Saturday, May 23, 2020
Drugs, Morphine, And Vicodin - 2297 Words
Codeine, morphine, and vicodin are some prescription drugs that one may hear of for treating pain. What some people do not know is that in the early 20th century, these drugs were very harmful because they were being made into others much worse. Many of these drugs come from the same types of places and plants and are also made in a similar way. Cocaine, morphine, and heroin started to be produced just as often as the first opioid based prescription drugs and the only difference is that these were much more addictive and dangerous. The introduction of drugs in America caused a serious problem in the early 20th century that spread like a wildfire. As these drugs began to worsen, President Nixon formed the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to combat these lethal drugs, as well as the gangs and cartels distributing them. In 1968, the Justice Departmentââ¬â¢s Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs was formed to try and combat the rise in illegal drugs. The agents in this department were composed of previous agents from two separate departments, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control (BDAC). After a few years, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD) failed to even decrease the illegal drug usage slightly. The president at the time, Richard Nixon, proposed a new offer to combat the war on drugs. The proposition passed and President Nixon stated, ââ¬Å"In order to decrease the illegal drug problems in America, we have to first stopShow MoreRelatedOpiate Addiction : Opiate Abuse And Addiction859 Words à |à 4 Pagesabuse and addiction destroys the lives of many people. These drugs are generally used for pain management, but are often misused and abused. This research paper will define the action of opioids, drug categories, withdrawal symptoms, and t reatment options that are available. Opioids Opioids are prescribed to treat moderate- to-severe pain following surgeries, individuals with chronic pain, cancer patients, or for dental pain. These drugs alter the perception and response to pain by binding to opiateRead MoreThe Opium Cultivation Of Opium2755 Words à |à 12 Pagesqualities. Opium is the juice extracted from the opium poppy. It contains alkaloids such as morphine and codeine. These alkaloids carry intense analgesic (painkilling) capabilities but also contain intense euphoria and addictive qualities. Opium has analgesic qualities, which are second to none, however, because of its addictive qualities it is pertinent that doctors find an alternative to opioid drugs and prevent further addiction problems. I chose to write about Opium in my final paper becauseRead MoreThe Heroin Epidemic1241 Words à |à 5 Pagestraveled through the small quiet community of Monroe, MI you would probably never think that this town has a drug problem. From the outside it seems like a nice middle class suburb that might be ideal to raise a family. For those that reside here however, they know that there is a growing problem. There arenââ¬â¢t many families that havenââ¬â¢t been affected by heroin addiction in this small town. The drug has literally swept through this county like an angry mob of rioters bringing crime, death, and destructionRead MoreEssay about Abuse of Prescription Drugs2259 Words à |à 10 Pagesof prescription drugs is using a medication in a manner other than prescribed, by a person who it was not prescribed for, to obtain a particular experience. Many people, but especially teenagers and young adults, have turned to abusing prescription medication. Some people have an increase d genetic risk of getting addicted to medications but environmental factors such as economic level, lack of employment and pressure from peers also have a significant impact. Abuse of these drugs has harmful sideRead MoreQuestions on Psychology1708 Words à |à 7 Pages1. Which of the following statements most accurately represents the use of plant-based psychoactive substances? A. Plant-based psychoactive drugs are uncommon today and rarely used. B. Today marijuana is the only plant-based psychoactive substance that is still used. C. All plants that yield psychoactive substances are illegal today. D. About 4,000 plants yield psychoactive substances, and the vast majority are not illegal. 2. The Gin Epidemicâ⬠¦ E. is a myth Read MoreAmerica s Drug Use Migration Essay962 Words à |à 4 PagesAcross the country social shifts of the twenty first century has been the drug use migration. It goes from centers of urban poverty to places that are suburban, white and or middle class. Over the recent years, a third of all DEA heroin seizures took place in the state of New York. Drug abuse is rising and becoming deadlier than ever. Staten Island has become a particular nexus of affliction. In the 1970ââ¬â¢s and 1980ââ¬â¢s, heroin was considered to be a plague in some of New York Cityââ¬â¢s poorest neighborhoodsRead MoreThe Effects Of Substance Abuse On Adolescents1651 Words à |à 7 Pagescommon bad decision is substance use and abuse. Although drug and alcohol use is common and many users donââ¬â¢t develop a dependence on the substances, the adolescents who end up developing the disorders of substance abuse and dependence make substance use a major public health concern (Sanchez-Samper, Kni ght, p. 83). Substance abuse can lead to many developmental problems in adolescents. Problems experienced by adolescents who use alcohol and drugs include ââ¬Å"impaired peer relations, depression, anxietyRead MoreThe s Fastest Growing Drug Problem1750 Words à |à 7 Pagesopioids are described as the ââ¬Å"ationââ¬â¢s fastest-growing drug problemâ⬠(p. 276) and are also known as narcotics. Opioids originated from the opium poppy and have been chemically altered throughout the years in order to create more potent drugs such as hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), and codeine. Known for analgesic properties, opioids are seen to be the most commonly used drugs among clinicians. Historically, although these narcoticsRead MoreConspiracy Theories Are An Integral Part Of Society1332 Words à |à 6 Pagesfrom 1804 to now. In 1972 Contin was put on the market at a controlled drug-release system (Purdue Pharma L.P.). In 1984 MS Contin was put on the market as an extended-release formula of morphine, and in 1996 OxyContin was put on the market as an extended-release formula of Oxycodone (Van Zee). These drugs were released in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health these drugs are commonly used for pain and recreational use (__). Purdue PharmaceuticalsRead MoreOpioids And Its Effects On Society1722 Words à |à 7 Pagesopioids are described as the ââ¬Å"nationââ¬â¢s fastest-growing drug problemâ⬠(p. 276) and are also known as narcotics. Opioids originated from the opium poppy and have been chemically altered throughout the years in order to create more potent drugs such as hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), and codeine. Known for analgesic properties, opioids are seen to be the most commonly used drugs among clinicians. Although these narcotics are legally
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
The Disease And Chronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd ) - 1679 Words
Policy Practice While researching journal articles related to End Stage Renal Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), an alarming statistic was found. Since 1990, kidney failure cases have more than tripled in the United States and are likely to increase due to the aging population and higher prevalence of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; both of which are risk factors for CKD (CDC, 2014). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney failure in the United States. In 2011, approximately 44% of new cases of kidney failure, as a primary diagnosis, were attributed to diabetes with an additional 28% attributed to hypertension. Adults with diabetes, hypertension, or both have a higher risk of developing CKD than those without these diseases. (CDC, 2014) To affect public health a social policy where social work strategies and self-care management will join forces to prevent and treat CKD risk factors. The European Diabetes Policy Group that was enacted in 1988 has worked on major types of diabetes where multi-disciplinary teams join forces to affect change by creating a desktop guide for professional to improve care for those with non-insulin diabetes . This can be done through increased awareness, early screening and proper treatment. Although there are racial and ethnic disparities that include diabetes and hypertension, to affect policy change on the national level, the adultShow MoreRelatedChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1720 Words à |à 7 PagesIntroduction 1.1 Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is global health problem with increasing incidence and economic burden every year. CKD is defined as decreased in glomerular filtration rate with albuminuria (Jha et al., 2013). Jha et al., 2013 estimate that the worldwide prevalence of CKD is 8-16% with higher incidence among poorer populations. Among the whole world countries, the highest end stage renal disease prevalence is in Taiwan (Chan et al., 2014). Diabetes mellitus isRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd ) Essay1145 Words à |à 5 PagesChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) It is common to encounter patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), most likely occuring with other comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. As nurses, providing a plan of care to prevent acute illness is imperative in the disease management of patients. Additionally, it is important in instilling a learning relationship with the patient with regards to knowing their current lifestyle, medications, and stage in the disease. For example, I have hadRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1630 Words à |à 7 PagesChronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the adult population and this number is trending upward due to increasing prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity (Lopez-Vargas et al., 2013). Individuals with CKD are required to invest immense time and effort into managing their health such as, attending appointments, modifying their diet, and managing their medications. This can have a great impact on all aspects of people s lives physically / mentall y / socially. This essay will analyse theRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1915 Words à |à 8 PagesIntroduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition when the function of kidney goes down progressively. This decrease of kidney function leads to renal failure which requires dialysis and transplantation. There are five stages of CKD. Each level reflects the damage of kidney and estimate the kidney function. The glomerular filltratior rate (GFR) is the basic of determination the stage. In stage 3, patients are treated to slow down the drop of kidney function. In the US, 13% of general populationRead MoreThe Problem Of Problem With Ckd Chronic Kidney Disease984 Words à |à 4 Pagesstage 3 renal failure, also known as CKD Chronic Kidney Disease. There is no cure for this disorder, all that can be done is to take measures to slow the progression. The Center for Disease Control has ranked CKD as the 9th leading cause of death. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1:3 adults are at risk for CKD and 26 million have it but do not know it. Normally, people are born with two kidneys but it is possible to live with only one. The kidneys regulate body fluid levels, filterRead MoreA Short Note On Chronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )2862 Words à |à 12 PagesCHAPTER 1 Introduction Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is emerging as a major challenge for the global health-care systems with increasing life-expectancy and rising rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension (1). Not surprisingly, the incidence-rates of End-stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) have been rising world-wide with rates ranging from 12 to 455 per million population (pmp) (1). ESKD affects 107 individuals per million population in the United Kingdom (2). Although the incidence-rates have beenRead MoreAnemi Common Systemic Consequence Of Chronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1153 Words à |à 5 PagesAnemia: Anemia is a common systemic consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Shemin, 2014). An individual who has a hemoglobin (Hgb) that is less than 11.0g/dL, is considered anemic (Shemin, 2014). As CKD continues to become worse, the individual is at higher risk for developing anemia. More than 40% of patients in stage V CKD develop anemia (Shemin, 2014). CKD leads to anemia due to a decrease or deficit in the production of erythropoietin (EPO) (Shemin, 2014). Bone marrow receptors areRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease : Diagnosis, Treatment, And Lifestyle1147 Words à |à 5 PagesChronic Kidney Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Lifestyle Recommendations Janelle Giggey Nur6531 Walden University August 2, 2015 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time (kidney.org, 2015). Renal failure is a complex and challenging health issue that demands the involvement of both specialists and primary care providers (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar, Bailey, Sandberg-Cook, 2013). In this paper I will discuss what chronicRead MoreCaring for Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease Essay1268 Words à |à 6 PagesCanadians have kidney disease or are at risk for itâ⬠(p. 17). According to Porth (2011) and the Kidney Foundatoin of Canada (n.d.c), chronic kidney disease (CKD) has several different causes that combined cause a loss in renal function over 3 months or more, resulting in kidney failure, and its progression is classified into five stages. The two main causes for CKD are diabetes and hypertension (HTN) (National Kidney Foundation, 2012a). Practical nurses caring for adults with chronic kidney disease must considerRead MoreThe Problem Of Chroni c Kidney Disease1490 Words à |à 6 Pagesthe onslaught of chronic diseases that accompany the aging process. To combat this impending health care shift, health care is being transformed from the traditional hospital setting to more community based and long term, health care treatments/solutions. One of these diseases that plague older adults and impose a burden for the health care system is chronic kidney failure. Headley (2014), explains that chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves a progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function (p. 1107)
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1104 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/05/17 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Huckleberry Finn Essay Mark Twain Essay Did you like this example? In an era of realism and war, the ideology of the American society began to shift. Subjects that were deemed normal were being criticized by society, and Mark Twain, author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, used his platform to degrade American Christianity and the hypocrisy behind how many individuals behaved during the time. In the novel, Twain uses many characters and scenarios, such as the Watson sisters, the Grangerfords, and Huck Finns actions, to criticize the aspect of how people react in the name of religion. During the first few chapters of the book, two characters by the name of Widow Douglas and Ms. Watson are introduced as the caretakers of huckleberry, and with these characters Twain begins to criticize the religious hypocrisy in their actions. For example, in chapter 2 after Miss Watson described heaven and hell to Finn, and then Finn responds out of anger and frustration that he wished [he] was [in hell] (Twain p.10) that Miss Watson responds that it was wicked [for Huck] to say what [he] said; said she wouldnt say it for the whole world; she was going to live so as to go to the good place. (10). According to Fredrick Kallin, from Kristianstad university, Huck Finn emphasizes the use of the word she in to demonstrate her adamant belief and desire that she is a good person and that she will go to [heaven] (Kallin p.10). Her desperate belief that she is good shows how many of societys individuals in the 19th century used to think of themselves to give some meaning to their goodness. Another behavior exhibited that shows their hypocrisy, in the name of religious belief is when Widow Douglas advocates for Huck to help other people (Twain p.19), and to do everything he can for other people (p.19), yet at the same time she has no hesitation or guilt in owning slaves. Another time, she scolds Huck Finn for his mean practice (p.10) of smoking, yet she done it herself (p.10). Discus article Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, that explains the societal and religious hypocrisy in the book, claims that: Donââ¬â¢t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" essay for you Create order The former us easily illustrated by the irony of the Widow Douglass attempt to teach Huck religious principles while she persists on holding slaves. As with her snuff-taking which is acceptable because she does it herself there seems to be no relationship between her fundamental sense of humanity and justice and her religion. Hucks practical morality makes him more Christian than the widow, though he takes no interest in her principles. (Grant). The article conveys and explains the idea that Hucks morality and sense of what is right and wrong makes him more in the right than widow Douglas, who herself has lived by the words of the bible. In the end, the use of Miss Watson and Widow Douglas prove Twains point across of the hypocritical points in religion and how it sometimes contradicts what is considered as morally good. Further on, in the novel, Huck meets the Grangerfords, and their deadly feud with the Shepherdsons. Twain uses the Grangerfords to criticize many points including the mocking of southern hospitality, romanticism, and the aggression for no reason. Mark Twain also uses the Grangerfords in a scene in which they all went to church the men took their guns along and kept them between their knees The Shepardsons done the same. It was pretty ornery preaching all about brotherly love everybody said it was a good sermon (Twain p.114). Article Racial and Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, claims that the fact that the families brought guns to a sermon preaching about brotherly love demonstrates the absurdity and hypocrisy of the situation displayed in the novel (Killan). Twain continues to use satire to display the situation of religion in society and how hypocritical it can become while also mocking the southern views of religion. Throughout the novel, Twain additionally uses Huckleberry Finn himself, and his moral conflict in a way to ridicule the religious hypocrisy in society. For example, after the widow tells him about the concept of prayer, and he could get whatever [he] asked for (Twain p.19), but he never got what he wanted (a hook for his fishline); therefore, he became skeptical of prayers. According to Chrissie Henning, from University of Hawaii, in her paper Personal Freedom and Religion, she claims that the idea od spiritual gifts can be an exotic concept to a simple person like Huck, and while the widow explains that true gift is with helping people Huck still does not appreciate prayer; however, in the climax of the novel, Huck begins to question himself and pray in the concept of saving Jim escape or not. Notably, this produces the infamous line, you cant pray a lie (Twain p.214), and with Huck concluding that he would rather go to hell and help Jim escape than do the correct thing. Henning con tinues by explaining that through Huck Finn, Twain states that society and religion are just as bad as hell. In conclusion, Twains view of religion can be seen through the thought process of Huck, and how it affects the views and morals of the protagonist throughout the story with satire. In the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twains morals and beliefs shine through his satire and questioning of what was normal during his time. Twains skepticism of religion and how hypocritical the individuals preaching it shines throughout the novel with characters such as Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, the Grangerfords, and the protagonist himself: Huckleberry Finn. Twain continues to show the acts of brutality and hypocrisy through the people in society, and he also shows the thought process of a simple boy trying to grasp the concept of Christianity as a whole. While the setting of the piece of writing was set in the 19th century, many concepts twain addressed about religion continues to be an issue today; So, no wonder the novel is still important nowadays. Works Cited Twains Influence Of A Racist Society. The Progressive Movement Was A Liberal Triumph Essay 927 Words, brightkite.com/essay-on/twains-influence-of-a-racist-society. Grant, William E. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Masterplots, Fourth Edition, Nov. 2010,pp.1-4. EBSCOhost, scsl.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=discusurl=https://search.ebscohost.com.scsl.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=truedb=lfhAN=103331MP410159310000004site=lcr-live. Henning, Chrissie. Personal Freedom and Religion. Academia.edu Share Research, www.academia.edu/14923511/Personal_Freedom_and_Religion. Killan, Fredrick. Racial and Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Diva Portal, 2007, www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:230890/fulltext01.pdf. Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Group, 2014.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
ZZZZ Best Company Fraud Case Study - 1772 Words
ZZZZ Best Company Fraud Case Study 1) At an early age, Barry Minkow was introduced to the carpet cleaning industry by his mother who worked part time as a telephone solicitor for a small carpet cleaning company. This insight of the industry allowed Minkow to understand that the carpet cleaning industry was one which had very few barriers to entry, no licensing requirements, and required only a small amount of capital to enter. Also, because of these few barriers to entry, the industry has historically attracted a larger number of faulty startups in comparison to other industries. At 16 years old, Minkow started his carpet cleaning company under the name of ZZZZ Best Company. Right away he had a difficult time with customerâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦3) There were two external auditors mentioned in the case that dealt with ZZZZ Best. The first was not a firm that was included in the Big Eight accounting firms at the time. George Greenspan was the sole practitioner who performed the first full-scope independent audit for ZZZZ Best. Greenspan insisted that he had properly audited Minkowââ¬â¢s company, and testified that while planning the audit he had performed various analytical procedures to identify unusual relationships in ZZZZ Bestââ¬â¢s financial data. Greenspanââ¬â¢s procedures reportedly included comparing ZZZZ Bestââ¬â¢s key financial ratios with its industry norms. Greenspan identifies ââ¬Å"unusual relationshipsâ⬠but does not go into detail in order to explain these unusual relationships. This shows that Greenspan did not show enough professional skepticism while conducting the audit and just blew off these unusual relationships. Also Greenspan testified that he had obtained and reviewed copies of all key documents that pertained to the false insurance restoration contracts. It would have been hard for Greenspan to uncover the fraud through the contract paperwork because Minkow and Morze went through such great detail in creating false documents in order to cover the false contracts, but finer details were overlooked by Greenspan. A journalist found one of these finer details which caused the domino effect leading to the destruction of ZZZZ Best. This shows that the first auditor,Show MoreRelatedCase Study Examination And Ethical Questions1646 Words à |à 7 PagesCase Study Examination and Ethical Questions Fraud in financial statements is one of the most common types of financial fraud committed by organizations. Tactics are utilized to inflate or deflate revenues and expenses to arrive at the desired financial position of executives of the business. Fraud, however, is not something derived from years of experience. As is the case of ZZZZ Best, the perpetrator of fraud in the case of this organization was its 15-year old owner, Barry Minkow. CaseRead MoreZZZZ Bests Story 2733 Words à |à 11 PagesZZZZ Best, Inc. The start of ZZZZ Best: ZZZZ Best started as a carpet cleaning company. Barry Minkow founded ZZZZ Best in his parentsââ¬â¢ garage in 1982 when he was only sixteen years old. Due to high competition in the industry, low enter barriers, and bad internal control, this young entrepreneur started to have cash flow problems, and a shortage of working capital. Pressure Leads to Fraud: Under financial pressure, Minkow started to commit fraud. He forged credit card applications, stagedRead MoreDifference Between A Review And An Audit1238 Words à |à 5 PagesZZZZ Best Case 1. Difference between a Review and an Audit. The review is much less in scope than an audit, it mostly involves inquiries of clientââ¬â¢s personnel and analytical procedures and is usually performed on a quarterly basis, whereas audits are done annually. However, the main difference is in the level of assurance that the reports are providing. While both required to perform inquiry and analytical procedures, the review produces limited assurance, that there are no material modificationsRead MoreEssay on ZZZZ Best Company, Inc.: Case Study1340 Words à |à 6 Pages------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ZZZ Best Company, Inc. ------------------------------------------------- Case Study 2 ------------------------------------------------- Due Date: March 30,2010 ZZZ Best, Case 1. Ernst amp; Whinney never issued an audit opinion on financial statements of ZZZZ Best but did issue a review report on the companyââ¬â¢s quarterly statements for the three months ended July 31, 1986. How does aRead MoreAuditing Cases22626 Words à |à 91 PagesAdditional Cases for the Course The case readings have been developed solely as a basis for class discussion. The case readings are not intended to serve as a source of primary data or as an illustration of effective or ineffective auditing. Reprinted by permission from Jay C. Thibodeau and Deborah Freier. Copyright à © Jay C. Thibodeau and Deborah Freier; all rights reserved. 1â⬠¢Ã¢â¬ ¢Ã¢â¬ ¢ ( Case 61 à ® Enron Enroriââ¬â¢s First Few Years hi~ 1985 Enron had assets along the three major stages of the supplyRead MoreCase Analysis : Zzzz Best Company, Inc.1688 Words à |à 7 Pages 1. Read Case 1.9, ZZZZ Best Company, Inc. in your text. Answer questions #1, 2, and 4 found at the end of the case. Question # 1 A review is like an audit yet is less in extension and just gives restricted affirmation with respect to the financial statements. This varies with an audit that gives sensible affirmation that no material mistakes or illicit acts are detected. The goal of an audit is to give a sensible freedom of expressed opinion the money related proclamations taken all in all. ARead MoreFraud Triangle Not Good Enough3956 Words à |à 16 Pagesto find ways to set fraud in motion ââ¬â and a new breed of offenders is finding cunning ways to do so. After more than 60 years, the classic fraud triangle of three elements or events that motivate an employee to cross the line has morphed â⠢ into Croweââ¬â¢s Fraud Pentagon. Company boards and senior management must take an offensive stance against the five conditions that precipitate fraud with a clear plan that limits the opportunity for fraud and minimizes the impact when fraud does occur.â⬠JonathanRead Morewall board12806 Words à |à 52 Pagesin which the auditors accepted a forged bank confirmation that was allegedly faxed to the auditors by Parmalat client personnel (a copy of the actual forged Parmalat fax is included in these instructor notes for instructor use in debriefing the case). Notice of Erratum: The first printing of the fourth edition includes a minor error in the audit program (schedule C 2). The reference in step three should be to schedule C 14 rather than to schedule C 13. This error will be corrected in subsequent
The Golden Lily Chapter 15 Free Essays
string(42) " was trying to stay serious for her sake\." I FELT SO BAD for Brayden the next day that I actually called him, as opposed to our usual texting and e-mailing. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m so sorry,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Running out like thatâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s not my usual style. We will write a custom essay sample on The Golden Lily Chapter 15 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Not at all. I wouldnââ¬â¢t have left if it wasnââ¬â¢t a family emergency.â⬠Maybe that was stretching it. Maybe not. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s okay,â⬠he said. Without seeing his face, I couldnââ¬â¢t tell if it really was okay. ââ¬Å"I suppose things were winding down anyway.â⬠I wondered what ââ¬Å"thingsâ⬠he meant. Did he mean the dance itself? Or was he talking about us? ââ¬Å"Let me take you out to make up for it,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You always do everything. Iââ¬â¢ll handle it for a change. Dinner will be on me, and Iââ¬â¢ll even pick you up.â⬠ââ¬Å"In the Subaru?â⬠I ignored the judgment in his tone. ââ¬Å"Are you in or not?â⬠He was in. We made the necessary arrangements, and I hung up feeling better about everything. Brayden wasnââ¬â¢t mad. Adrianââ¬â¢s visit hadnââ¬â¢t ruined my fledgling relationship. Things were back to normal ââ¬â at least for me. Iââ¬â¢d kept to myself the day after the dance, wanting to catch up on work and not stress about social matters. Monday morning started the school week again, back to business as usual. Eddie walked into Eastââ¬â¢s cafeteria when I did, and we waited together in the food line. He wanted to know about Adrianââ¬â¢s visit to the dance, and I gave a glossed-over version of the night, simply saying that Adrian had gotten drunk and needed a ride home. I made no mention of my role in getting the queen to act on his behalf or of me being ââ¬Å"the most beautiful creature walking this earth.â⬠I certainly didnââ¬â¢t mention the way Iââ¬â¢d felt when Adrian had touched me. Eddie and I walked over to a table and found the unusual sight of Angeline trying to cheer up Jill. Normally, I wouldââ¬â¢ve chastised Angeline for what sheââ¬â¢d done at the dance, but thereââ¬â¢d been no damage doneâ⬠¦ this time. Plus, I was too distracted by Jill. It was impossible for me to see her down without immediately assuming something was wrong with Adrian. Eddie spoke before I could, noticing what I hadnââ¬â¢t. ââ¬Å"No Micah?â⬠he asked. ââ¬Å"He was out the door before me. I figured he wouldââ¬â¢ve beat me over here.â⬠ââ¬Å"You had to ask, didnââ¬â¢t you?â⬠Angeline grimaced. ââ¬Å"They had a fight.â⬠I swear, Eddie looked more upset about this than Jill. ââ¬Å"What? He didnââ¬â¢t say anything. What happened? You guys seemed to be having such a great time on Saturday.â⬠Jill nodded morosely but didnââ¬â¢t look up from her uneaten food. I could just barely catch sight of tears in her eyes. ââ¬Å"We did. So good that he actually talked to me yesterday and askedâ⬠¦ well, he asked if I wanted to have Thanksgiving with his family. Theyââ¬â¢re from Pasadena. He thought he could either get permission from the school or talk to you guys.â⬠ââ¬Å"That doesnââ¬â¢t sound so bad,â⬠said Eddie cautiously. ââ¬Å"Thanksgiving with his family is serious! Itââ¬â¢s one thing for us to hang out together here, but if we start expanding thatâ⬠¦ becoming a couple outside of schoolâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She sighed. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s going to go too fast. How long would I be able to hide what I am? And even if that wasnââ¬â¢t an issue, itââ¬â¢s not safe anyway. The whole point of me being here is that itââ¬â¢s a safe, controlled environment. I canââ¬â¢t just take off to meet strangers.â⬠It was another step of progress to her accepting the difficulties of a ââ¬Å"casualâ⬠relationship with Micah. I offered a neutral comment. ââ¬Å"Sounds like youââ¬â¢ve thought a lot about this.â⬠Jill looked up sharply, almost as if she hadnââ¬â¢t even realized I was there. ââ¬Å"Yeah. I guess I have.â⬠She scrutinized me for a few seconds, and weirdly, her distraught expression softened. She smiled. ââ¬Å"You look really pretty today, Sydney. The way the light hits youâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s kind of amazing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, thanks,â⬠I said, uncertain as to what had prompted that comment. I was pretty sure there was nothing remarkable about me today. My hair and makeup were the same as ever, and Iââ¬â¢d chosen a white shirt and plaid skirt uniform combo today. I had to make up for this weekendââ¬â¢s color splurge. ââ¬Å"And the burgundy trim in your skirt really brings out the amber in your eyes,â⬠Jill continued. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not as good as the bright red, but still looks great. Of course, every color looks great on you, even the dull ones.â⬠Eddie was still focused on Micah. ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢d the fight come about?â⬠Jill dragged her gaze from me, much to my relief. ââ¬Å"Oh. Well. I told him I didnââ¬â¢t know if I could do Thanksgiving. Probably if Iââ¬â¢d just given him one reason, it wouldââ¬â¢ve all been fine. But I started freaking out, thinking about all the problems, and just went off on a ramble, saying we might go back to South Dakota or maybe family would come here or maybe you wouldnââ¬â¢t let meâ⬠¦ or, well, a bunch of other things. I guess it was pretty obvious I was kind of making it all up, and then he outright asked me if I didnââ¬â¢t want to be with him anymore. Then I said I did but that it was complicated. He asked what I meant, but of course I couldnââ¬â¢t explain it all, and from thereâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She threw up her hands. ââ¬Å"It all just kind of exploded from there.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d never thought much about Thanksgiving or meeting oneââ¬â¢s family as a rite of pas sage in dating. Braydenââ¬â¢s family lived in southern California tooâ⬠¦ would I be expected to meet them someday? ââ¬Å"Micahââ¬â¢s not the type to hold a grudge,â⬠said Eddie. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s also pretty reasonable. Just tell him the truth.â⬠ââ¬Å"What, that Iââ¬â¢m one of the last in a line of vampire royalty and my sisterââ¬â¢s throne is dependent on me staying in hiding and surviving?â⬠Jill asked incredulously. Amusement flickered in Eddieââ¬â¢s eyes, though I could tell he was trying to stay serious for her sake. You read "The Golden Lily Chapter 15" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s one way, I suppose. But noâ⬠¦ I meant, just give him the simplified version. You donââ¬â¢t want to get too serious. You like him but just want to watch how fast things are going. Itââ¬â¢s not unreasonable, you know. Youââ¬â¢re fifteen and have been ââ¬Ëdatingââ¬â¢ for barely a month.â⬠She pondered his words. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t think heââ¬â¢d be mad?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not if he really cares about you,â⬠said Eddie vehemently. ââ¬Å"If he really cares, heââ¬â¢ll understand and respect your wishes ââ¬â and be happy at just any chance of spending time with you.â⬠I wondered if Eddie was referring to Micah or himself, but that was a thought best kept quiet. Jillââ¬â¢s face lit up. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠she told Eddie. ââ¬Å"I hadnââ¬â¢t thought of it that way. Youââ¬â¢re so right. If he canââ¬â¢t accept my feelings, then thereââ¬â¢s no point to anything.â⬠She glanced over at a wall clock and jumped to her feet. ââ¬Å"I think Iââ¬â¢m going to go try to find him now before class.â⬠Like that, she was gone. Good work, Eddie, I thought. You may have just helped get the girl of your dreams back together with her boyfriend. When Eddie caught my eye, the look on his face told me he was thinking the exact same thing. Angeline watched Jill dart out of the cafeteria, her blue eyes narrowed in thought. ââ¬Å"Even if they make up, I donââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢ll last. With their situationâ⬠¦ it canââ¬â¢t work.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought you were all about vampire and human relationships,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Oh, sure. Back home, no problem. Even out in your world, no problem. But Jillââ¬â¢s a special case. Sheââ¬â¢s got to stay out of sight and stay safe if sheââ¬â¢s going to help her family. Dating him wonââ¬â¢t do that, and she knows it ââ¬â no matter how much she wishes it werenââ¬â¢t true. Sheââ¬â¢ll do the right thing in the end. This is duty. Itââ¬â¢s bigger than personal wants. Jill gets that.â⬠Angeline then declared she needed to get back to her room to catch up on homework. Eddie and I were left staring. He shook his head in amazement. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think Iââ¬â¢ve ever seen Angeline soâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ subdued?â⬠I suggested. ââ¬Å"I was thinkingâ⬠¦ coherent.â⬠I laughed. ââ¬Å"Come on, sheââ¬â¢s coherent plenty of times.â⬠ââ¬Å"You know what I mean,â⬠he argued. ââ¬Å"What she just said? It was totally true. It wasâ⬠¦ wise. She understands Jill and this situation.â⬠ââ¬Å"I think she understands more than we give her credit for,â⬠I said, recalling how much better-behaved sheââ¬â¢d been since the assembly ââ¬â breaking into dances aside. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s just taken her time to adjust, which makes sense, considering what a change this is. If youââ¬â¢d seen where sheââ¬â¢s from, youââ¬â¢d understand.â⬠ââ¬Å"I may have misjudged her,â⬠Eddie admitted. He seemed astonished by his own words. Part of me had expected to get chastised by Trey today for having skipped out on Brayden at the dance. Instead, I found Trey missing again from our morning classes. I almost worried but then reminded myself that his cousin was still in town, possibly muddling Trey in ââ¬Å"family stuff.â⬠Trey was competent. Whatever was going on, he could handle it. Then why all the bruises? I wondered. When I reached Ms. Terwilligerââ¬â¢s independent study, she was waiting expectantly for me, which I took as a bad sign. Usually, she was already hard at work at her own desk and just gave me a nod of acknowledgment when I took out my books. Today, she was standing in front of her desk, arms crossed, watching the door. ââ¬Å"Miss Melbourne. I trust you had an enjoyable weekend? You were certainly the belle of the ball at the Halloween dance.â⬠ââ¬Å"You saw me?â⬠I asked. For a moment, I expected her to say sheââ¬â¢d been watching the whole dance through a crystal ball or something. ââ¬Å"Well, certainly. I was there as a chaperone. My post was near the DJ, so Iââ¬â¢m not surprised you didnââ¬â¢t see me. That, and I hardly stood out the way you did. I must say, that was an exquisite neo-Greco reproduction you were wearing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks.â⬠I was getting compliments left and right today, but hers were much less creepy than Jillââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"Now then,â⬠said Ms. Terwilliger, all business again. ââ¬Å"I thought it might be useful for us to discuss some of the spells youââ¬â¢ve been researching for my project. Notating them is one thing. Understanding them is another.â⬠My stomach sank. Iââ¬â¢d grown comfortable in my avoidance of her and the repetitive, almost mindless nature of annotating and translating spells. So long as we didnââ¬â¢t have to actually delve into them, I felt reassured that I wasnââ¬â¢t doing anything real with magic. I dreaded whatever she had in mind, but there was little I could make in the way of protest, so long as this was all couched in the terms of my study and didnââ¬â¢t involve harm to myself or others. ââ¬Å"Would you be kind enough to close the door?â⬠she asked. I did, and my feeling of unease increased. ââ¬Å"Now. I wanted to examine that book I gave you further ââ¬â the one on protective spells.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t have it with me, maââ¬â¢am,â⬠I said, relieved. ââ¬Å"But if you want, Iââ¬â¢ll go get it from my dorm room and bring it back.â⬠If I timed the shuttle bus right ââ¬â by which I meant, wrong ââ¬â I could probably use up a huge part of our hour in the round-trip. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s all right. I obtained that copy for your personal use.â⬠She lifted a book from her desk. ââ¬Å"I have my own. Letââ¬â¢s take a look, shall we?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t hide my dismay. We sat in adjacent student desks, and she began by simply going over the table of contents with me. The book was divided into three sections: Defense, Planned Attacks, and Instant Attacks. Each of those subsections was divided into levels of difficulty. ââ¬Å"Defense includes a lot of protective charms and evasion spells,â⬠she told me. ââ¬Å"Why do you think those come first in the book?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because the best way to win a fight is to avoid one,â⬠I said immediately. ââ¬Å"Makes the rest superfluous.â⬠She looked startled that I had come up with that. ââ¬Å"Yesâ⬠¦ precisely.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what Wolfe said,â⬠I explained. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s the instructor in a self-defense class Iââ¬â¢m taking.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, heââ¬â¢s quite right. Most of the spells in this section do exactly that. This oneâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She flipped a few pages into the book. ââ¬Å"This oneââ¬â¢s very basic but extremely useful. Itââ¬â¢s a concealment spell. Many physical components ââ¬â which youââ¬â¢d expect from a beginner spell ââ¬â but well worth it. You create an amulet and keep a separate ingredient ââ¬â crumbled gypsum ââ¬â on hand. When youââ¬â¢re ready to activate it, add the gypsum, and the amulet comes to life. It makes it nearly impossible for someone to see you. You can leave a room or area in safety, undetected, before the magic wears off.â⬠The wording wasnââ¬â¢t lost on me, and in spite of my inner resistance, I couldnââ¬â¢t help but ask: ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËNearly impossible?'â⬠ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t work if they actually know youââ¬â¢re there,â⬠she explained. ââ¬Å"You canââ¬â¢t just cast it and become invisible ââ¬â though there are more advanced spells for that. But if someone isnââ¬â¢t actively expecting to see youâ⬠¦ well, they wonââ¬â¢t.â⬠She showed me others, many of which were basic and amulet based, requiring a similar means of activation. One that she dubbed intermediate had kind of a reverse activation process. The caster wore an amulet that protected her when she cast the rest of the spell ââ¬â one that made all people within a certain radius go temporarily blind. Only the caster retained sight. Listening, I still squirmed at the thought of using magic to directly affect someone else. Concealing yourself was one thing. But blinding someone? Making them dizzy? Forcing them to sleep? It crossed that line, using wrong and unnatural means to do things humans had no business doing. And yetâ⬠¦ deep inside, some part of me could see the usefulness. The attack had made me reconsider all sorts of things. As much as it pained me to admit it, I could even see how giving blood to Sonya might not be so bad. Might. I wasnââ¬â¢t ready to do it yet by any means. I listened patiently as she went through the pages, all the while wondering what her game was here. Finally, when we had five minutes left of class, she told me, ââ¬Å"For next Monday, Iââ¬â¢d like you to re-create one of these, just as you did with the fire amulet and write a paper on it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ms. Terwilliger ââ¬â â⬠I began. ââ¬Å"Yes, yes,â⬠she said, closing the book and standing up. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m well aware of your arguments and objections, how humans arenââ¬â¢t meant to wield such power and all of that nonsense. I respect your right to feel that way. No oneââ¬â¢s making you use any of this. I just want you to continue getting a feel for the construction.â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t,â⬠I said adamantly. ââ¬Å"I wonââ¬â¢t.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s no different than dissecting a frog in biology,â⬠she argued. ââ¬Å"Hands-on work to understand the material.â⬠ââ¬Å"I guessâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I relented, glumly. ââ¬Å"Which one do you want me to do, maââ¬â¢am?â⬠ââ¬Å"Whichever you like.â⬠Something about that bothered me even more. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d rather you choose.â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t be silly,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"You have freedom in your larger term paper and freedom in this. I donââ¬â¢t care what you do, so long as the assignmentââ¬â¢s complete. Go with what interests you.â⬠And that was the problem. In having me choose, she was making me get invested in the magic. It was easy for me to claim no part in it and point out that everything I did for her was under duress. Even if this assignment was technically dictated by her, that one small choice sheââ¬â¢d given me forced me to become proactive. So, I put the decision off ââ¬â which was almost unheard of for me when it came to homework. Some part of me thought that maybe if I ignored the assignment, it would go away or sheââ¬â¢d change her mind. Besides, I had a week. No point in stressing about it yet. Although I knew we had no obligation to Lia for giving us the costumes, I still felt the appropriate thing to do was return them to her ââ¬â just so there was no doubt of my intentions. Once Ms. Terwilliger released me, I packed up my and Jillââ¬â¢s costumes into their garment bags and headed into downtown. Jill was sad to let hers go but conceded that it was the right thing to do. Lia, however, felt otherwise. ââ¬Å"What am I going to do with these?â⬠she asked when I showed up at her shop. Large rhinestone hoop earrings made her dazzling to look at. ââ¬Å"They were custom made for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sure you can alter them. And Iââ¬â¢m sure theyââ¬â¢re not far off from your sample sizes anyway.â⬠I held the hangers out, and she obstinately crossed her arms. ââ¬Å"Look, they were great. We really appreciate what you did. But we canââ¬â¢t keep them.â⬠ââ¬Å"You will keep them,â⬠she stated. ââ¬Å"If you donââ¬â¢t take them, Iââ¬â¢ll just leave them on your counter,â⬠I warned. ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢ll have them shipped back to your dorm.â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"Why is this so important to you? Why canââ¬â¢t you take no for an answer? There are plenty of pretty girls in Palm Springs. You donââ¬â¢t need Jill.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s exactly it,â⬠said Lia. ââ¬Å"Plenty of pretty girls that all blend into each other. Jill is special. Sheââ¬â¢s a natural and doesnââ¬â¢t even know it. She could be great someday.â⬠ââ¬Å"Someday,â⬠I repeated. ââ¬Å"But not right now.â⬠Lia attempted another approach. ââ¬Å"The campaign is for scarves and hats. I canââ¬â¢t do masks again, but I can put her in sunglasses ââ¬â especially if we shoot outside. Tell me if youââ¬â¢d agree to this plan ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Lia, please. Donââ¬â¢t bother.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just listen,â⬠she urged. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll go do a photo shoot. Afterward, you can go through all the pictures and throw out any that donââ¬â¢t meet your weird religious criteria.â⬠ââ¬Å"No exceptions,â⬠I insisted. ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢m leaving the dresses.â⬠I set them on a counter and headed out, ignoring Liaââ¬â¢s protests about all the amazing things she could do for Jill. Maybe someday, I thought. Someday when all of Jillââ¬â¢s problems are gone. Something told me that day was far away, however. Although my loyalty to Spencerââ¬â¢s was steadfast, a small French cafe caught my attention as I walked back to my car. Or rather, the scent of their coffee caught my attention. I had no obligations at school and stopped into the cafe for a cup. I had a book for English class on me and decided to do some reading at one of the cafeââ¬â¢s small tables. Half of that time was spent texting back and forth with Brayden. Heââ¬â¢d wanted to know what I was reading, and we were swapping our favorite Tennessee Williams quotes. Iââ¬â¢d barely been there for ten minutes when shadows fell over me, blocking the late afternoon sun. Two guys stood there, neither of whom I knew. They were a little older than me, one blond haired and blue eyed while the other was dark haired and deeply tanned. Their expressions werenââ¬â¢t hostile, but they werenââ¬â¢t friendly either. Both were well built, like those who trained regularly. And then, after a double-take, I realized I did recognize one of them. The dark-haired guy was the one whoââ¬â¢d approached Sonya and me a while ago, claiming to know her from Kentucky. Immediately, all the panic Iââ¬â¢d been trying to suppress this last week came back to me, that sense of being trapped and helpless. It was only the realization that I was in a public place, surrounded by people, which allowed me to regard these two with astonishing calm. ââ¬Å"Yes?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"We need to talk to you, Alchemist,â⬠said the blond guy. I didnââ¬â¢t twitch a muscle in my face. ââ¬Å"I think youââ¬â¢ve got me mixed up with someone else.â⬠ââ¬Å"No one else around here has a lily tattoo,â⬠said the other guy. Heââ¬â¢d said his name was Jeff, but I wondered if heââ¬â¢d told the truth. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢d be great if you could take a walk with us.â⬠My tattoo was covered up today, but something told me these guys had been following me for a while and didnââ¬â¢t need to see the lily to know it was there. ââ¬Å"Absolutely not,â⬠I said. I didnââ¬â¢t even need Wolfeââ¬â¢s reminders to know that was a terrible idea. I was staying here in the safety of the crowd. ââ¬Å"If you want to talk, youââ¬â¢d best take a seat. Otherwise, go away.â⬠I looked back down at my book, like I didnââ¬â¢t have a care in the world. Meanwhile, my heart was pounding, and it took every ounce of control I had to keep my hands from shaking. A few moments later, I heard the sounds of metal scraping on concrete, and the two guys sat down opposite me. I looked back up at their impassive faces. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got to go inside if you want coffee,â⬠I remarked. ââ¬Å"They donââ¬â¢t have service out here.â⬠ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re not here to talk about the coffee,â⬠said Jeff. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re here to talk about vampires.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why? Are you filming a movie or something?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"We know you hang out with them,â⬠said Blond Hair. ââ¬Å"Including that Strigoi, Sonya Karp.â⬠Part of my tattooââ¬â¢s magic was to prevent Alchemists from revealing information about the vampire world to outsiders. We literally couldnââ¬â¢t do it. The magic would kick in and prevent it if we tried. Since these guys seemed to already know about vampires, the tattoo wasnââ¬â¢t going to censor my words. Instead, I chose to censor myself of my own free will. Something told me ignorance was the best tactic here. ââ¬Å"Vampires arenââ¬â¢t real,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Look, if this is some kind of a joke ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"We know what you do,â⬠continued Blond Hair. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t like them any more than we do. So why are you helping them? How could your group have gotten so muddled and lost sight of our original vision? Centuries ago, we were one united group, determined to see all vampires wiped from the face of the earth in the name of the light. Your brethren betrayed that goal.â⬠I had another protest ready, and then I noticed a glint of gold in Jeffââ¬â¢s ear. He was wearing a tiny earring, a small golden sphere with a dark dot in the middle. I couldnââ¬â¢t help myself. ââ¬Å"Your earring,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s the sun symbol ââ¬â the symbol for gold.â⬠And, I realized, it was exactly the same symbol that had been on the hilt of the sword weââ¬â¢d retrieved from the alley. He touched his earring and nodded. ââ¬Å"We havenââ¬â¢t forgotten the mission ââ¬â or our original purpose. We serve the light. Not the darkness that hides vampires.â⬠I still refused to acknowledge anything they said about vampires. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re the ones who attacked my friend and me in the alley last week.â⬠Neither one denied it. ââ¬Å"Your ââ¬Ëfriendââ¬â¢ is a creature of darkness,â⬠said Blond Hair. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know how sheââ¬â¢s managed this current enchantment ââ¬â making herself look like one of the other vampires ââ¬â but you canââ¬â¢t be fooled. Sheââ¬â¢s evil. Sheââ¬â¢ll kill you and countless others.â⬠ââ¬Å"You guys are crazy,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"None of this makes any sense.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just tell us where her main lair is,â⬠said Jeff. ââ¬Å"We know itââ¬â¢s not that apartment on the other side of downtown. Weââ¬â¢ve been watching it and she hasnââ¬â¢t returned since our last attempt to destroy her. If you wonââ¬â¢t actively help us, that information will be all we need to rid the world of her evil.â⬠Weââ¬â¢ve been watching it. Adrianââ¬â¢s apartment. Chills ran through me. How long had they been spying on his place? And to what extent? Had they simply sat outside in a car, stakeout style? Did they have high tech surveillance equipment? Wolfe had warned against being stalked in parking lots, not in homes. The small comfort I had here was that they obviously didnââ¬â¢t know about Clarenceââ¬â¢s. Their surveillance couldnââ¬â¢t have been that thorough if no one had followed her yet. But had they followed me? Did they know where I went to school? And with their own words, they were confirming the terrible reality Iââ¬â¢d hardly dared speculate about. It was a reality that meant there were forces moving unseen beneath the Alchemistsââ¬â¢ seemingly all-knowing vision, forces working against our goals. Vampire hunters were real. With that realization came a hundred more terrifying questions. What did this mean for the Moroi? Was Jill in danger? Was Adrian? ââ¬Å"The only thing Iââ¬â¢m going to do is call the police,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know who you guys are or why youââ¬â¢re obsessed with my friend, but neither of us have done anything to you. Youââ¬â¢re even crazier than I first thought if you think Iââ¬â¢m going to tell you where she is so that you can stalk her.â⬠Then, by the sheerest luck, I saw a patrolling police officer walking down the street. The two guys at my table followed my gaze and undoubtedly could guess my thoughts. It would be very easy to call her over. Weââ¬â¢d filed no report about the alley attack, but accusing these guys of a recent assault would certainly detain them. In sync, they both rose. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re making a terrible mistake,â⬠Jeff said. ââ¬Å"We could have had this problem eradicated ages ago if our groups worked together. First the Strigoi, then the Moroi. Your misguided descent into their corruption has nearly ruined everything. Fortunately, we still walk the true path.â⬠The fact that heââ¬â¢d just named the two groups was particularly alarming. These guys were scary, certainly, but less so if they were just talking about vampires in shadowy, vague terms. Using ââ¬Å"Moroiâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Strigoiâ⬠indicated extensive knowledge. Blond Hair tossed down a small, homemade pamphlet. ââ¬Å"Read this, and maybe youââ¬â¢ll see the light. Weââ¬â¢ll be in touch.â⬠ââ¬Å"I wouldnââ¬â¢t if I were you,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Mess with me again, and Iââ¬â¢ll do a lot more than just have a pleasant chat.â⬠My words came out more fiercely than Iââ¬â¢d expected. Maybe Dimitri and Wolfe were rubbing off on me. Jeff laughed as the two of them began walking away. ââ¬Å"Too bad you got so bogged down in books,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got the spirit of a hunter.â⬠How to cite The Golden Lily Chapter 15, Essay examples
The Dead Essay Research Paper The Dead free essay sample
The Dead Essay, Research Paper The Dead # 8221 ; is a narrative saturated in music. In it, the Morkan adult females # 8211 ; Aunt Julia, Aunt Kate, niece Mary Jane, all music instructors # 8211 ; are giving their one-year Yuletide feast, complete with vocal and dance. Most of the # 8220 ; The Dead # 8221 ; takes topographic point at a Christmas party in Dublin about a century ago. The one-year jubilations is right around Christmas clip and takes topographic point in a really traditional Irish manner. Among the invitees is their nephew Gabriel Conroy, a instructor and author who acts as a slightly grandiloquent maestro of the Rebels. In my position he is one of the chief characters and a batch of focal point is put on the one-year address he is giving at the dinner banquet every bit good as the influence that person from the dead has on his life. Gabriel does non desire to be identified with Ireland. We will write a custom essay sample on The Dead Essay Research Paper The Dead or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He wants to be identified as a citizen of the universe. His haughtiness is revealed in his interaction with others. A primary illustration would be the manner he treats his married woman Gretta as an object. The images reflect Gabriel? s self-importance in a sense, at the same for his matrimonial relationship, and at the terminal decease, which may non be physical but religious. Gabriel who is tallish and stout symbolizes authorization and besides wants to be perfect for all times. He suffers from a mental block, which makes him believe that he is more superior and different than others are. Gabriel believes the others in the room might hold a difficult clip understanding his address. He # 8217 ; s built a screen around himself, which stops him from placing himself with the # 8220 ; common? people. Much of the eventide is given over to song. Because each of the chief characters sings a party piece, the enticement is to travel with the flow and impetus into soft Victorian nostalgia. Many of these vocals reveal truths about the invitees? lives or the interior workings of their Black Marias. Aunt Julia? s expresses the affecting memory of a lost love while the delicate familiarity of the love between Gretta and Gabriel can about be felt. This premise would be fatally untrue to the narrative though. For what concerns Joyce is non merely the music but besides the manner vocals summon memories of the dead. The power of # 8220 ; The Dead # 8221 ; lies in the wondrous delicate balance between the graphic joy of a gay jubilation and the apparitional remembrance of those who are no longer show at life # 8217 ; s banquet. Joyce # 8217 ; s intended subject of palsy is exemplified in the symbolisation of snow. In the narrative, snow has a major function as it symbolizes the political state of affairs at the same clip where everything was cold and dead due to the political uncertainness at the clip. Snow besides plays a major function as it interprets the reader to be on the qui vive, as things at the terminal are non traveling to be every bit smooth as Gabriel had predicted. This, seen in the displacement of temper when after the party had concluded, Gabriel and his married woman are heading toward s the hotel and heââ¬â¢s in a really romantic temper and looking frontward to a dark of love affair. On the manner, snow suggests that things are non traveling to be so smooth. ââ¬Å"The forenoon was still dark. A dark xanthous visible radiation brooded over the houses and the river ; and the sky seemed to be falling. It was slushy underfoot ; and merely runs and spots of snow ballad on the roofs, on parapets of the quay and on the country railingsâ⬠( 51 ) . The snow at the terminal of the narrative takes a different signifier. As when Gabriel realizes that his married woman Gretta has truly been believing about person else while he thought that all her ideas would be about him, particularly at the minute where he is in a romantic province of head. His universe comes hurdling down when Gretta informs him that she has been believing about her life when she was an stripling and had a seventeen-year-old male child who was frantically in love with her. Despite the fact that he was enduring from TB, he waited in the rain merely to hold a glance of her. This aggravated his status and finally he died. # 8220 ; I think he died for me. # 8221 ; # 8220 ; A obscure panic seized Gabriel at this reply as if, at that hr when he had hoped to prevail, some intangible and revengeful being was coming against him, garnering forces against him in it # 8217 ; s obscure universe # 8221 ; ( 57 ) . At this minute Gabriel realizes that he has failed as a hubby and that his thoughts about love and relationships were all incorrect and he was non every bit perfect as he thought he was. # 8220 ; A adult male had died for her interest. It barely pained him now to believe how hapless a portion he, her hubby, had played in her life # 8221 ; ( 58 ) . At this minute when he looks out the window and sees the snow, it is non slushy any longer but beautiful. He possibly wants to travel outside and disunite himself from everyone by acquiring lost in the snow. Besides, as snow is H2O, which can be a symbol of metempsychosis, as it can besides be implied that at that really minute he was reborn. # 8220 ; A few visible radiation lights-outs upon the window glass made him turn towards the window. # 8221 ; # 8220 ; His psyche swooned easy as he heard the snow falling faintly through the existence and faintly falling, like the descent of their last terminal, upon all the life and the dead # 8221 ; ( 59 ) . This can besides mean Joyce # 8217 ; s intended subject of palsy as Gabriel is paralyzed emotionally, as he does non cognize what is traveling to go on next. The short narrative by James Joyce has a powerful impact on the reader, it keeps the reader tied into the plot line until the terminal, when the reader sees a glance of the hurting that Gabriel feels. Bibliography 1. Charters, Ann, The Story and Its Writer, 5th edition, Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin? s Press. 2. ENCYCLOP? DIA BRITANNICA, Britannica.com Inc. 1999-2000. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.britannica.com/ 3. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Grolier Inc. 1999. 4. Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia. Microsoft Inc. 1998.
Friday, May 1, 2020
Applied Business Research Report
Question: Research report on "Effective ways to control aggressive behaviour in psychiatric settings". Answer: 1. Introduction Several academicians have established the implication of faithfulness in the service industries and at the same time, it has probable impact on the overall expansion of the suitable competitive border too for the service firms. However, it can be stated that this might be accredited to the exceptional character of services, augmented enslavement on the technologies and superior consumer participation in the entire delivery of services. A base of the trustworthy consumers can perform marvel in terms of the financial rewards and the original commerce projections as captivating a new customer can charge as much as 6 times more than the charge of keeping an old one. Therefore, it can be stated that the customer loyalty clearly brings several momentous benefits to the existing business and calls for a deeper exploration into the features that act as its inventor and make a payment in its augmentation. Baumann, Elliott and Burton (2012) have stated that customer loyalty is convoluted and d ynamic as well as changing with the course of time. Benoit and Van den Poel (2012) have mentioned in his research work that why customer satisfaction as well as customer loyalty is so important and the answer of this question in one word is revenue. It can be seen that the satisfied customers spend huge amount of money, refer more number of the new consumers and support the trade longer than the discontented consumers. Therefore, it can be stated that this all leads to more profits for the trades that can maintain their customers well contented. However, it can b e easily stated that the companies striving to maximize the amount of returns must critically believe investing in a consumer contentment and the faithfulness research curriculum. It can be stated that the rationale of this particular research document is to talk about the importance of consumer faithfulness and its consequence in the contemporary commerce ground throughout a wide-ranging examination literature. Furthermore, it seeks to discover a variety of things that serve as previous circumstances towards consumer loyalty development procedure. In order to understand the importance of customer loyalty on the business performance, Muthoot finance has been selected and the entire research work would try to shed light on these aspects from several perspectives. Therefore, it can be stated this specific research work has tried to represent the importance of customer relationship management as well as customer loyalty for Muthoot finance that wishes to be successful enough and gain enough competitive market in the existing market (Chen, 2012). It can be stated that a new emphasis has been shed on customer relationship management, as this concept has been gradually wide spreading with time in several operating market. Muthoot finance is the principal gold backing corporation in India in provisos of loan selection and the corporation is a Systematically significant Non-Deposit captivating NBFC (muthootfinance.com, 2016). From the company profile it can be seen that Muthoot finance give Indias best gold loans and thus the organization believes that focusing on customer loyalty is one of the major parts to take care of. However, besides gold loan, they provide the facilities of money transfer, foreign exchange, housing finance, insurance as well as travel jango (muthootfinance.com, 2016). Therefore, this specific research work would try to analyze the importance of customer loyalty in Muthoot finance from some different perspectives through an information-rich literature review. 2. Literature Review 2.1 Customer dependability As mentioned by Coelho and Henseler (2012), customer faithfulness is the enthusiasm of the consumers to acquire the manufactured goods from the specific organization and maintain buying the alike from the same brand name for a longer time epoch. However, customer trustworthiness can be also termed as the unremitting buying for a particular brand and at the same time signifying other people to do the similar. Associations are at the present concentrating more on preserving soaring amount of trustworthy consumers that more clients can be recommended through them to patch up a long run business with the product name. Evanschitzky et al. (2012) have mentioned that organisations must follow some exceptional characteristics that can be competent enough in keeping the consumers trading commodities from the brand name devoid of favouring any contestant brand. Preceding studies on consumer allegiance have stated the consumer allegiance into two noteworthy fractions, customer performance and customer approach where both the parts are interrelated to each other. Customer loyalty may be rational or touching factor depending on the node of transaction and base of customer retention. The characteristics of commodities and services are the rational factor whereas the emotional factors are unswervingly connected to the discernment of purchaser towards the association (Jahanshani et al., 2014). 2.2 Factors upsetting consumer trustworthiness Some of the preceding research works have experienced the constraints that influence the purchaser faithfulness and preservation counting the services. These issues can be connected with the consumer faithfulness and withholding as follows: 2.2.1 Service superiority Johnson et al. (2012) have stated that service quality has been gradually becoming one of the major issues of the business that focus on the services as well as the communication procedures. This presently enables the electronic media for communicating with the components outside the business. It can be stated that this sheds importance on gathering of necessary information. Processing several online as well as offline transactions along with the data interchanges procedure among the buyers and the sellers in regards to address space and time consumption. Service excellence from the standpoint of online method can be classified as the degree to which online subsistence of the organization offers competent buying, acquiring and conveying facilities of goods and services in such a method that consumers might be extremely contented with administration (Jyh-Fu Jeng et al., 2012). 2.2.2 Perceived price The professed cost of the consumers refers to the dissimilarity between the settlements of the products that the consumers gain and the price of the products and the services. In that scenario, price and the profit examination plays one of the vital roles in rewarding the needs of the consumers, as the customers are highly concerned in taking happiness in superior reimbursement from the services bearing fewer prices in trading the products and the services. The profits are categorised into four fractions named, manufactured goods advantage, service advantage, individual assistance and image advantage where equivalent four costs are monetary cost, psyche cost, time cost and energy cost. Conveying improved worth to the consumers is an indispensable division of the business approach that facilitates the organization attainment competitive improvement, in order to deal with long term sustainability of the commerce, evaluated to its contestants (Khan, 2012). 2.2.3 Trust As demonstrated by Komunda and Osarenkhoe (2012) in their research work, it can be seen that trust is a clear set of believes that drive the customers towards purchasing a product pr consuming the service from a particular organization. Trust can be defined as the as the self-confidence of the consumers that they experience for the organization making sure the benefits required. However, it can be stated that belief is one of the main significant expression in commerce, especially in online trade operations. Here, truthfulness and generosity works essential position in keeping approval stage at the stage the consumers are enthusiastic to believe (Kwon Kim, 2012). 2.2.4 Reputation Martnez and del Bosque (2013) have stated reputation as the inference of uniformity in case of presentation for the long time epoch. Therefore, it can be stated that standing is created from the consisted superiority administration as well innovation amalgamation depending on the time era and the modification in the socio-economic stage. Therefore, it can be stated that the standing of the organizations required to be understood by the consumers not only based on the online survival, but also the complete organization along with its bodily attendance (Pan et al., 2012). 2.3 Strategies used to maintain customer loyalty As per Prentice (2013), widespread literature proposes that both the marketplace share and the consumer approval leads towards productivity, however, this is not certain that the market share and the customer satisfaction have an affirmative association. Therefore, in this part, some of the significant strategies have been introduced here in details to gain in-depth knowledge of the research topic. 2.4 Business strategies It can be stated that companys association to their consumers is alienated into two separate commerce approaches namely offensive and defensive. Offensive policy deals with magnetizing the new consumers and the defensive strategy try to keep the previously existing consumers. Therefore, it can be stated that in order to focus on customer loyalty, Muthoot Finance is required to attract both the new customers along with the existing customers (Scherer, Wnderlich von Wangenheim, 2015). Figure 1: Offensive and Defensive Business Strategies (Source: Scherer, Wnderlich von Wangenheim, 2015) 2.4.1 Decision-making stages Siu et al. (2013) have stated that there exist three phases within customer decision making procedure. In this case, the first phase is defining the brand alternatives, the second phase is reviewing the existing relevant information and the final stage is applying a decision rule. It is regardless to mention that the choices as well as preferences of the customers vary from one product to another product, from one organization to another organization and so on. Therefore, the entire decision making process depends on the preferences of the consumers and the companies are required to provide the customers the best buying experience, so that they become loyal to one particular organization (Tanford, Raab Kim, 2012). Figure 2: The sequential Multistage Process Model (Source: Toufaily, Ricard Perrien, 2013) 2.4.2 Structuring and sustaining advantageous consumer faithfulness As per Wang and Wu (2012), the major purpose of each organization is productivity and one significant technique for achieving this for an organization is to increase as well as uphold trustworthy consumers. It can be stated that if a corporation spends resources for building consumer trustworthiness without concentrating on productivity, it might lead towards failure in the long run. Therefore, to gain customer loyalty, the organizations are required to focus on both behavioral and attitudinal loyalty of the consumers. However, it can be stated that customer loyalty becomes highly significant to the business of the corporation at times it results in the purchasing behaviour. This following replica can be clarified through major three fundamental objectives like building behavioral loyalty, cultivating attitudinal loyalty and linking loyalty to profitability (Toufaily, Ricard Perrien, 2013). Figure 3: Structuring and sustaining consumer trustworthiness (Source: Toufaily, Ricard Perrien, 2013) 2.4.3 Customer allegiance programs The adoption of the customer faithfulness programs in the middle of several companies has significantly augmented over the last couple of years and automatically the consumers have turn out to be the focal point of concentration. It has been seen that the customer loyalty programs offer financial as well as relationship rewards to the consumers with the sole principle of making the customers brand trustworthy (Kwon Kim, 2012). Input Output Membership remuneration Several benefits Data discharge Financial compensation Compulsions Favored consumer management Cost of reimbursements Status, image etc Table 1: Significance of customer loyalty programs 3. Conclusion There exist five specified group of the customers like non-customers, price switchers, the passive loyal, fence sitters and the committed customers. Therefore, most of the organizations target to grab the attention of all these customers through proper delivery of their services. Muthoot Finance try their best to retain their existing customers and at the same time they tend to design their loyalty programs in such a way, so that the customers get attracted enough towards the company. There exist several economic benefits of retaining the customers like it saves on the acquisition of the customers or the replacement costs. Moreover, it promises of base earnings as obtainable consumers are likely to have a minimum spend per period. Apart from that, retaining the existing customers focus on price premiums, as the existing customers generally do not wait for promotion or the reduction of price before making a decision to buy. Muthoot finance believes that customer loyalty benefits the o rganization from several perspectives like this is comparatively less expensive to keep hold of the consumers that to attract the new customers. It generates huge amount of profits, decreases the making costs and helps in spreading positive word of mouth promotion. Therefore, it can be stated that customer loyalty is one of the strongest assets to the organization, as the success and sustainability of the business largely depends on the number of loyal customers. References Baumann, C., Elliott, G., Burton, S. (2012). Modeling customer satisfaction and loyalty: survey data versus data mining.Journal of Services Marketing,26(3), 148-157. Benoit, D. F., Van den Poel, D. (2012). Improving customer retention in financial services using kinship network information.Expert Systems with Applications,39(13), 11435-11442. Chen, S. C. (2012). The customer satisfactionloyalty relation in an interactive e-service setting: The mediators.Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services,19(2), 202-210. Chu, P. Y., Lee, G. Y., Chao, Y. (2012). Service quality, customer satisfaction, customer trust, and loyalty in an e-banking context.Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal,40(8), 1271-1283. Coelho, P. S., Henseler, J. (2012). Creating customer loyalty through service customization.European Journal of Marketing,46(3/4), 331-356. Evanschitzky, H., Ramaseshan, B., Woisetschlger, D. M., Richelsen, V., Blut, M., Backhaus, C. (2012). Consequences of customer loyalty to the loyalty program and to the company.Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science,40(5), 625-638. Jahanshani, A. A., Hajizadeh, G. M. A., Mirdhamadi, S. A., Nawaser, K., Khaksar, S. M. S. (2014). Study the effects of customer service and product quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Johnson, M. D., Herrmann, A., Huber, F., Gustafsson, A. (Eds.). (2012).Customer retention in the automotive industry: quality, satisfaction and loyalty. Springer Science Business Media. Jyh-Fu Jeng, D., Bailey, T. (2012). Assessing customer retention strategies in mobile telecommunications: Hybrid MCDM approach.Management Decision,50(9), 1570-1595. Khan, I. (2012). Impact of customer satisfaction and retention on customer loyalty.International Journal of Technology Enhancements and Emerging Engineering Research,1(2), 106-110. Komunda, M., Osarenkhoe, A. (2012). Remedy or cure for service failure? Effects of service recovery on customer satisfaction and loyalty.Business Process Management Journal,18(1), 82-103. Kwon, K., Kim, C. (2012). How to design personalization in a context of customer retention: Who personalizes what and to what extent?.Electronic Commerce Research and Applications,11(2), 101-116. Martnez, P., del Bosque, I. R. (2013). CSR and customer loyalty: The roles of trust, customer identification with the company and satisfaction.International Journal of Hospitality Management,35, 89-99. Pan, Y., Sheng, S., Xie, F. T. (2012). Antecedents of customer loyalty: An empirical synthesis and reexamination.Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services,19(1), 150-158. Prentice, C. (2013). Service quality perceptions and customer loyalty in casinos.International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,25(1), 49-64. Scherer, A., Wnderlich, N., von Wangenheim, F. (2015). The Value of Self-Service: Long-Term Effects of Technology-Based Self-Service Usage on Customer Retention.Mis Quarterly,39(1), 177-200. Siu, N. Y. M., Zhang, T. J. F., Yau, C. Y. J. (2013). The roles of justice and customer satisfaction in customer retention: A lesson from service recovery.Journal of business ethics,114(4), 675-686. Tanford, S., Raab, C., Kim, Y. S. (2012). Determinants of customer loyalty and purchasing behavior for full-service and limited-service hotels.International Journal of Hospitality Management,31(2), 319-328. Toufaily, E., Ricard, L., Perrien, J. (2013). Customer loyalty to a commercial website: Descriptive meta-analysis of the empirical literature and proposal of an integrative model.Journal of Business Research,66(9), 1436-1447. Wang, C. Y., Wu, L. W. (2012). Customer loyalty and the role of relationship length.Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, 22(1), 58-74.
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