PH Indicators Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PH Indicators - Lab Report Example Maintaining the pH is critical in any industrial processes employing enzymes. A few examples would be papain from the leaves and unripe fruit of the pawpaw (Carica papaya) has been used to tenderise meats. Amylase is used in starch hydrolysis. Now gluco-amylase functions at pH 4.5 whereas fungal amylase at pH 5.5. Lactose hydrolysis is carried out by lactase for Aspergillus niger and A.oryzae at pH optima (pH 4.5-6.0 and 3.0-4.0, respectively) .. 6.698970004 Useful range for the indicator: 8.69- 10.69 Indicator: Alizarin Yellow Test Tube Color After Adding the Indicator [OH-] pOH pH 1 red 0.05 12.69897 2 orange 0.005 11.69897 3 yellow 0.0005 10.69897 4 yellow 0.00005 9.698970004 5 yellow 0.000005 8.698970004 6 yellow 0.0000005 7.698970004 7 yellow 0.00000005 6.698970004 Useful range for the indicator: 10.69-12.69 Indicator: Red Cabbage extract Test Tube Color After Adding the Indicator [OH-] pOH pH 1 green-blue 0.05 12.69897 2 aqua blue 0.005 11.69897 3 aqua blue 0.0005 10.69897 4 sky blue 0.00005 9.698970004 5 Dark blue 0.000005 8.698970004 6 Violet 0.0000005 7.698970004 7 Pink 0.00000005 6.698970004 Useful range for the indicator: 6.69-8.89 Which indicator is the best to use for observing pH changes: near pH = 7 : Bromothymol Blue, Red Cabbage Extract near pH = 8 : Red Cabbage Extract near pH = 10 : Phenolphthalein near pH = 12 : Alizarin Yellow 1. Locate an industry, occupation, industrial process, etc., where pH is critical to success. Ans: Enzymes are biocatalysts which carry out biochemical reactions at rigid conditions of temperature and pH. Enzymes are used in multiple areas in Pharmaceutical, biotech and food industries where it is critical to maintain the pH of the process for optimal functioning of the enzymes. Maintaining the pH is critical in any industrial processes employing enzymes. A few examples would be papain from the leaves and unripe fruit of the pawpaw (Carica papaya) has been used to tenderise meats. Amylase is used in starch hydrolysis. Now gluco-amylase functions at pH 4.5 whereas fungal amylase at pH 5.5. Lactose hydrolysis is carried out by lactase for Aspergillus niger and A.oryzae at pH optima (pH 4.5-6.0 and 3.0-4.0, respectively) 2. Is

Storytelling in Achebe Essay Example for Free

Storytelling in Achebe Essay In Achebe’s novel â€Å"Anthills of the Savannah† storytelling is presented as a means to escape the effects of colonialism in Africa. He presents Storytelling in many different ways: through myth and folklore, Beatrice, Ikem and the Abazonian elder and it is clear to the reader that storytelling plays an important part in Kangan. Achebe also explores storytelling as a way to pass down historical values from generation to generation, as shown by Beatrice’s process of enlightenment at the sight of the bird. He also uses storytelling to weave traditional religious elements with that of modern society. Ikem is a clear storyteller, and the reader sees this even more as the book progresses, after he witnesses the Abazonian elder’s speech. Achebe’s purpose to have the â€Å"Hymn to the sun† written by Ikem is to set the semi-religious elements of Kangan/Nigeria, against modernity, which in, chapter 3 particularly, is shown through the combustion of traffic that Ikem faces. This shows the reader the struggle in Post-colonial African countries. Ikem writes â€Å"like anthills surviving to tell the new grass of the savannah about last year’s bush fire. † which can be a symbol or metaphor for the oppression of women in post-colonial Africa and gives the title a relevance as it shows that the corruption and political struggles in kangan is a cyclical process. The oppression of women is further explored in Ikem’s â€Å"love poem† which he reads to Beatrice to thank her for the gift of â€Å"insight†. Ikem’s love letter states that the oppression of women is a problem in post-colonial societies but it is not only a problem in Kangan as â€Å"there is no universal conglomerate of the oppressed† and this is important to understand. The reader is further enlightened on the chaos when Ikem says â€Å" Reform may sound like a dirty word but then it is beginning to look as if it is the most promising route to success,†. The supposing style of his saying created through the words â€Å"most promising†, and â€Å"may† show that there may not be a solution to the chaotic problems. It also signals a change in Ikem’s character, as the tone and style of his saying show that he has changed his mind about what could be the best solution (before he was a passionate revolutionist). This version of storytelling is what ultimately leads to his tragic death later in the novel because he voices these opinions in his radical editorials. Beatrice, on the other hand is also a storyteller but in a different way than Ikem. Through her version of storytelling, she proves that there is indeed hope for women to have a better future in a post-colonial society. She is described as a â€Å"priestess† as through her character, Achebe has fused the Kanganese woman and the woman from the â€Å"house of the unknown god. † One particular stage which plays an important part in her evolution into a â€Å"priestess† is through her experience with the bird. The bird is a symbol for the fact that the effects of colonialism are starting to be evident. This is because even the bird is given a colonial voice, through an English proverb taught to her by her mother: â€Å"Is the king’s property correct?† and this questions whether the political government in place after colonialism is right. This has allowed Beatrice to realise the struggle between the African and English culture. The reader sees her assuming the role of â€Å"Priestess† more frequently as the novel progresses as she connects to the culture of Africa. She learns the story of â€Å"Idemili† a goddess in the African myth and although she does not know the story, she herself grows into a wiser and more compassionate woman, emphasising her evolution into a â€Å"priestess†. In chapter 16, just before Chris’ departure to Abazon, he spends one last night with Beatrice, and in this particular chapter, she exerts a â€Å"jest of godessy† which Chris is attracted to. Her â€Å"jest† as a goddess gives a sense of religious ritual to their intimacy, and her role is further reinforced when they talk about the â€Å"bedbug’s excuse† as Beatrice is weaving traditional elements of African culture with that of post-colonial Africa, and through this Achebe is exploring storytelling as being everlasting. The notion that the â€Å"story is everlasting† is further explored through the Abazonian elder’s speech. He speaks at great length about the power of storytelling and tells the Abazon community a story of the â€Å"Tortoise and Leopard† which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle between Sam and Abazon. Here he is conveying that the people of Abazon need to have a voice in the political regime. He goes on to say â€Å"Because it is only the story that can continue beyond the war and the warrior .. . The story is our escort; without it, we are blind,† and this shows how through storytelling, a community can retain its history and tradition and how it can seek advice on how society can progress in the future. This is why storytelling is everlasting. Ikem however, contrasts this view in his lecture at the University of Bassa, and expresses through the same story of the â€Å"tortoise and the leopard† that the role of a writer is to ask questions and not suggest solutions to them. The idea that â€Å"Storytellers are a threat† is shown as the power of writing manifests into a threat for Ikem, who is later taken away in the middle of that night and is shot and killed, and thus, another view with which Achebe explores storytelling with. Overall, storytelling is a major technique which Achebe uses, emphasising the novel’s purpose, to question the political regime that is in place in post-colonial African society and this is why storytellers are perceived as a threat. As Ikem, Achebe’s alter-ego says, the role of the writer is not to propose solutions to problems in post-colonial Africa. However, the â€Å"story is everlasting† as it allows a community who is struggling to maintain it’s History and tradition, and perhaps, even seek guidance on how to progress in the future. Achebe has used 2 very contrasting views on storytelling in order for the reader to gain a deeper insight into the events of the novel. His reason to explore storytelling links back to the multi-narrative structure employed in this novel, which shows that people must take into account different views in order to both question the problems in post-colonial Africa and find solutions to them.

Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale Essay -- Margaret Atwood Handmai

Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale Love of God replaces love of humanity in Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale. Offred’s recollections of her past life, especially of her husband, are ones filled with passion and happiness as she remembers his tenderness towards her. Much more emphasis is put on the physical human form in her memories; she often remembers lying with her husband while she wears little or no clothing. Appreciation of the human form is an essential component of loving humanity. Offred remembers the love she felt for her friends with whom she enjoyed spending time and conversing. When her friend is taken away, Offred spends much time mourning the loss of this person from her life. She also longs, throughout the novel, to be reunited with her husband. While she has not seen him in years, his memory lives strong in her mind, and she can often imagine him arriving at the Commander’s house and rescuing her. Her memories almost all revolve around human interaction because that i s what she cherished most and that is what society held to be most important. But that was before the religious revolution. The new era of government ushers in a time where humanity is meaningless and the world revolves around God. One example of this is the sex ritual that Offred has to undergo with the Commander. Sex is the ultimate expression of humanity, but she is forced into doing it without any sort of emotion. Furthermore, Offred’s needs as an individual are petty and insignificant throughout Atwood’s work. Offred is expected to keep qualms and concerns to herself and to obey the strict lifestyle laid out for her. Additionally, the human form is not something to be celebrated in this new world, but it is rather something to be... ...she did not die in the novel, she gave up her body for the continuation of mankind. What better martyr, I thought, than Jesus Christ himself. After much thought, I decided upon Giotto’s rendition of Christ on the cross from the Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy. I faced a major challenge in picking the paintings, apart from my utter lack of knowledge of art history. Each of these paintings was done with such precision and care that the artist likely loaded each one with symbolism and deeper meanings which would not be applicable to The Handmaid’s Tale. As an example of this, my friend who had studied Picasso’s â€Å"Guernica† launched into a lengthy description of what the painting meant, when I only used it for the image of war that it projects. Clearly many of these paintings carry baggage that is unwanted for my purposes, and this is a challenge that I face as the author. Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale Essay -- Margaret Atwood Handmai Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale Love of God replaces love of humanity in Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale. Offred’s recollections of her past life, especially of her husband, are ones filled with passion and happiness as she remembers his tenderness towards her. Much more emphasis is put on the physical human form in her memories; she often remembers lying with her husband while she wears little or no clothing. Appreciation of the human form is an essential component of loving humanity. Offred remembers the love she felt for her friends with whom she enjoyed spending time and conversing. When her friend is taken away, Offred spends much time mourning the loss of this person from her life. She also longs, throughout the novel, to be reunited with her husband. While she has not seen him in years, his memory lives strong in her mind, and she can often imagine him arriving at the Commander’s house and rescuing her. Her memories almost all revolve around human interaction because that i s what she cherished most and that is what society held to be most important. But that was before the religious revolution. The new era of government ushers in a time where humanity is meaningless and the world revolves around God. One example of this is the sex ritual that Offred has to undergo with the Commander. Sex is the ultimate expression of humanity, but she is forced into doing it without any sort of emotion. Furthermore, Offred’s needs as an individual are petty and insignificant throughout Atwood’s work. Offred is expected to keep qualms and concerns to herself and to obey the strict lifestyle laid out for her. Additionally, the human form is not something to be celebrated in this new world, but it is rather something to be... ...she did not die in the novel, she gave up her body for the continuation of mankind. What better martyr, I thought, than Jesus Christ himself. After much thought, I decided upon Giotto’s rendition of Christ on the cross from the Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy. I faced a major challenge in picking the paintings, apart from my utter lack of knowledge of art history. Each of these paintings was done with such precision and care that the artist likely loaded each one with symbolism and deeper meanings which would not be applicable to The Handmaid’s Tale. As an example of this, my friend who had studied Picasso’s â€Å"Guernica† launched into a lengthy description of what the painting meant, when I only used it for the image of war that it projects. Clearly many of these paintings carry baggage that is unwanted for my purposes, and this is a challenge that I face as the author.

11th and 12th section review

What was America's first major industry? In what region of the nation did it center? Lowell, Massachusetts(Northeast). Textiles became America's first major industry. 2. Name three of this era's important inventors and their respective inventions. John Deere perfected the plow. Cyrus McCormick, in 1834, received a patent for a reaping machine, a horse-drawn device that allowed one man to cut and stack ten to twelve acres of grain in a single day. Samuel Colt made his mark on the firearms industry.He patented and manufactured a â€Å"six-shooter,† a pistol with a revolving cylinder which allowed a user to fire six times before reloading. . Why was the discovery of anthracite coal in western Pennsylvania important? American farm production grew at a tremendous rate. In 1789, farmers had generally eked out only enough to feed their own families. But by 1861, the United States was producing nearly $2 billion worth of agricultural products each year. 4. How did the invention of the cotton gin increase the differences between the South and the rest of the nation?The growth of the cotton kingdom, however, widened the gap between the South on the one hand and the North and the West on the other. Cotton growing, for one thing, revitalized slavery. In 1790, slavery had seemed an increasingly unprofitable and dying institution. With the advent of the cotton gin, however, many planters thought that slavery was necessary again. 1. Name two methods of surfacing roads in the nineteenth century. Corduroy roads and toll roads 2. What event marked the beginning of the canal era?The canal era began in 1817, when New York, at the urging of Governor DeWitt Clinton, began building a canal from Albany to Lake Erie. 3. What was America's most important method of transportation by 1861? The clipper ship 4. What was the first economically successful railroad in America? Who designed its first steam engine? Baltimore & Ohio (B & O) Railroad and Peter Cooper 5. What system of carry ing mail across the continent began in 1860? What invention put it out of business? Semaphore and Telegraph 1 . What was the most controversial reform movement of the first half of the nineteenth century?Who was its most important leader? Without doubt the most controversial reform movement in the first half of the nineteenth century was abolitionism, the movement to eliminate slavery and William Lloyd Garrison. 2. What were the two important trends in American education in the early 1800s? Two important trends developed in the reform of American education during this period: the growth of both public education and teacher education. Most schooling since colonial days had been a private affair. 3. What is the difference between temperance and Prohibition?Reformers eventually replaced their call for temperance, or moderate drinking, with a call for the outright prohibition, or banning, of the sale and consumption of alcohol. 4. How did utopian reformers differ from other reformers? M ost reformers focused on a single major problem in society, such as prison reform r alcohol, and aimed at eliminating the problem throughout society. Utopian reformers, on the other hand, sought to establish small, perfect communities that would serve as models tor the retorm ot society at large.A utopia is an ideally perfect place. 5. Which authors defended romanticism's idea that man is basically good? Which authors denied this idea? 6. How did the Journalistic approach of the New York Sun differ from that of the New York Tribune? He Sun contained sensational accounts of murders, scandals, and other lurid events to appeal to the baser tastes of readers. The Tribune, edited by Horace Greeley, supported reform fforts and attempted to educate and uplift its readers.The two approaches proved equally successful, and both the Sun and the Tribune attracted readers even outside of New York. 1 . Why did western Pennsylvania become an early center of American heavy industry? Guns and patent s 2. How did reform movements affect the American public during the first half of the nineteenth century? More religion groups 3. During the Second Great Awakening, which were more emotional, the revivals in the East or the revivals in the West? In which region did the revivals center in the schools and churches? East and Northeast

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 13

Min, Doug's saxophonist, rummaged through the array of liquor bottles on Wyatt's counter. â€Å"I don't think he has any,† he finally said. â€Å"Can you make a gimlet without lime juice?† â€Å"Um, no,† I replied. â€Å"That kind of defeats the whole purpose. â€Å" â€Å"Oh. Okay. Well, then, you just want a shot or something?† He held up a bottle of – God help me – Skyy vodka. â€Å"I think I'll pass.† I surveyed the humming, thumping party around me. Tons of people had showed up as usual; I doubted the band even knew half of them. The wages of fame, I guessed. Also as usual, there were drugs and drinks aplenty for those who wanted such things – as long as one's vices didn't stray to lime juice, apparently. I turned back to Min. â€Å"You seen Alec tonight?† â€Å"Nope. Said he'd be here. I hope he shows soon.† Min shifted restlessly, and I wondered just how many people Alec was stringing along. The whole band, after all, had displayed that crazy, uncaring behavior. I'd spent most of the day planning for tonight, trying to figure out what it would take to get information and possibly the drug itself from Alec. Finally, as the party drew nearer, I accepted that I was overthinking the matter. Alec was hardly a criminal mastermind. If I wanted something from him, it was a safe bet that the removal of clothing and an orifice would suffice. With that in mind, I'd dressed for the part in another little dress. Like the one I'd worn to the last concert, this too had a V-neck, straps, and short skirt. Unlike that one – which had been cotton and more like a sundress – this one was silk and looked kind of like a nightgown. Its rich, emerald green mirrored the green flecks in my eyes. I'd made sure of that, enhancing the color in both. â€Å"Finally,† I muttered to myself, catching sight of Alec's blue-streaked hair across the crowd. He saw me, and I waved, making him grin smugly at my acknowledgment. â€Å"Hey,† he said, looking me over. â€Å"Wow.† â€Å"About time you showed,† berated Min, handing over a beer. They greeted each other with some kind of weird, shoulder-punching guy thing. Then Min held up a bottle of Tropical Soiree Key Lime Schnapps. â€Å"Hey, look what I found. Will this work?† â€Å"Sure. Whatever,† I said. I wanted to start working Alec, putting him at ease. If it involved some unholy drink concoction, then I'd have to take that risk. Min handed me a plastic cup filled with bright green liquid, and Alec and I wandered off to mingle. â€Å"You're letting Min experiment on you?† he asked, pointing at the cup. Inspiration hit. â€Å"He's been experimenting on me all night.† I laughed, a bit too loudly and held on to his arm. Alec didn't need to know this was my first drink. â€Å"But none of the other stuff he made looked this bad.† He smiled and casually placed his arm around my waist. â€Å"Have I told you how great you look?† â€Å"Yeah, I kind of got the message,† I told him. Sniffing the cup, I detected nothing but sugar. Tentatively, I brought the cup to my lips and tasted. Bleh. It was like Kool-Aid and mouthwash. Fortunately, I don't have much of a gag reflex, so I managed to swallow without choking. Alec flattered me a little more, and then I steered him toward the one topic guaranteed to captivate him: himself. It worked. Within a few minutes, I discovered that subject area was even more limited than I'd suspected. He only wanted to talk about the band. â€Å"So yeah, we figure we should start expanding out of Seattle and hit some of the other big cities in the area. You know, like Portland and Vancouver. If we can start getting a following in the Northwest, we can hit the rest of the west coast, you know? And Corey's dad knows this guy who knows someone at a record company, and he's going to send him the review that was in the SeattleTimes†¦ â€Å" I let him go on, nodding my head and saying â€Å"uh-huh† a lot. I should point out that I really was interested in Nocturnal Admission's success. I believed in them and their talent. Just not tonight. Other things demanded my attention. â€Å"You know,† he suddenly said out of nowhere, â€Å"I didn't think you really liked me.† Yeah. Good observation. I smiled. â€Å"Sorry about that. There are so many jerks out there that I come off a little bitchy at first, until I know a guy. But the rest of the band swears by you, and I trust them. Besides† – I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a sultry purr – â€Å"I know you now, and I definitely like you now.† To my astonishment, Alec broke away from me. How unexpected was that? Weirder still was that I saw interest in his eyes but only his eyes. The rest of him was plainly distressed about something. My surprise must have been reflected in my expression, because a moment later, he laughed like nothing had happened and returned the hand to my waist. â€Å"I wouldn't really trust the guys on much, but hey, if they've convinced you, whatever.† I turned the smile back on, pretending I hadn't noticed the weird reaction. We started talking again, and I continued to let him dictate the parameters of our conversation. When he brought up skateboarding and the benefits of one board brand over another, I decided Doug didn't appreciate the extent of my love for him. Slightly bored, I leaned into Alec and drank from the cup without thinking about it. â€Å"Son of a bitch!† I swore, tasting that mess again. â€Å"What?† â€Å"This.† I set the cup down on a rickety coffee table, sloshing the green liquid. â€Å"It's terrible.† I realized this was my opening. â€Å"God, I've had such a fucked-up week.† I turned so that I stood even closer, resting a hand on his back, sliding it down to his waist. â€Å"I'm glad you had this party. You guys must need to get a little crazy too to handle all the stuff you've been doing.† He seemed happy about my proximity but didn't move his hand from my waist. â€Å"We know when to work, and we know when to play.† He spoke with a ridiculous swagger, again attempting to project a wisdom he was too young to have. I grinned at him. â€Å"I like to play too.† Like before, the look in his eyes said he did want to play – especially if we played doctor. But his body language didn't match it. He was holding himself back for some reason, which didn't fit with my image of him as a womanizing drug lord. But he kept smiling, even if the rest of him was stiff. â€Å"How do you like to play?† â€Å"Not with that.† I pointed at the jettisoned cup and looked back up at him with doe eyes, both innocent and provocative. I tried to recall the stupid expression he'd used at the first party. â€Å"You maybe got anything†¦harder?† A pleased and – unless I was mistaken – relieved smile danced on his face. â€Å"Maybe I do.† I punched him lightly, then snaked my arm around his neck. â€Å"I know you do. I saw you give it to Doug. You guys are in on something good, and you won't share. Whereas me†¦well, I always share†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He still didn't take the physical bait or go for my over-the-top vixen lines, but the rest had piqued his interest. â€Å"I've got something,† he said, glancing around carefully. â€Å"Let's go talk in the bedroom. â€Å" Ah. Now we were getting somewhere. I followed him back to Wyatt's small messy bedroom which miraculously wasn't occupied yet. I sat on the unmade bed, crossing my legs, keeping my body language as open and relaxed as possible. â€Å"Are we going to play now?† He answered with a question of his own: â€Å"You sure you can handle the hard stuff?† I arched an eyebrow. â€Å"Baby, I can take it as hard as you can give it. â€Å" Reaching into his coat pocket, he sat down on the bed beside me and held up a tiny plastic bag, much smaller than the bag Reese kept his pot in. In the poor lighting, I could discern tiny glittering crystals. Almost like red sugar. â€Å"This,† he said in a low voice, â€Å"is what you've been waiting for your whole life. This is the stuff that's going to change your world. Make you who you were born to be.† I was rendered speechless, but not from his melodramatic prologue. It was the crystals. This close to them, I†¦well, felt them. They had an aura, almost the same way an immortal has a signature. Only this wasn't exactly a pleasant aura. The crystals felt strange to me. They sent little Shockwaves into the air. They made my skin crawl. And weirdest of all, I'd felt them before. Once with Doug, once with the band. I hoped Alec would interpret my frown as cute confusion. â€Å"What is that?† A sly smile spread over his face. â€Å"A magic potion, Georgina.† I smiled back, not having to feign puzzlement. â€Å"I don't believe in magic.† â€Å"Oh, you will after this.† He pressed the bag into my palm, and I squelched a sharp cry. I didn't like touching the crystals. â€Å"Go grab something to drink and put them in it. Mix it all up and then drink – preferably as fast as you can. You'll get the effects sooner.† â€Å"What'll they do?† â€Å"Something good. Something you'll like.† He ran his hand through the strands of my hair. â€Å"Man, I can't wait to see how you react to them.† How I reacted? I didn't like the sound of that. Maybe I wasn't getting the same thing as Doug after all. Maybe I was getting the date-rape drug. Of course, with as inviting as I was trying to be, he had to realize those kinds of extremes weren't necessary. I pushed the unease out of my head. â€Å"What do I owe you for these?† The smoke in my voice clearly told him how I'd like him to extract payment. â€Å"Nothing. It's a gift.† â€Å"Nothing?† I trailed my hand across his leg. Believe me, I really didn't want to sleep with this guy, but I wanted to stay in his good graces to figure out what the hell this stuff was. And yeah, okay, I sort of wanted to see him suffer from the energy loss. â€Å"Are you sure?† I slid my body closer to his, gently pushing him back on the bed. His eyes widened as I lay down next to him, brushing my lips over his neck. Turning his face toward mine, I moved my lips closer to his, lightly kissing the area just by his mouth. â€Å"Are you really sure?† I asked, voice lower. His breathing grew heavy, and he stroked my side, tracing the shape of my hip and moving down to my bare leg. Looking half-terrified, he moistened his lips in anticipation. My tongue snaked up to them, dancing around their edges before gently probing inside. He stifled a moan and then pushed me aside. â€Å"No†¦I†¦no. No.† He sat up, shaking. â€Å"Not yet.† I sat up as well, moving in one fluid and graceful motion. Tossing my hair over one shoulder, I gave him a languid smile. â€Å"Come on, I want to.† â€Å"I can't†¦but maybe, well maybe later we can work something out.† Both longing and reluctance showed in his expression, which I found relieving. Nice to know my charms were still working and he wasn't all business after all. Maybe this was just a first-one's-free type of deal, and he'd be more thorough in his demands later. Fine by me. It wasn't the end of the world if I didn't sleep with him, and hopefully we wouldn't even need the second batch. â€Å"Here.† Having seized control of himself, Alec held out his beer to me. â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"Go ahead and try them. You can mix them in this.† I looked down at the sparkling red granules. They almost had a light of their own. That weird sensation pulsed out at me, grating my immortal senses. No way was I going to ingest the contents of this bag. I shook my head. â€Å"I can't right now. I've got to go to another party. I promised a friend. I'll try them later, okay?† He didn't look happy about that. â€Å"I wanted you to try it now.† â€Å"What's wrong with later?† â€Å"Nothing I guess†¦just, look, don't let anyone else know, okay? I don't have a lot of this stuff. If word gets out, everyone'll want some. Right now I'm only letting special people try it.† â€Å"Am I special?† I teased. Alec gave me a long, searching look, blatantly studying my face and the way the silk fit me. Again, the appreciation and attraction shone in his eyes, but he held himself back from my smile of invitation. â€Å"Very special.† I managed to extract myself from the party shortly thereafter but not before Alec had warned me again to keep the crystals to myself. He also urged me to let him know how I liked them. â€Å"The second dose is even better,† he promised. Finally escaping, I breathed a sigh of relief, alone in the cool night air. As I walked to my car, I shoved the crystals into my purse, still creeped out by how they felt. They were supernatural; that much was obvious. I knew I had to get them to someone who could identify them. That, however, would have to wait a little longer since I was already past when I'd said I'd call Seth. Happily, I discovered I could no longer sense the packet once it was encased in the fabric. That was something, at least. â€Å"Where are you at?† I asked Seth when he answered his cell phone. â€Å"Terry and Andrea's. You want to come over?† Spending the evening with his family sounded refreshingly ordinary after the sleaze and debauchery of Alec and that party. In fact, compared to everything else weird in my life at the moment, it sounded downright wonderful. Identical blonde faces greeted me at the door when I arrived, both sets of lips forming a perfect ‘o' when they saw me. A moment later, Brandy appeared behind her little twin sisters. â€Å"Oh, Georgina, that dress is so pretty.† She pushed Morgan and McKenna out of the way, both still starstruck. I stepped inside the Mortensen home and found complete chaos. Sheets of clear plastic lay everywhere. Masking tape covered the wall trim. Most of the furniture had been pushed out of the living room, shoved into a pile in the hallway beyond. Those items remaining were wrapped in thick cocoons of more plastic sheeting. Paint buckets, trays, and brushes littered most of the free space, and everything – the people included – was splattered with yellow paint. â€Å"Georgina!† squealed eight-year old Kendall, tearing toward me. Her mother, walking into the room, leapt out and tackled her daughter. â€Å"Don't touch her!† Andrea exclaimed, tumbling to the ground. â€Å"Not in that dress.† I laughed, wanting to sweep up each one of the girls in an enormous hug, the dress be damned. â€Å"Seth,† chastised Terry, standing on top of a ladder, â€Å"why didn't you tell her this was a war zone?† The Mortensen Brothers always entertained me. Despite being younger, Terry always seemed exasperated by Seth's scattered behavior and often had to prod him into reality. Seth sat cross-legged on the floor with Kayla, youngest of the Mortensen daughters, on his lap. Like everyone else, he had paint all over him – including his Writers Do It at Their Desks shirt. Looking as serene as a Buddhist monk, he flashed me one of his distracted smiles. â€Å"Because it's always a war zone over here. â€Å" â€Å"Well, get her out of here and take her somewhere nice,† Terry said. â€Å"No need to drag her down into this.† This immediately triggered cries of outrage from the girls. â€Å"I don't mind staying,† I told them. â€Å"I'd like to help.† Andrea rose from her tackle, one arm still around Kendall. â€Å"We're going to have to cover you up then. Come on, let's see if I've got anything that'll fit.† She released Kendall. The little girl took a step toward me but didn't touch anything. â€Å"You look like one of the ladies in the Victoria's Secret catalog.† â€Å"My favorite reading material,† I told her solemnly. â€Å"Daddy's too.† Her mother groaned and led me to her bedroom, forcing us to squeeze through the furniture packed hallway. Being in Terry and Andrea's bedroom was a lot different than being in Dana's. It was messier for one thing, with an unmade bed and piles of laundry on the floor. The color scheme and decorating were a lot less coordinated too, suggesting it had all been pieced together over the years, not preplanned with a designer's cold eye. Pictures of the girls at various ages covered the walls and dressers, and free surfaces held odd pieces of jewelry, books, and change. And yet, despite that clutter, the whole room felt filled with love, like the people who occupied it were happy and cared about each other. It made the place warm and cozy, not sterile and sharp as Dana's had been. It made me feel good to be in here, jealous that I had nothing like it with another person, and almost intrusive to be in such an intimate setting. It was like eavesdropping. â€Å"Ah, here we are,† murmured Andrea, rummaging through drawers. She handed me some clothes. I slipped out of the dress and tried them on. While she had a fantastic body for having birthed five daughters, Andrea was still taller and bigger than me, so the clothes hung loose and long. Changing her mind, she handed me denim overalls instead of the jeans. They had to be rolled up at the cuffs, but the straps kept them on me. I tied my hair in a ponytail and was ready to go. Seth laughed when he saw me. â€Å"Hey,† I said, poking him with my foot, â€Å"be nice.† â€Å"I think this is the first time I've ever seen you look anything less than†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, playing with word choice. â€Å"Well-planned.† â€Å"Why, you silver-tongued romantic devil. That is the look I usually go for. Other women go for sexy or chic or beautiful. But me? Well-planned all the way.† â€Å"You know what I mean. Besides, unplanned isn't a bad look for you. Not bad at all.† His voice sounded deliciously low and dangerous, and something ignited between us as we held each other's eyes. â€Å"You guys can flirt on your own time,† said Terry briskly, handing me a roller and tray of paint. â€Å"Right now, you work for us. Think you can do this part of the wall?† â€Å"Sure.† I glanced over at Seth, whose main job still seemed to be restraining Kayla. â€Å"Why aren't you painting?† â€Å"Because he isn't allowed to,† answered Brandy, painting deftly around a doorway. â€Å"Uncle Seth's a libation,† explained Kendall. â€Å"Liability,† corrected her mother. She grinned at me. â€Å"The odds say you have to be a better painter than him. Correction: the laws of the universe say you have to be.† â€Å"Of course she is. She's good at everything.† Seth watched me apply a smooth, even coat. â€Å"See?† Painting with the Mortensens made for an utterly normal and utterly enjoyable evening. They were so funny and nice that it was hard not to love them. Working side by side, I could almost pretend I was really one of them. Like this could be my own family. They included me in everything and spoke as though Seth and I were a done deal, assuming I would be with them not only for Thanksgiving but also for Christmas and an assortment of other get-togethers. The simple, casually extended affection made me feel happy inside, and sad too. I would never be able to quite fit in with any mortal family, even if this wacky relationship with Seth did ever stabilize. I pushed aside a plastic-covered box and got a peek inside. Moving the sheet further, I smiled down at a framed picture of Terry and Andrea's wedding party – including a much younger Seth. â€Å"Look at you,† I teased. â€Å"You used to shave.† He rubbed the stubble on his lower face. â€Å"I still shave.† â€Å"So this is the infamous occasion Seth almost missed?† â€Å"Yup,† said Terry, a rueful tone in his voice. â€Å"Apparently finishing A Talented Heat was more important than witnessing my nuptials.† â€Å"Oh,† I said neutrally, â€Å"that's a really good one.† I wasn't sure if it was missing-a-wedding good, but it was still one of my favorites. It might have been worth the sacrifice. â€Å"Who's the other guy beside you?† â€Å"Our other brother. Ian.† â€Å"Another Mortensen? You guys are abundant.† â€Å"Tell me about it,† said Terry. â€Å"Ian's the black sheep.† â€Å"I thought I was the black sheep,† said Seth, sounding almost hurt. â€Å"No. You're the unfocused artistic one. I'm the responsible one. Ian's the wild, hedonistic one.† â€Å"What's hedonistic?† asked Kendall. Her father considered. â€Å"It means you run up a lot of credit card bills you can't pay, change jobs a lot, and have a lot of†¦lady friends.† Brandy rolled her eyes. â€Å"Good euphemism, Dad.† Only in the Mortensen family, I decided delightedly, would a fourteen-year old use a word like â€Å"euphemism.† Andrea walked over to the portrait and admired her younger self. In the picture, she wore a long-sleeved lace dress that left her shoulders bare. â€Å"Ah, those were the days,† she sighed. â€Å"Back before pregnancy ruined my body.† â€Å"Well, that wasn't entirely before pregnancy,† observed her husband in an undertone. She shot him a dangerous look. Brandy groaned. Seth tried to hide a smile and changed the subject. â€Å"That church had horrible carpet. Burgundy shag.† He shook his head. â€Å"I think I'm going to get married outdoors.† â€Å"Oh my God,† said Terry with mock horror, â€Å"I can't believe you just acknowledged you might get married. I thought you were married to your writing.† â€Å"Hey, I've never had a problem with polygamy.† Kendall's eyes widened. â€Å"What's polygamy?† Later, when we'd finished the living room, Seth and I offered to start cleaning up while Terry and Andrea put the brood to bed. The girls resisted, clinging to Seth and me, wanting us to talk and come back tomorrow. â€Å"My nieces think you're a rock star,† he observed as we washed brushes in the kitchen. â€Å"I think they like you better than me.† â€Å"I'm not the one they had to tear Kayla from. Hey, does she ever talk?† â€Å"Sometimes. Usually when there's bait involved – like candy or small objects she might choke on.† We washed the brushes in silence until I brought up the topic that had been on my mind ever since he'd mentioned it. â€Å"An outdoor wedding, huh?† The notion of Seth getting married held a perverse fascination for me. Fascinating because I was female and attracted to such things. Perverse because I knew I wouldn't be the bride at such an event. Succubus logistics obviously made that impossible. Then, of course, there was the fact that my mortal marriage had not gone so well. In addition to me cheating and pushing my husband into a debilitating depression, it had later resulted in me selling my soul and joining the ranks of hell. That didn't make for a good matrimonial track record. Seth cut me a look, eyes amused. â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"I didn't know guys ever thought about that kind of stuff.† â€Å"Sometimes we do.† â€Å"You got any other details worked out? Or just the outside lovefest part?† He pondered this as we returned to the living room. He wore the intense expression that seized him when he was trying to write a certain line or think of something clever to say. â€Å"I want a good buffet,† he said. â€Å"Not one of those cheap ones with cold cuts. And no bows on the chairs or anything like that. Man, I hate those.† â€Å"Wow. I guess you've got it all figured out.† I began pulling masking tape off the trim while he knelt down to gather more brushes. He continued on, still considering. â€Å"And I want my bride to wear open-toed shoes.† â€Å"Why open-toed?† He looked up with astonishment. â€Å"Because toes are sexy.† I looked down at my own bare feet. They were small and cute, each toenail painted a pale lavender. Andrea hadn't had any shoes my size. I gave him a sly smile. â€Å"Like these toes?† He looked away and returned to his work. Forgetting my masking tape, I strolled over to him, trying not to laugh. â€Å"Why Seth Mortensen, do you have a fetish?† â€Å"It's not a fetish,† he replied evenly. â€Å"Just an appreciation.† This time I did laugh. â€Å"Oh yeah?† I moved my foot out to tickle his arm, wiggling the toes. â€Å"You appreciate these toes?† â€Å"I appreciate everything about you – even how mean you are.† I crouched beside him and slung an arm around him. â€Å"To think, all this time I've been prancing around you in low-cut shirts and no underwear, in awe of your stalwart resistance, when really it was my toes – â€Å" â€Å"No underwear?† he interrupted. â€Å"Wait. Are you wearing any now?† â€Å"My lips are sealed. You'll have to find out the old-fashioned way. I'm not going to talk. â€Å" â€Å"Oh,† he said in a warning voice, â€Å"we have ways of making you talk.† â€Å"Like what?† In one surprisingly quick motion, Seth sprang up and rolled me onto my back. One arm pinned me and the other held a paintbrush over me, wet with paint. â€Å"Hey!† I cried. â€Å"That's not sexy. That's not even cool.† Actually, being pinned to the floor by him was about as sexy as it got. He stabbed it toward me playfully, never actually making contact, but I flinched anyway. â€Å"What's the problem?† he teased. â€Å"You can just shape-shift it away.† â€Å"Oh! You're a twisted bastard.† His lips quirked into a wicked smile, and he dabbed the brush at my cheek, leaving a small streak of paint. A second later, he added a matching mark on the other cheek. â€Å"Ready for battle,† he declared. I yelped in dismay, then used his momentary satisfaction to break free and reverse the situation, rolling him over. Now I hovered on top of him, one hand on his chest, the other on his arm. â€Å"I'm learning more about you every day,† I observed, leaning my face toward his. My hair had come undone from its haphazard ponytail and now hung down, almost creating a curtain around him. â€Å"You've got a real dark side.† â€Å"Is that a problem?† â€Å"Actually I kind of like it.† I lowered my mouth and gave him what we had now dubbed a â€Å"stealth kiss† – the kind of semi-deep kiss perfected at the concert that just pushed the envelope of succubus absorption. I pulled up a moment later, my lips still tingling from where we'd touched. He shifted one hand to the small of my back while his other tangled itself up in my hair. A lazy and contented smile played on his face. â€Å"You want to go grab something to eat after this?† â€Å"What do you have in mind?† â€Å"Anything. So long as the company stays this good.† I smiled and leaned down to kiss him again, only this time I had trouble keeping the kiss as stealthy as it should have been. When I should have broken away, I kissed him a little harder instead, letting my tongue probe more boldly into his mouth. Surprisingly, what abruptly stopped this indiscretion was not the twinge of energy transfer, but Seth himself. â€Å"Thetis,† he warned, pushing me away – not harshly, but not gently either. I stared, my better judgment suddenly scrambled. I wanted to kiss him again. And again. To hell with the succubus thing. And it wasn't just because of the chemistry or the physical roughhousing, the comments about my toes and lack of underwear. It was about everything tonight. Pretending I was part of his family. Talking about weddings that could never happen. I was suddenly overcome with emotion. Joy and delight over the way just being around him felt. Knowing he loved me for both my inner and outer selves. A warm contentment that his presence naturally brought on. And, of course, the dark emotions were there too. Anger that our relationship could never be complete. Despair that he was not immortal. Jealousy that I could never be his bride. What had Jerome said? That being with me denied Seth all the normal things in life? Kissing him was a base, anxious reaction to all these emotions I couldn't otherwise deal with. â€Å"Thetis,† he repeated, studying my face and whatever crazy expression was on it. â€Å"Come on. You're stronger than this.† He sounded sad and sympathetic, yet stern and parental too. His words snapped me out of my emotional vortex, suddenly making me feel, well, inadequate compared to him. Terry walked back into the living room, looking rightfully startled to see me on top of his brother. â€Å"Do you guys need to go to bed too?† Seth and I exchanged bitter, amused smiles. â€Å"If only,† I said. Once everything was cleaned up, Seth and I left to find a very late dinner. We stayed quiet, neither of us bringing up what had happened earlier. I think he knew I was taking it harder than he had and wanted to say something to cheer me up. But nothing apparently came to mind, so silence reigned until we returned to Terry's house to get our respective cars. â€Å"Georgina,† he said suddenly, hesitantly, as we stood by my car. â€Å"I have to know something.† I looked at him wearily, not liking the seriousness in his voice. I really didn't want to deal with any more weighty issues tonight. I sighed. â€Å"What?† He studied me a moment, apparently assessing my emotional state. â€Å"So†¦ areyou wearing any underwear now?† I blinked in astonishment, taken aback. Then I saw how hard he fought to keep a straight expression. It was too funny. Seth was trying to make me feel better, very much in a goofy way I might have attempted. The tight coil of frustration inside of me unwound. â€Å"Yes,† I told him with a smile. â€Å"Oh,† he said, looking relieved to see me relax but disappointed by the answer. â€Å"But you know what the real beauty of shape-shafting is?† â€Å"What?† â€Å"I'm not anymore.†

s Daughter

â€Å"Rappaccini’s Daughter† In the article â€Å"Rappaccini’s Daughter,† (Short Sotry Criticism 192), Jones asserts the question, â€Å"How can Beatrice, with a mortal father on the scene, be an allegorical figure of Eve† (193)? By leaving the question to us we are lead to believe that this comparsion can be made. Even though Beatrice had a mortal father on the scene, she can be an allegorical figure of Eve because Eve was lead to believe that the â€Å"apple† was good for her. Eve was decieved by Satan and Beatrice was deceived by her father. They both were confined to the garden and were expected to tend to it. Jones also contend, â€Å"How can this be the present Eden, a representation of man’s perverted re-creation...† (193)? It can be the present tense Eden because when God created Eden he did so for his pleasure. Rappaccini also created â€Å"Eden† for his pleasure because his love for science. The difference in God’s Eden and Rappaccini’s perverted re-creation was that Rappacini made all of his beautiful flowers poisonous. He created nothing that was good. Therefore , it was understandable why Beatrice referred to God’s Eden as paradise and her father’s version of Eden as a place of poisonous flowers. Jones interestingly refers to Rappaccini as a type of â€Å"santanic intellectual† (193). This is an understanable statement because Rappaccini was a brilliant scientist. He purposely corrupted the beautiful garden and his own child for experimental purposes. Jones implies that Rappaccini is â€Å"Adam† and that Satan inspired Adam. He contends, for it was Adam, inspired by Satan, whose rebellion dethroned the rightful ruler of nature and put into man’s hands the power to rule and to recreat† (193). This is a disputable argument, because Adam was not inspired by Satan. Adam was inspired by Christ, but he was greatly influenced by Eve. On the other hand, an argument can be made that Eve was insp... 's Daughter Free Essays on Rappaccini\'s Daughter â€Å"Rappaccini’s Daughter† In the article â€Å"Rappaccini’s Daughter,† (Short Sotry Criticism 192), Jones asserts the question, â€Å"How can Beatrice, with a mortal father on the scene, be an allegorical figure of Eve† (193)? By leaving the question to us we are lead to believe that this comparsion can be made. Even though Beatrice had a mortal father on the scene, she can be an allegorical figure of Eve because Eve was lead to believe that the â€Å"apple† was good for her. Eve was decieved by Satan and Beatrice was deceived by her father. They both were confined to the garden and were expected to tend to it. Jones also contend, â€Å"How can this be the present Eden, a representation of man’s perverted re-creation...† (193)? It can be the present tense Eden because when God created Eden he did so for his pleasure. Rappaccini also created â€Å"Eden† for his pleasure because his love for science. The difference in God’s Eden and Rappaccini’s perverted re-creation was that Rappacini made all of his beautiful flowers poisonous. He created nothing that was good. Therefore , it was understandable why Beatrice referred to God’s Eden as paradise and her father’s version of Eden as a place of poisonous flowers. Jones interestingly refers to Rappaccini as a type of â€Å"santanic intellectual† (193). This is an understanable statement because Rappaccini was a brilliant scientist. He purposely corrupted the beautiful garden and his own child for experimental purposes. Jones implies that Rappaccini is â€Å"Adam† and that Satan inspired Adam. He contends, for it was Adam, inspired by Satan, whose rebellion dethroned the rightful ruler of nature and put into man’s hands the power to rule and to recreat† (193). This is a disputable argument, because Adam was not inspired by Satan. Adam was inspired by Christ, but he was greatly influenced by Eve. On the other hand, an argument can be made that Eve was insp...

The eNotes Blog 7 Middle School Book Recommendations for EnthusiasticReaders

7 Middle School Book Recommendations for EnthusiasticReaders As a 6th grade teacher, I have the hardest time finding books that challenge my students to think critically without crossing the line into mature content. YA novels can be some of the most violent, steamy, and explicit books on the market since they target readers aged ten to eighteen. On the other hand, middle-grade books can be too low for some of my advanced readers. For this reason, I’ve spent a lot of time vetting books that have interesting themes, beautiful prose, or perspectives that my students might not encounter in their lives. Here are seven absolutely fantastic books that are age appropriate for middle school students. Offer them to readers who are looking for an engaging challenge! 1.  The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse Genre: Historical Fiction; Mystery Page Count: 320 Age Range: 11-14 Set during WWII, The Girl in the Blue Coat follows Hanneke, a clever young girl who smuggles black market goods to customers in Amsterdam. Hanneke has a cynical outlook on the war after her boyfriend was killed fighting to keep the Nazis out of the Netherlands. But her desire to survive above all else is jeopardized when Mrs. Janssen asks her to perform a dangerous task: find the girl in the blue coat, a Jewish teenager that Janssen had been hiding. Hanneke’s journey leads her to resistance meetings, underground hideouts, and into the most notorious deportation center in Amsterdam. This is a stunning novel about courage, selflessness, and the human will to survive. 2.  I Will Always Write Back  by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda Genre: Memoir Page Count: 416 Age Range: 9-14 This is an excellent book about compassion, sacrifice, and learning. Martin, a young boy living in Zimbabwe, and Caitlin, a white girl living in Pennsylvania, become pen pals in 7th grade. While Caitlin’s family lives comfortably in the US, Martin’s family lives within a notoriously poor slum in Zimbabwe. Martin works incredibly hard to be the top of his class, knowing that an education will be his ticket to a better life. But when he is kicked out of school because his family cannot pay, he must rely on the friendship he has built through his letters for support. Caitlin and her family dedicate themselves to supporting Martin as he bravely pursues his future. Caitlin learns how truly privileged she is, recognizing the injustice of the world. Told through two distinct voices and perspectives, this memoir will give your students a perspective not generally addressed in teen literature. 3. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen Genre: Realistic Fiction Page Count: 336 Age Range: 12 and up Jessica is a runner. Running means everything to her. But tragedy strikes when she loses her leg in an accident. While Jessica initially believes her life is over, she puts herself back together over the course of the novel. She confronts her own biases towards disabilities as she realizes that she treated Rosa, a girl with cerebral palsy, differently just because of her disability. Jessica overcomes the dramatic change in her life, her biases, and her negativity to realize her dreams in this inspirational novel. 4.  Irenas Children: A True Story of Courage (Young Readers Edition) by Tilar J. Mazzeo Genre: Non Fiction Page Count: 272 Age Range: 10 and up This is the story of Irena Sendler, an incredible Polish woman who saved 2,500 children during WWII. Often called the â€Å"female Schindler,† Sendler’s story has largely disappeared from history books. This young reader’s edition of her tale brings the story to life. Sendler used her wits, bravery, and fearlessness to smuggle children out of the Warsaw Ghetto. She used sewers and secret passageways, coffins and coats, abandoned buildings, and a network of underground resistance workers. Her heroic tale will not only teach young students about one of the most horrific times in modern history, but also about choosing to do the right thing when it is not easy. 5.  The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak Genre: Historical Fiction Page Count: 608 Age Range: 13 and up   * â€Å"When Death has a story to tell, you listen.† So goes the tagline of Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, a story of WWII told through the perspective of Death- a cantankerous narrator with a verbose vocabulary. Death becomes fixated on a young German girl named Liesel and her foster family the Hubermanns. They are not like the other families on their streets. Rosa, Liesel’s foster mother, shows love by hurling profanities and wooden spoons at those she loves. Her husband, Hans, paints houses and plays the accordion. But this unconventional family takes on the greatest sacrifice: agreeing to hide a Jewish man named Max. Beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and endearing, this novel explores the power of words and the human will to survive. Above all else, this is a story about how far people will go to do what is right. **This one is appropriate for more advanced and mature students because of the complex vocabulary and a few depictions of violence. 6.  Harbor Me  by Jacqueline Woodson Genre: Realistic Fiction Page Count: 192 Age Range: 9-15 This is an incredible book by the author of â€Å"Brown Girl Dreaming.† It follows six kids whose teacher asks them to skip their last period on Fridays so that they can talk in the ARTT Room (short for A Room to Talk). These kids have seemingly unconnected experiences: There’s Esteban, whose father may be deported; Haley, whose father is in prison; Ashton, whose family just lost everything; and Amari, who fears being racially profiled by the police. But when they are together in the ARTT room, they are able to discuss all the issues on their minds. Through their conversations, readers learn about the very real problems facing different teens in the US. 7.  The Girl Who Drank the Moon  by Kelly Barnhill Genre: Fantasy Page Count: 400 Age Range: 9-14 The Protectorate fears a witch. The people have been told that if they do not leave a baby every year as a sacrifice for the witch, she will destroy their city. Little do they know, their monster is actually a kind witch named Xan. Every year, Xan travels to the edge of the forest to rescue a baby that has been, seemingly, abandoned by its family. Xan feeds the child starlight and delivers it to a loving family in the Free Cities. However, on this journey, Xan makes a critical error: she feeds the baby moonlight and gives the human child magical powers. Now, Xan must raise the child as her own. But as Luna grows, so does the uncertainty in the Protectorate. A young man decides that he must hunt down the witch, and a volcano is close to erupting. This is a fast-paced, magical tale of love and self-discovery. It teaches the reader that stories, true or false, have power over one’s imagination.

Western Michigan University (WMU) Admissions Data

Western Michigan University (WMU) Admissions Data Western Michigan University accepts over 80 percent of those who apply. Learn more about their admissions requirements and what it takes to get into this college. Western Michigan University (WMU) is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it is one of the states 15 public universities. The school frequently ranks among the top 100 public universities in the country. Kalamazoo, with a population of around 75,000, is located about two hours west of Detroit. Business is the most popular undergraduate field, but for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, Western Michigan University was awarded a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Academically talented students should check out the Lee Honors College. In athletics, the WMU Broncos compete in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference (MAC). Popular sports include football, soccer, track and field, and basketball. Will you get in if you apply? Calculate your chances of getting in with this free tool from Cappex. Admissions Data (2016) Western Michigan University Acceptance Rate: 82 percentTest Scores: 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 455Â  / 560SAT Math: 445Â  / 555Michigan public university SAT score comparisonMid-American SAT ComparisonACT Composite: 19 / 25ACT English: 17Â  / 25ACT Math: 18Â  / 25What these ACT numbers meanMichigan public university ACT score comparisonMid-American ACT comparison Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 23,227Â  (18,313 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 50Â  percent Male / 50 percent Female82 percent Full-time Costs (2016-17) Tuition and Fees: $11,493 (in-state); $26,851 (out-of-state)Books: $948 (why so much?)Room and Board: $9,561Other Expenses: $2,366Total Cost: $24,368 (in-state); $39,726 (out-of-state) Western Michigan University Financial Aid (2015-16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 78Â  percentPercentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 61 percentLoans: 60 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $7,079Loans: $7,986 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors: Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Elementary Education, Finance, Interdisciplinary Studies, Management, Marketing, PsychologyWhat major is right for you? Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Graduation, Retention and Transfer Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 79 percentTransfer Out Rate: 32Â  percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 22Â  percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 53Â  percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports: Football, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, BaseballWomens Sports: Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field If You Like Western Michigan University, You May Also Like These Schools Wayne State University: ProfileUniversity of Detroit Mercy: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphFerris State University: ProfileCentral Michigan University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphOakland University: ProfileBowling Green State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphPurdue University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBall State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphAlbion College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphOhio State University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Western Michigan University Mission Statement mission statement from wmich.edu/about/mission/ Western Michigan University is a student-centered research university, building intellectual inquiry, investigation, and discovery into all undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The University provides leadership in teaching, research, learning, and public service. Nationally recognized and internationally engaged, the University: Forges a responsive and ethical academic communityDevelops foundations for achievement in pluralistic societiesIncorporates participation from diverse individuals in decision-makingContributes to technological and economic developmentEngenders an awareness and appreciation of the arts Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

Drawing on observations from the Polish-German borderland, critically Essay

Drawing on observations from the Polish-German borderland, critically examine the effects which Europeanisation - or EU-isation - Essay Example Once this has been done, the impacts that Europeanisation has had upon the Polish-German borderland will then be highlighted and both the advantages and disadvantages of closed borders will be discussed. Applicable text books, journal articles and online databases will be accessed by conducting both a library and online search. Once the evaluation has been made, an appropriate conclusion will then be drawn, demonstrating that Europeanisation does significantly affect the borderness nature of Eastern Europe. Main Body Europeanisation is a process of change whereby a non-European subject adopts various European features. This has been defined as â€Å"a process involving; construction, diffusion and institutionalisation of formal and informal rules, procedures, policy paradigms and shared beliefs† (Cini, 2007: 407). The European features are initially defined and consolidated within the policy process of the EU and subsequently incorporated into domestic structures. This effecti vely creates a borderless world which was identified by Ohmae (1990: 172) when he stated that; â€Å"national borders have effectively disappeared and, along with them, the economic logic that made them useful lines of demarcation in the first place.† Despite this contention, borders are still greatly important in helping to develop regions that are divided by state boundaries and also for analysing modern geography relating to politics and economics (Nelles and Walther, 2011: 6). They also form part of an ideology and help to demonstrate the limits associated with territorial ownership and control (Herrschel, 2011: 173). They have a significance beyond economics, since borders in all areas of life affect the ways that people perceive themselves and their role in the world: â€Å"Borders are integral to human behaviour – they are a product of the need for order, control and protection in human life and they reflect our contending desires for sameness and difference, f or a marker between ‘us’ and ‘them’.† (O’Dowd, 2002: 14-15). Borders are therefore vital in helping to distinguish different identifies, and yet since the 1989 Revolutions; borders within the EU have undergone some important transformations. Both the re-bordering and de-bordering of the EU has taken place and these processes vastly complicate the ways that people view their own local, regional and national identities. Whilst this proliferation of identities may seem contradictory, greater flexibility now exists for people to step outside both the mental and physical limitations of previous decades. As the example of the Russian-Finnish border has shown, some dimensions of border transformation are relatively easy to implement, while others remain relatively impervious to new rulings, even at the national and international level. This is because â€Å"boundaries are understood as institutions and symbols that are produced and reproduced in soci al practices and discourses† (Paasi, 1999:669). It is this level of symbolic meanings, passed on from person to person through social interaction that is so vital for the successful advance of Europeanisation. Without this level of social engagement to aid with transformation of the deeper significance attached to the border location, any amount of administrative

Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Entrepreneurship - Essay Example A Retail clothing store is also chosen because of the relative ease with which it can be started. Usually clothing retailers do not manufacture their own garments and outsource all their manufacturing to third parties. This is done to keep the focus on the main business activity that is selling garments. In this paper a discussion will be made on how to start a clothing retail business in United Kingdom. A brief outline will be given regarding the idea of the business in the paper. Business developed alongside with costs and market research will also be included in the paper. Major operational issues will also be discussed alongside with the target market and consumer in the paper. Outline of the business Idea The idea behind the business is to open a discounted clothing retail store. The store will offer garments at very affordable rates to the consumers. The aim is to cater to the needs of the consumers in the most affordable form. Low priced clothing will be the unique selling pro position of the business. The notion of selling clothing at lower price is justified because there are many people who would prefer buying clothes at affordable rates. Not many people can afford high prices, even for fashionable clothes, and therefore this store might be able to attract a large number of people. Profit margins will have to be slashed but large amount of sales is likely to compensate for lower profit margins. Another important part of the business strategy will be outsourcing of manufacturing to countries like China and India. These countries are well known for their textile products and can produce garments at very low rates, and European Union countries are already buying textile products from these countries (European Commission, 2012). The business will be outsourcing its manufacturing in order to make sure that enough attention is given to things that are important like marketing and sales. Also expertise of producing clothes at affordable rates is not available in the country and therefore taking help from specialized the developing countries might be the only possible option. The strategy of outsourcing also complements the overall business strategy of the company as it will allow us to order large quantities which will be necessary for large number of sales. The idea behind the business is to attract people who look for clothing at lower prices. The retail clothing store will also focus on quality and this will also attract consumers. After the economic crisis of 2008 people have seen their purchasing power reduced. This is why people will be interested in such economic times in affordable clothing line. Lower prices will be the main focus of the business and this will also be used in the marketing of the business in the country. Market and Consumers The main target market for the business will be the younger generation. Young people usually are short of money; therefore, they look for good bargains when it comes to clothing. They look for new and trendy garments which are affordable, and this is exactly what will we provide them. Younger generation is also the main target market because of the ease with which they can be targeted using social media and other cost effective method. Another major target market for the business will be middle aged people. Economic recession has created many financial problems for middle class

Experimental plan for lab Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Experimental plan for lab - Essay Example Besides, identification of trace elements and clues in crime scene is a major challenge in the forensic science. Therefore, some of the commonest methods are less accurate and time consuming with low levels of reliability making it difficult to identify the specific culprits especially nowadays that criminals are very knowledgeable. However, according to Hartzell (689) invention of chemical processes like GCMS, which uses trace materials from the crime scene is revolutionising the path taken by forensic scientist and criminal investigators because of its reliability, accuracy and the ability to identify signature molecules even at trace and minute levels. Volunteers will provide the samples by rubbing their fingers across the forehead before using the clean beads from the vials in rubbing between their fingerprints for 15 seconds and then immediately placing the beads in the vial Hartzell-Baguley, Brittany, Rachael E .Hipp, Neal R. Morgan, and Stephen L. Morgan. "Chemical Composition of Latent Fingerprints by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry an Experiment for an Instrumental Analysis Course,." Journal of Chemical Education 48.4 (2007): 689-91.

From Grass to Grace, - My Family's American Dream Success Essay

From Grass to Grace, - My Family's American Dream Success - Essay Example The constant fear of the safety of the families and friends they left behind in the war zones gave him sleepless nights. My grandfather especially had a very rough time accepting that all he had worked for all his life was destroyed by the civil war. This was a bitter pill for him to swallow at first and he still has those memories fresh in his mind since he hardly skips a day without mentioning it. Having lost all his life savings in the war, the money he had made from a laborer job in a coal mining firm in Nigeria. Since he had been brought up in a poor family he had to struggle in his youth doing manual jobs. All along he had a dream of re-establishing his father’s blacksmiths business which had been shattered by the war, but as time lapsed his dreams became more and more unachievable. Son, the ugliness of the war became a blessing in disguise. As the opportunity to leave behind the dead zone with his young family for the United States was like a dream come true. To them th is was a second chance to start afresh since the United States was described as a land of milk and honey. Getting a visa was difficult at the time when racial discrimination was still high in the US and despite all these to them it was better than living in the war zone. They came into the country with great optimism like the other immigrants, who had heard stories of individual opportunity and the possibility of achieving upward mobility in America. They counted on these promises of paradise on earth, a land that would yield to them all the good things they had lacked in their home country. Their notion towards individual opportunity can be attributed to many rag-to-riches stories of 18th century. Furchtgott-Roth et.al in their book ‘To make World Anew; A history of African Americans’ focused on a young man’s progress from a poor background towards fame and fortune (2009). This was a perfect comparison with my grandfather’s life, he grew from a poor and w ar ravaged neighborhood and struggled to achieve a better life for him and his family. His life was full of struggles from childhood to his adulthood; he had to endure so much to become successful. Although this story was written centuries ago its legacy has been resilient, passing from one generation to another. Unaware of the unflinching anxiety that triggers from societal expectations they started life in a foreign country where they knew nothing about but only the success myths they had heard. Since they had little knowledge of the foreign land they had to face many challenges before they start their lives afresh. It was difficult to get a well paying job and because my grandparents did not have enough education they had to work in several jobs but still the pay was not enough to sustain them. As time went along they started to realize that the actualization of their dreams might be further than they had thought. With every promise of individual opportunity dangling with high pr ize, those factors that would demean prospects surfaced. Having left their country with virtually nothing, they had a tough time ahead and if they were to make it they had to struggle with multiple jobs. I remember my dad telling me that my grandparents left Nigeria with only 75 dollars as their savings. With no job at hand, finding a job to sustain their lives was the greatest challenge; they could not afford house rent and had to live in a shelter home in Alabama. At this time they relied on

Complex Interdependence According To Nye and Keohane Assignment

Complex Interdependence According To Nye and Keohane - Assignment Example The two authors argued that bilateral relationships between French vs. German and U.S vs. Canadian determined the three hypothetical characteristics of complex interdependence. Nye and Keohane argued that the concept of complex interdependence in the 1970s emanated from international monetary relations. In this context, the significance of international organizations would therefore change. According to them, the concept of complex interdependence would change global politics. This would derive from the assertion that state policies and processes would have different objectives and instruments. Indeed, under complex interdependence, global politics would be universal where economic, environmental, and social globalism levels would increase as military globalism reduces. Keohane and Nye think that the concept of complex interdependence will lead to a reduction of military globalism since powerful nations with reliable expectations will not use force to solve global differences. More so, the politics of complex interdependence would be universal and hence limited chances of military globalism. Regional powers with reliable needs will desist from using force to solve global conflicts. In addition, world powers like the U.S facilitated and funded the establishment of postwar international institutions like IMF, UN, World Bank, and NATO that safeguarded and promoted the concept of complex interdependence. Moreover, the rise in economic, environmental, and social globalism levels would motivate world leaders in pluralist democracies to solve territorial disputes out of fear of economic and social development distractions that would deny such democracies significant investment capital.

From Grass to Grace, - My Family's American Dream Success Essay

From Grass to Grace, - My Family's American Dream Success - Essay Example The constant fear of the safety of the families and friends they left behind in the war zones gave him sleepless nights. My grandfather especially had a very rough time accepting that all he had worked for all his life was destroyed by the civil war. This was a bitter pill for him to swallow at first and he still has those memories fresh in his mind since he hardly skips a day without mentioning it. Having lost all his life savings in the war, the money he had made from a laborer job in a coal mining firm in Nigeria. Since he had been brought up in a poor family he had to struggle in his youth doing manual jobs. All along he had a dream of re-establishing his father’s blacksmiths business which had been shattered by the war, but as time lapsed his dreams became more and more unachievable. Son, the ugliness of the war became a blessing in disguise. As the opportunity to leave behind the dead zone with his young family for the United States was like a dream come true. To them th is was a second chance to start afresh since the United States was described as a land of milk and honey. Getting a visa was difficult at the time when racial discrimination was still high in the US and despite all these to them it was better than living in the war zone. They came into the country with great optimism like the other immigrants, who had heard stories of individual opportunity and the possibility of achieving upward mobility in America. They counted on these promises of paradise on earth, a land that would yield to them all the good things they had lacked in their home country. Their notion towards individual opportunity can be attributed to many rag-to-riches stories of 18th century. Furchtgott-Roth et.al in their book ‘To make World Anew; A history of African Americans’ focused on a young man’s progress from a poor background towards fame and fortune (2009). This was a perfect comparison with my grandfather’s life, he grew from a poor and w ar ravaged neighborhood and struggled to achieve a better life for him and his family. His life was full of struggles from childhood to his adulthood; he had to endure so much to become successful. Although this story was written centuries ago its legacy has been resilient, passing from one generation to another. Unaware of the unflinching anxiety that triggers from societal expectations they started life in a foreign country where they knew nothing about but only the success myths they had heard. Since they had little knowledge of the foreign land they had to face many challenges before they start their lives afresh. It was difficult to get a well paying job and because my grandparents did not have enough education they had to work in several jobs but still the pay was not enough to sustain them. As time went along they started to realize that the actualization of their dreams might be further than they had thought. With every promise of individual opportunity dangling with high pr ize, those factors that would demean prospects surfaced. Having left their country with virtually nothing, they had a tough time ahead and if they were to make it they had to struggle with multiple jobs. I remember my dad telling me that my grandparents left Nigeria with only 75 dollars as their savings. With no job at hand, finding a job to sustain their lives was the greatest challenge; they could not afford house rent and had to live in a shelter home in Alabama. At this time they relied on

E-Business Strategy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

E-Business Strategy - Term Paper Example The development of an e-business strategy for CitiBank is one of the areas of development which can provide more available options to those interested in the business. Introduction The development of Citibank is one which is providing for new opportunities and services to be available, all which will provide a stronger relationship to customers through the use of e-business. Citi Bank began in 1987 with a focus on providing banking solutions to customers through various financial segments. The company is organized into two main segments, one which is based on Citi Corp and the other on Citi Holdings. The Citicorp consists of the products and services with regional consumer banking first. This includes retail banking, citi – branded credit cards and Latin American asset management. There is also a segment for institutional clients, which offers services of securities and banking and transaction services. In this sector, an institution can take part in investment banking, debt a nd equity markets, lending, private equity, hedge funds, real estate, structure products, private banking and equity and fixed income research. The transaction services consist of cash management, trade services, custody and fund services, clearing services and agency / trust services. The Citi Holdings also carries two segments. The first is inclusive of brokerage and asset management and the second is based on local consumer lending as well as a special asset pool. The brands are divided by the services which individuals and institutions require, ranging from mortgages to microfinance opportunities. There are over 200 million accounts held at Citi with 160 countries and jurisdictions that are served by the corporation (Citi Bank, 2011). The different products and services which are offered by Citi Bank are further defined by the governance guidelines which work as a foundation for the bank services and products. The governance is held by a board of directors which creates a relati onship to the stakeholders, communities and managerial staff of Citi bank. The Board Members are elected by a confidential vote and are inclusive of 13-19 members that are responsible for the direction of the company. The driving force of the company is to create the ability for those who work with the bank to have access to responsible financing. This is based on the internal environment working with those in need, specifically so there is a return in responsibility for the financing. This also creates a response to value those who are using the financial services, specifically by creating relationships for specific needs and to provide services that offer alternatives for banking. The concept is followed by social responsibility, including giving to foundations, microfinancing and services that are used for asset building by individuals (Citi Bank, 2011). The approach which Citi Bank has toward financial services is one which has led it into being one of the top recognized banks g lobally. The first quarter earnings for 2011 led to a total of $3.0 billion, compared to $1.3 billion in the last quarter earnings of 2010. The earnings per share went up from $0.10 from $0.04 and the book value per share has risen by 15% from the prior year. The first quarter revenue of $19.7 billion was a profit from the last quarter by 7%. The credit losses also declined at an average of 25% from the first quarter of 2010. However, the assets have decreased,

Theoretical Models Essay Example for Free

Theoretical Models Essay Theoretical Models Colleen M. OLeary HCS/587 March 18, 2013 Theoretical Models The benefits of a motivated staff should prove an impetus to managers to use motivation as a driving force to obtain a high degree of functioning by employees. According to Musselwhite (2011) â€Å"managers who are effective at motivating their direct reports reap the reward of employees who can handle a variety of assignments, work more autonomously, report higher levels of job satisfaction, and contribute more to the success of the department, the organization, and in return, to the success of their manager† (p. 46). This in turn may motivate the manager to work harder and look at ways to improve and increase departmental functioning in the future. In health care managers have diverse staff to motivate. Employees may be of varied ages, experience, educational levels, and job descriptions. Staff ranges from minimally educated secretarial staff to professionals such as licensed professional nurses, physicians, and physician extenders (Borkowski, 2005). The manager who takes the time to get to know the employees he or she is responsible for will know the individual positive or negative attributes of each employee. This will assist in determining how best to motivate everyone for the good of the department. Many motivational theories exist but only equity and goal-setting theories will be discussed here. Equity Theory Theory Description Equity theory basis relies on the comparison of inputs to outcomes. In the work setting an employee’s education, skill set, and anything else he or she brings to the job position provides the input. The salary, promotion, bonus or anything else attributed to the inputs provides the employee’s outcomes. Equity exists when the ration of inputs to outcomes of one employee equates to those of another employee (Borkowski, 2005). Equity Theory in the Workplace In the work setting equity theory exists as the comparison of inputs to  outcomes of employees. According to Sweeney (1990) â€Å"Inequity can result from getting fewer outcomes or more outcomes than relevant others† (p. 329). Equity gives employees the sense of fairness in the workplace. A perceived inequity may result in decreased productivity and a sense of dissatisfaction in the workplace. An equitable workplace shows increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and less staff turnover. Equity theory in the workplace shows greatly in matters of wages (Sweeney, 1990). Goal-Setting Theory Theory Description Goal-setting theory developed in the 1960s and 1970s by Gary Latham and Edwin Locke promotes the notion that if a manager provides an employee with specific, challenging goals the worker tended to outperform a worker assigned a vague, non-specific goal such as â€Å"do the best you can.† This theory relies on the manager’s awareness of the skill level and abilities of all employees (Borkowski, 2005). Goal-Setting Theory in the Workplace The concept of the goal-setting theory necessitates planning in advance by management after a thorough thought process of the goal needing to be met and the resources, including employees, available to assist in the goal achievement. The three steps required by the goal-setting theory, goal setting, goal commitment, and support elements, need careful consideration by the manager (Borkowski, 2005). Goals need the characteristics of specificity and measurability. As employees perform the different levels of self-confidence, the goals set by management must show attainability by the employee in accordance with the ability to attain the specific goal. Employees unable to attain a goal may develop a feeling of frustration leading to distrust of management (Borkowski, 2005). Commitment to the goal requires acceptance of the objective by the employee. The employee needs to identify his or her ability to achieve the goal and realize the benefit in attaining the objective. Providing support elements necessitates management ensuring the availability of adequate resources such  as equipment, staff, and assistance to the employee. Goal-setting shows the most success with adequate and frequent employee feedback by management (Locke Latham, 1990). Conclusion When managers work to create a culture of motivation the resulting workplace tends to be more productive, workers tend to feel more valued, and the organization and the staff benefit. Motivation theories provide management with guidelines to follow in an attempt to have staff reach full potential and have the department operate at its most productive. Employees need frequent feedback from management no matter which theory so they may receive direction and feel valued by the organization. Motivation theories, of which equity theory and goal-setting theory are just two, assist management in realizing and using the full potential of staff. Reference Borkowski, N. (2005). Organizational behavior in health care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Locke, E. A., Latham, G. P. (2006). New directions in goal-setting theory. Current Directions In Psychological Science (Wiley-Blackwell), 15(5), 265-268. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2006.00449.x Musselwhite, C. (2011). Creating a culture of motivation. T+D, 65(9), 46-49. Sweeney, P. D. (1990). Distributive justice and pay satisfaction: A field test of an equity theory prediction. Journal of Business Psychology, 4(3), 329-341.

Inventory Planning and Control

Inventory Planning and Control A Brief Overview of Inventory Planning and Control In any business, inventory is a key area of concern as inventoryis what is sold. Though, on the surface this may seem to be merely aphysical construct, inventory and inventory management principle easilyextend to service or other intangible product offerings. Perhaps the firstprinciple of inventory is that, inventory is money, or rather arepresentation of invested capital that is listed on the balance as aliability. While inventory is properly represented as a liability, a moreaccurate way to think of it is that is an asset in the waiting. Atypical retail store may have millions of dollars in inventory on the floor.If it is the right product, priced right, in the right place at the right time,it will likely sell. Though the 3-Ps just mentioned are the crux of themarketeers problem, they are also the problem of the inventory orreplenishment analyst on the store side and the problem of the manufacturingand shipping division of the supplier. Boththe vendor and the supplier seek inventory optimization, that is,managing from their perspective the same issues with which the marketeerwrestles. The daily issues of this perspective are focused on the same fourvariables with typical examples listed below: Product Is a certain SKU present in the regular modular only or checkout lane modular also? Are there multiple SKUs for a certain product (i.e., single or multi-packs)? A new SKU is being phased in to the modular set, is the are corresponding reduction in another product? Is replenishment on the old item turned off? If I have a certain product, is there a complimentary product that should also be sold, ideally with modular adjacencies? Placement Is a particular product in all stores (i.e., riding lawnmowers in NY City, snow shovels, even in January, in Mexico)? Does this product go into all stores simultaneously or should it be staged (i.e., lawn care product in southern stores first)? Are there any new stores that should be added to the shipped to list? Is a particular product a regular item or does it go on a special display/store location (i.e., holiday)? Price Are all the prices indicated on the shelf or on the product? Are the prices correct? Are prices updated annually or monthly? Is the item on deal (i.e., advertised special for which we might anticipate the standard 20% lift in velocity)? From theperspective of the vendor, a store or even a whole chain of store only has a[short-term] fixed floor area, backroom area and so many storage areas andtrucks that can be in transit to manage not simply one product at one locationbut the full range of products at all locations. This, in essence, is theproblem of inventory: managing and ideally optimizing the coming and going of allproducts at all locations. For the manufacturers, the problem is essentiallythe same, only with a different perspective: all of their products atall of the locations at which they are sold. The daily issues of this simply detail.Consider the perspectives of WalMart and 3M: one US retail operation and theone US division of one multinational manufacturer: WalMart has approximately 3,000 US stores, if there is one case of one product from 3M going to each store in the chain, this alone represents shipping 36,000 items (12 per case) just one time. Consider the number of products shipped, received and sold for all products at each store. 3M Stationary Products Division, Tape Adhesives section, has over 50 SKUs. Each peg on the display holds from 6 to 15 units of product. Each product comes in varying numbers per box, from 4 to 24, with from 1 to 6 boxes per case (the minimum order quantity). WalMart has the largest trucking fleet of any US corporation and has number distribution centers and warehouses. 3M has 1-2 factories per product and 3-4 key distribution points. Some items are warehouse items and therefore have a lead time of 3-4 days while other items have lead times of up to 21 days. The myriad issues that result from this collaborative efforts issignificantly enhanced but the good management of the inventory problem.From the number of units to build and subsequently ship (and to where) untilthe items are sold, the units exist as inventory. A Brief Discussionof EOQ and other Methods for Inventory Control To manage the issues discussed just prior is but one matter, tomanage them optimally is another and that is really the goal of anyinventory planning and control system. Realizing that any businessdecision is one in which the principle of the trade-off is employed, one canthen begin to methodically examine the variables. For example, in the simplestexample in which the costs of placing an order and the costs of carryinginventory are minimized. This optimal point is deemed the Economic OrderQuantity. While, in theory, the method works perfectly, its simplicity is alsowhat limits it in the real world in which additional variables and varyingassumptions run rampant. For example, EOQ does not, or, has trouble takinginto account the following variables/assumptions: Product cost assumptions such as fixed batch costs Product prices which may be variable and thus would change velocity and subsequent sales/demand forecasts Failure to adequately consider or cost out of stocks or backorders Failure to adequately consider lead times, special deals or seasonal items (Eason, 2003). Regardless, EOQ isthe starting place for the consideration or both additional variables as wellas the consideration of other models such as JIT, or the just-in-time methodin which the goal is -0- inventory. This is more applicable to a manufactureside though its principles do have applicability in retail. In this method,the basic assumption that has generally been borne out through research is thatinventory carrying costs are generally far higher than one might initiallythink (Schniederjans Cao, 2001). JIT is achieved by precisely the rightquantity of material/product to its destination just-in-time. Anothersomewhat similar method is ERP or enterprise resource programs. ERPleverages technology to provide firm-wide view of the materials at variousstages in the work process. This data is merged with other firm informationsuch as sales/demand forecast to create a optimized forecast for all rawmaterials, parts and finished products at any point in time. Insummary, whether using EOQ, JIT, ERP or any other combination of letters forinventory optimization, the key is to understand and purposefully manipulatethe variables of business to prioritize and manage the inherent trade-offs ofany business function. Works Consulted Bean, J. (2005), former 3M BusinessAnalyst, Interview on May 21, 2005. [Mr. Bean had significant work inmaintaining in stock levels to between 98.5-99.5% on Stationary and Tapeproducts] Eason, J. (2003, May). Setting TargetInventory Levels for New Products [Masters Degree Thesis, University ofArkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, US]. Piasecki, D. (2001, January). OptimizingEconomic Order Quantity. IIE Solutions. pp. 30-39. Schniederjans, M. Q. Cao. (2001). Analternative analysis of inventory costs of JIT and EOQ purchasing. InternationalJournal of Physical Distribution Logistics, (31), 2, pp. 190-117.

A Storm of Emotion in Kate Chopins The Storm Essay -- Chopin Storm Es

The Storm of Emotion Usually a storm creeps upon us, hits a luminous climax, and then fades away into nothingness.   In The Storm, Kate Chopin develops a parallel between a rainstorm and an emotional storm in a woman’s life.   Chopin uses symbolism to depict the feelings of relationships that are as unpredictable as that of a raging storm.   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the time frame that this story is set, many major life decisions things are made taking into account one’s duty to family - including the selection of a husband or wife.   It is possible that each of these couples may not have been in love,   when their vows were stated.   They have a duty to society; they must not marry outside of their social class.   They have a duty to their family; they must not disgrace the family by not marrying.  Ã‚   They have a duty to him or herself, they must not allow themselves to be alone.   If they marry because there is no other choice, or because of a sense of duty, it is unlikely that they will have a fulfilling relationship.   It appears as though Calixta and Bobinot are content, and if they did not love each other when they were first married, then they have learned to love each other as the time passed.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Mr. and Mrs. Laballiere seem to be content, but their relationship seems to belacking something.   There doesn t seem to be any closeness of any kind.   Clarisse is quite content to   forgo   their   intimate conjugal life   at least for a little while.   The delay in Clarisse s arrival home is encouraged by Alcee, which seems odd for a husband who is lovingly, devoted to his life long companion.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Chopin uses the details to create symbolism that represents the bonds of therelationship between Alcee and Calixta. There is an awkwardness to... ...ife is felt anew as the two lovers say good-bye in a   glistening green world   (668).   Alcee and Calixta can return to their families as hopeful, vibrant people and continue their lives with a little more love and vitality.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Ms. Chopin magnificently gathers the descriptive details and uses them in such away that her meaning is comprehensible to the reader.   The reader sees the complete storm, from the first raindrops to the last.   She uses unique, creative symbolism to portray the thoughts and emotions that so often fade with the storm. The storm washes the depressing, dingy dust away, and allows new hope and vigor to spring up in its place.  Ã‚     So the storm passed and everyone was happy   (669). Work Cited Chopin, Kate. "The Storm." Literature Across Cultures. Eds. Sheena Gillepie, Terzinha Fonseca, Carol A. Sanger 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001. A Storm of Emotion in Kate Chopin's The Storm Essay -- Chopin Storm Es The Storm of Emotion Usually a storm creeps upon us, hits a luminous climax, and then fades away into nothingness.   In The Storm, Kate Chopin develops a parallel between a rainstorm and an emotional storm in a woman’s life.   Chopin uses symbolism to depict the feelings of relationships that are as unpredictable as that of a raging storm.   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the time frame that this story is set, many major life decisions things are made taking into account one’s duty to family - including the selection of a husband or wife.   It is possible that each of these couples may not have been in love,   when their vows were stated.   They have a duty to society; they must not marry outside of their social class.   They have a duty to their family; they must not disgrace the family by not marrying.  Ã‚   They have a duty to him or herself, they must not allow themselves to be alone.   If they marry because there is no other choice, or because of a sense of duty, it is unlikely that they will have a fulfilling relationship.   It appears as though Calixta and Bobinot are content, and if they did not love each other when they were first married, then they have learned to love each other as the time passed.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Mr. and Mrs. Laballiere seem to be content, but their relationship seems to belacking something.   There doesn t seem to be any closeness of any kind.   Clarisse is quite content to   forgo   their   intimate conjugal life   at least for a little while.   The delay in Clarisse s arrival home is encouraged by Alcee, which seems odd for a husband who is lovingly, devoted to his life long companion.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Chopin uses the details to create symbolism that represents the bonds of therelationship between Alcee and Calixta. There is an awkwardness to... ...ife is felt anew as the two lovers say good-bye in a   glistening green world   (668).   Alcee and Calixta can return to their families as hopeful, vibrant people and continue their lives with a little more love and vitality.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Ms. Chopin magnificently gathers the descriptive details and uses them in such away that her meaning is comprehensible to the reader.   The reader sees the complete storm, from the first raindrops to the last.   She uses unique, creative symbolism to portray the thoughts and emotions that so often fade with the storm. The storm washes the depressing, dingy dust away, and allows new hope and vigor to spring up in its place.  Ã‚     So the storm passed and everyone was happy   (669). Work Cited Chopin, Kate. "The Storm." Literature Across Cultures. Eds. Sheena Gillepie, Terzinha Fonseca, Carol A. Sanger 3rd ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001.