A Letter from Birmingham Jail

Reflection of â€Å"A Letter from Birmingham Jail† by Martin Luther Kingjr. For our honors portfolio this quarter we were required to read three documents. We, then, were quizzed over each of the readings. First, we read â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail† by Martin Luther King, Jr. , then, we read the transcript of President John F. Kennedys inaugural address, and last but not least, we read â€Å"Millennial Makeover† by Morley Winograd and Michael Hals.Furthermore, we had to read and analyze the documents because the quizzes required us to think deeper than the written words on the paper. I believe these documents are critical because they have shaped the government and our society today. My favorite of these three documents, if I had to pick. would be â€Å"Letter from a Birmingham Jail†, not only because I admire Martin Luther King Jr. , but also because this letter Is a very powerful and Inspiring piece of work.Luther wrote while being confined in a jail in Birmingham, Alabama, for participating in civil rights demonstrations. His letter states that he will continue resisting nonviolently against racial discrimination and pleads the readers to see segregation from a different point f view. Moreover, I noticed that he quoted many people including Apostle Paul, St. Augustine, Reinhold Niebuhr and many others. This made me realize that he most likely had the quotations memorized since he didn't have access to those sources while imprisoned.He mentions that â€Å"injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere† and that â€Å"an unjust law is no law at all† (Luther). This means that an unjust law causes harm; for example, If it Is lawful to torture a certain group of people, then that is not a law whatsoever. This idea of injustice affects many directly, ut also affects everyone else indirectly in the fact that prejudice is occurring around them. Furthermore, his words describe in detail what segregation was Ilke and what people like him had to go through.This impacted me because now, the idea of racial discrimination is completely frowned upon, while in the 1900's it was something that seemed right and normal. It took years of hard work, bloody massacres. and non-stop action to obtain equality and I hate to see that a little bit of racism still exists today. The idea that immigrants are taking away Jobs and opportunities that should be for U. S. citizens. surprises me because this country was founded and created by immigrants.Instead of seeing different countries and different people in one world, we should see the whole world as one, because every human being, no matter what race. has his/her own rights and should have the same opportunities that his neighbor does. Luther is one of the most charismatic and persuasive people in history and has not only inspired many, but also revolutionized a country's view. He wrote this letter hoping to stir up some emotion and I think he got his point a cross in very non-violent and mature kind of way that was unexpected and at the same time, admirable.His stance ofa nonviolent action and the desperate cry for an end to social discrimination is as powerful now as It was 50 years ago. We now stand by these liberal values and believe the God has made us all equal and has given us n r gnts tnat no law can take away. A tnougn tnls was not an easy project, I certainly did learn something from it and it inspired me to stand up for my beliefs, but also, in a way, allowed me to see that anything is possible through hard work.

Difference between growing up in rich and a poor family Essay

My character, physical, emotional, and psychological development would drastically be different had I been born and raised in a poor family as opposed to a rich family. Growing up in a rich family, I would be more or less secure in a lot of aspects. For example, I wouldn’t worry about my basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and education, among others. My emotional and psychological development would also be nourished as I would be provided with things that would facilitate my growth such as toys and books, among others. It can also be said that I would also be physically fit as I will always have ample food. In short, in a rich family, I would have a well-provided and highly secure life in which most aspects of my growth and development would flourish. On the other hand, growing in an impoverished family would have significantly different circumstances. I wouldn’t have a guaranteed education nor would I be assured of my basic needs. My emotional and psychological development would be very difficult as I may become envious of rich people and even development a feeling of resentment and shame towards my family’s status. Since I wouldn’t always have enough food, most of the time I would be physically unhealthy or malnourished. According to article, â€Å"The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap of What We Know and What We Do,† which was done by Harvard University’s National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, the early stages of childhood is a critical stage in the over-all development of a person. In the article, it is said that the early development of â€Å"cognitive skills, emotional well-being, social competence, and sound physical and mental health† (4) lays a strong foundation for success into adulthood. Moreover, the article also noted that high levels of stress in childhood can significantly affect a person’s behavior and physical and mental health. Meaning to say, the circumstances and the environment during childhood can significantly affect my emotional, physical, and psychological status which is why growing in a rich family and poor family can be significantly different from each other. *Word Count : 354 Works Cited â€Å"The Science of Early Childhood Development. † January 2007. National Scientific Council On The Developing Child, Harvard University. 29 January 2009 .

A Bakery Business Of Your Own

Making a Bakery Business Plan Coming up with a bakery business plan is one of the first things to do if you intent to start a bakery business of your own. Bakery business can prove to be one of the most rewarding businesses at start because of the personal involvement as well as the good profits that can start pouring in as soon as you begin. Bakery business is one where you can remain involved in every aspect from baking to selling and buying ingredients. A business plan is the only thing that can make a bakery business run in a convenient and controlled manner. You will need an effective and well written bakery business plan to help you succeed. It can help to control the overwhelming bakery day to day business and run things in a much organized and expected way. How to Make a Bakery Business Plan Making a bakery business plan is essential before actually starting the business. It is the way of carrying out business and should include a plan of operation for every aspect of your bakery business. Here we have broken up the idea of a business plan for your convenience that will help you in making and putting together a sound bakery business plan. The First Part The first part of your business plan should focus on how you will run the day to day operations of your bakery business and make everything go smoothly. The Second Part The second part of the business plan should include all the equipment you will need to operate the bakery business. From pans to pots, spoons to ovens and everything else, it should be very clearly mentioned. This part should also include the day to day operations and the maintenance that will be needed by the equipment after every few months. This part should also include the preventive maintenance on this equipment as well as it will prepare you for any eventually too that might occur with the machines. The Third Part The third part of bakery business plan should include your menu of foods and drinks that you will be serving to the customers. This is the most important part of business plan as it can prove to be the ultimate drawing point to your bakery. The Fourth Part The fourth part of your bakery business plan will be about the way you will deliver bakery products to the customers. Presentation and serving play a very crucial role in promoting any business especially eatables. The Fifth Part The fifth part of bakery business plan is very crucial as it discusses the finances needed to start a Bakery Business. You should know if you are going to finance the plan yourself and have enough capital to put the business ogether or will you borrow the money from family, friends or a bank; will you use credit cards or seek partnership to finance the business. All these questions need serious thinking before taking any step towards establishing a bakery business. The Sixth Part The sixth part of a business plan figures out where your bakery will be located. Are you going to rent or lease a shop or will you buy a separate place? All these questions are important as a good location can help to make a business successful and draw customers mor e easily rather than being located at a place where no one can come. Before you actually put the wheels in motion to start a bakery business, it is important to take time and figure out if this is the business for you that can help to shape your future. Starting a bakery business can be hard job and it can only be made successful with a sound and foolproof business plan and attention to detail. Making a business plan with help you really understand if this is the kind of business you want to start and if you can carry off this venture successfully. It will also help you to stay ahead on the business set up and establish a thriving bakery

Policy advice Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Policy advice - Research Paper Example East Asia countries and other western countries had established a course towards progressive development, amongst them Japan, Italy, West Germany and France (Zakaria 49). It should be noted that after the fall of the Bretton Woods system in 1970s, occasioned by the growing international trade, the stock market crash of 1973-1974 and monetary economics, countries that emerged later focused on strong economic policies. The rise of BRICs especially China was therefore a progressive and steady economic growth having learnt from the various depressions. It appears that such economies thrived on protective policies. The US may consider analyzing such foreign policies to unravel their contributions to economic growth and see whether they may be applicable for the US case (Masters 1). Emerging economies such as China, Russia, and India have established competitive economic policies. India has a steadily rising economy, which is poised to be very competitive in the next decade. China’s economic rise in the global market has boomed in what appears to be a plan that was awaiting implementation. China is has practically overtaken the US and other western countries on the African continent and other areas. It has steadily rising middle class. The US should not sit back and watch or accept that global economics have changed, but conduct an assessment aimed at reclaiming her position on global economic front. It may take time to recover but it will certainly reverse the US economic trend (Zakaria 98). In the meantime, the US should formulate policies aimed at short-term recovery of micro-economy of the small states as leader negotiates a fair global competition for goods and patent rights of all countries. Should countries realize real global integration, it would still be wise to formulate acceptable rules of economic engagement for equitable benefit to enable all countries realize benefits of economic integration. The US may consider treating developing countries as

Book Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Book Review - Essay Example The intended audience is quite broad, as the author strives to encompass individuals who would like to improve their communication skills and interpersonal interactions beyond verbal communication. Components of the book are factual and the author’s presentation of the material was not technical as evidenced by her informal writing style. One will also find a mixture of information and opinion, along with many examples from authentic or imagined situations. The book is well structured, with an introduction, nine chapters and a plethora of references at the end. The chapters have general titles and are succinctly and sequentially presented into mini sections Author’s Purpose The use of the word â€Å"Power† in book’s title gives away the author’s tendency to see body language as a technique for enhancing a person’s ability to control the world, and other people, through body language. I strongly confirm the position that the author used social engineering methodologies to illustrate her points of view relative to the power of body language. Through anecdotal stories, the author demonstrated how she â€Å"helped† people to change their personal presentation style. There seemed also to be a bias towards creating certain conformity, especially for women. For example, the case study of â€Å"Cindy† who preferred wearing â€Å"tight suits and stilettos† (p. 14) and was transformed in two or three weeks from â€Å"overdone office floozy to striking young professional† (p. 14). This stereotypical language betrays a tendency in the book to dramatize and over-simplify, and for my own professional purposes, I would be much more accepting and respectful of the choices people make in their own non-verbal language. The book also has a tendency to make general judgments about a person’s appearance such as â€Å"In today’s world having yellow teeth is like dying a slow social death†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 230). There may be reasons such as illness, medication, poverty and/or depression which can contribute to an individual’s appearance falling outside of the â€Å"ideal† professional look. Also, it appears that the author spoke in generalities and may have minimized medical conditions and/or multi-cultural values and norms contributing to an individual’s appearance or body language. The author implies that transformation is within reach of every reader. For many people who are overweight or underweight, older than average, living with disability or any number of other physical and social challenges, this is too simplistic. Just advising people to â€Å"lose the weight† and pointing out that â€Å"a landmark Harvard study found that overweight women earn an average of $6,710 less a year than women who are not overweight† (p. 215) could actually be a harmful reinforcement of social prejudice. These observations show that the author wants to pro mote a particular and rather elitist view of body language as an extension of a dominant and successful personality. This may reflect a preoccupation with the worlds of media and business, and this means that the purpose of the book is to address issues in these areas, rather than in general educational or therapeutic contexts. Personal Reaction I found this to be an interesting book; with many useful tips, but at the same time I did not warm to the author’s style. The breezy and casual tone suggested to me that the author

OHSA Fall Prevention Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

OHSA Fall Prevention - Essay Example After an upsurge in 2007, fatal work accidents were trimmed by 20% down in the following year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (OSHA, 2008). Nevertheless, fall-related occupational deaths are still the major cause of job-related accidents, accounting for about 8% of occupational fatalities. Working at more than 4 feet height poses risks of falling to workers, especially, to those who work in building constructions (OSHA, 2008). Regardless of the falling height, industrial and construction workers must be protected from fall. This paper presented that the key step in the prevention of fall or any work-related injury is the identification and elimination of hazards. Any worker, exposed to fall hazards, is at risk to trauma or death. In industrial works, construction workers are more prone to fall accidents. Fall hazards in construction sites are primarily due to falling debris and elevated working area. Stairways and ladders, for instance, are frequent cause of trauma and fatality among construction workers. Annually, based on OSHA estimates, about 25,000 injuries and around 36 fatalities are recorded from stairway and ladder fall accidents (NC-DOL, 2008). Many of these accidents, on the basis of the assessment, could have prevented if the construction firm has complied with the OSHA safety requirements. Thus, OSHA rules cover every stairway and ladder used in the construction or industrial works, including their repair, structure, and decoration. OSHA also specifies the technical properties, designs, and manufacture of stairway and ladder appropriate for industrial works. Fall accidents may also involve leading edges and floor holes. Still, fa ll may occur on the same level due to tripping and slipping hazards. As mentioned earlier, the effective prevention of falls necessitates the identification and immediate control of fall hazards. This requires the collaborative effort of engineering, safety, estimating, and production personnel,

Name etymology theme Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Name etymology theme - Essay Example Neither of these names is rare or unusual for my country, yet there are some interesting points to concentrate upon while researching their etymology. First of all, I would like to mention that my first name, Mai, actually exists in several different cultures and languages. For instance, Mai is as popular Japanese name meaning "brightness" (www.babynames.com). In some languages of the Native Americans, Mai meant "coyote" (www.babynameworld.com). Mai can be regarded as a pet name from Margaret (from Latin "pearl") or Mary (from Hebrew "bitter" or Latin "the star of the ocean"). The name Mai exits in the Swedish and Chinese languages as well. In Vietnam, the names given to the girls normally have literal meanings associated with beauty or art - very often the etymology of the names is connected with the names of flowers, plants or birds. So, my name Mai in Vietnamese means "cherry blossom". (Female Vietnamese names) In Vietnamese, Mai is a very popular name for girls, and as far as my family's history is concerned, the reason why I was given this name was that my Dad obviously wanted me to be very much like my Mum whose middle name is Mai as well, and therefore he insisted that I should be named this way. Thi is, according to the research, the most popular female middle name, and it means "ancestry", "clan".

Capital Market Theories Market Efficiency Versus Investor Prospects Essay

Capital Market Theories Market Efficiency Versus Investor Prospects - Essay Example One example of such services is information technology consultancy provided by the external auditors to their audit clients. This approach was an already existing policy of many good governance advocates. The huge scandals that involved companies like, Enron and WorldCom, who were associated with accounting frauds characterized by presentation of obscure, incomplete and confusing financial data and business relationships that had misled external investors, had suggested the necessity to introduce an act that will impose strict regulations on the accounting system all over the world, thereby giving rise to a robust governance framework. That being said, it is not surprising that following the scandals, the reforms that were brought in the post-SOX governance framework were mostly related to the process of auditing and presenting financial data. The largest dollar impact on the US economy was stimulated by the post-SOX changes made in the auditing regulations. The post-SOX reforms were directed towards eliminating and reducing relationships that may pressurize, tempt or influence an external auditor into acting in a biased manner towards their corporate clients. The underlying idea behind these changes was to render the auditing officials less likely to fall into the pattern of acting as reciprocating relatives. This was done in order to satisfy their interests at the expense of the investments made by the public. As far as the new audit related changes in the board of governance is concerned, the mandates had called for changes to be made in the managerial level in order to reduce any conflict of interest and interpersonal pressures. This reform was brought primarily because it would require the directors to act as judgmental monitors of management instead of acting as a reciprocating friend. In addition to these rules that emphasized on conflict reduction, other standards were also

Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking in Latin America Research Paper

Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking in Latin America - Research Paper Example â€Å"Latin America and the Caribbean have the highest rates of gender violence of any region of the world excluding fundamentalist Muslim countries, where statistics are not kept and discrimination against women is institutionalized† (â€Å"Half†). This paper will focus primarily on Latin America (namely Colombia and Ecuador) and the human trafficking and domestic violence issues these two countries face, the reasons for the prevalence of these issues in these countries, and what can be and is being done about them. According to Berry, â€Å"domestic violence† refers to â€Å"abuse by one person of another in an intimate relationship† (1). Domestic abuse is not restricted to husband-wife or boyfriend-girlfriend, but can also include sibling abuse, elder abuse, and child abuse; however, for this paper, the focus on violence against women will be discussed. Berry goes on to discuss the lack of boundaries in the issue of domestic violence; she states that â€Å"statistics have proven that abuse knows no boundaries: racial, ethnic, religious, or socioeconomic. It occurs among the very rich and the very poor, the highly educated and the illiterate, in all parts of the world† (9). Domestic abuse not only indicates foundational disintegration within a family unit, but can also be an indicator of the same sort of internal rot at a societal level. â€Å"It emerges as a serious violation of human rights that abrogates the women’s right to dignity, equality, autonomy, and physical and mental well being,† state Mehrotra and Banerjee, observing the issue at the personal level. Nodding at the societal level, Mehrotra and Banerjee go on to say that â€Å"violence is not only a manifestation of unequal, disempowering and unjust power relations, but is also a costly economic phenomenon resulting in significant looses of productive potential† (38). A country cannot move forward and hold itself back at the same time. A land cannot be both full of success

Strategic management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Strategic management - Term Paper Example The paper tells that strategic management pertains with the aspect of strengthening the performance of employees, as well as managers to help improve the company’s performance and increase their service proficiencies. Concerning strategic management, this study will dwell on performance management as it is believed to be the core function of strategic management to help employees to improve their skills, knowledge and attitude within a workplace. Employee performance is important because this is a base for having long-term relationship with clients who will become potentially returning clients that will be seeking health care services. Employee performance won’t be able to become competitive without the guidance of strategic management because this is one of the most reliable tools to maintain the highest possible professionalism which can be applied to the organization’s employees. As a consultant, it is essential to provide a brief examination of the organizati on’s performance to determine all kinds of employee performance that will be the center for improvement. The study has chosen health care organization because health care organizations are, to some extent, based on employee’s performance due to the health care services they offer to clients needing medical attention. Health care organization has its own management structures that are operated by different non-medical employees and staff members to handle non-medical related activities. This includes human resources management that is responsible for structuring staff positions to make work limitations for staff in order to to work efficiently, as well as to increase the organized structure of the health care organization. This study will seek to find out all kinds of issues that concern management structures effecting the operations of health care organizations at a specific period of time. Health care organizations give more impression through health care services but people are not aware that there are management structures within the framework of these organizations, as showed by Luelco (2008). They have uniquely organized structure that is different from that of business organizations; that is why these organizations have unique management structures which can be relied on as a role model for other institutions. Health care organization requires significant amount of management procedures in order to create organized structure of health care services that will be available and accessible to the public. Health care organization cannot operate effectively without well-organized process of management because management helps to organize all kinds of operations and facilities that will benefit health care organization’s degree of rendering its services to the public. This study will seek to present the significance of management structure that exists within health care organizations so that the reader can understand and appreciate the stud y by having additional knowledge regarding management principles that can exist within other organizations, not only in health care institutions, as claimed by Castillejos (2007). Human Resources: Strategy and Role within Organizations The human resources will be governed by the supervising manager that will be responsible for improving the performance of employees, as well as

Leading and managing change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Leading and managing change - Essay Example here for which trade-offs are necessary they are inconsistencies in reputation or image, different configurations are essential for different positions, etc. A strategy which is framed by an organization enables a firm to achieve the best fit amongst all its activities. In this study a critical analysis will be performed on different theories which describe the major aspects of strategic planning. The entire study would even highlight the difference between operational effectiveness and strategic planning. On the other hand the study would even outline the importance of leadership to manage such strategic planning. These strategy formulations often lead to widespread changes throughout the system. In context of change management it is essential that appropriate leadership approach is adopted so that change can be communicated effectively throughout an organization. It is even important that there is a common goal set for the change so that all team members can efficiently accomplish the set goals or objectives. The company to be focused on is Toyota Motor Corporation. Over the years this multinational corporation has been able to set high quality standards and believes in constantly upgrading its business operations so that best service and products can be delivered to the customers. In this particular study strategic planning objectives and change management initiatives associated with Toyota Company would be thoroughly analyzed and will be related to theoretical frameworks. Strategy is a mechanism which brings forth stability in an organization and there are various factors which actually defines well the concept of strategy. A strategy which is adopted by an organization sets forth a new direction for the organization; it defines an organization, focuses on overall effort of an organization and even provides required consistency so that an organization can achieve its desired goals and objectives (Whittington, 2001). In the present scenario there is an

Economics Paper Essay Example for Free

Economics Paper Essay 1: Define the term ‘equilibrium price’: The price at which quantity demanded by consumers and the quantity of goods and services supplied by firms is the same. 3: With the help of an appropriate diagram and the information in extract B, explain why the world price of sugar changed in 2009: The price of sugar rose to $0.40 per kilo in 2009 this is shown in the extract as it states that in 2009 prices in New York and London rose by 52% to its highest in almost three years. The diagram below shows how the inward shift of supply caused by poor crop harvests and India’s %40 fall in output of sugar affected the price of sugar due to its scarcity, leading to the %52 rise in price of sugar. Another factor that could have had an effect on the price of sugar would have been in 2008 there were poor crop harvests that year – this led to a low level of supply in 2008 which raised the price of sugar due to its scarcity. This poor harvest would have had something to do with the land quality –this may have affected the harvest in 2009. Supply constraints also had an effect, as due heavy rainfall the Columbian crop was damaged – the rain also washed away some of the roads used to transport the products from the field to the market. So whatever crop the farmers managed to save from the rain was then prevented from reaching market, this would have contributed to the price rise in a way similar to the diagram above. India is a main producer of sugar, so much so that its sugar output is a critical factor in determining the world price of sugar. India’s output was forecast to fall by %40 so only 15million tonnes of sugar would have been produced in the growing season – this is well below India’s sugar consumption of 23million tonnes a year. This would mean that India wouldn’t be inclined to export much of its sugar as there’s already a deficit of supply in its own country. Although, with this large fall in supply there’ll most likely be a rise in sugar price in India – the people may not be willing or able to pay the new price so whatever amount of sugar is leftover could be exported, at a price which would lead to the %52 rise in London and New York sugar prices.

5 Basic Principles Of Energy Security

5 Basic Principles Of Energy Security Energy security is put in first place among the priorities facing the European Union. Although the problems of ensuring energy security were standing in front of a united Europe from the beginning of the integration process in recent years they have acquired the greatest relevance and importance for the EU. This is due to the fact that today the EU depends 50% on external energy supplies to its market and on the policies pursued by supplier states. In addition, European countries are concerned about the well-known problems with the energy supply for them against the backdrop of turmoil between Russia, as the main EU energy supplier and Belarus and Ukraine, through whose territory the Russian hydrocarbons are delivered to the West. Russian-Ukrainian standoff on the issue of gas prices and transportation is the major concern of EU member states and compel them to talk about the need to diversify energy supplies. Concentrating 7% of world population, more than a quarter of world GDP and 20% of world trade, the EU has only 2% of the worlds black gold and 4% natural gas. Limitation of its own resource base in Europe accounts for a significant dependence of the EU on external energy supplies. The European natural gas market is the third largest in the world. The volume of gas consumption in EU countries reached 513 billion m3 (21% of world consumption). Russia is the second largest EU oil supplier and provides 33% of the EU black gold needs. The Russian Gazprom is the leader in EU natural gas supplies with 46% of total. If we talk about security of energy supplies, the main task in this area is the energy sectors geographical and resource diversification i.e. the expansion of supply sources, supply routes and pipelines. The EU security in energy sector NABUKO I EU The European Union is seeking to protect self from energy dependence on Russia with diversification of natural gas supplies policy by agreements with non-conventional energy suppliers, the Caspian states (Caspian states have only 4-5% of worlds gas reserves). But due to the unreliability of Russian energy supplies through third countries (Belarus and Ukraine) as well as the possibility of using Russian resources as a political tool, transporting Caspian Sea hydrocarbons (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) to the West has acquired great importance to the EU. Improve supply reliability and energy security EU responsible implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor. The planned corridor is composed of three parts: the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline (the project provides for delivery of natural gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan), Baku Tbilisi Erzurum (from Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey) and Nabucco (from Turkish territory, via Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary Austria). Thus, the reliability of energy supply in Europe is due to the changing geography of supply, increasing the number of exporting countries, the creation of new infrastructure facilities. In the face of increasing competition from non-traditional suppliers of hydrocarbons Russia is very important to maintain the competitiveness of their energy in the European market, to ensure effective and reliable conditions for their transit to Western Europe. From the European Union course to diversify energy imports implies Russias post-Soviet space deterrence, to avoid direct or indirect control by the latter over the mining sector and transit infrastructure in surrounding areas. Revealing in this regard, the role of such organizations as the GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova), which can be an active participant in non-Russian energy supplies to European markets. Major energy projects GUAM is the White Stream. White Stream the idea of the Ukrainian side to diversify natural gas supplies to Europe and Ukraine and reducing dependence on Russia. According to the concept of developers this pipeline should pass along the Eurasian oil transport corridor, i.e. from Azerbaijan to the Georgian port of Supsa, and then across the Black Sea to Ukraine and onward to the EU, bypassing Russia. From a geopolitical point of view, the creation of transport corridor from east to west, bypassing Russia, on a plan of Brussels, will: To diversify energy supplies to reduce dependence of the EU from Russia and thus ensure energy security; Dismantle the transport system of the former Soviet Union, largely through the territory of Russia and provides strategic control over the export of Central Asian energy resources; Open the path to European Union cooperation with countries seeking to establish independent from Russian energy transportation routes; Establish control over the hydrocarbon resources of the region and not to allow these resources were available to Russia; At the expense of control over energy resources to ensure the establishment of political control over the countries of the region; Set the geopolitical pluralism, independence (from Russia), the newly independent states. Implementation of the EU projects such as the Nabucco, whose design capacity is 30 billion m 3 of gas per year, is a complex challenge for the Russias national interests towards Europe and tangibly affect Russias foreign policy and foreign economic activity. Russian energy resources development and policy Energy policy Russias European direction is traditionally occupies a leading position in trade of fuel and energy resources. The EU has come 53% of Russian oil exports and 62% natural gas. For Russia, with its unique geographical and geopolitical position, the problem of transit of energy resources are of particular importance, since it depends on the transit of hydrocarbons in the main markets of third countries. This implies the task of ensuring uninterrupted supplies of Russian energy exports to Europe. Improving energy security EU calls for Russia to develop and implement a wide range of policy and energy initiatives aimed at diversifying sources of supply of hydrocarbons. Passionate desire of Russia to find new routes for transporting oil and gas to the EU, bypassing the neighbors (Belarus and Ukraine), good reason: a choice of routes is important because it allows not depending on the mood of the transit country. Currently, construction of the North European Gas Pipeline Northern stream » (Nord Stream) will run under the Baltic Sea from Vyborg, Russia to Greifswald Germany. Capacity will be 55 billion m 3 of natural gas per year. Implementation of this project will help solve the problem of diversification of export flows of gas, will expand supply in Western Europe and the implementation of Russias obligations under the concluded and the future long-term contracts for the supply of natural gas. The second project is the South Stream (South Stream), which will run under the Black Sea from Novorossiysk to the Bulgarian port of Varna, and then divide into two branches and will pass through Serbia and Hungary to Austria through Greece to southern Italy. Capacity will reach 60 billion m 3 of natural gas per year. The main objective of these projects is to provide direct communication between the seller (Russia) and customers (Western, Central and South-Eastern Europe), bypassing the territory of Belarus and Ukraine, through which the now Russian natural gas to the EU through pipelines Urengoi Pomary Uzhgorod and Yamal Europe. As a Eurasian power, Russia is naturally interested in a free hand in its energy policy in all directions. At the end raises the question of correcting the current asymmetry of Russian energy exports in favor of the eastern direction. Russias national interest is to diversify markets for energy resources, expanding the geography of supplies of hydrocarbons. Due to this, Russia reduces dependence on the potential risks and, of course, opens up new and promising markets. To enter the Asia-Pacific region will create a pipeline Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline, which would connect the oil fields of Western and Eastern Siberia to the ports of Primorsky Territory in Russia and provide access to the markets of the Asia Pacific region. This pipeline capacity of 80 million tonnes a year must pass from the Taishet (Irkutsk region), north of Lake Baikal through Skovorodino (Amur region) in the Pacific Kozmino Bay (Primorsky Krai). The priority of Russian foreign energy policy includes the construction of a branch in China from being built oil pipeline Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean. Power outlet will be 15 million tones a year. The implementation of the above projects will provide an opportunity to solve simultaneously the two most important geo-economic and geopolitical objectives: provide a way out of Russian crude oil to the rapidly growing market of the Asia and the Pacific region and reduce dependence on the main buyer of energy. Tendencies of development of world energy markets and energy security issues Malo history, why energy is needed, crucial statistics In our fast developing world, according to recent prognosis, energy consumption can grow up to 30% within next 15 years. World oil demand can became higher for 42% and natural gas consumption will rise for about 60%. Todays world market is characterised with four most important circumstances: sharp rise of energy demand in developing Asian countries (up to 45% of perspective world growth in oil consumption) increasing gap between demand and production volume of gas in economically developed countries (for example, by 2020 between 60% and 70% of gas consumption in Europe will be provided with the account of imports) insufficient capacity for the production, processing and transportation of oil and gas as well as the limited possibilities of new sites insufficient transparency of world energy market All these conditions presented to the fore the problem of energy security. Also, the globalization process with which the world has faced in the twentieth century, directly affect the sphere of world energetic  [1]  . The enormous energy demand growth in Asia intensified competition for stable and cheap energy sources and in many parts of the world (especially rich in energy resources) occurring instability and conflicts. These circumstances contribute to energy instability and large fluctuations in energy prices. World reserves of cheap energy are reduced, crossed the zenith of production while consumption is growing steadily. In light of these circumstances should be considered global processes in the energy sector. If we take in consideration allocation of worlds energy reserves, it can be seen that every part of the world has some reserves or reserves are allocated within reasonable range (e.g. Russia energy reserves are sufficient to cover rising European demand, Gulf of Mex ico and Venezuela reserves are most convenient to America) Dijagrami. Experts assessment say that there is sufficient energy reserves, but the cost of exploitation going to be sufficiently higher. World of cheap and accessible energy is definitely behind us. It is necessary to mention climate change and slowly growing tendency of reduction in CO2 emissions which will affect the consumption of fossil fuels but the global demand will not be reduced. Achieving global energy security will be reached by the world community implementation of measures in three main areas: Reliable supply of the world economy traditional forms of energy; Increase the efficiency of energy resources and environmental protection; Development and use of new energy sources. All world and especially developed countries and largest energy suppliers have to contribute to achieving energy security. Basic principles of energy security Despite all the differences in the approaches of major states, there are common points in the understanding energy security. In fact, it is possible to isolate the basic principles that are more or less shared by all states. Energy security is the mutual responsibility of both the energy consumer and the energy supplier. This is acknowledged by all, but the problems arise where the consumer and provider begin to demand each from other guaranties of supply or pay for these supplies. For example, in a moderate variant, the demand for guaranties of supply can lead to the consumers request to allow him representing the economic interests of the company for development and transportation of energy resources in the provider country. This is the case where the EU requires from Russia opening its energy sector for European investments. On the other hand, Russia sets requirements of direct accessing to the customer delivery systems. In the radical version assurance of supply can be expressed in direct political and economic dictation towards supplier country, up to carrying out military operations against them. Also, in the recent history we have witnessed that supplier country can impose measures such as deliver y cutoffs, which affected not only targeted countries but many others (Russia Ukraine and Russia Belarus disputes). However, there is a third option, presented by Asian countries. It is the willingness to guarantee delivery due on the one hand, the participation of companies representing the economic interests of consumers in developing energy resources in the provider country, on the other playing by the rules of the provider country and investing heavily in infrastructure, mining and transportation. In this case, it is not a simple commodity-payment scheme, but a more complex investment, insurance and other contractual relationships. The consumer provides his assurance of supply at the expense of investment in infrastructure provider, so as to optimize the supply chain, making it more modern, less costly, etc. Suppliers, allowing consumers to develop projects in their territory introduce not only secure and stable market, but also a strategic investor. Thus, we are talking about the principle of responsibility and interdependence of consumer and provider  [2]  . Further, despite the limited number of countries that act as energy suppliers, development of events shows that there is competition between them; moreover, the very limited number of suppliers can toughen this competition. Factor that stimulates competition among providers is definitely another principle called diversification of sources and suppliers. At the moment there is competition between energy suppliers and it must also be built into the system of global energy security. The most important condition for this is the energy security depoliticization. In fact, the competition based on economic principles, competition for consumers is logical and understandable phenomenon. However, any use of energy resources for political purposes in the situation of rising demand leads to conflict, consequences of which can be unpredictable. Every attempt to put energy as a subject of political conflict is challenge to the global energy security system. Thus, the principles of energy security are also the depoliticization and fair competition. Moreover, if we can present the competition between suppliers, it is much more serious phenomenon the competition between consumers. The global reduction of energy production will imply the competition among energy buyers and consequently instability in particular regions could appear. Economic development without stabile energy supply is impossible. Therefore, overcoming global problems such as poverty, epidemics, poor education, environmental challenge, without economic stability is unattainable. Energy supply and demand, market competition, joint investments, global warming, CO2 emissions, joint stability and many other factors indicate that energy security is primarily a global issue so we can point at another principle, the principle of globality.. In this context, we should not forget that energy security is inseparable part of a global security system. Looking the importance of energy for the quality of life and life in general, it is necessary to emphasize the principle of social orientation of energy security for both individual countries and the world at large.

Donald Olding Hebb: Biography and Theories

Donald Olding Hebb: Biography and Theories Obispo, Stacey L. In Chester, Nova Scotia on July 22, 1904 Donald Olding Hebb was born. Both of his parents were medical doctors (Brown Milner, 2003). Donald’s mother home schooled him till the age of 8 because she was heavily influenced by the ideas of Maria Montessori, an Italian physician who believed that education of the senses should come before development of the intellect (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). At the age of 10 Donald’s academic performance was so spectacular it left his teachers amazed and as a result he was promoted to grade 7(University of Alberta Canada, 2008) . Home schooling has been said to influence Donald’s attitude towards authority and policy (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). In his high school years he avoided all adult pressure and held a low estimate of the value of academic achievement and as a result failed the 11th grade (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). Donald managed to graduate and enrolled at Dalhousie University where he receiv ed his B.A. in 1925 (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). Donald carried distain for structured schooling and had a worse than mediocre record at Dalhousie (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). In 1925 he began teaching at an elementary school at his old schoolhouse in Nova Scotia for a year (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). Donald then began working as a laborer and read Sigmund Freud (Brown Milner, 2003). After reading Freud in 1928 Hebb thought that there was area for opportunity in the field of Psychology and sought to go back to school and enrolled at McGill University (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). Donald became bedridden for a year with a tubercular hip and during this time he wrote his M.A. thesis (Brown Milner, 2003). Donald tried to show in his master’s thesis that skeletal reflexes are a product of cellular learning (Brown Milner, 2003). He later said his thesis was nonsense (Brown Milner, 2003). In 1934 Donald made the decision to study physiological psychology, and worked with Lashley in Chicago for three academic terms (Brown Milner, 2003). In 1935 he moved to Harvard with Lashley(Brown Milner, 2003).While at Harvard the idea of neural networking began to take shape in Donald’s mind(Brown Milner, 2003).He later used the ideas of neural networking for his PhD thesis which he submitted in 1936(Brown Milner, 2003). These ideas led him to pivotal ideas that made him famous with the creation of a new branch of psychology (Brown Milner, 2003). Dr. Hebb would later conduct research on the brains of humans regarding intelligence and research on primates (Brown Milner, 2003). Hebb’s research lead him to write the book The Organization of Behavior (University of Alberta Canada, 2008). His book introduced his theory of neural networking (Brown Milner, 2003). In his book Hebb suggests’ that two neurons firing together will strengthen the connection and make it easier for the two neurons to illicit a response from the third. In sum The neurons that fire together, wire together(Brown Milner, 2003).The implications of his findings and theory forever changed physiology and psychology. Hebb’s theory has crossed over from psychology to computer science and engineering (Brown Milner, 2003). Dr. Donald Hebb received acclaim for his theory and findings and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and served on many boards such as the CPA, APA, NRC (Brown Milner, 2003). Hebb died on August 20, 1985 from what was thought to be a routine surgery on his hip (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Five key findings Hebb discovered transformed the field of learning psychology. The five findings include; cell assembly, phase sequence, arousal theory, short and long term memory, and the Hebb rule. Hebb’s theories and research are now applied in engineering, robotics, and computer science as well as neurophysiology, neuroscience and psychology (Klien, 1999). The beginning to Hebb’s discoveries began in 1929 when Han’s Berger’s announced that the brain exhibits continuous electrical activity( (Brown, Milner,2003).With this information Hebb sought explanations as to how learning and physiology interact with one other (Brown, Milner, 2003). Hebb found that at the time, explanations as to how learning was developed were by simplistic equations such as the S-R relationship in organisms which to him was too simplistic (Brown, Milner, 2003). He believed that the inborn activity of the path must be taken account for (Brown, Milner, 2003). Hebb thought that psychologist could no longer pretend that the biology of the organism was irrelevant (Brown, Milner, 2003).Behavior as Hebb saw was affected by variables such as attention and psychological theory which could no longer be ignored (Brown, Milner, 2003). Hebb believed that the learning was related to neural activity and current data of the time could not explain the ph enomena. Hebb concluded that Classical Behaviorism could not account for electro-encephalic data which clearly demonstrated the inadequacy of the physiological data on which Classical Behaviorism was based on (Brown, Milner, 2003). As a result Hebb developed neural theory with the current neurophysiological data (Brown, Milner, 2003). One of the key findings of Hebb was the cell assembly. Understanding how environmental objects we experience impact the brain led Hebb to the discovery of the cell assembly. The cell assembly is a pattern of neural activity that is caused when an environmental object or event is experienced (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Furthermore when the cell assembly is well developed, the person is able to think of the entire event following the stimulation of the assembly, even if the object itself or the event is physically absent (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). When a cell assembly fires we experience the event or thought the assembly represents (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Thought or ideas according to Hebb, is the cell assemblies neurological basis (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). The next influential finding of Hebb was the phase sequence. The phase sequence is a sequence of temporarily related cell assemblies. A phase sequence occurs when cell assemblies consistently follow one another in time form(Olsen Hergenhahn,2013). Once a phase sequence is developed a temporarily integrated series of assembly activities amount to one current stream of thought (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). When a single cell assembly or combination of assemblies in a phase sequence is fired, the entire phase sequence tends to fire (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). As a result of the phase sequence firing, one experiences a stream of thought which is a series of ideas arranged in a type of logical order (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Another important finding of Hebb was his development of arousal theory which explained reinforcement. Hebb discovered that there are times in which too much noise or commotion may allow one to not think clearly while at other times, one may need to shake themselves awake to keep up with optimal performance (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Hebb discovered that these reactions suggests that there is a level of stimulation in which must not be too high or low to produce optimal cognitive functioning (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). This relationship led to Hebb’s development of arousal theory (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Arousal theory according to Hebb is the contention in which brain wave activity ranges from very fast to very slow with a rate in between that allows for the optimal performance of certain tasks. (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Hebb contributed towards developing the differentiation between long term and short term memory .Hebb completely developed the distinction between different kinds of memory and theorized on the underlying physiological mechanisms (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Hebb believed in two forms of memory which consists of long term and short term memory (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Short term memory according to Hebb, lasts less than a minute and is related with the reverberating of neural activity created by an environmental event (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). However if an experience is repeated enough it is stored as long term memory (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). The process in which short term memory is converted into long term memory is defined as consolidation (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Another major contribution of Hebb lays in a learning rule. The Hebb rule is a learning rule used in computer simulation which refers to Hebb’s idea that when two cells are active together, the connection between them is strengthened (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013), The Hebb rule is a mathematical statement which tries to capture Hebb’s contention that the connection between two cells that are active simultaneously will be strengthened or made more efficient (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). The similarities of Hebb and Pavlov’s theories is that Hebb’s ideas concerning formation of associations between areas that are contiguously active are not that much different from Pavlov’s (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Comparatively, Hebb like Pavlov was not the first researcher to use his ideas about brain function to theorize about higher cognitive processes (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Furthermore, it could be said the Hebb may have changed the level of analysis from larger areas of the brain to smaller numbers of neurons but maintained the basic principles of Pavlov (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). The differences between Hebb and Pavlov’s theory is that Hebb along with Lashley discovered that Pavlovian theory had restrictions specifically in the belief that the brain was a complex switchboard. (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). For instance, the switchboard view of the brain assumed that sensory events stimulate specific areas of the brain and learning causes a change in neural circuitry so that sensory events come to stimulate areas other than those they originally stimulated (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Conversely Hebb and Lashley discovered through their research on rats that the location of destroyed portions of the brain was not as important as the amount of destruction (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Lashley further proved through the principle of mass action that the disruption of learning and retention goes up when the amount of cortical destruction goes up regardless of the location of the destruction (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Furthermore, when the cortex functions as a whol e during learning, and suppose one part of the cortex is destroyed then the other parts of the cortex take over the destroyed portion’s function (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Hebb and Lashley’s discoveries show that the brain did not act like a simple switchboard. Hebb impacted the field of learning through his discoveries on the effects of environment and neural development and arousal theory (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Hebb believed there were two kinds of learning (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). First is the gradual buildup of cell assemblies and phase sequences during infancy and early childhood (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Both cell assemblies and phase sequences in early childhood develop in early learning in which the objects and events in the environment have neurological representations (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). As a result of this neural development, children can think of an object or event, series of objects and events, when it is not physically present (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). According to Hebb the second kind of learning, occurs when cell assemblies and phase sequences are developed in early life, then subsequent learning involves their rearrangement (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). One way of putting it, once the building blocks have been e stablished (first kind of learning) they can then be rearranged in numerous configurations (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Another contribution to the field of learning was Hebb’s arousal theory. Arousal theory shows that for any given student or task efficient learning occurs when there is an optimal level of arousal (Olsen Hergenhahn, 2013). Together environment and neural development along with arousal theory have contributed towards the field of education. References Brown, R. E., Milner, P. M. (2003). The legacy of Donald O. Hebb: More than the Hebb synapse. Nature Reviews/Neuroscience, 4, 1019. Klien, R. M. (1999). The Hebb legacy. Canadian Journal for Experimental Psychology, 53(1), 3. Olsen, M. H., Hergenhahn, B. R. (2013) Introduction to theories of learning. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. 9780205871865 University of Alberta Canada. (2008). Dr. Donald Hebb. Retrieved from http://www.psych.ualberta.ca/GCPWS/index.html Export Strategy: Advantages and Disadvantages Export Strategy: Advantages and Disadvantages 1.0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this report was to analyze the different strategies for exporting that are available to an organization internationalizing for the first time. Specific objectives were to identify the drawbacks and benefits of an export strategy. The report recommends an organization taking up exporting as a means of internationalization but also emphasizes that for exporting to be fully successful, the organization must approach it in a systematic way so that it may derive the full benefits associated with exporting. 2.0. TERMS OF REFERENCE My name is Amina J M Matongo,I am a student studying for my Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies at The Zambia Centre For accountancy Studies through the Greenwich University. The content in this report is based on examining different export strategies available to a firm wishing to internationalize for the first time and the advantages and disadvantages of an export strategy. 3.0. METHODOLOGY The information contained and gathered in this report has been collected from international business literature, texts, past knowledge and the World Wide Web. 4.0. INTRODUCTION A number of market entry strategies are available for a firm wishing to internationalize into foreign markets. Entry strategies include Exporting, Licensing, Franchising, strategic alliances, joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries. But because exporting entails limited risk, expense and knowledge of foreign markets and transactions, most organizations prefer exporting as their primary foreign market strategy. Exporting is a strategy of producing products or services in one country (often the producers home country), and then selling and distributing to customers in another country. The organization that is exporting retains its manufacturing activities in the home market but conducts marketing, distribution and customer service activities in the export market, the firm may conduct the latter activities itself or contract with an independent distributor or agent to have them performed (Cavusgil, Knight ,Riesenberger). Organizations venturing abroad for the first time, use exporting as an entry strategy, but beyond primary entry, all types of firms, large and small use exporting regardless of their stage of internationalization. Large companies such as Boeing and Toyota have used exporting in conjunction with other entry strategies. Compared to more complex strategies such as foreign direct investment (FDI), the exporter can both enter and withdraw from the markets fairly easily, with minimal risk and expense. Exporting may be employed repeatedly during the firms internationalization process.(reference 1) 4.1. The reasons why organizations internationalize include To seek opportunities for growth through market diversification. Substantial market potential exists outside the home country and this is how firms both large and small generate more than half their sales from markets abroad. Many foreign markets may be underserved for example high emerging markets, thus they have high demand and less intense competitive pressures which entails higher margins and profits for the firm. Firms are better able to serve key customers who have relocated abroad. For example when Toyota opened its first factory in the UK, many Japanese auto parts suppliers followed, establishing their own operations there. To gain access to lower-cost or better-value factors of production .Internationalization enables the firm to access capital, technology, managerial talent, labor and land at lower costs, higher quality, or better overall value at locations worldwide. Another driver for internationalization is that the firm is able to develop economies of scale in sourcing, production, marketing and RD .Also the firm will be closer to supply sources, benefit from global sourcing advantages, and gain new ideas about products, services and business methods. Unique foreign environments expose firms to new ideas for products, processes and business methods. (reference 2). 5.0. DISCUSSION According to Cavusgil, Knight and Riesenberger, the more experienced managers will use a systematic approach to exporting to improve the firms prospects for successful exporting. This approach should be as follows: 5.1.1. Step one, assess global market opportunity Management assesses the various global market opportunities available to the organization. The organizations readiness to internationalize and choose the most attractive export markets, identifies qualified distributors and other foreign business partners then estimates industry market potential and company sales potential. 5.1.2. Step two, organize for Exporting The second step is for managers to address the questions of what types of financial, managerial and productive resources should be committed to exporting? And to what extent should the firm rely on domestic and foreign intermediaries to carry out exporting? Options open to the organization are either to use indirect exporting which is exporting through intermediaries in the home market or direct exporting which is through intermediaries in the foreign market. 5.1.3. Step three, Acquire needed skills and competences Exporting is often complex and as a result requires specialized skills and competencies. Meaning the organization will need to acquire these skills and competencies, train staff and engage appropriate facilitating firms such as freight forwarders ,bankers etc. 5.1.4. Step four, Implement the export strategy In this final stage, management formulates elements of the organizations export strategy. This may involve product adaptation to modify a product to make it fit the needs and tastes of buyers. In export markets with many competitors, the exporter needs to adapt its products/services in order to gain a competitive advantage. For example when Microsoft markets computer software in Germany, it must ensure the software is written in German. Marketing communications adaptation refers to modifying advertising, selling, public relations and promotional activities to suit individual markets. Marketing activities are adapted depending on the nature of the target market, nature of the product/service, the firms position relative to competitors and managements specific goals and objectives. Price competitiveness refers to efforts to keep foreign pricing in line with that of competitors, the exporter may need to charge competitive prices .In the case of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), they may lack the resources to compete head to head on pricing with larger rivals. Such companies do not compete based on price but by emphasizing the non-price benefits of their products/services such as quality, reliability and brand leadership. Distribution strategy often hinges on developing strong and mutually beneficial relations with foreign intermediaries. Companies provide ongoing support to distributors and subsidiaries in the form of sales force, training, technical assistance, marketing know how, promotional support and pricing incentives. In markets with numerous competitors, the exporter may need to boost the capabilities of distributors. SOURCE: Adapted from Cavusgil et al,strategy, management and the new realities, pearson, 2008.pg 391. 6.0. STRATEGIES FOR EXPORTING MAY BE LOOSELY GROUPED INTO THREE CATEGORIES 6.1. Direct Exporting Direct exporting involves direct marketing and selling to the client that is contracting with intermediaries located in the foreign market to perform export functions; intermediaries include foreign based sales agents and distributors. These intermediaries or agents perform downstream value chain activities in the target market. If a firm has a reasonably accessible market, direct exporting of products and services may be a viable option .But where the firm faces less familiar markets with different legal and regulatory environments, business practices, customs and or preferences, direct exporting may not be an attractive option. A local partner for example may be better able to manage these complexities and serve the organizations potential clients better. 6.1.1. Advantages of direct exporting The exporting company will be able to establish a direct contact with a foreign trading partner, and not only operates through its own foreign trade companies abroad but also has the best opportunity for direct participation in foreign transactions. Target management and control of the sales become possible which is unrealistic in the case of indirect exports. The strategy offers potential for higher profits because of more direct contact. Direct exports may also enable the producer to have a closer relationship with foreign buyers and the marketplace. Direct exporting is applicable to a wider range of goods and services. 6.1.2. Disadvantages of direct exporting Direct exports are affected by other conditions. For example, the deterioration of exchange rates, if the rate of domestic currencies of third countries increases on the markets where the firm exports, it may cause the company to become relatively uncompetitive in overseas markets. Direct exporting may be inappropriate for goods with a short work life and are unlikely to be exported, goods such as those which may have high transport costs or goods that require complex after -sales service which cannot be granted by resellers. Direct exporting may require the producer to acquire new capabilities like marketing skills and financial resources in order to be able to contract with clients or business partners. 6.2. Indirect Exporting This method of exporting is mainly used by producers in the transportation, Automobile and Equipment manufacturing industries. For example, the Toyota Motor corporation. Indirect exporting entails contracting with intermediaries in the producers home country to perform export functions; these are intermediaries such as an export management company (EMC) or a Trading company. These intermediaries are responsible for finding foreign buyers in the target market, shipping products and receiving payment. The types of intermediaries Domestic based exporting merchants who sell the products abroad and domestic based export agents who sell on behalf of the exporter but do not take title of the products; agents are usually paid by commission. The producer/ exporter should exercise caution when selecting an agent or distributor for indirect exporting. 6.2.1. The advantages of indirect exporting The principal advantage of indirect exporting for most organizations is that it provides a way to penetrate the foreign markets without the complexities and risks of more direct exporting. The international organization can start exporting with no incremental investment in fixed capital, low startup costs and few risks, but with prospects for incremental sales. The exporter will have less complexity in dealing with when selling products in foreign markets, complexities which range from clashing cultures to volatile exchange rates. The exporter will not have to worry about managing product distribution in a foreign country as this is done by an export partner. The market entry barriers tend to be less in this form of exporting. In indirect exporting, the legal relationships exist between the organizations supplier (intermediary) and its immediate client buyer. Questions of jurisdiction in international lawsuits become less of an issue for the indirect exporter. The aspect of managing ongoing end user relationships is eliminated for the producer. Compared with other forms of access to foreign markets and their development, indirect exports require scarce resources. This will be an advantage for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) wishing to internationalize. The producer will have more time to focus on the core competencies of their business operations. Indirect exporting does not require a lot of organizational effort or commitment of staff workers, the firm only employs a small number of employees as the main work is carried out by foreign trade partners. In the event that this export strategy does not lead to achievement of goals, the exporter can easily withdraw from the market. 6.2.2. The disadvantages of indirect exporting The main disadvantage of indirect exports is that not all brokers are using the optimum market potential and opportunities for marketing, thus mistakes and miscalculations in their actions affect the income of producers of export goods. Indirect exporting may lead to diminishing returns in the long run as trading partners try to get maximum profit from their service as mediators. While the exporter using intermediaries to export can save a lot of money in the short and medium term, this type of supplier has little or no control over the business activities in international markets. By using an intermediary, the indirect exporter may lose out on brand recognition and loyalty in international markets, thus leaving this opportunity and domain to larger firms. Lastly the producer using indirect exports may lack recognition from the end users of the product or service, who are much more familiar with the end product. 6.2.3 The third option open to exporters is to export by establishing strategic partnerships with other organizations or individuals that have complementary skills or capabilities. The partner may often provide the insight, contacts and experience that fill the gap in the organizations export readiness. The advantage is that an alliance with a company selling a complementary product or service can provide the producer with more effective market access, resulting in more foreign sales in less time. A disadvantage may be that the two partners will not achieve synergistic benefits causing a failure in organizations export ventures. It should be noted though that many organizations use both approaches for different foreign markets. Key issues for deciding whether to use direct or indirect exporting are (1) the level of resources in terms of time, capital and managerial expertise that management is willing to commit to international expansion and individual markets;(2) the strategic importance of the foreign market; (3) the nature of the firms products, including the need for after sales support and (4) the availability of capable foreign intermediaries in the target market.(reference 3). 7.0. AN EXPORT STRATEGY As mentioned earlier ,exporting is the strategy of producing in the home country and then selling to buyers in foreign markets or abroad .Organizations that use exporting as a strategy include 3M (the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.) which makes tape, sand paper and medical products amongst other products. 3M is a major exporter with revenues of over $2billion in exports. Another export success story is FCX (based in west Virginia) systems which makes power converters for the aerospace industry ,this organization generates over half of its $20million in annual sales from exports to more than 50countries(reference 4),a third example would be the Toyota Motor Corporation. The advantages and disadvantages of exporting to the above named organizations are: 7.1. Advantages Organizations can increase sales volume, improve market share and generate profit margins that are often more favorable than in the domestic market. The exporter is able to diversify the customer base, reducing dependence on home markets. For example Toyota is in different regions thus they have a diverse customer base. Economies of scale will increase and therefore reduce the per unit cost of manufacturing. Exporting allows the exporter to minimize risk and maximize flexibility that is compared to other forms of internationalization. If situations necessitate, the firm can quickly withdraw from an export market. As compared to other forms of entry, exporting is a low risk, low cost strategy as it does not require the exporter to establish a physical presence there. Organizations can test potential markets before committing greater resources. The exporter is able to stabilize fluctuations in sales associated with economic cycles or seasonality of demand. For example, a firm can offset declining demand at home due to an economic recession by refocusing efforts toward those countries that are experiencing more robust economic growth. Also the exporter is able to leverage the capabilities and skills of foreign distributors and other business partners located abroad. Lastly the exporting organization is able to develop meaningful foreign relationships abroad. 7.2. Disadvantages Compared to foreign direct investment, the exporter has fewer opportunities to acquire and learn knowledge about customers, competitors and the marketplace. Meaning that it may fail to perceive opportunities and threats. An export strategy will require the organization to acquire new capabilities and dedicate organizational resources to properly conduct export transactions .Firms that are serious about exporting must hire staff with competency in international transactions and foreign languages. Exporting is much more sensitive to tariff and other trade barriers and fluctuations in exchange rates. Many of the pitfalls associated with exporting can be avoided if a company hires an experienced export management company, or export consultant, and if it adopts the appropriate export strategy. (Hill, 2009). 8.0. CONCLUSIONS Firms venturing abroad for the first time usually use exporting as their mode of entry. Exporting is also the entry strategy most favored by small and medium-sized enterprises. But beyond initial entry all types of firms, large and small use exporting regardless of their stage of internationalization. Exporting is the entry strategy responsible for the massive inflows and outflows that constitute global trade. Exporting typically generates substantial foreign exchange earnings for nations. For example in the United States, SMEs account for a great proportion of all U.S exporters. From 1992 to 2004, they represented nearly 100 percent of the growth in the U.S exporter population, swelling from about 108,000 firms in 1992 to over 225,000 firms by 2004. SMEs were responsible for nearly a third of merchandise exports from the United States in 2006.(Cavusgil, Knight, Riesenberger). 9.0. RECOMMENDATIONS Since it is possible to use both direct and indirect exporting simultaneously in different target markets, my recommendation would be to apply either direct or indirect exporting depending on the target markets and the conditions that prevail in those markets. Both methods of exporting can be used successfully.

Is Global Warming a Hoax? Essay -- environmental issues, climate change

Is global warming a hoax? Anyone who listens to the news for sure very often comes across a news anchor stating how the Earth’s climate is changing. Global warming is a term that creates fear among many. But with all the open and uncensored media out there how do we know that this is not a lie or cover-up? So what does global warming actually mean and is it really true? If global warming is such a big deal why are we taking our time to act? The climate of the Earth has been changing way before the industrialization era began; way before we started to dig up fossil fuel, burn it and put carbon into the air. So if this has been happening for a long time, what is the huge fuss about it? Many believe this is just a fuss. Looking at the financial perspective, many beneficiaries have popped up due to the investment in green-friendly materials. One of the notable people who made sky rocketing financial gains after his investment within the green-industry riches is Al Gore, an American politician, advocate and philanthropist, who was the 45th Vice President of the United States, under President Bill Clinton. Larry Bell states: In 2004, Gore co-founded London-based Generation Investment Management (GIM) with Senator Feinstein’s husband, former Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Managing Director David Blood to invest money in businesses that were â€Å"going green†. Public filings show that GIM raised profits of nearly $218 million between 2008 and 2011, split among 26 partners. By 2008 Gore was able to put together $35 million into hedge funds and private partnerships through Capricorn Investment Group, a Palo Alto company founded by his Canadian billionaire buddy Jeffrey Skoll, the first president of EBay Inc (Bell). One main blow comes from the co... ...ources Defense Council (NRDC), â€Å"Four global warming impacts alone—hurricane damage, real estate losses, energy costs, and water costs—will come with a price tag of 1.8 percent of U.S. GDP, or almost $1.9 trillion annually (in today’s dollars) by 2100† (Akerman 4). Climate change or global warming is neither today’s nor tomorrow’s problem. It is a long term problem that has been affecting us, is affecting us, and at an even much higher rate will affect us. Works Cited Ackerman, Frank, and Elizabeth A. Station. â€Å"The cost of Climate Change: What We’ll Pay if Global Warming Continues Unchecked.† nrdc.org. Natural Resources Defense Council, May 2008. Web. 26 April 2014. Bell, Larry. â€Å"The Greening of Gore’s Bank Account.† Forbes. 21 May 2013. Web. 25 April 2014. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Future Climate Change. Epa.gov. n.d. Web. 25 April 2014.

Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland Essay -- Lewis Carrol

Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction There are several reasons why I have chosen the book â€Å"Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland† as the topic for my term paper. The main reason is that I have been fascinated by Alice’s adventures as a series on TV since I was about six years old. I was curious about the overworked rabbit, racked by brain about how Alice would only be able to reach the golden key on the table and I got even more nervous when I saw the Queen than the Knaves of Hearts did. What I did not understand then was that Alice has fallen asleep in the beginning and all she is experiencing is â€Å"only† a dream. However, my illusion has been destroyed when I first read the book at the age of about 12 and I must admit it was then when I lost some of my fascination for Alice. As I read the book again as a preparation for the Proseminar a few months ago I soon started to focus on a certain aspect which I could not let go of and which brought back my fascination for Alice’s Adventures. It is also the reason I have chosen this topic for my term paper: I am very much interested in the circumstances of the time, in this case the Victorian Age, and the various influences on a person like Lewis Carroll in connection with his ability to create such a powerful, imaginative and attractive idea of a wonderland. I would like to know what kind of person can make up such a story? I have chosen the title â€Å"Inventing Wonderland†, which is the name of a book by Jackie Wullschlà ¤ger, because it precisely expresses the focus of my term paper. I think the reason why I am interested in this aspect is the following: About three years ago I stayed one year as an Au Pair for a family in Rhode Island. It took me a while to discover how to attract the attention of a 4-year-old, his name was Carter, when the situation required it to be calm. But: I placed young Carter as an additional friend of his favourite character Winnie the Pooh in the centre of a new Pooh-plot and tried to invent an exciting story with dangerous adventures as he sat on my lap listening more carefully than he had ever done before. I was successful, but of course and without understatement my stories were not in the least as fanciful and imaginative as Carroll’s, not to mention were they worth publishing. And it was exactly this situation, Carter sitting on my lap, that I ... ... As I have already claimed above, I think it is important get at least some idea of the â€Å"Zeitgeist†, in which a book was written, in order to understand its significance. From my point of view, being interested in the background factors of an author’s life and era not only helps to get a better understanding of the meaning of a book, but it also makes me appreciate it more. I think everyone acts and speaks according to what he or she is influenced by. If this is determining for the value a book is another question, but I think it is important that it is up to everyone if he or she would like to know more about the author. 7. Bibliography Blake, Kathleen. Play, Games, and Sport. The Literary works of Lewis Carroll. London: Cornell University Press. 1974. Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1984. http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net . 25/01/05 Schwab, Gabriele. The Mirror and the Killer-Queen. Otherness in Literary Language. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1996. Wullschlà ¤ger, Jackie. Inventing Wonderland. The Lives of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, J.M. Barrie, Kenneth Grahame and A.A. Milne. Rev.ed. London: Methuen, 2001. Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Essay -- Lewis Carrol Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction There are several reasons why I have chosen the book â€Å"Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland† as the topic for my term paper. The main reason is that I have been fascinated by Alice’s adventures as a series on TV since I was about six years old. I was curious about the overworked rabbit, racked by brain about how Alice would only be able to reach the golden key on the table and I got even more nervous when I saw the Queen than the Knaves of Hearts did. What I did not understand then was that Alice has fallen asleep in the beginning and all she is experiencing is â€Å"only† a dream. However, my illusion has been destroyed when I first read the book at the age of about 12 and I must admit it was then when I lost some of my fascination for Alice. As I read the book again as a preparation for the Proseminar a few months ago I soon started to focus on a certain aspect which I could not let go of and which brought back my fascination for Alice’s Adventures. It is also the reason I have chosen this topic for my term paper: I am very much interested in the circumstances of the time, in this case the Victorian Age, and the various influences on a person like Lewis Carroll in connection with his ability to create such a powerful, imaginative and attractive idea of a wonderland. I would like to know what kind of person can make up such a story? I have chosen the title â€Å"Inventing Wonderland†, which is the name of a book by Jackie Wullschlà ¤ger, because it precisely expresses the focus of my term paper. I think the reason why I am interested in this aspect is the following: About three years ago I stayed one year as an Au Pair for a family in Rhode Island. It took me a while to discover how to attract the attention of a 4-year-old, his name was Carter, when the situation required it to be calm. But: I placed young Carter as an additional friend of his favourite character Winnie the Pooh in the centre of a new Pooh-plot and tried to invent an exciting story with dangerous adventures as he sat on my lap listening more carefully than he had ever done before. I was successful, but of course and without understatement my stories were not in the least as fanciful and imaginative as Carroll’s, not to mention were they worth publishing. And it was exactly this situation, Carter sitting on my lap, that I ... ... As I have already claimed above, I think it is important get at least some idea of the â€Å"Zeitgeist†, in which a book was written, in order to understand its significance. From my point of view, being interested in the background factors of an author’s life and era not only helps to get a better understanding of the meaning of a book, but it also makes me appreciate it more. I think everyone acts and speaks according to what he or she is influenced by. If this is determining for the value a book is another question, but I think it is important that it is up to everyone if he or she would like to know more about the author. 7. Bibliography Blake, Kathleen. Play, Games, and Sport. The Literary works of Lewis Carroll. London: Cornell University Press. 1974. Carroll, Lewis. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1984. http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net . 25/01/05 Schwab, Gabriele. The Mirror and the Killer-Queen. Otherness in Literary Language. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1996. Wullschlà ¤ger, Jackie. Inventing Wonderland. The Lives of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, J.M. Barrie, Kenneth Grahame and A.A. Milne. Rev.ed. London: Methuen, 2001.

The Return: Midnight Chapter 27

Stefan whirled around and saw Bonnie, with only a towel wrapped around her, trying to physical y restrain Elena, who was similarly clad. Elena's hair was wet and uncombed. Something had caused her to leap out of the bathing pool and run directly into the corridor. Stefan was surprised by Damon's reaction. Was that a spark of alarm in the endlessly dark eyes that had remained impassive watching a thousand disasters, calamities, cruelties? No, it couldn't be. But it certainly looked like one. Elena was getting closer. Her voice rang out clearly through the hal way, which was spacious enough to give it a slight echo. â€Å"Damon! I see you! You wait right there – I'm coming to kill you! â€Å" This time the flicker was unmistakable. Damon glanced at the window, which was partly open. Meanwhile Bonnie had lost the fight and Elena was running like a gazel e toward the office. Her eyes, however, were definitely not doe-like. Stefan saw them glitter dangerously as Elena herself eluded him – mainly because he didn't dare grab her by the towel, and every other part of her was slippery. Elena was now facing Damon, who had risen from his chair. â€Å"How could you?†she cried. â€Å"Using Bonnie like that – Influencing her, drugging her – al to get at what didn't belong to you! Using almost al the Power that was left in Misao's star bal – what did you think Shinichi would do when you did that? He came after us, that's what he did – and who knows if the boardinghouse is Stillstanding?† Damon opened his mouth, but Elena wasn't finished. â€Å"And then to bring Bonnie to the Dark Dimension with you – I don't care if you didn't want to waste opening the Gate or not. You knew you shouldn't be taking her here.† Damon was angry now. â€Å"I – â€Å" But Elena cut him off without even hesitating. â€Å"Then once you drag her here you abandon her. You leave her terrified, alone, in a room where she's not even al owed to look out of the window, with a col ection of star bal s that you don't even bother to examine – but which are completely unsuitable and give her nightmares! You – â€Å" â€Å"If the little dolt had just had the sense to wait quietly – â€Å" â€Å"What? What did you say? â€Å" â€Å"I said, if the little dolt had just had the sense – â€Å" Stefan, who was already on the move, shut his eyes briefly. He opened them again in time to see the slap and to feel Elena putting al her Power into it. It snapped Damon's head around. What astonished him – even though he positioned himself precisely in case of it – was to see Damon's hand flash up as quick as a cobra's strike. There was no fol ow-through, but Stefan had already picked Elena up bodily and pul ed her back out of range. â€Å"Let go!†Elena cried, struggling to get out of Stefan's arms, or at least get her feet on the ground. â€Å"I'm going to kill him!† The next astonishing thing – discontinuing the raw fury that Stefan could feel coursing through Elena's aura – was that Elena was actual y winning the struggle, despite the fact that he was orders of magnitude stronger than she was. Part of it had to do with the towel, which was threatening to drop at any moment. The other part was that Elena had acquired a unique style of fighting stronger opponents – at least those with any conscience. She deliberately threw herself against any point at which it would hurt her to restrain her, and she didn't give up. Eventual y he was going to have to choose between injuring her and letting her go. At that moment, however, Elena stopped moving. She froze, head turned as she looked behind him. Stefan glanced backward too, and felt an electrical shock shoot through him. Bonnie was standing directly behind them, looking at Damon, her lips parted in anguish, tears in her wide brown eyes and streaming down her cheeks. Instantly, even before he could register Elena's pleading glance, Stefan released her. He understood: Her mood and the dynamics of this situation had just been turned upside down. Elena adjusted her towel and turned to Bonnie, but by then Bonnie was running away down the corridor. Elena's longer strides al owed her to reach Bonnie in a moment and she caught the smal er girl and held her, not so much by force as by sisterly magnetism. â€Å"Don't worry about that snake, â€Å"Elena's voice came back to them clearly, as it was obviously meant to. â€Å"He's a – â€Å"And here Elena indulged in some very creative cursing. Stefan could hear al of it distinctly and noticed that it broke off into tiny hushing sounds just as Elena turned into the door of the bathing salon. Stefan glanced sideways at Damon. He didn't mind fighting his brother in the least right now; he was ful of rage himself on behalf of Bonnie. But Damon ignored him as if he were part of the wal paper, staring at nothing with an expression of icy fury. At that moment Stefan heard a faint sound from the farthest end of the corridor, which was quite a distance away. But his vampire senses informed him that surely the person in front was a woman of consequence, probably their hostess. He stepped forward so that at least she could be greeted by someone who was wearing clothing. However, at the last moment, Elena and Bonnie appeared in front of him, clad in dresses – gowns, rather – that were both casual and works of genius. Elena's was an informal robe of deep lapis blue, with her hair drying into a soft golden mass around her shoulders. Bonnie was wearing something shorter and lighter: pale violet, shot with threads of silver in no particular pattern. Both outfits, Stefan grasped suddenly, would look as good in the interminable sunlight as in a closed room with no windows and gas lamps. He remembered the stories Elena had told about Lady Ulma designing gowns for her, and he realized that whatever else his hostess might be, she was truly a genius couturier. And then Elena was running, dainty gold sandals flying, and Bonnie's silver slippers were fol owing and Stefan began to run too, fearing some unknown danger. They al arrived at the far end of the hal way at the same time, and Stefan saw that the woman standing there was dressed even more splendidly than the girls. She was wearing a deep red raw silk gown with a heavy diamond-and-ruby necklace and ring – but no bracelets. The next minute the girls were both curtseying, deep, graceful curtseys. Stefan made his best bow. Lady Ulma held out both hands to Elena, who seemed to be almost frantic over something that Stefan didn't understand. Elena took the extended hands, breathing quickly and shal owly. â€Å"Lady Ulma – you're so thin – â€Å" Just then the babbling of a baby could be heard. Elena's face lit up and she smiled at Lady Ulma, letting out a quick breath. A young servant – even younger-looking than Bonnie – gently put a tiny bundle made of lace and sheerest lawn into Lady Ulma's arms. Both Elena and Bonnie blinked away tears, al the while beaming at the child and making little nonsense noises. Stefan could understand that – they'd known the Lady since she was a whip-torn slave, trying not to miscarry. â€Å"But how – ?†Elena began spluttering. â€Å"We saw you only a few days ago, but this baby is months old – â€Å" â€Å"A few days? Is that how long it seems to you?†asked Lady Ulma. â€Å"To us, it has been many months. But the magic Stillworks, Elena! Your magic remained! It was an easy delivery – easy! And then Dr. Meggar says that you saved me before she suffered injury from the abuse I went through. She is trying to speak already! It is you, Elena, it is your magic!† At this the Lady made a movement as if to kneel at Elena's feet. She got no farther than a few inches, though, because Elena caught her hands, crying, â€Å"Lady Ulma, no!†while Stefan, at his best speed, slipped beside the girl servant and caught the Lady by her elbows, supporting her weight. â€Å"And I'm not magic,†Elena added. â€Å"Stefan, tel her that I'm not magic.† Obediently, Stefan leaned toward the ear of the tal woman. â€Å"Elena is the most magic I've ever encountered,†he stage-whispered. â€Å"She has Powers that I can't even understand.† â€Å"Ahh!† Elena made a wordless exclamation of frustration. â€Å"Do you know what I'm naming her?†the Lady continued. Her face, if not conventional y beautiful, was striking, with an aristocratic combination of Roman nose and high cheekbones. â€Å"No.†Elena smiled – and then â€Å"No!†Elena cried. â€Å"Please! Don't condemn her to a life of expectations and terror. Don't tempt anyone to hurt her while she's Stilla child. Oh, Lady Ulma!† â€Å"But my dear savior†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Then Elena began to manage things. Once she took a situation in hand there was no way not to go with the flow of it. â€Å"Lady Ulma,†she said clearly, â€Å"forgive me for interfering in your affairs. But Bonnie has told me – â€Å"She stopped, hesitated. â€Å"Of the troubles of strong and hopeful young girls, for the most part poor or enslaved, who have taken on the names of the three bravest young women who ever graced our world,†Lady Ulma finished for her. â€Å"Something like that,†Elena said, flushing. â€Å"Nobody's cal ing themselves Damon,†put in the young nurse cheerful y and with the utmost goodwil . â€Å"Neither boys nor girls.† Stefan could have kissed her. â€Å"Oh, Lakshmi!†Elena hugged the coltish-looking teenager. â€Å"I didn't even see you properly. Let me look at you.†She held the girl at arm's length. â€Å"Do you know, you've grown at least an inch since I last saw you?† Lakshmi beamed. Elena turned back to Lady Ulma. â€Å"Yes, I am afraid for the child. Why not cal her Ulma?† The patrician lady half shut her eyes. â€Å"Because, my dear Elena, Helena, Aliena, Al iana, Laynie, El a – I would not wish ‘Ulma'on anyone, much less my lovely daughter.† â€Å"Why not cal her Adara?†Lakshmi put in suddenly. â€Å"I always thought that was pretty, since I was a kid.† There was a silence – almost a stunned silence. Then Elena said, â€Å"Adara – it's a lovely name.† â€Å"And not at alldangerous,†Bonnie said. Stefan said, â€Å"It wouldn't stop her from starting a revolution if she wanted to.† There was a pause. Everyone looked at Damon, who was looking out the window expressionlessly. Everyone waited. He final y turned. â€Å"Oh, excel ent,†he said blankly, clearly having no idea – and less interest – in what they were talking about. â€Å"Oh come on, Damon.†Bonnie's eyes were Stillswol en, but she spoke brightly. â€Å"Make it unanimous! That way Lady Ulma wil be sure.†Good God, Stefan thought, she must be the most forgiving girl in the universe. â€Å"Certainly, then,†Damon said indifferently. â€Å"Forgive us,†Elena said tightly to the room in general. â€Å"We've all been going through a bit of a hard time.† That gave Lady Ulma her cue. â€Å"Of course you have,†she said, smiling the smile of one who has known bitter suffering. â€Å"Bonnie has told us of the destruction of your town. I am deeply sorry. What you need now is food and rest. I'l have someone conduct you to your rooms.† â€Å"I should have introduced Stefan at the start, but I was so worried I forgot to,†Elena said. â€Å"Stefan, this is Lady Ulma, who was so good to us before. Lady Ulma – Well, you know who this is.†She went on tiptoe to kiss Stefan lingeringly. Lingeringly enough that Stefan had to gently detach her and put her down. He was almost frightened at this display of bad manners. Elena was really angry at Damon. And if she didn't forgive him, the scenes would only continue to escalate – and if he was right, Elena was truly getting closer to being able to cast Wings of Destruction. He didn't even consider asking Damon to forgive anyone. After the girls had whispered raptures over the baby again, they were conducted to opulent bed chambers, each furnished in excel ent taste, down to the smal est decoration. As usual, though, they al congregated in one room, which happened to be Stefan's. There was more than enough space on the bed for the three of them to sit or flop. Damon wasn't present but Stefan would bet his undead life that he was listening in. â€Å"All right,†Elena said briskly, and went into storytel ing mode. She explained to Bonnie everything that had happened through their taking the Master Keys from Shinichi and Misao, to their flight to Lady Ulma's bathing chamber. â€Å"To have so much Power suddenly torn away from you in an instant†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Bonnie had her head down, and it wasn't hard to guess who she was thinking about. She looked up. â€Å"Please, Elena. Don't be so angry at Damon. I know he's done some bad things – but he's been so unhappy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"That's no excuse,†Elena began. â€Å"And, frankly, I'm – â€Å" Don't, Elena! Don't tell her that you're ashamed of her for putting up with it! She's already ashamed of herself! â€Å"I'm surprised at him,†Elena said with only the smal est hesitation. â€Å"I know for a fact that he cares for you. He even has a pet name for you: his little redbird.† Bonnie sniffed. â€Å"You always say that pet names are stupid.† â€Å"Well, but I meant names like – oh – if he cal ed you ‘Bonbon'or something.† Bonnie's head came up. â€Å"Even that would be okay for the baby,†she said, with a sudden smile, like a rainbow after a storm. â€Å"Oh, yes, isn't she adorable? I never saw such a happy baby. Margaret used to just look at you with big eyes. Adara – if she is Adara – should have such a happy life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Stefan settled back against the headboard. Elena had the situation in hand. Now he could worry about where Damon was going. After a moment he tuned back in, to find Bonnie talking about treasure. â€Å"And they kept asking me and asking me and I couldn't figure out why since the star bal with the story on it was right there. Only the story is gone now – Damon checked. Shinichi was going to throw me out the window, and that was when Damon rescued me, and the Guardians asked me about the story too.† â€Å"Strange,†Stefan said, sitting up alertly. â€Å"Bonnie, tel me how you first felt this story; where you were and al .† Bonnie said, â€Å"Well, first I saw a story about a little girl named Marit going to buy a sugarplum – that was why I tried to do the same thing the next day. And then I went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. So then I picked up the star bal again and it showed me the story about the kitsune treasures. The stories are shown in order, so it had to be the one right after the sweetshop story. And then suddenly I was out of my body, and I was flying with Elena right over Alaric's car.† â€Å"Did you do anything in between experiencing the story and going to bed?†Stefan asked. Bonnie thought; her rosebud mouth pursed. â€Å"I suppose I turned down the gas lamp. Every night I would turn the lamp way down so that it was only a flicker.† â€Å"And did you turn it back up again when you couldn't sleep and reached for the star bal again?† â€Å"Um†¦no. But they're not books! You don't have to see to experience a story.† â€Å"That wasn't what I meant. How did you find the star bal in that dim room? Was it the only star bal on the floor near you?† Bonnie's brows came together. â€Å"Well †¦no. There were twenty-six. Two others were hideous; I'd kicked those into a corner. Twenty-five were soap operas – so boring. It's not as if I had shelves or anywhere else to put them – â€Å" â€Å"Bonnie, do you want to know what I think happened?† Bonnie blinked and nodded. â€Å"I think that you read a children's story and then you went to bed. And you actual y fel asleep very quickly, even though you dreamed you were awake. Then you dreamed a premonition – â€Å" Bonnie groaned. â€Å"Another one of those? But there wasn't even anyone to tel it to then!† â€Å"Exactly. But you wanted to tel it to someone, and that longing brought you – your spirit – to where Elena was. But Elena was so worried about getting word across to Alaric that she was having an out-of-body experience. She'd been asleep too, I'm sure of it.†Stefan looked at Elena. â€Å"What do you think of that?†