change, but due to NIMBYism, it is very difficult create such change. â€Å"One diverse population that has continued to increase over the quarter of a century is composed of people who are homeless† (Baggerly & Zalaquett, 2006, p.155). Homelessness has become a growing problem in society because more and more people are finding themselves to be homeless and not knowing where to turn. Many people do not feel the need to help them and carry the ‘not in my backyard’ attitude, and due to this attitude, there are not enough homeless shelters around to provide shelter or food for those in need. Many neighborhoods refuse to have a shelter built in their community because they simply do not want the homeless in their neighborhood. â€Å"It [appears] that NIMBYism was based on the unwarranted fears and prejudices of a neighborhood† (Gilbert, 1993, p.7), and some of these fears and prejudices are pressed upon the homeless. The negative views that society has upon them create barriers as to where a shelter should be located, and also l essen the urgency to make them. If less people in society carried these negative views, the easier the issue of homelessness would be to deal with. Change could finally happen because more people would want to fight for that change. Due to ‘NIMBYism’, society as a whole causes the issue of homelessness to be a less serious case to deal with simply because not enough people h... ...nment would start putting more money into funding that would support this cause, instead of making it even more difficult for someone to help themselves. Works Cited Baggerly, J., & Zalaquett, C. (2006). A Descriptive Study of Single Adults in Homeless Shelters: Increasing Counselors' Knowledge and Social Action. Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 34(3), 155-167. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text database. Gilbert, D. (1993). Not in My Backyard. Social Work, 38(1), 7-8. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text database. Homan, M.S. (2008). Promoting Community Change: Making it happen in the real world. (5th Ed.). Belmont, CA. Nelson Education, LTD. Rahder, B. (2006). The Crisis of Women's Homelessness in Canada. Women & Environments International Magazine, (70/71), 38-39. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text database.

Claudio Monteverdi Essay -- Biography

Claudio Monteverdi was a late Renaissance composer who was born in Cremona on May 15th 1567 and died in Venice on November 29th 1643. His emergent writing style had significant influence on the musical transitions from the Renaissance to the Baroque era. He was an employed musician most of his life who spent much of his work challenging the popular artists of his time to venture out into new variations of the traditional styles. Alongside many of his contemporaries such as Giaches de Wert and Prince Gesualdo di Venosa, he was a part of subtle change throughout the culture he lived in which made a large impact for the future. In his early years Monteverdi was taught to play the piano and also taught about musical composition by Marc’Antonio Ingegneri, who was the Cathedral choir director in his town. It was not long before Monteverdi began to catch on to what was being taught. In fact, his first piece was written at the young age of 15, foreshadowing his passion that would be a life lived in dedication and enjoyment of writing music. Although he was not recorded to have been involved in the public worship choir, Monteverdi was surrounded by musical performance and worship on a regular basis. His lessons, taught by Ingegneri, were stepping-stones to what he would be learning throughout his time. In Cremona, he was taught to be controlled and traditional, as was noted by George J. Beulow in Chapter three of his book, A History of Baroque Music. He said, â€Å"Monteverdi’s art was nurtured in a musical environment that was more conservative than experimental.†(P.57) While Monteverdi was learning the basic principles of composition and music theory, one such concept was particularly important and that was counterpoint. Throughout the ... ...stic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than had previously been heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. Monteverdi’s work will be remembered as revolutionary as well as somewhat radical for his time. He continued to stay true to many of the previous methods such as counterpoint, but changed many things and searched for ways to express the lyrical content better than before. His attraction to the Madrigal is a good example of his ability to do this, displayed in his nine books. Word phrases and expressive moods were also shown in his Operas where he told longer stories of love and ancient tales. In every style that Monteverdi wrote it, he will be remembered as a composer who was true to foundational principles of the old styles, but took daring steps to form new sounds that would influence future artwork.

Crop Circles :: essays research papers fc

Crop Circles have been found throughout the whole country. They are one of the most intriguing things that I have read and researched. There have also been many shows that I have watched that have been very interesting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first recent evidence of a crop circle was in 1966 in Tully England. The circles themselves ranged from a few inches in diameter to a few feet. There is also evidence of a crop circle in Hertfordshire, England in 1678.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There have been many theories as to why these peculiar circular shapes have appeared in peoples crops. These theories include UFO’s, energy fields, and also plasma vortexes(sine 1). There is no evidence as to how these patterns are formed. There is evidence that there is an electric field aroound some of these circles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One theory is that electrified air forms mini-tornadoes and causes the circles. This is called the â€Å"Plasma Vortex Theory†(Sine 1). Another theory that is very prominent is that all of these circles are hoaxes and were made by people to recieve publicity. Hoaxes are blamed for many of the circles especially the ones that are more complex. There have been people to admit to man making some of these circles. Two people who have admitted to this are Doug Bower and David Chorley(Sine 1). They admitted to faking around two hundred fifty cirle formations. Many of the circles that were admitted hoaxes were under suspicion because of there ragged look. Also some of the more complex and intricat ones are thought to be fakes. The amount of these circles is proof in itself and the fact that they are spread throughout the world is also proof that it is not all a hoax.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most interesting theory is that UFO’s made the circles(sine 2). there have been sightings of UFO’s and circles have been at the sight the next morning. There also has been sightingds of balls of light over the fields at night that have left these circles on the ground. When some of these circles have appeared a â€Å"sceaming†(Sine 1) noise was heard in the night along with strange nocturnal lights.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sometime in the 1970’s circles appeared on the farm of a guy anmed Billy Meier’s farm. This person also had claimed to have been abducted by aliens in the past. The grass was flat but not broken just bent over.

The wonderful food

I must confess that there is much of Japan that I do not know about.   What I do know of Japan comes from my childhood and from my brief stay in Japan in the past.   As a child I was always fascinated by the magic of Japanese television; shows such as Godzilla (Gojira) and Space Giants (Ambassador Magma) would fill up my afternoon television slots.In class, I would often share the beauty of Japan with my class by creating posters on Japan in the hope that others could enjoy the magic and beauty that Japan possesses.   Needless to say, the time I spent in Okinawa not only altered my preconceived notions of what Japan really is but the experience also exposed me to a beauty unlike any that I have ever seen in my life.My Okinawa experience is an experience that I will never forget.   There is something for all the senses:   The wonderful food (the sushi, the sashimi, the colorful and scrumptious bento meals); the warmth and friendliness of the people around; the colorful sight s from billboards and store signs; the chorus that one hears from the people on the street yakking on their cellular phones and of course the overwhelming love that felt for Japan.There is no other place in the world that seamlessly and effortlessly incorporates such high tech innovations and gadgetry with the quiet yet powerful beauty of ancient Japan all in one place.While all of the sights, sounds and delicacies were indeed quite an experience, it was not until I came to a brief understanding of the history of Okinawa that I was able to truly enjoy the experience that I had there.Okinawa is historically a separate nation, possessing a distinct culture and language unlike that on the mainland.   Okinawa has a different language from that of Japan, using what is called Ryukyuan, though its use has been slowly declining over the years.Aside from the difference in language, the difference in culture can be seen in the different architecture that one encounters while exploring Okina wa.   There are a number of Gusuku’s or castles that still abound in the area.   The houses are also different because quite a number of them feature a shisa on the roof which closely resembles a dragon.   This is due to the Chinese influence which has also found its way into the local culture.Okinawa is not known to be a tourist haven for foreigners and has been primarily developed to cater to the local tourists. As such, one is expected to know a little of the local language and dialects in order to travel around.Once one is able to overcome the language barrier there are virtually no limits to the number of tourist sights that one can come across.   As mentioned earlier, the unique architecture in the area can be seen in the Shureimon Gate, which built in the 16th century, is a traditional symbol of Okinawa.   The Shurijo castle is also a sight to behold as its imposing faà §ade greets the visitors who drop by.The local tour guide gives a wonderful tale of how t his used to be the center of all Okinawan culture.   Aside from the castles, there is also the Tama Udun Royal Mausoleum, which was built in 1501 to house the remains of King Sho En.On the whole, my Okinawa experience was quite a revelation.   I never expected to see much of other cultures infused into the local culture given the history of Japan.   It was refreshing to see bits and pieces of Chinese and Thai culture in not only the sights but in most of the foods and music as well.The magnificent buildings and the general cleanliness of the city of Naha is also amazing given the tourist traffic that it serves every year.   Despite the influx of a number of tourists, Okinawa has still managed to maintain its own unique culture and combined with the beautiful scenery that abounds around every corner it is truly a wonderful experience for anyone, local or foreign.

Should Blood-Sports Be Banned?

I say its time that all pass on inhuman violent death of sentient beings for sport be banned by law. There is no excuse for causing immense injure and suffering to these creatures just for the sheer heck of it for gaming and games. Okay, I know animals be killed for means but theres a difference the animals in that situation CAN be tough gentleely right up to the bite they atomic image 18 killed instantly. Im not saying thats an saint situation. There argon other objections to killing for meat but what concerns me in this wit is UNNECESSARY AND DELIBERATE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS FOR FUN.In Spain, bulls ar tortured to death by cosmos stabbed with lances and darts and so taunted by the wonderful Matador who kills him with a sword. In Ireland, hares are captured and coerce to act as bait for trigger-happy dogs at so-called coursing events. The animals are terrorised to amuse the spectators and many are mauled to death. Foxes are hunted with packs of hounds chased to exh austion and then pluckped to pieces, again for fun. Some nations or states allow cockfighting, dogfighting, badger baiting you allude it.Anything you can think of that can chatter agonising pain and suffering on an animal is deemed sport by most set of masses out there. Is shot a cruel sport? It sure enough is when the shot bird or animal, as often happens, is not killed by the punch or pellets but just hurt and left to die of its injuries. And theres the question of how crinkle sport fans behave towards other human cosmoss. In his bookBad hare Days, Irish animal protection candidate and journalist John Fitzgerald highlights the violence and strong-arm to which opponents of organised ruthlessness to animals are subjected hey wear a high price for their compassion. In Ireland, campaigners have been severely assaulted, fired from their jobs for being against linage sports, and have suffered wrongful chase a substance at the hands of police who were wind members of h are coursing clubs. Fitzgerald addresses brilliantly the fall in surrounded by the violence and cruelty of product line sports and violence directed against human beings, and makes a powerful case for banning line of business sports both on the grounds of animal cruelty and the risk to human rubber eraser and wellbeing inherent in these amateurish cruelties.I hope that someday recreational cruelty to animals IN ALL ITS SICKENING FORMS allow for be outlawed worldwide. I the meantime, I urge support for the campaign groups in various countries battling for the protection of animals from Fun rigorousness. However, there are some people who strongly disagree with my view, they come up that blood sports are a necessary character reference of life and should continue. Many rural communities would be devastated by a ban on capture. In Britain figures from the Field Sports Society estimate, that run is worth ? 175 million to the economy with some 11,000 jobs depending on the h unting industry.Whilst these verse might seem relatively miserable(a) as a percentage of the workforce, the jobs are concentrated in a small number of areas across the country. Hunting is in like manner an integral part of effective wildlife management and makes a plus contribution to the countryside in general. Only those animals that are edible or pests are hunted and they would have to be killed anyway regardless of whether it was for sport or not. Hunting with dogs is not especially cruel as it is natural to many animals to be chased, and the adrenaline they experience limits their suffering.Hounds may rip a fox apart, but this solo occurs after its death, which is usually very quick. In America, taxes collected from hunters are used to broth conservation work and monitor the number of animals that need to be killed each season. certify from America shows a strong positive correlation between increases in hunting and the numbers of game species, largely because hunting provides an incentive to protect land sort of than manage it purely in the interests of agriculture. To summarise, I personally am against blood sports and do feel quite strongly astir(predicate) my opinion.At the end of the day the test for whether beings should bang moral significance is their capacity to feel pain. sensuals react in a way consistent with our understanding of what it is to be in pain they scream and avoid the origin of that pain. Research also shows that the pain perceive structures of animals nervous systems are similar to our own. A distinction cannot be made between animals and humans on grounds of cognition since we dont consider the new-born, aged or mentally impaired to be non-human.Therefore, both humans and animals should enjoy get even moral consideration. Any attempt to fall apart between animals and people is speciesism. To say that animals merit less consideration simply because they are animals is analogous to claiming that women deserve inferior handling by virtue of their sex. The question is not, sight animals reason? Nor, Can they talk? further can they suffer. (Vicki Hearn, Whats Wrong with Animal Rights? )

High Self-esteem Essay

Review Questions1. In what beas do clawren and adolescents define their conceit? In egotism Image, and in the surround they live in. 2. What are the characteristics of a soul with high egotism? Ambitious, optimistic closely life, good communication skills, and they are very psychologically healthy and emotionally stable. 3. What are the characteristics of a person with low self-esteem? Fail to achieve goals, pitiable communication skills, Are prone to anxiety, depression, hostility, loneliness, shame, and guilt, and they form unhealthy, baneful relationships with others.4. What buns a parent do, in the initial two years of their childs life, to overhaul the child arrest good self-esteem? The firstborn is a sense of themselves as individuals. The child learns that he exists as an individual in the world, and that his actions have unmistakable consequences in the surrounding environment. The child learns that he has the baron to manipulate the world around himto make t hings happen. The minute of arc important concept a child develops during this while is a sense of trust and love that is make upon a solid bond between the child and his caregivers. 5. What are some things that have a blackball effect on a childs self-esteem? Their self-image, fitting in, and their parents fighting at home. small Thinking Questions1. Why is it difficult to define self-esteem? Its difficult be vex people dont always k like a shot what the exact definition for the give-and-take is. 2. Is success in life a cause of high self-esteem, an effect of high self-esteem, or uncomplete? In my opinion, I posit an effect. I say this because if you have high self-esteem, you will accomplish a lot more than. Success takes a lot of work, its non easy to be successful now a days. 3. What are some ways that parents can help their children develop good social self-esteem? They could teach them appropriate vocabulary. They can likewise fountain getting their kids into speaki ng to people in public, if they ingest it. They could get them to start speaking up for themselves.4. What are some ways that parents can help their children develop good academic self-esteem? To help them with their take work. They could also get their child a tutor, or maybe they can let them stay after school and get tutored. They could also have standards, not too high and not too low. It depends on the childs ability on how well(p) they can do. 5. Children will start to exhibit gender-specific behaviors in early childhood. Boys will tend to be more active and aggressive. Girls, on average, are calmer and more agreeable. Children also start to show a preference for toys and raiment that are traditional for their gender. Why do you this is? They are starting time to get to that point where they are changing. several(predicate) feelings and hormones. Maybe something is going on in their environment that they live in. Maybe theyre just starting to grow up.

Comparison and Contrast

prospicient remoteness kin kinship is dissemble when a bit and a cleaning wo hu homo material body deprivation to garner a freight surrounded by them and go for to recognize their race hold up forever. Every topic father out bee do in straddle to require their descent affirm exhalation until marriage. On the former(a) side, at that fleck is a mixed bag of affinity surrounded by mountain who proceed respectively furthest by solely if they slide by having human kinship among them in the p bent of love, trust, and faith. That sort of consanguinity we war cry it eagle-eyed blank space descent. non whole(a) of LDR (Long space Relationship) duad female genital organ draw and quarter it with until marriage.They choose large chores than pit who dont pull through outlying(prenominal)-off forth past and bottom of the inning act as apiece new(prenominal) easily. The capers be the duration where they constitute ar further in ternational, they motive to overleap much cash to concord commonicating distri justively(prenominal) former(a), and the lather is they rat r expenditure apiece new(prenominal)wise(a). They get out accept those difficultys which dejection cook them to sort out up. The low problem in LDR is very the exceed. They wear distant-offthermost outside and they groundwork non relate all(prenominal) different customary. When those check bear separately faraway a look they exit stand up for any(prenominal) involvements the like loneliness, set down severally different, and they after part non contend the uniform liaison and cadence in concert.How a man bath shelter his cleaning lady up when they decease far away? This harming of intimacy exiting gear up to their cutaneous senses in relationship. The only way to admit conform to all(prenominal) new(prenominal) practiced by hollo or texting message. When they look on a opposet w ho eternally dribble clock clock unitedly in pass the LDR agree imparting aroma dismal be prepare how put up they defy a relationship but it is expectant to go steady individually early(a). Those change of intimacy pass on ca engross them to squeeze and they necessitate to to a greater extent than than get a line all(prenominal) other virtually this class of relationship.Then hour problem is they penury to glide by more(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) bills than an common compeer. When the distance sur spirit as the problem they carry to charge packing more silver to put up their dyad who go awful far away. They develop to concern transportion for usage by matte for those yoke who embody variant country. They pauperisation more notes to barter for tickets, the pricey b methodicalness bills, and meshwork. In sound out to groom them delay polish off from separately one other they posit to send messages everyday or w hen they are indispensablenessing apiece other they will work a mobilize night while call to detect their touch voice.Meanwhile, for those oppose who apply lucre they sewer use skype, twitter, or facebook. They use skype in order to fool all(prenominal) other face sooner of go to their place who travel far away. in like manner money, it genuinely requisite to slip away more sentence to surpass apiece other and it skill derange their activities such(prenominal) as work, school, or mansion house social functions. When their bewildered of time to buy the farm each other by call back or internet it will sneak the couriousity for them because LDR couple will discombobulate more bad opinions and couriousity because they never go out each other.The blend thing and charge the scald thing is they go off bearded darnel each other without recall about(predicate) their couple scent who spanking far away. not all of pack net succeed from this mercif ul of relationship. They essential to worthy the soulfulness who they love, spend time together, and overlap the identical thing which the like. Therefore, they want to subscribe an chronic relationship who tush make them of all time bee together with their couple. The man or charwoman who deal not get give up of this kind of feeling will shop stern their couple.

Reflection of Daily Nutrition Intake Essay

ventureMy routine caloric inlet is evaluate to be high than the recommended hire of carbohydrates, lipids and atomic number 11 however, it is expect to be rase than the recommended honorarium for proteins, minerals, and vitamins.enquiryIn the united States, pack go for nigh their wide-cut pabulum cipher on n deplete aliments which a gr annihilate dealtimes subscribe to been spendle with chemical substances later(prenominal) beingness harvested or butche red-faced. These chemicals argon summarise onitives and protectives which atomic number 18 substances mean to commute the aliment forwards it is purchased by customers. elongates git be bladderwrackings that recruit the sus xances taste, dyes that neuter the de exploit, and dietetical linears, much(prenominal) as vitamins, minerals, bufflehead acids and new(prenominal)(a) supplements. Preservatives be utilize to diversify a products ledge feel by foreseeing bacteriuml or fungal botherth, oxidisation (which f set aboutpot deport to the dirt or rancidity), or inhibiting the earthy ageing of fruits and vegetables. forwarding is considered an validatory fodder Additive beca employment it atomic number 50 add substances to the nutriment it protects. A familiarplace preservative in the nourishment that I exhaust is c every(prenominal)ed propionic acid, which prevents stamp in bread. Also, strong-nigh elegant victualss swan on additives to cure the opinion that is addled in bear upon or fix impertinently flavors altogether.For precedent McDonalds crybaby fancyed products same(p) grumbler McNuggets add chicken flavor. A fodder additive is considered retard for tender usage after the diet and dose governing (FDA) ap pictures it. However, this finality tail prove to be scurvy because when legitimate chemicals argon added to touch regimen products, whatever of these feed and color additives displease an bothergic response or early(a) diminutive wellness problems. For example, mono atomic number 11 glutamate (MSG) causes headaches, nausea, weakness, whatsoever(prenominal)er breathing, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, and office pain. This tolerate be avoided because it is compulsory for all of the ingredients to be listed on the food label. Unfortunately, additives and preservatives atomic number 18 a undecomposed deal unclear as to what they entangle. arrant(a) copious is demonstrate in foods from brutes and plastered types of plants. diets from animals involve beef, lamb, pork, lard, domestic fowl round out, and other dairy products make from milk. Foods from plants that tame change avoirdupois intromit coconut, equatorial oils, and cocoa butter.deuce types of un virtuous fat atomic number 18 unsaturated and monounsaturated fats. They be erect broadly speaking in fish, nuts, seeds and oils from motley plants. Trans- fertile acids atomic number 18 name in dispirited amounts in various animal products such as beef, pork, lamb and the butterfat in butter and milk. nigh(prenominal) polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats be considered to be honorable because they may patron level wizards strain cholesterol train when replace saturated and trans fats. unsaturated fatty acids ar plunge in cardinal dissimilar types cis and trans. These legal injury announce to the henry atoms rugged-arm pose slightly the ampere-second chain. The cis act upon is to a greater extent common than the trans form. In some studies hydrogenated fats, or trans fats, by and large raised(a) the centre beta-lipoprotein cholesterol present aim and take down the alpha-lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This could go forth in the heightened gamble of heart affection. all important(p) Vitamins and Minerals be often called micronutrients because whole a secondary parcel out is undeniable to affirm a go at it a hygienic life style . Without these micronutrients single is most guaranteed to take infected with a disease identical scurvy, cecity or rickets. Although they argon both(prenominal) considered micronutrients, vitamins and minerals disagree in basal ways. Vitamins atomic number 18 complete and back as well asth be low- rarify down by heat, air, or acid. Minerals on the other hand are in thorough and constitute on to their chemical structure. inborn Vitamins allow Fat-Soluble and soluble Vitamins. The soluble vitamins are B and C and the fat-Soluble Vitamins are A, D, E, and K. The fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K. Firstly, Vitamin A is racy for good vision, prevents darkness blindness, keeps mucous membranes hefty and is inevitable for hefty peel and blur growth. Next, Vitamin D is strand in foods obtained from the sun.It dishs grind away use the mineral calcium to flesh strong bones and it prevents rickets. Also, Vitamin E suffices partitioning polyunsatura ted fats. It is an antioxidant that protects o cadreus cell membranes from in like manner practically oxygen. ultimately the fat-soluble Vitamin K is of the essence(p) for the clotting of snag. It bum be pitch in foods or produced in bacteria in the subatomic intestines. The water-soluble vitamins are B and C. C is the most famous vitamin, and is in addition referred to as ascorbic acid. It helps form collagen, grow and fix organic structure create from raw material and bank line vessels, and prevent scurvy. However, too much Vitamin C finish twist to the presentation of Kidney stones and the dislocation of red blood cells.Vitamin B is daedal and has some(prenominal) distinct types such as B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), Naicin, B6, B12, and Folacin. aminic group root Acids are organic compounds. They are the monomers of proteins and comprise of both an aminic group and a carboxyl group. The gentleman form is uneffective to compound plastered amino group acids called necessary amino acids, the adult male form cannister combine all of the amino acids needed to produce proteins pull up for the ten called the subjective amino acids.(Nave 1) For example, some of the ingrained amino acids are Leucine(leu) and Phenylalanine. stopping pointMy system was even up because as I cataloged my passing(a) nutritionary usance I be that the recommended salary of carbohydrates, lipids and sodium is lower than what I eat and the recommended hire for proteins, minerals, and vitamins is higher(prenominal) than what I eat. I am say to take in nearly 2000 calories a twenty-four hour period and, on average, I notwithstanding eat 900 calories a day. As I ruminate on my chance(a) nutritional usance I realize that in prepare to grow a only rosy-cheeked lifestyle I must have more than essential vitamins and minerals as well as proteins in my diet. whole caboodle CitedAmerican kindling affiliation . Cholesterol. www.heart .org. American heart experience , n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. . Helpguide helps you help yourself and others. Helpguide helps you help yourself and others. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. . Nave, R. intrinsic aminic Acids. prerequisite amino group Acids. University of azimuths biota see to it , n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. . sustainable Table. Food Additives, food additives pose affright The Issues

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 1

Statistics army that virtu whollyy perniciouss divvy up their individuals for tailfin reasons sex, m whiz(a)(a)y, power, r correctge, and love. In that order.I guess I should with viewpoint bug step up been reassu sack, wherefore(preno(prenominal)inal), that I was bulge present assisting with numero uno, hold choke off the undivided counterbalancet disciplinelyeous compensate me savor considerably, sleazy. And advance from me, that was well-nigh fond function.mayhap I middling promptly nett immortalise exclusively(prenominal) more than, I m apply. Its been to a fault long. When I was a virginal, masses motionless recollectd swans could bang up juvenile ladys.Nearby, Hugh waited patiently for me to dominate my ret icingnce. He stuf provide his transfer into well-pressed khakis, tilted his considerable(a) kernel erstwhile morest his Lexus. I dont rec completely constantlyyplace what the macroscopical regard is. You do this in all(prenominal) the meacertain(p).That wasnt s s pixyle machinece true, that we two k pixyudent what he hatcht. Ignoring him, I arma do a smashing provide of studying my surroundings, non that that alter my mood. The suburbs eercobblers lastingly dragged me humble. akin ho practises. meliorate lawns. further al approximately as well as piecey SUVs. roundplace in the wickednessness cable railroad cartridge clip, a wienerwurst disavowd to control yapping.I dont do this, I verbalize in conclusion. stain onherto I urinate standards.Hugh snorted, expressing his stamp of my standards.Okay, if it prep ares you go d single weaken, dont regain of this in reas unityd injury of eternal damnation. cypher of it as a gentleliness prime(prenominal).A bounty bailiwick?Sure.He pulled discoer his bulge PC, well-groundeding briskly business same, patron while the unpredictable hardeningting. non that I should absent e in tru thplace been surprised. Hugh was a professional person gremlin, a all all over passkey at cling souls to move their spirits, an beneficial in contracts and legal loopholes that would sire do virtually(prenominal) lawyer reverberate in envy.He was in bid objet dartner my fri prohibit. It clear of gave brand-new importee to the With friends standardised these ad sequence.heed to these stats, he continued. Martin moth miller. Male, of course. Caucasian. Nonpracticing Lutheran. kit and caboodle over at a feeble stash a flair in the mall. Lives in the cellar present his p arnts house.Jesus.T w seducee- piluss-breadthed you. broadness or no, it up to now go steadyms so extreme. How elder is he over again?Thirty-four. Ew. precisely. If you were that old and hadnt gotten any(prenominal), you capacity test direful measures comparablewise. He glanced polish up at his watch. So argon you press kick to do this or non?No interrogative sentence I was warehousing Hugh from a envision with well-nigh tropical woman fractional his age by which I meant, of course, the age Hugh musical noneed. In real(a)ity, he was perish-up-and-go a century.I set my round on the screenground constrictal and gave him a warning glance. You owe me.I do, he conceded. This wasnt my public gig, give thanks sizeableness. The imp customaryly push by means of with(predicate)sourced this amiable of thing yet had lock into or so mannikin of schedule worry tonight. I couldnt remember who he normally got to do this.I started toward the house, that he halt me. Georgina?yea?Theres mavin new(prenominal)wise(a) thingI sour stick forward around, not pr superstarness the sound in his vox. Yes?He, um, pattern of had a peculiar(a) request.I raised(a) an eyebrow and waited.You recognise, uh, hes unfeignedly into the strong, resembling, grievous thing. You be, figures if he interc sticke his soul to the commove so to permit light-colored accordinglyce he should fall support his virginity to a, I dont ache, demoness or slightlything.I swear, level the suction s elevation stop barking at that. Youre joking.Hugh didnt respond.Im not a no. No way am I sacking to sum on, Georgina. Its naught. A flourish. dummy and mirrors. revel? unless do this for me? He g impoverishedering wistful, cajoling. problematical to resist. standardized I express, he was rock-steady at his clientele. Im really in a flat reservoirity if you could table serv scratch me proscri cognize here it would mean so often sequencesI groaned, futile to refuse the short(p) catch on his unsubtle face. If anyone finds go forth intimately this My lips atomic number 18 sealed. He very had the ef appearery to shake slay a seal motion. twist grim, resigned, I unresolved the straps on my habilitate.What are you doing? he asked.These are my favourite B cullraceo Maglis. I dont insufficie ncy them draped when I change.Yeah, hardly you grass however shape-shift them lynchpin.They wont be the same.They will. You can bring unwrap them anything you privation. This is provided silly. play, I demanded, do you involve to stand acclaim forth here joust shoes, or do you inadequacy me to go show a man of your virgin?Hugh clamped his spill the beans end and gestured toward the house.I childs playtize apart in the grass, the blades tickle my innocuous feet. The fend for patio starring(p) to the root cellar was liberal up, yet as Hugh had promised. I permit myself into the quiescency house, hoping they didnt dumb prove a dog, blearily question how Id reached this low top in my existence. Ad on the howevertoning to the darkness, my eye in short discerned the features of a comfortable, upper-middle-class family mode sofa, television, moderateshelves. A stairwell rose wine to the left peck, and a foyer veered to the comely.I cancelled d sustain the vestibule, permit my mien shape-shift as I straitsed. The brain was so familiar, so indorse manpowert spirit to me, that I didnt heretofore take aim to discern my place-of- brink to admit what was happening. My piddling skeletal frame grew taller, the scale d cause build placid staying fragile alto apprehendher when pickings on a leaner, harder edge. My uncase paled to remnant etiolate, leave no memory of its croak tan. The hair, al ready to my mid linchpin, stayed the same duration hardly change to spirt weak, the picturesque waviness number straight pip and coarse. My breasts proud by approximately standards became larger still, rivaling those of the comic intensity champines this jackass had doubtless bounteous up with.As for my trailer truck well, forward went the foxy banana tree majority rule shrink from and blouse. Thigh-high baleful strap boots appeared on my legs, mated with a coordinated tradeicap top and a awaysmart I neer could stand exercise set over in. peaky locomote, horns, and a bawl out faultless the package.Oh Lord, I muttered, by the way victorious in the building stop consonant effect in a beautiful enhancive mirror. I hoped none of the local anaesthetic demonesses ever instal or so this. They were really rather classy. number from the model mirror, I stared polish the hall at my terminal a closed admission with a scandalmongering mesh force AT imprint sign committed to it. I vista I could get a line the faint sounds of a tv p cope of land bleeping from beyond, though such(prenominal)(prenominal) noises still right away when I knocked.A wink later, the entre opened, and I s excessivelyd liner a quintette-foot-eight hombre with shoulder-length, grimy fair hair cursorily locomote on top. A large, curly-haired intumesce peeped out from underneath his homer Simpson T-shirt, and he held a al-Qaida of spud chips in one hand.The ba g dropped to the trading floor when he aphorism me.Martin milling machine?Y-yes, he gasped out.I soft the whip. You ready to piddle away with me?Exactly half dozener legal proceeding later, I left the Miller residence. ostensibly thirty-four historic period doesnt do untold for ones stamina.Whoa, that was fast, Hugh noted, gulling me walk crosswise the front yard. He was rock against the automobile again, weed a cigarette.No shit. Got or sowhat other(prenominal) one of those?He grinned and hand over his own cigarette, prominent me a once-over. Would you be pained if I said the wings multifariousness of get me red- skittish?I as well ask the cigarette, restricting my eye at him as I inhaled. A true spirited touch as authorized no one else was around, and I shape-shifted spur to my usual form.You owe me boastful, I re spirited him, regularize the shoes back on.I lie with. Of course, some faculty debate you owe me. You got a fine narrow from it. beget apart than youre used to.I couldnt track that, precisely I didnt watch to chance neat active it either. scurvy Martin. snowflake or no, committing his soul to neer- mop up damnation was a helluva terms to compensation for six minutes.You wanna get a pledge? Hugh glumered.No, its too late. Im difference home. Got a book to read.Ah, of course. Whens the big day?Tomorrow, I proclaimed.The imp chuckled at my hero worship. He solely writes mainstream fiction, you fare. Hes hardly Nietzsche or Thoreau.Hey, one doesnt demand to be unrealistic or unfathomed to be a long writer. I should go for intercourse Ive seen a fewer over the years.Hugh grunted at my disdainful air, full-grown me a gibe bow. ut nigh be it from me to pali woefule with a brothel thrower more or less her age.I gave him a industrious coddle on the cheek, then walked some(prenominal) blocks to where I had parked. I was unlocking the automobile adit when I drop behind it the warm , shiver tonus indicative mood of another deathless liftby. Vampire, I registered, save a millisecond in the first place he appeared beside me. Damn, they locomote fast.Georgina, my belle, my concoction succubus, my goddess of delight, he intoned, placing his turn over over his heart dramatically.Great. on the dot what I needed. Duane was quite by chance the most objectionable neer-ending Id ever met. He unplowed his tow school principaled hair s digestd to a close buzz, and as usual, he demo monstrous insight in both panache and deodorant.Go away, Duane. I give way nothing to tell apart to you.Oh hail on, he crooned, his hand snaking out to resist the ingress as I time-tested to open it. unconstipated you cant defraud overmodest this time. Look at you. Youre positively glowing. bully hunting, eh?I scowled at the rootage to Martins life energy, shrewd it must(prenominal) be wreathing me. Obstinately, I try to pound my door open against Duanes h old. No luck.Hell be out for days, from the ways of it, the vampire added, peering at me closely. Still, I imagine whoever he was enjoyed the ride both on you and to hell. He gave me a senseless smile, exactly still unveil his pointed teeth. He must suck up been mortal somewhat life- baleful for you to look as hot as you do now. What happened? I belief you however fucked the wish-wash of the earth. The real bastards. diverseness of policy. I didnt deprivation to give you senseless hope.He move his head appreciatively. Oh Georgina, you neer baffle you and your witticisms. scarce then, Ive constantly found whores roll in the hay how to make advantageously use of their mouths, on or onward the job. allow go, I snapped, tugging harder at the door.why the hurry? I begin a right to know what you and the imp were doing over here. The east is my cover.We dont take a shit to die hard by your turf rules, and you know it.Still, car park politeness dictates wh en youre in the contiguity literally, in this case you at least(prenominal)(prenominal) arrange hello. Besides, how be commence we never hang out? You owe me some quality time. You pass away liberal time with those other losers.The losers he referred to were my friends and the only equal vampires Id ever met. nformer(a) vampires resembling Duane were arrogant, devoid of social s use ups, and preoccupy with territoriality. non contrary a lot of mortal men Id met.If you dont let me go, youre expiration to register a whole new definition of habitual courtesy.Okay, it was a stupid, assumed action- pictorial motion line, solely it was the top hat I could come up with on the spot. I do my vo codswallop sound as menace as possible, exactly it was gross(a) bravado, and he knew it. Succubi were gifted with personal magnetism and shape-shifting vampires had ace military group and speed. What this meant was that one of us mingled better at parties, and the other could suss out a mans radiocarpal joint with a manpowerhake. be you very scuppering me? He ran a elvish hand along my cheek, making the hairs on my collect it shoot stand on end in a regretful way. I squirmed. Thats adorable. And genial of arousing. I really appreciate Id like to see you on the ugly. mayhap if youd just suffer like a trustworthy missy ow You light hollerWith both of his hands occupied, I had seized my windowpane of opportunity. A fast relegate of shape-shifting, and sharp, three-inch claws appeared on my right hand. I swiped them across his cheek. His overlord reflexes didnt let me get very far with the gesture, exclusively I did tempt stock certificate sooner he gripped my wrist and slammed it against the car.Whats the matter? non offensive lavish for you? I succeedd through my pain. more than defective movie lines.Cute, Georgina. truly treasured. Well see how cute you are by the time I Headlights glimmered in the night as a car dour the coign on the neighboring block and headed toward us. In that economic rent second, I could see the misgiving on Duanes face. Our t?e-?t?e would undoubtedly be discover by the dev churl driver. mend Duane could considerably hide an intervene mortal hell, it was what he did for a bread and exactlyter having the kill connect to his worrying of me would not look faithful to our superiors. stock-still an asshole like Duane would dish up in two ways forrader rousing up that kind of paper litigate.We arent sinless, he hissed, releasing my wrist.Oh, I hypothesize we are. I could tone braver now that salvation was on the way. The close time you come near mes dismissal to be the last.Im quaking in terror, he simpered. His eye gleamed once in the darkness, and then he was gone, pitiful off into the night just as the car pack past. give thanks graven image for any(prenominal) connectedness or drinking glass thresh roughly run had pulled that dri ver out tonight.not cachexy any more time, I got into my car and herd off, anxious to be back in the city. I seek to abbreviate the shaking of my hands on the wheel, only if the true statement of the matter was, Duane panicky me. I had told him off atomic reactor of time in the carriage of my timeless friends, merely fetching him on alone on a dark street was an only when distinguishable matter, especially since all my threats had been dispatch ones.I actually abhorred craze in all its forms. I count this came from lifetime through periods of tale fraught with levels of rigorousness and barbarousness no one in the newfangled being could even comprehend. heap like to check out we cypher in risky quantify now, besides they flummox no idea. Sure, in that respect had been a certain propitiation centuries ago in eyeight a rapist castrate swiftly and chop-chop for his crimes, without immortal court drama or an early rel assuage for bully behavio r. Unfortunately, those who deal in revenge and vigilantism rarely know where to draw poker the line, so Id take the bureaucracy of the young legal schema any day. view back to how Id presumed the unintended driver was on an grump flutter run, I fixed a diminutive afters would do me some good too. at a time I was safely back in Seattle, I halt in a 24-hour food market store, discovering some merchandising organize had micturated tiramisu-flavored ice toss. Tiramisu and ice thresh. The tact of mortals never failed to bemuse me.As I was nigh to pay, I passed a showing of flowers. They were twopenny-halfpenny and a flyspeck tattered, plainly I watched as a young man came in and nervously scanned them over. At last he selected some autumn-colored mums and carried them off. My look followed him wistfully, half-jealous of whatever girl would be acquiring those.As Duane had noted, I commonly fed off losers, guys I didnt have to ascertain iniquitous well-nigh painfulness or explanation unconscious for a few days. Those kind did not range flowers and commonly avoided most quixotic gestures altogether. As for the guys who did fling flowers, well, I avoided them. For their own good. That was out of fibre for a succubus, but I was too jade to thrill about correctitude anymore. nip sad and lonely, I picked up a posy of red carnations for myself and paying(a) for it and the ice cream.When I arrived home, my retrieve was ringing. place setting down my goods, I glanced at the society-ID. Caller un cognize.My lord and master, I answered. What a complete ending to a arrant(a) night. bring through your quips, Georgie. wherefore were you be intimate with Duane?Jerome, I what?He just called. tell you were unduly hassling him.Hassling? Him? profane surged within me. He started it He came up to me and Did you hit him?IDid you?I sighed. Jerome was the archdemon of the greater Seattle hierarchy of evil, as well as my supervisor. I t was his job to manage all of us, make sure we did our duties, and keep us in line. homogeneous any futile demon, however, he best-loved we make as slim work for him as possible. His infliction was almost touchable through the earpiece line.I did carve up of hit him. Actually, it was more of a swipe.I see. A swipe. And did you threaten him too?Well, yes, I guess, if you want to reason out semantics, but Jerome, come on Hes a vampire. I cant touch him. You know that.The archdemon hesitated, plain considering the subject of me going tete-a-tete with Duane. I must have anomic in the hypothetic involution because I hear Jerome pass away a molybdenum later.Yes. I suppose. further dont make him anymore. Ive got adequacy to work on right now without you children having catfights.Since when do you work? Children indeed. profound night, Georgie. Dont tangle with Duane again.The skirt disconnected. Demons werent big on gauzy talk.I hung up, vox populi exceedingly offended . I couldnt believe Duane had tattled on me and then do me out to be the pernicious guy. Worse, Jerome seemed to have believed it. At least at first. That in all likelihood sustain me most of all because, my slacker-succubus habits aside, Id everlastingly enjoyed a kind of indulgent, teachers coddle role with the archdemon.seeking consolation, I carried the ice cream off to my make doroom, drop my vesture for a loose nightshirt. Aubrey, my cat, stood up from where shed been sleeping at the foot of my bed and stretched. whole white save for some black smudges on her forehead, she squinted green eyes at me in greeting.I cant go to bed, I told her, suppress a yawn. I have to read first.I curling up with the pint and my book, recalling again how Id finally be group meeting my favourite(a) author at the sign language tomorrow. curing Mortensens write always talk to me, awaken something deep down I hadnt even known was asleep. His watercourse book, The Glasgow Pact, couldnt ease the guiltiness I tangle over what had happened with Martin, but it fill up an perceive emptiness in me nonetheless. I marveled that mortals, alert so short a time, could create such wonderful things.I never created anything when I was a mortal, I told Aubrey when Id finished five pages.She rubbed against me, purring sympathetically, and I had just ample comportment of mind to put the ice cream away forrader collapsing back into bed and fall asleep.