Argument analysis essay example
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Sexuality in Men and Women
Sexuality in Men and Women Sexuality Men Women Layout at least two distinct ways to deal with the investigation of sexuality. Sexuality is for the most part considered similar to a characteristic drive or intuition, which turns out to be definitely part of the organic make-up of a person, which just looks for satisfaction through sexual movement. Such a perspective on sexuality, which considers such to be a characteristic element, is most normally alluded to as essentialism. Most of essentialist speculations present today have introduced sex as a characteristic sense required with the end goal of regenerative movement. In such a manner, Weeks (1986) plots that in such an essentialist approach there is an obvious connection among sexuality and organic sex/sex. ââ¬Å"Modern culture has accepted a cozy association between the reality of being naturally male or female (that is having proper sex organs and regenerative possibilities) and the right type of sexual conduct (generally genital intercourse among men and women)â⬠(Weeks 1986 p.13) With respect to an essentialist perspective, one is left to recognize people, specifically reference to their autonomous sexual wants and needs. It has been noticed that ladies will in general have a characteristic inclination to wantonness while men, then again are portrayed as having an a lot more grounded sex drive. In this manner, concerning this specific talk, human sexuality is intensely established in organic terms, whereby a hetero drive proposed with the end goal of multiplication would be considered ââ¬Å"normal.â⬠Thus, under such a methodology, lesbian, gay and indiscriminate people have been to a great extent thought about degenerate and unnatural, while any people who classify themselves as any of these are in this way not considered ââ¬Å"realâ⬠men or ladies. ââ¬Å"We take in at an early stage from numerous sources that ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠sex is the thing that happens with individuals from the ââ¬Å"oppositeâ⬠sex. ââ¬Å"Sexâ⬠between individuals of the equivalent ââ¬Å"sexâ⬠is in this manner, by definition, ââ¬Å"unnatural.â⬠(Weeks 1986 p.13) For the two people, heterosexuality is obviously the standard under such a methodology, while sex is unmistakably communicated in monogamous and conjugal connections in a perfect world. Jeffrey Weeks, who happens to be one of the key pundits of essentialism has been known to dismiss any methodology that neglects to consider the authentic and social powers that shape sexuality. Weeks recommends that the decent variety of sexual character and want is likewise essential to recognize. He dismisses the idea that there is a genuine substance of sex, there is no ââ¬Å"uniformed patternâ⬠which is ââ¬Å"ordained commonly itselfâ⬠(Weeks 1986 p.15). The essentialist contention comes as shortsighted to Weeks, as it decreases the idea of sexual relations and characters to organic elements. Numerous different scholars have recognized the shortsighted idea of essentialism, by concurring that sexual wants may seem, by all accounts, to be normal, yet additionally recognizing the possibility that our sexual reactions and personalities may in truth be socially built. At the point when we get familiar with the examples of our conduct, we are exposed to the implications connected to such practices also. Such practices at that point become a result of certain social and recorded powers; which can quickly be reached out to incorporate our sexual perspectives, emotions and the manners by which we feel about sexuality itself and thus our sexual personality. It has been said that sexuality is a lot of formed by the way of life where we live. The very factors that make up our general public (laws, strict lessons, social arrangements, the media) all append their own importance to such implications that are passed on to us. This methodology doesn't regard science as unimportant; definitely the body forces a few restricts because of sheer differentiation between being male or female for example we experience various things with respect to what genitalia we have. However having said this, anatomical structure and physiology don't legitimately impact what we do and the manner in which we act, not does it decide the importance we join to the activities we decide to make. ââ¬Å"All the constituent components of sexuality have their source either in the body or the psyche, and I am not endeavoring to deny the cutoff points presented by science or mental procedures. Be that as it may, the limits of the body are given importance just by social relationsâ⬠. (Weeks 1986 p.15). Comparable to social development, the body is said to increase certain significance in certain social settings as various pieces of the body can be characterized from numerous points of view. For instance, during the 1960s it was expressed that another social setting developed. It was as of right now that the ââ¬Å"G-spotâ⬠was found. Such a revelation prompted the tremendous distribution of books, with the additional acquaintance of classes with assistance ladies investigate their bodies and discover their purported ââ¬Å"G-spot.â⬠In such a manner, the physical life systems of ladies remained equivalent to previously however now it had an alternate social noteworthiness. This specific piece of the body was given a specific and new social significance, which was developed to turn into an object of want. Foucault (1981) has been a powerful early scholar by revealing insight into the social development of sexuality. He contends that there is nobody truth about sex. Thus different talks, regardless of whether this be it law, religion, medication or psychiatry have built up their specific perspective on the body and its relative joys. Sexual want is made through a lot of substantial sensations, joys and emotions. It is such wants which shape our sexual qualities and from this time forward the importance we join to our bodies. Sex is thusly not some organic substance administered by regular laws (as recommended by essentialism) yet is progressively similar to a thought explicit to specific societies and specific verifiable periods. The making of definitions and specifically the categorisation to such an extent that of hetero, gay and lesbian and so forth turns into the elements of sex. It is through this that we attempt to understand it. Be that as it may, crafted by Foucault, albeit perceived as significant has been condemned for not giving enough consideration to the manner in which sex impacts sexual want and character. In digression with crafted by Foucault, Weeks features that sexual character is generally molded. Weeks was uncertain with the manner by which sexuality and particularly homosexuality has been inserted in an ever-changing and exceptionally complex history in the course of recent years. With various impacts, refered to as being women's activists, gay and lesbian activists and Foucault himself, Weeks built up the theory that numerous sexual classes that we at last underestimate are really the result of social and chronicled marks. The differentiation between the ââ¬Å"naturalâ⬠and secure are on the whole subject to consistent marking. Weeks felt it essential to consider the historical backdrop of sexuality, so as to increase a comprehension of the numerous types of personalities existent in the public eye today, regarding socioeconomics, for example, class, ethnicity, sex and sexual inclination. Once more, he accentuates the point that it is reductionist to diminish the complexities of reality to essentialist organic truth. Sexual personality, consequently, as indicated by Weeks isn't accomplished essentially by a demonstration of individual will yet rather through social development. Notwithstanding the abovementioned, ââ¬Å"the organic defense for heterosexuality as typical, it may be proposed, has self-destructed. What used to be called depravities are simply manners by which sexuality can authentically be communicated and self-character be defined.â⬠(Giddens 1992 p.179). Giddens proposes that it is late advancement that has changed sexuality from being a solitary authority and supplanted it with sexual pluralism. This huge move welcomed on by the way that sexuality as a term was to a great extent supplanted by ââ¬Å"sexual identity,â⬠which in any case is characterized by singular decision, whereby sexual decision falls under one of the components of an individualââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"lifestyleâ⬠decision. From a chronicled perspective, such a move occurred in a brief timeframe. Sex and perspectives about it, gave a study of sex in a manner of speaking. These were joined by clear qualifications between the typical and irregular. Such perspectives have created a progression of records of the manner in which individuals carry on explicitly. Such records distinctive to crafted by the early sexologists, for example, Freud. Giddens presents the thought of institutional reflexivity to clarify the move. Through the procedure of reflexivity, it is the qualifications between the ââ¬Å"normal usâ⬠and the ââ¬Å"perverse themâ⬠that disappear. Sexual assorted variety, albeit still viewed by numerous threatening gatherings as corruption, has moved out of Freuds case-history note pads into the ordinary social world (Giddens 1992 p.33). It has been discovered that there has been proof to help the case that the thought of corruption has been supplanted by decent variety, that our demeanors of sexual want rank close by different articulations of self-personality, that sexual pluralism has supplanted sexual monism. Some alert is fundamental with this be that as it may, as Weeks calls attention to (1986 p.81) ââ¬Å"the conceded reality of decent variety need not prompt a standard of diversity.â⬠Such contentions and reactions building up the perplexing nature to the investigation of sexuality. Among the essentialist/social constructionist banter, there has been a lot of commitment from radical women's activists. Radical women's activists, (the accepted extraordinary finished type of women's liberation), has gone under analysis for utilizing an essentialist perspective, whereby radical women's activists themselves would profess to be following a social constructionist perspective. The essentialism that extreme women's activists are thought to applied to radical women's activist idea isn't the customary natural sense, however an increasingly social sense. Radical women's activists see the subordinate
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Google Documents - Add ons for Math
Google Documents - Add ons for Math For clients that have outfit the intensity of Google records and an assortment of instruments that can be added to up the client experience,â here are some math apparatuses you may discover extremely helpful. Adding machine It is helpful to have a number cruncher at your grip for those occasions when you have to perform straightforward capacities amidst a record. No compelling reason to ricochet between windows or open a spreadsheet for this;â simply introduce a mini-computer from one of the numerous decisions like the Calculator application from the Calculator Add on menu.à Handy and exact - this works! Recipe Editor Add this powerhouse to the sidebar of the archive and you can type complex equations for addition without breaking a sweat. To cite the application: Recipes can be made either utilizing the science input enclose or by composing their LaTeX portrayal. The outcome is then rendered as a picture and embedded into your archive. In the event that you have ever attempted to make equations and their unmistakable configuration in a book report, you will welcome a device like this. Diagramming Calculator Add-On (Such as Whizkids CAS) This extra can: Illuminate conditions and plot graphs.Find numerical and accurate solutions.Simplify and factorize articulations with variables.Drag and drop results and charts from the sidebar in Google Docs. The best part is that it does what it says it can do! g(Math) On the off chance that you need the Quadratic equation, this is the instrument to utilize. Complex conditions, custom characters, and geometric signs can be utilized. You can connection to information tables that are as of now in the record. Indeed, even the Speech to Math in Chrome can be gotten to make articulations. MathTypeà Now and again all you need is the capacity to shape math thoughts in the correct language and configuration. MathType can deal with this quick and easily. This instrument can likewise be utilized in the Google Sheets application so adaptability is at your fingertips.â As Google and the Google applications keep on picking up acknowledgment in client circles, increasingly inventive and helpful math additional items will show up. Dont settle for not as much as what you need. Glance around, as new arrangements are coming each dayââ¬â¹
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Top 10 Communication Tips 2011 Summary COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog
Top 10 Communication Tips 2011 â" Summary COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog Shortly after the 2012 application for admission went live we published 10 tips to assist with communicating with our office and obtaining information. For ease of reference all 10 tips are summarized here for easy reference. Each is a hyperlink to the full entry. We hope this allows you to obtain information quickly and communicate clearly with our office. 1. Always use the same email address when communicating with our office â" this includes the email you use when you start your application. In addition we recommend NOT using an employer email address and always including your email address in the signature of your message (below your name). 2. Avoid Unnecessarily Creating a Duplicate Online Application. 3. Avoid copying several parties on the same email and avoid long emails. 4. Thoroughly review our FAQ Page. 5. When leaving a voice mail message speak slowly and clearly, state your telephone number twice, and note your city/time zone. 6. If you must mail something to our office use a private mail courier and request receipt confirmation. 7. Check out our student, alumni, faculty, staff interview page. 8. Familiarize Yourself with Expenses and Start searching for fellowships/scholarships/grants as soon as possible! 9. Attend an information session or recruitment event. 10. Subscribe to this Blog.
Saturday, May 23, 2020
The Effectiveness of A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift...
The Effectiveness of A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public - Jonathan Swift 1729. In reading this you will discover the answer to the above question in three parts; à · How effective is it as an argument à · How effective is it as a piece of information à · How effective is it as satire A Modest Proposal first appeared in public in 1729, Swift wrote this article after all of his previous suggestions had been rejected by the Irish authorities. Swift felt the English government had psychologically exiled him and this greatly added to the rage he felt overâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦English absentee landlords owned most of the land that was valuable so the Irish again could not challenge the might of England. Before Swift introduces his Proposal to the reader he decides to state who the Proposals will benefit and how, It will prevent those voluntary abortions Here is shown that the mother will not have to break the confidence of the Catholic Church in having the banned abortions so the rules of the church are not broken. and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children. The so far unmentioned Proposal will already have the appreciation of the reader, as his idea will stop the unlawful killings of unborn and new-born children. Another great advantage is that the children, who will now because of this still be alive, of one year old will contribute to the feeding and partly clothing, of many thousands. Interest into what this Proposal is will be increasing and this is the desired effect as Swift is establishing his ludicrous suggestion but making the audience accept it by creating and increasing this interest. As was once said there are: lies, damn lies and statistics. Although this had not been stated by Swifts time, 1729, this possible manipulative exaggeration of evidence is existent in his Proposal with him using the terms; computed, calculate and computation. These are the statistics with whichShow MoreRelatedA Modest Proposal By Jonathan Swift Essay836 Words à |à 4 PagesIn Jonathan Swiftââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"A Modest Proposalâ⬠, we are exposed to the timeless issue of homelessness and the stateââ¬â¢s role in their social welfare. Swift was a fervent Irish patriot who was disgusted by the flourishing trend of beggars and hungry children that flooded the streets of his beloved country. This topic is relatable as this is a social issue that plagues many countries in the present age. Swift presents a satirical argument in which he proposes Ireland adopt the horrific practices of eating theirRead MoreJonathan Swift s Modest Proposal1562 Words à |à 7 PagesEmpire. Thesis: Jonathan Swift s Modest Proposal is the most effective in conveying its proposal against Imperialism as a universal theme. Directional Statement: Jonathan Swift s Modest Proposal successfully uses evidence to support its proposal and an effective style of writing. It also presents a clearly defined problem and solution compared to George Orwell s ââ¬Å"Shooting an Elephantâ⬠and Thomas Jefferson s ââ¬Å"Declaration of Independenceâ⬠. Point 1: Swift s Modest Proposal effectively usesRead MoreJonathan Swift Satire Analysis1108 Words à |à 5 Pagesomparing Irony In both Mark Twain and Jonathan Swiftââ¬â¢s articles there is an effective use of irony. Irony in satirical writing is normally used for the speaker to convey the opposite intended meaning to which they are stating; along with antiphrasis, the use of a word when the opposite meaning is implied, irony makes a valuable asset to satirical literature. The sarcastic use of irony was input to both readings to express the writerââ¬â¢s disappointment towards their societies teachings during theirRead MoreCompare/Contrast Thomas Jefferson and Jonathan Swift1434 Words à |à 6 Pagesthese are questions looking to be answered, with varying degrees of seriousness, by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Swift. Thomas Jeffersonââ¬â¢s A Declaration of Independence may be thought of as a universal symbol of traditional American values, however in it exists several layers of meaning, each appealing to the reader and their sense of social responsibility. While Swiftââ¬â¢s A Modest Proposal attemp ts a similar entreaty to the publicââ¬â¢s sympathy, it diverges drastically in its use of satire. While the styleRead MoreSatire Modest Proposal Essay837 Words à |à 4 Pagesconcerns can fall upon deaf ears and change can be slow or non-existent. However some social commentators, such as Jonathan Swift in his pamphlet A Modest Proposal, use clever, targeted, and ironic criticism to bring the social state of Ireland to the attention of indolent aristocrats. He accomplishes such criticism through satire, specifically Juvenanlian satire. Swiftââ¬â¢s A Modest Proposal stands as a perfect example of the type of satire that plays upon the audienceââ¬â¢s emotion by creating anger concerningRead MoreJuvenelian Satire in A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift Essay1052 Words à |à 5 Pagesblandly protesting grievances or concerns can fall upon deaf ears and change can be slow or non-existent. However, Jonathan Swift in his pamphlet A Modest Proposal, uses clever, targeted, and iro nic criticism to bring the social state of Ireland to the attention of indolent aristocrats. He accomplishes such criticism through satire, specifically Juvenalian satire. Swiftââ¬â¢s A Modest Proposal stands as an example of the type of satire that plays upon the audienceââ¬â¢s emotion by creating anger concerning theRead MoreEssay on Swifts Powerful Message in A Modest Proposal1136 Words à |à 5 PagesSwifts Powerful Message in A Modest Proposalà à à à à à à à à à à à à à In the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ states that there will always be poor, pathetic, struggling masses and nothing we can do will ever completely eliminate this element.à Swift also acknowledges the homeless people, but in a different vein than Christ.à In A Modest Proposal, the narrator expresses pity for the poor, but at the same time he strives to maintain his social dominance over them.à According to Swift, the English-Irish commonRead MoreIrony in Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal1101 Words à |à 5 Pagestype of subject being discussed. The effectiveness of appropriate strategy is directly related to the mood, which is to be created and maintained. For example if someone is criticizing the government, the tome is usually kept serious and Irony and satire are widely used in such writings. On the other hand while describing the recent developments in genetic engineering, the tone would be objective and humor or satire would be ineffective here. Jonathan Swift was famous for his sarcastic remarksRead MoreAnalysis Of On Dumpster Diving Essay1671 Words à |à 7 Pagesunwillingness to accept you for who you are can cause some to feel extreme depression Q4: What is the effectiveness in using such unusual ideas or characters in Jonathan Swiftââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"A Modest Proposal.â⬠The effectiveness of using such unusual ideas was to draw the people s attention, rather than allowing them to constantly avoid Ireland s substantial problems he wrote something to make them listen. If Jonathan Swift had written a serious piece simply espousing his true beliefs he would not have received asRead MoreEffective Persuasive Techniques Used By John Donne s `` The Flea ``1480 Words à |à 6 Pagesuncover the deeper message. Alternatively, writers may use it in establishing social criticism, while maintaining a humorous undertone. Distinct examples can be shown in John Donneââ¬â¢s poem ââ¬Å"The Fleaâ⬠, which indicates a logical fallacy, Jonathan Swiftââ¬â¢s essay ââ¬Å"A Modest Proposalâ⬠, which illustrates a rhetorical device, and JP Searsââ¬â¢ satirical video ââ¬Å"If Meat Eaters Acted Like Vegansâ⬠. One of the many components of an effective argumentative technique is a logical fallacy. A logical fallacy is a false or deceptive
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Art Censorship Essay examples - 501 Words
Art Censorship In recent news there was a controversy over art shown in Santa Fe Community Collegeââ¬â¢s gallery. The artist Pat Payne created obscene religious pictures that for the most part were mocking the Catholic religion. I feel that there is no need for artwork to be censored if in an appropriate place. Placing paintings that may seem to be obscene in an art museum, gallery, or anywhere else that attract mostly mature individuals is appropriate and obviously placing those same pieces of art in an elementary school would be inappropriate. My point being that artworks of any type being placed in Santa Feââ¬â¢s art gallery should not be an issue. The majority of individuals looking at Santa Feââ¬â¢s gallery are older and mature, and ifâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦In addition, viewing a variety of artwork is going to include pieces that some people consider obscenities, but no one is forcing them to look at it. The gallery is placed in a room and the only way to enter it is to w alk through the door. The set up of the gallery is well done and does not make people look at it as they walk through a hallway. Also having the ââ¬Å"censoredâ⬠artwork in a completely different place is ridiculous. People do not want to walk to a completely different part of campus to see ââ¬Å"censoredâ⬠artwork that should be in the gallery to begin with. I know in my case when going to look at the galleryââ¬â¢s art I go there to be able to relax in a quite atmosphere, look at the artwork, and think about what I am seeing. Censoring art changes everything. If in a room of just ââ¬Å"uncensoredâ⬠art you may not be able to fully interpret the thoughts of the artist. Moreover, if the ââ¬Å"censoredâ⬠artwork is moved into an office of some sort it is not quiet and the onlooker may feel uncomfortable. Sometimes it is the censored art that stirs up the most emotions and forces you to think about it, but you must be able to feel comfortable and undisturbed in order to do so. I think that no artwork needs to be censored at a community college level, although, maybe there should be an introduction of what is in the gallery before you walk in. Having an introduction outside the door may stop peopleShow MoreRelatedThe Censorship Of The Arts1173 Words à |à 5 Pages Censorship In the Arts Innocence, purity, youth ââ¬â qualities that society strives to protect. In order to safeguard these sanctities, society often employs censorship to combat vileness. Vileness embedded within the arts. Art has no limits, no boundaries, no rules. Art is undefinable. Therefore, art is easily considered to be the nesting grounds for defilement. Censorship is currently the preferred tool to cleanse this impurity. Censorship is ââ¬Å"the suppression of words, images, or ideas that areRead MoreCensorship Of Children And The Art Industry1488 Words à |à 6 PagesCensorship in children s cartoons is something that has a largely negative effect both on children and the art industry as a whole. Censorship can push itself on any number of topics: on violence, on love, on lgbt visibility, and on death. Censoring these scenes only serves to negate the sense of seriousness given to an issue. For instance, if you take away the possibility of a character getting injured or dying during a conflict, you lower the stakes, thus making whatever plot progression may beRead MoreCensorship of the Arts in Singapore1474 Words à |à 6 Pagesstrike between freedom of and restrictions upon artistic expres sion? The commonly accepted definition of censorship- that certain texts, images, or films should be banned. The Longmanââ¬â¢s English Dictionary defines censorship as to examine books, films, letters etc, to remove anything that is considered offensive, morally harmful, or politically dangerous. Narrowing down the definition to cover The Arts scene in Singapore, the question beckons should anyone have the power to place restrictions on an individualââ¬â¢sRead More The Censorship Of Art Essay2753 Words à |à 12 Pages Things are heating up in America. People are protesting outside of the movie theaters, concerts, and book and record stores of this great nation everywhere. What is all the fuss about? Censorship, Government officials and raving mad protesters alike have been trying to stop the expressive creativity in everything from Marilyn Manson to Mark Twain. One of the biggest shake-ups happened in museums all over the world recently that would have made Michelangelo and DiVinch iââ¬â¢s hair stand on end. In theRead MoreExamples And Ambiguities Of Art Censorship1459 Words à |à 6 PagesExamples and Ambiguities of Art Censorship (Position Paper) Art censorship, suppression of the arts, has a very long history. This is because all societies must decide what the limits of free speech are, and in this decision they must also decide the status of art. It is easy to raise more questions than answers when exploring this topic as it is a question whose answer is affected by differing perspectives and opinions. It would be exceedingly difficult to articulate an argument based on dataRead MoreThe Effect Censorship has on Art Essay examples943 Words à |à 4 PagesThough out history artist have rejected any forms of censorship. Governments have had to enforce censorship laws for the sake of public safety. As well, as to maintain control of society and to uphold the moral and ethical values that the populous demands. Whether you are for or against censorship in art, it serves a useful purpose in moderation, but it can be taken to extremes. Whether itââ¬â¢s a fascist government or a extremist religious organization it is easy f or a controversial law to be twistedRead MoreCensorship in Art733 Words à |à 3 PagesCensorship in Art Censorship has existed in the United States since colonial times. In the early history of American culture censorships emphasis was on political statements and actions, banning literature, music and even people from being heard in this country. This leading too more closed-minded views about different cultures and society, which we are still fighting to over come in the present day. Today a better-informed America has switched their views to a more sexual content when decidingRead More Censorship in art Essay715 Words à |à 3 Pages Censorship in Art Censorship has existed in the United States since colonial times. In the early history of American culture censorshipââ¬â¢s emphasis was on political statements and actions, banning literature, music and even people from being heard in this country. This leading too more closed-minded views about different cultures and society, which we are still fighting to over come in the present day. Today a better-informed America has switched their views to a more sexual content when decidingRead MoreThe Censorship of Art Essay example14698 Words à |à 59 PagesThe Censorship of Art While the censorship of art is not a new phenomenon, recent years have witnessed renewed and intensified attempts to control popular culture. In particular, rap and rock music have come under increasing attack from various sides representing the entire left and right political spectrum, purportedly for their explicit sexual and violent lyrical contents. In this paper is investigated which moral codes underlie these claims against popular music, how social movements mobilizeRead MoreCensorship And Its Effect On The Creativity And Enjoyment Of What We Indulge Ourselves1647 Words à |à 7 Pages How does censorship in media undermine the creativity and enjoyment of what we indulge ourselves in? The existence of censorship itself can take many forms in media. Sometimes it can exist for reasonable reasons to the most absurd. This filter has existed as long as public demonstration has existed; there was always information that has not has not been shown or spreadto the public. Now in mode rn times, it has been used and implemented in across several formats in media and entertainment. Is it
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Vampire Academy Chapter 17 Free Essays
SEVENTEEN A FEW DAYS LATER, LISSA found me outside the commons and delivered the most astonishing news. ââ¬Å"Uncle Victorââ¬â¢s getting Natalie off campus this weekend to go shopping in Missoula. For the dance. We will write a custom essay sample on Vampire Academy Chapter 17 or any similar topic only for you Order Now They said I could come along.â⬠I didnââ¬â¢t say anything. She looked surprised at my silence. ââ¬Å"Isnââ¬â¢t that cool?â⬠ââ¬Å"For you, I guess. No malls or dances in my future.â⬠She smiled excitedly. ââ¬Å"He told Natalie she could bring two other people besides me. I convinced her to bring you and Camille.â⬠I threw up my hands. ââ¬Å"Well, thanks, but Iââ¬â¢m not even supposed to go to the library after school. No oneââ¬â¢s going to let me go to Missoula.â⬠ââ¬Å"Uncle Victor thinks he can get Headmistress Kirova to let you go. Dimitriââ¬â¢s trying too.â⬠ââ¬Å"Dimitri?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah. He has to go with me if I leave campus.â⬠She grinned, taking my interest in Dimitri as interest in the mall. ââ¬Å"They figured out my account finally ââ¬â I got my allowance back. So we can buy other stuff along with dresses. And you know if they let you go to the mall, theyââ¬â¢ll have to let you go to the dance.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do we go to dances now?â⬠I said. We never had before. School-sponsored social events? No way. ââ¬Å"Of course not. But you know thereââ¬â¢ll be all kinds of secret parties. Weââ¬â¢ll start at the dance and sneak off.â⬠She sighed happily. ââ¬Å"Miaââ¬â¢s so jealous she can barely stand it.â⬠She went on about all the stores weââ¬â¢d go to, all the things weââ¬â¢d buy. I admit, I was kind of excited at the thought of getting some new clothes, but I doubted Iââ¬â¢d actually get this mythical release. ââ¬Å"Oh hey,â⬠she said excitedly. ââ¬Å"You should see these shoes Camille let me borrow. I never knew we wore the same size. Hang on.â⬠She opened her backpack and began rifling through it. Suddenly, she screamed and threw it down. Books and shoes spilled out. So did a dead dove. It was one of the pale brown mourning doves that sat on wires along the freeway and under trees on campus. It had so much blood on it that I couldnââ¬â¢t figure out where the wound was. Who knew something so small even had that much blood? Regardless, the bird was definitely dead. Covering her mouth, Lissa stared wordlessly, eyes wide. ââ¬Å"Son of a bitch,â⬠I swore. Without hesitating, I grabbed a stick and pushed the little feathered body aside. When it was out of the way, I started shoving her stuff back into the backpack, trying not to think about dead-bird germs. ââ¬Å"Why the hell does this keep ââ¬â Liss!â⬠I leapt over and grabbed her, pulling her away. She had been kneeling on the ground, with her hand outstretched to the dove. I donââ¬â¢t think sheââ¬â¢d even realized what she was about to do. The instinct in her was so strong, it acted on its own. ââ¬Å"Lissa,â⬠I said, tightening my hand around hers. She was still leaning toward the bird. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t. Donââ¬â¢t do it.â⬠ââ¬Å"I can save it.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, you canââ¬â¢t. You promised, remember? Some things have to stay dead. Let this one go.â⬠Still feeling her tension, I pleaded. ââ¬Å"Please, Liss. You promised. No more healings. You said you wouldnââ¬â¢t. You promised me.â⬠After a few more moments, I felt her hand relax and her body slump against mine. ââ¬Å"I hate this, Rose. I hate all of this.â⬠Natalie walked outside then, oblivious to the gruesome sight awaiting her. ââ¬Å"Hey, do you guys ââ¬â oh my God!â⬠she squealed, seeing the dove. ââ¬Å"What is that?â⬠I helped Lissa as we rose to our feet. ââ¬Å"Another, um, prank.â⬠ââ¬Å"Is itâ⬠¦dead?â⬠She scrunched up her face in disgust. ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠I said firmly. Natalie, picking up on our tension, looked between the two of us. ââ¬Å"What else is wrong?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nothing.â⬠I handed Lissa her backpack. ââ¬Å"This is just someoneââ¬â¢s stupid, sick joke, and Iââ¬â¢m going to tell Kirova so they can clean this up.â⬠Natalie turned away, looking a little green. ââ¬Å"Why do people keep doing this to you? Itââ¬â¢s horrible.â⬠Lissa and I exchanged looks. ââ¬Å"I have no idea,â⬠I said. Yet as I walked to Kirovaââ¬â¢s office, I started to wonder. When weââ¬â¢d found the fox, Lissa had hinted that someone must know about the raven. I hadnââ¬â¢t believed that. Weââ¬â¢d been alone in the woods that night, and Ms. Karp wouldnââ¬â¢t have told anyone. But what if someone actually had seen? What if someone kept doing this not to scare her, but to see if sheââ¬â¢d heal again? What had the rabbit note said? I know what you are. I didnââ¬â¢t mention any of this to Lissa; I figured there were only so many of my conspiracy theories she could handle. Besides, when I saw her the next day, sheââ¬â¢d practically forgotten the dove in light of other news: Kirova had given me permission to go on the trip that weekend. The prospect of shopping can brighten a lot of dark situations ââ¬â even animal murder ââ¬â and I put my own worries on hold. Only, when the time came, I discovered my release came with strings attached. ââ¬Å"Headmistress Kirova thinks youââ¬â¢ve done well since coming back,â⬠Dimitri told me. ââ¬Å"Aside from starting a fight in Mr. Nagyââ¬â¢s class?â⬠ââ¬Å"She doesnââ¬â¢t blame you for that. Not entirely. I convinced her you needed a breakâ⬠¦and that you could use this as a training exercise.â⬠ââ¬Å"Training exercise?â⬠He gave me a brief explanation as we walked out to meet the others going with us. Victor Dashkov, as sickly as ever, was there with his guardians, and Natalie practically barreled into him. He smiled and gave her a careful hug, one that ended when a coughing fit took over. Natalieââ¬â¢s eyes went wide with concern as she waited for it to pass. He claimed he was fine to accompany us, and while I admired his resolve, I thought heââ¬â¢d be putting himself through a lot just to shop with a bunch of teenage girls. We rode out the two-hour trip to Missoula in a large school van, leaving just after sunrise. Many Moroi lived separately from humans, but many also lived among them, and when shopping at their malls, you had to go during their hours. The back windows of the van had tinted glass to filter the light and keep the worst of it away from the vampires. We had nine people in our group: Lissa, Victor, Natalie, Camille, Dimitri, me, and three other guardians. Two of the guardians, Ben and Spiridon, always traveled with Victor. The third was one of the schoolââ¬â¢s guardians: Stan, the jerk whoââ¬â¢d humiliated me on my first day back. ââ¬Å"Camille and Natalie donââ¬â¢t have personal guardians yet,â⬠Dimitri explained to me. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re both under the protection of their familiesââ¬â¢ guardians. Since they are Academy students leaving campus, a school guardian accompanies them ââ¬â Stan. I go because Iââ¬â¢m Lissaââ¬â¢s assigned guardian. Most girls her age wouldnââ¬â¢t have a personal guardian yet, but circumstances make her unusual.â⬠I sat in the back of the van with him and Spiridon, so they could dispense guardian wisdom to me as part of the ââ¬Å"training exercise.â⬠Ben and Stan sat up front, while the others sat in the middle. Lissa and Victor talked to each other a lot, catching up on news. Camille, raised to be polite among older royals, smiled and nodded along. Natalie, on the other hand, looked left out and kept trying to shift her fatherââ¬â¢s attention from Lissa. It didnââ¬â¢t work. Heââ¬â¢d apparently learned to tune out her chatter. I turned back to Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s supposed to have two guardians. Princes and princesses always do.â⬠Spiridon was Dimitriââ¬â¢s age, with spiky blond hair and a more casual attitude. Despite his Greek name, he had a Southern drawl. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t worry, sheââ¬â¢ll have plenty when the time comes. Dimitriââ¬â¢s already one of them. Odds are youââ¬â¢ll be one too. And thatââ¬â¢s why youââ¬â¢re here today.â⬠ââ¬Å"The training part,â⬠I guessed. ââ¬Å"Yup. Youââ¬â¢re going to be Dimitriââ¬â¢s partner.â⬠A moment of funny silence fell, probably not noticeable to anyone except Dimitri and me. Our eyes met. ââ¬Å"Guarding partner,â⬠Dimitri clarified unnecessarily, like maybe he too had been thinking of other kinds of partners. ââ¬Å"Yup,â⬠agreed Spiridon. Oblivious to the tension around him, he went on to explain how guardian pairs worked. It was standard stuff, straight from my textbooks, but it meant more now that Iââ¬â¢d be doing it in the real world. Guardians were assigned to Moroi based on importance. Two was a common grouping, one Iââ¬â¢d probably work in a lot with Lissa. One guardian stayed close to the target; the other stood back and kept an eye on the surroundings. Boringly, those holding these positions were called near and far guards. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll probably always be near guard,â⬠Dimitri told me. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re female and the same age as the princess. You can stay close to her without attracting any attention.â⬠ââ¬Å"And I canââ¬â¢t ever take my eyes off her,â⬠I noted. ââ¬Å"Or you.â⬠Spiridon laughed again and elbowed Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got a star student there. Did you give her a stake?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. Sheââ¬â¢s not ready.â⬠ââ¬Å"I would be if someone would show me how to use one,â⬠I argued. I knew every guardian in the van had a stake and a gun concealed on him. ââ¬Å"More to it than just using the stake,â⬠said Dimitri in his old-and-wise way. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve still got to subdue them. And youââ¬â¢ve got to bring yourself to kill them.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why wouldnââ¬â¢t I kill them?â⬠ââ¬Å"Most Strigoi used to be Moroi who purposely turned. Sometimes theyââ¬â¢re Moroi or dhampirs turned by force. It doesnââ¬â¢t matter. Thereââ¬â¢s a strong chance you might know one of them. Could you kill someone you used to know?â⬠This trip was getting less fun by the minute. ââ¬Å"I guess so. Iââ¬â¢d have to, right? If itââ¬â¢s them or Lissaâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"You might still hesitate,â⬠said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"And that hesitation could kill you. And her.â⬠ââ¬Å"Then how do you make sure you donââ¬â¢t hesitate?â⬠ââ¬Å"You have to keep telling yourself that they arenââ¬â¢t the same people you knew. Theyââ¬â¢ve become something dark and twisted. Something unnatural. You have to let go of attachments and do whatââ¬â¢s right. If they have any grain of their former selves left, theyââ¬â¢ll probably be grateful.â⬠ââ¬Å"Grateful for me killing them?â⬠ââ¬Å"If someone turned you into a Strigoi, what would you want?â⬠he asked. I didnââ¬â¢t know how to answer that, so I said nothing. Never taking his eyes off me, he kept pushing. ââ¬Å"What would you want if you knew you were going to be converted into a Strigoi against your will? If you knew you would lose all sense of your old morals and understanding of whatââ¬â¢s right and wrong? If you knew youââ¬â¢d live the rest of your life ââ¬â your immortal life ââ¬â killing innocent people? What would you want?â⬠The van had grown uncomfortably silent. Staring at Dimitri, burdened by all those questions, I suddenly understood why he and I had this weird attraction, good looks aside. Iââ¬â¢d never met anyone else who took being a guardian so seriously, who understand all the life-and-death consequences. Certainly no one my age did yet; Mason hadnââ¬â¢t been able to understand why I couldnââ¬â¢t relax and drink at the party. Dimitri had said I grasped my duty better than many older guardians, and I didnââ¬â¢t get why ââ¬â especially when they would have seen so much more death and danger. But I knew in that moment that he was right, that I had some weird sense of how life and death and good and evil worked with each other. So did he. We might get lonely sometimes. We might have to put our ââ¬Å"funâ⬠on hold. We might not be able to live the lives we wanted for ourselves. But that was the way it had to be. We understood each other, understood that we had others to protect. Our lives would never be easy. And making decisions like this one was part of that. ââ¬Å"If I became Strigoiâ⬠¦Iââ¬â¢d want someone to kill me.â⬠ââ¬Å"So would I,â⬠he said quietly. I could tell that heââ¬â¢d had the same flash of realization Iââ¬â¢d just had, that same sense of connection between us. ââ¬Å"It reminds me of Mikhail hunting Sonya,â⬠murmured Victor thoughtfully. ââ¬Å"Who are Mikhail and Sonya?â⬠asked Lissa. Victor looked surprised. ââ¬Å"Why, I thought you knew. Sonya Karp.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sonya Karâ⬠¦you mean, Ms. Karp? What about her?â⬠She looked back and forth between me and her uncle. ââ¬Å"Sheâ⬠¦became Strigoi,â⬠I said, not meeting Lissaââ¬â¢s eyes. ââ¬Å"By choice.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d known Lissa would find out some day. It was the final piece of Ms. Karpââ¬â¢s saga, a secret Iââ¬â¢d kept to myself. A secret that worried me constantly. Lissaââ¬â¢s face and bond registered complete and utter shock, growing in intensity when she realized Iââ¬â¢d known and never told. ââ¬Å"But I donââ¬â¢t know who Mikhail is,â⬠I added. ââ¬Å"Mikhail Tanner,â⬠said Spiridon. ââ¬Å"Oh. Guardian Tanner. He was here before we left.â⬠I frowned. ââ¬Å"Why is he chasing Ms. Karp?â⬠ââ¬Å"To kill her,â⬠said Dimitri flatly. ââ¬Å"They were lovers.â⬠The entire Strigoi thing shifted into new focus for me. Running into a Strigoi I knew during the heat of battle was one thing. Purposely hunting down someoneâ⬠¦someone Iââ¬â¢d loved. Well, I didnââ¬â¢t know if I could do that, even if it was technically the right thing. ââ¬Å"Perhaps it is time to talk about something else,â⬠said Victor gently. ââ¬Å"Today isnââ¬â¢t a day to dwell on depressing topics.â⬠I think all of us felt relieved to get to the mall. Shifting into my bodyguard role, I stuck by Lissaââ¬â¢s side as we wandered from store to store, looking at all the new styles that were out there. It was nice to be in public again and to do something with her that was just fun and didnââ¬â¢t involve any of the dark, twisted politics of the Academy. It was almost like old times. Iââ¬â¢d missed just hanging out. Iââ¬â¢d missed my best friend. Although it was only just past mid-November, the mall already had glittering holiday decorations up. I decided I had the best job ever. Admittedly, I did feel a little put out when I realized the older guardians got to stay in contact through cool little communication devices. When I protested my lack of one, Dimitri told me Iââ¬â¢d learn better without one. If I could handle protecting Lissa the old-fashioned way, I could handle anything. Victor and Spiridon stayed with us while Dimitri and Ben fanned out, somehow managing not to look like creepy stalker guys watching teenage girls. ââ¬Å"This is so you,â⬠said Lissa in Macyââ¬â¢s, handing me a low-cut tank top embellished with lace. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll buy it for you.â⬠I regarded it longingly, already picturing myself in it. Then, making my regular eye contact with Dimitri, I shook my head and handed it back. ââ¬Å"Winterââ¬â¢s coming. Iââ¬â¢d get cold.â⬠ââ¬Å"Never stopped you before.â⬠Shrugging, she hung it back up. She and Camille tried on a nonstop string of clothes, their massive allowances ensuring that price posed no problem. Lissa offered to buy me anything I wanted. Weââ¬â¢d been generous with each other our whole lives, and I didnââ¬â¢t hesitate to take her up on it. My choices surprised her. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got three thermal shirts and a hoodie,â⬠she informed me, flipping through a stack of BCBG jeans. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve gone all boring on me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey, I donââ¬â¢t see you buying slutty tops.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not the one who wears them.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks a lot.â⬠ââ¬Å"You know what I mean. Youââ¬â¢re even wearing your hair up.â⬠It was true. Iââ¬â¢d taken Dimitriââ¬â¢s advice and wrapped my hair up in a high bun, earning a smile when heââ¬â¢d seen me. If Iââ¬â¢d had molnija marks, they would have shown. Glancing around, she made sure none of the others could hear us. The feelings in the bond shifted to something more troubled. ââ¬Å"You knew about Ms. Karp.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah. I heard about it a month or so after she left.â⬠Lissa tossed a pair of embroidered jeans over her arm, not looking at me. ââ¬Å"Why didnââ¬â¢t you tell me?â⬠ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t need to know.â⬠ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t think I could handle it?â⬠I kept my face perfectly blank. As I stared at her, my mind was back in time, back to two years ago. Iââ¬â¢d been on day two of my suspension for allegedly destroying Wadeââ¬â¢s room when a royal party visited the school. Iââ¬â¢d been allowed to attend that reception too but had been under heavy guard to make sure I didnââ¬â¢t ââ¬Å"try anything.â⬠Two guardians escorted me to the commons and talked quietly with each other along the way. ââ¬Å"She killed the doctor attending her and nearly took out half the patients and nurses on her way out.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do they have any idea where she went?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, theyââ¬â¢re tracking herâ⬠¦but, well, you know how it is.â⬠ââ¬Å"I never expected her to do this. She never seemed like the type.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, well, Sonya was crazy. Did you see how violent she was getting near the end? She was capable of anything.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d been trudging along miserably and jerked my head up. ââ¬Å"Sonya? You mean Ms. Karp?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"She killed somebody?â⬠The two guardians exchanged looks. Finally, one said gravely, ââ¬Å"She became a Strigoi, Rose.â⬠I stopped walking and stared. ââ¬Å"Ms. Karp? Noâ⬠¦she wouldnââ¬â¢t haveâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m afraid so,â⬠the other one replied. ââ¬Å"Butâ⬠¦you should keep that to yourself. Itââ¬â¢s a tragedy. Donââ¬â¢t make it school gossip.â⬠I went through the rest of the night in a daze. Ms. Karp. Crazy Karp. Sheââ¬â¢d killed someone to become Strigoi. I couldnââ¬â¢t believe it. When the reception ended, Iââ¬â¢d managed to sneak off from my guardians and steal a few precious moments with Lissa. The bond had grown strong by now, and I hadnââ¬â¢t needed to see her face to know how miserable she was. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s wrong?â⬠I asked her. We were in a corner of the hallway, just outside the commons. Her eyes were blank. I could feel how she had a headache; its pain transferred to me. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦I donââ¬â¢t know. I just feel weird. I feel like Iââ¬â¢m being followed, like I have to be careful, you know?â⬠I didnââ¬â¢t know what to say. I didnââ¬â¢t think she was being followed, but Ms. Karp used to say the same thing. Always paranoid. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s probably nothing,â⬠I said lightly. ââ¬Å"Probably,â⬠she agreed. Her eyes suddenly narrowed. ââ¬Å"But Wade isnââ¬â¢t. He wonââ¬â¢t shut up about what happened. You canââ¬â¢t believe the things heââ¬â¢s saying about you.â⬠I could, actually but I didnââ¬â¢t care. ââ¬Å"Forget about him. Heââ¬â¢s nothing.â⬠ââ¬Å"I hate him,â⬠she said. Her voice was uncharacteristically sharp. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m on the committee with him for that fund-raiser, and I hate hearing him run his fat mouth every day and seeing him flirt with anything female that walks by. You shouldnââ¬â¢t be punished for what he did. He needs to pay.â⬠My mouth went dry. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s okayâ⬠¦I donââ¬â¢t care. Calm down, Liss.â⬠ââ¬Å"I care,â⬠she snapped, turning her anger on me. ââ¬Å"I wish there was a way I could get back at him. Some way to hurt him like he hurt you.â⬠She put her hands behind her back and paced back and forth furiously, her steps hard and purposeful. The hatred and anger boiled within her. I could feel it in the bond. It felt like a storm, and it scared the hell out of me. Wrapped around it all was an uncertainty, an instability that said Lissa didnââ¬â¢t know what to do but that she wanted desperately to do something. Anything. My mind flashed to the night with the baseball bat. And then I thought about Ms. Karp. She became a Strigoi, Rose. It was the scariest moment of my life. Scarier than seeing her in Wadeââ¬â¢s room. Scarier than seeing her heal that raven. Scarier than my capture by the guardians would be. Because just then, I didnââ¬â¢t know my best friend. I didnââ¬â¢t know what she was capable of. A year earlier, I would have laughed at anyone who said sheââ¬â¢d want to go Strigoi. But a year earlier, I also would have laughed at anyone who said sheââ¬â¢d want to cut her wrists or make someone ââ¬Å"pay.â⬠In that moment, I suddenly believed she might do the impossible. And I had to make sure she didnââ¬â¢t. Save her. Save her from herself. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re leaving,â⬠I said, taking her arm and steering her down the hall. ââ¬Å"Right now.â⬠Confusion momentarily replaced her anger. ââ¬Å"What do you mean? You want to go to the woods or something?â⬠I didnââ¬â¢t answer. Something in my attitude or words must have startled her, because she didnââ¬â¢t question me as I led us out of the commons, cutting across campus toward the parking lot where visitors came. It was filled with cars belonging to tonightââ¬â¢s guests. One of them was a large Lincoln Town Car, and I watched as its chauffeur started it up. ââ¬Å"Someoneââ¬â¢s leaving early,â⬠I said, peering at him from around a cluster of bushes. I glanced behind us and saw nothing. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢ll probably be here any minute.â⬠Lissa caught on. ââ¬Å"When you said, ?à ®Weââ¬â¢re leaving,ââ¬â¢ you meantâ⬠¦no. Rose, we canââ¬â¢t leave the Academy. Weââ¬â¢d never get through the wards and checkpoints.â⬠ââ¬Å"We donââ¬â¢t have to,â⬠I said firmly. ââ¬Å"He does.â⬠ââ¬Å"But how does that help us?â⬠I took a deep breath, regretting what I had to say but seeing it as the lesser of evils. ââ¬Å"You know how you made Wade do those things?â⬠She flinched but nodded. ââ¬Å"I need you to do the same thing. Go up to that guy and tell him to hide us in his trunk.â⬠Shock and fear poured out of her. She didnââ¬â¢t understand, and she was scared. Extremely scared. Sheââ¬â¢d been scared for weeks now, ever since the healing and the moods and Wade. She was fragile and on the edge of something neither of us understood. But through all of that, she trusted me. She believed I would keep her safe. ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠she said. She took a few steps toward him, then looked back at me. ââ¬Å"Why? Why are we doing this?â⬠I thought about Lissaââ¬â¢s anger, her desire to do anything to get back at Wade. And I thought about Ms. Karp ââ¬â pretty, unstable Ms. Karp ââ¬â going Strigoi. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m taking care of you,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t need to know anything else.â⬠At the mall in Missoula, standing between racks of designer clothes, Lissa asked again, ââ¬Å"Why didnââ¬â¢t you tell me?â⬠ââ¬Å"You didnââ¬â¢t need to know,â⬠I repeated. She headed toward the dressing room, still whispering with me. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re worried Iââ¬â¢m going to lose it. Are you worried Iââ¬â¢ll go Strigoi too?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. No way. That was all her. Youââ¬â¢d never do that.â⬠ââ¬Å"Even if I was crazy?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I said, trying to make a joke. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢d just shave your head and live with thirty cats.â⬠Lissaââ¬â¢s feelings grew darker, but she didnââ¬â¢t say anything else. Stopping just outside the dressing room, she pulled a black dress off the rack. She brightened a little. ââ¬Å"This is the dress you were born for. I donââ¬â¢t care how practical you are now.â⬠Made of silky black material, the dress was strapless and sleek, falling about to the knees. Although it had a slight flair at the hemline, the rest looked like it would definitely manage some serious clinging action. Super sexy. Maybe even challenge-the-school-dress-code sexy. ââ¬Å"That is my dress,â⬠I admitted. I kept staring at it, wanting it so badly that it ached in my chest. This was the kind of dress that changed the world. The kind of dress that started religions. Lissa pulled out my size. ââ¬Å"Try it on.â⬠I shook my head and started to put it back. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t. It would compromise you. One dress isnââ¬â¢t worth your grisly death.â⬠ââ¬Å"Then weââ¬â¢ll just get it without you trying it on.â⬠She bought the dress. The afternoon continued, and I found myself growing tired. Always watching and being on guard suddenly became a lot less fun. When we hit our last stop, a jewelry store, I felt kind of glad. ââ¬Å"Here you go,â⬠said Lissa, pointing at one of the cases. ââ¬Å"The necklace made to go with your dress.â⬠I looked. A thin gold chain with a gold-and-diamond rose pendant. Emphasis on the diamond part. ââ¬Å"I hate rose stuff.â⬠Lissa had always loved getting me rose things ââ¬â just to see my reaction, I think. When she saw the necklaceââ¬â¢s price, her smile fell away. ââ¬Å"Oh, look at that. Even you have limits,â⬠I teased. ââ¬Å"Your crazy spending is stopped at last.â⬠We waited for Victor and Natalie to finish up. He was apparently buying her something, and she looked like she might grow wings and fly away with happiness. I was glad. Sheââ¬â¢d been dying for his attention. Hopefully he was buying her something extra-expensive to make up for it. We rode home in tired silence, our sleep schedules all messed up by the daylight trip. Sitting next to Dimitri, I leaned back against the seat and yawned, very aware that our arms were touching. That feeling of closeness and connection burned between us. ââ¬Å"So, I canââ¬â¢t ever try on clothes again?â⬠I asked quietly not wanting to wake up the others. Victor and the guardians were awake, but the girls had fallen asleep. ââ¬Å"When you arenââ¬â¢t on duty, you can. You can do it during your time off.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t ever want time off. I want to always take care of Lissa.â⬠I yawned again. ââ¬Å"Did you see that dress?â⬠ââ¬Å"I saw the dress.â⬠ââ¬Å"Did you like it?â⬠He didnââ¬â¢t answer. I took that as a yes. ââ¬Å"Am I going to endanger my reputation if I wear it to the dance?â⬠When he spoke, I could barely hear him. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll endanger the school.â⬠I smiled and fell asleep. When I woke up, my head rested against his shoulder. That long coat of his-the duster-covered me like a blanket. The van had stopped; we were back at school. I pulled the duster off and climbed out after him, suddenly feeling wide awake and happy. Too bad my freedom was about to end. ââ¬Å"Back to prison,â⬠I sighed, walking beside Lissa toward the commons. ââ¬Å"Maybe if you fake a heart attack, I can make a break for it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Without your clothes?â⬠She handed me a bag, and I swung it around happily. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t wait to see the dress.â⬠ââ¬Å"Me either. If they let me go. Kirovaââ¬â¢s still deciding if Iââ¬â¢ve been good enough.â⬠ââ¬Å"Show her those boring shirts you bought. Sheââ¬â¢ll go into a coma. Iââ¬â¢m about ready to.â⬠I laughed and hopped up onto one of the wooden benches, pacing her as I walked along it. I jumped back down when I reached the end. ââ¬Å"They arenââ¬â¢t that boring.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know what to think of this new, responsible Rose.â⬠I hopped up onto another bench. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not that responsible.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey,â⬠called Spiridon. He and the rest of the group trailed behind us. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re still on duty. No fun allowed up there.â⬠ââ¬Å"No fun here,â⬠I called back, hearing the laughter in his voice. ââ¬Å"I swear ââ¬â shit.â⬠I was up on a third bench, near the end of it. My muscles tensed, ready to jump back down. Only when I tried to, my foot didnââ¬â¢t go with me. The wood, at one moment seemingly hard and solid, gave way beneath me, almost as though made of paper. It disintegrated. My foot went through, my ankle getting caught in the hole while the rest of my body tried to go in another direction. The bench held me, swinging my body to the ground while still seizing my foot. My ankle bent in an unnatural direction. I crashed down. I heard a cracking sound that wasnââ¬â¢t the wood. The worst pain of my life shot through my body. And then I blacked out. How to cite Vampire Academy Chapter 17, Essay examples
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Airline Industry Operation of Cargo
Question: Describe about the Airline Industry for Operation of Cargo. Answer: 1. The Airways does not operate in the separate cargo fleet, expects to increase the revenue from the operations of the cargo. The Airways is expecting to increase the revenue by 20%. The Airline Company was making a profit of 7% since last past year and now with the introduction of the 20 new Aircrafts the Airline Company has made a strategy to improve its financial statements and make a profit of more than 20%. The Airline is expecting to increase its revenues from the International operations, which is 50%. Therefore, Airlines has made certain strategies to cut the operations cost by almost half of the costs that are being incurred by the Airlines currently. The Airlines with the help of the new airplanes must attract new customers and provide the quality service. The cargo must expand its business to other locations as well where it can attract new customers. The service fees or the convenience fees can be charged that would be 10% of the fare to the customers. The airlines can p rovide the customers with the personalized offers. The airline can provide coupons for the online shopping with every booking of the tickets. 2. Therefore, the company should revise their services that are provided to the customers. Therefore, the focus should be laid on the e- services that are provided by the airlines. The Airline Company must attract more of the business travelers and provide them with the free offers. The offer must include free stay in a five star hotel for two days and the prices of the fares should minimal for the passengers who are taking more than 10 trips a year. it should rise in order to remain competitive in the market. 3. The Airline is losing its competitiveness. The trade around the world is growing. The4 competitors are gaining market share with respect to the faster ships, lower price and the innovative solutions. The value chain of the air cargo must offer better quality service and the operations efficiency that are safe and secure. With the question of improving competitiveness is more closely linked with the team efforts. The issues that should be taken care: Security: The cargo screening should be there. There should be the change in the air cargo, which affects the business. Quality: Cargo is the competitive business and it is being analyzed that around 95% of the cargo goes by sea and the rest 10% by air. In case, there is a delay customers should be known beforehand about it. Rates: The rates should not be unnecessarily discounted. wasting money should promotions for the wrong customers is irrelevant. Resources: The resources should not be misallocated to the unprofitable segments of the production. 4. The company should look at the internal conditions and use the common tool of the value chain. The value chain identifies the employee skills, infrastructure, technology, operations that are being used by the company. To communicate with the external environment the Company should understand its SWOT Analysis, PESTEL framework and the Porters five forces model. Bibliography Aslani, S., Modarres, M. and Sibdari, S., 2014. On the fairness of airlines ticket pricing as a result of revenue management techniques.Journal of Air Transport Management,40, pp.56-64. Denizci Guillet, B. and Mohammed, I., 2015. Revenue management research in hospitality and tourism: A critical review of current literature and suggestions for future research.International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,27(4), pp.526-560. Kim, W.C. and Mauborgne, R., 2014.Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant. Harvard Business Review Press. Merkert, R. and OFee, B., 2013. Efficient procurement of public air servicesLessons learned from European transport authorities' perspectives.Transport Policy,29, pp.118-125.
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