Human Resource Management in a business is extremely important Essay

Human Resource Management in a business is extremely important. Good Human Resource Management can help make a successful business as it can help keep the employees happy and satisfied. In the leisure and recreation industry high quality human resource management is vital as the service delivered by the organisations are on a â€Å"person to person† basis. S o the business is going to need the right people with the right skills and attitude, and also need the right managers to motivate and train staff to do well in their jobs. Human Resource Management basically means the organisation of people in a company, and can also be defined by the tasks, which managers undertake in the area, such as recruitment, training and communication with the workforce and dealing with any problems that may arise with the employees. The key qualities that the employees should have are that they should be well enough trained and confident enough to communicate with customers. Most large companies organise their staff into teams or separate departments, with a head or manager of section in charge. In large organisations the role of the manager is to be largely responsible for the deployment and development of employees, a duty that can represent a substantial challenge and needs its own type of training. The manager needs to be trained in appraising staff, motivating individuals or teams in applying employment legislation correctly. The roles of the Human Resource Manager in different sized organisations differ a lot. A manager in a large business would be a trained specialist and would know how to motivate his staff a lot more effectively, as he can concentrate solely on his employees. Where as a manager in a smaller business has the equal amount of responsibility, but this will be added to the responsibility for marketing strategies, financial decisions, stock control and many other jobs to do, perhaps for fewer staff but none the less a complex range of roles to perform. Here at ECC we have a very good Human Resource Management department that motivates the staff very well and is extremely organised, we aim to make sure that our employees are happy and that there is a friendly atmosphere evident for the customers to feel welcome. External and Internal Influences that affect Human Resource Planning Many large and medium sized businesses today have a personnel department. Its main role will be to manage the firm’s human resources. These are the employees or personnel in a business that help it to achieve its objectives. They might include production workers, office staff, members of the marketing team, accountants or cleaners. Human Resource Planning is the method by which a business forecasts how many and what type of employees it needs at present and in the future. It also involves matching up the right type of employees to the needs of the business. A business will work out its labour requirements, its demand, and make sure that an appropriate supply is demanded. There are many external and internal influences that can affect the success of the human resource management team and it’s planning for the short and long term. The difference between these influences from the point of view of Human Resource Planning (HRP) is that external is outside the immediate control of organisations, where as internal are more within control of organisations and can be more responsive to good HRP. The external factors can be simplified to the mnemonic PESTLE. These factors affect any leisure and recreation organisation. Each letter influences a business in different ways. Political Economic Social Technological Legal Environmental Political This is concerned with how political developments, regionally, nationally and internationally might affect a leisure and recreation businesses strategy and objectives. A change of government might affect a Leisure and Recreation provider such as our company ECC because they may introduce new policies or taxes that would mean our business may have to have to pay more direct tax and would consequently mean that our company would have less capital to spend on improving the business, or increasing employees wages. Political Instability could also occur in the United Kingdom. This could cause unrest within a country and could reduce the amount of people visiting your organisation. Here at ECC we may be affected, as there is a possibility of war with Iraq, which would mean people wouldn’t visit the UK or the USA as the countries could be destructed by a war. That means we wouldn’t have a business, as we would not get any customers visiting our restaurants so we would end up bust. Economic This incorporates: * Government Policy – Monetary Policy and Interest Rates * Economic Variables – Inflation and Unemployment Levels. The Monetary Policy is used to manage the level of demand in the economy with a particular emphasis on controlling the money supply. Monetary Policy can be used to: * Expand the economy by allowing more money to circulate and increase spending. * Control spending and restricts increases in money flowing around the economy which may lead to price rises. The government has used a variety of methods in the past to control the money supply. One is by changing the Interest Rates. Interest Rates is the rate of which businesses and people have to pay back money on loans and on there credit cards. The Monetary Policy meet to determine how much money they want circulating in the UK economy so that it can affect the money supply and inflation. An increase in Interest Rates can reduce the money supply. If interest rates increases, the rate of borrowing rises. That can affect leisure organisations such as ECC a great deal because if we want to expand and develop more restaurants in the UK then that would cost us more money to take out a loan, as the banks would charge us more interest. So then we may have to up our prices and pass on the increase of interest to our customers, which would then decrease the demand of our products, and may go to competitors such as McDonalds or Burger King. The level of inflation is when prices are rising (the rate of inflation) this also has an effect on consumer spending tending to slow down due to the high prices. Due to the loss of demand it has a knock on effect upon suppliers, who pass the increased fixed costs to companies such as ECC. That means that we would have to pay more for all our raw materials such as our food and cooking and cleaning goods and then that means increased prices. Our Human Resource Management department would be effected as that means we wouldn’t be able to increase the wages of the employees like they may want, as we cant afford the rise in inflation, which could lead to de- motivation in our staff and the possibility of employees leaving. Unemployment levels at a high level, generally means the UK population as a whole has less money to spend on leisure and recreation activities, and instead spend the money on essential goods. When employment levels are high the population feel confident and have more disposable income to spend on luxury goods or on leisure activities. That could influence our HRP in two ways. Either by having a lot of people spending a lot in our restaurant as they have more money, which means we could afford to give our employees pay rise. Which then would make our staff more motivated and then work more efficiently and produce a better service to customers. And the opposite effect being less demand from customers and then less profit, and we would have to reduce prices to increase demand. By doing that the staff would not get any more money and become more de- motivated. Social The factors include Consumer Trends, which are the trends of the UK population. If the economy is experiencing an upturn in demand that means a company such as ourselves that means we would have to employ more staff as the increase in demand needs more staff to cope with the queues and maintain our service standard of fast, quality food to our customers. So we would employ part time staff so they can be flexible and if the demand decreases then we could not use them or pay them as much. Our HRP may need to be modified if there is a sudden demographic change to our customer base. There is an increase in the â€Å"grey market† in the United Kingdom these are the over 50’s so that means we may employ more over 50 staff to appeal to the â€Å"grey market† as they generally have higher disposable incomes and more free time to come to our restaurant. So that could be something for our HRP to decide on, so we can provide a service to a wider market and then increase our profits. Technological We should improve our technology in ECC by maybe having to introduce online booking at our restaurants to keep up with the ongoing advances in technology and make our company have an advantage over our competitors. It would need high levels of investment, and increasing amounts of customers means ECC would have to employ more staff and also have to pay more on training the staff to be suitably equipped to deal with the new technology which would then mean having to pay out more for the wages of the employees. Legal Legal factors could include new health and safety legislation, such as tighter fire precautions, which would mean that our employees would have to go away to an external environment to be trained correctly to make sure ECC cant be sued due to staff not being trained in health and safety. Environmental Here at ECC we make sure there are no reasons why we as a company aren’t being environmentally friendly and then we aren’t subject to pressure groups demonstrating against the business, which then would lead to a loss of profit, as demand would decrease because of protestors against us. There are also internal factors that can affect businesses HRP. Structure and Ownership can lead to good and bad HRP. ECC being a large hierarchical organisation has many staff on many levels need a carefully researched human resource plan, which we have to avoid poor communication between restaurants. We make sure each manager of each restaurant across the world takes into account there employees opinions to make our company better as they are the experts in their job. That is all to increase the profits of the business and make it more efficient. The Size and Location can also affect a company and its HRP. We deliver one type of service, so all staff everywhere can be trained to the same standard across the organisation so we achieve the same results and provide the same great service. The location of the business can also be key, because if it is located in the countryside instead of the town centre where we locate our restaurants then we wouldn’t appeal to such a wide market and then not get as much profit, which would lead to less money being put towards our employees who are vital.

The Lego Case

1. What were LEGO’s main expectations and learnings from the relationship with the Flextronics? Expectations: a. Saving cost by outsourcing to low-cost countries: Prior to outsourcing, LEGO owned and operated production plants mainly in relatively high labor-cost countries, such as the United States, Switzerland and the South Korea. The main reason for this is that LEGO built plants close to its main markets to save transportation cost.But LEGO finally realized that the reduced labor cost in some labor-intensive countries outweighed the reduced transportation cost. Then they decided to outsource to Flextronics who has production capacity in low-cost regions; b. Subcontracting to Flextronics allowed LEGO to reach the economy of scale as well as reduce production complexity by combining its production with that of other Flextronics’ clients; c. Contracting production to Flextronics can help LEGO eliminate the risk of production price fluctuations. Learnings: a.LEGO learne d from Flextronics the importance of documentation and standardization of the production, which give LEGO Group transparency and often help LEGO manage the challenges of complexity and to identify the stronger and weaker parts and links of the production network. b. LEGO should consider more factors before they outsourcing. Things like Flextronics’ operation style, the cost and time of providing engineering support and training, and variable lead time incurred by global sourcing are really critical for making decisions. 2.What are the key challenges in maintaining a relationship like the one between LEGO and Flextronics. The key challenge in maintaining a relationship between buyer and supplier is how to reach an agreement that benefits both parties. Take LEGO and Flextronics for example, it’s a big problem for LEGO to solve the conflict between its need for flexible and Flextronics’ more stable and predictable operations. LEGO had wide range of products, includ ing many licensed products like Harry Potter and Star Wars, and each of its products consisted of different unique bricks.And it’s difficulty for LEGO to make a precise forecast with fluctuating demand. These two points made LEGO over-dependent on flexible production, which is totally against Flextronics’ operation style in which economies of scale is a key phrase. Since both LEGO and Flextronics require a profitable business model, it’s a great challenge to reach agreement that benefits both parties with difference emphasis. Also, LEGO has to consider how to communicate withFlextronics pertaining to making a clear plan for training and educating their staff so that they can be able to meet LEGO’s efficiency requirement quickly. 3. How can LEGO handle the supply chain complexity to improve knowledge sharing, flexibility and coordination? LEGO introduce a sophisticated planning system called sales and operations planning (SO&P) to its daily operation. SO&P can help LEGO monitor and coordinate different parts in supply chain and provide LEGO the visibility of its global operation, which usually involve numerous outsourcing partners.Besides, to maintain a good relationship with supplier over the long term, it’s reasonable to invest some resources to help the supplier achieve the level of performance required by LEGO. Through training and educating staff in Flextronics, LEGO can help Flextronics to build production capacity to meet the requirement of flexibility. Also, LEGO can put quality control personnel in factory to monitor production line and prevent quality variation. And frequent communication about production progress, updating issue and feedback is necessary for improving coordination and knowledge sharing.Building a sophisticated information system is of great help to improve supply chain flexibility and coordination, by conveying information seamlessly, it allows the supplier to get the visibility of sales and invento ry and adapt their own production to these information. This can eliminate the situation of overstock and out of stock. 4. What are the key considerations when outsourcing or offshoring production? Discuss them. To make a make versus buy decision, company should first consider the total cost of outsourcing.This cost should include not only the quotation from supplier but also the cost of monitoring the relationship, cost of providing training, education and engineering support to the supplier and cost of dealing with cultural and operational difference. Outsourcing globally is also subject to ethical and environmental violations. Buying company should conduct a comprehensive investigation of the supplier’s production and related issues like child labor, below-minimum wage and safety production. If the supplier violated any of these laws, it is usually the buying company that became the target of social media and NPOs.A company’s reputation can be greatly damaged due to the noncompliant supplier. If a buying company outsourcing its production, it may become over-dependent on supplier for production and finally lose the production ability, which may turn out to be a great disadvantage. Company should decide smartly which part of its business is appropriate for outsourcing. Besides, company should consider the variable lead time which is often impossible to control with outsourcing on global scale. Above all, it’s critical for buying company to make a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to decide in-house production or outsourcing. . Describ the competitive environment of the industry and how it relates to LEGO’s choices? A number of toy companies had built production plants in China, statistic show that 90 percent of the world’s toys are made in China. This means many of LEGO’s competitors have price advantages over LEGO and it’s hard for LEGO to survive in some developing countries, which have relatively low purc hasing power. That lead LEGO make the decision to outsource its production to Flextronics who have production line in low cost countries.Competitors in toy markets are also compete for decreasing lead time which is critical in the eyes of customers. Customers usually don’t like to wait for long to receive the order, especially during the time before holidays when toys are brought as gifts for their kids. Variation in lead time often annoyed customers and triggered in market share losing. Since it’s difficult to control the lead time concerning to LEGO’s complex products with Flextronics’ stable and standardized production and operation style, LEGO decided to source back its production task.

What Does it Take to Get into Fordham University?

Only 46% of Fordham University applicants are admitted. What does it take to get in? Founded in 1841 by the Catholic Diocese of New York, Fordham University is an acclaimed private research institution located in New York City. Fordham is a Jesuit, Catholic institution that is committed to both its founding religious values and the academic development of its student body. Additionally, the university and its students are fully engaged with its greater urban community—truly living up to the saying, New York is my campus. Fordham is my school.   With its rich history and dedication to excellence, Fordham is a top choice for many applicants around the world. However, with an acceptance rate of 46%, getting into Fordham is no guarantee. If you’re looking to contribute to Fordham’s vibrant community, keep reading for tips on how to craft a successful application. You can apply to Fordham University using The Common Application. For more information on The Common Application, check out our application guide, The Common App: Everything You Need to Know . Students may apply by November 1 for either Early Decision, Early Action or Priority Performance and by January 11 for Regular Decision.   There are specific commitment expectations associated with priority deadlines ; if you’re unsure about when you should apply, check out our post Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Restricted Early Action for more insight. When applying, be sure to submit the following: Transfer applicants have a different set of deadlines and requirements. For more information, visit Fordham’s Transfer Admission page. With an undergraduate admissions rate of 46%, Fordham is moderately selective. In the fall of 2018, 46,164 students applied and 21,216 were admitted. Of those, approximately 2,260 students actually enrolled. Although admissions statistics can be intimidating, keep in mind that the strength of your individual application factors heavily into your personal chance of acceptance. Beyond strong grades and test scores, a well-crafted application can make all of the difference.   Estimating your chance of getting into a college is not easy in today’s competitive environment. Thankfully, with our state-of-the-art software and data, we can analyze your academic and extracurricular profile and estimate your chances. Our profile analysis tool can also help you identify the improvement you need to make to enter your dream school. As a research institution shaped by the dynamism of New York City, Fordham values applicants who are passionate and committed to taking their learning beyond the classroom—a true embodiment of their motto Sapienta et Doctrina, or wisdom and learning. Academic History. Fordham University expects prospective students to have taken at least 16 academic credits in the following areas: Potential for Success. Although your test scores are just one aspect of your application, they are reviewed in conjunction with your grades to predict your future success at Fordham. The middle 50% of admitted students from the class of 2022 had SAT scores that ranged from 1310-1450 and ACT scores that ranged from 29-33. If you are interested in a particular area of study, keep in mind that there may be specific standardized test score â€Å"cutoffs†Ã¢â‚¬â€take a look at Fordham’s Test Scores page for more information. As demonstrated by their active Office of Multicultural Affairs , Fordham is truly dedicated to fostering a diverse community of leaders and learners. That being said, take the opportunity to let admissions know how your unique life experience and perspective will positively contribute to the greater Fordham community. Avoid wasting time by listing generic facts and figures about the university in essay. Remember, the essays are meant to provide admissions with a better understanding of who you are. A commitment to giving back has been integral to Fordham’s mission since its inception. Each year, Fordham students log over a million hours of community service. With this in mind, it is important to demonstrate to admissions that you are also dedicated to community engagement through your continued involvement in meaningful extracurriculars.    Participating in community service should never feel like checking off another box on list of college applications to-do’s. The key is to first find a cause you’re passionate about, and then get involved. A little over half of all applicants to Fordham University aren’t admitted, so don’t take a rejection to heart. If you are still set on becoming a Fordham Ram, you can always transfer in, but keep in mind that admissions are normally just as competitive the second time around. It can be difficult to find contentment in your backup choice after rejection, but there are many great-fit schools out there. One of the best ways to proceed is to maximize your experience at another university; if you still want to transfer after a year or two, you can then consider it. Getting into Fordham University is no easy feat, but you can definitely improve your chances by building a strong academic foundation and giving back to the community in an intentional way. If you would like more tailored advice on your admissions profile, our College Applications Program helps students navigate the applications process with insight from successful mentor at a top school. We help every step of the way, from creating a strong school list to preparing for interviews.  

Role of Nutrition Information is Influencing Consumer Choice Essay

Role of Nutrition Information is Influencing Consumer Choice - Essay Example ind out the level of awareness on the importance of labels on food products, and identify the factors that customers consider before purchasing a food product based on its label (Verduin, Agarwal and Waltman, 2005). Aim and Objectives The aim of the project is to understand the relationship of buying habits for food products as influenced by product labels. The objectives of the study include: To examine the behaviour of customers as they make purchases at a local supermarket To establish the level of customer awareness on the various requirements for food labelling To identify the relevant words that customers look for in labels when making choices on food products To determine the most significant details on food products to customers To identify if customers consider the health benefits of a food product or absence of health hazard before making a purchase To review literature on the effects of labels on customer choices when shopping for food products To discuss the reasons for t he choices that customers make after reading the labels on food products Literature Review Verduin, Agarwal and Waltman (2005: 2597) state that the consumer is the central player in the decisions that could help the nation reverse the obesity situation, and should be informed on the importance of keeping watch on the contents of foodstuffs that one consumes. In addition, the writers emphasise on the need for the food industry to be truthful in providing information to consumers, and adherence to other guidelines provided for ethical advertising. In addition, they assert that manufacturers should work in cooperation with the government (2610) and research institutions (2612); the government gives recommendations and enforces standards, while the research institutions ensure that the use of... This report stresses that this study is likely to encounter several limitations that may reduce its efficiency, and it has some shortcomings that may have a negative effect on the usability of the results for generalisation. First, the data collection approaches are expensive in terms of time and money, both of which may not be enough since the researcher may have other commitments. Second, the management of retail stores may not cooperate with the researcher, while customers may perceive the study as a waste of time or an infringement into their private lives. Third, the study makes many assumptions that may reduce the confidence level of the results; however, this can be countered by the use of secondary sources that allow the researcher to make exclusions and differentiations. One of the main assumptions is that a customer’s choice is informed by the contents of the label, and other factors, including price have little or no role to play. Finally, there is one ethical conce rn that the researcher has to deal with; observing customers and recording data without their knowledge may amount to doing research with people as subjects without their informed consent. Therefore, the researcher has to consult the ethics department of the institution before doing the study to clarify the matter. This essay makes a conclusion that the proposal is part of the process of preparing for a study, and every aspect of study must be cleared up to save on costs, identify potential obstacles and other unforeseen aspects of the study. The proposal must have the aims and objectives, and methodologies that will be used to answer the research question.

The life of Bobby Brown Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The life of Bobby Brown - Term Paper Example The life of Bobby Brown Born in February 5, 1969, the Bobby Brown had an objectionable lifestyle from the beginning. His birthplace was in Massachusetts, hardscrabble Orchard Park projects in the Roxbury, Boston area. His first name after birth was Robert Brown but later came to be known as Bobby Brown. Born to Herbert Brown, Bobby Brown was the second last among his seven siblings. Bobby Brown’s mother was Carol Brown, an elementary school teacher married to her husband, Herbert (a construction worker). Bobby Brown had undesirable experiences given the challenges of poverty during his early life, since his parents could hardly afford a high lifestyle status. This made Bobby Brown to adopt a thug life and turned to stealing with his colleagues of his age. His attempts to steal emanated from Bobby Brown’s desire to acquire what his parents could not provide him because of their low-income level. He desired to have attractive suits and nice pairs of shoes, which he stole from the store. Bobby Br own had a shot on his knees while stealing when he was ten years of age. The incidence occurred during violence breakout between Bobby Brown’s gang group and their rivals while they were attending a party. Bobby Brown also had a shoulder stabbing by knife from one of his acquaintances. The death of one of his friend, James Flint, after a stubbing, became a turning point of Bobby’s thug life. Flint died from the incidence during a party, an incidence that changed Bobby Brown’s life and made him quit his thug life and robbery. He gained determination, focused on his desires in life, and notably turned to hard work. He concentrated on making his lifetime dreams come true. Background From his tender age, Bobby Brown desired to be a musician. His role model was James Brown, whose performance thrilled Bobby Brown. In nurturing his dreams, Bobby Brown started singing in church and realized that he had a desirable voice for singing. Bobby Brown then formed a group with four comrades at the age of twelve, in which they began to sing. The group consisted of Ricky Bells and Ralph Tresvant. Present in the group, as well, were Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe. They named the group as New Edition and performed winning many titles in talent shows (Hallenbeck-Huber, 2010). Maurice Starr, a producer identified the group, New Edition and sponsored it. Starr offered the group a recording contract in 1983. The group produced their first album known as Candy Girl, which gained dominance and fame. Other albums that the group produced while with Bobby Brown included, â€Å"Cool It Now† and the famous â€Å"Mr. Telephone Man†. The fall out of Bobby Brown with his friends came in 1986 after the others could no longer tolerate his rude antics while on stage. He then released his solo album, King of Stage, the same year of the fallout. The album later shined, courtesy of the song, Girlfriend. His next release, the 1988’s Don’t Be Cruel, el evated him to high levels. Data collection methods Collection of data on the life of Bobby will mainly involve the use of reviewed articles about his biography. Sources that outline the various albums produced by Bobby in his music career from 1983 shall serve as credible sources for data collection. Data collection on the life of Bobby would be accessible through interviews attended. The interview of Bobby and Oprah Winfrey would offer an important source for data collecti

Morality and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Morality and Religion - Essay Example For example, offering animal and human sacrifices would comprise of such acts of appeasing the Gods. It these early days of religion, Gods were sought after as a matter of survival of the tribe or clan; and religious beliefs as they existed had little to do with morality. Irrespective of whether there was a cause-effect relationship between religious rituals and natural events, it is fair to say that primitive religious practices were done as a matter of survival and morality found no consideration. (Taliaferro, 2006) In wasnt until the rise of organized religion around two thousand years ago that the importance of morality to human lives got more attention. Seen from a theoretical viewpoint, all the major monotheistic religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism – seem to fall under the non-consequentialist framework. The primary tenets of these religions ordain followers to act, think and behave in certain ways, not on the basis of rationality and logic but for the sake of virtues inherent in them. The immutability of religious commandments have made them controversial throughout history. Given that there is never any unanimous agreement about the validity and applicability of a certain principle under all contexts, it then follows that the non-consequentialist basis of most religions make them inadequate in dealing with social, interpersonal and individual problems. A good example of this point is the raging debate going on about stem-cell research in the United States. While stat istics clearly show that scientific advancement in this area would generally benefit humankind, these projects have been thwarted or hampered by fundamentalist Christian believers who take the word of the bible rather too literally. The same contingency is vehemently opposing the practice of abortion, irrespective of the consequences to baby and mother in the future. In contemporary times, fervent atheist

The Usefulness of Motivation Theory for Managers Essay

The Usefulness of Motivation Theory for Managers - Essay Example According to the research findings, managers can use motivation theory to understand and address the training and development needs of an employee. For example, McGregor’s theory can guide managers to provide generic training or facilitate further studies for employees in order to make them feel valued and capable. This way, managers can retain talent or confidently delegate some duties to employees because they can handle them with ease. The knowledge of motivation theory enables managers to set specific achievable goals. Using Herzberg’s theory, for example, managers can establish good communication and allow employees to work with convenience in order to meet their department or unit’s goals. The lack of communication and convenience, which are examples of Herzberg’s hygiene factors, can cause employees to be de-motivated in working towards the set goals. Finally, managers with the knowledge of motivation theory acknowledge the importance of involving employees in the goal-setting process. For example, McClelland’s acquired needs theory will help managers to allow employees contribute to goal setting because this will help craft these goals in a way that appeals to the employees’ need for achievement. It is easy for employees to commit themselves to the goals that they consider achievable.  

Systematic approach to fire investigation Research Paper

Systematic approach to fire investigation - Research Paper Example Accordingly, fire is deemed as ‘a good servant, but a bad/brutal master.’ This is informed by the great importance it plays under various contexts such as cooking, heating and manufacturing amongst others. However as Decker and Ottley (2009) allude, in cases where fire becomes uncontrollable, the eventual result is unfortunately stress, injury and death of people, as well as the destruction of properties. This not only necessitates preventative measures, but also reconstructive procedures, in the unfortunate case scenarios where fire becomes destructive. Hence, fire investigation has a critical role in the society today because it contributes to fire control. A scientific field, fire investigation pertains to the investigative analysis of fire-related incidents and events, often referred to as ‘origin and cause (fire) investigation (Decker & Ottley, 2009). This is a procedure that is usually carried out after firefighters successfully extinguish a fire. As Chandler (2009) portrays, Investigations are launched with the aim of determining both the cause and origin of fire or explosions that cause death and destruction. Towards effectively conducting such investigations, there is need for utility of a systematic approach that is based on expert knowledge of the basics of fire science. Just like its counterpart in criminal investigations, fire investigation often involves a multi-disciplinary approach towards conclusively tackling cases under investigation. In contexts portrayed by law enforcement investigations, personnel required include the fire-scene investigator, as well as a laboratory analyst. While being vital in systematically analyzing the investigative crime/ fire scene, the former requires the crucial input of the analyst, towards further gaining answers as to the causal factors and origin of such fires. The analyst is critical in terms of aiding investigations through

The Role of the Leader in Evaluating Data to Improve Quality and Assignment

The Role of the Leader in Evaluating Data to Improve Quality and Safety Paper - Assignment Example Despite the increased attention within the healthcare industry to facilitate reimbursement to the best available intentions for managing patient falls, the rates continue to escalate, which puts the patients and their caregivers at risk. The facts as depicted in the core of this study indicate the alarming rates, which falls and other critical developments in the care facilities continue to influence the role of the nursing leaders. The facts as presented remain undeniably high compared to the rates of the manageable cases within this case as the report indicates. The telemetry unit in this case is observing an increasing rate of falls of patients. For instance, compared to the average age, which is at 72.4 years, this rate of falls is quite difficult to note the cause. Secondly, the majority of the cases of the patient falls as depicted in the case apply to the patients with diuretics. The patients depict aspects of confusion and disorientation, constituting 12% of the patients with such secondary diagnostics. This establishment is vital to the establishment of workable plan. Additionally, it is also observable that most of the cases of the patient falls occur during the early morning hours. The patient reports indicate that a significant majority of the patients experiencing falls occurs from 3:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Moreover, it is also notable that the minimum number of patient falls occurs in the afternoon hours. These observations indicate the need to evaluate the causative factors contributing to this trend in within the unit. From observing the developments in the fall rates, it is also notable that the average falls is on the rise for each of the days within the hours described. The nurses that recall the incidents when the patient fell indicate that the patient fall rates increase with increase in age. This observation means that the plan to address the cases of patient falls need to consider the vulnerability and co-morbidities

International Finance and Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

International Finance and Law - Assignment Example A close analysis of these two descriptions of the same product provides two different products. In the first document, it is evident that the traders are dealing with steel ingots, while in the second document; we cannot deduce which products the traders are dealing with. The only thing we are sure of, as a bank is that they are dealing with ingots. I would not honor the Letter of Credit, and as such, would not make any subsequent payments towards the document. This is because the document speaks of a product that is completely different from the one in the contract of sale. Consequently, the bank would be liable for honoring a Letter of Credit that has such form of discrepancies, and as such, would be liable to pay any amount of liability caused by the damages incurred from this contract. Furthermore, it would be difficult for the bank to trace the money paid out to SS, if at a future date the traders realized the discrepancies in the two contracts and demand to stop the contract, especially if at all he is a fraudulent person. Honoring the contract also gives him legal rights to decline liability to the contract, and he may choose not to send the products at all, or send a different product, ingots instead of 51 steel ingots to the buyer (Bamford, 2011) By refusing to honor this Letter of Credit, I would have to ask both parties to the contract to review the details of their contract. I would demand that they make changes to the contract and rectify the discrepancies before the bank can release any payment upon the order made. For instance, I would send a letter to MM advising him of the difference in description of the goods between the Contract of sale and the Letter of Credit. This means that the goods that the letter of credi demands payment upon are not the same ones discussed in the contract of sale. Therefore, he needs to clarify which goods he is paying for, and what is the acceptable market price of these goods. It might also

Implementing a plan for workforce diversity is in any organizations not easy Essay Example for Free

Implementing a plan for workforce diversity is in any organizations not easy Essay The fact that you are dealing with people of diverse backgrounds makes the implementation difficult. â€Å"Diversity in the work force represents an effort towards ensuring a high performing inclusive workforce† (http://www. ornl. gov). When trying to promote diversity in a population based public health has its problems to. â€Å"Population-based practice focuses on the entire range of factors that determine health rather than just personal health risks or disease†. (http://www. health. tate. mn. us). Things taken into consideration are social status, education, employment, and personal health. If I was in charge of developing a plan for implementing a population based health institution, I would first look at the population itself. I would collect data on the health of the population; analyze that data taking into consideration the risk factor. I would then try to identify the cause of the health issues of the people and find out what their needs are. I would consult with others with knowledge of this nature, such as the stakeholders. Then I would derive the best solution for serving the people. Doing this would present some problems. Working with a diverse population would be a problem if not handled properly. If the workers aren’t educated in dealing with people of diverse backgrounds then they will be unable to meet their needs. â€Å"One of the great challenges facing organizations is getting all employees, from the CEO to the hourly workers, to realize that to become the best, they have to embrace diversity† (http://www. nwlink. com). Therefore, I would mandate that all employees take a course in diversity.

One team around the world Essay Example for Free

One team around the world Essay It is a report for Tesco. It is meant for showing an adult audience of investors how many stores Tesco has around the world. It tells the reader how Tesco is expanding world-wide. This document uses a number of presentation features. It is very formal and factual. There are two different types of charts used, firstly a stacked bar chart to show improvements over a number of years stacked bar chart shows the different areas of the world that Tesco has stores at the same time. Secondly, pie charts show the current situation of different aspects such as the number of employees in the UK, Asia and Europe. The line spacing changes a number of times through out the document. In the introductory paragraph the lines are on at least double spacing, whereas on the table the line spacing is single. To produce this high quality document you would have to use a spread sheet program such as Microsoft Excel to produce the graphs, charts and tables. Also a desktop publisher for the smart layout may have been used. The makers of this document would have use large monitors so they could see the whole thing at once. A colour laser printer would have been used so to produce high quality colour print outs quickly. A mouse, keyboard and processor would have also been used. The document uses tables charts and graphs to show information easily. Design guides have been used to make it satisfying to the eye and easy to make sense of the information. To frame the text large margins have been used. For what it is trying to say, it is very good at it. To improve it I would suggest putting a logo on it some where to make it clearer that it is from Tesco. Gloucestershire Governor Newsletter The document is called The Gloucestershire Governor Newsletter. It is designed for school governors this means it will be angled towards the older generation. It is designed to inform them about current affairs involving members of the Gloucestershire education council. On the front page of the newsletter, the writers have used two quite big pictures of the people featured in the main article; this helps support the text in the article. Bullet points are used to make the information easier to read and take in. Big, bold headings have been used to make it clear what the articles are about. To produce a document like this newsletter, a desktop publishing program would probably have been used so the writer could lay the text, photos and headings out easily. The text would have been drafted in a word processing program. E-mail may have been used to gather the articalls. Also, a program such as Paint Shop Pro might have been used to resize the images. To get the images on to the computer, a digital camera or scanner would have been. As well as a mouse, keyboard and processor an A4 monitor may have been used to allow the document to be viewed a whole page at a time. At the top of the page, there is a large heading saying The Gloucestershire Governor; next to this is the County Councils education logo to tell the reader who produced it. Under this is a text box with the date and issue number in. Then there are two articles, the first of which has two quite big photos with a caption thanking The Citizen. Both articles have a few sentences in bold out lining the contents of the piece. At the bottom of the page, there is a box with a thick border telling the reader whats inside the issue. The document does what it sets out to quite well. The document is easy to read and is very informative. The diction is angled towards the older generation. To improve it, I would standardise all the text to one font and align all of the heading to the centre. To improve it I would put both articles into columns. Year of the Teacher Review The document is a PowerPoint Presentation about the Year of the Teacher. It is aimed at school pupils aged between 11 and 16 year olds. It is designed to tell the pupils how some of the teachers at Deer Park got into teaching. It is meant to promote the Year of the Teacher scheme. On each slide of the presentation there is a photo of the teacher as a child as well as a recent photo of them teaching and a quotation in a speech bubble. The colour scheme is aimed to catch teenagers attention. All the slides have the same format; this is good as it makes it clearer to read and less confusing. To produce this presentation a word processor, such as Microsoft word, may have been used to draft the text content. An image editing program like Paint Shop Pro might have been used to edit and re-size the photos. PowerPoint was used to put all the information together. An Internet browser like Microsoft Internet Explorer may have been used to e-mail ideas around staff and to ask them to bring photos of themselves to him. A scanner and a digital camera would have been used to get the pictures onto the computer. A monitor, mouse and processor would also been used. As it is designed as a presentation you would not need a printer The document does what it is designed for very well. The photos of the teacher when they were teenagers and the music keeps the pupils interested and amused. Maplins: Despatch note to Mr Ling The document is a despatch note to Mr Ling for Maplins. The document is aimed to show customers the items they have ordered and should be in the package from Maplin Electronics. It also includes contact details of the company. The different types of presentation features used are contrasting colours to make it easy to tell the difference between the sections. Because the blue represents the headings, the pink represents the set information like the companys address. And the white has the information that changes for each customer such as what items they have ordered and how much they cost. They have also used A big logo in the corner of the document to distinguish what the company is called. They have used to different fonts to represent the information that appears on everyones bill and the information that changes depending on the persons whos bill it is so this is in a more clearer type. The software that may have been used to produce this document may have included a Desktop Publishing or a word processing package to draft the text and lay out the template. They may also have used a graphical editing program to design the logo. A spread sheet program would have been used to store the customers names and addresses that needed to be merged. The hardware that may have been used to produce a document like this one would have been a monitor, processor, mouse keyboard and, judging by the font and the perforated paper, a dot matrix printer. Dot matrix printers are very fast, cheap and reliable so they are good for printing letters such as this despatch note. However, they are very noisy. The document is clearly laid out so you can see each section. For example the amount to pay has a different colour around it. And it puts each part into a different box to keep every thing separate, so its easy to see the part you want to look at. The document shows what it needs to show without looking to complicate and confusing. To improve it, Maplins could put the total price in a larger font so it is easier to see.

Impact of Leadership Development in Healthcare

Impact of Leadership Development in Healthcare A crucial factor dominating health organisations in NSW, Australia and the world has been identified as patient safety and quality of care. Literature indicates that in order to achieve these objectives, there is need for effective clinical leadership to occur. This essay will discuss and analyse the impact of leadership development, with a focus on transformational leadership and related matters, on both the individual and health care. To understand how and why leadership in health care emerged as a necessity to avoid failure in health care, it is important to consider the Garling Report (2008) and the Mid Staffordshire Report (2013), of which both provided a multitude of recommendations for NSW and British public hospitals, following an inquiry into their systems after a number of high profile incidents which brought into question patient safety and quality of care. Garling SC (2008) and Francis QC (2013) both identified that in order to overcome these endemic issues, it is necessary to make a widespread cultural change within the public hospital system and as part of that process, it is imperative to engage frontline clinicians in ongoing leadership education and training. Garling SC (2008) also indicated the need to reform and redesign traditional leadership models in order to improve the delivery of health care, which is increasingly reliant on effective clinical leadership at all levels. Focus should be on creating an inter-disciplinary team approach to patient care, which according to evidence, produces the greatest possible outcomes (Garling SC 2008). This aims to continuously provide the best level of patient-based care and patient safety. Having considered why effective leadership emerged as a necessity, it is important to review the concept of leadership. It is an interactive relationship between the leader and followers (Kouzes and Posner 2012). For a culture shift towards a patient based care model to occur, leaders must effectively define, communicate and guide the vision for the organisation in order to ensure engagement at all levels Frampton et al. (as cited in Cliff 2012, p381). Effective leadership is vital for inspiring, engaging and motivating others to achieve greatness. Govier and Nash (2009), highlight that is through having a shared vision that moves people towards achieving the necessary common goal of providing safe and high quality health care, that leadership can occur at all levels. Covey 2006 (as cited in Govier and Nash 2009), indicated that in order to increase the effectiveness of management, leadership needs to come first. This therefore indicates the need for management and frontline clinicians to work together to tackle the many challenges that exist within health care. Furthermore, this is indicated by Vaill 1996 (as cited in Govier and Nash 2009) who argued that there is always a need for management in order to effectively run everyday procedures, however successful handling of the constant changes and instability, begins with effective leadership. As Kouzes and Posner (2012) suggest, to achieve this success, effective leaders must employ their Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, including; Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart. This incorporates leading by example, inspiring others through shared desires, making changes through risk taking and challenging oneself, whilst promoting an environment where team work, mutual respect and trust is exercised and where successes are celebrated. Personal experience suggests that through the variety of courses and workshops now offered via NSW health, the necessary ongoing education in leadership is occurring. As Health Workforce Australia (2013, p.4) prominently state ‘capable leadership, governance, and management are cornerstones of successful efforts to improve the quality of lives and to achieve the maximum impact from health investments’. Having worked the past three years within a team leader role in Occupational Therapy, continuous education has enabled successful running of a strong, caring, hard-working, energetic team, whose primary focus is on patient care and safety. After all, these are the core values of Occupational Therapy practice. Literature supports the ongoing education of leaders, as Kouzes and Posner (2012) state, leadership is a skill set obtainable by anyone. This is also consistent with Health Workforce Australia (2013) who highlights in their LEADS framework, that in order for successful improvement to occur and endure the ever-changing health care system, specific knowledge and skills are required to become an effective leader. As Covey 2006 (as cited in Govier and Nash 2009) emphasised, by employing a solid foundation of core values, incorporating trust, contribution, dignity, empowerment and growth, the ability to react and adjust appropriately to these changes is possible. Garling SC (2012) emphasises that by creating individual clinical leaders throughout the health care system, patient safety and quality health care will be continuously achieved. It is through the reflection, ongoing development and improvement of one’s self, that enables this leadership to begin occur (Kousez and Posner 2012; Health Workforce Australia 2013). Health Workforce Australia (2013) have created a model which encompasses the concepts of the transformational leadership theory whereby, once self-awareness and personal development is achieved, individual leaders within the organisation are able to engage others by sharing values, communicating openly and honestly, supporting other team members in growing and developing to continue to strengthen as a department, team and organisation. From here, leaders will work closely with colleagues and patients to ascertain, guide and set achievable goals that realise the shared vision. They will continue to evaluate outcomes, cele brating successes along the way. An environment fostering the awareness and need for positive changes will be promoted and encouraged, this in turn will continue to inspire others to achieve positive outcomes and best possible care for patients. The results of a study by Wylie and Gallagher (2009) around transformational leadership behaviours in allied health professionals revealed that one of the most significant influences on self-reported leadership behaviours is that of leadership training. Those who received training within the leadership area were able to score a significantly higher aggregated transformational leadership score, compared with those allied health professionals who had not. These results correspond with the findings of Kouzes and Posner (as cited in Wylie and Gallagher 2009), found that transformational leadership and self-awareness are more evident those who received leadership training. To best rise to the challenge and meet the recommendations of both inquiries, there is the need for implementation of not only leadership, but more specifically transformational leadership. This because, although over time there have been many other leadership theories, they have generally concentrated on what an effective leader is, rather than how to effectively lead (Armandi et al. 2003). Transformational leadership embodies the principles that are able to combat the instability and constantly changing environment in hospitals. Research by Halter and Bass (as cited in Armandi et al. 2003, p. 1079) and Weberg (2010), indicated that when transformational leadership is implemented within the health care setting, there is a positive impact on staff retention, job satisfaction, loyalty, burnout rates and overall staff well-being. From experience, this positive impact results in safer, improved patient care. This is supported in the article by Govier and Nash (2009), who reported that in large organisations such hospitals, there are increased levels of pressure on frontline staff to produce quality work and outcomes. If this occurs, stress levels and reduced performance also occurs and this leads to the potential harm of those being cared for. If leaders empower frontline clinicians and place ownership of care in their hands, then health care can be transformed from the bottom up, rather than top down, therefore meeting the recommendation of Garling SC (2008). Having previously worked closely with a manager and mentor, who embodied transformational leadership principles, had open, honest communication, trust and respect for all staff, this enabled both personal and professional growth, as well as positive development as a clinician and leader. As the article by Rolfe (2011) indicates, transformational leadership is a cyclical process whereby leaders empower their followers, which in turn fosters the growth and development of these followers into leaders themselves. Having experienced this first hand, it is safe to say that this enabled better leadership of the inpatient Occupational Therapy team, empowering and inspiring them to achieve positive improvements in patient care. Stepping into a team leader role three years ago was an enormous challenge. After gaining insight into recent times and history of the Occupational Therapy department, it was clear that instability, uncertainty and low morale had taken over. There had been a multitude of changes both within the hospital and wider organisation as well as within the department itself. Facing the challenge head on was the only way to make significant improvements. By closely building relationships with the individual team members and gaining an understanding into their driving forces, trust and mutual respect began to emerge. Through the implementation of a weekly inpatient team meeting, a structured environment was created to facilitate open communication and allow the discussion of complex cases and individual issues together in order to increase knowledge and solve problems as a team. This further instilled a sense of trust and confidence by showing commitment to self and the organisation, demonstrating strong open, honest communication skills and being supportive with a mentorship approach, with the main purpose of ensuring best possible care for patients. As Kouzes and Posner (2012) state that when a relationship is built on mutual respect and confidence, the greatest of difficulties can be overcome and a lasting impact remains. This is supported in the article by Govier and Nash (2009), who emphasise the importance of being a proactive leader, by solving problems with a positive approach, rather than reporting problems whilst others resolve them. They go on to say that leadership is then seen as a choice rather than a position and will therefore be focussed on ensuring that things get done in a positive way, therefore enhancing patient care. Based on experience with clinical supervision with junior staff, the traits of transformational leadership are also carried out. Regular supervision sessions with staff have enabled growth within the leadership area as well. It has enabled ongoing education and knowledge to be imparted on staff through discussion of their practices on the ward, with attention to solving complex issues and cases. Through the method of asking reflective, open-ended questions, it has empowered the team to review their own values and performance, which has resulted in an increase in staff engagement and a stronger sense of purpose, as a direct result of a leader investing in them. Evidence supports this, for instance Porter-O’Grady and Malloch (as cited in Weberg 2010 p. 246), report that transformational leaders are not only inspiring, however also assist their staff or followers to solve problems by assisting them to be aware of issues and develop the necessary means to overcome their difficulti es. Transformational leadership looks at the relationship between the leader and followers and states that when followers are able to have input into a team or organisational vision, there is an increase in their sense of value and hence this relationship is improved (Rolfe 2011, p. 55). From personal experience as a trained Essentials of Care facilitator, this is accurate. The process involved being trained in working with frontline staff to make the necessary changes to improve patient-based care. Through working closely with multi-disciplinary staff to review their personal and professional values, a shared values statement emerged. It is through this shared value and vision, that staff became empowered to start making frontline changes to improve patient care. Daft (as cited in Rolfe 2011, p. 55) stated that when staff feel empowered and have a sense of purpose, then the workplace environment becomes more positive, with increased motivation and job satisfaction. This then has a direc t impact on quality of patient-based care. From personal experience, being the representative for Occupational Therapy on the hospital falls advisory committee has demonstrated such leadership characteristics as leading by example and being a role model for other members of the department. This committee focusses directly on patient care and is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team who guide and lead the hospital in falls prevention best practice. It is through teamwork and shared leadership and expertise that successes are generated (Ward as cited in Rolfe 2011, p. 56). In summary, it can be seen that in order to achieve and maintain best possible patient-based care and safety, leadership must be developed throughout all areas of health care, focussing on frontline clinicians. It is through ongoing investment in training and education in the field of leadership that this can be accomplished. Through learning and practicing transformational leadership, staff at all levels are empowered, motivated and inspired to provide the best possible care for patients. This in turn has a positive impact, which affects individual staff, teams and organisations within health care and as a result, the quality of patient care. REFERENCE LIST Armandi, B, Oppedisano, J, Sherman, H 2003, ‘Leadership theory and practice: a â€Å"case† in point’, Management Decision, vol. 41, pp. 1076-1088. Cliff, B 2012, ‘Patient-Centered Care: The role of healthcare leadership’, Journal of Healthcare Management Nov/Dec, p. 381-383. Garling SC, P 2008, Final Report of the special commission of inquiry: Acute care services in NSW public hospitals, Overview, prepared for State of NSW, through the special commission of inquiry, NSW. Govier, I Nash, S 2009, ‘Examining transformational approaches to effective leadership in healthcare settings’, Nursing Times, vol. 105, no. 18, viewed 29 March 2014, http://www.nursingtimes.net Health Workforce Australia 2013, Health LEADS Australia: the Australian health leadership framework, Health Workforce Australia, Adelaide, SA. Kouzes, JM Posner, BZ 2012, The leadership challenge: how to make extraordinary things happen in organisations, 5th edn, Jossey-Bass, San Fransisco, CA. Rolfe, P 2011, ‘Transformational Leadership Theory: What every leader needs to know’, Nurse Leader, April, p. 54-57, viewed 29 March 2014, http://www.nurseleader.com Weberg, D 2010, ‘Transformational leadership and staff retention: An evidence review with implications for healthcare systems’, Nursing Administration Quarterly, vol. 34, pp. 246-258. Wylie, DA Gallagher, HL 2009, ‘Transformational leadership behaviors in allied health professionals’, Journal of Allied Health, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 65-73. Frances QC, R 2013, ‘Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry Report: Executive Summary’, Crown, The Stationery Office Limited, UK.

Smokey the Bear :: essays research papers

Smokey the Bear In 1950, a careless act turned into tragedy when a fire burned wild and swept away over 17,000 acres of forest watershed land in the Capitan Mountains, Lincoln National Forest. When the fire had died off, a badly burned cub was rescued from a charred tree. This cub, later named 'Smokey,'; was taken to the National Zoo where he lived out the rest of his life. Smokey was soon used to create an animated bear aimed at informing people of forest fires and fire prevention. The 'Smokey the Bear'; ad campaign was extremely effective and is still being used today as a way to inform the public of campfire do's and don'ts. Advertising is a $125 billion industry that attracts the attention of the public. Advertising is used as a tool of persuasion in television, magazines, radio, billboards, and in-store displays. The incredible amount of money, artistic ability, and intellectual energy spent on advertisements helps us understand the great power of the media and the advertiser's ability to control their viewers. Advertising in today's society is largely based on brand name recognition. It doesn't matter how good the product being sold is, but rather how good the product's advertisements are. A consumer is more likely to purchase a more expensive item because it has a flashy advertisement than buy a cheaper product they have never heard of before. The American public has a very short attention span, so only the most colorful, attractive advertisements will hold a person's attention long enough to see what the ad is selling. For instance, sex is used to sell just about everything. It is perhaps the only element that can be used by advertisers that the public will never get tired of seeing. A good example of this is alcohol advertisements. What does sex have to do with alcohol? Nothing, but it gives off the impression that when one drinks alcohol it will lead to sex. Of course, this is true to some extent, but the two do not go hand in hand. They are completely separate entities that cross paths more times than not, but alcohol advertisements give off the idea that when you purchase a case of beer, you are in store for a good night of sex. Ads like this are very misleading but it proves just how gullible the American public can be. The alcohol company Budweiser uses three frogs to sell beer to the public.

Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia - It Is Not Murder, It Is Mercy Essay

Euthanasia: It Is Not Murder, It Is Mercy Thesis Statement: Thousands of people in the United States alone die every year from terminal illness such as cancer, ALS and AIDS. Advanced Medical technology is responsible for keeping many of them alive - many against their wishes. In the United States, euthanasia (assisted suicide) is illegal in all but one state. Many patients are forced to suffer needlessly when there is another alternative. According to a new Time/CNN poll 7 out of 10 American's say that they want to die at home; instead three-fourths die in medical institutions" (Cloud 59). In our society people are, as a whole, living longer. With all the choices we are allowed, why is a good death not one of them? In our society we are awarded one life and one death, no more, no less. Granted, living life to its fullest is an American way of life NO ONE wants to die in pain, alone and afraid. We would all like to drift to sleep on the wings of a dove never to suffer again. It is a nice thought but for 52.5% of Americans who are terminally ill, this does not happen. More and more people, young and old, are being diagnosed with Cancer, AIDS, and other diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and Alzheimer's disease. Euthanasia is becoming more and more popular as a way to end one's suffering when there is no further medical treatment available to CURE the disease. Darkling I listen, and for many a time I have been half in love with easeful death, Call'd him soft names in many a mused rhyme, To take the air my quiet breath; Now more than ever it seems rich to die To cease upon the midnight with no pain... -John Keats- Dying is a personal thing ... ...hink that the Death with Dignity Act should be incorporated into all the States laws. It is the last time one has the ability to assert oneself and make a conscious decision to die a good death. Give Strong Drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those of heavy heart - Proverbs 31:6 SOURCES CITED Cloud, Joseph, "Seeking a Humane Way to Die." Time Magazine. September   2000. Euthanasia: Some General Information, http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/2195/info.html Humphry, Derek. Final Exit. New York. 1991 Dell Publishing Tada, Joni Eareckson. When Is It Right To Die? Michigan, 1992.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Zondervan   Publishing Van Biema, David, "Is There a Right to Die?" Time Magazine. January 1997  Ã‚   http://www.time.com/time/magazine/1997/dom/970113/society.is_there_a.html Thomas Nelson Publishers Word in Life Bible. Nashville. 1993

Dreams :: essays research papers

Dreams: Could They Be All They Are Made Out To Be?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚ ³Over a seventy-year life span, you ¹ll devote at least fifty thousand hours to dreaming ² (Segell 42). These dreams can be made up of many things. They can be a window into another world or  ³like a urgent fax from your subconscious ² (Graves 97). Many things can affect what we dream about and they are not always our previous thoughts. Things such as gender, information gained during the course of time, or even sensations received while asleep all contribute to the content of dreams. Many times they contribute more than most people think.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gender affects many things, including the way we dream.  ³Men typically dream about fighting, protecting, or competing in an outside environment; women are more likely to dream about relationships and loss in an inside environment ² (Segell 42). Most men have been brought up with the notion that they must have more of a tendency of being aggressive. In this aggression they either dream about how aggressive they are or about the lack of aggression in their daily routine. Women, on the other hand, have typically been brought up to be more emotional than men. This up bringing has also affected the way women dream.  ³Women are more likely to dial into their interior life whether awake or asleep ² (Segell 42). This means that women will read into their dreams more frequently then men. Researchers have found that problems that occur during the day either at work or home and are worked through in your sleep (Segell 42). While men would most likely look at these d reams as nothing but a dream, women will try to face these problems throughout the day. Although there are many differences there are also similarities between men and women in dreams.  ³Like women, you have slightly more negative than positive dreams ² (Segell 42). Which in this case would show one of those similarities. Other similarities would include sex dreams and the ongoing infatuation about their body and physical appearances. This also shows that although men and women are very different their mind works very similarly. This could be from being brought up or society constantly showing no hope in the life we live.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the course of the night your mind will keep working or trying to figure out problems that crossed your path over time.  ³Dreams perform emotional homework that helps us master life ¹s lessons ² (Graves 190).

Evaluate Is Acceptance Model Essay

There are many models have been developed to understand the factors affecting the acceptance of computer technology such as Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975, Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1985, 1991), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, 1989), Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) (Taylor & Todd, 1995), and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh et al., 2003). TRA proposes that individual beliefs influence attitudes which will create intentions that will generate behavior. There are two major factors that determine behavioral intentions which are the person’s attitude toward the behavior and subjective norms. Attitude toward the behavior refers to the person’s judgment that performing the behavior is good or bad according to his or her belief. While the subjective norms are a function of normative beliefs that reflect the person’s perception of social pressures put on him or her to perform or not to perform the behavior in question. TRA model TPB is an expansion of the TRA. TPB includes the construct, perceived behavioral control to measure and account for the extent to which users have complete controls over their behavior. Perceived behavioral control relates to the extent to which the person believes that she or he has control over personal or external factors that may facilitate or constrain the behavioral performance. TPB model TAM pioneered by Davis advances the TRA by postulating that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) are key determinants that lead to the actual usage of a particular technology or system. Perceived usefulness is the degree to which an individual believes that using a particular system would enhance his or her productivity while perceived ease of use is the degree an individual believes that using a particular system would be free of effort. TAM model DTPB was formulated through combination of both TAM and TPB, which was intended for providing better understanding of behavioral intention by concentrating on the factors that are likely to impact systems use. This model explores dimensions of subjective norms and perceived behavior control through decomposing them into particular belief perception whilst constructs from the innovation characteristics has also been regarded as the basis of DTPM formulation. DTPB also offer a clearer understanding of behavior and behavioral intention by giving detailed information about impacts of normative and control beliefs over system usage. DTPM model UTAUT had synthesized the eight prominent user acceptance models including the TRA, TAM, the motivational model (MM), TPB, a model combining the technology acceptance model and the theory of planned behavior (C-TAM-TPB), the model of PC utilization (MPCU) (Ronald et al., 1994; Thompson & Higgins, 1991), the innovation diffusion theory, and the social cognitive theory (SCT) (Compeau et al., 1999 and Compeau & Higgins, 1995). This model was formulated with four core determinants of intention and usage including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence and facilitating conditions and also with up to four moderators of key counting gender, experience, age and voluntariness of use. However, the authors argue that in order to strengthen this model, the culture also need to take consideration since different culture can affect the acceptance behavior among user towards the computer technology. UTAUT model There are more theories that had been developed and many variables had used to evaluate the IS/IT acceptance rate. For example, the interactive model of technology acceptance and satisfaction (IMTAS) which integrate the user satisfaction with and user acceptance of IT. This model expands user satisfaction and user acceptance into SME sector simultaneously as two basic constructs of system usage behavior (as the key measure of IT success) while addresses specific characteristics of SMEs such as resource constraints, management method and direct interaction of SME users with external environments. Base on this model, user satisfaction can be influenced by user involvement, system quality, and information quality. High quality of information and system enable the user to produce good decision making, hence, increase the user satisfaction. However, user involvement is the key determinant of user satisfaction since high user involvement allow the user  involve in major area of the system which this give the user opportunity to enjoy most of the benefits of the system. User satisfaction will increase the usage of the system and the usage will be even higher if the system has high user friendliness. Another key determinant that influence the system usage in SMEs is user computer competence. User computer competence can be enhance through providing training by assuming that assistance of SMEs’ external environment have a crucial impact on the success of newly implemented IS by increasing SME user acceptance and satisfaction since SMEs are typically suffering from lack of resources such as internal expertise, knowledge and user skills. The training can influence the perceived ease of use and perceived of usefulness among user, hence, influence the user attitude and intention which than influence the actual usage of a system in SMEs.

The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 20 VOLTERRA

WE BEGAN THE STEEP CLIMB, AND THE ROAD GREW CONGESTED. As we pique advanceder, the motorcars became overly close to bewilderher for Alice to lift insanely amidst them any more(prenominal). We s minusculeed to a funk nonwithstandingtocks a subatomic convert Peugeot.Alice, I moaned. The time on the die listenmed to be speeding up.Its the only(prenominal) ex infatuationive style in, she tried soothe me. further her instance was too strained to comfort.The cars act to onlyt forward, peerless car length at a time. The sun beamed fine-tune shinyly, app arnt al sterilise oer walk.The cars crept one by one toward the metropolis. As we got closer, I could prove cars place by the side of the road with pile getting pop start(a) to walk the riddle of the r issuee. At first I estimation it was bonny impatiencesomething I could easily belowstand. hardly thusly we came virtu all in all toldy a switch thorn, and I couldsee the filled parking upsurge outside the city wall, the crowds of heap pass done the introductions. No one was creation allowed to drive through.Alice, I whispe violent urgently.I sack out, she tell. Her typesetters case was chiseled from ice.Now that I was looking, and we were crawling lento enough to see, I could tell that it was rattling mitey. The people displace toward the gate gripped their hats and tugged their h sort out of their flavors. Their array billowed some them. I also fragment that the chroma tearing was e reallyw present. crimson shirts, liberation hats, red flags drip same(p) large ribbons beside the gate, whipping in the snarfas I watched, the brilliant crimson scarf one fair sex had tied roughly her hair was caught in a sudden gust. It twisted up into the air above her, writhing standardized it was alive. She reached for it, embark oning in the air, only when it continued to flutter higher, a patch of damn color over once against the dull, ancient walls.Bella. A lice spoke promptly in a fierce, low constituent. I cant see what the guard here testament decide nowif this doesnt work, youre going to become to go in alone. Youre going to discombobulate to run. practiced keep asking for the Palazzo dei Priori, and running in the direction they tell you. Dont get lost.Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo dei Priori, I repeated the establish oer and all over again, seeking to get it pop out.Or the quantify tower, if they speak English. Ill go approximately and try to bring out a secluded distante somewhere coffin nail the city where I can go over the wall.I nodded. Palazzo dei Priori.Edward forget be low the mea certain tower, to the north of the material. at that places a narrow alley on the indemnify, and hell be in the nates in that location. You have to get his attention forwardshand he can front into the sun.I nodded furiously.Alice was near the front of the disceptation. A musical composition in a navy puritanic unifor m was directing the flow of commerce, turn of regular(a)ts the cars away from the full lot. They U- off-key and oriented back to find a place beside the road. Then it was Alices turn.The provide human motioned lazily, non paying attention. Alice accelerated, expunge on nigh him and heading for the gate. He yelled something at us, but held his instal, waving devilishly to keep the next car from following our bad example.The man at the gate wore a interconnected uniform. As we approached him, the throngs of tourists passed, move the sidewalks, staring curiously at the pushy, forte Porsche.The guard stepped into the middle of the bridle- fashion. Alice angle the car divvy upfully before she came to a full stop. The sun beat against my windowpane, and she was in shadow. She swiftly reached can buoy the seat and grabbed something from her bag.The guard came some the car with an irritated expression, and tapped on her window angrily.She rolled the window win halfway, a nd I watched him do a double recall when he saw the face undersurface the apart(p) glass.Im sorry, only tour buses allowed in the city today, miss, he verbalise in English, with a heavy accent. He was apologetic, now, as if he wished he had remedy intelligence operation for the strikingly beautiful muliebrity.Its a hush-hush tour, Alice said, flashing an alluring smile. She reached her hand out cf the window, into the sun bring gobble up. I froze, until I know she was wearing an elbow-length, tan glove. She took his hand, s work on increase from tapping her window, and pulled it into the car. She put something into his palm, and folded his fingers most it.His face was dazed as he retrieved his hand and stared at the thick roll of money he now held. The outside bill was a thousand dollar bill.Is this a joke? he mumbled.Alices smile was blinding. Only if you mobilise its funny.He looked at her, his eye staring wide. I glanced nervously at the measure on the dash. If Ed ward stuck to his plan, we had only five proceedings left.Im in a wee snack of a hurry, she hinted, notwithstanding smiling.The guard blinked twice, and because shoved the money inside his vest. He took a step away from the window and waved us on. None of the passing people seemed to notice the quiet exchange. Alice drove into the city, and we two sighed in relief.The street was actually narrow, cobbled with the same color scars as the faded cinnamon cook buildings that off-keyened the street with their shade. It had the feel of an alleyway. Red flags decorated the walls, lengthd only a some yards apart, flapping in the wind that whistled through the narrow lane.It was crowded, and the grounding traffic slowed our get onion.Just a minuscular far, Alice promote me I was gripping the door handle, ready to throw myself into the street as currently as she spoke the word.She drove in promptly spurts and sudden stops, and the people in the crowd move their fists at us a nd said angry words that I was brilliantly I couldnt understand. She turned onto a little path that couldnt have been meant for cars take aback people had to squeeze into doorways as we scraped by. We prepare an some former(a) street at the end. The buildings were statelyer here they leaned unneurotic overhead so that no sun weakly touched the pavementthe thrashing red flags on either side almost met. The crowd was thicker here than anywhere else. Alice stop the car. I had the door open before we were at a standstill.She stor eyeball to where the street widened into a patch of b castigate openness. therewere at the color end of the cheering. Run straight across, to the right of the time tower. Ill find a way aroundHer breath caught suddenly, and when she spoke again, her persona was a hiss. Theyre e reallywhere?I froze in place, but she pushed me out of the car. Forget well-nigh them. You have two minutes. Go, Bella, go she shouted, upgrade out of the car as she spo ke.I didnt pause to watch Alice melt into the shadows. I didnt stop to close my door back end me. I shoved a heavy charr out of my way and ran plain out, head cumulus(p), paying little attention to anything but the left over(p) stones beneath my feet.Coming out of the bleak lane, I was blinded by the brilliant sunlight beating down into the principal plaza. The wind whooshed into me, flinging my hair into my look and blinding me further. It was no wonder that I didnt see the wall of flesh until Id smacked into it.There was no pathway, no crevice between the close pressed bodies. I pushed against them furiously, battle the hands that shoved back. I heard exclamations of toughness and make up pain as I battled my way through, but none were in a language I understood. The faces were a blur of anger and affect, surrounded by the ever-present red. A blond woman scowled at me, and the red scarf gyrate around her neck looked similar a gruesome wound. A boor, lifted on a mans s houlders to see over the crowd, grinned down at me, his lips distended over a mark off of p pull throughic vampire fangs.The throng jostled around me, spinning me the wrong direction. I was glad the clock was so visible, or Id never keep my course straight. only when both hands on the clock pointed up toward the pitiless sun, and, though I shoved savagely against the crowd, I knew I was too late. I wasnt halfway across. I wasnt going to comprise it. I was stupid and slow and human, and we were all going to die because of it.I hoped Alice would get out. I hoped that she would see me from some dark shadow and know that I had failed, so she could go home to Jasper.I listened, above the angry exclamations, seek to hear the reasoned of discovery the gasp, maybe the screaming, as Edward came into someones view. just there was a break in the crowdI could see a bubble of property ahead. I pushed urgently toward it, not realizing till I bruised my shins against the bricks that there w as a wide, square fountain set into the center of the plaza.I was nearly crying with relief as I flung my leg over the parade and ran through the knee- loggerheaded water. It sprayed all around me as I thrashed my way across the pool. dismantle in the sun, the wind was glacial, and the moneyed make the un spryed actually painful. alone the fountain was very wide it allow me cross the center of the square and and so some in mere seconds. I didnt pause when I hit the far edgeI used the low wall as a springboard, throwing myself into the crowd.They moved more pronto for me now, avoiding the icy water that splattered from my dripping clothes as I ran. I glanced up at the clock again.A qabalistic, booming chime echoed through the square. It throbbed in the stones under my feet. Children cried, covering their ears. And I started riot as I ran.Edward I screamed, erudite it was useless. The crowd was too loud, and my articulate was dyspneal with exertion. alone I couldnt stop screaming.The clock tolled again. I ran past a child in his mothers armorhis hair was almost fresh in the dazzling sunlight. A disseminate of tall men, all wearing red blazers, called out warnings as I lay through them. The clock tolled again.On the other side of the men in blazers, there was a break in the throng, space between the sightseers who milled aimlessly around me. My eye se bend the dark narrow rush to the right of the wide square construction under the tower. I couldnt see the street levelthere were still too many people in the way. The clock tolled again.It was hard to see now. Without the crowd to break the wind, it whipped at my face and burned my eye. I couldnt be sure if that was the reason behind my tears, or if I was crying in defeat as the clock tolled again.A little family of 4 stood nearest to the alleys mouth. The two lady friends wore crimson dresses, with matching ribbons tying their dark hair back. The come wasnt tall. It seemed deal I could see som ething bright in the shadows, just over his shoulder. I hurtled toward them, trying to see past the ache tears. The clock tolled, and the littlest girl clamped her hands over her ears.The older girl, just waist high on her mother, hugged her mothers leg and stared into the shadows behind them. As I watched, she tugged on her mothers elbow and pointed toward the darkness. The clock tolled, and I was so close now.I was close enough to hear her screaky spokesperson. Her father stared at me in surprise as I bore down on them, rasping out Edwards name over and over again.The older girl giggled and said something to her mother, gesturing toward the shadows again impatiently.I swerved around the fatherhe clutched the baby out of my wayand sprinted for the gloomy break away behind them as the clock tolled over my head.Edward, no I screamed, but my sound was lost in the roar of the chime.I could see him now. And I could see that he could not see me.It was really him, no hallucination th is time. And I realized that my delusions were more flawed than Id realized theyd never moderate him justice.Edward stood, motionless as a statue, just a few feet from the mouth of the alley. His look were closed, the rings underneath them deep purple, his ordnance relaxed at his sides, his palms turned forward. His expression was very peaceful, standardised he was dreaming winsome things. The marble skin of his chest was barethere was a small pile of white stuff at his feet. The light reflecting from the pavement of the square gleamed dimly from his skin.Id never seen anything more beautifuleven as I ran, gasping and screaming, I could appreciate that. And the last seven months meant nothing. And his words in the timbre meant nothing. And it did not matter if he did not necessitate me. I would never want anything but him, no matter how yen I lived.The clock tolled, and he took a large stride toward the light.No I screamed. Edward, look at meHe wasnt listening. He smiled v ery about. He raised his foot to take the step that would put him at a time in the path of the sun.I slammed into him so hard that the force would have hurled me to the ground if his arms hadnt caught me and held me up. It knocked my breath out of me and snapped my head back.His dark eyes opened slowly as the clock tolled again.He looked down at me with quiet surprise.Amazing, he said, his twee piece full of wonder, slightly amused. Carlisle was right.Edward, I tried to gasp, but my voice had no sound. Youve got to get back into the shadows. You have to moveHe seemed bemused. His hand brushed restfully against my cheek. He didnt appear to notice that I was trying to force him back. I could have been pushing against the alley walls for all the progress I was making. The clock tolled, but he didnt react.It was very strange, for I knew we were both in mortal danger. Still, in that instant, I felt up well. W muckle. I could feel my heart bucket along in my chest, the blood pulsi ng heated and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin. It was standardized there had never been any ambush in mychest. I was perfectnot healed, but as if there had been no wound in the first place.I cant believe how quick it was. I didnt feel a thingtheyre very good, he mused, closing his eyes again and pressing his lips against my hair. His voice was like love and velvet. Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power and upon thy beauty, he murmured, and I recognized the line spoken by Romeo in the tomb. The clock boomed out its final chime You olfaction just exactly the same as always, he went on. So maybe this is hell. I dont care. Ill take it.Im not dead, I interrupted. And incomp permite are you Please Edward, we have to move. They cant be far awayI struggled in his arms, and his brow furrowed in confusion.What was that? he asked nicely.Were not dead, not yet But we have to get out of here before the VolturiComprehension flickered on his face as I spoke. Before I could finish, he suddenly yanked me away from the edge of the shadows, spinning me effortlessly so that my back was tight against the brick wall, and his back was to me as he faced away into the alley. His arms dot wide, protectively, in front of me.I peeked under his arm to see two dark shapes detach themselves from the gloom.Greetings, gentlemen, Edwards voice was calm and pleasant, on the surface. I dont count on Ill be requiring your operate today. I would appreciate it very much, however, if you would delight my thanks to your masters.Shall we take this conversation to a more appropriate venue? a smooth voice whispered menacingly.I dont believe that will be necessary. Edwards voice was harder now. I know your instructions, Felix. I havent bemused any rules.Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun, the other shadow said in a assuasive tone. They were both concealed within smoky ancient cloa ks that reached to the ground and undulated in the wind. Let us seek better cover.Ill be right behind you, Edward said dryly. Bella, why dont you go back to the square and enjoy the fete?No, bring the girl, the first shadow said, in some way injecting a leer into his whisper.I dont think so. The pretense of civility disappeared. Edwards voice was flat and icy. His weight shifted infinitesimally, and I could see that he was preparing to fight.No. I mouthed the word.Shh, he murmured, only for me.Felix, the second, more reasonable shadow cautioned. not here. He turned to Edward. Aro would simply like to speak with you again, if you have decided not to force our hand after all.Certainly, Edward agreed. But the girl goes free.Im afraid thats not possible, the polite shadow said regretfully. We do have rules to obey.Then Im afraid that Ill be futile to accept Aros invitation, Demetri.Thats just fine, Felix purred. My eyes were adjusting to the deep shade, and I could see that Felix was very big, tall and thick through the shoulders. His size reminded me of Emmett.Aro will be disappointed, Demetri sighed.Im sure hell survive the letdown, Edward replied.Felix and Demetri steal closer toward the mouth of the alley, spreading out slightly so they could come at Edward from two sides. They meant to force him deeper into the alley, to avoid a scene. No reflected light found coming to their skin they were safe inside their cloaks.Edward didnt move an inch. He was dooming himself by protecting me.Abruptly, Edwards head whipped around, toward the darkness of the winding alley, and Demetri and Felix did the same, in receipt to some sound or relocation too subtle for my senses.Lets behave ourselves, shall we? a lilting voice suggested. There are ladies present.Alice tripped lightly to Edwards side, her stance casual. There was no hint of any underlying tension. She looked so tiny, so fragile. Her little arms swung like a childs.Yet Demetri and Felix both straightened up, t heir cloaks swirling slightly as a gust of wind funneled through the alley. Felixs face soured. Apparently, they didnt like even numbers.Were not alone, she reminded them.Demetri glanced over his shoulder. A few yards into the square, the little family, with the girls in their red dresses, was ceremony us. The mother was speaking urgently to her husband, her eyes on the five of us. She looked away when Demetri met her gaze. The man walked a few steps farther into the plaza, and tapped one of the red-blazered men on the shoulder.Demetri move his head. Please, Edward, lets be reasonable, he said.Lets, Edward agreed. And well leave piano now, with no one the wiser.Demetri sighed in frustration. At least let us cover this more privately.Six men in red now joined the family as they watched us with anxious expressions. I was very conscious of Edwards protective stance in front of mesure that this was what caused their alarm. I wanted to scream to them to run.Edwards teeth came togethe r audibly. No.Felix smiled.Enough.The voice was high, reedy, and n came from behind us.I peeked under Edwards other arm to see a small, dark shape coming toward us. By the way the edges billowed, I knew it would be some other one of them. Who else?At first I thought it was a young boy. The appetizer was as tiny as Alice, with lank, demented brown hairtrimmed short. The torso under the cloakwhich was darker, almost inexorablewas slim and androgynous. But the face was too pretty for a boy. The wide-eyed, full-lipped face would make a Botticelli ideal look like a gargoyle. Even allowing for the dull crimson irises.Her size was so insignificant that the reaction to her appearance unordered me. Felix and Demetri relaxed immediately, stepping back from their offensive positions to blend again with the shadows of the overhanging walls.Edward dropped his arms and relaxed his position as wellbut in defeat.Jane, he sighed in recognition and resignation.Alice folded her arms across her chest, her expression impassive.Follow me, Jane spoke again, her childish voice a monotone. She turned her back on us and drifted mutely into the dark.Felix gestured for us to go first, smirking.Alice walked after the little Jane at once. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me along beside her. The alley angled slightly downward as it narrowed. I looked up at him with frantic questions in my eyes, but he just shook his head. Though I couldnt hear the others behind us, I was sure they were there.Well, Alice, Edward said colloquially as we walked. I suppose I shouldnt be surprised to see you here.It was my mistake, Alice answered in the same tone. It was my job to set it right.What deceaseed? His voice was polite, as if he were barely interested. I imagined this was due to the listening ears behind us.Its a long story. Alices eyes flickered toward me and away. In summary, she did jump off a cliff, but she wasnt trying to kill herself. Bellas all about the uttermost(a ) sports these days.I flushed and turned my eyes straight ahead, looking after the dark shadow that I could no longstanding see. I could imagine what he was listening in Alices thoughts now. Near-drownings, stalking vampires, werewolf friendsHm, Edward said curtly, and the casual tone of his voice was gone.There was a loose curve to the alley, still slanting downward, so I didnt see the squared-off dead end coming until we reached the flat, windowless, brick face. The little one called Jane was nowhere to be seen.Alice didnt hesitate, didnt break pace as she strode toward the wall. Then, with easy grace, she slid down an open hole in the street.It looked like a drain, sunk into the lowest point of the paving. I hadnt noticed it until Alice disappeared, but the chafe was halfway pushed aside. The hole was small, and black.I balked.Its all right, Bella, Edward said in a low voice. Alice will catch you.I eyed the hole doubtfully. I imagine he would have gone first, if Demetri and Fe lix hadnt been waiting, smug and silent, behind us.I crouched down, swinging my legs into the narrow gap.Alice? I whispered, voice trembling.Im right here, Bella, she reassured me. Her voice came from too far below to make me feel better.Edward took my wristshis hands felt like stones in winterand lowered me into the blackness.Ready? he asked.Drop her, Alice called.I closed my eyes so I couldnt see the darkness, scrunching them together in terror, clamping my mouth shut so I wouldnt scream. Edward let me fall.It was silent and short. The air whipped past me for just half a second, and then, with a huff as I exhaled, Alices waiting arms caught me.I was going to have bruises her arms were very hard. She stood me upright.It was dim, but not black at the bottom. The light from the hole above provided a short glow, reflecting lopsidedly from the stones under my feet. The light vanished for a second, and then Edward was a faint, white radiance beside me. He put his arm around me, holdi ng me close to his side, and began to tow me swiftly forward. I wrapped both arms around his cold waist, and tripped and stumbled my way across the uneven stone surface. The sound of the heavy moil sliding over the drain hole behind us rang with metallicfinality.The dim light from the street was quickly lost in the gloom. The sound of my staggering footsteps echoed through the black space it sounded very wide, but I couldnt be sure. There were no sounds other than my frantic heartbeat and my feet on the wet stonesexcept for once, when an impatient sigh whispered from behind me.Edward held me tightly. He reached his free hand across his body to hold my face, too, his smooth pollex tracing across my lips. Now and then, I felt his face press into my hair. I realized that this was the only reunion we would get, and I clutched myself closer to him.For now, it felt like he wanted me, and that was enough to offset the shame of the subterranean tunnel and the prowling vampires behind us. It was believably no more than offensethe same guilt that compelled him to come here to die when hed believed that it was his faulting that Id killed myself. But I felt his lips press silently against my forehead, and I didnt care what the indigence was. At least I could be with him again before I died. That was better than a long life.I wished I could ask him exactly what was going to happen now. I wanted desperately to know how we were going to dieas if that would somehow make it better, clear-sighted in advance. But I couldnt speak, even in a whisper, surrounded as we were. The others could hear everythingmy every breath, my every heartbeat.The path beneath our feet continued to slant downward, victorious us deeper into the ground, and it made me claustrophobic. Only Edwards hand, soothing against my face, kept me from screaming out loud.I couldnt tell where the light was coming from, but it slowly turned dark gray instead of black. We werein a low, arched tunnel. Long trai ls of ebony moisture seeped down the gray stones, like they were bleeding ink.I was shaking, and I thought it was from fear. It wasnt until my teeth started to blarney together that I realized I was cold. My clothes were still wet, and the temperature underneath the city was wintry. As was Edwards skin.He realized this at the same time I did, and let go of me, keeping only my hand.N-n-no, I chattered, throwing my arms around him. I didnt care if I froze. Who knew how long we had left?His cold hand chafed against my arm, trying to warm me with the friction.We hurried through the tunnel, or it felt like hurrying to me. My slow progress irritated someoneI guessed Felixand I heard him sick a sigh now and then.At the end of the tunnel was a gratethe fight bars were rusting, but thick as my arm. A small door made of thinner, interlaced bars was standing open. Edward ducked through and hurried on to a larger, brighter stone agency. The grille slammed shut with a clang, followed by the snap of a lock. I was too afraid to look behind me.On the other side of the long room was a low, heavy wooden door. It was very thickas I could tell because it, too, stood open.We stepped through the door, and I glanced around me in surprise, relaxing automatically. Beside me, Edward tensed, his remonstrate clenched tight.