Monday, December 30, 2019

The Importance Of Intercultural Communication - 1057 Words

Emerging of advance telecommunication and transportation technology make it easier for people to travel, do business or communicate across the world. Communicating with people from a wide range of cultures or intercultural communication is highly possible in many situations such as diplomacy, businesses and education. Understanding of differences between cultures can help improve communication effectiveness (Trenholm, 2016). Moreover, intercultural understanding is beneficial for avoiding misunderstanding among people who have different cultural background (Merkina et al., 2014). To gain insight into cultural differences, Hofstede (1980) suggest a model that has been widely used for describing cultures. The model includes four cultural†¦show more content†¦The significant difference in the score indicate that people in the UK tend to use more direct communication and have higher degree in self-esteem and self-promotion. Moreover, individualist would pay more attention to the mselves rather than consider others, so they are likely to be less kind in dealing with other than those who are more collectivist. Masculinity in the aspect of Hofstede’s dimension is linked to self-sufficiency (Hofstede, 2001 cited in Merkina et al., 2014). Masculine societies tend to be competitive and have less concern for other people. In contrast, feminine societies seem to value social harmony instead of personal need and be unambitious (Merkina et al., 2014). There are linkages between Hofstede’s score of masculinity (Hofstede, 2017a) and country’s happiness. The high-ranking countries in the World Happiness Report (United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2017) usually have low score in masculinity or be feminine. At a score of 8, Norway is the second most feminine society in the world. Norwegian society prefer quality of life rather than success in life. Well-being of people in the society is more important than being better than others and personal status. Free time and flexibility are considered. Furthermore, taking care of the environment is encouraged (Hofstede , 2017b). In contrast, the UK is masculine society that is driven by success in life. British people tend to have high ambition and focus more onShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Intercultural Communication830 Words   |  4 Pagesthat for a person to achieve better and more effective communication competence, it is necessary to develop skills that allow an appropriate participation in specific situations. The ability to listen, ask questions, and express concepts or ideas effectively is an important part of communication competence. Intercultural communication presents an unexplored and challenging field that needs to be understood for a better development in communication. (Dillon and McKenzie, 1998). The variables of listeningRead MoreThe Importance Of Intercultural Communication1050 Words   |  5 PagesCommunication can be performed using different means, including languages such as English, where it has become preferable and prominent for both local and global interaction am ong people of different cultural backgrounds. The high demand in acquiring English for international politics, science and technology has led to the global spread of the language. Consequently, English is recognised as an international language, and its ownership is considered to be denationalised and renationalised. The understandingRead MoreImportance of Intercultural Communication to Ist7702 Words   |  31 Pagesinteract in that world. We believe the source of how a culture views the world can be found in its deep structure. It is this deep structure that unifies and makes each culture unique. Meaning of the Deep Structure of Culture Although many intercultural communication problems occur on the interpersonal level, most serious confrontations and misunderstandings are as a result of cultural differences that go to the basic core of what it means to be a member of one culture or another. Cultural collisionsRead MoreIntercultural Communication : Interaction Between International Students And Japanese Peers1451 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: Intercultural Communication refers to the interaction between different cultural communities; the sharing of information across language and cultures is known as intercultural communication. The main aim of this communication is to understand the different culture, tradition and interact accordingly. The intercultural literacy provides understanding and satisfaction in the communication. They are many problems which are faced due to lack of proper intercultural communication. In an articleRead MoreIntercultural Communication At The Health Of Indigenous Australians Essay1301 Words   |  6 Pagescommunicate proficiently with other cultures is paramount. Intercultural communication is becoming increasingly important in the healthcare industry as many workers must learn how to communicate effectively with people from other cultures. For many businesses, effective intercultural communication stands to bring them increased business and profits; however, in the health care industry, effective intercultural communication carries greater importance as it affects patients’ physical and mental well-beingRead MoreCan Anyone Imagine the World without Communication648 Words   |  3 Pagesanyone imagine the world without communication? For the most of the people communication is something that comes naturally and binds them together so they can live, work, share ideas together or create something that is unique and priceless. Today life is impossible without communication, and we should be concentrated to make communication more efficient and more natural. We are living in a world full of diversity and we must find a formula how to lower the communication barrier that is present. It isRead MoreDiversity Within The Workplace And How Communication Is The Driving Force Behind It Essay1463 Words   |  6 PagesDiversity in the workplace and how communication is the driving force behind it. Workplace diversity can be described as â€Å"all the differences in age, gender, sexual orientation, education, cultural background, religion, and life experience† (Okora Washington, 2012, as cited in Mulkeen, 2008). Another functional definition of diversity is being cultural, racial, or sex-based. An organization’s definition and viewpoint concerning diversity guides the strength of its employees to connect and communicateRead MoreHow Adolescence Should Be Given Opportunities For Communication Among Individuals From Different Cultures13 99 Words   |  6 Pagesopportunity to communicate and form bonds with individuals from another culture so that they may form intercultural friendships in a nation that continues to grow increasingly diverse. This paper explores five published articles pertaining to communication among individuals from different cultures. More specifically focusing on intercultural friendships and the importance of creating opportunities for communication across cultures in adolescents. This paper recognizes a study by the University of WisconsinRead MoreVerbal Communication : Nonverbal Communication905 Words   |  4 PagesBusiness communication is a skill not everyone has; it is however something that can be learned. Many people think of only verbal skills when working on their business communication; however some forget how nonverbal cues can affect a message. Nonverbal communication can make or break a business conversation. If a potential partner interprets nonverbal communication conveying a different message than the verbal does it can lead to complications when trying to close an opportunity. As the world hasRead MoreKnowledge And Skills Of Intercultural Communication1356 Words   |  6 PagesKnowledge and skills in intercultural communication are pertinent to aspects of our citizenship rights and responsibilities through the communication of information; regarding how varying ethnicities, races and cultures perceive their dues. In particular, the conveyance of information from dissimilar cultures enabling an awareness of cultural relativism thus allowing citizens to be knowledgeable of how these rights and responsibilities are discerned in other cultures. Furthermore, allowing citizens

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Family Interventions During The Child Welfare - 1184 Words

As my group was one of the two child welfare groups, we opted to have the social worker be employed by the Department of Social Services. The family consisted of George and Mallory Smith, a Caucasian couple in their mid-thirties looking to adopt. As they were unable to conceive, they were seeking to adopt a Caucasian infant to round out their family. For the intervention phase, there were two main goals for the session. The first was to inform Mr. and Mrs. Smith that the Department of Social Services (DSS) had found a baby boy, Brian, who would be a possible match for their family. The second was to update them on where they were in the adoption process and to enlighten them on what to expect in the following months. In order to do this†¦show more content†¦Referring to the North Carolina Kids Adoptions and Foster Care Network, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Adopt Us Kids, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and other websites to familiarize mysel f with the process of adoption. Amber Whitley also sent information she had obtained in one of her classes; the worksheets included information pertaining to the rights of adoptive parents, the forms prospective parents are required to fill out, and the information that should be explained during meetings with families. I had also emailed friends from my former church to ask them about their experiences when they were adopting their children. However, they did not respond before our group filmed out role play. Overall, I believe I did a decent job on my first family role play. As previously mentioned, the two goals of the session were to remind Mr. and Mrs. Smith where they were in the adoption process and to inform them that DSS had found a child believed to be a good fit for them. During the five minutes we met, I was able to explain to the Smiths what was already completed and what the next steps would be. I also informed them that baby Brian was selected by DSS to become the newest member of the Smith family. My body language predominantly demonstrated nonpossessive warmth. Warmth is the result when a social worker exhibits â€Å"acceptance, understanding, and interest in client well-being to make them feel safe† despite their

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Academic Joint Ventures And Business Aspects Education Essay Free Essays

As with any concern partnership between an U.S. corporation and a Latin American corporation, universities that spouse to offer academic plans must see the fiscal and operational facets of such partnerships. We will write a custom essay sample on Academic Joint Ventures And Business Aspects Education Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now This paper deals with international partnerships between universities as research labs for coaction between concerns. The elements that make for a successful articulation venture go beyond the academic issues of content and how that content is delivered to pupils. This paper deals with the concern and inter-university relationships in developing and implementing articulation or collaborative grade plans between universities. It does non cover with traditional exchange plans or double grade plans where one of the universities is the dominant establishment at which the pupils really earn the grade. ; instead the coaction here deals with the joint development and offering of course of study by the establishments as equal spouses that leads to the awarding of a joint or collaborative grade. Regis University, founded in 1877, is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the United States. The university enrolls more than 16,000 pupils who study at its Denver, Colorado campus, seven other regional campuses and on-line via distance acquisition. The University has developed relationships with the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland, and ITESO in Guadalajara, Mexico every bit good as other relationships with schools in other parts of the universe. This paper concentrates on the relationships with the Ulster, Galway and ITESO for intents of the research theoretical account. The University of Ulster is the major university in Northern Ireland and is portion of the higher educational system in the United Kingdom. Ulster is similar to Regis University in that both have multiple campus that serve diverse populations and both have extended on-line educational plans. The National University of Ireland in Galway is involved in extended educational partnerships throughout Europe and in Asia every bit good as supplying extended go oning instruction grade plans for working grownups within the state. ITESO, located in Guadalajara, Mexico, is a Jesuit university as is Regis University. ITESO offers a important figure of academic and go oning professional development plans for working grownups and via its distance instruction scheduling. ITESO participates in an extended web of schools throughout North and Latin America every bit good as in Europe and Asia. Literature The educational literature has a great trade of research refering the traditional pupil exchange plans between international universities every bit good as survey abroad, and double grade plans, yet there is small about the development and operation of jointly developed and operated degree plans. The double grade plans in the literature be given to be coactions where one of the universities offers the grade ( typically the U.S. spouse ) and the other school provides pupils. In many instances these double grade plans allow the pupils of either school to reassign a specific figure of classs into the other grade and to take classs at each school. But the pupils are normally considered degree seeking at the dominant spouse in the relationship. What needs to be looked at is how we develop and guarantee that both the U.S. school and the school in the other state is a full and equal spouse in the coaction. One such partnership that seems to signal such a alteration is the joint partnership between the British Council and the state of Brazil. In an article depicting this partnership Canto and Hannah ( 2001 ) stated that â€Å" ( vitamin E ) quality in the proviso of financess has a practical and symbolic significance aˆÂ ¦ , meaning that this is a coaction that sets out to replace traditional north-south relationships of giver and receiver with echt academic partnerships † ( P. 27. ) What the writers were seeking to state and what seems to be needed in developing such international coactions is that there is a demand for common regard and engagement where both organisations bring similar or complementary accomplishments and resources to the tabular array as opposed to the traditional theoretical account which typic ally has the U.S. or European university supplying the existent educational chances at the U.S. school with the bulk of the pupils coming from the other state. What their paper efforts to make is analyze the relationship between the U.S. school and the Latin American school in a different visible radiation. Canto and Hannah ( 2001 ) paraphrased Altbach ( 1981 ) in which Altbach commented on the quandary 3rd universe universities so had in deriving acknowledgment even though academic public presentation and research in the 3rd universe had improved greatly over the old ages since World War II. It seems that the perceptual experience was that the establishments in the U.S. and Europe have the monopoly on cognition and the 3rd universe is in demand of that cognition. Such attitudes continue and have limited cooperation and coaction. Canto and Hannah believe that since the late 1970 ‘s schools in the U.S. and Europe have entered into horizontal partnerships that include three elements: â€Å" ( a ) the being of old cognition of the other spouse to set up realistic outlooks † which came from Samoilovich ‘s work in the 1990 â⠂¬Ëœs, â€Å" ( B ) the echt sharing of each other ‘s experiences † which they got from work done by Balan in the 1990 ‘s, and â€Å" ( degree Celsius ) the application of each other ‘s cognition instead than a one-way transportation † of cognition from the dominant school, which came from work done by Bor and Shute in the 1990 ‘s. ( 2001, P. 32. ) Some issues identified by Canto and Hannah ( 2001 ) include: holding a clear apprehension of each spouse ‘s strengths and failings, holding a great trade of trust in each other, low degrees of struggle an equal partnership where both spouses are respected for what each brings to the relationship, acknowledging that linguistic communication can be a barrier, and holding regard for each school ‘s cultural differences. Canto and Hannah ( 2001 ) besides looked at three links that need to be considered. These are linguistics, sociology, and engineering. Each of these demands to be considered when developing a partnership where both schools play an equal function in developing the academic course of study and be aftering the concern theoretical account for operations. This was re-enforced by Shaw ( 2006 ) who speaks to the importance of understanding political environments in each state every bit good as within each establishment involved in the partnership. He farther commented that the â€Å" ( s ) tability of a joint venture refers to the length of service of the relationship, and it is dependent, in portion, upon the combination and communicating between theaˆÂ ¦partners † ( P. 439. ) Shaw ( 2006 ) besides identified barriers that must be considered in developing partnerships in the academic sphere. These tend to back up what Canto and Hannah ( 2001 ) noted in their research. Shaw spoke to fiscal support, division of work and control, struggle, cultural differences, and environmental factors ( P. 442. ) An interesting fact is that international joint ventures have declined in figure over the past decennary ( Popper, 2002 ) and while Popper is talking by and large about transnational companies, she notes that much of the diminution is because the spouses have different involvements. Popper ‘s remarks tend to back up the treatment above refering issues to be alert about when developing coactions between U.S. or European universities and their opposite numbers in Latin America. Chowdhury and Chowdhury ( 2002 ) remark that it is of import to develop â€Å" synergism among the spouse houses ( P. 52. ) They further speak to the symmetric houses holding an inducement for organizing the partnership in the demand to increase demand ( p. 57. ) If this is translated into an educational partnership, so the end may good be to increase demand for higher instruction in one or both states – or at least the demand for an instruction from the spouse schools. Finally Nadler and Nadler ( 1990 ) speak to the demand to see the homo resource demands in joint ventures. They commented that â€Å" the fluctuation in cultural norms from state to state should be recognized and understood † ( p. 71 ) when sing human resource issues. Each spouse may hold different accomplishments and cognition to impart to the coaction and this needs to be understood and planned for. Nadler and Nadler farther noted that both spouses in a joint venture must understand that each spouse may miss some human resources capacity and that may necessitate to be developed. Lessons Learned from Regis University and its Spouses Relationship Building The literature clearly noted that one of the keys to success with international collaborative ventures is the development of relationships ( Canto A ; Hannah, 2001, Shaw, 2006, Popper, 2002, Chowdhury and Chowdhury, 2002, and Nadler A ; Nadler, 1990. ) Based on an analysis of the international coactions between Regis University, Denver, Colorado and the three international spouses introduced before, relationship edifice likely is foremost in those elements that ensured success and when non to the full developed, resulted in failure. Prior to get downing to develop any academic plans with ITESO in Guadalajara and the National University of Ireland in Galway ( NUIG ) both schools spent considerable clip acquiring to cognize each other. In the instance of NUIG the partnership began with senior functionaries at both schools meeting through a 3rd party and so merely researching possible chances over a twosome of old ages. The same occurred with ITESO. Representatives of both schools foremost met through a conference sponsored by AJCU and AUSCAL in Guadalajara and so about a twelvemonth subsequently at an IAJBS educational conference. That led to farther contacts and visits. During these meetings and societal contacts, both parties got to cognize the people and their civilizations, and developed a trusting relationship. In the first instance, these contacts led to the formation of a joint Irish Studies plan online between NUIG and Regis University. The plan was designed to be little in order to develop a working relat ionship and has continued. Later that plan led to the development and execution of an on-line alumnus grade in package technology. The relationship at ITESO resulted in execution of a joint MBA grade where pupils from both schools can gain an extra grade from each by taking nucleus classs at the place establishment and so a series of classs at the other. This relationship is now leting ITESO and Regis University to look at traveling into a jointly offered grade for the remainder of Latin America. An illustration of a plan that likely failed because the relationship was non adequately developed before seeking to implement a plan was the joint MS grade in International Management between Regis University and the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. Here the determination to travel forward was made really rapidly by the top decision makers in each school. No clip was allowed for the module of each university to acquire to cognize each other and work together before planning. This resulted in miscommunications about course of study, policies, civilization in each state and the schools themselves, every bit good as other administrative issues. When the Numberss of pupils did non happen in the beginning, it was easy to merely end the understanding. Relationship edifice in any concern venture is critical to the success of the venture. In higher instruction it may be even more of import since the success of the joint venture or coaction depends on people wholly. The strength of the Regis-NUIG relationship is a personal 1 between a twosome of persons at each establishment that has led to other personal relationships between module and staff at each school. While there is a common linguistic communication, there are still differences in civilization and model. ITESO is a Jesuit university as is Regis University so there was an bing bond, yet it was the development of the personal relationships between module and staff at both schools that ensured a successful partnership. Fiscal Issues Fiscal issues can be a deal-breaker if non handled suitably in any joint venture, but possibly even more so when working across international boundary lines. The development of a strong trusting relationship will assist both spouses work through struggles that may originate refering who contributes what fiscal and physical resources and how disbursals are accounted for. The relationship with ITESO was assisted by a grant from the First Data/Western Union foundation that provided monies to make some conferences in Mexico for civil sector workers and organisations with ITESO and others taking a leading function in Mexico. The grant besides provided dollars to get down be aftering a certification ( sheepskin ) plan in the civil sector country and for conveying some module from ITESO to Regis during the summer intensives the University holds each twelvemonth. From this get downing the concern and direction modules began speaking about the joint MBA construct which subsequently developed into the current offering between the two schools. There are a figure of ways to develop the concern program that can impact the fiscal resources needed for the successful execution of the collaborative attempt. One theoretical account is to merely hold each school wage for its ain costs and so split the grosss generated. This avoids the job of finding methods for apportioning disbursals. Each establishment decides what budgetary disbursals should be included in the undertaking. It may besides avoid the job of costs at one location being more or less than the other. One disadvantage may be that the theoretical account relies on each to equitably back up the operational disbursals. If the coaction is online there likely needs to be some expression for the on-line production and hosting of the classs. Sharing the grosss besides has advantages and disadvantages. It does presume that there is some equity in the Numberss of pupils recruited by each spouse ; otherwise, it is possible one school is lending more than the other. A 2nd theoretical account is to still hold each school budget its ain disbursals, but have each school keep the grosss it generates through its ain recruiting attempts. This theoretical account might include each school counterbalancing the other when a pupil takes a class ( s ) from the other school. Or each school merely keeps the gross it generates. The advantage to this theoretical account is that it is clear and each school is individually at hazard. The disadvantage is that presuming costs are equal in most instances, one school may bring forth more gross than the other one and therefore the partnership might be uneven. A 3rd theoretical account is to develop a individual agreed upon budget and so apportion costs based on what services and resources are provided by each establishment. It follows that grosss would besides be allocated on a similar expression. This theoretical account ensures that each school is accountable to the whole since each has a interest in the result. Like the old theoretical account the challenge will be to maintain some kind of para in the relationship. Costss for such coactions include: selling and recruiting disbursals, production costs for online development, module and staff costs, aggregations disbursals and other administrative operating expense, and start-up disbursals. Depending on the size of the coaction these can be rather dearly-won to each organisation. Each of these will be dealt with in assorted subdivisions of the paper to follow. Another component of fundss to believe about is the international pecuniary exchange rate and how that is calculated. Historically, the exchange has been based on the U.S. dollar, but in the current economic environment the fluctuation in exchange rates takes on an importance that may non hold been at that place in the yesteryear. If the two schools portion grosss, it can be debatable finding at what point the exchange rate is fixed. Along with the exchange rate is the inquiry of whose currency payments are made in. Each spouse may be bear downing tuition in its ain currency which makes it hard to find if the charges to pupils are tantamount. Such dialogues have had important impacts on the coactions between Regis University and its spouses. The coaction with NUIG requires each spouse to budget its ain disbursals, nevertheless, there is a expression for points such as selling disbursals and some overhead that vary between states. In Europe it is common to non bear down pupils for required texts and to utilize other beginnings, while in the U.S. pupils typically pay for their ain books and more frequently than non text editions are required. How do the spouses determine an just manner of covering with these differences? Both Regis and NUIG agreed on a expression for dividing the grosss earned from pupil tuitions ; of class, during the first few old ages at that place have ever been minor dialogues as to how that works at the terminal of the twelvemonth when the transportation of monies occurs. With the coaction with ITESO, the current undertaking has each school responsible for its ain disbursals including selling and enli sting. Each school besides charges its ain tuition for all classs in the plan and so each spouse compensates the other for those classs taken at the spouse school by its pupils. However, ITESO and Regis University came to an understanding on what the tuition would be for this plan. Compensation for pupils taking classs at the other spouse is in that school ‘s currency. For the Ulster venture, the allotment was more complicated and included negociating all disbursals and costs every bit good as the tuition rate. Each school shared in the budget based on a negotiated expression. This proved to be slightly dissentious. If either establishment is come ining the understanding with the purpose of functioning 1000s of pupils and doing important net incomes they will probably be disappointed. While larning from one another and come ining markets that might hold been out of range are surely worthwhile and come-at-able ends, doing more than a modest net income is non. The financials developed prior to come ining the understanding between Regis University and Ulster promised tremendous net income. The failure of this net income to happen was one more nail in the casket of that venture. One lesson learned was that maintaining it every bit simple as possible is in the best involvement of both spouses. While the ITESO coaction merely late the purpose has been that this theoretical account will ensue in a better direction procedure for disbursals. Merchandise Development Here we speak in footings of course of study development every bit good as production of online classs. It is likely that occupants in each state or part of the universe will hold different demands and desires when it comes to the course of study, how that course of study is offered, and what is expected in the manner of work. The modules at both schools need to come to understanding on what the course of study will include in order to outdo service diverse pupil organic structures. The modules of ITESO and Regis University spent considerable clip working together on placing the acquisition results for a collaborative MBA and what classs might be appropriate and the sum of clip it might take to finish the grades. In the instance of this partnership it was decided that each school would go on to offer classs that already exist. In add-on it was determined that each university ‘s pupils needed to finish the nucleus at the place school and so take five classs from the other school which would transcripted at both. ITESO teaches its classs in Spanish and Regis teaches its classs in English. For the NUIG coaction, each school became responsible for developing half of the course of study, so dialogues centered on what type of classs and content ought to be included and which school is responsible for which courses. This procedure took considerable clip and communications between the modules at each school. For most of the classs each school was able to accommodate its ain class work for the coaction. Regis University and the University of Ulster besides developed a theoretical account where each school developed half of the course of study ; nevertheless, it was decided to get down from abrasion. The construct included both modules working together on the content. This created important jobs in coming to understanding and probably besides contributed to the eventual expiration of the understanding. Production includes finding who and how classs will be written and produced for on-line presentation. It is imperative that the classs be offered on one platform so the understanding needs to specify which school hosts the plan and how the modules of the two schools participate with the development squad. Selling Determining the mark market is a important facet of the coaction. The other inquiry that must be asked and answered is who is responsible for making the selling and enlisting. In the instance of the Ulster coaction, the negotiated understanding stated that while both schools would make selling, Regis University would be responsible for most of the attempt. Ulster would host the classs on its WebCT platform. This proved to be a job since the Regis selling squad had no experience selling a plan in another state and had to play catch up. With both ITESO and NUIG each school markets to its ain market, which seems to be a better attack. This besides means that each school identifies who the mark market will be. In the instance of the Ulster coaction it was Regis University ‘s function to place the European market which proved to be much more hard than idea. Consideration must be given to making marketing surveies in the states to be involved. Such surveies need to include who are the possible pupils, their companies, whether the companies assist in paying the tuition, and what the tuition scope will be. If the coaction will include offering the degree plan beyond the two states, what are the planetary considerations. Agreement is needed between the spouses on what is to be marketed. Here once more cultural differences and regional differences play a portion. What may work in the U.S. is non needfully what will work in Latin America. One inquiry to inquire is whether the possible pupil population is ready and willing to take part in the plan. One premise is that a combined U.S./Latin American or U.S./European grade is something that will be sought after if offered. And if so are pupils willing to make so via the cyberspace. It appears that leting each spouse to make its ain selling is the best option for a figure of grounds. These include cognition of the local civilization and peoples, cognition of the types of selling that work best, and costs included. For illustration in the North American market making internet gross revenues may be a better attack while in Europe direct gross revenues may work better. Technology Technology is non merely the platform and class direction system to be used in offering the coaction. It besides includes cognizing what engineering the possible market has entree to, the set breadth in the states and sub-regions of states, costs of entree to the cyberspace, and even clip zone issues that affect use. Latin America has long used orbiter transmittal and wireless transmittal for certificate/diploma plans since these engineerings have been available. Switch overing to the cyberspace to convey educational plans is a new manner of making this, and the possible pupils need to hold entree to the engineering. And they need to desire to make so. One of the lessons obtained from the Ulster coaction was that the selling survey showed that pupils in northern Europe had ready entree to the cyberspace and to the engineering to entree it. At the same clip the farther South in Europe one went the less likely it was that possible pupils would entree the cyberspace either because of no involvement or because there was non ready entree. A inquiry for the partnership with ITESO is that one time it expands beyond the regional country served by ITESO, will possible pupils have the engineering and entree to take part. In some instances this may necessitate a committedness from the individual ‘s employer to supply entree through the corporate web. Legal and Governmental One frequently does non believe about or see the legal and governmental issues that can be involved in international coactions. This is a important facet of concern partnerships since international trade is governed by many regulations and ordinances. In most academic exchange plans there are few limitations even for double grades when merely one spouse really offers the grade. However, for the types of partnerships addressed by this paper, there are many considerations. First are accreditation issues. For Regis University, the Higher Learning Commission ( HLC ) of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges ( NCA ) must at least reappraisal such coactions prior to their execution. For the spouses there may be a demand to hold the instruction ministry for the state review the undertaking and O.K. it. Such blessings are required if the grades are to be jointly awarded and the course of study is being shared by both schools. Issues include transcripting of credits and the grades, module makings, academic quality and appraisal, and many other concerns. There may be specific governmental limitations or regulations that must be met in each state. These may be academic constituents or things like pupil funding issues, travel limitations, visa demands if pupils travel between states, pecuniary policies, and contract regulations and ordinances. An interesting obstruction discovered after the partnership was ready to get down in Ireland was the find that Irish Constitution requires any grade offered by NUIG to be entirely awarded by the National University of Ireland. That created jobs since NUIG and Regis had planned on presenting a joint grade for the alumnus grade in package technology. The solution was to hold the pupils decide which state he/she wanted the grade from after which the pupil completed the finishing touch for that university. Besides the grade being awarded from either NUIG or Regis University, the schools jointly give the pupils a parchment that describes the joint venture and that the grade is recorded at each school. The University of Ulster did non hold such jobs since it is located in Northern Ireland which is portion of the United Kingdom. Ulster was authorized to find its ain grade awarding regulations and so it was all right to present a joint grade. However, Ulster believed there were other regulat ions that affected how the plan could be structured. In both instances outside judges needed to be involved at the terminal of each twelvemonth to reexamine pupil advancement and base on balls on whether the pupils met academic criterions. This was something new for Regis University. The stiff regulations in Northern Ireland likely besides contributed to the struggle that finally resulted in the plan being terminated. ITESO must run into the academic regulations in consequence in Mexico ; nevertheless, because of ITESO ‘s position with the instruction ministry, it is authorized to develop a coaction that includes jointly presenting grades. In add-on the Mexican higher instruction system operates in a mode more similar to the United States theoretical account. Another regulative issue involves standards used by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business ( AACSB ) which frequently requires that both spouses be AACSB accredited. This lone affects concern and direction plans, but since that is the country where most of these ventures will happen the regulation is important. If pupils must go to the other location, in-migration regulations apply. This could be an obstruction for some. Faculty certificates and makings are besides something to see. The accreditation organic structures will interested how each spouse evaluates and assesses the certificates of the module involved. Regis University and its spouses have chosen to follow standards that province that each school accepts the credentialing procedure of the other school. Language Language is an of import factor. Even when the coaction is between an U.S. school and a European one ( including Ireland and the UK ) there are communicating jobs since idioms may be well different and difficult to understand. The issue of linguistic communication is even more of import when the partnership is between an U.S. university and one in Latin America. One inquiry to reply is whether all or some or none of the module demand to be bilingual to take part in the plan? This seems to hold been resolved with the Regis/ITESO coaction. Since the classs taught by ITESO are in Spanish and the 1s taught by Regis are taught in English, it was decided that being bi-lingual is non necessary. It is necessary of the pupils, nevertheless. Clarity is besides something to see in joint ventures. Given cultural and linguistic communication differences it is really of import to often corroborate that all parties are speaking about the same things. Even when there is a common linguistic communication, such as American English and British or Irish English, false blood relations ( i.e. disciplinas and Disciplines ; cursos and coursesaˆÂ ¦ etc. ) further complicate the affair. Frequent rewording and reappraisal aid to get the better of such jobs. As Canto and Hannah ( 2001 ) noted, linguistic communication can be an obstruction and must be considered. Language besides impacts how each spouse approaches selling. Leadership Issues Effective leading is a must in any coaction. The senior leadership/management at both spouses must be actively supportive of the venture. This includes a committedness for both administrative and fiscal support every bit good as supplying ample resources for module. Without such committedness it will be much more hard to implement and keep the coaction. However, such committedness can besides be a negative if each spouse does non affect the in-between direction leaders and module early on. One illustration of where leading ended up being a major job was the coaction between Regis University and the University of Ulster. The understanding to travel forward was made by the Vice Chancellor of Ulster and the petition to take part came from him without much work done to develop the relationship with the Faculty of Business and Management at Ulster. There was opposition to this new venture, particularly since the module believed they were already successful and were non certain they wanted to make this undertaking. Both schools besides appointed module leads who did non pass on good with each other which all excessively frequently met struggle and dissensions. On the other manus, the senior leading at both ITESO and NUIG were supportive from the beginning, but they knew that it was of import to construct the relationship foremost. In both instances the presidents or other senior leaders encouraged coaction and allowed for the relationship to develop. Faculty were besides empowered. This reduced the likeliness there would be opposition and struggle. Any clip there are alterations in leading and/or structural alterations to an establishment it may do it more hard for a fledgeling understanding to travel frontward. Any relationship such as those described in this paper is bound to ab initio be dependent in portion on the personal relationships established between the representatives of the establishments instead than between the establishments themselves. Merely with clip will be relationships become institutional instead than personal and even so it is incumbent on both establishments to proactively work to guarantee the on-going verve of the relationship. Leader support is critical to such enterprises since resources need to be committed and there is a likely demand to use fund long before any plan is really launched. Academic Outcomes Obviously academic quality is cardinal to any coaction. Students in such ventures want to be assured that the grade will be respected and will open doors. One ground pupils will desire to matriculate in such joint coactions is to acquire a place in an international organisation, whether that is in computing machine scientific discipline or concern. This takes on-going and uninterrupted work and coaction between the modules, appraisal of larning results, and guaranting quality experiences for pupils. Part of this includes working with the spouse. For illustration, in the coaction with NUIG, both schools committed to utilizing the outside reviewer theoretical account to yearly measure and measure pupil achievements. Training and go oning instruction for module is critical in such partnerships. Faculty from different states must work collaboratively. To make this these must be commitment to academic quality every bit good as quality and readily available pupil service and advising. Concluding Notes There are first-class grounds to look at organizing international coactions to offer joint grade plans. Such coaction ensures international Bridgess between states and civilizations. In a changing universe environment it may be even more of import that pupils and module, particularly at the alumnus degree, experience international civilizations and instruction. Much of what must be practiced externally in order to do such coactions work is no unlike that which should be in topographic point internally. Transparency, regard for one another, financial duty, realistic outlooks, quality control and a shared desire to function pupils and learn from one another surely will do such coactions more likely to win. It is besides of import to acknowledge that they may non all win and that larning from those that do n’t is merely more likely to do subsequent attempts, with the same or different spouses, more rewarding. Jesuit instruction attempts have reached out to the universe since shortly after Ignatius of Loyola brought together his little set of comrades. Ignatian humanitarianism and spiritualty tell us that it is of import to get down with a individual ‘s experiences and so to construct on them, to convey understanding among all peoples. International coactions to offer joint grade plans bring these Jesuit values together across boundary lines and across oceans. How to cite Academic Joint Ventures And Business Aspects Education Essay, Essay examples

Friday, December 6, 2019

Management Planning and Control techniques

Question: Discuss about the Project Management Planning and Control techniques. Answer: Introduction The project management is a set of techniques that are being, used by several organizations to obtain their operational and strategic objectives in recent times (Kerzner 2013). Projects are, generally used for enabling changes and allowing the organizations to implement new strategies effectively. And, hence these projects need an effective project management system. The Denver International Airport also known as DIA is located at Denver, Colorado in USA (Grace 2014). It is the largest airport in United States by Total area. This report is generally, based on the case study of the project on The Denver Airport baggage system in 1990. This report consists of the problems faced in the projects and the recommendation about the solutions of those problems. Project Problems The project was a huge disaster. The system was the most complex baggage system in the world. The system had faced multiple failures. Line Balancing: For optimizing the system performances, distribution of empty carts had to be made (Fleszar 2016). They had to be ready to pick up new bags. There were more than 100 pick-up points. So, it was very difficult to meet the needs of all the pick-up points by supplying enough number of empty carts to them. It was very difficult to design any kind of algorithm for anticipating where the empty carts should be queued. As a result there would be a delay in picking up the bags and ultimately would create a delay in the whole procedure. Initiation of the process: The whole process of constructing the system and requesting for bids of system was only, started in 1991. As a result, of this delay in initiation only two years were, left for completion of the system and testing them within the stipulated time. Decision to proceed: There was a change in the strategy for implementing the system. The project management team had assumed that the baggage handling arrangements would be, made by the airlines on their own. That was changed when, the project management team had a realization that an integrated system was to be built. They realized that they were required to take full responsibility about this and run the project themselves. This was an impossible task in a span of two years. Hence, it was a very bad decision by the project management team and BAE to proceed with the project knowing that the stipulated time is very less. Schedule and budget commitments: In the project, BAE made a commitment for completion of the project within the stipulated time and resource. But, the people in Higher level of management structure of BAE had failed to recognize the level of importance of the project and they had underestimated the complexities involved in completion of the project. As a result, it was not possible to complete the project within the stipulated time and the budget increased considerably above estimation. Design of the buildings and physical structure: The baggage system and the buildings, represents a single system that is integrated (Skorupski and Uchronski 2015). As because, the baggage system and the other physical structure would share services such as, the electrical supply. The designing of the physical building was started way before, the designing of the baggage system. Hence, the physical building team only kept allowances for the baggage system that they thought would be enough. But, the allowances were not enough for the baggage system. Hence, the baggage system was required to, be implemented within the stipulated scope. So, it had to make sharp turns and this increased the load placed on the system. The stresses that were, applied on the turns were major contributors to the breakdown of the system. Risk Management Failures: The project has come across several technical problems for which no allowances were in place. One of the major problem was that the power fluctuation of the electrical systems (McNeil et al. 2015). As a result the system crashed. The resolution to this problem was installation of filters within the power system. This again took more time for testing and installation of the filters. This was a very predictable issue but was not resolved properly as a result, of careless risk management by the project management team. Architectural and Design issues: The system consisted of near about 100 PCs, which were, connected via a network. Failure in any one of them could result in outage. This was because there no backup system in place for the failed systems. In addition to this, the system was unable to detect jam, which caused a greater in convenience. Recommendation The following theories can be, recommended for an effective Project Management: Project Life Cycle: The project life cycle is series of activities that is to be, followed in order create an effective project (Burke 2013). There are four stages of a project life cycle. The four stages are:- Initiation: This phase of project management is involved with developing a case, doing a feasibility study, appointing a project team and setting up a project office. Planning: Creating a Project plan, Resource plan, financial plan, Quality plan, Risk plan, Acceptance plan, Communications plan and contacting the suppliers are done in this phase. Execution: This phase is generally concerned with building the deliverables. Monitoring and Controlling are, also done in this phase. Closure: In this phase, the project closure is performed and the project completion is reviewed. Game theory: Game theory is a concept that can be, applied to almost all disciplines (Colman 2016). The game theory can be applied to project management also especially for the negotiation and decision-making processes. This theory attempts to predict any individuals success in making decisions, depending on the others choices. Game theory is an excellent tool for project management. Prince 2: The prince2 was developed, and extensively used by the UK government (Waheed 2014). It is a very flexible technique that, guides individuals and organizations through the essentials for running a project successfully. Critical Chain project management: Critical chain project management is a methodology used for executing, planning and managing projects in multi-project and in single project environments. It was develop by Dr. Eli Goldratt (Goldratt and Cox 2016). Process-based Management: The process-based management is a technique that makes an alignment of the mission, vision and the core values of the systems of the business. It defines the policies, that is, governing the operations of the company. It ensures that the company is not only efficient but also very effective. Lean project Management: The main principle of lean project management is lean manufacturing that is to focus on delivering the work by wasting less recourses and reduced time. It generally focuses on the continuous improvement of the company. Project Production Management: Project production management is an application of operation management. The main framework of the project production management is, based on view of a project as production systems. It is possible to apply the theory of project production management on larger capital projects. Megaprojects: A megaproject is extremely large projects having a large scope and has a high budget and longer time span. The generalization of the extreme programming to other kinds of projects is know as Megaprojects. Benefits Realization management: Benefits Realization management techniques generally does the management of a project focus generally on the benefits (love et al. 2014). This theory can generally reduces the risk of a project being a failure as they focus generally on the requirement or aims of the project. Conclusion For conclusion it can said that the DIA project can be, considered as a template for failure that many other projects can be followed. There were many aspects of project, that contributed, to the failure, but one central problem was the major contributor towards the project failure. The project management team had no prior idea of a system of such a huge scale. This resulted in failure of the project. In addition to all this, the automated baggage system was a very new concept and implementing it in such a huge scale was a matter of huge risk. The failure of the project could have been, avoided with proper planning and implementing proper risk management techniques. References Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques.New Jersey, USA. Colman, A.M., 2016.Game theory and experimental games: The study of strategic interaction. Elsevier. Fleszar, K., 2016. A new MILP model for the accessibility windows assembly line balancing problem level 2 (AWALBP-L2).European Journal of Operational Research. Goldratt, E.M. and Cox, J., 2016.The goal: a process of ongoing improvement. Routledge. Grace, S., 2014. Asset management strategy as Denver international airport approaches twenty-years-old. Kerzner, H., 2013.Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley Sons. Love, P.E., Matthews, J., Simpson, I., Hill, A. and Olatunji, O.A., 2014. A benefits realization management building information modeling framework for asset owners.Automation in construction,37, pp.1-10. McNeil, A.J., Frey, R. and Embrechts, P., 2015.Quantitative risk management: Concepts, techniques and tools. Princeton university press. Skorupski, J. and Uchro?ski, P., 2015. A fuzzy reasoning system for evaluating the efficiency of cabin baggage screening at airports.Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies,54, pp.157-175. Waheed, N., 2014. CMMI, PRINCE2 and PMBOKThe Big Three.Proc. of the International Confrerence on Advances in Computing and Information Technology, pp.6-9.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Minister`s Black Veil By Hawthorne Essays - The Ministers Black Veil

Minister`s Black Veil By Hawthorne In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil", the author chooses to mask the character of the minister with the black veil to construct an allegory that would compare sin concocted by imagination with unrecognized sin of one's self. With the story being set in the Puritan time period of the settlement of New England, as nearly all of Hawthorne's stories are, the reader can logically infer a certain set of value judgements. For instance, these people, being very sincere about their religion, are likely to see anything out of the ordinary, such as a black-veiled minister, as a serious issue that undermines their faith. On the surface the first sight of the veil not only confuses the congregation, but scares them as well. This man is supposed to be their most direct mode of communication with God, and to see him in what they perceive to be quite a bizarre condition, must make them feel that their religious lives may be in danger. Yet another character trait held by this community is its inability to cope with even the slightest bit of change. Something as trivial as a man covering his face with black crape paper literally whips this community into a frenzy. "I don't like it"(p.102), cried the old woman, "Our parson has gone mad"(102), cried Goodman Gary. Without even the slightest bit of investigation into the issue these people have brewed in their imaginations all sorts of theories as to what is so wrong with the minister. A third, and possibly most dangerous trait of the community, is its almost joyous inclination toward superstition. Whether you would like to call it Puritan myth or strait fact, this obsession with witchcraft and the supernatural is what made Puritan New England a dangerous place to live in the 17th century. This idea of the occult always seems to find its way into a Hawthorne story, and The Minister's Black Veil is no exception. Even the good doctor cannot help but mention, "the black veil, though it covers only our pastor's face, throws its influence over his whole person, and makes him ghostlike from head to foot."(p.105). The true allegory arises from these beliefs of the community, but does not wholly manifest it self until seen from the minister's point of view. Though he may contend that the veil personifies "sorrows dark enough to be typified by a black veil."(p.109), it is possible to infer that the veil is actually somewhat of an experiment by the minister. On the surface he may explain its meaning by some undefinable scruples he may hold, but underneath it represents a test of the community. By donning the black veil the minister realizes his fear that the people of his community are more obsessed with a sin they are sure the minister is hiding from, then their own sins that they live in everyday. Even his fellow man of the cloth Reverend Clark believes the minister must have some "horrible crime upon his soul"(p.113). Not a single person realizes the intent of the minister until his deathbed utterance that defiles the virtue of the community. Proof positive of this realization of their fault is the fact that while the minister was alive these people couldn't wait to remove the black veil, but once he is dead, unable to stop them from unmasking him, the veil follows him to his grave. Perhaps it is reverence toward the painful truth revealed by the minister that keeps the veil on his face, but more likely it is simply left on in the rush to bury the man who brought to light such a less than virtuous shortcoming. Like so many of Hawthorne's stories, the Minister's Black Veil personifies the fallible nature of a people so dedicated to living a life free of sin, when in fact they are simply ignoring the vices that rest under their own pillows.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Mount Saint Helen essays

Mount Saint Helen essays Mt. Saint Helen erupted but with enormous force in May of 1980. This eruption was so powerful that the ash covered three states. Unfortunate Washington, Idaho, and Oregon faced a $3 billion damage! Everything was destroyed and covered with ash and dust, the forests were ruined, the lakes clogged up, 62 people killed, homes destroyed, air conditioners became filthy, and much more. Yakima, Washington was affected the worst. Most people wore masks in order not to inhale the ash and the city was turned into a gray, smokey, dusty, filthy place. Other places closer to St. Helen was suffering from death! During that time schools and businesses were closed, therefore, preventing a lot of activity for the people who lived there. Mount St. Helen was not active for 123 years, but signals like the mountain was shaking made scientist observe it more. We were fortunate, though, because the volcano could have been much worse but today we have technology and help for each other which settle the destruction down a little! This shows how powerful nature can truly be! Mt. Saint Helen was a very beautiful mountain and was referred to be like Mt. Fuji, but extremely active. She is a type of strato volcano and was a magnitude of 5.1. The great movement made the winds become 175 miles per hour! The height of the volcano dropped, enormously! The destruction of plants and animals occurred as well. They were almost completely wiped out. It is estimated that 5,000 black-tailed deer, 1,500 Roosevelt elk, 200 black bears, and 15 mountain goats fell victim. Millions of small game, fish, birds and insects were also in the path of the eruption. Lots of gases were made by the volcano like methane. The plants and animals, today, slowly return but the lake has not fully recovered. So I conclude that, the eruption was massive and did a lot of damage! Mt. Saint Helen was so powerful that it had enough pressure to equal a hydrogen bomb! ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

EZL 124 Supporting children's learning in the early years Essay

EZL 124 Supporting children's learning in the early years - Essay Example Over time, I progressed to Nursery nurse, with a wide range of roles and responsibilities attached to my job. The thorough training I underwent taught me the importance of play; holistic approach to early years learning and safety of the children; evaluation of my work and identification of my weakness through deep reflection on my practice and the promotion of diversity, equality and inclusion of all children regardless of their abilities and cultural backgrounds. The centre helps and supports children, their families and staff when appropriate. I realized it was one of my passions to support and help children with special/ additional needs. The centre works with other agencies and professionals in supporting children’s positive development and promoting their welfare. It adheres to the policies set by the Every Child Matters, 14 national standards, Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and all other relevant policies and regulations. Personally, in my practice, I promote equal opportunity, inclusion , planning for children’s needs and interests, working with parents and being a positive role model to our students and volunteers as well as to less experienced staff. In doing so, I uphold the high standards of the centre and become one in its consistent provision of quality care. The five areas of Every Child Matters namely: Staying Safe; Being Healthy; Enjoying and Achieving; Making a Positive Contribution; and Achieving Economic Well-Being are all goals that the centre attempts to meet on a daily basis. Working with a team of colleagues hones my skills in interpersonal relations, planning for the children, and sharing and gaining knowledge about each child’s needs and children’s development in general. Parent relations are likewise maintained effectively as I keep the lines of communication open for them regarding their children. Networking with various professionals from different agencies involved with

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Owning a Computer for Writer Is Not Necessarily, Equal Right to an Essay

Owning a Computer for Writer Is Not Necessarily, Equal Right to an Equal Share of Resources - Essay Example The articles are on the case against helping the poor. The article argues that everyone on the earth has an equal right to an equal share of resources. In the current situation, two-thirds of the nation is poor and the other third comparatively rich with the United States being the richest of all. The article argues on the plans that are made by those countries that are rich and those that are not rich. This brings the difference between the countries. The third article is about sustainability. In the recent situation, the term sustainability has been wrongly used to refer to practices that are reputed to be more environmentally important than others. The term is indispensable and should be used as the cornerstone for all the planning that is used in a country. The axioms of sustainability are defined in the article. The first axiom is that a society that remains to use acute resources untenably will collapse. The second axiom is population growth or growth in the rates of consumption of resources cannot be sustained. The third axiom is that to be sustainable, the use of renewable sources must be preceded at the rate less than or equal to replenishment. The fourth axiom is that the use of nonrenewable energy sources and the rate at which they decline must be greater or equal to the rate of depletion. The last axiom brought about is that sustainability requires that the substance that is introduced into the environment from human ac tivities be reduced and compact harmless to biosphere roles. The issue that all three essays are concerned with is on resources. In the first essay, the argument is on the reasons that make the author not being able to buy a computer.  

Monday, November 18, 2019

All of us learn from our failures as well as successes. What is Essay

All of us learn from our failures as well as successes. What is something you gained from an unsuccessful experience - Essay Example With a borrowed capital from my father, I ventured into the business of selling candies and ice-creams. At the beginning, I seemed to make some meaningful progress. However, the number of customers began fading away and I could hardly make any sales. I was prepared to remain in business hoping that the business will eventually pick up. My parents encouraged me to keep on trying and they would help in preparing some of the candies at home. After five weeks, the business was not making any profits. Actually, it became increasingly difficult to break even on my capital investment and therefore, I eventually gave up. My father summoned me and we had a conversation in which he told me the reasons why my business failed. According to him, I was not adequately prepared to do any business since I did not have any background knowledge in business. He indeed encouraged me to put a lot of effort in school especially in business related courses if my aspirations are to become an entrepreneur. From this experience, I learned the importance of education in life. Knowledge is overwhelmingly important in every aspect of

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Development In Mobile And Internet Technology Media Essay

Development In Mobile And Internet Technology Media Essay Over the past decade internet and mobile technology has advanced considerably. In this assignment I will discuss advancements which created the world in which we live today. I will research advancements such as 4G, wireless networks, fiber optics, PayPal, mobile banking, easy access of information which the internet made available; also I will look into social media which transformed the way we interact with each other. The development of internet is so severe that it funded virtual currency which allows trading virtual currency to real currency, it also funded multiple internet companies who operate solely based on virtual advertising, transfer of funds through the World Wide Web and the development of software to assist themselves and the general public and using internet to the maximum capacity. Also I will take into consideration the way the business had to adapt in the new environment in order to survive its economic and technological change. I will identify the possible future trends for the businesses and the way they will use internet to their advantage. During the research for this assignment I have found that the business which failed to adapt and change has been liquidated, which led to the conclusion that internet and mobile technology is the way of the future. I will provide real life examples to vividly illustrate my discovery and to prove that the developments have shifted the course of history and future developments which lies ahead. Internet Internet ten years ago was not widely accessible throughout the country. Public did not rely on internet with their day to day tasks, there were no such thing as wireless or social media. The lead provider of internet services was Eircom which was a state owned company, it did so through the DSL cables which they had monopoly in. As the country developed leading companies from abroad saw the potential in Ireland and the monopoly which Eircom had. Swedish companies such as UPC have invested significantly over the past decade in technology which increased the quality and the speed of the internet. In the decade they have completely dominated the market with their fiber optic technology. With the technological advancements in Ireland, other companies have emerged. Ireland was in the fast lane. With the wide market gaps and a tremendous amount of customers other advancements became available such as internet banking, money transfer and unlimited amount of information available to each individual. With increased detachment with the real world, people now seek entertainment in the comfort of their own home. YouTube © Google Inc.  ® which solely provides internet software has developed an extraordinary website called YouTube ©, which the main purpose is to allow the user to freely share their thoughts which are recorded on the video. The success of YouTube © demonstrates that the internet has created a new market. YouTube © is regularly used across the world each day, music is a huge feature. It contains many music videos of all the song artists across the world. It is not only used for music but also used to for people who want to express their beliefs or feelings, news coverage and also sports highlights. It is one of the most used websites in the world. Internet Banking In previous years the way that people have banked was they had to go to the a specific branch in which they had their account in order to perform a simple tasks such as transferring of money, checking balances, lodging cheques. People usually have to wait in queues which were no time efficient. This has developed significantly within the last decade, now with internet banking you can now transfer money and check your balance anywhere with connection to the internet. This is a very useful way now for people whenever they are on the go and have no time to check into their local branch. Internet banking has proved to be very successful. Wireless Access Ten years ago to provide internet you needed wires to serve. It could be seen as very messy, clumsy and quite dangerous. With the development of wireless access this means internet can be provided without any wires as long there is a good connection. A wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi allows cheaper distribution of local area networks. Overtime this has proved to be a much easier way of access to the internet and a much quicker way. PayPalâ„ ¢ PayPalâ„ ¢ is a global e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers throughout the internet. As of 2011, PayPalâ„ ¢ operates in one hundred and ninety markets and manages more that two hundred and thirty two million accounts, more than one hundred million of them active. PayPalâ„ ¢ allows customers to send, receive and hold funds in twenty six currencies worldwide. Social Media A decade ago there wasnt much websites on the internet which provided a social side. All there was day to day conversations and text messages. This has been one of the most rapid developments in the last ten years. Social sites such as Facebook ® and Twitter ® have completely dominated the World Wide Web and are one of the most frequent used websites across the world. These websites allow people to interact with another through communication on the web using different functions the website may contain. They also allow you to share your thought, express your beliefs or feelings, and post blogs about whatever you may feel. Mobile Technology A decade ago public did not have access to mobile technology. People had only landlines, if a person requires reaching another person; he must have done so in person which meant that when they planned meetings or social events they had to do it in advance. If there was a change in plans, the only way to communicate was landline which proved to be inefficient. Finnish company Nokia © had developed device which we call mobile. Through the years mobiles became more and more accessible, which dramatically changed the way we communicate and socialize. Now the current generation can communicate freely without barriers throughout the world which was not possible a decade ago, it revamped our social skills. Young adults prefer to communicate through text messages, hence making the landlines inferior products. The major developments in mobile technology include: mobile internet, mobile banking, mobile advancements and social media Mobile Internet Mobile internet provides a lot of access to many applications and websites. It is usually very quick and provides all the information the internet at home would. Another benefit of mobile internet would be that it can be used anywhere on the go, giving you a lot of freedom, so if you are stuck for information you can use your mobile device to use the internet. Communication is also vital in mobile internet as it allows you to connect to multiple services provided by the internet. This allows you to communicate and interact with each other outside using mobile internet. Mobile Banking Mobile banking is and easy way of transferring money and checking your balance. It will work if you have internet and is hassle free and can be accessed by one touch of a button. More features of mobile banking would be that it is very quick and can be used everywhere providing there is a strong internet connection. Technology within the last ten years has been so drastic that there is no need to go to your branch anymore as the internet provides all the answers. Along with providing your details, mobile banking provides useful numbers you can use to contact a person incase if any queries you may have. Mobile Advancements Apple, Inc. Within the last ten years Apple, Inc. has increased their popularity significantly providing multiple handheld devices that can be used anywhere and on the go. The release of the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad were so big, every time it went on sale it would sell out quickly across the world. Mobile phones have come so far this past decade, from phones where it was only possible to ring on to iPhones which provide the functions of a normal mobile phone and an iPod Touch put together. It would contain an entire music playlist along with other applications such as news, entertainment, sports and gaming. Touch screen Ten years ago mobile devices could only be used by buttons. With the success of Apple, Inc. many phone companies now start to make to touch screen phones, and some phones may have buttons and touch screen. Development of mobile phones has been so phenomenal that by the touch of your fingers you can use the phone and the applications it contains. Games Advancements in gaming has also been huge. More than a decade ago all you could do on your old Nokia © was play snake. As phones have developed throughout the years, it is now possible that multiple games can be downloaded on your phones. Gaming on phones is also a good way of passing time and most games you download onto your phone you dont need internet so you can play them anywhere you like for free. Social Media Social media on phones has dramatically elevated within the past decade. The only options on a mobile phone were either phone calls or text messaging. With the latest mobile phones out now you can download applications which allow you use social networking sites such as Facebook ®, Twitter ® and Instagram ®. This allows people to access their accounts as the internet on a computer would. This is so basic that there sometimes isnt need to use the computer as using your phonies quicker and saving time. Other phone applications such as Viberâ„ ¢ ad Whatsappâ„ ¢ allows you to talk to your contacts for free, share pictures and call each other for free. Along with the text messaging process mobile phones these days have plenty of social media attached to it as it provides a load of access to your family and friends. Conclusion In conclusion I have found the internet and mobile technology has advanced remarkably over this past decade. The most momentous advancements which I found to be are internet websites such as YouTube © and social media websites such as Facebook ® and Twitter ®. These companies have benefited significantly within the last ten years and are they are together the most used websites in the world. Mobile technology in the last ten years has also advanced dramatically. Mobile banking has been massive as it allows you check all your details anywhere, also with mobile advancements such as a brand like Apple, Inc have created phone which combine the characters of a normal phone and features such as a selection of music and downloading applications such as news, gaming and sport. Hence I can now say that mobile and internet technology has advanced considerably within the last ten years and will continue to improve in the next ten years.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Definitions of Words Relating to the Sea :: Ocean Marine Life Aquatics Essays

Definitions of Words Relating to the Sea The Wave Machine The wave machine is a simulator that will allow you to create an ocean wave and determine its height. Most ocean waves are formed when the wind blows across the water's surface. The wave height is determined by three factors: wind speed, fetch, and duration. Wind Speed In 1805, Sir Francis Beaufort, observing the effects of wind speed upon the sea, devised the Beaufort Wind Scale. Though wind speed is not the only factor in determining wave size, the Beaufort scale remains a tool for seafarers to this day. Wind speed is measured in KNOTS. (1 knot is equal to 1.151 mph, or 1.852 kilometers per hour). Fetch Fetch measures the area of open water over which wind blows. Like wind duration, the distance waves travel has a significant impact upon their size. Fetch is measured in NAUTICAL MILES. (1 nautical mile is equal to 1.151 miles, or 1.852 kilometers). Wind Duration Wind duration reflects how long the wind has blown in the same direction. Even at slower speeds, stead winds can create higher and more powerful waves than those resulting from brief, strong gusts. Wave Types Capillary waves The smallest waves created when the wind blows acroos a smooth water surface. Friction between the air and water molecules results in the creation of these small ripples, which are less than .7 inches long. Shallow-Water Waves Wind generated waves that travel in water shallower than one-twentieth of their wavelength. Deep-Water Waves Wind generated waves that travel in water deeper than one half of their wavelength. Swell A swell is formed when waves move away from the storm or generating area and become more regular. Waves exhibit longer periods and rounded crests, creating a uniform pattern on the ocean surface. Rogue wave A rogue wave is an unusually large wave caused by combining the heights of waves that meet simultaneously.

Monday, November 11, 2019

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 33. Forever

â€Å"Charlie, we've still got that strictly need-to-know company situation going. I know it's been more than a week since you saw Renesmee, but a visit is just not a good idea right now. How about I bring Renesmee over to see you?† Charlie was quiet for so long that I wondered if he heard the strain beneath my fagade. But then he muttered, â€Å"Need to know, ugh† and I realized it was just his wariness of the supernatural that made him slow to respond. â€Å"Okay, kid,† Charlie said. â€Å"Can you bring her over this morning? Sue's bringing me lunch. She's just as horrified by my cooking as you were when you first showed up.† Charlie laughed and then sighed for the old days. â€Å"This morning will be perfect.† The sooner the better. I'd already put this off too long. â€Å"Is Jake coming with you guys?† Though Charlie didn't know anything about werewolf imprinting, no one could be oblivious to the attachment between Jacob and Renesmee. â€Å"Probably.† There was no way Jacob would voluntarily miss an afternoon with Renesmee sans bloodsuckers. â€Å"Maybe I should invite Billy, too,† Charlie mused. â€Å"But†¦ hmm. Maybe another time.† I was only half paying attention to Charlie – enough to notice the strange reluctance in his voice when he spoke of Billy, but not enough to worry what that was about. Charlie and Billy were grown-ups; if there was something going on between them, they could figure it out for themselves. I had too many more important things to obsess over. â€Å"See you in a few,† I told him, and hung up. This trip was about more than protecting my father from the twenty-seven oddly matched vampires – who all had sworn not to kill anyone in a three-hundred-mile radius, but still†¦ Obviously, no human being should get anywhere near this group. This was the excuse I'd given Edward: I was taking Renesmee to Charlie so that he wouldn't decide to come here. It was a good reason for leaving the house, but not my real reason at all. â€Å"Why can't we take your Ferrari?† Jacob complained when he met me in the garage. I was already in Edward's Volvo with Renesmee. Edward had gotten around to revealing my after car; as he'd suspected, I had not been capable of showing the appropriate enthusiasm. Sure, it was pretty and fast, but I liked to run. â€Å"Too conspicuous,† I answered. â€Å"We could go on foot, but that would freak Charlie out.† Jacob grumbled but got into the front seat. Renesmee climbed from my lap to his. â€Å"How are you?† I asked him as I pulled out of the garage. â€Å"How do you think?† Jacob asked bitingly. â€Å"I'm sick of all these reeking bloodsuckers.† He saw my expression and spoke before I could answer. â€Å"Yeah, I know, I know. They're the good guys, they're here to help, they're going to save us all. Etcetera, etcetera. Say what you want, I still think Dracula One and Dracula Two are creep-tacular.† I had to smile. The Romanians weren't my favorite guests, either. â€Å"I don't disagree with you there.† Renesmee shook her head but said nothing; unlike the rest of us, she found the Romanians strangely fascinating. She'd made the effort to speak to them aloud since they would not let her touch them. Her question was about their unusual skin and, though I was afraid they might be offended, I was kind of glad she'd asked. I was curious, too. They hadn't seemed upset by her interest. Maybe a little rueful. â€Å"We sat still for a very long time, child,† Vladimir had answered, with Stefan nodding along but not continuing Vladimir's sentences as he often did. â€Å"Contemplating our own divinity. It was a sign of our power that everything came to us. Prey, diplomats, those seeking our favor. We sat on our thrones and thought ourselves gods. We didn't notice for a long time that we were changing – almost petrifying. I suppose the Volturi did us one favor when they burned our castles. Stefan and I, at least, did not continue to petrify. Now the Volturi's eyes are filmed with dusty scum, but ours are bright. I imagine that will give us an advantage when we gouge theirs from their sockets.† I tried to keep Renesmee away from them after that. â€Å"How long do we get to hang out with Charlie?† Jacob asked, interrupting my thoughts. He was visibly relaxing as we pulled away from the house and all its new inmates. It made me happy that I didn't really count as a vampire to him. I was still just Bella. â€Å"For quite a while, actually.† The tone of my voice caught his attention. â€Å"Is something going on here besides visiting your dad?† â€Å"Jake, you know how you're pretty good at controlling your thoughts around Edward?† He raised one thick black brow. â€Å"Yeah?† I just nodded, cutting my eyes to Renesmee. She was looking out the window, and I couldn't tell how interested she was in our conversation, but I decided not to risk going any further. Jacob waited for me to add something else, and then his lower lip pushed out while he thought about what little I'd said. As we drove in silence, I squinted through the annoying contacts into the cold rain; it wasn't quite cold enough for snow. My eyes were not as ghoulish as they had been in the beginning – definitely closer to a dull reddish orange than to bright crimson. Soon they'd be amber enough for me to quit the contacts, i hoped the change wouldn't upset Charlie too much. Jacob was still chewing over our truncated conversation when we got to Charlie's. We didn't talk as we walked at a quick human pace through the falling rain. My dad was waiting for us; he had the door open before I could knock. â€Å"Hey, guys! It seems like it's been years! Look at you, Nessie! Come to Grampa! I swear you've grown half a foot. And you look skinny, Ness.† He glared at me. â€Å"Aren't they feeding you up there?† â€Å"It's just the growth spurt,† I muttered. â€Å"Hey, Sue,† I called over his shoulder. The smell of chicken, tomato, garlic, and cheese issued from the kitchen; it probably smelled good to everyone else. I could also smell fresh pine and packing dust. Renesmee flashed her dimples. She never spoke in front of Charlie. â€Å"Well, come on in out of the cold, kids. Where's my son-in-law?† â€Å"Entertaining friends,† Jacob said, and then snorted. â€Å"You're so lucky you're out of the loop, Charlie. That's all I'm going to say.† I punched Jacob lightly in the kidney while Charlie cringed. â€Å"Ow,† Jacob complained under his breath; well, I'd thought I'd punched lightly. â€Å"Actually, Charlie, I have some errands to run.† Jacob shot a glance at me but said nothing. â€Å"Behind on your Christmas shopping, Bells? You only have a few days, you know.† â€Å"Yeah, Christmas shopping,† I said lamely. That explained the packing dust. Charlie must have put the old decorations up. â€Å"Don't worry, Nessie,† he whispered in her ear. â€Å"I got you covered if your mom drops the ball.† I rolled my eyes at him, but in truth, I hadn't thought about the holidays at all. â€Å"Lunch's on the table,† Sue called from the kitchen. â€Å"C'mon, guys.† â€Å"See you later, Dad,† I said, and exchanged a quick look with Jacob. Even if he couldn't help but think about this near Edward, at least there wasn't much for him to share. He had no idea what I was up to. Of course, I thought to myself as I got into the car, it wasn't like I had much idea, either. The roads were slick and dark, but driving didn't intimidate me anymore. My reflexes were well up to the job, and I barely paid attention to the road. The problem was keeping my speed from attracting attention when I had company. I wanted to be done with today's mission, to have the mystery sorted out so that I could get back to the vital task of learning. Learning to protect some, learning to kill others. I was getting better and better with my shield. Kate didn't feel the need to motivate me anymore – it wasn't hard to find reasons to feel angry, now that I knew that was the key – and so I mostly worked with Zafrina. She was pleased with my extension; I was able to cover almost a ten-foot area for more than a minute, though it exhausted me. This morning she'd been trying to find out if I could push the shield away from my mind altogether. I didn't see what the use of that would be, but Zafrina thought it would help strengthen me, like exercising muscles in the stomach and back rather than just the arms. Eventually, you could lift more weight when all the muscles were stronger. I wasn't very good at it. I had only gotten one glimpse of the jungle river she was trying to show me. But there were different ways to prepare for what was coming, and with only two weeks left, I worried that I might be neglecting the most important. Today I would rectify that oversight. I'd memorized the appropriate maps, and I had no problem finding my way to the address that didn't exist online, the one for J. Jenks. My next step would be Jason Jenks at the other address, the one Alice had not given me. To say that it wasn't a nice neighborhood would be an understatement. The most nondescript of all the Cullens' cars was still outrageous on this street. My old Chevy would have looked healthy here. During my human years, I would have locked the doors and driven away as fast as I dared. As it was, I was a little fascinated. I tried to imagine Alice in this place for any reason, and failed. The buildings – all three stories, all narrow, all leaning slightly as if bowed by the pounding rain – were mostly old houses divided up into multiple apartments. It was hard to tell what color the peeling paint was supposed to be. Everything had faded to shades of gray. A few of the buildings had businesses on the first floor: a dirty bar with the windows painted black, a psychic's supply store with neon hands and tarot cards glowing fitfully on the door, a tattoo parlor, and a daycare with duct tape holding the broken front window together. There were no lamps on inside any of the rooms, though it was grim enough outside that the humans should have needed the light. I could hear the low mumbling of voices in the distance; it sounded like TV. There were a few people about, two shuffling through the rain in opposite directions and one sitting on the shallow porch of a boarded-up cut-rate law office, reading a wet newspaper and whistling. The sound was much too cheerful for the setting. I was so bemused by the carefree whistler, I didn't realize at first that the abandoned building was right where the address I was looking for should exist. There were no numbers on the dilapidated place, but the tattoo parlor beside it was just two numbers off. I pulled up to the curb and idled for a second. I was getting into that dump one way or another, but how to do so without the whistler noticing me? I could park the next street over and come through the back†¦. There might be more witnesses on that side. Maybe the rooftops? Was it dark enough for that kind of thing? â€Å"Hey, lady,† the whistler called to me. I rolled the passenger window down as if I couldn't hear him. The man laid his paper aside, and his clothes surprised me, now that I could see them. Under his long ragged duster, he was a little too well dressed. There was no breeze to give me the scent, but the sheen on his dark red shirt looked like silk. His crinkly black hair was tangled and wild, but his dark skin was smooth and perfect, his teeth white and straight. A contradiction. â€Å"Maybe you shouldn't park that car there, lady,† he said. â€Å"It might not be here when you get back.† â€Å"Thanks for the warning,† I said. I shut off the engine and got out. Perhaps my whistling friend could give me the answers I needed faster than breaking and entering. I opened my big gray umbrella – not that I cared, really, about protecting the long cashmere sweater-dress I wore. It was what a human would do. The man squinted through the rain at my face, and then his eyes widened. He swallowed, and I heard his heart accelerate as I approached. Tm looking for someone,† I began. â€Å"I'm someone,† he offered with a smile. â€Å"What can I do for you, beautiful?† â€Å"Are you J. Jenks?† I asked. â€Å"Oh,† he said, and his expression changed from anticipation to understanding. He got to his feet and examined me with narrowed eyes. â€Å"Why're you looking for J?† â€Å"That's my business.† Besides, I didn't have a clue. â€Å"Are you J?† â€Å"No.† We faced each other for a long moment while his sharp eyes ran up and down the fitted pearl gray sheath I wore. His gaze finally made it to my face. â€Å"You don't look like the usual customer.† â€Å"I'm probably not the usual,† I admitted. â€Å"But I do need to see him as soon as possible.† â€Å"I'm not sure what to do,† he admitted. â€Å"Why don't you tell me your name?† He grinned. â€Å"Max.† â€Å"Nice to meet you, Max. Now, why don't you tell me what you do for the usual?† His grin became a frown. â€Å"Well, J's usual clients don't look a thing like you. Your kind doesn't bother with the downtown office. You just go straight up to his fancy office in the skyscraper.† I repeated the other address I had, making the list of numbers a question. â€Å"Yeah, that's the place,† he said, suspicious again. â€Å"How come you didn't go there?† â€Å"This was the address I was given – by a very dependable source.† â€Å"If you were up to any good, you wouldn't be here.† I pursed my lips. I'd never been much good at bluffing, but Alice hadn't left me a lot of alternatives. â€Å"Maybe I'm not up to any good.† Max's face turned apologetic. â€Å"Look, lady – â€Å" â€Å"Bella.† â€Å"Right. Bella. See, I need this job. J pays me pretty good to mostly just hang out here all day. I want to help you, I do, but – and of course Tm speaking hypothetically, right? Or off the record, or whatever works for you – but if I pass somebody through that could get him in trouble, I'm out of work. Do you see my problem?† I thought for a minute, chewing on my lip. â€Å"You've never seen anyone like me here before? Well, sort of like me. My sister is a lot shorter than me, and she has dark spiky black hair.† â€Å"J knows your sister?† â€Å"I think so.† Max pondered this fora moment.I smiled at him, and his breathing stuttered.†Tell you what I'll do.HI give Ja call and describe you to him. Let him make the decision.† What did J. Jenks know? Would my description mean something to him? That was a troubling thought. â€Å"My last name is Cullen,† I told Max, wondering if that was too much information. I was starting to get irritated with Alice. Did I really have to be quite this blind? She could have given me one or two more words†¦. â€Å"Cullen, got it.† I watched as he dialed, easily picking out the number. Well, I could call J. Jenks myself if this didn't work. â€Å"HeyJ, it's Max. I know I'm never supposed tocall you at this number except in an emergency___† Is there an emergency?1 heard faintly from the other end. â€Å"Well, notexactly. It's this girl who wants to see you___† fail to see the emergency in that Why didn't you follow normal procedure? â€Å"I didn't follow normal procedure 'cause she don't look like any kind of normal – â€Å" Is she a badge?! â€Å"No – â€Å" You can't be sure about that. Does she look like one ofKubarev's – ? â€Å"No – let me talk, okay? She says you know her sister or something.† Not likely. What does she look like? â€Å"She looks like . . .† His eyes ran from my face to my shoes appreciatively. â€Å"Well, she looks like a freaking supermodel, that's what she looks like.† I smiled and he winked at me, then went on. â€Å"Rocking body, pale as a sheet, dark brown hair almost to her waist, needs a good night's sleep – any of this soundingfamiliar?† No, it doesn't I'm not happy that you let your weakness for pretty women interrupt – â€Å"Yeah,so I'ma sucker for the pretty ones, what's wrong with that? I'm sorry I bothered you, man. Just forget it.† â€Å"Name,† I whispered. â€Å"Oh right. Wait,† Max said. â€Å"She says her name is Bella Cullen. That help?† There was a beat of dead silence, and then the voice on the other end was abruptly screaming, using a lot of words you didn't often hear outside of truck stops. Max's whole expression changed; all the joking vanished and his lips went pale. â€Å"Because you didn't ask!† Max yelled back, panicked. There was another pause while J collected himself. Beautiful and pale?J asked, a tiny bit calmer. â€Å"I said that, didn't I?† Beautiful and pale? What did this man know about vampires? Was he one of us himself? I wasn't prepared for that kind of confrontation. I gritted my teeth. What had Alice gotten me into? Max waited for a minute through another volley of shouted insults and instructions and then glanced at me with eyes that were almost frightened. â€Å"But you only meet downtown clients on Thursdays – okay, okay! On it.'7He slid his phone shut. â€Å"He wants to see me?† I asked brightly. Max glowered. â€Å"You could have told me you were a priority client;7 â€Å"I didn't know I was.† â€Å"I thought you might be a cop,† he admitted. â€Å"I mean, you don't look like a cop. But you act kind of weird, beautiful.† I shrugged. â€Å"Drug cartel?† he guessed. â€Å"Who, me?† I asked. â€Å"Yeah. Or your boyfriend or whatever.† â€Å"Nope, sorry. I'm not really a fan of drugs, and neither is my husband. Just say no and all that.† Max cussed under his breath. â€Å"Married. Can't catch a break.† I smiled. â€Å"Mafia?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"Diamondsmuggling?† â€Å"Please! Is that the kind of people you usually deal with, Max? Maybe you need a new job.† I had to admit, I was enjoying myself a little. I hadn't interacted with humans much besides Charlie and Sue. It was entertaining to watch him flounder. I was also pleased at how easy it was not to kill him. â€Å"You've got to be involved in something big. And bad,† he mused. â€Å"It's not really like that.† â€Å"That's what they all say. But who else needs papers? Or can afford to pay J's prices for them, I should say. None of my business, anyway,† he said, and then muttered the word married again. He gave me an entirely new address with basic directions, and then watched me drive away with suspicious, regretful eyes. At this point, I was ready for almost anything – some kind of James Bond villain's high-tech lair seemed appropriate. So I thought Max must have given me the wrong address as a test. Or maybe the lair was subterranean, underneath this very commonplace strip mall nestled up against a wooded hill in a nice family neighborhood. I pulled into an open spot and looked up at a tastefully subtle sign that read JASON SCOTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW. The office inside was beige with celery green accents, inoffensive and unremarkable. There was no scent of vampire here, and that helped me relax. Nothing but unfamiliar human. A fish tank was set into the wall, and a blandly pretty blond receptionist sat behind the desk. â€Å"Hello,† she greeted me. â€Å"How can I help you?† â€Å"I'm here to see Mr. Scott.† â€Å"Do you have an appointment?† â€Å"Not exactly.† She smirked a little. â€Å"It could be a while, then. Why don't you have a seat while I – â€Å" April!a man's demanding voice squawked from the phone on her desk. I'm expecting a Ms. Cullen shortly. I smiled and pointed to myself. Send her in immediately. Do you understand? I don't care what it's interrupting. I could hear something else in his voice besides impatience. Stress. Nerves. â€Å"She's just arrived,† April said as soon as she could speak. What? Send her in! What are you waiting for? â€Å"Right away, Mr. Scott!† She got to her feet, fluttering her hands as she led the way down a short hallway, offering me coffee or tea or anything else I might have wanted. â€Å"Here you are,† she said as she ushered me through the door into a power office, complete with heavy wooden desk and vanity wall. â€Å"Close the door behind you,† a raspy tenor voice ordered. I examined the man behind the desk while April made a hasty retreat. He was short and balding, probably around fifty-five, with a paunch. He wore a red silk tie with a blue-and-white-striped shirt, and his navy blazer hung over the back of his chair. He was also trembling, blanched to a sickly paste color, with sweat beading on his forehead; I imagined an ulcer churning away under the spare tire. J recovered himself and rose unsteadily from his chair. He reached his hand across the desk. â€Å"Ms. Cullen. What an absolute delight.† I crossed to him and shook his hand quickly once. He cringed slightly at my cold skin but did not seem particularly surprised by it. â€Å"Mr. Jenks. Or do you prefer Scott?† He winced again. â€Å"Whatever you wish, of course.† â€Å"How about you call me Bella, and HI call you J?† â€Å"Like old friends,† he agreed, mopping a silk handkerchief across his forehead. He gestured for me to have a seat and took his own. â€Å"I must ask, am I finally meeting Mr. Jasper's lovely wife?† I weighed that for a second. So this man knew Jasper, not Alice. Knew him, and seemed afraid of him, too. â€Å"His sister-in-law, actually.† He pursed his lips, as if he were grasping for meanings just as desperately as I was. â€Å"I trust Mr. Jasper is in good health?† he asked carefully. â€Å"I'm sure he is in excellent health. He's on an extended vacation at the moment.† This seemed to clear up some of J's confusion. He nodded to himself and templed his fingers. â€Å"Just so. You should have come to the main office. My assistants there would have put you straight through to me – no need to go through less hospitable channels.† I just nodded. I wasn't sure why Alice had given me the ghetto address. â€Å"Ah, well, you're here now. What can I do for you?† Tapers,† I said, trying to make my voice sound like I knew what I was talking about. â€Å"Certainly,† J agreed at once. â€Å"Are we talking birth certificates, death certificates, drivers' licenses, passports, social security cards†¦ ?† I took a deep breath and smiled. I owed Max big time. And then my smile faded. Alice had sent me here for a reason, and I was sure it was to protect Renesmee. Her last gift to me. The one thing she would know I needed. The only reason Renesmee would need a forger was if she was running. And the only reason Renesmee would be running was if we had lost. If Edward and I were running with her, she wouldn't need these documents right away. I was sure IDs were something Edward knew how to get his hands on or make himself, and I was sure he knew ways to escape without them. We could run with her for thousands of miles. We could swim with her across an ocean. If we were around to save her. And all the secrecy to keep this out of Edward's head. Because there was a good chance that everything he knew, Aro would know. If we lost, Aro would certainly get the information he craved before he destroyed Edward. It was as I had suspected. We couldn't win. But we must have a good shot at killing Demetri before we lost, giving Renesmee the chance to run. My still heart felt like a boulder in my chest – a crushing weight. All my hope faded like fog in the sunshine. My eyes pricked. Who would I put this on? Charlie? But he was so defenselessly human. And how would I get Renesmee to him? He was not going to be anywhere close to that fight. So that left one person. There really had never been anyone else. I'd thought this through so quickly that J didn't notice my pause. â€Å"Two birth certificates, two passports, one driver's license,† I said in a low, strained tone. If he noticed the change in my expression, he pretended otherwise. â€Å"The names?† â€Å"Jacob†¦ Wolfe. And†¦ Vanessa Wolfe.† Nessie seemed like an okay nickname for Vanessa. Jacob would get a kick out of the Wolfe thing. His pen scratched swiftly across a legal pad. â€Å"Middle names?† â€Å"Just put something generic in.† â€Å"If you prefer. Ages?† â€Å"Twenty-seven for the man, five for the girl.† Jacob could pull it off. He was a beast. And at the rate Renesmee was growing, I'd better estimate high. He could be her stepfather†¦. â€Å"I'll need pictures if you prefer finished documents,† J said, interrupting my thoughts. â€Å"Mr. Jasper usually liked to finish them himself.† Well, that explained why J didn't know what Alice looked like. â€Å"Hold on,† I said. This was luck. I had several family pictures shoved in my wallet, and the perfect one – Jacob holding Renesmee on the front porch steps – was only a month old. Alice had given it to me just a few days before†¦ Oh. Maybe there wasn't that much luck involved after all. Alice knew I had this picture. Maybe she'd even had some dim flash that I would need it before she gave it to me. â€Å"Here you go.† J examined the picture for a moment. â€Å"Your daughter is very like you.† I tensed. â€Å"She's more like her father.† â€Å"Who is not this man.† He touched Jacob's face. My eyes narrowed, and new sweat beads popped out on J's shiny head. â€Å"No. That is a very close friend of the family.† â€Å"Forgive me,† he mumbled, and the pen began scratching again. â€Å"How soon will you need the documents?† â€Å"Can I get them in a week?† â€Å"That's a rush order. It will cost twice as – but forgive me. I forgot with whom I was speaking.† Clearly, he knew Jasper. â€Å"Just give me a number.† He seemed hesitant to say it aloud, though I was sure, having dealt with Jasper, he must have known that price wasn't really an object. Not even taking into consideration the bloated accounts that existed all over the world with the Cullens' various names on them, there was enough cash stashed all over the house to keep a small country afloat for a decade; it reminded me of the way there were always a hundred fishhooks in the back of any drawer at Charlie's house. I doubted anyone would even notice the small stack I'd removed in preparation for today. J wrote the price down on the bottom of the legal pad. I nodded calmly. I had more than that with me. I unclasped my bag again and counted out the right amount – I had it all paper-clipped into five-thousand-dollar increments, so it took no time at all. â€Å"There.† â€Å"Ah, Bella, you don't really have to give me the entire sum now. It's customary for you to save half to ensure delivery.† I smiled wanly at the nervous man. â€Å"But I trust you, J. Besides, I'll give you a bonus – the same again when I get the documents.† â€Å"That's not necessary, I assure you.† â€Å"Don't worry about it.† It wasn't like I could take it with me. â€Å"So HI meet you here next week at the same time?† He gave me a pained look. â€Å"Actually, I prefer to make such transactions in places unrelated to my various businesses.† â€Å"Of course. I'm sure I'm not doing this the way you expect.† â€Å"I'm used to having no expectations when it comes to the Cullen family.† He grimaced and then quickly composed his face again. â€Å"Shall we meet at eight o'clock a week from tonight at The Pacifico? It's on Union Lake, and the food is exquisite.† â€Å"Perfect.† Not that I would be joining him for dinner. He actually wouldn't like it much if I did. I rose and shook his hand again. This time he didn't flinch. But he did seem to have some new worry on his mind. His mouth was pinched up, his back tense. â€Å"Will you have trouble with that deadline?† I asked. â€Å"What?† He looked up, taken off guard by my question. â€Å"The deadline? Oh, no. No worries at all. I will certainly have your documents done on time.† It would have been nice to have Edward here, so that I would know what J's real worries were. I sighed. Keeping secrets from Edward was bad enough; having to be away from him was almost too much. â€Å"Then HI see you in one week.†