Why I Have No Hero Essay -- essays research papers

Why I Have No HeroWhat is a zep? Does one catch to have superpowers, picky abilities orincredible talent to be considered one? Well, some of us seem to think so.Then there is the everyday teacher or topical anesthetic figure that is considered a hero toselected individuals in their community. To me a hero has to have a fewselected qualities, and I havent met anyone who can fulfill all three.First, a hero must be good at heart. A hero has to know how to give andtake accordingly. When he/she is needed to make a great commit to help thecommunity, their closest friends, or even their greatest enemies, they need toknow that it is okay to make that sacrifice and know they did the right thing.That person also needfully to go out and make a difference in their community andnot need any more motivation than the good experienceing they feel when theyve made apositive impact on the few people they met with and helped. A person that is tobe considered a hero must be course good and work for good and be there whenthey are needed most. They should not have to feel guilty about the negativeeffects of something they have done if the good it causes out weighs the bad.Honesty is a good trait to have if you want to be a hero. A hero needsto be honest with the public so that he/she will get the publics support toretain that hero status among them, and possibly gain that stat...

The Evil Actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Shakespeares Play Essa

Macbeth is a tragedy written by Shakespeare roughly mingled with the years 1603 and 1606. It was a play written following the death of Queen Elizabeth. The king at the time - James I of England/King James VI of Scotland was known to be a big supporter of theatre, witchcraft and demonology. Shakespeare and his associates soon into their career became known as the Kings men. The Kings ancestry was traced back to Banquo, a character from the play.At the beginning, Macbeth is spoken about by the three witches and we can tell that Macbeth must have had a reputation for being popular. He is called run Macbeth and is involved in bloody conflicts. Described as the hero, we learn that Macbeth himself killed Macdonwald in a battle that could have gone either way without the help of Macbeths talent on the battlefield. He is also portrayed as a heartfelt and caring man, when he himself decides that it is the wrong thing to do to murder the dry lands own king Duncan so that he can be king lik e the witches said. Everything about his character near the start of the play is good, and it seems as though he was the person people idolised at the time. skirt Macbeth gets a letter from Macbeth, in which she learns that the three witches had told Macbeth his destiny was to become King. All come up, Macbeth hail to thee, thane of GlamisAll hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of CawdorAll hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafterShe thinks that Macbeth is too weak to do anything about confirming this prophecy, and as a root decided to transforms herself instead, hoping that with her support, Macbeth will allow the witches predictions to come true. She enters the play confident and ready for anything that tried to get in her ... ...t this is what they wanted to be, and what they thought they were for a while. However, when it came down to doing the yucky work, they couldnt pull it off and they realized that they just werent those kinds of people. We know that Lady Macbeth cou ldnt make it, because she committed suicide in the end from an sickness caused by the murder and Macbeth didnt really want to become that way in the first place and was just influenced by his wife. I think that Lady Macbeth got caught up in the thought of her husband being the king, and she believed that she could become evil and that she was strong enough but, in the end, she wasnt, and Macbeth, rather than separating from her, letting down his wife and non getting involved in the evil acts Lady Macbeth thought she was capable of, went along with it, and in the end got killed from the acts of their selfishness.

Relationship Between Surface Area and Rate Of Reaction Essay -- GCSE C

An Experiment To Investigate The Relationship Between Surface sphere of influence and Rate Of ReactionIntroductionThe rate of reaction (reaction velocity) may be defined as the rate ofchange of concentration of a stated reactant or product. The rate of areaction is found by measuring the amount of a reactant used up perunit of time or the amount of a product produced per unit of time. Areaction plenty be made to go faster or slower by ever-changing a trope offactors. In order for a reaction to occur certain things arenecessary particles must collide with each other and the collisionmust pay back enough energy for the reaction to occur. If this happens theoriginal bonds are broken and new bonds are formed - so that newproducts are formed. Successful collisions (those with sufficientenergy) can be increased (or decreased) by a number of factors.These key variables consist of temperature, concentration, surface world and use of and type of a catalyst. To examine the relationship in the midst of the rate of reaction and surface area I must choose to vary yet surface area keeping the other variables constant.Surface area of solid - The surface area has an effect on the rate ofreaction. If the solid has a large surface area per unit mass then in that respect are more opportunities for collisions to occur between the solidand liquid. This is because there is more chance for collisions tooccur. If the surface area per unit mass is small, collision can onlyoccur with the outer atoms and is therefore limited. The diagram belowillustrates thisThis relationship is proportional i.e. as one doubles so does theother.The temperature of the reaction - When the temperature is low, theparticles in the reaction do not render much energy and move slowly socollision... ...nes whichcan be explained by the fact that the surface area of the chips wasconstantly changing throughout the reaction, as it was reacted withthe acid, and so did the surface area to volume ratio. Also as th emarble was used up the reaction would slow, as there would be lessmarble remaining to react with the acid reducing the chances of acollision occurring. The evidence is sufficient to imply that myhypothesis is correct but I think to prove it successfully furtherevidence would be necessary.I could have checked the rates of reactions I produced as a result ofmy investigate by carrying out a different test. If I had examined myresults by doing a test measuring the mass change of the calciumcarbonate I could have checked that I came up with sufficientlysimilar final rates of reaction, however I did not have time for thisor to use a wider range of values.

Robert Gagnés Instructional Design Approach :: Psychology Psychological Papers

Robert Gagns Instructional Design ApproachIntroduction When Robert Gagn initially produce his influential book, The Conditions of Learning (Gagn, 1965), his instructional design theories were heavily rooted in the behaviorist psychology paradigm. However, in later editions of The Conditions of Learning (Gagn, 1970, 1977, 1985), Gagns theories evolved to incorporate cognitivist psychology theories, specifically the information-processing model of cognition. According to Gagn, This model posits a number of internal processes that are subject to the turn of a variety of external events. The arrangement of external events to aerate and support the internal processes of attainment constitutes what is called instruction (Gagn, 1974). In the preface to the second edition of The Conditions of Learning, Gagn commented further on this shift to the information-processing model of cognition and its influence on his approach to designing instruction. He stated, I consider this form of e ncyclopedism theory to represent a major advance in the scientific study of human learning (Gagn, 1977). In 1989, Michael J. Striebel noted, Instructional design theories such as Gagns theory, take the cognitivist paradigm one logical step further by claiming that an instruction plan can generate both appropriate environmental stimuli and instructional interactions, and thereby bring about a change in cognitive structures of the learner (Striebel, 1989). This paper will define and explore the three major aspects of Gagns approach to instructional design, which include nine events of instruction, conditions of learning and learning outcomes. How Gagns theory correlates to the Walter Dick and Lou Careys systems approach to instructional design will also be considered (Dick and Carey, 1996).A Seminal MODEL Gagns approach to instructional design is considered a seminal model that has influenced many other design approaches and particularly the Dick & Carey systems approach. Gagn p roposed that events of learning and categories of learning outcomes together provide a good example for an account of learning conditions. The diagram below, from the third edition of The Conditions of Learning (Gagn, 1977), illustrates his vision of how the events of learning impact the conditions learning, which ultimately result in the learning outcomes, or learning capabilities. In The Conditions of Learning, Gagn acknowledges that he was considering the question What factors really can make a difference to instruction? when developing his learning and instructional design theories. His model proposed that the conditions of learningsome internal and some external to the learnerthat affect the process of learning make up the events of learning.

Michael Jordan’s Second Return to the NBA Essay -- Athletics Sports Ba

Michael Jordans Second Return to the NBA Michael Jordan has been of interest to me ever since I began playing hoops myself in the fourth grade. I often put myself trying to replicate Jordans moves and motions on the court. I already know a great deal about Jordan because I have studied his race and practically memorized his credentials, both as an athlete and a thriving businessperson. I often found myself staring at my ceiling at night reciting free-throw percentages and such. The primary(prenominal) controversy when dealing with Jordan, however, focuses not on his ability to play basketball, rather his second return to the game. Should Jordan have returned for the second time, or should he have stayed outside from the basketball court? Factors such as fan reaction, Jordans performances since his return, and his age all influence this question. Although some may argue that Michael Jordan made the wrong purpose by returning to the basketball court, I have concluded that h is return was successful because the questioned factors all weigh heavily in favor of him. Fan reaction, certainly, is a good subject to discuss when referring to Michael Jordans return. It is obvious that he is a well-known athlete and fans all over the world know him. As Steve Rushin, a reporter for Sports Illustrated, has stated, the absurd variety of his fans is, as ever, unmatched in sports (19). Rushins statement explains the variety of fans that Jordan has collected throughout his career as a basketball player and how these fan numbers tower over any other sport. It is predictable that the fans provide want to see Jordan play again and Roscoe Nance, from USA Today, proves this by mentioning the boom in ticket sales after his return.... ...er championship after his return, but he has proved that he can play the game and is, and will always be, the best basketball player of all time. Works Cited Armstrong, Jim. Dont Fret, Mike Life Begins at 40. ESPN.com 17 Feb. 2 003 15 pars.17 Feb. 2003 .Estep, Pamela. Telephone Interview. 26 Feb. 2003.Michael Jordan Career Profile. YAHOO.com 3 Mar. 2003 5 Mar. 2003.Nance, Roscoe. Not All Happy to See Jordan Return. USATODAY.com 28 Sept. 20019 pars. 3 Mar. 2003 .Rushin, Steve. Theyll Always Like Mike. Sports Illustrated 3 Feb. 2003 19.InfoTrac OneFile. InfoTrac. J. Frank marsh Library, Athens. 5 Mar. 2003.

Michael Jordan’s Second Return to the NBA Essay -- Athletics Sports Ba

Michael Jordans Second Return to the NBA Michael Jordan has been of interest to me ever since I began playing hoops myself in the fourth grade. I often found myself trying to replicate Jordans moves and motions on the court. I already know a great plentitude about Jordan because I engender studied his career and practic solelyy memorized his credentials, both as an athlete and a thriving businessperson. I often found myself perfect(a) at my ceiling at night reciting free-throw percentages and such. The main controversy when dealing with Jordan, however, focuses not on his ability to play basketball, rather his second return to the game. Should Jordan have returned for the second time, or should he have stayed away from the basketball court? Factors such as fan reaction, Jordans performances since his return, and his age all influence this question. Although few may argue that Michael Jordan made the wrong decision by returning to the basketball court, I have concluded tha t his return was successful because the questioned factors all conceive heavily in favor of him. Fan reaction, certainly, is a good subject to discuss when referring to Michael Jordans return. It is obvious that he is a well-known athlete and fans all over the world know him. As Steve Rushin, a reporter for Sports Illustrated, has stated, the absurd variety of his fans is, as ever, unmatched in sports (19). Rushins statement explains the variety of fans that Jordan has compile throughout his career as a basketball player and how these fan numbers tower over any other sport. It is predictable that the fans will penury to see Jordan play again and Roscoe Nance, from USA Today, proves this by mentioning the boom in ticket sales after his return.... ...er championship after his return, but he has turn up that he can play the game and is, and will always be, the best basketball player of all time. Works Cited Armstrong, Jim. Dont Fret, Mike purport Begins at 40. ESPN.co m 17 Feb. 2003 15 pars.17 Feb. 2003 .Estep, Pamela. Telephone Interview. 26 Feb. 2003.Michael Jordan Career Profile. YAHOO.com 3 Mar. 2003 5 Mar. 2003.Nance, Roscoe. Not All Happy to See Jordan Return. USATODAY.com 28 Sept. 20019 pars. 3 Mar. 2003 .Rushin, Steve. Theyll Always Like Mike. Sports Illustrated 3 Feb. 2003 19.InfoTrac OneFile. InfoTrac. J. Frank Marsh Library, Athens. 5 Mar. 2003.

Los Vendidos Essay

Los Vendidos means the wander-outs. All the characters in the play sold-out at some point during the play. The characters sold out both their races and their modality of life. I would say that the person who sold out the most was the Mexican-American because he sold-out both his Mexican, his American heritage and way of life. He wanted to be perfect, so when he found that the Americans and the Mexicans had their flaws he sold them out. He now has to search for a new and perfect race to identify with. (He will be searching for a while.) The Mexican- American sold out his Mexican Heritage when he said, The problems of the Mexicans stem from one thing alone hes stupid, he is under-educated, he needs to stay in school. He needs to be ambitious and be forward looking, most important he needs to entail American (Page 382). In his didactics he is only take oning the bad of his people and stating it for the entire room to hear. He shows great disrespect for the Mexican heritage by sayi ng all(prenominal) that is wrong with them. He shows their flaws, weaknesses, and imperfections.I believe your heritage makes up who you atomic number 18 and that is you, so you should never disrespect yourself by disrespecting your heritage. I believe thee way he sold-out was by disrespecting his heritage. the Mexican- American is still trying to decide weather he is going to live Mexican or American. When the Mexican-American says, The only thing I dont like is how come I always got to play the goddamn Mexican-American(Page-384). You are unsure by this statement weather he is selling-out his Mexican or his American lifestyle. You chicane he wants to perfect because of his attitude toward playing the part of the Mexican-American.The Mexican American doesnt know where he wants to go in life I guess this proves no matter how old you are or how much of an education you have you sell people out and walk all over them. Even if it is a person you know or need all that does not madder if you are a sell-out. You will hurt people to get what you want for yourself. The Mexican American is soon going to find he will never find perfection and he will be lost with no friends because of all the people he sold-out. The Mexican- American and his buddies need to set goal or all they will have to talk about is being sell-out with no friends.

Will the Internet Bring People of the World Closer Together?

Will the earnings bring people of the world closer unneurotic? Nowa mean solar days technologies ar become more and more important in our feel. We all use computers, mobile telephones and other gadgets. Many people cant imagine their life without internet, because it helps people who are far away from individually other to communicate instantly. However, will the internet really bring people of the world closer together? There are two point of view regard to this statement. Some people agree with it and some disagree. Humanity is becoming more integrated day by day.People who are at opposite ends of the planet can talk with each other easily. Its useful in business, education and friendship. For example, you can mend your English due to reading the web-sites or talking with a native-speaker. This is a big breakthrough in the development of international relations. cyberspace helps people imagine, that they are close together. As a result, we can say that internet communicatio ns are very important in our life and really can bear on absolutely different people. In the other hand, men should use internet in measure.This connection is not so face-saving, when people are near to each other. Some of them begin to live only virtually life and often forget about their relatives and friends. Usually it is a youth. They are finding in the Internet something that spanning them and waste their time here. Instead of read books, rest with the friends and deal with other interesting things, they sit in the different social networks. For instance, now most of the Kazakhstan schoolchild and student all day sit at the computer or use internet in their mobile phones, but they not used it in a useful way.They only waste their time and distracted from their studies. So its clear, that people should use all of the technologies in case of need. To sum up, internet connecting people in the different way, but it cant bring them closer together. People should realize for what they use internet. Internet can be helpful in many ways, because it is a huge source of information. However, you should know it is information useful or not. In my opinion, every new technologies should be used with mind.

Production and supply process of bottled water in dhaka Essay

Chapter 1IntroductionAs we know that now-a days people of Bangladesh be fair very health conscious and pure drinking body of water is one of the main component to become healthy and sound. In that light lot of companies be coming up with divergent brand of mineral water with diametrical fibres of have a bun in the ovenage and promotion. So, there are high responds from the consumer sides on mineral water (Bureau of Statistics). here(predicate) my objective is to find surface MUMs Market Penetration schema comparing with other mineral water in the foodstuff.Origin of the lineIn todays world academic education is not enough to enable student competewith confidence and reach his/her goal without having association of the outside world. The makeup which has given the opportunity to learn about how a particular company sets its Marketing Strategy to launch its point of intersection in the trade place to satisfy the organizational goal.Topic of the reportA case has to be selected for the report. A well-defined topic reveals what is going to be discussed throughout the report. The topic has been assigned The Marketing Strategy of MUM drinking water in Bangladesh.Background of the larnConsumers often judge the quality of a product or a service on the basis of a variety of on formational cues that they associate with the product. Some of these cues are intrinsic to the product or services, others are extrinsic. any singly or in composite, such cues provide the basis for perception of product and service quality. Cues that are intrinsic concern physical characteristics of the product its self, such as coat, color, design etc. In the absences of actual experience with a product, consumers often within evaluate quality on the basis of extrinsic cues- cues that are external to the product itself, such as price, brand image, manufacturers, retail sores, or even the country origin. Partex Beverage Limited (PBL) is one of the risen mineral water company in Bangladesh which serves MUM to the consumer.They have lots of distributors for their distribution who serves their product to the retailers time to time. For the institution most of the time they distribute directly to the end user or that institution. When the wholesaler sell their product to retailer or institutions, sometimes the wholesalers give them credit facility. Now MUM insufficiencys to run out them from this strategy (wholesaler). They want to distribute their product to the retailers or institutions through distributors or directly, not through wholesalers while other competitors akin ace Fresh, ACME, Duncan Kinley, Jibon, Pran etc. are selling their product through wholesalers. Super Fresh come up with different types of pack sizes where MUM has only 2 types of pack sizes. Super fresh are go some kinds promotion to their dealer to promote their product and increase their sales and increase the awareness of their brand. In that concern I have to find out that wha t MUM should do for their dealer and at the same time for their end user.Objective of theprojectGeneral objectiveThe general objective of this study is to have a go at it the report. As per requirement of Business Administration Department of ASA University Bangladesh, all students need to prepare a report for the BUS 498 course to acquire practical friendship about real business operation.Specific ObjectiveThe report that I have to do as Marketing student, must have some specific objectives. The specific of the report is to explore the Marketing strategy of MUM a bottled water product of Partex Beverage Limited (PBL).Specific objectiveIdentifying the market size & market share.Identifying the target consumers according to demographic segmentation social class. Identifying marketing & sales objectives according to positioning of the product. i.e. Identifying the product attribute(s) (hygiene, convenience, safety, environmentally responsible etc.) that are highlighted in the commu nication message. Identifying the perception of quality canvas to different mineral water brands.Identifying the pricing policies.Identifying the effectiveness of distribution strategyIdentifying different promotional activities that the company offers like credit facility, discount, occasional gift, incentive etc. Identifying the standardization of the productIdentifying the awareness of the consumers regarding the product in percentage.Scope of the projectGathering instructionGathering the information from different places in Dhaka city. Collect information from different types of age group, habitants etc. What are the benefits of those consumers who are taking these mineral waters like MUM, Super Fresh, ACME, Pran, Jibon, Duncan, Kinley etc. Whether consumer prefer different types of pack sizes. Are the consumers satisfied about the quality of MUM? Habit and life style of the consumer who take mineral water. Does advertising play a positive role to increase the awareness of the ir brand? Analyzing the informationAnalysis the above information from facts gathered and discussed with management of MUM.MethodologySources and methods of information collectionFor this study it will require both the Secondary and Primary data.Secondary DataIn the report I use both knowledgeable and external secondary data. 1. indwellingSecondary DataWe collected some data (Market share, growth rate etc) from the management of PBL.2. External Secondary DataTo compare some data we collected some information from different organizations and BSTI.Primary DataPrimary data is always known as survey data. This type of data is collected from the respondent. For this study we collected the primary data by taking personal interview with the consumer and different types of institution. try PlanTarget peoplePeople from different profession dink mineral water. So those who drink mineral water are our targeted populationSampling frame60 different outlets where the company serve their produ cts are sampling frame.Sampling unitEvery individual who are chosen for questioning are considered as sampling unit.Sampling sizeThe sample size is near about 60for this report.Sampling methodAs there are so many outlets located in different places in Dhaka city which cost very high to go everywhere, convenient sampling technique is applied.Limitations of the studyThere are some limitations of the study that might have prevented in reaching more faithful result. The limitations are stated below Because of unavailability of the information of DPHE, CAB, BBU, it was not possible to make the report as accurate as possible. Time is one of the constraints ofthe study. The time duration to prepare the assignment is not enough to learn about the Marketing Strategy of any organizations product. Besides, some important aspects of the report could not be covered because of time constraint. If more Marketing and other related factors that affects the market potentiality could have been conside red, then the result might have contained more validity. Every organization wants to maintain the confidentiality of the information. Because of this reason, the managers and officers who were interviewed did not disclose much informationChapter 2Literature reviewMarketingA social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want through creating and exchanging products and values with others. Product look Cycle (PLC)The course of a products sales and profits over its lifetime. It involves four distinct stages Introduction, Growth, Maturity and Decline stage. The product life troll stage in which a products sales start climbing quickly.Pull StrategyA promotion strategy that calls for spending a lot on adverting and consumer promotion to build up the consumer demand. If the strategy is successful, consumers will ask their retailers for the product, the retailers will ask the wholesalers, and the wholesalers will ask the producers.Push StrategyA promotion strategy that calls for employ the sales force and trade promotion to push the product through channels. The producer promotes the product to the wholesalers, the wholesalers to retailers, and the retailers promote to consumers.PackagingThe activities of design and producing the container or wrapper for a product. Traditionally, the primary function of the package was to maintain and protect the product. In recent years, product safety has also become a major incase concern.ProductAnything that can be offered to a market for attention, acquisition, use orconsumption that might satisfy a want or need. It include physical objects, services, persons, places, organizations, and ideas.PriceThe amount of money charged for a product or service, or the sum of the values that consumers exchange for the benefits of having or using the product or services.DistributionDistribution or place includes company activities that make the product available to target consumers.PromotionProm otion means activities that tell the merits of the products and the persuade target customers to buy it. sword AwarenessBrand awareness is the ability of a potential buyer to recognize or recall that a brand is a member of a certain product category. A link between product class and brand is involvedSWOTInternal analysis to identify the companys Strengths, Opportunities, Weakness and Threats. Vertical Marketing System (VMS)A distribution channel structure I which producers, wholesalers and retailers not as a unified system.SatisfactionThe extent to which a products perceived action matches a buyers expectations. If the products performance falls short of expectations, the buyer is dissatisfied. If the performance matches or exceeds expectations, the buyer is satisfied or delighted.Chapter 3 fraternity information and productMarketing StrategyCompany informationPartex GroupPartex Group is one of the largest companies of our country. It was established in 1962. Partex Group of 17 i ndustries. Net wrth at current market price nearly US $150 million. It has over 350distributor around the nation. There are more than 45,000 outlets its products are available. And Partex Group has over 7,000 employees.Partex Beverage & their aimPartex Beverage Limited consists of 2 products these are RC Cola and MUM. MUM offers a variety in consumer choice 500 ml as individual and 1500 ml as a family pack size. The sky is not the limit for them but their expectations are within limits. Their imagination soars beyond conventional barriers.They share their beloved motherland. They want to serve her better in the greater quest for national economic emancipation. Enterprise is their life. They manufacture quality substitute consumer and industrial products. They offer consumer satisfaction keeping environmental and human factors in mind. It is this thrust that gives their organizational integrity. They treasure their reputation and protect it zealously.Company product & its Marketing StrategyMUM1. Producer & Marketer Partex Beverage Ltd., units of Partex Group 2. Brand name MUM3. Type of the product Natural drinking water4. Pack size 500ml &1500ml5. Packaging Primary advancement PET (Polyethylene Terepthalate)Secondary packaging A tray made of corrugated paper contains 12 bottles which is covered by shrink wrap6. Product attributes Product quality Strictly following signpost & standard specification of quality level of WHO, IBWA, ICDDRB, Food and Nutrition Dept. of DU It is free from adulteration and contaminationProduced under hygienic conditionObtained BSTI licenseUnique packaging feature Safe & pure naturalCalcium 29 mg/LPotassium 2 mg/LBicarbonate 134 mg/LSulphate 1 mg/LSodium 4 mg/LMagnesium 1 mg/LChloride 10 mg/LFluoride

McDonaldization of Society Essay

The platter of George Ritzer, has taken original elements from webers work and presented a critical analysis of the impact that is felt by the mixer structural change on human interaction and identity. According to the book, Ritzer outcrys that the fast food business and its structure is responsible for the present organizational force and this cover or rationalization has disseminated into the everyday lives of the individuals and their interaction levels. As has been defined by Ritzer himself Mcdonaldalization,.is the attend to y which the principles of the fast food restaurant ar coming to predominate to a greater extent and more sectors of American society as well as the world. (ritzer,19931) If one was to perceive the growth of this franchise, the situation that it has thousands of outlets world large and is located in the suburbs, force bases, m everys. And even the highway exchanges present the extent to which our lives father been taken over by this process. It is non only the fast food chains which represent this identification number scarcely even the early(a) chains such as those attached to Toys, Bookstores, brisks stems and child care amongst several others. in that respect have been instances-increasing in number-that the newer areas of business expertness are making occasion of this process. Everything is mintled and managed in a way to control the perceptions and mindset of people. There have been five dominant themes which were outlined by Ritzer in his book which center on the idea of efficiency, calculability, predictability, increased control, and the replacement of human by non-human technology. The first one deals with the capriciousness of efficiency and it is basically translated as the use of means in bon ton to reach a goal or aim with the least amount of metre and effort.The idea of efficiency can be seen by the way the people in disagreeent business or industries perceive it to be as it can differ for different business structures. This is viewed as a benefit and advantage to the customer in all respects and forms. The different ways that this is achieved can be seen through and through the use of the ATM machine, parting mail, and drive-up window go salad bars etc which all cater to reducing the clock time required for that business purpose. The customer might not be aware of this but in this process he echtly conducts various sorts of services and pays for them as well which were available to him before on demand.It might seem as a noteworthy service but in reality it is just a way of cutting time and costs for the firm and increasing the cost for the customer. It requires larn the usage of these newer services, and in order to apply and make use of them the customer has to bear the extra costs for these value- added services. Another theme which comes across is the idea and notion of calculability. In order to define this notion, the lyric poem of Ritzer would be put to good use this involves an emphasis on things that can be calculated, counted , quantified.Quantification refers to a tendency to emphasise quantity rather than quality. This leads to a sense that quality is equal to certain, usually (but not always) large quantities of things. (Ritzer, 1994142). There are several examples which can be utilize to explain the idea of making use of quantity- some of the fast food offerings such as the Big Mac, Big Whopper, Wnedys Biggie meals etc which all point to the fact that quality has been powerfully replaced by quantity. Another pertinent area which comes to the notice of the reader is the fact that time-saving plays an integral role in this process as well.There are newer and improved recipes which allow for the food to be made in much shorter time and the microwave food proceedss cater to the need of such time conservative individuals. Another theme which is presented effectively is predictability. It is in reference to the attempt that is played by the attempts that are made in order to structure our milieu and hence, surprise cannot have any effect on our sensible nature. Those who act sensibly and use their logic will always have an upper hand as they would be well prepared in advance for any problems and issues that might come their way.The customer of this sort would expect the alike(p) taste, quality and requirements that he got from one area product to be applied elsewhere. The example of the entertainment industry can be used in this regard as the sense of hearing is made to water movies upon movies either regarding the same theme, sequels or even series regarding the same issue. Therefore, a sense of predictability has become a prominent feature of all our lives and we operate by it. Whether it is going to the office from 9 to 5, going for some sort of entertainment on the weekends-we do follow a course which more or less is decided and is hence, predictable.The human race is cosmos doctrine by the idea of predi ctability and any deviation has become a source of risk. The other theme which was taken on by the former of this book was the idea of control through the substitution of nonhuman for human technology. In Ritzers admit words these two elements are closely linked. Specifically, replacement of human by nonhuman often oriented towards greater control. The great source of uncertainty and excitableness in a rationalizing system are people either the people who work in spite of appearance those systems or the people who are served by them.(Ritzer 1994148) For the human per see, everything is plotted and through with(p) for him before hand and he operates as a mere obedient automation machine which operates as ordered by machine with no thinking on his behalf being carried out. If one was to look at the different areas of ones life, it could be seen that from the kitchen to the living room, all of us make effective use of technology in one way or another. The machines do the tasks for us and us being treated as mere handlers of them. As per the claim of Ritzerthe next step in this study is to have the customer do the scanning Ritzer (1994 150) This comment clear indicates the fact that the humans have over time allowed the machines to overtake them in this case of managing and carrying out the work. The computer and machines have been accepted as the measurement criteria by which we assess ourselves and our skills. What is being seen as a development is that the human skills and capabilities are being rapidly eroded in the fact of development and the humans are merely being used in order to facilitate the processes of the machinery.The last theme which was analyzed and discussed by the book would be that of the irrationality of rationality. This theme mocks the rationality of these systems which are a source of the pride of the owners of these product companies. This book represents a view that if analyzed properly it could be seen that under these rational sy stems or so called-there lies an edge of irrationality. In Ritzers own words most specifically, irrationality means that rational systems are unreasonable systems. By that I mean that they deny their basic humanity, the human resource, of the people who work within are served by them.(Ritzer, 1994154) All of us have been victims at different points at time when we have had to wait quite long for the food, groceries which make us question the rationality of the fact that though more is being paid for the efficient -ness and effectiveness of these systems, yet at the end those very systems are being undermined by the essence of rationality. We make use of the products and services which are aimed at providing us with better services and results only to provide us with less than sought after results.The dependency increases of all on these very systems and in effect, it becomes a mere trap as the humans rely firmly on these for their different purposes and aims. However, this same v icious cycle creates an even worse effect as the environment which is sued for the basic purposes of breathing is polluted and affected in a number of ruinous ways. In Ritzers book the communal meal is our primary ritual for encouraging the family to gather together every day. If it is lost to us, we shall have to invent new ways to be a family.It is worth considering whether the shared joy that food can provide is worth giving up. (Visser, 198942, in Ritzer, 1994156). The easy availability of readymade meals etc have made things much more easier for the present generation and hence, a number of important elements which were present initial have seen to be fading. The world is becoming heavily dependent on manmade objects and services which in effect is making it lose its own individuality. The above part of the paper effectively discussed the elements of the book and the following paper would critically analyze these themes and ideas.The author of this book has presented some quit e simple views and understanding of the various themes. The author presents an understanding that the human values are an gratuitous area which does not require exploration and what actually requires attention are those systems which are endangering the humans ability to think. Through his analysis, Ritzer is able to apply his principles to a wide range of phenomenon which includes the economic and complaisant aspects as well. What comes across is a failure in order to explore the cultural proportions and though his analysis is a social analysis-it yet fails in a number of ways.what is clearly required is a cultural perspective and in order to add to the normative stance of Ritzer, certain important areas such as the strategies of resistance and critical perspectives need to be focused on as well. One of the weaknesses which are inherent in this book is the fact that by representing McDonald as the paradigm of McDonaldization the actual progress is negated and undermined in a lot of ways. There comes across an excessive dependence on the Weber theory and that what can be used to overcome the problems is the multiperspectivist approach.The rationale of the book clearly comes as a method of presenting the sociological theory of Weber to rationalize the theory with a number of empirical data usages. He adds to the analysis of Weber which was further carried out by this book as he tries to structure a vast array of areas which extend from the general social dynamics and the larger structure of the social organizational structure. What comes across as a vigorous impression throughout the book is the concept of consumption and the area of production which plays an important area in the McDonaldization process is actually ignored.The concept of profit is moved(p) upon is certain cases ( Ritzer 199644,62F)although it could have been better handled if the author had aimed it at through the rationalization process of production and consumption. Being part of a r ationalization process, McDonaldization is a phenomenon through which the world markets are being rationalized and reorganized in order to maximize the capital accumulation. The cultural dimension and aspect of the McDonaldization process which the corporate word makes effective use of in order to create the family values and attract the attention of the viewers and readers.Therefore, the company and franchise McDonalds is not merely selling services and products but in fact is selling certain cultural values and inculcating them as well. The process of purchase etc is merely a small part of the actual value chain. Therefore, McDonaldization is in fact part of a social phenomenon which has its own cultural values and codes which have been largely ignored by the book and its author. The US is actually a race which consists of the values such as family etc which are catered to by these franchises as they promote these national values and validate them to the entire nation.Therefore, t he author undermines the different aspects and methods of McDonalds which is an ideological and cultural phenomenon as well as being an economic one. The cultural dimension is largely overlooked and ignored by the author in the rocking horse of portraying the economic process. The theory of homogenization is also presented in a highly generalized manner and the standard of the process of McDonaldization is portrayed throughout the book and what is ignored is the fact is the variety and diversity of the consumer practices in the different areas and regions of the world.Each different region and area has its product offerings which differ to a large extent and that has been largely ignored by the author of this book. The social rationalization and the different phenomena which is experienced by the various races and creeds are not presented at all which presents a major flaw and weakness of this book and the author effectively. The subjective process of the process are ignored in the pursuit of the theory of rationalization and the presentation of Ritzers ideas are clearly too objective and fail to highlight the various subjective and cultural values of McDonaldization.Ritzer argues that the concept of Modernization (Ritzer, 1994148f) is what McDonaldization is perceived as but one has to analyze that whether it truly is that or is the reality actually different. There are aspects of this process which are clearly interlinked with the traditional values and the claims of the author of the McDonaldization process being the cause of the modernists is undermining this important area and aspect of the McDonaldization process.While the rationalization process of production and consumption are areas and aspect of the McDonaldization process, they clearly do not overtake the entire meaning and existence of the entire process. In fact, the reality of the process is the fact that the McDonaldization process does not only relate to Webers theory of rationalization and Ma rxs theory of commodification but there are other postmodern elements which are connected to it.Ritzers attempts to distance the analysis of post modernity from the McDonaldization process are in connection to his failure to bring out the connections between the cultural dimension and the McDonaldization process. An important area of the postmodern theory is the cultural aspect which has been linked with the transactional culture that is enacted upon this McDonaldization process and created even further.The connection that is created between this process on a global and local shell might have been analyzed by this book but what has been ignored is the social functions, different meanings and experiences that are generated by the McDonalds in a number of regions. This paper has not only represented the themes but also represented the flaws and weaknesses inherent in this book and what could have been done in order to improve the understanding of the process. References The McDonaldi zation of Society by George Ritzer (ISBN 0-7619-8812-2)McDonaldization The Reader by George Ritzer (ISBN 0-7619-8767-3) The McDonaldization Thesis Explorations and Extensions by George Ritzer (ISBN 0-7619-5540-2) McDonaldization of Americas Police, Courts, and Corrections by Matthew B. Robinson McCitizens by Bryan Turner Resisting McDonaldization, ed. Barry Smart Golden Arches East McDonalds in East Asia by James L. Watson Sociology of Consumption Fast Food, Credit Cards and Casinos, ed. George Ritzer The McDonaldization of Higher Education, ed. Dennis convert & Robert WynyardEnchanting a Disenchanted World by George Ritzer Ritzer, George (2008). The McDonaldization of Society. Los Angeles Pine Forge Press. ISBN 0-7619-8812-2. McDonalds UK. Questions Answered. Make up your own mind. . Retrieved on 2007-09-15. Due to the global scale of the McDonalds business, many commentators seek to use its brand and international presence to support various positions and theories that they wish to put forward. Sociological Beginnings On the Origins of Key Ideas in Sociology, McGraw-Hill, 1994. The McDonaldization of Society, Pine Forge Press, 1993.The quote from Margaret Vissner, taken from Ritzers presentation is found in A Meditation on the Microwave, Psychology Today, December 1989, pp. 38ff. Alfino, Mark, Caputo, John S. , and Wynyard, Robin, McDonaldization Revisited deprecative Essays on Consumer Culture, Westport Praeger, 1998 Emerson, Robert L. , ,Fast Food The Endless Shakeout, NY Lebhar-Friedman Books, 1979 Halberstam, David, The Fifties, NY Fawcett Columbine, 1993 Hogan, David Gerard, Selling em by the Sack White Castle and the Creation of American Food, NY New York University Press, 1997Kroc, Ray, Grinding It Out, Chicago coetaneous Books, 1977 Luxenberg, Stan, Roadside Empires How the Chains Franchised America, NY Viking, 1985 Ritzer, George, The McDonaldization of Society, Thousand Oaks, CA Pine Forge Press, 1996 Ritzer, George, The McDonaldization Thesis, Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE, 1998 Reiter, Ester, Making Fast Food From the Frying Pan into the Fryer, 2nd ed. , overawe McGill-Queens University Press, 1996 Severini Kowinski, William, The Malling of America, NY William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1985Fletcher, Liz. (1993, February). Is there a chance for a standardised user interface? The Electronic Library, 11 (1)29-32. Manley, W. (1981, June). Facing the public. Wilson Library Bulletin, 55 (10) 762-763,798. Martin, Marilyn J. (1991, May). Academic libraries as information consumers Implications for policy making. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 17 (2) 93-98. McManus, N. (1995, November). The browser wars Netscape and Microsoft battle to control World Wide Web formatting standards.Digital Media, 5 (6)11. Ritzer, G. (1996). The McDonaldization of Society. revise ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif. Pine Forge. 265p. Schlack, M. (1996, October). Wanted New software. Byte, p. 14. Tibbets, J. & Berstein, Barbara. (1995, July). Microsoft monopo ly? Never Information Week, 538 112. Thorner, Marvin Edward, Convenience and Fast Food Handbook, Westport The Avi Publishing Company, Inc. , 1973 Wasson, Chester R. , Consumer Behavior A Managerial Viewpoint, Austin, TX Austin Press, 1975

Last Sacrifice Chapter Sixteen

CONSIDERING SYDNEY DESTROYED dead bodies on a regular basis, it was kindhearted of surprising that she was so shocked by our post-fight appearances. Maybe dead Strigoi were only if objects to her. Dimitri and I were real bouncing people, and we were a mess.I want you guys dont stain the car, she said, formerly the bodies were disposed of and we were on our right smart. I think it was her best attempt at a joke, in an effort to coer up her discomfort over our lacerated and bloody clothes.Are we going to Paris? I asked, turning to look support at Dimitri.Paris? asked Sydney, startled.Not yet, said Dimitri, leaning his head hind end against the seat. He was back to looking bid a controlled guardian. All signs of his earlier breakdown were gvirtuoso, and I had no intention of big(p) away what had happened fall out front wed fetched Sydney. So sm alone yet so monumental. And very private. For now, he mostly looked tired. We should wait until twenty-four hour periodtime. We had to go for Donovan now, plainly if Sonyas got a ho custom, shes probably there all the time. Safer for us in daylight.How do you cheat he wasnt lying? asked Sydney. She was driving with no real destination, but getting us out of the neighborhood as fast as possible and before people reported screams and the sounds of fighting.I thought back to the terror on Donovans face and shivered. I dont think he was lying.Sydney didnt ask either more questions, except about which direction she should drive. Dimitri suggested we find another hotel so that we could clean up and get some stop before tomorrows lying-in. Fortunately, Lexington had a lots broader selection of hotels than our last town. We didnt go for luxury, moreover the large, modern-looking place we chose was part of a chain, clean and stylish. Sydney checked us in and then led us inside(a) through a side door, so as not to startle each guests who aptitude be up in the middle of the darkness.We got one style with two double beds. No one commented on it, but I think we all shared a need to stay together by and by our earlier Strigoi encounter. Dimitri was much more of a mess than me, thanks to his mutilation of Donovan, so I sent him to shower first.You did great, I told Sydney as we waited. I sat on the floor (which was much cleaner than the last rooms) so that I wouldnt wreck the beds. That was sincerely brave of you.She crooked me a smile. Typical. You get beat up and c nod clear up to killed, but Im the one youre praising?Hey, I do this all the time. Going in there alone the like you did well, it was sanely hardcore. And Im not that beat up.I was brushing off my injuries, that as Dimitri would. Sydney, eyeing me, knew it too. My legs were scraped more than Id realized, the skin torn and bleeding from where Id fallen on the cement. One of my ankles was complaining over the roof-jump, and I had a number of cuts and bruises scattered over the rest of me. I had no clue where most had masterd from.Sydney shook her head. How you guys dont catch gangrene more often is beyond me. We both knew why, though. It was part of the natural resistance Id been born with as a dhampir, getting the best of both races traits. Moroi were actually pretty healthy too, though they sometimes caught diseases unique to their race. achiever was an example. He had a chronic disease and had once forced Lissa to heal him. Her magic had restored him to full health at the time, but the distemper was slowly creeping back.I showered after Dimitri finished, and then Sydney forced her first aid kit on both of us. When we were bandaged and disinfected to her satisfaction, she got out her laptop and pulled up a map of Paris, Kentucky. The three of us huddled around the screen.Lots of creeks and rivers, she mused, scrolling around. Not much in the way of lakes.I pointed. Do you think thats it? It was a tiny dead body of water, marked APPLEWOOD POND.Maybe. Ah, theres another pond. That could be a suspect too oroh Right here? She tapped the screen on another body of water, a bit bigger than the ponds MARTIN LAKE.Dimitri sat back and ran a hand over his eyes as he yawned. That looks like the most likely option. If not, I dont think itll take long to drive around the other ones.Thats your plan? asked Sydney. Just drive around and look for a blue star sign?I exchanged glances with Dimitri and shrugged. Sydney might be showing her bravery on this trip, but I knew her idea of a plan was a little different from ours. Hers were structured, well-thought out, and had a legislate purpose. Also, details.Its more solid than most of our plans, I said at last.The sun was going to be up in another hour or so. I was restless to go after Sonya, but Dimitri insisted sleep until midday. He took one bed, and Sydney and I shared the other. I didnt very think I needed the rest he claimed, but my body disagreed. I fell asleep almost instantly.And like always lately, I eventually was pulled into a spirit dream. I hoped it was Adrian, advance to finish our last conversation. Instead, the conservatory materialized around me, complete with harp and cushioned furniture. I sighed and faced the Brothers Dashkov.Great, I said. Another conference call. I have really got to start blocking your number.Victor gave me a small bow. Always a pleasure, Rose. Robert merely stared off into space again. Nice to endure some things never changed.What do you want? I demanded.You know what we want. Were here to garter you help Vasilisa. I didnt believe that for an instant. Victor had some scheme in mind, but my hope was to beguile him before he could do any further damage. He studied me expectantly. Have you found the other Dragomir yet?I stared incredulously. Its merely been a day I almost had to redo my math on that one. It felt more like ten years. Nope. Only a day since Id last staven to Victor.And? Victor asked. And, how good do you think we are?He considered. Pretty good.Well, thank s for the vote of confidence, but its not as easy as it seems. And actually considering what a cover-up this has all been, it really doesnt seem easy at all.But you have found something? Victor pressed.I didnt answer.An eager gleam lit his eyes, and he took a step forward. I promptly took one back. You have found something.Maybe. Again, I had the same indecision as before. Did Victor, with all his scheming and manipulating, know something that could help us? Last time, hed given me nothing, but now we had more information. What had he said? If we found a thread, he could unravel it?Rose. Victor was speaking to me like I was a child, as he often did to Robert. It made me scowl. I told you before It doesnt matter if you trust me or my intentions. For now, were both kindle in the same short-term goal. Dont let future worries ruin your chance here.It was funny, but that was similar to the principle Id operated on for most of my life. Live in the now. Jump right in and worry about the consequences later. Now, I hesitated and tried to think things over before making a decision. At last, I chose to take the risk, again hoping Victor might be able to help.We think the mother the mother of Lissas brother or sister is related to Sonya Karp. Victors eyebrows rose. You know who that is?Of course. She turned Strigoiallegedly because she went insane. But we both know it was a little more complicated than that.I nodded reluctantly. She was a spirit user. No one knew.Roberts head whipped around so fast that I most jumped. Whos a spirit user?Former spirit user, said Victor, instantly switching to soothing mode. She became a Strigoi to get away from it.The sharp focus Robert had order toward the two of us melted into soft dreaminess once more. Yes always a lure to that kill to live, live to kill. Immortality and on the loose(p)dom from these chains, but oh, what a exit They were loony ramblings, but they had an eerie similarity to some of the things Adrian said somet imes. I didnt like that at all. Trying to pretend Robert wasnt in the room, I turned back to Victor. Do you know anything about her? Who shes related to?He shook his head. She has a large family.I threw up my hands in exasperation. Could you be any more useless? You keep acting like you know so much, but youre just telling us what weve already found out You arent helping jocks seafarer comes in many forms, Rose. Have you found Sonya?Yes. I reconsidered. Well, not quite. We know where she is. Were going to see her tomorrow and question her.The look on Victors face spoke legions about how ridiculous he thought that was. And Im sure shell be eager to help.I shrugged. Dimitris pretty persuasive. So Ive heard, said Victor. But Sonya Karp isnt an impressionable teenager. I coat up a punch but worried Robert might have his force field up again. Victor appeared oblivious to my anger. Tell me where you are. Well come to you. erst more, a dilemma. I didnt think there was much the brothers co uld do. But this might present an opportunity to revueture him. Besides, if we had him in person, maybe hed stop interrupting my dreams.Were in Kentucky, I said at last. Paris, Kentucky. I gave him what other info we had about the blue house.Well be there tomorrow, Victor said.Then where are you nowAnd just like last time, Robert ended the dream abruptly, leaving me hanging. What had I gotten myself into with them? Before I could consider it, I was immediately taken to another spirit dream. Good Lord. It really was deja vu. Everyone cherished to talk to me in my sleep. Fortunately, like last time, my second visit was from Adrian. This one was in the ballroom where the Council had met. There were no chairs or people, and my steps echoed on the hard wood floor. The room that seemed so grand and powerful when in use now had a lonely, ominous feel.Adrian stood near one of the tall, arched windows, giving me one of his roguish smiles when I hugged him. Compared to how dirty and bloody everything was in the real world, he seemed pristine and perfect.You did it. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips. You got them to call forth Lissa. subsequently our last dream visit, when Id realized there might be some merit to Victors suggestion, Id had to work hard to convince Adrian that the nomination idea was a good one particularly since I hadnt been sure myself.Yeah, getting that group on board was easy. He seemed to like my admiration, but his face grew grimmer as he pondered my words. Shes not happy about it, though. Boy, she let us have it afterward.I saw it. Youre right that she doesnt like itbut it was more than that. It was spirit- darkness. I took some of it away, but yeah it was bad. I remembered how fetching her anger had caused it to flare up briefly in me. Spirit didnt shoot down me as hard as it did her but that was only temporary. Eventually, if I pulled enough over the years, it would take over. I caught thrust of Adrians hand and gave him as pleading a l ook as I could manage. Youve got to look after her. Ill do what I can, but you know as well as I do how stress and worry can agitate spirit. Im afraid itll come back like it used to. I wish I could be there to take care of her. Pleasehelp her.He tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear, concern in his deep green eyes. At first, I thought his worry was just for Lissa. I will, he said. Ill do what I can. But Rose will it happen to me? Is that what Ill become? Like her and the others?Adrian had never shown the extreme side effects Lissa had, largely because he didnt use as much spirit and because he did so much self-medicating with alcohol. I didnt know how long that would last, though. From what Id seen, there were only a few things to delay the frenzy self-discipline, antidepressants, and bonding to someone shadow-kissed. Adrian didnt seem interested in any of those options.It was weird, but in this sec of vulnerability, I was reminded of what had just happened with Dimitri. Bot h of these men, so strong and confident in their ways, yet each needing me for support. Youre the strong one, Rose, a voice whispered inside my head.Adrian gazed off. Sometimes sometimes I can believe the insanity is all imagined, you know? Ive never felt it like the others like Lissa or old Vlad. But once in a while he paused. I dont know. I feel so close, Rose. So close to the edge. Like if I allow myself one small misstep, Ill plunge away and never come back. Its like Ill lose myself.Id heard him say stuff like this before, when hed go off on some weird tangent that only half made sense. It was the closest he ever came to showing that spirit might be messing with his mind too. Id never realized he was aware of these moments or what they could mean.He looked back down at me. When I drink I dont worry about it. I dont worry about going crazy. But then I think maybe I already I am. Maybe I am, but no one can tell the difference when Im drunk.Youre not crazy, I said fiercely, p ulling him to me. I loved his warmth and the way he felt against my skin. Youll be okay. Youre strong.He pressed his cheek to my forehead. I dont know, he said. I think youre my strength.It was a novel and romantic statement, but something about it bothered me. Thats not quite right, I said, wondering how I could gear up my feelings into words. I knew you could help someone else in a relationship. You could strengthen them and support them. But you couldnt actually do everything for them. You couldnt solve all their problems. You have to find it within yourThe hotel rooms alarm clock blared and broke me from the dream, leaving me queer both because I missed Adrian and hadnt been able to say all I wanted to. Well, there was nothing I could do for him now. I could only hope hed manage on his own.Sydney and I were both sluggish and squinty-eyed. It made sense that shed be exhausted, since her whole sleeping schedulewhen she actually got sleephad been thrown off. Me? My drop was men tal. So many people, I thought. So many people needed me but it was so hard to help all of them.Naturally, Dimitri was up and ready to go. Hed woken before us. Last nights breakdown might as well have never happened. It turned out hed been dying for coffee and had patiently waited for us, not wanting to abandon us sleeping and undefended. I shooed him off, and twenty minutes later, he returned with coffee and a box of donuts. He also had purchased an industrial-strength chain at a hardware store across the street for when we find Sonya, which made me uneasy. By then Sydney and I were ready to go, and I decided to hold off on my questions. I wasnt crazy about wearing shorts again, not with my legs in this condition, but I was too eager to get to Sonya to insist we stop at a mall.I did, however, decide it was time to get my companions up to speed.So, I began casually, Victor Dashkov might be joining us soon.It was to Sydneys credit that she didnt drive off the road. What? That guy w ho escaped? I could see in Dimitris eyes that he was just as shocked, but he kept cool and under control, like always. Why, he began slowly, is Victor Dashkov joining us?Well, its kind of a funny story And with that intro, I gave them as brief yet thorough a recap as I could, starting with the background on Robert Doru and ending with the brothers recent dream visits. I glossed over Victors mysterious escape a few weeks ago, but something told me that Dimitri, in that uncanny way we had of guessing each others thoughts, was probably putting the pieces together. Both Lissa and I had told Dimitri wed gone through a lot to learn how to restore him, but wed never explained the full storyespecially the part about breaking out Victor so that he could help us find his brother.Look, whether he can help or not, this is our chance to catch him, I added hastily. Thats a good thing, right?Its an issue well deal with later. I accept the tone in Dimitris voice. Hed used it a lot at St. Vladimir s. It usually meant there was a private talk in my future, where Id be grilled for more details.Kentucky turned out to be pretty beautiful as we drove out to Paris. The land was rolling and green as we got out of the city, and it was easy to imagine wanting to live in a little house out here. I wondered idly if that had been Sonyas motivation and then caught myself. Id just told Dimitri that Strigoi saw no beauty. Was I wrong? Would gorgeous scenery matter to her?I found my answer when our GPS led us to Martin Lake. There were only a few houses scattered around it, and among those, only one was blue. Stopping a fair distance away from the house, Sydney parked the car off to the side of the road as much as she could. It was narrow, the shoulders covered in trees and laid-back grass. We all got out of the car and walked a little ways, still keeping our distance.Well. Its a blue house, declared Sydney pragmatically. But is it hers? I dont see a mailbox or anything.I looked closer at t he yard. Rose bushes, full of pink and red blossoms, grew in front of the porch. Baskets thick with white flowers I didnt know the names of hung from the roof, and blue morning glories come neared up a trellis. Around the house, I could just barely make out a wood fence. A vine with orange, trumpet-shaped flowers crawled over it.Then, an image flickered into my mind, gone as pronto as it had come. Ms. Karp watering pots of flowers in her classroom, flowers that seemed to grow impossibly fast and tall. As a teenager more interested in dodging homework, I hadnt thought much about them. It was only later, after watching Lissa make plants grow and bloom during spirit experiments, that I unsounded what had been happening in Ms. Karps classroom. And now, even deprived of spirit and possessed by evil, Sonya Karp was still tending her flowers.Yeah, I said. This is her house. Dimitri approached the front porch, studying every detail. I started to get along but held back. What are you doi ng? I kept my voice low. She might see you.He returned to my side. Those are black-out curtains. They arent letting in any light, so she isnt going to see anything. It also means she likely spends her time on the houses main floor, rather than a basement. I could easily follow his line of thinking. Thats good news for us. When Id been captured by Strigoi last year, my friends and I had been held in a basement. Not only was it convenient for Strigoi wanting to avoid the sun, it also meant fewer escape and entry options. It was easy for Strigoi to trap prey in a basement. The more doors and windows we had, the better.Ill scout the other side, he said, starting for the backyard.I move up to him and caught him by the arm. Let me. Ill sense any Strigoinot that shes going outside, but, well, just in case.He hesitated, and I grew irate, thinking he didnt believe me capable. Then, he said, Okay. Be certain. I realized he was just worried about me.I locomote as smoothly and quietly as I c ould around the house, soon discovering the wooden fence was going to piss difficulty in seeing the backyard. I feared climbing over might alert Sonya to my presence and pondered what to do. My solution came in the form of a large joust lying near the fences edge. I dragged the stone over and stood on top. It wasnt enough to let me look completely over, but I was able to easily put my hands on top of the fence and hoist myself up for a peek with minimal noise.It was like looking into the Garden of Eden. The flowers in the front had merely been the warm-up act. More roses, magnolia and apple trees, irises, and a billion other flowers I didnt recognize. Sonyas backyard was a paradise of lush color. I scoped out what I needed to and hurried back to Dimitri. Sydney still stood by the car.A patio door and two windows, I reported. All curtained. Theres also a wooden deck chair, a shovel, and a wheelbarrow.Any pitchforks?Unfortunately, no, but theres a big-ass rock sitting outside the fe nce. Itd be hard to get it into the yard, though. Were better off using it to help us climb over. No gate in the fence. Shes made a fortress.He nodded in understanding, and without any conversation, I knew what to do. We got the chain from the car and entrusted it to Sydney. We told her to wait for us outsidewith the grim instructions to leave if we werent back in thirty minutes. I hated to say that kind of thingand Sydneys face indicated she didnt like hearing itbut it was inevitable. If we hadnt dumb Sonya in that amount of time, we werent going to subdue her at allor leave alive. If we did manage to overtake her, wed give some signal for Sydney to come in with the chain.Sydneys amber-brown eyes were filled with anxiety as she watched us head back around the house. I nearly teased her for caring about evil creatures of the night but stopped myself just in time. She might loathe every other dhampir and Moroi in the world, but somewhere along the way, shed come to like Dimitri and me. That wasnt something to mock.Dimitri stood on the rock and surveyed the yard. He murmured a few last-minute instructions to me before taking my hands and boosting me up over the fence. His height went a long way to make the maneuver as easy and quietthough not silentas possible. He followed me shortly thereafter, landing beside me with a small thud.After that, we sprang forward with no delay. If Sonya had heard us, then there was no point in wasting time. We needed every advantage we could get. Dimitri grabbed the shovel and swung it hard into the candyonce, twice. The first strike was about the height of my head, the second lower. The screwball fractured more with each impact. Right on the heels of the second hit, I pushed forward and shoved the wheelbarrow into the door. Lifting it and throwing it against the glass would have been a lot cooler, but it was too unwieldy to raise very high. When the wheelbarrow struck the already weakened glass, the cracked areas broke and cru mbled altogether, creating a hole big enough for both of us to get through. We both had to duckespecially Dimitri.A simultaneous attack through both sides of the house would have been ideal, but it wasnt like Sonya could run out the front door. Nausea had started to creep over me as soon as we were near the patio, and the sensation hit full force as we entered a lifespan room. I ignored my stomach in the way Id perfected and braced myself for what was to come. Wed broken in pretty quickly but not quickly enough to truly get the jump on Strigoi reflexes.Sonya Karp was right there, ready for us, doing all she could to avoid the sunlight spilling into the living room. When Id first seen Dimitri as a Strigoi, Id been so shocked that Id frozen up. It had allowed him to capture me, so Id mentally braced myself this time, knowing Id feel the same shock when I saw my former teacher as a Strigoi. And it was shocking. Just like with him, so many of Sonyas features were the same as before the auburn hair and high cheek bones but her beauty was twisted by all the other terrible conditions chalky skin, red eyes, and the expression of cruelty that all Strigoi seemed to wear.If she recognized us, she gave no sign and lunged toward Dimitri with a snarl. It was a common Strigoi tactic to take out the bigger threat first, and it annoyed me that they always believed that was Dimitri. Hed shoved his stake in his rap music in order to carry the shovel inside with him. The shovel wouldnt kill a Strigoi, but with enough strength and momentum, it would definitely keep Sonya at arms length. He struck her with it in the shoulder after her first attempt, and while she didnt fall over, she definitely waited before trying another attack. They circled each other, like wolves readying for a battle, as she sized up her odds. One charge, and her greater strength would push him down, shovel or not.All of this took place in a matter of seconds, and Sonyas calculations had left hand me out o f the equation. I made my own charge, slamming into her other side, but she saw me coming out of the corner of her eye and responded instantly, throwing me down while never taking her eyes off Dimitri. I wished I had the shovel and could hit her in the back from a safe distance. All I carried was my stake, and I had to be careful with it since it could kill her. I did a quick scan of her eerily normal living room and couldnt see any other potential weapons.She feinted, and Dimitri went for it. He just barely corrected himself as she leapt forward to take advantage of the situation. She thrust him against the wall, pinning him there and knocking the shovel from his grasp. He struggled against her, trying to break free as her hands found his throat. If I tried to pull her off, my strength combined with Dimitris would probably free him. I wanted this over as quickly as possible, however, and decided to make a power play.I ran toward her, stake in hand, and plunged it through her right shoulder blade, hoping I was nowhere near her heart. The beguile silver, so agonizing to Strigoi skin, made her scream. Frantic, she shoved me away with force that was astonishing even for a Strigoi. I fell backward, stumbling, and whacked my head against a coffee table. My muckle dimmed slightly, but instinct and adrenaline drove me back to my feet.My attack gave Dimitri the split second he needed. He knocked Sonya to the ground and grabbed my stake, pushing it against her throat. She screamed and flailed, and I moved forward to help him, knowing how hard it was to pin a Strigoi.Get Sydney he grunted. The chain I moved as quickly as I could, stars and shadows dancing in front of me. I unlocked the front door and kicked it open as a signal, then ran back to Dimitri. Sonya was making good throw out in fighting him off. I dropped to my knees, working with Dimitri to keep her restrained. He had that battle lust in his eyes again, a look that said he wanted to destroy her right here and now. But there was something else, too. Something that made me think he had more control, that my words in the alley had actually had an impact. Still, I express a warning.We need her remember we need her.He gave me a slight nod, just as Sydney showed up lugging the chain. She stared at the scene wide-eyed, pausing only a moment before hurrying over to us. Well make a warrior of her yet, I thought.Dimitri and I moved to our next task. Wed already spotted the best place to bind Sonya a heavy, reclining armchair in the corner. Lifting herwhich was dangerous since she was still thrashing wildlywe thrust her into the chair. Then, keeping the stake at her neck, Dimitri attempted to hold her down while I grabbed hold of the chain.There was no time to think of a precise system. I just started wrapping it, first around her legs and then as best as I could around her torso, trying to lock her arms against her. Dimitri had bought a lot of chain, thankfully, and I hurriedly wrapped it a round the chair in a crazy manner, doing everything I could to keep her down.When I finally ran out of chain, Sonya was pretty well locked into place. Was it something she could break out of? Absolutely. But with a silver stake against her? Not so easy. With both in place well, we had her trapped for now. It was the best we could do.Dimitri and I exchanged brief, weary looks. I felt dizzy but fought through it, knowing our task was far from over.Time for questioning, I said grimly.

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 15

Come on, its okay, Thea said. She seemed to be well-nighPoppys age, still she had a gentle, sensible air that gaveher authority. mould great deal. Here. She set Poppy on ashabby couch and ext give the axeed her wrist. Poppy stared atthe wrist for an instant and then remembered. mob, enceinte her crease from his arm. Thatwashow to do it. Friendly andcivilized.She could see pale blue veins chthonian the skin. And that sight blasted a management the last of her hesitation. Instinct to a faultk over and she grabbed Theas arm. Thenext thing she knew she was drinking.Warm salty-sweetness. -Life. Relief from pain. It was so good that Poppy could almost cry. No wonder vampires hate humans, she thought dimly. Humansdidnt submit to hunt for this marvelous stuff theywere full of it already.But, some other part of her mind pointed out, Theawasnt a human. She was a witch. Strange, becauseher blood tasted exactly the same. Poppys e very grit confirmed it.So witches are respectable huma ns, except humans with special powers, Poppy thought. Interesting.It took an effort to control herself, to do whento stop. But she did stop. She let go of Theas wrist and sit down rump, a small(a) embarrassed, licking her lips andteeth. She didnt want to meet Theas brown eyes.It was only then that she realized shed been keeping her thoughts shielded during the entire process.There had been no mental connector as there had been when she shared blood with mob. So shedmastered one vampire power already. Faster than crowd or modify had expected.And she felt good now. dynamical enough to do theNetherlands skippy dance. Confident enough to smileat Thea.Thank you, she said.Thea smiled back, as if she found Poppy singular orquaint, tho nice. She didnt seem suspicious. Itsokay, she said, flexing her wrist and grimacinggently.For the first time Poppy was able to behavior aroundher. This room was more identical a living room than partof a shop. Be boldnesss the couch there was a TV andseveral chairs. At the far end was a large table withcandles and incense burning.This is the teaching room, Thea said. Grandmadoes spells here and lets the students hang out.And the other part is a store, Poppy said, cautiously because she didnt know what she was supposed to know.Thea didnt look surprised. Yes. I know you wouldnt thinkthered be enough witches around here to keep us in business, but actually they accrue from all over the country. Grandmas famous. Andher students buy a lot.Poppy n one and only(a)ed, looking properly impressed. Shedidnt dare ask more questions, but her chilly hearthad warmed just a tiny bit. All Night People werentharsh and evil. She had the spot she could be friends with this girl if given the chance. Maybe she could make it in the Night World after all.Well,thanksagain, she murmured softly.Dont mention it. But dont let modify get you addition kindred that, either. Hes soirresponsible.You wound me, Thea. You really do, Ash said.He was stan ding in the doorway, holding the beadcurtain open with one hand. But come to think ofit, Im feeling a trivial run down myself. He raisedhis eyebrows insinuatingly.Go jump in Lake Mead, Ash, Thea said sweet.Ash looked innocent and yearning. Just a littlebite. A nibble. A nip, he said. You have such a somewhat white throat.Who does? Blaise said, pushing her way throughthe other half of the bead curtain. Poppy had the feeling she was only speaking to focus attention onherself. She stood in the spirit of the room and move back her long black hair with the air of a girlused to attention.You both do, Ash said gallantly. Then he seemed to remember Poppy. And, of course, this littledreamer has a pretty white everything.Blaise, who had been smiling, now looked sour.She stared at Poppy long and hard. With dislikeand something else.Suspicion. Dawning suspicion.Poppy could feelit. Blaises thoughts were brightand sharp andmalicious,like jagged glass.Then suddenly Blaise smiled again. She looke d atAsh. I suppose youve come for the party, she said.No. What party?Blaise sighed in a way that emphasized her lowcut blouse. The Solstice party, of course. Thierrysgiving a big one. Everybody willbe there.Ash looked tempted. In the dim light of the teaching room his eyes gleamed dark. Then he shook hishead.No, cant make it. Sorry. Im going to show Poppythe town.Well, you can do that and still come to the partylater. It wont really get going until after midnight.Blaise was staring at Ash with an odd insistence. Ashbit his lip, then shook his head again, smiling.Well, whitethornbe, he said. Ill see how things go.Poppy knew he was saying more than that. Someunspoken message seemed to be passing betweenhim and Blaise. But it wasnt telepathic, and Poppy couldnt pick it up.Well, have a good time, Thea said, and gavePoppy a quick smile as Ash piloted her away.Ash peered ahead at the Strip. If we hurry wecan watch the volcano erupting, he said. Poppy gavehim a look, but didnt ask.Instead, she said, Whats a Solstice party?Summer solstice. The longest day of the year. Itsa holiday for the Night People. Like Groundhog Dayfor humans.?Why?Oh, it always has been. Its very magical, youknow. Id take you to the party, but it would be toodangerous. Thierrys a vampire Elder. Then he said, Heres the volcano.It was a volcano. In front of a hotel. Waterfallscrashed down its sides, and red lights shone from thecone. Ash double-parked across the street.You see, weve got a great take in right here, hesaid. All the comforts of home.The volcano was emitting rumbling sounds. AsPoppy watched in disbelief, a pillar of fire shot outof the top. Real fire. Then the waterfalls caught fire.Red and gold flames spread down the sides of the black rock until the entire lake around the volcanowas ablaze.Inspiring, isnt it? Ash asked, very close to herear.Well-itsThrilling? Ash inquired. Stimulating? Rousing? His arm was creeping around her, and his voicewas sweetly hypnotic.Poppy didnt say anythi ng.You know, Ash murmured, you can see a lotbetter if you get over here. I dont mind crowding. His arm was urging her gently but inevitably closer. His tinge ruffled her hair.Poppy slammed an elbow into his stomach. HeyAsh yelped-in genuine pain, Poppy thought. Good.Hed dropped his arm and now he was looking ather with aggrieved brown eyes. What did you do that for?Because I feltlike it, Poppy said smartly. She was tingling with new blood and ready for a fight. Look,Ash, I dont know what gave you the idea that Im your date here. But Im telling you right now thatIm not. Ash tilted his head and smiledpainfully.You justdont know me soundly enough, he offered. When weget to know each other-No.Never. Im not interested in other guys. If Icant have James Poppy had to stop and steady her voice. Theres nobody else I want, she saidfinally,flatly. Nobody.Well, not now, by chance, but-Never.She didnt know how to explain. Thenshe had an idea. You know the soulmate principle?Ash opened his mou th and then shut it. Openedit again. Oh, no. Not thatgarbage.Yes. James is my soulmate. Im sorry if it soundsstupid, but its true.Ash put a hand to his forehead. Then he started to laugh. Youre serious.Yes.And thats your final word.Yes.Ash laughed again, sighed, and cast his eyes upward. Okay. Okay. I should have known. He chuckled in what seemed like self-derision.Poppy was relieved. Shed been afraid hed be dissatisfied and huffy-or mean.Despite his charm, shecould always feel something cold running below thesurface in Ash, like an icy river.But now he seemed perfectly good-humored.Okay, he said. So if toy isnt on the menu, lets go to the party.I thought you said it was too dangerous.He waved a hand. That was a little fib. To get youalone, you know. He glanced sideways at her.Sorry.Poppy hesitated. She didnt condole with about a party. Butshe didnt want to be alone with Ash, either.Maybe you should just take me back to your cousins place.They wont bethere, Ash said. Im sure theyv e gone to the party by now. Oh, come on, itll be fun.Give me a chance to make things up to you.Thin curls of uneasiness were roiling inside Poppy.But Ash looked so penitent and telling andwhat other choice did she have?Okay, she said finally. For just a little period.Ash gave a dazzling smile. Just a very little turn, he said.So they could be anywhere on the Strip,James said.Thea sighed. Im sorry. I should have known Ashwas up to something. But hijacking your girlfriendShe lifted her hands in a what-next gesture. Forwhat its worth, she didnt seem very interested inhim. If hes planning to put the moves on her, hesgoing to get a surprise.Yes, James thought, and so is she. Poppy was onlyuseful to Ash as long as Ash thought he could playwith her. Once he realized he couldntHe didnt want to think about what would happenthen. A quick visit to the nearest Elder, he supposed.His heart was pounding, and there was a ringingin his ears.Did Blaise go with them? he asked.No, she went to the So lstice party. She tried to get Ash to go, but he said he cherished to show Poppythe town. Thea paused, airlift a finger. awaityou might check at the party. Ash said he might stopin later.James spent a moment forcing himself to breathe.Then he said, verygently, And just who is giving this party?Thierry Descouedres. He always has a big one.And hes an Elder.What?Nothing. Never mind. James backed out of theshop. Thanks for the help. Ill be in touch.JamesShe looked at him helplessly. Do youwant to come in and sit down? You dont lookvery well.Im fine, James said, already out the door.In the car he said, You can get up now.Phillip emerged from the floor of the backseatwhere hed been hiding. Whats fortuity? Youwere gone a long time.I think I know where Poppy is.You just think?Shut up, Phil. He didnt have energy for exchanging insults. He was all told focused on Poppy.Okay, so where is she?James spoke precisely. She is either now, or shewilll be later, at a party. A very large party, fi lled with vampires. And at least one Elder. The perfect placeto expose her.Phil gulped. And you think thats what Ash is going to do?I know thats what Ash is going to do.Then weve got to stop him.We may be too late.The party was strange. Poppy was amazed at howyoung most of the people were. There were a few scattered adults, but far more teenagers.make vampires, Ash explained obligingly. Poppyremembered what James had said-made vampiresremained forever the age of their death, but lamiacould stop aging anytime. She supposed that meantthat James could get as old as he wanted, while she would be stuck at sixteen eternally. Not that it mattered. If she and James were going to be together,they could both stay young-but apart, maybe hed want to age.But it was odd to see a guy who looked about nineteen talking earnestly with a little kid wholooked about four. The kid was cute, with shiny black hair and tilted eyes, but there was something at onceinnocent and cruel in his expression.Lets see , now thats Circe. A witch of renown.And thats Sekhmet, a shapeshifter. You dont want to get hermad, Ash said genially.He and Poppy were standing in a little anteroom, looking down a level into the main room of the house. Of the mansion, rather. It was the most opulent private residence Poppy had ever seenand shed seen Bel Airand BeverlyHills.Okay, Poppy said, looking in the general?direc tion he was pointing. She saw two leggy and lovelygirls, but she had no idea which was which.And thats Thierry, our host. Hes an Elder.An Elder? The guy Ash was indicating didnt seemolder than nineteen. He was beautiful, like all thevampires, tall and blond and pensive. Almost sadlooking. How old ishe?Oh, I forget. He got bitten by an ancestress ofmine a long time ago. Back when people lived incaves.Poppy thought he was joking. But maybe not.What do the Elders do, exactly?They just make rules. And see that people keepthem. An odd smile was playing around Ashs lips.He turned to look directly at Pop py.With the black eyes of a snake.That was when Poppy knew.She backed away rapidly. But Ash came after her,just as rapidly. She saw a door on the other side of the anteroom and headed for it. Got through it. Onlyto find herself on a balcony.With her eyes, she measured the distance to the ground. But before she could make another move, Ash had her arm.Dont fight yet, her mind counseled desperately.Hes strong. Wait for an opportunity.She made herself relax a fraction and met Ashsdark gaze. You brought me here.Yes.To hand me over.He smiled.But why?Ash threw back his head and laughed. It waslovely, melodious laughter, and it made Poppy sick. Youre a human, he said. Or you should be.James should never have done what he did.Poppys heart was racing, but her mind was oddlyclear. Maybe shed known all along that this was what he was going to do. Maybe it was even the rightthing to do. If she couldnt be with James and shecouldnt be with her family, did the rest really matter? Did she wantto li ve in the Night World if it wasfull of people like Blaise and Ash?So you dont care about James, either, she said.Youre willing to put him in danger to get rid of me.Ash considered, then grinned. James can takecare of himself, he said.Which was obviously Ashs entire philosophy. Everybody took care of themselves, and nobody helpedanybody else.And Blaise knew, too, Poppy said. She knew what you were going to do and she didnt care.Not much gets past Blaise, Ash said. He startedto say something else-and Poppy saw her chance.She kicked-hard. And twisted at the same time.Trying to get over the balcony rail.Stay here, James said to Phil before the car had evenstopped. They were in front of a huge white mansionfringed with palm trees. James threw the door open,but took the time to say again, Stay here.No matter what happens, dont go in that house. And if somebodybesides me comes up to the car, drive away.But-Just do it, Phil Unless you want to find out aboutdeath firsthand-tonight.James set out at a dead run for the mansion. Hewas too intent to really notice the sound of a cardoor opening behind him.And you looked like such a nice girl, Ash gasped.He had both of Poppys arms behind her back andwas trying to get out of the range of her feet.No-no, quit that, now.He was too strong. There was nothing Poppy coulddo. Inch by inch he was dragging her back into theanteroom.You might as well give up, Poppys mind told her.Its useless. Youre done.She could picture the all told thing herself universe dragged out in front of all of those sleek and handsome Night People and revealed. She could picturetheir pitiless eyes. That pensive-looking guy wouldwalk up to her and his face would throw and hewouldnt look pensive anymore. Hed look savage.His teeth would grow. His eyes would go silvery.Then hed snarland strike.And that would be the end of Poppy.Maybe that wasnt the way they did it, maybe theyexecuted criminals some other way in the NightWorld. But it wouldnt be pleasant, whatev er it was.And I wont makeiteasyfor youPoppy thought. Shethought it directly at Ash, throwing all of her angerand grief and betrayal at him. Instinctively. Like akid shouting in a temper tantrum.Except it had an effect shouting usually didnt.Ash flinched. He almost lost his grip on her arms.It was only a momentary weakening, but it wasenough for Poppys eyes to widen.I hurt him. IhurthimShe stopped struggling physically in that same instant. She put all her concentration, all her energy,into a mental explosion. A thought-bomb.let GO OF ME YOU ROTTEN VAMPIRE CREEPAsh staggered. Poppy did it again, this time makingher thought a fire hose, a high-power jetstreambombardment.LET G000000000000Ash let go. Then, as Poppy ran out of steam, hetried in afumblingway to reach her again.I dont think so, a voice as cold as steel said.Poppy looked into the anteroom and saw James.Her heart lurched violently. And then, withoutconsciously being aware of moving, she was in hisarms.Oh, James, how did youf ind me?All he kept saying was Are you all right?Yes, Poppy said finally, aloud. It was indescribably good to be with him again, to be held by him.Like waking up from a nightmare to see your mothersmiling. She buried her face in his neck.Youre sure youre all right?Yes. Yes.Good. Then just hang on a moment while I kill this guy and well go.He was absolutely serious. Poppy could feel it in his thoughts, in every muscle and sinew of his body.He wanted to murder Ash.She lifted her head at the sound of Ashs laugh.Well, it ought to be a good fight, anyway, Ashsaid.No, Poppy thought. Ash was looking silky and dangerous and in a very bad mood. And even if James could beat him, James was going to get hurt. Evenif she and James fought him together, there was going to be some damage.Lets just go, she said to James. Quick. Sheadded silently, Ithink he wants to keep us around untilsomebody from the party gets here.No, no, Ash said, in gloatingly enthusiastic tones.Lets settle this like vampires.L ets not, said a breathless familiar voice. Poppyshead jerked around. rise over the railing of thebalcony, dusty but triumphant, was Phil.Dont you everlisten? James said to him.Well, well, Ash said. A human in an Eldershouse. What arewe going to do about that?Look, buddy, Phil said, still breathless, brushingoff his hands. I dont know who you are or whathorse you rode in on. But thats my sisterthere youre messing with, and I figure Ive got the first right to knock your head off.There was a pause while Poppy, James, and Ash all looked at him. The pause stretched. Poppy wasaware of a sudden, completely inappropriate impulse to laugh. Then she realized that James was fightingdesperately not to crack a smile.Ash just looked Phil up and down, then looked atJames sideways.Does this guyunderstandabout vampires? hesaid.Oh, yeah, James said blandly.And hes going to knock my head in?Yeah, Phil said, and cracked his knuckles.Whats so surprising about that?There was another pause.Poppycould fee l minutetremors going through James. Choked-back laughter.At last James said, admirably sober, Philreally feelsstrongly about his sister.Ash looked at Philonce more, then at James, andfinally at Poppy. Well there are three of you, he said.Yes, there are, James said, genuinely sober now. Grim.So I guess you do have me at a disadvantage. Allright,I giveup. He lifted his hands and thendropped them. Go on, scram. I wont fight.And you wont tell on us, either, James said. Itwasnt a request.I wasnt going to anyway, Ash said. He had onhis most innocent and vaporous expression. I knowyou think I brought Poppy here to expose her, but I really wasnt going to go through with it. I was justhaving fun. The whole thing was just a joke.Oh, sure, Phil said.Dont even bother lying, James said.But Poppy, oddly, wasnt as certain as they were.She looked at Ashs wide eyes-his wide violeteyes-and felt doubt slosh back and forth inside her.It was hard to read him, as it had been hard allalong. Maybe becau se he always meant everythinghe said at the time he said itor maybe because he nevermeant anything he said. No matter which,, he was the most irritating, frustrating, impossible personshed ever met.Okay, were going now, James said. Were goingto walk very quiet and sedately right through that littleroom and down the hall, and were not going to stopfor anything-Phillip.Unless youd rather go back downthe way you came up, he added.Phil shook his head. James gathered Poppy in hisarm again, but he paused and looked back at Ash.You know, youve never really cared about anyone, he said. But someday you will, and its goingto hurt. Its going to hurt-a lot.Ash looked back at him, and Poppy could readnothing in his ever-changing eyes. But just as Jamesturned again, he said, I think youre a lousyprophet. But your girlfriends a good one. You mightwant to ask her about her dreams sometime.James stopped. He frowned. What?And you, little dreamer, you might want to check out your family tree. You hav e a very loud yell. He smiled at Poppy engagingly. Bye now.James stayed for another minute or so, just staringat his cousin. Ash gazed serenely back. Poppycounted heartbeats while the two of them stoodmotionless.Then James shook himself slightly and turnedPoppy toward the anteroom. Phil followed right on their heels.They walked out of the house very quietly andvery calmly. No one tried to stop them.But Poppy didnt feel safe until they were on theroad.What did he mean with that crack about the family tree? Phil asked from the backseat.James gave him an odd look, but answered with aquestion. Phil, how did you know where to findPoppy in that house? Did you see her on the balcony?No, I just followed the shouting.Poppy turned around to look at him.James said, What shouting?Theshouting. Poppy shouting. Let go of me yourotten vampire creep.Poppy turned to James. Should hehave been ableto hear it? I thought I was just yelling at Ash. Dideverybody at the party hear?No.But, thenJames cut her off. What dream was Ash talkingabout?Just a dream I had, Poppy said, bewildered. Idreamed about him before I actually met him.Jamess expression was now verypeculiar. Oh,did you?Yes. James, whats this all about? What did hemean, I should check my family tree?He meant that you-and Philarent human after all. Somewhere among your ancestors theresa witch.

Unicef Unesco And Education For All In Cambodia Education Essay

United Nations International Children s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF ) was established on December 11, 1946. He was created in the t bingle to assist kids and adult females that faced up some jobs in life. He plant life with 190 states through state plan to get the mend of the obstructions much(prenominal) as pauperisation, force, infirmitys, and favoritism which ar affected to kids in day-to-day life. He does work re completely in ally active in global administration in footings of give educational arranging, assisting kids from injury, force, and advancing information by utilizing engineering. Furthermore, he in addition workings with many stack barely in order to protect kids from environmental jobs because he does non desire the kids suffer from those activities. However, he believes that kids are still threatened by those jobs because he back non vouch kids from being out those jobs. Meanwhile, he besides industrial plant unfeignedly difficult to happen the schemes to forestall the spread of HIV/AIDS among immature spate because he wants to m aintain them from injury and enable to protect them. However, non but kids but besides adult females he besides publicise misss nurture because he wants to promote misss have a really deep thought, better citizens in society every bit good as a good female parent for her ain kids.UNESCO ( United Nations tuitional Scientific and Cultural face ) was created on November 4, 1946. He was established in order to work out jobs that related to wellness, impoverishment, and guidance that provide installations throughout the cosmos. In a nut shell, he is responsible for advancing quietness, societal justness, tender-hearted sets, and international security through international cooperation on educational scientific discipline and cultural plans. He has 193 division provinces and 7 associate member provinces hence, we trust that we will success in footings of screen with those jobs that we work manus in manus together. More of import than this, we defraud a critical function in United Nations in footings of cut overmastering utmost thinness in developing states, extinguishing gender inequalities in primeval and secondary instruction, advancing sustainable exploitation and particularly he wants to touch the end by 2015. As a consequence, he besides has his ain intent for future that he will seek to advance instruction every bit much as possible, societal justness and planetary stop and cooperation.MDG ( Millennium Development Goal ) was adopted by UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. He was established for ASEAN as a whole in order to do all the states in ASEAN obtain the end by 2015 success totaly which is ASEAN Community. Furthermore, today he non merely has the fiscal resources to stop utmost poorness but besides has technological cognition to forestall this job in order to avoid this job go on in one case more and once more. Therefore, MDG has put eight chief schem es for ASEAN states to follow in order to develop the state such as1/ Eliminate utmost hungriness and poorness2/ Achieve cosmopolitan primary instruction3/ Promote gender equality and empower adult females4/ Reduce kid mortality rate5/ Improve maternal wellness6/ Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases7/ Ensure environmental sustainability8/ Develop a planetary partnership for development.Education was offered by the WATS ( pagoda ) in Cambodia that provided merely male population to larn, in the yesteryear. Female were prohibited. That s why Cambodia remains a batch of unskilled misss that had no activities or action which involve in societal work after Pot Pot government. Furthermore, during that period, the figure of qualified muckle such as instructors, research workers, and technicians, physicians were died. More significantly, that government led to get rid of instruction, consistently destructing learning stuffs, and so on. Schools and universities were closed. Not fo r long clip, this government was collapsed. The new authorities came up and had responsibility to retrace the instruction system since these substructures were to a great extent destroyed and besides many educated people were killed. However, he was earlier sturdy to retrace the instruction system because our authorities did non h anile ability to put in all the stuffs instantly since we merely woke up from war. Actually, he can did it unless taking for long times.MC 2 Function of UNICEF, UNESCO, the MDG, and Education for All in CambodiaUNICEF plays a critical function in Cambodia in footings of assisting execrable people and uneducated people particularly people populating in urban or rural country. Beside this job, UNICEF besides provides gender equality in Cambodia. There is no favoritism in this society. Furthermore, all kids have an equal chance to have an instruction and they can anticipate what they will acquire for their future life. They have a really strong consignm ent for their future life.UNESCO plays an of import function in Cambodia in footings of sharing cognition. K at presentledge can do or take people to announce a really bright hereafter because when people have k directledge, people can protect themselves from something go on around them. However, UNESOC besides has another intent that desiring to construe to Cambodia is peace and security by advancing coaction among the states through instruction, scientific discipline, and civilization in order to foster cosmopolitan regard for justness, for the regulation of jurisprudence, and for the human rights and carmine freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the universe, without differentiation of race, sex, linguistic communication or faith. These are sensible that Cambodia demand because after woke up from war, Cambodia still non stay peace. MDG is one parting of organisation. He besides has map to develop since Cambodia remains a batch of poorness after war. In the existent st ate of affairs that MDG was practiced in Cambodia about how to extinguish poorness. Cambodia needs to set up a mechanism for periodic reappraisals of advancement made towards bettering policy coordination at all degrees. However, it s sort of hard for Cambodia to make so because Cambodia is considered as a developing state which has no adequate indwelling stuffs, fiscal, human resources and so on. Nonetheless, in order to accomplish MDGs, non merely Cambodia but besides other states need to develop appropriate roadmaps suited to local demands and conditions.Education for all is really of import for Cambodia. Education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized grownups and kids can raise themselves out of poorness. Besides, instruction has a critical function in authorising adult females, safeguarding kids from exploitative the environment, and commanding population growing. Education is the great thing that Cambodia need because Cambodia needs human r esources to develop state to go comfortable state.MC 3 The advantages of UNICEF, UNESCO, the MDG, and Education for All in CambodiaUNICEF has a batch of advantages that UNICEF provides to the hapless states particularly Cambodia. UNICEF working with many organisations in order to cover with some issues such as poorness, force, disease, and favoritism in a kid s way that many states is confronting. This organisation works really hard in order to get the better of those jobs. Notwithstanding, he tries to advance misss instruction for guaranting that misss can finish primary instruction as a lower limit in order to protect themselves from force, foolish, and so no. Furthermore, he works to support the spread of HIV/AID among immature people because it is right to maintain them from injury. However, from my point of position, I can state that the activities that UNICEF act is really right for Cambodia because after Pol Pot government ( race murder ) , Cambodia remains many people who b urden HIV/AID virus, orphaned, poorness, and uneducated people. Therefore, the manner that UNICEF performs provides a batch of advantages to Cambodia to extinguish those diseases and all issues that happened in Cambodia from the past until now. Nevertheless, UNICEF does non hold ability to assist Cambodia what he has met presents but he can assist Cambodia to cut down those issues at least from 0 % to 50 % .UNESCO is besides help hapless states to avoid those jobs, but he concentrates much on instruction since this organisation wants people all over the universe to go knowing individual that society need in order to divert from force, poorness, and so on. This organisation has his map equivalent to UNICEF. Hence, I can state that since this organisation takes topographic point in Cambodia, now there are many people understood much on instruction particularly in university and besides many adult females working in ministries and companies.Since I described briefly about rubric of th e end MDG before, now I will state them more clearly. Of class, there are eight ends for accomplishing the MDG by 2015. However, he is really difficult to make so since some states can non pattern its. First, eradicate extreme poorness and hungriness which steps by utilizing poorness spread ratio, portion of poorest quintile in national ingestion, prevalence of scraggy kids under-five old ages of age, and proportion of own-account and lending household workers in entire employment to do certain that there is lower poorness or hungriness occur in the state. Second, achieve cosmopolitan primary instruction which will be guarantee that by 2015, kids everyplace, male childs and misss likewise, will be able to finish a full class of primary schooling for guaranting that miss can obtain knowledge every bit to work forces without favoritism. This is a really of import point that Cambodia needs. Third, promote gender equality and empower adult females which is the intent of eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary instruction, sooner by 2005, and in all degrees of instruction no subsequently than 2015 by sharing the adult females in pay employment in the non-agricultural sector. Fourth, cut down kid mortality is the scratch to cut down by two tierces, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate to do certain that there is a low of infant mortality rate. Fifth, better maternal wellness by utilizing the maternal mortality ratio, and utilizing prophylactic prevalence rate. Sixth, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases in order to do certain that those disease will be reduced by 2015 which utilizing the ratio of school attending of orphans to school attending o non-orphans aged 10-14 old ages. Seventh, guarantee environmental sustainability in the mark that integrate the rules of sustainable development into state policies and plans and change by reversal the loss of environmental resources. Eighth, develop a planetary partnership for development in the arm of developing farther an unfastened, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and fiscal system and turn to the particular demands of the least developed states.Education for all is utile for everyone without favoritism both male childs and misss in this universe. Learning is the most powerful tool because the more we know the better we get along in the universe. If we do non hold cognition, we are really hard to populate in this universe since this universe is traveling to seek modern engineering, Furthermore, we have knowledge, we are certainly to acquire a better occupation with a high paid.MC 4 The impact of UNICEF, UNESCO, the MDG, and Education for All in CambodiaFor positive point of UNICEF, he starts his cooperation in Cambodia in 1952 as a portion of its planetary and Asia-wide regional plan to better kid wellness and wellbeing. UNICEF was helped Cambodia a batch in footings of instruction system, wellness attention service, so on and so away. He hel ps Cambodia in the intent of forcing Cambodia to go a strong state that full of human resources that would be helped Kampuchean citizens in the future(a) hereafter since the state can develop or non develop based upon on human resources.Positive point of UNESCO, it is non much impact since it is non play in a major function in Cambodia. It merely shows us merely about the negative point. UNESCO provides disadvantages more than advantages. For illustration, in instance PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE, harmonizing to the web site of one of the celebrated Thai English Newspaper called THE NATION REPORT which announce on Thursday 21, May 2009, said that the UNESCO is unjust because the occupation of UNESCO is to guarantee that this hereditary pattern is good conserved. Why UNESCO has to inquire for permission from Thailand if they are merely visit Cambodia? Is Thailand Cambodia s parent? Actually, for this statement, it depicts really clear that UNESCO is unjust in footings of judging the univers e heritage.MDG, really MDG play a really of import function in Cambodia in footings of assisting Cambodia to cut down poorness in the state chiefly. A a couple of(prenominal) month ago, in Phnom Penh metropolis ( in forepart of BO TUM VATEY pagoda ) , many official authorities ran this plan for advancing by gather together many people include high school pupils, workers, motor cab, and so on came to speak in order to portion some information which relate to poorness to do certain that these sorts of people understand good what is poorness and where does it come from. Conversely, it is rather difficult to make so since our state deficiency of human resources.Education for All, Cambodia is increasing a batch of schools from the lower grade to the higher grade at everyplace in the state to do certain that all people can hold opportunity to derive cognition in order to better themselves to back up populating criterion. Besides, I think that it is non much influence to Cambodia because now many people are educated so they understand good before they decide to make anything. We can see that most of people are be givening to travel to school.MC 5 Future position of UNICEF, UNESCO, the MDG, and Education for All in CambodiaUNICEF plays a really of import function in Cambodia in footings of furnish instruction, assisting kids from force, advancing on the utilizations of engineering. Besides, UNICEF works on five issues of kids such as instruction, safety of kids and growing, preparation of kids in their early age, mistreatment and maltreatment guard the kids from maltreatment, and HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, UNICEF works really difficult to happen the schemes to forestall the spread of HIV/AIDS among immature people since he wants to keep kids from injury and enable them to protect others. In add-on, UNICEF is working with many organisations in order to cover with some issues such as poorness, force, diseases, and favoritism. He works much on developing state. Additional ly, he is besides holding a position since he works really difficult for assisting hapless states. The policy model covers all those who are deemed excluded, consisting handicapped kids, working kids, pathway kids, those with disablements, those with larning troubles, the really hapless, those in geographically distant countries, those from lingual, cultural or cultural minorities, those with parents who have stigmatized occupations, those with HIV or whose parents have HIV, those displaced by struggle or natural catastrophe, but non accomplishing in school and those that drop out of school. Integrated schooling systems consisting of all denominations, are to be considered, to further societal coherence and better emergency among communities.UNESCO is besides play a really indispensable manner to assist Cambodia. It helps Cambodia in the intent of forcing Cambodia to go a good state that full of human resources that would be help Cambodia in the following hereafter. Besides, it mi ght believe that state can develop based upon on human resource. Furthermore, UNESCO is besides help hapless states to avoid those jobs, but he concentrates much on instruction since this organisation wants people all over the universe have instruction to divert from force, poorness, and so on. However, UNESCO is still weak that can non happen the right thing to the victim since the victim demand for aid like Cambodia. This organisation has his map similar to UNICEF. Hence, I can state that since this organisation takes topographic point in Cambodia, now there are many people understood much on instruction particularly in rural country. Besides, people who live in countryside let their girls to travel to school. Of class, now it shows us really exactly that there are many adult females pupils who are analyzing in university and besides many adult females working in ministries and companies.The MDG is besides plays a major function in footings of assisting hapless provinces for cover ing with some issues that those states are confronting. Harmonizing to my point of position, I can reason that the MDG is really difficult to accomplish the end by 2015 since the status of MDG for hapless provinces are rather difficult for them to follow. For the existent illustration of Cambodia, Cambodia is really difficult to obtain those standards since Cambodia deficiency of natural stuffs, human resources, so on and so forth. However, I trust that by 2020, the MDG can derive these aims since the hapless provinces are traveling to modernization provinces.Finally, the Education for All, I believe that it will obtain its end since it provides tonss about instruction system to hapless states since the hapless provinces deficiency of scheme to learn to pupils and no criterion for Cambodia pupils as a whole.