Conveyance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Conveyance - Essay Example Normally the contract is conditional upon matters such as the sellers being able, before completion of the transaction, to prove that they have good title to the property and to exhibit clear searches from the property registers and the local authority. The system of conveyancing is designed to ensure that the buyer gets the land together with all the rights that go with it, i.e. title deed to the land and also by knowing about any restrictions in advance. A typical conveyancing transaction, whether a sale or purchase, contains two major 'landmarks', which are exchange of contracts and completion, plus the three stages: before contract, before completion and after completion. Under English law agreements are not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. This mainly involves a normal practice where the buyer negotiate an agreed price with the seller then organize a survey and have the solicitor (or conveyancer) carry out their searches and prepare the contract, which are signed by the parties. Similarly, deeds are done in writing and the signature of the party or parties making the deed must be witnessed. All conveyances, transfers, leases, mortgages and legal charges must be deeds. Thus, notwithstanding the growing use of electronic communication at all the other stages of a conveyancing transaction; the two key stages of making the contract and completion must be achieved by using paper documents. The process takes an average 10-12 weeks to get the deeds to the property, and during this period either party can pull out at any time. This gives rise to a risk of gazumping. The position in Scotland under Scots law is that the contract is generally con cluded at a much earlier stage, and the initial offer, once accepted by the seller, is legally binding. Bebchuk, Lucian A., and Mark J. Roe, (1999) In United States The conveyancing process in the U.S. varies from state to state depending on local legal requirements and historical practice. Edwin.T, Freedley (1858). In most situations, three attorneys will be involved in the process each representing the buyer, seller, and mortgage holder; frequently all three will sit around a table with the buyer and seller and literally "pass papers" to effect the transaction. (Some states do not require all parties to be present simultaneously.) In order to protect themselves from defects in the title, buyers will frequently purchase title insurance at this time, either for themselves or for their lender. In most states, a prospective buyer's offer to purchase is made in the form of a written contract and bound with a deposit on the purchase price. The offer will set out conditions (such as appraisal, title clearance, inspection, occupancy, and financing) under which the buyer may withdraw the offer without forfeiting the deposit. Once the conditions have be en met (or waived), the buyer has "equitable title" and conveyancing proceeds or may be compelled by court order. There may be other last-minute conditions to closing, such as "broom clean" premises, evictions, and repairs. Typical papers at conveyancing include: deed(s), certified checks, promissory note, mortgage, certificate of liens, pro rata property taxes, title insurance binder, and fire insurance binder. There may also be side agreements (e.g., holdover tenants, delivery contracts, payment

The Study Of Error Analysis | Essay

The Study Of Error Analysis | Essay S.P. Corder is the parent of the scientific method that focuses on the errors learners make. He is considered as one of the main exponents of Error Analysis and that actually became a recognized part of applied linguistics. In Corders article (1967), entitled The significance of learners errors, the author investigates error analysis from a completely different perspective. Whereas, before Corder, errors used to be seen as defects that needed to be eliminated without giving too much attention to their role in second language acquisition, with Corder we begin to see how errors are indispensable for the learners themselves. In fact, according to Corder, errors could be regarded as a device the learner uses in order to learn the language. He states, we interpret his incorrect utterances as being evidence that he is in the process of acquiring language (p. 165). Lightbown and Spada (2006) agree with Corders claim that error analysis sights to discover and describe different kinds of erro rs with the intention of understanding how students attain a second language. Corders argument that learners errors are signals of actual learning is supported by another researcher of error analysis, James M. Hendrickson (1978), who points out, not only do all language learners necessarily produce errors when they communicate, but systematic analysis of errors can provide useful insights into the processes of language acquisition (p. 388). Thus, they both celebrate the fact that errors are significant and essential in the study of Second Language Acquisition. Corder demonstrates that not only do errors play a crucial role to the individual who can learn from these errors, but also to the teachers as they are able to track each students progress, and even to the researchers as they demonstrate how a language acquired and what strategies the learners use. Related to this, is the concept of how many errors are due to the fact that the learner uses structures, which derive from the native language. In Corders view, the possession of ones native language is facilitative, as errors in this case represent evidence of ones learning strategies. Dulay and Burt (1974) in their study maintain the same idea. In other words, they endorse that the childs errors are not indicators of faulty learning nor a need for instructional intervention (p. 135). To put it succinctly, they emphasize that making errors is vital in the learning process, and learners need to know the kind of errors they utter. Hence, before moving on the next notion that Corders article researches, it is essential to report the distinction that the author makes between systematic and non-systematic errors. Unsystematic errors occur in ones native language; Corder calls these mistakes and asserts that they are not significant to the process of language learning. On the other hand, he defines errors the systematic ones that are likely to occur repeatedly and that are not recognized by the learners. Such insight plays a significant role in linguistic research, and in the way linguists look at errors, understand them, and apply their outcomes to improve language competence. Moreover, Corder suggests that when a learner makes an error, the most efficient way to teach him/her the correct form is not by simply giving the correct answer to him/her, but by introducing a self-correctability criterion, in which the learner has to discover and find the correct linguistic form. In this way, learners should be given ample opportunities and sufficient time to self-correct. The standard way of thinking about error correction is that its purpose is to improve learners accuracy and language acquisition. I have always believed that providing students with immediate corrective and constructive feedback would have helped them acquire a new language better. When I was in high school, I used to think that it was the teachers responsibility to offer us, learners, corrections of our errors and that we were supposed to follow teachers instructions firmly. However, as a teacher, I have a totally different point of view. I support the idea that the audio-lingual approach to teaching a language is helpful in the sense that we learn grammar through memorization of dialogues and drills, but I find Corders argument of making language teaching in a more humanistic and less mechanistic way to be more persuasive. With this new trend comes the idea of learners different needs and styles. I currently learn basic Cantonese and Spanish through behaviorist theory. I am not yet a fluent speaker of those two languages but I put more efforts to acquire these language strands via repetition and mimicry. Although I find this to be an interesting and fascinating learning process, on closer examination I admire the idea that language teaching now follows more modern theories, which take into account students needs and wants. Because students are different from one another, they may react differently to their teachers error correction. Therefore, it is extremely critical that we, as language teachers, create a safe and supportive classroom environment in which our students can feel confident and at their ease about expressing their thoughts and ideas freely without suffering the threat or embarrassment of having each one of their incorrect language utterances corrected. As Mark R. Freiermuth (1997) advocates in his essay, errors are inevitable in the language classroom, but they should be addressed in a rational and consistent manner (p.6). In conclusion, although the study of error analysis is still quite speculative as we do not have a well-defined answer for who should correct the errors, when they should be corrected, and how they should be brought to the learners attention, we should keep in mind that there are techniques and strategies for error correction that we ought to implement in our classrooms. Interestingly, as I mentioned earlier, Corder views errors deriving from the learners L1 not as inhibitory, but as something that could aid to their learning growth, whether the learners are children or adults. As we studied in this class, many could count as factors for the L1 transfer errors in the acquisition of English. Among these are age, motivation, intelligence, time of exposure to the target language, place and purpose of learning English. Those can surely influence SLA and in some cases they can obstruct communication. It is our job, therefore, to provide our students with constant support and guidance, and ensure a pleasant and growing ambience.

Huckleberry Finn :: essays research papers

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is often considered to be Twain's masterpiece. It combined his raw humor with startlingly mature material to create a novel that directly attacked many of the traditions the South held dear. Huckleberry Finn is the main character, and it is through his eyes that the South is revealed and judged. His companion, a runaway slave named Jim, provides Huck with friendship and protection during their journey along the Mississippi. The novel begins with Huck himself writing the story. He briefly describes what has happened to him since The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. After Huck and Tom discovered twelve thousand dollars in treasure, Judge Thatcher invested the money for them. Huck was adopted by the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, both of whom took pains to raise him properly. Dissatisfied with his new life, Huck runs away. Tom Sawyer manages to bring Huck back by promising to start a band of robbers. All the young boys in town join Tom's band, and they use a hidden cave as their hideout. However, many of them soon become bored with the make-believe battles and so the band falls apart. Soon thereafter Huck sees footprints in the snow which he recognizes as his Pa's. Huck realizes that Pa has returned to claim his money, and so he quickly runs to Judge Thatcher and "sells" his share of the money for a "consideration" of a dollar. Pa catches Huck and makes him hand over the dollar, and threatens to beat Huck if he ever goes to school again. Judge Thatcher and the Widow try to gain court custody of Huck, but a new judge in town refuses to separate Huck from Pa. Soon thereafter, Pa steals Huck away from the Widow's house and takes him to a log cabin. Huck says that he enjoys the life at first, but he soon decides to escape after Pa starts to frequently beat him. Soon thereafter Pa returns to the town and Huck seizes the chance to escape. He saws his way out of the log cabin, kills a pig and spreads the blood as if it were his own, and then takes a canoe and floats downstream to Jackson's Island. Once there he sets up camp and hides out. A few days later Huck stumbles onto a still smoldering campfire on the island. He is frightened but decides to discover who the other person is.

The effects of violence video games

The research topic that we have chose is violence video game on teenagers. The reason of this research is conducted is because teenagers spend a great deal of time with violent video games at exactly the ages that they should be learning healthy ways to relate to other people and to resolve conflicts peacefully. Because video games are such good teachers, it is critical to help parents, educators, and policy- makers understand how to maximize their benefits while minimizing potential harms.This research is an academic research and this is to study the effect of teenagers n playing violent video games and to study the impact of violent video games on individuals differently. The question of whether teenagers' participation in violent video games can lead to an increase in violent thoughts, emotions and behaviors, this study will provide this answer are based on statistical comparisons between large groups of teenagers who do or dont play violent video games. RQI : What are the effects of violent video games on Teenagers? RQ2: How do violent video games affect teenagers?RQ3: Are violent video games a negative effect teenagers social skills and interactions ith others? RQ4: How teenagers' participation in violent video games can lead to an increase in violent thoughts, emotions and behaviors? This research will utilize both qualitative and quantitative research tools. The purposes of this research is to observe the behaviour and attitude of the teenagers before and after when they spent their time to play the violent video games through observational studies and sample survey. The target audiences that we are researching are teenagers who are age in between in 13 years old to 18 years old.The reason of the audience that we are targeted is because at the age of 13 to 18 years old, teenagers generally spend more time on the video games as compare to some other category group. The media text in this research are video game and specific in violent type of video game. There are two different groups of research sample. The first group are formed by 5 female and 5 male who are teenagers. These group will be tested in experimental room and we are providing them a few genre of video games, example of the games are Call of duty, Grand Thief Auto (GTA) and others.The teenagers will be observed while they are playing the violent video game. The finding will be base on their reaction and behaviour during they play, their temper and attitude as in before playing the game and after playing the game. The second group are 100 people and comprises of 50 male and 50 female, the sampling process will be based on randomly select for 50 people regardless male and female to ensure for the reliability and fairness of the method. The second group will be given them with the questionnaire and the location that we are selected is in the cyber cafe or digital mall.

Secret River

Shaira Sanchez 05/09/12 Shaira Sanchez 05/09/12 The Secret River by Kate Grenville Essay Explain the way that narrative devices have been employed by an author to construct a representation of people or places in at least one text that you have studied. You must make specific reference to â€Å"The Secret River. † One of Australia’s finest writers Kate Grenville wrote The Secret River which challenges traditional gender roles of women in the early nineteenth century London and Australia.The novel has challenged the female stereotype in a patriarchal society through the strong female character of Sal Thornhill. Sal has been the brains of her family through their tough times in London and their settlement in Sydney. Sal is the wife of William Thornhill, a convict. The memory of how the gentry treated Thornhill pushed him to work himself up into the foreign land of Australia to become like that gentleman he had served once back in London, in the water of Thames–the one with the power and the one who looked down on him who represents the working class.His determination to set off a space for himself in the foreign land eventually placed him and some of the settlers in direct opposition to the Aboriginal people by their desire to finally have control on their own lives. The use of a wide range of narrative devices in The Secret River has vividly taken the readers back to the nineteenth century where power and wealth determines a man’s position in the society. Sal Thornhill has been constructed in The Secret River as a strong female character who challenges traditional gender roles in the early nineteenth century–mainly when women were biologically, socially and intellectually inferior.Although Sal was raised in a quite comfortable lifestyle, she still has managed to cope with the tragic events in her life as a mother and as a wife. We see through Thornhill’s limited omniscient point of view that Sal would have to â€Å"brig hten herself up† because they both knew that Sal would have to offer her service in the cold streets of London to support her family’s financial needs, while Thornhill was convicted for theft. Sal’s staggering sacrifices did not just end in London.Her character even became stronger when they settled in a place that nothing Thornhill had ever seen–where â€Å"trees were tortured formless things† that looked half dead and when Christmas was during the hot days of summer. Women in that time were normally perceived as housekeepers and child-bearers. However, Sal did not just take care of her family emotionally and physically, but financially as well â€Å"At the end of each week Sal would count up the takings, from Thornhill’s work on the water and from her own selling liquor, and hide them away in a box. † which is evident through the descriptive language used.As a migrant myself, I understood Sal’s attitude towards the new environ ment that she was in. It wasn’t a part of her plan, but she accepted the circumstances and lived with it half-heartedly. Although her heart was always reminding her of ‘Home’, her mind and body still endured the harsh conditions, all for her family. It wasn’t the usual approach of women back in the nineteenth century to stand up for her family instead of the husband. However, Sal’s character was constructed to challenge the representation of women during that time by being the provider and the child-bearer all at once.Sal, her family, and the other settlers encountered the ‘otherness’ once they arrived in Sydney–which had two different representations as a race in The Secret River. Australia was not an empty land when the Thornhills and the white settlers arrived. They were not expecting people living in that type of place for thousands of years. These people were as strange as the place through the settlers’ perception. T here was one who hung about the Thornhills’ hut and entertained them, dressed only with a faded-pink bonnet on his head in trade for food and a sip of rum.They called him Scabby Bill who represents the ‘visible’ natives. His drunkenness and his appearance symbolises the detrimental impact of colonialism to the Aboriginals. The other sort of native were the ‘invisible’ ones who stayed away from the settlement. They were represented through Long Jack’s strong character. The settlers did not initially affect them, but they saw them as â€Å"snakes or the spiders, not something that could be guarded against† which symbolises as a threat to their dreams. The blacks, on the other hand had a different view of what the settlers referred to as ‘stealing’.Their belief is that nobody owns the land, not them, not the settlers. This clash of beliefs has lead to the novel’s climax, the massacre, where the ‘invisible’ became ‘visible’. The way Thornhill addresses the natives and were given English names symbolises Thornhill’s attitude being Eurocentric. Thornhill did not want to be engaged to the natives, but he himself implanted the European traditions on them. The settlers did not have the same beliefs towards the blacks, just like the natives were to them which also lead to two different representations–one that respects the ‘otherness’ and one that doesn’t.A huge contrast in the characters was made in the novel between Blackwood and Smasher. Blackwood was described as a huge deep and silent man who had â€Å"a rough dignity about him†. He believed in the concept of â€Å"give a little, take a little† in terms of dealing with the blacks. While Smasher’s appearance was constructed as â€Å"a naked-looking face without eyebrows† and always craves for attention that is evident through his dialogue that he had â€Å"not se en the event (rage) personally† but spreads the story anyway. He believed in the concept of ‘whips and biters’. There was no single respect that was given to the blacks from Smasher.Of all the characters, Blackwood has the greatest knowledge and appreciation of the Aboriginals and even lived with an Aboriginal woman and had a child. Smasher did live with one as well, but he referred to her as his â€Å"black bitch. † Although the settlers had the same hopes of finding a better life in Australia, they still ended up on two different paths due to the contrast on their attitude towards the Aboriginals. William Thornhill’s character was not constructed consistently in The Secret River as his attitudes and values towards Australia and the Aboriginals changed throughout the novel.Through Thornhill’s limited omniscient point of view, we sympathise with him by the way the gentry treated him as a waterman in the lower class. He had worked hard but his efforts were not appreciated, thus, pushed him to steal that lead him in his deportation to Australia. Thornhill and the majority of the convicts found a hope for a better life in Australia. It was what they have always longed for–to own a land, to finally have something they can call their own. Thornhill’s change n values was revealed through his dialogue, â€Å"Forgetting your manners are you, Dan Oldfield† he said to an old friend who he chose as one his servants. He became hungry for power and authority when he had a taste on what it was like to be on top of the others: on top of his fellow settlers, on top of the Aboriginals.Thornhill has spoken to the Aboriginals the way the gentry did to him â€Å"Old Boy, he started. He fancied the sound of that. † Thornhill and some of settlers saw the blacks as a hindrance to their one last chance to achieve their ultimate dream, like when Sagitty suggested to â€Å"get them before they get us. He has been succ essful in this goal but behind the high walls of his ‘villa’, was an unfulfilled William Thornhill after losing his friends and ultimately, his son Dick, who sympathise to the indigenous way of life. He became like the gentry, but not quite. He possessed the land, the house, the servants, but not the respect. The scars of his past were embedded on his name–William Thornhill, who was once a waterman, illiterate and an ex-convict. The Secret River has diverse representations of gender, class and race that have been successfully constructed in each character through the use of narrative devices.Sal represents those women who stood up for their family, in spite of the tagged inferiorities built by the society through the years especially in the nineteenth century and the earlier times. Scabby Bill and Long Jack represent the two different approach of their race on colonisation of the Europeans. Their values differ, just as the settlers’ views had towards them. Blackwood amongst all the others respects the Aboriginals, while Smasher had no heart for these people and treated them like animals.William Thornhill as the novel’s protagonist did not have a certain representation. His whole character was constructed based on his life back in London that resulted in a change of values as he found himself flourishing in his new ‘Home’. This novel lets the readers engage themselves in each of the representations effectively through Thornhill’s limited omniscient point of view. We tend to judge the differences in gender, in every class and in every race through what the society has already built on people as time goes by.However, Kate Grenville gave us a wider view of how each of these people ended up the way they were before, and the way they are in present time. As a migrant myself, I can compare myself with Sal, above all the characters. Migration wasn’t a part of our plan, but if that leads us to a better life, why not endure the circumstances? At the end of the day, every sacrifice and effort will be worth it. However, I believe that I will never end up the way Thornhill had– a wealthy man with a ‘villa’, without a peace of mind.

Chapter 24 Essays - International Relations, World History, Economy

Chapter 24 Essays - International Relations, World History, Economy Chapter 24 Industrialization and Imperialism: The Making of the European Global Order I. Introduction A. Change in Europe's relationship with world 1. Change in goods - no longer spices/mfg goods, but natural resources for machines 2. Trade balance shifts a. Need for markets for Europe mfg products b. 1840 exported more than imported - finally, people want to buy Europe stuff 3. Reasons for expansion a. Missionaries no longer state sponsored i. Europe no longer threatened by anyone b. European rivalries now fueled expansion 4. Ability to control empire a. Industrialization gave Europe power to control center b. Steamships/railways put everyone in reach of European landgrab II. The Shift to Land Empires in Asia A. Introduction 1. Initially limited interest of Europeans to control regions - too expensive 2. Communication realities prevented centralized control - led to local administration B. Prototype: The Dutch Advance on Java 1. Initially Dutch paid tribute to Mataram sultans a. Dutch East India Co. worked w/in system 2. Later - backed Mataram sultans in intertribal conflicts a. Every time Dutch helped out, they demanded more land i. Dutch backing needed due to their organization, weapons, discipline ii. Finally in 1750s, they'd given up everything C. Pivot of World Empire: The Rise of the British Rule in India 1. Initially British East India Company worked with rulers 2. Later - backed territorial claims, princes used Europeans to settle disputes b. The usees then become the users 3. Unlike Dutch however, British Raj (gov't) came from French/British rivalries a. 1700s - France/Britain in 5 wars, British won them all, but US 4. Key battle - 1757 Plassey a. 3000 British under Robert Clive defeat 50,000 Indians b. Victory not merely based on numbers issue i. Brits used Hindu banker money to pay off Indians ii. Method of getting back at Muslims c. Teenage nawab Siraj doesn't have control of force i. they defect or refuse to fight D. The Consolidation of British Rule 1. Mughal Empire gradually breaks down under wars with East India Company a. As Brits took more land, Indian princes fought other lands to get territory i. India reduced India 2. British control a. Madras, Bombay, Calcutta - administrative centers of three presidencies b. Local leaders of princely states had to report to British administrators 3. Reasons for British takeover a. Muslims/Hindus don't unite under national identity b. Some Indians liked fighting for British - uniforms, weapons, pay, treatment i. 5 to 1 Indians serving British to actual British soldiers 4. India's large population made it the key to great empire a. Indian soldiers used to conquer surrounding areas b. Became market for investments, manufactured goods c. Major source of raw materials E. Early Colonial Society in India and Java 1. Initially maintained existing social structure a. Just placed traders/officials above existing system 2. Tried to bring Europe over to Asia, but not always with success a. Can't do the whole Dutch canal thing in Indonesia with mosquitoes b. Adapted to varying degrees dress, eating, work habits i. Some refused...bad idea...wool clothes in S. East Asia ii. Adopted food, hookahs/water pipes, Indian dancing 3. Racial divide a. Society had racial discrimination b. But also...Europeans/Asians mixed - miscegenation - mostly men colonize F. Social Reform in the Colonies 1. Initially - maintained religion of existing group a. Kept Hindu caste system - refused entry to missionaries 2. But...nabobs - corrupt British leaders who made money while overseas a. in 1770 Bengal famine kills 1/3 population - obvious reforms needed b. Lord Charles Cornwallis - took out local autonomy - report directly to Britain i. But...also mistrusted Indians, made wholesale changes 3. Why the push for change? a. Utilitarians - England has best system - why not share? b. Evangelical religious revival - reform the heathens 4. How? a. Push for education b. Language c. Infusion of Western technology d. Get rid of sati - 1830s i. w/ help from western educated Indian leaders - Ram Mohun Roy ii. Threatened with physical punishment if they applied sati 5. Changes - transplanted Western industrial/political revolutions a. Western ideas, inventions, modes of organization, technology b. Drawn into global network c. At schools, model behavior on European exercise, reading, scientific learning d. Ironically...values taught to Indians, used against them later III. Industrial Rivalries and the Partition of the World, 1870-1914 A. Introduction 1. Science/industrial advantages led to European competition between states a. Beginning 19th

Developing Effective Communication in Health and social Care Essays

Developing Effective Communication in Health and social Care Essays Developing Effective Communication in Health and social Care Essay Developing Effective Communication in Health and social Care Essay Communication is a way of creating an understanding with an individual or within a group, it is important that you have good communication skills when working with others in order to follow and obey instructions clearly and correctly without any misunderstanding. Communication in health and social care settings is used daily, for example teachers communicate with pupils, parents and work collies, In this health and social care environment it is important that commination is clear from both the teacher and parent in order to hold a fluent conversation that maintains eye contact, teachers will need to communicate with parents to discuss their child/children’s school work or issues that may need to be addressed in more detail. For example family problems that may affect the quality of a child’s school work, if communication is not effective it may cause confusion and problems could accrue if the message is not summarised. There are two different ways of communicating which are verbal and non-verbal; Verbal communication involves talking to present ideas, thoughts and feelings, good verbal communication is the ability to both explain and present your ideas clearly through the spoken word. The tone and paste of voice is also very important when talking as it can often show what mood an individual is in. For example if you talking to someone very loudly with a fixed tone the person you are speaking to will think you are angry with them, on the other hand if you speak calmly and quietly with a varying tone you will come across as being friendly. Non-verbal communication doesn’t involve any use of speech interaction, to communicate in a non verbal way would be writing, facial expressions, eye contact, listening, brail, makaton as well as through art and photographs. In health and social care the most common forms of communicating non verbally is sign language, brail and makaton. Sign language is a language which instead of using sounds uses visual signs that are made up of shapes, positions and movements of the hands, arms or body and facial expressions to express thoughts. Brail is a system of raised marks that is used through sense of touch, Brail allows people who have limited or no vision to read and write through their sense of touch. Makaton is the easiest way to communicate in health and social care settings as its both verbal and non-verbal, it is a method using speech as well as signs and symbols, Picture cards are used to relate facial expressions with the word to make the words more easily recognised by those with learning difficulties. With out speaking your posture still sends messages to others on how you are feeling this is called body language, for example slouching on a chair can show a lack of interest in what is going on in the environment around you, folded arms can suggest that you are feeling negative or defensive about a person or situation, this is also known as closed body language and people may hesitate on approaching you. How ever if you have good eye contact with the person who is talking, and nod when appropriate this shows that you are interested and that you are taking in the information that is being shared. Its very important in health and social care that you show you are listening and that you care, listening to people involves allot more than just hearing what they say, to listen effetely you need to hear the words/question being spoke, thinking what they mean, then thinking of a appropriate response, In a health and social care environment working with a individual that has learning difficulties/problems (such as speech problems) and you are not taking notice to what they are saying, the individual will get distressed and frustrated if they are not understood, which could also lead to low self esteem, this is called active listening. There will be times when communicating with others is not going to be easy, there are a verify of reasons that could effect communication, such as language differences, learning difficulties, environment, hearing or sight impairments, and jargon, however there are many possible ways to overcome these barriers to create a better understanding. A barrier blocks communication and stops messages from being received clearly, Language differences is a barrier as not everybody you meet throughout your life will speak the same first language as you. To overcome this you would need to use a lot of hand gestures, speak clearly, and paste your voice. Pictures could also be used to communicate. However in extreme situations the use of interpreters will make communication a lot clearer, for example in health and social care settings a patient may not understand what the doctor/nurse is trying to explain to them about their health. Environments IS also a common barrier as it is very head to hear what someone is saying if there is a lot of distracting background noise. It is also very difficult to make sense of individual’s facial expressions if the lighting in the room is poor. Also you may become distracted if someone walks past the door or window, in health and social care settings a school is a great example as pupils will be more interested in what is out of the window rather than focusing on what the teacher is saying.

International Baccalaureate vs Advanced Placement

International Baccalaureate vs Advanced Placement Most people are familiar with AP, or Advanced Placement courses, but more and more families are learning about the International Baccalaureate, and wondering, whats the difference between the two programs? Heres a review of each program, and an overview of how they differ.   The AP Program AP coursework and exams are developed and administered by  CollegeBoard.com  and include 35 courses and exams in 20 subject areas. AP  or Advanced Placement Program consists of a three-year sequence of course work in a specific subject. It is available to serious students in Grades 10 to 12. The course work culminates in rigorous examinations held in May of the graduating year. AP Grading The examinations are scored on a five-point scale, with 5 being the highest mark attainable. The course work in a given subject is generally equivalent to a first-year college course. As a result, a student who achieves a 4 or 5 is usually permitted to skip the corresponding course as a freshman in college. Administered by the College Board, the AP program is guided by a panel of expert educators from around the U.S.A. This great program prepares students for the rigors of college-level work. AP Subjects Subjects offered include: Art HistoryBiologyCalculus AB BCChemistryComputer Science AEconomicsEnglishEnvironmental ScienceEuropean HistoryFrenchGerman LanguageGovernment PoliticsHuman GeographyInternational English Language (APIEL)LatinMusic TheoryPhysicsPsychologySpanishStatisticsStudio ArtUS HistoryWorld History Each year, according to the College Board, more than half a million students take over a million  Advanced Placement exams! College Credits and AP Scholar Awards Each college or university sets its own admissions requirements. Good scores in AP coursework indicate  to admissions staff that a student has achieved a recognized standard in that subject area. Most schools will accept scores of 3 or above as the equivalent of their introductory or first-year courses in the same subject area. Consult university websites for details. The College Board offers a series of 8 Scholar Awards which recognize outstanding scores in AP examinations. Advanced Placement International Diploma In order to earn the Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) students must earn a grade of 3 or higher in five specified subjects. One of these subjects must be chosen from the AP global course offerings: AP World History, AP Human Geography, or  AP Government and Politics: Comparative. The APID is the College Boards answer to the  IBs international cachet  and acceptance. It is aimed at students studying abroad and American students who wish to attend university in a foreign country. Its important to note, however, this is not a replacement for a high school diploma, it is only a certificate. Description of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program The  IB  is a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for liberal arts education at the tertiary level. It is directed by the  International Baccalaureate  Organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The mission of the IBO is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. In North America over 645 schools offer IB programs. IB Programmes The IBO offers three programmes: the  Diploma Programme  for juniors and seniorsthe  Middle Years Programme  for students aged 11 to 16the  Primary Years Programme  for students aged 3 to 12 The programmes form a sequence but can be offered independently according to the needs of individual schools. The IB Diploma Programme The IB Diploma is truly international in its philosophy and aims. The curriculum requires balance and research. For instance, a science student has to become familiar with a foreign language, and a humanities student must understand laboratory procedures. In addition, all candidates for the IB diploma must undertake some extensive research into one of over sixty subjects. The IB Diploma is accepted at universities in over 115 countries. Parents appreciate the rigorous training and education which the IB programs offer their children.   What do AP and IB have in common? The International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) are both  about excellence. A school doesnt commit to preparing students for these rigorous examinations lightly. Expert, well-trained faculty must implement and teach the courses which culminate in those examinations. They put a schools reputation squarely on the line. It boils down to two things: credibility and universal acceptance. These are key factors in a schools graduates gaining admission to the colleges and universities which they wish to attend. College admissions officers usually have a pretty good idea of a schools academic standards if the school has previously submitted applicants. The schools track record is more or less established by those prior candidates.  Grading policies  are understood. Curriculum taught has been examined. But what about a new school or a school from a foreign country or a school which is determined to upgrade its product? The AP and IB credentials immediately convey credibility. The standard is well-known and understood. Other things being equal, the college knows that a candidate with success in the AP or IB is ready for tertiary level work. The payoff for the student is exemption for many entry-level courses. This, in turn, means that the student gets his or her degree requirements completed more quickly. It also means fewer credits have to be paid for. How do APandIB differ? Reputation:  While the AP is widely accepted for course credit and recognized for its excellence at universities throughout the U.S., the IB Diploma Programmes reputation is even greater. Most international universities recognize and respect an IB diploma. Fewer U.S. schools offer the IB program than the AP- over 14,000 AP schools vs less than 1,000 IB schools according to  US News, but that number is on the rise for IB.  Style of Learning and  Courses:  The AP program has students focus deeply on one particular subject, and usually for a short period of time. The IB program takes a more holistic approach that focuses on a subject by not only delving in deep, but also applying it to other areas. Many IB courses are two-year continuous courses of study, vs. the APs one-year-only approach. IB courses related to each other in a coordinated cross-curricular approach with specific overlapping between the studies. AP courses are singular and not designed to be a part of an overla pping course of study between disciplines. AP courses are one level of study, while IB offers both a standard level and a higher level.   Requirements:  AP courses can be taken at will, in any manner at any time according to the schools discretion. While some schools do allow students to enroll in IB courses in a similar manner, if a student specifically wants to be a candidate for an IB diploma, they must take two years of exclusive IB courses in accordance with rules and regulations from the IBO. IB students aiming for the diploma must take at least 3 higher level courses.  Testing:  Educators have described the difference between the two testing methods as follows: AP tests to see what you dont know; IB tests to see what you do know. AP tests are designed to see what students know about a specific subject, pure and simple.  IB tests ask students to reflect on the knowledge they possess in order to test a students skills and abilities to analyze and present information, evaluate and make arguments, and creatively solve problems.  Diploma:  AP students who meet specific criteria receive a certificate that has an international reputation, but still only graduate with a traditional high school diploma. On the other hand, IB students who meet the required criteria and scores at schools in the US will receive two diplomas: the traditional high school diploma as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma.   Rigor:  Many AP students will note that their studies are more demanding than non-AP peers, but they have the option to pick and choose courses at will. IB students, on the other hand, but take only IB courses if they wish to qualify for the IB diploma. IB students regularly express that their studies are extremely demanding. While they report high levels of stress during the program, most IB students report being incredibly prepared for college and appreciative of the rigor after they complete the program.   AP vs. IB: Which is Right for Me? Flexibility is a major factor in determining which program is right for you. AP courses provide more wiggle room when it comes to choosing courses, the order in which they are taken, and more. IB courses require a strict course of study for two solid years. If studying outside of the US is not a priority and youre unsure about the commitment to an IB program, then an AP program may be right for you. Both programs will prepare you for college, but where you plan to study may be a deciding factor in which program you choose. Article edited by Stacy Jagodowski

Managing Decisions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managing Decisions - Essay Example e decisions which are taken on the basis of relevant assumptions which are made after considering for all types of situations and consequences which the organisation can face in future. As per this model there are seven basic steps which are taken while managing decisions. First of all, the main problem should be defined and analysed in order to assess the future situation which the company may face due to the problem. The second step is to identify and analyse all the alternative solutions of the problem. The third step is to analyse all the merits and demerits of the identified alternatives. Once all the alternatives have been assessed the fourth step is to rank all alternative solutions as per their strengths. Ranking helps to identify the optimal alternative solution which can maximise the satisfaction level, thus identification of the optimal solution id the fifth step of this model. Sixth step is to implement the chosen alternative. Once the alternative is implemented follow up s are done to assure that every thing is going as decided, this is the seventh step in normative model (Swansburg and Swansburg, 2002, p.256). Decision tree: The uncertainty aspects of the future events make the decision making more crucial and vital for every organisation. One of the most popular and common quantitative technique which is used to manage decisions regarding uncertain activities is decision tree. Thus decision tree can be defined as the graphical representation of various sequential decisions and the various expected values of those decisions. The decision tree helps to assess each decision as per their sequence in analysing the expected value of the given alternatives. The expected values are the probable value of the outcomes of various activities. These are considered... Center of discussion in this paper is decision making as an important aspect of every business enterprise. The success of the organisation largely depends upon the managerial decisions. Therefore it is very important to efficiently manage the decision making. The whole organisation starting from the recruitment of the human resource, planning for the production and manufacturing of products, planning for the projected business, demand forecasting, planning of the activities to be done in the organisation, budgeting, forecasting of the revenue, target customers, etc are very important for success of the organisation. Therefore, the managerial decisions are very important and have a great impact on the overall performance of the company. If any decisions regarding planning of the organisational activities or the short term targets set for the company are not done efficiently then the company can be severely affected in long run. There are many techniques which help the managers in thei r decision making. Some of the methods are quantitative and some are qualitative. Every method has its pros and cons but at the same time relevant in their own field. Thus the best technique is to combine the various techniques of decision making in other words the management should not depend on one technique of decision making but it should practice a variety of decision making tools which would increase the efficiency of decision making process and will also make the decision process faster and effective.

Online learning vs. traditional in class learning Essay

Online learning vs. traditional in class learning - Essay Example tudents the needed skills and knowledge for a good career or better future, the methods are different in such a way that they adopt different teaching styles. With online learning, you don’t have a physical classroom. Your classroom is in cyberspace, in forums and in chats. Your classroom is the website and your account where you can download all the lessons and the exams that your teacher gives you. Sometimes, you don’t even know what your teacher looks like. Although yearly, there are upgrades in online learning as the technology improves website interaction, through web-based videos and streaming, there are also improvements on the methods used by the online educators (Rudestam). When compared with the traditional classroom learning, having a classroom in cyberspace looks more appealing, especially when the student does not need to spend a dime travelling from his home to his school. With a click of a button, you are transferred from one classroom to another unlike in the traditional classroom setting where you would need to walk from classroom to classroom or even building to building, which can be a reason for tardiness . In online learning, there is no excuse to be late in class. Online learning has a more personalized approach compared to the traditional classroom learning (Rudestam; Joyes). Although both learning methods group students together within a class, online learning has the tendency to be more personalized. Online educators would have the opportunity to do one on one session with their students more than a traditional professor would have. Because of the many tasks and the number of students they are handling, traditional classroom educators have the tendency to teach in route, or based on the yearly lesson plan they have to the entire class. Although online learning also has the same tendency when the lessons are not customized but are given with predetermined mode and route (Pan & Hawryszkiewzyc). Since online educators have the capability

Online learning vs. traditional in class learning Essay

Online learning vs. traditional in class learning - Essay Example tudents the needed skills and knowledge for a good career or better future, the methods are different in such a way that they adopt different teaching styles. With online learning, you don’t have a physical classroom. Your classroom is in cyberspace, in forums and in chats. Your classroom is the website and your account where you can download all the lessons and the exams that your teacher gives you. Sometimes, you don’t even know what your teacher looks like. Although yearly, there are upgrades in online learning as the technology improves website interaction, through web-based videos and streaming, there are also improvements on the methods used by the online educators (Rudestam). When compared with the traditional classroom learning, having a classroom in cyberspace looks more appealing, especially when the student does not need to spend a dime travelling from his home to his school. With a click of a button, you are transferred from one classroom to another unlike in the traditional classroom setting where you would need to walk from classroom to classroom or even building to building, which can be a reason for tardiness . In online learning, there is no excuse to be late in class. Online learning has a more personalized approach compared to the traditional classroom learning (Rudestam; Joyes). Although both learning methods group students together within a class, online learning has the tendency to be more personalized. Online educators would have the opportunity to do one on one session with their students more than a traditional professor would have. Because of the many tasks and the number of students they are handling, traditional classroom educators have the tendency to teach in route, or based on the yearly lesson plan they have to the entire class. Although online learning also has the same tendency when the lessons are not customized but are given with predetermined mode and route (Pan & Hawryszkiewzyc). Since online educators have the capability

Describe all the issues about which Sister Aloysius could have doubts Essay

Describe all the issues about which Sister Aloysius could have doubts , going from the least important to the most important. ( - Essay Example It is very shocking that Sister Aloysius could have the potential of turning into a doubting Thomas given the dogmatic image of one who never had any doubt in her life (Shanley 22). In an effort to make this issue sink even further, it is revealed that Sister Aloysius told a lie. This is against the fact that it is a very strong Catholic dogma that no any lie of any sort ought to be encouraged leave alone being told (Waldmeir 34). This very rigid law is held even in circumstances where the lie could be the solitary tool in defeating the devil. Despite being a very sincere and devoted servant of God, Sister Aloysius finds herself in a very compromising situation. She is unwillingly introduced to the Machiavellian relativism. Sister Aloysius goes further to encapsulate humanity’s doubt in its last century. It is at this very point that Sister Aloysius openly abandons absolutism (Books Llc 43). The very step that Sister Aloysius takes in abandoning absolutism violates greatly the vow that she had personally taken in an effort to affirm her obedience to the church which was aimed at catching the pedophile (Waldmeir 79). As the play progresses, it comes to the realization that Sister Aloysius is very important when the hierarchy fails to work. At this point in time, Sister Aloysius transforms into the prosecutor, the jury and even the judge. This step marks the beginning of Sister Aloysius to fall in the slippery tracks already built by the principle of moral relativism. This rings a question to the mind of the reader as to whether it is really possible for anyone to offer any defense or support to moral absolutes if at all Sister Aloysius cannot do it. It therefore possesses yet another doubt on how truly the aspect of evil could be effectively stopped (Shengold 51). A heavy doubt lingers on whether there can be any staged war against the issue of evil if at all the absolutes being in place. Faith has now escaped and the only thing that is present is doubt w hich is being portrayed as having captured every individual. As the play progresses, it is notable that boundaries are being set for the rapid spread of doubt. This can be seen in the case that involves Aloysius the pedophile. It is very clear that Sister Aloysius is borrowing heavily from intuition in handling these particular cases (Bryer 61). The evidence that is presented by Aloysius proves to be more flimsy as compared to the evidence that comes from WMDs who are located in Iraq. In this particular case, Sister Aloysius is vey much in doubt about the case since the audience is further informed that if at all she could have been successful in accessing the right results then only luck could be the propelling force (Books Llc 82). The doubt that Sister Aloysius has is in regard to the spiritual issue. This is brought out clearly in the book. It is in regard to this that Sister Aloysius argues that if at all by any chance the society is filled with evil doers as he presumes, then she could put in contribution to the evil activities and move away further from God. Despite the fact that history was filled with evil doers who were acting from fierce conviction such as suicide bombers, witch hunters, Mullahs and the Inquisitors these people act form the conviction that they are protecting children (Shanley 19). As a matter of fact, it is in reference to these very

6-sigma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

6-sigma - Essay Example The process is commonly utilised in the manufacturing processes in seeking to minimise variability of products and enhance the quality through improvement of the business processes. The six-sigma approach utilises various quality management methods like statistics in the development of quality improvement approaches within the manufacturing industry. The term remains synonymous to the manufacturing terms associated with the modelling of the manufacturing process through the utilisation of statistical processes. The process aims at ensuring products remains product free, which is essential in determining the effectiveness of the manufacturing process. The sigma level is commonly measured through the percentage of detect-free products. The sigma process included in the manufacturing process follows a definite sequence of activities aimed at achieving quantifiable production targets. Effective achievement of the targets becomes a measure of the efficacy achieved in the implementation of the sigma process of management. The fundamental purpose for the adoption of the six-sigma approach remains the reduction of variability in the products. The variability defined by the six-sigma approach remains based on the occurrence of defects upon the products. The number of defects detected upon the products becomes the quantifying element in establishing the effectiveness of the production improvement process (Montgomery and Woodall, p331). This results in the reduction of the defects to a level that the occurrence of failure or defects becomes almost impossible. The methodologies utilised in the improvement of the manufacturing process consist of five phases that based on the operations adopted by the organisation. The processes involved in the six sigma include the following elements Define – this can be e defined as the definition of the various attributes which are expected to be achieved through the implementation of the six sigma approach. This

Individual Course Assignment It is increasingly well-established in Essay

Individual Course Assignment It is increasingly well-established in the literature that mostbusiness reporting on sustainabi - Essay Example This is because if an organization fails to retain its sustainability then it may not prosper or enhance its dominancy in this competitive market among other rival players. Keeping this fact in mind, most of the organizations desire to retain its experienced and talented human resources. As they act as the prime resource of an organization (3M) thereby assisting it in the development of varied types of inventive eco-friendly products and services so as to satisfy the changing needs and requirements of the customers. By doing so, the brand image and profitability of the organization might get enhanced thereby amplifying the competitiveness and reliability in the market among others and such a strategy might also act positively thereby amplifying the chances of success and prosperity in the long run among other rivals. Thus, it might be clearly stated that sustainability is the prime criterion of an organization and it might get fulfilled by presenting environmental friendly products a nd services thereby satisfying the needs and requirements of the customers. This report is divided into five phases. ... It also specifies the importance of assurance and its standards along with conclusion and recommendations. What is sustainability? Sustainability is described as the socio-ecological procedure that helps in fulfilment of changing needs and desires of the customers. It is done by presenting eco-friendly products at a competitive price thereby retaining the eminence of the environment. It is done only to retain the quantity of the non-renewable resources of the environment so that it might be used for the future purposes as well. Along with this, development of eco-friendly products also helps in reducing the level of pollution thereby maintaining the uniqueness of the environment. Hence, it might be depicted that sustainability helps in enhancing the economic, environmental and social impacts by developing various inventive products or services to amplify customer base. Description of 3M 3M is one of the most renowned and branded American multinational conglomerate, established in the year 1902. 3M is regarded as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, headquartered in the regions of St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. After starting its operations in the continent of United States, very soon it expanded to the entire globe. So, it enhanced its total assets and revenues by $ 31.6 billion and $ 29.6 billion by the end of the year 2012. Along with this, the operating income also increased by $ 6.1 billion thereby amplifying its reputation and brand image in the market among other rival players. It is mainly due to the development of adhesives, laminates, passive fire protection, dental products, abrasives, electronic materials, medical products, car-care products, and wax and car shampoo. Other than this, it also presents products for the

Strategic Management at British Airways Case Study

Strategic Management at British Airways - Case Study Example The present study on British Airways is to identify, evaluate and assess the planning, development and implementation process of its strategy management and to analyze the performance of the strategic decisions made as part of the strategic management on the organization because it is believed that British Airways has been able to achieve the present position since its establishment in 1919 only due to its strategic management decisions (Cole, G.A., 2003:191). This section deals with various literatures available on the present research in order to study the process of planning, development and implementation in British Airways and also to identify the role of various stakeholders in the decision making process. Thompson, Martin and Thompson (2009:p2) stated that strategy is about how organizations cope with the world which is dynamic and emergent with technologies, design and competitors getting revamped at regular intervals providing the impetus t reformulate the existing strategy and restructure the organizations in order to survive in the competitive market. It is further clarified that strategies are means to ends; whereas the process of strategic management involves clarifying the desired ends, mapping out a route for achieving them (development), putting those strategies into practice (implementation), changing what the organization is doing tactically in the face of competition and unexpected issues that arise and finally evaluating progress and performance. Mintzberg (cited in Idenburg, 1993) stated that there are at least ten schools of strategy development with two fundamental dimensions i.e. goal orientation (what) and process orientation (how). The process of strategy developme nt includes rational planning, planning as guided learning process, logical in incrementalism and emergent strategy. Idenburg (1993) stated that four alternative view of the process of strategy development must be reflected in business research and education. Thompson and Martin (2005, p8) mention that strategic management is a complex and fascinating subject with straightforward underlying principles but no right answers. It is further stated that companies succeed if their strategies are appropriate for the circumstances they face and are feasible in respect of their resources, skills and capabilities and the same companies fail if the fail to meet the expectations of its stakeholders or produce undesirables outcomes. According to Thompson and Martin (2005), strategies are means to end as opined various other researchers and management specialists and managers are strategy makers to some extent in the companies. This statement articulates that mangers are the key persons involved in the strategic management process of planning who then take decisions regarding the development and implementation in the organization. The aviation industry has undergone major transition phase wherein the main stakeholders were involved and have been granted a greater degree of autonomy. Airlines were the first to realize the importance of strategies and strategic decision making in a competitive environment (Delfmann, 2005; p3). British Airways (BA) is major international airline with multinational operations which came into existence with merger of two

Individual Course Assignment It is increasingly well-established in Essay

Individual Course Assignment It is increasingly well-established in the literature that mostbusiness reporting on sustainabi - Essay Example This is because if an organization fails to retain its sustainability then it may not prosper or enhance its dominancy in this competitive market among other rival players. Keeping this fact in mind, most of the organizations desire to retain its experienced and talented human resources. As they act as the prime resource of an organization (3M) thereby assisting it in the development of varied types of inventive eco-friendly products and services so as to satisfy the changing needs and requirements of the customers. By doing so, the brand image and profitability of the organization might get enhanced thereby amplifying the competitiveness and reliability in the market among others and such a strategy might also act positively thereby amplifying the chances of success and prosperity in the long run among other rivals. Thus, it might be clearly stated that sustainability is the prime criterion of an organization and it might get fulfilled by presenting environmental friendly products a nd services thereby satisfying the needs and requirements of the customers. This report is divided into five phases. ... It also specifies the importance of assurance and its standards along with conclusion and recommendations. What is sustainability? Sustainability is described as the socio-ecological procedure that helps in fulfilment of changing needs and desires of the customers. It is done by presenting eco-friendly products at a competitive price thereby retaining the eminence of the environment. It is done only to retain the quantity of the non-renewable resources of the environment so that it might be used for the future purposes as well. Along with this, development of eco-friendly products also helps in reducing the level of pollution thereby maintaining the uniqueness of the environment. Hence, it might be depicted that sustainability helps in enhancing the economic, environmental and social impacts by developing various inventive products or services to amplify customer base. Description of 3M 3M is one of the most renowned and branded American multinational conglomerate, established in the year 1902. 3M is regarded as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, headquartered in the regions of St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. After starting its operations in the continent of United States, very soon it expanded to the entire globe. So, it enhanced its total assets and revenues by $ 31.6 billion and $ 29.6 billion by the end of the year 2012. Along with this, the operating income also increased by $ 6.1 billion thereby amplifying its reputation and brand image in the market among other rival players. It is mainly due to the development of adhesives, laminates, passive fire protection, dental products, abrasives, electronic materials, medical products, car-care products, and wax and car shampoo. Other than this, it also presents products for the

The Significance of Organizational Structure Assignment

The Significance of Organizational Structure - Assignment Example The values of the employees must likewise be aligned with those that the organization is trying to promote. All these characteristics are evident in how the FMC Aberdeen facility manages its daily affairs. Judging from how the employees effectively interact with each other and with the members of the management, one can easily that the FMC Aberdeen facility has effectively established a strong organizational culture. There are various factors to consider when trying to restructure an organization. These same factors are likewise important considerations when one makes an attempt to redefine the culture that prevails in the organization. With regards to Kenneth Dailey's efforts to parallel FMC Green River's organization with that of FMC Aberdeen, he bears in mind that doing so will not be easy. For one, the prevailing structure in the facility that he manages has been in place since the facility opened. Moreover, restructuring the organization will require major changes in various aspects of how the FMC Green River facility is run. However, such a task is not impossible to complete. There are certain steps that must be taken to ensure the successful restructuring of the FMC Green River organization.One of the strategies that Dailey must consider implementing is the greater involvement of employees in all stages of decision-making. This strategy is effective and valuable for several reasons. For o ne, when employees participate in various stages of the process, they feel that they are more valuable to the company. By doing so, the management will be able to increase the job satisfaction of employees. Various studies have proven that when employees are highly involved in the organization, they are more motivated to perform and thus, they become more productive. Furthermore, increasing employee involvement is a vital strategy to consider because employees usually know more about the processes in the company. Their input is vital to the creation of various organizational strategies. They are the ones who have hands-on experience in the company. As such, their input is valuable to the planning and implementation of various decisions regarding the operations of the company.Another important strategy that Dailey must consider is the improvement of communications between employees and management. As previously stated, employees can provide valuable ideas with regards to company oper ations. Likewise, more open communication channels will facilitate the exchange of information between employees and management. If an organization is to retain a strong culture, communication between its members must not, in any way, be hindered. Everyone must feel as if they are valued in the organization. As such, they must be provided equal access to voicing out their thoughts and ideas.

Birds of a Feather Essay Example for Free

Birds of a Feather Essay â€Å"If birds of a feather flock together, they don’t learn enough† ~Robert Half~ The first thing that comes to mind when reading this quote is a flock of geese. They all stick together. They learn from one another and what they learn they pass on to future generations. While this is how they learn to stay safe, they are â€Å"stuck† doing the same thing every day. After reading the quote a few more times and looking at it from â€Å"outside the box† I realized that the birds represent people. Throughout our lives we see examples of this same behavior. For example, in high school there are many â€Å"flocks† who all dress, talk, and express themselves similarly. Why? Because it makes them feel safe. The problem with it is that they spend so much time doing things just like the rest of their â€Å"flock† that when they graduate they have a hard time adjusting to the real world. They didn’t learn enough about other â€Å"flocks† to be able to function outside of their comfort zone. This quote originates from the idea of the ancient Greek philosopher Democritus (c.460 BC), who stated: `Creatures flock together with their kind, doves with doves, and cranes with cranes and so on. The author, Robert Half was a businessman When I looked up the quote on the internet I found that my findings were confirmed. The quote means you are only as smart as the people you surround yourself with. If you want to learn more and do more you have to be willing to open yourself up to exploring new things and talking to people outside of your comfort zone. Only then can you really learn.

Graduation Speech: God, Grant Me Wisdom :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

The year is 2038. I, Bob Millings, am a retired multi-millionare relaxing on the porch of my beach house on the Northshore of Oahu in the Hawaii Islands. Having already earned my millions from selling the hundreds of Ichiro cards that I amassed throughout the past 20 years, I have nothing else better to do than lay on my beach chair and soak up the rays. Suddenly a flock of seagulls (yes, seagulls fly in flocks) crosses my line of vision, and a tear comes to my eye. Oh, how that magnificent bird reminds me of the best four years of my life at County High School, the home of the Seagulls. My mind suddenly floats back 26 years to the past to a time when I was finishing up my career at that prestigious academy of learning. I didn't know it then, but some of my most valuable lessons were learned during those four years. No, I am not talking about those smarts I learned my freshman year, like remembering never to fall asleep in Mr. Bull's Biology class, or realizing that it was in my best interest to steer clear of the Senior Lot after school. Nor am I speaking about those important things I was taught during my crazy sophomore and junior years, like how important Planning Team is, how Wendy's is the best lunchtime meal around, or how a hook is one of the most important parts of an essay. I'm not even talking about those skills I picked up my senior year, like being able to get ready in the morning in less than seven minutes, remembering to switch arms while sleeping on a desk so your arm won't fall asleep, or those great moves I learned during chess days in Mrs. Johnson' s class. No, I am talking about that word that came into play time and time again during my high school career: acceptance. I constantly found myself in a position where I was on the brink of insanity during school. Maybe I was mad at one of my friends, or I had three tests in one day, or I was given a 500-page book to read in less than two weeks. There was always that thought in the back of my mind that I could just quit and forget about it all and stop caring. But than that word would come up, and I would accept all those things and realize that my friend and I would make up, those tests would be over soon, and that book is actually not all that bad.

War Promotes Nation Building :: Papers

War Promotes Nation Building War can promote nation building in various aspects. Politically, war can modernize the political system of a country; economically, war can encourage a huge number of industrial developments of a country; morally, war can destroy the evil ideas of the world. For the propose of this assignment, the following definition of nation building is provided: Nation building is the development or modernization of a country in political, economical, and/or social aspect(s). First of all, war can modernize the political system of a country. When a country was defeated in a territory, the regime would be replaced by another regime with a different form of government, and a different kind of political system. For instance, after the World War II (WW II), the Germany had turned from a dictatorship to a democracy. Japan had also become a democracy, while the mainland China became a communist. On the other hand, attack by foreigners can promote nationalism. Taking the period of the French Revolution as an example, while Napoleon built up a large army in Europe and conquered other countries, the Europeans was then turned to nationalism. The Europeans began to strengthen their countries, both in political and economical structure. These encouraged growth in their countries. China is another example, during the WWII, when China conquered by foreigners, the Chinese came together and fought against the invaders. Since then, the Chinese had built up a more powerful and modernized country. Since conflicts between nations make native to build up, modernize and improve their nations, including the political system. As a result, war promotes nation building. Economically, war can encourage the economic development of a nation. It is because war requires a huge number of government expenses for the army. For example, the wages for soldiers, the expenses for modernize the equipment and strengthen the army. These force the monarch or government of the nation to increase the income of the government first.

Production and the Workforce Essay

Corporate culture and the potential of ethical and legal issues should be of concern to a job candidate because, after all, the applicant is striving to be a part of that organization; therefore those matters of importance which might affect how the applicant is treated once he is hired should be of foremost importance for the candidate to know. It can help the applicant to avoid making unwise employment decisions (Gibson, 2002), as well as aid in the actual interview process, by having the knowledge of the right things to say and when to say it. These issues should also concern current employees, as being already inside the confines of the organization, they will be the persons most affected by the culture and the ethical and legal issues which may arise while they are employed by the company. For instance, a potential legal issue about compensation should already be known by employees so that they may do something about the matter, otherwise, they will be the ones to suffer about unresolved concerns, particularly the subject about remuneration. Managers, above all, should be highly familiar with the corporate culture and the potential of ethical and legal issues within his/her authority, as they will be looked up to by subordinates to facilitate the inculcation of the culture to all members of the organization as well as deal with ethical and legal issues which may arise concerning employees under his/her control. The community where the business operates should also somehow be concerned with the culture and the potential issues of the organization, as they are stakeholders, as well, in where such an issue as corporate social responsibility falling under ethical and legal matters would directly affect the community because how the business carries on with its activity is sure to reverberate effects to the community, whether this particular group likes it or not. Different aspects of the corporate culture and potential ethical and legal issues are typically of more importance to the various stakeholders, depending on what they are concerned of. Where internal stakeholders are found to be more concerned about culture, external stakeholders are likely to focus on ethical and legal issues concerning them.

The Return: Midnight Chapter 28

Elena was nodding slowly. â€Å"It would work with what happened to me. At first I was alone out of my body, but then I saw Bonnie beside me.† Bonnie bit her lip. â€Å"Well †¦the first thing I saw was Elena and we were both flying. I was a little behind her. But Stefan, why do you think I fel asleep and dreamed a whole story? Why can't my version just be true?† â€Å"Because I think the first thing you'd have done would be to turn the light on – if you real y were lying there awake. Otherwise, you might well have picked up a soap opera – so boring!† Bonnie's forehead smoothed at last. â€Å"That would explain why nobody believed me even when I told them exactly where the story was! But why didn't I tel Elena about the treasure?† â€Å"I don't know. But sometimes when you wake up – and I think you did wake up to have the out-of-body experience – you forget the dream if something interesting is going on. But then you might remember it later if something reminds you of it.† Bonnie stared into a middle distance, thinking. Stefan was silent, knowing that only she could unravel the riddle for herself. At last Bonnie nodded. â€Å"It could be that way! I woke up and the first thing I thought of was the sweetshop. And after that I never gave another thought to the treasure dream until somebody asked for stories. And it just popped into my head.† Elena pushed the deep blue-green velvet coverlet one way to make it green, then the other way to smooth it into blueness. â€Å"I was going to forbid Bonnie to go on the expedition,†she said: this slave who didn't have a gem on her body except Stefan's pendant which hung from a fine chain around her neck, and was Stillin the simplest kind of after-bath robe. â€Å"But if it's something we have to do, I'd better talk to Lady Ulma. It sounds as if time is precious.† â€Å"Remember – time runs differently here than back on Earth. But we're supposed to leave in the morning,†Bonnie said. â€Å"Then I definitely need to talk to her – right now.† Bonnie jumped up, excited. â€Å"I'l help!† â€Å"Wait.†Stefan put a gentle hand on Bonnie's arm. â€Å"I have to say this. I think you're a miracle, Bonnie!†Stefan knew his eyes must be shining in a way that showed he could hardly rein in his excitement. In spite of the danger – in spite of the Guardians – in spite of everything†¦the largest star bal – ful of Power! He gave Bonnie a sudden impetuous hug, sweeping her off the bed and whirling her before putting her down again. â€Å"You and your precognitions!† â€Å"Oooh†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Bonnie said dizzily, gazing up at him. â€Å"Damon was excited, too, when I told him about the Gateway of the Seven Treasures.† â€Å"You know why, Bonnie? It's because everybody has heard about those seven treasures – but no one had any idea where they are†¦until you dreamed it. You do know exactly where they are?† â€Å"Yes, if the precognition was true.†Bonnie was flushed with pleasure. â€Å"And you agree that that giant star bal wil save Fel ‘s Church?† â€Å"I'd bet my life on it!† â€Å"Woo-hoo!†cried Bonnie, pumping a fist. â€Å"Let's go!† â€Å"So you see,†Elena was saying, â€Å"it'l mean twice as much of everything. I don't see how we can start tomorrow.† â€Å"Now, now, Elena. As we discovered, oh, eleven months ago when you left, any job can be done quickly if we summon enough hands. I am now the regular employer of al those women we used to cal in to make your bal gowns.†As Lady Ulma spoke she quickly and graceful y took Elena's measurements – why do only one thing when you can do two at once? She glanced at her measuring tape. â€Å"Stillexactly the same as when I last saw you. You must lead a very healthy life, Elena.† Elena laughed. â€Å"Remember, for us it's only been a few days.† â€Å"Oh, yes.†Lady Ulma laughed, too, and Lakshmi, who was seated on a stool amusing the baby, made what Elena knew was one last appeal. â€Å"I could go with you,†she said earnestly, looking at Elena. â€Å"I can do al sorts of helpful things. And I'm tough – â€Å" â€Å"Lakshmi,†Lady Ulma said gently, but in a voice that wore the hat of authority. â€Å"We're already doubling the size of the wardrobe needed to accommodate Elena and Stefan. You wouldn't want to take Elena's place, would you?† â€Å"Oh, no, no,†the young girl said hastily. â€Å"Oh, Well,†she said, â€Å"I'l take such good care of little Adara that she's no bother to you while you supervise Elena's and Stefan's clothes.† â€Å"Thank you, Lakshmi,†Elena said from her heart, noting that Adara now seemed to be the baby's official name. â€Å"Well, we can't let out any of Bonnie's things to fit you, but we can cal in reinforcements and have a ful set of garments ready for you and Stefan by the morning. It's just a matter of leather and fur to keep you warm. We use the pelts of the animals up north.† â€Å"They're not nice, cuddly baby animals, either,†Bonnie said. â€Å"They're vicious nasty things that are used for training, or they might come up from the dimension below and attack al the people on the northern fringes here. And when they final y get kil ed, the bounty hunters sel the leather and fur to Lady Ulma.† â€Å"Oh, well †¦good,†Elena said, deciding not to make an animAll rights speech just now. The truth was that she was Stillvery shaken by her actions – her reactions – toward Damon. Why had she acted that way? Was it just to let off pressure? She Stillfelt as if she could smack him a good one for taking poor Bonnie away, and then leaving her alone. And†¦and†¦for taking poor Bonnie – and not taking her! Damon must hate her now, she thought, and suddenly the world developed a sickening, out-of-control motion, as if she were trying to balance on a seesaw. And Stefan – what else could he think but that she was a woman scorned, the kind that Hel had no fury like? How could he be so kind, so caring, when anyone in their right mind would know she'd gone mad with jealousy? Bonnie didn't understand either. Bonnie was a child, not a woman. Although, although, she'd grown somehow – in goodness, in understanding. She was wil ful y blind, like Stefan. But – didn't that take maturity? Could Bonnie be more of a woman than she, Elena, was? â€Å"I'l have a private supper sent up to your rooms,†Lady Ulma was saying, as she quickly and deftly used the measuring tape on Stefan. â€Å"You get a good night's sleep; the thurgs – and your wardrobes – wil be waiting tomorrow.†She beamed at allof them. â€Å"Could I have – I mean, is there any Black Magic at all?†Elena stumbled. â€Å"The excitement†¦I'm going to sleep in my room alone. I want to get a good night's rest. We're going on a quest, you know?†Al the truth. Al a lie. â€Å"Of course, I'l have a bottle sent to – â€Å"Lady Ulma hesitated and then quickly recovered. â€Å"To your room, but why don't we al have a nightcap now? It looks just the same outside,†she added to Stefan, the newcomer, â€Å"but it's real y rather late.† Elena drank her first glass in one draft. The attendant had to refil it immediately. And again a moment later. After that her nerves seemed to relax a bit. But the seesaw feeling never entirely left, and though she slept alone in her room, Damon didn't visit to quarrel with her, mock her, or kil her – and certainly not to kiss. Thurgs, Elena discovered, were something like two elephants stitched together. Each had two side-by-side trunks and four wicked-looking tusks. Each also had a high, wide, long ridged tail, like a reptile. Their smal yel ow eyes were placed al around their domelike heads, so that they could see 360 degrees around, looking for predators. Predators that could take down a thurg! Elena imagined a sort of saber-toothed cat, enormous, with a milk-white pelt big enough to line several garments of hers and Stefan's. She was pleased with her new outfits. Each one was essential y a tunic and breeches, soft, pliable, rain-shedding leather on the outside; and warm, luxurious fur on the inside. But they wouldn't be genuine Lady Ulma creations if that was al there were to them. The inner bodysuit of white fur was reversible and removable so you could change depending on the weather. There were triple-thick wind-around col ars, which trailed behind or could be turned into scarves that wrapped a face up to the eyes. The white pelts spil ed out of the leather at the wrists to make mittens you couldn't lose. The guys had straight leather tunics that just met at the breeches, and fastened with buttons. The girls'tunics were longer and flared out a bit. They were neatly fringed, but not stained or dyed except for Damon's, which, of course, were black with sable fur. One thurg would carry the travelers and their baggage. A second, larger and wilder looking, would carry heating stones to help cook human food and al the food (it looked like red hay) that the two thurgs would eat on the way to the Nether World. Pelat showed them how to move the giant creatures, with the lightest of taps of a very long stick, which could scratch a thurg behind its hippo-like ears or give it a ferocious tap at that sensitive spot, signaling it to hasten forward. that sensitive spot, signaling it to hasten forward. â€Å"Is it safe, having Biratz carry al the thurg food? I thought you said she was unpredictable,†Bonnie asked Pelat. â€Å"Now, miss, I wouldn't give her to you if she wasn't safe. She'l be roped to Dazar so al she has to do is fol ow,†Pelat replied. â€Å"We ride these?†Stefan said, craning his neck to get a look at the smal , enclosed palanquin on top of the very large animal. â€Å"We have to,†Damon said flatly. â€Å"We can hardly walk al the way. We're not al owed to use magic like that fancy Master Key you used to get here. No magic but telepathy works up at the very top of the Dark Dimension. These dimensions are flat like plates, and according to Bonnie, there's a fracture, just at the far north of this one – not too far from here, in other words. The crack is smal by dimensional standards, but big enough for us to get through. If we want to reach the Gatehouse of the Seven Treasures we start on thurgs.† Stefan shrugged. â€Å"All right. We're doing it your way.† Pelat was putting a ladder up. Lady Ulma, Bonnie, and Elena were weeping and laughing over the baby together. They were Stilllaughing as they left on their way. The first week or so was boring. They sat in the palanquin on the back of the thurg named Dazar, with a compass from Elena's backpack dangling from the roof. They general y kept al the sides of the palanquin's curtains rol ed up, except the one facing west, where the bloated, bloody red sun – too bright to look at in the higher, cleaner air outside the city – constantly loomed on the horizon. The view al around them was dreadful y monotonous – mind-bendingly so, with few trees and many miles of dried brown grassy hil s. Nothing interesting to a non-hunter ever showed up. The only thing that changed was as they traveled farther north, it got colder. It was difficult for al of them, living in such close quarters. Damon and Elena had reached an equilibrium – or at least a pretense – of ignoring each other, something Elena would never have imagined could be possible. Damon made it easier by working on a different sleep cycle than the others – which helped to guard them as the thurgs trudged onward, day and night. If he was awake when Elena was, he would ride outside the palanquin, on the thurg's enormous neck. They both had such stiff necks, Elena thought. Neither of them wanted to be the first to bend. Meanwhile those inside the palanquin began to play little games, like picking the long dried grasses from the side of the road and trying to weave them into dol s, fly whisks, hats, whips. Stefan proved to be the one who made the tightest weave, and he made fly whisks and broad fans for each of them. They also played various card games, using stiff little place cards (had Lady Ulma thought they might give a dinner party on the way?) as playing cards, after careful y marking them with the four suits. And of course, the vampires hunted. Sometimes this took quite a long time, since game was scarce. The Black Magic Lady Ulma had stocked helped them stretch the time between hunts. When Damon visited the palanquin, it was as if he were crashing a private party and thumbing his nose at the hosts. Final y Elena couldn't stand it any longer, and had Stefan float her up the side of the thurg (looking down or climbing up were definitely not options) while flying magic Stillworked. She sat down on the saddle beside Damon and gathered her courage. â€Å"Damon, I know you have a right to be angry with me. But don't take it out on the others. Especial y Bonnie.† â€Å"Another lecture?†Damon asked, giving her a look that would freeze a flame. â€Å"No, just a – a request.†She couldn't bring herself to say â€Å"a plea.† When he didn't answer and the silence became unbearable, she said, â€Å"Damon, for us – we're not going on a quest for treasure out of greed or adventure or any normal reason. We're going because we need to save our town.† â€Å"From Midnight,†a voice just behind her said. â€Å"From the Last Midnight.† Elena whirled to stare. She expected to see Stefan holding Bonnie clasped to him hard. But it was only Bonnie at her head level, hanging on to the thurg ladder. Elena forgot she was afraid of heights. She stood up on the swaying thurg, ready to climb down on the sun side if there wasn't enough room for Bonnie to sit down fast in the driver's saddle. But Bonnie had the slimmest hips in town and there was just room for al three of them. â€Å"The Last Midnight is coming,†Bonnie repeated. Elena knew that monotonous voice, knew the chalk-white cheeks, the blank eyes. Bonnie was in trance – and moving. It must be urgent. â€Å"Damon,†Elena whispered. â€Å"If I speak to her, she'l break trance. Can you ask her telepathical y what she means?† A moment later she heard Damon's projection. What is the Last Midnight? What's going to happen then? â€Å"That's when it starts. And it's over in less than an hour. So†¦ no more midnights.† I beg your pardon? No more midnights? â€Å"Not in Fel ‘s Church. No one left to see them.† And when is this going to happen? â€Å"Tonight. The children are final y ready.† The children? Bonnie simply nodded, her eyes far away. Something's going to happen to all the children? Bonnie's eyelids drooped to half mast. She didn't seem to hear the question. Elena needed to hold on to something. And suddenly she was. Damon had reached across Bonnie's lap and taken her hand. Bonnie, are the children going to do something at midnight? he asked. Bonnie's eyes fil ed and she bowed her head. â€Å"We've got to go back. We have to go to Fel ‘s Church,†Elena said, and scarcely knowing what she was doing, unclasped Damon's hand and climbed down the ladder. The bloated red sun looked different – smal er. She tugged at the curtain and almost bumped heads with Stefan as he rol ed it up to let her in. â€Å"Stefan, Bonnie's in trance and she said – â€Å" â€Å"I know. I was eavesdropping. I couldn't even catch her on the way up. She jumped onto the ladder and climbed like a squirrel. What do you think she means?† â€Å"You remember in the out-of-body experience she and I had? A little spying on Alaric? That's what's going to happen in Fel ‘s Church. Al the children, al at once, just at midnight – that's why we have to get back – â€Å" â€Å"Easy. Easy, love. Remember what Lady Ulma said? Nearly a year here came out to be only days in our world.† Elena hesitated. It was true; she couldn't deny it. Still, she felt so cold†¦ Physical y cold, she realized suddenly, as a blast of frigid air swirled around her, cutting through her leather like a machete. â€Å"We need our inner furs,†Elena gasped. â€Å"We must be getting near the fracture.† They yanked down the palanquin covers and secured them and then hastily rummaged through the neat cabinet that was set on the rump of the thurg. The furs were so sleek that Elena could fit two under her leather easily. They were disturbed by Damon coming inside with Bonnie in his arms. â€Å"She stopped talking,†he said, and added, â€Å"Whenever you're warm enough, I suggest that you come out.† Elena laid Bonnie down on one of the two benches inside the palanquin and piled blanket after blanket over her, tucking them in around her. Then Elena made herself climb back up. For a moment she felt blinded. Not by the surly red sun – they had left that behind some mountains, which it turned a pink sapphire color – but by a world of white. Seemingly endless, flat, featureless whiteness stretched out before her until a bank of fog obscured whatever was behind it. â€Å"According to legend, we should be headed toward the Silver Lake of Death,†Damon's voice said from behind Elena. And, oddly, throughout al this chil , his voice was warm – almost friendly. â€Å"Also known as Lake Mirror. But I can't change into a crow to scout ahead. Something's hindering me. And that fog in front of us is impenetrable to psychic probing.† Elena instinctively glanced around her. Stefan was Stillinside the palanquin, obviously Stilltending to Bonnie. â€Å"You're looking for the lake? What's it like? I mean, I can guess why it might be cal ed Silver and Lake Mirror,†she said. â€Å"But what's the Death bit?† â€Å"Water dragons. At least that's what people say – but who has been there to bring back the story?†Damon looked at her. He took care of Bonnie while she was in trance, Elena thought. And he's talking to me at last. â€Å"Water†¦dragons?†she asked him and she made her voice friendly, too. As if they'd just met. They were starting over. â€Å"I've always suspected kronosaurus, myself,†Damon said. He was right behind her now; she could feel him blocking the icy wind – no, more than that. He was generating an envelope of heat for her to stand in. Elena's shivering stopped. She felt for the first time that she could unwrap her arms from clutching herself. Then she felt a pair of strong arms folding around her, and the heat abruptly got quite intense. Damon was standing behind her, holding her, and al at once she was very warm indeed. â€Å"Damon,†she began, not very steadily, â€Å"we can't just – â€Å" â€Å"There's a rock outcropping over there. No one could see us,†the vampire behind her offered – to Elena's absolute shock. A week of not speaking at all – and now this. â€Å"Damon, the guy in the palanquin just below us is my – â€Å" â€Å"Prince? Don't you need a knight, then?†Damon breathed this directly into her ear. Elena stood like a statue. But what he said next rocked her entire universe. â€Å"You like the story of Camelot, don't you? Only here you're the queen, princess. You married your not-quite-fairy-tale prince, but along came a knight who knew even more of your secrets, and he cal ed to you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He forced me,†Elena said, turning to meet Damon's dark eyes straight on, even as her brain screamed for her to let it go. â€Å"He didn't wait for me to hear his cal . He just†¦took what he wanted. Like the slavers do. I didn't know how to fight – then.† â€Å"Oh, no. You fought and fought. I've never seen a human fight so hard. But even when you fought, you felt the cal of my heart to yours. Try to deny that.† â€Å"Damon – why now – al of a sudden†¦?† Damon made a move as if to turn away, then turned back. â€Å"Because by tomorrow we may be dead,†he said flatly. â€Å"I wanted you to know how I felt about you before I died – or you did.† â€Å"But you haven't told me a word about how you feel about me. Only about what you think I feel about you. And I'm sorry that I slapped you the first day I was here, but – â€Å" â€Å"You were magnificent,†Damon said outrageously. â€Å"Forget it now. As for how I feel – maybe I'l get a chance to real y show it to you someday.† Something sparked inside Elena – they were back to fencing with words, as they had been when they'd first met. â€Å"Someday? Sounds convenient. And why not now?† â€Å"Do you mean that?† â€Å"Do I habitual y say things I don't mean?† She was waiting for some kind of apology, some words spoken as simply and sincerely as she had been speaking to him. Instead, with the utmost gentleness, and without glancing around to see if anyone was watching them, Damon cupped Elena's scarf-bound cheeks with his bare hands, pul ed the scarf just below her lips with his thumbs, and kissed her softly. Softly – but not briefly, and something in Elena kept whispering to her that of course she had heard his cal from the moment she first saw him, first felt his aura cal to her. She hadn't known that it was an aura then; she hadn't believed in auras. She hadn't believed in vampires. She'd been an ignorant little idiot†¦ Stefan! A voice like crystal sounded off two notes in her brain, and suddenly she was able to step back from Damon's embrace and look at the palanquin again. No sign of motion there. â€Å"I have to go back,†she told Damon brusquely. â€Å"I have to know what's going on with Bonnie.† â€Å"You mean to see what's going on with Stefan,†he said. â€Å"You needn't worry. He's fast asleep, and so is our little girl.† Elena tensed. â€Å"You Influenced them? Without seeing them?†It was a wild guess, but one side of Damon's mouth crooked up, as if congratulating her. â€Å"How dare you?†she said. â€Å"To be honest, I don't know how I dare.†Damon leaned in close again, but Elena turned her cheek, thinking, Stefan! He can't hear you. He's dreaming about you. Elena was surprised at her own reaction to that. Damon had caught and held her eyes again. Something inside her melted in the intensity of his steady black gaze. â€Å"I'm not Influencing you; I give you my word† – in a whisper. â€Å"But you can't deny what happened between us the last time we were in this dimension.†His breath was on her lips now – and Elena didn't turn aside. She trembled. â€Å"Please, Damon. Show some respect. I'm – oh, God! God! â€Å" â€Å"Elena? Elena! Elena! What's wrong? â€Å" Hurts – that was al Elena could think. A terrible agony had lanced through her chest on the left side. As if she'd been stabbed through the heart. She stifled a scream. Elena, talk to me! If you can't send your thoughts, speak! Through numb lips, Elena said, â€Å"Pain – heart attack – â€Å" â€Å"You're too young and healthy for that. Let me check.†Damon was unfastening her top. Elena let him. She could do nothing for herself, except gasp, â€Å"Oh God! It hurts!† Damon's warm hand was inside her leather and furs. His hand came to rest slightly to the left of center, with only her camisole between his probing fingers and her flesh. Elena, I'm going to take the pain away now. Trust me. Even as he spoke, the stabbing anguish drained. Damon's eyes narrowed, and Elena knew he'd taken the pain into himself, to analyze it. â€Å"It's not a heart attack,†he said a moment later. â€Å"I'm as sure as I can be. It's more as if – Well, as if you'd been staked. But that's sil y. Hmm†¦it's gone now.† For Elena it had been gone since he'd taken it, protecting her. â€Å"Thank you,†she breathed, suddenly realizing that she had been clinging to him, in utter terror that she was dying. Or that he was. He gave her a rare, ful , genuine smile. â€Å"We're both fine. It must have been a cramp.†His gaze had dropped to her lips. â€Å"Do I deserve a kiss?† â€Å"I†¦Ã¢â‚¬ He had comforted her; he had taken the terrible pain away. How could she sanely say no? â€Å"Just one,†she whispered. A hand under her chin. Her eyelids wanted to melt closed, but she widened her eyes and wouldn't let them. As his lips touched hers, his arm around her†¦changed somehow. It was no longer trying to restrain her. It seemed to be wanting to comfort her. And when his other hand stroked her hair softly at the very ends, crushing the waves gently, and just as gently smoothing them out, Elena felt a rush of shivering warmth. Damon wasn't deliberately trying to batter her with the strength of his aura, which at the moment was fil ed with nothing but his feelings for her. The simple fact, though, was that although he was a new-made vampire, he was exceptional y strong and he knew al the tricks of an experienced one. Elena felt as if she had stepped into clear calm water, only to find herself caught in a fierce undertow that there was no resisting; no bargaining with; and certainly no possibility of reaching by reason. She had no choice but to surrender to it and hope that it was taking her, eventual y, to a place she could breathe and live. Otherwise, she would drown†¦but even that possibility didn't seem so dire, now that she could see the tide was made of a chain of little moments strung like pearls. In each one of them was a tiny sparkle of admiration that Damon had for her: pearls for her courage, for her intel igence, for her beauty. It seemed that there was no slightest motion she had made, no b riefest word that she had said, that he had not noticed and locked in his heart as a treasure. But we were fighting then, Elena thought to him, seeing in the undertow a sparkling moment when she had cursed him. Yes – I said you were magnificent when you were angry. Like a goddess come to put the world to rights. I do want to put the world to rights. No, two worlds: the Dark Dimension and my home. But I'm no goddess. Suddenly she felt that keenly. She was a schoolgirl who hadn't even finished high school – and it was in part because of the person who was kissing her wildly now. Oh, think of what you're learning on this trip! Things that no one else in the universe knows, Damon said in her mind. Now pay attention to what you're doing! Elena paid attention, not because Damon wanted her to, but because she couldn't help it. Her eyes drifted shut. She realized that the way to calm this maelstrom was to become part of it, neither giving in nor forcing Damon to, but by meeting the passion in the undertow with what was inside her own heart. As soon as she did, the undertow became wind, and she was flying and not drowning. No, it was better than flying, better than dancing, it was what her heart always yearned for. A high Stillplace where nothing could ever harm them or disturb them. And then, when she was most vulnerable, the pain came again, dril ing through her chest, a little to the left. This time Damon was so mindlocked with her that he felt it from the beginning. And she could hear clearly a phrase in Damon's mind: staking is just as effective on humans as it is on vampires, and his sudden fear that this was a precognition. In the swaying little room, Stefan was asleep holding Bonnie by his side, with the sparkling of Power engulfing them both. Elena, who had a good grip on the palanquin's ladder, vaulted the rest of the way inside. She put a hand on Stefan's shoulder and he woke. â€Å"What is this? Is something wrong with her?†she asked, with a third question: â€Å"Do you know?†buzzing around in her head. But when Stefan lifted his green eyes to her, they were simply worried. Clearly he was not invading her thoughts. He was focused entirely on Bonnie. Thank God, he's such a gentleman, Elena thought for the thousandth time. â€Å"I'm trying to get her warm,†Stefan said. â€Å"After she came out of trance, she was shivering. Then she stopped shivering, but when I took her hand, it was colder than ever. Now I've put an envelope of heat around her. I guess I dozed off for a little while after that.†He added, â€Å"Did you find anything?† I found Damon's lips, Elena thought wildly, but she forced herself to blank out the memory. â€Å"We're looking for Lake Silver Death Mirror,†she said. â€Å"But al I could see was white. The snow and the fog seem to go on forever.† Stefan nodded. Then he careful y went through the motions of plucking apart two layers of air and slid in a hand to touch Bonnie's cheek. â€Å"She's warming up,†he said, and smiled. It took a long while before Stefan was satisfied that Bonnie was warm. When he did, he gently unwrapped her from the heated air that had formed the â€Å"envelope†and lay her on one bench, coming to sit with Elena on the other. Eventual y Bonnie sighed, blinked, and opened her eyes. â€Å"I had a nap,†she said, obviously aware that she had lost time. â€Å"Not exactly,†Elena said, keeping her voice gentle and reassuring. Let's see, how did Meredith do this? â€Å"You went into trance, Bonnie. Do you remember anything about it?† Bonnie said, â€Å"About the treasure?† â€Å"About what the treasure is for,†Stefan said quietly. â€Å"No†¦No†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"You said that this was the Last Midnight,†Elena said. As far as she could remember, Meredith was pretty direct. â€Å"But we think you were talking about back at home,†she added hastily, seeing terror leap in Bonnie's eyes. â€Å"The Last Midnight – and no morning afterward,†Bonnie said. â€Å"I think – I heard someone saying those words. But no more.† She was as skittish as a wild colt. Elena reminded her about time running differently between the two worlds but it didn't seem to comfort her. Final y, Elena just sat by her and held her. Her head was spinning with thoughts of Damon. He'd forgiven her. That was good, even though he'd taken his own time about it. But the real message was that he was wil ing to share her. Or at least wil ing to say he would to get in her good graces. If she knew him at all, if she ever agreed – oh, God, he might murder Stefan. Again. After al , that was what he had done when Katherine had had the same sentiment. Elena could never think of him without longing. She could never think of him without thinking of Stefan. She had no idea what to do. She was in trouble.