1 Year Strategic Digital Marketing Plan with a view as to how this may Essay

1 Year Strategic Digital Marketing Plan with a view concerning how this might be created more than three years - Essay Example The organization is committed to move the debilitated youths in the United Kingdom to effectively partake in various types of donning exercises and occasions. The organization likewise gives the handicapped children and youngsters with sports awards which can be utilized in the preparation, travel, physiotherapy, rivalry expenses and advancement and structure of sports wheelchairs. The point of Get Kids Going (GKG) is to give long haul bolster and empower the handicapped kids and youths in the nation to accomplish the fantasies in regards to their games vocations and their objectives to become wearing competitors. The organization perceives that there are numerous gifted adolescents in the nation who dream to become competitors and sprinters. Be that as it may, the huge costs required for preparing to turn into a competitor and to take an interest in the games like long distance race go about as limitations to the accomplishment of these fantasies by the youthful debilitated games wa nnabes. The exercises of the organization are upheld by the sponsorships of various long distance runners and competitors. Many competitors and sprinters in the nation are steady of the exercises of Get Kids Going (GKG). These sprinters bolster the working of Get Kids Going (GKG) by running in different national and universal games like the Bupa Great North Run, Paris Marathon, New York long distance race, Virgin London long distance race, Ride London 100 Cycling Challenge, Berlin Marathon, L’Etape du Tour and different games occurring unconcerned nations of the world. The help of gift and good cause given by numerous organizations, schools, trusts and people are likewise basic for the coherence of the exercises of Get Kids Going (GKG). A computerized advertising plan includes the utilization of advanced and electronic medium as a significant mechanism for advancing and selling the items and administrations of an organization (Sadler, 2001). Get Kids

Special Topics in International Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Exceptional Topics in International Relations - Essay Example the motivation behind advancement would cause an expansion in the planet’s temperature, increments in ocean level, changes in precipitation designs, exhaustion of ozone layer, loss of normal territory of a great many types of plants and creatures, loss of water assets, loss of bio assorted variety, increment in episodes of extraordinary climate, for example, heat waves, soil disintegration and expanded contamination (Watson et al, 2003). The advancement is changing the earth’s condition at all levels. At the neighborhood level nature is in danger because of air, soil and water contamination. At territorial level there is a danger of corrosive downpour and land debasement. At last at worldwide level there is a huge environmental change and lost biodiversity. Every one of these progressions have been credited at an enormous level to the different advancement extends that are intended to give better life and reduce neediness. Shockingly these ventures are negatively affecting the biological system, water assets, human wellbeing, horticulture, ranger service and fisheries. It is assessed that the improvement tasks will have further negative results later on (Watson et al., 2003). Ecological issues are significant for the underdeveloped nations. A perfect and solid condition mirrors a spotless and sound country. Regular habitat is a wellspring of normal pay for the individuals of the poor nations. Numerous individuals are subject to common assets for their pay. On the off chance that these assets are removed it will be a major blow for the destitute individuals. Simultaneously condition insurance is significant for financial development of any nation. In the event that individuals proceed to utilize and dirty normal assets the nation would endure monetarily and will move away from improvement. Subsequently it turns out to be critical to secure nature (The World Bank Report, n.d.). Here it is appropriate to talk about the instance of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a poor nation and an enormous area of its populace is subject to fisheries for

The Effects of Carbon Monoxide From Cigarette Smoking

The Effects of Carbon Monoxide From Cigarette Smoking Addiction Nicotine Use The Inside of Cigarettes Print The Effects of Carbon Monoxide From Cigarette Smoking By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on October 06, 2016 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on January 08, 2020 Joseph Devenney/Getty Images More in Addiction Nicotine Use The Inside of Cigarettes After You Quit How to Quit Smoking Nicotine Withdrawal Smoking-Related Diseases Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery As of Dec. 20, 2019, the new legal age limit is 21 years old for purchasing cigarettes, cigars, or any other tobacco products in the U.S. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas that is produced when incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels occurs. It is present in indoor and outdoor air in varying amounts from things like vehicle exhaust, gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, furnaces and  cigarette smoke, which  can contain high levels of carbon monoxide.   Carbon Monoxide in the Human Body When carbon monoxide is breathed into the lungs, it binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells to make carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) which is then transported into the bloodstream. Once this happens, oxygen cannot bind with receptors on the same cell. And because CO is much faster at binding with hemoglobin than oxygen (about 200 times faster), when CO is present in the lungs, it wins the spot on red  blood cells. This process diminishes the oxygen-carrying capacity in the bloodstream.?? Carbon monoxide is quick to connect with red blood cells but is slow to exit the body, taking as much as a day to be exhaled through the lungs. An abundance of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream starves the body of oxygen and in the worst cases, can cause death.?? Carbon Monoxide in a Smokers Body The normal level of COHb in the bloodstream from environmental exposure to carbon monoxide  is less than one percent.?? For smokers, factors like brand, how many cigarettes are smoked  and the amount of time between cigarettes can cause  COHb saturation in the blood to be much higher.?? A pack a day smoker can have a  3% to 6%  COHb level in the blood,  two packs a day, 6% to 10%, and three packs a day, as much as 20%. The health effects of CO saturation in the blood above 1%  can cause detectable physical symptoms, such as:?? Increased heart rateReduced tolerance for exerciseHeadache and visual distortions can occur at high levels of CO saturation Lack of oxygen in cells also forces the heart to work harder to distribute oxygen around the body, making CO a major contributor to heart disease, including heart attacks and atherosclerosis.?? Secondhand smoke may also contain high levels  of CO, so non-smokers who breathe in  ETS  will  have increased levels of CO in their blood also. The Biggest Smoking Risk Isnt Lung Disease Can Smoking Cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?   Yes, it is possible to suffer CO poisoning from cigarette smoking if a large number of cigarettes are smoked in quick succession in an enclosed space.?? For most smokers though,  symptoms of too much CO in their bloodstream, like a racing heart, headaches, and nausea  will get their attention and cause them to slow down on the smokes enough to not need medical help. In one documented extreme case,?? a woman made a trip to the emergency room at her local hospital because she felt dizzy and had a headache. Blood work revealed an elevated level of carbon monoxide in her blood. Her home was checked for a carbon monoxide leak and none was found.   A week later she returned to the hospital with the same symptoms. This time, the carbon monoxide in her blood was nearly 25%. Its no wonder she felt so bad. She was a heavy smoker of over two packs a day and had smoked numerous cigarettes in a short period of time. The doctor treated her with oxygen and she recovered, but the only way  to solve her problem for the long term was to quit smoking. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Breathing low levels of CO can cause: FatigueIncreased chest pain in people with chronic heart disease In otherwise healthy people, inhaling higher levels of carbon monoxide may cause flu-like symptoms (with no fever) such as: HeadachesDizzinessWeaknessSleepinessNauseaVomitingConfusionDisorientation At very high levels, exposure to carbon monoxide will cause loss of consciousness and death, so it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms above. A Word From Verywell Carbon monoxide is just one of many hazardous chemicals in cigarette smoke. To date,  more than 7,000 chemical compounds, 250 of which are known to be poisonous and upwards of 70 that have been identified as carcinogens are known to be present in cigarette smoke.?? If you are still smoking, its time to resolve to quit. Dont fear smoking cessation. Others have done it successfully. You can too. Reasons Why You Should Quit Smoking

Herodotus, the Greek Historian

Herodotus is known as  the father of history. We may think all the famous ancient Greeks came from Athens, but its not true. Like many important ancient Greeks, Herodotus was not only not born in Athens but wasnt even born in what we think of as Europe. He was born in the essentially Dorian (Hellenic or Greek, yes; but not Ionian) colony of Halicarnassus, on the southwest coast of Asia Minor, which at the time was part of the Persian Empire. Herodotus had not yet been born when Athens defeated Persia in the renowned Battle of Marathon (490 B.C.) and was only a young child when the Persians defeated the Spartans and allies at the Battle of Thermopylae (480 B.C.).​ Herodotus Homeland   Lyxes, the father of Herodotus, was probably from Caria, in Asia Minor. So was Artemisia, the female despot of Halicarnassus who joined Xerxes in his expedition against Greece in the Persian Wars. Following victories over the Persians by the mainland Greeks, Halicarnassus rebelled against foreign rulers. In consequence of his part in rebellious actions, Herodotus was sent into exile to the Ionian island of Samos (homeland of Pythagoras), but then returned to Halicarnassus around 454 to take part in the overthrow of Artemisias son, Lygdamis. Herodotus of Thurii Herodotus calls himself Herodotus of Thurii rather than Halicarnassus because he was a citizen of the pan-Hellenic city of Thurii, which was founded in 444/3. One of his fellow colonists was the philosopher, Pythagoras of Samos, probably. Herodotus Travels the Known World Between the time of the overthrow of Artemisias son Lygdamis and Herodotus settling in Thurii, Herodotus traveled around most of the known world.  Herodotus traveled to learn about foreign countries. He traveled to have a look, the Greek word for looking is related to our English word theory. He also lived in Athens, spending time in the company of his friend, the renowned writer of great Greek tragedy Sophocles. The Athenians so appreciated Herodotus writing that in 445 B.C. he awarded him 10 talents—an enormous sum. The Father of History Despite major shortcomings in the area of accuracy, Herodotus is called the father of history -- even by his contemporaries. Sometimes, however, more accuracy-minded people describe him as the father of lies. In China, another man earned the father of history title, but he was centuries later: Sima Qian. Herodotus Histories   Herodotus Histories, celebrating the Greek victory over the Persians, were written in the mid-fifth century B.C. Herodotus wanted to present as much information about the Persian War as he could. What sometimes reads like a travelogue, includes information on the entire Persian Empire, and simultaneously explains the origins (aitia) of the conflict, by reference to mythological prehistory. Even with the fascinating digressions and fantastic elements, Herodotus history was an advance over the previous writers of quasi-history, who are known as logographers.Sources East Is East And West Is West - Or Are They? National Stereotypes In HerodotusAncient History Sourcebook: 11th Brittanica: HerodotusCicero  De legibus 1.5: Herodotum patrem historiae

Civilizations of Ancient China and East Asia - 1130 Words

The main major theme of module three is the development in China and East Asia. The chapters cover the social, philosophical, cultural, governmental and religious aspects. The chapters offer an insight of how China and Eastern Asian cultures had developed. It also elaborates on the dynasties that had ruled during this era. China was isolated from West and South Asia because of the demographics of the land. The writing system was not influenced by other cultures. They had created a logographic system of writing. Every word had its own symbol. This writing system was not only a major part of Chinese literature but also played a large part in the political process. The Shang Dynasty was the first to have writing, cities, chariots, and†¦show more content†¦The Zhou created smaller domains which would eventually over through the central government of Zhou. The Zhou had a hierarchy of rank which started with the king and moved downward to farmers and traders. They also had practiced in the collection concubines. During the Warring States Period the social structure of the Zhou was being under minded by the advancement in military technology. While trying to encourage populations by increasing land cultivation, iron technology advancement also promoted economic expansion. During this time Confucius emerged and brought on the ethical thought that family was â€Å"the basic unit of society† (64). His recorded sayings were in the Analects which were written by his disciples. His political ideas that the government should work for the people, and the people should work with their government were also followed by Menicus, and Xunzi. Daoism which focused on the larger importance of natural order instead of making human actions the center of importance was identified as Dao, or the Way. Legalist insisted on the need for rigorous laws instead of following the ideals of Confucius. â€Å"The laws of the Legalists were designed as much to constrain officials as to regulate the common people.† (71) Yin and Yang were also and important strain of Chinese thought. China was finally unified when the state of Qin adopted the Legalist policies, and defeated all of their rivals. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Silk Road During The Han Dynasty Of China1484 Words   |  6 Pagesthousands of years ago, upon the earliest creations of civilization, there were two thriving civilizations. Both of which knew little to nothing about each other’s existence. In this ancient world, there was no connection of the two civilizations, no trade in commerce or culture. It was not until the second century BC that Europe and Eastern Asia interacted in a significant way. What is known as â€Å"The Silk Road† was established during the Han Dynasty of China, it was a network of trade routes that createdRead MoreWestern Imperialism and Modern East Asia Essay example1188 Words   |  5 PagesWestern imperialism in East Asia caused many tribulations for China, Japan, and Korea but also helped them to become contemporary nations. The East Asian countries were treme ndously affected by unequal treaties, extraterritoriality, and above all, technology. Great Britain encroached upon China their greed for open trade with the Chinese empire resulting in the deterioration of the Chinese culture, which led to the emergence of a modernized civilization. Japan was co-subjugated by Russia and theRead MoreThe Silk Road: Connecting China with The Mediterranean Essay975 Words   |  4 PagesThe Silk Road, a series of passageways connecting China with the Mediterranean, completely changed the world. 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Business Plan for Restaurant Free Essays

Products and Services : Theme – â€Å"Food Fusion† Singapore being truly a trans-national epitome and embraces every culture with due dignity and respect, it is just apt for us to theme our restaurant menu into a â€Å"Food Fusion†. Fusion food is a combination of various forms of cookery and comes in several forms. Regional fusion combines different cuisines of a region or sub-region into a single eating experience. We will write a custom essay sample on Business Plan for Restaurant or any similar topic only for you Order Now Asian fusion restaurants, which combine the various cuisines of different Asian countries, have become popular in many parts of the United States and United Kingdom. Often featured are South Asian, East Asian, and South-East Asian dishes alongside one another and offering dishes that are inspired combinations of such cuisines. In Singapore with highest influx of migrants, fusion cuisine is being reinvented and is becoming increasingly the norm at numerous cafes and restaurants with the quality and creativity of Asian-fusion restaurants. Foods based on one culture, but prepared using ingredients and flavors inherent to another culture, are also considered forms of fusion cuisine which is our them â€Å"Food Fusion†, a fine blend of Asia. Sing-Foo’sion Special : Signature dish of Singapore, similar to â€Å"Singapore Sling† drink. * Indo-Chinese Foo’sion * Malay-Indo Foo’sion * Indo-Conti Foo’sion * Japanese-Indo Foo’sion * Indo-Western Foo’sion Aromatic Soups * ‘Pho’ – sliced beef or chicken noodle soup topped w/thai basil, cilantro, culantro bean sprouts. * Spicy Lemongrass ‘Hue’ Beef, Chicken Or Tofu. * Seafood Tom Yum. * Vietnamese Hot Sour Soup * Wakame Tofu Miso. Fresh Fusion Starters * Fusion Spring Rolls. * Crispy Taro Ball * Patate Douce Fritters * Herberd Cherrystones served with a spicy lime sauce * Coco curry mussels with grape tomatoes. Oodles of noodles * Coco Curry Butterfly Shrimp Or Tofu * Pad Thai * Tofu Vermicelli * Grilled Pork Chop Vermicelli * Sesame Noodles * Spicy Udon Chicken, Tofu Veggies. Grains Fry-ins * Chicken Or Tofu Pineapple Fried Rice * Crispy Thai Basil Chicken * Vietnamese Five Spice Marinade Grilled Pork Chops * Charbroiled Lemongrass Chicken * Sauteed Coconut Curry Lemongrass Chicken, Shrimp, Tofu Or Beef Hot Calming Herbals and Smoothies * Organic Black pepper Coke * Milky Green Ginger Teh * Hot Soy Expresso * Fusion Sangria smoothy * Young Coconut creamy tero 5. Market Analysis ?†¢Summary? Industry Analysis? †¢Target Market? †¢Customer Profile? †¢Major competitors and participants? †¢Market Segmentation? †¢Projected Market Growth and Market Share Objectives Singapore is the place for food lovers and it offers most of the international cuisines. Singapore’s food and beverage (FB) services industry contributed approximately SGD 11. 36bn or 3. 5% to the c ountry’s total GDP in 2011. Ministry of Trade and industry has estimated 4% growth in Accommodation and food services industry in Singapore supported by healthy growth in visitor arrivals with restaurants achieving about 5. 5 growth. With Tourist arrivals at ever time high and with upcoming international cruise terminal next to MBS , Marina Bay sands(MBS) is best placed for having a restaurant. It has many restaurants offering International cuisine for business as well as leisure. With many highflying tourists and locals too visiting this integrated resort, there is room for Value for money restaurants offering quick lunch/dinner. Event Plaza in MBS attracts crowds who visit Arts and science museum as well as light and water show. Converting these footfalls in to business is the key issue. Customers include visitors to Exhibition center , Casino , and the evening crowds to the light shows for less than $10 meal. MBS has many restaurants like A Taste of Nanyang, Bay Sushi, Celebrity chef restaurants too. There are not many offering Indian food except Punjab Grill by Jiggs Kalra for high end dining. Target market is Indian food lovers and in 20 to 50 age groups , who frequent the Marina bay sands attractions. Pricing and demographics help in targeting the right customer. Market growth is a factor of visibility of the restaurant, driving the message of affordability and easy accessibility to the visiting crowds. Singapore food consumptions accounts for 3% of GDP and it has highest food consumption levels in South east Asia. Working with The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), Health Promotion Board (HPB) and National Environment Agency (NEA) on offering healthier food will go long way in building the food brand. Food and beverage industry has the social obligation to support healthy and active lifestyles and thus iffering healthy food will lead to increased sales and market share within the MBS rea. 10. Marketing Plan †¢Creating and Maintaining Customers †¢Product Pricing Strategy? †¢Product Positioning †¢Sales and Distribution Plan †¢Promotional Strategy Expenditure on FB has grown steadily in Singapore, with market value expanding from USD 8. 3bn in 2006 to USD 11. 4bn in 2011. Attracting customers and repeat customers in a challenge where visitors arrivals are event based. To have a healthy customer base it is necessary to tie up with Event organizers like Singapore Tourism board, MICE organizers. Sign boards on healthy eating along the marina bay Promenade to attract crowds, tit bits of healthy Indian foods and how to choose healthy food and stay fit , offering SGD 10 experience as the prime product in allocation (MBS) where healthy dining may be rare and is expensive. Positioning with value for money healthy dining experience, liaising up with HR departments of neighboring working population to have lunchtime crowds , leaflets dining events around the marina promenade with discounts about 20% if the whole family ( at least 4 persons) dining are some of the promotional strategies. Healthy dining as brand with strengths of Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian Indian cuisine which offer less trans fat, olive oil cooking, no reuse of cooking oil and, less fried food will resonate a healthy product for lunch and dinner. New shopping destinations like Marina link mall and MBS shopping outlets itself will be approached to be positioned as partners in Market making for each others benefit. Frequent feedback forms to patrons offering discounts of up to 20% on food quality , brand image and service to keep the restaurant in sync with patrons expectations and experience will help to redesign the food offerings. How to cite Business Plan for Restaurant, Essay examples

Discussion Board 8q2 Management

Question: Achieving a doctoral degree is as much about growing as a person and seeking out opportunities to internalize and express your worldview as it is about growing as a scholar and conducting research. Which is more important for you as you begin your doctoral journey, to grow as a person or to grow as a scholar? Why? Answer: Doctoral degree is one of the highest dignified levels of any educational field. Doctoral degree gives a person the authentication of being a researcher on individual major subject. Doctoral degree provides more scopes of growing as a person as well as a scholar and conduct research. On this note I think doctoral journey is more important to me to grow as a scholar (International Monetary Fund, 2011). Being very rationale and truthful doctoral degree is a degree that can be achieved only after doing immense hard work and without hard work it is not possible to achieve it. So when, I have worked hard to reach this position where every individual is not capable enough to reach or achieved then why not using the most of it and be the best. It is quite logical to be selfish now a day. Being truthful doctoral degree gives you a lot of knowledge that every single individual fantasize to get but when the hard work has paid off why shouldnt I make the most of it and use it to the ultimate to grow as a scholar. Being a Scholar is of high respect that is something every individual has dreamt off. It gives a sense of being the number one in that particular subject or field (Pai and Varadarajan, 2007). It carves out a vast track of opportunities to conduct research and provides the world with new thesis which directly carves way for being the best and known to all. So, from my point of view I would rather achieve a doctoral degree to grow as a scholar and gain more knowledge to achieved fame. References International Monetary Fund, (2011). Eastern Caribbean Currency Union: 2010 Discussion on Common Policies of Members CountriesStaff Report; Informational Annex, and the Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion.IMF Staff Country Reports, 11(30), p.i. Pai, R. and Varadarajan, P. (2007).Echocardiography board review. Chichester, West Sussex, England: John Wiley Sons.

Basic Directory Transversal essays

Basic Directory Transversal essays When digging into a system it is always smart to look for obvious lack of security instead of looking at holes within the security. In other words, if you want to poke around a system, look for the obvious, visible openings before engaging in actually attacking the security of the system. I look at this as being given access instead of gaining unauthorized access, which legally, is a big difference. Now I am not a lawyer, but these are two completely different things in my Basic directory transversal involves seeing what directories are publicly accessible without "breaking into" anything. More advanced forms of directory transversal involve using these basic principles to slide through security by using things like "/../" and hex codes to try and fool the software into allowing you access to directories that were not intended to be accessible. But lets stick to the basics for now. For example, depending on the type of web server running, you are probably familiar with the fact that there is a specific default directory structure that usually contains at least one subfolder called "images". No HTML is usually stored in this directory, but there are images there. If the privileges are not set up properly, you can browse to the images directory and see all of the files contains within. Take this one step further and see what other directories you can get into. You might find directories called "content", "templates", "members", or pretty much anything. Each one of these folder should be locked down to prevent unauthorized access. The sad reality is that they are not. During your normal browsing of a site, or your intentional targeting of a site, notice the directory structure of the site. Notice that you may suddenly jump two directories deep. You may click on a link from the main page to a page located at "../content/articles/page1.html". ...

Effects of the SIR on Tradition and Social Mores

Effects of the SIR on Tradition and Social Mores Change is a continuous process that is bound to occur as long as there is variation in time. Technology has brought change in the world especially social change. There are several technological advances in the world today which include computers, television, airplanes, fax machines, modems, radios and cellular phones.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of the SIR on Tradition and Social Mores specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These technological advances have brought social change in world. Indeed, they have changed the manner in which people interact, travel, conduct business, meet, work and learn. Technological advances have brought the greatest change in human social life. Social media technology is one example of modern technology that has brought social change what is termed as improved audience interaction. Social media has changed the world in tremendous ways especially in work places, education sectors, b usinesses and all sectors in the world where people interact. Examples of social media technology include: video conferencing, you tube, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blogs, web meetings among many others (Inkeles 2000). This paper mainly analyzes how social media technology has managed to bring the greatest social change in human life. It describes in details both the technology and the social change itself. Social media technology can be described as an interactive place through which communities and people form and share the content generated by the user. Social media is a collection of applications from the internet that fabricate on technological and philosophical foundations that gives room for creation and sharing the content generated by the user. Social media comprise social software which facilitates communication. Social media technology can be accessed through the help of scalable techniques of communication. Today, social media is among the most influential sources of com munication in the world where people obtain live updates through sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Social media technology exist in different forms, for example, they exist in form of magazines, social blogs, internet forums, social networks, weblogs, wikis, podcasts, video, social bookmarking, microblogging, photographs, ratings and pictures. These forms of social media technologies differ based on the level through which they focus on functional foundation blocks on conversations, relationships, identity, groups, sharing, reputation and presence. A large number of these forms of social media technology services can be incorporated through social network cumulative platforms. The main social media network system websites comprise of MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and Bebo. Social media technology has brought richness in the social network increasing self-disclosure and making communication process easy and faster.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mobile social media is a form of social media that utilize mobile device. Mobile social media have brought the greatest change in the communication sector in the whole world. It has actually transformed the social network and bridged the gap that exists in the world. Today, through the help of mobile social media, people can communicate in different points and different parts of the world at any time. In the past before the introduction of mobile social media, the traditional ways in which people could pass across information was through a messenger who was to walk all the way to where the recipient was; sometimes the messenger could reach his destination tired and unable to pass a clear message leading to distortion of message (Leventman 1999). Other means through which people used to communicate in the past was through drum beating, lighting of fire or ringing of bells. Mobile social media have saved wor ld from message distortion and distortion since by means of mobile phones the recipient gets first hand information directly from the sender. Mobile phones are also easy to carry; people can take them anywhere they go. Mobile social media when run through computers can display time sensitivity. There are four different types of mobile social media which differ based on time sensitivity and location sensitivity. There are those mobile media applications which can detect the location where the user is and at the same time show whether the message is still being processed or it has been received or if there is a delay in receiving the message (McKellar 2000). There are space timers, space locators, quick timers and slow timers. Foursquare and Facebook places are examples of space timers since they time sensitive and send messages relevance with the specific time of the location of the sender. Qype and Yelp are examples of space locators since they are sensitive of the location of the s ender; it indicates the specific location in which the messages are being exchanged by tagging the location which could be identified by other people when they view the message (Conant 2001). People can locate where the sender was and the recipient was making it easy to tract down on people especially in incidences of crime or fraud. Quick timers on the other hand are sensitive to time only and they include Facebook posting and Twitter postings. They increase immediacy through the mobile devices. This means that a person can get instant message or details concerning the status of a person based on their status update which normally indicate the time it was posted. Slow timers on the other hand include Wikipedia entry or You Tube video where people view or watch at their own leisure time. Slow timers are neither sensitive to time nor location of the message. People with mobile devices can decide to watch videos in You Tube at their own time and they can read postings on Wikipedia if they want to learn more about something.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of the SIR on Tradition and Social Mores specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Internet usage has caused several impacts on communication and brought social change. Social media has turned out to be addictive in today’s world since it is being used by majority of the people across the world. Internet is available everywhere across the world; it is in offices, schools, healthcare centers, and the mobile device has made it easy for everyone to access internet everywhere they go as long as there is network service. Today, it is easy to communicate from one office to the other through the internet. Most government and private institutions have installed network services which have made communication much easier saving on time which is normally used to do other important things (Levy 2003). Businesses can also be conducted through the inte rnet whereby someone in Asia can decide to buy a product in the U.S. The primary method through which most students in colleges communicate is through the use of internet whereby they communicate through sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Today in the U.S., the government has introduced lessons on social media practices whereby students are taught on how to handle digital strategies for their future careers. Video conferencing and web meetings are examples of social change that has been brought by social media technology. Today, it is not a must to be present at the venue of the meeting, you are simply required to have a computer with internet services or a satellite to be able to take part in the meeting. This has saved most companies money and time which they allocate to use on other projects. Managers can today do business across different parts of the world and be able to manage them equally and efficiently due to social media technology. Political system has also changed due t o social media technology. There is actually a great tremendous social change in politics. The politicians can obtain people’s views concerning their leadership through different sites in the internet such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. The politicians are well informed in advance concerning their fate through the live comments people make on their posting on Facebook and Twitter. The politicians can also be aware of people’s expectations of them through the internet being used by both the young people and the old generation (Hans Neil 2009). Politicians can also address their major concerns or ask for votes through the social media.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The politicians can also make the world aware of their next move or their major plans through the use of social media by updating it on Facebook or creating a blog to ask people to support their initiatives or project because, the majority of people use the internet; what is more, based on the recent statistics, most people spend more than 3 hours a day browsing the internet with the majority visiting sites such as Twitter and Facebook. This shows that majority of the people across the world spend most of their time in social media making it the fastest and easiest way of communication. In conclusion, social media technology has brought the greatest social change in human life. Communication process has become more easy and faster due to social media technology. Examples of social media technology that has brought social change include: video conferencing, You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blogs, web meetings among many others References Conant, J. (2001) Science and Common Sens e. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press. Hans, H. Neil, S. (2009). Social Change and Modernity. California: University of California Press Inkeles, A. (2000). Exploring individual modernity. New York: Columbia University Press. Leventman, S. (1999). Counterculture and social transformation. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas Publishers. Levy, M. (2003). The Structure of Society. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. McKellar, P. (2000). Imagination and Thinking: A Psychological Analysis. London: Cohen West.

Why Is It Said That Packet Switching Employs Statistical Multiplexing Essay

Why Is It Said That Packet Switching Employs Statistical Multiplexing - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that multiplexing refers to a resource that is shared among many users and they are of two types;Â   The Time Division multiplexing where periodically only one user gains full capacity control at a time (TDM) and the Frequency Division Multiplex (FDM) where all users get exclusive control of the link capacity. Packet switched networks entails small units of packets being routed through a network. It is footed on the target address enclosed in each packet allowing the same trail to be shared among many consumers in the network. Thus, in this type of network, packets do not follow any pre-defined pattern as it is transmitted from different sources. From the above information, it is true that Packet switching uses statistical multiplex where data packets are transmitted to many users by a single source link. Statistical multiplexer utilizes statistical knowledge of the system and the users hence assuring the quality of service rendered. Â  T herefore, multiplexing is the process of transmitting different data packets simultaneously by combining the signals into a single signal that ably moves through a bandwidth. Later when the signal arrives at its destination it re-assimilates into its normal form and the user receives it. The accurate pattern of the multiplexing course relies heavily on the nature of transmission For example when transmitting analog the signals are multiplexed using the frequency based multiplexing where the bandwidth is alienated into subchannels, thus allowing them to flow in an analogous manner.... Its design is founded on Rate and Distortion(R-D) (Watkinson, 2008, p. 52)information hauled out from consecutive planned frames. The model considers inter-frame dependencies unambiguous to the implication of encoding limitations of a specific frame over the consecutive one. Describe how a botnet can be created and how it can be used for a DDoS attack Botnet is also known as Zombie army. They consist of large numbers of infected computers mainly by the Trojan that habitually opens the Internet Ray Chat (IRC). It simply refers to (Sun, 2007, p. 65) an organized robotic army of zombies that are used for creating a denial of service attacks (DDoS), as well as permitting spam actions in the inbox and dispersing viruses (Schiller, 2007, p. 30). Zombies are linked to the internet and thus they are used to execute wicked tasks under distant directions. Botnets has four components namely 1) Diagnosing the computer with wicked codes. 2) Connection to the command and control channel assembled by the attacker.3) Downloads secondary payload on command of the attacker and 4) Performing a wicked activity When creating a botnet one needs an access to several computers, high speed internet contact, a configuring window networking a server virtualization, installed version of c + + + 6.0 as well as a Servicer pack 6 for visual c + + + and PSDK- x86 and lastly the xBot code. Basically, botnets are created through a worm program that is normally transmitted through a spam, spyware and other adware campaigns that leaves some files behind (Watkinson, 2008, p. 76). After installing the visual C+++ 6.0, the service pack 6 and the PSDK –x86 one goes ahead to compile and configure xBot. This is done by clicking on file open workspace of the visual c+ + + 6.0 and loading the

Evolving ideas of freedom by different historical time frames Essay

Evolving ideas of freedom by different historical time frames - Essay Example From freedom as a complex combination of individual freedoms and rights to freedom as the full abolition of slavery, ideas of freedom in America gradually evolved to become the main guiding principle in the development of democracies in all parts of the world. The beginnings of democracy in America were marked with a hot debate between Federalists and anti-Federalists on what it really meant to be free. The time of Washington and Monroe, that was also the time when the idea of freedom was still in its infancy, but the concept of individual freedoms and rights was slowly turning into the central ingredient of future democracy. Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution had to give Americans full protection of their individual rights, including the right to speak freely, the right to enjoy the benefits of free religious choice, and the right to be protected against unreasonable searches. In the meantime, nothing was done to battle the issue of slavery: apparently, then political lea ders were confident that freedom and slavery could continue walking hand in hand.

Reflection for professional development

Reflection for professional development Reflective practice has been recognised by health care professionals as an essential tool to link theory to practice, which can help us learn from our experiences (Jasper 2003a). During my first placement I experienced an incident that a struggled to deal with because I did not understand the condition that the patient had. By using a reflective model I am going to revisit this incident with the intention of learning from it to improve my future practice. There are many reflective models that I could have used, such as Johns Model of Structured Reflection, but the reason that I decided not to was because Johns (2004) reflects on uncovering the knowledge behind the incident and the actions of others present, which I felt was not suited to my chosen incident. The reflective model that I have chosen to use is Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988), as I feel that this is a simple model, which is well structured and easy to use at this early stage in my course. Gibbs (1988) will help me to explor e the experience further, using a staged framework as guidance. Description what happened? I was assisting an elderly patient that had Parkinsons disease, with her drink. It was my second shift and I had not had much contact with the patients on the ward, but I felt confident enough to assist this patient as I have previous experience of care. I was holding the cup for the patient whilst she was sucking the fluid through a straw, but she was struggling as she wasnt sucking hard enough. She became distressed, and said that I was stopping the fluid from coming out of the straw and being evil towards her; even trying to kill her! I was shocked by her accusations but thought that there must be a logical explanation, so I stayed with her, reassuring and assisting the best I could, as I didnt want her to see that I was distressed. I then left the ward and immediately went to seek advice from my mentor. Feeling what were you thinking and feeling? Initially, at the time my feelings were for the patient, as I was concerned that my actions had caused her to feel threatened, but I didnt understand why. I felt embarrassed by her comments, and doubted myself, as this was a simple task so how could I get it wrong? I began to feel tearful, but then quickly reminded myself that there must be a reasonable explanation. Evaluation what was good and bad about the experience? I felt happy and confident to assist the patient. I referred to the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) code in my head and recalled that I should gain consent before offering to assist them NMC (2008), which she agreed. The patient appeared quite and I thought it would be nice for her to have some interaction, and to also feel at ease with a student nurse caring for them. The downside was that the patient felt that I was being nasty to them. It also made me doubt myself and the care that I was providing. I was also in a bay area, so other patients would have heard their comments. Would they then look at me differently, and not trust me to care for them too? Analysis what sense can you make of the situation? The patient had no recollection of what she had said to me and since the incident she has made these comments to other staff, which has put me at ease and made me realise that I had done nothing wrong. My mentor explained that a patient with Parkinsons can often behave like this as they develop dementia, which Noble (2007) also confirms. Since the incident I have read about Parkinsons and am now aware that the patients expressionless face Netdoctor (2008), also made her comments appear more confusing and aggressive. Conclusion what else could you have done? I could have asked my mentor before assisting the patient what the disease was like, so that I was prepared. I did ponder about calling over another member of staff, which may have helped me to understand that the patient had a condition that was making her act this way, but I didnt want to appear incapable of doing my job. Action Plan what would you do if this situation arose again? I am now more prepared for any future patients with this disease as I have researched it. I will take the time to talk to them, to make sure they are at ease with me, before providing any care. If they appear distressed I would get another member of staff to help me to reassure them. From my reflection it is clear to me that learning through reflective practice and being able to identify, and understand, my skills and abilities in both theory and practice are crucial for me to be able to act as a professional practitioner (Jasper 2003b). It is also important that I look at, and be honest about, the strengths and weaknesses that I have. So that I am able to identify these I have produced two Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, one for theory (Appendix A), and one for practice (Appendix B). I am now going to explore these further, identifying the main areas that I feel are important to me, and my future development. My SWOT analysis for theory identifies my strengths, as a whole, as being very organised with my preparation for the work I have to undertake, with strong determination and motivation to succeed. (Appendix C) is a reflection that I wrote after completing my 1st week in university and demonstrates these qualities towards the course. It was important for me to realise that enrolling on a professional university course would mean that I became an independent learner, who must have strong organisational skills in order to succeed (Burns Sinfield 2008a). I believe that from my preparation this is a very strong strength that I have developed. The weaknesses that I have identified in my SWOT analysis for theory, that I feel will affect my grades in the future if they are not improved are referencing, revision technique and exceeding the word limit on assignments. I feel that these are weaknesses because they are new to me and as a mature student I have been outside of academic study for some time. (Appendix D) for example, is my feedback from my 1st assignment and shows how I have been penalised one grade point for exceeding the word limit. I will need to look at these weaknesses more closely and plan to improve them overtime, as Burns Sinfield (2008b) have commented, it takes time and practice to be a good student; we are not just born that way. My SWOT analysis for practice shows my strengths as wanting to help people, being determined to succeed, my willingness to learn and valuing people. These are all good qualities of a being a successful and professional nurse (NMC 2008). I have always had a caring nature and I am very determined to succeed and be successful in what I choose to do. (Appendix E) is a reflective journal that I wrote after my second week in placement and clearly highlights my strengths in practice. I feel that during my time as a student nurse I will build on these strengths even more. I have identified my weaknesses in practice, from my SWOT analysis, as communicating with difficult patients, showing emotion and aseptic technique. (Appendix F) demonstrates how I found it difficult to communicate with a patient because I did not understand her condition. It was also difficult for me not to take her behaviour to heart and show emotion at the time, it is clear that this is an area I need to build on for the future. I also need to practice my aseptic technique as I feel very unsure of the whole process, but need to be able to get it right as it will protect me and the patient from contamination (Dougherty Lister 2008). According to Bulman Schutz (2008), nursing requires effective preparation so that we can care competently, with knowledge and professional skills being developed over a professional lifetime. One way this can be achieved is through what Schon (1987) refers to as technical rationality, where professionals are problem solvers that select technical means best suited to particular purposes. Problems are solved by applying theory and technique. However, Bulman Schutz (2008) argue that this is failure to educate and for us to learn from practice and develop thinking skills. I would agree with them, as I learn best from practical experience, and build on it to improve my skills. With this is mind, I am now going to focus on my weaknesses, in both theory and practice, and state how, when and why I plan to improve on these. Theory Weaknesses Weakness Identified Referencing This is very new to me and when writing my 1st assignment I found that it took up much of my time, as I struggled with it. Revision Technique According to Cottrell (2008a), reading through notes over and over is a pitfall with revision. This is the strategy that I would normally use. Exceeding the word limit on assignments I must take more care with this as on my 1st assignment I was penalised for it. How I Plan to Improve Referencing To practice writing out references from different sources. Revision Technique I have decided to use the advice of Cottrell (2008a) and produce index cards that ask me questions relevant to my chosen subject. I will also produce a timetable in order to manage my time. Exceeding the word limit on assignments I will count the words manually and make sure that I do not use the whole +10% again so that I am in danger of being penalised. When I Plan to Improve Referencing When I receive my feedback from my 1st assignment I will use the comments on my referencing to guide me. Revision Technique I will start preparing my index cards immediately and plan my timetable to start after submission of this assignment. Exceeding the word limit on assignments This is the next assignment that I will hand in so I will make sure that I adhere to the word limit. Why I Plan to Improve Referencing Referencing plays an essential part within my writing Gimenez (2007), so correct use and structure of references will improve my grades. Revision Technique Improving my revision technique will mean that I am more relaxed before an exam, and will help me to achieve better grades (Cottrell 2008a). Exceeding the word limit on assignments Adhering to the word limit as Cottrell (2008b) suggests, will improve my grades in future assignments. Practice Weaknesses Weakness Indentified Communicating with difficult patients On my 1st placement I experienced a patient that had communication difficulties which I found difficult to deal with. Showing emotion I am a very sensitive person and feel anxious that I will get upset in front of a difficult patient, or a patients family at an inappropriate time, e.g. patient death. Aseptic technique In practice I need to get this procedure right, but I do not feel 100% confident with it at present as I have not had much practice with it. How I Plan to Improve Communicating with difficult patients I will observe as much as possible my mentor, and other nurses communication skills. Showing emotion I will use reflective models to make sense of what has happened, and also discuss it with my mentor. Aseptic technique I have asked my mentor if I can practice this procedure as much as possible. When I Plan to Improve Communicating with difficult patients Each time I am on placement I will plan to improve my skills in communication. Showing emotion I will start to use reflective models in my practice now so that I have experience of using them ready for when an emotional situation happens. Aseptic technique During the rest of my time in my 1st placement I plan to practice this so that I am comfortable with it by the end of my 1st semester. Why I Plan to Improve Communicating with difficult patients As a student nurse, and in line with the NMC (2008), I should make the effort to meet patients communication needs to provide the best care that I can. Showing emotion I want to appear professional to patients and their family, however I do agree with Scott (2008), that sometimes we should not be afraid to show emotion as a nurse, as long as we maintain our professional image at the same time. Aseptic technique The correct use of aseptic technique will protect myself and the patient from healthcare associated infections (Hart 2007). It will also prevent infections from being spread around the rest of the ward, which could harm other patients. I have clearly demonstrated that by using a reflective model as a guide I have been able to break down, make sense of, and learn from my experience during my 1st placement. So that I could identify my strengths and weaknesses in both theory and practice easily, I found that the use of a SWOT analysis provided a good framework to follow. I have then built on this by producing a development plan that focuses on my weaknesses and how, when and why I plan to improve on them. I will now begin to work on these, the main reason being of course, that I am determined to be a competent, professional nurse in the future.

Types of Criticism and Literary Movements in Short Stories :: Free Essay Writer

Types of Criticism and Literary Movements in Short Stories The short story dates back as early as the 14th Century. It offers what a novel or the equivalent would offer but it has a swiftness and completeness about it. According to Ruby Redinger, the short story is most powerful through graphic narration (752). The short story has captured a diverse group of things from the supernatural to an everyday occurrence. Nearly any situation can be worked into a short story if the right writer is managing the idea. The first masters of the short story in the eyes of Redinger were Boccaccio, Decameron, and Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (752). These stories were both written during the 14th Century. During the Renaissance period the short story lost its edge and writers’ attempts to do what Boccaccio and Chaucer had done failed. In the 19th Century America was the first to declare the short story as a literary form. During this time the authors Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, and Nathaniel Hawthorn contributed to the survival of the short story . During this timeframe realism, romanticism, and impressionism were the more common literary movements. The short story can also use many other forms and types of criticism to describe it. A few different forms are surrealism, Dadaism, Imagism, Romanticism, and many others. The satire is both a type of literature and a literary manner. It has an early history in poetry as a genre. C. Hugh Holman states that it originated in the 2nd Century B.C. by Roman satirist Lucilius and later practiced by Horace, Persius, Juvenal, and Quintilian (294). A satire is more frequently a literary manner in which the imperfections of a person, entire mankind, or an institution are ridiculed with the intention of correcting them. Satire is also applied to magic songs and ritualistic incentives in Greek, Old Irish, and Arabic literatures, where the ritual curse was believed to have powerful effects. The satire is often confused with the satyr play of Greek drama and coarse comic manner. This has influenced and confused the ideas about a satire in English literature. Although the satire is often comic, its primary object is not to provoke general laughter but to provoke laughter for corrective purposes. The satire always has a target, which is held up to mock upon the satiri st’s unveiling. The satirist’s viewpoint is nearly that of the cold-eyed realist, that penetrates shame and pretense for a didactic reason.

The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 7 REPETITION

I WASN'T SURE WHAT THE HELL I WAS DOING HERE Was I trying to push myself back into the zombie stupor? Had I turned masochisticdeveloped a taste for torture? I should have gone straight down to La Push I felt much, much healthier around Jacob This was not a healthy thing to do. But I continued to drive slowly down the overgrown lane, twisting through the trees that arched over me like a green, living tunnel My hands were shaking, so I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. I knew that part of the reason I did this was the nightmare, now that I was really awake, the nothingness of the dream gnawed on my nerves, a dog worrying a bone. There was something to search for. Unattainable and impossible, uncaring and distracted but he was out there, somewhere. I had to believe that. The other part was the strange sense of repetition I'd felt at school today, the coincidence of the date. The feeling that I was starting overperhaps the way my first day would have gone if I'd really been the most unusual person in the cafeteria that afternoon. The words ran through my head, tonelessly, like I was reading them rather than hearing them spoken: It will be as if I'd never existed. I was lying to myself by splitting my reason for coming here into just two parts. I didn't want to admit the strongest motivation. Because it was mentally unsound. The truth was that I wanted to hear his voice again, like I had in the strange delusion Friday night. For that brief moment, when his voice came from some other part of me than my conscious memory, when his voice was perfect and honey smooth rather than the pale echo my memories usually produced, I was able to remember without pain. It hadn't lasted; the pain had caught up with me, as I was sure it would for this fool's errand. But those precious moments when I could hear him again were an irresistible lure. I had to find some way to repeat the experience or maybe the better word was episode. I was hoping that dj vu was the key. So I was going to his home, a place I hadn't been since my ill-fated birthday party, so many months ago. The thick, almost jungle-like growth crawled slowly past my windows. The drive wound on and on. I started to go faster, getting edgy. How long had I been driving? Shouldn't I have reached the house yet? The lane was so overgrown that it did not look familiar. What if I couldn't find it? I shivered. What if there was no tangible proof at all? Then there was the break in the trees that I was looking for, only it was not so pronounced as before. The flora here did not wait long to reclaim any land that was left unguarded. The tall ferns had infiltrated the meadow around the house, crowding against the trunks of the cedars, even the wide porch. It was like the lawn had been floodedwaist-highwith green, feathery waves. And the house was there, but it was not the same. Though nothing had changed on the outside, the emptiness screamed from the blank windows. It was creepy. For the first time since I'd seen the beautiful house, it looked like a fitting haunt for vampires. I hit the brakes, looking away. I was afraid to go farther. But nothing happened. No voice in my head. So I left the engine running and jumped out into the fern sea. Maybe, like Friday night, if I walked forward I approached the barren, vacant face slowly, my truck rumbling out a comforting roar behind me. I stopped when I got to the porch stairs, because there was nothing here. No lingering sense of their presence of his presence. The house was solidly here, but it meant little. Its concrete reality would not counteract the nothingness of the nightmares. I didn't go any closer. I didn't want to look in the windows. I wasn't sure which would be harder to see. If the rooms were bare, echoing empty from floor to ceiling, that would certainly hurt. Like my grandmother's funeral, when my mother had insisted that I stay outside during the viewing. She had said that I didn't need to see Gran that way, to remember her that way, rather than alive. But wouldn't it be worse if there were no change? If the couches sat just as I'd last seen them, the paintings on the wallsworse still, the piano on its low platform? It would be second only to the house disappearing all together, to see that there was no physical possession that tied them in anyway. That everything remained, untouched and forgotten, behind them. Just like me. I turned my back on the gaping emptiness and hurried to my truck. I nearly ran. I was anxious to be gone, to get back to the human world. I felt hideously empty, and I wanted to see Jacob. Maybe I was developing a new kind of sickness, another addiction, like the numbness before. I didn't care. I pushed my truck as fast as it would go as I barreled toward my fix. Jacob was waiting for me. My chest seemed to relax as soon as I saw him, making it easier to breathe. â€Å"Hey, Bella,† he called. I smiled in relief. â€Å"Hey, Jacob,† I waved at Billy, who was looking out the window. â€Å"Let's get to work,† Jacob said in a low but eager voice. I was somehow able to laugh. â€Å"You seriously aren't sick of me yet?† I wondered. He must be starting to ask himself how desperate I was for company. Jacob led the way around the house to his garage. â€Å"Nope. Not yet.† â€Å"Please let me know when I start getting on your nerves. I don't want to be a pain.† â€Å"Okay.† He laughed, a throaty sound. â€Å"I wouldn't hold your breath for that, though.† When I walked into the garage, I was shocked to see the red bike standing up, looking like a motorcycle rather than a pile of jagged metal. â€Å"Jake, you're amazing,† I breathed. He laughed again. â€Å"I get obsessive when I have a project.† He shrugged. â€Å"If I had any brains I'd drag it out a little bit.† â€Å"Why?† He looked down, pausing for so long that I wondered if he hadn't heard my question. Finally, he asked me, â€Å"Bella, if I told you that I couldn't fix these bikes, what would you say?† I didn't answer right away, either, and he glanced up to check my expression. â€Å"I would say that's too bad, but I'll bet we could figure out something else to do. If we got really desperate, we could even do homework.† Jacob smiled, and his shoulders relaxed. He sat down next to the bike and picked up a wrench. â€Å"So you think you'll still come over when I'm done, then?† â€Å"Is that what you meant?† I shook my head. â€Å"I guess I am taking advantage of your very underpriced mechanical skills. But as long as you let me come over, I'll be here.† â€Å"Hoping to see Quil again?† he teased. â€Å"You caught me.† He chuckled. â€Å"You really like spending time with me?† he asked, marveling. â€Å"Very, very much. And I'll prove it. I have to work tomorrow, but Wednesday we'll do something nonmechanical.† â€Å"Like what?† â€Å"I have no idea. We can go to my place so you won't be tempted to be obsessive. You could bring your schoolworkyou have to be getting behind, because I know I am.† â€Å"Homework might be a good idea.† He made a face, and I wondered how much he was leaving undone to be with me. â€Å"Yes,† I agreed. â€Å"We'll have to start being responsible occasionally, or Billy and Charlie aren't going to be so easygoing about this.† I made a gesture indicating the two of us as a single entity. He liked thathe beamed. â€Å"Homework once a week?† he proposed. â€Å"Maybe we'd better go with twice,† I suggested, thinking of the pile I'd just been assigned today. He sighed a heavy sigh. Then he reached over his toolbox to a paper grocery sack. He pulled out two cans of soda, cracking one open and handing it to me. He opened the second, and held it up ceremoniously. â€Å"Here's to responsibility,† he toasted. â€Å"Twice a week.† â€Å"And recklessness every day in between,† I emphasized. He grinned and touched his can to mine. I got home later than I'd planned and found Charlie had ordered a pizza rather than wait for me. He wouldn't let me apologize. â€Å"I don't mind,† he assured me. â€Å"You deserve a break from all the cooking, anyway.† I knew he was just relieved that I was still acting like a normal person, and he was not about to rock the boat. I checked my e-mail before I started on my homework, and there was a long one from Renee. She gushed over every detail I'd provided her with, so I sent back another exhaustive description of my day. Everything but the motorcycles. Even happy-go-lucky Renee was likely to be alarmed by that. School Tuesday had its ups and downs. Angela and Mike seemed ready to welcome me back with open armsto kindly overlook my few months of aberrant behavior. Jess was more resistant. I wondered if she needed a formal written apology for the Port Angeles incident. Mike was animated and chatty at work. It was like he'd stored up the semester's worth of talk, and it was all spilling out now. I found that I was able to smile and laugh with him, though it wasn't as effortless as it was with Jacob. It seemed harmless enough, until quitting time. Mike put the closed sign in the window while I folded my vest and shoved it under the counter. â€Å"This was fun tonight,† Mike said happily. â€Å"Yeah,† I agreed, though I'd much rather have spent the afternoon in the garage. â€Å"It's too bad that you had to leave the movie early last week.† I was a little confused by his train of thought. I shrugged. â€Å"I'm just a wimp, I guess.† â€Å"What I mean is, you should go to a better movie, something you'd enjoy,† he explained. â€Å"Oh,† I muttered, still confused. â€Å"Like maybe this Friday. With me. We could go see something that isn't scary at all.† I bit my lip. I didn't want to screw things up with Mike, not when he was one of the only people ready to forgive me for being crazy. But this, again, felt far too familiar. Like the last year had never happened. I wished I had Jess as an excuse this time. â€Å"Like a date?† I asked. Honesty was probably the best policy at this point. Get it over with. He processed the tone of my voice â€Å"If you want. But it doesn't have to be like that.† â€Å"I don't date,† I said slowly, realizing how true that was. That whole world seemed impossibly distant. â€Å"Just as friends?† he suggested. His clear blue eyes were not as eager now. I hoped he really meant that we could be friends anyway. â€Å"That would be fun. But I actually have plans already this Friday, so maybe next week?† â€Å"What are you doing?† he asked, less casually than I think he wanted to sound. â€Å"Homework. I have a study session planned with a friend.† â€Å"Oh. Okay. Maybe next week.† He walked me to my car, less exuberant than before. It reminded me so clearly of my first months in Forks. I'd come full circle, and now everything felt like an echoan empty echo, devoid of the interest it used to have. The next night, Charlie didn't seem the smallest bit surprised to find Jacob and me sprawled across the living room floor with our books scattered around us, so I guessed that he and Billy were talking behind our backs. â€Å"Hey, kids,† he said, his eyes straying to the kitchen. The smell of the lasagna I'd spent the afternoon makingwhile Jacob watched and occasionally sampledwafted down the hall; I was being good, trying to atone for all the pizza. Jacob stayed for dinner, and took a plate home for Billy. He grudgingly added another year to my negotiable age for being a good cook. Friday was the garage, and Saturday, after my shift at Newton's, was homework again. Charlie felt secure enough in my sanity to spend the day fishing with Harry. When he got back, we were all donefeeling very sensible and mature about it, tooand watching Monster Garage on the Discovery Channel. â€Å"I probably ought to go.† Jacob sighed. â€Å"It's later than I thought.† â€Å"Okay, fine,† I grumbled. â€Å"I'll take you home.† He laughed at my unwilling expressionit seemed to please him. â€Å"Tomorrow, back to work,† I said as soon as we were safe in the truck. â€Å"What time do you want me to come up?† There was an unexplained excitement in his answering smile. â€Å"I'll call you first, okay?† â€Å"Sure.† I frowned to myself, wondering what was up. His smile widened. I cleaned the house the next morningwaiting for Jacob to call and trying to shake off the Litest nightmare. The scenery had changed. Last night I'd wandered in a wide sea of ferns interspersed with huge hemlock trees. There was nothing else there, and I was lost, wandering aimless and alone, searching for nothing. I wanted to kick myself for the stupid field trip last week. I shoved the dream out of my conscious mind, hoping it would stay locked up somewhere and not escape again. Charlie was outside washing the cruiser, so when the phone rang, I dropped the toilet brush and ran downstairs to answer it. â€Å"Hello?† I asked breathlessly. â€Å"Bella,† Jacob said, a strange, formal tone to his voice. â€Å"Hey, Jake.† â€Å"I believe that we have a date† he said, his tone thick with implications. It took me a second before I got it. â€Å"They're done? I can't believe it!† What perfect timing. I needed something to distract me from nightmares and nothingness. â€Å"Yeah, they run and everything.† â€Å"Jacob, you are absolutely, without a doubt, the most talented and wonderful person I know. You get ten years for this one.† â€Å"Cool! I'm middle-aged now.† I laughed. â€Å"I'm on my way up!† I threw the cleaning supplies under the bathroom counter and grabbed my jacket. â€Å"Headed to see Jake,† Charlie said when I ran past him. It wasn't really a question. â€Å"Yep,† I replied as I jumped in my truck. â€Å"I'll be at the station later,† Charlie called after me. â€Å"Okay,† I yelled back, turning the key. Charlie said something else, but I couldn't hear him clearly over the roar of the engine. It sounded sort of like, â€Å"Where's the fire?† I parked my truck off to the side of the Blacks' house, close to the trees, to make it easier for us to sneak the bikes out. When I got out, a splash of color caught my eyetwo shiny motorcycles, one red, one black, were hidden under a spruce, invisible from the house. Jacob was prepared. There was a piece of blue ribbon tied in a small bow around each of the handlebars. I was laughing at that when Jacob ran out of the house. â€Å"Ready?† he asked in a low voice, his eyes sparkling. I glanced over his shoulder, and there was no sign of Billy. â€Å"Yeah,† I said, but I didn't feel quite as excited as before; I was trying to imagine myself actually on the motorcycle. Jacob loaded the bikes into the bed of the truck with ease, laying them carefully on their sides so they didn't show. â€Å"Let's go,† he said, his voice higher than usual with excitement. â€Å"I know the perfect spotno one will catch us there.† We drove south out of town. The dirt road wove in and out of the forestsometimes there was nothing but trees, and then there would suddenly be a breathtaking glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, reaching to the horizon, dark gray under the clouds. We were above the shore, on top of the cliffs that bordered the beach here and the view seemed to stretch on forever. I was driving slowly, so that I could safely stare out across the ocean now and then, as the road wound closer to the sea cliffs. Jacob was talking about finishing the bikes, but his descriptions were getting technical, so I wasn't paying close attention. That was when I noticed four figures standing on a rocky ledge, much too close to the precipice. I couldn't tell from the distance how old they were, but I assumed they were men. Despite the chill in the air today, they seemed to be wearing only shorts. As I watched, the tallest person stepped closer to the brink. I slowed automatically, my foot hesitating over the brake pedal. And then he threw himself off the edge. â€Å"No!† I shouted, stomping down on the brake. â€Å"What's wrong?† Jacob shouted back, alarmed. â€Å"That guyhe just jumped off the cliff! Why didn't they stop him? We've got to call an ambulance!† I threw open my door and started to get out, which made no sense at all. The fastest way to a phone was to drive back to Billy's. But I couldn't believe what I'd just seen. Maybe, subconsciously, I hoped I would see something different without the glass of the windshield in the way. Jacob laughed, and I spun to stare at him wildly. How could he be so calloused, so cold-blooded? â€Å"They're just cliff diving, Bella. Recreation. La Push doesn't have a mall, you know.† He was teasing, but there was a strange note of irritation in his voice. â€Å"Cliff diving?† I repeated, dazed. I stared in disbelief as a second figure stepped to the edge, paused, and then very gracefully leaped into space. He fell for what seemed like an eternity to me, finally cutting smoothly into the dark gray waves below. â€Å"Wow. It's so high.† I slid back into my seat, still staring wide-eyed at the two remaining divers. â€Å"It must be a hundred feet.† â€Å"Well, yeah, most of us jump from lower down, that rock that juts out from the cliff about halfway.† He pointed out his window. The place he indicated did seem much more reasonable. â€Å"Those guys are insane. Probably showing off how tough they are. I mean, really, it's freezing today. That water can't feel good.† He made a disgruntled face, as if the stunt personally offended him. It surprised me a little. I would have thought Jacob was nearly impossible to upset. â€Å"You jump off the cliff?† I hadn't missed the â€Å"us.† â€Å"Sure, sure.† He shrugged and grinned. â€Å"It's fun. A little scary, kind of a rush.† I looked back at the cliffs, where the third figure was pacing the edge. I'd never witnessed anything so reckless in all my life. My eyes widened, and I smiled. â€Å"Jake, you have to take me cliff diving.† He frowned back at me, his face disapproving. â€Å"Bella, you just wanted to call an ambulance for Sam,† he reminded me. I was surprised that he could tell who it was from this distance. â€Å"I want to try,† I insisted, start ing to get out of the car again. Jacob grabbed my wrist. â€Å"Not today, all right? Can we at least wait for a warmer day?† â€Å"Okay, fine,† I agreed. With the door open, the glacial breeze was raising goose bumps on my arm. â€Å"But I want to go soon.† â€Å"Soon.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"Sometimes you're a little strange, Bella. Do you know that?† I sighed. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And we're not jumping off the top.† I watched, fascinated, as the third boy made a running start and flung himself farther into the empty air than the other two. He twisted and cartwheeled through space as he fell, like he was skydiving. He looked absolutely freeunthinking and utterly irresponsible. â€Å"Fine,† I agreed. â€Å"Not the first time, anyway.† Now Jacob sighed. â€Å"Are we going to try out the bikes or not?† he demanded. â€Å"Okay, okay,† I said, tearing my eyes away from the last person waiting on the cliff. I put my seat belt back on and closed the door. The engine was still running, roaring as it idled. We started down the road again. â€Å"So who were those guysthe crazy ones?† I wondered. He made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. â€Å"The La Push gang.† â€Å"You have a gang?† I asked. I realized that I sounded impressed. He laughed once at my reaction. â€Å"Not like that. I swear, they're like hall monitors gone bad. They don't start fights, they keep the peace.† He snorted. â€Å"There was this guy from up somewhere by the Makah rez, big guy too, scary-looking. Well, word got around that he was selling meth to kids, and Sam Uley and his disciples ran him off our land. They're all about our land, and tribe pride it's getting ridiculous. The worst part is that the council takes them seriously. Embry said that the council actually meets with Sam.† He shook his head, face full of resentment. â€Å"Embry also heard from Leah Clearwater that they call themselves ‘protectors' or something like that.† Jacob's hands were clenched into fists, as if he'd like to hit something. I'd never seen this side of him. I was surprised to hear Sam Uley's name. I didn't want it to bring back the images from my nightmare, so I made a quick observation to distract myself. â€Å"You don't like them very much.† â€Å"Does it show?† he asked sarcastically. â€Å"Well It doesn't sound like they're doing anything bad.† I tried to soothe him, to make him cheerful again. â€Å"Just sort of annoyingly goody-two-shoes for a gang.† â€Å"Yeah. Annoying is a good word. They're always showing offlike the cliff thing. They act like like, I don't know. Like tough guys. I was hanging out at the store with Embry and Quil once, last semester, and Sam came by with his followers, Jared and Paul. Quil said something, you know how he's got a big mouth, and it pissed Paul off. His eyes got all dark, and he sort of smiledno, he showed his teeth but he didn't smileand it was like he was so mad he was shaking or something. But Sam put his hand against Paul's chest and shook his head. Paul looked at him for a minute and calmed down. Honestly, it was like Sam was holding him backlike Paul was going to tear us up if Sam didn't stop him.† He groaned. â€Å"Like a bad western. You know, Sam's a pretty big guy, he's twenty. But Paul's just sixteen, too, shorter than me and not as beefy as Quil. I think any one of us could take him.† â€Å"Tough guys,† I agreed. I could see it in my head as he described it, and it reminded me of something a trio of tall, dark men standing very still and close together in my father's living room. The picture was sideways, because my head was lying against the couch while Dr. Gerandy and Charlie leaned over me Had that been Sam's gang? I spoke quickly again to divert myself from the bleak memories. â€Å"Isn't Sam a little too old for this kind of thing?† â€Å"Yeah. He was supposed to go to college, but he stayed. And no one gave him any crap about it, either. The whole council pitched a fit when my sister turned down a partial scholarship and got married. But, oh no, Sam Uley can do no wrong.† His face was set in unfamiliar lines of outrageoutrage and something else I didn't recognize at first. â€Å"It all sounds really annoying and strange. But I don't get why you're taking it so personally.† I peeked over at his face, hoping I hadn't offended him. He was suddenly calm, staring out the side window. â€Å"You just missed the turn,† he said in an even voice. I executed a very wide U-turn, nearly hitting a tree as my circle ran the truck halfway off the road. â€Å"Thanks for the heads-up,† I muttered as I started up the side road. â€Å"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.† It was quiet for a brief minute. â€Å"You can stop anywhere along here,† he said softly. I pulled over and cut the engine. My ears rang in the silence that followed. We both got out, and Jacob headed around to the back to get the bikes. I tried to read his expression. Something more was bothering him. I'd hit a nerve. He smiled halfheartedly as he pushed the red bike to my side. â€Å"Happy late birthday. Are you ready for this?† â€Å"I think so.† The bike suddenly looked intimidating, frightening, as I realized I would soon be astride it. â€Å"We'll take it slow,† he promised. I gingerly leaned the motorcycle against the truck's fender while he went to get his. â€Å"Jake†I hesitated as he came back around the truck. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"What's really bothering you? About the Sam thing, I mean? Is there something else?† I watched his face. He grimaced, but he didn't seem angry. He looked at the dirt and kicked his shoe against the front tire of his bike again and again, like he was keeping time. He sighed. â€Å"It's just the way they treat me. It creeps me out.† The words started to rush out now. â€Å"You know, the council is supposed to be made up of equals, but if there was a leader, it would be my dad. I've never been able to figure out why people treat him the way they do. Why his opinion counts the most. It's got something to do with his father and his father's father. My great-grandpa, Ephraim Black, was sort of the last chief we had, and they still listen to Billy, maybe because of that. â€Å"But I'm just like everyone else. Nobody treats me special until now.† That caught me off guard. â€Å"Sam treats you special?† â€Å"Yeah,† he agreed, looking up at me with troubled eyes. â€Å"He looks at me like he's waiting for something like I'm going to join his stupid gang someday. He pays more attention to me than any of the other guys. I hate it.† â€Å"You don't have to join anything.† My voice was angry. This was really upsetting Jacob, and that infuriated me. Who did these â€Å"protectors† think they were? â€Å"Yeah.† His foot kept up its rhythm against the tire. â€Å"What?† I could tell there was more. He frowned, his eyebrows pulling up in a way that looked sad and worried rather than angry. â€Å"It's Embry. He's been avoiding me lately.† The thoughts didn't seem connected, but I wondered if I was to blame for the problems with his friend. â€Å"You've been hanging out with me a lot,† I reminded him, feeling selfish. I'd been monopolizing him. â€Å"No, that's not it. It's not just meit's Quil, too, and everyone. Embry missed a week of school, but he was never home when we tried to see him. And when he came back, he looked he looked freaked out. Terrified. Quil and I both tried to get him to tell us what was wrong, but he wouldn't talk to either one of us.† I stared at Jacob, biting my lip anxiouslyhe was really frightened. But he didn't look at me. He watched his own foot kicking the rubber as if it belonged to someone else. The tempo increased. â€Å"Then this week, out of nowhere, Embry's hanging out with Sam and the rest of them. He was out on the cliffs today.† His voice was low and tense. He finally looked at me. â€Å"Bella, they bugged him even more than they bother me. He didn't want anything to do with them. And now Embry's following Sam around like he's joined a cult. â€Å"And that's the way it was with Paul. Just exactly the same. He wasn't friends with Sam at all. Then he stopped coming to school for a few weeks, and, when he came back, suddenly Sam owned him. I don't know what it means. I can't figure it out, and I feel like I have to, because Embry's my friend and Sam's looking at me funny . . and† He trailed off. â€Å"Have you talked to Billy about this?† I asked. His horror was spreading to me. I had chills running on the back of my neck. Now there was anger on his face. â€Å"Yes,† he snorted. â€Å"That was helpful.† â€Å"What did he say?† Jacob's expression was sarcastic, and when he spoke, his voice mocked the deep tones of his father's voice. â€Å"It's nothing you need to worry about now, Jacob. In a few years, if you don't well, I'll explain later.† And then his voice was his own. â€Å"What am I supposed to get from that? Is he trying to say it's some stupid puberty, coming-of-age thing? This is something else. Something wrong.† He was biting his lower lip and clenching his hands. He looked like he was about to cry. I threw my arms around him instinctively, wrapping them around his waist and pressing my face against his chest. He was so big, I felt like I was a child hugging a grown-up. â€Å"Oh, Jake, it'll be okay!† I promised. â€Å"If it gets worse you can come live with me and Charlie. Don't be scared, we'll think of something!† He was frozen for a second, and then his long arms wrapped hesitantly around me. â€Å"Thanks, Bella.† His voice was huskier than usual. We stood like that for a moment, and it didn't upset me; in fact, I felt comforted by the contact. This didn't feel anything like the last time someone had embraced me this way. This was friendship. And Jacob was very warm. It was strange for me, being this closeemotionally rather than physically, though the physical was strange for me, tooto another human being. It wasn't my usual style. I didn't normally relate to people so easily, on such a basic level. Not human beings. â€Å"If this is how you're going to react, I'll freak out more often.† Jacob's voice was light, normal again, and his laughter rumbled against my ear. His fingers touched my hair, soft and tentative. Well, it was friendship for me. I pulled away quickly, laughing with him, but determined to put things back in perspective at once. â€Å"It's hard to believe I'm two years older than you,† I said, emphasizing the word older. â€Å"You make me feel like a dwarf.† Standing this close to him, I really had to crane my neck to see his face. â€Å"You're forgetting I'm in my forties, of course.† â€Å"Oh, that's right.† He patted my head. â€Å"You're like a little doll,† he teased. â€Å"A porcelain doll.† I rolled my eyes, taking another step away. â€Å"Let's not start with the albino cracks.† â€Å"Seriously, Bella, are you sure you're not?† He stretched his russet arm out next to mine. The difference wasn't flattering. â€Å"I've never seen anyone paler than you well, except for† He broke off, and I looked away, trying to not understand what he had been about to say. â€Å"So are we going to ride or what?† â€Å"Let's do it,† I agreed, more enthusiastic than I would have been half a minute ago. His unfinished sentence reminded me of why I was here.

The Best Summer Plans for College-Bound High School Students