Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Using the Spanish Verb Traer

Utilizing the Spanish Verb Traer Despite the fact that the regular Spanish action word traer is the one frequently used to make an interpretation of the English action word to bring, it is likewise utilized in a wide assortment of different circumstances. Remember Traer most usually passes on bringing, either actually or figuratively.Traer can allude to causing an outcome. It can likewise mean the wearing of clothing.Traer is sporadically conjugated. Traer Meaning 'To Bring' Here are a few instances of traer importance bring: El cartero me trajo el iPad. (The postal worker presented to me the iPad.)Hoy te traemos la à ºltimas noticias de la guerra. (Today we are presenting to you the most recent news about the war.)Cada semana Pablo me trae flores. (Pablo brings me blossoms each week).Trigame un cafã © sin leche. (Present to me an espresso without milk.) Regularly, traer conveys an importance like bring yet is best deciphered in another manner: Por ese motivo te traigo algunos consejos. (That is the reason Im giving you some advice.)Esta cmara no trae streak. (This camera doesnt have flash.)El libro trae los mapas ms actualizados de Argentina. (The book has the most current maps of Argentina.)Esto me trae felicidad en el ms profundo sentido. (This fulfills me in the most profound sense.)La meditaciã ³n diaria te traer paz y claridad. (Every day contemplation will give you harmony and clarity.)Una tarde lluviosa nos traerã ­a recuerdos de infancia. (An evening precipitation made them reminiuscing about our youth.) Traer With Other Meanings As here and there does the word bring, traer can likewise mean to cause, particularly when alluding to challenges: Beber en exceso me trae muchos problemas. (Drinking an excessive amount of causes me numerous problems.)El asma trae dificultad para respirar. (Asthma causes trouble in breathing.)Todo esa situaciã ³n me he traã ­do una enfermedad gastrointestinal. (This entire circumstance has given me a gastrointestinal sickness.) At the point when utilized with pieces of clothing and comparable belongings, traer can intend to wear:  ¿Por quã © Mickey Mouse no trae camisa? (Why doesnt Mickey Mouse wear a shirt?)A veces traigo lentes tipo motociclista. (Now and then I wear cruiser goggles.)No me gusta traer los zapatos sin calcetines. (I dont like wearing shoes without socks.) Utilizing the Reflexive Traerse At long last, in the reflexive structure, traerse once in a while demonstrates what's going on with the subject of the action word:  ¿Quà © se trae tu familia? (Whats going on with your family? Whats your family up to?)Me parece que Netflix no funciona.  ¿Quà © se traer? (It appears to me that Netflix isnt working. What could be going on?) Expressions Using Traer Traer is utilized in various expressions and maxims. Here are probably the most widely recognized: traã ©rsela floja (to be unconcerned) - Me la trae floja a tasks aquellos que me bloqueen. (I couldnt care less pretty much those who square me.)traer a colaciã ³n (to raise a subject) - Este caso trajo a colaciã ³n la importancia de verificar los aviones risks de ser abordados. (The case raised the significance of testing the planes before they are boarded.)traer a la luz (to uncover or expose) - El caso trajo a la luz un problema que tiene profundas raã ­ces en la polã ­tica mexicana. (The case uncovered a difficult that has profound roots in Mexican politics.)trael al caso (to tolerate or remember) - Traigamos al caso las palabras de nuestros padres. (Gives keep access mind the expressions of our parents.)traer de cabeza (to metaphorically cause a migraine) - Esta tableta es atractiva, pero va a traer de cabeza a la hora de repararlo. (This tablet is appealing, yet it will cause a cerebral pain when it should be repaired.)traer loco (to make insane) -  ¡Esta computadora me trae loco! (This PC is making me insane!) traer prisa (to be in a rush) - Por favor, trata de llegar lo ms rpido que puedas. Traigo prisa. (It would be ideal if you attempt to show up when you can. Im in a hurry.)â Conjugation of Traer Like almost the entirety of the most-utilized action words, traer is unpredictably conjugated. Much of the time, a g or j is utilized in the closure. Probably the most widely recognized unpredictable structures are: I bring is traigo.The present participle or ing word is trayendo.The past participle is traà ­do.The present subjunctive follows the example traigas, traiga, traiga, etc.The preterite follows the example traje, trajiste, trajo, etc.Imperative structures incorporate traiga usted and traigan ustedes.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Modericsn Phys free essay sample

The two looters will be picked indiscriminately thus understudies are required to deliver all the alloted schoolwork issues. Schoolwork must be delivered two classes after the finish of the relating section is canvassed in class. About This Course A course in numerical material science is critical for science majors. This course will give you the scientific establishment for a comprehension of old style mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Scientific material science contains a huge number of subjects that would ordinarily be shrouded in a few semesters of arithmetic courses.The marked schoolwork issues comprise a fundamental piece of the course. Obviously, you are urged to accomplish more issues from the content. The Wednesday class is where we will pack in going over schoolwork issues. Participation strategy and Academic Honor Code Attendance Policy Your unapproved unlucky deficiencies will influence your evaluation. After three classes missed, each extra class missed will speak to a decrease of 3 focuses from your last numerical evaluation. We will compose a custom article test on Modericsn Phys or on the other hand any comparable theme explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page You are required to show up on time every day. Positively no beepers, PDAs, alerts, or baseball-type caps are allowed.

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Credit Tier Breakdown, Part 4 Bad Credit

Credit Tier Breakdown, Part 4 Bad Credit Credit Tier Breakdown, Part 4: Bad Credit Credit Tier Breakdown, Part 4: Bad CreditDo you know your credit score? Many of your potential lenders (and even landlords) do!So if youve been avoiding checking your score because you think its bad, lets learn the truth.A brief primer on credit score rangesCredit scoring agencies have generally stuck with a system of Badâ€"Excellent,” say Ian Atkins, an analyst and staff writer for Fit Small Business (@FitSmallBiz).“That scale can be useful,” says Atkins. But lenders tend to use a different kind of shorthand that takes into account not only credit history but also other factors, like income and net worth.”“Prime and super prime (or good and excellent) borrowers are those judged to have very low risk of default,” Atkins says. “That means low debt to income ratio, low debt to credit ratio, great payment history, long credit history, and good mix of credit types. These borrowers get better rates, better terms, better rewards and incentives, and lower fees on everything fr om credit cards to mortgages. In other words, it pays to be prime.”On the other hand, having bad or poor creditâ€"basically a score under 630â€"and landing in that subprime range doesn’t pay at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Having a score in this range means that you will be the one paying moreâ€"through higher interest rates and larger down payments.What Kind of Loans Can You Get?With a score under 630, loans from a traditional lender are pretty much off the table. Banks will deem you too big a risk to lend to at the rates that they are able to offer. You might have better luck with a credit union, but even then, you’re probably going to come up empty-handed.You will likely not qualify for a mortgage either, although a score of 600 or above might qualify you for a subprime mortgage. These mortgages come with much higher rates than normal mortgages, and some of them come with rates that are “adjustable.” More on those later.One type of traditional loan that you can qualify for even with a score below 600 is a subprime auto loan. The story here is much the same as the one for subprime mortgages. You will pay much higher interest rates, and you will likely be asked to put down a larger down payment in order to secure the loan.When it comes to credit cards, you will see the number of offers you receive in the mail go down if your score drops into this range. And the offers you do receive will come with much lower credit limits, high-interest rates, and might even be for “secured” cards that require collateral.Basically, if you have bad credit and need to borrow money, your options are going to be limited and your rates are going to be high. If you have a score under 600, pretty much the only loans you’re going to qualify for are “bad credit” and/or “no credit check” loans.What are Bad Credit and No Credit Check Loans?When it comes to bad credit and no credit check loans, youre going to want to be careful. While there are many le gitimate lenders who lend to folks with bad credit, there are also lots of predatory lenders who are simply looking to take advantage of folks who don’t have many options.Regardless, the principals for these loans could be smaller than traditional loans, and the interest rates could also be much higher.The reason for this is simple: the lower a person’s credit score, the bigger risk they pose to a lender. A score below 630 indicates that you have a history of not making payments on time, taking on too much debt, and maybe even defaulting on loans entirely.Bad credit lenders need to charge higher rates in order to guard against the higher rate at which their borrowers will default on their loans. If the lender didn’t do this, they would go out of business.The two most common kinds of bad credit loans are payday loans and title loans. Both are short-term loans that come with average interest rates around 300 percent.Payday loans are small-dollar loans that only average about 14 days, and they are often “secured” by a post-dated check that the borrower makes out the lender for the amount owed. On the due date, the lender deposits the check, and the loan is repaid.The appeal of payday loans is that borrowers are able to pay the loans back quickly, but those short payment terms can also make a loan harder to repay. Since borrowers have to pay the loan back in fullâ€"instead of paying it back a little bit at a time like they would with an installment loanâ€"the short turnaround can leave them without the necessary money.In situations like this, the payday lender will then offer to roll the loan over, meaning that the borrower pays only the interest owed on the loan and then gets a new repayment term… complete with an additional interest payment. Rolling a loan over multiple times can drastically increase the cost of borrowing, all while leaving the borrower no closer to paying back the principal than they were when they first took it out!With title loans , the borrower puts up their car, truck, or motorcycle as collateral. This allows someone to borrow a larger amount of money, but it also means that they will lose their vehicle if they can’t pay the loan back. The average term for a title loan is one month, and the average interest rate is 25 percent. With high rates and short terms, loan rollover can be a big problem for title loan customers as well.There are also many lenders, like OppLoans, who offer installment loans to people with bad credit. These loans come with longer repayment terms than payday or title loans, usually somewhere between three and six months. Installment loans are paid off in a series of equal, regular installments, which can make paying the loan off a more manageable process.The term “no credit check” loans describes loans in which the lender does not perform a credit check during the application process. A hard credit check can temporarily lower a person’s score, which makes no credit check loans a ppealing to folks who already have bad credit.Some bad credit lenders do perform a soft credit check during the application process (OppLoans is one of them), which returns less information than a hard check, but does allow the lender to get a basic snapshot of the borrower’s ability to repay their loan.In general, a lender who performs a soft credit check is preferable to one who performs no credit check at all. It shows that the lender is considering your ability to repay your loan the first time instead of hoping you roll it over again and again and again.What kind of interest rates can you get?According to the MyFico Loan Savings Calculator, a person with a 620 score who took out a $300,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage would get an interest rate of 5.51 percent  and would pay over $103,000 more in interest than a person with a score of 760.However, some subprime mortgages have interest rates higher than that. In 2014, CNN Money reported that some subprime mortgages were being offered with rates from 8 to 10 percent. These mortgages also required a larger down payment, between 25 to 35 percent of the home’s total value.The thing to really watch out for with subprime mortgages is rates that are “adjustable.” Oftentimes, these mortgages start with a low “teaser rate” that can make the mortgage seem much more affordable than it really is.   When the teaser rate expires, these adjustable rates will shoot up, taking your monthly payments with them. This can lead many borrowers to default. (Adjustable rate mortgages were a huge factor in the financial crisis in 2008.)The MyFico Loan Savings Calculator also estimates that a person with a credit score of 550 would pay an interest rate of 15.159 percent for a 30,000, 60-month auto loan. They would end up paying over $10,000 in interest more than a person with a score of 720 and an interest rate of 3.519 percent.When it comes to unsecured personal loans, people with bad credit will generally be looking a t an above-36-percent APR lender. This means that the annual interest rate that you pay on your loan will be above 36 percent, or 3 percent per month. While there are above 36 percent that will give you fair terms, reasonable rates, and good customer service, there will also be lenders in this space that are looking to take advantage of youâ€"so be careful!With payday and title loans, the interest rates you’ll get will vary from lender to lender and (more importantly) from State Financial Resource Guides state to state. But even though the rates will vary, they are still going to be incredibly high.A 14-day payday loan with an interest rate of $15 per $100 borrowed would carry an APR of almost 400 percent! Meanwhile, a title loan with an interest rate of 25 percent per month would have an APR of 300 percent.Payday loans are generally the most expensive and risky ways for people with bad credit to borrow money. Do your research when shopping for a bad credit and no credit check loa n to make sure that the lender you’re working with is going to give you the best possible rates and most reasonable terms.What can I do to raise my credit score?“Id like to be optimistic about purchasing power of a person with a score below 550,” says Roslyn Lash AFC ®, (@RosLash) Founder of Youth Smart Financial Education Services. But she adds that “their life in terms of credit will be poor.”Here are four actions that Roslyn recommends people with poor scores can take to repair their credit:Prepare a Budget. This is the first step because it will tell you how much money you have left after reducing non-essentials. This extra money can be applied toward your bills.Pay all your bills on time. Make a schedule of when your bills are due  and use e-bills and auto-pay to make sure that you pay the correct amount when it’s due.Eliminate debt! Check out the debt elimination plan outlined at PowerPay.org, and also look at strategies like the Debt Snowball and the Debt Avalanch e. Whatever you decide to do, you need to make a plan, and then stick to itIf you need assistance, seek financial coaching.If you have additional questions about credit scores, personal finance, or getting a loan with bad credit, hop on over to our Resource Page and have a look around. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, then let us know by sending us a tweet at @OppLoans!Visit OppLoans on YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedINContributorsIan Atkins (@FitSmallBiz) is an analyst and staff writer for Fit Small Business. He covers small business finance with a focus on traditional and alternative small business lending. Ian has over 9 years working in personal and small business finance.Roslyn Lash, (@RosLash) is an Accredited Financial Counselor and the founder of Youth Smart Financial Education Services.  She specializes in youth financial education, adult coaching and works virtually with adults helping them navigate through their personal finances i.e. budgeting, debt, and credit repair.  Her advice has been featured in national publications such as USA Today, TIME, Huffington Post, NASDAQ, Los Angeles Times, and a host of other media outlets.

Friday, May 22, 2020

The Priorities Of The United States Public Policy Making...

The top priorities in the United States’ public policy making process continue to be protection from terrorism, a stronger economy, and the creation of more jobs (Pew Research Center, 2015). However, with a growing concern for public health and safety due to environmental issues, perhaps our policy makers should address the issues we face daily while living in our communities. The environmental issues extend beyond unhealthy, and risky conditions due to waste management and unsustainable lifestyles. The environmental issues we face are dispersed unevenly in communities, especially in urban areas among minorities. The unequitable dispersal of environmental hazards, transforms a physical resource problem into one of social justice and political decisions. David Pellow addresses this issue in his book, Garbage Wars, by providing a history of movements, technology, politics, waste management and waste conflicts in the US to create an understanding of how inequalities emerge and pe rsist. What is Garbage Wars? Garbage Wars is a study of solid waste and pollution issues in minority communities of urban areas written by David Naguib Pellow. It conveys the issue of waste disposal through a sociological lens by addressing the environmental injustice as racism that has occurred for decades in major cities, specifically Chicago, Illinois. It is a historical analysis that offers a framework to explain the development of environmental racism rather than a technical analysis of howShow MoreRelatedThe American Public Policy Process966 Words   |  4 PagesThe American public policy process is a system that consists of laws, regulatory measures, action items, and funding priorities controlled by the elected representatives. The public policy process system that is in place within the federal government was developed within the framework of the United States Constitution and those with special interests. 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The authors explain that because of imperfect market conditions, or political priorities, governments, and other social organizations, have found it necessary to intervene in the provision of health care to its people. The authors also believe that at a fundamental level, health policy making is a political process that involves both governmental and nongovernmental, individuals andRead MorePolitical Culture Of The United States1337 Words   |  6 Pages American Government I Boyd Lanier, Ph. D. Lamar University Majdi Alharbi 04/01/2016 Political culture in the United States is about a person’s behavior, value and belief. Most important ideas of political culture are the rights of people, responsibility of both the people and the government and the relationship between people and the government. Common languages and symbols are used in political culture to unite people. However, the understanding of a constitution, freedom of speech andRead MoreThe Weaknesses of Bureaucracies in Foreign Policy1786 Words   |  7 PagesThe weaknesses of bureaucracies in foreign policy Though bureaucracies offer plenty of advantages for foreign policy making, they still have various weaknesses that undermine the process. Firstly, bureaucracies always base their work on standard operation procedures or SOPs as the important factor for the process of decision making. Since the bureaucrat tasks based on SOPs, as the formal rule, are considered to be efficient. Though, SOPs can be changed when they are faced with serious problems

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Research Paper on Genetic Engineering - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 645 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/09/19 Category Engineering Essay Type Argumentative essay Tags: Government Essay Knowledge Essay Did you like this example? Preliminary Thesis: â€Å"Genetic engineering should not be controlled by the law, because the people controlling the law are not credited on knowing about what it is they are controlling. † 1st Revised Thesis: â€Å"The government shouldn’t have the power to control Genetic Engineering; because Government Legislators do not possess the adequate degree, and/or satisfactory knowledge regarding this unique study doctors, and scientists have spent years researching now. To allow a committee of Legislators whom have no dignified background knowledge and/or scholarly study the power to control this research study. â€Å" 1. The government should not have residing power over the field of Genetic Engineering; Legislators do not hold a proper degree to enable them to make prominent decisions on a matter that has been researched for years by Doctors and scientists alike. † 2. â€Å"The government should not have the power to control the field of Genetic Engineer ing; elected officials do not possess an adequate degree or knowledge regarding this unique study that is leading us into the future. Allowing a committee of Legislators whom have no dignified background in the subject to take control of an entire field of work would be detrimental to today’s society. Kryssana: I think your thesis statement needs a little more clarity. First, when you write â€Å"the people,† who are you referring to? Government/legislators or another group? Be as specific as possible. Second, do you mean that â€Å"the people controlling the law† don’t understand genetic engineering and what they might be vetoing? I’m not totally sure what your argument is. Jennifer Monday, September 13, 2010 ENG1020, 81309 week of September 13 – September 17 A few things to keep in mind: 1. Your discussion board postings are due by FRIDAY (11:59 p. m. ). You must post at least twice. Each posting is worth 5 points. The discussion quest ion for this week  is posted. 2. Dont forget that your outline (title, thesis, works cited) is due next Monday in class. 3. Remember to check your Tri-C email this week for feedback on your thesis. genetic engineering n. Scientific alteration of the structure of genetic material in a living organism using recombinant DNA, employed for such purposes as creating bacteria that synthesize insulin. | The American Heritage ® Medical Dictionary Copyright  © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Genetic engineering The manipulation of genetic material to produce specific results in an organism. Mentioned in: Gene Therapy Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. genetic engineering, the process of producing recombinant DNA for the purposes of altering and controlling the genotype and phenotype of organisms. Restriction enzymes are used to break a DNA molecule into fragments s o that genes from another organism can be inserted into the DNA. Genetic engineering has been used to produce a variety of human proteins, including growth hormone, insulin, and interferon, in bacteria. At present, it represents a powerful tool for medical research but is possible only in microorganisms. In the future, genetic engineering may be applicable to more complex organisms, offering the possibility of controlling and eliminating genetic disorders and malformations in humans. Definition of GENETIC ENGINEERING : the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics. — genetically engineered adjective genetic engineer noun Examples of GENETIC ENGINEERING The crops were made resistant to disease by genetic engineering. First Known Use of GENETIC ENGINEERING I n the year 1951. Proper (ADJ. ): following the established traditions of refined society and good taste Synonyms befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, seemly Related Words acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable; dress, dressy, formal; dignified, elegant, gracious; priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy; apt, material, relevant; compatible, congenial, harmonious; allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Research Paper on Genetic Engineering" essay for you Create order

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

A comprehensive protection plan Free Essays

The primary objective of drawing a comprehensive protection plan is to enable an individual or an organization to survive or avoid a disaster (security threat) and therefore continue with his/her normal daily activities smoothly. To be able to achieve the above, one has to fully access the existing vulnerabilities in relations to the present, and predict future trends. As such therefore, comprehensive protection planning is tedious, complex, and requires careful and proper strategizing. We will write a custom essay sample on A comprehensive protection plan or any similar topic only for you Order Now In order for the plan to be relevant, both the security agent and the client have to make sure that, the plan is adhered to, up to the dot. Protection plans are not a two-month project neither is it a plan that once completed one can forget about it. The plan must be maintained, and tested regularly to gauge its efficient. Any security protection plan has to be systematic so that in the end, security threats can be avoided. The following steps need to be followed in order to come up with a comprehensive protection plan. 1) Plan description; this involves things like; (I) Pre-planning, which deals with the understanding of the immediate environment of an individual or an organization. (ii) Vulnerability assessment:- This concentrates on activities which can reduce the possibility of   a disaster occurrence.(iii) Disaster impact:- A detailed study should be carried out to determine the outcome, should a disaster occur.(iv) Definition of tasks:-this deals with the real course of action should a disaster occur(v) Plan development:-during this phase, recovery plans are tackled and clearly documented.(vi) Testing phase:-the above plan is now   put into real test so as to gauge its feasibility and if possible alternatives are evaluated.(vii) Maintenance of the plan is a very critical phase as   it determines the success of the whole plan should a security threat take place.(viii) Implementation of the plan:– this is   the most important phase of a comprehensive protection plan since the plan will be of no use if it will not be fully implemented. As such implementation includes the following; defining the plan approach, identifying plan implementers, and modifying the plan when need be. The next step, number (2) plan objectives, which as said earlier the main objective of security protection plan is to enable an individual to survive a disaster and therefore carry on with their duties. As such, it requires critical operations trough out the course of plan. These critical operations can only be achieved by establishing of clear objectives. The objectives to any protection plan includes the following; (I) provision of safety to people incase of a disaster. (ii) Continuation with normal activities after a disaster. (iii) Minimize immediate damage and losses. (iv) Minimizing of disruption time. (V) Identify critical support incase the situations are out of control. These objectives help both the security agent and the client to be fully acquainted with the scope of the plan and the general security and safety procedures. Number three in this order is the plan organization and staffing. For the plan to be efficient, it needs to be effected by a number of people. Every level of the plan needs to be taken care of by professionals e.g. guards, drivers etc. initially we had said that protection planning is a tedious, complex, and labor-intensive program. This is so because it will be of no use to draw a detailed plan of action and fail to assign duties to specific people. Professionals as said earlier need to be in full time contact to execute the plan incase of a disaster happening. Lastly in this order are recourse requirements; people or organizations who have tried to develop or implement protection plans without providing the necessary recourses have been largely unsuccessful. Therefore, it is imperative that in order to successfully carry out a protection plan, the essential recourses must be employed to the maximum. Of importance also is the regular testing of plans due to changes of time, and environment. These recourses can be divided into three categories; personnel costs, capitals costs, and on-going costs.( http://www.utoronto.ca/security/documentation/business_continuity/dis_rec_plan.htm) The above steps when followed keenly, then a comprehensive security protection plan can be drawn and successfully executed when need arises. In our contemporary society, security threats have become the order of the day and therefore there is a need to come up with protection plans to combat these threats. Some of the most areas, which are frequently affected when disaster strikes are communication networks, personal security, and transport systems. The following is a detailed plan of action to undertake in relation to communication, personal security, and transportation of a client. How to cite A comprehensive protection plan, Papers

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Symposium by Plato Essay Example

Symposium by Plato Essay Plato fully expressed his craft when he wrote one of his most renowned works, the Symposium. The speeches are characterized by highly commendable experiences with a mixture of comic relief and intellectual depth. The setting of the discourses delivery is at the banquet of Agathon where the elite guests include Socrates, Aristophanes, and Alcibiades. It was agreed that the evening of merry-making be spent in praise of love and investigating its nature. Each of them offered their thoughts on the matter, and as personality and consensus clash, the dialogue comes to its highlight, where the climax is ushered with the storming of drama of ideas. When we turn our attention to the speech of Phaedrus, the texts foreground an aspect of Love as a being. Phaedrus affirms that Love is a mighty god and that Love is the eldest of the gods. He further avers that the best incentive to virtue is an honorable love, a love that has dared man to do transcend the impossible, to test the limits of life, and to challenge the powers of heavens, all for the sake of their beloved. Phaedrus elaborated that man will do anything for the sake of love. He told the story of Alcestis, who exchanged her life for her husbands. We will write a custom essay sample on Symposium by Plato specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Symposium by Plato specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Symposium by Plato specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The tenderness and true love for her beloved spouse. The story of Orpheus also exemplified the tenacity of passionate love within a persons heart. Unlike Alcestis, Orpheus did not face death but instead he descended into the underworld and rescued his Eurydice. Another plausible example is that of Achilles and Patroclus. Eventhough Achilles is aware that he will die in war against the Trojans, he chose to do so in order to avenge the death of his beloved Patroclus. The speech of Phaedrus affirms reasons that Love is the eldest and noblest of the gods, giving and providing virtues and happiness in life. Pausanias negates the idea of Phaedrus and asserted that there are two kinds of Love, the spiritual love and the common love. He says that common love is not bias, it depends on the manner of performance or actions. When love is done for the benefit of those concerned, then it is good, but if it is done for the opposite purpose, only then that love becomes evil. On that context, only love which has a selfless purpose is worthy of praise. On the other hand, spiritual love is the love of the soul, which endures any form of pain and is not blinded by the physical appearance of things. Pausanias continues further through his assertion that the higher love is of the male. Those who belong to the masculine gender are regarded to have a superior nature especially in terms of intelligence, strength, and spirit. In addition to that, when one displays the affection, it is more honorable than when it is concealed. Custom allows those people who are in love to do strange things. Eryximachus also has a different stand on the issue. He provides answers about love in terms of the principles of medicine. Eryximachus supplies the deficiency in Pausaniass speech by proclaiming that love is not an affection of the soul of man towards the beautiful but to anything that the earth possesses.. the harmony of the true and false love may be found in men, animals and the whole province of divination. For him, medicine is the knowledge of love and the needs and wants of the physical being. Aristophanes follows the discussion. For him, man has not understood the power of love. He says that human nature is composed of man, woman, and the union of the two. Zeus cut man in two to diminish their strength and increase thir number. The two halves then wander about longing and seeking after one another. Men are a section of a double nature and they are dependent from which they were severed. Following him is Agathon, the host of the celebration. He comments that the other speakers are not praising or unfolding the nature of love but congratulates mankind for the benefits that love has given them. He states that the god love should be praised in his own account only and not for what he offers mankind. Moreover, he defies the statement of Phaedrus that love is not old but young and tender. the audience appreciate the words and thinks that he is worthy of himself and of the god. The most interesting part of the conversation is the turn of Socrates. At first, he excuses himself from speaking but eventually he professes his side on matter. He congratulates Agathon in his proposition of presenting the first the nature of Love and then of his works. He states that love is consist of something and wants something that he does not have for himself. Love in its nature is beautiful and it seeks beauty in the goodness of the heart. Love is a great spirit that acts as a medium between gods and men. Alcibiades then, rescues the evening from being solemn, in his drunkenness. He indirectly implies that Agathon is the beloved of Socrates. because of this, Socrates aids the protection of Agathon from the violent Alcibiades. Socrates would have changed him only if the love of popularity in him is not strong. Beyond this humor of characterization of Socrates brings the connection that Socrates speaks the truth. Alcibiades seems incapable of deviating the look of desire of those with whom he comes into contact, although it still fails to bring out from them tangible reactions of sexual interest. His desire finds a ready statement in Socrates qualities. On the other hand, Socrates is only mindful of the improvement of the soul that underlies both his interest in young men and his moderate drinking. Socrates and Alcibiades agree with the different aspects of the human personality. Both suggest that beauty, in its physical and spiritual indication, is difficult to define and can only be most appreciated in the milieu of a private relationship. Beauty should be viewed absolutely and not relatively. In Socratess view, love leads to the perfection of man. The reason is that it unites man with others. In the light of openness and self-giving, the â€Å"I and the â€Å"You† commune and becomes one. Furthermore, man transcends self, selfishness, isolation and despair, and finds happiness in his interpersonal relationships with others. Mans capacity for love appears to be infinite since it cannot find rest in any finite good. Unless his will is without purpose, eventhough it is the goal of it, then God must exist as the infinite and absolute good sought after by that will. Aside from the drama that arise in the context of Love, different kinds of love are also presented to praise, define and illustrate. Various manners of presentation in which the speeches were delivered included Alciabiadess humorously indecent language and unrequited lust for Socrates, Agathons lofty sentiments, Eryximachuss cold restraint and analytical distance, and Socratess confession of ignorance. Plato knows the manifestation of all the characters love. Their topic in the symposium is a reflection of the significant experiences of the persons doing the dialogue. It is about their love concealed as stories of love itself. For Phaedrus and Pausanius- true love, for Eryximachus- beloved craft, Aristophanes-comedy, agathon-lofty tones of tragedy, Alcibiades-to please the crowd, Socrates-talking philosophy. In this dialogue, the different facets of love were encompassed and were discussed in such an intense and passionate discourse. Different stories mirrored the degrees and forms of love experienced by human regardless of race, of religion, and of gender. References Kaplan, Justin D. (Ed. ). (1950). Dialogues of Plato. New York: Washington Square Press.

Friday, March 20, 2020

Free Essays on Multiple Intelligence

â€Å"It is of the upmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences, and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different largely because we all have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world.† (Gardner) This states that many people are intelligent for many different reasons. Every person has areas they excel in and educators need to adjust to the needs of their students. In this paper, I will talk about the definition of intelligence, the seven different types of intelligence, and how teachers can and should teach the intelligent and talented youth. There are many different definitions of intelligence. Intelligence can be as broad or as specific as need be. I went with a broad definition that was in our text from this class Handbook of Gifted Education . It states that intelligence is an â€Å"ability or set of abilities that permit an individual to solve problems or fashion products that are of consequence in a particular cultural setting.† This is open to a lot of discussion because of how broad it is and I wanted to expand on intelligence in my eyes. In my definition of intelligence many components are involved. It is somewhat similar in that many abilities combine to determine intelligence. In today’s society, grades in school determine how intelligent an individual is, but I disagree with that. Grades have hardly any significance due to the fact that creativity isn’t involved in multiple choice or fill in the blank exams and creativity is the main ingredient, I feel, for intelligence. This can be explained by people such as Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, and Winston Churchill. As children, teachers thought that they were at a lower level compared to the students of the same age. Maybe they weren’t being challenged o... Free Essays on Multiple Intelligence Free Essays on Multiple Intelligence â€Å"It is of the upmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences, and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different largely because we all have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world.† (Gardner) This states that many people are intelligent for many different reasons. Every person has areas they excel in and educators need to adjust to the needs of their students. In this paper, I will talk about the definition of intelligence, the seven different types of intelligence, and how teachers can and should teach the intelligent and talented youth. There are many different definitions of intelligence. Intelligence can be as broad or as specific as need be. I went with a broad definition that was in our text from this class Handbook of Gifted Education . It states that intelligence is an â€Å"ability or set of abilities that permit an individual to solve problems or fashion products that are of consequence in a particular cultural setting.† This is open to a lot of discussion because of how broad it is and I wanted to expand on intelligence in my eyes. In my definition of intelligence many components are involved. It is somewhat similar in that many abilities combine to determine intelligence. In today’s society, grades in school determine how intelligent an individual is, but I disagree with that. Grades have hardly any significance due to the fact that creativity isn’t involved in multiple choice or fill in the blank exams and creativity is the main ingredient, I feel, for intelligence. This can be explained by people such as Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, and Winston Churchill. As children, teachers thought that they were at a lower level compared to the students of the same age. Maybe they weren’t being challenged o...

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

6 Neuroscience Hacks to Beat Writers Block - Freewrite Store

6 Neuroscience Hacks to Beat Writers Block - Freewrite Store The page is blank and the cursor is blinking at you accusingly. You’ve been sitting at your computer for an hour and you’ve written a sum total of nothing. It’s not that you don’t want to write – it’s that you can’t. The words that yesterday flowed so easily have disappeared into the ether – and you’re wondering despairingly if they’re ever going to return. Most (if not all) writers are familiar with this scenario. The dreaded writer’s block – that, for me at least, usually turns up when there’s an important deadline looming. Recently, however, I got into an argument with a friend – another writer – who insisted that writer’s block doesn’t exist. Writer’s block, he said, was all in my mind. He’s not the first to suggest that idea. I headed straight to Google to find out what others have to say about it (hoping to be able to present my friend with proof that I was right and he was wrong). Instead, I stumbled across some fascinating research from the world of neuropsychology and neuroscience. It turns out that writer’s block is just in my head – but not in the way that my friend was suggesting. The Neuropsychology of Writer’s Block Neuropsychology is a complex field that combines psychological understandings of the mind with a more physiological investigation of the way that the brain works. For example, neuropsychology might look at what neurons are firing when we experience certain feelings, or what the parts of the brain that are active during specific experiences or actions. So, what does neuropsychology have to say about writer’s block? Neurologists, psychologists, neuropsychologists and neuroscientists have been studying and debating for decades why things like writer’s block occur. While some psychologists will conclude that writer’s block is more of an excuse than a phenomenon, there have been studies that have set out to demonstrate that there’s neuropsychological evidence for the reality of writer’s block. Executive Dysfunction Neuropsychologists Elkhonon Goldberg and Russell Barkley have both investigated a set of complex mental functions that happen in (or are controlled by) the pre-frontal cortex known as ‘executive functions’. It is these executive functions that allow us to do things like plan, organize, prioritize, self-monitor, initiate and sustain certain behaviors as we pursue goals. When there’s disruption to executive functions, we enter a state Russell Barkley has called ‘executive dysfunction’. A sign of executive dysfunction is an inability to stop ourselves from doing something that’s preventing us from achieving a goal-focused activity. A prime example of this is when you’ve set yourself a goal of writing a blog post but spend the time set aside for writing watching videos of dogs on YouTube. When writers are experiencing writer’s block, then, it’s a form of executive dysfunction. Certainly, there are problems with executive functions when you feel that your creativity is blocked. These problems can include: Difficulties with getting started (initiation) Distraction Trouble prioritizing Struggling to pace ourselves Emotional Roots Another key neuropsychological view of writer’s block came from Gene Parret. His theory is that not only is writer’s block a genuine malady, but it is also rooted in underlying fears. Neuroscience backs up this idea. Everything that we do is the result of neurons firing in our brains – and strong emotions, such as fear, can have a profound effect on neuron functions. Parret’s view is that the way that we perceive our writing abilities plays a huge role in our experience of writer’s block. For example, if you have a negative mindset (such as thinking that no one will want to read what you’re writing) and sit down to write, the negativity will impact on your neuron pathways and cause difficulties with the writing process. The Psychology of Writing Ronald Kellogg is the author of ‘The Psychology of Writing’ and he has highlighted the way that certain environments, schedules and rituals can either increase or inhibit writing processes. There’s a neuropsychological link with this, as it’s been shown that neural pathways can be activated by associations with places, times of day, and so on. Circadian Rhythm Rules There are links, too, with the circadian rhythms (otherwise known as the sleep-wake cycle). For example, many writers find that their creative juices flow better at certain times of day. This is another area that has been backed up by neuroscience – albeit in studies done with mice. Neuroscientific studies have revealed that circadian rhythms aren’t just about when we’re awake and when we’re asleep. There are also times of the day that are better suited to different types of tasks. To make this more complicated, everyone’s circadian rhythm for specific tasks is different, so there are no rules when it comes to the specific times when you should be doing something. What the circadian rhythm studies have shown, though, is that if you don’t understand your own circadian rhythms, you could find yourself trying to write when your brain is better optimized for research (knowledge-processing). There are different neural processes involved in creativity (such as writing) compared with more structured tasks (such as research), so when you experience writer’s block, it could actually be that you’re trying to be creative when your brain wants to be learning. Interestingly, we’re notoriously bad at correctly understanding our own circadian rhythm, too. Some research has proved that self-proclaimed ‘morning-people’ are actually more productive in the evening, and those who call themselves ‘night-owls’ are more productive during the morning. Could beating writer’s block be as simple as better understanding your circadian rhythm? Using Neuropsychology to Combat Writer’s Block Now that we’ve taken a quick tour through some of the complexities of neuropsychology, it’s time to get practical. How can you use neuropsychology to combat writer’s block? There are actually a number of techniques you can use that have their roots in neuropsychological thinking. 1.  Cognitive Cueing Cognitive cueing is based on Kellogg’s understanding of how certain places can impact on the efficiency of certain processes. It’s not an immediate fix, as it takes time to establish cognitive cues, but it’s a technique that’s been shown to help break the cycle of writer’s block. With cognitive cueing, you need to create a specific space that is only used for writing. It will only be effective if that space is exclusively for writing – if you use it for anything else, the cognitive cues won’t work. Your brain will come to associate the space with the act of writing, and the neural pathways that are formed will kick-start the writing process when you return to the space to write. 2.  Circadian Self-Reflection Since our circadian rhythms have such a big impact on our ability to perform specific tasks, it makes sense that another means of beating writer’s block lies in understanding the times of day that are most suited to writing. It’s different for everyone, so the only way to figure out the times of day that are suited to research and those that are better suited for creativity is through self-reflection. Keep a journal or notes about your daily activities and reflect on how easy (or difficult) the different types of tasks seemed. Vary the times of day that you complete tasks so that you can begin to see patterns. When you understand your circadian rhythm, you can focus your writing activities at the most creative times of day, and reduce your risk of writer’s block. 3.  Incubate Your Creativity Incubation of ideas is a neuropsychological principle that’s been tested on mice. It’s based on the idea that when you work on a task (or learn a skill) and then take a break or begin a different task, the neural pathways involved in the original task or skill remain active. RELATED: Writing Habits to Jumpstart Your Creativity Applying this to writer’s block, if you find that you’re struggling to get the words onto the page (or screen), then taking a break and doing something else – going for a walk, reading a book, and so on – can allow ideas to incubate, since the neural pathways that related to your writing task will stay active. Writers regularly report that their best ideas come when they’re doing something completely unrelated, so it’s worth trying incubation to beat writer’s block. 4.  Motivational Methods In neuropsychology, there are different types of motivation that have been identified, and people tend to have one or the other. These are known as ‘approach motivation’ and ‘avoidance motivation’. ‘Approach motivated’ people are optimistic about what they can achieve, and positively motivated to complete tasks. ‘Avoidance motivated’ people, by contrast, are negative and motivated by a fear of failure. Neuroscience shows that changes in neuronal activity can be affected by perceived outcomes – so what we think will be the result impacts on our performance. If we start writing worried that no one will want to read what we’re writing, this perceived outcome will negatively impact our neurons, and the writing task will become more difficult. RELATED:  55 Motivational Writing Quotes from Famous Authors The solution to this problem is to change our motivational type and use approach motivation. To do this, we focus on positive outcomes and set easily attainable goals that will reinforce the positivity. The more we attain these ‘easy’ goals, the better the impact on our neurons, and the less likely we are to experience writer’s block. 5.  Background Noise I was skeptical about this technique – until I tried it myself. Apparently, studies have shown that writers are often more productive in coffee shops or other similar environments where others are being productive. This has something to do with background noise – and there are now apps that will actually replicate the ambient noise of a coffee shop for writers who aren’t able to physically go out and sit in a coffee shop to write when they’re feeling blocked. Different types of background noise can either positively or negatively affect our creativity and productivity, so it’s important to note that you need to find the kind of background noise that works for you. Some people, for example, are more sensitive to noise, so a very busy coffee shop could have a negative impact on their ability to write, but a quieter shop could help to combat writer’s block. 6.  Unplug and Reset In the modern world, it sometimes feels like we’re slaves to our technological devices. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops keep us constantly connected to emails, social media, online videos and other distractions – which can be bad news if you’re already prone to experiencing writer’s block. There are a range of psychological benefits to unplugging from technology for a while. Unplugging can help when you’re feeling depressed and anxious or overwhelmed in any way. It can also help with writer’s block, by removing distractions and allowing you the opportunity to reset and get back in touch with your creativity. If you’re used to writing on a laptop or desktop computer, switching off all your technology can help unblock you when you feel like your creativity has dried up. The abundance of distractions on the internet can make it impossible to focus on anything and get into a rhythm.   It’s a simple technique that increases your ability to focus and helps get those creative juices flowing again. While you could abandon technology completely and go back to the basics with pen/paper, most of us can type much faster than we write.   Plus, re-transcribing handwritten notes to the computer is extremely tedious. Luckily, there is a way to unplug but still reap the benefits of technology: Freewrite’s distraction-free writing devices. With a typewriter-like feel and automatic syncing to the cloud, you can get writing again quickly. Find out more about the range of available devices here. A Treatment Plan for Writer’s Block Neuropsychology shows us that there’s scientific evidence for the existence of writer’s block – and it isn’t just excuses and/or laziness. Treating writer’s block with neuropsychology offers a range of techniques that can be used individually or combined into your own personal treatment plan. Experiment with the different techniques and find the ones that work best for you, so that you can combat the dreaded blank-page syndrome that writers fear.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Black holes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Black holes - Essay Example Photons flew out across of the universe, energized to the limit found in nature and billions of years later, the space stations have detected them above our space. Our ability is to discover the mysteries through our present new age high energy astronomy. The universe is full of amazing astronomical and scientific features, but according to scientists and researchers up till now Black holes are considered as one of the most puzzling phenomena in the universe. The definition of a black hole is enough to get one’s attention as a black hole is a celestial body of extremely intense gravity from which nothing, not even light, can escape (Wald, 1984). The significance of black holes in the cosmos is obvious and same they have the importance to gravitational physics. The theory of presence of the black holes in the universe is our real test that how much we understand the concept of strong gravitational fields. This paper mainly deals with this topic i.e. â€Å"the strong gravitational singularity† of black holes. Primarily â€Å"a quantitative approach† is applied to involve the use of library sources, journals and â€Å"online search† as well. The facts about the topic (black hole) are probable emergent themes based on literature reviews and personal research. This document is developed in three segments. It starts with the brief introduction of black holes and their basic characteristics and particularly the gravitational singularity which is the most distinguished property they possess. This part is based on the previous literature review. The preceding segment deals critical analysis regarding the gravita tional singularity of black holes. In the last segment, a conclusion is made based upon literature review and critical analysis. A black hole is a hypothetical cosmic body of extremely intense gravity from which nothing, not even light, can escape (Wald, 1984). The borderline of this region where nobody can escape, is called

Monday, February 3, 2020

Global Corporate Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Corporate Strategy - Essay Example This was despite the fact that industry trends clearly suggested for formation of strategic alliances rather than entering into any merger. The merger became successful because both the firms were critically able to utilize their core competencies and dynamic capabilities besides achieving the synergies. There have been many factors which created the overall synergies for the new firm to develop itself into a leading global firm in airline industry. This paper will discuss as to how the new firm Air France-KLM was able to use its core competencies and dynamic capabilities to achieve the success it achieved after 2004 merger. Core Competencies Core Competencies of a firm are specific set of skills which an organization executes in order deliver more value for its customers. (Shaabani, Ahmadi, & Yazdani, 2012). One of the core competencies of the new firm was the creation of a larger network which came into existence after the merger. Both Air France and KLM were operating largest and busiest routes in Europe and as a result of the merger, the new firm had an access to a large network and resultantly achieved an advantage which was relatively difficult to replicate by the competitors in the market. KLM was the oldest airline in the world and it provided it necessary time to perfect its learning curve in an industry which changed over the period of time. Such long history provides a firm time to acquire the knowledge and learning required to operate in airline industry. Same was the case Air France as it was also able to develop its core competencies and learning curve over the period of time. It is also important to understand that the new firm has also one of the best maintenance and engineering department delivering allied services apart from passengers and cargo. The set of skills possessed by the engineering department of the firm created the further advantage for the new firm to actually utilize its strengths and become more dominating into a new market.( Va ssolo & Anand,2008) Dynamic capabilities of the firm are determined by the ability of the firm as to how it can integrate its various competencies together to achieve the desired results. (Zheng, Zhang, & Du,, 2011).Dynamic capabilities of the firm are different from its functional competencies and therefore require that a firm become able to integrate wide range of competencies in a cohesive framework to achieve the strategic objectives. (Leonard-Barton, 1992. ). The new firm was able to able to integrate its external capabilities by utilizing its formal as well as informal strategic alliances which actually helped to remain one of the competitive players in the transnational airline market also. (Galunic & Rodan,1998). The firm was clearly able to use its links with the American and other global leaders in order to successfully challenge the new firms which started to follow the same merger strategy after the success of Air France and KLM. It is critical to understand that the fir m has been able to develop and protect these core

Sunday, January 26, 2020

The Concept Of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Commerce Essay

The Concept Of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Commerce Essay The concept of OCB has been implemented in organizations for their effective functioning and has promoted such behavior in public and private organizations, but in educational education institution OCB is still an unfamiliar concept. Thus, OCB is a useful term to describe voluntary teacher behavior that go Extra Mile to help students and colleagues to succeed. Thus, the study of OCB and effectiveness of teachers is vital so as to motivate them to do beyond of their formal duties and making effectiveness/performance of teachers as required for the betterment of institution. Thus, teachers in well functioning education institutions consistently go beyond the minimum expectations of formal job descriptions and contracts, hence, demonstrating goodwill, smooth functioning and efficiency of education institutions. Thus teachers in universities with high citizenship take it upon themselves to voluntare innovative suggestions, sponsor extra-curricular activities and serve on new comities and seminars more related to their studies. Moreover, teachers help students on their own time, stay after university to help students if necessary and resist the temptation to give students busy in work. Organizational citizenship behavior in universities provides a serious educational context in which teachers are rarely absent, make effective use of their time, work collaborately and emphasize on professional activities which results in increase of their effectiveness and directly influence the performance of teachers. The term OCB was first introduced by Bateman and Organ (1973). Background of the study. Organ (1988) originally coined the term organization citizenship behavior (OCB) and defined them as individual behavior that is discretionary, not directly or explicitly recognized by the formal reward system, and that in the aggregate promotes the effective functioning of the organization. Also the willingness of the participant to go beyond the formal requirements of their position has been recognized as an essential component of the effective organization. Thus, OCBs can be said to lubricate the social machinery of the organization. Organ (1988) provided a multidimensional scale of OCB. The scale consists of five dimensions that make up the OCB construct the five dimensions are: Altruism: It is the behavior directed at helping a specific person at work (e.g. coworkers or supervisor). For example, altruism involves activities such as volunteering to assist a coworker with a project in you are not directly involves activities, or without being asked, assisting new employees. Compliance: Generalized compliance is employee conscientiousness that surpass enforceable work standards. For example, generalized compliance involves activities such as doing more than what is required to meet minimum task requirements or offering specific ideas to solve organizational problems without being asked. Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship is the tolerance of nuisances on the job (e.g. when employee endure impositions or inconveniences without compliant). Sportsmanship involves activities such not complaining or making huge issues out of minor problems or inconveniences. Courtesy: Courtesy is the act of touching the base with others before taking actions or making decisions that would affect their work (e.g. issuing reminders to coworkers, giving coworkers advance notice and passing along information). Civic Virtue: Civic virtue is the active participation and involvement of employees in company affairs and includes activities such as attending meetings, responding to messages and keeping up with organizational issues. As an example of different conceptualizations of OCB Statement of the problem. Teaching effectiveness is a major goal of education. It is recognized that teaching effectiveness has a far-fetched effect on the overall educational programme. Teachers competence refer to the behavior while teaching in a class. Effective teachers use pupils time differently than the less effective ones. Effective teachers spend more time in academic activities and teaching learning process. They inculcate the ideas into the minds of the students by applying various teaching strategies for this purpose they become humorists and witty in the classroom. They concentrate on communication skills. They focus on the subject matter and monitor the overall educational activities in classroom specifically and in the educational institution in general effectiveness in the sence that optimal results or near to such is obtained on the part of the pupils we in Pakistan are divided into different types of educational systems i.e. Government run, private and Madrassas or Maktabs. The teaching stan dard is different. Their evaluation criterion is also different. More conveniently, the curriculum and examination system are not the same. Due to these reasons the effectiveness need to be evaluated and its relationship with organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). But as an individual each of the employee, whether he/she is a teacher or not, must be able to show the most favourable results in their respective fields. Different approaches are followed to assess effectiveness. It is conditional to the concerned field for which the employees contribution is judged. The variables or yardsticks may be different; the ultimate purpose is the same Effectiveness. Similar is the case with measuring organizational citizenship behaviour Objectives of the study. The main objective of this study is to find out any relationship between organizational citizenship behavior and effectiveness of university teachers. Finding on job or internal factors that influence a teacher organizational citizenship behavior and his/her effectiveness. The extent of personal growth and overall integrity provided by the institution. Giving recommendations for further improvement. 1.4 Scope of the study A teacher can be effective if he/she gets out of the job what he wants to get. There is a close relationship between organizational citizenship behavior and effectiveness (teaching). Falling standard of education is common now a days. So one may blame the teachers responsible for the deterioration of education teachers may be termed responsible but identification of the facts of their job, which sometimes lead the teachers towards ineffectiveness is also the responsibility of the system. These facts belong to both the external and internal environments of the teachers this study will help in the finding of such factors. CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE Organizational citizenship behaviors and performance has actually the subject matter of numerous research scholars. They have conducted various research studies and collections. The views of the various research scholars regarding organizational citizenship behavior and performance are enumerated as under. 2.1 Employee Behavior and Job Performance. Rotundo and Sacket (2000, P. 66) defined job performance as those actions and behaviors that are under control of the individuals and that contribute to the achievement of the organizations objectives. In higher education setting, Regoxs (2003) finds support for the relationship between OCB and the performance of university teachers, and in turns of students professional motivation and self confidence. His finding suggest that university teacher OCB may be associated with the quality of the teaching learning processes, however, that association is a unpublished to date. Most of the early research on OCB focused on its antecedents. More recently, increasing attention has been paid to the consequences of OCB (Padaskoff, et al.,2000). Finding from this line of research indicate that OCB has important consequences for both the organization and individual employee (Podaskoff, et al.,2000). At the organizational level, studies indicate that OCB I related to organization effectiveness (Podsakoff, Ahearne, and Mackenzie, 1997; Podsakoff and Mackenzie, 1994; Walz and Wiehoff, 1996). At the individual level, OCB has been found to affect supervisory evaluations of employee performance (Podaskoff, Mackenzie and Hui, 1993) reward recommendations . Katz (1964) states that three basic types of employee behaviors are critical for the overall effectiveness of any organization. People must be induced to remain within the system. People must carry out their role assignment in a dependable fashion. There must be innovative and spontaneous activity in achieving organizational objectives that goes beyond the role specifications. Behaviors (2) and (3) are the examples of Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) (Organ, 1988) other examples of OCB are willingness to give time helping others who have work-related problems, taking steps to prevent problems with other worker and obeying organization rules, regulations and procedures even when no one is watching. Postulating that OCB may lead to positive outcomes such as high organizational performance and low turnover, researcher have investigated key antecedents of OCB (e.g Moorman, 1991; Organ and Konvovsky 1996; Podsakoff et al., 1990; Smith et al., 1983). Gregory Murphy et al., (2002) made a study to examine the role of OCB as a component of job performance. Participants comprised 41 human-service workers, who completed a job satisfaction questionnaire and were rated for their organizational citizenship, as well as being measured on three discretionary organizational participant behaviours job satisfaction correlated significantly with organizational citizenship behavior (Correlations ranged from + 0.40 to 0.67). 2.2 Factors Effecting the Organizational Behavior. Carol C. Bienstock, et al., (2003) have investigated that OCB links human resource management policies to desired service employee performance, enhancing customer perceptions of service quality and organizational financial outcomes. Furthermore, it demonstrates that these behaviors results in more effective service delivery to an organizational standards and enhance customer perceptions of service quality. Aaron Cohen, et al., (2004) were find the relationship between the dimensions of professionalism (profession as referred, sence of calling autonomy) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) was direct or mediated by variables representing justice perceptions (distributive justice, international justice, and formal procedures). Respondents were 1,0.35 registered nurses in four public hospitals in northern isreal. Supervisors in each medical unit at the hospitals provided data strongly supported the mediated model, namely the relationship between professionalism and OCB was mediated by variables representing justice in the workplace. The mediated effect as stronger for jewish nurses than for non-jewish nurses and for nurses with academic education in comparison to nurses with a non-academic educational several implications are drawn for the continuing examination of OCB. Carmen Barroso Castro, et al., (2004) have analyzed the effect of the service company employee behavior on customer perceptions of the quality of services received, and the consequent company performance. Organizational citizenship behavior has been recognized as relevant behavior of some employee, but its role regarding customer perceptions and company profitability remains unexplored. Beginning with a brief review of the conceptual background of the organizational citizenship behavior, service quality, and its consequence, this paper proposes a model to test these relationships empirically. Daniel J. Comeau et al., (2005) have conducted experiment on how the interaction of interdependence work environment and employee personality affect organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Structural interdependence, as defined by levels of tasks and goal interdependence, was manipulated in the laboratory setting to determine the effect on individual level OCB. Also, a regression analysis was utilized to determine whether interdependence could act as a moderator for the relationship between the personality variable agree bleness and OCB and conscientiousness and OCB. Ferry Koster et al., (2006) have conducted a survey and gathered data from 674 employees nine organizations scales are constructed using multiple group method. OLS regression is used to test the hypothesis, which contribute to the literature on OCB by examining how this kind of behavior is affected by the behavior of the supervisors and coworkers and this article also focus on horizontal and vertical dimensions of cooperative behavior simultaneously. Jose Varela Gonzalez, et al., (2006) have shown the relationship between organization service orientation (OSO), contact employee job satisfaction and organization citizenship behavior (OCB). For this they have carried a survey of 149 hotels firms which provides eimperical evidence about the positive effect of the OSO on employee job satisfaction and citizenship behavior in the hospitality industry. Soumend Biswas et al., (2007) indicated the relationship between psychological climate and employee performance, in the Indian environment that includes organization citizenship behavior (OCB) and job satisfaction as mediating variables. Data were taken from 357 managerial employees in the manufacturing and service sector to analyze the relationship. The result supports the hypothesis that individuals perceptions of the psychological climate in the organization has a significant positive impact on his/her willingness to engage in OCBs, as well as on his/her job satisfaction levels. Further, OCB and job satisfaction levels have a significant impact on individuals performance. Jawahar, I.M and Dean Carr (2007) conducted and survey to measure conscientiousness and contextual performance of professional employees. Data of 158 professional employees were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and moderate hierarchical analysis was used to test hither to untested hypothesis. This study makes several contributions. For instance, it extends Motowildo et al., theory to include subjective measures of situational conditions as factor that interact with personality to influence contextual performance the study responds to lepline et als call for theory based attempts to identify variable that have different relationships across the dimensions of contextual performance. Drawing on individual difference and social exchange perspectives this study theorized and found that perceived organizational supports moderates the relationship between conscientiousness and organization directed contextual performance and that the quality of the leader member exchange experience moderates the relationship between conscientiousness and supervisor directed contextual performance. EVIJ, Hetty et a., (2007) examined the relationship between personality and three types of OCBs (Organizational Citizenship Behaviors), and to test for the potential moderating effects of team leader effectiveness on the relationship between personality and OCBs. Hypothesis were test with data from 268 teachers of secondary schools. The result indicate that extroverts and teachers open for experience engage more in OCBs towards their school than introverts and teachers less open for experience do. Teachers that are more conscientious score higher on OCBs towards students. That fits with the idea that being conscientious is being careful and responsible. Teachers with introverts and neurotic personalities become more engage in OCBs than extroverts and emotionally stable teachers do when they appreciate their team leader effectiveness. Omer Torlak and Umut Koc (2007) has made a study in which they examined the relationship between the materialistic attitudes of sales people working in pharmaceutical and household white goods and furniture (HWGF) sectors and their OCB. A total of 199 sales people who work for pharmaceutical and HWGF sectors in Eskischir, Turkey were surveyed. The questionnaire consisted of two scales to measure materialistic tendencies and OCB, respectively. The results of the study early indicate that materialistic attitude is one of the antecedents that have a negative impact on OCB. There are negative correlations between all dimensions of OCB and materialistic attitude. Manrique de Lara, PZ et al., (2007) have examined the relationship between an unfavourable attitudinal environment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) the proposed model suggests that organization anomic (OA) acts as a moderator of that link, and thus OA interacts with unfavourable attitudes and OCB by tightening their theoretical negative association. Data collected from 154 non teaching staff at a Spanish public university. Accessibility of the individual email accounts was similar for all employees. E-mail asking for collaboration were sent in two phases. A questionnaire was posted on the university interanet and could be accessed by clicking on a link in the e-mails multiple hierarchical regression results support the moderating role of OA of the unfavourable attitude OCB link because the unfavourable attitudes towards coworkers and towards the boss as-a-person among employees with compared with high OA, have a stronger negative relationship with OCB. OA moderation exis ted, but to varying degrees, between attitudes toward. Ones job and some dimensions of OCB (OCBI, and OCBI client). OA also intensified the unpredicted positive relationship between attitudes toward bosss performance and OCB. No moderating influences were observed in the case of attitudes toward oneself and toward clients (students). R. Gert et al., (2007) has conducted a survey of the development of the knowledge sharing and the role of knowledge sharing in predicting turnover intensions of registered professional nurses. A literature study was conducted to determine the concepts and activities linked to knowledge sharing in order to compile the questionnaire. The questionnaire was factor analyzed in order to determine the factor structure of the instrument. Thereafter, the construct of knowledge sharing was introduced together with organization culture and various proposed mediating variables, namely organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior and job satisfaction, as well as various demographic variables to develop a predictive model of turnover intentions through applying general linear modeling. A cross sectional field survey design was used with a sample of 530 registered professional nurses in south Africa. A significant negative relationship was found between knowledge sharing behavior and turnover intentions. Furthermore, knowledge sharing interaction with organization culture in a final model where all the selected mediating and demographic variables were simultaneously entered into the equation to predict turnover intentions. Kim, Sangmook (2006) the main theme of this study is to investigate whether the distinct classes of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) such as altruism and generalized compliance are shown in the Korean context, and whether public service motivation, job satisfaction and organizational commitment are predictors of OCB in Korean civil servants. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is applied to survey data of 1584 civil servants in Korea to examine the relationship between predictors and two dimensions of OCB. This analyzed the effect of public service motivation on OCB, and shows that public service motivation emerges as a more significant predictor of OCB in the public sector of Korea. It contributes to enhancing the applicability and meaningfulness of the concept of OCB across different cultures. Juliana D. Lilly et al., (2006) have made a study on the effect that work locus of control has on perceptions of trust, perceived organizational support, procedural justice and interactional justice. Data were collected from 679 alumi of a university in the southwestern USA. Regression analyses and structural equation modeling were used to test a series of hypotheses. The result indicate that work locus of control has a significant positive relationship on all variables. Perceived organizational support fully mediated the relationship between the work locus of control and perceptions of both procedural and interacional justice. Organizational trust fully mediated the relationship between work locus of control and interactional justice, but only partially mediated the relationship between work locus of control and procedural justice. 2.3 Perception Regarding OCB Caroline Aube et al., (2007) have conducted a research on that perceived organizational support (POS) is positively and significantly correlated with affective and normative commitment. The sample data includes 249 prison employees, that is by questionnaires. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis also support the moderating effect of locus of control and work autonomy with regard to the relationship between POS and affective commitment. This study highlights the importance of providing support to employees in order to faster their affective and normative commitment to the organization. Moreover, the results provide evidence in favour of managerial interventions aimed at enhancing perceived control and consequently, minimizing the negative effects of a lack of organization support on employees affective commitment. In addition to taking into account here dimensions of organizational commitment, this study underlines personality and job design factors that can modulate the relationship between POS and organizational commitment. Joo Y. Jung et al., (2008) have explore the relationship between the organizational culture (Organizational Citizenship Behavior OCB), TQM practice and organizational performance of the manquiladora companies. A structural equation modeling based on a cross sectional survey (N = 230) is conducted. As multinational companies (MNCs) implement innovative management methodology such as TQM practices, their organizational culture elements play significant roles towards the outcome. The organizational culture, represented by OCB, significantly impacts how TQM is managed and implemented. Furthermore, the result point out soft TQM elements have more significant impact than hard TQM element towards firms performance. The findings suggest that management should also focus on the intrinsic motivations of employees represented by OCB rather than the role emphasis on training and education. 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY `The previous chapter shows that a lot of research has been carried out in the past to study the relationship f organizational citizenship behavior with different variables. Here is another attempt to evaluate the correlation between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and effectiveness of teachers a case study of University of Peshawar this chapter consists of population, sampling, sources of data collection, method for gathering data and statistical analysis. 3.1 Purpose of the Study As stated earlier the main purpose of the study is to find out the relationship between organizational citizenship behavior and effectiveness of university teachers. 3.2 Population All teachers working in University of Peshawar constitute the population for this research study. 3.3 Sampling Sampling is a process of selecting a sufficient number of elements from the population, (i.e. sample), so that a study of the sample and understanding of its properties or characteristics would make it possible for us to generalize such properties or characteristics to the population elements for example sample statistic X (the sample mean) and S (standard deviation) are used as estimates of the population parameter m and d . 3.4 Stratified Random Sampling Method As its name implies, involves a process of stratification or segregation, followed by random selection of subjects from each stratum. The population is first divided into mutual exclusive i.e. each of the groups should be internally homogenous and externally different from one another, groups that are relevant, appropriate and meaningful in the context of the study and subjects are selected randomly from each stratum. In the present research case a proportionate stratified random sample is used because there is a probability that the population frame of different stratum may be the same sample and the same percentage of population is taken. For the purpose of collecting data the University of Peshawar having faculties of Arts and Humanities, Islamic and oriented studies, life and environmental sciences, management and information sciences, numerical and physical sciences and faculty of social sciences have been considered as a stratum. Employees of each strata have been selected thro ugh stratified random sample for the comparative study. 3.5 Hypothesis Null Hypothesis: Ho: Teachers have OCB and teachers have not OCB are equally effective. Alternative Hypothesis (HA): Teachers have OCB is more effective than teachers have not OCB. 3.6 Research Tools/Instruments The following two instruments will be used and utilized for collecting and gathered data. They are: Questionnaire Observation check list 3.7 Test Statistic Sometimes, the actual measurement or counts of individual or objects are either not available, or accurate assessment is not possible, they are then arranged in order according to some characteristics of interest. Such an ordered arrangement is called a ranking and the order given to an individual or object is called its rank. The correlation between such sets of ranking is known as Rank correlation. By formula: Where di = xi yi xi is the first observation yi is the 2nd observation It is known as spearmans coefficient of Rank correlation. has the least value and is zero when the numbers are incomplete agreement. i.e. When they are in complete disagreement attains the maximum value equal to rs = -1 for = In case any tied observation is found the formula becomes. r = Where xi and yi are ranks given to two objects. ÃŽÂ £ stands for summation/sum x stands for organizational citizenship behavior-OCB y stands for effectiveness of teaching n stands for number of observation. LITERATURE CITED Bateman and Organ (1973). Employee Psyche, International Journal of Manpower, Vol 27, pp. 728 Bateman and Organ (1973). Employee Psyche, International Journal of Manpower, Vol 27, pp. 728 B. Soumendu, V. Arup (2007) Psychological climate and individual performance in India: test of mediated model, Employee Relations, Vol. 29, No.5 C. Aaron, K. Yardena (2004) Professionalism and OCB: An eimperical examination among isreali nurses Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 19 No. 9 C.B. Carmen, A.M. Armario, R.M. David (2004) The Influence of employee organizational Citizenship behavior on customer loyality. Internal Journal of Service Industry Management Vol. 15 No. 1 C.J. Daniel, G.L. Richard (2005) Structural Interdependence, Personality and organizational citizenship behavior: An examination of personal environment interaction, Personal Review, Vol. 34 No. 3. G. Teresa, G.V. Jose (2006) Structural relationships between organizational service orientation, contact employee job satisfaction and citizenship behavior, International Journal of Service Industry Management, Vol. 17 No. 1. H. Soonkwan, J.Y. Joo (2008) Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), TQM and performance at the maquiladora, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, VOl. 25 J. Everd, R. Gert (2007) The development of a knowledge sharing construct to predict turnover intentions, Aslib proceedings New Information Jawahar I.M, C. Dean (2007) Conscientiousness and contextual performance, the compensatory effects of perceived organizational support and leader member exchange, Journal of Management Psychology, Vol. 22 No. 4. Katz (1964) Effects of Organizational Citizen Ship, Management Research News, Vol. 5 K, Sungmook (2006) Public service motivation and organizational citizenship behavior, International Journal of Manpower, Vol 27, pp. 728 K. Ferry, S. Karin (2006) Organizational citizens or reciprocal relationships: An eimperical comparison Personal Review, Vol. 35 No. 5 Lara.de, R. Espino (2007) Organizational anomie as moderator of the relationship between an unfavourable attitudinal environment and citizenship behavior (OCB): An eimperical study among university administration and service personal, Personal Review, Vol. 36 No. 6 M. Gregory, A. James, K. Neville (2002) Job satisfaction and Organizational Citizenship behavior: A study of Australian human service professionals Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 17 No. 4 P. 288 M. Gregory, A. James, K. Neville (2002) Job satisfaction and Organizational Citizenship behavior: A study of Australian human service professionals Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 17 No. 4 P. 288 Organ (1988) Concepts of Organisational Behaviour , Employee Relations, Vol. 29, T. Omer, K. Unut (2007) Materialistic attitude as an antecedent of organizational citizenship behavior, Management Research News, Vol. 30 No. 8

Friday, January 17, 2020

Shadow Kiss Chapter 28

Twenty-eight THE NEXT TWELVE HOURS were the longest in my life. Our group made it back to campus safely, though most of it was done at a run – which was hard with so many injured. The entire time I felt nauseous, presumably because Strigoi were near. If they were, they never caught up to us, and it's possible I was simply sick from everything that had happened in the caves. Once back behind the wards, the other novices and I were forgotten. We were safe, and the adults now had a lot of other things to concern themselves with. All of the captives had been rescued – all the ones that were alive. As I'd feared, the Strigoi had decided to munch on one before we got there. That meant we had rescued twelve. Six guardians – including Dimitri – had been lost. Those weren't bad numbers considering how many Strigoi we'd faced, but when you took the difference, it really meant we'd only saved six lives. Had the loss of all those guardians' lives been worth it? â€Å"You can't look at it that way,† Eddie told me as we walked toward the clinic. Everyone, prisoners and raiders, had been ordered to get checked out. â€Å"You didn't just save those lives. You guys killed almost thirty Strigoi, plus the ones on campus. Think about all the people they would have killed. You essentially saved all those people's lives too.† A rational part of me knew he was right. But what did rationality have to do with anything when Dimitri might be dead? It was petty and selfish, but in that moment, I wanted to trade all those lives for his. He wouldn't have wanted that, though. I knew him. And through the tiniest, smallest chance, it was possible he wasn't dead. Even though the bite had looked pretty serious, that Strigoi could have incapacitated him and then fled. He could be lying in the caves right now, dying and in need of medical care. It drove me crazy, thinking of him like that and us unable to help. There was no way we could go back, however. Not until daytime. Another party would go then to bring back our dead so that we could bury them. Until then, I had to wait. Dr. Olendzki gave me a quick check, decided I didn't have a concussion, and then sent me on my way to bandage my own scrapes. She had too many others to worry about right now who were in far worse condition. I knew the smart thing was to go to my dorm or to Lissa. I could have used the rest, and through the bond, I felt her calling to me. She was worried. She was afraid. I knew she'd find out the news soon, though. She didn't need me, and I didn't want to see her. I didn't want to see anyone. So rather than go to my dorm, I went to the chapel. I needed to do something until the caves could be checked out. Praying was as good an option as any. The chapel was usually empty in the middle of the day, but not this time. I shouldn't have been surprised. Considering the death and tragedy of the last twenty-four hours, it was only natural that people would seek comfort. Some sat alone, some sat in groups. They cried. They knelt. They prayed. Some simply stared off into space, clearly unable to believe what had happened. Father Andrew moved around the sanctuary, speaking to many of them. I found an empty pew in the very back corner and sat there. Drawing my knees up to me, I wrapped my arms around them and rested my head. On the walls, icons of saints and angels watched over all of us. Dimitri couldn't be dead. There was no way he could be. Surely, if he was, I would know. No one could take a life like that from the world. No one who had held me in bed like he had yesterday could really be gone. We had been too warm, too alive. Death couldn't follow something like that. Lissa's chotki was around my wrist, and I ran my fingers over the cross and the beads. I tried desperately to put my thoughts into the forms of prayers, but I didn't know how. If God was real, I figured He was powerful enough to know what I wanted without me actually saying the right words. Hours passed. People came and went. I got tired of sitting and eventually stretched myself across the length of the pew. From the gold-painted ceiling, more saints and angels stared down at me. So much divine help, I thought, but what good were they really doing? I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep until Lissa woke me up. She looked like an angel herself, the pale hair hanging long and loose around her face. Her eyes were as gentle and compassionate as those of the saints. â€Å"Rose,† she said. â€Å"We've been looking all over for you. Have you been here the entire time?† I sat up, feeling tired and bleary-eyed. Considering I hadn't slept the night before and had then gone on a massive raid, my fatigue was understandable. â€Å"Pretty much,† I told her. She shook her head. â€Å"That was hours ago. You should go eat something.† â€Å"I'm not hungry.† Hours ago. I clutched her arm. â€Å"What time is it? Has the sun come up?† â€Å"No. It's still about, oh, five hours away.† Five hours. How could I wait that long? Lissa touched my face. I felt magic burn through our bond, and then the warm and cold tingling coursed through my own skin. Bruises and cuts disappeared. â€Å"You shouldn't do that,† I said. A faint smile crossed her lips. â€Å"I've been doing it all day. I've been helping Dr. Olendzki.† â€Å"I heard that, but wow. It just feels so strange. We've always kept it hidden, you know?† â€Å"It doesn't matter if everyone knows now,† she said with a shrug. â€Å"After everything that's happened, I had to help. So many people are hurt, and if it means my secret getting out†¦well, it had to happen sooner or later. Adrian's been helping too, though he can't do as much.† And then, it hit me. I straightened up. â€Å"Oh my God, Liss. You can save him. You can help Dimitri.† Deep sorrow filled her face and the bond. â€Å"Rose,† she said quietly. â€Å"They say Dimitri's dead.† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"He can't be. You don't understand. †¦ I think he was just injured. Probably badly. But if you're there when they bring him back, you can heal him.† Then, the craziest thought of all came to me. â€Å"And if†¦ if he did die †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The words hurt coming out. â€Å"You could bring him back! Just like with me. He'd be shadow-kissed too.† Her face grew even sadder. Sorrow – for me now – radiated out from her. â€Å"I can't do that. Bringing people back from the dead is a huge power drain†¦and besides, I don't think I could do it on someone who has been dead, um, that long. I think it has to be recent.† I could hear the crazy desperation in my own voice. â€Å"But you have to try.† â€Å"I can't†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She swallowed. â€Å"You heard what I said to the queen. I meant it. I can't go around bringing every dead person back to life. That gets into the kind of abuse Victor wanted. It's why we kept this secret.† â€Å"You'd let him die? You wouldn't do this? You wouldn't do this for me?† I wasn't shouting, but my voice was definitely too loud for a church. Most everyone was gone now, and with the level of grief around here, I doubted anyone thought too much of an outburst. â€Å"I would do anything for you. You know that. And you won't do this for me?† I was on the verge of sobbing. Lissa studied me, a million thoughts swirling in her mind. She assessed my words, my face, my voice. And like that, she finally got it. She finally realized what I felt for Dimitri, that it was more than a teacher-student bond. I felt the knowledge light up in her mind. Countless connections suddenly came together for her: comments I'd made, ways that Dimitri and I acted around each other †¦ it all made sense to her now, things she'd been too blind to notice. Questions immediately sprang up too, but she didn't ask any of them or even mention what she'd realized. Instead, she just took my hand in hers and pulled me close. â€Å"I'm so sorry, Rose. I'm so, so sorry. I can't.† I let her drag me away after that, presumably to get food. But when I sat at the cafeteria table and stared at the tray in front of me, the thought of eating anything made me sicker than being around the Strigoi had. She gave up after that, realizing nothing was going to happen until I knew what had happened to Dimitri. We went up to her room, and I lay down on the bed. She sat near me, but I didn't want to talk, and I soon fell asleep again. The next time I woke up, it was my mother beside me. â€Å"Rose, we're going to check the caves. You can't go into them, but you can come to the school's borders with us if you want.† It was the best I could get. If it meant I could find out what had happened to Dimitri a moment sooner than if I stayed here, I'd do it. Lissa came with me, and we trailed behind the assembled guardian party. I was still hurt by her refusal to heal Dimitri, but a part of me secretly thought she wouldn't be able to hold back once she saw him. The guardians had assembled a large group to check the caves, just in case. We were pretty sure the Strigoi were gone, however. They'd lost their advantage and had to know that if we came back for the dead, it would be with renewed numbers. Any of them that had survived would be gone. The guardians crossed over the wards, and the rest of us who had followed along waited by the border. Hardly anyone spoke. It would probably be three hours before they came back, counting travel time. Trying to ignore the dark, leaden feeling inside of me, I sat on the ground and rested my head against Lissa's shoulder, wishing the minutes would fly by. A Moroi fire user created a bonfire, and we all warmed ourselves by it. The minutes didn't fly, but they did eventually pass. Someone shouted that the guardians were coming back. I leapt up and ran to look. What I saw drove me to a halt. Stretchers. Stretchers carrying the bodies of those who had been killed. Dead guardians, their faces pale and eyes unseeing. One of the watching Moroi went and threw up in a bush. Lissa started crying. One by one, the dead filed past us. I stared, feeling cold and empty, wondering if I'd see their ghosts the next time I went outside the wards. Finally, the whole group had gone by. Five bodies, but it had felt like five hundred. And there was one body I hadn't seen. One I'd been dreading. I ran up to my mother. She was helping carry a stretcher. She wouldn't look at me and undoubtedly knew what I'd come to ask. â€Å"Where's Dimitri?† I demanded. â€Å"Is he†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It was too much to hope for, too much to ask. â€Å"Is he alive?† Oh God. What if my prayers had been answered? What if he was back there injured, waiting for them to send a doctor? My mother didn't answer right away. I barely recognized her voice when she did. â€Å"He wasn't there, Rose.† I stumbled over the uneven ground and had to hurry up to catch her again. â€Å"Wait, what's that mean? Maybe he's injured and left to get help†¦.† She still wouldn't look at me. â€Å"Molly wasn't there either.† Molly was the Moroi who had been snacked on. She was my age, tall and beautiful. I'd seen her body in the cave, drained of blood. She had definitely been dead. There was no way she'd been injured and staggered out. Molly and Dimitri. Both their bodies gone. â€Å"No,† I gasped out. â€Å"You don't think†¦Ã¢â‚¬  A tear leaked out of my mother's eye. I'd never seen anything like that from her. â€Å"I don't know what to think, Rose. If he survived, it's possible†¦it's possible they took him for later.† The thought of Dimitri as a â€Å"snack† was too horrible for words – but it wasn't as horrible as the alternative. We both knew it. â€Å"But they wouldn't have taken Molly for later. She'd been dead a while.† My mother nodded. â€Å"I'm sorry, Rose. We can't know for sure. It's likely they're both just dead, and the Strigoi dragged their bodies off.† She was lying. It was the first time in my entire life that my mother had ever told me a lie to protect me. She wasn't the comforting kind, wasn't the kind who would make up pretty stories in order to make someone feel better. She always told the harsh truth. Not this time. I stopped walking, and the group continued filing past me. Lissa caught up, worried and confused. â€Å"What's happening?† she asked. I didn't answer. Instead, I turned and ran backwards, back toward the wards. She ran after me, calling my name. No one else noticed us because honestly, who in the world was stupid enough to cross the wards after everything that had happened? I was, although in daylight, I had nothing to fear. I ran past the place Jesse's group had attacked her, stepping across the invisible lines that marked the boundaries of the Academy's grounds. Lissa hesitated a moment and then joined me. She was breathless from running after me. â€Å"Rose, what are you – â€Å" â€Å"Mason!† I cried. â€Å"Mason, I need you.† It took him a little while to materialize. This time, he not only seemed ultra-pale, he also appeared to be flickering, like a light about to go out. He stood there, watching me, and although his expression was the same as always, I had the weirdest feeling that he knew what I was going to ask. Lissa, beside me, kept glancing back and forth between me and the spot I was speaking to. â€Å"Mason, is Dimitri dead?† Mason shook his head. â€Å"Is he alive?† Mason shook his head. Neither alive nor dead. The world swam around me, sparkles of color dancing before my eyes. The lack of food had made me dizzy, and I was on the verge of fainting. I had to stay in control here. I had to ask the next question. Out of all the victims†¦out of all the victims they could have chosen, surely they wouldn't have picked him. The next words stuck in my throat, and I sank to my knees as I spoke them. â€Å"Is he †¦ is Dimitri a Strigoi?† Mason hesitated only a moment, like he was afraid to answer me, and then – he nodded. My heart shattered. My world shattered. You will lose what you value most†¦. It hadn't been me that Rhonda was talking about. It hadn't even been Dimitri's life. What you value most. It had been his soul.