Mekong delta Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mekong delta - Essay Example In 1802, it turned out to be a piece of French settlement and turned out to be a piece of Vietnam when it picked up autonomy from France (Brocheux, 1995). Mekong delta is 39000 km in region. It was at first a woods territory and marshland having differing scene with mountains, good country and plain district. The marshland makes it rich land. It has moderate atmosphere. Because of its low lying region, it is defenseless to streak floods. Lunar new year and mid harvest time celebration are major social occasions. During the celebration, youngsters glide lit candles on rowboats on the waterway. The multicultural society contains Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, Cambodians and Cham clan. The primary religions are Buddhism, Catholicism, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao and Islam (vietscape.com, 2004). Farming is significant wellspring of salary for the individuals. Rice is major farming harvest followed by leafy foods. It is second biggest maker and exporter of rice on the planet. Acquaculture is another industry which encourages fare of fish like shrimps, feline fish and so on. As of late, the travel industry has likewise risen as significant industry. Pontoons and ships are significant vehicle frameworks over the territories and urban areas. Transport, light and substantial vehicles are utilized on the roadways alongside motorbikes, and bikes. As of late a link stayed connect was developed that interfaces Long territory with Can Tho city. The scaffold is required to lessen the dependence on ships for compensation. A portion of the territories of Mekong are likewise associated via air-flight. Mekong Delta has two principle coasting markets: Cai Rang and Phong Dien, where residents bring their produce like vegetables, organic products, fish and so on the vessels. Every one of its organizations are directed on the banks. They have bamboo houses and develop fisheries under them. Products are purchased by neighborhood brokers who sell them in the large urban communities at incredible benefit. It likewise has coasting

Free Essays on Reach Out And Touch Someone...Or Not

The issue of lewd behavior is anything but another one. It has existed since the get-go; in any case, it has not picked up notice as of not long ago. Truth be told, ladies didn't â€Å"start winning inappropriate behavior claims until the mid 1970s† and the â€Å"first lewd behavior claim to arrive at the Supreme Court was not chosen until 1986† (Brown 43). The specific explanations behind this wonder isn't known however a superior comprehension of what inappropriate behavior includes can be picked up by taking a gander at the individuals it influences, characterizing what it is, the point at which it happens, where it occurs, and why it takes place. In the first place, inappropriate behavior is â€Å"pervasive† happening â€Å"in all social and financial classes† and that no individual is safe (Stark 50). For instance, Anita Hill, a Yale taught African American law educator, declared that she confronted lewd behavior on account of Supreme Court judge chosen one Clarence Thomas. As opposed to Hill’s higher financial status, Sheila Bensen, a multi year old independently employed Caucasian lady, was likewise a survivor of lewd behavior (Benson 31). Nor does inappropriate behavior happen just among ladies as opposed to mainstream thinking (Schultz par.12). For instance, in the Goluszek v. Smith case, a male â€Å"electronic support mechanic† was put down and thrown out by his kindred laborers. They â€Å"mocked him for not having a wife† and â€Å"used sexual orientation based pictures to ambush his competence† (Schultz standard. 13). In this manner, it very protected to state individuals of â€Å"all ages, classes, shapes, hues, and sizes† are potential focuses of lewd behavior (Morris 32). What precisely is the meaning of lewd behavior? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission characterizes it as indicated by the rules of â€Å"three fundamental structures: (1.) quid genius quid, (2.) counter, and (3.) antagonistic condition. ...Quid genius quid is Latin for ‘what for what’ â€Å" (Stark 55). It is ordinarily â€Å"a circumstance where a chief punishes a subor... Free Essays on Reach Out And Touch Someone...Or Not Free Essays on Reach Out And Touch Someone...Or Not The issue of lewd behavior is definitely not another one. It has existed since the get-go; nonetheless, it has not picked up notice up to this point. Truth be told, ladies didn't â€Å"start winning lewd behavior claims until the mid 1970s† and the â€Å"first inappropriate behavior claim to arrive at the Supreme Court was not chosen until 1986† (Brown 43). The specific purposes behind this wonder isn't known however a superior comprehension of what lewd behavior includes can be picked up by taking a gander at the individuals it influences, characterizing what it is, the point at which it happens, where it occurs, and why it takes place. In any case, inappropriate behavior is â€Å"pervasive† happening â€Å"in all social and monetary classes† and that no individual is insusceptible (Stark 50). For instance, Anita Hill, a Yale instructed African American law educator, reported that she confronted lewd behavior on account of Supreme Court judge chosen one Clarence Thomas. As opposed to Hill’s higher financial status, Sheila Bensen, a multi year old independently employed Caucasian lady, was likewise a casualty of lewd behavior (Benson 31). Nor does lewd behavior happen just among ladies in opposition to mainstream thinking (Schultz par.12). For instance, in the Goluszek v. Smith case, a male â€Å"electronic upkeep mechanic† was disparaged and thrown out by his kindred laborers. They â€Å"mocked him for not having a wife† and â€Å"used sexual orientation based pictures to attack his competence† (Schultz standard. 13). Along these lines, it very sheltered to state individuals of â€Å"all ages, classes, shapes, hues, and sizes† are potential focuses of lewd behavio r (Morris 32). What precisely is the meaning of lewd behavior? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission characterizes it as per the rules of â€Å"three essential structures: (1.) quid ace quid, (2.) reprisal, and (3.) threatening condition. ...Quid expert quid is Latin for ‘what for what’ â€Å" (Stark 55). It is regularly â€Å"a circumstance where an administrator punishes a subor...

Encouragement Story A Group of Frogs

Encouragement Story â€" A Group of Frogs As a group of frogs was traveling through the woods, two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit.Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up. That they would never make it out. Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and he gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

A Dolls House Character Analysis - 1222 Words

Nora is presented as having a strong male that fulfils her needs for belongingness and love throughout the play: Torvald. Torvald and Nora are presented as affectionate in their relationship. Ibsen uses of romantic language: Torvald refers to Nora with names such as ‘little skylark’ and ‘squirrel’. Nora is presented as reciprocating this love, as she frequently acknowledges how her husband loves her, stating that the ‘time will never come’ when Torvald will stop loving her. However, Ibsen highlights how Nora does not wish to share the news of the loan with Torvald as she believes it would ‘completely wreck their relationship’ and therefore, Ibsen utilises other characters to become her confidante, as it is in this way he shows the audience†¦show more content†¦Nevertheless, it is irrelevant how and by whom Nora’s psychological needs are fulfilled: her debts ensure her survival needs are not fulfilled, surmounting all her psychological support. This could be reinforced by Far From the Madding Crowd: Bathsheba does not marry Francis troy until her farm is successful. Hardy presents Bathsheba as having a deep desire for independence and self-actualization, surmounting her other needs. Although she talks at the beginning of the novel of her family’s financial issues, she still declines Oak’s offer of marriage. She is presented as ‘too independent’ for him; he would ‘never be able to’ tame her. This is unorthodox behaviour for a young woman at this time, Oak was richer than her, and it was supposedly a woman’s objective in life to get married. By not conforming to this ideal, continuing to be independent, and providing her own survival through her farm, Bathsheba is presented as achieving self-actualisation. She goes on to decline Boldwood’s proposal to marriage also, and only marries when she is presented as truly in love; this is true in the cases of both Troy and Oak. Through this, Hardy provides Bathsheba with independence and self-actualisation, something that was uncommon at this time. By e nsuring Bathsheba stays true to this, he presents Bathsheba as happy by the end of the novel.Show MoreRelatedA Dolls House Character Analysis1555 Words   |  7 Pagesnow, I am no wife for you†(Ibsen 887) This statement is from Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll House, is a play based in 1879, and it sets the tone of the remainder of the story. Ibsen seems to be making a statement that women need to mature and be independent before they have a family of their own. All of the women in this play leave their loved ones behind to gain their independence. Ibsen’s statement and character portrayal helps make Ibsen’s play take on feminist characteristics. Ibsen’s play shows thatRead MoreA Dolls House Character Analysis872 Words   |  4 PagesA Dolls House Essay on Love By comparing Ibsens play A Dolls House and the movie Me Before You one can see that gender roles play a big factor in love. A romantic relationship that involves gender roles will bring out love’s most raw form; the emergence of one’s true feelings towards his/her significant other whether it is a negative or positive view. A Doll’s House and the movie Me Before You shows how gender roles impact the lives of Nora [from Doll’s House] and Will Traynor [from Me BeforeRead MoreAnalysis of the Character of Mrs. Linde in A Dolls House1084 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.† In Henrick Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, the character of Mrs. Linde contributes to the exposition and pivotal moment of the decideding factors of Krogstad, she also has a profound influence on the character development of Nora Helmer. Mrs. Lind e directly contributes to Nora’s moment of realization and Nora’s decision to leave her husband at the end of the play. WomanRead MoreShakespeare s A Doll s House Essay1352 Words   |  6 PagesThe Performance of Gender in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House It can be said that the sound of Nora Helmer slamming the door behind her as she leaves her husband and children in pursuit of self-actualization is one of the most famous in theatre history. The journey the characters in A Doll’s House take in order to build to this powerful moment is a fascinating one. Countless scholars have analyzed aspects of Ibsen’s famous play; some have examined the complicated marriage between Nora and Torvald Helmer,Read MoreHenrik Ibsens A Dolls House1489 Words   |  6 Pagesparticular response. The play â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen provides an excellent example for analysis, with each component strongly supported. Often the first, and most obvious, component that can be observed when reading drama is the point of view that it is written from. Point of view determines the perspective from which the story is told. In a play there is typically not a narrator, leaving the audience to witness the action and dialogue of all the characters and compose a personal interpretationRead MoreBibo1025 Words   |  5 PagesHenrik Ibsens A Dolls House. In Bloom, Harold, ed. Human Sexuality, Blooms Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2009. Blooms Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. In this article, Kristin Brunnemer explores writer Henrik Ibsen and the transformation of Nora, the main character in Ibsen’s â€Å"A Doll’s House† (Brunnemer 1). There is much debate over whether Ibsen intended to promote feminism through his main female character, Nora, in his playRead More Essay on Lies and Self-realization in A Dolls House1162 Words   |  5 PagesSelf-realization in A Dolls House    In Ibsens play,   A Dolls House,   the characters willingly exist in a situation of untruth or inadequate truth that conceals conflict.   Noras independent nature is in contradiction to the tyrannical authority of Torvald.   This conflict is concealed by the way they both hide their true selves from society, each other, and ultimately themselves.   Just like Nora and Torvald, every character in this play is trapped in a situation of untruth. A Dolls House, can beRead MoreA Dolls House -H.Ibsen ,Critical Analysis1554 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Subject : Drama B Writer : Henrik Johan Ibsen Genre : Realistic Modern Drama Name of the Work / Play : A Doll’s House ( 1897 ) in three acts Characters : Major Characters / Minor Characters Nora Helmer ( wife of Torvald Helmer ,mother of three children ) Torvald Helmer( husband of Nora Helmer , a lawyer ,father of three children ) Dr. Rank ( doctor ,friend of Nora Torvald Helmer, confidant ,commentator ) Mrs. Kristine Linde ( old friend of Nora Helmer ) Nils Krogstad ( barristerRead More A Dolls House: A Push To Freedom Essay examples1371 Words   |  6 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Sometime after the publication of quot;A Dolls Housequot;, Henrik Ibsen spoke at a meeting of the Norwegian Association for Womens Rights. He explained to the group, quot;I must decline the honor of being said to have worked for the Womens Rights movement. I am not even very sure what Womens Rights are. To me it has been a question of human rightsquot; ( ). quot;A Dolls Housequot; is often interpreted by readers, teachers, and critics alike as an attackRead MoreRealism Theatre Essay1085 Words   |  5 Pagessymbolism, character development, stage setting and storyline and is exemplified in plays such as Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House and Anton Chekhovs The Three Sisters. The arrival of realism was indeed good for theatre as it promoted greater audience involvement and raised awareness of contemporary social and moral issues. It also provided and continues to provide a medium through which playwrights can express their views about societal values, attitudes and morals. A Dolls House is the tragedy

The Inequality Between Men And Women Based Solely On Gender

A problem that has plagued our world for centuries is the inequality between men and women based solely on gender. This dilemma is one that occurs across every continent and has been the subject of many riots, protests, and discussions since the early centuries. Gender inequality can happen in any setting, time, and place. However, gender inequality is highly likely inside the workplace. Many employers discriminate against woman and sometimes then do not even know that what they are saying or doing is considered discrimination. Gender inequality in the workplace happens during the interview process, after being hired, and it can be seen through the use of pay discrimination and sexual harassment. An interview for a new job can be one of†¦show more content†¦And if the answer is affirmative the interview is ended and these women are summarily kicked out the door.† Women across the globe are now being discriminated against because they have children. Many women have to w ork and provide for their families, but are afforded fewer opportunities to do so based on the fact that they are the ones to mainly support their children. During interviews male applicants are not asked if they have children because the fact that they do or don’t has no effect on their ability to get the job done. However, it is apparent that many employers feel that a woman’s ability to complete her job is based on whether she has bared any children. This one question during an interview can make or break a woman’s chances at getting hired and is should be seen as gender inequality to all. One major downfall to gender inequality is the difference in male and female pay. It is not enough that women are singled out based on their anatomy or the belief that men do a better job than women, they often times receive a lower salary than men as well. In the text â€Å"Gender Equality in Sweden† the Swedish Institute (2007) writes that, â€Å"Pay differentials between men and women can largely be explained by differences in their profession, sector, position, work experience, and age. But there are pay differentials that cannot be explained in this way but may be attributed to gender, what

Are you hooked Free Essays

It was like an addiction to me, because without any reason spend most of my time searching unnecessary things. Finally I decided to overcome from it and stop using unnecessary searching and Stop wasting my time. Right now I am not hooked with anything. We will write a custom essay sample on Are you hooked or any similar topic only for you Order Now Stress sounds simple but it is a hard thing to deal. Every people faces different types of stress. In my life I also faced lots of stress. But I had three most stressful moments in my life. When was ill I dressed that maybe had a big health problem and was very scared of that. All the time was searching online my symptoms and was hooked that time badly. After that when I was pregnant with my second child I was stressed because my first child was only one and half years old that time. Was thinking how can handle my both kids, because had no one here to help me and was stressed that time. I had sleep problem one time. When went to bed all the time I thought couldn’t sleep at night and was feeling so stressed . For my that thought most of the night I couldn’t sleep. My methods for coping with stress was to change my habits and thoughts. When saw my stress was becoming my distress I just started thinking positively. After some period I had over come from my stresses. Situation that one person sees positively, may another person sees negatively. Stress is simply a body response. Some people takes is easily and some are not. If our stress can notes like positive then it will bring excitement, joy and thrill in our lives. How to cite Are you hooked, Papers

Essay about Identity Theft A Serious Crime Essay Example For Students

Essay about Identity Theft : A Serious Crime Essay Identity theft is a serious crime where a thief obtains your personal information, such as your social security number, to commit fraud. Identity theft has become a growing issue in today s society, especially with today s advanced technology. Research done by Javelin strategy concludes that nearly 12 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in 2011. The statistics of identity theft show an increase of thirteen percent over 2010. The numbers are increasingly growing as the years go by. Approximately seven percent of adults have their identity stolen, resulting in at least $3,500 in losses. Identity thieves develop cagey methods to steal identities like stealing wallets, mail, and phone calls that lure people into giving out their personal information. Identity theft is an increasing issue, where every individual and business can be a vulnerable victim. To fix the future, individuals and businesses must understand the history of the problem. Identity theft has been going on ever since the biblical time period. The first recorded case of identity theft comes from the book of Genesis, the story of Jacob and Esau. Identity theft has evolved around the past couple decades. At first, thieves would physically steal individual s identity. The thieves would murder their victim and then take the identity of the corpse. The original motive was not necessarily for the money, but for a new beginning. The first technological device used to commit identity theft was the telephone. Scammers would lure the victims into giving their personal information, for a â€Å"reward† in return. The public was uneducated about the precautions of giving out their social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other personal information. This re. .ty fraud than to rob a bank because the odds of being caught are less likely.† If a business suspects their company s identities being stolen they should inform the proper authorities who deal with this rapid growing problem. Not trying to stop the issue will cause greater stress in the future and possibly jeopardize the whole business. It can take years to return back to a stable state after having your identity stolen. If a thief is caught stealing identity, they can be fined up to one thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, the person can end up in prison for years. To avoid the troubles of identity theft, it is important to be educated on the precautions of the issue. Businesses and individuals must take the initiative to secure their personal information and identity to be able to lower the rate of identity fraud.

Mlb Players Are over Paid free essay sample

According to My Budget 360 the average middle class working American makes $46,326 a year (â€Å"How Much Does the Average American Make? Breaking Down the U. S. Household Income Numbers. † Par 2. ) Another problem teams are running into after paying their players large contracts is there lack of performance. It is also unfair to some of the lower income teams in the league. They are not able to pay the big name players in the league like many other teams in the league are able to. My argument with this is MLB athletes don’t deserve the amount of money they annually make, and it is unfair to everyday working Americans who are struggling to live the day to day life. To begin with, I believe Major League Baseball players are way overpaid, and have no idea what it is like to live off a regular American salary. According to baseball writer, Richard Cato, many rookie athletes are worried more about how much money there are going to make, before they even think about throwing their first pitch in there major league career. We will write a custom essay sample on Mlb Players Are over Paid or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Almost 10 years ago former cubs pitcher, Mark Prior, argued and argued with team management that his 10 million dollar contract was not going to be enough to support himself and his family (par 5. ) This is where my problem begins with Athletes being overpaid. They complain about not making enough money each year, where middle and lower class Americans manage to live off there much smaller salaries. I personally think the league minimum of $480,000 a year is much too large, and is pretty ridiculous to be complaining about. Just recently former Cardinals star, Albert Pujols, left his team due to the inability to pay the about of money he wanted to make. His new contract is a 10-year 240 million dollar contract that is way too much for any American to make in this sort span of time. In my opinion the MLB should set a top cap that any player in the league is allowed to make in a season and still have a league minimum, but much lower then it currently is. Another problem teams are having after giving their athletes large contracts is there are not performing like they once were, before there had their large contract. Next, there is a large problem with big name athletes getting very large contracts and not performing like they once did in their careers, before that made their multi-million dollar contracts. Athletes begin to get the thought in their head after they sign a large contract, that they are set for life and don’t have to perform like they once did because there have earned the money there have always wanted. Although not all athletes are like this, an example of someone who is not is, Derek Jeter. â€Å"I have never seen a more complete baseball player then Derek Jeter. † According to the New York Times, Jeter has done nothing but improved since signing his very large contract extension. He has continued to be the same player he was when he entered the league and has also became an even better player (par. 1. ) In his 18th year in the league, Jeter continues to play strong and break MLB records, showing he deserves the large contract he is paid. Players who continue to play hard like this through their career deserve to earn a large about of money, but not the excessive amount that he currently is. But this is not the case with all big league players saying large contracts. For example Albert Pujols has just signed the largest multi-year contract in the history of the league, but currently struggles hitting, and has not yet hit a single homerun. After signing this new large contract he has been very unproductive and is showing to be a waste of millions of dollars for his new team. This shows that not all major league players deserve to make these huge multi-million dollar contracts that are being paid. Finally, some teams have and unfair advantage on the amount of big name players they are allowed to sign year to year. If the Major League Baseball officials would decide on a salary cap for each team it would give everyone a more equal chance of signing big name players. I personally think each team should be able to spend the same amount of money each season, to give each team a more equal chance of winning. By doing this it would minimize he amount of big name players could sign year after year, and also give the current lower income teams the ability to sign more big name players. If the league would put a cap on the amount of money a player can make and the amount of money each team can spend, would make the league a much better all around league, giving each team an equal chance of winning a World Series. In Conclusion, Major League Baseball players are wa y over paid. None of these athletes have a clue what it’s like to live off the salary of an average working American. Athletes continue to complain about the amount of money they are making each year, not being enough to support their families, while lower and middle class families are living life just fine making 10 times less the amount of money. Athletes aren’t proving they deserve to make the amount of money they do either, by becoming way less productive after signing there multi-million dollar contracts. When the league puts a set salary cap on each player and each team the league will become a much better thing. It will also make working Americans very happy, knowing athletes aren’t making as much money as they once did. If everyone would have the same contracts, it would also make ticket prices go down making it more affordable for fans to go to games. By having the same contracts, players would all play harder and also make fans of the game happier and more supportive of the players and owners of the league. When the average American can begin to make larger salaries, will be the day athletes deserve to make the large contracts like they currently are. Works Cited â€Å"How Much Does the Average American Make? Breaking Down the U. S. Household Income Numbers. † My Budget 360. N. P. N. D. Web. 25 April 2012. â€Å"Jeter, a True Yankee. † New York Times. 03 Dec. 2006. Academic Search Premier. Web. 25 April 2012. â€Å"Market Correction needed for rookie MLB contracts? † Left Field: The Reuters Global Sports Blog. Richard Cato. 11 June 2009. Web. 25 April 2012. â€Å"MLB Minimum Salary to Increase to $480,000 with New CBA. † Los Angeles Dodgers Payroll. Eric Stephen. 20 Nov. 2011. Web. 25 April 2012.

Corporate Strategies to Hedge Commodity Price Risks Applying Derivatives Essay Example

Corporate Strategies to Hedge Commodity Price Risks Applying Derivatives Essay Example Corporate Strategies to Hedge Commodity Price Risks Applying Derivatives Essay Corporate Strategies to Hedge Commodity Price Risks Applying Derivatives Essay Table of contents List of abbreviationsIII List of figuresIII List of tablesIII 1Introduction1 1. 1Problem and objective1 1. 2Structure of this paper1 2Background Information2 2. 1Definitions of fundamental terms2 2. 2Commodity price risk in different firms2 3Explanation of derivatives3 3. 1Options3 3. 2Futures4 3. 3Forwards6 3. 4Swaps6 4Hedging strategies with derivatives7 4. 1Hedging with options7 4. 2Hedging with futures7 4. 3Hedging with forwards8 4. 4Hedging with swaps8 5Pros and cons of hedging strategies with derivatives8 5. 1Pros and cons of options9 5. Pros and cons of futures9 5. 3Pros and cons of forwards10 5. 4Pros and cons of swaps10 6Practical example of corporate commodity price risk hedging10 6. 1Introduction on firms practical hedging strategy10 6. 2Analysis on this strategy11 7Summary12 Appendix13 Appendix 1: Amounts outstanding of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives by risk category and instrument- - in billions of US dollar13 Appendix 2: Derivatives financial instr uments traded on organized exchanges by instrument and location- - in billions of US dollar14 Bibliography15 Internet Source16 List of abbreviations CHClearing House IMInitial Margin MBMargin Balance MM NMaintenance Margin No OTCOver The Count VM YVariation Margin Yes List of figures Figure 1: Structure of this paper2 Figure 2: P of each option position4 Figure 3: Flow chart of marking-to-market process5 Figure 4: P of each future position6 Figure 5: Hedging model on fuel oil of Air China11 List of tables Table 1: Summary for 4 option positions4 Table 2: Summary for future positions6 Table 3: Summary for 4 derivatives9 1Introduction 1. 1Problem and objective The risk of commodity price is a ferocious topic in corporate operation. Corporate profit is equal to total revenue minus total cost. For firms, because of the high volatility on commodity price, their inputs and outputs relating to commodity are unpredictable. As a consequence corporate profit will be immensely volatile, which will possibly lead the firm to go bankruptcy if no any preventive actions are taken. For example, producers of commodities probably need to assume unexpected losses, when the price of outputs goes down or the price of necessary raw materials goes up. The situations are similar to wholesale buyers, retailers, exporters and even governments. Volatility of commodities price has great impacts on corporate daily operation. The objective of this term paper is to introduce derivative hedging strategies for corporate managers to reduce or even eliminate future unpredictability, mainly from the perspectives of the role commodity price risks play, what the typical derivative instruments are, where and how to apply these different derivatives in terms of hedging principles thereof, and both advantages and disadvantages when applying each derivative in real business transactions. 1. Structure of this paper Firstly, this term paper highlights problems existing in real world. Secondly, it introduces advanced derivatives theory that can be applied to solve these problems. Thirdly, specific details on the theory will be presented, including explanation, application, as well as pros and cons of each derivative instrument. Then, an example is analyzed to show how companies apply derivatives to hedge commodity risks practically. Last is a summary of this term paper. Following figure shows the body of this paper. 2Background Information 2. Definitions of fundamental terms In financial markets derivative is a contract or security whose value is derived from the value of other more basic underlying variables . One of its most important functions is hedging. In corporate operation, hedging is to secure the companies against potential loss caused by variable risks that arise in international market, such as the commodity price risks. In this paper, commodity means any tangible goods or raw materials that may be sold or traded in the markets, such as energy, gold, or agricultural products. 2. Commodity price risk in different firms Volatility of commodities price influences firms’ daily operation significantly. Producers of commodities, such as farms, oil producers, mining companies, face price risk on output. Wholesalers and retailers, face price risk during the time period from buying from suppliers and selling to customers. Exporters, face the same price risk as well as currency exchange risk. And governments face price and yield risks generating from tax revenues that depend on firms’ operational conditions. 3Explanation of derivatives Derivatives are traded in exchange-traded markets and over-the-counter markets. (See recent derivatives transaction status in appendix 1 and appendix 2. ) Notably, exchange-traded derivatives are default risk free and liquid. However over-the-counter traded derivatives are the opposite. 3. 1Options An option is the contract that gives the buyer the right but not obligation to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an underlying asset at a predetermined price (exercise price) for certain quantity during a fixed period of time (maturity). The buyer of the option pays a particular amount of money (option premium) to the seller to buy a right whereby he can decide whether or not to exercise this option, simultaneously the seller has the obligation to perform if the buyer exercises the option. European options only can be exercised on expiration day, and American options can be exercised at any time before maturity. The buyer of the call option is named long call, while the seller of the call option is named short call. Similarly, the buyer of the put option is named long put, while the seller of the put option is named short put. In commodity market, underlying of commodity option is a commodity, such as oil, wheat, or gold. Commodity options are both exchanges-traded and OTC traded. Following figure shows P of each option. Following table is the summary for these 4 option positions. Table 1: Summary for 4 option positions Market price expectationMaximum profitMaximum lossBreakeven point Long callupunlimitedoption premiumexercise price + option premium Short calldown or stableoption premiumunlimitedexercise price + option premium Long putdownexercise price option premiumoption premiumexercise price option premium Short putup or stableoption remiumexercise price option premiumexercise price option premium Source: author’s own. 3. 2Futures A future is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of asset at a specified time period in the future for a certain price. Normally there are two types of futures, commodity futures whose underlying are commodities and financial futures who se underlying are financial assets. They are highly standardized, regulated, and traded in exchange markets with highly liquid and default risk free property. Because of the marking-to-market process, at maturity the settling price is the spot price at expiration date with profit gaining or loss paying from a margin account, which indirectly makes the effective bargain price equal to the predetermined price in the future contract. Notably, to ensure high liquidity of futures, marking-to-market process plays a significant role. The following figure shows the marking-to-market process. Generally there are two alternative ways at maturity to settle futures, either by cash or by actual delivery of underlying, which is clearly defined by futures exchange. Following figure and table show the details of a future. Table 2: Summary for future positions ?Maximum profitMaximum lossBreakeven point Long positionunlimitedexercise pricespot price + cost of carry Short positionexercise priceunlimitedspot price + cost of carry Source: author’s own. 3. 3Forwards A forward contract is a customized and over-the-counter agreement to buy or sell an asset at a specified time in the future for a specified price, where a long position has the obligation to buy and a short position has the obligation to sell. Compared with futures, no marking-to-market process are required. Counterparties can negotiate with each about the parameters of the contract. As a result, a firm who wants to make forward contract needs to find the counterparty by itself. 3. 4Swaps A swap is a customized and over-the-counter agreement to exchange a series of specified assets periodically in the future. Normally the counterparties of a swap contract are a large institution such as a bank and a company. Basically, we can view a swap as a complicated forward. Except currency swaps, counterparties just need to pay the differences between the cash flow they should exchange. Because swaps are bespoken as a result they are less liquid. There are commodity swaps, interest rate swaps and currency swaps. Interest rate swaps is an agreement of two counterparties to change fixed interest and floating interest on predefined nominal principal in the future periodically. Commodity swaps normally vary tremendously among different markets. In a currency swap, counterparties change same value of different currencies in inception and termination, where the exchange rate of the tow currencies depends on the negotiation of counterparties. 4Hedging strategies with derivatives This chapter will focus on the principles of hedging strategies on commodities. . 1Hedging with options If a trader wants to procure a commodity with high volatile price, he can buy a commodity call option to hedge the price risk of going up. Similarly, if a company wants to sell a commodity product, it can buy a long put to hedge the price risk of going down. In practice, because investors want to bet more precisely on the future price of the underlying, an d hedgers with long positions want to save option premiums, a few combinations of options come out, such as a long call and a short put with identical parameters except the different strike price. 4. 2Hedging with futures When the objective of a commodity trader wants to neutralize the price risk as far as possible, usually he will choose to take a position on a future on commodity. A hedger who already owns a commodity asset or doesn‘t own right now but will at some future time expecting to sell it in the future without assuming any price risk, he can apple future hedging strategy to enter into a short position to become a short. Likewise, a hedger who has to buy a certain commodity asset in the future and wants to lock in spot price immediately, he can apply a future to enter into a long position to become a long. . 3Hedging with forwards The principles of hedging strategy with forwards are similar with futures. Whether to use futures or forwards depends on different requirements. Generally, financial assets investors who need high liquidity prefer to choose futures, while commodity investors such as producers who need high customization prefer to choose forwards. 4. 4Hedging with swaps When i nvestors want to hedge risks of interest rates, currencies, or commodities, they can use swaps. In gold swaps, counterparties change fixed lease rate with variable lease rate. In swaps on base metals, counterparties change fixed metal price with average price of near dated metal future. In oil swaps, counterparties change fixed West Taxes Intermediate (WTI is a benchmark in oil price) price with average price of near dated WTI future. 5Pros and cons of hedging strategies with derivatives The following integrated summary of these derivatives depending on pervious analysis makes systematic comparisons. (The options here are exchanged-traded European options) Table 3: Summary for 4 derivatives SUMMERY OF DERIVATIVES FOR GENERAL TYPES OptionsFuturesForwardsSwaps Types of contractstandardizedstandardizedcustomizedcustomized Settlementscash and deliverymost cash and few deliverydeliverydepends on individuals Trading marketExchange tradedExchange tradedOTCOTC Liquidityhighhighlowlow Marketing-to-marginnorequirednono Time of settlementmaturitydailymaturityperiodically Initial investmentoption premiuminitial margin nodepends Default risk assumed byClearing houseclearinghouseBoth partiesBoth parties ProsDefault risk free liquiditycustomization no initial investment Consinitial investment inflexibledefault risk for both party illiquidity Source: author’s own. . 1Pros and cons of options The pros of options are obvious. Firstly, they have no risk to assume more loss than premium but have possibility to get unlimited potential profit. Secondly exchanged-traded options are highly liquid and OTC traded options are flexible. However, the cons of options are also explicit, such as the difficulty to decide when to enter into a long position. Because buying an option needs to pay option premium, if the spot price cannot go above (for a long call) or go below (for a long put) the breakeven point the hedger will suffer a loss, and depends on statistics the possibility of a long position to lose is about 66%. 5. 2Pros and cons of futures It definitely makes sense for most companies whose majors are in businesses but not professional in forecasting the price of commodities price volatility, which can make them pay more attention on their core competences instead of fearing about volatile price. Nonetheless, taking neutralized strategies make hedgers give up the possibility of both profit and loss. Moreover, instead of hedging risks by companies, shareholders can hedge themselves according to their preferences. Additionally, if other competitors of the same industry don’t apply hedging strategies, in fact, it is the hedging company itself that assumes risks, because competitive pressures are the same for other all competitors but different for the hedging company its own. 5. 3Pros and cons of forwards Basic pros and cons have been listed in the table in front of this chapter. Generally, compared to futures, the most explicit pro is that forwards are highly customized and therefore the con is that they are hardly liquid. 5. 4Pros and cons of swaps Basic pros and cons have been listed in the table in front of this chapter. Gernally, compared to futures and forwards the most precise pros is that both counterparties could reap benefits from a swap, such as in a currency swap where a firm with a low rate may get a cheaper loan as other firms with high rates, and the counterparty may get a payment as compensation. However the corresponding cons is that counterparty may need to pay commision to intermediary, because it is difficult to find an appropriate counterparty by itself. 6Practical example of corporate commodity price risk hedging 6. 1Introduction on firms practical hedging strategy Air China is an airline company, whose cost of fuel oil occupies 44. 75% of total revenue in 2008. To hedge the fuel oil price risk, Air China bought a call option with strike K1, meanwhile sold a put option with strike K2, where K1

The Law of Comparative Advantage as a Basis for Understanding Essay

The Law of Comparative Advantage as a Basis for Understanding International Trade - Essay Example In addition, comparative advantage as a basis for understanding international trade is limited by the distance between the trading partners thereby increasing the transaction cost. Introduction Since the law of comparative advantage was introduced by David Ricardo in 1817, it has been used as a basis for understanding international trade. The law explained that countries should concentrate in producing what they best and let others do what they do best. The law is based on the premises that different countries have varying endowment and therefore those countries less endowed on production of a certain good should buy from more endowed countries thereby leading to more gains in trade. Ricardo demonstrated this law by giving the example of cloth and wine production between Portugal and England. Portugal is highly endowed in the production of the two and therefore Portugal would have to export the two. On the other hand, England would have to import the two goods thereby failing to gain from trade. Given that comparative advantage is based on relative operation costs, doing some things is comparatively more beneficial than others ("Comparative advantage: Doing what you do best", 2011, p. 32). ... 82). Although comparative remains a critical determinant of trade, OECD countries are more similar economically and therefore trade based on comparative advantage may not find application in current international trade ("Comparative advantage: Doing what you do best", 2011, p. 32). Despite the economic similarities among OECD countries, there are some differences which can drive trade based on comparative advantage. Moreover, there are remarkable differences between OECD countries and non-OECD countries and between non-OECD. Consequently, applicability of the comparative advantage could be more pronounced in North to South trade and South-South trade rather than it is for the North to North trade ("Comparative advantage: Doing what you do best", 2011, p. 32). In addition to the only one factor of production proposed by Ricardo, productive of the country is influenced by physical capital, level of education and availability of credit. Heckscher-Ohlin contradicts the argument of Ricard o and argues that varied comparative advantage among countries emerges due to differences in the abundance of factors and the intensity with which the goods rely on those factors (Morrow, 2010, p. 139). This paper seeks to analyze seeks to analyze the application of Ricardo’s and Heckscher-Ohlin law of comparative advantage to influence international trade and assess the extent to which international trade is affected by comparative advantage. International trade and comparative advantage based on Ricardo’s and Heckscher-Ohlin trade theories Production levels world over demonstrate heterogeneity and specialization (Kamery, 2004, p. 115). For instance, US produces over 35 percent of total

Chiropractic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chiropractic - Research Paper Example Proper lifestyle has to include the need for exercises and the right rehabilitation programs for patients to practice at their own time. Some professionals also do consider acupuncture as part of the chiropractic practice. As a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the chiropractic differs significantly from the westernized medicine practices. Chiropractors may rely on evidence based practices that may not be recognized by mainstream medical practitioners, but which have proved to be of much importance in relieving pains and musculoskeletal problems in patients (Cramer et al., 2007). As such chiropractic practice is an important alternative medicine practice that medical practitioners have applied overtime to relieve pains and discomfort in muscles, joints and the nervous system among patients with much success. Studies of chiropractic practices have reported major successes in solving back pains among patients similar to other mainstream medical practices. Bishop et al. (2010) in a study on the effectiveness of chiropractic hospital-based intervention observed that, in patients with acute mechanical low back pain, chiropractic therapies led to significantly greater improvement based on specific conditions of the patient and their functioning. These results are consistent with the chart results, which indicated that over 70 of respondents agreed with the effectiveness of chiropractic therapies in treating such pains. These respondents preferred chiropractic practice before considering other conventional medicine approaches. The statistics suggest the use of hands to relieve tensions in joints and along the spine has major benefits in relieving accumulated stress from the body. Likewise, 56% of respondents indicated that chiropractic resulted in healthy conditions; only a partly 14% refuted the benefits of the therapy in

Legal Aspects Of Child Labour In India

Legal Aspects Of Child Labour In India CHILD LABOUR AND INDIA- AN ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS INTRODUCTION Child labour has been in India from a long time in some form or the other. Practice of child labour in match box industries, glass bangle industries and is very commonly seen in cheap restaurants and dhabas etc. Generally speaking child labour can be said to be the exploitation or abuse of children in factories, industries etc, who are below the age specified by law working (mentally or physically) to earn for his/her own survival or to support his/her family partially or fully, and which prevents his/her social and education development may be said to be child labour. The reasons which are generally responsible for child labour may include  [1]  : Poverty, Ignorance, Illiteracy, Population explosion, Lack of knowledge of their own rights, Big amounts of debt on the parents, Large size of family but not enough income to support such big family, Lack of social security scheme in the country, Weak enforcement of labour laws. According to an U.N.O report India has the maximum child labour in the world i.e. approx 20 per cent.  [2]  On the basis of Census 1991 and various governmental and non-governmental organizations following are the number of child labourers in India  [3]  : Census 1991 2.63 crore, Organization research group, Baroda, 1994-95 4.44 crore, Centre for concern of Child Labour 10 crore. Extra-governmental volunteer organization more than 5 crore. The numbers may vary according to different organizations but the fact is clear that the numbers of child labourers in India are in crores, which is again a pathetic sight, especially with all the various child labour legislation and the Constitutional provisions. In a report by the Labour Ministry every 4th child is a child labour, aged between 5-14 years and there is one child labour in every three families.  [4]   But its not as if Indian governments havent done anything about this grave social stigma, over the years it has enacted many statutory legislations and Constitutional provisions in order to eradicate the problem of child labour, to name some of them, we have: Labour legislations: The Child Labour Act, 1986, The Factories Act, 1948, The Mines Act, 1952, The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act, 2000 Constitutional provisions  [5]  : Article 24 provides: strictly prohibits children to work in hazardous environment. Article 21, 45 gives the right to education to all the children below the age of 14years. Article 39 declares the duty of the State to provide the children a free facilities to develop in conditions of freedom and dignity in a healthy manner. India is also a party to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, 1959. India is also a signatory to: ILO Forced Labour Convention (No. 29); ILO Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105); UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children. The Government of India adopted the National Policy for Children (NPC) in August 1974. This Policy provided that  [6]  It shall be the policy of the state to provide adequate service to children both before and after birth and through the period of their growth, to ensure their full physical, mental and social development. The State shall progressively increase the scope of such services so that, within a reasonable time, all children in the country enjoy optimum conditions for their balanced growth. Indian is also a party to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, 1959 and Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1992 and has formulated its labour laws in accordance to International Labour Conference resolution of 1979. The first part of the paper aims to look into the various legislations relating to child labour. In the second part we shall look into the various precedents set by the Supreme Court of India on the issue of child labour and finally the conclusion. Chapter 1 CONSTITUTIONLA AND STATUTORY PROVISIONS Constitutional provisions The government of India has enacted various labour laws has in accordance to International Labour Conference resolution of 1979. The Constitution of India, through various articles enshrined in the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy, lays down that: Article 21 (A) The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age six to 14 years; Article 24 No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. The word hazardous employment in Art 24 also includes construction industry, also in P.N. v. U.O.I  [7]  , it has been laid down that Art 24 is enforceable even in the absence of implementing legislations;  [8]   Article 39(e) States that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength; Article 39(f) States that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment  [9]  . Hence Art 39 in whole requires the state to ensure and protect the children and provide proper child care. Article 45 The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years The framers of the Constitution imposed a duty on the State under Article 45 as one of the directive principles of the State Policy to provide free and compulsory education to all children until they complete the age of 14 year with the sole objective of completely eradicating illiteracy and child labour. Also many of the states had passed various Acts providing for free and compulsory primary or elementary education to children. But unfortunately years after the commencement of the Constitution the goal set by this Article which was to be achieved in 10 years, have yet not been reached. But the provision in article 39(f) and 45 of the constitution gave certain directions in providing a better quality of life of children employed in the factories. Labour legislations The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986: The Act prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 13 occupations and 51 processes that are hazardous to the childrens lives and health listed in the Schedule to the Act  [10]  . The Factories Act, 1948: The Act completely prohibits children working below the age of 14 years  [11]  . It further states that if a child is between 15 and 18 years of age, can be employed in a factory only if he has a certificate of fitness granted with reference to him under section 69 which is in the custody of the manager of the factory. The Act also says that no child shall be employed or permitted to work, in any factory for more than four and a half hours in any day; The Mines Act, 1952: The Act prohibits the employment of children in mines, who have not completed their 15th year. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act, 2000: This Act was last amended in 2002 in conformity with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child covers young persons below 18 years of age. Section 26 of this Act deals with the Exploitation of a Juvenile or Child Employee, and provides in relevant part, that whoever procures a juvenile or the child for the purpose of any hazardous employment and keeps him in bondage and withholds his earnings or uses such earning for his own purposes shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable for fine. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: The Act states that all children aged 6 to 14 years shall be provided free and compulsory education. It further states that all private schools should allocated 25 per cent of their seats for disadvantaged and differently abled children. Chapters 2 Precedents set by Supreme Court Though the government of India has enacted various labour legislations to prevent child labour still there are some contradiction among them, mainly the definitional debates on child labour as different legislation provide different definition of a child. Section 2(ii) of The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, defines child as a person who has not completed his fourteenth year of age; Section 2(c) of The Factories Act, 1948 defines child as a person who has not completed his fifteenth year of age; Section 2(e) of The Mines Act, 1952 defines child as a person who has not completed his fifteenth year; Section 2(c) of The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, defines child as male or female child of the age of six to fourteen years; Section 2(k) of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) of Children Act, 2000 defines child as a person who has not completed eighteenth year of age; Section 2(c) of The Plantations Labour Act, 1951 defines child as a person who has not completed his fourteenth year of age Hence, we can clearly observe that these legislation are at contradiction to each other in defining whos a child and setting an uniform age limit. Therefore the centre and respective state governments should set a uniform universal minimum age of the child as these contradictions adversely affect the objective of protection from child labour and providing a better educational and social development to children of India. Following are few of important Supreme Court cases that have helped in framing better laws regarding child labour: In Democratic Rights V. Union of India  [12]  , it was contended that the Employment of Children Act, 1938 was not applicable in the matter of employment of children in construction works, as it was not mentioned in the act. But the court held even construction work is a hazardous employment and no child below the age of 14 years can be employed as given under Art 24 of the Indian Constitution, even though construction industry has not been specified in the schedule to the Employment of children Act, 1938, thus the SC rejected the contention. In Salal Hydro Project vs. Jammu and Kashmir  [13]  , the Court has restated the principle laid in Democratic Rights V. Union of India  [14]  that Construction work is hazardous employment and any child below 14 cannot be employed in this work. In Sheela Barse and others vs Union of India and others  [15]  , Bhagawati, C.J. quoted from National Policy for the welfare of Children incorporated to provide better social and educational development to the children of India : The Nations children a supremely important asset. Their nurture and solicitude are our responsibility. Childrens programme should find a prominent part in our national plans for the development of human resources, so that our children grow up to become robust citizens, physically fit, mentally alert and morally healthy, endowed with the skill and motivations needed by society. Equal opportunities for development to all children during the period of growth should be our aim, for this would serve our large purpose of reducing inequality and ensuring social justice. In M.C. Mehta v State of Tamil Nadu Ors  [16]  , the SC gave direction to the Union and state governments to identify all children and withdraw them from working in hazardous processes and occupations, and to provide them with free and proper education as incorporated into the Constitution, Artcle 21-A. The Court also directed the Union and state governments to set up a Child Labour Rehabilitation-cum-Welfare Fund using contributions from employers who breach the Child Labour Act. In Unnikrishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh,  [17]  the SC held that every child has the right to free education till the age of 14 years. Artcle 21-A which was incorporated into the Constitution, reflects this standard. CONCLUSION It is said that child is the father of man, and the children of our country are our biggest asset. The government of India has enacted several laws in order to provide healthy social and educational environment for the children. But in spite of all the laws enacted, problem of child labour still persists in our Indian society that is because child labour laws are themselves flawed in some way or the other or suffer from poor implementation of programmes. Though awareness towards child labour has increased and now there are several NGOs trying their best, but today what we require is to take concrete actions, the central and respective state governments need to provide for better machinery for enforcing child labour laws. Unless this is achieved our country wont be completely free the burden of child labour.

The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 18

Elena came back to the real world slowly, fighting it all the way. She sank her nails into the leather of Damon's jacket, found herself wondering briefly if removing it would help, and then her mood was shattered again by that sound – a sharp, imperative knock. Damon raised his head and snarled. We are a pair of wolves, aren't we? Elena thought. Fighting nail and tooth. But, another part of her mind supplied, that isn't stopping the knocking. He warned those girls†¦. Those girls! Bonnie and Meredith! And he'd said not to interrupt unless the house was on fire! But, the doctor – oh, God, something's happened to that poor, wretched woman! She's dying! Damon was still snarling, a trace of blood on his lips. It was only a trace, because her second wound had really been healed just as thoroughly as the first, the one across her cheekbone. Elena had no idea how long it had been since she had pulled Damon to her to kiss this cut. But now, with her blood in his veins and his pleasure interrupted, he was like an untamed black panther in her arms. She didn't know whether she could stop him or even slow him down without using raw Power on him. â€Å"Damon!† she said aloud. â€Å"Out there – those are our friends. Remember? Bonnie and Meredith and the healer.† â€Å"Meredith,† Damon said, and again his lips peeled back, exposing terrifyingly long canines. He still wasn't in reality. If he saw Meredith now, he wouldn't be frightened, Elena thought – and, oh yes, she knew how her logical, thoughtful friend made Damon uneasy. They saw the world through such different eyes. She irked him like a pebble in his shoe. But right now he might deal with that unease in a way that would leave Meredith a savaged corpse. â€Å"Let me go see,† she said, as the knock came again – couldn't they stop that? Didn't she have enough to deal with? Damon's arms merely tightened around her. She felt a flash of heat, because she knew that, even as he restrained her, he was holding back so much of his strength. He didn't want to crush her, as he could if he used a tenth of the power in his hard muscles alone. The wave of feeling that washed over her made her shut her eyes briefly, helplessly, but she knew she had to be the voice of sanity here. â€Å"Damon! They could be warning us – or Ulma may have died.† Death got through to him. His eyes were slits, the bloodred light from the kitchen shutters throwing bars of scarlet and black across his face, making him look more handsome – and more demonic – than ever. â€Å"You'll stay here.† Damon said it flatly, with no idea of being a â€Å"master† or a â€Å"gentleman.† He was a wild beast protecting his mate, the only creature in the world that wasn't competition or food. There was no arguing with him, not in this state. Elena would stay here. Damon would go to do whatever needed to be done. And Elena would stay for as long as he thought necessary. Elena truly didn't know whose thoughts these last were. She and Damon were still trying to untangle their emotions. She decided to watch him and only if he really got out of control†¦ You don't want to see me out of control. Feeling him snap from raw animal instinct to icy, perfect mental dominance was even scarier than the animal alone. She didn't know whether Damon was the sanest person she had ever met or just the one best able to cover up his wildness. She held her torn blouse together and watched as he moved with effortless grace to the door and then, suddenly, violently, wrenched it almost off its hinges. No one fell; no one had been listening in on their private conversation. But Meredith stood, restraining Bonnie with one hand, and with the other hand raised, ready to knock again. â€Å"Yes?† Damon said in glacial tones. â€Å"I thought I told you – â€Å" â€Å"You did, and there is,† Meredith said, interrupting this Damon in an unusual attempt to commit suicide. â€Å"There is what?† Damon snarled. â€Å"There's a mob outside threatening to burn the whole building down. I don't know if they're upset about Drohzne, or about us taking Ulma, but they're enraged about something, and they've got torches. I didn't want to interrupt Elena's – treatment – but Dr. Meggar says they won't listen to him. He's a human.† â€Å"He used to be a slave,† Bonnie added, wresting free of the chokehold that Meredith had on her. She looked up at Damon with streaming brown eyes, hands outstretched. â€Å"Only you can save us,† she said, translating the message of her gaze aloud – which meant that things were really serious. â€Å"All right, all right. I'll go take care of them. You take care of Elena.† â€Å"Of course, but – â€Å" â€Å"No.† Damon had either gone reckless with the blood – and the memories that were still keeping Elena from forming a coherent sentence – or he had somehow overcome all his fear of Meredith. He put a hand on each of her shoulders. He was only one and a half or two inches taller than she was, so he had no trouble holding her eyes. â€Å"You, personally, take care of Elena. Tragedies happen here every minute of the day: unforeseeable, horrible, deadly tragedies. I do not want one happening to Elena.† Meredith looked at him for a long moment, and for once didn't consult Elena with her eyes before answering a question involving her. She simply said, â€Å"I'll protect her,† in a low voice that nevertheless carried. From her stance, from her tone, one could almost hear the unspoken addition, â€Å"with my life† – and it didn't even seem melodramatic. Damon let go of her, strode out the door, and without a backward glance disappeared from Elena's sight. But his mental voice was crystalline in her mind: You'll be safe if there is any way to save you. I swear it. If there was any way to save her. Wonderful. Elena tried to kickstart her brain. Meredith and Bonnie were both staring at her. Elena took a deep breath, automatically sucked for a moment back into the old days, when a girl fresh from a hot date could expect a long and serious debriefing. But all Bonnie said was, â€Å"Your face – it looks much better now!† â€Å"Yes,† Elena said, using the two ends of her blouse to tie a makeshift top around her. â€Å"My leg's the problem. We didn't – didn't finish it yet.† Bonnie opened her mouth, but closed it determinedly, which from Bonnie was a display of heroics similar to Meredith's promise to Damon. When she opened it again it was to say, â€Å"Take my scarf and tie it around your leg. We can fold it sideways and then tie a bow over the side that got hurt. That'll keep pressure on it.† Meredith said, â€Å"I think Dr. Meggar has finished with Ulma. Maybe he can see you.† In the other room, the doctor was once again washing his hands, using a large pump to get more water into the basin. There were deeply red-stained cloths in a pile and a smell that Elena was grateful the doctor had camouflaged with herbs. Also in a large, comfortable-looking chair there sat a woman whom Elena did not recognize. Suffering and terror could change a person, Elena knew, but she could never have realized how much – nor how much relief and freedom from pain could change a face. She had brought with her a woman who huddled until she was almost child-size in Elena's mind, and whose thin, ravaged face, twisted with agony and unrelenting dread, had seemed almost a sort of abstract drawing of a goblin hag. Her skin had been sickly gray in color, her thin hair had scarcely seemed enough to cover her head, and yet it had hung down in strands like seaweed. Everything about her screamed out that she was a slave, from the iron bands around her wrists, to her nakedness and scarred, bloody body, to her bare and rusty feet. Elena could not even have told you the color of the woman's eyes, for they had seemed as gray as the rest of her. Now Elena was confronted by a woman who was perhaps in her early-to mid-thirties. She had a lean, attractive, somehow aristocratic face, with a strong, patrician nose, dark, keen-looking eyes, and beautiful eyebrows like the wings of a flying bird. She was relaxing in the armchair, with her feet up on an ottoman, slowly brushing her hair, which was dark with occasional streaks of gray that lent an air of dignity to the simple deep blue housecoat she was wearing. Her face had wrinkles that lent it character, but overall one sensed a sort of yearning tenderness about her, perhaps because of the slight bulge in her abdomen, which she now gently laid a hand on. When she did this her face bloomed with color and her whole aspect glowed. For an instant Elena thought this must be the doctor's wife or housekeeper and she had a temptation to ask whether Ulma, the poor wreck of a slave, had died. Then she saw what one cuff of the deep blue housecoat could not quite conceal: a glimpse of an iron bracelet. This lean dark aristocratic woman was Ulma. The doctor had worked a miracle. A healer, he had called himself. It was obvious that, like Damon, he could heal wounds. No one who had been whipped as Ulma had could have come round to this state without some powerful magic. Trying to simply stitch up the bloody mess that Elena had brought in had obviously been impossible, and so Dr. Meggar had healed her. Elena had never experienced a situation like this, so she fell back upon the good manners that had been bred into her as a Virginian. â€Å"It's nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Elena,† she said, and held out her hand. The brush fell onto the chair. The woman reached out with both hands to take Elena's into hers. Those keen dark eyes seemed to devour Elena's face. â€Å"You're the one,† she said, and then, swinging her slippered feet off the ottoman, she went down on her knees. â€Å"Oh, no, ma'am! Please! I'm sure the doctor told you to rest. It's best to sit quietly now.† â€Å"But you are the one.† For some reason, the woman seemed to need confirmation. And Elena was willing to do anything to pacify her. â€Å"I'm the one,† Elena said. â€Å"And now I think you should sit down again.† Obedience was immediate, and yet there was a sort of joyful light about everything Ulma did. Elena understood it after only a few hours of slavery. Obeying when one had a choice was entirely different from obeying because disobedience could mean death. But even as Ulma sat, she held out her arms. â€Å"Look at me! Dear seraph, goddess, Guardian – whatever you are: look at me! After three years of living as a beast I have become human again – because of you! You came like an angel of lightning and stood between me and the lash.† Ulma began to weep, but they seemed to be tears of joy. Her eyes searched Elena's face, lingering on the scarred cheekbone. â€Å"But you're no Guardian; they have magicks that protect them and they never interfere. For three years, they never interfered. I saw all my friends, my fellow slaves, fall to his whip and his rage.† She shook her head, as if physically unable to say Drohzne's name. â€Å"I'm so sorry – so sorry†¦.† Elena was fumbling. She glanced back and saw that Bonnie and Meredith were similarly stricken. â€Å"It doesn't matter. I heard your mate killed him on the street.† â€Å"I told her that,† Lakshmi said proudly. She had entered the room without anyone noticing her. â€Å"My mate?† Elena faltered. â€Å"Well, he's not my – I mean, he and I – we – â€Å" â€Å"He's our master,† Meredith said bluntly, from behind Elena. Ulma was still looking at Elena with her heart in her eyes. â€Å"Every day, I will pray for your soul to ascend from here.† Elena was startled. â€Å"Souls can ascend from here?† â€Å"Of course. Repentance and good deeds may accomplish it, and the prayers of others are always taken into consideration, I think.† You sure don't talk like a slave, Elena mused. She tried to think of a way to put it delicately, but she was confused and her leg hurt and her emotions were in turmoil. â€Å"You don't sound like – well, like what I'd expect from a slave,† she said. â€Å"Or am I just being an idiot?† She could see the tears form in Ulma's eyes. â€Å"Oh, God! Please, forget I asked. Please – â€Å" â€Å"No! There is no one I would rather tell. If you wish to hear how I came to this degraded state.† Ulma waited, watching Elena – it was clear that Elena's least wish was to Ulma, a command. Elena looked at Meredith and Bonnie. She couldn't hear any more noises of yelling outside on the street and the building certainly didn't seem to be on fire. Fortunately, at that moment, Dr. Meggar wandered in again. â€Å"Everybody getting acquainted?† he asked, his eyebrows working in opposition now; one up, one down. He had the remnants of a bottle of Black Magic in his hand. â€Å"Yes,† Elena said, â€Å"but I was just wondering if we should be trying to evacuate or anything. Apparently there was a mob – â€Å" â€Å"Elena's mate is going to give them something to think about,† Lakshmi said with relish. â€Å"They've all gone to the Meeting Place to resolve the stuff about Drohzne's property. I bet he'll bash a few heads in and be back in no time,† she added cheerfully, leaving no doubt as to he was. â€Å"Wish I was a boy so I could see it.† â€Å"You were braver than the boys; you were the one who led us here,† Elena told her. Then she consulted Meredith and Bonnie with her eyes. It sounded as if the commotion had moved on elsewhere, and Damon was a master at getting himself out of commotions. He might also†¦need to fight, to rid himself of excess energy from Elena's blood. A commotion might actually be good for him, Elena thought. She looked at Dr. Meggar. â€Å"Will my – will our master be all right, do you think?† Dr. Meggar's eyebrows went up and down. â€Å"He'll probably have to pay Old Drohzne's relatives a blood price, but it shouldn't be too high. Then he can do what he likes with the old bastard's property,† he said. â€Å"I'd say the safest place for you right now is here, away from the Meeting Place.† He went on to enforce that opinion by pouring them all glasses – liqueur glasses, Elena noted – of Black Magic wine. â€Å"Good for the nerves,† he said and took a sip. Ulma smiled her beautiful, heartwarming smile at him, as he took the tray around. â€Å"Thank you – and thank you – and thank you,† she said. â€Å"I won't bore you with my story – â€Å" â€Å"No, tell us; tell us, please!† Now that there was no immediate danger to her friends or to Damon, Elena was eager to hear the tale. Everyone else was nodding. Ulma flushed a little, but began sedately, â€Å"I was born in the reign of Kelemen II,† she said. â€Å"I'm sure that means nothing to our visitors but much to those who knew him and his – indulgences. I studied under my mother, who became a very popular designer of fashions in fabrics. My father was a designer of jewelry almost as famous as she was. They had an estate on the outskirts of the city and could afford a house as fine as many of their wealthiest customers – though they were careful not to show the true extent of their wealth. I was the young Lady Ulma then, not Ulma the hag. My parents did their best to keep me out of sight, for my own safety. But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ulma – Lady Ulma, Elena thought, stopped and took a deep sip of her wine. Her eyes had changed; she was seeing the past, and trying not to upset her listeners. But just as Elena was about to ask her to stop, at least until she felt better, she continued. â€Å"But despite all their care†¦someone†¦saw me anyway and demanded my hand in marriage. Not Drohzne, he was just a furrier from the Outlands, and I never saw him until three years ago. This was a lord, a General, a demon with a terrible reputation – and my father refused his demand. They came on us in the night. I was fourteen when it happened. And that is how I became a slave.† Elena found that she was feeling emotional pain directly from Lady Ulma's mind. Oh, my God, I've done it again, she thought, hurriedly trying to tune down her psychic senses. â€Å"Please, you don't need to tell us this. Maybe another time†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I would like to tell you – you – so you will know what you have done. And I would prefer to say it only once. But if you do not wish to hear it – â€Å" Politeness was warring with politeness here. â€Å"No, no, if you want – go ahead. I – I just want you to know how sorry I am.† Elena glanced at the doctor, who was patiently waiting by the table for her with the brown bottle in his hands. â€Å"And if you don't mind, I'd like to get my leg†¦healed?† She was aware that she'd said the last word doubtfully, wondering how any one being could have the power to heal Ulma like this. She was not surprised when he shook his head. â€Å"Or stitched up, rather, while you talk, if you don't mind,† she said. It took several minutes to overcome Lady Ulma's shock and distress that she had left her savior waiting, but at last Elena was on the table and the doctor was encouraging her to drink from the bottle, which smelled like cherry cough syrup. Oh, well, she might as well try the Dark Dimension version of anesthetic – especially since the stitching was bound to hurt, Elena thought. She took a sip from the bottle and felt the room reel around her. She waved away the offer of a second sip. Dr. Meggar undid Bonnie's ruined scarf, and then began to cut off her blood-soaked jeans leg above the knee. â€Å"Well – you are so good to listen,† Lady Ulma said. â€Å"But I knew you were good already. I will spare us both the painful details of my slavery. Perhaps it's enough to say that I was passed from one master to another over the years, always a slave, always going down. At last, as a joke, someone said, ‘Give her to Old Drohzne. He'll squeeze the last use out of her if anyone can.'† â€Å"God!† Elena said, and hoped that everyone would attribute it to the story and not to the bite of the cleansing solution the doctor was swabbing over her swollen flesh. Damon was so much better at this, she thought. I didn't even realize how lucky I was before. Elena tried not to wince as the doctor began to use his needle, but her grip on Meredith's hand tightened until Elena was afraid she was breaking bones. She tried to ease the grip, but Meredith squeezed back hard. Her long, smooth hand was almost like a boy's, but softer. Elena was glad to be able to squeeze as hard as she liked. â€Å"My strength has been giving out on me lately,† Lady Ulma said softly. â€Å"I thought it was that† – here she used a particularly crude expression for her owner – â€Å"that was leading me to death. Then I realized the truth.† All at once radiance changed her face, so much that Elena could see what she must have looked like when she was in her teens and so beautiful that a demon would demand her as a wife. â€Å"I knew that new life stirred within me – and I knew that Drohzne would kill it if he had the chance – â€Å" She didn't seem to recognize the expressions of astonishment and horror on the three girl's faces. Elena, however, had the feeling that she was groping through a nightmare, on the edge of a black crevasse, and that she would have to keep groping in the dark, around treacherous, unseen fissures in the ice in the Dark Dimension until she reached Stefan and got him free of this place. This casual reference to abomination wasn't the first of her steps around a crevasse, but it was the first she had recognized and counted. â€Å"You young women are very new here,† Lady Ulma said, as the silence stretched and stretched. â€Å"I did not mean to say anything out of place†¦.† â€Å"We're slaves here,† Meredith replied, picking up a length of rope. â€Å"I think the more we learn the better.† â€Å"Your master – I've never seen anyone so quick to fight Old Drohzne before. Many people clucked their tongues, but that was all most dared to do. But your master – â€Å" â€Å"We call him Damon,† Bonnie put in pointedly. It went right over Lady Ulma's head. â€Å"Master Damon – do you think he might keep me? After he pays the blood price to – to Drohzne's relatives, he will get first pick of all Drohzne's property. I am one of the few slaves he has not killed.† The hope in the woman's face was almost too painful for Elena to look at. It was only then that she consciously realized how long it had been since she'd seen Damon. How long should Damon's business be taking? She looked at Meredith anxiously. Meredith understood exactly what the look meant. She shook her head helplessly. Even if they had Lakshmi take them to the Meeting Place, what could they do? Elena bit back a wince of pain and smiled at Lady Ulma. â€Å"Why don't you tell us about when you were a girl?† she said.

Alysis of Milkshake Essay

After careful analysis of the does this milkshake taste funny case, I believe that the managements social end ethical responsibilities chapter and the influence, power, and leadership chapter hold the solution to this problem. George Stein, a college student employed for the summer by Eastern Dairy is faced with an ethical dilemma. His co-workers don’t care about proper procedures required in ensuring that the milkshake produced during the shift is hygienic and safe for human consumption. The milkshake that is produced is usually delivered to fast-food restaurants and drive-ins. George had less than a minute to think about his choices and altruism and must decide if he is going to remove the filters from the plant’s piping and, thus, allow the current production run of milkshake mix to be contaminated with maggots or refuse to remove the filters, and report the maggot problem to management. This course of action will save the company money, at least in the short run, an d allow George’s shift to go home on time. George was disturbed by the mental image of children drinking contaminated milkshakes as he weighed his ethical options. Although he does not have much empowerment, he can still do something in regards to this matter if he consults with Paul. In this case, there are several instances of poor management including a lack of proper training, and accountability and adherence to manufacturing industry standards. A company as large as Eastern Dairy should have a manager on site and more than four employees on for the night shift, especially given how critical the night shift is in meeting production needs. Paul and George have different sets of values. Paul is worried about going home early and the cost impact to the company if product needs are not met for one night with his instrumental value. Paul’s decision to ignore the issues puts George in an extremely difficult situation. Paul should be worried about the issue and the fact that George could whistle blow and call the outside authorities upon the issue. Another issue to note is the management in the corporation. All too often, employees have self serving motives and conflicts of interest that essentially stems from culture of the organization and how it operates. When George initially brings the issue to Paul, we learn quickly from Paul’s  demeanor that he had encountered this problem in the past and had seen maggots several times. Paul could benefit from behavior modification to fix his normal actions when an issue like this one is brought up to his attention. Paul is essentially immune to the feeling that George experienced as he was headed home. George should have tried to influence Paul to clean the maggots and throw the 500 gallon mix away to assure the cleanliness of the batch even though he doesn’t have the power that Paul does. If the issue is thoroughly fixed, the boss should offer positive reinforcement to get them to keep making the right decision on what to do. The lack of ethical culture that was instilled by Eastern Dairy’s management is such that the employees just care about clocking in and out and do not take pride in their work at all, they need corporate social responsibility. The fact that Paul is in a position to oversee the night shift in and of itself is a significant issue. Furthermore, the company culture did not instill the ethical values that are required to best serve customers. If they did, people like Paul would not be in a position to make decisions that adversely impact the company’s quality of work and reputation. The third issue in this case involves ethical awareness and practical intelligence and how to instill that awareness in the workplace. It starts with strong leadership and a commitment to excellence by serving the best interests of your customers. It is a system that can not be understated. Most successful organizations have a strong ethical leadership team, that includes both formal leadership with official objectives set in place, and informal leadership with the goals that have not been set but are more unofficial and unsaid. The employees look up to this for guidance and also for direction.

Personal Narrative My Favorite Vacation - 1391 Words

Trying to find memories is like looking for treasure. You look at the surface and see something mediocre, but you dig deep and find something cool, pretty, and meaningful. It took a while to think of a fond memory, but once I thought of some, it was hard to choose a favorite. Growing up I have had many great experiences in the form of vacations. Between going to Disney World, owning a vacation home, hanging out with my grandparents in Arizona, traveling to Canada and more. They all make amazing memories that I will forever cherish. The vacation spot we go to the most, though, is Wisconsin Dells. A few times I have been allowed to invite friends to come with. When I am allowed to bring friends, it is always a ginormous amount of fun. We goof off in the hotel room, play in the arcades, and swim in the water parks. My favorite vacation, so far, is one I went on in September 2015 with my friends Alissa and Jaidah. We all share fandom interests. On the weekend of September 19, my brother went away to spend his birthday with my dad. My mom shook me awake and informed me I could bring two friends along to a room in the Dells that we would be occupying. Almost immediately I thought of the duo. I ran downstairs and texted both of them while packing a bag. They texted back not too long after, and I told them my mom and I would pick them up anywhere from 10-11 that Saturday morning. We picked up Alissa and she tried to direct us to Jaidah’s house, but she wasn’t thorough with herShow MoreRelatedPersonal Narrative1143 Words   |  5 PagesMy Personal Narrative During the second to last week of summer, I traveled with my family to Cedar Point. Cedar Point is a sprawling amusement park with a wide variety of thrill rides, roller coasters, water slides, and entertainment. The park is located near Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio. It is the second oldest amusement park in the United States, as it opened 1871. 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