The World essays

The World essays During the time of the feudal system, the government was at a standstill. The Catholic Church had the final word on how things would work. People were born into a certain role in life, and there was nothing the citizens could do about it. The king ruled over everyone, the lords over the knights, and the knights over the serfs. This all changed through the works of Martin Luther. Martin Luther was the man who started the religions of Protestantism. He was a member of one of the Christian churches deriving from the Reformation. The Reformation started in the 16th century when Martin Luther came to the Catholic Church and challenged their rule. He thought that people should be able to increase their production in life. The fact is they were able to work because that is what G-d wanted them to do, and also to be able to make money because this was a sign of grace. Max Weber explains the resulting Protestant Ethic in his book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in which he shows how the Protestant reformation changed our society into the capitalistic regime it is today. Everything was stable in the Catholic regime. People had their jobs. People would grow up knowing they would be a locksmith or a shoe man, and that was the job that they accomplished. No locksmith made more than any other locksmith though. The Catholic Church found it sinful to make more of a profit than anyone else in the industry. If a carpenter decided to raise his cost one-day the Catholic Church would reprimand them. If a shoe man decided he would open an hour early and close an hour late this was also looked upon in shame. This was a rigid society in which people could not achieve more even if they wanted to, because their lives were predetermined. Remember, time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle, one half of that day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ou...

How Steroid Hormones Work in the Body

How Steroid Hormones Work in the Body Hormones are molecules produced and secreted by endocrine glands in the body. Hormones are released into the blood and travel to other parts of the body where they bring about specific responses from specific cells. Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and are lipids of steroid hormones include the sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, and progesterone) produced by male and female gonads and hormones of the adrenal glands (aldosterone, cortisol, and androgens). Key Takeaways: Steroid Hormones Steroid hormones are fat-soluble molecules derived from cholesterol. They are produced by certain endocrine organs and glands and released into the bloodstream to reach target cells.Steroid hormones include sex hormones and adrenal gland hormones. Testosterone, estrogens, and cortisol are examples of steroid hormones.Steroid hormones act on cells by passing through the cell membrane, entering the nucleus, binding to DNA, and initiating gene transcription and protein production.Anabolic steroid hormones are synthetic molecules that mimic the action of testosterone. Illegal use and abuse of these hormones can lead to a number of negative health consequences. How Steroid Hormones Work Steroid hormones cause changes within a cell by first passing through the cell membrane of the target cell. Steroid hormones, unlike non-steroid hormones, can do this because they are fat-soluble. Cell membranes are composed of a phospholipid bilayer which prevents fat-insoluble molecules from diffusing into the cell. This is an illustration of lipid-soluble hormone binding and protein production in a cell. Â  OpenStax, Anatomy Physiology/Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Once inside the cell, the steroid hormone binds with a specific receptor found only in the cytoplasm of the target cell. The receptor bound steroid hormone then travels into the nucleus and binds to another specific receptor on the chromatin. Once bound to the chromatin, this steroid hormone-receptor complex calls for the production of specific RNA molecules called messenger RNA (mRNA) by a process called transcription. The mRNA molecules are then modified and transported to the cytoplasm. The mRNA molecules code for the production of proteins through a process called translation. These proteins can be used to build muscle. Steroid Hormone Mechanism of Action The steroid hormone mechanism of action can be summarized as follows: Steroid hormones pass through the cell membrane of the target cell.The steroid hormone binds with a specific receptor in the cytoplasm.The receptor bound steroid hormone travels into the nucleus and binds to another specific receptor on the chromatin.The steroid hormone-receptor complex calls for the production of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which code for the production of proteins. Types of Steroid Hormones This is a molecular model of the structure of the male sex hormone testosterone. Â  Pasieka/Oxford Scientific/Getty Images Steroid hormones are produced by the adrenal glands and gonads. The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and consist of an outer cortex layer and an inner medulla layer. Adrenal steroid hormones are produced in the outer cortex layer. Gonads are the male testes and female are the ovaries. Adrenal Gland Hormones Aldosterone: This mineralcorticoid acts on the kidneys promoting the absorption of sodium and water. Aldosterone aids in blood pressure regulation by raising blood volume and blood pressure.Cortisol: This glucocorticoid aids in metabolism regulation by stimulating the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources in the liver. Cortisol is also an important anti-inflammatory substance and helps the body deal with stress.Sex Hormones: The adrenal glands produce small amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone and the female sex hormone estrogen. Gonadal Hormones Testosterone: This male sex hormone is produced by the testes and in small amounts in the female ovaries. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male reproductive organs and male secondary sex characteristics.Estrogens: These female sex hormones are produced in the ovaries. They promote development of female sex characteristics and skeletal growth.Progesterone: This female sex hormone is produced in the ovaries and important for the production and maintenance of the uterine lining during pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone levels also regulate the menstrual cycle. Anabolic Steroid Hormones Anabolic steroid hormones are synthetic hormones of the male androgen testosterone. Â  PhotosIndia.com/Getty Images Anabolic steroid hormones are synthetic substances that are related to the male sex hormones. They have the same mechanism of action within the body. Anabolic steroid hormones stimulate the production of protein, which is used to build muscle. They also lead to an increase in the production of testosterone. In addition to its role in the development of reproductive system organs and sex characteristics, testosterone is also critical in the development of lean muscle mass. Additionally, anabolic steroid hormones promote the release of growth hormone, which stimulates skeletal growth. Anabolic steroids have therapeutic use and may be prescribed to treat problems such as muscle degeneration associated with disease, male hormone issues, and late onset of puberty. However, some individuals use anabolic steroids illegally to improve athletic performance and build muscle mass. Abuse of anabolic steroid hormones disrupts the normal production of hormones in the body. There are several negative health consequences associated with anabolic steroid abuse. Some of these include infertility, hair loss, breast development in males, heart attacks, and liver tumors. Anabolic steroids also effect the brain causing mood swings and depression.

Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Wal-Mart - Essay Example In the initial stage, Wal-mart was only tracking pallets and cases coming to one distribution center but the plan was to expand to cover 100 suppliers across US by the end of 2006 (Tutorial-Reports, 2005). They would then roll out the technology internationally. The entire plan was based on achieving a completely error-free, fool-proof transparent supply chain. To achieve this, Wal-mart planned to install RFID readers at the distribution centers and stores, and buying equipment for printing tags. The plan envisaged was so intense that suppliers could not escape using this technology. Wal-mart also wanted to gradually work on tracking recalls. The idea behind the entire plan was to gain competitive advantage over others in the sector. Within two months of the deadline indicated by Wal-mart, RFID system was installed at 104 Wal-mart stores. Within 30 minutes the suppliers could obtain the data through its Retail Link extranet website. By the end of February 2005, Wal-mart stores using RFID had received 23,753 tagged pallets and 663,912 cases, and taken over 5 million tag reads (IDTechEx, 2005). However, about half of the top 100 suppliers felt that there was lack of knowledge of RFID integration and hence decided to set up the systems themselves. While it was possible to read the tags on cars and on conveyors in distribution centers, it was difficult to read the RFID tags on fully loaded pallets. Successful reads was only 63% which was not acceptable by Wal-mart. They wanted nothing less than hundred percent. By October 2005 Wal-mart had achieved success to the extent that they could monitor stock levels which resulted in 16% reduction in out-of-stock status. Moreover, the out-of-stock items that carried the EPC could be replenished there times faster than items that were still using the standard barcode technology. It was also possible to avoid excess inventory as manual orders reduced. Based on the initial success Wal-mart set further timelines that by the end of 2006 more than 1000 stores, clubs and distribution centers would be covered under the program. They would have more than 6090 suppliers participating by the end of 2007. They conducted briefings and seminars to share knowledge back and forth. The suppliers that had gone live in 2005 also shared their learning with other organizations. The success of the RFID technology depends upon collaboration with partners and suppliers. This is critical for time-sensitive goods (Songini, 2006). It can enable Wal-mart to look at the items store by store and evaluate the cause of low sales. This would further enable Wal-mart to sit down with the partners and determine how to enhance sales. The value of RFID technology also depends upon the type of product involved. It would help to know how long the perishable goods have been in the supply chain. It can also help tag the response to new products introduced while also preventing theft. However, all their efforts did not fetch the desired results as the public was wary of privacy concerns. Chances of abuse of information from tracking the product tags were high. While the Wal-mart stores could items in the stores in the US, they could not kill the tags at the checkout. What was essential was to have kill switches that would disable the chips at the checkout counters (Tutorial-Reports, 2005a). Wal-mart argues that if the kill switches are installed it could block the radio waves before reaching the RFID reader devices. Moreover, they insist that the RFID tags do not collect any additional information about the customer but the future of the RFID techn

Employment LAw Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Employment LAw - Case Study Example Additionally, there is direct discrimination. The UK company law requires that all employees should undergo rigorous training before undertaking any sought of job. Louise ignores this fact and fails to equip Paul with relevant skills pertaining to his cashier job. In fact, she does not even intend to make arrangements of training the newly employed worker. According to Delaney and Huselid (2010, p. 956), any inconvenience in service delivery is attributed to the lack of training. In this regard, the bank manager takes advantage of his lack of experience and directly mistreats him before the bank clients. The harassment of Paul is humiliating given that the boss victimized him while the bank clients were watching. The Employment Act, 1996, classifies any abuse and disparaging remarks as harassment. The UK equality Act 2010 stipulates that every citizen has a right to fair and non-discriminative treatment (Hofstede, 2008, p. 67). The Act covers discrimination based on sex, disability a nd belief. This situation notwithstanding, the common law includes discriminatory treatment of employees, in the prohibition. The UK legislation also allows all workers to be members of trade unions. The unions serve as a shield for the workers. Besides the common law legislation, the trade union protects the welfare of all employees who have subscribed into trade union membership (Schuler, Randal and Susan, 2008, p. 34). The move of Paul was inappropriate because leaving the job was not a solution to his problem. He should seek the indulgence of the trade union in the matter and invoke the relevant legislation to his favor. There are many options open to Paul. He can seek constructive dismissal from the job, which will call for a comprehensive compensation of service delivery. Paul also has the option of being reemployed by the assistance of the employment tribunal. The UK transfer of the Undertaking Regulation Act

Goethe’s plotting Essay Example for Free

Goethe’s plotting Essay In the intellectual history of Europe, Johann Wolfgang yon Goethe is central to the development of Romantic thinking, which was contemporary in his day. Goethe attempted to see the world in a new light; he reconsiders old questions of good and evil, as well as questions about human nature. The story of Faust allows such considerations. Romantics strive for something beyond their reach, beyond anyone’s reach. Contentment is not their goal. One place that we see Faust’s striving is in his conversation on â€Å"unrest† with Wagner (699-702). Just as Wagner illustrates the normal academic who thinks that books hold all the answers he needs, Faust as a Romantic has come both to realize the limitations of what’s in books and to be unwilling to accept those limitations. Wagner thinks Faust should enjoy the reputation he has as a doctor among the peasants, but Faust knows the reputation is a sham. He and his father were in truth helpless against the ravages of the plague (although they obviously at least comforted the sick). Faust’s aspirations permit him to make a bargain with Mephistopheles, especially since a part of the bet involves Mephistopheles’ belief that Faust will eventually enjoy contentment. Rather than seeking knowledge, which had been a goal of the Faust of German and English tradition, Goethe’s Faust seeks experience and feeling. This also makes his quest apart of the Romantic tradition. The Romantic hero must approach life’s mysteries by active participation, not by reflection. When Faust and Mephistopheles see the witch for her medicine, what Faust wants is youth, so that he can experience what he may have missed while he was absorbed in his studies. And what he comes to want then is Margaret, the peasant maid who looks like a beauty to the revitalized man. The Romantic has spiritual goals, but they’re usually outside of conventional religions. We see this most directly in the scene between Gretchen and Faust. She wants him to be a Christian, but Faust’s spirituality cannot be contained by dogma. To follow this Romantic thread, think of Christianity as a revealed religion, embraced by the European and German society of the time. It made many late eighteenths and early nineteenth century people feel safe and secure. You can see how this picture of comfort might fall outside of the Romantic’s striving, since he seeks a mystery beyond the conventional. The Romantic hero must be willing to break free of bounds, no matter the consequences. Another key romantic characteristic is a faith in nature as a creative source, as both a source of comfort and energy. Faust expresses his enthusiasm early when he contrasts the value of experiencing nature with the deadness of books (685). What impresses him about Easter is the revitalizing force of spring rather than the story of Jesus (695-6). It is the exalted spirit of nature that he credits with allowing him to penetrate Gretchens heart, and that he credits with giving him the companion Mephistopheles 747-48 -48). Conclusion Besides a faith in nature, romantics idealize childhood and women, seeing in them a purity and honesty of emotions that are difficult to attain in the intellectual and adult worlds. This romanticism can be seen in Goethe’s plotting, as he has the church bell remind Faust of his childhood so that the character does not commit suicide early in the play. Also, the love affair with Gretchen leads to the dramas climax. References Faust Supplemented Study Guide: Retrieved from World Wide Web http://faculty. southwest. tn. edu/llipinski/ENGL2320T201/content/lesson18_handout. htm Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Faust, Publisher, Oxford University Press, 1998.

geore washington :: essays research papers

George Washington was born in Wakefield, Virginia. Then at age three his family moved to a town near Fredricksburge. There the story about George and the Cherry tree was started. There he started tutoring and later attended Henry Williams School. At age 15 he became a surveyor. In 1748 he went to live with his  ½ brother in mount Vermon where he took his first place in office as surveyor of Culperper County in1749. Later at age 20 in 1753 Gov. Dinwiddle made him major in the militia. When the French and Indian war started he was made lieutenant colonel of Virginia Militia. Washington kept advancing. He was then sent to aid major General Edward Braddcock. But in that battle Braddock was killed so George was made colonel and commander of all Virginia Militia. In 1758 after the French and Indian war Washington met Martha Custis. They were married in 1759. In 1769 Washington presented a plan to the House of Burgesses for boycotting British made goods in order to go against the stamp act. Later in 1774 he attended the 1st continental congress in Philadelphia, and the next year he attended the second continental congress. When it became clear that they needed armed resistance. Recognizing Washington’s military experience and leadership the Continental congress gave him command of the new army. He didn’t even ask for pay. So in 1775 he took command of the Continental Army. Through the ne xt six years Washington helped hold the 13 colonies together. When the Articles of Confederation was showing the colonies separating Washington took on the responsibility keep them together through the hardships. When they needed an army washing ton was to get an army from untrained and unpaid men. He did it. In the battle of Valley Forge the cruel winters were tarring them apart. Undiscouraged again Washington turned defeat into a victory. The fighting ended in 1781. The continental army was held together for two more years until final peace was made. Then for a few years Washington relaxed with his wife and family, raising animals and agrigculture experiments. In 1787 Washington became a leader in the movement that led to the Constitution Convention. The discussion was that the existing documents were not good enough in leading the states.

The Vampire Diaries: The Fury Chapter Twelve

Stefan looked at Elena, snow crystals dusting his dark hair. â€Å"What about Matt?† â€Å"I remember-something. It's not clear. But that first night, when I wasn't myself -did I see Matt then? Did I-?† Fear and a sick sense of dismay swelled her throat and cut her words off. But she didn't need to finish, and Stefan didn't need to answer. She saw it in his eyes. â€Å"It was the only way, Elena,† he said then. â€Å"You would have died without human blood. Would you rather have attacked somebody unwilling, hurt them, maybe killed them? The need can drive you to that. Is that what you would have wanted?† â€Å"No,† Elena said violently. â€Å"But did it have to be Matt? Oh, don't answer that; I can't think of anybody else, either.† She took a shaky breath. â€Å"But now I'm worried about him, Stefan. I haven't seen him since that night. Is he okay? What has he said to you?† â€Å"Not much,† said Stefan, looking away. † ‘Leave me alone' was about the gist of it. He also denied that anything happened that night, and said that you were dead.† â€Å"Sounds like one of those individuals who can't cope,† Damon commented. â€Å"Oh, shut up!† said Elena. â€Å"You keep out of this, and while you're at it, you might think about poor Vickie Bennett. How d'you think she's coping these days?† â€Å"It might help if I knew who this Vickie Bennett is. You keep talking about her, but I've never met the girl.† â€Å"Yes, you have. Don't play games with me, Damon-the cemetery, remember? The ruined church? The girl you left wandering around there in her slip?† â€Å"Sorry, no. And I usually do remember girls I leave wandering in their slips.† â€Å"I suppose Stefan did it, then,† Elena said sarcastically. Anger flashed to the surface of Damon's eyes, covered quickly with a disturbing smile. â€Å"Maybe he did. Maybe you did. It's all the same to me, except that I'm getting a little tired of accusations. And now-â€Å" â€Å"Wait,† said Stefan, with surprising mildness. â€Å"Don't go yet. We should talk-† â€Å"I'm afraid I have a previous engagement.† There was a flurry of wings, and Stefan and Elena were alone. Elena put a knuckle to her lips. â€Å"Damn. I didn't mean to make him angry. After he was really almost civilized all evening.† â€Å"Never mind,† said Stefan. â€Å"He likes to be angry. What were you saying about Matt?† Elena saw the weariness in Stefan's face and put an arm around him. â€Å"We won't talk about it now, but I think tomorrow maybe we should go see him. To tell him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena lifted her other hand helplessly. She didn't know what she wanted to tell Matt; she only knew that she needed to do something. talk about it now, but I think tomorrow maybe we should go see him. To tell him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena lifted her other hand helplessly. She didn't know what she wanted to tell Matt; she only knew that she needed to do something. Elena looked at him hard. â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"But-will you be all right? I should stay with you-â€Å" â€Å"I'll be fine, Elena,† Stefan said gently, â€Å"Go on.† Elena hesitated, then nodded. â€Å"I won't be long,† she promised him. Unseen, Elena slipped around the side of the frame house with the peeling paint and the crooked mailbox labeled Honeycutt. Matt's window was unlocked. Careless boy, she thought reprovingly. Don't you know some-thing might come creeping in? She eased it open, but of course that was as far as she could go. An invisible barrier that felt like a soft wall of thickened air blocked her way. â€Å"Matt,† she whispered. The room was dark, but she could see a vague shape on the bed. A digital clock with pale green numbers showed that it was 12:15. â€Å"Matt,† she whispered again. The figure stirred. â€Å"Uh?† â€Å"Matt, I don't want to frighten you.† She made her voice soothing, trying to wake him gently rather than startle him out of his wits. â€Å"But it's me, Elena, and I wanted to talk. Only you've got to ask me in first. Can you ask me in?† â€Å"Uh. C'mon in.† Elena was amazed at the lack of surprise in his voice. It was only after she'd gotten over the sill that she realized he was still asleep. â€Å"Matt. Matt,† she whispered, afraid to go too close. The room was stifling and overheated, the radiator going full blast. She could see a bare foot sticking out of the mound of blankets on the bed and blond hair at the top. â€Å"Matt?† Tentatively, she leaned over and touched him. That got a response. With an explosive grunt, Matt sat bolt upright, whipping around. When his eyes met hers, they were wide and staring. Elena found herself trying to look small and harmless, nonthreatening. She backed away against the wall. â€Å"I didn't mean to frighten you. I know it's a shock. But will you talk to me?† He simply went on staring at her. His yellow hair was sweaty and ruffled up like wet chicken feathers. She could see his pulse pounding in his bare neck. She was afraid he was going to get up and dash out of the room. Then his shoulders relaxed, slumping, and he slowly shut his eyes. He was afraid he was going to get up and dash out of the room. â€Å"Yes,† she whispered. â€Å"You're dead.† â€Å"No. I'm here.† â€Å"Dead people don't come back. My dad didn't come back.† â€Å"I didn't really die. I just changed.† Matt's eyes were still shut in repudiation, and Elena felt a cold wave of hopelessness wash over her. â€Å"But you wish I had died, don't you? I'll leave now,† she whispered. Matt's face cracked and he started to cry. â€Å"No. Oh, no. Oh, don't, Matt, please.† She found herself cradling him, fighting not to cry herself. â€Å"Matt, I'm sorry; I shouldn't even have come here.† â€Å"Don't leave,† he sobbed. â€Å"Don't go away.† â€Å"I won't.† Elena lost the fight, and tears fell onto Matt's damp hair. â€Å"I didn't mean to hurt you, ever,† she said. â€Å"Not ever, Matt. All those times, all those things I did- I never wanted to hurt you. Truly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Then she stopped talking and just held him. After a while his breathing quieted and he sat back, swiping his face with a fistful of sheet. His eyes avoided hers. There was a look on his face, not just of embarrassment, but of distrust, as if he were bracing himself for something he dreaded. â€Å"Okay, so you're here. You're alive,† he said roughly. â€Å"So what do you want?† Elena was dumbfounded. â€Å"Come on, there must be something. What is it?† New tears welled up, but Elena gulped them back. â€Å"I guess I deserve that. I know I do. But for once, Matt, I want absolutely nothing. I came to apologize, to say that I'm sorry for using you-not just that one night, but always. I care about you, and I care if you hurt. I thought maybe I could make things better.† After a heavy silence, she added, â€Å"I guess I will leave now.† â€Å"No, wait. Wait a second.† Matt scrubbed at his face with the sheet again. â€Å"Listen. That was stupid, and I'm a jerk-â€Å" â€Å"That was the truth and you're a gentleman. Or you'd've told me to go take a hike a long time ago.† â€Å"No, I'm a stupid jerk. I should be banging my head against the wall with joy because you're not dead. I will in a minute. Listen.† He grabbed her wrist and Elena looked at it in mild surprise. â€Å"I don't care if you're the Creature from the Black Lagoon, It, Godzilla and Frankenstein all rolled up into one. I just-â€Å" â€Å"Matt.† Panicked, Elena put her free hand over his mouth. â€Å"I know. You're engaged to the guy in the black cape. Don't worry; I remember him. I even like him, though God knows why.† Matt took a breath and seemed to calm down. â€Å"Look, I don't know if Stefan told you. He said a bunch of stuff to me -about being evil, about not being sorry for what he did to Tyler. You know what I'm talking about?† â€Å"I know. You're engaged to the guy in the black cape. Don't worry; I remember him. I even like him, though God knows why.† Matt took a breath and seemed to calm down. â€Å"Look, I don't know if Stefan told you. He said a bunch of stuff to me -about being evil, about not being sorry for what he did to Tyler. You know what I'm talking about?† Matt nodded. â€Å"So it was your basic crap. I should have known.† â€Å"Well, it is and it isn't. The need is strong, stronger than you can imagine.† It was dawning on Elena that she hadn't fed today and that she'd been hungry before they'd set out for Alaric's. â€Å"In fact-Matt, I'd better go. Just one thing-if there's a dance tomorrow night, don't go. Something's going to happen then, something bad. We're going to try to guard it, but I don't know what we can do.† â€Å"Who's ‘we'?† Matt said sharply. â€Å"Stefan and Damon-I think Damon-and me. And Meredith and Bonnie†¦ and Alaric Saltzman. Don't ask about Alaric. It's a long story.† â€Å"But what are you guarding against!† â€Å"I forgot; you don't know. That's a long story, too, but†¦ well, the short answer is, whatever killed me. Whatever made those dogs attack people at my memorial service. It's something bad, Matt, that's been around Fell's Church for a while now. And we're going to try to stop it from doing anything tomorrow night.† She tried not to squirm. â€Å"Look, I'm sorry, but I really should leave.† Her eyes drifted, despite herself, to the broad blue vein in his neck. When she managed to tear her gaze away and look at his face, she saw shock giving way to sudden understanding. Then to something incredible: acceptance. â€Å"It's okay,† Matt said. She wasn't sure she'd heard correctly. â€Å"Matt?† â€Å"I said, it's okay. It didn't hurt me before.† â€Å"No. No, Matt, really. I didn't come here for that-â€Å" â€Å"I know. That's why I want to. I want to give you something you didn't ask for.† After a moment he said, â€Å"For old friends' sake.† Stefan, Elena was thinking. But Stefan had told her to come, and come alone. Stefan had known, she realized. And it was all right. It was his gift to Matt-and to her. But I'm coming back to you, Stefan, she thought. As she leaned toward him, Matt said, â€Å"I'm going to come and help you tomorrow, you know. Even if I'm not invited.† Then her lips touched his throat. December 13, Friday Dear Diary, I know I've written that before, or thought it at least. But tonight is the night, the big one, when everything is going to happen. This is it. Stefan feels it, too. He came back from school today to tell me that the dance is still on-Mr. Newcastle didn't want to cause a panic by canceling it or something. What they're going to do is have â€Å"security† outside, which means the police, I guess. And maybe Mr. Smallwood and some of his friends with rifles. Whatever's going to happen, I don't think they can stop it. I don't know if we can, either. It's been snowing all day. The pass is blocked, which means nothing gets in or out of town on wheels. Until the snowplow gets up there, which won't be until morning, which will be too late. And the air has a funny feeling to it. Not just snow. It's as if something even colder than that is waiting. It's pulled back the way the ocean pulls back before a tidal wave. When it lets go†¦ I thought about my other diary today, the one under the floorboards of my bedroom closet. If I own anything anymore, I own that diary. I thought about getting it out, but I don't want to go home again. I don't think I could cope, and I know Aunt Judith couldn't if she saw me. I'm surprised anybody's been able to cope. Meredith, Bonnie-especially Bonnie. Well, Meredith, too, considering what her family has been through. Matt. They're good and loyal friends. It's funny, I used to think that without a whole galaxy of friends and admirers I wouldn't survive. Now I'm perfectly happy with three, thank you. Because they're real friends. I didn't know how much I cared about them before. Or about Margaret, or Aunt Judith even. And everybody at school†¦ I know a few weeks ago I was saying that I didn't care if the entire population of Robert E. Lee dropped dead, but that isn't true. Tonight I'm going to do my best to protect them. I know I'm jumping from subject to subject, but I'm just talking about things that are important to me. Kind of gathering them together in my mind. Just in case. Well, it's time. Stefan is waiting. I'm going to finish this last line and then go. I think we're going to win. I hope so. We're going to try. The history room was warm and brightly lit. On the other side of the school building, the cafeteria was even brighter, shining with Christmas lights and decorations. Upon arriving, Elena had scrutinized it from a cautious distance, watching the couples arrive for the dance and pass by the sheriff's officers at the door. Feeling Damon's silent presence behind her, she had pointed out a girl with long, light brown hair. â€Å"I'll take your word for it,† he replied. Now, she looked around their makeshift headquarters for the night. Alaric's desk had been cleared, and he was bent over a rough map of the school. Meredith leaned in beside him, her dark hair sweeping his sleeve. Matt and Bonnie were out mingling with the dancegoers in the parking lot, and Stefan and Damon were prowling the perimeter of the school grounds. They were going to take turns. â€Å"You'd better stay inside,† Alaric had told Elena. â€Å"All we need is for somebody to see you and start chasing you with a stake.† â€Å"I've been walking around town all week,† Elena said, amused. â€Å"If I don't want to be seen, you don't see me.† But she agreed to stay in the history room and coordinate. It's like a castle, she thought as she watched Alaric plot out the positions of sheriff's officers and other men on the map. And we're defending it. Me and my loyal knights. The round, flat-faced clock on the wall ticked the minutes by. Elena watched it as she let people in the door and let them out again. She poured hot coffee out of a Thermos for those who wanted it. She listened to the reports come in. â€Å"Everything's quiet on the north side of the school.† â€Å"Caroline just got crowned snow queen. Big surprise.† â€Å"Some rowdy kids in the parking lot-the sheriff just rounded them up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Midnight came and went. â€Å"Maybe we were wrong,† Stefan said an hour or so later. It was the first time they'd all been inside together since the beginning of the evening. â€Å"Maybe it's happening somewhere else,† said Bonnie, emptying out a boot and peering into it. â€Å"There's no way to know where it's going to happen,† Elena said firmly. â€Å"But we weren't wrong about it happening.† â€Å"Maybe,† said Alaric thoughtfully, â€Å"there is a way. To find out where it's going to happen, I mean.† As heads raised questioningly, he said, â€Å"We need a precognition.† All eyes turned to Bonnie. â€Å"Oh, no,† Bonnie said. â€Å"I'm through with all that. I hate it.† â€Å"It's a great gift-† began Alaric. â€Å"It's a great big pain. Look, you don't understand. The ordinary predictions are bad enough. It seems like most of the time I'm finding out things I don't want to know. But getting taken over-that's awful. And afterward I don't even remember what I've said. It's horrible.† know. But getting taken over-that's awful. And afterward I don't even remember what I've said. It's horrible.† Bonnie sighed. â€Å"It's what happened to me in the church,† she said patiently. â€Å"I can do other kinds of predictions, like divining with water or reading palms†-she glanced at Elena, and then away-â€Å"and stuff like that. But then there are times when -someone-takes me over and just uses me to talk for them. It's like having somebody else in my body.† â€Å"Like in the graveyard, when you said there was something there waiting for me,† said Elena. â€Å"Or when you warned me not to go near the bridge. Or when you came to dinner and said that Death, my death, was in the house.† She looked automatically around at Damon, who returned her gaze impassively. Still, that had been wrong, she thought. Damon hadn't been her death. So what had the prophecy meant? For just an instant something glimmered in her mind, but before she could get a grasp on it, Meredith interrupted. â€Å"It's like another voice that speaks through Bonnie,† Meredith explained to Alaric. â€Å"She even looks different. Maybe you weren't close enough in the church to see.† â€Å"But why didn't you tell me about this?† Alaric was excited. â€Å"This could be important. This-entity-whatever it is-could give us vital information. It could clear up the mystery of the Other Power, or at least give us a clue how to fight it.† Bonnie was shaking her head. â€Å"No. It isn't something I can just whistle up, and it doesn't answer questions. It just happens to me. And I hate it.† â€Å"You mean you can't think of anything that tends to set it off? Anything that's led to it happening before?† Elena and Meredith, who knew very well what could set it off, looked at each other. Elena bit the inside of her cheek. It was Bonnie's choice. It had to be Bonnie's choice. Bonnie, who was holding her head in her hands, shot a sideways glance through red curls at Elena. Then she shut her eyes and moaned. â€Å"Candles,† she said. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Candles. A candle flame might do it. I can't be sure, you understand; I'm not promising anything-â€Å" â€Å"Somebody go ransack the science lab,† said Alaric. It was a scene reminiscent of the day Alaric had come to school, when he'd asked them all to put their chairs in a circle. Elena looked at the circle of faces lit eerily from below by the candle's flame. There was Matt, with his jaw set. Beside him, Meredith, her dark lashes throwing shadows upward. And Alaric, leaning forward in his eagerness. Then Damon, light and shadow dancing over the planes of his face. And Stefan, high cheekbones looking too sharply defined to Elena's eyes. And finally, Bonnie, looking fragile and pale even in the golden light of the candle. â€Å"I'm just going to look into the candle,† Bonnie said, her voice quivering slightly. â€Å"And not think of anything. I'm going to try to-leave myself open to it.† She began to breathe deeply, gazing into the candle flame. And then it happened, just as it had before. Bonnie's face smoothed out, all expression draining away. Her eyes went blank as the stone cherub's in the graveyard. She didn't say a word. That was when Elena realized they hadn't agreed on what to ask. She groped through her mind to find a question before Bonnie lost contact. â€Å"Where can we find the Other Power?† she said, just as Alaric blurted out, â€Å"Who are you?† Their voices mingled, their questions intertwining. Bonnie's blank face turned, sweeping the circle with sightless eyes. Then the voice that wasn't Bonnie's voice said, â€Å"Come and see.† â€Å"Wait a minute,† Matt said, as Bonnie stood up, still entranced, and made for the door. â€Å"Where's she going?† Meredith grabbed for her coat. â€Å"Are we going with her?† â€Å"Don't touch her!† said Alaric, jumping up as Bonnie went out the door. Elena looked at Stefan, and then at Damon. With one accord, they followed, trailing Bonnie down the empty, echoing hall. â€Å"Where are we going? Which question is she answering?† Matt demanded. Elena could only shake her head. Alaric was jogging to keep up with Bonnie's gliding pace. She slowed down as they emerged into the snow, and to Elena's surprise, walked up to Alaric's car in the staff parking lot and stood beside it. â€Å"We can't all fit; I'll follow with Matt,† Meredith said swiftly. Elena, her skin chilled with apprehension as well as cold air, got in the back of Alaric's car when he opened it for her, with Damon and Stefan on either side. Bonnie sat up front. She was looking straight ahead, and she didn't speak. But as Alaric pulled out of the parking lot, she lifted one white hand and pointed. Right on Lee Street and then left on Arbor Green. Straight out toward Elena's house and then right on Thunderbird. Heading toward Old Creek Road. It was then that Elena realized where they were going. They took the other bridge to the cemetery, the one everyone always called â€Å"the new bridge† to distinguish it from Wickery Bridge, which was now gone. They were approaching from the gate side, the side Tyler had driven up when he took Elena to the ruined church. Alaric's car stopped just where Tyler's had stopped. Meredith pulled up behind them. â€Å"Where are you taking us?† she said. â€Å"Listen to me. Will you just tell us which question you're answering?† â€Å"Come and see.† Helplessly, Elena looked at the others. Then she stepped over the threshold. Bonnie walked slowly to the white marble tomb, and stopped. Elena looked at it, and then at Bonnie's ghostly face. Every hair on her arms and the back of her neck was standing up. â€Å"Oh, no†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she whispered. â€Å"Not that.† â€Å"Elena, what are you talking about?† Meredith said. Dizzy, Elena looked down at the marble countenances of Thomas and Honoria Fell, lying on the stone lid of their tomb. â€Å"This thing opens,† she whispered.

Hurricane Sandy

A hurricane renounced as â€Å"sandy/' tore through the east coast on October twenty-ninth causing widespread damage to the east coast of the United States and Canada. In turn leaving 6. 2 million people without power. A natural catastrophe that had the greatest impact on the lifestyle of the people affected by the hurricane. The physical damage done varies between states.In some cities flooding was the main issue and other cities like New Hampshire power outages caused mayhem on a major scale. Mostly everybody ended up at one point or another without electricity and in today's society people revolve around electricity. It powers our houses, buildings, communications, etc. The relief of people was unimaginable as the lights came back on and heat was respelled. Transit systems were also a major factor in big cities like New York as trees fell on the tracks and repairs are inevitable.Repairs are also not free. Which leads to the point where millions of dollars were needed to rebuild a nd remake all that was lost. Especially in places like New Jersey where the hurricane hit the hardest. After a disaster like hurricane Sandy struck people ally struggled to get back on their feet because many of them were unemployed after the hurricane due to corporate offices being torn down by the sheer force of Mother Nature. Tax payers cannot possibly be happy about this occurrence across the east coast of not just U.S. A but Canada also. Finally, the people who experienced this first hand were forced to cope with the changes hurricane Sandy threw at them. Families were torn apart in all the chaos as loved ones succumbed to death. Each one raising the death toile to at least 40 people. Lucky ones had to wait in multi-mile long lines just to et gas for their necessities. When the flood hit (which happened in many states) people were forced to escape their houses and be rescued on the roof of their submerged house.Post-disaster teams were dispatched to clean up the debris that hur ricane Sandy left behind. Tragedy struck families making this hurricane a superstore. Because of the physical, social, and economic impact on the lives of easterners during this time of chaos, hurricane Sandy had the greatest impact on the lifestyles of people in the eye of the hurricane. By Chris Henley If you want to refill a cup you have to empty it first. Hurricane Sandy A hurricane renounced as â€Å"sandy/' tore through the east coast on October twenty-ninth causing widespread damage to the east coast of the United States and Canada. In turn leaving 6. 2 million people without power. A natural catastrophe that had the greatest impact on the lifestyle of the people affected by the hurricane. The physical damage done varies between states.In some cities flooding was the main issue and other cities like New Hampshire power outages caused mayhem on a major scale. Mostly everybody ended up at one point or another without electricity and in today's society people revolve around electricity. It powers our houses, buildings, communications, etc. The relief of people was unimaginable as the lights came back on and heat was respelled. Transit systems were also a major factor in big cities like New York as trees fell on the tracks and repairs are inevitable.Repairs are also not free. Which leads to the point where millions of dollars were needed to rebuild a nd remake all that was lost. Especially in places like New Jersey where the hurricane hit the hardest. After a disaster like hurricane Sandy struck people ally struggled to get back on their feet because many of them were unemployed after the hurricane due to corporate offices being torn down by the sheer force of Mother Nature. Tax payers cannot possibly be happy about this occurrence across the east coast of not just U.S. A but Canada also. Finally, the people who experienced this first hand were forced to cope with the changes hurricane Sandy threw at them. Families were torn apart in all the chaos as loved ones succumbed to death. Each one raising the death toile to at least 40 people. Lucky ones had to wait in multi-mile long lines just to et gas for their necessities. When the flood hit (which happened in many states) people were forced to escape their houses and be rescued on the roof of their submerged house.Post-disaster teams were dispatched to clean up the debris that hur ricane Sandy left behind. Tragedy struck families making this hurricane a superstore. Because of the physical, social, and economic impact on the lives of easterners during this time of chaos, hurricane Sandy had the greatest impact on the lifestyles of people in the eye of the hurricane. By Chris Henley If you want to refill a cup you have to empty it first.

The 23 Best College Towns (With Great Universities)

The 23 Best College Towns (With Great Universities) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips After considering the quality of academics at a college, you should also look at the pros and cons of living in the area where the school is located. You don't want to be stuck somewhere that's unfriendly to college students or has zero entertainment options. Being able to eat off-campus is also important for when you get sick of the dining halls! I'll give you a list of the best college towns in the country so that you can learn more about some of the great places that you might have the opportunity to call home for the next four years or more. What Is a College Town? For the purposes of this article, a college town is a small to medium-sized town or city (I have cities with up to almost a million residents on this list) where one or more colleges are located, and the college student population is high enough to make an impact on the culture as a whole.This means that the population is fairly young on average, and there are many entertainment and dining choices that cater to the college crowd. In other words, the university(s) are a big part of the economy and energy of the town; it’s hard to mention these towns without also mentioning their corresponding colleges! The Best College Towns This list is based on a combination of the quality of life in the town and the overall quality of the university or universities in the surrounding area.Looking across a bunch of different ranking lists, these were the towns that came up most frequently as the best for college students.All of the towns in this article were mentioned two or more times on ranking lists and are associated with high-caliber, competitive universities. I put the especially great combinations of universities and towns in the top ten section. These towns were mentioned three or more times by ranking lists. In the following section, I've listed thirteen more towns that were mentioned at least twice by town ranking lists. Thetowns are listed alphabetically within each section. I didn't rank them more specifically because they're all so different; whether you like one over the other mainly depends on personal preference! Top 10 College Towns Ann Arbor, MI; University of Michigan Traveler100/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 113,934Student Population: 43,625 What’s So Great About It? University sporting events are a huge part of the entertainment culture because the student to resident ratio is so high. A major attraction is the Michigan Theater, a glamorous, old-fashioned movie house that shows unique films. Main Street has an exciting and eclectic mix of locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The city is well-planned to offer a high degree of walkability and bikeability. A few prominent employers are located in Ann Arbor, including Google’s AdWords headquarters. Berkeley, CA; University of California –Berkeley Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 110,000Student Population: 37,581 What’s So Great About It? Life in Berkeley is centered around the university, so it’s a quintessential college town. The population of Berkeley is young, diverse, and highly invested in education. The downtown has a huge selection of great restaurants, breweries, concert venues, theaters, and coffee shops. You’ll also have access to prime hiking spots and beautiful parks, which you can take advantage of year round because of the perfect weather. Silicon Valley is nearby, so if you’re looking for a job in the tech sector after college, you won’t have much trouble networking. Boulder, CO; University of Colorado–Boulder Eddyl/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 97,385Student Population: 32,080 What’s So Great About It? Boulder has beautiful scenery and tons of opportunities for outdoor activities (hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains, anyone?) combined with a prominent art scene and spectacular shopping and dining options. It's surrounded by a greenbelt, which is a swath of preserved natural land just outside the city limits. It's an open-minded, creative community of highly educated people and highly high hippies (not that the two are mutually exclusive). There are strong bonds between students and the community - many volunteer programs exist that students to help people in the surrounding area It has great weather! Boulder is sunny almost all year. Public transportation is high-quality, and the city is very walkable overall. There are many post-grad job opportunities. Cambridge, MA; Harvard University and MIT Wally Gobetz/Flickr Total Population: 105,162Student Population: 35,833 What’s So Great About It? Cambridge is an extremely friendly area for college students because its residents and economy are closely tied to higher education (no surprise considering two of the most prestigious schools in the country are located here!). It’s a great place to find a job after college or get experience in a research lab. The more tech-oriented side of Cambridge is balanced out by a healthy dose of bohemian vibes, so you get the best of both worlds. It’s a very walkable area with lots of quirky, unique shops and restaurants that will appeal to college students. Boston is easily accessible via subway, so you’ll have the opportunity to see famous landmarks, meet other college students in the area, and attend fun events. Chapel Hill, NC; University of North Carolina –Chapel Hill townofchapelhill/Flickr Total Population: 58,424Student Population: 29,135 What’s So Great About It? There is so much to do here: food festivals, performances, bars, shopping, art shows, and hugely popular sporting events. Chapel Hill is sometimes described as one big food festival because of the quality of its culinary scene. Cute cafes and public art are fixtures of the town. There are over 700 acres of parkland for outdoor fun. It’s a good place for sports fans because of the reigning enthusiasm for the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. College Station, TX; Texas AM Pmelton87/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 97,801Student Population: 61,263 What’s So Great About It? You'll get access to Historic Downtown Bryan, where you can have a unique shopping experience with many local craft and artisan shops. There's a vibrant night life with many dance clubs, bars, and live music events. There are a wide variety of dining options (the barbecuehere is a particular point of pride). College Station is home to nine museums including the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the Brazos Valley African American Museum, and the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. Students dominate the social and cultural scene; College Station is affectionately called "Aggieland" because of the overwhelming number of Texas AM students (Aggies) that live there. College Station is ranked as the most educated city in Texas. You'll find lots of research opportunities and a strong economy. Columbia, MO; University of Missouri and Columbia College lronski21/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 115,276Student Population: 50,131 What’s So Great About It? Columbia combines affordable costs of living with a high population of college grads and a strong economy. It has an overall cool, youthful vibe with great music and art scenes. Arcades, art galleries, popular restaurants and pubs, street fairs, museums, and many more attractions add to Columbia’s fun ambiance. There are plenty of nearby hiking trails, campsites, and lakes for outdoor activities. The city also has tons of recreational centers and is highly walkable. Madison, WI; University of Wisconsin Dori/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 240,013Student Population: 66,533 What’s So Great About It? Madison is located on an isthmus between two lakes, so there are great opportunities for boating and swimming and awesome scenery. Downtown has an eclectic mix of local businesses along with an exciting nightlife that includes a famous Halloween celebration. There’s even a bar where you get to drink for free on your birthday, so you can celebrate your 21st for cheap. Farmers markets and restaurants are plentiful. The economy is doing well, and it's a great place to start your career. San Luis Obispo, CA; California Polytechnic University Rob Bulmahn/Flickr Total Population: 45,119Student Population:20,186 What’s So Great About It? You'll see tons of cool historical sites and beautiful mountain views. There are beaches close by and great weather year round! Activities like hiking, kayaking, and surfing are easily accessible. You'll get to experience free outdoor concerts in the summer and an international film festival in March. It purportedly has some of the best coffee in the country (critical for college). There's a maze of old tunnels underneath the city - awesome and creepy. State College, PA; Penn State Total Population: 41,983Student Population: 47,040 (this is larger than the total population because it's the student enrollment for the Penn State campus, technically located next to State College in University Park) What’s So Great About It? State College is one of the safest and smartest towns in the country. There's an awesome live music scene; a pub called Phyrst has live music every night along with a host of other fun gimmicks, and there's a long list of other places in State College where you can catch some live tunes or perform yourself at open mic nights! You can easily get out of the downtown center and experience nature in the countryside. The town's culture is centered around Penn State. 13 More College Towns to Check Out Ames, IA; Iowa State University Tim Kiser/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 58,965Student Population: 34,435 What’s So Great About It? A very young population gives the town a fun atmosphere and a thriving nightlife. There are great employment opportunities with national companies that exist alongside a pleasant small-town vibe. Ames has a thriving arts culture with lots of museums and libraries. Amherst, MA; Amherst College and UMassAmherst John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 37,819Student Population:31,827 What’s So Great About It? Amherst is home to many prominent artists and writers, so it’s a very diverse, creative, and intellectual environment. It’s a super liberal place, which appeals to many college students. Fifty percent of the population is employed in the education sector. The quality of the surrounding colleges (which include Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College, as well as those mentioned above)arguably makes it one of the smartest towns in the country. Athens, GA; University of Georgia Total Population: 119,980Student Population: 35,197 What’s So Great About It? Athens has low costs of living and a vibrant, intellectual culture. It boasts one of the best music scenes in the country (Neutral Milk Hotel and R.E.M. came out of Athens!) and great overall artistic and cultural life (of which the summer Arts Festival is a highlight). Athens is dotted with an assortment of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that will appeal to college students. Austin, TX; University of Texas - Austin Earl McGehee/Flickr Total Population: 885,400Student Population:56,643 What’s So Great About It? Sixth Street is a famous spot for great bars and nightlife. The city is super bikeable. Austin has nice weather all year and access to many outdoor recreational activities. It’s easy to find part-time work because there are so many small businesses. Likewise, there are tons of opportunities to get professional experience. Austin has a very open-minded culture - â€Å"Keep Austin Weird† is its motto! The food is great (especially the barbecue, since it’s Texas). It’s right in the middle of Texas, so you can get to a lot of other cities pretty easily. Bozeman, MT; Montana State University Tim Evanson/Flickr Total Population: 39,860Student Population: 15,294 What’s So Great About It? You'll have unparalleled access to great outdoor recreational activities including spelunking and rock climbing. Yellowstone National Park is easily accessible along with a few ski areas. Even though it’s kind of small, Bozeman has a respectable assortment of coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries, and performance events connected to the University. It also hosts a bunch of tech startups, so it’s an overall youthful, fun atmosphere. Champaign, IL; University of Illinois Herschman321/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 231,891Student Population:43,603 What’s So Great About It? Bozeman has a mixture of an urban and suburban atmosphere that provides many of the benefits of a big city with fewer of the drawbacks. Museums (Krannert Art Museum), concerts, and other events abound in the city. The Downtown Festival of the Arts is a highlight along with classic theaters like The Art Theater and The Virginia Theatre (made famous by the renowned critic Roger Ebert, who was a resident of the area) that show unique films. Cultural life revolves around the University; Memorial Stadium is a big draw for football fans. You can also get outside and visit some of the area's numerous parks, orchards, and vineyards. Charlottesville, VA; University of Virginia Bobak Ha'Eri/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 43,475Student Population:21,238 What’s So Great About It? Charlottesville has pretty natural surroundings including vineyards and rolling hills. There are historical landmarks close by (Monticello is right outside the city). It has tons of art galleries and performance events. The Heritage Theater Festival happens every year. UVA is one of the best public universities in the country. Corvallis, OR; Oregon State University Gregkeene/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 55,055Student Population: 28,886 What’s So Great About It? It has a beautiful setting with great views of the Cascade Mountain Range. There is an extremely high quality of living overall, with environmental consciousness and an outdoorsy, active feel. There are lots of parks throughout the area. You'll have access to a ton of research opportunities - Oregon State gets the most funding by far of any higher education institution in Oregon. Gainesville, FL; University of Florida Douglas Green/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 126,047Student Population:51,725 What’s So Great About It? There are many opportunities for outdoor activities, especially water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing. The nearby parks are also great for hiking. The Downtown features the Hippodrome State Theater, many restaurants and local shops, and an array of craft breweries. It has a prominent art scene and is home to some awesome museums including the Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art. Iowa City, IA; University of Iowa Billwhittaker/Wikimedia Commons Total Population: 70,133Student Population:31,387 What’s So Great About It? There is a strong literary scene associated with authors including Kurt Vonnegut and Robert Frost which is bolstered by the Iowa City book festival and the best creative writing MFA program in the country (the Iowa Writers Workshop - sadly, I only know about this from watching the showGirls). It has a great nightlife with lots of dining options. University of Iowa itself is ranked among the top party schools in the nation, but the community is also very focused on giving back in the form of fundraisers for local hospitals. Lincoln, NE; University of Nebraska Total Population: 295,404Student Population: 24,202 What’s So Great About It? There's a low cost of living. It has a great restaurant scene. Lincoln is very walkable and bikeable (lots of sidewalks and paths and few hills) - no car necessary! There's a large assortment of pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues close to UN’s campus. It's home to expansive parks that accommodate a variety of outdoor activities. Lincoln is currently experiencing exciting economic growth as more and more businesses are drawn to it for its central location. Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota Total Population: 400,070Student Population:70,143 What’s So Great About It? Almost 20 percent of the city is made up of parks. It has the most theaters per capita of any city besides New York. There are lots of great bike paths. It's a big-ish city with a smaller city feel. Tempe, AZ; Arizona State University Total Population: 168,228Student Population:50,358 What’s So Great About It? It has great shopping, recreational facilities, and overall economy. Bars feature local craft brews and lots of live music. The Tempe Center for the Arts includes many art galleries and theaters. There are a few water parks to keep you cool. It’s a great place for biking and hiking. Cold Stone Creamery started here! What more can I say? Which Town Is Right for You? Now that you know about all these cool places, how can you decide where to go? There are so many great options! First off, think about where in the country you want to be for college. If you're hoping to stay relatively close to home, you should focus on college towns that are in your region of the country. You should also consider the sizes of the towns. Some of these "towns" are actually decent-sized cities. Living in Minneapolis is going to be a lot different from living in Amherst. You can read more about the differences between rural, urban, and suburban college environments and which might suit you best in this article. You'll notice that many of these college towns are centered around large, public universities, which might not be representative of the types of colleges that interest you. Your primary concern should be whether you're interested in the educational opportunities a college offers, not how many entertainment options and food festivals there are in the area. If you'd prefer to attend a small school for a more personalized educational experience, you should prioritize that over how exciting the town is. Students always find ways to have fun, even at colleges that are virtually in the middle of nowhere! What's Next? Curious about one of the best college towns? Consider taking acollege tour to experience the campus in person. Can you still get a great education at a school with a reputation for a crazy party scene? Read about the best colleges where students work hard and play hard. If you don't know where to start in the college search process, read my step-by-step guide for how to do productive college research! Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Asian Inventors

Asian Inventors Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, held each year during the month of May, celebrates Asian Pacific American cultures and heritage and recognizes the many contributions Asian Pacific Americans have made to this nation. An Wang An Wang (1920-1990), a Chinese-born American computer scientist, is best known for founding Wang Laboratories and holding over thirty-five patents including patent #2,708,722 for a magnetic pulse transfer controlling device which related to computer memory and was crucial to the development of digital information technology. Wang Laboratories was founded in 1951 and by 1989 employed 30,000 people and had $3 billion a year in sales, with such developments as desktop calculators and the first word processors. An Wang was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1988. Enrique Ostrea Doctor Enrique Ostrea received patent #5,015,589 and patent #5,185,267 for methods of testing infants for exposure to drugs or alcohol during pregnancy. Enrique Ostrea was born in the Philippines and immigrated to America in 1968. Ostrea continues to be honored for his contributions to pediatrics and neonatology. Tuan Vo-Dinh Tuan Vo-Dinh, who immigrated to the United States in 1975 from Vietnam, has received twenty-three patents mainly related to optical diagnostic equipment, including his first patents (#4,674,878 and #4,680,165) for badges that can be optically scanned to determine exposure to toxic chemicals. Vo-Dinh utilizes similar technology in patent #5,579,773 which is an optical method of cancer detection. Flossie Wong-Staal Flossie Wong-Staal, a Chinese-American scientist, is a leader in AIDS research. Working with a team that included Dr. Robert C. Gallo, she helped to discover the virus that causes AIDS and a related virus that causes cancer. She also did the first mapping of HIVs genes. Wong-Staal continues to work on a vaccine to prevent AIDS and treatments for those with AIDS. Her patents, which were granted with co-inventors, include patent #6,077,935 for a method of testing for AIDS.

An identification of factors affecting performance and reward Dissertation

An identification of factors affecting performance and reward management during the time of recession (2008) at Nationwide Build - Dissertation Example 9-16, 1994). In particular, performance and reward management is one of such aspects of human resource management that focuses primarily on ensuring effective performance and subsequently, efficient reward management of employees. In addition, experts (Office of Personal Management, 2001) have emphasized greatly on the effectiveness of performance and reward management (PRM) in terms of ensuring success of the organization. However, during the last decade, the whole world has confronted adverse impacts of financial crisis and recession and this has resulted in cutting down of various departments by the organizations (Perry, pp. 1-13, 2009). Still, a majority of organizations is utilizing the tool of PRM to ensure its success, and thus, the proposed research will include efforts on the same aspect of business field. Background & Significance In particular, it is a fact that every business firm comes into existence with a specific objective to attain, and that usually is achievement of profit. For this purpose, employers create jobs to carry out specified tasks and recent studies have indicated that since two decades, business organizations are now focusing principally on the notion of accountability that becomes possible with frequent review of individual performance (Hartman et al., pp. 23-25, 1994). In this respect, attainment of success at employees’ level enables the firm to attain success at organizational level that is the basic relationship of PRM with organization as it facilitates firms in ensuring its success. This indicates the significance of PRM and thus, PRM has always remained a crucial aspect of business organizations, one of the reasons of choosing this aspect of business organizations that will be very beneficial for the global business community. Before carrying out research on performance management, it is very imperative that the researcher ensures its clarified understanding as it is an observation that vague understandings often res ult in unproductive outcomes. For this reason, experts (Shepard, pp. 4-14, 2000) have identified that the basic responsibility of performance management is to ensure integration of organizational mission and aims with that of employees on individual level. For this purpose, performance management includes techniques to create, evaluate, and review organizational mission and aims and integrate them on individual levels. In other words, performance management is an effective tool for employers to create a platform for ongoing communication with the employees. However, performance management is not enough to ensure such an enduring relationship, and thus, reward management plays its role by regulating this connection with the tools of different types and kinds of rewards to ensure interest and loyalty of the employees. Research Statement In this regard, the researcher will focus on the following research statement to fulfill the aims and objectives of the research: â€Å"