Free Essays on Moma

Demise of an Innocent I went to a gathering mother, I recalled what you said. You advised me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soft drink. I truly felt pleased inside, Mom, the manner in which you said I would. I didn’t drive under the influence, Mom, despite the fact that the others said I should. I realize I made the best choice, Mom, I realize you were in every case right. Presently the gathering is at long last completion, Mom ,as everybody is driving out of sight. As I got into my vehicle, Mom, yet as I maneuvered into the street the other vehicle didn’t see me, Mom, and now I’m the person who will pay. I’m lying here passing on, Mom. I wish you’d arrive soon. How cool this transpire, Mom? My life simply burst like an inflatable. There is blood surrounding me, Mom, and a large portion of it is mine. I hear the doctor say, Mom, I’ll bite the dust in a brief timeframe. I simply needed to let you know, Mom, I swear I didn’t drink. It was the others, Mom. The others didn’t think. He was likely as a similar gathering as I. The main distinction is he drank and I will pass on. For what reason do individuals drink, Mom? It can demolish as long as you can remember. I’m feeling sharp torments now. Torments simply like a blade. The person who hit me is strolling, Mom, and I don’t think it’s reasonable. I’m lying here kicking the bucket and everything he can do is gaze. Advise my sibling not to cry, Mom. Advise Daddy to be daring. What's more, when I go to paradise, Mom, put â€Å"Daddy’s Girl† on my grave. Somebody ought to have let him know, Mom, not to drive under the influence. In the event that lone they had let him know, Mom, I would at present be alive. My breath is getting shorter, Mom, I’m getting terrified. If it's not too much trouble don’t sob for me, Mom.When I required you, you were consistently there. I have one final inquiry, Mom, before I bid farewell. I didn’t drive drunk, so for what reason am I the one to die?... Free Essays on Moma Free Essays on Moma Passing of an Innocent I went to a gathering mother, I recollected what you said. You advised me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soft drink. I truly felt pleased inside, Mom, the manner in which you said I would. I didn’t drive under the influence, Mom, despite the fact that the others said I should. I realize I made the best choice, Mom, I realize you were in every case right. Presently the gathering is at last completion, Mom ,as everybody is driving out of sight. As I got into my vehicle, Mom, however as I maneuvered into the street the other vehicle didn’t see me, Mom, and now I’m the person who will pay. I’m lying here biting the dust, Mom. I wish you’d arrive soon. How chilly this transpire, Mom? My life simply burst like an inflatable. There is blood surrounding me, Mom, and its vast majority is mine. I hear the surgeon state, Mom, I’ll bite the dust in a brief timeframe. I simply needed to let you know, Mom, I swear I didn’t drink. It was the others, Mom. The others didn’t think. He was most likely as a similar gathering as I. The main contrast is he drank and I will kick the bucket. For what reason do individuals drink, Mom? It can demolish as long as you can remember. I’m feeling sharp torments now. Torments simply like a blade. The person who hit me is strolling, Mom, and I don’t think it’s reasonable. I’m lying here kicking the bucket and everything he can do is gaze. Advise my sibling not to cry, Mom. Advise Daddy to be bold. Furthermore, when I go to paradise, Mom, put â€Å"Daddy’s Girl† on my grave. Somebody ought to have let him know, Mom, not to drive drunk. In the event that solitary they had let him know, Mom, I would in any case be alive. My breath is getting shorter, Mom, I’m getting frightened. It would be ideal if you don’t weep for me, Mom.When I required you, you were consistently there. I have one final inquiry, Mom, before I bid farewell. I didn’t drive drunk, so for what reason am I the one to die?...

Sioux City Crash Essays - Aviation Safety, Sioux City, Iowa

Sioux City Crash Presentation Airplane mishaps can be a heartbreaking thing. A few people may contend that all are avoidable. However, while thinking about this announcement, one should consistently recollect there is a component that is in all mishaps. People. Either through structure, being flown by, or kept up by, people are in all parts of flying. For whatever length of time that people are in 100% control of a plane there will be mishaps. Be that as it may, a great side to a mishap is it is completely looked into by the NTSB. (National transportation and security board). From a dominant part of those mishaps, something can profit flying when all is said in done. Avionics can be profited through structure, preparing, or in this circumstance, reconsidering current constraints to a more secure level. The focal point of my task will be on a specific mishap that occurred on July 19, 1989 when a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 airplane slammed in Sioux City, Iowa. This specific kind of airplane, at the hour of the mishap, had been underway for around 18 years. The United Airlines stream was destined for Chicago when the tail-mounted motor broke separated and cut off the airplanes primary water powered lines. Without power through pressure the airplane wouldnt have the option to move. It would likewise experience difficulty easing back down for landing. This implied inconvenience for United Airlines flight 232 with 285 travelers and 11 team individuals ready. Proclamation of the Problem: A potential issue of complete water powered disappointment if the tail-mounted motor breaks separated. PAGE 1 Speculation Statement: My hypothesis is this the sum total of what could have been stayed away from. The activities taken after the mishap could have been consolidated in the underlying structure of the airplane. RESULTS On July 19,1989 a United Airlines DC-10-10 traveler plane took off Stapleton International in Denver Colorado. The plane was booked to make a brisk stop in Chicago, Illinois and afterward proceed to Philadelphia, PA. Following an uneventful hour of flight a boisterous bang was heard, trailed by a shaking of the airplane. The flight team watched the tail-mounted motor had fizzled. (SEE FIGURE 3) While playing out a motor shutdown methodology, the group saw that they didnt have any water driven weight. They likewise saw that the liquid level was at zero. The co-pilot attempted to move the plane with no achievement. The group at that point radioed to the air traffic controller that they required crisis help to the closest air terminal. Sioux City, Iowa was seen as the practically straight-ahead. The chief at that point advised the travelers of the up-coming preliminaries. For some odd reason there was a United Airlines DC-10 pilot teacher sitting in five star. He inquired as to whether he could be of any help and the skipper inquired as to whether there was any harm that the could see. The educator found that the flight controls on the wings werent moving and that the level stabilizer had harm to one side and right side. The level stabilizer is the piece of the airplane that controls height and what is known as yaw. (Right and left turning) Now that they unquestionably knew they didnt have any flight controls the team started to examine what ways the airplane could be moved. PAGE 2 The educator pilot prescribed the utilization of motor capacity to move the plane. The thought appeared to work and being that every single other choice were not many, the group embraced this strategy. At the point when flight 232 was around eight miles from the air terminal they brought down the arrival gear. To their consternation they gained from the air traffic controller that they were arranged on a runway that was shut for fixes. The commander chose for remain on course due to the trouble to turn the plane. The air traffic controller said that the runway was 3000 feet shorter yet they shouldnt experience any difficulty arrival because of the fixes. During the last methodology the flight team felt they were on course to make the arrival. Anyway they were somewhat quicker than ordinary, due to not having the option to bring down the correct flight controls known as the folds and supports. These two controls permit the plane to fly at a lower speed. At around a hundred feet over the ground, the pilot detailed that the nose plunged extensively and the conservative

Essay Sample on Operations Management in Business

Essay Sample on Operations Management in Business Operations Management in Coca-Cola Business Sep 13, 2019 in Management Introduction Operations management concerns the transformation of inputs into outputs. Management of the process combines and transforms various resources in the operations subsystems of the business into value added services in a given process consistent with the policies of the organisation. The idea is to achieve a balance between supply and demand. For example, having excess supply or capacity is wasteful and costly. As a result, while the operation function is responsible for producing and delivering services, it needs support from others areas of the organisation. The Differences between Operational and Operations Management Operation is the division of an organisation that undertakes the various planning and operating functions. As a result, operations management is the effective control of such functions that helps to achieve performance. Nonetheless, operational management is the control of the various process or series of actions to fulfil the task. As a result, the former is the control of human resources while the latter is the process. However, for a business to achieve efficiency, it must integrate both functions. For example, skills and tools related to development, manufacturing and production must be consistent with the overall objective (Attaran Attaran, 2006). Order now Live Chat Coca-Cola aims at customising services through its supply chain regardless of the global outlet. For example, the company has more than 16 million retail outlets globally. It establishes dedicated people and business partners to manage operations in various regions. Coca-Cola has policy framework that protects the business assets and resources to limit the operating risk. Secondly, the company has a centralised system related to procurement, production and distribution in different regions. The purpose is to optimize the Supply Chain Management (SCM) and reduce the operating cost (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). However, to achieve efficiency the company must develop collective practices, process, and capability for associate businesses. Although Coca-Cola is multinational, the products do not travel far to reach the local markets. As a result, the firms operations are customer driven. On the commercial side, the firm uses customer feedback called brand, pack, price, channel architecture to tailor products (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). It enables the company to establish equipment and service in order to accomplish different functions. Such level of customer services requires segmentation based on markets needs and product attributes. Therefore, the firm operations can be efficient-dominant, or responsive depending on the portfolio and market needs. The need to Produce Safely; on Time; to Cost; to Quality and within the Law Coca-Cola began as a regional manufacturer that later employed large scale manufacturing. However, the techniques prevented efficient product design, research, and development. At the time, the firm objective was to establish a consistent production to maintain steady supplies (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). However, the system was ineffective since it resulted in excess work-in-process inventory. The reason was that it conducted all the process at one location, and; therefore, glocalisation was not viable (Iyer Ye, 2000). The solution was to establish a Just-in-time system to transform inputs into finished products and meet the needs of different retailers. Secondly, to counter the cost of operations, the bottlers had to establish local offices (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). .chat-now-banner { background: #ec5c63; position: relative; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; } .chat-now-banner::before { display: block; content: ''; position: absolute; left: -170px; right: 50%; top: 0; bottom: 0; background: #04b5af; transform: skewX(45deg); } .chat-now-banner table { position: relative; color: #ffffff; font-size: 16px; } .chat-now-banner .btn.btn-primary { background: #ffffff; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 36px; color: #ec5c63; box-shadow: none; border-radius: 6px 0 6px 0; padding-left: .75rem; padding-right: .75rem; } .chat-now-banner-problem, .chat-now-banner-solution span { position: relative; } .chat-now-banner-problem { padding-left: 50px; } .chat-now-banner-solution { padding-right: 50px; } .chat-now-banner-problem::before { content: url('/images/banners/chat-img1r.png'); display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle; position: absolute; left: 20px; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); } .chat-now-banner-solution span::after { content: url('/images/banners/chat-img2.png'); display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle; position: absolute; left: 110% } .chat-now-banner-solution span { white-space: nowrap; } .chat-now-banner td { text-align: center; } @media all and (min-width: 1600px) { .chat-now-banner-solution div { display: inline; } .chat-now-banner .btn.btn-primary { margin-left: 15px; } } @media all and (max-width: 1599px) { .chat-now-banner-problem, .chat-now-banner-solution span { line-height: 1; } .chat-now-banner-problem { line-height: 35px; } .chat-now-banner-solution { line-height: 35px; } .chat-now-banner td { vertical-align: top; padding: 20px 5px 10px; } } @media all and (min-width: 1250px) and (max-width: 1599px) { .chat-now-banner-problem span { display: block; } } @media all and (max-width: 1249px) and (min-width: 993px) { .chat-now-banner .btn.btn-primary { margin-left: 0; } .chat-now-banner { height: auto; max-width: 480px; margin: 0 auto; background: linear-gradient(to right top, #ec5c63 0%, #ec5c63 50%, #04b5af 50%, #04b5af 100%) } .chat-now-banner::before { display: none; } .chat-now-banner-problem { padding-right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner-problem::before { left: -1px; top: 87%; transform: translateY(-50%); } .chat-now-banner-problem span { display: block; position: absolute; right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner td { display: block; } .chat-now-banner td:nth-child(2) { display: none; } .chat-now-banner td:last-child { padding-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 17px; } .chat-now-banner td:first-child { text-align: right; } .chat-now-banner-problem { display: inline-block; padding-right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner-solution { width: 50%; } .chat-now-banner-problem { padding-right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner-solution { padding: 0; } } @media all and (max-width: 992px) { .chat-now-banner-problem span { display: block; } } @media all and (max-width: 699px) { .chat-now-banner .btn.btn-primary { margin-left: 0; } .chat-now-banner { height: auto; max-width: 480px; margin: 0 auto; background: linear-gradient(to right top, #ec5c63 0%, #ec5c63 50%, #04b5af 50%, #04b5af 100%) } .chat-now-banner::before { display: none; } .chat-now-banner-problem { padding-right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner-problem::before { left: -1px; top: 87%; transform: translateY(-50%); } .chat-now-banner-problem span { display: block; position: absolute; right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner td { display: block; } .chat-now-banner td:nth-child(2) { display: none; } .chat-now-banner td:last-child { padding-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 17px; } .chat-now-banner td:first-child { text-align: right; } .chat-now-banner-problem { display: inline-block; padding-right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner-solution { width: 50%; } .chat-now-banner-problem { padding-right: 15px; } .chat-now-banner-solution { padding: 0; } } @media all and (max-width: 519px) { .chat-now-banner-solution { width: 100%; } .chat-now-banner-problem { display: block; text-align: center; padding: 0; } .chat-now-banner-problem span { display: inline; position: static; } } @media all and (max-width: 459px) { .chat-now-banner::before { transform: skewX(55.1deg); left: 160px; } .chat-now-banner-problem::before { top: 50%; } .chat-now-banner-problem span { display: block; } } Need reliable and quick help with your paper? Connect us right now? Chat Now As the business expanded internationally, Coca-Cola recognised the need to license bottlers and distributors. Nonetheless, the company recognized that inventory control is significant to cost reduction. As a result, the business adopted material requirement planning and manufacturing resources as well as planning systems to manage inventory such as new and used bottles, syrup, and sugar among others. Secondly, the firm establishes both the Canners with the maker at adjoining facilities. Thirdly, the Packers collaborate with supermarkets chains and other outlets to ensure promotional efficiency. The information systems also guarantee that supplies do not pile at bottlers and canners, and also delivery to avoid delays. For example demands rise during summer; therefore, bottlers need to plan increased production (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). The Link between Operations Management and Strategic Planning Business planning involves several steps such as strategic planning to outline company objectives, process, and methods to achieve performance. Secondly, operational management is a comprehensive function that allows departments to share resources and achieve the firms goals. As a result, the links between the strategic plan and operations are essential for businesses to operate efficiently (Gattorna, 2000), caused by the entry of different soft drink manufacturers in the industry. Companies such as Pepsi investigated ways to reduce the cost while achieving high-quality product and customer service level. For example, Coca-Cola also uses SAP software to improve processes, execution, and store delivery. Secondly, Coca-Cola developed strategies such as cooperative suppliers-customer relationship to allow the selection of suppliers providing quality services. The firms identify such dealers and give the majority of its business (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). Coca-Cola integrated the lean six-sigma SCM to leverage best practices, process, and operational efficiency. The strategy links operations management to the firms goals. It enables the business to be local, responsive, and market-driven as well as leverage on the brand, innovation, and technology. Essential elements in Coca-Cola operations and strategy links are culture and capability. For example, the firm establishes a culture of continuous improvements in all the departments. Additionally, the business integrates the diversity from the various suppliers, and customers through distributors to enhance brand acceptance (Chang, 2004). Finally, the firm provides the concentrate, organizes procurement on a global basis to enrich the capability. Nonetheless, it provides franchise, leadership, and strategic development. The strategy ensures that associates apply best practices established to enhance performance (Building a stronger Coca-Cola Hellenic, 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, organisations face increased competition and uncertain economic conditions. As a result, they must integrate operations management into their SCM strategies for efficiency. A company such as Coca-Cola uses the just-in-time strategy to manage supplies and demand. To achieve the above, the company focus on cost reductions and organisation core competence leading to long-term competitive advantage. For example, Coca-Cola uses SAP software to improve processes, execution, and store delivery. Such systems integrate skills and tools related to the development, manufacturing, and production to be consistent with the overall objective.

Describe and Evaluate Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory - 1116 Words

Describe and evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory [12 marks] Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment after extensive research suggests that emotional bonds had evolutionary functions as he thought it helped a child’s survival. Attachment behaviours in both babies and their caregivers have evolved through natural selection, so the way they behave causes the infants to be biologically programmed with innate behaviours that ensures that attachment does occur. These innate species-specific attachment behaviours are social releasers i.e crying, vocalising and smiling. Bowlby brought in the concept of monotropy through this that there is one relationship which is more important than all the rest. He, however did not rule out the†¦show more content†¦By this, the babies are closer to their mom, avoiding predators hence increases their chances of survival. However, Rutter’s Romanian orphan study suggests that mothers are not special in the way Bolby believed. Infants displayed a range of attachment behaviour towards attachment figures other than their mothers and there isn’t any particular attachment behaviour that was exclusive to their mom. Schaffer and Emerson as well, found multiple attachments are the norm, in fact 39% of children had their main attachment to someone else than the main carer. These two findings undermine Bowlby’s theory. Describe and evaluate two studies into animal attachments. [12 marks] One of the studies was conducted by Harlow in 1959 who wanted to study the mechanisms by which new-born rhesus monkeys bond with their mothers. He tested the learning theory by comparing attachment behaviour in the monkeys given wire surrogate mother producing milk with those given a soft towelling mother producing no milk. Sixteen baby monkeys were used, four in four different condition. One where there was a cage containing a wire mother producing milk and a towelling mother with no milk. Second, with a cage containing a wire mother producing no milk and the towel mother procuring milk. Third, with a cage containing a wire mother producing milk and fourth, with a cage containing a towelling mother producing milk. He then recorded the amount of time spent withShow MoreRelatedHow Has Bowlby’s Original Formulation of Attachment Theory Essay example2374 Words   |  10 PagesBowlby’s (1946) original formulation of attachment theory drew upon both psychoanalytic and ethological theory and generated a significant amount of subsequent research. The core principle behind Bowlby’s theory was that the formation of a stable, healthy attachment with a caregiver in the early years of life is the key for an infants’ future emotional, social and cognitive development. Bowlby explained that this primary attachment relationship develops because infants need a mechanism to ensure

Skin Cancer Essay - 1118 Words

Informative Speech Outline Topic: Skin Cancer Thesis: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States but is highly curable if detected early and treated properly. Specific Purpose: to inform the audience about the different kinds of skin cancer and what preventive measures you can take to protect yourself from skin cancer. I. Introduction A. Do you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States; two million people are diagnosed annually. B. Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells caused by UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds. C. 1 in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. D. The risk for skin cancer is much higher for†¦show more content†¦Squamous cell carcinoma is second most common type of skin cancer, after basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell cancer spreads faster than basal cell cancer, but still is usually relatively slow-growing. It can spread (metastasize) to other locations, including internal organs. 1. Light-colored skin and a history of sun exposure is the main cause of this type of cancer. Men are affected more often than women. 2. Symptoms are a firm, red nodule that may bleed sometimes. A flat lesion with a scaly crust on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms 3. Unlike basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas can metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body. C. Melanoma Skin Cancer is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, it kills one person per hour, these cancerous growths are most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. These tumors originate in the pigment-producing melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of a mole. 1. Fair-skinned people have a higher risk for melanoma 2. Melanoma is also more common in people who live in areas with large amounts of UVShow MoreRelatedSkin Cancer1352 Words   |  6 Pagesare not taking skin cancer seriously after knowing its significance. Skin cancer has been a growing problem in the United States and millions of people have suffered from it every year. The three most common skin cancers are Melanoma, Basal cell, and Squ amous cell, which can cause bumps, sores, growths, etc. Skin cancer is a deadly disease with many causes, but the advantage is that it can be prevented. Problem/Definition Skin cancer is a disease where cancer (malignant) cellsRead MoreEssay On Skin Cancer1814 Words   |  8 PagesSkin cancer is a very real and common health problem for Australians, with 2 in 3 developing this deadly disease by the age of 70 (Lynch, 2006). â€Å"Due to the Australian climate and lifestyle, as well as a predominantly fair skinned population, skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in Australia,† (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2000). For the most effective prevention against skin cancer, it is recommended that a combination of sun safety measures are met; slip, slop, slap,Read MoreSkin Cancer Essays629 Words   |  3 PagesSkin Cancer What is it and how to prevent it Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. In this presentation I plan to discuss a little about each of these cases as well as tell ways to prevent and treat them. The first most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. This cancer develops in the basal or bottom layer of the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skinRead MoreLiterature Review On Skin Cancer2421 Words   |  10 PagesLiterature Review Skin cancers have become increasingly prevalent over the last 30 years, with 87,000 new melanoma diagnoses per year in the United States (American Cancer Association, 2016). With regards to skin melanoma, medical professionals struggle most with the diagnosis rather than the treatment (Ferris et al., 2017). Therefore, it is important for the medical community to focus on diagnosis- related struggles. Pigmented Lesions and Routine Dermopathy There are various types of pigmentedRead More Melanoma (Skin Cancer) Essay1411 Words   |  6 PagesUV-B rays from the sun lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as the possible formation of skin cancer, know as melanoma. An appearance of a tan is actually a stage of burning and damage to the skin. Although a tan may be desirable to many, the fact remains that more people need to be educated on the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays, and the possible health complications of overexposure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are three main types of skin cancer. These are malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma,Read MoreIncidence Rate Of Skin Cancer1095 Words   |  5 PagesAbstract: Incidence rate of skin cancer are increasing day by day. Skin cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer but detected earlier can save the life time of the human being. An automated screening system is introduced to identify the presence of skin cancer in advance. In this paper, texture distinctiveness lesion segmentation algorithm is used. Experience and training-based characteristics of back propagation neural network is used with texture distinctiveness lesion segmentation algorithmRead MoreSkin Cancer Essay1178 Words   |  5 PagesSymptoms of Skin Cancer The Causes and symptoms of Skin Cancer While tanning beds and extreme use/exposure to UV rays are ways to get skin cancer, there are also various other ways to get it. Many don’t know that genetics and traits can actually play a huge role in developing this dangerous disease. They also don’t know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. today. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation more people over the last 300 years have had skin cancer than all ofRead MoreEssay about Skin Cancer and Expert Knowledge1495 Words   |  6 Pagesbody are both a source of material risk, from cancers, and a symbolic risk, such as being pale and unhealthy looking (Carter and Jordan, p. 76). This example shows how expert knowledge in the form of medical advice tells us to keep our skin covered so as to prevent exposure from the sun that could cause skin cancer, and how this is interpreted by society using the cultural practice of booking holidays and how they balance the material risk of skin cancer with the symbolic risk of getting a tan inRead MoreSkin Cancer : A Significant And An Increasing Health Problem Worldwide1638 Words   |  7 Pages Arjun Ramakrishnan Morgan State University Skin Cancer April 28, 2016 Health Education 103.001 Abstract Skin cancer is becoming a significant and an increasing health problem worldwide. The main cause of this type of cancer is due to the damage done by the Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun. There are many other causes and behaviors which contribute towards skin cancer. Protecting the skin from sun by wearing appropriate clothing, a sunscreen with appropriate sun protectionRead MoreSkin Cancer Essay553 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å"Cancer†, its a disease that has claim the lives of millions, its a disease that so far has no known cure, and its a disease that has many different forms. Cancer is defined as â€Å"a malignant form of tumors, which are tissue masses that arise through mutations in the genes that govern cell growth and division† (Starr, 1999, p. 213). Skin cancer is just one of the many forms of cancer that effects us and is the most common cancer in the U.S. Like so many others, I would assume that the major cause of

The Twilight Saga 5 Midnight Sun 7. Melody Free Essays

I had to wait when I got back to school. The final hour wasn’t out yet. That was good, because I had things to think about and I needed the alone time. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 7. Melody or any similar topic only for you Order Now Her scent lingered in the car. I kept the windows up, letting it assault me, trying to get used to the feel of intentionally torching my throat. Attraction. It was a problematic thing to contemplate. So many sides to it, so many different meanings and levels. Not the same thing as love, but tied up in it inextricably. I had no idea if Bella was attracted to me. (Would her mental silence somehow continue to get more and more frustrating until I went mad? Or was there a limit that I would eventually reach?) I tried to compare her physical responses to others, like the secretary and Jessica Stanley, but the comparison was inconclusive. The same markers – changes in heart rate and breathing patterns – could just as easily mean fear or shock or anxiety as they did interest. It seemed unlikely that Bella could be entertaining the same kinds of thoughts that Jessica Stanley used to have. After all, Bella knew very well that there was something wrong with me, even if she didn’t know what exactly it was. She had touched my icy skin, and then yanked her hand away from the chill. And yet†¦as I remembered those fantasies that used to repulse me, but remembered them with Bella in Jessica’s place†¦ I was breathing more quickly, the fire clawing up and down my throat. What if it had been Bella imagining me with my arms wrapped around her fragile body? Feeling me pull her tightly against my chest and then cupping my hand under her chin? Brushing the heavy curtain of her hair back from her blushing face? Tracing the shape of her full lips with my fingertips? Leaning my face closer to hers, where I could feel the heat of her breath on my mouth? Moving closer still†¦ But then I flinched away from the daydream, knowing, as I had known when Jessica had imagined these things, what would happen if I got that close to her. Attraction was an impossible dilemma, because I was already too attracted to Bella in the worst way. Did I want Bella to be attracted to me, a woman to a man? That was the wrong question. The right question was should I want Bella to be attracted to me that way, and that answer was no. Because I was not a human man, and that wasn’t fair to her. With every fiber of my being, I ached to be a normal man, so that I could hold her in my arms without risking her life. So that I could be free to spin my own fantasies, fantasies that didn’t end in with her blood on my hands, her blood glowing in my eyes. My pursuit of her was indefensible. What kind of relationship could I offer her, when I couldn’t risk touching her? I hung my head in my hands. It was all the more confusing because I had never felt so human in my whole life – not even when I was human, as far as I could recall. When I had been human, my thoughts had all been turned to a soldier’s glory. The Great War had raged through most of my adolescence, and I’d been only nine months away from my eighteenth birthday when the influenza had struck†¦ I had just vague impressions of those human years, murky memories that faded more with every passing decade. I remembered my mother most clearly, and felt an ancient ache when I thought of her face. I recalled dimly how much she had hated the future I’d raced eagerly toward, praying every night when she said grace at dinner that the â€Å"horrid war† would end†¦ I had no memories of another kind of yearning. Besides my mother’s love, there was no other love that had made me wish to stay†¦ This was entirely new to me. I had no parallels to draw, no comparisons to make. The love I felt for Bella had come purely, but now the waters were muddied. I wanted very much to be able to touch her. Did she feel the same way? That didn’t matter, I tried to convince myself. I stared at my white hands, hating their hardness, their coldness, their inhuman strength†¦ I jumped when the passenger door opened. Ha. Caught you by surprise. There’s a first, Emmett thought as he slid into the seat. â€Å"I’ll bet Mrs. Goff thinks you’re on drugs, you’ve been so erratic lately. Where were you today?† â€Å"I was†¦doing good deeds.† Huh? I chuckled. â€Å"Caring for the sick, that kind of thing.† That confused him more, but then he inhaled and caught the scent in the car. â€Å"Oh. The girl again?† I grimaced. This is getting weird. â€Å"Tell me about it,† I mumbled. He inhaled again. â€Å"Hmm, she does have a quite a flavor, doesn’t she?† The snarl broke through my lips before his words had even registered all the way, an automatic response. â€Å"Easy, kid, I’m just sayin.'† The others arrived then. Rosalie noticed the scent at once and glowered at me, still not over her irritation. I wondered what her problem was, but all I could hear from her were insults. I didn’t like Jasper’s reaction, either. Like Emmett, he noticed Bella’s appeal. Not that the scent had, for either of them, a thousandth portion of the draw it had for me. I was still upset me that her blood was sweet to them. Jasper had poor control†¦ Alice skipped to my side of the car and held her hand out for Bella’s truck key. â€Å"I only saw that I was,† she said – obscurely, as was her habit. â€Å"You’ll have to tell me the whys.† â€Å"This doesn’t mean – â€Å" â€Å"I know, I know. I’ll wait. It won’t be long.† I sighed and gave her the key. I followed her to Bella’s house. The rain was pounding down like a million tiny hammers, so loud that maybe Bella’s human ears couldn’t hear the thunder of the truck’s engine. I watched her window, but she didn’t come to look out. Maybe she wasn’t there. There were no thoughts to hear. It made me sad that I couldn’t hear enough even to check on her – to make sure she was happy, or safe, at the least. Alice climbed in the back and we sped home. The roads were empty, and so it only took a few minutes. We trooped into the house, and then went to our various pastimes. Emmett and Jasper were in the middle of an elaborate game of chess, utilizing eight joined boards – spread out along the glass back wall – and their own complicated set of rules. They wouldn’t let me play; only Alice would play games with me anymore. Alice went to her computer just around the corner from them and I could hear her monitors sing to life. Alice was working on a fashion design project for Rosalie’s wardrobe, but Rosalie did not join her today, to stand behind her and direct cut and color as Alice’s hand traced over the touch sensitive screens (Carlisle and I had had to tweak that system a bit, given that most such screens responded to temperature). Instead, today Rosalie sprawled sullenly on the sofa and started flipping through twenty channels a second on the flat screen, never pausing. I could hear her trying to decide whether or not to go out to the garage and tune her BMW again. Esme was upstairs, humming over a new set of blue prints. Alice leaned her head around the wall after a moment and started mouthing Emmett’s next moves – Emmett sat on the floor with his back to her – to Jasper, who kept his expression very smooth as he cut off Emmett’s favorite knight. And I, for the first time in so long that I felt ashamed, went to sit at the exquisite grand piano stationed just off the entryway. I ran my hand gently up the scales, testing the pitch. The tuning was still perfect. Upstairs, Esme paused what she was doing and cocked her head to the side. I began the first line of the tune that had suggested itself to me in the car today, pleased that it sounded even better than I’d imagined. Edward is playing again, Esme thought joyously, a smile breaking across her face. She got up from her desk, and flitted silently to the head of the stairs. I added a harmonizing line, letting the central melody weave through it. Esme sighed with contentment, sat down on the top step, and leaned her head against the banister. A new song. It’s been so long. What a lovely tune. I let the melody lead in a new direction, following it with the bass line. Edward is composing again? Rosalie thought, and her teeth clenched together in fierce resentment. In that moment, she slipped, and I could read all her underlying outrage. I saw why she was in such a poor temper with me. Why killing Isabella Swan had not bothered her conscience at all. With Rosalie, it was always about vanity. The music came to an abrupt halt, and I laughed before I could help myself, a sharp bark of amusement that broke off quickly as I threw my hand over my mouth. Rosalie turned to glare at me, her eyes sparking with chagrined fury. Emmett and Jasper turned to stare, too, and I heard Esme’s confusion. Esme was downstairs in a flash, pausing to glance between Rosalie and me. â€Å"Don’t stop, Edward,† Esme encouraged after a strained moment. I started playing again, turning my back on Rosalie while trying very hard to control the grin stretching across my face. She got to her feet and stalked out of the room, more angry than embarrassed. But certainly quite embarrassed. If you say anything I will hunt you like a dog. I smothered another laugh. â€Å"What’s wrong, Rose?† Emmett called after her. Rosalie didn’t turn. She continued, back ramrod straight, to the garage and then squirmed under her car as if she could bury herself there. â€Å"What’s that about?† Emmett asked me. â€Å"I don’t have the faintest idea,† I lied. Emmett grumbled, frustrated. â€Å"Keep playing,† Esme urged. My hands had paused again. I did as she asked, and she came to stand behind me, putting her hands on my shoulders. The song was compelling, but incomplete. I toyed with a bridge, but it didn’t seem right somehow. â€Å"It’s charming. Does it have a name?† Esme asked. â€Å"Not yet.† â€Å"Is there a story to it?† she asked, a smile in her voice. This gave her very great pleasure, and I felt guilty for having neglected my music for so long. It had been selfish. â€Å"It’s†¦a lullaby, I suppose.† I got the bridge right then. It led easily to the next movement, taking on a life of its own. â€Å"A lullaby,† she repeated to herself. There was a story to this melody, and once I saw that, the pieces fell into place effortlessly. The story was a sleeping girl in a narrow bed, dark hair thick and wild and twisted like seaweed across the pillow†¦ Alice left Jasper to his own devices and came to sit next to me on the bench. In her trilling, wind chime voice, she sketched out a wordless descant two octaves above the melody. â€Å"I like it,† I murmured. â€Å"But how about this?† I added her line to the harmony – my hands were flying across the keys now to work all the pieces together – modifying it a bit, taking it in a new direction†¦ She caught the mood, and sung along. â€Å"Yes. Perfect,† I said. Esme squeezed my shoulder. But I could see the end now, with Alice’s voice rising above the tune and taking it to another place. I could see how the song must end, because the sleeping girl was perfect just the way she was, and any change at all would be wrong, a sadness. The song drifted toward that realization, slower and lower now. Alice’s voice lowered, too, and became solemn, a tone that belonged under the echoing arches of a candlelit cathedral. I played the last note, and then bowed my head over the keys. Esme stroked my hair. It’s going to be fine, Edward. This is going to work out for the best. You deserve happiness, my son. Fate owes you that. â€Å"Thanks,† I whispered, wishing I could believe it. Love doesn’t always come in convenient packages. I laughed once without humor. You, out of everyone on this planet, are perhaps best equipped to deal with such a difficult quandary. You are the best and the brightest of us all. I sighed. Every mother thought the same of her son. Esme was still full of joy that my heart had finally been touched after all this time, no matter the potential for tragedy. She’d thought I would always be alone†¦ She’ll have to love you back, she thought suddenly, catching me by surprise with the direction of her thoughts. If she’s a bright girl. She smiled. But I can’t imagine anyone being so slow they wouldn’t see the catch you are. â€Å"Stop it, Mom, you’re making me blush,† I teased. Her words, though improbable, did cheer me. Alice laughed and picked out the top hand of â€Å"Heart and Soul.† I grinned and completed the simple harmony with her. Then I favored her with a performance of â€Å"Chopsticks.† She giggled, then sighed. â€Å"So I wish you’d tell me what you were laughing at Rose about,† Alice said. â€Å"But I can see that you won’t.† â€Å"Nope.† She flicked my ear with her finger. â€Å"Be nice, Alice,† Esme chided. â€Å"Edward is being a gentleman.† â€Å"But I want to know.† I laughed at the whining tone she put on. Then I said, â€Å"Here, Esme,† and began playing her favorite song, an unnamed tribute to the love I’d watched between her and Carlisle for so many years. â€Å"Thank you, dear.† She squeezed my shoulder again. I didn’t have to concentrate to play the familiar piece. Instead I thought of Rosalie, still figuratively writhing in mortification in the garage, and I grinned to myself. Having just discovered the potency of jealousy for myself, I had a small amount of pity for her. It was a wretched way to feel. Of course, her jealously was a thousand times more petty than mine. Quite the fox in the manger scenario. I wondered how Rosalie’s life and personality would have been different if she had not always been the most beautiful. Would she have been a happier person if beauty hadn’t at all times been her strongest selling point? Less egocentric? More compassionate? Well, I supposed it was useless to wonder, because the past was done, and she always had been the most beautiful. Even when human, she had ever lived in the spotlight of her own loveliness. Not that she’d minded. The opposite – she’d loved admiration above almost anything else. That hadn’t changed with the loss of her mortality. It was no surprise then, taking this need as a given, that she’d been offended when I had not, from the beginning, worshiped her beauty the way she expected all males to worship. Not that she’d wanted me in any way – far from it. But it had aggravated her that I did not want her, despite that. She was used to being wanted. It was different with Jasper and Carlisle – they were already both in love. I was completely unattached, and yet still remained obstinately unmoved. I’d thought that old resentment was buried. That she was long passed it. And she had been†¦until the day that I finally found someone whose beauty touched me the way hers had not. Rosalie had relied on the belief that if I did not find her beauty worth worshiping, then certainly there was no beauty on earth that would reach me. She’d been furious since the moment I’d saved Bella’s life, guessing, with her shrewd female intuition, the interest that I was all but unconscious of myself. Rosalie was mortally offended that I found some insignificant human girl more appealing than her. I suppressed the urge to laugh again. It bothered me some, though, the way she saw Bella. Rosalie actually thought the girl was plain. How could she believe that? It seemed incomprehensible to me. A product of the jealousy, no doubt. â€Å"Oh!† Alice said abruptly. â€Å"Jasper, guess what?† I saw what she’d just seen, and my hands froze on the keys. â€Å"What, Alice?† Jasper asked. â€Å"Peter and Charlotte are coming to visit next week! They’re going to be in the neighborhood, isn’t that nice?† â€Å"What’s wrong, Edward?† Esme asked, feeling the tension in my shoulders. â€Å"Peter and Charlotte are coming to Forks?† I hissed at Alice She rolled her eyes at me. â€Å"Calm down, Edward. It’s not their first visit.† My teeth clenched together. It was their first visit since Bella had arrived, and her sweet blood didn’t appeal just to me. Alice frowned at my expression. â€Å"They never hunt here. You know that.† But Jasper’s brother of sorts and the little vampire he loved were not like us; they hunted the usual way. They could not be trusted around Bella. â€Å"When?† I demanded. She pursed her lips unhappily, but told me what I needed to know. Monday morning. No one is going to hurt Bella. â€Å"No,† I agreed, and then turned away from her. â€Å"You ready, Emmett?† â€Å"I thought we were leaving in the morning?† â€Å"We’re coming back by midnight Sunday. I guess it’s up to you when you want to leave.† â€Å"Okay, fine. Let me say goodbye to Rose first.† â€Å"Sure.† With the mood Rosalie was in, it would be a short goodbye. You really have lost it, Edward, he thought as he headed toward the back door. â€Å"I suppose I have.† â€Å"Play the new song for me, one more time,† Esme asked. â€Å"If you’d like that,† I agreed, though I was a little hesitant to follow the tune to its unavoidable end – the end that had set me aching in unfamiliar ways. I thought for a moment, and then pulled the bottle cap from my pocket and set it on the empty music stand. That helped a bit – my little memento of her yes. I nodded to myself, and started playing. Esme and Alice exchanged a glance, but neither one asked. â€Å"Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to play with your food?† I called to Emmett. â€Å"Oh, hey Edward!† he shouted back, grinning and waving at me. The bear took advantage of his distraction to rake its heavy paw across Emmett’s chest. The sharp claws shredded through his shirt, and squealed across his skin. The bear bellowed at the high-pitched noise. Aw hell, Rose gave me this shirt! Emmett roared back at the enraged animal. I sighed and sat down on a convenient boulder. This might take awhile. But Emmett was almost done. He let the bear try to take his head off with another swipe of the paw, laughing as the blow bounced off and sent the bear staggering back. The bear roared and Emmett roared again through his laughter. Then he launched himself at the animal, who stood a head taller than him on its hind legs, and their bodies fell to the ground tangled up together, taking a mature spruce tree down with them. The bear’s growls cut off with a gurgle. A few minutes later, Emmett jogged over to where I was waiting for him. His shirt was destroyed, torn and bloodied, sticky with sap and covered in fur. His dark curly hair wasn’t in much better shape. He had a huge grin on his face. â€Å"That was a strong one. I could almost feel it when he clawed me.† â€Å"You’re such a child, Emmett.† He eyed my smooth, clean white button-down. â€Å"Weren’t you able to track down that mountain lion, then?† â€Å"Of course I was. I just don’t eat like a savage.† Emmett laughed his booming laugh. â€Å"I wish they were stronger. It would be more fun.† â€Å"No one said you had to fight your food.† â€Å"Yeah, but who else am I going to fight with? You and Alice cheat, Rose never wants to get her hair messed up, and Esme gets mad if Jasper and I really go at it.† â€Å"Life is hard all around, isn’t it?† Emmett grinned at me, shifting his weight a bit so that he was suddenly poised to take a charge. â€Å"C’mon Edward. Just turn it off for one minute and fight fair.† â€Å"It doesn’t turn off,† I reminded him. â€Å"Wonder what that human girl does to keep you out?† Emmett mused. â€Å"Maybe she could give me some pointers.† My good humor vanished. â€Å"Stay away from her,† I growled through my teeth. â€Å"Touchy, touchy.† I sighed. Emmett came to sit beside me on the rock. â€Å"Sorry. I know you’re going through a tough spot. I really am trying to not be too much of an insensitive jerk, but, since that’s sort of my natural state†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He waited for me to laugh at his joke, and then made a face. So serious all the time. What’s bugging you now? â€Å"Thinking about her. Well, worrying, really.† â€Å"What’s there to worry about? You are here.† He laughed loudly. I ignored his joke again, but answered his question. â€Å"Have you ever thought about how fragile they all are? How many bad things there are that can happen to a mortal?† â€Å"Not really. I guess I see what you mean, though. I wasn’t much match for a bear that first time around, was I?† â€Å"Bears,† I muttered, adding a new fear to the pile. â€Å"That would be just her luck, wouldn’t it? Stray bear in town. Of course it would head straight for Bella.† Emmett chuckled. â€Å"You sound like a crazy person, do you know that?† â€Å"Just imagine for one minute that Rosalie was human, Emmett. And she could run into a bear†¦or get hit by a car†¦or lightening†¦or fall down stairs†¦or get sick – get a disease!† The words burst from me stormily. It was a relief to let them out – they’d been festering inside me all weekend. â€Å"Fires and earthquakes and tornados! Ugh! When’s the last time you watched the news? Have you seen the kinds of things that happen to them? Burglaries and homicides†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My teeth clenched together, and I was abruptly so infuriated by the idea of another human hurting her that I couldn’t breathe. â€Å"Whoa, whoa! Hold up, there, kid. She lives in Forks, remember? So she gets rained on.† He shrugged. â€Å"I think she has some serious bad luck, Emmett, I really do. Look at the evidence. Of all the places in the world she could go, she ends up in a town where vampires make up a significant portion of the population.† â€Å"Yeah, but we’re vegetarians. So isn’t that good luck, not bad?† â€Å"With the way she smells? Definitely bad. And then, more bad luck, the way she smells to me.† I glowered at my hands, hating them again. â€Å"Except that you have more self-control than just about anyone but Carlisle. Good luck again.† â€Å"The van?† â€Å"That was just an accident.† â€Å"You should have seen it coming for her, Em, again and again. I swear, it was like she had some kind of magnetic pull.† â€Å"But you were there. That was good luck.† â€Å"Was it? Isn’t this the worst luck any human could ever possibly have – to have a vampire fall in love with them?† Emmett considered that quietly for a moment. He pictured the girl in his head, and found the image uninteresting. Honestly, I can’t really see the draw. â€Å"Well, I can’t really see Rosalie’s allure, either,† I said rudely. â€Å"Honestly, she seems like more work than any pretty face is worth.† Emmett chuckled. â€Å"I don’t suppose you’d tell me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I don’t know what her problem is, Emmett,† I lied with a sudden, wide grin. I saw his intent in time to brace myself. He tried to shove me off the rock, and there was a loud cracking sound as a fissure opened in the stone between us. â€Å"Cheater,† he muttered. I waited for him to try another time, but his thoughts took a different direction. He was picturing Bella’s face again, but imagining it whiter, imagining her eyes bright red†¦ â€Å"No,† I said, my voice strangled. â€Å"It solves your worries about mortality, doesn’t it? And then you wouldn’t want to kill her, either. Isn’t that the best way?† â€Å"For me? Or for her?† â€Å"For you,† he answered easily. His tone added the of course. I laughed humorlessly. â€Å"Wrong answer.† â€Å"I didn’t mind so much,† he reminded me. â€Å"Rosalie did.† He sighed. We both knew that Rosalie would do anything, give up anything, if it meant she could be human again. Even Emmett. â€Å"Yeah, Rose did,† he acquiesced quietly. â€Å"I can’t†¦ I shouldn’t†¦ I’m not going to ruin Bella’s life. Wouldn’t you feel the same, if it were Rosalie?† Emmett thought about that for a moment. You really†¦love her? â€Å"I can’t even describe it, Emmett. All of a sudden, this girl’s the whole world to me. I don’t see the point of the rest of the world without her anymore.† But you won’t change her? She won’t last forever, Edward. â€Å"I know that,† I groaned. And, as you’ve pointed out, she’s sort of breakable. â€Å"Trust me – that I know, too.† Emmett was not a tactful person, and delicate discussions were not his forte. He struggled now, wanting very much not to be offensive. Can you even touch her? I mean, if you love her†¦wouldn’t you want to, well touch her†¦? Emmett and Rosalie shared an intensely physical love. He had a hard time understanding how one could love, without that aspect. I sighed. â€Å"I can’t even think of that, Emmett.† Wow. So what are your options, then? â€Å"I don’t know,† I whispered. â€Å"I’m trying to figure out a way to†¦to leave her. I just can’t fathom how to make myself stay away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  With a deep sense of gratification, I suddenly realized that it was right for me to stay – at least for now, with Peter and Charlotte on their way. She was safer with me here, temporarily, than she would be if I were gone. For the moment, I could be her unlikely protector. The thought made me anxious; I itched to be back so that I could fill that role for as long as possible. Emmett noticed the change in my expression. What are you thinking about? â€Å"Right now,† I admitted a bit sheepishly, â€Å"I’m dying to run back to Forks and check on her. I don’t know if I’ll make it till Sunday night.† â€Å"Uh-uh! You are not going home early. Let Rosalie cool down a little bit. Please! For my sake.† â€Å"I’ll try to stay,† I said doubtfully. Emmett tapped the phone in my pocket. â€Å"Alice would call if there were any basis for your panic attack. She’s as weird about this girl as you are.† I grimaced at that. â€Å"Fine. But I’m not staying past Sunday.† â€Å"There’s no point in hurrying back – it’s going to be sunny, anyway. Alice said we were free from school until Wednesday.† I shook my head rigidly. â€Å"Peter and Charlotte know how to behave themselves.† â€Å"I really don’t care, Emmett. With Bella’s luck, she’ll go wandering off into the woods at exactly the wrong moment and – † I flinched. â€Å"Peter isn’t known for his selfcontrol. I’m going back Sunday.† Emmett sighed. Exactly like a crazy person. Bella was sleeping peacefully when I climbed up to her bedroom window early Monday morning. I’d remembered oil this time, and the window now moved silently out of my way. I could tell by the way her hair lay smooth across the pillow that she’d had a less restless night than the last time I was here. She had her hands folded under her cheek like a small child, and her mouth was slightly open. I could hear her breath moving slowly in and out between her lips. It was an amazing relief to be here, to be able to see her again. I realized that I wasn’t truly at ease unless that was the case. Nothing was right when I was away from her. Not that all was right when I was with her, either, though. I sighed, letting the thirst fire rake through my throat. I’d been away from it too long. The time spent without pain and temptation made it all the more forceful now. It was bad enough that I was afraid to go kneel beside her bed so that I could read the titles of her books. I wanted to know the stories in her head, but I was afraid of more than my thirst, afraid that if I let myself get that close to her, I would want to be closer still†¦ Her lips looked very soft and warm. I could imagine touching them with the tip of my finger. Just lightly†¦ That was exactly the kind of mistake that I had to avoid. My eyes ran over her face again and again, examining it for changes. Mortals changed all the time – I was sad at the thought of missing anything†¦ I thought she looked†¦tired. Like she hadn’t gotten enough sleep this weekend. Had she gone out? I laughed silently and wryly at how much that upset me. So what if she had? I didn’t own her. She wasn’t mine. No, she wasn’t mine – and I was sad again. One of her hands twitched, and I noticed that there were shallow, barely healed scrapes across the heel of her palm. She’d been hurt? Even though it was obviously not a serious injury, it still disturbed me. I considered the location, and decided she must have tripped. That seemed a reasonable explanation, all things considered. It was comforting to think that I wouldn’t have to puzzle over either of these small mysteries forever. We were friends now – or, at least, trying to be friends. I could ask her about her weekend – about the beach, and whatever late night activity had made her look so weary. I could ask what had happened to her hands. And I could laugh a little when she confirmed my theory about them. I smiled gently as I wondered whether or not she had fallen in the ocean. I wondered if she’d had a pleasant time on the outing. I wondered if she’d thought about me at all. If she’d missed me even the tiniest portion of the amount that I’d missed her. I tried to picture her in the sun on the beach. The picture was incomplete, though, because I’d never been to First Beach myself. I only knew how it looked in pictures†¦ I felt a tiny qualm of unease as I thought about the reason why I’d never once been to the pretty beach located just a few minutes run from my home. Bella had spent the day at La Push – a place where I was forbidden, by treaty, to go. A place where a few old men still remembered the stories about the Cullens, remembered and believed them. A place where our secret was known†¦ I shook my head. I had nothing to worry about there. The Quileutes were bound by treaty, too. Even had Bella run into one of those aging sages, they could reveal nothing. And why would the subject ever be broached? Why would Bella think to voice her curiosity there? No – the Quileutes were perhaps the one thing I did not have to worry about. I was angry with the sun when it began to rise. It reminded me that I could not satisfy my curiosity for days to come. Why did it choose to shine now? With a sigh, I ducked out her window before it was light enough for anyone to see me here. I meant to stay in the thick forest by her house and see her off to school, but when I got into the trees, I was surprised to find the trace of her scent lingering on the trail there. I followed it quickly, curiously, becoming more and more worried as it led deeper into the darkness. What had Bella been doing out here? The trail stopped abruptly, in the middle of nowhere in particular. She’d gone just a few steps off the trail, into the ferns, where she’d touched the trunk of a fallen tree. Perhaps sat there†¦ I sat where she had, and looked around. All she would have been able to see was ferns and forest. It had probably been raining – the scent was washed out, having never set deeply into the tree. Why would Bella have come to sit here alone – and she had been alone, no doubt about that – in the middle of the wet, murky forest? It made no sense, and, unlike those other points of curiosity, I could hardly bring this up in casual conversation. So, Bella, I was following your scent through the woods after I left your room where I’d been watching you sleep†¦ Yes, that would be quite the ice breaker. I would never know what she’d been thinking and doing here, and that had my teeth grinding together in frustration. Worse, this was far too much like the scenario I’d imagined for Emmett – Bella wandering alone in the woods, where her scent would call to anyone who had the senses to track it†¦ I groaned. Not only did she have bad luck, but she courted it. Well, for this moment she had a protector. I would watch over her, keep her from harm, for as long as I could justify it. I suddenly found myself wishing that Peter and Charlotte would make an extended stay. How to cite The Twilight Saga 5: Midnight Sun 7. Melody, Essay examples

Narcolepsy Essays (846 words) - Sleep Disorders, Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy An article in the Scientific American, by Jerome M. Siegel, focused on a dangerous sleeping disorder called Narcolepsy. A Narcoleptic has Symptoms such as cataplexy, which is the loss of skeletal muscle tone, and always feeling sleepy during daytime hours. The people suffering from this disorder tend to feel as if they hadn't gone to sleep for 48 hours. In addition, they sleep poorly at night. Laughter, embarrassment, sudden anger, social interactions with strangers, and sexual intercourse may trigger a cataplectic attack. A Narcoleptic may even fall asleep at the most dangerous times. For example, driving a car with this untreated disorder puts a person at high risk of an automobile accident. The disorder makes it difficult for them to focus on specific things, such as schoolwork or work in the workplace. Sleep paralysis and hypnagognic hallucinations are among two other symptoms of narcolepsy. Sleep paralysis is an ability to move when you fall asleep or awaken. This occurs daily. On the other hand, hypnagogic hallucinations are dreamlike experiences during waking that sometimes incorporate elements of the environment. These symptoms occur when narcoleptics are most sleepy. In addition, not every person suffers from the symptoms the same way. Also, this article pointed out that Narcolepsy affects between one and one thousand and one and two thousand people in the U.S. In contrast, one in 600 in Japan to one in 500,000 in Israel. It also stated that the environment and ethnic backgrounds are the reason for the number differences of these countries. The first signs of Narcolepsy appear in the teens or 20's. The symptoms do get worse after a few years and then they plateau. The causes or Narcolepsy is linked to a disruption of the sleep control mechanism in our brain. Our sleep cycle normally has two stages, Rapid-Eye movement Sleep (REM), and Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (NREM). When we're experiencing NREM sleep, our muscles are relaxed, breathing is normal, the cerebral cortex generates high-voltage waves and the energy consumed by the brain is minimized. In contrast, in REM sleep, breathing and heart rate are irregular, rapid eye movements occur; the cortex generates fast, irregular, low voltage waves. Non-Narcoleptics tend to begin to sleep with NREM sleep. After 90 minutes or so, they're in REM sleep. When this happens, they experience loss of muscle tone and dreamlike hallucinations that usually occur during REM sleep. Researchers stated that being sleepy is normal, but it's the large amount of sleep in Narcoleptics that's very abnormal. In the early 1970's, advanced research in Narcolepsy began. Researchers discovered that some dogs showed that they had very similar symptoms to human narcoleptics. William C. Demit of Stanford University stated that the disease in the dogs was inherited by both the mother and father to their offspring. In the 1940's, Horace W. Magnoun of Northwestern University discovered when he electrically stimulated the medulla (part of the brain stem) the muscle tone disappeared. He didn't connect his studies to sleep. The studies in animals show us that the main function of the muscle-tone control system in the medulla suppresses muscle activity in REM sleep. In addition, it regulates the level of muscle tone in waking. This part doesn't work when the animals are moving. This explains the notion of when we try to relax or "turn off" our muscles; we are actually trying to "turn on" this specific section of the brain. REM sleep is the only time when normal individuals lose all muscle tone. Another study by Frank Wu indicated that there was another group of nerve cells in the brainstem called the Locus Coeruleus. The locus coeruleus also plays a role in REM sleep and narcolepsy. It releases a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, which communicates with another neurons. Both these nerve cells are active in animals in waking, but inactive when they're in REM sleep. In REM sleep the reduced amount of motor neurons prevents them from moving or responding to their dreams. In cataplexy, the same reduction prevents the motor neurons from responding to a narcoleptics attempt to move. Researchers also concluded that unknown agents in the environment may cause an autoimmune reaction that ends up damaging neurons in the brain that control arousal and muscle tone. After narcoleptic symptoms occur, the patients don't get any worse or any better. This tells us that the damage might show up for a short time; during the time the patients first develop the signs of this sleep disorder. The brains supports cells later removed the damaged cells left over from this sleeping disorder in the brain

Positive Effects Of Gene Altering Essays - Molecular Biology

Positive Effects Of Gene Altering Essays - Molecular Biology Positive Effects Of Gene Altering The Positive Effects of Gene Altering Since the beginning of the human race, we have been looking. We have been looking for ways to make our lives healthier, more comfortable, and happier. In the beginning it was simple rocks, plants, and fires. As our technology advanced so did the comfort of our lives. The wheel, the cure to the plaque, and who can forget the remote control, were all tools that made it possible to improve the quality of life. What tool lies ahead in the future to promote our well being and happiness? Genetic engineering is that tool. Every living thing is made up of genes, and with the capability of altering these genes, the possibilities are endless. Everything from better quality produce to the prevention of cancer is a possibility with genetic engineering, and scientists are just now beginning to understand the complex gene patterns. If you can imagine a world free of diabetes, or male pattern baldness, and genetics has a major role. Genetic engineers might someday have the capabilities to remove th ese genes or even clone wanted genes, and in the end allowing us to live the healthy, comfortable, happier lives we seek. The numbers of positive outcomes from genetic engineering are inconceivable. Genetic engineering will lead to healthier, more comfortable, and better lives. Genetic engineering will improve every day produce and goods. For producers involved with living organisms as their products, genes play a major role in the quality of their products and amount of profit. If a farmer's cows are not as lean, or their corn is diseased, then the demand for their product is going to be less than the competition. That is where genetics comes in. It is possible, by altering certain genes, to create a leaner cow, or a disease resistant stalk of corn, and it is this fact that makes genetic engineering invaluable to the every day farmer. If their cattle is leaner, or their chickens are engineered to lay two eggs instead of one, then there is going to be a greater profit earned by the farmers, and a better quality of product. In the near future there may be bacon that is relatively fat free, or a chicken breast with twice the meat. By selecting the wanted genes and removing the unwanted, the producer can improve it product that it sells to the consumer, and th e spectrum is not just restricted to food. Softer cloths, sturdier wood, hardier trees and shrubs, and slower growing, greener grass are all possibilities. These improved products will impact everyone, and will be everywhere. The impact is hazy, but the effect is clear; they will improve not only the profit of the producer, but also the lives of the consumer. Genetic altering will be a powerful tool against disease, and disabilities. Every year millions of people die from a variety of diseases and disabilities that are passed down by genes. Cancer is one example of a disease that has been linked to genes and heredity. Many patients have a family history involving some type of cancer in the past. With the introduction of genetic engineering, there is a good chance that scientists will be able to locate genes that are prone to cancer and alter them so that the chance of getting cancer is greatly reduced. Cancer is not the only disease that this could be applied to either. Almost any disease, disorder, or disability has a future in genetic engineering. Another example is Down's syndrome, a syndrome that is passed down through generations by a mutated gene, and causes mental impairment. Imagine if someday that mutated gene could be removed from a family's future, allowing their kids to lead normal lives. There is no doubt that it would improv e the quality of life for these kids who, then, would be normal healthy children. Just the same, blindness, diabetes, dwarfism, heart valve deformities, Alzheimer's and many more conditions can be avoided or even eliminated by the use of genetic engineering. The uses of genetic altering in the medical field are exciting as well as numerous, and it will no doubt change the way we look at our health and the health of

5 Secret Weapons for Your Career Change

5 Secret Weapons for Your Career Change Though switching careers has become much less stigmatized of late, that doesn’t mean you should do so flagrantly or without a plan. Add these 5Â  weapons to your arsenal before putting in your notice. Wielding even one can significantly increase your chances for career change success. 1. ClarityClarity of vision and purpose is key. It’s much better to start the career change process with an end in mind, rather than just an aimless idea. In other words: being ready to quit one job isn’t the same thing as being ready to start a new career. Before you initiate what can be an exciting, but challenging process, ask yourself two questions. First, what do you actually want? You know you don’t want to be in this job anymore, but where do you want to be? And then second, why do you want it? What about that job excites you and makes you want to pursue it?If you don’t have answers to these questions, take some time to take stock of yourself, your strengths, y our weaknesses, who you might know who could be useful or helpful to you in making the change, and then figure out what you’ll need to prepare to make it happen. Being clear about what you want and need to do in order to get it will help you develop a plan. Once that’s set in motion, all the work you put toward changing jobs will be productive and you’ll have the confidence of knowing you are moving in the right direction.2. BrandIn this age of social media, it is increasingly more important to have an online brand that is distinctive and unique and targeted to your industry and career goals. Take every opportunity you can to tailor your professional networking sites not just to your current job, but to the job you hope to attain.Try doing guest blogs and posts for websites in your field. Wherever possible, try to join the conversation that’s most relevant in your industry. Also make sure to put up a personal website that covers the information that would be on your resume, but in a way that sells you and provides context and personality as well as bulleted facts. Remember that every online space is an opportunity for you to show yourself in your best light and set yourself up to step into your new career.3. NetworkYour network is the key to your career success, both in your current job and wherever you’d like to end up next. Maintain the active connections you have, no matter where you go. And if you don’t have that many connections in the new career you’re trying to transition into, start building them through friends of friends and acquaintances of acquaintances. Brick by brick, you’ll build a powerful building full of contacts that can help keep you current and moving forward.Keep on top of trends in your field. Research the kinds of contacts you need to make, then put yourself in a room with them. Attend mixers and conferences. Get your business cards in circulation, and start accumulating a pile for yourself! Above all else, start figuring out who the top recruiters in your new field would be and begin reaching out to them on LinkedIn or other networking forums.4. Financial Wiggle RoomIt’s always good, when making a career change, to have a bit of wiggle room. A safety net, if you will. Just in case you need to take some time off work in the course of your career change. You might have to start lower on your new totem pole as well, and it’s best to be prepared to keep your current standard of living on an even keep through your transition. Step one: update your budget, finding ways to cut frivolous costs and make a plan to save more aggressively for the time being. Take on a side gig or two to build up your cushion. Having the money side sorted out will help take away some of the major stresses of the career change.5. TenacityAbove all else, your biggest secret weapon is a combination of patience and persistence. This can be a long and stressful process- much lon ger and more stressful than we usually budget for when making these initial decisions. Keep your spirits up, but keep in mind that you’ll have to work hard and be a bit gentle on yourself as you make your way from one career to the other. Stay focused and you’ll be sure to get there!

Causal Arument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Causal Arument - Essay Example Some states legally allowed the use of marijuana for some diseases for which the doctors prescribed it as a medicine whereas some other states are still not allowing even the patients to use or keep marijuana under their possession. However, according to medical experts, marijuana use should not be encouraged because of the side effects it can generate later in the user’s life. â€Å"To date, marijuana is still classified as an illegal Schedule 1 drug by the Controlled Substances Act. It is defined as having "no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States" (Roth). American Federal courts are still convinced about the usefulness of marijuana. For them, marijuana is still an addictive and dangerous substance which can damage a person physically and psychologically. Spice, a herbal smoking mixture, is sold on the internet and in some shops in America labeled as legal and nicotine-free smoke. Many people in America are using Spice at present as a substitute to Marijuan a. However, scientific studies shown that Spice is also harmful to human health. Professor Leslie Iversen, chairman of the technical committee of the Advisory Council, said: â€Å"It is a very clever product, sold as a herbal smoking mixture from China, but containing chemicals which can be a lot more potent than cannabis† (Ford). This paper analyses the Spice as legal alternative to marijuana. Cannabis has been used for relaxation and meditation purposes for many thousands of years, and studies carried out today tell us the number of users is rising. Young people especially seem to be attracted to experimenting with mind-altering drugs, such as cannabis, and this can result in abuse, addiction, mental health problems, and prosecution. While cannabis itself is not physically addictive it can be dangerous for those with mental health issues and is often supplied by dealers who also have access to harder, highly addictive drugs (Casundara) â€Å"Herbs or blends of herbs that o ne can smoke as alternatives to marijuana or tobacco- The term marijuana alternatives mean just that. It does not mean we are offering legal marijuana or a marijuana substitute† (Legal Alternatives To Marijuana And Tobacco). Many people who are using Spice like alternate products instead of Marijuana have feeling that these products are less harmful than marijuana and it is legal to use these products in America. In fact Spice like substitute products for marijuana has not been prohibited in America yet and hence no criminal cases can be charged against such users. However, it doesn’t mean that these substitute products are less harmful or superior to marijuana. The only advantage of using spice like alternate product is that the user can escape from any kind of legal formalities in using it. According to a shop owner, â€Å"the demand for spice has doubled each month, and its sales now represent a third of his revenue. On some Fridays, his two District stores can brin g in $10,000 from the sale of spice alone†(Savage). The growing popularity of Spice over marijuana can be attributed mainly to the fewer barriers in getting it in America. No drug screening tests can detect Spice which made it one of the favorite substitutes for marijuana. Many of the Spice users believe that it is less harmful. However, â€Å"Nationwide, the American Association of Poison Control Centers logged 567 cases across 41 states in which people had suffered a bad reaction to spice during the first half of 2010. Just 13 cases were reported in 2009†

Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final - Essay Example There is, therefore, a looming moral dilemma for subscribers of this faith. However, in regard to objective philosophy, knowledge of the external world relies on perception. Perception is, however, dependent on the state of the human mind. All the theories of knowledge proposed over the centuries fall short because of factors such as the controversy of the relationship between appearance and reality. In examining the theories of realism and idealism, philosophers encounter issues such as illusion, hallucinations and dreams all of which point to the state of mind. For dreams, the problem is more so complicated if the dream is not lucid. The largest influence of this film is the exploration of the subconscious through dreams. The Freudian slip is a situation whereby an individual makes far fetched, irrelevant or presumably abnormal statements. Others will assume this is due to confusion or distraction, but Freud will look at this as a channel the subconscious is using to assert its rea l desires and feelings. In the same way, dreams can perform this same function, but the revelation is for the individual (Burger 40). On the other hand, this film is proposing the possibility of accessing these revelations. Some of the ideas in this theory hold that humans are constantly fighting. This struggle is primarily between the superego and human instinct. In following the norms of society, the human race suppresses its natural instincts. Therefore, the perceived actions of an individual, according to Marcuse will not reflect the true self hence the existence of subconscious where the true self delves in the form of secrets and memories. Marcuse may applaud the use of this idea by the film maker to a large extent (Cobb 88). In describing how he extracts ideas, Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie says â€Å"...create the world of the dream,† this refers to the physical setting which the dream thief structured. After that â€Å"...bring the subject into that dream, and they fill it with their secrets.† Again, the dream maker utilises the shortcomings of perception, in this case using familiarity to trick the mind of the dreamers (Botz-Bornstein 20). Marcuse, an advocator of an unsuppressed human race, where humans do as their subconscious perceives will marvel at this idea by film director Nolan. Marcuse supports Freud on the idea that individuals sacrifice happiness to avoid guilt. This is because their true feelings are dark, shaming and undesirable (Cobb 89). However, these restrictions also restrict the true potential of humans. Examining the subconscious prior to undertaking its desired actions is a convenient way to edit the supposed harm. Marcuse will not agree with the idea of tampering with the subconscious because private thoughts make people different and above all human. In my view scientists cannot investigate dreams objectively seeing as dreams are subject to an individual’s thoughts, desires, motivations and experiences. Ho wever, the advancements made in science over the past centuries are remarkable, and things thought impossible in the pats are now a norm. An excellent example is the life support machine, walking on the moon, genetic manipulation and robotics. One cannot out rightly rule out the possibility of such a technology existing even in the unfathomed future. The question of whether the film â€Å"Inception† has some philosophical grounding remains undoubted. One of the

Privatization of Transmission Corporation of NAPOCOR

Privatization of Transmission Corporation of NAPOCOR In Philippine context, privatization is used to refer to the policy which allows the government to disengage in activities which are not part of the governments inherent function. This may be in many forms, such as the complete turnover of public corporations to the private sector and contracting services to private firms who has the necessary resources to manage it, or the government would just turnover certain services to the private sector but it would still be under some government regulatory procedures and incentives. This privatization mostly occurs within the framework of economic globalization. By economic globalization, it means that privatization is used as a measure to pursue the globalist restructuring of the state and to further develop the market access which mostly benefits the business elites of a state and of course, the transnational corporations (TNCs) (UP and Stiftung 91-93). Privatization, along with liberalization and deregulation, is also a part of neoliberal globalization which aims to produce surplus products within the economy and also huge capital for production. In the process, private sector continues to have a big role over the public sector activities, made possible by direct transfer of ownership and management and by the elimination of the laws that promotes the public interest (deregulation), and through the reduction of budget for the basic services, that in turn leads to the graver degradation on the access on public services of the people. For example, in privatizing public utilities like the water and power sector of the Philippines, many detrimental factors are experienced by the people, particularly the government workers under the corporation because they were displaced as private companies turned to control those sectors. The poorest sector of society also was immensely affected since those private companies seek to get high profits which leads to very high prices at the peoples expense (IBON xi-4). During the Marcos regime, a decree on creation of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) was made through Presidential Decree (PD 2029) and later on through PD 2030, a policy was made which promulgates privatization. By the time of Cory Aquinos regime, this decree was first implemented through Presidential Proclamation 50 on the 9th of December in 1986 (TransCo). In 1990, Aquino also signed 6957 or what we call as the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law which has let and approved the intervention of the private sector in the financing, contracting, operation and also maintenance of infrastructure projects. But in 1993, when Ramos assumed the presidency, he signed RA 7718 amending the BOT law and further allowed the full involvement of private sector in crucial government development projects. Through this act, various forms of privatization schemes have evolved (TransCo). Many reasons were presented by the government regarding the privatization of the GOCCs. To enumerate some, they said that through transferring these assets to the private sector, it would yield a better efficiency in its operations. Furthermore, it was also stated that the government needed to collect more revenues for government spending to improve the economy, and this can only be done with such move. Also stated as reasons by the government is that first, it would lead to increase in investments which will boost up the economy and will also help to develop markets for capital generations. Through lessening the budget for public services in GOCCs, and selling those which are poorly performing and money-wasting, the government expected to decrease our budget deficit and also to recover its expenditures (PSALM). START OF NAPOCOR PRIVATIZATION When the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) was created in 1936, our government has mandated it to generate and transmit sources of energy while letting the private sector to be in charge of its distribution. But it 1980s, the government has started to gradually entrust the entire power sector to private companies. From former Pres. Aquinos Executive Order (EO) No. 215 issued in 1987, the power generation sector of NAPOCOR was started to be deregulated. By the power of build-operate-transfer scheme, EO No. 215 also gave way to private firms to establish and manage power plants in the country. This situation was further strengthened when Ramos took over the presidency. RA 7648, the Power Crisis Act of 1993 was passed and encouraged more private companies to partake in the power generation sector of NAPOCOR. Later in 1984, Expanded BOT law was also passed and had given Ramos to have emergency powers which allowed him to make contracts, most of which were foreign corporations, regardi ng the construction, repair and other technical maintenance of NAPOCOR without the need to undergo it through a public bidding (IBON 82-83). Due to the contracts of mostly 10 to 25 years made with the foreign companies, NAPOCOR was obliged to pay the power contracted to them whether they had actually produced or consumed power or not. This is what is referred to as the take or pay provision. According to this provision, NAPOCOR needs to buy 75-80 percent of a firms power capacity even though it didnt really produced or consumed it. This in turn made NAPOCOR to pass the obligation to the local consumers even though they really hadnt consumed even a small part of it, which is really a great burden since it takes about 60 percent of the total power available at the economy. Of course, this is clearly seen when power distributors such as Meralco get wholesale power from NAPOCOR and pay for it which is the Purchased Power Cost Adjustment (PPCA) that corresponds it (IBON 83-84). Aside from this Purchased Power Cost Adjustment or PPCA, NAPOCOR has also passed the Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) fees to the power distributors due to the need to do its obligation to supply enough fuel to the firms or power plants in which it had its long-term contract with, regardless of the fluctuations in the price of oil or fuel in the global market or even in the domestic domain. These two costs of NAPOCOR and wholesale costumers further make up the Fuel and Purchased Power Costs Adjustments or FPCA (IBON 84-85). Furthermore, the contracts made by NAPOCOR to the independent power plants (IPPs) are in dollar rates. This only means that charges between the two entities are affected by the foreign exchange rates or peso-dollar rates to compensate the change in payout because of the continuing weakness of peso currency as against dollars. Due to the fact that these IPPs are owned by foreign companies, they are selling their power to NAPOCOR by almost $20 per megawatt hour (mWh) higher than the power sold to them by their own power generators. Of course, these very high rate would translate and reflect to the additional fees charged to the end-consumers of electricity through the purchased power adjustments (PPA) without their power to refuse against it even though in 2002, a review made by the government showed that most of these IPPs has either legal or financial issues and are disadvantageous for the government itself. During the Arroyo administration, this PPA was still not stopped in operations of NAPOCOR since it was a great source of income for the government, although we know that the local consumers are the ones who intensely suffer from it; and also of course not to jeopardize the privatization of NAPOCOR and to continue attracting foreign corporations to invest and participate in such measures of the government. Among other transnational corporations (TNCs), NAPOCORs IPPs incorporate energy sectors giants such as Marubeni, Kawasaki, Mitsui, Chevron, and Enron (IBON 85). According to Meralco, PPA is just one cost adjustment mechanism that is passed on to the local consumers, since there is also the CERA which is intended so that Meralco will be able to recuperate the changes in operating costs and repayment of principal debt mainly brought about by the changes in foreign exchange rates in which the contracts are bound. Due to this, Meralco claims that only little of the consumer charges go to them, since it primarily goes to NAPOCOR as PPA and to the government as franchise tax. But, apparently it turns out that these might be made up stories or complains since Meralco as a power distributor was also allowed to have its own IPPs by virtue of former Pres. Aquinos EO 215. Meralco has indeed three IPPs which are among the countrys largest companies which supply almost half of its power requirements. This only means that Meralco, having its own IPPs actually earns a lot of money from the PPA. It has also made use of it to make a way out of the controversy arising from the fact that it has monopoly control over power distribution. By this, it was also able to control and manipulate the computations regarding the IPPs which are remarkably its sister companies. For example, First Gas which is one of its IPPs and partly owned by Meralco itself, was used to make anomalous transactions in PPA since Meralco c an actually protect and cover the supply cost from the said IPP even though in reality it doesnt even delivered one kilowatt of power to Meralco (IBON 86-89). Meanwhile, we can clearly see that the results of letting private corporations participate in the power industry is contrary to the rationale behind its approval, which among others is to relieve the government from its burden on funding the setting up of power generating plants (UP and Stiftung 115-116). Instead of it happening, the reverse had taken place. NAPOCOR has left in charge of paying the debt obligations of the IPPs assured by state guarantees which were made to further attract investors. Through those incentives, including long-term power contracts, IPPs were assured that they will have return on investments whatever happens. Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) Through the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA which is RA 9136, payment for stranded costs of NAPOCOR or the costs due to stranded debts and contracts, were passed on to consumers as a universal charge along with the cost of restructuring the power industry. This was implemented during the Arroyo administration when she declared that the government must not shoulder this expense but must be recuperated through a universal charge. To further clarify some previously mentioned terms, stranded debts as part of the stranded cost is the obligations that will be left out by NAPOCOR once it is sold to private individuals, while the other one, the stranded contract cost is the difference from the price of electricity from the wholesale market to be set by EPIRA itself and the price from IPPs. Due to this very large cost of NAPOCORs obligations which are partly paid by the government through debt from foreign sources, very high priced bonds were sold by the government to finance its principal obligations mainly due to those long-term contracts. So it is obvious that it has only made the government and the people suffer from paying them instead of getting away from funding large amount for power generators, while the private sector like the transnational corporations (TNCs) and other local elites were getting more and more income from it each year making it as its milking cow. Also it is evident that PPA has only intens ified the dependence of government to private sector to pay its foreign debts and its grave situation of national bankruptcy which clearly impacts detrimental effect to the poor Filipino citizens (IBON 89-91). Actually, in 2001, the Arroyo administration had pushed EPIRA to be approved for a great loan to be released, the $900 M ADB Power Sector Restructuring loan which was filed since 1998. IMF had also played a part on its approval, since it made it a condition for it to release a $300 M rehabilitation loan for the Philippines since 1999. By this, we could clearly see that the government had pushed it not to improve the condition of accessible power service to the people, but the adverse that favored the private companies and further strengthened their control over the power service. Transmission Corporation (TransCo) Along EPIRA in 2001, the creation of a National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) in 2003 under NAPOCOR was also signed into law. In line with this, the Arroyo administration had also pushed for its privatization by the mandate of the same aforementioned law. This TransCo as a GOCC is basically in charge of operating and managing the power transmission system of the country which will link power plants to the electric distribution utilities throughout the Philippines (TransCo). In simple terms, it will be taking control over the transmission and sub-transmission functions, assets, as well as the liabilities of NAPOCOR. TransCo, in taking over the sub-transmission assets will manage it until they are finally disposed into their proper distribution utilities which in turn will hold its planning and overall maintenance of those assets. But, as like NAPOCOR, through EPIRA, TransCo is mandated to be privatized through either an outright sale or a management concession contract lasting fo r about 25 years. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Finance (DOF) were basically in charge in the planning and setting up its transfer to private companies (Cook and Mendoza, 9; 68). As again an expectation of the government, from privatizing TransCo, it expects a high income which will be used to pay the NAPOCORs remaining debt that is extensively big which will in result lessen or decrease the governments public sector deficit. Aside from that expected revenue from its sale, the government also expects that when a technologically advance and proficient private concessionaire will take over the transmission line, it will result to more efficient and world class network. It says that due to the crippling energy crisis, people are hard to be provided with a dependable and secured supply of electricity at low rates, so privatization of such sector will be a necessary response to it, while attracting more investments at the energy division (Perez). But, the government actually marginalizes the stake of local power sector by doing this. First, they can be exploited since through the privatization of TransCo, it will surely lead to a monopoly of the private business. Since in EPIRA, the cross-ownership of distribution, generation, and transmission under NAPOCOR is allowed, this only means that through the profit-seeking goal of the monopolies over those areas, power rates will still remain indefinable (TransCo). TransCos privatization clearly manifest the government favoring TNCs as well as local elites like the Lopez Group of Companies in their reinforced power over the Philippines power sector. According to the president of PSALM or Public Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Edgardo del Fonso, it would seem not attractive to foreign investors if the assets of TransCo will not be franchised nationwide (PSALM). Actually, based on a primer released by IBON Foundation in 2003, there were already at least eight TNCs which had expressed their interest in the privatization of TransCo, not to mention that these TNCs are among the worlds largest. And some of those TNCs were already on hold of some local power industries operations. But due to certain limitations of our constitution, they were only allowed to operate up to 40 percent of the power sector, but then again PSALM had admitted that later on, it is possible that there would be some restructuring to be done to allow greater share of private sector on power service. This only means that possibilities are open on the total foreign control of our local power sector at the expense of the national interest and welfare. As of now, this transmission system under NAPOCOR known as the crown jewel of the governments power privatization program is already at the hands of the private sector. On the 12th of December in 2007, PSALM has conducted a successful bidding for TransCos 25-years concession contract to be able to maintain its functions on transmission. On the year 2008, it finally announced that TransCos transmission function will be transferred under the management of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the successful bidder who offered a US $3.950B for the said concession after the three failed attempts in the previous years (PSALM). This was despite the opposition of various consumer and militant groups like the People Opposed to Warrantless Electricity Rates (Power) and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) because for them it was a crucial step for the government to take since the burden soon will heavily fall at the local consumers when the winning bidder will make a way to recover its loss and investments at the earliest time possible. As Legazpi cited in her article, according to Tapang, a convener of Power, (Transcos) infrastructure provides a highway for electricity and other uses. Whoever controls it can impose a toll fee on users of this highway. In the hands of private interests, there is always the potential for abuse in the name of greater profits. Bayan has also released their statement through their secretary general in the person of Reynato Reyes, adding that TransCo is of strategic importance to our economy and so it must remain as state-owned and it is basically a prejudice on the part of the g overnment to continue to such action due to the fact that this will lead to a great load to be carried on by ordinary consumers (Legazpi). Amidst those oppositions, unfortunately on that same year also, the congress had approved a bicameral resolution which will grant franchise of TransCo to NGCP, legitimizing it as a private unit to run a public service. By December of that year, former Pres. Arroyo signed the law which will officially grant franchise to NGCP, RA 9511. Following that year, in 2009, TransCo was formally turned over to PSALM in a ceremony held at PSALMs office in Makati on January 14, 2009. The event significantly indicated the NGCPs authority to start TransCos operation under its new management with Atty. Moslemen T. Macarambon as its first new president. Currently, it is headed by Rolando T. Bacani, president and CEO (TransCo). After the sale transaction of TransCo, NGCP has paid almost US $1B to PSALM as provisioned by the contract as its straight payment for its operation. PSALM is also confident that after TransCos privatization and turning over of NGCP on its operation will eventually result to an efficient operation and effective maintenance of our transmission network, while counting on the successful record and wide experience of the consortium and its foreign partners (PSALM). After TransCos successful bidding and private transfer of ownership, PSALM is still opening its invitation for bidding of other power plants such as those at Naga, Cebu, the Naga Power Plant Complex, in Tongonan, Leyte, the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plants, and in Pililia, Rizal, the Malaya Therman Power Plants (PSALM). In 2010, many assets under power generation have been sold as well as its contracted capacities. In spite all of those, the PSALM and the government still pushes for further privatization of the power sector. EFFECTS OF PRIVATIZATION When the government resort to privatizing state owned corporations especially those involved in economic services, this basically turn to an impact which is as destructive as the liberalization of trade and investment. As a Third World country, taking this crucial step marginalizes the interest and welfare of the people and other economic development programs and projects for the country. The people are more vulnerable and are easily affected by the impact of having no jobs and the inaccessibility of basic social services. After some years of the promise of improved effectiveness and efficiency of these privatized sectors by the government to the people as the reason behind the privatization of such basic public services, the supposedly good results are yet unseen but on the contrary, public menaces and difficulties are experienced of the people on that particular service (IBON 131-134). First of all, the government did not had a financial relief on privatizing public services, since like in NAPOCOR and other corporations, the government becomes more bankrupt and indebted to private or foreign investors since privatizing assets only provide short-term or one-time big-time revenue, but in the long run, results to a great dependence on private sector due to the debts incurred after privatization. it has also resulted to a lesser allocation of budget for other social services due to the automatic appropriation of budget to debt servicing mandated by the law. Some privatized assets by the government were also not as considerable since sometimes they are key economic players in the countrys economic growth. Moreover, in the case of privatization of NAPOCOR, the government had shouldered the huge liabilities left when it was privatized, or some parts of it. This results to a huge public funds being used to pay for its interests and amortization. Through state guarantees, t he government bore the obligations of the IPPs, which through long-term contracts are assured by the government to have return on its investments no matter what. In short, the government is no more than losing in this kind of program and gradually is put into a profound bankruptcy. This is one of the main reasons behind the fiscal crisis experienced by national government in 2004 and still contributes to the worsening condition of the economy. On improved efficiency One point that is to be remembered regarding privatization is that having the private sector does not necessarily mean that the previously owned and controlled corporation of the government would yield better efficiency. In the first place, they were not created to be profit-oriented but to provide accessible support and basic service to the people. This is critical to the consumers situation, since if the market fails, there should the government to secure them against it and continue to provide them its responsibility. Supposedly, our government expect that when private corporations took control over it, they will invest in its improvement, but just like the MWSS privatization, this is not what is actually happening but they use their revenues to expand their properties around the globe, in short they are not concerned of efficacy of operation of the corporation, but more concerned on how to gain more profits. Peoples access to basic services When GOCCs are privatized, people can expect spikes in their rates and inaccessibility and unaffordability of the basic service that were previously provided to them by the government in low and accessible prices. Of course this is only logical since private corporations main objective is no other than to get more profit. We can expect this effect to be mostly aggravating to the poor and marginalized Filipino citizens who also try their best to survive with their very small income that doesnt increase in real terms and growing joblessness throughout the country. In fact, almost 20 percent of an average household income is spent to pay their electricity bills alone. Because of this, some of the poor Filipino families had chosen to cut their electricity connection to lessen daily budget costs, or even on some families their supply was cut due to being not able to pay for their high electric bill. Up to now, many the typical Filipino consumers are not able to get basic services at lower or reasonable rates since as like the government said, those privatized institutions should have been more efficient due to improved infrastructure implemented by private firms. But, it just bloated up their rates that the people could hardly pay for it, just like in the power service of NAPOCOR, cost recovery mechanisms were passed to the peoples responsibility. So through that, we can already conclude that when market forces rule without any regulation from the government promoting public welfare, the consumers situation is largely at stake and worsened. Because of this we can clearly say that where is the choice of power and power choice that the government said and promised to its consumers if the power industry and its functions will be privatized? Clearly, it shows that it was merely a false and deceiving statement. Workers situations Aside from these detrimental impacts, privatization also increases level of unemployment especially in underdeveloped nations like the Philippines. This is due to the displacement of workers from the previous state-owned corporations or in other way, through contractualization of those somehow lucky workers left at the privatized corporation. In this way, workers are put in an acute situation while the private corporation continues to gaining more profits and cutting production costs. They are also aggrieved through cutting their wages without their power to stop those private firms. In the restructuring and privatization of NAPOCOR, more than 2,000 of its employees had already lost their job and currently, as threats of further privatization of electric cooperatives are on the way, this number will possibly increase. Aside from the employees of NAPOCOR who lost their jobs, there are also many workers from industrial and commercial sectors who lost their jobs due to closure of their companies which one of the factors which caused it is the very high electricity rates that they have lesser production that cannot compete with other industries either around the country or outside. Factory workers also dont get wage hike since their employers insist that they are spending more and more on operation and maintenance costs as industrial electricity rates also sores up. Actually last July 2009, more than 1,000 former workers of TransCo were not accepted by NGCP to continue their work on it after 5 months of transition period, despite having EPIRA assurances that were not that effective afterwwards. This was due to the high NGCP standards in accepting new employees according to the Mindanao Transco Employees Union or Mintrea. Before TransCo was privatized, the consortium of the private companies to take over it said that they will not let those more than 5,000 employees of TransCo to lose their jobs instead they will again hire them even privatization is already done. But according to Walder Revellar, North Luzon chapter president of Mintrea, most of the TransCo employees suffered retrenchment even before when NAPOCOR was started to be privatized when reorganization within the sector began. Most of them were of old age but has not reached the age of retirement on the new private administration of TransCo due to forced leave since according to them, they dont have the full capacity to absorb all of the previous workers of TransCo. Being too old to be rehired, workers like them as a result had difficulties in finding new jobs because of their age constraint. Some of the previous employees also are at young age, which are said to be too young to be retired, that could have done great job on TransCo if they w ere not removed from their jobs as Revellar stressed out also. Unfortunately, despite the workers complains they couldnt anything about that concern because it has been transferred already to the private sector (Inquirer). After of all the results of TransCo privatization, it only appears to us that the government is just making a way to decline its social responsibility to the state and most especially to the people in providing the basic services that it must provide in the first place. Public utilities and services play an important role in protecting the poor and marginalized sector of society so letting the free-market and the market forces operate on its own on those assets would defy the public assets original intent like the power sector in generating efficient and affordable electricity throughout the country. It had also meant a lesser government intervention to the economic and social activities of the state, and so it results to peoples situation becoming worse over time as private sector continues to exploit our resources and earn super-profits. This should not be tolerated since first and foremost, these are all done at the peoples expense.