Monday, August 3, 2020
Reflecting on My Semester
Reflecting on My Semester I still find it weird telling people Im a sophomore. Its hard to believe that a year and a half of school has flown by so fast. As I approach the end of my third semester, I realize how much Ive changed in the past couple months. Ive had to overcome several new obstacles, face multiple challenges, and deal with a few losses. However, the number of experiences that allowed me to grow this year outweigh all those issuesâ"Im grateful for so much. At the time Im writing this blog, only three exams sit between winter break and I. Before the finals storm hits, Id like to take some time to reflect on the things I did and didnt achieve this semester. What I didnt achieve: To start with, Im going to look at the things I missedâ"I want to set goals for next semester. Also, its nice to start with the negatives: This way, I can end the blog on a good note! I was not able to publish my research paper. This summer, I started working with a research group at university back home. We werent able to finish our project before the summer ended, so my supervisor and I kept in touch over the semester to continue our research. My original goal was to at least submit a draft paper to the American Journal of Undergraduate Research before the semester ended. However, school had other plans for meâ"Ive been swamped this semester. Nonetheless, I have made progress with research. Ive finished the first half of my draft, and Im going to finish the rest over winter break. I want to publish my paper as soon as possibleâ"Im applying for research internships next summer, and being published would look great on an application. I didnt join an Astronomy-related RSO. Before school started, I promised myself that Id join the University of Illinois Astronomical Society (UIAS). Im currently a member of three groups/RSOs on campus, but none are related to my major! A perk of being in UIAS is being able to use the campus observatory. Again, I didnt join one because I was bogged down by school. However, Im definitely going to join next yearâ"itll be nice to be able to go stargazing as an extracurricular activity. I couldnt get all my James Scholar credits. As a James Scholar, I need to earn points every single semester. Experiences like attending a workshop or playing a club sport will earn points. We also need to make plans at the start of each semester detailing what we will do to earn these points. One of the activities I planned was to publish a paperâ"doing this wouldve earned me a point. This didnt end up happening, and I didnt get all the James Scholar credits I couldve earned in this semester. Fortunately, I earned a few points in other places: I took an honors course in astrophysics and held a leadership position in a RSO. What I achieved: Now, the good part! Even though I didnt end up doing everything that I wanted to this semester, I still managed to achieve a great deal. I was elected President of my fraternity. This isnt just my biggest achievement this semesterâ"its the biggest thing Ive done since coming to Illinois. I really love being a part of my fraternity, and Im super excited to be a leader in our community. Over the past year, Ive put a lot of effort into the fraternity, and its really satisfying to see that hard work pay off. My responsibilities have expanded to being the external face of our fraternityâ"Im excited to meet a lot of new people. Additionally, Im curious to see if I can apply all the leadership skills Ive learnt over the years. I am now responsible for a lot of people. Elections night. Image credit: Caige Gridley Nonetheless, I have to be prepared for next semesterâ"being President comes with a lot of work and pressure. Im going to need to figure out how to balance my responsibilities with schoolwork better (I certainly didnt do a very good job with that this semester). I went to my first football game. After a year and a half at Illinois, I attended my first football game. Better yet, it was our homecoming game against Wisconsinâ"the biggest upset in the Big 10 conference since the 80s. My fraternity tailgated and watched the game with our alumni. Image credit: Hunter McDermith Football is a foreign concept to meâ"Im from Hong Kong. Ive watched football before on TV, but never before in real life. Actually going to the stadium is a much better experience than viewing the game through a tiny screen. Plus, its a great feeling to cheer our Illini on! I finally visited Wisconsin. Although I love Illinois, its always nice to see what other campuses are like, and what college life is like in another place. My brother at Wisconsin has been begging for me to visit for a while, and Im glad I finally did this semester. My brothers and I at the Wisconsin Purdue game. Image credit: Christian Fuhrmann I went up to Madison the weekend Thanksgiving break started, and watched Wisconsin crush Purdue (it was certainly nice to see Purdue lose again). I got to meet all of my brothers friends, and look around Madison (which, by the way, is gorgeous). Best of all, I got to spend time with my brothers, which was a really nice start to a much needed Thanksgiving break. and what about next semester? Looking back on how much Ive grown is nice, but I need to start setting goals. I want next semester to be my best one yet. Make it back onto the Deans List. Ive only made it onto the Deans List onceâ"my first semester freshman year. Although it may seem like a superficial goal, its one I definitely want to achieve. First, it looks good on a resume and will make me a more competitive applicant when I apply for internships. However, more important, it will help me prove to myself that I am doing well in school. Academically, I havent performed as well as I would have liked to this year, and I want to see an improvement next semester. Apply for research internships in the summer. This summer, I took on a research internship back home and enjoyed it immensely. Its something I want to do againâ"its a productive way to spend the longest holiday of the year and gives me invaluable experience. However, instead of going back home to Hong Kong, I want to conduct research in the U.S. this summer. I plan on staying in the U.S. for graduate school, and doing research here can also help me build connections. Most applications are due in Februaryâ"Ill be spending the winter break and first few weeks of school completing them. My final thoughts: Academically, this semester has been roughâ"the sophomore slump has hit me hard. However, this wont stop me, and I intend to make next semester my best one yet. On the other hand, my life outside the classroom has been absolutely fantastic. I was elected president of my fraternityâ"something that Ive worked hard for and wanted for a long time. As a whole, Im extremely excited to start the spring 2020 semester. I have a feeling 2020 is going to be a great year, and I cant wait to see the experiences the new year has in store for me. Franklin Class of 2022 I grew up in Hong Kong, China, and Iâve come across the world to Illinois to major in Astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Iâve always thought outer space is super cool, and I love that Iâm learning everything that I can about it at Illinois.
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Monday, May 11, 2020
The Center Is Growing Step - 1427 Words
Though small, the center was able to produce fifty five books in little over a decade and produce a million copies of the books. Morrisââ¬â¢s books were available in Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish editions. They ââ¬Å"participated in 100 public debates, lectured in 400 college campuses and 400 churches, given seminars in 350 cities and 35 summer institutes, appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs and lectured to hundreds of secular groups all in addition to teaching to Christian Heritage College.â⬠The center was growing step by step to become the next leading center in the creationist community. The staff of the center held debates with prominent evolutionists on universityâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Having been established in 1972, the institute has been researching, educating, and communicating their ideas, hypotheses, and arguments ever since. The instituteââ¬â¢s influence on many Christian individuals cannot be overlooked. The many adults and teenagers have been taught that the earth is young and there is no evolution. It would be incorrect to say that the institute should get all the credit for developing, researching, and spreading the ideas, but it had a significant role. The sole purpose of the Institute of Creation Researchââ¬â¢s existence as outlined on their website was and is ââ¬Å"to conduct scientific research within the realms of origins and earth history, and then to educate the public both formally and informally through graduate and professional training programs, through conferences and seminars around the country, and through books, magazines, and media presentations.â⬠The research institute works in many different fields such as looking at earth science or life science. Throughout any kind of research, the institution mainly focuses on the validity of the Bible and the use of scripture to explain science. As the the institute states, ââ¬Å"ICR is committed to the absolute authority of the inerrant Word of God.â⬠It believes that science can only agree with the Bible because God made the world. Therefore, since science correlates with the Bible, Genesis 1-11 must be factual and historical. This would mean that the six day s
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Return Shadow Souls Chapter 1 Free Essays
string(44) " advantage of me when he could have easily\." ââ¬Å"Dear Diary,â⬠Elena whispered, ââ¬Å"how frustrating is this? I left you in the trunk of the Jaguar and itââ¬â¢s two oââ¬â¢clock in the morning.â⬠She stabbed her finger on the leg of her nightgown as if she had a pen and was making a period. She whispered even more softly, leaning her forehead against the window, ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢m afraid to go outside ââ¬â in the dark ââ¬â and get you. We will write a custom essay sample on The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 1 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Iââ¬â¢m afraid!â⬠She made another stab and then, feeling tears slip down her cheeks, reluctantly turned her mobile on to record. It was a stupid waste of the battery, but she couldnââ¬â¢t help it. She needed this. ââ¬Å"So here I am,â⬠she said softly, ââ¬Å"sitting up in the backseat of the car. This has to be my diary entry for today. By the way, we made a rule for this road trip ââ¬â I sleep in the Jagââ¬â¢s backseat and itââ¬â¢s the Great Outdoors for Matt and Damon. Right now itââ¬â¢s so dark outside that I canââ¬â¢t see Matt anywhereâ⬠¦. But Iââ¬â¢ve been going crazy ââ¬â crying and feeling lost ââ¬â and so lonely for Stefanâ⬠¦. ââ¬Å"We have to get rid of the Jaguar ââ¬â itââ¬â¢s too big, too red, too flashy, and too memorable when weââ¬â¢re trying not to be remembered as we travel to the place where we can free Stefan. After the car is sold, the lapis lazuli and diamond pendant Stefan gave me the day before he disappeared will be the most precious thing I have left. The day beforeâ⬠¦Stefan got tricked into going away, thinking he could become an ordinary human being. And nowâ⬠¦ ââ¬Å"How can I stop thinking about what They might be doing to him, at this very second ââ¬â whoever ââ¬ËTheyââ¬â¢ are? Probably the kitsune, the evil fox spirits at the prison called the Shi no Shi.â⬠Elena paused to wipe her nose on her nightgown sleeve. ââ¬Å"How did I ever get myself into this situation?â⬠She shook her head, hit the seatback with her clenched fist. ââ¬Å"Maybe if I could figure that out, I could come up with Plan A. I always have a Plan A. And my friends always have a Plan B and C to help me.â⬠Elena blinked hard, thinking of Bonnie and Meredith. ââ¬Å"But now Iââ¬â¢m frightened that Iââ¬â¢ll never see them again. And Iââ¬â¢m scared for the entire town of Fellââ¬â¢s Church.â⬠For a moment she sat with her clenched fist on her knee. A small voice inside her was saying, ââ¬Å"So stop whining, Elena, and think. Think. Start from the beginning.â⬠The beginning? What was the beginning? Stefan? No, she had lived in Fellââ¬â¢s Church long before Stefan came. Slowly, almost dreamily, she spoke into her mobile. ââ¬Å"In the first place: who am I? Iââ¬â¢m Elena Gilbert, age eighteen.â⬠Even more slowly, she said, ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦donââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢s vain to say that Iââ¬â¢m beautiful. If I didnââ¬â¢t know I was, Iââ¬â¢d have to have never looked in a mirror or heard a compliment. Itââ¬â¢s not something I should be proud of ââ¬â itââ¬â¢s just something that was passed down from Mom and Dad. ââ¬Å"What do I look like? I have blond hair that falls in sort of waves past my shoulders and blue eyes that some people have said are like lapis lazuli: dark blue with splashes of gold.â⬠She gave a half-choked laugh. ââ¬Å"Maybe thatââ¬â¢s why vampires like me.â⬠Then her lips tightened and, staring into the utter blackness around her, she spoke seriously. ââ¬Å"A lot of boys have called me the most angelic girl in the world. And I played around with them. I just used them ââ¬â for popularity, for amusement, for whatever. Iââ¬â¢m being honest, all right? I considered them to be toys or trophies.â⬠She paused. ââ¬Å"But there was something else. Something that I knew all my life was coming ââ¬â but I didnââ¬â¢t know what. I felt as if I were searching for something that I could never find with boys. None of my scheming or playing around with them ever touched myâ⬠¦deepest heartâ⬠¦until one very special boy came along.â⬠She stopped and swallowed and said it again. ââ¬Å"One very special boy. ââ¬Å"His name was Stefan. ââ¬Å"And he turned out not to be what he looked like, a normal ââ¬â but gorgeous ââ¬â high school senior with rumpled dark hair and eyes as green as emeralds. ââ¬Å"Stefan Salvatore turned out to be a vampire. ââ¬Å"A real vampire.â⬠Elena had to pause to take a few choked breaths before she could get the next words out. ââ¬Å"And so did his gorgeous older brother, Damon.â⬠She bit her lips, and it seemed a long time later that she added, ââ¬Å"Would I have loved Stefan if Iââ¬â¢d known he was a vampire from the beginning? Yes! Yes! Yes! Iââ¬â¢d have fallen in love with him no matter what! But it changed things ââ¬â and it changed me.â⬠Elenaââ¬â¢s finger traced a pattern on her nightgown by touch alone. ââ¬Å"You see, vampires show love by exchanging blood. The problem wasâ⬠¦that I was sharing blood with Damon, too. Not really by choice, but because he was after me constantly, day and night.â⬠She let out a sigh. ââ¬Å"What Damon says is that he wants to make me a vampire and his Princess of the Night. What that translates into is: he wants me all to himself. But I wouldnââ¬â¢t trust Damon on anything unless he gave his word. Thatââ¬â¢s one quirk he has, he never breaks his word.â⬠Elena could feel an odd smile curling her lips, but she was speaking calmly now, fluently, the mobile almost forgotten. ââ¬Å"A girl involved with two vampiresâ⬠¦well, thereââ¬â¢s bound to be trouble, isnââ¬â¢t there? So maybe I deserved what I got. ââ¬Å"I died. ââ¬Å"Not just ââ¬Ëdiedââ¬â¢ like when your heart stops and they resuscitate you and you come back talking about almost going into the Light. I went into the Light. ââ¬Å"I died. ââ¬Å"And when I came back ââ¬â what a surprise! I was a vampire. ââ¬Å"Damon wasâ⬠¦kind to me, I suppose, when I first woke up as a vampire. Maybe thatââ¬â¢s the reason I still haveâ⬠¦feelings for him. He didnââ¬â¢t take advantage of me when he could have easily. You read "The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 1" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"But I only had time to do a few things in my vampire life. I had time to remember Stefan and love him more than ever ââ¬â since I knew, then, how difficult everything was for him. I got to listen to my own memorial service. Ha! Everybody should get a chance to do that. I learned to always, always wear lapis lazuli so I wouldnââ¬â¢t become a vampire Crispy Critter. I got to say good-bye to my little four-year-old sister, Margaret, and visit Bonnie and Meredithâ⬠¦.â⬠Tears were still sliding almost unnoticed down Elenaââ¬â¢s face. But she spoke quietly. ââ¬Å"And then ââ¬â I died again. ââ¬Å"I died the way a vampire dies, when they donââ¬â¢t have lapis lazuli in the sunlight. I didnââ¬â¢t crumble into dust; I was only seventeen. But the sun poisoned me anyway. Going was almostâ⬠¦peaceful. That was when I made Stefan promise to take care of Damon, always. And I think Damon swore to take care of Stefan, in his mind. And that was how I died, with Stefan holding me and Damon beside me as I simply drifted away, like going to sleep. ââ¬Å"After that, I had dreams I donââ¬â¢t remember, and then suddenly, one day everyone was surprised because I was talking to them through Bonnie, who is very psychic, poor thing. I guess I had landed the job of being Fellââ¬â¢s Churchââ¬â¢s guardian spirit. There was a danger to the town. They had to fight it and somehow, when they were sure that they had lost, I got dumped back to the world of the living to help. And ââ¬â well, when the war was won I was left with these weird powers I donââ¬â¢t understand. But there was Stefan, too! We were together again!â⬠Elena wrapped her arms around herself tightly and held on as if she were holding Stefan to her, imagining his warm arms around her. She shut her eyes until her breathing slowed. ââ¬Å"About my powers, letââ¬â¢s see. Thereââ¬â¢s telepathy, which I can do if the other person is telepathic ââ¬â which all vampires are, but to different degrees unless theyââ¬â¢re actually sharing blood with you at the time. And then there are my Wings. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s true ââ¬â I have Wings! And the Wings have powers you wouldnââ¬â¢t believe ââ¬â the only problem being that I donââ¬â¢t have the faintest idea how to use them. Thereââ¬â¢s one that I can feel sometimes, like right now, trying to get out of me, trying to shape my lips to name it, trying to move my body into the right stance. Itââ¬â¢s Wings of Protection and that sounds like something we could really use on this trip. But I canââ¬â¢t even remember how I made the old Wings work ââ¬â much less figure out how to use this new one. I say the words until I feel like an idiot ââ¬â but nothing happens at all. ââ¬Å"So Iââ¬â¢m a human again ââ¬â as human as Bonnie. And, oh, God, if I could only see her and Meredith right now! But all the time I tell myself that Iââ¬â¢m getting closer to Stefan every minute. That is, if you take into account Damonââ¬â¢s running us up and down and everywhere to throw off anybody trying to track us down. ââ¬Å"Why would anyone want to track us down? Well, you see, when I came back from the afterlife there was a very big explosion of Power that everyone in the world who can see Power saw. ââ¬Å"Now, how do I explain Power? Itââ¬â¢s something that everybody has, but that humans ââ¬â except genuine psychics like Bonnie ââ¬â donââ¬â¢t even recognize. Vampires definitely have Power, and they use it to Influence humans to like them, or to think that things are different from reality ââ¬â oh, like the way Stefan Influenced the high school staff to think his records were all in order when he ââ¬Ëtransferredââ¬â¢ to Robert E. Lee High School. Or they use Power to blast other vampires or creatures of darkness ââ¬â or humans. ââ¬Å"But I was talking about the burst of Power when I dropped down from the heavens. It was so big that it attracted two horrible creatures from the other side of the world. And then they decided to come see what had made the burst, and if there was any way they could use it for themselves. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not joking, either, about them being from the other side of the world. They were kitsune, evil fox spirits from Japan. Theyââ¬â¢re something like our Western werewolves ââ¬â but much more powerful. So powerful that they used malach, which are really plants but look like insects that can be no bigger than a pinhead or big enough to swallow your arm. And the malach attach themselves to your nerves and feather out along your entire nervous system and finally they take you over from inside.â⬠Now Elena was shuddering, and her voice was hushed. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what happened to Damon. A tiny one got into him and it took him over from inside so that he was only a puppet of Shinichiââ¬â¢s. I forgot to say, the kitsune are called Shinichi and Misao. Misao is the girl. They both have black hair with red all around the tips, but Misaoââ¬â¢s is long. And theyââ¬â¢re supposed to be brother and sister ââ¬â but they sure donââ¬â¢t act like it. ââ¬Å"And once Damon was fully possessed, thatââ¬â¢s when Shinichi made Damonââ¬â¢s bodyâ⬠¦do terrible things. He made him torture Matt and me, and even now I know that sometimes Matt still wants to kill Damon for it. But if heââ¬â¢d seen what I saw ââ¬â a whole thin, wet, white second body that I had to pull out with my fingernails from Damonââ¬â¢s spine ââ¬â with Damon finally passing out from the pain ââ¬â then Matt would understand better. I canââ¬â¢t blame Damon for what Shinichi made him do. I canââ¬â¢t. Damon wasâ⬠¦you canââ¬â¢t imagine how different. He was crushed. He cried. He wasâ⬠¦ ââ¬Å"Anyway, I donââ¬â¢t expect to ever see him like that again. But if I ever get my Wingsââ¬â¢ powers back, Shinichi is in big trouble. ââ¬Å"I think that that was our mistake last time, you see. We finally were able to fight Shinichi and Misao ââ¬â and we didnââ¬â¢t kill them. We were too moral or too gentle or something. ââ¬Å"It was a bad mistake. ââ¬Å"Because Damon wasnââ¬â¢t the only one who got possessed by Shinichiââ¬â¢s malach. There were girls, young girls, fourteen and fifteen and younger. And some boys. Actingâ⬠¦crazy. Hurting themselves and their families. We didnââ¬â¢t know how badly until after weââ¬â¢d already made a bargain with Shinichi. ââ¬Å"Maybe we were too immoral, making a bargain with the devil. But they had kidnapped Stefan ââ¬â and Damon, who was already possessed by then, had helped them. Once Damon was unpossessed, all he wanted was for Shinichi and Misao to tell us where Stefan was, and then for them to leave Fellââ¬â¢s Church forever. ââ¬Å"In exchange for that, Damon let Shinichi into his mind. ââ¬Å"If vampires are obsessed with Power, kitsune are obsessed with memories. And Shinichi wanted Damonââ¬â¢s memories for the last few days ââ¬â the time that Damon was possessed and torturing usâ⬠¦and the time when my Wings made Damon realize that he had done it. I donââ¬â¢t think Damon himself wanted those memories, either of what heââ¬â¢d done or of how heââ¬â¢d changed when he had to face that heââ¬â¢d done it. So he let Shinichi take them, in exchange for Shinichi putting Stefanââ¬â¢s location into his mind. ââ¬Å"The problem is that we were trusting Shinichiââ¬â¢s word that he would leave then ââ¬â when Shinichiââ¬â¢s word meant nothing at all. ââ¬Å"Plus, ever since then heââ¬â¢s been using the telepathic channel that he opened between his mind and Damonââ¬â¢s to take more and more of Damonââ¬â¢s memories without Damon even knowing. ââ¬Å"It happened just last night, when we were pulled over by a policeman who wanted to know what three teenagers in an expensive car were doing that late at night. Damon Influenced him to go away. But just a few hours later Damon had forgotten the policeman completely. ââ¬Å"It frightens Damon. And anything that frightens Damon ââ¬â not that he would ever admit it ââ¬â scares me to death. ââ¬Å"And, you might ask, what were three teenagers doing out in the middle of nowhere, in Union County, Tennessee, according to the last road sign I saw? Weââ¬â¢re heading toward some Gate to the Dark Dimensionâ⬠¦where Shinichi and Misao left Stefan in the prison called the Shi no Shi. Shinichi only put the knowledge into Damonââ¬â¢s mind, and I canââ¬â¢t get Damon to say much about what kind of place it is. But Stefan is there and Iââ¬â¢ll get to him somehow, even if it kills me. ââ¬Å"Even if I have to learn how to kill. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m not the sweet little girl from Virginia I used to be.â⬠Elena stopped and blew out her breath. But then, cuddling herself, she went on. ââ¬Å"And why is Matt along with us? Well, because of Caroline Forbes, my friend since kindergarten. Last yearâ⬠¦when Stefan came to Fellââ¬â¢s Church, she and I both wanted him. But Stefan didnââ¬â¢t want Caroline. And after that she turned into my worst enemy. ââ¬Å"Caroline was also the lucky winner of Shinichiââ¬â¢s first visit to any girl in Fellââ¬â¢s Church. But more to the point: she was Tyler Smallwoodââ¬â¢s girlfriend quite a while before she was his victim. I wonder how long they were together and where Tyler is now. All I know is that, in the end, Caroline hung on to Shinichi because she ââ¬Ëneeded a husband.ââ¬â¢ That was how she put it herself. So I assume ââ¬â well, what Damon assumes. That sheââ¬â¢s going toâ⬠¦have puppies. A werewolf litter, you know? Since Tyler is a werewolf. ââ¬Å"Damon says that having a werewolf baby turns you into a werewolf even faster than if youââ¬â¢re bitten, and that at some point in the pregnancy you gain the power to be all wolf or all human, but before that point youââ¬â¢re just a mixed-up mess. ââ¬Å"The sad thing is that Shinichi scarcely gave Caroline a second glance when she blurted it all out. ââ¬Å"But before that Caroline had been desperate enough to accuse Matt of ââ¬â of assaulting her ââ¬â on a date that went wrong. She had to have known something about what Shinichi was doing because she claimed her ââ¬Ëdateââ¬â¢ with Matt was at a time when one of the arm-swallowing mallach was attacking him, making marks on his arm that looked like a girlââ¬â¢s fingernail scratches. ââ¬Å"That sent the police after Matt, all right. So basically I just made him come with us. Carolineââ¬â¢s father is one of the most important people in Fellââ¬â¢s Church ââ¬â and heââ¬â¢s friends with the district attorney in Ridgemont and the leader of one of those menââ¬â¢s clubs where they have secret handshakes and other stuff that makes you, you know, ââ¬Ëprominent in the community.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"If I hadnââ¬â¢t convinced Matt to run instead of facing Carolineââ¬â¢s charges, the Forbeses would have lynched him. And I feel the anger like a fire inside me ââ¬â not just anger and hurt for Matt, but anger and the feeling that Caroline has let all girls everywhere down. Because most girls arenââ¬â¢t pathological liars, and wouldnââ¬â¢t say something like that about a boy falsely. Sheââ¬â¢s shamed all girls by doing what she did.â⬠Elena paused, looking at her hands, and then added, ââ¬Å"Sometimes when I get angry at Caroline, cups shake or pencils roll right off the table. Damon says all this is caused by my aura, my life force, and that ever since I came back from the afterlife itââ¬â¢s been different. First of all, it makes anyone who drinks my blood incredibly strong. ââ¬Å"Stefan was strong enough that the fox demons could never have forced him into their trap if Damon hadnââ¬â¢t tricked him in the beginning. They could only deal with him when he was weakened and surrounded by iron. Iron is bad news for any eldritch creature, plus vampires need to feed at least once a day or they get weak, and Iââ¬â¢ll bet ââ¬â no, Iââ¬â¢m sure that they used that against him. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s why I canââ¬â¢t stand to think about what shape Stefan might be in right this minute. But I canââ¬â¢t let myself get too afraid or angry or Iââ¬â¢ll lose control of my aura. Damon showed me how to keep my aura mostly inside, like a normal human girl. Itââ¬â¢s still pale gold and pretty, but not a beacon for creatures like vampires. ââ¬Å"Because thereââ¬â¢s one other thing my blood ââ¬â maybe even just my aura ââ¬â can do. It canâ⬠¦oh, well, I can say anything I want to here, right? Nowadays, my aura can make vampires want meâ⬠¦the way human guys do. Not just to bite, get it? But to kiss and all the rest. And so, naturally, they come after me if they sense it. Itââ¬â¢s as if the world is full of honeybees and Iââ¬â¢m the only flower. ââ¬Å"So I have to practice keeping my aura hidden. If itââ¬â¢s just barely showing, then I can get away with seeming like a normal human, not somebody whoââ¬â¢s died and come back. But itââ¬â¢s hard to always remember to hide it ââ¬â and it hurts a lot pulling it in suddenly if Iââ¬â¢ve forgotten! ââ¬Å"And then I feel ââ¬â this is absolutely private, all right? Iââ¬â¢m putting a curse on you, Damon, if you replay this. But itââ¬â¢s then that I feel like I want Stefan to bite me. It eases up the pressure, and thatââ¬â¢s good. Being bitten by a vampire only hurts if you fight it, or if the vampire wants it to hurt. Otherwise, it can just feel good ââ¬â and then you touch the mind of the vampire whoââ¬â¢s done it, andâ⬠¦oh, I just miss Stefan so much!â⬠Elena was shaking now. As hard as she tried to quiet her imagination, she kept thinking about the things that Stefanââ¬â¢s jailers might be doing to him. Grimly, she gripped her mobile again, letting tears fall on it. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t let myself think of what they might do to him because then I really start to go crazy. I become this useless shaking insane person who just wants to scream and scream and never stop. I have to fight every second not to think about it. Because only a cool, calm Elena with a Plan A and B and C is going to help him. When I have him safe in my arms, I can let myself shake and cry ââ¬â and scream, too.â⬠Elena stopped, half laughing, her head bent against the passengerââ¬â¢s seatback, her voice husky with overuse. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m tired now. But I have a Plan A, at least. I need to get more information from Damon about the place weââ¬â¢re going, the Dark Dimension, and anything he knows about the two clues Misao gave me about the key that will unlock Stefanââ¬â¢s cell. ââ¬Å"I guessâ⬠¦I guess I havenââ¬â¢t mentioned that at all. The key, the fox key, that we need to get Stefan out of his cell, is broken into two pieces that are hidden in two different places. And when Misao was taunting me about how little I knew about those places, she gave me flat-out clues about where they were. She never dreamed Iââ¬â¢d actually go into the Dark Dimension; she was just showing off. But I still remember the clues, and they went like this: The first half is ââ¬Ëin the silver nightingaleââ¬â¢s instrument.ââ¬â¢ And the second half is ââ¬Ëburied in Bloddeuweddââ¬â¢s ballroom.ââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"I need to see if Damon has any ideas about these. Because it sounds as if once we get to the Dark Dimension weââ¬â¢re going to have to infiltrate some peopleââ¬â¢s houses and other places. To search a ballroom, itââ¬â¢s best to somehow get invited to the ball, right? That sounds like ââ¬Ëeasier said than done,ââ¬â¢ but whatever it takes, Iââ¬â¢ll do. Itââ¬â¢s simple as that.â⬠Elena lifted her head in determination and went still, then said in a whisper, ââ¬Å"Would you believe it? I looked up just now and I can see the palest streaks of dawn in the sky: light green and creamy orange and the faintest aquaâ⬠¦. Iââ¬â¢ve talked all through the darkness. Itââ¬â¢s so peaceful now. Just now the sun peeked up o ââ¬â ââ¬Å"What the hell was that? Something just went BANG on the top of the Jag. Really, really loud.â⬠Elena clicked off the recorder on her mobile. She was scared, but a noise like that ââ¬â and now scrabbling sounds on the roofâ⬠¦ She had to get out of the car as fast as possible. How to cite The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 1, Essay examples
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The rights of the child Essay Example For Students
The rights of the child Essay The rights of the child Children are also human beings! They are also entitled to fundamental human rights, and have the right to self-respect, and to be valued as human beings. This is stated that every member of the human race is allowed that every person has the right that is equal and inalienable. Why do children have the right? All children have the right to have their basic needs met, not only for survival and protection but also to be able to develop to their full potential, to participates as member of society and to grow up to be caring responsible citizen. So that all of us should be care them, as well as we care our self. All rights and needs apply to every child without any discrimination by race, culture, religion, gender, class, ability or age. This is because if someone has the right to create his or her ideas, as a human even others need express their ideas too. We will write a custom essay on The rights of the child specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Human rights begin with children rights. So we have to think that if there is a law for who protects the human, should be have a law to protect the children. This is because as I said, children rights are the first right that human can protect and grow up as valuable human in a citizen. If there is no right to protect the children naturally there is no right to fully protected human rights. A child need breathe for survival and also they need to protect their future life. This can be allowed to give shelter, food, safety and health care for the needful children. The foremost important thing is that protection. Protection is very important to the child as their young age. This is because they are physically and mentally weak to come out the society. .They may face lot of injuries and bad habits. They need to develop the things that will help them to grow. As for a developing child need all kind of things that are a child can have. So the law can open the gate to their developing ways. A child can decide what to do, as for his or her ability. Mentally and physically all children are not equal, they need special care to develop the ability to will. Some of the children are disable by missing some of their organ, even though we have to provide them a special care to promote their level. This is because if a child has miss his / her eyes and need to be a doctor or someone else, he may do better effort than the child who has eyes. We have never told them they cannot do that or that. Children as they grow and develop need to complete the developmental task that is their priority at each stage of their lives. They need to have the opportunities, at certain optimal developmental periods, to learn such things as language, social skill, cognitive skills, and fine motor skill. What children should haveà learned is that right are part of pattern of human relationships. Every one has rights, and we need to respect these, and to negotiate when rights conflict. Children rights are often paired with childrens responsibilities but rights are not earn by fulfilling responsibilities rights are inherent. We cannot refuse to give child something that is his or her right because we disapprove of certain behavior Children should have their decisions taken into account, according to their age and maturity but they should not be burdened with responsibilities that are beyond their capability. In the case of Muslim the child has rights to do anything which the Quruan allow him or her. There is no response before they mature. Which mean there is no sin when they are in small; all responsible is going to their guardian? Most probably the children have no responsibility and they have to obey his or her parents or the responsible. If there is missing of their conduct the parent should have to take responsibility.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Homeless Summary Research Paper Example
Homeless Summary Research Paper Example Homeless Summary Paper Homeless Summary Paper These advocacy programs would not be possible without the support of federal funding from state and local organizations. These programs include the McKinney-Event Homeless Assistance Grants, Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, Joint U. S. Departments of Housing and urban Development (HUT), and Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing (HUT-VASS), to name only a few (Alliance to End Homelessness, 2011). The National Alliance to End Homelessness encourages a policy of advocacy in Congress and local government. They believe that members of Congress will be more likely to promote change if they are given to opportunity to understand how many people In their district are suffering and what can be done to stop It. The Alliance explains how advocacy can make a difference, Just by calling and writing to policy makers or building relationships with them by meeting with them or Inviting them to attend a program explaining the problems homeless people face every day. The Alliance works with Congress directly through meetings and organized campaigns with advocates throughout the country. They encourage ordinary people to advocate at home, by writing or faxing letters to their Senators and Representatives asking them to Increase funding for programs that provide assistance and lad to the omelets; or by working with the media to help raise awareness of Just how serious the Issue of homelessness In America Is today (Alliance to End Homelessness, 2011). The National Coalition for the Homeless also promotes advocacy and mediation as methods to help the homeless and produce changes. Their advocates work with the departments of Housing Justice, Healthcare Justice, Economic Justice, and Civil Rights. They do not just wish to help those in need; they want to prevent and end it altogether. Their policy proposes a bill that could become the federal governments s first comprehensive response to the causes and consequences of homelessness. They hope to do this through their Bring America Home Act. The housing security provisions of the act calls for a national goal of ending homelessness; additional funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, and the establishment of a new rural rental housing assistance program. The act also includes civil rights provisions, which call for the removal of homeless persons?w barriers to obtaining identification, the addition of homeless people as a protected class to hate crime statistics, and edition funding to Legal Services Corporation to provide legal representation In eviction proceedings. Their website offers fact sheets and readings about the issues of homelessness and provides information for anyone who would want to help (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). I believe mediation and advocacy is extremely effective and appropriate for homelessness organizations. Their advocacy policies encourage people to take action through letter writing and changing the law, not Day angrily protesting Ana making a scene. I nee unreason Tanat tongue advocacy, they can reach out to government officials such as members of Congress, Senators, and Representatives to make the necessary changes that will become a permanent solution.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
10 Facts About Spanish Adjectives
10 Facts About Spanish Adjectives Here are 10 facts about Spanish adjectives that will be useful to know as you pursue your language studies: 1. Adjective Is Part of Speech An adjective is a part of speech that is used to modify, describe, limit, qualify or otherwise affect the meaning of a noun, pronoun or a phrase functioning as a noun. The words we most often think of as adjectives are descriptive words - words such as verde (green), feliz (happy), fuerte (strong) and impaciente (impatient). 2. Adjectives Have Gender Adjectives in Spanish have gender, and a masculine adjective must be used with a masculine noun, a feminine adjective with a feminine noun following the principle of noun-adjective agreement. Some adjectives change in form with gender, while others dont. Generally, a masculine adjective that ends in -o or -os (in the plural) can become feminine by changing the ending to -a or -as. But singular nouns that dont end in -o generally dont change form to become feminine. 3. Adjectives Have Number Adjectives in Spanish also have number, meaning they can be singular or plural. Again, following the principle of noun-adjective agreement, a singular adjective is used with a singular noun, a plural adjective with a plural noun. Singular adjectives become plural by adding an -s or -es suffix. 4. Some Are Invariable A very few adjectives are invariable, meaning they dont change form among plural and singular, masculine and feminine. Traditionally, the most common invariable adjectives are macho (male) and hembra (female), as can be seen in the sentence Los animales macho en general proporcionan muchos menos atenciones parentales que las animales hembra (Male animals in general provide much less parental attention than the female animals do), although youll also see these words pluralized sometimes as well. Rarely, and then most often in journalese or phrases that have been imported from English, a noun can function as an invariable adjective, as web in the phrase sitios web (websites). Such cases of nouns as adjectives are the exception rather than the rule, and Spanish students should not freely use nouns as adjectives as can be done in English. 5. Placement Can Matter The default location for descriptive adjectives is after the noun they refer to. When the adjective is placed before the noun, it typically gives an emotional or subjective quality to the adjective. For example, la mujer pobre is likely to refer to a woman who has little money, while la pobre mujer is likely to suggest that the speaker feels sorry for the woman, even though both could be translated as the poor woman. 6. Adjectives Can Become Nouns Most descriptive adjectives can be used as nouns, often by preceding them with a definite article. For example, los felices could mean the happy people, and los verdes could mean the green ones. 7. Suffixes Can Be Used The meaning of some adjectives can be modified by using diminutive or augmentative suffixes. For example, while un coche viejo is simply an old car, un coche viejecito might refer to a quaint car or an older car that someone likes. 8. Verb Use Can Affect Meaning In sentences of the type noun is adjective, the adjective might be translated differently depending on whether the verb ser or estar is used. For example, es seguro often means it is safe, while est seguro usually means he or she is certain. 9. No Superlative Forms Spanish doesnt use suffixes such as -er or -est to indicate superlatives. Instead, the adverb is used. Thus, the bluest lake or the bluer lake is el lago ms azul. 10. Some Are Apocopated A few adjectives are shortened when they appear before singular nouns in a process known as apocopation. One of the most common is grande, which is shortened to gran, as in un gran ejà ©rcito for a great army.
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