Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Compose an essay addressing Chinas one-child policy. Why was this

Compose an addressing Chinas one-child policy. Why was this policy determined to be the best option for China to reduce population growth What is the - Essay Example The policy was effective in reducing the overall population growth, however, this action was not without negative ramifications. In 2006, China had a population of over 1.3 billion people, and is predicted to grow to just over 1.4 billion by the year 2050 (â€Å"2006 World†, 2006). This makes China the most populous country in the world today. However, because of implemented measures to reduce its rate of population growth, in 2050, it is projected to be the second most populated country just behind India (â€Å"2006 World†, 2006). In the 1960s and 1970s, when the population seemed to be increasing out of control, the use of contraceptives began to be promoted vigorously, which gradually resulted in a drop in fertility rates in China (Kent & Haub, 2005). The most popular contraceptive method used continued to be female sterilization and intrauterine devices (IUDs), followed by oral contraceptives (Kend & Haub, 2005). This was successful in lowering fertility rates, however, the Chinese government still believed a more rigid policy must be implemented to successfully contain the population rate. The history of China’s population control has fluctuated between encouraging births at certain times in its history, while actively prohibiting births at another (Love, 2005). In 1949, the same year the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was created, the regime encouraged births to â€Å"increase the rate of socioeconomic development and to strengthen the county† (Love, 2005, p. 143). In fact, the leader of the Chinese Revolution, Mao Zedong, publicly announced that a large population would be a very good thing for China because out of all the things in existence in the world, â€Å"people are the most precious (Zedong, as cited by Love, 2005, p. 143). The population grew so fast during that time, that only a few years later, policy changes were implemented. In 1954, birth control was discussed openly by the PRC, however, only four years later in 1958, Mao

Monday, October 28, 2019

Stylolites - Greek Essay Example for Free

Stylolites Greek Essay Stylolites are irregular discontinuity or non structural fractures which are found in limestone plus other sedimentary rocks. Stylolites come from compaction and pressure solution during the process of diagenesis and it might be blown up by subsequent groundwater flow. Stylolites most of the time comes into view as uneven discontinuities in the outcrops along with hand samples and they are frequently lined up with clays which are quite impossible to solve, opaque and dim organic matter. The phrase stylolite originated right from the Greek for pillar, ‘stylo’ (Paul 19). A stylolite is not a structural fracture even though they have been described as a structure of anti crack whereby both sides are moving together instead of moving apart. Proof exists in the structure of fossiliferous limestones in which the fossils crosscut by a stylolite and it is said that only one of the half still exists. The other half has already been dissolved away. Stylolites in one way or the other might be an important geologic feature which affects the reservoir quality and most probably the reservoir management in a good number of carbonate reservoirs. Emaciated, discontinuous paved zones which are connected with stylolites take place in the massive, soaring porosity dolomites of the Upper Smackover at Jay/LEC Field and they are actually the source of horizontal baffles to perpendicular flow suspected ever since the early days of production in combination with the corroboration by full field reservoir performance studies. It is important for the thin, perpendicular flow baffles to match historical water flood arrivals in both full field plus a little area simulation modeling that led to the wide spreading re-examination of the core and recognition of these formerly undetected cemented zones connected with stylolites. Field wide conventional coring provides an outstanding foundation database for describing the physical nature, circulation of stylolites and the most related cements. In the ontong Java Plateau chalk sediments mechanical compaction actually causes a porosity decline from let us say 70% to 50% in the topmost 600 m. mudstones together with wackestones they tend to have comparable porosity for the reason that the wall cavity of the microfossils add up in the same way to pore-space and to the solid phase. The original pore filling cementation might be interconnected to the occurrence of the primary stylolites at approximately 830 m together with a decrease in massive sediment. Temperature is in the region of 20%C and valuable burial stress 6 MPa (Paris 79). Stylolites might derive in primary diffuse green bands which are enriched in smectite chlorite, most probably those of volcanic origin. The bands are replaced approximately below 490 m by supplementary distinct flaser structures that are enriched in smectite. The commencement of pressure dissolution consequently corresponds to an interval of diminishing mechanical compaction. Below 790 m the chalk consists of biogenic opal-A, nevertheless the opal-CT increasingly it takes over 790 m and most probably below 1130 m quartz becomes the only silica phase. This process coincides with the cementation frontage, beneath which depth pore-filling calcite cementation makes porosity to go down. Silica-Ca complexes in the pore water might not become stable when the high temperature and age cause quartz to turn out to be the most established silica phase. The pore filing cementation tends to load microfossils completely with the intention that textual differences are at the present clearly visible on the porosity log. The stylolite bears a chalk of the Gorm field, the Central North Sea, porosity is 20%-40%, lower than OJP chalk however it is higher than OJP limestone. The variation is reflecting cementation of microfossils while the matrix porosity is comparable to the OJP chalk. The variation between OJP and it is not possible to explain Gorm field chalk alone by the early introduction of hydrocarbons, which does not exactly give an explanation of the cementation of microfossils. Nevertheless, another cause might be the excessive pressure in the chalk of the Central North Sea whereby the percentage amongst the temperature and effective burial stress far above the ground. Silica most probably has the equilibrated to quartz before stylolites exhibited so that calcite cementation was not held back at all by the silica diagenesis (Bradbury 197). Stylolites were observed during the Hampovica-6 well and they have been shaped in a stress field which tends to act homogeneously in excess of a long period of time without reactivating older, pre-existing fracture systems. Alongside the strike, they tend to cut off all the planes of different discontinuities, bedding together with fractures from the axial plane. Through the aforementioned statement, it shows that the stylolites were created after the final tectonic configuration of the structure which was presently in the well. That is to say, the two sets of dissimilar deformations point towards the two events of the similar compression that is confined to a small area in the part of limestone of the aforementioned well only. The reality is that in the other rock samples which are examined from this well they originate from more shallow and deeper parts than this interval, neither the stylolitization nor the significant structural deformations have been clearly observed. Slight thoughtfulness is given to the interior structure of the stone. They have written very few about the influence of stylolites, a most important parameter, as a way which is used to choose an appropriate stone, to forecast its outcome on applications plus their performance thereafter, not to talk about using stylolites as a analytic tool already during prospecting for stone deposits. This disrespect resulted in defaults more especially within limestone slabs and strips with pre-existing discontinuities into the stone just similar to stylolites. Very similar it applies to installation defaults for instance the proper attachment and prevention of slabs breaking for the duration of processing, installation, or even after placing. In point of fact, litigations and complaints within the stone sector concern floor coverings which contains problematic stylolites associated with cutting with-the bed, tripping, slipping and tentative accidents. In some sense the industry can be held responsible for this state of affairs, from the lack of geotechnical awareness to stylolites during mining and prospection at the quarries. Attention taken to possible defaults gives the quarry owner or stone supplier knowledge with a good understanding of the deposit and eventually it ensures satisfaction to customers (Bradbury 213). As a matter of fact, stylolites are mainly found in so many rock types together with sandstones, to slighter extent igneous rocks plus other deposits metamorphosed to a variety of degrees. On the other hand, limestones and dolomites are used in building and construction which forms the major group affected by the presence of stylolites more especially the stones that are having higher pure calcareous content. The stylolitic limestones are important in ornamental and decorative uses, marketed as marble. At present the nation is using stylolitic limestone for business purposes. They are used for making ornaments. The behaviors of stone materials are traced to conditions throughout the origin of the rock and to the tectonic appearance of the rock mass. The quarry investigations and laboratory capacity have then to be associated with the limestone applications in building frontages or pavements. Even though the general mechanical properties might be accepted, the very natural properties which are foot printed during genesis or those that are caused by the historical tectonic discontinuities might at times let people down during or after the stone application. The earliest examination of the stone material for possible disorders actually prevents default. It needs the understanding of the stylolites, a structural examination of the quarry beds to search for discontinuities, to prevent excessive tectonic stylolites to smoothen the progress of commercial block extraction. It applies to figuring out cutting direction to decrease the stratigraphic stylolites rate (Dean 117). Conclusion Inconclusive negotiations about the origin and the formation of stylolites have always been and they are still going on for more than a century at present. It does not sound academic but an extensive literature is readily available on stylolites whereby petite attempt has been made in which data is applied to the dimension stone industry. Apart from the significance of stylolites for descriptive purposes, the compulsory petrograhic examination standards, vertical and stylolites might be used to show the quality of the stone, when the subject to dynamic loading is on floors or pavements. Finally, at present people notice the presence of stylolites in areas subjected to tectonic actions and observed facts must be accepted as fundamentally right. Works Cited Bradbury, H. Fluid flow in the crust: an example from a Pyrenean thrust ramp. American Journal of Science (288):1988, 197-235. Dean, S. Structural chronology. West Virginia: southeastern printers, 1988. Paris, B. Stylolites: Their Nature and Origin: Their Nature and Origin. India: Indiana University, 1921. Paul, D. Microdynamics Simulation. Georgia: Springer Publishers, 2008.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The Impact of Different Life Crises :: Crises Crisis Death Life Essays

The Impact of Different Life Crises Stress and everyday annoyances are not crises. Situations that interfere with normal activity, inspire feelings of panic or defeat, and bring about deep emotional reactions are crises. A crisis is a 'turning point'; or a crucial time that will make a difference for better or worse. The Chinese word for 'crisis'; is made up of two characters -- one means despair and the other means opportunity. When a person experiences crisis, there will either be a negative outcome or a positive one. The direction of the outcome depends on a number of factors such as -- physical and emotional health of the individual, support from others, childhood upbringing, past experience with similar situations, and the duration of the crisis situation. I propose to focus specifically on the life crises with which the elderly population faces, notably the loss of a spouse or companion, retirement, and contending with a terminal illness. Through examining the latter crises and their potential to influence the he alth of an elderly individual, I expect to learn of means by which the elderly may give way to in order not to become overwhelmed with the changes. Different life crises have different impacts. In many cases, however, it may be possible to anticipate crises and prepare for them. It may also be useful to recognize the impact of crises that have occurred so that one can take account of them appropriately. Holmes and Rahe with the Social Readjustment Scale have done some very interesting work in this area. This allocates a number of 'Life Crisis Units'; to different events, so that one can evaluate them and take action accordingly (Niven 99). While this approach is obviously a simplification of complex situations, using LCUs can give one a useful start in adjusting to life crises. With regards to the elderly population, namely the events 'death of a spouse';, 'personal illness or injury';, and 'retirement'; rate 100, 53, and 45 LCUs respectively. One of the most powerful stressors in one's life, particularly in the elderly population, is the loss of a loved one or a close relationship through the death of a spouse or companion . In the two years following bereavement, widowed people are more susceptible to illness and physical ailments, and their mortality rate is higher than expected. Bereaved people may be vulnerable to illness in part because, feeling unhappy, they do not sleep well, they stop eating properly, and they consume more drugs and cigarettes.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Global Communications Essay

While thanking you for the opportunity provided to research on Toyota company, there are several issues that neither be possible explained in detail in this letter nor directly in conversation. It is an agreeable fact that, Toyota is marginally successful in these global trade times in spite of stiff competition. A great strength of the company exists in its innovative and exchange of technology. There are several internal problems for the company in production process, workforce and even in marketing of cars. Toyota company is a middle class and commercial automobile company, which is meeting a great requirement of migrant workers and small businesses which are developing each new day especially in U. S, which is being cashed in by Toyota company. However there are major concerns of global crude oil price which has reached $100. 00 per barrel and a concern of global warming and emission of greenhouse gases, CO2, vehicle pollution are some of the major threats that Toyota has to work with in order to sustain in the market. Enclosing herewith a synopsis for your perusal and information. Sincerely, Paulbright Synopsis on Toyota Toyota company is a multinational company in manufacture of automobiles. There are millions of customers who are using Toyota cars on a daily basis for office going and for other commercial purposes. Especially in U. S. Toyota cars are extremely in use and even in the recent years, Toyota company has posted a rapid growth by its successful brand Prius Hybrid vehicle. Many experts in automobiles are of the opinion that Toyota has established â€Å"green image† in automobile market. Toyota company mark as a monopoly did not leave the company without problems in spite of its remarkable success. The problems are in various measures such as internal and external which the company’s management has to deal with. Although Toyota company is performing fairly well as compared with competitors there are problems of defective engines, designs and production problems which reflect in fall of sales. Particularly with regard to safety defects in Toyota vehicles is of a major concern to the company. Toyota company has a great experience in adoption of new technologies, innovation of technology and exchange of technology. However, with the emerge of globalisation, there is a stiff competition in the market, which brings in new kind of marketing problems, employment problems and other management problems to the company, whereas it is an agreeable fact that when there are problems, solution exists within the problem whether it is in production, workforce or marketing and these require proper identification of sources of problem, analysis and strategies to counter-attack the problem in order to keep the growth of the company. Especially with global fuel price rise in oil market, bringing a new major concern to Toyota company, which discourages customers to purchase petrol or diesel driven automobiles with the fact that fuel filling is quite expensive. Therefore Toyota company has launched Toyota FCHW which runs with Hydrogen have also entered consumer market as substitute vehicles for petrol and diesel. These hydrogen vehicles also help in less emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. In spite of the acute measure of problems, Toyota company has been endeavoring constantly pursuing comfort with technology aid and in introducing more outperforming and outstanding vehicles into the cars market. Running head: GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS 202, Chenoy Avenue St. Joseph’s street Las Vegas – 232 001 (xxx) (xxx xxx) paulbright@yahoo. com February 3, 2008 Mr. Noel Park Automobile Consultant 222, Business Trade center California – 452 005 Dear Mr. Park, Thanks indeed for the good opportunity to research on General Motors. It was a knowledgeable experience in finding some key facts about the company. General Motors is truly facing a halted position in U. S market and is doing very well outside U. S. However, retaining a proportionate share of domestic market is considered to be good at all times with the fact that â€Å"one does not lose battle on one’s own ground† . Have stated some of the alternative measures of strategies General Motors has to undertake with immediate effect and mode of change in operational methods. Enclosing herewith synopsis of General Motors for your perusal and for further necessary action. Sincerely, Paulbright Synopsis on General Motors Another multinational company General Motors with huge and massive successful track of business for several decades, has come to a stage of halt in U. S market as its competitors Toyota, Honda,Hyundai and Nissan have built a proportionate consumer market in U. S. It is an acceptable fact that, General Motors brands of cars are extremely of efficient functioning and due to changing times of global trade entering domestic market, GM has lost sales in an uneven field. This gives out another fact that losing U. S market does not mean that GM has lost consumer market in other countries viz. , Canada, Europe, Asia and many other parts of the world. GM luxury cars Chevrolet, Saturn, Pontiac, GMC, Saab, Hummer and several other models of car have to be made available in market with super special features of advanced technology with cost effective pricing. As a matter of fact, although middle class consumer market is extensive and wide, luxury cars have always retained a unique identity in the market such as in Benz cars, BMW and Lexus. In other words, General Motors must work on innovative manufacturing and marketing strategies in order to maintain its yester years reputation and to keep the sale of cars in high numbers even in losing ground of U. S. market. GM must also work to evolve new methods of marketing to prevent loss of consumer market in North America with the fact that North America has a huge market even if it is for luxury cars. Therefore, General Motors while pursuing other export market, a part of its concentration must also be ventured in North America consumer market. With an apparent fact of severe battle with competitors, General Motors has also been confronted with workforce problems by cutting 30,000 jobs and closure of a dozen plants due to company’s record of loss which posted nearly to $4 billion in 2005. â€Å"GM sought to destroy small dealers through their so-called secret Project 2000, which GM defined as the systematic elimination of small dealerships by the year 2000, and was designed to consolidate car sales at large auto malls,† (Horvath). Running head: GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS 202, Chenoy Avenue St. Joseph’s street Las Vegas – 232 001 (xxx) (xxx xxx) paulbright@yahoo. com February 3, 2008 Mr. Noel Park Automobile Consultant 222, Business Trade center California – 452 005 Dear Mr. Park, With regard to the synopsis of Toyota and General Motors, the following are some of the key findings. (a) The scenario of Toyota and General Motors is fair and competitive. Both the companies have internal, external and operational method problems. General Motors is partly facing a financial crunch due to its fall in sales and this can be prevented on undertaking of new marketing strategies in U. S as well in other parts of the world where GM branded cars are mostly in want. (b) Problems of production, workforce, management are plenty in Toyota whereas General Motors has slashed jobs and have closed plants in many countries as a precautionary measure. It can always be presumed that these plants would be restored to production as and when the company regains its market. (c) No company can meet every demand of a customer whereas every model of car has a particular design and technicality and with this fact, it can be concluded that branded cars always retain its reputation even though new entries are available in the market at low cost. The trend in market is never constant and it keeps changing and General Motors has an opportunity to watch this trend of consumer market and must restore its marketing strategies. References Michael Kowalski (2007), Rapid Growth has lead to problems for Toyota Accessed February 3, 2008 http://www. glgroup. com/News/Rapid-Growth-has-lead-to-problems-for-Toyota-18827. html Should President Bush be focused on moving forward with Hydrogen? Accessed February 3, 2008 http://hydrogendiscoveries. wordpress. com/ Books Cornelius Herstatt (2005) Management of Technology And Innovation in Japan Accessed February 3, 2008 http://books. google. com/books? id=KC7zgDeAnc8C&pg=PR22&lpg=PR19&dq=toyota+company+problems+and+solutions&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html&sig=7ATxnpTUENdyS6Dd22CkmAh24ko General Motors GM: Solutions for effective change Accessed February 3, 2008 http://ezinearticles. com/? GM:-Solutions-For-Effective-Change&id=152642 General Motors problems are no secret, but few know why they exist: Insider provides answer in New Book ‘Project 2000’

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Night World : Dark Angel Chapter 3

first it looked like a speck, then like an insect on a lightbulb, then like a kite. Gillian watched, too frightened to run, until it got close enough for her to realize what it really was. It was an angel. Her fear drained away as she stared. The figure seemed to shine, as if it were made of the same light as the mist. It was tall, and had the shape of a perfectly formed human. It was walking, but somehow rushing toward her at the same time. An angel, Gillian thought, awed. An angel†¦ And then the mist cleared and the shining faded. The figure was standing on the grass in front of her. Gillian blinked. Uh-not an angel, after all. A young guy. Maybe seventeen, a year older than Gillian. And†¦ drop dead gorgeous. He had a face like some ancient Greek sculpture. Classically beautiful. Hair like unburnished gold. Eyes that weren't blue, but violet. Long golden lashes. And a terrific body. I shouldn't be noticing that Gillian thought, horrified. But it was hard not to. Now that his clothes had stopped shining, she could see that they were ordinary, the kind any guy from earth might wear. Washed and faded jeans and a white T-shirt. And he could easily have done a commercial for those jeans. He was well built without being over-musdy. His only flaw, if it could be called that, was that his expression was a little too uplifted. Almost too sweet for a boy. Gillian stared. The being looked back. After a moment he spoke. â€Å"Hey, kid,† he said, and winked. Gillian was startled-and mad. Normally, she was shy about speaking to guys, but after all, she was dead now, and this person had struck a raw nerve. â€Å"Who're you calling kid?† she said indignantly. He just grinned. â€Å"Sorry. No offense.† Confused, Gillian made herself nod politely. Who was this person? She'd always heard you had friends or relatives come and meet you. But she'd never seen this guy before in her life. Anyway, he's definitely not an angel. â€Å"I've come to help you,† he said. As if he'd heard her thought. â€Å"Help me?† â€Å"You have a choice to make.† That was when Gillian began to notice the door. It was right behind the guy, approximately where the mist had been. And it was a door†¦ but it wasn't. It was like the luminous outline of a door, drawn very faintly on thin air. Fear crept back into Gillian's mind. Somehow, without knowing how she knew, she knew the door was important. More important than anything she'd seen so far. Whatever was behind it was-well, maybe beyond comprehension. A different place. Where all the laws she knew didn't apply. Not necessarily bad. Just so powerful and so different that it was scary. Good can be scary, too. That's the real gateway, she thought. Go through that door and you don't come back. And even though part of her longed desperately to see what was behind it, she was still so frightened that she felt dizzy. â€Å"The thing is, it wasn't actually your time,† the guy with the golden-blond hair said quietly. Oh, yes, I should have known. That's the clich†, Gillian thought. But she thought it weakly. Looking at that door, she didn't have room left inside for cute remarks. She swallowed, blinking to clear her eyes. â€Å"But here you are. A mistake, but one we have to deal with. In these cases, we usually leave the decision up to the individual.† â€Å"You're saying I can choose whether or not I die.† â€Å"To put it sort of loosely.† â€Å"It's just up to me?† â€Å"That's right.† He tilted his head slightly. â€Å"You might want to think your life over at this point.† Gillian blinked. Then she took a few steps away from him and stared across the supernaturally green grass. She tried to think about her life. If you'd asked me this morning if I wanted to stay alive, there would have been no question. But now†¦ Now it felt a little like being rejected. As if she weren't good enough. And besides, seeing that she'd come this far †¦ did she really want to go back? It's not as if I were anybody special there. Not smart like Amy, a straight A student. Not brave. Not talented. Well, what else is there? What would I be going back to? Her mom-drinking every day, asleep by the time Gillian got home. Her dad and the constant arguments. The loneliness she knew she'd be facing now that Amy had a boyfriend. The longing for things she could never have, like David Blackburn with his quizzical smile. Like popularity and love and acceptance. Like having people think she was interesting and-and mature. Come on. There's got to be something good back there. â€Å"Cup Noodles?† the guy's voice said. Gillian turned toward him. â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"You like those. Especially on a cold day when you come inside. Cats. The way babies smell. Cinnamon toast with lots of butter, like your mom used to make it when she still got up in the morning. Bad monster movies.† Gillian choked. She'd never told anyone about most of those things. â€Å"How do you know all that?† He smiled. He really had an extraordinary smile. â€Å"Eh, we see a lot up here.† Then he sobered. â€Å"And don't you want to see more? Of life, I mean. Isn't there anything left for you to do?† Everything was left for her to do. She'd never accomplished anything worthwhile. But I didn't have much time, a small wimpy voice inside her protested. To be quashed immediately by a stern, steady voice. You think that's an excuse? Nobody knows how much time they've got. You had plenty of minutes, and you wasted most of them. â€Å"Then don't you think you'd better go back and try again?† the guy said, hi a gentle, prodding voice. â€Å"See if you can do a better job?† Yes. All at once, Gillian was filled with the same burning she'd felt when she got out of the creek. A sense of revelation and of purpose. She could do that. She could change completely, turn her life in a whole new direction. Besides, there were her parents to consider. No matter how bad things were between them now, it could only make it worse if their daughter suddenly died. They'd blame each other. And Amy would get one of her guilt complexes for not waiting to drive Gillian home from school†¦ The thought brought a little grim satisfaction. Gillian tried to quell it. She had the feeling the guy was listening. But she did have a new perspective on life. A sudden feeling that it was terribly precious, and that the worst thing you could do was waste it. She looked at the guy. â€Å"I want to go back.† He nodded. Gave the smile again. â€Å"I thought maybe you would.† His voice was so warm now. There was a quality in it that was like-what? Pure love? Infinite understanding? A tone that was to sound what perfect light was to vision. He held out a hand. â€Å"Time to go, Gillian,† he said gently. His eyes were the deepest violet imaginable. Gillian hesitated just an instant, then reached toward him. She never actually touched his hand, not in a physical way. Just as her fingers seemed about to meet his, she felt a tingling shock and there was a flash. Then he was gone and Gillian had several odd impressions all at once. The first was of being†¦ unfixed. Detached from her surroundings. A falling feeling. The second was of something coming at her. It was coming very fast from some direction she couldn't point to. A place that wasn't defined by up or down or left or right. And it felt huge and winged, the way a hawk's shadow must feel to a mouse. Gillian had a wild impulse to duck. But it wasn't necessary. She was moving herself, falling away. Rushing backward through the tunnel, leaving the meadow-and whatever was coming at her-behind. The huge thing had only registered for an instant on her senses, and now, whizzing back through the darkness, she forgot about it. Later, she would realize what a mistake this had been. For now, time seemed compressed. She was alone in the tunnel, being pulled down like water down a drain. She tried to look between her feet to see where she was going, and saw something like a deep well beneath her. At the bottom of the well was a circle of light, like the view backwards through a telescope. And in the circle, very tiny, was a girl's body lying on the snow. My body, Gillian thought-and then, before she had time to feel any emotion, the bottom of the well was rushing up toward her. The tiny body was bigger and bigger. She felt a tugging pressure. She was being sucked into it-too fast. Way too fast. She had no control. She fit perfectly in the body, like a hand slipping into a mitten, but the jolt knocked her out. Oooh†¦ something hurts. Gillian opened her eyes-or tried to. It was as hard as doing a chin-up. On the second or third attempt she managed to get them open a crack. Whiteness everywhere. Dazzling. Blinding. Where†¦ ? Is it snow? What am I doing lying down in the snow? Images came to her. The creek. Icy water. Climbing out. Falling. Being so cold†¦ After that†¦ she couldn't remember. But now she knew what hurt. Everything. I can't move. Her muscles were clenched tight as steel. But she knew she couldn't stay here. If she did, she'd†¦ Memory burst through her. I died already. Strangely, the realization gave her strength. She actually managed to sit up. As she did, she heard a cracking sound. Her clothes were glazed with solid ice. Somehow she got to her feet. She shouldn't have been able to do it. Her body had been cold enough to shut down earlier, and since then she'd been lying in the snow. By all the laws of nature, she should be frozen now. But she was standing. She could even shuffle a step forward. Only to realize she had no idea which way to go. She still didn't know where the road was. Worse, it would be getting dark soon. When that happened, she wouldn't even be able to see her own tracks. She could walk in circles in the woods until her body gave out again. â€Å"See that white oak tree? Go around it to the right.† The voice was behind her left ear. Gillian turned that way as sharply as her rigid muscles would allow, even though she knew she wouldn't see anything. She recognized the voice. But it was so much warmer and gentler now. â€Å"You came back with me.† â€Å"Sure.† Once again the voice was filled with that impossible warmth, that perfect love. â€Å"You don't think I'd just leave you to wander around until you froze again, do you? Now head for that tree, kid.† After that came a long time of stumbling and staggering, over branches, around trees, on and on. It seemed to last forever, but always there was the voice in Gillian's ear, guiding her, encouraging her. It kept her moving when she thought she couldn't possibly go another step. And then, at last, the voice said, â€Å"Just up this ridge and you'll find the road.† In a dreamlike state, Gillian climbed the ridge. And there it was. The road. In the last light before darkness, Gillian could see it meandering down a hill. But it was still almost a mile to her house, and she couldn't go any farther. â€Å"You don't have to,† the voice said gently. â€Å"Look up the road.† Gillian saw headlights. â€Å"Now just get in the middle of the road and wave.† Gillian stumbled out and waved like a mechanical doll. The headlights were coming, blinding her. Then she realized that they were slowing. â€Å"We did it,† she gasped, dimly aware that she was speaking out loud. â€Å"They're stopping!† â€Å"Of course they're stopping. You did a great job. You'll be all right now.† There was no mistaking the note of finality. The car was stopped now. The driver's side door was opening. Gillian could see a dark figure beyond the glare of the headlights. But in that instant what she felt was distress. â€Å"Wait, don't leave me. I don't even know who you are-â€Å" For a brief moment, she was once again enfolded by love and understanding. â€Å"Just call me Angel.† Then the voice was gone, and all Gillian could feel was anguish. â€Å"What are you doing out-Hey, are you okay?† The new voice broke through Gillian's emptiness. She had been standing rigidly in the headlights; now she blinked and tried to focus on the figure coming toward her. â€Å"God, of course you're not okay. Look at you. You're Gillian, aren't you? You live on my street.† It was David Blackburn. The knowledge surged through her like a shock, and it drove all the strange hallucinations she'd been having out of her mind. It really was David, as close as he'd ever been to her. Dark hair. A lean face that still had traces of a summer tan. Cheekbones to die for and eyes to drown in. A certain elegance of carriage. And that half-friendly, half-quizzical smile†¦ Except that he wasn't smiling now. He looked shocked and worried. Gillian couldn't get a single word out. She just stared at him from under the icy curtain of her hair. â€Å"What hap-No, never mind. We've got to get you warm.† At school he was thought of as a tough guy, an independent rebel. But, now, without any hesitation, the tough guy scooped her up in his arms. Confusion flashed through Gillian, then embarrassment-but underneath it all was something much stronger. An odd bedrock sense of safety. David was warm and solid and she knew instinctively that she could trust him. She could stop fighting now and relax. â€Å"Put this on †¦ watch your head†¦ here, use this for your hair.† David was somehow getting everything done at once without hurrying. Capable and kind. Gillian found herself inside the car, wrapped in his sheepskin jacket, with an old towel around her shoulders. Heat blasted from the vents as David gunned the engine. It was wonderful to be able to rest without being afraid it would kill her. Bliss not to be surrounded by cold, even if the hot air didn't seem to warm her. The worn beige interior of the Mustang seemed like paradise. And David-well, no, he didn't look like an angel. More like a knight, especially the kind who went out in disguise and rescued people. Gillian was beginning to feel very fuzzy. â€Å"I thought I'd take a dip,† she said, between chattering teeth. She was shivering again. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You asked what happened. I was a little hot, so I jumped in the creek.† He laughed out loud. â€Å"Huh. You're brave.† Then he glanced at her sideways with keen eyes and added, â€Å"What really happened?† He thinks I'm brave! A glow better than the heated air enveloped Gillian. â€Å"I slipped,† she said. â€Å"I went into the woods, and when I got to the creek-† Suddenly, she remembered why she'd gone into the woods. She'd forgotten it since the fall had put her own life in danger, but now she seemed to hear that faint, pathetic cry all over again. â€Å"Oh, my God,† she said, struggling to sit upright. â€Å"Stop the car.†

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Selected Quotations by Amelia Earhart

Selected Quotations by Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in aviation, and set a number of records for firsts for women. In 1937, her plane disappeared over the Pacific, and while there are theories about what happened to her, there is not certain answer even today. Selected Amelia Earhart Quotations About her first airplane ride: As soon as we left the ground, I knew I had to fly. Flying may not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price. After midnight the moon set and I was alone with the stars. I have often said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, and I need no other flight to convince me that the reason flyers fly, whether they know it or not, is the esthetic appeal of flying. Adventure is worthwhile in itself. The most effective way to do it, is to do it. I want to do something useful in the world. Please know that I am quite aware of the hazards. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others. [Last letter to her husband before her last flight.] Women must pay for everything. They do get more glory than men for comparable feats. But, they also get more notoriety when they crash. The effect of having other interests beyond those domestic works well. The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be ones appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship. The woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune. One of my favorite phobias is that girls, especially those whose tastes arent routine, often dont get a fair break.... It has come down through the generations, an inheritance of age-old customs which produced the corollary that women are bred to timidity. After all, times are changing and women need the critical stimulus of competition outside the home. A girl must nowaways believe completely in herself as an individual. She must realize at the outset that a woman must do the same job better than a man to get as much credit for it. She must be aware of the various discriminations, both legal and traditional, against women in the business world. ... now and then women should do for themselves what men have already done occasionally what men have not done thereby establishing themselves as persons, and perhaps encouraging other women toward greater independence of thought and action. Some such consideration was a contributing reason for my wanting to do what I so much wanted to do. My ambition is to have this wonderful gift produce practical results for the future of commercial flying and for the women who may want to fly tomorrows planes. In soloing as in other activities it is far easier to start something than it is to finish it. The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward. Never do things others can do and will do if there are things others cannot do or will not do. Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldnt be done. Anticipation, I suppose, sometimes exceeds realization. There are two kinds of stones, as everyone knows, one of which rolls. Worry retards reaction and makes clear-cut decisions impossible. Preparation, I have often said, is rightly two-thirds of any venture. Amelia is a grand person for such a trip. She is the only woman flyer I would care to make such an expedition with. Because in addition to being a fine companion and pilot, she can take hardship as well as a man and work like one. (Fred Noonan, Amelias navigator for the around-the-world flight) A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves. Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense. No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves. I lay no claim to advancing scientific data other than advancing flying knowledge. I can only say that I do it because I want to. For the economic structure we have built up is all too often a barrier between the worlds work and the workers. If the younger generation finds the hurdle too absurdly high, I hope it will not hesitate to tear it down and substitute a social order in which the desire to work and learn carries with it the opportunity to do so. Like many horrid children I loved school, though I never qualified as teachers pet. Perhaps the fact that I was exceedingly fond of reading made me endurable. With a large library to browse in, I spent many hours not bothering anyone after I once learned to read. It is true that there are no more geographical frontiers to push back, no new lands flowing with milk and honey this side of the moon to promise surcease from man-made ills. But there are economic, political, scientific, and artistic frontiers of the most exciting sort awaiting faith and the spirit of adventure to discover them. In my life I had come to realize that when things were going very well indeed it was just the time to anticipate trouble. And, conversely, I learned from pleasant experience that at the most despairing crisis, when all looked sour beyond words, some delightful break was apt to lurk just around the corner. Of course I realized there was a measure of danger. Obviously I faced the possibility of not returning when first I considered going. Once faced and settled there really wasnt any good reason to refer to it. Poem by Amelia Earhart Courage is the price thatLife exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it notKnows no release from little things:Knows not the livid loneliness of fear,Nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear the sound of wings. Nor can life grant us boon of living, compensateFor dull gray ugliness and pregnant hateUnless we dareThe souls dominion.Each time we make a choice, we payWith courage to behold the resistless day,And count it fair. Letter from Amelia Earhart to Her Husband In a letter she gave to her future husband, George Palmer Putnam, just before their wedding in 1931, Earhart wrote: You must know again my reluctancy to marry, my feeling that I shatter thereby chances in work which means so much to me. In our life together I shall not hold you to any medieval code of faithfulness to me, nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly. I may have to keep some place where I can go to be myself now and then, for I cannot guarantee to endure at all times the confinements of even an attractive cage. I must extract a cruel promise, and that is you will let me go in a year if we find no happiness together. About These Quotes Quote collection assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis. Each quotation page in this collection and the entire collection  © Jone Johnson Lewis. This is an informal collection assembled over many years. I regret that I am not be able to provide the original source if it is not listed with the quote. More Women Pilots If youre interested in Amelia Earhart, you might also want to read about Harriet Quimby, first woman licensed as a pilot in the United States; Bessie Coleman, the first African American to earn a pilots license; Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; or Mae Jemison, first African American woman astronaut.   More about women pilots is found in the Women in Aviation  Timeline, and more about women in space in the Women in Space timeline.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Affirmative Action Case Essays

Affirmative Action Case Essays Affirmative Action Case Essay Affirmative Action Case Essay Measures of merit are biased toward cur entry empowered groups. For example, schools that are predominantly black Often Offer fewer AP classes. According to a New York Times article, Californians best high schools offer ma NY APS and honors classes which boost a students GAP with point multipliers. This raises the average applicant GAP at UCLA, for example, to 4. 2. Many of the largely black high such lolls around Los Angels, however, severely lack AP courses, making the highest possible GAP a 4. 0. Meanwhile, families in higher tier jobs can often provide their children with be deter internship and research opportunities via connections be;en colleagues that under presented races do not have. These research and internship opportunities create a distinct ad antigen for college applicants. Moreover, people in positions of power are more likely to hire from certain backgrounds regardless of popular principles, perpetuating this disparity. The white unemployment rate is 4. 9 while the black or African American unemployment rate is 10. (Asian rate is 4. 0) in January 201 5 according to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Similarly, Infeasible. Com reports that as of 201 3, black men earn only 75. 1 % of a white mans wage. Affirmative action allows the best to rise by addressing this exclusion and ball inning the advantage. Moving on to my second point Affirmative action has been making progress since its creation in 1960. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights r eports that since the I sass, students of color have increased their total college enrollment by 57. Percent, and the proportion of women earning bachelors degrees has been steadily increasing Moreover, negative effects have been observed when affirmative action programs were abolished. Statistics show that after California abolished its affirmative action programs n 1998, the minority student admissions at US Berkeley fell 61 percent, and minority Adam sessions at UCLA fell 36 percent. After Texas abolished its affirmative action program in 1996, R ice Universitys freshman class had 46 percent fewer Fragmentariness and 22 percent fewer Hispanic students. Continuing onto my final point : Affirmative action promotes ethnic diversity and more ethnic representation in in jobs and learning opportunities. This ethnic diversity is be inefficacy for society. Greater interaction and communication between ethnic groups reduce sees the possibility for misunderstanding and reduces conflict. It also increases understanding be teen these groups and therefore discourages further discrimination and can serve as a SSL w acting, long term solution to widespread attitudes of racism. Affirmative action promotes diversity in universities and creates a diverse learning environment. A study from the University of Michigan found that diverse groups are better at solving problems. Monoculture ere groups that have come from the exact same background with the same training think alike e, making the group act as essentially one person. Conversely, groups with members of dive rise backgrounds can think from a multitude of different perspectives leading to more innovative problem solving.