Monday, August 24, 2020
Saturday, August 22, 2020
The racial discrimination among employers
Albeit open prejudice in America and other European countries is practically wiped out, the bad habit despite everything exists among certain businesses. A basic report on the work rules between the African-Americans and the Whites draws some recognizable differences. The variations demonstrate hard to quantify in light of the fact that the specialists are not businesses. Likely the business measure is a long ways past racial discrimination.Advertising We will compose a custom article test on The racial separation among managers explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More The businesses can put together their enrollment with respect to training quality, work understanding, and not race, while others can put together their enlistment with respect to the character of the race. Then again, the utilization of review studies may produce poor outcomes on the grounds that the evaluators may put together their decision with respect to what the general public holds about racial sep aration. In this manner, despite the fact that there is consistency in the racial separation among businesses, factually, analysts can't quantify the end models applied. In their examination, Bertrand and Mullainathan take a gander at the work advertise (enlistment rules) in Chicago and Boston by acting like occupation searchers. The accompanying conversation learns the factual discoveries of the previously mentioned specialists on the irregularity of business openings, between the African-Americans and the whites. To defeat the previously mentioned escape clauses in the investigation of racial imbalance in the activity market, Bertrand and Mullainathan acted like employment searchers by making numerous resumes. Physical contribution in the investigation was testing a direct result of biasness among the specialist/inspectors or the businesses would not promptly show the racial hole in their organizations. Bertrand and Mullainathan considered essential issues like instruction quality , work understanding, social foundation, and neighborhood. For example, the African-Americans and the whites have extraordinary and particular names that any American or European would effectively distinguish. In the first place, half of the resumes had white names and the other half African-American names. Furthermore, a gathering of the resumes with white names had high instruction capabilities, which was like the African-Americans. Thirdly, the last gathering (Whites and African-Americans) had lower training capabilities. Basing on the nearby papers work adverts in deals, organization, administrative, and client benefits the specialists conveyed the resumes to the particular employers.Advertising Looking for article on business financial aspects? We should check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The broad supposition that was that all businesses would effectively sort the names according to the race. The utilization of paper as the main well spring of occupation outlet is a shortcoming in the examination. Be that as it may, the following conversation explains the key discoveries of Bertrand and Mullainathan. Factually, Bertrand and Mullainathan determined the get back to rates according to the race, which was as names. The names indicating as white individuals got 9.65 percent calls welcoming them for interviews while those with African-American names got 6.45 percent solicitations for the meeting. In spite of the fact that the candidates had comparative capabilities or type of resumes, there was a 50 percent variety in the enlistment. Progressively finished, in situations where the male African-Americans applied they had a lower chance when contrasted with their female partners. Accordingly, from the variety in get back to rates, Bertrand and Mullainathan close with every single other factor like social foundation and training consistent managers practice racial segregation. Preferably, all the individuals with compara ble capabilities/continue quality paying little heed to the race ought to get in any event a greeting for the meeting. Sadly, the noteworthy contrast in the greeting for meet has a positive connection to inevitable work. In their conversation, the two scientists exclude the connection between occupation, racial segregation, and wages. Along these lines, the distinction in wage designation, in enterprises can't quantify racial separation, in light of the fact that the pace of callback fluctuates among the ventures. This article on The racial segregation among managers was composed and presented by client Kaylynn Hebert to help you with your own investigations. You are allowed to utilize it for research and reference purposes so as to compose your own paper; nonetheless, you should refer to it in like manner. You can give your paper here.
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Why Bookish Lists Do Not Signal Armageddon
Why Bookish Lists Do Not Signal Armageddon Whenever someone publishes a bookish list, it seems, the usual grumpy people get all huffy and stamp their feet and tell us to stop writing bookish lists. Well, guess what, grumpy people- these lists arent going anywhere. First, lets explore what bookish lists are NOT: Satan Armageddon proof that all of humanity is dumber than dumb proof that we like counting more than reading the lazy way out of writing about books Ok, now lets talk about why bookish lists are GREAT: They help you decide where to start with a genre, author, country, etc. BR, as you know, publishes helpful lists on a regular basis, such as Swapnas African Reading List, Jamess list of the finalists for the Best Translated Book Award, and yours trulys list of women who write awesome steampunk fiction, for example. Tor.com has published a list of Favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy in Translation, and The Millions recently listed a bunch of books with colloquial titles. They round up older books youve never heard about- How about a nice, juicy list of 7 Obscure Childrenâs Books by Authors of Grown-Up Literature (Brain Pickings) or Open Cultures list of neglected books that you should really check out? They give you previews of upcoming books- For instance, Kirkus Reviews put together a list of the 10 Most Addictive Books of 2015 (So Far) and earlier this year on SF Signal, I wrote a list of upcoming SFF in Translation. BR regularly highlights upcoming books in such regular features as Fresh Ink, Ready, Set, Hold, and the new podcast All the Books. They make you think outside the literary canon and think more diversely Recommended Summer Reading: An Alternative List, Our Lists of the Greatest American Authors They help you get organized- where would we be without our personal TBR lists??? THEYRE FUN, FERGODSSAKE. So if youre one of those list-haters, dont write a long, boring essay about why bookish lists are long and boring. If you must express yourself, just put it in a list. ____________________ Book Riot Live is coming! Join us for a two-day event full of books, authors, and an all around good time. Its the convention for book lovers that weve always wanted to attend. So we are doing it ourselves.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Themes in the Novel Black Boy Essay - 1191 Words
Book review of Richard Wrights Black Boy, 1945 Introduction: I have never seen any part of the world where it seemed to me the masses of Negro People would be better off than right here in these Southern States - Booker T. Washington - Published in 1945, Richard Wrights autobiographical novel Black Boy was to prove the contrary. It documented prejudice and oppression caused by the Jim Crow laws in the Deep South in the early twentieth century. It is an account of the difficult road of an African American, who was convinced to have greater destiny than that of a stereotypical black person, the white people tried to transform him into. Wright tells the violent and disturbing story of his own life between the years 1908â⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Richard receives intense and often seemingly unreasonable beatings from his mother and grandmother, moreover, the members of his family are extremely religious and base their life principally on the word of the bible. Perhaps because of his natural distrust Richard remains unaffected by the religion, he simply does not feel anything and is hence considered dead by his grandmother and aunt. As years pass by Richards alienation increases in relation to the black community and the white world. Wright seems to criticize the subdued members of the black community who silently accept the white rule over them. The role model the southern whites have introduced for the blacks is so dominant that when Richards first short story is published in a black newspaper, instead of receiving compliments he is regarded as weird and he becomes even more isolated from the community. His grandmother accuses him of lying and condemns his fiction as devils work. It is this sense of isolation that drives Richard towards writing. Later in his life he grows to understand the true power of his words. Perhaps the most difficult challenge for Richard during the years in the South is to learn to deal with white people. He cannot understand why he should adapt to white supremacy and content with his place as a second-class citizen. However, in order to make his way out of the South, he has no choice but to actShow MoreRelatedSlavery and Racism Shown in Huckleberry Finn620 Words à |à 3 PagesIn the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain establishes three very prominent themes. These themes include racism and slavery, intellectual and moral education, and the hypocrisy of civilized society. The most dominant theme, racism and slavery, is recognized when the main character feels that he is doing the wrong thing in helping a runaway slave. It is also recognized in the passage where the main character talks to a boy who compares a black slaveââ¬â¢s worth to two-hundred dollarsRead MorePoem Analysis : Mine Boy 1715 Words à |à 7 Pages Peter Abrahamsââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å "Mine Boyâ⬠is a complex exploration of finding oneââ¬â¢s identity and manhood. A significant aspect of Abrahamsââ¬â¢ novel is the development of the character Xuma throughout the novel. More importantly, Abrahams examines the theme of a quest for self-assertion and manhood. This essay contends that, though oppression, survival, and love are themes portrayed in the novel, the primary theme portrayed within the novel is the examination of Xumaââ¬â¢s journey from innocence to the eventual realizationRead MoreInvisible Man By Ralph Ellison1277 Words à |à 6 PagesInvisible Man, by Ralph Ellison, is a story about a young African American man whose color renders him invisible. The theme of racism as a hurdle to individual identity is present throughout the story in a variety of examples. From the beginning of the novel the theme of identity is evident as the narrator states, ââ¬Å"All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what I wasâ⬠(Ellison, p. 1254). In the midst of living in a racist American society the speakersRead MoreEssay on Black Boy1370 Words à |à 6 Pageshappens in the autobiography called Black Boy written by Richard Wright. The novel is set in the early part of the 1900ââ¬â¢s, somewhere in deep Jim Crow South. Richard Wright, who is obviously the main character, is also the protagonist. The antagonist is no one person in particular, for it takes many different forms called quot;oppressionquot; in general. The main character over comes this quot;oppressionquot; by rebelling against the common roles of the black, Jim Crow society. Richard Wrightââ¬â¢sRead MoreHow Is Racism Presented in the Novel of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?869 Words à |à 4 PagesHow is racism presented in the novel of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry? Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a novel based in the Southern States of America in the 1930ââ¬â¢s and deals with the theme of Racism amongst other themes. Racism is being prejudice or discriminating against someone of a different race based on such a belief. Following on from the Civil War, America experienced ââ¬ËThe Great Depressionââ¬â¢ and it affected everyone, especially blacks. Mildred Taylor reveals examples of racism and racist behaviourRead More Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry Essay examples878 Words à |à 4 Pagescharacters in the story ROTHMC. However, they both reinforce the themes.quot; Discuss Aprox 1000 words There are many important Themes in the novel, Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry. These themes include: racial prejudice, loyalty, honesty, friendship, personal integrity and respect for others. Although Jeremy Simms and TJ Avery are fairly minor people in the book, their characters are used to inforce and strengthen the themes of the novel. We first meet TJ Avery when Cassie, Stacey, Little Man and Christopher-JohnRead MoreIn Claudia Rankineââ¬â¢S Citizen: An American Lyric, Many Themes1170 Words à |à 5 PagesIn Claudia Rankineââ¬â¢s Citizen: An American Lyric, many themes come together to show the intricate and fragile lives of black people within the racist construct of America. Anything from the game of tennis filled with bad calls to the outright brutality of police violence against blacks is represented by Citizen. Rankine creates a narrative of the everyday lives of blacks through not only her own experiences but the experiences of others. Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine seeks to bringRead MoreDalene Matthee in Fielas Child875 Words à |à 4 PagesFiela Komoetie who is devoted to her child ââ¬â a three-year old boy she finds one night, crying on her doorstep like a castaway lamb. On the other side of the mountain, in the Forest, are the Van Rooyens. Many years ago, the three-year-old s on of Elias Van Rooyen, a woodcutter, and his wife Barta disappeared. In Fielaââ¬â¢s Child, Dalene Matthee passionately portrays ideas about identity to the reader. She uses the story of Benjamin, a white boy who is brought up by a coloured woman, to communicate her thoughtsRead MoreAnalysis Of Harper Lee s Kill A Mockingbird 1491 Words à |à 6 PagesHarper Leeââ¬â¢s ââ¬â¹ To Kill a Mockingbird ââ¬â¹ is a critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning novel that instantly attained its position as one of the greatest literary classics (Editors).The story of Scout Finchââ¬â¢s childhood has become one of the most notable narratives that addresses controversial issues present in the early 20th century. Leeââ¬â¢s novel depicts themes of race, justice, and innocence throughout the novel. Although ââ¬â¹ To Kill a Mockingbirdââ¬â¹ is regarded as a literary masterpiece in American literatureRead MoreThe South : Controversial Topics On Harper Lee s Kill A Mockingbird1475 Words à |à 6 PagesHarper Leeââ¬â¢s To Kill a Mockingbird is a critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning novel that instantly attained its position as one of the greatest literary classics (Editors).The story of Scout Finchââ¬â¢s childhood has become one of the most notable narratives that addresses controversial issues present in the early 20th century. Leeââ¬â¢s novel depicts themes of race, justice, and innocence throughout the novel. Although To Kill a Mockingbird is regarded as a literary masterpiece in American literature
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Islam Essay - 1036 Words
2000 Islam and Love Love is an important aspect of Islam. In the Sufi Path of Love, written by Rumi, Love is the central theme. Rumi speaks alot about love and its branches and ramifications. According to Rumi, Love ddominateds most of the Sufi way of life. In a translation of Sufi Path of Love written by William C. Chittuck, Sufi says: quot;No matter what I say to explain and elucidate Love, shame overcomes me when I come to Love itself. Love cannot be contained within our speaking or listening/ Love is an ocean whose depths cannot be plumbed.... Love cannot be found in erudition and science, books and pages. Whatever is duscussed by people- That is not the way of lovers. Whatever you have said or heard is the shell; The kernel ofâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Some verses in the Koran that prove this are: quot;Do what is beautiful! Surely God loves those who do what is beautiful.quot; quot; Whoso fulfills his covenant and is wary of God- surely God loves the god-wary.quot; quot;Truly God loves those who repent, and He loves those who cleanse themselves.quot; quot; Trust in God. God loves those who have trust.: quot;Make things wholesome among them equitably, and be just. Surely God loves the just.quot; One of the most important things about the Korans use of the word love is that Gods love is always for humans and to nothing else. In the translation of Sufi Path of Love, Rumi tells us that God is the source of all lo ve. The question that is asked also, however, is God really love? God is love but he is also other attributes as well. He is also Mercy, Knowledge, Life, Power, and Will. He possesses all these things not just one. So even though He is Love, He does not let it exhaust his reality. Rumi also says that Love is desire and need. Yet God is beyond all need. In the Koran, it says that God said, quot;I desire to be known, so I created the world.quot; Also, Gods love for exhibiting the Hidden Treasure through the prophets and saints was the motivation in His creation of the universe. Everything that happens on Earth is because of the original Love. In a verse of the Koran, it says that God wants people to love him and that their love for him follows up upon his love for them. ThatShow MoreRelatedThe Islam Of Islam And Islam1398 Words à |à 6 Pagesreligion of Islam today, there is a general that women are considered to be oppressed and deprived from becoming successful and powerful women. There is a claim within the Muslim community that Islam helped to elevate the status of woman with the creation of the religion in 610 A.D. The Muslim woman in Islam, specifically the married Muslim woman is not protected in Islam through the Quran. They are not considered to be of equal status of their male counterparts.. Many people in Islam be lieveRead MoreIslam : Islam And Islam869 Words à |à 4 PagesIslam is a religion that developed in Arabia in the 7th century C.E. Islam was founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Islam belief centers on the premise that Allah is the one and true God with no partner or equal. Islam is divided into several branches each with its own interpretations. Founder Followers: Muhammad is considered the founder of the Islam faith. He was born around 571 CE in Mecca, in what is today Saudi Arabia. Much of what we know about him comes from his sermons andRead MoreThe Arrival Of Islam And Islam952 Words à |à 4 PagesThe arrival of Islam brought many changes to Arabian life and society as it then existed. One of these changes was among the treatment of women and their place in society. Before the coming of Islam in the 7th century, women were thought to be inferior servants to men. The arrival of Islam throughout Arabia opened many opportunities for women that allowed them more rights and more influence on the basis of equality. The arrival of Islam is what was crucial for women to be seen as human beings. WomenRead MoreChristianity And Islam : Islam1317 Words à |à 6 PagesChristianity and Islam in Premodern Africa Christianity and Islam date back to a time long before the modern era and both have sizable similarities between the two religions. Many of these similarities can be simplified into three subjects; both have books comprised of holy texts written about events taking place during their prophetââ¬â¢s life, both are believed to have started with God appointed leaders, and both consist of different divisions within their religion. Christianity starting with theRead MoreThe Birth Of Islam And Islam1129 Words à |à 5 PagesIntroduction: The birth of Islam published liberal and humanistic origin of Islam in east Bengal. But later this Islam turn into political Islam due to three reasons the emergence of religious based Pakistan state, failure of punished the war criminals and the declaration of Islam as the state religion in replaced of secularism (8th amendment 1988). The failure of the state to provide basic need to the people, increasing violence in Economy and political sector gro wing discrimination in society,Read MoreThe History Of Islam And Islam1247 Words à |à 5 PagesThe History of Islam Islam is a religion that was founded in 622 C.E. Its origin is traced to the Arabian Peninsula, and currently has an estimated 1.5 billion followersââ¬â¢ worldwide. The sacred texts that are associated with Islam is the Qurââ¬â¢an and Allah is the Deity they pay homage to. Muslims believe that there is only one true God and several time per day, they stop everything to participate in prayer rituals. The region, in which Islam was founded, was a melting pot of religious beliefs. ThereRead MoreThe Religion Of Islam And Islam1544 Words à |à 7 Pagesââ¬Å"America and Islam are not exclusive and need not to be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beingsâ⬠(Barack Obama). For many decades, in most cultures, religious practice has been a controversial issue, because each religion competes demonstrating that their practices are the true path to God. Religious tolerance is very importa nt because followers should be free to choose their own religion. Some religionsRead MoreThe Meaning Of Islam And Islam1047 Words à |à 5 PagesThe meaning of Islam is submission to one God. The central point or belief in Islam is to believe in the existence of only one God or Allah. The religion revolves around this one belief known as tawhid. This idea occurs in other religions such as Judaism and Christianity. All of these authentic religions speak of the same God as Islam is the reassertion of the revelation of God to Abraham, Noah and Christ. Islam considers these great figures as prophets and they are included in the Quran, the holyRead MoreIslam : The Rise Of Islam1335 Words à |à 6 PagesSimilar to the religion of Christianity, Islam is difficult to generalize. When one brings up the word in conversation, they could be speaking of the religion and its systematic belief system or they could simply be talking about the approximately one and a half billion people who have f lourished and who currently live under the influence of said religion. 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Blood Promise Chapter Seven Free Essays
string(19) " as it turned out\." It was like Christmas morning. I wasnââ¬â¢t usually big on God or fate, but now I was seriously reconsidering. After Iââ¬â¢d passed out, Sydney had apparently made some frantic calls, and someone she knew in Baia had driven to us-risking the darkness-to rescue us and take us back where I could be treated. We will write a custom essay sample on Blood Promise Chapter Seven or any similar topic only for you Order Now That was no doubt why Iââ¬â¢d had vague sensations of being in a car during my delirium; it hadnââ¬â¢t all been part of the dream. And then, somehow, out of all the dhampirs in Baia, I had been taken to Dimitriââ¬â¢s mother. That was enough to make me seriously consider that there might truly be forces greater than me at work in the universe. No one told me exactly how it happened, but I soon learned Olena Belikova had a reputation among her peers for healing-and not even any sort of magical healing. Sheââ¬â¢d had medical training and was the person other dhampirs-and even some Moroi-went to in this region when they wanted to avoid human attention. Still. The coincidence was eerie, and I couldnââ¬â¢t help but think there was something going on that I didnââ¬â¢t understand. For now, I didnââ¬â¢t worry too much about the hows and whys of my current situation. I was too busy staring wide-eyed at my surroundings and its inhabitants. Olena didnââ¬â¢t live alone. All of Dimitriââ¬â¢s sisters-three of them-lived in the house too, along with their kids. The family resemblance was startling. None of them looked exactly like Dimitri, but in every face, I could see him. The eyes. The smile. Even the sense of humor. Seeing them fed the Dimitri withdrawal Iââ¬â¢d had since heââ¬â¢d disappeared-and made it worse at the same time. Whenever I looked at any of them out of my peripheral vision, Iââ¬â¢d think I was seeing Dimitri. It was like a house of mirrors, with distorted reflections of him everywhere. Even the house gave me a thrill. There were no obvious signs that Dimitri had ever lived there, but I kept thinking, this is where he grew up. He walked these floors, touched these wallsâ⬠¦ As I walked from room to room, Iââ¬â¢d touch the walls too, trying to draw his energy from them. Iââ¬â¢d envision him lounging on the couch, home on break from school. I wondered if heââ¬â¢d slid down the banisters when he was little. The images were so real that I had to keep reminding myself that he hadnââ¬â¢t been here in ages. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve made an amazing recovery,â⬠Olena noted the next morning after Iââ¬â¢d been brought to her. She watched with approval as I inhaled a plate of blini. They were ultra-thin pancakes stacked and layered with butter and jam. My body always required a lot of food to keep its strength up, and I figured as long as I wasnââ¬â¢t chewing with my mouth open or anything, I had no reason to feel bad about eating so much. ââ¬Å"I thought you were dead when Abe and Sydney brought you in.â⬠ââ¬Å"Who?â⬠I asked between bites of food. Sydney sat at the table with the rest of the family, hardly touching her food as usual. She seemed clearly uneasy at being in a dhampir household, but when Iââ¬â¢d first come downstairs this morning, Iââ¬â¢d definitely seen some relief in her eyes. ââ¬Å"Abe Mazur,â⬠said Sydney. Unless I was mistaken, some of the other people at the table exchanged knowing glances. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s a Moroi. Iâ⬠¦ I didnââ¬â¢t know how badly you were injured last night, so I called him. He drove down with his guardians. He was the one who brought you here.â⬠Guardians. Plural. ââ¬Å"Is he royal?â⬠Mazur wasnââ¬â¢t a royal name, but that wasnââ¬â¢t always a sure sign of someoneââ¬â¢s lineage. And while I was beginning to trust Sydneyââ¬â¢s social networking and connections to powerful people, I couldnââ¬â¢t imagine why a royal would go out of his way for me. Maybe he owed the Alchemists a favor. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠she said bluntly. I frowned. A non-royal Moroi with more than one guardian? Very odd. It was clear she wasnââ¬â¢t going to say anything else on the matter-at least not for now. I swallowed another mouthful of blini and turned my attention back to Olena. ââ¬Å"Thanks for taking me in.â⬠Dimitriââ¬â¢s older sister, Karolina, sat at the table too, along with her baby girl and son Paul. Paul was about ten and seemed fascinated by me. Dimitriââ¬â¢s teenage sister, Viktoria, was also there. She appeared to be a little younger than me. The third Belikov sister was named Sonya and had left for work before I woke up. Iââ¬â¢d have to wait to meet her. ââ¬Å"Did you really kill two Strigoi all by yourself?â⬠Paul asked me. ââ¬Å"Paul,â⬠chastised Karolina. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not a nice question to ask.â⬠ââ¬Å"But itââ¬â¢s an exciting one,â⬠said Viktoria with a grin. Her brown hair was streaked with gold, but her dark eyes sparkled so much like Dimitriââ¬â¢s when he was excited that it tugged at my heart. Again, I had that taunting sensation of Dimitri being here but not here. ââ¬Å"She did,â⬠said Sydney. ââ¬Å"I saw the bodies. Like always.â⬠She wore that comically tormented expression of hers, and I laughed. ââ¬Å"At least I left them where you could find them this time.â⬠My humor suddenly dimmed. ââ¬Å"Did anyoneâ⬠¦ any other humans notice or hear?â⬠ââ¬Å"I got rid of the bodies before anyone saw,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"If people heard anythingâ⬠¦ Well, backwoods places like that are always filled with superstitions and ghost stories. They donââ¬â¢t have factual evidence of vampires, per se, but thereââ¬â¢s always sort of this belief that the supernatural and dangerous are out there. Little do they know.â⬠She said ââ¬Å"ghost storiesâ⬠without any change of expression. I wondered if sheââ¬â¢d seen any of the spirits last night but finally decided she probably hadnââ¬â¢t. Sheââ¬â¢d come outside near the tail end of the fight, and if past evidence was any indication, nobody else could see the spirits I saw-except Strigoi, as it turned out. You read "Blood Promise Chapter Seven" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"You must have had some good training then,â⬠said Karolina, shifting so the baby leaned against her shoulder. ââ¬Å"You look like you should still be in school.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just got out,â⬠I said, earning another scrutinizing look from Sydney. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re American,â⬠said Olena matter-of-factly. ââ¬Å"What in the world could bring you out here?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢m looking for someone,â⬠I said after a few momentsââ¬â¢ hesitation. I was afraid they were going to press for details or that she too would have blood whore suspicions, but just then, the kitchen door opened and Dimitriââ¬â¢s grandmother, Yeva, walked in. She had poked her head in earlier and scared the hell out of me. Dimitri had told me that she was a witch of sorts, and I could believe it. She looked like she was a gazillion years old and was so thin, it was a wonder the wind didnââ¬â¢t blow her away. She barely stood five feet tall, and her hair covered her head in patchy gray wisps. But it was her eyes that truly frightened me. The rest of her might be frail, but those dark eyes were sharp and alert and seemed to bore into my soul. Even without Dimitriââ¬â¢s explanation, I would have taken her for a witch. She was also the only one in the household who didnââ¬â¢t speak English. She sat down at one of the empty chairs, and Olena hastily jumped up to get some more blini. Yeva muttered something in Russian that made the others look uncomfortable. Sydneyââ¬â¢s lips twitched into a small smile. Yevaââ¬â¢s eyes were on me as she spoke, and I glanced around for translation. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Grandmother says youââ¬â¢re not telling us the whole truth about why youââ¬â¢re here. She says the longer you delay, the worse it will be,â⬠Viktoria explained. She then gave Sydney an apologetic look. ââ¬Å"And she wants to know when the Alchemist is leaving.â⬠ââ¬Å"As soon as possible,â⬠said Sydney dryly. ââ¬Å"Well, why Iââ¬â¢m hereâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s kind of a long story.â⬠Could I be any vaguer? Yeva said something else, and Olena retorted with what sounded like a chastisement. To me, she spoke gently: ââ¬Å"Ignore her, Rose. Sheââ¬â¢s in one of her moods. Why youââ¬â¢re here is your own business-although Iââ¬â¢m sure Abe would like to talk to you at some point.â⬠She frowned slightly, and I was reminded of the earlier looks at the table. ââ¬Å"You should make sure you thank him. He seemed very concerned about you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d kind of like to see him too,â⬠I mumbled, still curious about this well-protected, non-royal Moroi who had given me a ride and seemed to make everyone uneasy. Eager to avoid more talk of why I was here, I hastily changed the subject. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d also love to look around Baia. Iââ¬â¢ve never been in a place like this before-where so many dhampirs live, I mean.â⬠Viktoria brightened. ââ¬Å"I can definitely give you a tour-if youââ¬â¢re sure youââ¬â¢re feeling okay. Or if you donââ¬â¢t have to leave right away.â⬠She believed I was passing through, which was just as well. Honestly, I wasnââ¬â¢t sure what I was doing anymore, now that it seemed likely Dimitri wasnââ¬â¢t in the area. I glanced at Sydney questioningly. She shrugged. ââ¬Å"Do whatever you want. Iââ¬â¢m not going anywhere.â⬠I found that a little disconcerting too. Sheââ¬â¢d brought me here as her superiors had told her to do-but now what? Well, that was a concern for later. As soon as I finished my food, Viktoria practically dragged me out the door, as if I was the most exciting thing that had happened around here in a while. Yeva hadnââ¬â¢t taken her eyes off me for the rest of the meal, and even though sheââ¬â¢d never said anything else, her suspicious look clearly told me she didnââ¬â¢t believe a word Iââ¬â¢d said. I invited Sydney along on the outing, but she declined, choosing instead to lock herself away in a bedroom to read about Greek temples or make world-controlling phone calls or do whatever it was she did. Viktoria said downtown wasnââ¬â¢t far from where they lived and was easy to walk to. The day was clear and cool, with enough sun to make being outside pretty pleasant. ââ¬Å"We donââ¬â¢t get a lot of visitors,â⬠she explained. ââ¬Å"Except for Moroi men, but most donââ¬â¢t stay long.â⬠She added no more, but I wondered about her implications. Were these Moroi men off to find some action with dhampir women? Iââ¬â¢d grown up thinking of these women, dhampirs who chose not to become guardians, as disgraceful and dirty. The ones in the Nightingale had certainly met the blood whore stereotype, but Dimitri had assured me that not all dhampir women were like that. After meeting the Belikovs, I believed him. As we approached the center of town, I soon discovered another myth shattered. People always talked about blood whores living in camps or communes, but that wasnââ¬â¢t the case here. Baia wasnââ¬â¢t huge, not like Saint Petersburg or even Omsk, but it was a real town with a large human population. Hardly a rural camp or farm settlement. The whole setting was astonishingly normal, and when we reached downtown, lined with small shops and restaurants, it too seemed like any other place in the world people might live. Modern and ordinary, just with a slight village feel. ââ¬Å"Where are all the dhampirs?â⬠I wondered aloud. Sydney had said there was a secret dhampir subculture, but I saw no signs of it. Viktoria smiled. ââ¬Å"Oh, theyââ¬â¢re here. We have a lot of businesses and other places that humans donââ¬â¢t know about.â⬠While I could understand dhampirs going unnoticed in big cities, it seemed remarkable to pull that off here. ââ¬Å"And lots of us just live and work with humans.â⬠She nodded over toward what looked like a drugstore. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s where Sonya works now.â⬠ââ¬Å"Now?â⬠ââ¬Å"Now that sheââ¬â¢s pregnant.â⬠Viktoria rolled her eyes. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d take you to meet her, but sheââ¬â¢s grumpy all the time lately. I hope the babyââ¬â¢s early.â⬠She left it at that, and I again wondered about the dynamics of dhampirs and Moroi here. We didnââ¬â¢t mention it again, and our conversation stayed light and even teasing. Viktoria was easy to like, and in only an hour, weââ¬â¢d clicked as though weââ¬â¢d known each other forever. Maybe my connection to Dimitri bound me to his family, too. My thoughts were cut off when someone called Viktoriaââ¬â¢s name. We turned to see a very cute dhampir guy crossing the street. He had bronze hair and dark eyes, his age falling somewhere between mine and Viktoriaââ¬â¢s. He said something chatty and conversational to her. She grinned at him and then gestured to me, giving my introduction in Russian. ââ¬Å"This is Nikolai,â⬠she told me in English. ââ¬Å"Nice to meet you,â⬠he said, also switching languages. He gave me a quick assessment in the way guys often do, but when he turned back to Viktoria, it was clear who the object of his affections was. ââ¬Å"You should bring Rose to Marinaââ¬â¢s party. Itââ¬â¢s Sunday night.â⬠He hesitated, turning a bit shy. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re going, arenââ¬â¢t you?â⬠Viktoria turned thoughtful, and I realized she was completely oblivious to his crush. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be there, butâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She turned to me. ââ¬Å"Will you still be around?â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know,â⬠I said honestly. ââ¬Å"But Iââ¬â¢ll go if Iââ¬â¢m still here. What kind of party is it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Marinaââ¬â¢s a friend from school,â⬠explained Viktoria. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re just going to get together and celebrate before we go back.â⬠ââ¬Å"To school?â⬠I asked stupidly. Somehow, it had never occurred to me that the dhampirs out here would be in school. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re on break right now,â⬠said Nikolai. ââ¬Å"For Easter.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh.â⬠It was late April, but I had no clue what day Easter fell on this year. Iââ¬â¢d lost track of the days. It hadnââ¬â¢t happened yet, so their school must have their break the week before Easter. St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s took its vacation afterward. ââ¬Å"Where is your school?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s about three hours away. Even more remote than here.â⬠Viktoria made a face. ââ¬Å"Baiaââ¬â¢s not so bad,â⬠teased Nikolai. ââ¬Å"Easy for you to say. Youââ¬â¢ll eventually leave and go see new and exciting places.â⬠ââ¬Å"Canââ¬â¢t you?â⬠I asked her. She frowned, suddenly uncomfortable. ââ¬Å"Well, I couldâ⬠¦ but thatââ¬â¢s not how we do it here-at least not in my family. Grandmother has someâ⬠¦ strong opinions about men and women. Nikolai will be a guardian, but Iââ¬â¢ll stay here with my family.â⬠Nikolai suddenly gave me a new appraisal. ââ¬Å"Are you a guardian?â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah, well.â⬠Now I was the uncomfortable one. Viktoria spoke before I could come up with anything to say. ââ¬Å"She killed two Strigoi outside of town. By herself.â⬠He looked impressed. ââ¬Å"You are a guardian.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, noâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢ve killed before, but Iââ¬â¢m not actually sworn.â⬠Turning around, I lifted up my hair to show them my neck. In addition to all my regular molnija marks, I also had the little star-shaped tattoo that meant Iââ¬â¢d been in a battle. They both gasped, and Nikolai said something in Russian. I let my hair drop and looked back. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢reâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Viktoria bit her lip, eyes contemplative as she groped for what she wanted to say. ââ¬Å"Unpromised? I donââ¬â¢t know the English word.â⬠ââ¬Å"Unpromised?â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I guessâ⬠¦ but technically, arenââ¬â¢t all the women here?â⬠ââ¬Å"Even if we arenââ¬â¢t guardians, we still get marks showing we completed our training. No promise mark, though. For you to have killed so many Strigoi and have no loyalties to a school or the guardiansâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Viktoria shrugged. ââ¬Å"We call it being unpromised-itââ¬â¢s a strange thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s strange where I come from too,â⬠I admitted. Unheard of, really. So much so, that we didnââ¬â¢t have a term for it. It just wasnââ¬â¢t done. ââ¬Å"I should let you two go,â⬠said Nikolai, his lovesick eyes back on Viktoria. ââ¬Å"But Iââ¬â¢ll see you at Marinaââ¬â¢s for sure? Maybe sooner?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠she agreed. They said their farewells in Russian, and then he loped off across the street with the kind of easy, athletic grace guardians often acquired with training. It reminded me a bit of Dimitriââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"I must have scared him off,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"No, he thinks youââ¬â¢re exciting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not as exciting as he thinks you are.â⬠Her eyebrows rose. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"He likes youâ⬠¦ I mean, really likes. Canââ¬â¢t you tell?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh. Weââ¬â¢re just friends.â⬠I could tell from her attitude that she meant it. She was completely indifferent to him, which was too bad. He was cute and nice. Letting poor Nikolai go, I brought up the guardians again. I was intrigued by the different attitudes around here. ââ¬Å"You said you canââ¬â¢tâ⬠¦ but do you want to be a guardian?â⬠She hesitated. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve never really considered it. I get all the same training at school, and I like being able to defend myself. But Iââ¬â¢d rather use it in defense of my family than Moroi. I guess it soundsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She paused again to think of the right word. ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ Sexist? But, the men become guardians, and women stay at home. Only my brother left.â⬠I nearly tripped. ââ¬Å"Your brother?â⬠I asked, keeping my voice as steady as possible. ââ¬Å"Dimitri,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s older than me and has been a guardian for a while. Heââ¬â¢s over in the United States, actually. We havenââ¬â¢t seen him in a long time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh.â⬠I felt horrible and guilty. Guilty because I was keeping the truth from Viktoria and the others. Horrible because apparently no one from back home had bothered to pass the news on to his family yet. Smiling at her own memories, she didnââ¬â¢t notice my change in mood. ââ¬Å"Paul actually looks exactly like he did at that age. I should show you pictures of him-and some recent ones, too. Dimitriââ¬â¢s pretty cute. For my brother, I mean.â⬠I was sure seeing pictures of Dimitri as a little boy would rip my heart out. As it was, the more Viktoria began to talk about him, the sicker I felt. She had no clue about what had happened, and even though it had been a couple of years since sheââ¬â¢d seen him, it was clear she and the rest of the family loved him like crazy. Not that that should be a surprise. (And really, who couldnââ¬â¢t love Dimitri?) Being around them just one morning had shown me how close they all were. I knew from Dimitriââ¬â¢s stories that he was crazy about all of them, too. ââ¬Å"Rose? Are you okay?â⬠Viktoria was peering at me with concern, probably because I hadnââ¬â¢t said anything in the last ten minutes. We had circled around and were almost back at her house. Looking at her, at her open, friendly face and eyes that were so much like Dimitriââ¬â¢s, I realized I had another task ahead of me before I could go after Dimitri, wherever he was. I swallowed. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ yeah. I thinkâ⬠¦ I think I need to sit down with you and the rest of your family.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠she said, the worry still in her voice. Inside the house, Olena was bustling around the kitchen with Karolina. I thought they were making plans for tonightââ¬â¢s dinner, which was startling considering weââ¬â¢d just finished a huge breakfast. I could definitely get used to the way they ate around here. In the living room, Paul was building an elaborate racetrack out of Legos. Yeva sat in a rocking chair and appeared to be the worldââ¬â¢s most stereotypical grandmother as she knit a pair of socks. Except most grandmothers didnââ¬â¢t look like they could incinerate you with a single glance. Olena was talking to Karolina in Russian but switched to English when she saw me. ââ¬Å"You two are back earlier than I expected.â⬠ââ¬Å"We saw the town,â⬠said Viktoria. ââ¬Å"Andâ⬠¦ Rose wanted to talk to you. To all of us.â⬠Olena gave me a look as puzzled and concerned as Viktoriaââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s going on?â⬠The weight of all those Belikov eyes on me made my heart start thumping in my chest. How was I going to do this? How could I explain something I hadnââ¬â¢t spoken about in weeks? I couldnââ¬â¢t stand to put them-or myself-through it. When Yeva scuttled in, it made things that much worse. Maybe sheââ¬â¢d had some mystical sense that something big was about to go down. ââ¬Å"We should sit,â⬠I said. Paul stayed in the living room, for which I was grateful. I was pretty sure I couldnââ¬â¢t handle saying what I had to with a little kid-one who looked like Dimitri, apparently-watching me. ââ¬Å"Rose, whatââ¬â¢s wrong?â⬠asked Olena. She looked so sweet and, wellâ⬠¦ motherly, that I nearly cried. Whenever Iââ¬â¢d been angry with my own mother for not being around or doing a good job, Iââ¬â¢d always compared her to some idealized image of a mom-a mom who seemed a lot like Dimitriââ¬â¢s, I realized. Dimitriââ¬â¢s sisters looked equally worried, like I was someone theyââ¬â¢d known forever. That acceptance and concern made my eyes burn even more, seeing as theyââ¬â¢d just met me this morning. Yeva wore a very strange expression, however-almost like sheââ¬â¢d been expecting something like this all along. ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦ the thing is, the reason I came here, to Baia, was to find you guys.â⬠That wasnââ¬â¢t entirely true. Iââ¬â¢d come to search for Dimitri. Iââ¬â¢d never thought much about finding his family, but now, I realized that it was a good thing I had. ââ¬Å"You see, Viktoria was talking about Dimitri earlier.â⬠Olenaââ¬â¢s face brightened when I said her sonââ¬â¢s name. ââ¬Å"Andâ⬠¦ I knew-er, know him. He used to be a guardian at my school. My teacher, actually.â⬠Karolina and Viktoria lit up as well. ââ¬Å"How is he?â⬠asked Karolina. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s been ages since weââ¬â¢ve seen him. Do you know when heââ¬â¢s going to visit?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t even think about answering her question, so I pushed forward with my story before I lost my courage in front of all those loving faces. As the words came out of my mouth, it was almost like someone else was saying them and I was simply watching from a distance. ââ¬Å"A month agoâ⬠¦ our school was attacked by Strigoi. A really bad attackâ⬠¦ a huge group of Strigoi. We lost a lot of people-Moroi and dhampirs, both.â⬠Olena exclaimed in Russia. Viktoria leaned toward me. ââ¬Å"St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s?â⬠I halted in my story, surprised. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve heard of it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Everyoneââ¬â¢s heard of it,â⬠said Karolina. ââ¬Å"We all know what happened. That was your school? You were there that night?â⬠I nodded. ââ¬Å"No wonder you have so many molnija marks,â⬠breathed Viktoria in wonder. ââ¬Å"And thatââ¬â¢s where Dimitriââ¬â¢s at now?â⬠asked Olena. ââ¬Å"We lost track of his latest assignment.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, yeahâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ My tongue felt thick in my throat. I couldnââ¬â¢t breathe. ââ¬Å"I was at the school the night of the attack,â⬠I reaffirmed. ââ¬Å"And so was Dimitri. He was one of the leaders in the battleâ⬠¦ and the way he foughtâ⬠¦ he wasâ⬠¦ he was so braveâ⬠¦ andâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ My words were breaking up, but by this point, the others were catching on. Olena gasped and again murmured in Russian. I picked out the word for ââ¬Å"God.â⬠Karolina sat frozen, but Viktoria leaned toward me. Those eyes that were so like her brotherââ¬â¢s stared at me intently, as intently as he would if pushing me to tell the truth, no matter how awful. ââ¬Å"What happened?â⬠she demanded. ââ¬Å"What happened to Dimitri?â⬠I looked away from their faces, my eyes drifting to the living room. On the far wall, I caught sight of a bookcase filled with old, leather-covered books. They had gold-embossed lettering on the spines. It was totally random, but I suddenly remembered Dimitri mentioning those. They were these old adventure novels my mother collected, heââ¬â¢d told me once. The covers were so beautiful, and I loved them. If I was careful, sheââ¬â¢d let me read them sometimes. The thought of a young Dimitri sitting in front of that bookcase, carefully turning the pages-and oh, he would have been careful-almost made me lose it. Had that been where heââ¬â¢d developed his love of western novels? I was losing it. I was getting distracted. I wasnââ¬â¢t going to be able to tell them the truth. My emotions were growing too powerful, my memories flooding me as I fought to think about something-anything-that didnââ¬â¢t involve that horrible battle. Then I glanced at Yeva again, and something about her eerie, knowing expression inexplicably spurred me on. I had to do this. I turned back to the others. ââ¬Å"He fought really bravely in the battle, and afterward, he helped lead a rescue mission to save some people that the Strigoi had captured. He was really amazing there, too, onlyâ⬠¦ heâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I stopped again and realized tears were running down my cheeks. In my mind, I was replaying that awful scene in the cave, with Dimitri so close to freedom and taken by a Strigoi at the last minute. Shaking that thought away, I took another deep breath. I had to finish this. I owed it to his family. There was no gentle way to say it. ââ¬Å"One of the Strigoi thereâ⬠¦ well, he overpowered Dimitri.â⬠Karolina buried her face in her motherââ¬â¢s shoulder, and Olena made no effort to hide her own tears. Viktoria wasnââ¬â¢t crying, but her face had gone perfectly still. She was working hard to keep her emotions in check, just as Dimitri would have. She searched my face, needing to know for sure. ââ¬Å"Dimitri is dead,â⬠she said. It was a statement, not a question, but she was looking to me for confirmation. I wondered if Iââ¬â¢d given away something, some hint that there was still more to the story. Or maybe she just needed the certainty of those words. And for a moment, I considered telling them that Dimitri was dead. It was what the Academy would tell them, what the guardians would tell them. It would be easier on themâ⬠¦ but somehow, I couldnââ¬â¢t stand to lie to them-even if it was a comforting lie. Dimitri would have wanted the whole truth, and his family would too. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I said, and for a heartbeat, hope sprang up in everyoneââ¬â¢s faces-at least until I spoke again. ââ¬Å"Dimitriââ¬â¢s a Strigoi.â⬠How to cite Blood Promise Chapter Seven, Essay examples
Blood Promise Chapter Seven Free Essays
string(19) " as it turned out\." It was like Christmas morning. I wasnââ¬â¢t usually big on God or fate, but now I was seriously reconsidering. After Iââ¬â¢d passed out, Sydney had apparently made some frantic calls, and someone she knew in Baia had driven to us-risking the darkness-to rescue us and take us back where I could be treated. We will write a custom essay sample on Blood Promise Chapter Seven or any similar topic only for you Order Now That was no doubt why Iââ¬â¢d had vague sensations of being in a car during my delirium; it hadnââ¬â¢t all been part of the dream. And then, somehow, out of all the dhampirs in Baia, I had been taken to Dimitriââ¬â¢s mother. That was enough to make me seriously consider that there might truly be forces greater than me at work in the universe. No one told me exactly how it happened, but I soon learned Olena Belikova had a reputation among her peers for healing-and not even any sort of magical healing. Sheââ¬â¢d had medical training and was the person other dhampirs-and even some Moroi-went to in this region when they wanted to avoid human attention. Still. The coincidence was eerie, and I couldnââ¬â¢t help but think there was something going on that I didnââ¬â¢t understand. For now, I didnââ¬â¢t worry too much about the hows and whys of my current situation. I was too busy staring wide-eyed at my surroundings and its inhabitants. Olena didnââ¬â¢t live alone. All of Dimitriââ¬â¢s sisters-three of them-lived in the house too, along with their kids. The family resemblance was startling. None of them looked exactly like Dimitri, but in every face, I could see him. The eyes. The smile. Even the sense of humor. Seeing them fed the Dimitri withdrawal Iââ¬â¢d had since heââ¬â¢d disappeared-and made it worse at the same time. Whenever I looked at any of them out of my peripheral vision, Iââ¬â¢d think I was seeing Dimitri. It was like a house of mirrors, with distorted reflections of him everywhere. Even the house gave me a thrill. There were no obvious signs that Dimitri had ever lived there, but I kept thinking, this is where he grew up. He walked these floors, touched these wallsâ⬠¦ As I walked from room to room, Iââ¬â¢d touch the walls too, trying to draw his energy from them. Iââ¬â¢d envision him lounging on the couch, home on break from school. I wondered if heââ¬â¢d slid down the banisters when he was little. The images were so real that I had to keep reminding myself that he hadnââ¬â¢t been here in ages. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve made an amazing recovery,â⬠Olena noted the next morning after Iââ¬â¢d been brought to her. She watched with approval as I inhaled a plate of blini. They were ultra-thin pancakes stacked and layered with butter and jam. My body always required a lot of food to keep its strength up, and I figured as long as I wasnââ¬â¢t chewing with my mouth open or anything, I had no reason to feel bad about eating so much. ââ¬Å"I thought you were dead when Abe and Sydney brought you in.â⬠ââ¬Å"Who?â⬠I asked between bites of food. Sydney sat at the table with the rest of the family, hardly touching her food as usual. She seemed clearly uneasy at being in a dhampir household, but when Iââ¬â¢d first come downstairs this morning, Iââ¬â¢d definitely seen some relief in her eyes. ââ¬Å"Abe Mazur,â⬠said Sydney. Unless I was mistaken, some of the other people at the table exchanged knowing glances. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s a Moroi. Iâ⬠¦ I didnââ¬â¢t know how badly you were injured last night, so I called him. He drove down with his guardians. He was the one who brought you here.â⬠Guardians. Plural. ââ¬Å"Is he royal?â⬠Mazur wasnââ¬â¢t a royal name, but that wasnââ¬â¢t always a sure sign of someoneââ¬â¢s lineage. And while I was beginning to trust Sydneyââ¬â¢s social networking and connections to powerful people, I couldnââ¬â¢t imagine why a royal would go out of his way for me. Maybe he owed the Alchemists a favor. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠she said bluntly. I frowned. A non-royal Moroi with more than one guardian? Very odd. It was clear she wasnââ¬â¢t going to say anything else on the matter-at least not for now. I swallowed another mouthful of blini and turned my attention back to Olena. ââ¬Å"Thanks for taking me in.â⬠Dimitriââ¬â¢s older sister, Karolina, sat at the table too, along with her baby girl and son Paul. Paul was about ten and seemed fascinated by me. Dimitriââ¬â¢s teenage sister, Viktoria, was also there. She appeared to be a little younger than me. The third Belikov sister was named Sonya and had left for work before I woke up. Iââ¬â¢d have to wait to meet her. ââ¬Å"Did you really kill two Strigoi all by yourself?â⬠Paul asked me. ââ¬Å"Paul,â⬠chastised Karolina. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not a nice question to ask.â⬠ââ¬Å"But itââ¬â¢s an exciting one,â⬠said Viktoria with a grin. Her brown hair was streaked with gold, but her dark eyes sparkled so much like Dimitriââ¬â¢s when he was excited that it tugged at my heart. Again, I had that taunting sensation of Dimitri being here but not here. ââ¬Å"She did,â⬠said Sydney. ââ¬Å"I saw the bodies. Like always.â⬠She wore that comically tormented expression of hers, and I laughed. ââ¬Å"At least I left them where you could find them this time.â⬠My humor suddenly dimmed. ââ¬Å"Did anyoneâ⬠¦ any other humans notice or hear?â⬠ââ¬Å"I got rid of the bodies before anyone saw,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"If people heard anythingâ⬠¦ Well, backwoods places like that are always filled with superstitions and ghost stories. They donââ¬â¢t have factual evidence of vampires, per se, but thereââ¬â¢s always sort of this belief that the supernatural and dangerous are out there. Little do they know.â⬠She said ââ¬Å"ghost storiesâ⬠without any change of expression. I wondered if sheââ¬â¢d seen any of the spirits last night but finally decided she probably hadnââ¬â¢t. Sheââ¬â¢d come outside near the tail end of the fight, and if past evidence was any indication, nobody else could see the spirits I saw-except Strigoi, as it turned out. You read "Blood Promise Chapter Seven" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"You must have had some good training then,â⬠said Karolina, shifting so the baby leaned against her shoulder. ââ¬Å"You look like you should still be in school.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just got out,â⬠I said, earning another scrutinizing look from Sydney. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re American,â⬠said Olena matter-of-factly. ââ¬Å"What in the world could bring you out here?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢m looking for someone,â⬠I said after a few momentsââ¬â¢ hesitation. I was afraid they were going to press for details or that she too would have blood whore suspicions, but just then, the kitchen door opened and Dimitriââ¬â¢s grandmother, Yeva, walked in. She had poked her head in earlier and scared the hell out of me. Dimitri had told me that she was a witch of sorts, and I could believe it. She looked like she was a gazillion years old and was so thin, it was a wonder the wind didnââ¬â¢t blow her away. She barely stood five feet tall, and her hair covered her head in patchy gray wisps. But it was her eyes that truly frightened me. The rest of her might be frail, but those dark eyes were sharp and alert and seemed to bore into my soul. Even without Dimitriââ¬â¢s explanation, I would have taken her for a witch. She was also the only one in the household who didnââ¬â¢t speak English. She sat down at one of the empty chairs, and Olena hastily jumped up to get some more blini. Yeva muttered something in Russian that made the others look uncomfortable. Sydneyââ¬â¢s lips twitched into a small smile. Yevaââ¬â¢s eyes were on me as she spoke, and I glanced around for translation. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Grandmother says youââ¬â¢re not telling us the whole truth about why youââ¬â¢re here. She says the longer you delay, the worse it will be,â⬠Viktoria explained. She then gave Sydney an apologetic look. ââ¬Å"And she wants to know when the Alchemist is leaving.â⬠ââ¬Å"As soon as possible,â⬠said Sydney dryly. ââ¬Å"Well, why Iââ¬â¢m hereâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s kind of a long story.â⬠Could I be any vaguer? Yeva said something else, and Olena retorted with what sounded like a chastisement. To me, she spoke gently: ââ¬Å"Ignore her, Rose. Sheââ¬â¢s in one of her moods. Why youââ¬â¢re here is your own business-although Iââ¬â¢m sure Abe would like to talk to you at some point.â⬠She frowned slightly, and I was reminded of the earlier looks at the table. ââ¬Å"You should make sure you thank him. He seemed very concerned about you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d kind of like to see him too,â⬠I mumbled, still curious about this well-protected, non-royal Moroi who had given me a ride and seemed to make everyone uneasy. Eager to avoid more talk of why I was here, I hastily changed the subject. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d also love to look around Baia. Iââ¬â¢ve never been in a place like this before-where so many dhampirs live, I mean.â⬠Viktoria brightened. ââ¬Å"I can definitely give you a tour-if youââ¬â¢re sure youââ¬â¢re feeling okay. Or if you donââ¬â¢t have to leave right away.â⬠She believed I was passing through, which was just as well. Honestly, I wasnââ¬â¢t sure what I was doing anymore, now that it seemed likely Dimitri wasnââ¬â¢t in the area. I glanced at Sydney questioningly. She shrugged. ââ¬Å"Do whatever you want. Iââ¬â¢m not going anywhere.â⬠I found that a little disconcerting too. Sheââ¬â¢d brought me here as her superiors had told her to do-but now what? Well, that was a concern for later. As soon as I finished my food, Viktoria practically dragged me out the door, as if I was the most exciting thing that had happened around here in a while. Yeva hadnââ¬â¢t taken her eyes off me for the rest of the meal, and even though sheââ¬â¢d never said anything else, her suspicious look clearly told me she didnââ¬â¢t believe a word Iââ¬â¢d said. I invited Sydney along on the outing, but she declined, choosing instead to lock herself away in a bedroom to read about Greek temples or make world-controlling phone calls or do whatever it was she did. Viktoria said downtown wasnââ¬â¢t far from where they lived and was easy to walk to. The day was clear and cool, with enough sun to make being outside pretty pleasant. ââ¬Å"We donââ¬â¢t get a lot of visitors,â⬠she explained. ââ¬Å"Except for Moroi men, but most donââ¬â¢t stay long.â⬠She added no more, but I wondered about her implications. Were these Moroi men off to find some action with dhampir women? Iââ¬â¢d grown up thinking of these women, dhampirs who chose not to become guardians, as disgraceful and dirty. The ones in the Nightingale had certainly met the blood whore stereotype, but Dimitri had assured me that not all dhampir women were like that. After meeting the Belikovs, I believed him. As we approached the center of town, I soon discovered another myth shattered. People always talked about blood whores living in camps or communes, but that wasnââ¬â¢t the case here. Baia wasnââ¬â¢t huge, not like Saint Petersburg or even Omsk, but it was a real town with a large human population. Hardly a rural camp or farm settlement. The whole setting was astonishingly normal, and when we reached downtown, lined with small shops and restaurants, it too seemed like any other place in the world people might live. Modern and ordinary, just with a slight village feel. ââ¬Å"Where are all the dhampirs?â⬠I wondered aloud. Sydney had said there was a secret dhampir subculture, but I saw no signs of it. Viktoria smiled. ââ¬Å"Oh, theyââ¬â¢re here. We have a lot of businesses and other places that humans donââ¬â¢t know about.â⬠While I could understand dhampirs going unnoticed in big cities, it seemed remarkable to pull that off here. ââ¬Å"And lots of us just live and work with humans.â⬠She nodded over toward what looked like a drugstore. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s where Sonya works now.â⬠ââ¬Å"Now?â⬠ââ¬Å"Now that sheââ¬â¢s pregnant.â⬠Viktoria rolled her eyes. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d take you to meet her, but sheââ¬â¢s grumpy all the time lately. I hope the babyââ¬â¢s early.â⬠She left it at that, and I again wondered about the dynamics of dhampirs and Moroi here. We didnââ¬â¢t mention it again, and our conversation stayed light and even teasing. Viktoria was easy to like, and in only an hour, weââ¬â¢d clicked as though weââ¬â¢d known each other forever. Maybe my connection to Dimitri bound me to his family, too. My thoughts were cut off when someone called Viktoriaââ¬â¢s name. We turned to see a very cute dhampir guy crossing the street. He had bronze hair and dark eyes, his age falling somewhere between mine and Viktoriaââ¬â¢s. He said something chatty and conversational to her. She grinned at him and then gestured to me, giving my introduction in Russian. ââ¬Å"This is Nikolai,â⬠she told me in English. ââ¬Å"Nice to meet you,â⬠he said, also switching languages. He gave me a quick assessment in the way guys often do, but when he turned back to Viktoria, it was clear who the object of his affections was. ââ¬Å"You should bring Rose to Marinaââ¬â¢s party. Itââ¬â¢s Sunday night.â⬠He hesitated, turning a bit shy. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re going, arenââ¬â¢t you?â⬠Viktoria turned thoughtful, and I realized she was completely oblivious to his crush. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be there, butâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She turned to me. ââ¬Å"Will you still be around?â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know,â⬠I said honestly. ââ¬Å"But Iââ¬â¢ll go if Iââ¬â¢m still here. What kind of party is it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Marinaââ¬â¢s a friend from school,â⬠explained Viktoria. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re just going to get together and celebrate before we go back.â⬠ââ¬Å"To school?â⬠I asked stupidly. Somehow, it had never occurred to me that the dhampirs out here would be in school. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re on break right now,â⬠said Nikolai. ââ¬Å"For Easter.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh.â⬠It was late April, but I had no clue what day Easter fell on this year. Iââ¬â¢d lost track of the days. It hadnââ¬â¢t happened yet, so their school must have their break the week before Easter. St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s took its vacation afterward. ââ¬Å"Where is your school?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s about three hours away. Even more remote than here.â⬠Viktoria made a face. ââ¬Å"Baiaââ¬â¢s not so bad,â⬠teased Nikolai. ââ¬Å"Easy for you to say. Youââ¬â¢ll eventually leave and go see new and exciting places.â⬠ââ¬Å"Canââ¬â¢t you?â⬠I asked her. She frowned, suddenly uncomfortable. ââ¬Å"Well, I couldâ⬠¦ but thatââ¬â¢s not how we do it here-at least not in my family. Grandmother has someâ⬠¦ strong opinions about men and women. Nikolai will be a guardian, but Iââ¬â¢ll stay here with my family.â⬠Nikolai suddenly gave me a new appraisal. ââ¬Å"Are you a guardian?â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah, well.â⬠Now I was the uncomfortable one. Viktoria spoke before I could come up with anything to say. ââ¬Å"She killed two Strigoi outside of town. By herself.â⬠He looked impressed. ââ¬Å"You are a guardian.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, noâ⬠¦ Iââ¬â¢ve killed before, but Iââ¬â¢m not actually sworn.â⬠Turning around, I lifted up my hair to show them my neck. In addition to all my regular molnija marks, I also had the little star-shaped tattoo that meant Iââ¬â¢d been in a battle. They both gasped, and Nikolai said something in Russian. I let my hair drop and looked back. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢reâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Viktoria bit her lip, eyes contemplative as she groped for what she wanted to say. ââ¬Å"Unpromised? I donââ¬â¢t know the English word.â⬠ââ¬Å"Unpromised?â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I guessâ⬠¦ but technically, arenââ¬â¢t all the women here?â⬠ââ¬Å"Even if we arenââ¬â¢t guardians, we still get marks showing we completed our training. No promise mark, though. For you to have killed so many Strigoi and have no loyalties to a school or the guardiansâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Viktoria shrugged. ââ¬Å"We call it being unpromised-itââ¬â¢s a strange thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s strange where I come from too,â⬠I admitted. Unheard of, really. So much so, that we didnââ¬â¢t have a term for it. It just wasnââ¬â¢t done. ââ¬Å"I should let you two go,â⬠said Nikolai, his lovesick eyes back on Viktoria. ââ¬Å"But Iââ¬â¢ll see you at Marinaââ¬â¢s for sure? Maybe sooner?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠she agreed. They said their farewells in Russian, and then he loped off across the street with the kind of easy, athletic grace guardians often acquired with training. It reminded me a bit of Dimitriââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"I must have scared him off,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"No, he thinks youââ¬â¢re exciting.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not as exciting as he thinks you are.â⬠Her eyebrows rose. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"He likes youâ⬠¦ I mean, really likes. Canââ¬â¢t you tell?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh. Weââ¬â¢re just friends.â⬠I could tell from her attitude that she meant it. She was completely indifferent to him, which was too bad. He was cute and nice. Letting poor Nikolai go, I brought up the guardians again. I was intrigued by the different attitudes around here. ââ¬Å"You said you canââ¬â¢tâ⬠¦ but do you want to be a guardian?â⬠She hesitated. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve never really considered it. I get all the same training at school, and I like being able to defend myself. But Iââ¬â¢d rather use it in defense of my family than Moroi. I guess it soundsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She paused again to think of the right word. ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ Sexist? But, the men become guardians, and women stay at home. Only my brother left.â⬠I nearly tripped. ââ¬Å"Your brother?â⬠I asked, keeping my voice as steady as possible. ââ¬Å"Dimitri,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s older than me and has been a guardian for a while. Heââ¬â¢s over in the United States, actually. We havenââ¬â¢t seen him in a long time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh.â⬠I felt horrible and guilty. Guilty because I was keeping the truth from Viktoria and the others. Horrible because apparently no one from back home had bothered to pass the news on to his family yet. Smiling at her own memories, she didnââ¬â¢t notice my change in mood. ââ¬Å"Paul actually looks exactly like he did at that age. I should show you pictures of him-and some recent ones, too. Dimitriââ¬â¢s pretty cute. For my brother, I mean.â⬠I was sure seeing pictures of Dimitri as a little boy would rip my heart out. As it was, the more Viktoria began to talk about him, the sicker I felt. She had no clue about what had happened, and even though it had been a couple of years since sheââ¬â¢d seen him, it was clear she and the rest of the family loved him like crazy. Not that that should be a surprise. (And really, who couldnââ¬â¢t love Dimitri?) Being around them just one morning had shown me how close they all were. I knew from Dimitriââ¬â¢s stories that he was crazy about all of them, too. ââ¬Å"Rose? Are you okay?â⬠Viktoria was peering at me with concern, probably because I hadnââ¬â¢t said anything in the last ten minutes. We had circled around and were almost back at her house. Looking at her, at her open, friendly face and eyes that were so much like Dimitriââ¬â¢s, I realized I had another task ahead of me before I could go after Dimitri, wherever he was. I swallowed. ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦ yeah. I thinkâ⬠¦ I think I need to sit down with you and the rest of your family.â⬠ââ¬Å"Okay,â⬠she said, the worry still in her voice. Inside the house, Olena was bustling around the kitchen with Karolina. I thought they were making plans for tonightââ¬â¢s dinner, which was startling considering weââ¬â¢d just finished a huge breakfast. I could definitely get used to the way they ate around here. In the living room, Paul was building an elaborate racetrack out of Legos. Yeva sat in a rocking chair and appeared to be the worldââ¬â¢s most stereotypical grandmother as she knit a pair of socks. Except most grandmothers didnââ¬â¢t look like they could incinerate you with a single glance. Olena was talking to Karolina in Russian but switched to English when she saw me. ââ¬Å"You two are back earlier than I expected.â⬠ââ¬Å"We saw the town,â⬠said Viktoria. ââ¬Å"Andâ⬠¦ Rose wanted to talk to you. To all of us.â⬠Olena gave me a look as puzzled and concerned as Viktoriaââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s going on?â⬠The weight of all those Belikov eyes on me made my heart start thumping in my chest. How was I going to do this? How could I explain something I hadnââ¬â¢t spoken about in weeks? I couldnââ¬â¢t stand to put them-or myself-through it. When Yeva scuttled in, it made things that much worse. Maybe sheââ¬â¢d had some mystical sense that something big was about to go down. ââ¬Å"We should sit,â⬠I said. Paul stayed in the living room, for which I was grateful. I was pretty sure I couldnââ¬â¢t handle saying what I had to with a little kid-one who looked like Dimitri, apparently-watching me. ââ¬Å"Rose, whatââ¬â¢s wrong?â⬠asked Olena. She looked so sweet and, wellâ⬠¦ motherly, that I nearly cried. Whenever Iââ¬â¢d been angry with my own mother for not being around or doing a good job, Iââ¬â¢d always compared her to some idealized image of a mom-a mom who seemed a lot like Dimitriââ¬â¢s, I realized. Dimitriââ¬â¢s sisters looked equally worried, like I was someone theyââ¬â¢d known forever. That acceptance and concern made my eyes burn even more, seeing as theyââ¬â¢d just met me this morning. Yeva wore a very strange expression, however-almost like sheââ¬â¢d been expecting something like this all along. ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦ the thing is, the reason I came here, to Baia, was to find you guys.â⬠That wasnââ¬â¢t entirely true. Iââ¬â¢d come to search for Dimitri. Iââ¬â¢d never thought much about finding his family, but now, I realized that it was a good thing I had. ââ¬Å"You see, Viktoria was talking about Dimitri earlier.â⬠Olenaââ¬â¢s face brightened when I said her sonââ¬â¢s name. ââ¬Å"Andâ⬠¦ I knew-er, know him. He used to be a guardian at my school. My teacher, actually.â⬠Karolina and Viktoria lit up as well. ââ¬Å"How is he?â⬠asked Karolina. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s been ages since weââ¬â¢ve seen him. Do you know when heââ¬â¢s going to visit?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t even think about answering her question, so I pushed forward with my story before I lost my courage in front of all those loving faces. As the words came out of my mouth, it was almost like someone else was saying them and I was simply watching from a distance. ââ¬Å"A month agoâ⬠¦ our school was attacked by Strigoi. A really bad attackâ⬠¦ a huge group of Strigoi. We lost a lot of people-Moroi and dhampirs, both.â⬠Olena exclaimed in Russia. Viktoria leaned toward me. ââ¬Å"St. Vladimirââ¬â¢s?â⬠I halted in my story, surprised. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve heard of it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Everyoneââ¬â¢s heard of it,â⬠said Karolina. ââ¬Å"We all know what happened. That was your school? You were there that night?â⬠I nodded. ââ¬Å"No wonder you have so many molnija marks,â⬠breathed Viktoria in wonder. ââ¬Å"And thatââ¬â¢s where Dimitriââ¬â¢s at now?â⬠asked Olena. ââ¬Å"We lost track of his latest assignment.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, yeahâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ My tongue felt thick in my throat. I couldnââ¬â¢t breathe. ââ¬Å"I was at the school the night of the attack,â⬠I reaffirmed. ââ¬Å"And so was Dimitri. He was one of the leaders in the battleâ⬠¦ and the way he foughtâ⬠¦ he wasâ⬠¦ he was so braveâ⬠¦ andâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ My words were breaking up, but by this point, the others were catching on. Olena gasped and again murmured in Russian. I picked out the word for ââ¬Å"God.â⬠Karolina sat frozen, but Viktoria leaned toward me. Those eyes that were so like her brotherââ¬â¢s stared at me intently, as intently as he would if pushing me to tell the truth, no matter how awful. ââ¬Å"What happened?â⬠she demanded. ââ¬Å"What happened to Dimitri?â⬠I looked away from their faces, my eyes drifting to the living room. On the far wall, I caught sight of a bookcase filled with old, leather-covered books. They had gold-embossed lettering on the spines. It was totally random, but I suddenly remembered Dimitri mentioning those. They were these old adventure novels my mother collected, heââ¬â¢d told me once. The covers were so beautiful, and I loved them. If I was careful, sheââ¬â¢d let me read them sometimes. The thought of a young Dimitri sitting in front of that bookcase, carefully turning the pages-and oh, he would have been careful-almost made me lose it. Had that been where heââ¬â¢d developed his love of western novels? I was losing it. I was getting distracted. I wasnââ¬â¢t going to be able to tell them the truth. My emotions were growing too powerful, my memories flooding me as I fought to think about something-anything-that didnââ¬â¢t involve that horrible battle. Then I glanced at Yeva again, and something about her eerie, knowing expression inexplicably spurred me on. I had to do this. I turned back to the others. ââ¬Å"He fought really bravely in the battle, and afterward, he helped lead a rescue mission to save some people that the Strigoi had captured. He was really amazing there, too, onlyâ⬠¦ heâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I stopped again and realized tears were running down my cheeks. In my mind, I was replaying that awful scene in the cave, with Dimitri so close to freedom and taken by a Strigoi at the last minute. Shaking that thought away, I took another deep breath. I had to finish this. I owed it to his family. There was no gentle way to say it. ââ¬Å"One of the Strigoi thereâ⬠¦ well, he overpowered Dimitri.â⬠Karolina buried her face in her motherââ¬â¢s shoulder, and Olena made no effort to hide her own tears. Viktoria wasnââ¬â¢t crying, but her face had gone perfectly still. She was working hard to keep her emotions in check, just as Dimitri would have. She searched my face, needing to know for sure. ââ¬Å"Dimitri is dead,â⬠she said. It was a statement, not a question, but she was looking to me for confirmation. I wondered if Iââ¬â¢d given away something, some hint that there was still more to the story. Or maybe she just needed the certainty of those words. And for a moment, I considered telling them that Dimitri was dead. It was what the Academy would tell them, what the guardians would tell them. It would be easier on themâ⬠¦ but somehow, I couldnââ¬â¢t stand to lie to them-even if it was a comforting lie. Dimitri would have wanted the whole truth, and his family would too. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I said, and for a heartbeat, hope sprang up in everyoneââ¬â¢s faces-at least until I spoke again. ââ¬Å"Dimitriââ¬â¢s a Strigoi.â⬠How to cite Blood Promise Chapter Seven, Essay examples
Saturday, April 25, 2020
W.C. BRYANT H.S. Stefanos Tsartsalis Essay Example For Students
W.C. BRYANT H.S. Stefanos Tsartsalis Essay W.C. BRYANT H. S.Stefanos TsartsalisMATH- 024/29/98ARCHIMEDES (287-212 BC.)Archimedes was the first scientist to use the power of the lever. This gifted Greek mathematician and inventor once said, Give me a place to stand and rest my lever on, and I can move the Earth. He also discovered the compound pulley and Archimedesscrew. Archimedes was a brilliant mathematician who helped develop geometry. He discovered the relation between the surface area and volume of a sphere and those of its circumscribing cylinder. A legend says that Archimedes discovered the principle of displacement while stepping into a full bath. We will write a custom essay on W.C. BRYANT H.S. Stefanos Tsartsalis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now He realized that the water that ran over equaled in volume the part of his body that was in the water. Through more experiments, he presumed the principle of ability to float, which is called the Archimedes principle. According to this principle a body dipped in a fluid loses as much in weight as the weight of an equal volume of the fluid. Another legend describes how Archimedes uncovered a fraud against King Hieron II of Syracuse using his idea of flotation. The king suspected that a solid gold crown he ordered was partly made of silver. Archimedes first took two equal weights of gold and silver and compared their weights when put in water. Next he compared the weights of the crown and a pure silver crown of identical dimensions when each was put in water. The difference between these two comparisons revealed that the crown was not solid gold. Archimedes was born in Syracuse, Sicily. He lived there most of his life. When the Romans attacked Syracuse, Archimedes invented weapons to defend the city. He is said to have suggested a method of employing mirrors to set enemy ships on fire. After a two year attack the Romans finally entered the city, and Archimedes was killed in the next battle.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Microprocessors Essays - Microprocessors, Microcomputers
Microprocessors Essays - Microprocessors, Microcomputers Microprocessors Only once in a lifetime will a new invention come about to touch every aspect of our lives. Such a device that changes the way we work, live, and play is a special one, indeed. The Microprocessor has been around since 1971 years, but in the last few years it has changed the American calculators to video games and computers (Givone 1). Many microprocessors have been manufactured for all sorts of products; some have succeeded and some have not. This paper will discuss the evolution and history of the most prominent 16 and 32 bit microprocessors in the microcomputer and how they are similar to and different from each other. Because microprocessors are a subject that most people cannot relate to and do not know much about, this paragraph will introduce some of the terms that will be in- volved in the subsequent paragraphs. Throughout the paper the 16-bit and 32-bit mi- croprocessors are compared and contrasted. The number 16 in the 16-bit microproces- sor refers how many registers there are or how much storage is available for the mi- croprocessor (Aumiaux, 3). The microprocessor has a memory address such as A16, and at this address the specific commands to the microprocessor are stored in the memory of the computer (Aumiaux, 3). So with the 16-bit microprocessor there are 576 places to store data. With the 32-bit microprocessor there are twice as many places to store data making the microprocessor faster. Another common term which is mentioned frequently in the paper is the oscil- lator or the time at which the processors clock ticks. The oscillator is the pace maker for the microprocessor which tells what frequency the microprocessor can proc- ess information, this value is measured in Mega-hertz or MHz. A nanosecond is a measurement of time in a processor, or a billionth of a second. This is used to measure the time it takes for the computer to execute an instructions, other wise knows as a cy- cle. There are many different types of companies of which all have their own family of processors. Since the individual processors in the families were developed over a fairly long period of time, it is hard to distinguish which processors were introduced in order. This paper will mention the families of processors in no particular order. The first microprocessor that will be discussed is the family of microprocessors called the 9900 series manufactured by Texas Instruments during the mid-70s and was developed from the architecture of the 900 minicomputer series (Titus, 178). There were five dif- ferent actual microprocessors that were designed in this family, they were the TMS9900, TMS9980A, TMS9981, TMS9985, and the TMS9940. The TMS9900 was the first of these microprocessors so the next four of the microprocessors where simply variations of the TMS9900 (Titus, 178). The 9900 series microprocessors runs with 64K memory and besides the fact that the 9900 is a 16-bit microprocessor, only 15 of the address memory circuits are in use (Titus, 179). The 16th address is used for the computer to distinguish between word and data functions (Titus, 179. The 9900 series microprocessors runs from 300 nanoseconds to 500 ns from 2MHz to 3.3MHz and even some variations of the original microprocessor where made to go up to 4MHz (Avtar, 115). The next microprocessor that will be discussed is the LSI-11 which was pro- duced from the structural plans of the PDP-11 minicomputer family. There are three microprocessors in the LSI-11 family they are the LSI-11, LSI-11/2, and the much im- proved over the others is the LSI-11/32 (Titus, 131). The big difference between the LSI-11 family of microprocessors and other similar microprocessors of its kind is they have the instruction codes of a microcomputer but since the LSI-11 microprocessor originated from the PDP-11 family it is a multi-microprocessor (Avtar, 207). The fact that the LSI-11 microprocessor is a multi-microprocessor means that many other mi- croprocessors are used in conjunction with the LSI-11 to function properly (Avtar, 207). The LSI-11 microprocessor has a direct processing speed of 16-bit word and 7- bit data, however the improved LSI-11/22 can directly process 64-bit data (Titus, 131). The average time that the LSI-11 and LSI-11/2 process at are 380 nanoseconds, while the LSI-11/23 is clocked at 300 nanoseconds (Titus, 132). There are some
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Back To School Icebreakers, Worksheets, and Resources
Back To School Icebreakers, Worksheets, and Resources There are lots of fun resources to get your school year started. For more ideas, especially classroom management tools, check out the Back to School Toolkit. Icebreaker Worksheets These worksheets give your students lots of things to think about, lots of things to share with their classmates and opportunities to consider the kind of year they are going to have. Be sure you also plan some time for collaboration, opportunities for students to compare their answers and perhaps starting doing some grouping of their own.à à Getting to Know You, Scavenger Hunts, IcebreakersSolving Math Problems Worksheets3 Getting to Know You Worksheets Classroom Management These resources also include articles with ideas for building classroom structure, routines and a comprehensive plan for classroom management.à The first sheet may even help your students help you formulate the routines your classroom will need to run efficiently.à Teaching Rules and RoutinesCreating a Comprehensive Classroom Management Plan12 Behavior Contracts That WorkCreating a Comprehensive Classroom Management PlanYou Can Handle Them All- Tattletales, Bullies, Aggression- Hereââ¬â¢s How IEP Help As a special educator, IEPs will always have to have a place near the top of the list.à These resources should help you prepare your classroom and build the infrastructure that will support your students needs. Parts of an IEPBehavioral Components of an IEP
Friday, February 14, 2020
No topic Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2
No topic - Case Study Example Thus, its main aim was to observe the financial and accounting standards in government owned companies, through this the liability of manager to subordinates will be increased. Therefore, the rampant crisis of trust in American capitalism that was aroused from scandals in WorldCom, Enron and other companies will calm down (SOX, 2002). However, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) has also created major negative effects in the United States corporate. First of all, majority of companies have decided to stay held privately since being public makes them to accountable to the SOX act. Additionally, other public companies that had their names in the stock list have removed themselves. Therefore economists say that this is a big concern since it could lower the economistââ¬â¢s entrepreneur spirit (Zhang, 2007). Secondly, senior managers nowadays instead of putting more attention on strategizing the growth of their firms, they have been seen to be more concerned on the ethical statuses of their organizations. Furthermore, they are hesitative to make brave business decisions and have become hesitant in their plans to expand. Thus, the SOX has become somehow too much of a regulation for the corporate America (Rao,
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Personality or behavior - Organizational Behavior HRM Case Study
Personality or behavior - Organizational Behavior HRM - Case Study Example The concept of personality has a broad definition from a psychological perspective. Nonetheless, the most reasonable definition asserts that personality is the personal characteristics that result in a consistent pattern of behavior, thoughts, and emotions (Ajzen, 2005; Stuart-Kotze, 2006). Specifically, personality is an arguably permanent aspect of an individual influenced by culture, family, life experiences, group membership, and beliefs. Consequently, personality is consistent, impacts behaviors and action, and expresses multiple concepts such as thoughts and feelings.On the other hand, a behavior is the action resulting from our values and beliefs. From a psychological viewpoint, a behavior is a response to external and internal stimuli that produce externally visible outcomes influenced by experience and a change in attitude. Therefore, personal behavior is flexible as affected by organizational culture and ethical beliefs supported by a company (Ajzen, 2005). Consequently, th e difference between behavior and personality is that the latter is rigid and permanent while the former is flexible and changeable to fit in a particular culture. Specifically, this is because changing the substance of personality such as attitudes, principles, philosophies, and ambitions is difficult (Stuart-Kotze, 2006).The Big Five personality model is a combination of broad domains of personality Specifically, this model is essential as it aids in understanding different trait in personality without overlapping.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Utopian School :: essays papers
Utopian School My Utopian School If I was able to create my own school, and was able to select every student, every staff member, all members of the faculty, class sizes, curriculum, and everything and everyone that has to do with effectively running the school, then I believe that the utopian school would consist of the following. I believe that the students that would be enrolled in the school would have to all be of the same or around the same abilities and intelligence, I believe that if students are around other students that are at about the same level, it is easier for them to learn and score better. If all the students are slow learning, then they can be taught at the same rate, and the same goes for students with higher learning abilities. The faculty would have members from different backgrounds so that the students can learn different life experiences. Curriculum would be the same throughout all grades, all first grade would be the same, and so on, all the way up until fifth. Class sizes would be smaller , so that the teachers can give more attention to every student, and every class would have kids who are all about the same intelligence and learning rates. Support staff would also be qualified to teach the children, not just assist. They would be able to assist the children just like the teachers do. There wouldnââ¬â¢t actually have to be any specific groupings within the class, because every class would only consist of children that are all at the same level, so there would be no seperation, and the kids would not feel bad about being slower, and being separated from the ââ¬Å"smart kids.â⬠I would do my very best to make absolutely sure that the entire facility would be one-hundred percent clean, I think that a clean school would make it easier for students to learn, instead of trying to learn in filth. I would try to raise money with events and fundraisers to keep the school clean and a positive learning environment. As far as materials and equipment go, I would use the best materials and the highest grade equipment so that my students could use them to get the best education possible. I believe that all of these attributes would make the perfect school, every single student would be able to get a proper amount of attention and they would be able to use moder n technology and have people that actually care about the students and their education, and what they are going to do with their future.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Kudler Fine Foods E-Commerce Website
Kudler Fine Foods E-Commerce Website Kudler Fine Foods E-Commerce Website * Introduction ââ¬Å"E Commerce is one of the most important facets of the Internet to have emerged in the recent times. Ecommerce or electronic commerce involves carrying out business over the Internet with the assistance of computers, which are linked to each other forming a network. To be specific, ecommerce would be buying and selling of goods and services and transfer of funds through digital communicationsâ⬠(Benefits of Ecommerceâ⬠,à 2007).With the launch of Kudler Fine Foods new eCommerce solution quickly approaching, this is an exciting time for Kudler and its staff. The benefits of this expansion will not only increase revenue for the company, but afford the opportunity to create new jobs and provide a new range of services to all customers. From the customerââ¬â¢s perspective, everything will start from the Kudler Fine Foods homepage. The home page will maintain the original look and design, but the customer will notice two new additions when visiting. The first addition will be a ââ¬Å"shopâ⬠link included in the navigation bar.This will bring the customer into the storeââ¬â¢s inventory of items available for online purchase. These new features and services will now be explained, as well as a step by step walk through the customer will experience when making online purchases. Shop When Shop is selected in the navigation toolbar at the top of the website the user opens a new webpage. This webpage is the ââ¬Å"shopâ⬠page where the user sees a dropdown box giving them the following categories to choose from: Bakery, Meat and Seafood, Produce, Cheese and Dairy and final Wine.After selecting the category the user will then click on the ââ¬Å"shopâ⬠button to the right. They will then be sent that category webpage to make their purchases. Purchase of Items To purchase items the user will see the category webpage where there is a list of all the products offered for this category. Each item will have a description of the product and the price of each item. There is an ââ¬Å"addâ⬠button at the end of each item description where the user can choose to purchase this item by ââ¬Å"clickingâ⬠on the add button.At the top of each category page the user has the option to go to the other category pages by clicking on the ââ¬Å"go toâ⬠button for each category listed on that button. At the bottom of each page there are two buttons to choose; View Cart and Checkout. View Cart View cart allows the user to see all the items that they have chosen to purchase. A list of each item with their price will be shown. At the end of each item row there is a ââ¬Å"removeâ⬠button where the user can remove the item from the list. This is the only location the user can remove their items they have chosen to purchase.At the bottom of this page there are buttons to choose to go to the other category pages or to checkout page. If the user chooses to go to another category and selects and item from that page, it will be added to the view cart page. Even if the user goes all the way back to the ââ¬Å"homeâ⬠page they can start looking at other categories and each item will be added to the shopping cart where it can be seen on the view cart page. After the user has made all their choices to purchase, they can click on the ââ¬Å"checkoutâ⬠button at the bottom of the page to finalize their purchase.Checkout The checkout page is the final page the customer will need to go to in order to finish their purchase. Here the customer can see all of the items they have selected along with the total of the purchase they are about to make. It they want to remove an item they will need to go back to ââ¬Å"view cartâ⬠where they can remove the item. Under the list and total of the items to be purchased, there is a form to fill out. This form is the Payment Information form needed to finish the purchase. Here the customer will input their Name, Address, Town/City, State and Zip code.Then they will select from the dropdown box which credit card they plan to use to make the purchase. After selecting the credit card, there is a box for the credit card number to be entered. After the customer enters in their credit card number, they can either choose the ââ¬Å"submitâ⬠to finish the purchase or choose the ââ¬Å"resetâ⬠button to clear out the form. If they choose to reset the form, the information will be deleted and they may begin a new ordering process. Marketing our website/promote website Marketing in e-commerce is just as important as the site itself.That brings us to how we can add code into our site to help make us more visible to search engines; meta data is what is used to make us visible to our customers. ââ¬Å"Meta data is, quite simply, data about data. Your document is nothing but a piece of data for a search engine, and meta data helps describes and categoriz es it. Webmasters place meta data inside their HTML documents, to help improve their ranking on search engines, and to help end-users locate their siteâ⬠(ââ¬Å"Marketing Your Website : Meta Dataâ⬠,à 1999).We will put a description meta tag and keyword metadata tag on each of the webpages we have made for the shopping feature. This way each category will be part of the web search when a customer is looking for one of our products. The metadata tags we are going to use will be the ââ¬Å"descriptionâ⬠, ââ¬Å"keywordâ⬠(these will be on all webpages); ââ¬Å"authorâ⬠, ââ¬Å"content-typeâ⬠, ââ¬Å"refreshâ⬠and ââ¬Å"revisedâ⬠tags (only one the shop page). The description tag lets you put the title of the page when the keyword tag is where you can put important keywords to be found when search engine can find it easier.The author tag shows all that look at our website who created it. The content-type tag shows what we used such as text, ht ml and the UTF8. The refresh one allows the page to refresh at the time limit we set for each page. Then revised will show who ever has to update or modify the shopping pages will know when they were last done making it easier to keep up with the alterations. SEO (search engine optimization) is the process of optimizing a website so it will position well in search engines results. ââ¬Å"This means designing your web pages so the search engines will find the right keywords in your web page content.Optimization is all about making sure the search engines will find information that will increase the chance of your page being included in search resultsâ⬠(ââ¬Å"How to promote a website as part of the website designâ⬠, n. d. ). some ways to help in this area to make the site more visible include but not limited to include the main keywords in the website title, more keywords in the website description, keywords in the sidebar links, keywords in the content text, be sure all pa ges are reachable, and pages should be easy to navigate. A website can be submitted to search engines so they will know about it.This used to be a necessary step to notify search engines about new websites. Now search engines constantly monitor the Internet for new web pages (and changed web pages) so they will discover your website. ââ¬Å"To ensure that your fresh content or site improvements don't languish un-indexed, submit to Google an XML sitemap, which shows your site's coding, each time you do an update. Google will help you correct any errors in the sitemap to make its indexing more accurate, and will crawl your site more often if you routinely send it XML sitemap updates. â⬠(McElgunn, J. )It is still a good idea to submit your website to all four major search engines (AOL, Google, MSN, and Yahoo) because these four primarily are the ones used for most Internet searches. Another way to increase the SEO for Kudler Fine Foods is with a Facebook page since they are used to get consumers from a social media. Creating a Facebook page for Kudler Fine Foods and getting the consumer to click on ââ¬Å"likeâ⬠on the page will boost the way the SEO ranks there website. Facebook is another way to notify customers of deals being offered so they will want to check them out on their website.More consumers viewing their website will move them to the top faster. We will add the Facebook logo to the top of each page so the customer can access it from the website. Publish/upload website Once the website has been created, the testing is complete, and the site is ready to go live we need to upload the files to our web server so our customers can start accessing and using the site. One easy option we can use is a program called FileZilla which uses an FTP (file transfer protocol) or we can use a web design product from the host that can upload all the files easily.With the FTP option we have to manually upload each file we want to use. If using a web design pro duct it will upload everything you have at one time. ââ¬Å"Be sure to thoroughly test the website after the upload to be sure all necessary files were successfully uploaded and work correctly. When you need to update a web page you can just upload that page (and related files) and the upload will overwrite the old files. NOTE ââ¬â Some web design software products save web pages in their own unique file format and automatically convert the files to web format files (e. . HTML) when the upload/publish function is used. If you are going to use FTP software for your uploads, you will first need to do a save-as/export for the web page files to create HTML files. It is a good idea to save these files in a separate folder to make the FTP file selection easier as the web design unique format files do not need to be uploaded. Also, if you use FTP software for your uploads you must also upload files and graphics used by the webpageâ⬠(ââ¬Å"How To Publish/upload Web Pagesâ⬠,à n. d. )â⬠. Resource: Benefits of ecommerce. 2007). Retrieved from http://www. ecommerceprogram. com/ecommerce/benefits-of-ecommerce. asp How to publish/upload web pages. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. doawebsite. com/publish. html How to promote a website as part of the website design. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. doawebsite. com/promote. html Marketing your website : Meta Data. (1999). Retrieved from http://www. davidreilly. com/topics/electronic_commerce/web_marketing/meta-data. html McElgunn, J. Google Grabbers. Profit, Mar2008, Vol. 27 Issue1, p56-57, 2p.
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