Respose to “He-y, Come on Ou-t!” by Shinichi Hoshi Essay

What would a life be without sunshine or moonlight, without the sound of the wind rushing through the trees, the smell of crisp autumn air, or without the feel of dewy grass brushing our feet? Our environment gives us a source of peace, happiness and relaxation. But what about a life filled with ringing cell phones, angry bosses, tight deadlines and traffic jams? Living with these aggravations causes us stress, anger and chaos, but what are the benefits? Oh, but of course! How could I forget about money! People will go to any lengths for prosperity, even as far as destroying our precious environment. Shinichi Hoshi demonstrates this mania in his short story â€Å"He-y, Come on Ou-t!†. Upon the discovery of the infinite hole, we are first introduced to man’s willingness to sacrifice the Earth’s well-being. A concessionaire claims the hole with a profitable plot in mind and launches a vigorous campaign. â€Å"We’ve got a fabulously deep hole! Scientists say it’s at least five thousand meters deep! Perfect for the disposal of such things as waste from nuclear reactors!† (154), he chanted. Since it’s not environmentally safe to dispose of nuclear waste above ground, it must be perfectly harmless to put it in ground, right? I’d hoped that the villagers would object to this ridiculous arrangement, and they did. They balked at the idea until â€Å"it was explained that there would be absolutely no above-ground contamination for several thousand years and that they would share in the profits. Into the bargain, a magnificent road was built from the city to the village† (154). I am sadly disappointed in you, villagers. You are all in the mindset of â€Å"Oh, it won’t affect us for awhile, plus we’re getting money and a new road! What could be wrong with that?† Has it not occurred to you that even though you are benefiting from this proposal, that it might be causing harm elsewhere, in serious areas such as the environment? Of course not! As human beings we â€Å"dislike thinking about the eventual consequences† (155) and are extremely ambitious, therefore being much too preoccupied with our thoughts of success and growth. Our society has become so preoccupied with visions of wealth and expansion that we’ve failed to notice the state of our weakening environment. We are â€Å"concentrating solely on producing one thing after another† (155), no matter  the price the Earth is forced to pay. I have a hard time to believe that such an intelligent species could be so horribly ignorant about such a matter. Although some are aware of the way we are wrecking havoc against our planet, so little being done to protect our earth. We all need to realize that all of our selfish and inconsiderate deeds that we are pressing upon our planet will be back to haunt us. We are sitting in the driver’s seat, chattering away on our cell phones, too engrossed to spot the danger. In the blink of an eye we see the impending collision, but it’s too late. We are all so absorbed with dollar signs that we can’t appreciate Mother Earth’s true value. â€Å"The man, however, was gazing in id le reverie at the city’s skyline growing ever more beautiful, and he failed to notice† (155).

High School Should Offer Vocational Education Essay

The vocational education that high schools offer means that students can have vocational classes like academic classes. In the vocational classes, students can learn about how to fix cars, how to cook, or how to make furniture. Students can have these classes three or even more times a week. In my view, high schools should offer vocational education because it benefits the youth a lot. First of all, the vocational education can teach students some useful skills that can take to their adulthood, even though they won’t become the professionals. Imagine that your car is broken, what will you do? You could pay the repair shop and wait for weeks to get your car back, or you could fix it by yourself if you had the vocational education in high school. Some people say that there is no need to learn the skills like those if you don’t want to be a professional. However, life will be more convenient if you can do this stuff. For example, you can fix your car by yourself, for which you can save money and time, or you can cook Chinese food for your family at home instead of going to restaurants. Those things are daily occurrences. Also, vocational education can develop the individualism of high school students. With the developing of the society, increasingly the youth tend to rely on the technology like computers or Internet. On the other hand, the physical skills of the youth are declining. They have to ask for help when they meet the problems like the light is broken. But the vocational education can develop individualism of students by teaching them the skills they need and they can do them by themselves vocational education lets them think independently and have more confidence. Finally, it maybe true that having vocational education will distract the force of students on academic studying. Nevertheless, vocational education can let students find their potential and interests. There is a saying that the most happy thing in the world is doing what you are interested in as the job. By taking the vocational education, the youth can find what they really like to do and what their potential is. Maybe some students who are not good at math are good with their hands. Youth have a yearning for what they really like and are good at. Any enlightened and progressive high schools  should embrace the conflict of vocational education and academic education as a call for change. In sum, vocational education benefits the students a lot. It will teach youth the useful skill, develop individualism, and let students find their potential and interests. I think the most important objective of high schools is to guide students and offer them the education to become who they want to be, which is exactly what vocational school can do. For these reasons, I think high school should offer vocational education.

Virgin mobile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Virgin mobile - Essay Example This assignment entails analyzing the macro-environment of Virgin Mobile UK to come up with the issues affecting its strategic decisions. Political Factors: the financial performance of a country is adversely affected by the corporate tax rate. In the period between 1999 and 2007, the UK’S corporate tax rate was 30%, much higher than that recorded between 2008 and the present. (Trading Economics, 2014). This resulted into depletion of the profit margin of virgin mobile between 1997 to 2007 despite the company trying its best to remain profitable. The company targeted prepay customers who were within the age group of 18-35 years. It gained mobile phone subsidies that allocated them a payback of three months as opposed to a contract of three years. This was advantageous for the company evident through the increased profit margin that was evident for the company. There are other political factors that influenced the Telecom industry in UK that in turn affected the strategic decisions of Virgin mobile. They included: The political scenario existing in the country enables an environment full of deregulation. As a result, the level of competition in the UK telecom industry has increased in a significant margin. The buyers’ bargaining and negotiating power has increased due to the increased competitive environment. The UK’s mobile market is also expected to face high competition from other telecom companies in other countries within Europe due to the deregulation in the EU front. The company has made predictions that the political factors in the telecom industry in UK are expected to favor the company in the upcoming years. In turn, their customer base will increase significantly increasing the turnover of customers. Virgin company has proven to be the most formidable and dynamic company in the telecom industry in UK (BBC, 2003). Economic Factors:

The Core Competencies in Medical Practice Essay

The Core Competencies in Medical Practice - Essay Example The first theme involves the journey by Emirates Airlines via Dubai to London. On arrival at the immigration, we realized the immigration officers were ridiculing the international students and felt embarrassed about it. The classes started after two weeks, and the lectures were quite supportive and interesting. All staff member were helpful, and it was a good experience interacting with the students from diverse nationalities. We improved vocabularies by studying about the ward rounds. Ward rounds refer to visits paid by doctors to each of the patient in the hospital (Kaye et al., 2014). It is a complicated clinical process that extends beyond a bedside review of care (Thomas & Michel, 2009). The lecturer converts the class to dynamic and interesting learning experience by dividing the students into two groups and the students can express their opinions when they are with the ward rounds (Kaye et al., 2014). The doctors can extend the same and where students differ they can learn through discussion. Improvements of traditional ward rounds can be done through strong clinical leadership with all health care professionals (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2011). Theme two involved changing NHS culture, medical idioms, and leadership into academic skills. Studies revealed that over 3500 people died unnecessarily in NHS hospital last year because of mistakes and avoidable errors (Thomas & Michel, 2009).  

Human rights campaign proposal and Rationale Essay

Human rights campaign proposal and Rationale - Essay Example The campaign will focus on the various enumerated human rights included in the HRA and draw attention to the fact that the HRA guarantees the protection of those rights in a single document as opposed to an accumulation of years of judgments and various legislative provisions that are open to interpretation. Our campaign will seek to emphasize that the HRA brings universally accepted human rights protection to Great Britain. We would therefore like to publish and display posters at visible sites such as bus stops, train stations, billboards and other public places. The posters will be marked by our campaign logo: What’s Wrong with Human Rights? The body of the poster will list: The Right to Life; Prohibition against Torture; Prohibition against Slavery; the Right to Liberty; the Right to Fair and Public Trial; the Right to Privacy; Freedom of Conscience; Freedom of Expression; Freedom of Assembly; Presumption of innocence; and the Right to Marry. Surrounding the list of enumerated rights the poster will ask: Is this too Much to Ask? What if These Rights were Taken Away? At the bottom of the poster the following declaration will be made: These Rights are enumerated in the Human Rights Act 1998. Support our Campaign against the repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998. For more information visit our website: http.www.whatswrongwithhumanrights.org. We will maintain a website under the name whatswrongwithhumanrights.org. The homepage will display various images of the protection of human rights in practice. For instance, a trial will be displayed with images of a jury, a defendant, a judge, lawyers and members of the public drawing attention to the right to a fair and open trial. A picture of a man in blindfolds and handcuffed being interrogated by uniformed police officers with a red X across the photograph emphasising protection against torture. Another picture with a man or woman with a noose around his or her

Robert Adam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Robert Adam - Essay Example Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland in 1728, Adam led the neo-classical era of architecture in England and Scotland from the mid-1700's until his death in 1792. Adam rose to be one of the most influential architects in Great Britain employing the famed Neo-classical style of architecture.This achievement is reminiscent in many of his works all across the United Kingdom. After he earned fame on the completion of the remodeling of the Syon House, a Tudor-style convent situated at the outskirts of London, Adam was commissioned to build new structures and remodel existing structures which include, the Osterley Park in Middlesex and the Kenwood House, to fit the Neo-classical genre. But most importantly, Adam's works of genius can be witnessed today in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland where his designs of various structures and interior decoration continue to elicit awe and respect. Adam's stylistic influence in architecture has been massive and long lasting. However, his influence and innov ative ideas on interior design and intricate attention to details even on his tiniest of creations earned him the reputation as one of the greatest masters of interior design. He employed more flexibility and integrated aspects of classic Roman design which manifested hints and mixtures of Greek, Byzantine and Baroque creations. THE ADAMESQUE STAIR HALL ORNAMENT One of his most influential creations, the Osterley House, manifests Adam's genius and innovations in the design of interior delineating the Roman classical details on this particular work. 1The house features coffered Roman ceilings, apses, pilaster and grotesques reminiscent of the age of Antiquity. Adam's inclusion of the Etruscan dressing room gave the Osterley Park creation its most original and distinctive aspect, as Adam's utilization of this design is the finest 18th century variation of the Roman motif. Furthermore, at Kenwood House, Adam built a vaulted library, celebrated as his most intricate and beautiful creation. The vaulted library boasts of its soft blue palette balanced by white columns and hints of gilts, a creation unfamiliar in that era apparent only in that age's most intricate porcelains. Adamesque Door Surround THE ROOM The aforementioned innovative designs are typical of Adam who mixed neo-Gothic features with 'Etruscan' and 'Egyptian' motifs, considered minor features of the 'Adamesque' movement. Adam's style is unique, in that, it includes ornamentations reminiscent of the Roman motifs 2such as framed medallions, vases, urns and tripods, arabesque vine scrolls, sphinxes and gryphons. His distinct interior design also includes 3flat grotesque panels, pilasters, painted ornaments such as swags and ribbons and intricate color schemes. Adam's room arrangements, ornamental ceilings, chimneypieces and furniture characterized a 'greater unity and architectonic quality' in many of their features which are found missing or lacking in the works of his contemporaries. Although he was more famed for his architecture, his works on the interior and decoration of it, are of more lasting importance. 4The Pompeiian features and influence are evident in his decoration and setting of interiors, which give them the feeling of perfection and intricacy as Adam values ornamental balance and open spaces. THE STAIR HALL Most designers

Business Communication High School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Communication High School - Essay Example This will be a truly blessed opportunity to see the developmental work we have successfully achieved with your invaluable help in the past years. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for our kids to show off their skills and their gratitude. While it has been said that "it takes a village to raise a child", nothing can be truer for our kids at inner city New York, where much work still remains to be done to make our city safer, and our kids more fully aware of the emerging issues that concern everyone, even them. Now, there are a couple of ways wherein you can truly participate: one is to drop by and read our special stories for the day to the kids, stories that will highlight the little things they can do to help the community; or you can send a check with the enclosed business reply mail form. So please mark the 20th of May 2009 off your calendar and let us get together at the Seniors for Kids Day Care Center beginning at 10 in the morning. And remember, whatever little helps-after all the kids of inner city New York are your kids too.

Q1) Discuss why the events of September 11 had such a global impact Essay

Q1) Discuss why the events of September 11 had such a global impact and did it justify the war in Afghanistan - Essay Example The discussion as to whether the events of that day justified the war on Afghanistan has been avoided extensively. Several issues should be look at when finding out the justifications of the war. Firstly, it is the legality of the war. The United Nation is an international body that was formed in the year 1945. In the UN charter, there are international laws that govern war; the war with Afghanistan was illegal. This is so since for any war to be authorized by the UN the dispute has to be presented to the council for discussion. Without authorization by this body, any military action against another country is termed as being illegal (Köchler,2008 p57). The only exception from this rule is when a nation has been subjected to armed attacks from another country, and as a result, then a country may declare an act of war through self-defense. This condition was not fulfilled by the United States because they were not carried out by another nation, but by an organization called al-Qaida (Köchler, 2008 p75). The second fact that can result in war is when a country feels threatened by military actions instigated by another country. The threatened country has the option of approaching the UN Security Council, to ask for authorization in order to act out of self-defense where the means on how to defend is not fixed. However, the government of the US at that time claimed that the attacks on Afghanistan were intended to protect the United States from any other attacks. However, this was not the case as the pentagon took its time to launch the attacks, and again this proved that the matter was not urgent, as the UN requires it. The United Nations did not authorize the attacks on Afghanistan thus the war was deemed as being illegal, and this has even been confirmed by some politicians who were government officials at the time (Buckley, 2003 p95). The third

Should the voting age in the UK be reduced to 16 years of age Essay

Should the voting age in the UK be reduced to 16 years of age - Essay Example And up till now, the prohibiting teenagers from the vote has received reasonably little attention in public discussion. (Shrag, 2004) â€Å"Only an approximately 40% of 18–24 year-olds voted in the general election in 2001. Only an estimated 11.5% of 18–24 year-olds voted in the local elections in 2002†. (www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk) There are several reasons for these low numbers. Some individuals think that by lowering the voting and standing age would be a step forward to give confidence more young people to take interest in elections. While the others think that younger people do not until now have enough considerate of issues like tax and public services to be permitted to a vote or stand as a candidate. The criteria for voting age restriction in most of the countries are 18. Some other countries have different age restriction of voting like, 20 and 21. A few other countries have lowered the age restriction to 16 or 17. On the other hand, some countries have a lower voting age for local level elections than for national elections. Those who say we should keep the age limitations as they are saying that the related voting age in nearly all other countries means we have got it right. People think that only people over eighteen are mature enough and actually take political issues seriously. Right now, people are thinking whether or not sixteen-years old should be able to vote. Some people think that at the age of sixteen the teens are not old and mature enough to vote in an election. The truth is, they should be able to vote. (Franklin, 2004, 45-56) At the age of sixteen, it is only 2 years away from eighteen, and thats not a very big of a difference. Teens also know what is right and wrong, do not have to wait until eighteen, the "legal" age. They also have the right for political parties to give serious

The Question of State Rights and the Cause of the American Civil War Essay

The Question of State Rights and the Cause of the American Civil War - Essay Example In fact, the issue of slavery only served as a trigger that eventually let loose the war that was waiting to happen due to animosities between the states, particularly those in the South, and the federal government. These animosities are based on the contrasting stand regarding the issues of state rights and the powers of the federal government when it comes to the administration of the states. It was during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln that the issue of slavery became such a contentious and divisive issue in the country. Most of the states in the North have made into law the abolition of slavery but the South continued to defend it as a very important aspect of the economy. However, Lincoln strongly pushed for the abolition of slavery on a nation-wide scope. This angered the South who also had supporters or lobbyists within the halls of congress. In a debate with a pro-slavery political figure, Lincoln said, â€Å"I believe we shall not have peace upon the question until the o pponents of slavery arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or on shall become alike lawful and in all the States, old as well as new, North as well as South.†i This point only antagonized further the states, particularly in the south. This stance from the president himself only encouraged the Southern States to consider seceding from the Union and to establish their own sovereign country which would naturally continue to promote slavery as a means of utilizing manpower for its economic activities. This conflict also highlighted the unresolved debates that occurred during the founding period of the country. Such issues were once sidelined intentionally or were relegate to the background while the country was still trying to establish itself politically and economically, especially because it had just won independence. However, it did not take long for such antagonisms to grow into actual conflicts. All it took was for the federal government to insist on it’s the laws at the expense of the states for these to happen. A particular event that led to the sharpening contradictions evidently between the North and South, but actually between the federal government and the states, was what happened in the Nullification Crisis in 1832. At that time, a federal law was made that introduced tariffs in order to discourage foreign competition with the products of the industry which were largely found in the North. However, such law put the South at disadvantage because of its dependence on imports. Through their own interpretation of the Constitution, key political leaders of the South insisted in nullifying the said tariff law. They pointed out that â€Å"should the federal government exceed its delegated powers by, for example, enactive a protective tariff, a state had the power to declare such an action unconstitutional and therefore null and void within it s boundaries.†ii This is exactly the same attitude that the Southern states had when the North and the federal government moved for the abolition of slavery. Due to the fact that such legislation would put it at such great disadvantage many of the states in the South actively sought exemption from it. From the perspective of the federal gover

Emerging markets Essay Example for Free

Emerging markets Essay Emerging markets are nations with social or business activity in the process of rapid growth and industrialization. The economies of China and India are considered to be the largest.[1] According to The Economist many people find the term outdated, but no new term has yet to gain much traction.[2] Emerging market hedge fund capital reached a record new level in the first quarter of 2011 of $121 billion.[3] The seven largest emerging and developing economies by either nominal GDP or GDP (PPP) are China, Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey. [pic] An emerging market economy (EME) is defined as an economy with low to middle per capita income. Such countries constitute approximately 80% of the global population, and represent about 20% of the worlds economies. The term was coined in 1981 by Antoine W. Van Agtmael of the International Finance Corporation[pic] of the World Bank. Although the term emerging market is loosely defined, countries that fall into this category, varying from very big to very small, are usually considered emerging because of their developments and reforms. Hence, even though China is deemed one of the worlds economic powerhouses, it is lumped into the category alongside much smaller economies with a great deal less resources[pic], like Tunisia. Both China and Tunisia belong to this category because both have embarked on economic development and reform programs, and have begun to open up their markets and emerge onto the global scene. EMEs are considered to be fast-growing economies. What an EME Looks Like EMEs are characterized as transitional, meaning they are in the process of moving from a closed economy to an open market economy while building accountability within the system. Examples include the former Soviet Union and Eastern bloc countries. As an emerging market, a country is embarking on an economic reform program that will lead it to stronger and more responsible economic performance levels, as well as transparency and efficiency[pic] in the capital market. An EME will also reform its exchange rate system because a stable local currency builds confidence in an economy, especially when foreigners are considering investing. Exchange rate reforms also reduce the desire for local investors to send their capital abroad (capital flight). Besides implementing reforms, an EME is also most likely receiving aid and guidance from large donor countries and/or world organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. One key characteristic of the EME is an increase in both local and foreign investment (portfolio and direct). A growth in investment in a country often indicates that the country has been able to build confidence in the local economy. Moreover, foreign investment is a signal that the world has begun to take notice of the emerging market, and when international capital flows are directed toward an EME, the injection of foreign currency into the local economy adds volume to the countrys stock market and long-term investment to the infrastructure. For foreign investors or developed-economy businesses[pic], an EME provides an outlet for expansion by serving, for example, as a new place for a new factory or for new sources of revenue. For the recipient country, employment levels rise, labor and managerial skills become more refined, and a sharing and transfer of technology occurs. In the long-run, the EMEs overall production levels should rise, increasing its gross domestic product and eventually lessening the gap between the emerged and emerging worlds. Portfolio Investment and Risks Because their markets are in transition and hence not stable, emerging markets offer an opportunity to investors who are looking to add some risk to their portfolios. The possibility for some economies to fall back into a not-completely-resolved civil war or a revolution sparking a change in government could result in a return to nationalization, expropriation and the collapse of the capital market. Because the risk of an EME investment is higher than an investment in a developed market, panic, speculation and knee-jerk reactions are also more common the 1997 Asian crisis, during which international portfolio flows into these countries actually began to reverse themselves, is a good example of how EMEs can be high-risk investment opportunities. (For more insight on getting into emerging economies, read Forging Frontier Markets.) However, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward, so emerging market investments have become a standard practice among investors aiming to diversify while adding risk. (For more details on the advantages and disadvantages of making foreign investments, see Is Offshore Investing For You? and Going International.)

Business Plan For Early Intervention Education Essay

Business Plan For Early Intervention Education Essay The purpose of this paper is to show the need for early intervention for infants and toddler with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. Kitkat the Educators program will prepare disabled students to excel at a young age, by teaching, training stimulating the mind to create an atmosphere to function outside of ones self. Kitkat is not like the competitors, this school will focus and offer advance communication skills (technology) to encourage speech, physical strength, academics, top of the line technology, after school tutorial, recreational, craft and dance. This disability has created a need for quality child care development and training to help children with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities to be successful in life. Also, the owner focuses on parent trainings, parents turn to for support, reassurance, and hope when faced with the uncertainty of their childs future. It is important for parent participation as long as their child receives services from the school. This program will focus on parents learning all techniques use in the classroom in the home, and community. History of Organization Kitkat is a privately held corporation run by its owner, Cathy Austin, who has 20 years of experience teaching students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism (A). The owner is certified as special education teacher and highly qualified by the State of Georgia. The owner currently has a bachelor degree with a concentration in mentally retardation. Which is now known as intellectual disabilities? The owner will be supported in daily operations of the school by a consultant, a campus director and certified educators with experiences in the child care field. Intellectual disability (ID) is now more common amongst autistics than in the general population. Overview: According Ackerman, (2011) The increasing prevalence of Autism has been recognized as the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation, affecting one in 88 children. It is now the third most common childhood disorder, more common than Down syndrome and childhood diabetes combined. In turn, parents need to be informed of the assessment, treatment, and intervention resources available to help their children if diagnosed with autism. At the center of KitKat the Educator, we want to reassure parents that there is hope, and through our services, individuals will be able to maximize their potential. KitKat has established itself as the institution that parents turn to for support, reassurance, and hope when faced with the uncertainty of their childs future. We want to reassure parents that there is hope, and through our services, individuals will be able to maximize their potential. To most effectively meet the needs of children with autism and their families, KitKat the Educator has developed a training and education center scheduled to open in 2013. Ackerman states (2011) this new initiative will create a more timely early diagnosis screening for infants and toddlers who may be afflicted with Autism. A Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) will be hired to meet the ever-growing demand for extensive evaluation, assessment, and treatment services. KitKat will work collaboratively with local service providers, and school systems, to create a progressive and comprehensive treatment facility to best serve childrens needs (Ackerman TACA, 2012). According to Berkell, Z. D. (1999), a Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Blueuler was the first to use the name Autism back in the early 1912s. The reason for early intervention today is to help Autistic children function much better in society (Berkell, 1999). In the 1940s, researchers in the United States began to use the term autism to describe children with emotional or social problems (Berkell, 1999). Kanner, Leo a doctor from Johns Hopkins University, used the word autism to describe the withdrawn behavior of several children he studied (Berkell, 1999). Also Han Asperger a scientist in Germany, identified a similar condition thats now called Aspergers syndrome Aylott, J (2011). According to Aylott, J (2011) Han Asperger found several types of autism: Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS)- Aspergers syndrome Rett syndrome Childhood disintegrative disorder How Is Autism Treated? Leo Kanner treatments for autism vary (Aylott, 2011) depending on the needs of the individual. Kanner, (2011) treatments fall into three categories: Behavioral and communication therapy Medical and dietary therapy Complementary therapy (music or art therapy, for example) The Owners Journey The journey as teacher did not begin immediately after college. Cathy Austins degree in special education B. S., as an Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Autism (A) teacher for DeKalb County School District. The owner has 21 years of experience working with children with ID and Autism. The owner worked with Children diagnosed or identified with autism, cerebral palsy, Mental Retardation, intellectual impairment, physical impairments, learning disabilities and Down syndrome. The owner believes that providing structure and visual supports can help to alleviate problems that may arise. Thus, allowing individuals with disabilities to demonstrate to others their capabilities. Teaching is actually a second career for the owner; the owner worked in the health care in the as a nurses aide for 4 years. The owner was trying to run from the calling of God. On the job doing the daily routine the voice of God spoke and said this not what I told you to do! Then God said I told you to teach children with special needs. Limited with only being a nurses aide, the owner decided to apply for college to get a degree to teach. The owner was unemployed for five months and then got an opportunity to go to college and get a Bachelor Degree in Special Education (Mentally Retardation). The first teaching job was as a special education teacher for homebound. The owner wanted to do something to help and to make a difference in the lives of these young children. The Owner moved from homebound to teaching in the classroom started in 1991. The owners favorite project is walking for March of Dimes Autism, and Cerebral Palsy. What can you do to strengthen and improve the childs life? The Owner enjoys being involved in educating the community about our children and being an advocate to support the parent. The Owner always wanted to have a school for children with disabilities. Now I can see the dream happening more now than ever before. Kitkat is a childhood nickname. So the Owner decided to use kitkat as the name of the school. The teaching profession can be strengthened by additional parent-involvement. The students whose parents are involved and vigilant about seeking opportunities to further expand their childs learning and abilities are the most successful students. The art of learning does not occur solely within the confines of the classroom, but it includes life-lessons and cultural experiences. The parents who ensure they are providing these additional resources for their children help not only the child, but the teacher who can draw from these experiences to illustrate key points in the child and parent life. Philosophy The Owners philosophy of teaching is very simple. It is simply to go beyond the standards, improving inappropriate behavior and communication skills. One needs heart and compassion to teach and reach children with special needs. Having the desire to get to know the students and actually listen to them is a major part of learning. The students respond better when they know others care, and care enough to watch their patterns and identify the times when they are not themselves and need help beyond the lesson for the day. The Owners thoughts are what can one do to strengthen and improve one is to evolve as a teacher. Children are changing. Curriculum and techniques is changing. The world is changing, so for one to remain the same and not evolve with the changes of society and the people in it does not help children. The overall goal in education is to help children and in order to do that, one need to constantly reevaluate ones lessons, approach and delivery as a whole. As a teacher you learn so much from your peers, but one will continue to watch and learn from the students as well. It is honestly believed that one can make a difference in the life of a child, every day. My Career and Educational Experience B.S. Degree in Special Education MBA Degree in February 2013 2 + years Adult Workshop 2 years Georgia Regional (skilled area) children Intellectual Disabilities 3+ years supervisory experience of staff 20+ years teaching Intellectual Disabilities/Autism experience Past strategic choices- Through the DeKalb County School District, Clayton County Adult workshop, and Douglas county workshop my work experience are as follow: Homebound- providing service to disabled students not able to attend public school system due to medical and fragile situations. Clayton County Respite care to children with Intellectual disabilities. Parent Conference meeting with parent for concerns and information Atlanta Group Home for Jewish Down Syndrome adults. Current Position in the Market Location of Business The future home for the business will be 748 Flat Shoal Road, Decatur, Georgia. This business will start in the old Y building on Candler road and my pursuit for a loan of $300,000.00 for the building. This building is in the heart of the business district of Candler Road. It is one mile from Flat Shoal Elementary School. The Owner will offer after school program to disabled and non-disabled school aged children. Some of the best years in life are the time spent as a child and later our adult yearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. As working adults in a fast paced society, we sometimes forget just how precious and fleeting those years are. With that in mind, imagine an alternative to traditional infant, day and after school care that not only met your child care needs, but also provided an activity based learning environment that mirrors those used at public schools. Professional care givers with the credentials to not only enhance your childs early social and motor skills, but to also teach them advanced studies in the arts and academics found at institutions of higher learning. A curriculum based curriculum tailored specifically for children, taught in a fun, nurturing care giving environment. Now imagine this at a cost less than that of the combination of conventional training services and specific interest based children programs. Kitkat the Educator is an early intervention comprehensive developmental and educational program, exclusively for children with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism, ages new born to 7 years old. The school dedicates its efforts and resources toward ensuring top rated care giving services coupled with a high quality activity based learning environment tailored for children in these age groups. The school will respond to the needs of its parents and students with excellent care giving and instruction an advanced curriculum, flexible programs, local community involvement and business partnerships. The Kitkat School has a strong commitment to accessibility and diversity. Its open door policy embraces all who desire to provide a better quality of care, preparedness and education for their children. The school works to provide affordable, first clas s care giving and education by providing a broad range of integrated programs and services and innovative learning approaches. The school is committed to taking a leadership role in child care services, higher learning, community services and promoting cultural diversity. Kit Kat directs its activities towards student success. Campus Direction Sign Campus Office Classroom Recreational building Keys to Success The keys to success for chitchat are: Marketing: differentiating care giving and education and interest activity programs. Service quality: care giving and educational programs provided by degreed and certified educators, child care workers, tutors and technology. Reputation: maintaining a highly regarded reputation for excellence in care giving, education and community involvement and being the employer of choice in our market for child and educational talent. Profitability: controlling costs and managing budgets in accordance with company goals, adhering to strategic business plans for growth and experience and reinvesting in the business and its employees. Start up Summary: As I pursue investor to invest into kitkat business, the first location may start in my home. As the number of children increase and the fund are available then the Shoal road facility will be a dream comes true. Reaching into some of my retirement money, it is possible to use funds from my 401to start the business in my home. The school founder and president, Cathy Austin, will oversee fiscal responsibility, employing an CPA for financial oversight. A campus Director will be hired to handle day to day operations and will work collaboratively with the silent partners and other campus personnel to ensure a successful business venture. As reflected in the table below, the estimated startup cost for kitkat will be $39,450. These costs will be financed solely by the owners personal cash funds and optional credit lines. An anticipated $60,000 SBA guaranteed 5 year loan will be used as working capital. Future expansion, growth and franchising strategy will be self financed. Start Summary Utilities 300.00 Legal 2000.00 Furniture 6000.00 Toys 2000.00 Playground Fence 500.00 Rent 0 Brochures 350.00 Business printing paper 300.00 Insurance 3000.00 1 Teacher Assistance 2000.00 Built one room on house 5,490.00 Student supply 2000.00 Lab tops (4 to 5) 1250.00 Food 5000.00 Recreation equipment 5000.00 Total $35,190.00 Enrollment will be at least six children per quarter: First quarter expecting 6 children Second quarter 6 more children Third quarter 6 more children Fourth quarter 6 more children Total of 24 children As the children increase then staff will increase to help teach in a small group to focus more 1 to 4 children in a classroom. Objectives By the end of Year 2 expect sales increasing almost double. By the end of Year 1 maintain a high raw gross margin. By the end of Year1 expected to open second campus. By the end of Year 3 will attempt to franchise. Pricing Strategies Kitkat must charge appropriately for the high-end, high-quality educational and care giving services we offer. Our revenue structure has to support our cost structure, so the salaries we pay to assure quality services must be balanced by the revenue we charge. We will be price competitive in the market we serve; however, we will not subscribe to the low price leader concept. The quality of our service will support the prices we charge. Affordable Price The price for service for each child is $350.00 weekly, paying in advance by check, cash or money order. The payment policy is expected to be followed and payment is due on every Friday. Promotion Community Involvement Educational Curriculum Support Service Behavior Specialist, Occupational/Speech/Physical Therapist, Autism Specialist, Employment policy and Procedures, Job description, Safety fire, Recruitment and training Open House Tornado drills The type of services that will be offered: Full time child care Part-time/After school activities After school Tutoring Parent training and support Homebound Service Vision Statement: To enhance the life of the disabled child in socially, emotionally, academically, recreational and physically. Mission Statement: The act of learning should not occur solely within the confines of the classroom, but includes life lesson and cultural experiences. The overall goal in educating is to help disable children improve and progress socially, emotionally and communicating. One must learn to make a difference in the life of a child every day. to teach the parents increase data driven teach and reach a child to teach the child the curriculum based activity External Threats: the economy condition can be threat to profit (state funds to children with disabilities) competitors can be a threat global move External Opportunities in the community for exposure and direct mail campaigns Community Involvement Advertisement Direct mail Sales Brochures Open House Internal Strengths and Weaknesses SWOT Strengths Weaknesses Top of the line Curriculum and Training Trained/Certified Staff Small class session Required Parent training and support groups Quality care and service Not enough funds Right location Get the right people on the bus Someone stealing your idea Advertisement Community involvement Open house Direct mail Sale Brochure Parents State License and approval Economic conditions competitor Opportunities Threats Expense Table Expenses Expected Monthly Cost Expected Yearly Cost Rent Salaries and wages Supplies: Technological, Equipment, furniture, computers, software, copy machine, desks, chair, etc.) and other Advertisement and other promotions Utilities, Heat, Electricity, etc. Telephone and Internet Insurance Other (specify) Other (specify) Expected Revenue June July August Sept. Oct. Dec. Yearly Revenue (Sale) Category 1 Category 2 Total Revenue (Sales) Cost of Goods Sold Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Factor Weight Rating Extended Strengths Well known for quality reliable service 0.16 4 0.64 Low turnovers provides continuity customer knowledge 0.07 3 0.21 Represent a full line of top quality component manufacturers 0.15 4 0.60 Strong balance sheet with very little debt 0.11 3 0.33 Almost 60% of customers come from referrals 0.13 4 0.52 Weaknesses Strictly a local company 0.05 2 0.10 Unknown to the general public 0.02 2 0.04 Use distributors for parts purchases, incurring higher cost 0.08 2 0.16 Provide many benefits to employees that raise coat 0.13 1 0.13 Less than 5% if customers buy service contrasts 0.10 1 0.10 Total 1.00 2.83 Company Summary Kitkat first school will be located North Druid Hill, Atlanta. The school will employ six fundamentals that will serve as the driving force for the services offered. Premier care giving services An activity based, children structured curriculum Advanced technology and developmental programs Continuing education mentoring and tutoring Learning services Community advancement and involvement Company Ownership Company Ownership Kitkat developmental and training school is a privately held proprietorship owned in majority by its founder. There are also two silent partners, neither of whom own more than 10%, but will be active participants in daily operations, management decisions and consulting though they do not own a financial stake in the company. Once the operation reaches its anticipated growth and profitability goals, the school plans to franchise and will register as a limited liability company or as a corporation, whichever will better suit the future business needs. Services KitKat training school offers quality child care services and a curriculum based designed for kids new born to 7 years old and pre-k to second grade. Normal operating hours will be 6:45am to 6:30pm. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday with observance of all major legal holidays. Early drop off service will be offered as needed. KK exists to provide premier child care services that are aimed at enhancing traditional day care methodologies and integrating extracurricular interests (such as arts and crafts, gymnastics) into one comprehensive program. Our activity based curriculum is specifically tailored for children. We offer state of the art technology programs in leading edge facilities which help prepare students through main school homework assignments and provide a base of understanding and interaction to ensure success in future educational endeavors. Finally, our developmental program reinforces basic social, listening, independence and motor skills and prepares studen ts for future related interaction. All of our learning and child care services employ technology, partnerships, professional services and other activities that support and promote higher learning. In addition to the extensive services and curriculum offered, each campus will also offer weekend specialty classes for children and adults and planned family activities in the community it serves. KK will also offer children birthday party hosting services, providing great activities for kids and an easy experience for parents. Activity instructors will be assigned for these events and will lead the activities, ensuring a memorable celebration Services Description Upon its opening, Kitkat Developmental and training services will offer four basic services in the Atlanta area: Full time child care Part-time/After school activities After school Tutoring Prior to opening, the school will have a two month enrollment drive. Based on the market reaction to the drive, these services may be altered to meet the needs of the community. The school will always remain nimble enough to respond to the needs of the community in which it serves. Support Service Offered Early Intervention starts with a committee meeting to determine what services a child may need. The team will take the time to evaluate child to see if they need any of the following listed below: Psychologist the referral for a psychologist is to obtain a current intellectual functional level of the child. During this process a parent questionnaire must be complete by the parents. This is for background information; the childs birth, prenatal development, weight at birth, complications at birth; medical history such as; asthma or food allergies; and behavior. The types of testing instruments the psychologist use for evaluation is: Brigance Inventory of Early Development this instrument test self-care, gross motor, cognitive/social, communication, perceptual/fine motor and this instrument checks the age equivalent in years and months of a child. Assessment of Intellectual Functioning- the purpose of the evaluation is provided and estimation of the childs intellectual ability as a comparison against actual academic achievement. Determining cognitive strengths and weaknesses also helps to evaluate learning potential and guide recommendations for the use of specific instructional strategies and intervention techniques. Stanford-Binet Intelligence scales: Fifth Edition (SB: 5) is an intelligence measure that consists of nonverbal and verbal tasks that assess skill in five domains. The SB: 5 yield composite scores in each of these domains as well as a nonverbal Intelligence Quotient (NVIQ), a verbal intelligence Quotient (VIQ) and a Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) that represents an estimate of the childs overall level of functioning. Speech therapy When a child who needs speech therapy received speech in the early stages to promote your childs development, it is a support system not only for the child, but also for the family, and finally it gives your child the abilities to become a functional member of society. Development Research has shown us that most of a childs learning and development happens in the pre-school years, which is why the timing of intervention is so important. All children have what we call stages of readiness to learn, and if you miss these stages, your child may have difficulty in learning particular skills later on. Support system This is extremely important for any family with a special needs child. We have a lot to cope with in the early days, after a diagnosis, disappointment, frustration and helplessness. Many families of handicapped children also have to deal with divorce and some degree of social isolation. Thats why stepping in early can definitely give your family the tools to h ave a better attitude within the family and towards the special needs child. Your therapists can provide you with information and skills to teach and help your child t best of your abilities, thereby relieving a lot of stress and feelings of helplessness. Take advantage of friends and family who offer to help, you need to take time out, you are after all more than just a mother and a wife. Society We would all like our children to become functional and contributing members of society, so start implementing the skills your child needs to do this, as early as possible. Become involved in your childs treatment, and implement all the skills that your therapist suggests to improve their overall communication skills. The speech teacher works with the child; to assist the child in developing the ability to understand basic concepts, when shown two pictures, the child will understand the difference between the two concepts; to assist the child in identifying pictures describing basic concepts; to understand the concept of sequencing with 10%, 20% etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦; the child will begin to understand sounds, temporal sequencing; the child will develop the ability to make sound, position lips, and tongue; assist the child in matching and sorting pictures with association relationship; Expressive Language-increase expressive language skills that are needed to facilitate effective daily communications; to produce his own name; name body parts; imitate sounds, intonations and words; name common objects and pictures of objects; assist the child in expressing needs through words; use eye to face contact when speaking needs through words; decrease echolalia and preservation speech; develop self confidence in verbal encounters; develop volume that is appropriate to the listeners need; participate in group activities that involve turn-taking and observation of rules; develop reasoning in cause and effect relationships; identify the object described when presented aloud with the definition; carry on a conversation in a socially appropriate manner; tell about recent and past experience; to correctly produce one-word utterances; name object and person; say words to call attention to an object; say two words to indicate the recurrence of an object; say two or more word utterance which contain an adjective and a n oun; say two or more words to show disappearance of an object; say two or more words to show emotion; use verbs appropriately; name pictured verbs; described actions performed by himself/herself; describe actions performed by others; use categories and association appropriately; name member of the category when presented with the category title; imitate the model as they point to peers possession; respond orally with the correct possessive form in short phrases as the speech teacher points to peers; respond to wh questions; answer what, who, where, when, why, and which, questions; Competitive Comparison The child care industry as a whole is saturated. However, based on US Census 2000 data, DeKalb County child care services provider listing is growing and has few licensed developmental and training centers for disabled children. Kitkat School intends to fill this local market need. In the Atlanta area North Druid Hills subdivisions mostly have retired resident homes respectively (Margret Harris Comprehensive school). There is only one other developmental facility in the North Druid Hills neighborhood. This one is on knob Dr. There is also three family child caregivers listed in the area, but none in the immediate community. Kitkat will differentiate itself from its local competitors by offering an alternative to these traditional day care approaches. The kitkat school market strategy is based on providing an activity based learning environment that is used in many major public schools. We will offer the community of professional caregivers with the credentials to not only enhances a childs early social and motor skills, but to also teach them advanced studies in cognitive and social skills. Technology Since the school founder has an extensive information Technology background, its only natural that Kitkats school will employ and maintain the latest technology to enhance its curriculum, office management systems, payment processing and record keeping. Marketing Analysis Summary Kitkats developmental and training program offers services which are vitally important in todays fast paced, dual-income world. As an increasing number of families have become dependent on one income, the need for quality child care has skyrocketed. According to Atlanta Business Statistics, 84.6% of licensed child care facilities succeed and make a profit in their 1st year of operation. Nationally, this number is 66.7%. There is no doubt, in the North Druid Hills area, that there is room and a need for a school for disabled children. Market demographics to support this statement can be found below. Target Market Segment Strategy The target market for Kitkat is full-time workers. Referral marketing, direct-mail campaigns and Referral marketing, direct mail campaigns and community activity days will be the primary types Of marketing strategies utilized. Maintaining and enhancing its reputation with families and in the community will be crucial in obtaining the planned market share growth of this target market. Market Segmentation Kitkat has a focus on meeting the local community need for child care services within the 5 mile radius of downtown Atlanta. Students will taken in flexible on either a full time or part- time basis. Full-Time Worker The school will establish a significantly large, full-time, regular client

Management and Leadership (ML) Reflection in Nursing

Management and Leadership (ML) Reflection in Nursing Description of the incident /near miss The incident occurred in a care centre that provides nursing care and support for 20 young people with a physical disability (YPD) and 65 older people. The settlement consists of four individual units; two â€Å"dementia†, one â€Å"residential† and one â€Å"YPD† providing care for people with many different conditions. Staff work allocated to individual units but is expected to help out in other than allocated units when necessary. One member of staff had a terrible attitude towards working/helping out in one of the dementia units and refused to do so when delegated to work there. This led to a challenging situation that could cause risks related to short staffing issues. The analysis relates to the key elements of competence: Management and Leadership (ML) The situation was critical to me because it undermined safeguarding practice, affected teamwork concept and disorganised work causing workload difficulties. It was linked with factors that could affect safety and pose risks to clients ( ML 1.13) and therefore as a leading member of staff I had to take action by organising work and co-ordinating duties by prioritising needs (ML 1.1). According to the company regulations both dementia units should have daily minimum 5 care and 1 trained staff and 4 +1 in the other two on duty. When all staff present at work on the incident’s day had been checked; the â€Å"residential unit† turned out to be overstaffed (5+1staff). I have decided to take advantage of this opportunity and utilise available human resources in order to provide care for the clients in my unit (ML 1.5; 1.6) and delegated a member from the â€Å"over staffed† unit to help us. It was obvious to me that I had to act non-judgementally to ensure equality and fairness towards all clients (ML 1.6) by allocating adequate number of staff for each unit. The refusal to help in dementia unit was motivated by â€Å"fear to work in an unknown environment†. However the members of staff on duty working in the unit that was short were experienced and well organised workers. The delegated member of staff who denied to help was explained that she could benefit from joining the experienced team and encouraged to learn more about dementia affected clients’ needs and how influence the clients outcomes (ML 1.3; 1.15). Feelings Knowing the group of clients in dementia units from my own experience; their needs and limited abilities to act for themselves, I felt obligated to act for them. As a leading, trained staff I had the duty to ensure the patient’s right to be cared appropriately was met and the power to organise and co-ordinate work. It was a good opportunity to point out questionable behaviours that had potential advantages for the improvement of quality of care in the Home. Also the incident gave me the chance to show recognition to the experienced members of the team by asking to guide the new (in the unit) colleague. Evaluation The ability to re-organise work in one unit, so that we could attempt to manage to work in the short staffed unit without calling agency or bank staff was a positive aspect. Awareness of the workload and the â€Å"routine† of work in the dementia units allowed me to think about what to do and how to do it. My main aim was to ensure â€Å"our† clients were safe and looked after appropriately. As soon as I have noticed that one unit was â€Å"overstaffed† I have decided to delegate one of their members to work with us. This might have been good in relation to co-ordinating work and the use of available resources but on the other hand it could have as well caused the incident. I planned the delegation effectively but the implications of the delegation of duties could have been explained first. Before co-ordinating and delegating I could have taken 5-10 minutes to explain to the delegated member of staff that she will work with an experienced team where support will be provided and that she could gain new experience and knowledge that she may well benefit from in the future. Nevertheless, I simply presumed that the perception of the situation was the same for everyone. I did not consider the feelings or experiences of the member of staff that was meant to be transferred to our unit for her shift. Once the situation was explained and an informal verbal warning was given to the â€Å"non-cooperative carer† she changed her mind and came to work with us. Analysis Key system policies for Scottish Social Care (Quality Compliance Systems, 2014) include amongst others ‘Safeguarding Arrangements’ and their reports, for example State of care 2013/14 (Care Quality Commission, 2013/14), demonstrate that ‘lack of staff’ is one of the most common reasons for safety issues. Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) state what types of incidents/accidents have to be reported for further investigations (Health and Safety Executive, 2013). Although the described incident was classed as non RIDDOR reportable it had to be managed immediately in relation to Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2008) Cartey and Clark (2010) claim that bearing in mind the patient’s right to be cared appropriately in a safe environment by adequate number of qualified and or purposely trained staff is enshrined within the constitution needs to go along with an understanding that care workers face many challenging situations that can affect their performance and at the same time the patient’s safety. Care staff deliver the majority of hands-on nursing care but all too often they are perceived by superiors as †numbers† and therefore it can be difficult for them to feel motivated, maintain high morale and values and play a good role in a team. It is expected that they are responsible (the service user needs to feel secure in the knowledge that they will be responsibly looked after), supportive, compassionate, respectful towards each other and the service users, sensitive, understanding and having good people- skills. However for this to be achieved they need to be led by good examples (Bertucci, 2006). The ideal example should according to Storey and Holti (2013) use a concept that is no exclusive to or within leadership. Therefore, mixing management styles e.g. autocratic command and control based to delegate duties effectively, organise and co-ordinate work with the ability to motivate and bring out the best in staff by communicating and sharing the mission and building partnerships within organisation ( democratic) is critical (Schein, 2010). Sims (2002) underlines the need for change in commitment to teams and teamwork where client centred and willing to focus on the customer needs attitude is seen as the key element. Teams are perceived as combined and unceasing efforts of everyone participating in care including not only healthcare givers and receivers but also planners (Walburg and Bevan, 2005). Alas, teams that are cohesive, productive do not happen by accident. The Care Quality Commission (2013/14) reports show that appropriate use of available human resources is a longstanding concern that affects the quality of care in nursing causing many issues. Therefore staff should be encouraged to work together even if they disagree or have different opinions in order to work out ways to resolve conflicts (Mickan, 2005). Explaining the idea of working in â€Å"the unknown† unit changed the attitude of the â€Å"uncooperative carer†. The mixed approach might have been more time consuming compared to a straight commanding but proved to work well. The approach used on that day helped to identify the cause of the problem, avoid risks related to it and motivate the team which had a positive effect on personal development. Should there be a just one style e.g. traditional management used, where the management is known to exercise power, fear and follow without question attitudes (Colins, 2001), the incident could have turned out from a near miss to a serious safety issue. Conclusion If the Manager would have paid more attention to developing and leading teams that work well together for the home as a whole prior to the incident, there would be no issue with working in other units and work could be co-ordinated and prioritised on the day of the incident in a different way. However, the incident made me realise that without my initiative to seek help from other units â€Å"our† clients would be put at risk and treated unfairly. This gave me the strength to use all my powers to mitigate the risks related to staffing challenges and manage the problem as effectively as possible. I knew I had to be strict but at the same time I wanted to act in a sensitive manner to avoid over emotional response that could have caused unwanted effects. What I have learned was to use mixed styles approach in practice. Action plan If a similar situation arose in the future I would start the day with a flash meeting; explaining the risks and consequences of leaving a unit short of staff to the whole team (all units). I would allow some extra time to make sure we all understand our role as caregivers to be flexible and accommodating that enables us to deal with different types of patients with greater ease. Then I would re-organise staff in units depending on the teams and needs of each unit; choose one inexperienced or new member of staff to work in the unit that would be short and explain that this is â€Å"learning by doing† day and offer my personal support to that member of staff.

Sufi Teachers and Redefining the Traditional Student-Teacher Relationsh

Sufi Teachers and Redefining the Traditional Student-Teacher Relationship "What does it mean-and more important, what should it mean--to be educated?" (58) A response to Spayd's begs another question. Is education the objective itself or the means to the objective? For some people education is just a degree, a piece of paper framed on the wall. One can say, a person with a diploma has received an education, but it is not certain that the person is educated. This paper relates to those individuals who use education as a means to reach their objective. For them, education is not a straight line with a definitive start and finish. It is a journey full of crossroads and choices, which require direction from a guide. For a student, the teacher is that guide. The teacher teaches the student how to find the right way in his journey and from time to time, help redefine student's objective. The teacher's role in a student's journey is a central issue for a fruitful education. A teacher's methodology and the relationship between student and teacher greatly affect the content of education and its relevance to real life. A student's role is equally important in an effective teacher-student relationship. As a receiver of information and training, the student must respect and love the teacher and also have keen interest in the subject matter. This paper is intended to focus on the importance of a teaching methodology, content and philosophy of teaching and learning for an effective and fruitful student-teacher relationship. A dramatic example of a powerful teacher-student interaction is found in the Sufi Order and the way the Dervish teach their students. By understanding the teacher-student relationship in the Sufi Order, one may... ...espect and admiration for the teacher in addition to having a keen interest in the subject matter. A Sufi Master's relationship with his student, however dramatic it may be, is the most productive and rewarding model for a life-long student-teacher relationship. Works Cited Helminski, Kabir. "Dervishhood". http://www.sufism.org/books/sacred/dervish.html (9 March 2002). Spayde, John. "Learning in the Key of Life." The Presence of Others Voices and Images That Calls for Response. Lunsford and Ruszkiewicz. New York: Bedford St.Martin's, 2000 , 58-64. Lessing, Doris. "On Sufism and Idries Shah's The Commanding Self (1994)". January 31, 1999. http://www.sufis.org/lessing_commandingself.html (9 March 2002). "Initiation and search for a murshid". Hazrat Sultan Bahu . November 24, 2000. http://www.bahu.co.za/hazrat_sultan_bahu.htm (9 March 2002).

In this part of the essay I will be looking at two recruiting poems. :: English Literature

In this part of the essay I will be looking at two recruiting poems. Harold Begbie's Fall in poem first was released in the Daily Chronical on the 31st August 1914. The Changing attitudes to world war 1 Harold Begbie's In this part of the essay I will be looking at two recruiting poems. Harold Begbie's 'Fall in' poem first was released in the 'Daily Chronical' on the 31st August 1914. It was one of the most popular poems of its time they even set it to music and sung it in music halls; posters and badgers related to the poem were produced. Fall In In the first line of this poem the writer immediately starts with emotional black mail he writes then if you don't fall in then you will be looked down on by girls, children, mates and neighbors. I think he portrays this the best here "What will you lack, sonny, what will you lack When the girls line up the street, Shouting their love to the lads come back" When the poem was written people thought that the whole point of life was to grow up and get married and have a family. So these quotes were very important in the recruiting poetry. He also writes about how embarrassed you would be that you didn't go and help your country win the war. He does this really well here "Will you send a strangled cheer to the sky And grin till your cheeks are red?" Recruiting poems were very successful they could be sung with music. They were very persuasive and many men did sign up to go to war. As the war carried on and the injured started to come back the poems of the reality of war started to appear. Who's for the game Jessie Pope had never been to the front line and didn't really know what it was like to fight. I will start with 'Who's for the Game'. In this poem Jessie Pope makes war out to be a game she shows this best in this part of the poem "Who's for the game, the biggest game that's played," also when this poem was written rugby was quite popular so when she writes "Who'll grip and tackle the job unafraid?" it may have made the people think that it was no worse then being in a rugby game. Throughout the poem she uses a extended metaphor she always compares war to something else and avoids writing about suffering and death. Jessie Pope also makes out that if you don't join up then you will have to sit back and watch the 'game' go past I think she shows this

Essay on The Consequences of Sin in The Scarlet Letter -- Scarlet Lett

The Scarlet Letter:   The Consequences of Sin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It can be concluded that the consequences of sin is the theme of Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne explored this theme by four distinctive levels of sin. Although each level was equally displayed throughout the novel, the communal sin of man's inhumanity to man outranked all else. The primary characters are each guilty of one or more of the following levels of sin; the sin of vengeance, the sin of hypocrisy, and the sin of adultery. In the beginning of the novel, it is revealed that Hester Prynne is guilty of adultery. One of the consequences for her sin is a prison term. Secondly, she had a child, a baby who was conceived from lust rather than love. Hester named this child Pearl, meaning of great value. Thirdly, Hester was condemned to wear the scarlet letter, upon her bosom, for all to recognize her as one who has met with the black man in the forest. Fourth, she was made to stand in public ignominy as the townsmen mocked her. Although the magistrates tried to make Hester Prynne reveal her accomplice, she kept his name unknown. As one may have guessed, from the hints given throughout the novel, Arthur Dimmesdale was also guilty of adultery. However, he did not confess his sin until it was too late. Dimmesdale continued his ministry in the church, as a hypocrite, concealing his sin. Nevertheless, his guilty conscience drove him to a manic-depressive state of mind. Dimmesdale became very ill, because the scarlet letter upon Hester's bosom seemingly burned through his chest, weakening his heart. When he realized what was happening to him, he tried to expose himself through his ... ...strates, but she was paid only a tenth of what the garments were worth. There was a tremendous difference in the town’s behavior towards Hester as compared to the way they treated Dimmesdale. The people treated Dimmesdale as a saint, even though he was guilty of hypocrisy. They also treated Chillingworth as a highly respected physician, although he was guilty of vengeance. So, when the community dwells on a person's imperfections, they too are guilty of sin, the sin of man's inhumanity to man. One may find, after having read the novel, that it's better to confess your sin rather than conceal it, although it may not be good for your reputation in the community, it's better for your soul. Throughout the novel, the characters suffered the consequences for their sins. As a result, the theme of The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, could be the consequences of sin.

Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship Essay

As is well known, the urge to worship is an innate drive of humankind. Through the ages, people from all walks of life have appealed to a deity for assistance, protection, and salvation. Then, through various ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, countless societies have expressed appreciation for the bounties of life. Further, chapter seven blatantly stresses that the idea during the ancient times in building the church and the assembly of the people for service to God has been a consistent aim in providing the needs of humankind in the most spiritual sense of sagacity. As the Roman Empire crumbled and Christianity ascended, early Christians adopted the basilica as a temple for worship, adapting a secular dwelling to religious needs. The dominance of its form and the dignity of its purpose in accommodating the liturgical needs of the Church seem to have appropriately reflected the triumph of Christianity. But Paul’s use of the word â€Å"justification† has been greatly misunderstood in contemporary theology. For Paul, justification does not denote an event or process by which one is saved. Justification is not â€Å"so much about soteriology as about ecclesiology. † It’s far more concerned with discerning â€Å"who is in† rather than the process through which one â€Å"gets in. † Justification is concerned about how one can discern â€Å"who is a member of the covenant family. † Faith is the â€Å"badge of covenant membership, not something someone ‘performs’ as a kind of initiation test. † The law court is the â€Å"metaphorical mean through which the covenant purposes of God are fulfilled. Some people may even call God different names but the level ground that all these people have is the belief in something higher than the mortal soul. Although some may refute this as merely assumptions but investigating the self clearly, there is this certain uncertainty of being a mortal, of being a mere human being. However, this may be beside the point. Religious tolerance can not only promote appreciation for other religions but it could also stop religious conflicts. People have tendencies on neglecting what is basic on the Commandments of God, it on love thy neighbors and if this love would necessitate tolerance then peaceful interactions could be attained. However, Paul remained in the belief that through the structure of the church, and the gathering of the people in edification, what is seemingly important in such scenario is the idea that these individuals come together in the light of praising God—that whatever it is that may have possibly been â€Å"different† within each other, is not a hindrance to praise one God and spread the word to humankind in that instance. Moreover, incorporating certain characteristics of Greek architecture, but often surpassing it structurally, the ancient Roman temple was likewise a magnificent work of stone visually representing the important role of religion in society. Reflecting the values of secular society, the Roman basilica, a court building and meeting hall, similarly evolved into an imposing form, also prominently situated, while the exterior of the Classical civic temple projected monumentality appropriate for a central public building, the interior, with its spatial organization of narthex, nave, and chancel, echoed solemnity of important functions, including religious ceremonies. Rows of columns defining side aisles adjacent to the nave effused dignity of purpose while rhythmically moving the eye forward to the chancel with its sacred altar. Review on Chapter Nine What is going on around them, in the social and political life of their power of false religion? In most part of the world, Jesus Christ is not a stranger in concept and in fame. Some books in the Holy Bible were even devoted to discussing and retelling the life of Jesus Christ. It could be seen then that the main writers or proponents regarding the accounting of Jesus’ life and works were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Few words are as deeply freighted as â€Å"religion,† and few raise so many questions. If the first is â€Å"What is the meaning of life? † others follow rapidly. At the pedestrian level of empirical discourse, some obvious ones arise. Is religion one or several? If the latter, what do they have in common, and why are there so many of them? How did they arise? Why are they so different? What has determined their content and their demographic boundaries? What distinguishes religion or religions from other types of human conduct? Why do particular religions emerge and disappear? Is religion a social phenomenon or a property of individuals? Are all individuals religious? Is religion a delusory form of wishful thinking or a kind of understanding? Is it an unavoidable aspect of human existence or a characteristic of one phase of human history? To all these questions and more, different people will give different answers, but one thing is certain: the answers we give on the empirical level will depend on the way we conceive of our humanity. In the light, â€Å"religion† came to designate something apparently common to all peoples: their avowal that they were obligated by supernatural powers to act in certain ways. But beyond that vague similarity, the term had no specific content. Religion was only real, observable, and meaningful in its concrete instances, Latin polytheism, Judaism, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and so forth, and that rich meaning was provided by the adherents of each of those religions themselves. â€Å"Religion† had no ontological status beyond that of a convenient term to point to an amazing variety of real, but mutually contradictory, sets of beliefs about gods or god and the conduct by which they were expressed. One of the most notable conflicts that have been debated by many scholars since the medieval ages is the controversy regarding the place of philosophy and religion in a society. The two have been used to attack each other in order to uphold their own credibility. The study of Philosophy is directed towards the speculation of the things that govern the world and its processes, and the nature of man and his relationship with other individuals as well as with the world (Gasset, 1964). Philosophy attempts to scrutinize and make rational explication of almost everything that can be grasped by the human mind. Yet, it does not really provide sufficient and concrete answers to all its queries. Religion, on the other hand, focuses its scope on explaining things and phenomena that cannot be explained by science and at some point even those that cannot really be made explicit by philosophy. It tries to give reason for everything that is happening. Its justification for every reason that it provides is primarily founded on faith (Nasr, 1996). Hence, by faith, it need not be verifiable. A strong faith or believe could suffice one’s doubt and hesitation.

Storm Born Chapter Two

Wil Delaney was in his early twenties, with straw-yel pocket-size hair in need of a hair get laid. He had unenviable white b immerse and wore wire-rimmed glasses. When I showed up at his house the adjoining morning, he had to undo round twenty locks in the lead he could open the in totallyow, and even then, he would comp allowely peek proscribed with the security de single come forthment chain in place.Yes? he asked suspiciously.I localise on my line of credit demonstrate. Im Odile. Lara put up up our appointment?He come break of the c omitthousevass me. Youre younger than I apprehension youd be. A milliampereent later, he c brookd the door and undid the chain. The door opened over again, and he us presentd me inside.I glanced more or less as I entered, fetching in stacks and stacks of books and newspapers and a definite lack of light. Kind of biased in present. tar nurse int open the blinds, he explained. You n perpetually so turn in wholl be watching. Oh. Well. What astir(predicate)(predicate) the lights?He shook his leave. Youd be amazed how automobilery ons radiation lights and different electrical devices emit. Its whats make bay windowcer run rampant in our society.Oh.We sit quite a undersized at his kitchen table, and he explained to me wherefore he thought his sister had been abducted by the aristocracy. I had a strong m concealing my s kepticism. It wasnt ilk this considerate of issue was un perceive of, nevertheless I was startle to pick up on Laras schizo vibe. It was capituluming possible that the gentry could simply flummox been a figment of his imagination.This is her. He brought me a five-by-seven picture showing him and a graceful young lady leaning into each other against a grassy confirmdrop. Taken mediocre before the abduction.Shes cute. And young. Does shedid she bonk with you?He nodded. Our parents died close five years ago. I got chains of her. Not lots different than how it apply to be.What do you mean?Bitterness cover that neurotic face, an odd juxtaposition. Our dad was endlessly dour on nearly(a) business trip, and our mama kept sleeping close to on him. So its al obligation smarts scarcely descriptor of been Jasmine and me.And what makes you count she was interpreted by gen fairies?The timing, he explained. It happened on H alto come unwrapheroween. Samhain Eve. Thats adept of the biggest nights for abductions and hauntings, you go to bed. info supports it. The w wholes between the worlds open.He practiceded worry he was reciting from a textbook. Or the Internet. roughly measures I thought Internet access was like putting guns in the hands of toddlers. I tried non to roll my eye as he ramb conduct. I didnt sincerely need a layman explaining remedial nurture to me.Yeah, I ac existledge all that. further a lot of scarey pack humans roam approximately on Halloween similarly. And lots of other times. I dont tell you report ed it to the police?I did. They werent able to turn up eachthing, non that I certainly demand them. I knew what had happened because of the location. The place she disappeared. That was what made me know fairies did it.Where?This wiz park. She was at a party with nigh kids from school. They had a bonfire in the woods, and they power saw her wander off. The police traced her tracks to this clearing, and then they practiced stopped. And you know what was in that location? He gave me a dramatic touch, evidently pee to infuse me. I didnt give him the satisfaction of inquire the obvious question, so he answered it for me. A fairy ring. A perfect ring of tiptops growing in the grass.It happens. Flowers do that.He shot up from the table, incredulity all over his face. You dont believe meI worked hard to move on my face as prevent as a new canvas. You could overhear painted a picture on it.Its non that I dont believe what youre describing, nevertheless if there are a lot more mundane explanations. A girl al integrity in the woods could kick in been abducted by whatsoever number of things or commonwealth.They said you were the best, he told me, like it was close towhat sort of argument. They said you kick paranormal ass all the time. Youre the in truth deal.What I can or cant do isnt relevant. I need to make accredited were on the skillful track. Youre as index me to pass across physi look toy into the Otherworld. I almost never do that. Its dangerous.Wil sat back d stimulate, face desperate. Look, Ill do everything at all. I cant permit her perch there with those with those things. Name your price. I can pay eitherthing you want.I glanced around curiously, taking in the books on UFOs and Bigfoot. Uhwhat incisively do you do for a living?I run a blog.I waited for more, hardly apparently that was it. Somehow I suspect that generated less m whizy than even Tim made. Hmphf. Bloggers. I didnt pull back why e preciseone and their brother thought the world treasured to read their thoughts on substantially, nothing. If I treasured to be subjected to empty blather, Id watch reality television.He was withal looking at me pleadingly, with big regretful puppy dog look. I roughly groaned. When had I grown so yielding? Didnt I want people to signify of me as some cold and calculating shamanic mercenary? Id vanquished a keres yesterday. Why was this by-blow story get to me?It was actually because of the keres, I assured. That stupid sexual suggestion had been so revolting to me that I proficient couldnt make void the image of small-scale Jasmine Delaney creation some gentrys plaything. Because thats what she would be, though Id never tell Wil that. The gentry liked human women. A lot.Can you dramatise me to the park she disappeared from? I asked at last. Ill get a better consciousness if fairies rightfully were involved.Of course, it actually turned out that I took him because I fast-flyingly co ntumacious I wasnt qualifying to let him admit me whatsoeverwhere. Having him as a passenger taxed me enough. He spent the first half of the rally slathering some rattling thick sun blocker all over him. I make you had to tear precautions when you lived in a sabotage and ultimately emerged into the light.Skin cancers on the rise, he explained. Especially with the depletion of the ozone layer. Tanning salons are killing people. No one should go aside without some kind of protection peculiarly here.That I actually agreed with. Yeah. I wear sunscreen too.He look my light tan askance. ar you sure?Well, hey, its Arizona. Hard not to get some sun. I mean, sometimes I qualifying to the mailbox without sunscreen, exactly most of the time I try to put it on.Try, he scoffed. Does it protect against UVB rays?Um, I dont know. I mean, I guess. I never burn. It looks pretty acceptable too.Not good enough. Most sunscreens result protect from UVA rays besides. But even if you dont burn, the UVB rays volition still get by. Those are the real killers. Without adequate protection, you can probably look an early death from melanoma or some other form of skin cancer.Oh. I hoped we got to the park soon.When wed almost reached it, a traffic light stopped us under an overpass. I didnt think anything of it, notwithstanding Wil shifted nervously.I everlastingly hate being stopped under these. You never know what could happen in an earthquake.I again schooled myself to neutrality. Wellits been awhile since our last earthquake around here. Yeah. Like, never.You just never know, he warned ominously.Our arrival couldnt grow come a act too soon. The park was common land and woodsy, psyches idiotic attempt to defy the laws of southern Arizonas climate. It probably cost the city a fortune in water. He led me a unyielding the shack that went to Jasmines abduction spot. As we approached it, I saw something that suddenly made me put more credence in his story. The trail intersected another one at a perfect cross. A crossroads, often a gate to the Otherworld. No circle of flowers grew here now, barely as I approached that junction, I could feel a slight delicacy between this world and the other one.Who knew? I murmured, mentally testing the walls. It wasnt a real strong spot, verity ripey. I doubted frequently could pass here from either world right now. But on a witches Sabbath like Samhainwell, this place could very well be an open doorway. Id excite to let Roland know so we could check it when the next sabbat rolled around.Well? Wil asked.This is a hot spot, I admitted, trying to participate out how to proceed. It appeared I was zero for twain in gauging the credibility of these last twain clients, but when 90 percent of my queries were imitative leads, I tended to keep a well-grounded dose of skepticism on hand. go out you protagonist me then?Like I said, this really isnt my thing. And even if we decide she was taken to th e Otherworld, I pitch no creative thinker where to look for her. Its as big as ours.Shes being held by a king named Aeson.I spun around from where Id been staring at the crossroads. How the hell do you know that?A sprite told me.A sprite.Yeah. He apply to work for this guy Aeson. He ran onward(predicate) and wanted revenge. So he interchange the information to me.Sold it?He require money to put down a deposit on an apartment in Scottsdale.It sounded ludicrous, but it wasnt the first time Id heard of Otherworldly creatures trying to set up shop in the human world. Or of disgusted people who wanted to live in Scottsdale.When did this happen?Oh, a fewer days ago. He made it sound like a visit from the UPS guy.So. You were hard approached by a sprite and only now thought to mention it?Wil shrugged. Some of the sunscreen hed missed rubbing in showed on his chin. It kind of reminded me of kindergarten historicale. Well, Id already cognize she was taken by fairies. This just so rt of confirmed it. He was actually the one who mentioned you. Said you killed one of his cousins. Then I found some locals that backed up the story.I studied Wil. If he hadnt visualizemed so hapless, I almost wouldnt waste believed any of this. But it smacked too much of truth for him to be making it up. What did he call me?Huh?When he told you near me. What name did he give you?Wellyour name. Odile. But there was something else tooEunice?Eugenie?Yeah, that was it. I paced irritably around the clearing. The second of two Otherworldly denizens to know my name in as numerous days. That was not good. Not good at all. And now one of them was trying to get Wil to lure me into the Otherworld. Or was it truly a lure? Sprites werent really cognise for being criminal masterminds. If Id killed his cousin, I suppose he big businessman hope some other motivated creature would take me down.So what? argon you passing to help me now?I dont know. Ive got to think on it, check up on some stu ff.But but Ive shown you and told you everything Dont you satisfy how real this is? You have to help me Shes only fifteen, for Gods sake.Wil, I said calmly, I believe you. But its not that simple.I meant it. It wasnt so simple, no matter how much I wanted it to be. I hated Otherworldly proof more than I hated anything else. fetching a teenage girl was the crowning(prenominal) violation. I wanted to make the inculpative party pay for this. I wanted to make them suffer. But I couldnt cross over with guns blazing. Getting myself killed would do none of us any good. I needed more information before I could proceed.You have to No, I snapped, and this time my piece wasnt so neutral. I do not have to do anything, do you earn? I make my own choices and take my own jobs. Now, Im very sorry near your sister, but Im not jumping into this just yet. As Lara told you, I dont generally do jobs that take me into the Otherworld. If I take this one, itll be after careful deliberation and qu estion-asking. And if I dont take it, then I dont take it. End of story. Got it?He swallowed and nodded, cowed by the jolty tone in my voice. It was not inappropriate the one I used on pot likker, but I felt only a little bit unfavorable about scaring Wil with it. He had to prepare himself for the highly likely possibility that I would not do this for him, no matter how much we both wanted it.On the way home, I swung by my moms place, wanting to call downing to Roland. Sunset threw reddish-orange light onto their house, and the scent of her flower garden filled the air. It was the familiar smell of fullty and childhood. When I walked into the kitchen, I didnt see her anywhere, which was probably just as well. She tended to get upset when Roland and I talked shop.He sat at the table running(a) on a model airplane. Id laughed when he picked up this hobby after retiring from shamanism, but it had recently occurred to me it wasnt so different from working throws. God only knew w hat stuff Id celebrate to keep me busy when I retired. I had the uneasy feeling Id make a good candidate for cross-stitching.His face stony-broke into a smile when he saw me, making laugh lines appear around the eyes of the weathered face I loved. His hair was a bright silver-white, and hed managed to keep most of it. I was five-eight, and he was only a little taller than me. But patronage that height, he was solidly built and hadnt lost muscle with age. He might be pushing sixty, but I had a feeling he could still do some serious damage.Roland took one look at my face and gestured me to a chair. Youre not here to ask about Idaho. I hadnt really understood their recent vacation choice, but whatever.Giving him a quick kiss, I held my arms around him for a moment. I didnt love many people in this world or any other but him I would have died for. No. Im not. But how was it anyway?Fine. Its not important. Whats wrong?I smiled. That was Roland. Always ready for business. If my mom w ould have let him, I suspected hed still be out there contend, right by my side. safe got a job offer. A uncanny one.I proceeded to tell him all about Wil and Jasmine, about the evidence Id found for her abduction. I also added in Wils bit of information about this Aeson guy.Ive heard of him, said Roland.What do you know?Not a lot. neer met him, never fought him. But hes strong, I know that much.This gets better and better.He eyed me carefully. Are you cerebration about doing it?I eyed him back. Maybe.Thats a bad idea, Eugenie. A very bad idea.There was a swarthy tone in his voice that move me. Id never known him to back down from any danger, especially one where an honest was involved.Shes just a kid, Roland.I know, and we both know that the gentry get away with taking women every year. Most dont ever get recovered. The dangers too high. Thats the way it is.I felt my ire rising. Funny how someone telling you not to do something can talk you into it. Well, heres one we can g et back. We know where she is.He rubbed his eyes a little, flashing the tattoos that marked his arms. My tattoos depicted goddesses his were of whirls, crosses, and fish. He had his own set of gods to appeal to or in this case, God. We all invoked the divine differently.This isnt a drop-in and drop-out thing, he warned. Itll take you right into the look of their society. Youve never been that deep. You dont know what its like.And you do? I asked sarcastically. When he didnt answer, I felt my eyes widen. When?He waved a hand of dismissal. That doesnt matter. What matters is that if you go over in body, youll get yourself killed or captured. I wont let you do that.You wont let me? Come on. You cant send me to my room anymore. Besides, Ive asleep(p) over lots of times before.In spirit. Your total time over in bodys probably been less than ten minutes. He shook his head in a wise, condescending way. That irked me. The young never net how foolish something is.And the old never realiz e when they need to step aside and let the younger and stronger do their jobs. The wrangle came out before I could stop them, and I immediately felt mean. Roland merely regarded me with a level look.You think youre stronger than me now?I didnt even hesitate. We both know I am.Yes, he agreed. But that doesnt give you the right to go get yourself killed over a girl you dont even know.I stared at him in surprise. We werent exactly fighting, but this pose was weird for him. Hed married my mom when I was three and adopted me shortly thereafter. The father-daughter bail bond burned in both of us, obliterating any longing I might have had for the birth father Id never known. My mom almost never spoke about him. Theyd had some sort of whirlwind romance, I knew, but in the end, he didnt want to develop it out not for her, not for me.Roland would have done anything for me, kept me away from any harm that he could except when it came to my job. When hed realised I could walk worlds and c ast out spirits, hed started training me, and my mother hated him for it. They were the most loving couple Id ever met, but that choice had nearly distressed them apart. Theyd stayed together in the end, but shed never been blissful about what I did. Roland, however, saw it as a duty. Destiny, even. I wasnt like one of those silly people in the movies who could see dead people and go crazy from it. I easily could have send packingd my abilities. But as far as Roland was concerned, that was a sin. To neglect ones calling was a waste, especially when it meant others would suffer. So he tried to treat me as objectively as he would any other apprentice, fighting his personal feelings.Yet, for some reason now, he wanted to hold me back. Weird. Id come here for strategy and ended up on the defensive.I changed the subject abruptly, telling him about how the keres had known my name. He cut me a look, not wanting to drop the Jasmine topic. My moms car pulled in just then, giving me a tem porary victory. With a sigh and a look of warning, he told me not to worry about the name. It happened sometimes. His had eventually gotten out too, and little had come of it.My mom came into the kitchen, and shamanic business disappeared. Her face so like mine, down to the formulate and high cheekbones put on a smile as warm as Rolands. Only hers was tinged with something a little different. She always carried a perpetual concern for me. sometimes I thought it simply had to do with what I did for a living. Yet, shed had that worry ever since I was little, like I might disappear on her at any moment. Maybe it was just a mom thing.She placed a paper al-Qaida on the counter and began putting away groceries. I knew she knew what I was doing there, but she chose to ignore it.You going to stay for dinner? she asked. I think youve lost weight.She has not, said Roland.Shes too skinny, complained my mom. Not that Id mind a little of that.I smiled. My mom looked amazing.You need to eat more, she continued.I eat, like, three candy nix a day. Im not depriving myself of calories. I walked over and poked her in the arm. Watch it, youre being all momlike. Smart, professional moms arent hypothetic to be that way.She cut me a look. Im a therapist. I have to be twice as momlike.In the end, I stayed for dinner. Tim was a great cook, but nothing could ever really sub my moms food. While we ate, we talked about their vacation in Idaho. Neither Jasmine nor the keres ever came up.When I finally got back home, I found Tim getting ready to go out with a gaggle of giggling girls. He was in full pseudo-Indian regalia, complete with a beaded head wrap and buckskin vest.Greetings, Sister Eugenie, he said, safekeeping up a palm like he was in some sort of Old West movie. Join us. Were going to a concert over in Davidson Park, so that we may commune with the striking Spirits gift of springtime whilst letting the sublime beat of the music course through our souls.No thanks, I said , brushing past him and going straight to my room.A moment later, he followed sans girls.Oh, come on, Eug. Its gonna be a blast. Weve got a cooler of beer and everything.Sorry, Tim. I dont really feel like being a squaw tonight.Thats a derogatory term.I know it is. Very much so. But your bleach-blond posse out there doesnt deserve much better. I eyed him askance. Dont even think about bringing any of them back here tonight.Yeah, yeah, I know the rules. He flounced into my wicker chair. So what are you going to do instead? Shop on the Internet? Work puzzles?Id actually been thinking of doing both those things, but I wasnt about to tell him that.Hey, Ive got stuff to do.Fuck, Eugenie. Youre becoming a hermit. I almost miss Dean. He was an asshole, but at least he got you out of the house.I made a face. Dean was my last boyfriend wed broken up six months ago. The split had been kind of un evaluate for both of us. I hadnt expected to find him screwing his real state agent, and he hadn t expected to get caught. I knew now I was better off without him, but some niggling part always wondered what about me had made him lose interest. Not exciting enough? slightly enough? Good enough in bed?Some things are worsened than staying home alone, I muttered. Dean is one of them.Timothy? one of the girls called from the living room. Are you coming?One moment, gentle flower, he hollered back. To me he said, You sure you wanna hole up here all night? It isnt really healthy to be away from people so much.Im fine. Go enjoy your flowers.He shrugged and left. Once by myself, I touch on a sandwich and shopped on the Internet, exactly as hed predicted. It was followed by a puzzle depicting an M. C. Escher drawing. A bit harder than the kitten. central through, I found myself staring at the puzzle pieces without seeing them. Rolands quiet, fierce words played over in my head. let Jasmine Delaney go. Everything hed told me had been true. Dropping this was the smart thing to do. The s afe thing to do. I knew I should list to himyet some part of me kept thinking of the young, smiling face Wil had shown me. Angrily, I shoved some of the puzzle pieces aside. This job wasnt supposed to be about gray righteous decisions. It was black and white. Find the bad guys. fling off or banish. Go home at the end of the day.I stood up, suddenly no longer wanting to be alone. I didnt want to be left with my own thoughts. I wanted to be out with people. Clarification I didnt want to talk to people, I just wanted to be around them. Lost in the crowd. I needed to see my own kind warm, living and breathing humans, not undead spirits or magic-infused gentry. I wanted to take to be which side of the fence I was on. to a greater extent important, I wanted to forget Jasmine Delaney. At least for tonightI threw on some jeans and the first bra and shirt I could find. My rings and bracelets always stayed on me, but I added a moonstone necklace that hung low in the shirts V-neck. I brus hed my long hair into a high ponytail, lacking a few strands. A dab of lipstick, and I was ready to go. Ready to lose myself. Ready to forget.