History of Sainsburys Essays

History of Sainsburys Essays History of Sainsburys Essay History of Sainsburys Essay John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury were the two that founded the renowned company in 1869. The first store to be opened was opened at Drury Lane, London this store offered dairy products. Drury Lane was one of Londons poorest areas and the Sainsburys shop quickly became popular for offering high-quality products at low prices. The low prices were due to the fact of scale of economy. The business was so successful that several branches were opened in other market streets including Stepney, Islington and Kentish Town. On the road to their success Sainsburys faced various challenges. Some obvious challenges like competition with rival retailers such as Liptons. John James found it necessary to step up his rate of expansion so that he could buy goods as competitively as these companies. Between 1890 and 1900 the number of Sainsburys branches trebled from 16 to 48. Sainsburys was still owned by the founders when it entered its second century. However, it had reached a scale and stature that warranted public status. The companys public flotation in 1973 was at the time the largest ever flotation on the Stock Exchange, with a 45-fold oversubscription for shares. Presently Sainsbury is owned by many people and the supermarket employs over 14500 people to work for them, of the 145000 60% is part time jobs and the rest 40% is full time jobs. A large Sainsburys Supermarket offers over 23,000 products 40% of these are Sainsburys own brand. In addition to a wide range of quality food and grocery products, many stores offer bread baked on the premises, delicatessen, meat and fish counters, pharmacies, coffee shops, restaurants and petrol stations. Share prices As eWave is a Plc. The shares can be bought and sold on the stock exchange this is why it is called a Plc. Share prices can go up and down Figure 2 is the share prices over a period of one year. You can see how the shares changed. At points the prices were expensive and vice versa. All in all I believe that over this period of time the prices have increase which implies that Sainsburys have been doing well. Why do share prices change? As seen on figure 2 the share prices of Sainsburys have changed. The prices of shares are very unpredictable. It is unpredictable because when too many shares are sold at once the share price becomes very cheap and people tend to buy lots of it. However when the business is doing well the shares are very expensive. The reason why share change is because when shares start to be sold this is maybe the business is not doing well and is the reason why the owners want to sell their share. Due to this reason the shares fall in price. In the other hand when prices goes up it could be down to the fact that the business is doing will and the owners want to keep their stake in the firm. When the business is not doing well the share prices tend to be at its lowest to persuade customers to buy the shares. However when the business is making a lot of money than the share prices increase. Figure 3- The change of shares on a single day Figure 3 shows the change of share prices of the firm Sainsburys on the date 1st march 2007. At the time 8. 00 clock the prices of the shares is low mainly for the reason that people have just woken up and the demand is not very high. As time goes on the prices start to increase this is because the shares start to be sold and bought moreover the shares are on demand. Major share holders of Sainsburys Like any other Plc, there are many shareholders. These shareholders are in thousands. The focal shareholder of Sainsburys includes the Sainsburys family of whom own 13% of the business, the Brandes investments partners L. L. C. who then own 11%. Another major shareholder was Legal and General Group plc who held a share of 3%. In 2002 private individuals held just over 42% of Sainsburys shares; banks and nominees held over 56% of shares; pension funds, insurance companies and investment trusts held less than 2% of shares. Why buy shares? Buying shares is a superb way of investing money. However many people do not realise this positive aspect of buying shares. There are many advantages of possessing shares below I have stated them. Advantages such as; At the end of the year you receive a dividend . You could sell your share when prices are high making profits. Â  If you keep on buying share you could eventually be in control of the firm . If in any the company falls in debt you will not loose any excess money Receive a dividend The company makes money and at the end of the year a share of that price will be received by the shareholders. Moreover the more money the firm makes the more money the shareholder will receive. The more shares a person owns the more dividend the person will get. Sell your share when prices are high making profits As you might know share prices change. They change very often. This why when share prices are high the holder can sell their share making money. This is another great way of making money without much work. Will not loose any excess money You cannot guarantee that the business you invested in will make a profit. This is why when you invest in a Plc if the business falls in debt or is not successful of get bankrupt the share holder will only loose the that he or she invested. Liabilities Like I have mentioned above in large businesses like Sainsburys all shareholders will benefit from limited liability for debts incurred. This means that, should the business get into difficulties financially, the shareholders would only stand to lose what they originally invested; this is a major advantage for Sainsburys as it would help to attract more investors in the future because they know that not all their life savings will be taken.

Free Essays on Dover Beach

Truth What appears to be true and what actually is true are two very different things. â€Å"Dover Beach†, written by Mathew Arnold uses an exquisitely calm ocean filled with tension to present a position of appearance verses reality. In the poem â€Å"Grecian Urn†, author John Keats creates an illusion of mortality painted on the urn verses the immortality of true life. Nathaniel Hawthorne also uses appearance verses reality when Young Goodman Brown discovers the true evil nature of mankind in what seemed to be his good friends and fellow townsmen. â€Å"Dover Beach† is about a beautifully calm sea, although when looking underneath the surface, it is a world full of hidden turbulence. Arnold starts the mood with the essence of tranquility and serenity. Dover Beach is described as, â€Å"calm [that night], the tide is full, the moon lies fair,† and all seems right. The appearance of Dover Beach at this time is only of what the human senses can envision. Arnold looks beneath the surface of Dover Beach and unveils the true nature of the sea. When Arnold stops to really listen to the sea, â€Å"[he] only [hears] [the sea’s] melancholy, long, withdrawing roar.† Arnold justifies the theory that things are not always what they appear to be. Arnold announces to his lover that, â€Å"[our] [world] of dreams, so various, so beautiful, so new, hath really neither joy, nor love.† Though the world may disguise its self as pure and true, it is really tainted and fraudulent. John Keats’s poem, â€Å"Ode on a Grecian Urn† compares the perfections of a painting on an urn to the imperfections of true life. The painting on the urn portrays the outer beauty, which is ultimately unobtainable, that mankind strives for. The paintings are like â€Å"a flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: What leaf- fringed legend haunts about thy shape of deities or mortals.† The urn is beauty preserved while real life ages and dies, no matter how hard mankind... Free Essays on Dover Beach Free Essays on Dover Beach Truth What appears to be true and what actually is true are two very different things. â€Å"Dover Beach†, written by Mathew Arnold uses an exquisitely calm ocean filled with tension to present a position of appearance verses reality. In the poem â€Å"Grecian Urn†, author John Keats creates an illusion of mortality painted on the urn verses the immortality of true life. Nathaniel Hawthorne also uses appearance verses reality when Young Goodman Brown discovers the true evil nature of mankind in what seemed to be his good friends and fellow townsmen. â€Å"Dover Beach† is about a beautifully calm sea, although when looking underneath the surface, it is a world full of hidden turbulence. Arnold starts the mood with the essence of tranquility and serenity. Dover Beach is described as, â€Å"calm [that night], the tide is full, the moon lies fair,† and all seems right. The appearance of Dover Beach at this time is only of what the human senses can envision. Arnold looks beneath the surface of Dover Beach and unveils the true nature of the sea. When Arnold stops to really listen to the sea, â€Å"[he] only [hears] [the sea’s] melancholy, long, withdrawing roar.† Arnold justifies the theory that things are not always what they appear to be. Arnold announces to his lover that, â€Å"[our] [world] of dreams, so various, so beautiful, so new, hath really neither joy, nor love.† Though the world may disguise its self as pure and true, it is really tainted and fraudulent. John Keats’s poem, â€Å"Ode on a Grecian Urn† compares the perfections of a painting on an urn to the imperfections of true life. The painting on the urn portrays the outer beauty, which is ultimately unobtainable, that mankind strives for. The paintings are like â€Å"a flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: What leaf- fringed legend haunts about thy shape of deities or mortals.† The urn is beauty preserved while real life ages and dies, no matter how hard mankind... Free Essays on Dover Beach Matthew Arnold’s dramatic monologue â€Å"Dover Beach† portrays the way in which perceptions are deceptive. The use of technical qualities, symbolism, and imagery helps to support the speaker’s thoughts between what is seen and what is real. Rhythm and meter are the most important devices in â€Å"Dover Beach†. These mechanisms allow Arnold to use words as a way to portray the speaker’s struggle. Figures of speech, sounds, and irony of words are also used. Line one; â€Å"The Sea is calm tonight† has a gentle rhythm that can be compared to the â€Å"ebb and flow† of the sea. With this description one can imagine a beautiful beach with water lapping upon the shore. The second line also gives the image of a calm sea. It is not until line three that the rhythm is broken. This line begins and ends with an iamb but the middle is broken up. The choppiness in the sentence is a foreshadowing of potential problems to come. In the fourth line the poem’s rhythm continues to be broken up, but shortly after is recovered in line five. The rhyme scheme is: ABACD, with only the first and third lines rhyming. This lack of pattern is used to provide an image of struggle within the speaker. In the second stanza, the number of feet per measure does not project a pattern. This is supposed to create a sense of misunderstanding. The false impression of the rhythm covers the inner struggle in the speaker. The sounds of Arnold’s poem help convey the speaker’s internal quandary. â€Å"You hear the grating roar of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling†, this quote gives the stanza an acoustic value. â€Å"On the French coast the light gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, glimmering and vast,† portrays a visual picture of what is present at the scene. Arnold utilizes pleasing words to the ear when blissful times are present and harsh ones at time of depression and sadness. The sounds of the poem do not only display t... Free Essays on Dover Beach â€Å"Dover Beach† Essay In â€Å"Dover Beach† by Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), the narrator is in a house on the beach, and he is looking out the window at the sea and the beach. It is dark out. The lighthouse and the moon provide the illumination. The man is speaking to a woman in the house with him. The poem is a dramatic monologue, it tells a story. The sea serves two vital purposes in the poem – it is used as both a setting to set the mood, and as a means of contrast. Matthew Arnold wrote this poem in 1867. The beach house in the poem is somewhere on the English Channel, most likely on a piece of beachfront called â€Å"Dover Beach†. Some very eminent aspects of this poem are pebbles, Sophocles, the â€Å"Sea of Faith†, the Aegean Sea, and â€Å"ignorant armies†. Guy Montag recites â€Å"Dover Beach† in Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, to link the parallel conditions of human hopelessness and misery. The first part of â€Å"Dover Beach† portrays the vista the narrator is viewing as he looks out upon the sea. The â€Å"sea is calm†, and the â€Å"tide is full†. The moon and a French Lighthouse illuminate the shoreline, the â€Å"naked shingles of the Earth† where the land meets the sea. The â€Å"cliffs of England† are visible. This first part of the poem sets the dismal, depressing tone that dictates the poem from this point on. It also introduces two vital parts of the poem. It conveys the geography and setting, and it also connects the back and forth, back and forth motion of the pebbles with the hopelessness of the world. Even though the sea is calm, the waves are still drawing back and flinging the pebbles on the shoreline. The â€Å"grating roar† is the waves of the English Channel striking the shoreline. This motion of the pebbles caused by the waves â€Å"begin, and cease, and then again begin, with tremulous cadence slow†. It is this repetitious and unavoidable cycle of the pebbles as they are dominated by the waves of the sea that...

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

Assigment - Essay Example The general assumption is that wealth is equally distributed among the citizens yet it is a few individuals who are rich. Secondly, the quality of goods and services that comprises the output and externalities like pollution are not taken into consideration. In addition, increase in output may be attributed to long working hours with less leisure time. There is a lot of money in the black economy like prostitution, which is not included in the GDP computation. Non-market transactions such as volunteer and household chores are also not included. Sustainability of growth is not considered in the calculation of GDP because the country may have exploited its resources hence increasing its GDP. b) % change in nominal GDP is calculated by change in the GDP *100; from 1981 to 1991 and 1991 to 2001 , the nominal GDP has changed by 91.18% and 70.50% respectively while the real GDP has changed by 43.75% from 1981 to 1991 and by 21.96% from 1991 to 2001. (b) The last few years after the crisis have witnessed a gradual decline in productivity growth and the situation may persist for much longer (Orszag). Projections indicate that the trend is likely to persist for a much longer period. One of the reasons behind the slowdown in productivity growth is the fact that a significant percentage of the population is not engaged in active productive engagements. An aging population has also been cited as one of the reasons behind the slump in productivity. The author points out that workers usually display less enthusiasm and productivity after a crisis. The impact of the crisis manifests at the level of confidence on the part of the workers as many of them become affected by insecurities that hamper their capacity to produce. The studies indicate that the levels of productivity have been going down even before the crisis reached its peak in

A non- Profit organization name SOLVE INC. Business plan on improving Term Paper

A non- Profit organization name SOLVE INC. Business plan on improving the Poor Performing elementary school in dallas, Texas ISD - Term Paper Example This has allowed us to proffer services that appeal to the customers, essentially to avoid mistakes. The services that we have offered to the market measure our strength and weaknesses. This has answered the needs of customers in a timely manner and provided return trade off. Price Price entails the charge of the services that we are offering; this has been tricky since it determines customer base of our company. We are offering low priced services and products to allow customers afford. In addition, we are non profit Non Governmental Organization thus our services are public oriented. We have been able to observe market environment and competitors’ price strategies to ensure we are relevant. Place Business location is a critical ingredient in success and expansion since it increases convenience between suppliers and the organization. Our location has been strategic especially in residential areas, highly traffic and main roads that are easily accessible. In essence, the strat egy is focused on the commuting families and individuals. In addition, the company aims at supplying their products and services to local businesses, offices and schools. On the other hand, location of business should be close to processing facilities, market and source of supply. Promotion We have committed in advertising our products and services through internet Web site, which has proven to be effective. Notably, internet is fast turning into a major promotional avenue, and the institution believes it will advance with regards to the importance over time. Furthermore, it is the most convenient means for us to wide presence from the onset. 6.1 Target (s) – List major customer now and expected in the future Our major customer at the moment is the S.S Conner Elementary School. After we are successful with the school we will extend our services to other poor performing elementary schools within the area before we expand to other institutions of learning within and outside the state. 6.2 Image The image of our institution is very vital because it finds out the relationship with our customers in the education sector. Having a good image will attract customers and clients to our table. We intend to do what we do best. By being the best in the education industry, we will become a respectable leader in the field. The level of education in Texas should be top-notch. We also seek to promote and offer quality services. This way, clients and prospects will acknowledge our services. 6.3 Promotion Our promotion will center on several key strategies Internet Web site – the internet is fast turning into a major promotional avenue, and the institution believes it will advance with regards to the importance over time. Furthermore, it is the most convenient means for us to wide presence from the onset. Public relations – we will put some amount of effort towards preparing and spreading a constant flow of press releases – they will be based on tales about our activities, destinations, our staff, and corporate clients. The institution will employ a public relations adviser to aid in writing, copying, and locating publications educators. 6.3.1 Image We intend to find a nice logo for out institution, which should explain what we do. Image means a lot especially for small institutions which are ready to face competition in their market. Our image will be

Alcohol Abuse Essay Example for Free

Alcohol Abuse Essay Alcohol abuse is perhaps one of the biggest problems in the United States today. It is not only a personal problem that dramatically affects an individual’s lives, but moreover those that surround such a life. In the essay â€Å"Under the Influence† by Scott Russel Sanders, he expresses his emotions through a poem. â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† by Theodore Roethke. â€Å"The whiskey on his breath could make a small boy dizzy; but hung on like death; such waltzing was not easy. † (258). This poem is one of many effective devices that Sanders uses to clearly and decisively convey to us the readers of how profound the effects of alcoholism are. Sanders reflects back to his childhood and explains his complex relationship with his alcoholic father and the after effects now that he is a grown up. One of Sanders memorable comments in his essay is when he states his father â€Å" He would not hide the green bottles in his tool box, would not sneak off to the barn with a lump under his coat, would not fall asleep in the daylight, would not roar and fume, would not drink himself to death, if only I were perfect† (255). What a strong point of view in a little boys mind; to think, â€Å"if only I were perfect† his father would not drink! Sanders tell us how our children experience the burden, of the effects of alcoholism. Sanders said, â€Å"Father ‘s drinking became the family secret. While growing up, we children never breathed a word of it beyond the four walls of our house† â€Å"I asked my mother if she ever spoke of his drinking to friends. ‘No, no, never’ she replied hastily. ‘I couldn’t bear for anyone to know’†(257). It must be very difficult for a family and, especially for a child not to be able to communicate their suffering to others. Sanders as a chills wasn’t able to be honest; he was force to live a lie. Another comment from Sanders was, â€Å" I hated also the Gallo brothers, Ernest and Julio, whose jovial faces shone from the labels of their wine†¦Ã¢â‚¬  †I meant to go out there and tell Ernest and Julio what they were doing to my father, and then, if they showed no mercy. I would kill them† (259) Sanders contrast the jovial faces on the wine label to the reality of his father’s fuming. character. Sanders closes with, â€Å"I still do- once a week, perhaps, a glass of wine, a can of beer, nothing stronger, nothing more. I listen for the turning of a key in my brain† (266). Sanders is comparing his drinking to his father’s drinking as an alcoholic. Unlike his father, Sanders is not an alcoholic and has the ability to control his drinking. Work Cited Sanders, Scott Russel. â€Å"Under the Influence† Fifty Great Essays Editor. Robert Diyanni. Pearson. 2011 Pages 258, 255, 257, 259.

Pollution and Environment Essay - Man Has No Responsibility to the Envi

Man Has No Responsibility to the Environment Since the 1960s, questions concerning environmental ethics have loomed large in the public awareness. At the heart of all of these questions is one single issue that has caused confusion among many people involved in this controversy. There has been much debate on this issue, but little has been fruitful, and this can in part be blamed on the fact that the debate is of a particularly low quality. Much of it has been of the name-calling, conclusion-with-no-justification-spewing variety. The central problem with the environmental debate is that the debaters engaged in attempting to provide solutions to these issues do not agree on the humanity's place in the natural order. Rather than dealing with this core issue, however, the debaters debate only on incidental issues which proceed directly from the central problem. This central question is "How shall we relate to, or deal with, the environment?" Environmentalists frequently answer that we should, in some sense, live in harmony with nature, or respect the rights of natural beings, such as trees, birds, mountains, and rivers. In this essay, I present an opposing viewpoint: I propose that there are no moral obligations which direct how "humans" should deal with the environment, because the concept "human" is an arbitrary class with no real meaning. The problem with this environmentalist viewpoint is that the presupposition that there is some radical difference between humans and other animals is inherent in the position. Environmentalists suppose that there is something that puts us in a privileged position compared to the rest of nature. In fact, there is not. Humans have the same drives as other animals. In this respect, a... ...definition of "humanity" have to do with how "humanity" should relate to the environment? The answer is that there is no particular set of rules that "humanity" should follow in relating to the environment. Certainly, there are some things that would be "good" for "humanity," and other things that would be "bad," depending upon how you define these concepts of "good," "bad," and "humanity." And certainly, some things would be better for the ecosystem than others, depending upon how you define the "good of the ecosystem." But it is impossible to argue that "humanity" should be responsible for shepherding the ecosystem, or for staying in a certain place in the ecosystem, because there is no natural and proper place for "humanity" -- "humanity" is an illusion, an arbitrary group of "animals." There are no moral considerations that apply to "humanity" as a whole.

Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 4

At that moment Thea almost hated her cousin. But there was no choice. Four pairs of eyes were watching her: Blaise's gray eyes, Vivienne's emerald green, Selene's dear blue, and Dani's velvety dark ones. They were waiting. Thea got up and began the long walk across the patio. She felt as if everyone was watching her. She tried to keep her steps measured and confident, her face serene. It wasn't easy. The closer she got to that sandy hair, the more she wanted to turn and run. She had tunnel vision now: everything on the sides was a blur; the only clear thing was Eric's profile. Just as she got within earshot, he glanced up and saw her coming. He looked startled. For a moment his eyes met hers: a deeper green than Vivienne's, more intense and more innocent. Then, without a word, he turned away and walked quickly down a path between two buildings. He was gone before Thea knew what was happening. She stood rooted to the ground. There was a huge amount of empty space inside her, with only her uncomfortably pounding heart trying to fill it. Okay; he hates me. I don't blame him. Maybe it's good; maybe Blaise will say we can all forget him now. But when she went back to the shady table, Blaise was frowning thoughtfully. â€Å"You just don't have the technique yet,† she said. â€Å"Never mind. I can coach you.† â€Å"Viv and I can help, too,† Selene murmured. â€Å"You'll learn fast.† â€Å"No-thank you,† Thea said. Her pride was hurt and her cheeks were on fire. â€Å"I can do it myself. Tomorrow. I have a plan already.† Dani squeezed her hand under the table. â€Å"You'll do fine.† Blaise said, â€Å"Just make sure it's tomorrow. Or I might think you don't really want him.† And then, to Thea's immense relief, the bell rang. â€Å"Hawthorne, yarrow, angelica†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Thea peered through the thick blue glass of an unlabeled jar. â€Å"Some kind of nasty powder†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She was in the front room of her grandmother's shop, deserted now because it was closed for the evening. Just being with all these herbs and gems and amulets gave her a feeling of comfort. Of control. I love this place, she thought, looking around at the floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles and boxes and dusty vials. One whole wall was devoted to trays of stones-unpolished and polished, rare and semiprecious, some with symbols or words of power engraved on them, some dirty and fresh from the earth. Thea liked putting her hands in them and murmuring their names: tourmaline, amethyst, honey topaz, white jade. And then there were the good-smelling herbs: everything you needed to cure indigestion or to call a lover; to soothe arthritis or to curse your landlord. Some of these-the simples-worked whether you were a witch or not. They were just natural remedies, and Gran even sold them to humans. But the real spells required both arcane knowledge and psychic power, and no human could make them active. Thea was whipping up a real spell. First, heartsease. That was good for any love charm. Thea opened a canister and fingered the dried purple and yellow flowers gently. Then she dropped a handful of them into a fine mesh bag. What else? Rose petals were a given. She unstopped a large ceramic jar and got a whiff of sweetness as she sprinkled them in. Chamomile, yes. Rosemary, yes. Lavender†¦ she twisted the cork out of a small vial of lavender essence. She could use some of that right this minute. She mixed it in her palm with a teaspoon of jojoba oil then dabbed the fragrant liquid on her temples and at the back of her neck. Blood, flow! Headache, go! The tension in her neck started to ease almost instantly. She took a long breath and looked around. Some bones of the earth would help. Rose quartz carved in the shape of a heart for attraction. A lump of raw amber for charm. Oh, and throw in a lode-stone for magnetism and a couple of small garnets for fire. It was done. Tomorrow morning she'd take a bath, letting this giant tea bag infuse the water while she burned a circle of red candles. She'd soak in the potent mixture, letting the smell of it, the essence of it, seep into her skin. And when she got out, she'd be irresistible. She was about to walk away when a leather pouch caught her eye. No. Not that, she told herself. You've got a mixture here to promote interest and affection. It's plenty strong enough just to get him to listen to you. You don't want anything stronger. But she found herself picking up the soft pouch anyway. Opening it, just to look inside. It was full of reddish-brown chips, each about the size of a thumbnail with a woody, aromatic smell. Yemonja root. Guaranteed to draw an unwilling heart. But usually forbidden to maidens. Recklessly, not letting herself think about it, Thea transferred half a dozen chips to her mesh bag. Then she put the worn leather pouch back on its shelf. â€Å"Figured it out yet?† a voice behind her said. Thea whirled. Gran was standing at the foot of the narrow stairway that led to the apartment above the store. â€Å"Uh-what?† She held the mesh bag behind her back. â€Å"Your specialty. Herbs, stones, amulets†¦ I hope you're not going to be one of those chanting girls. I hate that whiny music.† Thea loved the music. In fact, she loved all the things Gran had mentioned-but she loved animals even better. And there wasn't much of a place for animals in witch life, not since familiars had been outlawed during the Burning Times. You could use bits of animals, sure. Lizard foot and nightingale tongue. Blaise was always trying to get hold of Thea's animals for just that purpose, and Thea was always fighting her off. â€Å"I don't know. Gran,† she said. â€Å"I'm still thinking.† â€Å"Well, you've got time-but not too much,† her grandmother said, walking slowly toward her. Edgith Harman's face was a mass of creases, she hunched, and she used two canes-but that wasn't bad for a woman over a hundred who ran her own business and tyrannized every witch in the country. â€Å"Remember, you've got some decisions to make when you hit eighteen. You and Blaise are the last of our line. The last two direct descendants of Hellewise. That means you have a responsibility-you have to set an example.† â€Å"I know.† At eighteen, she would have to decide not just her specialty, but which Circle she would join for life: Twilight or Midnight. â€Å"I'll think about it, Gran,† she promised, putting her free arm around the old woman. â€Å"I've still got six months.† Gran stroked Thea's hair with a veined, gentle hand. It chased the last of Thea's headache away. Still holding the mesh bag behind her back, she said, â€Å"Gran? Are you really mad about having us here for the school year?† â€Å"Well, you eat too much and you leave hair in the shower†¦ but I guess I can stand it.† Gran smiled, then frowned. â€Å"Just as long as you stay in line until the end of the month.† There it was again. â€Å"But what's happening at the end of the month?† Gran gave her a look. â€Å"Samhain, of course! All Hallow's Eve.† â€Å"I know that,† Thea said. Even the humans celebrated Halloween. She wondered if Gran was having one of her vague spells. â€Å"Samhain-and the Inner Circle,† Gran said abruptly. â€Å"They've picked the desert for their ceremony this year.† â€Å"The desert-you mean here? The Inner Circle is coming here? Mother Cybele and Aradia and all of them?† â€Å"All of them,† Gran said. Suddenly her wrinkles looked grim. â€Å"And by Air and Fire, I'm not having them come here just to see you girls screw up-1 have a reputation, you know.† Thea nodded a little dazedly. â€Å"I-welt no wonder you were worried. We won't embarrass you. I promise.† â€Å"Good.† As Thea discreetly tucked the mesh bag under her arm and started for the stairs, the old woman added. â€Å"You'd better toss some plantain into that mix to bind it all together.† Thea felt herself blushing furiously. â€Å"Uh†¦ thanks, Gran,† she said, and went to look for plantain. Above the shop were two tiny bedrooms and a kitchenette. Grandma had one bedroom and Thea and Blaise shared the other. Tobias, Gran's apprentice, had been bumped to the workshop downstairs. Blaise was lying on her bed, reading a thick book with a red cover. Poetry. Despite her frivolous act, she wasn't stupid. â€Å"Guess what,† Thea said, and without waiting for Blaise to guess, told her about the Inner Circle coining. She watched to see if the news would scare Blaise-or at least alarm her into good intentions. But Blaise just yawned and stretched like a well-fed cat. â€Å"Good. Maybe we can watch how they summon the ancestors again.† She raised her eyebrows at Thea meaningfully. Two years ago in Vermont, while the human world was trick-or-treating, they'd hidden behind maple trees and spied on the Samhain summoning. They'd seen the elders use the magic of Hecate, the most ancient witch of all, the goddess of moon and night and sorcery, to bring spirits across the veil. For Thea it had been scary but exciting, for Blaise just exciting. Thea gave up on trying to alarm Blaise. Thea looked at the three star-shaped blue flowers lying on her palm. Then, one by one, she ate them. â€Å"Now say ‘Ego borago guadia semper ago,' † Selene instructed. â€Å"It means, ‘I, borage, always bring courage.' Old Roman spell.† Thea muttered the words. For the second day in a row, she was on the patio looking at a sandy head across the room. â€Å"Go get ‘im, tiger,† Blaise said. Vivienne and Dani nodded encouragingly. Thea squared her shoulders and started across the room. As soon as Eric saw her coming he went down the side path. You idiot, Thea thought. You don't know what's good for you. Maybe I should just let Blaise have you. But she followed him. He was standing just beyond the buildings, staring into the distance. She could only see his profile, which was nice-clean and somehow lonely. Thea swallowed, tasting a lingering sweetness from the borage flowers. What to say? She wasn't used to talking to humans-especially human boys. I'll just say â€Å"What's up?† and be casual she thought. But when she opened her mouth, what came out was, â€Å"I'm sorry.† He turned immediately. He looked startled. â€Å"You're sorry?† â€Å"Yes. I'm sorry I was so mean. What do you think I was following you for?† Eric blinked-and Thea thought his cheeks colored under his tan. â€Å"I thought you were mad because I kept staring at you. I was trying not to get you madder.† â€Å"You were staring at me?† Thea felt a little flushed herself. As if the herbs from her bath were steaming fragrantly out of her skin. â€Å"Well-I kept trying not to. I think I've got it down to one look every thirty seconds now.† He said it seriously. Thea wanted to laugh. â€Å"It's okay. I don't mind,† she said. Yes, she could definitely smell the love potion now. The heady floral scent of rose and heartsease, plus the spice of yemonja root. Eric seemed to take her at her word. He was definitely staring. â€Å"I'm sorry I acted like such a jerk before. With the snake, I mean. I really wasn't trying to feed you a line.† Alarm whispered through Thea. She didn't want to think about what had happened in the desert. â€Å"Yes, okay, I know,† she said. He was watching her so intently, his eyes such a deep green. â€Å"Well- you see, the reason I wanted to talk to you was†¦ you know, there's the Homecoming dance this Saturday. So I thought we could maybe go together.† She remembered at the last instant that in human society boys frequently asked girls to dances. Maybe she'd been too direct. But he looked-well, extremely pleased. â€Å"You're kidding! You're serious? You'd go with me?† Thea just nodded. â€Å"But that's terrific. I mean-thanks.† He was as excited as a kid at Beltane. Then his face clouded over. â€Å"I forgot, though. I promised Dr. Salinger-that's my boss at the pet hospital-that I'd spend the night there Saturday. Midnight to eight a.m. Somebody needs to watch the animals that stay overnight, and Dr. Salinger's going to a conference out of town.† â€Å"It doesn't matter,† Thea said. â€Å"We'll just go to the dance before midnight.† She was relieved. It meant less time play-acting in front of Blaise. â€Å"It's a date, then.† He still looked so happy. â€Å"And, Thea?† He said the name shyly, as if almost afraid to use it. â€Å"Maybe-maybe we could do something else sometime. I mean, we could go out, or you could come over to my house†¦.† â€Å"Uh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The yemonja smell was really making her dizzy. â€Å"Uh†¦ well, this week-I'm trying to get adjusted to the new school and all. But maybe later.† â€Å"Okay. Later.† His smile was unexpected, astonishing. It transformed his face, turning the sweet, serious shyness into charismatic radiance. â€Å"If there's any way I can help, just ask.† Why, he's handsome, Thea thought. She felt a sort of tug at her insides, like a bird being charmed out of a tree. She hadn't realized how attractive he was, or how the gray flecks in his eyes seemed to catch sunlight†¦. Stop that! she told herself abruptly. This is business, and he's vermin. She felt a flush of shame at using the word, even in thought. But she had to do something. Without meaning to, she'd moved closer to him, so she was looking up into his face. Now they were only inches apart and she was feeling distinctly giddy. â€Å"I have to go-wow. I'll see you later,† she murmured, and made herself back up. â€Å"Later,† he said. He was still glowing. Thea fled. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, she tried to ignore him. Avoided him in the halls, acting as busy as possible. He seemed to understand, and didn't chase her down. She just wished he wouldn't look so dreamy and happy all the time. And then there was Blaise. Blaise already had a couple of husky football players who followed her everywhere, Buck and Duane-but neither of them was invited to the dance. Blaise had a unique method of choosing a partner. She told them all to go away. â€Å"You don't want me,† she said to a gorgeous Asian-American guy with one earring. It was lunch break on Thursday, and the witches had a whole table to themselves: Vivienne and Selene with Blaise on one side; Dani with Thea on the other. The gorgeous guy had one knee on a chair and was looking very nervous. â€Å"You can't afford me, Kevin. I'll ruin you. Better get out of here,† Blaise said, all the while looking up with sleeping fire in her gray eyes. Kevin shifted. â€Å"But I'm rich.† He said it simply, without affectation. â€Å"I'm not talking about money,† Blaise said. She gave a deprecating smile. â€Å"And anyway, I don't think you're really interested.† â€Å"Are you kidding? I'm crazy about you. Every time I see you†¦ I don't know; it just makes me crazy.† He glanced at the other girls and Thea knew he was uncomfortable at having an audience. But not uncomfortable enough to stop talking. â€Å"I'd do anything for you.† â€Å"No, I don't think so.† Blaise was toying with a ring on her left index finger. â€Å"What's that?† Vivienne interjected nonchalantly. â€Å"Hm? Oh, just a little diamond,† Blaise said. She held out her hand and light scintillated. â€Å"Stuart Mac-Ready gave it to me this morning.† Kevin shifted again. â€Å"I can buy you dozens of rings.† Thea felt sorry for him. He seemed like an okay guy, and she'd heard him talk about wanting to be a musician. But she knew from long experience that it wouldn't do any good to tell him to get out of here. It would only make him more stubborn. â€Å"But I wouldn't want a ring from you,† Blaise was saying in a soft, chiding voice. â€Å"Stuart gave this to me because it was the only memento he had of his mom. It meant everything to him-so he wanted me to have it.† â€Å"I'd do the same thing,† Kevin said. Blaise just shook her head. â€Å"I don't think so.† â€Å"Yes, I would.† â€Å"No. The thing that means the most to you is your car, and you'd never give that up.† Thea had seen the car. It was a silver-gray Porsche. Kevin lovingly touched it up with a chamois in the school parking lot every morning. Now Kevin looked confused. â€Å"But-that car's not really mine. It belongs to my parents. They just let me use it.† Blaise nodded understanding. â€Å"You see? I told you that you wouldn't. Now, why don't you go away like a good boy?† Kevin seemed to collapse internally. He stared at Blaise pleadingly, not making a move to go away. At last, Blaise tilted her head at the football flunkies. â€Å"C'mon, man,† one flunky-Thea thought it was Duane-said. They took Kevin by the shoulders and propelled him away. Kevin kept looking back. Blaise dusted her fingers off briskly. Selene pushed back pale hair and drawled, â€Å"Think he'll cough up the car?† â€Å"Well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Blaise smiled. â€Å"Let's just say I think I'll have transportation to the dance. Of course, I'm still not sure who I'm taking†¦.† Thea got up. Dani had sat silently through lunch, and now she was watching Blaise, her velvety dark eyes half horrified and half admiring. â€Å"I'm getting out of here,† Thea said significantly, and was relieved when Dani stopped staring at Blaise and stood up. â€Å"Oh, by the way,† Blaise said, picking up her backpack, â€Å"I forgot to give you this.† She handed Thea a small vial, the size that perfume samples came in. â€Å"What's it for?† â€Å"For the dance. You know, to put the boys' blood in.†

Director Xie Fei

Director Xie Fei, also known as one of the â€Å"fourth generation† filmmakers, presents this touching tale of a woman suffering as she tries to carve out a life for herself in the â€Å"Women From the Lake of Scented Souls†. The film is set in a small village in China, where it starts off with a scene of the boat moving in the river. The boat is shot at an angle as if the audiences are also part of the movie, which successfully grabs the audiences’ attention.The story is based on a novel written by Zhou Daxin, which revolves around a middle-aged woman Xiang who operates this small traditional  pa-and ma sesame oil factory. Xiang is a smart and hard working woman who has an unfortunate and pitiful life. She was sold to her handicapped husband Que at the age of 7 and married him when she was 13; they have a mentally challenged son Dunzi, and a younger daughter. Her husband is a lazy and abusive alcoholic, who leaves all the work to Xiang. Xiang’s sesame o il is the finest in the region, which it even attracts the Japanese investors’ eye. Xiang explains how the specialness of her sesame oil must be because of the mysterious story  of the two girls who drowned themselves love.Xiang’s new found wealth raises her social status in the village, which enables her to find a wife for her mentally handicapped son. With her new influence in power, Xiang pressures Huanhuan’s famiy into marrying her son. In the beginning, Huanhuan’s family refuses to marriage, but because of their debt, Xiang paid 15000$ as dowry to their family. Xiang also casted away Huanhuan’s secret lover who happens to be working for Xiang by offering the boy to work in the city and making him promise not to marry any girl in  the village these 2 years.Huanhuan’s marriage with Dunzi is just like a repetition of Xiang’s unfortunate tragedy, which fated to fail. Although Xiang’s mistake may make the audience feel less pity of her own situation but it does emphasize on how she is also a victim. Xiang’s only happiness in the movie is her affair with Ren, the transportation man, who is actually the real father of Xiang’s daughter. However, Xiang’s happiness does not last long as Ren suggested to break up their secret relationship because â€Å"they are pasted middle aged†. ToXiang, Ren acts not only as a secret lover, but more like her husband. She would kiss him first, and even talk to him for advices about Dunzi’s marriage, and because her feelings are so deep towards him and even suggested on divorcing her husband for him. Xiang and Huanhuan in this movie both walk the same fate.They both came from a poor family, and were sold to handicapped husbands. In the beginning, they had their own lovers, but were both dumped in the end. Huanhuan’s husband Dunzi is mentally challenged he treats as a doll, biting her, chocking  her, scratching her, as for Xiangâ €™s husband he is abusive and always drunk. She is just his money and sex machine. In addition, he never cares for the better of their children, or bothers to buy presents to her. Both these two women are tough and hard working, unlike the mysterious history of the scented lake, which tried to solve solutions by killing herself. â€Å"Women From the Lake of Scented Souls† is an enjoyably movie that unfolds the secretive life of rural China.Director Xie Fei has filled the movie with scenes of countryside beauty, just like the one where  Huanhuan and Xiang have a heart to heart talk by the river, and Xiang finally realizes what path she is forcing Huanhuan to take when Huanhuan saw her affair she said to Xiang â€Å" I understand that mother has her own problems†. The film starts and ends by the misty soul scented lake. After breaking up with Ren, Xiang is left crying in the moonlight by the lake as she once did 30 years ago when she married her husband. This is su ch a powerful image, as it quiets us down, and fills overwhelming sadness and sympathy towards her situation as Xiang crys silently by the bank side.In general, this movie is a great success, as it was awarded the Golden Bear award in 1993 in Berlin film festival. The female characters in this film, under director Xie Fei guidance, displays Chinese women’s hopelessness in life. It leaves the audience filled with sorrow and sympathy towards the women characters. However, some may not be able to understand the possibility of such misery in life, because of our culture and time difference, which just proves again the success of this film, as it brings the audience thinking and feeling emotionally towards the film.

Lynching in America between 1890 and 1930

Lynching in America between 1890 and 1930 Introduction It has been shown that people involved in acts of atrocity, such as lynching, shared common characteristics. This is true in case of America when it is estimated that more than 3,500 were lynched between 1865 and 1920. These happened during the time of black disfranchisement, enactment and implementation of Jim Crow laws.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Lynching in America between 1890 and 1930 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In fact, the reality brought about by its barbaric and grisly activity was so awful that such an event should never be forgotten. This is mainly because of the fear of knowing its conditions, causes and consequences. The places involved in lynching included mid-Atlantic region, Pennsylvania and Delaware. However, the most notorious areas were the south, particularly the cotton growing states. The most important factors that led to increase in lynching across the region included the belief that collective action was rational, and Whites had the right to practice lynching in order to preserve their dominion and guard the community against the unwanted intrusions (Miller, 276). In addition, it represented a marrow of community identity as seen in labor strikes, American Revolution and Civil war, among others. It can thus be said that the most important factors that led to increased lynching were communal identity, communal rights/interests, rational view of collective action, economic changes and laws applied at that period. The most important factors that led to an increase in lynching across the United States between 1890 and 1930 Lynching was done for a number of reasons during these periods. However, the most important factor involved was caused by the desire to protect communal identity with its rights. This allowed the upstanding members of white community to call such an atrocity as a means of protecting their rightful places in society as well as strengt hening their communal identity. This was quite popular in the southern region where lynching was a common practice. Another cause of lynching is because it defended communal interest in the region (Miller, 277). In essence, these people would stop at nothing to protect their interests and communal identity. Evidences of lynching were collected throughout America and presented in photographs and postcards, which were taken as souvenirs (Allen Littlefield, 1). They uncovered numerous surprising photographs of lynching. These included corpses of Clyde Johnson of Yreka, California (image #1) as well as African American males in Texas (image #2) and Georgia (image #3), among others.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These examples show the brutality that the victims of lynching suffered. Consequently, it can be noted that some of the most important factors that led to increase in ly nching across the United States were for interests and rights of the white community as well as the need to protect communal identity. In essence, they felt that external forces were infringing on their rightful place or ideas, thereby, derailing their authority and rule (Miller, 277). Another important factor that caused lynching was in the conflict of interest between the whites and blacks. This is mainly because blacks were slaves in cotton plantations, most of them were treated badly. This forced some to rebel and be lynched in result. Moreover, those who sympathized with them also faced the same fate. Production of food was essential for the whites. In addition, their economic status hugely relied on production. They, therefore, justified their acts, claiming that lynching was done to ensure their survival. Moreover, they believed in the fact that they were superior to other races and thus deserved respect and special rights over the others. This caused them to strengthen their place as superiors in the region. In essence, those who tried to rebel against the rule of the Whites faced lynching (Miller, 305). It is also necessary to note that the laws of the land could not protect rights of blacks who were treated as slaves. Conclusion Lynching was done in the most barbaric and grisly way throughout American. This is quite agonizing that the current generation opts to forget such an event. This is mainly because they fear to take responsibility for its causes and execution. However, it is also necessary to note that the southern states recorded most occurrences of lynching. In fact, they were the most notorious in practicing that barbaric act. It has also been established that the main reason for lynching was to protect the interests and rights of the white community. Others included the need to protect communal identity and ideas. Moreover, one of the factors that contributed greatly to these events was the fact that collective actions were considered rati onal. Moreover, drastic economic changes during these periods also influenced the increase in the number of these acts of injustice. Moreover, the laws of the land at the time did not offer protection for blacks, hence allowing such actions to be undertaken against them as well as against those who sympathized with them. The most important factors that led to increased lynching in America were communal identity, communal rights/interests, economic changes, laws at that period and rational view of collective action. Allen, James and John Littlefield. Photographs and Postcards of lynching in America. Without Sanctuary. 2005. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Lynching in America between 1890 and 1930 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Miller, Randall M. Lynching in America: Some Context and a Few Comments. Pennsylvania History, 72.3 (2005): 275-291. JSTOR. Web. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27778679?seq=1#page_scan_ta b_contents

Bradley University - Acceptance Rate, Costs, and More

Bradley University - Acceptance Rate, Costs, and More Students applying to Bradley University need to submit an online application, high school transcripts, a personal statement, scores from the SAT or ACT, and a letter of recommendation. Bradley University has an acceptance rate of 70  percent. It is fairly selective, since about one-third of those applying will not get in. Students with good grades and test scores above average have a decent chance of being admitted, provided they meet the rest of the admissions requirements. Will You Get In? Calculate Your Chances of Getting In  with this free tool from Cappex Admissions Data (2016) Bradley University Acceptance Rate: 70%GPA, SAT and ACT Graph for Bradley AdmissionsTest Scores: 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 480 / 620SAT Math: 480 / 620​What these SAT numbers meanMissouri Valley Conference SAT comparisonACT Composite: 22  / 28ACT English: 22 / 29ACT Math: 22 / 27​What these ACT numbers meanMissouri Valley Conference ACT comparison Bradley University Description Bradley Universitys 84-acre campus is located one mile from downtown Peoria, Illinois. Undergraduates can choose from over 100 programs spread across the universitys five colleges: Business Administration, Communications Fine Arts, Education Health Sciences, Engineering Technology, Liberal Arts Sciences. The university has wide-ranging academic strengths, and all five colleges are popular with undergraduates. Bradley has a 12 to 1  student/faculty ratio  and an average class size of 21 students. Students come from most states and 44 countries. On the athletic front, the Bradley Braves compete in the NCAA Division I  Missouri Valley Conference. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 5,598  (4,473 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 49% Male / 51% Female96% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17) Tuition and Fees: $32,120Books: $1,200 (why so much?)Room and Board: $10,010Other Expenses: $2,240Total Cost: $45,570 Bradley University Financial Aid (2015- 16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 99%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 98%Loans: 69%Average Amount of AidGrants: $17,367Loans: $7,580 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors:  Accounting, Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Elementary Education, English, Health Professions, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Public RelationsWhat major is right for you?  Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Retention and Graduation Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 87%4-Year Graduation Rate: 54%6-Year Graduation Rate: 74% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports:  Baseball, Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Track and Field, Soccer, Cross CountryWomens Sports:  Track and Field, Softball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Golf Data Source National Center for Educational Statistics Bradley and the Common Application Bradley University uses the Common Application. These articles can help guide you: Common Application essay tips and samplesShort answer tips and samplesSupplemental essay tips and samples

Discussion Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 38

Discussion Questions - Essay Example I prefer Theory Y as an employee and as a manager. Self-motivated employees are beneficial for the organization. Employees gain success through hard-work and doing their work right. They can also prove their work through constant enthusiasm, taking on new ventures, and bringing in creative work processes. In my work, I have gained excellence through constant hard-work and introducing creative work, breaking the old chain and trying to make it as new as the time. I admire my team leader who is authoritative, creative yet open to new changes. He does not believe that he is the boss of all and at the same time he does not take credit for other’s work; he ensures that all his employees are rewarded accordingly. A group is a number of things and persons who have some relationship to one another; it is a subset of a culture or a society. A team is any group of people involved in the same activity, especially referring to work (Boundless, 2014). A team is a subset of group; a team tends to be closer and work together and holds stronger sense of collective identity. High performance team is one which delivers results. I have been a part of the team that introduces credit lines to the microfinance industry. The team work had paid off due because of the contribution of expert advice from each group member. If my team is having difficulty in taking a decision, I would sit with the team members and discuss the reason for this difficulty and the possibility of arriving at a decision. All humans are different and need to be communicated to differently; that is why a decision well understood by one person does not mean that it is understood by all other employees as well. I have dealt with clients from different countries including Bangladesh, India, and Turkey. I have always dealt with the companies differently, because same decisions have to be communicated separately to different companies. I took into account the cultural and ethical aspects of

Staffing Handbook Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Staffing Handbook - Case Study Example R&W Barbers Human Resource Department regularly reviews job titles and job descriptions for the positions we have available. This gives a more accurate account of the expectations we have for our associates. Position Duties: Duties include but are not limited to, giving up to date haircuts, classic razor shaves, scheduling appointments, making business contacts, and other added duties required to maintain a proper work environment. When we can, R&W strives to hire from within. When hiring in house, people have prior knowledge of the expectations of the company and what our standards are. It also promotes a culture of team work and loyalty. Standard barber/hair stylist position open. Must perform haircuts and shaves, make appointments, and other duties needed to perform tasks. Must have required qualifications in cosmetology and one year prior experience. If the position is not filled within a sufficient amount of time, up to 7 days or no more than 14, the job will be posted on our website for the public to view. The public post is similar to the internal post. The exception would be education, training, and experience requirements will be specified in detail. Any and all applications will be posted for managers to review, through the company intranet. All applications have a disclaimer stating that the information provided is truthful. It also contains a signature and date line. While the applications are online, they will be printed and signed at the time of hire. Applications are a type of legal form, treat them as such. R&W Barbers utilizes our website to collect and store applications. Applications, through this online process, automatically verify that the forms are complete. Completed applications are then open for managers to review. Applications will be printed and signed when an applicant is hired. This form is to be stored in the employee’s file. Again, an application is a legal form.