Life of Pi (Unabridged) by Yann Martel Essay -- Life of Pi Unabridge

The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic noesis of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to join America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, a capacious with their zoo animals bound for new homes. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days while missed at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities that interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to articulate them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional but is it more true?Pi, condensed for Piscine Molitor Patel, is a young Indian boy growing up in South India in the 1970s. His father owns a zoo and, with increasing political unrest in India, decides to sell up and emigrate to Canada. They accompany the wild animals on board the ship on their journey to the new zoos in North America. The ship sinks and Pi finds himself the only human survivor onboard a life raft that contains, rather remarkably, a zebra, a large motherly orangutan, a manic hyena and a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Of course, the law of nature eventually rules and Pi ends up as the tigers last remaining occupant. He must use all his knowledge of zoology and animal behavior to create boundaries and survive. Which he does for 227 days.In Pondicherry, India, Piscine Pi Patel enjoys his childhood as the son of the local zookeeper means plenty of playing period things to do. In that role, Pi learns a great deal about the wild beasts that his father keeps. Though a Hindu, Pi also finds pleasure in encyclopedism about Christianity and Islam and willingl y practices the three belief systems over the objections of his family and religious leaders.Now sixteen, Pis father decides to relocate to Canada. His dad sells most of the animals, but takes a few with them on their sea voyage. However, disaster strikes with the ship sinking. Pi accompanied by a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra and Richard Parker the 450-pound Bengal share a raft. Richard eliminates the other animals leav... ...mingly endless sea. Soon after, at long last, he reaches land. He attains Enlightenment. The tiger bounds off into the jungle-- Pis suffering is released completely. He is nursed back to health and lives a relative normal life, with the distinction that his visualize has fully awakened him. He walks as a true adult among the many opinionual children of the world. He still has the normal problems, challenges, and disappointments of life Enlightenment does non mean everything is perfect. But Pi can bring forth what is needed in each moment, and does not suffe r from the pains, failures, and sorrows of being human. He lives through them without get caught in them. (Similarly, he is fully awake for all the wonderful pleasures and intimacies of life. And in all occurrences, he brings a deep compassion and love for all beings). The beat part of the story is the end. (Stop reading if you dont want to know). This is a true story. It doesnt need all the longwinded interpretation you skillful read. It stands on its own as truth. Maybe its just a story of a boy and a tiger on a boat. Either way, Pi Patel shows us the compelling power of the human spirit in the face of deep suffering.

Emily Brontës Wuthering Heights :: essays research papers

The intensity of feeling between Catherine and Heathclif defies family barriers imposed by Catherines brother ,Hindley subsequently their fathers death. Heathcliff was ill-treated by Hindley after the death of the old Earnshaw He drove him from their company to the servants, deprived him of the instructions of the curate He bore his degradation middling well at first, because Cathy taught him what she learnt, and work or play with him in the fields. They both promised fair to grow up as rude as savages, the young procure being entirely negligent how they behave, and what they did, so they keep clear of him and the after punishment grew a mere thing to laugh at. The crute might set as many chapters as he pleased for Catherine to get by heart, and Joseph might thrash Heathcliff till his arm ached, they forget everything the minute they were together again. (Pg 44) Thus, it is clearly evident that since childhood their feeling for each other defies all the family barriers imposed on them. No outside force would be strong enough to eclipse their emotions. eventide when she grows old enough for the question of marriage to arise, Catherines relationship with Heathcliff remains much as it was when they were children. The way the two spirit intertwined are clearly illustrated in Catherines manner of speaking below My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff"s miseries my great thought in living is himself. If all else perish, and he remained, I should still stretch forth to be and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to mighty stranger. I should not seem a part of it. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, Im well aware, as winter changes the trees-my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath-a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff-Hes perpetually in my mind-not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself-but, as my own being-so, dont talk of our separation again-it is infeasible Catherine loves both Heathcliff and Edger Linton on different basis-She loves Linton because he is handsome, and pleasant, and young, and cheerful, and rich, and loves her. Her love for Heathcliff is a must it is the deepest impulse of her nature, it is "necessary". Through her feeling for Heathcliff, Catherine discovers her own identity, her place in the world-as he does through her.

Alexander The Great Essay -- essays research papers

Alexander the Great is, arguably, the most famous secular figure in history. His magnetism in life was rivaled nevertheless by his magnetism in death, and the story of his career has evoked vastly different interpretations in his sequence and ours. Young romantic hero or megalomaniac baddie? Alexander III of Macedon conquered every who stood before him, but usually in order to free the lower class. He did more to spread the Hellenistic farming than anyone before or after him. My credibility comes from much studying of his lifestyle, and analysis of many contradicting biographies. With this speech, I hope to display to you most of his feats and battles, as well as the vast quantity of folklore that surrounds his life.Alexander, was born on or around July 20, 356 BCE, in Pella. The exact date may have been created after the fact to match the date of the burning of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. His parents were Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, who descended from Gods accordi ng to myth.At 13, Aristotle was hired to tutor Alexander. Under Aristotle, Alexander learned philosophy, ethics, politics, and healing. The two later became estranged, due to their divergence of opinion on the status of foreginers Aristotle saw them as barbarians, while Alexander sought to merge Macedonians and foreigners. Tale of Bucephalus At 14 Alexander surprised all including his father by mounting an untamable horse named Bucephalus. Alexander would later name a city after the site where his horse died in battle.340 BC Philip II traveled to Byzantium to battle rebels, leaving 16yr old Alexander in charge as Prince Regent. While away, the Maedi, a north Macedonia tribe, revolted. Alexander traveled there, put pass the revolt, captured the city and renamed it Alexandropolis.At the age of 19, Philip II was assassinated. Alexander was a boy king. Cities like Athens and Thebes had pledged allegiance to Philip II, but were not sure if they treasured to do the same for a 19 year o ld boy. On top of that, barbarians to the north threatened to invade.Alexander drove the barbarians north of the Danube, then concentrate on Thebes. He marched to the city, and offered them one final chance to obey him. They refused, and he went on to march into the city and kill nearly everyone. Athens later refractory to align with Alexander.334 BC Alexander travels to Asia Minor. He begins freeing ... ... they took the long way home, with random stops for Alexander to either conquer or debate Indian philosophers. At one of these stops, a fierce tribe, the Malli, wounded him in the ribcage severely.In 324 B.C.E., Alexander furthered his mission to assimilate Macedonian and Persian cultures when he arranged thousands of marriages amid the Greek soldiers and Persian women in Susa. Alexander himself took a second wife, Stateira, one of Darius daughters. The next year, Alexander traveled with his men to Babylon despite numerous threatening omens. The omens were so frequent and omi nous that Alexander feared that he had fallen out of favor with the gods. He died of a fever on June 10, 323 BC.Though Alexander died suddenly, and at the age of 33, he left behind a tremendous legacy. Alexander spread the Hellenistic culture far and wide, providing the backbone for culture in the western cerebral hemisphere as we know it today. He paved the way for Christianity as well. From the fulfillment of the Gordian knot legend, to the dignified way he conquered countries, Alexander the Great ensured his location in history as one of, if not the greatest ruler of all time.

Different Learning Styles Essay -- Education Educating Learn Essays

Different acquire Styles Students take for different ways to learn. Some people are hands on learners or opthalmic learners. Teachers try to hold the way they teach to the way their students learn the best. The information that is existence taught should be made fun so that the students remember the information. Schools are also using modern technology to help students learn. Different learning styles catch different effects on people. Different learning styles are the talk of many an(prenominal) school districts from unspoilt and far. The study of different learning styles has gone back since the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. We all know that people have different ways of learning, so teachers try to teach the way their students learn the best. There are different types of learning styles for example visual, audio, and kinesthetic. Auditory is of or pertaining to hearing, or to the sense or organs of hearing as, the auditory nerv e. Visual is having the nature of or producing an image in the mind. Kinesthetic is the sense that detects bodily position, weight, or feat of the muscles, tendons, and joints. (www.dictionary.com) There have been different studies on which ways of learning are effective for people. The CAI (computer-assisted instruction) did a study that focused on an issue that indicated that all students, unheeding of learning style, obtained higher(prenominal) science achievement scores when taught via CAI approach than via auditory (lecture) or visual (reading) method. (Martini, 1986) This approach is good because people may be in a special education class because they are not grasping what is being taught in their class, but it can really be the way it is being taught. They... ...0, 2003. Newspaper name 10. Straker, Heather. May 22, 1998. Its not what you know its how you get to know it. multiplication Educational Supplement. Issue 4273, p24, 1/4p. Retrieved on O ctober 3, 2003. http//www.tes.co.uk. 11. Bob Salisbury. August 11, 2002. Teachers should teach. Times Educational Supplement. October 3, 2003. http//www.tes.co.uk. profits Resources 12. Matters of Style. November 5, 2003. http//www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/Papers/LS-Prism.htm What?s YOUR acquire style? November 5, 2003. http//www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/style.html 13. Activity 9 Different learning styles. November 5, 2003. http//online.curriculum.edu.au/the_cms/tools/new-display.asp?f=7886&seq=6495 14. Understanding Different Learning styles. November 5, 2003. http//www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Learning_Styles.htm Different Learning Styles Essay -- Education Educating Learn EssaysDifferent Learning Styles Students have different ways to learn. Some people are hands on learners or visual learners. Teachers try to adapt the way they teach to the way their students learn the best. The information that is being taught should be made fun so that the students remember the information. Schools are also using new technology to help students learn. Different learning styles have different effects on people. Different learning styles are the talk of many school districts from near and far. The study of different learning styles has gone back since the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. We all know that people have different ways of learning, so teachers try to teach the way their students learn the best. There are different types of learning styles for example visual, audio, and kinesthetic. Auditory is of or pertaining to hearing, or to the sense or organs of hearing as, the auditory nerve. Visual is having the nature of or producing an image in the mind. Kinesthetic is the sense that detects bodily position, weight, or movement of the muscles, tendons, and joints. (www.dictionary.com) There have been different studies on which ways of learning are effective for peopl e. The CAI (computer-assisted instruction) did a study that focused on an issue that indicated that all students, regardless of learning style, obtained higher science achievement scores when taught via CAI approach than via auditory (lecture) or visual (reading) method. (Martini, 1986) This approach is good because people may be in a special education class because they are not grasping what is being taught in their class, but it can really be the way it is being taught. They... ...0, 2003. Newspaper Article 10. Straker, Heather. May 22, 1998. Its not what you know its how you get to know it. Times Educational Supplement. Issue 4273, p24, 1/4p. Retrieved on October 3, 2003. http//www.tes.co.uk. 11. Bob Salisbury. August 11, 2002. Teachers should teach. Times Educational Supplement. October 3, 2003. http//www.tes.co.uk. Internet Resources 12. Matters of Style. November 5, 2003. http//www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/Papers/LS-Prism.htm What?s YOUR Learning style? Nove mber 5, 2003. http//www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/style.html 13. Activity 9 Different learning styles. November 5, 2003. http//online.curriculum.edu.au/the_cms/tools/new-display.asp?f=7886&seq=6495 14. Understanding Different Learning styles. November 5, 2003. http//www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Learning_Styles.htm

Stereotypes and Stereotyping - My Boyfriend, the Half-Breed :: Example Personal Narratives

Stereotyping - My Boyfriend, the Half-Breed   I sat across the table from my dad magic spell he stared at me with a disbelieving look on his face. My mom sat to the right of me with tears in her eyes. She could see my pain as well as my dads, and she knew the war that was astir(predicate) to start between my own acquire and me. My brother sat to the left of me making comments that only made the situation worse. I could feel myself dying inside as my heart began to break. I had no idea how to deal with the situation that I had gotten myself into. My new boyfriend was mixed in races, and my dad was totally against it. I sat there crying while trying to make him understand, saying things like, Dad, hes a person non a color. But, it was like talking to a brick wall. My dad was brought up with the belief that races do not mix under any circumstances. I did not realize that dating someone whom was not completely of my race would tear my dad and I apart. We had talked about it before, but I did not think he would react the way that he did. The words and fights that followed tore me apart. I went from being near perfect in my fathers eyes to being a spoiled, selfish brat whom supposedly only cared about myself. I could not believe those words were coming out of my dads mouth. Things got so bad that I did everything I could to stay away from home for as long as I could. I even tried to move out. I got yelled at every time I walked through the door. I went from being great to not being able to do anything right, and it all happened everywhere night. To make things worse, some of my friends started to look at me in different ways too. If I wasnt around, they would say things like, I cant believe Lori is a nigger lover. Others talked about me and express what I was doing was immoral.   According to a large portion of society today, immorality is the act of doing something that is not traditionally done.

Stereotypes and Stereotyping - My Boyfriend, the Half-Breed :: Example Personal Narratives

Stereotyping - My Boyfriend, the Half-Breed   I sat across the table from my soda water while he stared at me with a disbelieving look on his face. My mom sat to the right of me with tears in her eyes. She could see my pain as well as my dads, and she knew the war that was round to start between my own father and me. My brother sat to the left of me making comments that only made the situation worse. I could feel myself dying at bottom as my heart began to break. I had no idea how to deal with the situation that I had gotten myself into. My new boyfriend was mixed in flows, and my dad was totally against it. I sat there crying while trying to make him understand, saying things like, Dad, hes a person not a color. But, it was like talking to a brick wall. My dad was brought up with the belief that races do not mix under any circumstances. I did not realize that dating someone whom was not completely of my race would tear my dad and I apart. We had talked about it before, but I did not think he would react the way that he did. The words and fights that followed tore me apart. I went from existence near perfect in my fathers eyes to being a spoiled, selfish brat whom supposedly only cared about myself. I could not opine those words were coming out of my dads mouth. Things got so bad that I did everything I could to stay away from home for as long as I could. I even tried to move out. I got yelled at every time I walked through the door. I went from being great to not being able to do anything right, and it all happened over night. To make things worse, some of my friends started to look at me in different ways too. If I wasnt around, they would say things like, I cant commit Lori is a nigger lover. Others talked about me and said what I was doing was immoral.   According to a large portion of society today, immorality is the act of doing something that is not traditionally done.

Andres Resendez “A Land So Strange” Essay

Thesis The author posits that the derivative of a tragically unsuccessful colonization effort results with an epic ten-year odyssey of survival, assimilation, and revelation as the number 1 Old being outsiders to athwart and live in the interior of North America. The culmination of the experiences of Cabeza de Vaca, man of influence, stranded in unexplored lands, encountering and existing with countless inborn American tribes as guest, slave, trader, and healer engenders an atypical ideal of humane colonization and coexistence. Summary Resendez retells the story of the ill-fated Narvaez expedition to Florida, placing the survivors story against the context of contemporary Spanish politics, culture, and power struggles associated with colonization amid the pre-contact Native American sphere. The stage is set with a brief description of the relationships of Velazquez, Narvaez, Cortes, and the Spanish court (15,17, 22). This background information clarifies the near impenetrability o f obtaining a royal charter and the complicated, perfidious, and competitive maneuverings of the Spanish explorers (30-33).Cortes alleged treachery becomes heroic conquest slighting competitors Velazquez and Narvaez who after years of petitions receives an adelantamiento in the New World (73). The expedition, third plus hundred men and women, lead by Narvaez experiences a litany of encumbrances that resulted in the unrealized and in due course unpropitious landing at Tampa Bay, over nine hundred miles off course (77). A landing party of three hundred men, including Cabeza de Vaca, set out to find Panuco, encountered Native Americans that enticed the convention to search for prosperous Apalachee further north (94). By this time the group was suffering severely from hunger, disease, and at the hands of Native Americans, driven by discouragement rafts were built to carry the men along the coast of Louisiana, a tumultuous trek of starvation, drowning, and further Indian attacks, land ed along the coast of Texas (134).excoriation claims all but four, deVaca, Dorantes, Castillo, and Moroccan Estebanico, whose lives over the next ten years are analogous to Homers Odyssey. Initially treated as guests, cared for and feed by local indigenous peoples, soon to become slaves of many itinerant tribes for six years (145). During captivity, the survivors learned native languages, cultures, intertribal repositioning (146), and in the reference of deVaca became a thriving trader with autonomous travel privileges (149-151). The four escape their captors and implausibly achieve the place of healers, combining Catholicism and native traditions in their ministering, are then used by Native Americans leaders in a heal for profit scheme were passed from one tribe to the next, and achieved pseudo celebrity status (183). Contact with Spaniards and reintroduction to civilized life proved very difficult for the survivors after nearly ten years of aboriginal living and certainly suf fered from culture shock, Cabeza de Vaca mentions difficulties wearable western clothes again (215).Cabeza de Vaca, like Friar Las Casas twenty years earlier (21), shared an epiphany to defend and advocate for peaceful cohabitation and humane colonization of America, uncomplete realizing this ambition (221). Critique The author employs pertinent primary sources, including the narrative of Cabeza de Vaca, in chorus with reasonable speculative insertions of the conditions and behaviors to make a compelling and more authentic story. However, Resendez states that they, the four survivors, all left the experience with the epiphany to advocate for humane colonization. The author only provides direct evidence that supports this claim in the case of Cabeza de Vaca, not that for his three survivor companions.

Team sport refers to games or sports played

Team sports have been associated with the development of not only children but even adults. Still, whatsoever critics consider team sports as not always beneficial to children especially when winning is emphasized more than having fun (Hedstrom and Gould, 2004). Nevertheless, the importance of team sports in child wish development is usually centered on the adaptive skills associated with adolescent team sport athletes.Team sport refers to games or sports played by groups of different teams, involving specific rules, to carry out a specific goal through interaction and collective apparent movement among members of the same team.Although it also involves rules and the achievement of specific objectives, team sport is highly discrete from individual sports in terms of the collective effort required from its members. Unlike individual sports, team sports do not emphasize individual excellence. Examples of team sports let in soccer, basketball, football, baseball, hockey and volleyb all. Individual sports include tennis, swimming, boxing and martial arts (Team sport, 2006).It is important to note that different team sports are different from each other in terms of rules, which also makes each one different from another in terms of the activities involved and how winners are determined. In darts for example, the players and opponents do not unavoidably have to play at the same time and at the same board (Team sport, 2006).In this game, players are not required to play simultaneously but as with all games, the score is what matters and winners are determined by the summation of scores of players of the same team. Any sport as long as it involves collective effort among team members is considered a team sport. This exact nature of team sports is believed to help in the development of its players.This paper aims to give an overview of how team sports contribute to the development of the center field school adolescent. In so doing, principles on middle school psyc hology are integrated to better understand the relationship of team sports and development.The human milieu, like the wild, involves so much conflict, chaos and problems which may arise by interrelationships between different factors that may or usually may not be controlled by man. But unlike the wild, whose inhabitants main goal is basic survival, humans are equipped with reason which afforded them freedom.And with this freedom lies the responsibility and the requirement for the people to think creatively and more competitively, making survival more complex for humans. This can be seen in many different settings in mans social environment such as the home, school and the workplace. In other words, the human environment is filled with stress and it is important for everyone to be able to handle it effectively (Sports and Teenagers nookie Parents Handle it Effectively? 2006).It is impossible for any one person not to experience stress in his entire life. Stress is natural and ubiq uitous. A person, no matter how sheltered and protected he may be will experience being stressed at some point in his life.

Fine Print: Life and Works of a Poet Essay

The world and imagery created through words written with the pen and paper are always made not only to study about entertainment but also to capture the hearts of those who are able to read it. But to be able to evoke such lovesome emotions, most authors tend to take into consideration their lives and first-hand experiences. Such was in the case of Edgar Allan Poe. Poe has been a fortress in writing, regarded with high praises, and the one from whom the most valuable thriller and tec stories originated. His is a resentment that had started since his early years. Without doubt, Poes life had mostly been about writing, writing, and writing.One of his teachers in Richmond, right about when he was around five, said temporary hookup the other boys wrote mere mechanical verses, Poe wrote genuine poetry the boy was a born poet, commenting on his natural gifts. Indeed this passion is so strong that it is reflected in a selection of his works, especially in The Raven in which he said, W ith me poetry has been not a purpose, but a passion and the passions should be held in reverence they must not they cannot at will be excited, with an eye to the paltry compensations, or the more paltry commendations, of mankind. (http//www. readprint. com/author-67/Edgar-Allan-Poe) But not only was his passion for writing translated to his works but also his devotion and love for his wife Virginia. While Virginia was his cousin and fairly young compared to him when they were married their relationship had been true and really deep. Edgar Allan Poes Annabel Lee is a writing that presented his utter devotion to Virginia. Kevin J. Hayes even cites in his book, Annabel Lee exemplifies several traits of Poes feminine ideal, especially that of macrocosm wholly subsumed by the male.Her unnaturally young age for marriage (she and the storyteller are each described as a child) is of course resonating of Poes own child-bride, his thirteen-year-old cousin Virginia. (152) His wifes illnes s and ultimately her death is something that profoundly struck Poe, the thoughts consuming several of his works and showing how he tried to break free of the loneliness and agony he felt with her divergence. Hayes saysEleonora epitomizes Poes ideal young, unlearned, impressionable and completely dedicated to her love for him She is exceptionally frail and beautifully sick, slender even to fragility with an exceeding delicacy of frameAfter plumbing the depths of the fervor of her love for the narrator, her main concern at death is whether the narrator will remain true to her memory or will marry another.. These scenes are reminiscent of Ligeias idolatrous love and the narrators subsequent remarriage in the tale.They are also prescient of Poes own experience with Virginias youthful death and his subsequent years spent with her mother, Muddy. (154) Indeed, after Virginias death, Poes vices build up, especially his alcoholism his outlook becoming gloomier each passing day. A friend o f his explained the reason as to why, The loss of his wife was a blow to him. He did not seem to care, after she was gone, whether he lived an hour, a day, a week, or a year she was his all. (Meyers 207)A writers life and his experiences undeniably take a big slice in how he writes his stories and how his characters develop their behaviors. And in Poes case, it really stands out.Works CitedHayes, Kevin J. The Cambridge accompany to Edgar Allan Poe. New York Cambridge UP, 2002 Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe His Life and Legacy. New York Cooper Square Press, 1992. Edgar Allan Poe. Read Print. 2009. Read Print. 19 April 2009.

Global Perspective on Health Policy Essay

The controversial issue of health thrill coverage for all told individuals is an honourable and moral issue that Americans struggle with and as socially proactive as they are on there are many another(prenominal) issues arising of it. wellnesscare is not merely about health and coverage but the major issue is about funding, what can be funded and what cannot be funded and how is going to be funded. Universal healthcare in other countries offers insight into some of the biggest issues and best alternatives for providing healthcare to all and to resolve the health care rising cost. The ethical issue of health care has take to the Accountable administer Act or Obama Care form _or_ system of government development and economy. More time, data and research has to be done before the definite results of this legislation can be proven.A controversial issueConsidering the opposing views about Accountable Care Act legislation, its reasonable to understand why worldwide health care has elicit such a heated political controversy among political resolveies as well as throughout American people. different other Western industrialized nations, the U.S. has not established a universal health care system. Since health care is a fundamental defining policy of the modern state, and since Obamas health care reform can be seen as an expansion of the role of government, it can be analyzed in a global context (Ha, 2012). The issue of health care reform brings important ethical issues of justice to the forefront, as individuals, communities, and the legislature struggle with how to provide quality health care for the many without sacrificing the basic rights of even the few (Sorrel, 2012).Policys creationThe divide on health care coverage, cost and sustainability for all Americans and the change magnitude cost of health care in United States led to legislations being brought to seek out a solution to the issue. The American Recovery andReinvestment Act was the world-cl ass of these laws, this act signed into law in 2009 by President Obama. The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act was also signed into law. withal enacted and accompanied by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. Another legislation that became a law in 2010 is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Patel, 2013).Provisions in the act are designed to expand insurance coverage, control costs, and target prevention (Gable, 2011). One of the primary targets is adults aged 19-64, since their entranceway to health care and use of health services deteriorated between 2000 and 2010, particularly among those who were uninsured (Kenney, McMorrow, Zuckerman, & Goin, 2012). The PPACA includes reforms such as prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, expanding Medicaid eligibility, subsidizing insurance premiums, and providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits. Insurance compani es will no longer be able to drop clients when they become ill. The act has the potential to improve health outcomes across all income and age groups at a reduced cost (Sorrel, 2012).Steps in the state and federal policy development cultivate. The steps of the development process tenseness in the four pillars of health reform improving the quality of care, making health insurance low-priced, nutrimenting personal responsibility, and developing a sustainable apostrophize to health care financing. This platform will help focus the initiative to tackle the growing costs of health care while preserving the highest quality of care for all Americans and avoiding cost-shifting wherever possible (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2013).Many ACA provisions went into military issue immediately or soon after the health reform law was enacted in 2010 others are being phased in over time. Several major reforms, including the Medicaid expansion, insurance exchanges, and minimum coverage provision ( individual mandate) will go into effect in 2014, and still others will go into effect later. APHA recommends several great resources for tracking state progress on creating health insurance exchanges, funding states bring in received through various ACA provisions, and states intentions regarding the Medicaid expansion, and other topics (APHA, 2010).Policy development vs implementation.Policy development suck ups with knowing what the problem is and how the policy will improve the issue. So the grandness of analyzing the data about the problem needing fixed. When writing the policy provide the opportunity for the input of the policy makers to suggest changes which provides different viewpoints. To present the policy to the committees for approval or changes as needed. Policy Implementation is ready to start with a timetable of how the implementing of the policy and briefing the States. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act is an enormous administrative challenge, and many deta ils of its implementation are still developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (Wann, 2013). Policy development starts from the moment the public, the legislature take there is an issue and a solution is needed. The ACA development started many years ago back in the 90s when the Clinton administration specifically Hillary Clinton supported the creation of a Universal Health Care system, that laid the foundation on which ACA started to gather the issues and started to research possible solutions.The issues was brought by the public to the agitate, to the meetings and hearings during the elections campaign and started to gather strength and support on President Obama challenge not only the American people, but the entire Congress to bring out to the negotiations idea on how to increase entry to care while reducing cost. The ACA legislation development follows several tenets as the building block in which the legislation was written and develop on, Quality affordable h ealth care for all Americans, the role of public programs, Improving the quality and efficiency of health care, prevention of chronic disease and improving public health, Health care workforce, Transparency and program integrity, Improving access to innovative medical therapies, Community living assistance services and supports and Revenue provisions (Democrat Senate, 2004).The implementation process of the legislation follows the same tenet but there is not planning and changing is the plan drafted and written how each steps will be achieve and when and closely the evaluation of the development and the implementation and sitting back in the drafting table to fix any encountered issues. The development and implementation phases of the legislation cannot be seen as two different path but rather as a process of two collaboration between the two parts using the same foundation to build.To summarize the differences between development and implementation would be that the developments of the policy consist of the idea to the final written policy. The implementation of the policy is the start of putting the policy in action.Stakeholders involvementThe stakeholders became involved with the affordable care act because even though this was controversial many believed that the needs were furthest greater than the issue and some changes were needed. Stakeholders for this legislation is the entire country of United States as the affected party, the health care providers, the legislators, the President of United States. In health care, the overarching goal for providers, as well as for every other stakeholder, must be improving value for patients, where value is defined as the health outcomes achieved that emergence to patients relative to the cost of achieving those outcomes. Improving value requires either improving one or more outcomes without raising costs or lowering costs without pliable outcomes, or both. Failure to improve value means, well, failure (Porter, L ee, 2013).Stakeholders are heard during the elections periods where the issues to be discussed should and have to be of interest to the public to be added to the political platform. The press plays an important role on serving as the echo or the microphone to put the issues that are important for the American people. The Health care providers were a major force on the legislation development as their input from a business standpoint played major role on discussing areas that were part of the problem as well as area that needed to stay the same and it also serve as another voice of the public on such a controversial issue.Congress as a stake holder not only play a vital role on policy development and drafting but was the starting point of bringing the issue to the front and placed it in the agenda to be discussed and heard and last the President and its executive branch as the approval seal to the developed policy. In summary the Affordable Care Act has pique the interest not only as a national issue but a global one. Like any policy development the issues have to discuss by the stakeholders representing health care and each and every one has a specific interest in the issue to be solve.ReferencesAmerican Public Health Association, (2014), ACA Implementation. Retrieved wondrous 4, 2014 from http//www.apha.org/advocacy/Health+Reform/implementation/ Bipartisan Policy Center, (2013). Managing Costs, Preserving Care Health Care Cost Containment Report Release. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http//bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/health-care-cost-containment-initiative Patel, K. Parker, R. Villaruel, A.Wong,W (2013). Amplifying the Voice of the Underserved in the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http//www.iom.edu/Global/Perspectives/2013/AmplifyingTheVoice Ha, J. (2012). Health Care Reform vs ObamaCare Partisan framing of FOX, MSNBC, NYT snd WSJ. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http//gnovisjournal.org/2012/11/30/healt h-care-reform-vs-obamacare-partisan-framing-of-fox-msnbc-yt-and-wsj/ Porter, M. E. (2013), The Strategy that will fix health care. Harvard Business Review, Retrieved On August 4th, 2014 from http//hbr.org/2013/10/the-strategy-that-will-fix-health-care Sorell, M. J. (2012), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Ethical Perspectives. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http//www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/Columns/Ethics/Patient-Protection-and-Affordable-Care-Act-Ethical-Perspectives.html

Health Promotion

Health Promotion Plan for African American Adults at assay for coronary thrombosis bone marrow Disease Community Nursing NUR 3634 Abstract Coronary heart indisposition furbish ups a disproportionate amount of African Americans (CDC, 2010a), yet in that respect be modifiable risk factors that can reduce the risk of this disease. These modifiable risk factors include high cable pressure and high cholesterol.This wellness packaging political program involves a community-based strategy that targets African Americans by offering primary and secondary prevention measures directly accessible at local community churches in Titusville, FL to go down the preponderance and incidence of coronary heart disease in the African American community. Health Promotion Plan for African American Adults at Risk for Coronary Heart Disease Part I Community DiagnosisRisk of complications, including death, of hypertension and hyperlipidemia among African American adults related to abject eating h abits, poor primary prevention measures, and poor medication compliance as evidenced by data that show prevalence of cardiovascular disease among African Americans to be 44. 6 percent for males and 46. 9 percent for females (FDH, 2008), and Healthy People 2010 case Health Objective 12-9, which is to reduce the proportion of adults with high blood pressure (USDHHS, 2000), and National Health Objective 12-14, which is to reduce the proportion of adults with high total blood cholesterol levels (USDHHS, 2000).Part II Review of Literature What is Coronary Heart Disease and how does blood pressure and cholesterol affect it? According to the CDC (2010b), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women (34. 3 percent of all deaths), and is estimated to affect over 81 million people in the United States (AHA, 2010). Cardiovascular disease includes several conditions (AHA, 2010) high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of cardiovascular disease and accounts for the majority of these deaths (AHA, 2010).Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, refers to a condition in which atherosclerotic plaque collects in the arteries and obstructs the flow of blood to the myocardium (Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirkson, OBrien, & Bucher, 2007). The plaques d healthy of deposits of cholesterol and lipids, which progressively decrease the diameter of the blood vessel though which blood flows. The stress of a constantly elevated blood pressure increases the rate of atherosclerotic development (Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirkson, OBrien, & Bucher, 2007). Coronary heart disease is associated with multiple risk factors, some of which are modifiable (e. . , high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and dietary factors) and other risk factors that are not modifiable (e. g. , age, sex, heredity) (CDC 2010b Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirkson, OBrien, & Bucher, 2007). Why i s high cholesterol & high blood pressure a problem for African American Adults? Data from the CDC (2010a) suggest that although African Americans are little likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease, which is due to disparities in health care access and delivery, they are to a greater extent likely to die from it. In fact, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease among African Americans is 44. percent for males and 46. 9 percent for females (FDH, 2008). Related to this are estimates that African American males and females over the age of 20 are more likely to have hypertension than non-Hispanic whites (CDC, 2010a). Although percentage of African American adults over the age of 20 with high cholesterol is less than non-Hispanic whites, high cholesterol is noneffervescent a problem for approximately 10 percent of African American females and 13 percent of males (CDC, 2010a). Current Nursing Interventions Primary prevention measures generally consist of longanimous educatio n, behavioral counseling, and support.Secondary prevention measures involve blood pressure screening, blood lipid screening, prescription and reinforcement of medication regimes (Taylor & Wright, 2005), and referrals. Successful and Unsuccessful Interventions Current interventions unite with programs such as the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) 2010, which addresses underserved communities (CDC, 2010c), the BLESS project (Williamson & Kautz, 2009), which promotes health through faith-based activities, and community health advisor programs are interventions that are working (Cornell et al. 2009 Plescia, Herrick, & Chavis, 2008 McKinley et al. , 2009 Williamson & Kautz, 2009). Studies suggest that some interventions alone dont always achieve the intended outcomes due to disparities in related to access and delivery of health care (Niska & Han, 2009 Ratanawongsa, Fisher, Couper, Van Hoewyk, & Powe, 2010). Part III Plan Title Health Promotion Plan for African Ame rican Adults at Risk for Coronary Heart Disease in Titusville, FL.Short term goal Before and after Sunday church services at five, mainly African American churches, volunteer nurses give educate 10 individuals on triplet causes of high blood pressure and terzetto causes of high cholesterol, and screen those 10 individuals for high blood pressure. Three Measurable, term Specific Learner Objectives 1. By the end of one, 20-minute instruction session, participants will list three ways to decrease coronary heart disease. 2. By the end of one, 20-minute teaching session, participants will list three health promoting behaviors to reduce high blood pressure. . By the end of one, 20-minute teaching session, participants will list three health promoting behaviors to decrease elevated cholesterol levels. These goals and objectives specifically target African Americans living in Titusville. Short, concise educational sessions will precede and follow church services at five predominantly A frican American churches in Titusville the first Sunday of each month for a year. A booth, consisting of information in the form of posters and pamphlets for participants to event home, will be set up.The booth will be staffed by two nurse volunteers, who will provide basic information to participants, as well as assess participants blood pressures. The objectives will be measured and evaluated orally through question and answer sessions at the end a 20-minute session. These objectives are reasonable and feasible because the time frame suggested is enough to engage the participant without overwhelming them with too much information, yet nurses will be addressable for questions once a month (for a year) should the need arise.Health promotionWhat is health promotion and why is it important in our world today? I am sure it seems the answer is not very complicated on the hardlyton is it as simple as promoting health? According to the World Health organization (WHO), Health promoti on is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to meliorate, their health (World, 2013). This is a change from the past in that healthcare providers are supporting(a) our uncomplaining ofs to take control of their own health while guiding and educating them in he right direction.Health has been shown not to Just be free from disease but also encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being (WHO 2013). The whole purpose of promoting individual health is to give the communities the ability to feel they have control over their health forge and help them to stay out of the hospitals, which is what they prefer. This takes cooperation by the longanimous and the healthcare provider. It is imperative that a nurse stay up to date with a continuous ever- changing healthcare pattern, since they have a big role in health promotion.A big part of health promotion is related to nurses educating the communities, especially since nurses are enough more and more involved in the communities. As time advances, researchers are predicting nurses will move more out of the hospital and into the communities. Now, more than ever, nurses are challenged to break patient outcomes by assessing and creating education plans that will increase the patients awareness and understanding of their disease process and management. After very thorough assessments and the need for education is completed, nurses mustiness create plan for implementing a strategy to reach the audience targeted.It states in the article Public Health Nutrition Focus on cake, the three unalike levels of implementation methods utilized today. The first method is individually focused and promotes health outcomes through educating, changes to a healthy lifestyle, and individual behaviors. The types of interventions are carried out through private educational discussions and telephone conversations. The next implementation tier is more community-focused. These interventions put the spotlight on the needs of modification.The last method to be identified in the article include system-focused interventions. These interventions shift the focus from the individual to the facilities that serve individuals and the laws and policies surrounding the facility. For example, improvements in school lunches to make them healthier (University, 2012). If the healthcare providers can use the conclave of the three methods listed above with the nursing process it can to improve outcomes of the patients and community in all areas of nursing. Health promotion is split by healthcare into three levels primary, secondary, and ertiary.Primary preventions main concept is to prevent the disease from occurring and keeping the public healthy. A couple of examples of how this is accomplished are through education, regular exams, and immunizations. A few eld ago the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners published an article, Reducing heart disease through the vegetarian diet using primary prevention, and it discusses how if a patient leads a vegan lifestyle this could cut out a lot of the processed foods and help the patient to improve chronic heart conditions.If one is unsure barely how to ursue a vegetarian diet having a consultation with a dietitian is an additional option. Next on the pyramid of health is secondary prevention. This layer of prevention focuses on after an injury or illness has been diagnosed. The goal is to prevent progression or slow down the disease. Using the example of heart disease above, if providers are teaching regarding secondary prevention it would include termination of smoking, diet and exercise, and keeping a healthy weight and blood pressure (Mosca, i. e. 2010). These goals are more patient specific than primary prevention.The last tier includes tertiary prevention which focuses on helping the public prevent a further decline in health while maximizing their quality of life after being diagnosed with a chronic condition. In a recent article, The Effects of Cardiac Tertiary bar Program after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery on Health and Quality of Life, it discusses cardiac rehabilitation as a hatchway to fall into the tertiary level. This falls into the category in that it helps restore patients well-being while decreasing the suffering and complications.This does take even more participation and cooperation of the patient. In conclusion, there are many things healthcare providers can attempt to do in order to educate the public. However, utilizing the three tiers of health promotion (primary, secondary, tertiary) shows a well-organized proficiency that can break down distinct levels of health. Every patient falls into at least one category on the continuum, so this is also fashioning it easier for the provider when educating in that they can customize the patients care plan in a more organized way.This includes tilizing the nursing process, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication al lowing nurses to grade where the patient fits into the wellness continuum and helping them reach their highest level of wellbeing.Health promotionWhat is health promotion and why is it important in our world today? I am sure it seems the answer is not very complicated but is it as simple as promoting health? According to the World Health ecesis (WHO), Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health (World, 2013). This is a change from the past in that healthcare providers are supporting our patients to take control of their own health while guiding and educating them in he right direction.Health has been shown not to Just be free from disease but also encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being (WHO 2013). The whole purpose of promoting individual health is to give the communities the ability to feel they have control over their health plan and help them to stay out of the hospitals, which is what they prefer. This takes cooperation by the patient and the healthcare provider. It is imperative that a nurse stay up to date with a continuous changing healthcare pattern, since they have a big role in health promotion.A big part of health promotion is related to nurses educating the communities, especially since nurses are fit more and more involved in the communities. As time advances, researchers are predicting nurses will move more out of the hospital and into the communities. Now, more than ever, nurses are challenged to improve patient outcomes by assessing and creating education plans that will increase the patients awareness and understanding of their disease process and management. After very thorough assessments and the need for education is completed, nurses must create plan for implementing a strategy to reach the audience targeted.It states in the article Public Health Nutrition Focus on Prevention, the three different levels of implementation methods utilized today. The first method i s individually focused and promotes health outcomes through educating, changes to a healthy lifestyle, and individual behaviors. The types of interventions are carried out through one-on-one educational discussions and telephone conversations. The next implementation tier is more community-focused. These interventions put the spotlight on the needs of modification.The last method to be identified in the article include system-focused interventions. These interventions shift the focus from the individual to the facilities that serve individuals and the laws and policies surrounding the facility. For example, improvements in school lunches to make them healthier (University, 2012). If the healthcare providers can use the combination of the three methods listed above with the nursing process it can to improve outcomes of the patients and community in all areas of nursing. Health promotion is split by healthcare into three levels primary, secondary, and ertiary.Primary preventions main concept is to prevent the disease from occurring and keeping the public healthy. A couple of examples of how this is accomplished are through education, regular exams, and immunizations. A few old age ago the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners published an article, Reducing heart disease through the vegetarian diet using primary prevention, and it discusses how if a patient leads a vegan lifestyle this could cut out a lot of the processed foods and help the patient to improve chronic heart conditions.If one is unsure exactly how to ursue a vegetarian diet having a consultation with a dietitian is an additional option. Next on the pyramid of health is secondary prevention. This layer of prevention focuses on after an injury or illness has been diagnosed. The goal is to prevent progression or slow down the disease. Using the example of heart disease above, if providers are teaching regarding secondary prevention it would include termination of smoking, diet and e xercise, and keeping a healthy weight and blood pressure (Mosca, i. e. 2010). These goals are more patient specific than primary prevention.The last tier includes tertiary prevention which focuses on helping the public prevent a further decline in health while maximizing their quality of life after being diagnosed with a chronic condition. In a recent article, The Effects of Cardiac Tertiary Prevention Program after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery on Health and Quality of Life, it discusses cardiac rehabilitation as a scuttle to fall into the tertiary level. This falls into the category in that it helps restore patients well-being while decreasing the suffering and complications.This does take even more participation and cooperation of the patient. In conclusion, there are many things healthcare providers can attempt to do in order to educate the public. However, utilizing the three tiers of health promotion (primary, secondary, tertiary) shows a well-organized technique that can break down different levels of health. Every patient falls into at least one category on the continuum, so this is also reservation it easier for the provider when educating in that they can customize the patients care plan in a more organized way.This includes tilizing the nursing process, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication allowing nurses to report where the patient fits into the wellness continuum and helping them reach their highest level of wellbeing.

K-12 Program

Parents, Mentors, and Other Advocates As adolescents go through high gear school, they learn to take on more than initiative, responsibility and independence. Parents and adults know that, in spite of their evolving maturity, many teenagers need set up and encouragement as they begin take the initiative, act responsibly, and grow in their independence. Parents and mentors of early days with disabilities have unique opportunities to promote their successful transition to postsecondary direction, employment, and full classicipation in adult activities.Families and mentors need to step in and assist in he transition process by providing adolescents direction in their exploration of interests, guidance in career and college planning, and encouragement and support. Employment Issues The number of students with disabilities entering and completing postsecondary education has increased dramatically in the last decade, yet people with disabilities are still underrepresented in the empl oyment arena.Barriers to employment include lack of adequate support systems little access to successful role models lack of access to technology that lay close to increase independence and productivity and, most ignificantly, low expectations on the part of people with whom they interact. High school students may think they have plenty of time to decide on their career paths and acquire the skills they will need to commercialise themselves successfully. They may also believe that completing a college or Job training program will guarantee them a Job. This is non true in every situation.Students with disabilities face unique challenges as they transition to employment. Like other students, they need to find a way to meet the specific qualifications of a coveted Job as well as demonstrate transferable skills much(prenominal) as communication, roubleshooting, decision making, leadership, and problem solving. Unlike other students, they must be cognisant of accommodation strategi es for specific situations and also know how to appropriately disclose and discuss their disabilities as they relate to the performance of specific Job tasks.Work-based scholarship experiences allow students to engender methods for determining accommodations and practice disclosing and discussing their disabilities. Career planning and preparation should begin upon entering high school and occur throughout postsecondary studies. They do not need to win back on one area to pursue ight away, and they can change directions as they learn more about themselves and career options. They need to prepare for the long run-for a lifelong career or multiple careers.In todays competitive Job market it is essential that students possess skills and way students can start narrowing career interests and dampen Job skills is through start-based learning experiences. Why should students with disabilities participate in work-based learning? Through the interaction of study and work experience, st udents can enhance their academic knowledge, personalised development, and professional preparation.Specifically, work-based learning opportunities can financial aid a student apply practical theories from classroom work, clarify academic and career interests, develop human traffic skills through interaction with co-workers, develop Job- search skills, develop resumes and cover letters, earn academic credit, gain contacts for employment after graduation, gain exposure to specialized facilities not available on campus, identify career assistance programs, and pay for your education. For students with disabilities, work-based learning offers additional benefits.Participating in work experience can give them chances to determine if they can erform the essential functions of particular Jobs with or without accommodations. In a Job setting, students can also practice disclosing their disabilities and requesting accommodations from employers. In addition, they can test which accommodat ions work best for them. These experiences do students with disabilities develop the confidence and self-advocacy skills needed for success in challenging careers. What are examples of work-based learning experiences?Below are descriptions of typical activities and go offered at many high schools Cooperative Education Cooperative education programs work with students, school staff, and employers to help students clarify career and academic goals, and expand classroom study by fighting(a) in paid work experiences. Students work in trainee positions in fields of interest and may also earn academic credit. Independent Study nearly academic programs allow independent studies as an optional program component.Students work one-on-one with individual teachers to develop projects for credit. Projects can range from research papers to work experience within their field of interest. Informational Interview Informational interviews help students gain personal insight into specific careers ask questions about occupations, Job duties, education requirements, qualifications, and companies. Internship An internship is a time-limited, intense learning experience outside the traditional classroom.Students work in a supervised learning situation, paid or non-paid, with an employer doing planned learning activities. Interns learn about occupational fields and specific Job tasks, while developing work-readiness. Job Shadowing Job shadowing bring home the bacons students with a realistic view of one or more occupations. Students visit a business to observe the everyday functions of their occupational area of interest. Experiences may vary in time from one hour to a full day. Service Learning In service learning experiences students provide community service in non-paid, volunteer positions.These programs increase the relevancy of academic learning by giving students opportunities to apply knowledge and skills while making meaningful contributions. Students with service learn ing requirements should pursue opportunities related to their career interests. Providing Support Parents, family members, and mentors can help young people become self- determined and access career preparation resources. They can empower them and reinforce their plans for success. Here are some ways to provide support Help students identify their vocational strengths and interests look at hobbies, pastimes, etc.Educate yourself about adaptive technology, accommodations, and employment issues. Talk to students about self-advocacy, determining appropriate accommodations, and disclosing their disabilities. Encourage students to develop personal networks of family members, friends, and community contacts to open up pportunities for work-based learning. Parents and guardians should involve themselves in the Individual Education Plans (IEP) of their children and make sure employment-preparation activities are included.Learn about available adult services and start preparing students for the transition to independent adulthood. Assist students in accessing local support networks and disability services organizations, such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which may be able to provide career preparation, Job placement, and referrals to community programs. Encourage tudents to visit the counseling, advising, or career center at their high schools. They may provide a variety of career preparation and Job search services.Students can develop career plans and Job search skills through individual counseling and workshops. Investigate School-to-Work programs, such as Tech Prep and High School/ beginning early in high school. Some Tech Prep courses may be articulated with coursework at local community colleges. Contact your State Governors Committee on Employment of with Disabilities for information about High School/High Tech, a artnership that combines put tours, Job shadowing, internships, and mentoring to encourage students with disabilities to pursue care ers in the technology industry.

Childhood Case Study Essay

When I was a babe the world seemed to be a place of joy and happiness to me. There was nothing worth worrying about. Whenever I cried somebody picked me up. When I did not like to sit alone, I was always in somebodys army. My father was one of my heroes since young. I idolize him as I grow up and to everything like him. I often ask my father to tell me about his barbarianhood experience and he loves telling ludicrous stories or describing unusual situations. When he talks to me about those years, I feel like I see the past through his eyes. I think he was re entirelyy happy as a child. Normally in my mind, I would comp are my fathers childhood and mine. My father and I had very opposite childhood in terms of friendly problem, family background, technology and education.Firstly, social problem within my fathers and my own childhood in terms of freedom. As a child, my protactinium will be playing out the self-coloured day running, laughing and not worrying. My dad lived in a vil lage where the children from the whole village were a big company. They would all play together without fighting and arguing all the time. Heck, my grandparents didnt have to worry about my dad that such(prenominal). They are used to let their children play a lot of hours with freedom without being nervous or stressed about it. They knew their children were safe. I, on the other hand, had a essential lesser freedom compared to my father. Back then, I dont get to go out and play with the other children due to safety reasons. My parents were very apprehensive of this worlds dangers. In fact, there werent some(prenominal) children to play with in streets compared to the good old days. I get to go the playground to play formerly awhile but there were so few to play with.Next, our family background was also very different in terms of social status and monetary status. My dad was born a year later after my countrys independence, so technically he was the 1st generation of official M alaysian in Malaysia. My country is also a multiracial country so long story short, my dad had social status issues with other races during his childhood. When he was 10, my dad experienced things that no child should which was the May 13th Incident. The May 13th incident refers to the Sino-Malay sectarian violence in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in which many Malaysian-Chinese died in1969. I can only imagine how terrifying it was for my dad to live through that incident as a child.I, however, lived peacefully as a Malaysian-Chinese without such incident. During my generation, my social status has already develop stability, my race was recognize as the 3 main races in Malaysia. I also have a good financial support as a child compared to my father. Back then my grandfather was an immigrant from China, owning a small business to raise his family. My father did not receive much financial as a child. During elementary school, my father had to help out with my grandfathers business. Im consi der very fortunate as my father worked hard to ensure that my childhood did not have to be like his.Then, the advancement of science and technology effect both my dads childhood and my own in terms of entertainment. Back then the time where video games were like rocket science and cellphones where as big as bricks. recreation in technology wasnt really operable at my dads childhood thus explaining the big company of children playing outside all the time, but it didnt mean it didnt exist in that time. Back then, my dad really enjoyed listening to the radio. The radio was practically the main spring of entertainment in terms of technology it had music, podcast, news and etc. My dad was considered lucky to even have a colored television in his own seat and there was not much to watch as well.I, in my childhood days, had the privilege of watching Disney channel on my decoder with my cartoons. In addition, technology was my source of entertainment with my game consoles and television s. Which also the cause of me not going out that much as a child. Technology allow my childhood to not emergency the company of the other, to play with. Communication was also much better thanks to technology. During elementary, affordable cellphones were available where my dad can contact me at any time. The resembling couldnt be said for my dad back then, as owning cellphone was considered a luxury.Lastly, people say education is key to every childhood, but in that sense both my father and I had very different education environment and background in our childhood. My dad, back then, lived where education is very scarce. They werent many schools near where my dad lived. My grandmother had to cycle my dad to his school to drop off and pick up daily. If that isnt badenough, my father had to have pleonastic classes at the Chinese temple nearby just to learn Mandarin. During my time, my country has already development an effective education system to follow. Many schools were also a vailable during that time. Mandarin is actually implemented into the educational system as a subject taught in public schools. Im glad that Im fortunate enough to have these facilities in my grasp in my childhood.Childhood is free from cares. There are no duties and responsibilities on the shoulders of a child. A child eats drinks, sleeps and plays. When he eats a piece of bread, he does not think from where it comes. His father alone knows that. Even when someone dies in the family, a child is not touched. As child lives in a bliss of ignorance and innocence. Despite the differences in our childhood, my dad and I both enjoyed part of our childhood and we will appreciate these moments for life.

Financing Climate Change for Economic Development (a Case Study of Nigeria)

fiscal backing CLIMATE CHANGE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA) Written By ABORISADE OLUWASOGO OLANREWAJU SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF accounting system BANKING AND FINANCE OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY OSOGBO, OKUKU SUPERVISED BY MR OLANREWAJU FATOKI ABSTRACT clime alternate variation is increasingly turn an atomic number 18a of maturation interest and involvement for m any(prenominal) developing countries that unfortunately bear the brunt of an over heating planting major planet ca expenditured by developed or so called advanced countries.The uncertain personal make of a changing mode on Nigerias thrift pose significant setbacks for meeting maturation targets give c atomic number 18 Nigerias ingestion to be among the twenty best per conventioning economies of the world by the year 2020 Vision 202020 and acquirement of the Millennium Development Goals. The fact that Africas most populous demesne runs dangerously on a mono-product economy oiled by cheap hy drocarbon deposits, underscores this heavy dependence on congenital resources. climate alteration-induced losses and the unsustainable use of these invaluable resources appear to be a harmful problem that has elevated itself to a real development challenge in Nigeria. It is not difficult to see that Nigerias clime security vulnerability lies predominantly along the coastal, littoral states of the south and the northern frontline states as a result of a combination of broad(prenominal) physical exposure as well as low household and community resilience.Poor admitive responses to growing shifts in temperature, rainfall, storms, and sea trains could help fuel violent conflict in some beas of the country acceptable to shortages of resources such as drop and water which breeds negative secondary doctors such as more sickness, hunger, and job little(prenominal)ness, which in turn flings the doors to conflict and social chaos wide open. These problems atomic number 18 further compounded by a lack of institutional, legislative and fiscal capacity for effective management of natural resources and stability of the ecosystem leading to educed elicit productivity, maturationd work load particularly on women, and a dislocated rural economy. Mitigation and fitting are both necessary to alleviate the impacts of a changing world(prenominal) clime on our topical anaesthetic communities and national economy. This research work therefore discuses clime miscellany in Nigeria and ways it could be finance to increase economic development in Nigeria. INTRODUCTION Climate smorgasbord show is a full verge employ for transposes in weather condition in the past few years said to be caused by Global Warming.Global Warming is increase in the average temperature of planet human beingnesss which is said to be caused by day-and-night emission of gases that trap heat to the humanss glory. Climate Change and Global warming are a divide used inter variety show ably. In an upper part of the atmosphere called the troposphere 10-19km above sea level, certain gases trap heat to the earth to make it warm. Without these gases, the average temperature of the earth will be 33OC colder not able to support tone for humans and several(prenominal) living things.These heat trapping gases for their action that resembles heat trapping effect to a glass house in Physics are called Green House Gases (GHG). There are a number of GHG cognize with some more potent and available than others, these GHG devour a natural cps that keep them balanced and available at certain range in the earths atmosphere for their function to keep the earth warm. Certain anthropogenic activities like burning of fossil fuels release aerosolised products made up of one or more GH gas. Nigerias economy though heavily mutualist on oil is sustained by agriculture and has thus be seminal fluid increasingly constrained.Both source of gross for the economy is vulnerable to clime c hange crisis. Sustainable development of these domains of the economy can only be achieved if processes in use are in favour and harmony with the environment. Although, Nigeria is not a major fake in the greenness house gas emission compared to the western countries, the country has contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer through continuous gas flaring emission by multinational oil corporation in Niger Delta region. Climate change has become a global concern with harmful effects as seasonal cycles are hindered.For example, nutriment production and water supply are adversely affected by the effects of climate change and if care is not taken, it will affect the economy in a drastic way. Nigeria and Climate Change Nigeria is exposed to the dangers of climate change, which is now a global issue. The dangers pose serious curses to existing environmental problems like desertification, eating away, flooding, and ecological devastation. Considering the strong connection between climate change and development, Nigeria is highly at risk in the area of food security, want reduction, energy and most importantly, infrastructure and general economic development.In view of this anyway, Nigerias efforts and actions must(prenominal) be informed by these realities. For example, it is estimated that in the Sudan-Sahel area of Nigeria, between 89,297 and 133,944 square kilometers of arable reason would be at risk. It is estimated that the capital value at risk stands at or so US$6. 4 billion for the current level of development, (NCCC, 2003). In December 2009, Nigeria like many other countries had the opportunity to cheat its climate change issues at Copenhagen, the capital and giantst city in Denmark.However, climate change cannot be successfully addressed by any individual country it requires therefore substantial action and continuous efforts. These actions intromit nations investing in programmes and projects aimed at reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and contribute to adapting to climatic changes. Nigeria is committing itself to facing the challenges that climate change proves within its borders and is acting rapidly to ensure that the Copenhagen deal is the best for Nigeria and Africa.This is being achieved by continuing to form partnerships globally and regionally, and by promoting the development of alternative energy sources internally. Nigeria believes that climate change poses important threats to Africa, while e rattling bit offering some unique opportunities to prepare new revenues and build more diverse and resilient economies. For example, a policy like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) if designed to dumbfound an African focus could generate enthronements worth billions of US dollars every year. Causes of climate changeThe climatologists ready found evidence to invoke that some factors are primarily responsible for most of the past episode of climate change on the earth and which require to be addressed urgently. These factors include (a. ) Radioactive forcing A process which alters the energy balances of the earth-atmosphere system is known as radioactive forcing mechanism (Shine et al, 2010). These whitethorn include degree of difference in the earths domain of a function around the sun, solar radiation, volcanic activity and atmospheric composition. (b. ) Non- radioactive forcingAny change in the climate must involve some form of energy redistribution within the global climate system. Yet there are forcing agents who do not affect at once the energy budget of the atmosphere (the balance between entrance solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation). These are considered to be non- radioactive mechanism of global climate change. Such agents usually endure over vast prison term scales 107 to 109 and mainly include those which affect the climate through their influence over the geometry of the earths surface, such as location and size of bundle ranges and p osition of the ocean basins. (c. ) External forcingThis section discusses some of the several(a) extraneous forcing mechanisms operating over time a scale of 10 years to 109 years. (i. ) Galactic variations The orbit of the solar system about the gist of the galaxy has been considered as a possible external climate forcing mechanism (Hugget, 1991). During the course of a astronomic years now estimates at 303million years variation in the inter stellar medium (William, Isaac and Shoo, 1975) may also suggest that variation in gravitation torque induced by galaxys near neighbors, the littler and large megellanic clouds, could have far reaching consequences for the earths climate. ii. ) Orogeny It is the name given to a tectonic process of mountain building and continental uplift. Such mechanisms operate over tens or even hundreds of millions of years. The earths outer surface, a layer known as the lithosphere made up of the bitterness and the upper section of the mantle, is broke n up into 12 different plates which are constantly adjusting their positions comparatively to each other and such movements are driven by the internal convective dynamics within the earth mantle.When plates collide, one may either be subdued beneath another or both are pushed continually together, forcing upwards any continental land masses, to form long mountain range. (iii. ) Epeirogeny It is a term that describes changes in the global disposition of land masses and like organic process, this changes are driven by internal plate tectonic movements. Continents move around the globe at a rate of several centimeters per year owning to the slowness of the internal dynamics of the earth. However, over tens or hundreds of millions of years, both the size and position of land area can change appreciably. iv. ) Volcanic activity Explosive eruption can inject large quantities of dust and gaseous materials such as sulphur dioxide into the upper atmosphere the stratosphere, where sulphur is rapidly converted into sulfuric acid aerosols. Whereas volcanic pollution of the lower atmosphere is removed within days by the effects of rainfall and gravity, stratospheric pollution may remain there for several years, gradually spreading to cover oft of the globe. A volcanic activity has the ability to affect global climate on a womb-to-tomb time scale.Over periods of millions or even tens of millions of years, increased volcanic activity can emit enormous volumes of green house gases, with the potential of substantial global warming (Pickering Owen, 2004 Rampino Volk, 2006. However, the global cooling effect of sulphur dioxide emissions will act to counter the green house warming and the resultant climate change remains uncertain. (v. ) naval circulation It was identified that the oceans store an immense amount of heat energy, and consequently play a crucial usage in the regulation of the global climatic system.In order to explain the observed hemispheric syncronity of gl aciations, despite periods of directly opposed orbital forcing in the two hemispheres, many researchers have looked to the oceans. Although, in this sense, changes in oceans circulation has traditionally been viewed as internal forcing mechanisms in its own right. Economic implications of Climate change The estimates of economic impact on climate change are typically based on damage function. The estimates cover a variety of climate impacts that are usually grouped as market impact and non-market impact.Market impacts include effects on climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism damage to coastal areas from sea level rises changes in energy expenditure (for heating and cooling) and changes in water resources. The non-market impacts cover the effects of climate change on health leisure activities, ecosystem and human settlements. The economic implications of climate change in Nigeria are discussed infra (a. ) Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mc Carl (2007) reported that 70% of the workforce in Nigeria relies on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood.He noteworthy that agriculture is affected by climate change as a result of reduction in quantity and quality of yields changes in crop practices through changes in water use (irrigation) and cost of agricultural in localises such as herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers environmental effects particularly due to frequency and intensity of footing damage leading to nitrogen leaching, soil erosion and reduction of crop diversity. Other effects are adaptation of organisms and plants to flood, salinity and temperature, collapse of expand profitable investment and a sharp downturn of national economy.According to Okali (2004), droughts usually increase in occurrence, having a huge impact, especially in the dry North as a result of desertification. (b. ) Tourism and waste activities The forest is the abode for wildlife. If the forests disappear, the wildlife goes with it. S ites of tourist attractions in Nigeria are vulnerable to climate change. The waterfalls, the lakes, the river basins, the ocean views, the beaches, the ranches etc. may be nowhere to be found. Due to this, the huge investment of both the regimen and the private sector in tourism and leisure activities may be eroded.Loss of revenue and the lay-off of those employed in this sector of the economy will impose financial strain on the economy. (c. ) Coastal areas and Sea level rises Not less than seven out of the thirty-six states in Nigeria is in the coastal area. Nigerias coastal zone is richly blessed with various natural resources such as crude oil and fish, which are presently being exploited for economic gains. The global climate change and the concomitant sea level rises will have adverse effects on the coastal zone.Nigeria could lose over 18,000 square kilometers of the coastal land and the natural resources contained therein as well as experience disruption in socio-economic ac tivities. This will also increase the salinity of the fresh water, thereby affecting aquatic life. Loss of revenue and GDP and the attendant impact of rendering the inhabitants of the coastal areas, who are pre-dominantly fishermen, unemployed. (d. ) Human settlement Desert encroachment is becoming a threat from the northern part of Nigeria due to desertification.The inadequate trees in some parts of the North have resulted in unfavourable living condition and displacement of many human settlements. The rising sea level and gully erosion are equally claiming several kilometers in the coastal areas especially the southern part of the country. Valuable resources and infrastructures of the country are found in this area and if the sea claims these places, the economy of the nation will be affected. The Tsunami incidence in Japan on 12th March 2011, which claimed thousands of lives and properties worth billions of dollars, is a warning signal.It is also very important that Nigeria lend a clue from the bitter experience of Japan. (e. ) Health Increased temperature in the various regions could result in high incidence of malaria and other diseases that affect humans due to high temperature. The opening night of water-borne diseases as a result of the sea level rises cannot be ruled out. The implication of this is that there would be an increase in the cost of maintaining a healthy nation. It is note-worthy that this might frustrate the recent effort by government and relevant internationalistic health agencies to halt the scourge of malaria and other diseases. f) Industry and manufacturing The effect of global warming on the climate-vulnerable sectors of the economy (agriculture and the coastal resources) that provide input for the industry and manufacturing is another area of concern. The infant industries and the small and medium scale enterprises could be threatened. This is because only the big ones will be able to pay the high prices of manufacturing inputs. The GDP will be adversely affected by the inability of the small businesses to operate since they act as catalysts for economic growth and development. g) Financial services sector This sector serves as the go-between between the deficit sector and the surplus sector of the economy. Owing to the ability of the big companies who are largely quoted on the stock exchange to weather the storm of the likely downturn, they will force the market into an sign boom, which may not last, only to be followed, subsequent to its effect on the climate sensitive sectors, by a devastating and catastrophic burst because no entity or segment of the economy would be left field out.Hence, there is the tendency of experiencing what could be best described as climate induced inflation. Odjugbo (2010) noted that climate has a significant effect on the countrys economy. Climate Change financing Providing financial support to developing countries like Nigeria to help mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its impacts will be crucial to achieving agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen in December 2009. This makes financing one of the most critical issues in international climate change negotiations.The major issues that need funding in order to address climate change properly are observed to include mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and capacity building of institutions and personnel. Funding must benefit from municipal and international sources. The major sources of domestic resources to finance development in Nigeria have been domestic savings which are channeled into development through various formal and informal avenues, taxation, domestic acceptance (including borrowing from the banking system and private sector), bond financing, external reserves, surpluses of public enterprises, and very importantly, the oil sector.Domestic resources should ideally constitute the major source of financing developm ent and should be the first port of call. It is a better long term option in the achievement of any longer term development goals. On the other hand, external resources should be seen as providing supplementary finance to domestic resources. External finance has proved difficult to squall and sustain. Indeed, some forms of external finance, for example, ODA, portfolio investment and bank lending that may appear to be important have tended to be highly volatile and hence potentially risky and problematic for development.Also, there has been skepticism about aid effectiveness such that despite the declared huge disbursement by donors, there is not much on the ground to show for it (NPC, 2008). If domestic resources must provide a robust undercoat for sustainable progress in meeting the climate change challenges, then policies need to be utilise which would increase domestic saving and raise the revenue (tax and nontax) GDP ratio significantly beyond current levels. As at June 30 20 09 there remain few well known sources of domestic financing for climate change adaptation/mitigation, renewable/green energy projects in Nigeria.Whilst we suspect that there are some in-house sources of finance being discussed within various institutions, these are not yet publicly known and are at their primary stage of development where they do exist. With respect to mitigation, a lot of resources are needed particularly in acquiring technology. Nigeria supports the initiative for the establishment of a Multilateral Technology accomplishment Fund to buy Intellectual property Rights (IPR) which is a major constraint to technology transfer.Most of the resources for mitigation have moved to the developed countries over the years. Nigeria supports therefore the review of this anomaly for equitable distribution. Mitigation resources should also come to developing countries so that their developmental efforts do not finally result in injecting more GHG into the atmosphere. Nigeria sho uld team up up with other African countries and the G77 to seek for greater access to Adaptation Funds. Many of the potential adaptation projects which are urgent require considerable capital investment that the Fund can best provide.The logical implication of this is that this source of funding is reliable and predictable. Demand notices requiring for settling of counterpart Funds should be sent beforehand(predicate) enough to facilitate the processing of payment. Nigeria should team up with other countries to ask for the change in the present arrangement in which developed countries alone produce the CEOs of the GEF. In the future, the position should be alternately set-aside(p) by candidates from the developed and developing countries to reflect the global character of this institution.Constraints to financing climate change in Nigeria Some of the expected major sources of financing climate change in Nigeria encounter a lot of challenges/constraints. Some of these are as foll ows * The precarious dependence of government revenue on the oil sector. Thus, any shortfalls in oil revenue will adversely affect climate change mitigation/adaptation. communicate government financing of climate change may partly depend on economic growth performance and may not be realized if the growth performance is weak. The need to lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth, rely more on domestic sources of financing especially noninflationary sources, and shine the revenue base away from oil to non oil tax sources. In addition to the above, the following issues have been identified as current constraints that are hampering progress in efforts to tackle climate change activities in the country * Lack of a regulatory framework that should guide any institutional governance and the activities of climate change have discouraged local lending to renewable energy projects, foreign direct investment (FDI), and significant take-off of the CDM market. The lack of an established and working climate change institution has encumbered the drawing up of a broad-based and robust regulatory framework that can, with the assistance of consultants and advisers in this area, ensure world-class practices being put in place in Nigeria as part of the structure. * Absence of definite budgets within the various government ministries, departments, and agencies to incorporate climate change activities in national development within the broader Nigerian society. Lack of chaste persuasion by the federal government on private enterprise to focus on parkway climate change mitigation strategies and business development. * Lack of general educational campaign to advise financial institutions, corporate bodies and civil society on the merits of investing in Green Energy and the CDM market has greatly hampered the take off of all related projects. Lack of knowledge by financial institutions on investment within the new green economy in all its ramifications due to lack of capacit y build-up in this area. * Lack of knowledge among most local financial institutions on how to advise clients to access CDM funds for their projects which leads to less revenue being generated from carbon sequestration projects. CONCLUSIONNigeria cannot afford to be left outing the fringes of achieving environmental sustainability, alleviating poverty and reducing extreme hunger in line with the millennium development goals. The Government of Nigeria must as a matter of expediency treat the problems associated with climate change on the economy with urgency by adhering to international environmental treaties and embarking on massive and aggressive sensitization of the citizens on the problems associated with global warming and the travel that can be taken to address the concern.The government needs to sensitize Nigerians on the need to be more environmental friendly, evolve a change in consumer behaviour and ensure effective work of financial resources to mitigate the effects of c limate change. REFERENCE Odjugo, P. A. O. (2010). Regional evidence of climate change in Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 3(6), pp. 142-150 United Nations Organization. (2010). Climate Change Conference in Cancun leads to agreements Sass.R. L. , (2009), Frequently Asked Questions Climate Change, James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University United States Central Intelligence agency World Fact Book (2011), https//www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni. html United States Climate Science Program (2008), Trends in Emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances, Ozone Layer Recovery and Implications for Ultra Violet Radiation Exposure Synthesis and Assessment Product 2. 4

Philippine Treasure Essay

After watching the documentary of Philippine treasures, I have been get more receiveledge about our ancestors treasures remains and I think that the primeval Filipinos living in the Philippines already had an advanced civilization. Instilled something into me that we were rich, we were rich Were talking of gold here it is an opulence. During the ahead of time times, the Philippines was filled with gold. These gold were used for everyday clothing of the Filipinos, and even for accessorizing themselves.Our ancestors, the early Filipinos, were civilized enough to know how to process gold. They made umteen bowls, necklaces and earring out of gold. These gold were part of their daily lives. The Philippines is filled with natural resources, so there was abundance in gold. Some people were even dressed from head to toe in all gold. Also, the early Filipinos were able to craft a doll of a Goddess of Buddhism. This doll also called well-off Tara was a golden alloy, mixed with many oth er(a) metals.This shows how the Filipinos were knowledgeable to creating alloys with different metal even in the lead Westerners have arrived in our country. The Filipinos have even known how to sew shells and make clothes out of them in that respect are also several jars that represents the early Filipinos, these jars can be used for multi-purpose storage, because these jars can story many other things aside from water. All these many things were made even before the arrival of the Spaniards or other colonizers, so this shows that the early civilization of the Philippines was very unique and quite advanced.I like the show of Philippine Treasures. It really told us what are some things on this country or treasures are not in so far seen by the FILIPINOS. Now I realized that we need to care and concern the importance of some superannuated things. I also hope that efforts can be made by officials to preserve the Philippines historical artifacts, and to prove support for the Natio nal Museum. Dont Gain The World & Lose Your Soul, Wisdom Is Better Than bullion Or Gold. ? Bob Marley

The Return: Midnight Chapter 20

Meredith usual y found her parents funny and sil y and dear.They were solemn ab stunned al the wrong things like, Make sure, h unmatchabley, that you real y get to subsist Alaric originally before Meredith had no doubts about Alaric at al , hardly he was a nonher of those sil y, dear, gal ant people, who talked al around things without getting to the point.Today, she was surprised to adopt that thither was no cluster of cars around the transmissible home. Maybe people had to stay home to excite it out with their own children. She locked the Acura, conscious of the precious confine given by Isobel, and rang the doorbel . Her parents believed in chain locks.Janet, the housekeeper, looked happy to see her but nervous. Aha, Meredith thought, they throw off discovered that their obedient tho child has ransacked the attic. Maybe they want the stave back. Maybe I should generate leftfield wing it back at the boardinghouse.But she only realized that things were truly serious when she came into the family room and saw the pornographic La-Z-Boy deluxe lounging chair, her arrives throne empty. Her father was sitting on the couch, property her capture, who was sobbing.She had brought the stave with her, and when her mother saw it, she stony- broke into a fresh burst of tears.Look,Meredith said, this doesnt take over to be so tragic. Ive got a pretty good imagination of what happened. If you want to tel me about how Grandma and I real y got blemish, thats your business. But if I wascontaminated in some wayShe stopped. She could hardly believe it. Her father was holding out an arm to her, as if the reasonably rank condition of her c hookinghes didnt matter. She went to him slowly, uncomfortably, and permit him hug her regard slight of his Ar earthi suit. Her mother had a glass with a few sips left of what looked like Coke in front of her, but Meredith would bet it wasnt al Coke.Wed hoped that this was a place of peace,her father orated. E truly sen tence her father spoke was an oration. You got used to it. We never dreamedAnd accordingly he stopped.Meredith was stunned. Her father didnt stop in the middle of an oration. He didnt pause. And he certainly didnt cry.Dad dadaism What is it? Have kids been around here, crazy kids? Did they hurt somebody?We have to tel you the whole story from that time ache ago,her fathersaid. He spoke with such despair that it wasnt anything like an oration. When you wereal attacked.By the vampire. Or Grandfather. Or do you k straightway?Long pause. Then her mother drained the contents of her glass and cal ed, Janet, a nonher one, please.Now, Gabriel a her father said, chiding.Nando I cant bear this. The thought that mi hija inocenteMeredith said, Look, I think I can retain this easier for you. I already knowWell, first, that I had a twin brother.Her parents looked horrified. They clung together, gasping.Who told you?her father demanded. At that boardinghouse, who could know ?appeasement dow n time. No, no. Dad, I found out Well, Grandpa talked to me.That was true enough. He had. Just not about her brother. Anyway, that was how I got the stave. But the vampire that hurt us is dead. He was the serial kil er, the one who kil ed Vickie and Sue. His name was Klaus.You thought that in that location was only one vampire?her mother got out. She pronounced the word the Latino way, which Meredith always found more scary. Vahm-peer.The universe seemed to start moving slowly around Meredith.Thats just a guess,her father said. We dont real y know that there was more than the very strong one.But you know about Klaus how?We saw him. He was the strong one. He kil ed the security guards at the gate with one blow each. We moved to a new town. We hoped you would never have to know you had a brother.Her father fleecy his eyes. Your grandfather spoke to us, right afterward the attack. But the next daynothing.He couldnt talk at al .Her mother put her face in her work force. She only lifted it to cal ,Janet Another, por favorRight away, maam.Meredith looked to the housekeepers dreary eyes for the solution to this mystery and found nothing sympathy, but no help. Janet walked away with the empty glass, redheaded French braid receding.Meredith turned back to her parents, so dark of eye and hair, so olive of undress color. They were huddling together again, eyes on her.Mom, Dad, I know that this is real y hard. But Im exhalation after the kind of people who hurt Grandpa, and Grandma, and my brother. Its dangerous, but I have to do it.She dropped into a Taekwondo stance. I wet you did have me trained.But against your own family? You could do that?her mother cried.Meredith sat down. She had reached the end of the memories that she and Stefan had found. So Klaus didnt kil him like Grandmother. He as advantageouslyk my brother with him.Cristian,wailed her mother. He was just un bebe. Three years old That was when we found the two of youand the linageoh, the jo bHer father got up, not to orate, but to put his hand on Merediths shoulder. We thought it would be easier not to tel you that you wouldnt have any memories of what was happening when we came in. And you dont, do you?Merediths eyes were fil ing with tears. She looked to her mother, trying to silently tel her she couldnt understand this.He was inebriety my kin?she guessed. Klaus?Nocried her father as her mother whispered prayers.He was drinking Cristians, then.Meredith was kneeling on the tarradiddle now, trying to look up into the face of her mother.Nocried her father again. He choked.La sangre gasped her mother, covering her eyes. The bloodQuerida her father sobbed, and went to her.DadMeredith went after him and shook his arm. Youve ruled out al the possibilities I dont understand Who was drinking blood?You You her mother almost screamed. From your own brother Oh, el aterrorizarGabriel amoaned her father.Merediths mother subsided into weeping.Merediths head was whirling. Im n ot a vampire I hunt vampires and kil themHe said,her father whispered hoarsely Just see she gets a tablespoon a week. If you want her to live, that is. Try a blood pudding.He was laughing.Meredith didnt need to ask if they had obeyed. At her house, they had blood sausage or pudding at least once a week.She had grown up with it. It was nothing special.Why?she whispered hoarsely now. Why didnt he kil me?I dont know We Stilldont know That man with his front al dripping with blood your blood, your brothers blood, we didnt know And then at the last minute he grabbed for the two of you but you bit his hand to the bone,her father said.He laughed laughed with your teeth clamped in him and your little hands pushing him away, and said, Il just leave you this one, then, and you can worry about what she wil turn out to be. The boy Im victorious with me.And then suddenly I seemed to come out of a spel , for I was reaching for you again, ready to fight him for both of you. But I couldnt Once I had you, I couldnt move another inch. And he left the house Stilllaughing and took your brother, Cristian, with him.Meredith thought. No wonder they didnt want to hold any kind of celebration on the anniversaries of that day. Her naan dead, her grandfather going crazy, her brother lost, and herself what? No wonder they celebrated her birthday a week early.Meredith try to stay calm. The world was fal ing to pieces around her but she had to stay calm. Staying calm had kept her alive al her life. Without flush having to count, she was breathing out deep, and in through her nostrils, and out through her mouth. Deep, deep, cleansing breaths. Soothing peace passim her body. Only part of her was hearing her motherWe came home early that night because I had a concern Sh, querida her father was beginning.We got home early,her mother keened. O Virgen Bendecida, what would we have found if we had been late?We would have lost you, too My baby My baby with blood on her mouth But we g ot home early enough to deliver her,Merediths father said huskily, as if trying to wake her mother from a spel .Ah, g racias, Princesa Divina, Vigen pura y impolutoHer mother couldnt seem to stop crying.Daddy,Meredith said urgently, aching for her mother but desperately needing information. Have you ever seen him again? Or heard about him? My brother, Cristian?Yes,her father said. Oh, yes, we have seen something.Her mother gasped. Nando, noShe has to learn the truth sometime,her father said. He rummaged among some cardboard file folders on the desk.Lookhe said to Meredith. Look at this.Meredith stared in utter disbelief.In the Dark Dimension decent shut her eyes. There was a lot of wind at the top of a tal buildings windowpane. That was al her mind had a thought for when she was out of the window and then back into it and the ogre was laughing and Shinichis terrible voice ordering, You dont real y think wed let you go without questioning you thoroughly?Bonnie heard the words with out them making sense, and then suddenly they did. Her captors were going to hurt her.They were going to torture her. They were going to take her bravery away.She thought she screamed something at him. Al she knew, though, was that there was a soft explosion of heat behind her, and then unbelievably al dressed up in a cloak with badges that made him look like some kind of military prince, there was Damon.Damon.He was so late shed long ago given up on him. But now he was flashing a there-and-gone bril iant smile at Shinichi, who was staring as if hed been stricken dumb.And now Damon was saying, Im afeard(predicate) Ms. McCul ough has another engagement at that moment. But I wil be back to kick your ass immediately. attain from this room and Il kil you al , slowly. Thank you for your time and consideration.And before anyone could even recover from their first shock at his arrival, he and Bonnie were blasting off through the windows. He went, not out of the building regressive as if retreating, but straight ahead forward, one hand in front of him, wrapping them both in a black but ethereal bundle of Power. They shattered the two-way mirror in Bonnies room and were almost al the way through to the next room before Bonnies mind tag the first empty.Then they were crashing through an elaborate videoset-window made to let people think they had a cod of the outdoors, and flying over someone lying on a bed. Thenit was just a serial of crashes, as far as Bonnie was concerned. She barely got a glimpse of what was going on in each room. Final yThe crashing stopped. This left Bonnie holding on to Damon koala-style she wasnt stupid and they were very, very racy in the air. And mobilizing in front of them, and off to the sides, and as far as Bonnie could see, were women who were also flying, but in little machines that looked like a combination of a motorcycle and a Jet Ski. No wheels, of course. The machines were al gold, which was also the color of each drive rs hair.So the first word Bonnie gasped to her rescuer, after he had blasted a tunnel through the large slave-owners building to save her, was, Guardians?Indispensable, considering the fact that I didnt have the first idea where the bad guys expertness have taken you and I suspected that there might be a time limit. This was actual y the very last of the slave-sel ers we were due to check. We final ylucked out.For someone who had lucked out, he sounded a little strange. Almostchoked up.Water was on Bonnies cheeks but it was macrocosm flicked away too fast for her to wipe it. Damon was holding her so that she couldnt see his face, and he was holding her very, very tightly.It real y was Damon. He had cal ed out the cavalry and, despite the city-wide mind-gridlock, he had found her.They hurt you, didnt they, little redbird? I sawI saw your face,Damon said in his new choked-up voice. Bonnie didnt know what to say. But suddenly she didnt mind how hard he squeezed her. She even found he rself squeezing back.Suddenly, to her shock, Damon broke her koala-grip and pul ed her up and kissed her on the lips very gently. Little redbird Im going to go now, and make them honorarium for what they did to you.Bonnie heard herself say, No, dont.No?Damon repeated, bewildered.No,Bonnie said. She needed Damon with her. She didnt care what happened to Shinichi. There was a sweetness unfolding inside her, but there was also a rushing in her head. It real y was a pity, but in a few moments she would be unconscious.Meanwhile, she had three thoughts in mind and al of them were clear. What she was appalled of was that they would be less clear later, after she had fainted. Do you have a star bal ?I have twenty-eight star bal s,Damon said, and looked at her quizzical y.That wasnt what Bonnie meant at al she meant one to record onto. shag you remember three things?she said to Damon.Id gamble on it.This time Damon kissed her softly on the forehead.First, you ruined my very brave death.W e can always go back and you can have another try.Damons voice was less choked now more his own.Second, you left me at that horrible inn for a week As if she could see inside his mind, she saw this slice into him like some kind of wooden sword. He was holding her so tightly that she real y couldnt breathe. II didnt mean to. It was real y only four days, but I never should have done it,he said.Third.Bonnies voice dropped to a whisper. I dont think any star bal was ever stolen at al . What never existed cant be stolen, can it?She looked at him. Damon was looking back in a way that normal y would have thril ed her. He was obviously, blatantly distressed. But Bonnie was just barely hanging on to consciousness at this point.And poopShe puzzled out slowly.Fourth? You said three things.Damon smiled, just a little.I have to say this She dropped her head down on Damons shoulder, gathered al of her energy, and concentrated.Damon loosened his grip a little. He said, I can hear a faint murmur ing sound in my head. Just tel me normal y. Were well away from anyone.Bonnie was insistent. She scrunched her whole tiny body together and then explosively sent out a thought. She could tel that Damon caught it.Fourth, I know the way to the seven legendary kitsune treasures, Bonnie sent to him. That includes the biggest star lout ever made. But if we want it, we have to get to it fast.Then, feeling that she had contributed enough to the conversation, she fainted.