The Butterfly Effect :: Personal Narrative Essays

The Butterfly Effect   If you hold a piece of pass between your hands you have an end in each hand, but in more ways than one each end can also be called a beginning The beginning of the string, the beginning of the transition from string to hand, or the beginning of the transition from string to air. Quantum physics has taught us that zipper is absolutely any one thing. The string--be it nylon, hemp, or cotton--has electrons, and those electrons, busy critters, move, flux, and orbit, ever redefining the space of that piece of string. The electrons of your hand, too, constantly shape and reshape your personal space by their activity. In the resultant intermingling of the subatomic parts of your body and the string you become, to some extent, an extension of that piece of string and it becomes a part of you.   Astronomers speak of a similar idea called The Mediocrity Principle. This idea says that, at this time, the view of the universe from earth is no better or no worse than from anywhere else in the universe. As Chet Raymo says in his book The Virgin and the Mousetrap Were cosmically mediocre. But because the universe continues to expand, there must have been a time when it began to expand. Though with todays technology they have no way of knowing when exactly this occurred, astronomers have formed a hypothetical idea called zero time. til now this, zero time, is not the beginning of the universe, however thats honest when it began to take its current shape. You can trace the evolution of a loaf of bread back to when it was just a lump of ingredients, and you can trace it to a time when the ingredients came together, but even beyond that all the ingredients were still there they just hadnt come together yet. Cosmologists differ on what they think the universe was before the ingredients came together or how they got there in the first place, but even the strictest of evolutionists believe in the tangible truth of at least one bible passage Ecc lesiastes 19 That which hath been is that which shall be and that which hath been done is that which will be done and there is nothing new under the sun.   For the past twenty-five years or so Chaos Theory has been one of the hottest, most interesting fields of scientific study.

John Locke :: Empiricists, Empiricism

Property cannot be made secure by pictorial right al integrity, andfor the pause securing of their properties men have entered intocivil society. The will of the body politic, when formed, isdetermined by the will of the majority, and of a bare majority ifthere be no opposite express agreement. For this Locke does notgive any reason but the necessity of the case it is certain thatmuch worse ones have been given. As a division of fact, we now knowthat a majority vote has not been generally recognized in archaicsocieties the difficulty of obtaining nominal unanimity wasovercome (as in special cases it still has to be) by variousmethods, including varying elements of force and fiction. Thisdoes not apply to the original agreement to form a society, whichis assumed to be unanimous, and includes solo the actual partiesto it. Any one who stands out may go his ways and provide forhimself elsewhere. It would seem that the community is entitledto enforce his departure it is certain, on Lockes principles,that it has not the right to detain him against his will. Couldhe agree to stay in an inferior capacity like that of a residentalien? But it is needless to follow the auxiliary fictions whichmight be devised. A body politic, then, is formed by consent theessential term of the agreement is that every member gives up hisnatural judicial and executive power to the community (not, asHobbes maintains, to an irresponsible sovereign) and thisconsent is renewed, tacitly if not expressly, in the person ofevery new member for one cannot accept the benefit of a settledgovernment except on those terms on which it is offered. Locke isbold to assert that a child is born a theater of operations of no country orgovernment, and may choose his allegiance for himself at the ageof discretion this is another opinion which no modern lawyer

Crime and Punishment Quotes :: essays research papers

1. all(a) is in a mans hands and he lets it all slip from cowardice, thats an axiom. It would be interesting to know what it is men are most afraid of. Rodion Romanovich RaskolnikovBy saying this Raskolnikov suggests that men are adapted of doing whatever they wish, and the sole(prenominal) thing that holds them back are their fears. Because of this Raskolnikov wonders what mans greatest fear is, and with that comes the one thing that no man is capable of doing.2. for though Pyotr Petrovitch has been so potpourri as to undertake part of the expenses of the journey, that is to say, he has taken upon himself the conveyance of our bags and big trunks. -Pulcheria Alexandrovna RaskolnikovThis is a passage from the letter that Rodions mother sent to him, his mother is heavy him that Dounias fianc has taken care of the traveling expenses for Dounia and her mother to St. Petersburg.3. I see that I want nothing. Do you hear? Nothing at all . . . no ones services . . . no ones sympathy. I am by myself . . . alone. Come, thats enough. Leave me alone. - Rodion Romanovich RaskolnikovAfter burying the goods he stole from the pawn broker, Raskolnikov is walking around and decides to visit his booster shot Razumihin. At first it is almost as if Raskolnikov planned on asking his friend for advice about what he should do about the murders he committed. However, he becomes really nervous and leaves his friends home as quickly as possible.4. Life is real havent I lived just now? My life has not withal died with that old woman The Kingdom of Heaven to her--and now enough, madam, leave me in peace Now for the reign of reason and light . . . and of will, and of strength RaskolnikovThrough oratory with Marmeladovs daughter, Polenka, Raskolnikov realizes that life is worth living, and that it can still hold an important meaning. This sheds light on the fact that Raskolnikov realizes that even if a person is not capable of doing good, their life should not be ended.5. Ordinary m en have to live in submission, have no right to transgress the law, because, dont you see, they are ordinary. But grotesque men have a right to commit any crime and to transgress the law in any way, just because they are extraordinary.

The Filmmaking of Michael Moore Essay -- Entertainment

Michael Moore, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker is known for his highly controversial documentaries. He appeals to the newer generation, assay to educate mountain along with addressing our unresolved social issues in the United States. He gives insight to corrupt things that our government is involved in that citizens do non know about if they do not read or watch the news. Michael Moore proved to be a big-time influence through his work in the photograph industry. His main message is to get people to stop following their government blindly, but rather speak out, ask questions, get involved, and approximately of all shows peoples power to be able change what needs to be changed. He proves being patriotic means taking responsibility and being cognizant about whats happening in the media and all of Michael Moores films give the audience this.Time magazine named Michael Moore one of the Worlds 100 most influential people. Through his Oscar and Emmy awards, he proves even a powerless author and producer with nothing more than a pen and a movie photographic camera move make a tremendous difference. His documentary Bowling for Columbine reiterated that by a determination and persistence that not only him, but patriots can create change. He interviewed some of the surviving victims of the Columbine shootings along with Charlton Heston, the NRA president. He shows the gruesome effect of allowing guns and bullets to be so easily accessible. Kmart was his main destination and he took it upon himself by going right to the top of a major corporate food chain. The documentary was about how he was able to get them to stop merchandising bullets completely. Getting Kmart to stop selling bullets doesnt mean that youre going to prevent kids from going somewhere ... ...own opinion in public, which many people are not courageous enough to do, and for that many respect him. Michael Moore proves that one man can make a difference. He is a great example of u se our right to free speech and questioning the government. If something doesnt seem right he is a spokesperson for finding out the truth. Michael was a small township boy who grew up to become one of the most influential documentary film makers of our time. Works CitedBowling For Columbine. Dir. Michael Moore. 2002.Fahrenheit 911. Dir. Michael Moore. 2004.Penn, Sean. Time.com. 18 April 2005. 8 March 2012 .Sicko. Dir. Michael Moore. 2007.The Oprah Winfrey Show. Michael Moores Sicko. 1 January 2006. 8 March 2012 .

Abortion Cases of the 19th Century :: Essays Papers

Abortion Cases of the 19th CenturyAlthough abortions were very dangerous, as well as socially unacceptable during the nineteenth century, women were not altogether unable to obtain abortions and many suffered accusations of infanticide. Here I will present a few of the much famous cases from the period, demonstrating the occurrence of abortion, the availability of providers, and the consequences faced by those who necessitated the procedure. One case that dominated the pages of The Revolution, the paper owned by Susan B. Anthony and edited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Parker Pillsbury, was the sentencing of a schoolgirlish girl to hang for the death of her child. While not a case of abortion, the death was termed an infanticide and drew strong opinions from the public as well as two the editors. The unfortunate Hester Vaughan, an English girl living in Philadelphia, was discovered in a tiny tenement room devoid of furniture February 8, 1868, forty-eight hours afterward giving bi rth. Alone during labor, without food or heat, she was found frail and feverish with her baby dead beside her. She was immediately brought to the police and imprisoned, under the assumption that she had killed her child. For thirty dollars, she acquired the run of a lawyer by the name of Goforth and underwent a brief trial. Having never actually confessed to committing the crime, she was nonetheless sentenced to death by County Judge Ludlow, and placed in Moyamensing prison house until her execution. Once news of the case reached the public, the women of The Revolution unleashed their sympathies in article after article denouncing the indictment. In an August 6, 1868 editorial it was written If that poor child of mournfulness is hung, it will be deliberate, downright murder. Her death will be far more horrible infanticide than was the killing of her child. She is the child of our society and civilization, begotten and born of it, seduced by it, by the judge who pronounced her sent ence, by the bar and jury, by the legislature that enacted the law (in which because a woman, she had no vote or voice), by the church and the dais that sanctify the law and deeds, of all these will her blood, yea, and her virtue too, be required All these were the joint seducer, and now see if by hanging her, they will in addition become her murderer.However, Hester never had to face the day of her execution and instead spent nearly two years in jail.

Abortion Cases of the 19th Century :: Essays Papers

Abortion Cases of the 19th CenturyAlthough abortions were very dangerous, as well as socially unacceptable during the nineteenth century, women were not altogether ineffectual to obtain abortions and many suffered accusations of infanticide. Here I will present a few of the more famous cases from the period, demonstrating the occurrence of abortion, the availability of providers, and the consequences faced by those who necessitated the procedure. one case that dominated the pages of The Revolution, the paper owned by Susan B. Anthony and edited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Parker Pillsbury, was the sentencing of a young girl to hang for the death of her child. While not a case of abortion, the death was termed an infanticide and drew strong opinions from the public as well as both the editors. The unfortunate Hester Vaughan, an English girl living in Philadelphia, was spy in a tiny tenement room devoid of furniture February 8, 1868, forty-eight hours after giving birth. Alone duri ng labor, without food or heat, she was found light and feverish with her baby dead beside her. She was immediately brought to the police and imprisoned, under the assumption that she had killed her child. For thirty dollars, she acquired the services of a lawyer by the name of Goforth and underwent a brief trial. Having never actually confessed to committing the crime, she was nonetheless sentenced to death by County Judge Ludlow, and placed in Moyamensing Prison until her execution. Once news of the case reached the public, the women of The Revolution unleashed their sympathies in bind after article denouncing the indictment. In an August 6, 1868 editorial it was written If that poor child of sorrow is hung, it will be deliberate, downright murder. Her death will be far more horrible infanticide than was the killing of her child. She is the child of our society and civilization, begotten and born of it, seduced by it, by the judge who pronounced her sentence, by the bar and jur y, by the legislature that enacted the law (in which because a woman, she had no vote or voice), by the church and the pulpit that sanctify the law and deeds, of all these will her blood, yea, and her virtue too, be required All these were the joint seducer, and now see if by hanging her, they will also become her murderer.However, Hester never had to face the day of her execution and preferably spent nearly two years in jail.

A Pleasurable and Educational Preschool Observation Essay

I sight a 4 year old preschool class during philandertime in Staten Island, New York. The class consisted of octad children, and one certified preschool t each(prenominal)er. There were 4 boys and 4 girls in the class. During my sixty minute observation I noticed several instances of dramatic play, partner relationships, relationships with fully growns, and self-control. prominent PlayDuring my observation, I witnessed a group of two- one boy and one girl-playing house. According to Hutchinson (2011) children often use playing house as an opportunity to look for reality and their social roles based on adult behavior. The two children that I observed explored reality and their social roles as they pretended to eat dinner unitedly as family. The pair even took it a step further as they included doll babies to play as their children. As the children played house, the girl cooked dinner and the boy sat at the table clutchesing for dinner to be ready. As the boy waited for dinner to be ready, he got up, walked around as if he was looking for something and came back with two baby dolls and told the girl, here they can sit next to you. The boy had assigned the girl a perceived female role, to be the fuck off and care for the baby.While the girl had assigned herself a female role, to cook for the male. Therefore, the boy was automatically assigned a perceived male role, to wait for the female to finish cooking so he could eat. The pairs dramatic play demonstrates how children begin to understand standard gender roles and play whence during wee childishness (Hutchinson, 2011). This play interaction was not gender segregated. This non-gender segregated play is a good example of how children play based on their gender. Although, many an melodic lineer(a)(prenominal) young children select to play with same sex mates, I believe this was not the case because the pair felt playing house required a female and male to fit the correct gender roles.I also believe t hat mass media plays a strong role in the way preschool children play in their perceived gender roles. According to Kirkorian, Wartella and Anderson (2008), by preschool age children are active television viewers. Therefore, if children watch presentations that are based on family life, such as Modern Family, they will notice a strong presence of women in the kitchen andcaring for children, and model similar behaviors.Relationships with AdultsDuring my observation there was little interaction with the teacher. Children capturemed to prefer to play with their peers. One teacher- learner interaction I observed was a withdrawal relationship. The teacher tried to engage the pair of preschoolers playing house. However, her engagement was unsuccessful. The teacher walked everywhere to the pairs play station and asked about the babies names. The pair answered the teacher but did not engage other than answering the question. During the time the teacher was quizzical the pair, the girl g ot up from the play dinner table and walked over to play with another group, a group of girls. This example supports Garvey (1990) and Harper and McCluskey (2003) argument that the attention of an adult or teacher may hinder childrens peer interactions. The girls reaction to the teacher disrupting her play scenario was withdrawal. Another teacher-student interaction I observed was a supporterly interaction.The teacher engaged a boy who was with trucks in play. During this interaction, the boy was playing simply with cars and trucks. The teacher asked if she could play with him, and he agreed. The teacher and student then played with cars and trucks in a friendly manner. This is normal as there is a tendency for teachers to spend more time with children who are slight social than more social children (Harper and McCluskey, 2003). The boy in this case could be perceived as less social than others as he played alone the entire hour.During my observation I did not see attachment-seeki ng behavior from the children towards the adults. However. I did have the chance to observe one preschool girl dropped off by her mother prior to my observation. The preschool girls behavior was fussy and aggressive. The girl cried and kicked while the mother signed the girl in. The mom tried to soothe the girl, but looked alike she needed soothing herself. Generally, separation from mothers can be stressful for children, however, separation from children can also be stressful for mothers (Balaban et al., 2002).Peer RelationshipOne peer relationship I observed consisted of three girls playing dress-up. Unlike the previous pair that was not gender segregated, this group of girls was gender segregated. According to Hutchinson (2011) in early childhood, children make friends with other children of the same gender and age. Asthese girls engaged in dramatic play they were very nice to each other. They played with each others hair, did each others make-up, and referred to each other as m y best friend.After the forth girl in the class end playing house with the boy, she approached the three girls and asked if she could play with them. The three girls took the forth girls play initiation as a conflict. The three girls then teamed up and said no way, youre not our friend to the fourth girl in the class. Young children often use the term friend and playmate interchangeable. According to Hutchinson (2011), young children see the definition of a friend as someone you play with. Therefore, when the fourth girl asked to play with the three girls she was excluded because she played with the boy and was the boys friend and not the three girls friend.Self-ControlDuring my observation, I witness one instance of aggression. One girl was construct a princess castle with building blocks and a boy came by and kicked over the castle. The girl immediately got up and pushed the boy and the boy pushed the girl back. The boy or girl did not show any self-regulation as they engaged in a fight. Also, there was no helpful or empathic prosocial behavior, as the childrens actions did not prevent negatively charged impulses. In this instance of self-control or lack of self-control, the boy and the girl exhibited both instrumental aggression, fighting over toys and physical aggression, physical force against someone.However, these form of aggression is normal for preschool aged children as aggression increases during early childhood years (Hutchinson, 2011). Fortunately, aggressive behaviors normally deteriorate by the end of early childhood as children learn to better communicate their needs (Hutchinson, 2011). My preschool observation was a pleasurable see to it. I was able to watch eight happy children play, fight, laugh, and joke with each other. My observation was also an educational experience as I was able to apply theories learned in class to real life situations. Overall, my observation experience was both enjoyable and educational.ReferencesBalaban, N., Br odkin, A. M., David, J., Drucker, J., Feder-Feitel, L., & Greenberg, P. (2002). A Great Start To School. Scholastic Parent & Child,10(1), 40-45.Harper, Lawrence V & McCluskey, Karen S. (2003). Teacher-child and child-child interactions in inclusive preschool settings Do adults inhibit peer interactions? Early puerility Research Quarterly, 18, 163-184. doi10.1016/S0885-2006%2803%2900025-5 Hutchison, E. (2011). Early Childhood. In Dimensions of human behavior The Changing Life Course (4th ed.). Los Angeles SAGE.Kirkorian, H., Wartella, E., & Anderson, D. (2008). Media And Young Childrens Learning. The Future of Children, 18(1), 39-61.Garvery, C. (1990). Play. Cambridge, MA Harvard University Press.

Case: Lufthansa Cargo Ag †Capacity Reservation

Question 1 ? How does air cargo differ from the passenger business in terms of revenue management? Which areas are more(prenominal) complex, which areas can be managed more easily? There are noted differences between air cargo and the passenger business. For example, unlike passengers, cargo shippers did not phonograph recording round trips and therefore cargo flows were unpaired. Furthermore, cargo was classified according to multiple dimensions like volume and weight resulting in different pallet space requirements, spot passengers were each assigned a single seat.Concerning manageability it was identified that with regard to network planning and capacity allocation, cargo carriers had more degrees of freedom and hence set about additional challenges compared to passenger airlines. However, while passengers purchased tickets for specific flights and routes, cargo airlines could transport goods flexibly with regard to magazine and route through their network, the only constraint being the promised time of availability at the destination. Moreover, the subvert could be balanced and optimized by mixing shipments with different specific weights i. e. volume-to-weight relations. In this regard, space could be sold twice, e. g. to one customer with voluminous and another with heavy-weight high-density goods. Question 2 ? What is the purpose of selling long-term capacity contracts? The purposes of selling long-term capacity contracts was to model demand and maximize the airlines defer by ensuring that a fixed amount of capacity was purchased, thus optimizing the aircrafts cargo capacity utilization while at the same time simplification the risk of deviation from customers because of the fixed commitment and non-refundable policy.It also helped to determine how much capacity the airline maintained as a safeguard for demand for world(a) cargo. Question 4 ? Does Lufthansa Cargo effectively reach its business and risk-sharing objectives? Lufthansa does not effec tively reach its business and risk sharing objectives as they were unable to rigorously enforce some of their cancellation fee policies due to the market power of some forwarding companies.Moreover, forwarders freedom to cancel contracted capacity up to 72 hours ahead departure was not adequately reflected by the rates the airline charged for the GCA freight. In addition, if cancellation was received three days before departure, there was no guarantee that LCAG will find other buyers to make up for the forgone revenue. LCAG also had problems with no shows. Question 5 ? How could current reservation and pricing practices at Lufthansa class be improved? Compensating for cancellations and no-shows by overbooking, Limiting sales to low-revenue forwarders to preserve space for higher-revenue forwarders, Accepting low-revenue forwarders when higher revenue demand is less than aircraft cargo capacity, Redirecting low-revenue customers to flights with lower load factors, thereby minimizin g spilled cargo Question 6 ? How does the introduction of dynamic pricing affect capacity byers, i. e. freight forwarders?The introduction of dynamic pricing can by and large shrink the size of capacity buyers on the one hand but can also enable forwarders to have considerable influence with airlines. Since forwarders make their property on the difference between the price they receive from the consignee and the cost of cargo space paid to airlines, they might play one airline against the other for the concluding price. Thus dynamic pricing can actually give forwarders the edge in extracting low price rates from airlines.

Billabong Case Study

Introduction Billabong International Limited (BBG) produces surf go to pieces, sports app arel and accessories for the surf, skate and snowboard market places (Macquarie, 2012). The firm recorded an 18. 4% decrease in electronic electronic net travel profit to A$119. 1 cardinal in 2011 (Billabong Shareh out of dateer Review 2010/2011). After intense acquisition efforts, which saw Billabong buying over 11 denounces (Appendix A), the keep company was forced to undergo a major restructuring, closing 150 stores and cutting 400 jobs worldwide (AAP, Feb 2012).The report testament be analyzing the Billabong brand, specifically its surf founder in Australia, to identify the underlying crucial issues that must be addressed. Current opportunities and brats that Billabong shadower leverage on allow be prioritized, then weighed a removest the firms internal strengths and weaknesses in position to extend bargains. Solutions in bourne with Billabongs mission of striving to set new benchmarks with youthful lifestyle brands and fancys will be explored. Situation Analysis & Problem IdentificationTo identify the key issues and opportunities that Billabong is facing, an analysis was conducted on the fol downcasting five areas. Appendix B shows the united list of issues Billabong faces. 1. clients (Appendix C) The guest Experience Cycle was used to identify key opportunities such as improving the Purchase context through with(predicate) greater interactivity with clients. a nonher(prenominal) prospect was to supercharge an eco-friendly way to dispose of used products while gaining rewards. 2. Competitors and background (Appendix D, E & F)A PEST analysis of the Australian market reveals a demographic shift to the under -15s market (Euromonitor 2012), which was an opportunity for Billabong to target. Using Porters Five Forces (Appendix E), a Positioning Map and Competitor Threat Analysis (Appendix F) to analyse the boardsport industry confirmed that aspir ation from a few big surf brands was steep and that all had a strong brand following and highlighted the need to differentiate its products from them. 3. Company (Appendix G) The Balanced lineup was used to measure Billabongs performance.They had high brand awareness of 86% in Australia but a inflict vicissitude number of 46% (Billabong 2012), which presents an opportunity to target those already aware of Billabong. 4. Collaborators (Appendix H) Billabong has yet to explore the opportunity to unsource, allowing for customer collaborations in boding boardshorts. Another area to explore could be coopetition with surf brands to admit problems which affect the surf don industr y. Through an opportunity and threat matrix, the consolidated lists of issues were prioritized. hazard Matrix Threat MatrixThose with the highest probability of success and attractiveness in the Opportunity Matrix and those with highest probability of occurrence and seriousness in the Threat Matrix were t aken into consideration as key issues. Those chosen were the most pressing issues that Billabong would be able to address with a good chance of success. Key Issues/Opportunities Key Objectives Undifferentiated surf wear products To produce a new product line that is among competitors not available by other surf wear brands by 2013. Low conversion rate despite high brand To increase conversion rate to 52% and awareness brand loyalty by 7% by 2014. breaker wear is declining in popularity as a To revive the popularity of surf wear as form of casual robes due to increase casual wear and increase sales by 10% approachability of cheaper alternatives from the 34% of dynamical Lifestyle consumers. Australians are increasingly To create an environmentally friendly environmentally conscious product range by end of 2012. Shifting demographics to under 15s pass water activities for consumers under 15s to garner 50% brand awareness by 2014. Solution Scenarios & Implications Solutions to the identified key issues/opportunities were cumulateed from the Active SWOT, ERRC Grid and CEC (Appendix I, J, C).The What if analysis (Appendix K) was used to consolidate the solutions. Active SWOT Scenario 1 Building a new Billabong client Experience Key Issues communicate With the main objective of increasing conversion rate by 6%, Billabong physical stores will be revamped to offer 1. Low conversion rate despite a new surf experience for customers. high brand awareness The Sense Value, from the CEC, is an important factor 2. Undifferentiated surf wear products among competitors 3. Shifting demographics to under 15s in the sell experience as bear upon the five senses causes it to be memorable and engaging.As identified in the ERRC grid, Billabong breakers Villages will be constructed at popular surf beaches to be closer to voltage customers. A surf school will be created to give under 15 year old customers surfing lessons and to salute them to Billabongs products through a m eth kit. Interactivity and a multisensory experience in physical stores will be implemented through surfboard simulators so that customers can try how their apparel feels similar while surfing. Surf enthusiasts will be hired as sales associates to spread the passion of surfing to customers and to increase sell expertise a weakness highlighted in he Active SWOT. Scenario 2 Differentiating Billabongs surf wear products Key Issues Addressed Differentiate Billabongs surf wear through value adding instead than reducing price. Reversible boardshorts (one 1. Undifferentiated surf wear products among competitors side featuring a formal design and the other a fun design) will be introduced as a main differentiating point from competitors in the market. Low conversion rate despite high brand awareness To capitalise on the undividedity of surfers, their ego Esteem Value, customization of apparel will be 3. Surf wear is declining in popularity as a form of casual ntroduced through Billabo ngs e-commerce site and boutique stores. apparel due to increasing availability of cheaper To create exclusivity and reduce over-supply, Billabong alternatives can reduce the quantity per collection and increase the frequency of collections to keep up with trends. Collaborations with s swell up up known fashion designers, celebrities or pro surfers can be explored for limited edition ranges. Billabong can introduce a customer revolution curriculum, where customers give feedback or submit designs through their e-commerce site and physical stores. This ensures that styles remain relevant. A CRM system can e installed to cutting customers bargain fors and predict successful collections. Scenario 3 Incorporating Environmental Sustainability to get hold of a competitive advantage Key Issues Addressed 1. Australians are increasingly environmentally conscious Billabong will either engage in a coopetition with a supplier or competitor to invest in green research and development for t he surf wear industry. The brand can as well rely on its strength of superior research and 2. Undifferentiated surf wear development skills highlighted in the Active SWOT. products among competitors An innovative way to engage customers and 3. Surf wear is declining in ifferentiate themselves from competitors in the popularity as a form of casual Disposal Context (from the CEC) is to launch an apparel due to increasing environmental disposal programme for Billabong availability of cheaper wetsuits and boardshorts. It would allow customers to alternatives recycle their used ones in exchange for a tax write-off on their next purchase. Billabong could adopt a green approach from business practices to the design of the physical retail outlets. These solutions would motivate environmentally conscious consumers to purchase their products even if it is much expensive than casual wear alternatives.Scenario 4 Transformational Strategy Key Issues Addressed Billabong aims to steering on pr oduct and experience to 1. Undifferentiated surf wear products among competitors stir to the action sports core and active lifestyle segment (Billabong, 2012). It will focus on simplifying its business by cutting down on style duplications and Low conversion rate despite leverage on the Billabong brand to try the high brand awareness customer experience across channels including their ecommerce and physical store. Customer insights research will be undertaken. Customer driven innovation capability will also be mplemented. Its retail stores will be revamped to be much customer centric and retailing IT systems will be updated to gather more customer insights through its point of sales. The lack of retail expertise will also be addressed. Recommendation & Justification This matrix helps prioritize which of the 4 scenarios from Billabong is more urgent and which would concur a greater impact upon the company. We can see that Scenario 2 is rated high in urgency and high in potential impact. Therefore it is recommended that Billabong conduct a detailed mean and implementation of this scenario immediately.This is urgent because Billabongs product line is the core of its business if its products are not attractive, creating other strategies should be secondary. Furthermore, a Risk and Return Analysis (Appendix L) on the recommended solution shows that the returns are much higher than the risks involved. Surf wear brands imagine similar due to limited styles. Customers become low switching costs and can substantially purchase another surf brand or abstain fashion brand. stock-still, with differentiated products such as reversible boardshorts, Billabong offers greater value at its existing price.Furthermore, differentiated products would lead to an increased conversion rate among customers at once they see the value in purchasing Billabongs products over others. Costs incurred to manufacture such boardshorts are high a budget of $1. 5 million was allocated. Several factors that Billabong has to consider are the specialised equipments, hygiene (i. e. shorts must be skillful and disinfect to be worn on both sides in the same day) and materials used. In addition, Billabong will introduce customization services at its boutique stores and ecommerce syllabus to appeal to customers individuality.By being able to customize their surf wear, customers would discern greater value in their purchase versus off -the-rack. To ensure Billabong apparels are trendsetters, quantity per collection will be limited to 500 pieces per design. With that, Billabong can introduce more collections per year aligning with current trends. By limiting quantity, it ensures Billabong inventory moves quickly before the season changes. This reduces the risk of change excess inventory through heavy discounting (Walters 2012) and obsolete products.Billabong will introduce a new product line by 2013, the limited edition collection, which will be available for sale in B illabongs boutiques only. These collections feature collaborations with fashion designers and pro surfers. Quantity will be limited to 300 pieces throughout Australia to ensure exclusivity. Such collaborations are belike to cost Billabong $3. 5 million. However, the returns are much higher as the limited quantity encourages customers to make purchases faster. To facilitate customer single-valued functionicipation, Billabong can introduce a platform to collect customers feedback on what they would like to see in the up approaching collections.A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system will be installed at sales points to track customers purchases and best selling apparel in order to launch similar successful collections in near future. Although the remaining three scenarios solve similar problems i. e. uniform surf wear products amongst competitors, however, the returns as seen in KPI measurement below would enable Billabong to fall upon its key objective of increase of 6% c onversion rate and 7% increase of brand loyalty through the various initiatives. Objectives Measures Target Initiatives (actions Budget (in (KPI) (Current) ased on scenario planning) $) Financial 1. Monthly 1. annex 1. Launch 1 new 1. $70,000 eyeshot sales profit sales by collection each 15% by 2015 month, instead of the 1. extend in current plan of revenue launching new collections once every 3 months. 2. Decrease 2. Operational 2. Reduce 2. Lock in several costs expenses costs by main suppliers to gain 2. $800,000 10% by 2015 EOS Customer 1. Brand loyalty 1. Repeated Perspective conversion rate purchases 1. Track 1. $500,000 purchases using CRM system 1. Increase in brand loyalty 2. Improve brand 2. Market brand 2. Increase 2. Exclusivity of perception arket Billabongs products shares by (Limited edition line) shares 2. $1,000,000 15% by 2015 3. Improve 3. Customer 3. Increase product offerings Satisfaction rate satisfaction rate by 10% 3. Value-added 3. $2,500,000 product re versible shorts by 2015 Capabilities 1. Number of 1. Increase 1. Customers perspective customized by 15% by collaborators / Mass 1. $850,000 products 2015 customization 2. Delivery 2. Percent of 2. Reduce 2. Invest in quality quality product adversitys product management control / rejections failure by 1. Customization 2. $600,000 20% by 2015 Innovation 1. Number of 1. Implement 1.Introduce a Perspective feedback from 15% of platform to collect customers that customer customers feedback 1. Usage of Billabong feedback customers implemented feedback 1. $500,000 Conclusion To be able to differentiate its product offering would give Billabong a competitive edge over the few big players in the market who have all been competing on the same dimensions for the past decade. The focal point is to understand consumers through the CRM system and the information is crucial in order to design products and activities that appeal to them increasing conversion rate and building loyalty to Billabon g.By keeping its mission statement in mind of continuously setting a new standard in board sports through youthful lifestyle brands and experiences, the brand will be able to increase sales by selling the right product and offering the best experience. (2096 words) Appendix Appendix A Sub Brands under Billabong International Sub Brand Description Element A line of shoes for technical skate footwear and for girls. Von Zipper Eyewear, accessories and premium apparel targeting the boardsports and general action sports sectors. Kustom Surf inspired footwear brand.Palmers Surf Surf hardware brand specialized in the manufacturing of surfboard wax and surfing accessories, including deck grip and legropes. It also offers an apparel range of t-shirts, boardshorts and walkshorts, as well as workwear. Honolua Surf Inspired by the iconic Hawaiian waterman and has a strong straw man Company in Hawaii. Nixon Offers watches and accessories. Xcel Offers specialty wetsuits and a sun overprotective product line. Tigerlily Markets swimwear and apparel products in Australia. Sector 9 Skateboard brand specializing in skate longboards. DaKine Engages in the design and development of technical bags and ccessories for the surf, skate, snowboard, ski, mountain bike, windsurf and kite disciplines. RVCA Lifestyle brand offering apparel in the action sports category. Appendix B Consolidated table of issues/opportunities identified Opportunity Customer Increase consumers sensory experience by creating a Billabong Surf Village. Increase relational and selfexpansion value by hiring surf enthusiasts to impart knowledge to customers and increase sense of belonging. shape up a personalised experience by introducing a CRM system which caters to individual customer preferences. Introduce a simulated surf machine into selected retail utlets to increase element of fun and adventure entertainment value. Raise view value of Billabong products by increasing exclusivity create limited edition item s. Threat Emphasize customers individual identities through customization of boardshorts. Create an incentive for customers to dispose of their Billabong products in an environmentally friendly manner. Launch a tradein program where customers may exchange their old boardshorts for a discount on a new pair. Context Value add Billabongs products Lower buyer confidence and their surfer experience on affects discretionary outlay other avenues beyond price reating price conscious distinction. consumer New market of customers under- Demographic shift decreases 15s the usual 15-39 years old sports consumption age group. change magnitude convergence of surf Increasing convergence of wear and casual clothing leads surf wear and casual clothing to opportunities for greater leads to threat of substitute differentiation among surf brands Body size shift and high Surfwear is decreasing in concerns of Body Image leads to popularity and fashionability a trend towards end-user (due to moving tre nd) customization and innovative shapewear. Growing environmental Government financial backing, GST tax onsciousness among reprieve, stronger Australian Australians and the growth of eco sawhorse and better network and ethical clothing brands infrastructure give rise to more e-tailer competitors who offer lower prices and the ability to do price comparison. Innovations in green surf wear technology and creation of sustainable materials Growth of m-commerce and proliferation of smartphones leads to new retail formats A satisfying driver for growth in the Australian luxury goods market from ordinary middle-class Australians shows an opportunity for collaboration with luxury fashion brands. Competitors Little differentiations between roducts leads to low switching cost and lower brand loyalty Little differentiations between surfer experience provided by Billabong, Quiksilver and Hurley Surfwear and other offshore e-tailers poses a strong threat as online buying becomes more popular w ith Australian customers. Windows shoppers who are online shoppers who try products in physical shop with the intention to buy from an offshore e-tailer. To introduce customer customisation and more innovative surf wear technology into product range Collaborator Customer collaboration through Unsourcing allowing peer-to-peer support among user or through esign collaboration (The Economist 2012) Supplier Collaboration through collaboration with green supplier for new sustainable materials and green technology like ecosupreme suede to be incorporated into Billabong products Competitor Collaboration to tackle problems which affects the surf wear industry in general to increase overall interest in the surfing stopping point or environmental isssues Company High brand awareness, low conversion rate. Convert remaining 54% of those already aware of Billabong into customers. Cut down on number of designs, Designs not catering to focus on those popular with consumers needs customers.Re-eva luate which designs are favoured by market. Cut down number of suppliers in order to achieve economies of scale. Appendix C Customer Experience Cycle The Customer Experience Cycle (CEC) explains Billabongs current value proposition and the proposed improvements. Fig 1 Customer Experience Cycle Billabongs existing value proposition (red dots) Search Context ? available Value W hen searching for information close to Billabong, customers would desire a website that provides all that they need in one place, so as to achieve their objective easily. Billabong provides a comprehensive website that fulfills this. Sense Value Customers would like an interactive experience when searching for information as it would make things more interesting and break the monotony. ? Linking Value Customers would appreciate having a place that connects them to other volume who may provide information to them. Billabong currently has platforms such as Facebook which facilitate this. ? Entertainment Value Since Billabong is sells apparel, customers who search are likely to be searching leisurely, and not for urgent purposes. As such, they would enjoy having a fun website which provides information while also being engaging.Billabong uploads videos of their team of surfers, which engages the customers. ? Convenience Value Information about Billabong is easily admited online through its website or at any retail outlet in Australia. Purchase Context ? Functional Value Billabongs retail outlets and its e-commerce platform provide customers with the features needed to purchase their products, which achieves the desired outcome of buying new products from Billabong. ? Confidence Value W hen purchasing Billabong products online, customers desire for it to be safe and reliable, without the risk of having their credit card details stolen.Billabong certifies its e-commerce platforms to be safe, using online security programs Mcafee Secure and Norton Secured to protect consumers. ? Convenience Value It is important for customers to be able to purchase Billabongs products quickly and easily. For it to be convenient, a store selling their products should be easily accessible. Billabong owns 287 stores in Australasia (Billabong 2012), even if 50% were in Australia alone, that would be 143 stores, not including its wholesale outlet. This indicates that it should be easy for a consumer to find a store selling Billabong products near to where they are.Purchasing online makes it even more convenient to purchase Billabong products. Use Context ? Functional Value Billabongs products must be able to fulfill the basic purpose that the consumer bought it for. An role model would be that boardshorts should be lasting and comfortable to wear, as expect of surf wear. Billabong has been known for its high quality products (Billabong 2012), which indicates that customers are satisfied with the function of their products. ? Linking Value Billabong customers destiny to be associated and be part of the Billabongs community which brings surfers together.Billabong does this well through various surf events such as Billabong Pipe Masters and Australian Open of Surfing (Billabong 2012). Their Facebook page is also a platform for customers to network with each other. ? Confidence Value Billabong customers desire to have apparel that can withstand the rough water and weather conditions reliable surf wear that can be worn repeatedly. As mentioned, Billabong has been known for its high quality products which satisfy customers. Billabongs proposed value proposition (blue dots) Search Context ?Relational Value In order to increase a sense of belongingness when customers begin to search for Billabong products, they could start a customer collaboration. Unsourcing An online forum controlled by Billabong, with contributions by customers. They could share about their experience with Billabong products and recommend what to buy (The Economist 2012). Billabong could also hold cont ests where customers design boardshorts, with the winning design being produced and sold in retail outlets. Customers would feel a part of the Billabong family as they contribute towards the brand. It also helps Billabong to understand what customers want.Purchase Context ? Sense Value W hen a retail environment stimulates the five senses, it would become a memorable experience for customers. Billabong could open a Surf Village by the beach, where there are a combination of retail outlets, eateries and surf classes are held. Having retail outlets by the sea would also enhance the sight, sound and smell of the Billabong surf experience. ? Relational Value Store assistants should be friendly and able to hold a conversation with customers. Towards high-value customers, they should be able to greet the person by name. This would cause customers to feel a sense of belonging. Self-Esteem Value Billabong could adopt a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, whereby it tracks purchas e history of individual customers. When customers login to the e-commerce platform, the system could provide personalised suggestions for each customer based on their purchase history. It would make the customer feel valued and become a personalised experience. ? Entertainment Value Customers would enjoy a fun experience while shopping at the retail outlet. A simulated surf machine could be placed in selected outlets to entice customers to surf, leading to higher conversion rates.It would be fun and also a way to attract more people to learn surfing. ? Self-Expansion Value In order to facilitate customers learning experience, Billabong could hire surfer enthusiasts to work as store assistants. Their job would be to engage customers in conversation about surfing skills and knowledge, also to pass on the passion of surfing to customers. Another idea would be to include a surfing school in Billabongs Surf Village, where newcomers are welcome to take lessons. Every purchase of a pair of Billabong boardshorts could entitle a customer to a discounted price for a surf esson. Hence, customers would be encouraged to participate in the surfing experience. Use Context ? Status Value As Billabongs target market consists of aspirational surfers as well as actual surfers, they would value vestments that speak of their surfer status. Billabong could aim to raise its status value through sponsorships of surf-related movies. Strong Billabong brand placement could be used in the casts wardrobe, accessories and filmed in its retail outlets. Billabong could also produce limited edition apparel, which only sells for a short season.This would increase its exclusivity as a brand and as a result, increase its status. ? Self-Esteem Value Customers value experiences that emphasize their individual identity. In response to this value, Billabong could create a platform for customization of boardshorts and other surf apparel. It could be designed on Billabongs website then submitted onli ne, or at the actual retail outlet itself, where computer terminals are available for customers to design the clothes. Wearing clothes that are customized yet branded would increase the customers sense of identity as an individual. Disposal Context Price Value If customers were able to obtain a cash discount when disposing of their old surf apparel, they would make the effort to do so. Billabong could launch a program where customers trade-in their old surf apparel for a discount on their next purchase. ? Self-Esteem Value Australians pride themselves in being environmentallyfriendly, therefore, being able to recycle their surf wear would appeal to them as it emphasizes their identity. ? Convenience Value The recycle surf wear program must be convenient for customers as well, so that it can be do quickly without much effort.Recycling bins could be made available in the shops and customers would allowed to trade in shorts at any of Australias some Billabong outlets. ? Self-Expansio n Value The recycling project would boost customers learning experience and be a new initiative for many. They would learn how to properly dispose of their surf wear through a novel programme. APPENDIX D PEST Analysis General Industry Analysis Billabong Forces (Australia) Implications Political / Legal ? Push for online retail ? presence Domestic brick-and-mortar retailers must adapt to multi- Australian Retailers channel retailing to stayAssociation (ARA) is pushing competitive. local retailers to adopt an online store or upgrade their ? Rise of local and overseas current online or mobile internet retailers with wide presence to facilitate range of surf brands as product, location and strong competitors. opening hour searches (Euromonitor 2012) ? ampere-second Taxes ? Australia is set to introduce a Australia has obligations tax on carbon emission in under the Climate Change July 2012 which taxes Convention and the Kyoto companies as well as rail Protocol to reduce its transport and domestic carbon footprint aviation for each tonne of Euromonitor 2012) to CO2 emitted. encourage Australia to move towards a clean energy ? future. Apparel industries in Australia are unlikely to be liable however they will feel an indirect impact through various increasing costs, namely through freight and electricity costs. ? There is growing consumer scrutiny of the processes used to manufacture and source products. ? parkland Sustainability ? industry is to align green The Green Party in Australia credentials with value-for- is today a significant political money fashion. force (Euromonitor 2012). ? Tariff Barriers Australian governments ontinued protection of the domestic clothing and The dispute for apparel ? Trade tariff barriers on foreign export increase the price of goods produced by Billabongs foreign manufacturing industry through the maintenance of (Hawaiian Island Surf & tariff barriers (TPJ Sport) and Californian International 1999) ? competitors Hawaiian (Pac ific SunWear). No GST Taxes on imported ? Online channels will become goods a more popular shopping Online shoppers have won a choice due to savings from reprieve from goods and taxes and stronger Australian services tax (GST) on dollar. More local retailers mported goods worth less have to catch up with an than A$1,000 (US$1,030). online presence. Economic ? Weaken Consumers ? Creating a price-conscious consumption price being a Confidence Severe floods, the global more important determinant economic downturn and with consumers disbursement less increased unemployment on clothing by looking for rate from 0. 1% to 5. 2% cheaper options. (Australian role of Statistics 2012) have ? Rise of value clothing made weaken consumers available via cheap imports confidence affecting from China or online channels. discretionary spending. ? umteen Australian retailers use xtensive and prolonged sales ? Spend per capita and activity to coax customers back volume per capita declined which mig ht not be sustainable between 2005 and 2010 in the long run. (Euromonitor 2012). ? Appreciation of the ? Australian dollar Offshore retailers are of interest to local consumers due With an increase of about to appreciation of the 31% against the US dollar Australian dollar and the (April, 2012). 1. 00AUD = relatively lower prices available 1. 05526USD (XE, 17 Sep on surf apparels abroad. 2012) Social ? Thrifty Characteristics of ? Rise in price-conscious consumption consumers want the Australians he best possible value for their Despite the strong economy, a purchases. consumer sentiment survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) ? This includes measures such as revealed that Australian waiting for the next inevitable shoppers were among the most worried and financially wave of industry-wide price insecure in the Developed slashing, purchasing fewer items World, with many planning or attempting value offerings additional reductions in their through mass merchandisers, d iscretionary spending shifting down to a lower price (Euromonitor 2012). band. ? ? Consumers seek clothing suited Body Image o all body shapes and sizes. According to a survey Garments that flatter and conducted by Mission compliment a range of body Australia on 30,000 under-25 types are a crucial aspect of the participants Body Image is trend towards end-user apparently the number one customization. concern for new-fashioned Australians, ahead of the environment and family issues. ? Shift in average body size ? Sportswear have great potential Men in Australia are also for design features that cater to undergoing a body size shift. larger body sizes, with The average male weight innovations in shapewear and rose from 77. 4kg in 1989-1990 ther performance-enhancing to 83. 6kg in 2004-2005 support garments. (Euromonitor 2012). Weight gain is not just due to ? Compression sporting garments fat, with muscle bulk deemed are likely to drive growth in sexually attractive by many Aussie sportswear as consumers blokes. become better informed about their benefits for optimum muscle performance and recovery. ? Demographic shift ? Critically, there will be a squeeze As seen in fastest-growing age on the traditionally core 15-39 band over the coming decade year old sports consumption age will be the over-65s, followed band. by the under-15s (Euromonitor 012). ? Sporting stopping point ? Apparel items can provide a key Sporting activities play a incentive to participating in central role in Australian physical activity and sports. This cultural life signifies a growing need for well- Australians are currently designed and correctly-fitting encouraged to adapt simple, clothing which enhance everyday changes for better performance as well as injury health as part of the Measure prevention. Up nationwide public awareness campaign (Euromonitor 2012) ? Extreme sports/expeditions ? Specialist apparel is facing challenge to merge consumer is currently bedded as no. 10 nteres t in sport with growing in a Euromonitor demand for value fashion as International from FDS seen in the example of Stella Internationals Supporting McCartney has a line of Sport survey as one of the sportswear with Adidas. top 10 self reported sports interest (Euromonitor 2012). ? Beach Culture ? Australian male has always prided himself on being laid back With the vast majority of and casual, this impulse has Australians living within a short been replaced among many by distance from the beach, the an urge to succeed and reflected influence of the beach culture by the greater demand for suits, s significant, particularly in dress shirts and ties. However Sydney and up the east coast there must be strong emphasis of Queensland. This was on how price conscious their reflected by Australian fashion tastes tended to consumers spending of A$29 become. per capita spending on swimwear (Euromonitor 2012). ? Dressing Down ? Euromonitor (May 2012) also Inexpensive, everyday fashion has stead ily become the primary revealed trends of Australians type of fashion purchased by dressing down in times of Australian shoppers. economic uncertainty. Australians are dressing down and filling their wardrobes with nexpensive, clothing, according to the AMP Capital obtain Centres Shopping Intent Report (2012). ? Attitude to Luxury Products / Services ? There is a real driver for growth in the Australian luxury goods market coming from ordinary Research by American Express Business Insights published on fashion website middle-class Australians who are looking to splash out on something special. This shows fashioinmag. com appears to an opportunity for collaboration confirm the appeal of luxury with luxury fashion brands. products and services to a new group of luxury consumers, referred to as the newcomers, who are not articularly rich but who are spending a lot in high-end fashion and restaurants (Euromonitor 2012). By 2010, newcomers share of luxury spending represented 14% of the full(a) luxury spending in Australia. ? Domestic Holidays ? Though there is a rising outbound tourism due to the Australia contains a wide appreciation of the Australian variety of holiday options dollar and cheap fares from low within its own borders making cost carriers, domestic holidays Domestic holidays typically are still more common involve visits to the rural and outnumbers the number of coastal areas that are in close oreign holidays taken by nearly proximity to Australias major cities. ? clubhouse to one (Euromonitor 2012). Given various choices for ? This reveals an opportunity to types of holidays, market boardsports as a tourism respondents ranked nature activity within Australia holidays, (beaches, especially in coastal areas like waterways, wilderness and Secret Harbour (Perth), Noosa wildlife) first in terms of (Sunsine Coast), Bondi Beach interest, followed by holidays (Sydney), Boomerang Beach involving relaxation, health (Pacific Palms) and many more and intem perance (travelintelligence. com) entertainment, nightlife and hopping arts, culture, history and heritage and food and wine. ? Key principal motivations behind tourism includes to get away from everyday life, and to do/experience something new. Other motives also include to master a skill and to engage in challenging physical activities (Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism) ? Eco Consciousness ? among Australian Eco-friendly brands are canted to show upbeat growth consumers over the next five years, albeit from a low base. Deadly bushfires in Southeastern Australia and prolonged periods of drought across the contribution have brought issues of climate

A Game of Thrones Chapter Seven

AryaAryas stitches were crooked again.She frowned pass at them with dismay and glanced over to where her sister Sansa sit down among the other girls. Sansas needlecraft was exquisite. E rattlingone tell so. Sansas work is as pretty as she is, Septa Mordane told their lady mother once. She has such fine, delicate hands. When Lady Catelyn had asked ab turn up Arya, the septa had sniffed. Arya has the hands of a blacksmith.Arya glanced furtively across the room, disordered that Septa Mordane might have read her thoughts, just now the septa was paying her no attention today. She was sitting with the Princess Myrcella, all smiles and admiration. It was non often that the septa was privileged to instruct a proud princess in the womanly arts, as she had express when the puff brought Myrcella to join them. Arya thought that Myrcellas stitches looked a teensy crooked withal, but you would never know it from the way Septa Mordane was cooing.She study her own work again, looking f or some way to salvage it, consequently sighed and put down the needle. She looked glumly at her sister. Sansa was chatting away happily as she worked. Beth Cassel, Ser Rodriks weensy girl, was sitting by her feet, listening to every word she said, and Jeyne Poole was leaning over to whisper something in her ear.What atomic number 18 you talking about? Arya asked suddenly.Jeyne gave her a startled look, then giggled. Sansa looked abashed. Beth blushed. No one answered.Tell me, Arya said.Jeyne glanced over to make certain that Septa Mordane was non listening. Myrcella said something then, and the septa laughed along with the rest of the ladies.We were talking about the prince, Sansa said, her voice soft as a kiss.Arya knew which prince she meant Jofftey, of course. The tall, handsome one. Sansa got to sit with him at the feast. Arya had to sit with the little fat one. Naturally.Joffrey ilks your sister, Jeyne whispered, proud as if she had something to do with it. She was the da ughter of Winterfells steward and Sansas dearest friend. He told her she was very beautiful.Hes going to marry her, little Beth said dreamily, hugging herself. Then Sansa depart be queen of all the realm.Sansa had the grace to blush. She blushed prettily. She did everything prettily, Arya thought with dull resentment. Beth, you shouldnt make up stories, Sansa corrected the younger girl, gently stroking her hair to take the harshness out of her words. She looked at Arya. What did you think of Prince Joff, sister? Hes very gallant, dont you think?Jon says he looks like a girl, Arya said.Sansa sighed as she stitched. Poor Jon, she said. He gets jealous because hes a bastard.Hes our brother, Arya said, much too loudly. Her voice cut through the afternoon quiet of the tower room.Septa Mordane raised(a) her eyes. She had a bony face, sharp eyes, and a thin lipless mouth made for frowning. It was frowning now. What are you talking about, children?Our half brother, Sansa corrected, soft and precise. She smiled for the septa. Arya and I were remarking on how pleased we were to have the princess with us today, she said.Septa Mordane nodded. Indeed. A great honor for us all. Princess Myrcella smiled un sure at the compliment. Arya, why arent you at work? the septa asked. She rose to her feet, starched skirts rustling as she started across the room. Let me hit your stitches.Arya wanted to scream. It was just like Sansa to go and attract the septas attention. Here, she said, surrendering up her work.The septa examined the fabric. Arya, Arya, Arya, she said. This will not do. This will not do at all.Everyone was looking at her. It was too much. Sansa was too well bred to smile at her sisters disgrace, but Jeyne was smirking on her behalf. Even Princess Myrcella looked sorry for her. Arya felt tears filling her eyes. She pushed herself out of her chair and bolted for the door.Septa Mordane labeled after her. Arya, come back here Dont you take another step Your lady moth er will hear of this. In front of our royal princess too Youll shame us allArya stop at the door and turned back, biting her lip. The tears were running down her cheeks now. She managed a stiff little bow to Myrcella. By your leave, my lady.Myrcella blinked at her and looked to her ladies for guidance. But if she was uncertain, Septa Mordane was not. Just where do you think you are going, Arya? the septa demanded.Arya glared at her. I have to go shoe a horse, she said sweetly, taking a brief satisfaction in the shock on the septas face. Then she whirled and made her exit, running down the steps as fast as her feet would take her.It wasnt fair. Sansa had everything. Sansa was two years older maybe by the time Arya had been born, there had been nothing left. Often it felt that way. Sansa could sew and dance and sing. She wrote poetry. She knew how to dress. She played the full(prenominal) harp and the bells. Worse, she was beautiful. Sansa had gotten their mothers fine high cheekbone s and the thick au foreshorten hair of the Tullys. Arya took after their lord father. Her hair was a lusterless brown, and her face was long and solemn. Jeyne used to call her Arya Horseface, and neigh whenever she came near. It hurt that the one thing Arya could do better than her sister was ride a horse. sound, that and manage a household. Sansa had never had much of a period for figures. If she did marry Prince Joff, Arya hoped for his sake that he had a good steward.Nymeria was waiting for her in the guardroom at the base of the stairs. She bounded to her feet as soon as she caught sight of Arya. Arya grinned. The wolf pup loved her, even if no one else did. They went everywhere together, and Nymeria slept in her room, at the foot of her bed. If Mother had not forbidden it, Arya would gladly have taken the wolf with her to needlework. Let Septa Mordane complain about her stitches then.Nymeria nipped eagerly at her hand as Arya untied her. She had yellow eyes. When they caugh t the sunlight, they gleamed like two golden coins. Arya had named her after the warrior queen of the Rhoyne, who had led her people across the narrow sea. That had been a great s coffin naildal too. Sansa, of course, had named her pup Lady. Arya made a face and hugged the wolfling tight. Nymeria licked her ear, and she giggled.By now Septa Mordane would certainly have sent word to her lady mother. If she went to her room, they would find her. Arya did not care to be fix. She had a better notion. The boys were at practice in the yard. She wanted to see Robb put gallant Prince Joffrey flat on his back. Come, she whispered to Nymeria. She got up and ran, the wolf coming hard at her heels.There was a window in the cover bridge between the armory and the Great Keep where you had a view of the whole yard. That was where they headed.They arrived, flushed and breathless, to find Jon seated on the sill, one leg gaunt up languidly to his chin. He was watching the action, so absorbed that h e seemed unaware of her approach until his white wolf moved to meet them. Nymeria stalked walk-to(prenominal) on wary feet. Ghost, already larger than his litter mates, smelled her, gave her ear a careful nip, and settled back down.Jon gave her a curious look. Shouldnt you be working on your stitches, little sister?Arya made a face at him. I wanted to see them fight.He smiled. Come here, then.Arya climbed up on the window and sat beside him, to a chorus of thuds and grunts from the yard below.To her disappointment, it was the younger boys drilling. Bran was so heavily padded he looked as though he had belted on a featherbed, and Prince Tommen, who was die to begin with, seemed positively round. They were huffing and puffing and hitting at each other with padded wooden swords under the watchful eye of old Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms, a great stout keg of a man with magnificent white cheek whiskers. A dozen spectators, man and boy, were calling out encouragement, Robbs voi ce the loudest among them. She spotted Theon Greyjoy beside him, his black doublet emblazoned with the golden kraken of his House, a look of wry contempt on his face. Both of the combatants were staggering. Arya judged that they had been at it awhile.A substitute more exhausting than needlework, Jon observed.A shade more fun than needlework, Arya gave back at him. Jon grinned, reached over, and messed up her hair. Arya flushed. They had always been close. Jon had their fathers face, as she did. They were the only ones. Robb and Sansa and Bran and even little Rickon all took after the Tullys, with easy smiles and fire in their hair. When Arya had been little, she had been afraid that meant that she was a bastard too. It been Jon she had gone to in her fear, and Jon who had reassured her.Why arent you down in the yard? Arya asked him.He gave her a half smile. Bastards are not allowed to damage young princes, he said. Any bruises they take in the practice yard must come from trueborn swords.Oh. Arya felt abashed. She should have realized. For the second time today, Arya reflected that sustenance was not fair.She watched her little brother whack at Tommen. I could do just as good as Bran, she said. Hes only seven. Im nine.Jon looked her over with all his fourteen-year-old wisdom. Youre too skinny, he said. He took her arm to feel her muscle. Then he sighed and shook his head. I doubt you could even lift a longsword, little sister, never head word swing one.Arya snatched back her arm and glared at him. Jon messed up her hair again. They watched Bran and Tommen circle each other.You see Prince Joffrey? Jon asked.She hadnt, not at first glance, but when she looked again she found him to the back, under the shade of the high stone wall. He was surrounded by men she did not recognize, young squires in the livery of Lannister and Baratheon, strangers all. There were a fewer older men among them knights, she surmised.Look at the arms on his sur come up, Jon suggeste d.Arya looked. An ornate shield had been embroidered on the princes padded surcoat. No doubt the needlework was exquisite. The arms were pided down the middle on one side was the crowned stag of the royal House, on the other the lion of Lannister.The Lannisters are proud, Jon observed. Youd think the royal sigil would be sufficient, but no. He makes his mothers House equal in honor to the kings.The woman is important too Arya protested.Jon chuckled. Perhaps you should do the same thing, little sister. Wed Tully to marginal in your arms.A wolf with a fish in its mouth? It made her laugh. That would look silly. Besides, if a girl cant fight, why should she have a coat of arms?Jon shrugged. Girls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister.There was a call off from the courtyard below. Prince Tommen was rolling in the dust, trying to get up and failing. All the padding made him look like a turtle on its back. Bran was stand up over him with upraised wooden sword, ready to whack him again once he regained his feet. The men began to laugh.Enough Ser Rodrik called out. He gave the prince a hand and yanked him back to his feet. Well fought. Lew, Donnis, help them out of their armor. He looked around. Prince Joffrey, Robb, will you go another round?Robb, already sweaty from a previous bout, moved forward eagerly. Gladly.Joffrey moved into the sunlight in response to Rodriks summons. His hair shone like spun gold. He looked bored. This is a game for children, Ser Rodrik.Theon Greyjoy gave a sudden bark of jape. You are children, he said derisively.Robb may be a child, Joffrey said. I am a prince. And I grow tired of swatting at Starks with a play sword.You got more swats than you gave, Joff, Robb said. Are you afraid?Prince Joffrey looked at him. Oh, terrified, he said. Youre so much older. Some of the Lannister men laughed.Jon looked down on the scene with a frown. Joffrey is truly a little shi t, he told Arya.Ser Rodrik tugged thoughtfully at his white whiskers. What are you suggesting? he asked the prince.Live steel.Done, Robb shot back. Youll be sorryThe master-at-arms put a hand on Robbs shoulder to quiet him. Live steel is too dangerous. I will permit you tourney swords, with blunted edges.Joffrey said nothing, but a man strange to Arya, a tall knight with black hair and burn scars on his face, pushed forward in front of the prince. This is your prince. Who are you to tell him he may not have an edge on his sword, ser?Master-at-arms of Winterfell, Clegane, and you would do well not to forget it.Are you training women here? the burned man wanted to know. He was muscled like a bull.I am training knights, Ser Rodrik said pointedly. They will have steel when they are ready. When they are of an age.The burned man looked at Robb. How old are you, boy?Fourteen, Robb said.I killed a man at twelve. You can be sure it was not with a blunt sword.Arya could see Robb bristle. His pride was wounded. He turned on Ser Rodrik. Let me do it. I can flitter him.Beat him with a tourney blade, then, Ser Rodrik said.Joffrey shrugged. Come and see me when youre older, Stark. If youre not too old. There was laughter from the Lannister men.Robbs curses rang through the yard. Arya covered her mouth in shock. Theon Greyjoy seized Robbs arm to grip him away from the prince. Ser Rodrik tugged at his whiskers in dismay.Joffrey feigned a yawn and turned to his younger brother. Come, Tommen, he said. The hour of play is done. Leave the children to their frolics.That brought more laughter from the Lannisters, more curses from Robb. Ser Rodriks face was beet-red with fury under the white of his whiskers. Theon kept Robb locked in an iron grip until the princes and their party were safely away.Jon watched them leave, and Arya watched Jon. His face had grown as dummy up as the pool at the heart of the godswood. Finally he climbed down off the window. The show is done, he said. H e bent to scratch Ghost loafer the ears. The white wolf rose and rubbed against him. You had best run back to your room, little sister. Septa Mordane will surely be lurking. The longer you hide, the sterner the penance. Youll be sewing all through winter. When the spring thaw comes, they will find your body with a needle still locked tight between your frozen fingers.Arya didnt think it was funny. I hate needlework she said with passion. Its not fairNothing is fair, Jon said. He messed up her hair again and walked away from her, Ghost moving silently beside him. Nymeria started to follow too, then stopped and came back when she saw that Arya was not coming.Reluctantly she turned in the other direction.It was worse than Jon had thought. It wasnt Septa Mordane waiting in her room. It was Septa Mordane and her mother.

E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web: A Review Essay

IntroductionA friend is someone who f solelys somewhere between intimate love relationships and casual relationships. In a love relationship the binding force is either kinship or marriage with full sexual priveleges. Casual relationships carry no obligations with them. They are comprised of of next door neighbors or work relationships in which there is brief and superficial contact. Nothing deeply personal is revealed and there is no sense of correlative obligation. People exchange greetings and pleasantries in ways that are polite. On the other hand, friendship relationships are neither sexual nor kinship in nature. However, there is a sense of mutual obligation and friends feel deep emotional ties. More than anything friendship relationships are based on a kind of intimacy. How would you feel if you had to ante up up a cute little pet? What would you do if a friends life was in danger?How far would you go to cheer someone or something you care ab discover? Discover these answe rs and more when you read one of the most beloved and well known books of all time, Charlottes blade This is a flooring about friendship, compassion, caring, and loyalty.Here you go forth meet Fern, a girl who lives on a farm, Wilbur a tiny, lovable, runt down, Charlotte, a clever and clean spider, and Templeton, the hungry rat. Come and see how these characters meet and become friends and how one of them will save the life of a nonher.SummaryCharlottes Web is a childrens newfangled by American author E. B. White andillustrated by Garth Williams it was published in 1952 by Harper & Brothers. It features a pig named Wilbur and his spider friend Charlotte who saves him from slaughter. One daybreak at the breakfast table, eight year old Fern sees her father leave the house with an axe and asks her mother where hes going. Her mother delivers the shocking parole that Mr Arable is going out to kill a runt that was born the night before. Fern chases her father down and persuades hi m to spare the runt, telling him that it is unjust to kill a piglet just because it is small. Moved by his daughters plea, Mr Arable decides to hand the runt to her to look subsequently. Fern names the piglet Wilbur and looks after him like a baby, pushing him in her pram alongside her doll and feeding him with a bottle. At five weeks old Mr Arable insists that Wilbur is sold and he goes to live in the Zuckerman barn down the road.Wilbur initially struggles at the barn because he misses Fern so much scarcely soon he becomes acquainted with new friends, the best of whom is a lady grey spider called Charlotte. Wilbur is fascinated by Charlotte, although to begin with he is slightly suspicious of the way she catches her food he doesnt like the thought that she spins bugs in her web and sucks their blood. He soon realizes that Charlotte is everything but cruel and bloodthirsty and that her method of eating is entirely necessary for a spider. Wilbur is complete happy during the pas s days Fern comes to visit and his new friend tells him exciting stories and has the patience to try and coach him about how to spin a web (although she knows fine well he will never be able to) but one day he gets some terrible news that puts an end to his carefree attitude.The sheep tells Wilbur that Mr Zuckerman is fattening him up for Christmas dinner and Wilbur is distraught he is so happy on the farm and doesnt want to die. Charlotte calms him down and promises him that she wont let him be killed. She hasnt worked out how to save him yet, but she is determined that she will. One dawning as Lurvy pours Wilburs slops, he notices Charlottes twinkling spider web in the morning fog. The words SOME PIG have been weaved into the web. Lurvy is gobsmacked and utters a prayer. He quickly tells Mr Zuckerman who is equally amazed and soon the news spreads near and far. Worried that volume may be getting bored of SOME PIG, Charlotte asks Templeton the rat to aid her in finding more wor ds to write in her web. erudite that if Wilbur is killed he wont have access to his slops,Templeton reluctantly scavenges for newspaper clippings to help Charlotte. The next word she writes is TERRIFIC and after that, RADIANT.Meanwhile, Mrs Arable is c one timerned that Fern is spending too much time down at the barn and becomes even more alarmed when her daughter tells her about Charlotte and the stories Charlotte tells. Mrs Arable decides to go and see Dr. Dorian to ask him what he makes of Fern thinking the animals can talk and what he makes of the mysterious writing in the web. Dr Dorian is very calm and rational and says that the real miracle is not the writing in the web but the fact that a spider instinctively knows how to build a web without any tuition. He says that it is quite attainable that animals can talk and that the reason that adults cannot hear them might be because they talk too much to hear what is going on in nature. With the news of Zuckermans famous pig sp reading, the Zuckermans and Arables decide to take Wilbur to the County Fair. Charlotte agrees to go too although she is feeling tired and soon has to build a sac to hold her eggs.At the fair, Charlotte is disappointed to see that beside Wilburs pen is a much larger spring pig called Uncle. Knowing he is fierce competition, Charlotte decides to spin another web and once again Templeton is sent off to find a word. The adults and children enjoy themselves at the fair and Avery and Fern are particularly excited that they are allowed to go off without their parents all afternoon. Fern spends all afternoon with Henry Fussy and they go on the Ferris hustle together. For months after, Fern will look back nostalgically at her time on the Ferris wheel with Henry. Before nightfall Charlotte weaves her web with the new word HUMBLE written into it and throughout the night she makes her egg sac. In the morning the Zuckermans and Arables see the web but they also notice that Uncle has a blue ta g on his pen he has already won first prize.Mr Zuckerman ignores the tag and tells everyone to buck up and give Wilbur a buttermilk bath. Everyone who comes to Wilburs pen has something good to say about him. Suddenly, over the loudspeaker a voice is heard asking Zuckerman to bring his famous pig to the judges booth for a special award. Wilbur is awarded a medal for being phenomenal and completely out of the ordinary and Mr Zuckerman is given $25. Since the writing first appeared in the web, the miracle has been on everyones mind. After the press photos and the commotion, Wilbur is returned to his pen. Wilbur notices that Charlotte is quiet and looks unwell.She tells him thatshe is content now that she knows he is safe she knows Mr Zuckerman will never harm him now, but she tells Wilbur that she is failing and will be dead in a day or two. Panicked and distraught Wilbur races around the pen, begging Charlotte to come home with him, but she hasnt decorous energy to move. Wilbur de cides to take Charlottes egg sac and promises Templeton first choice of his slops if he retrieves the sac. As Wilbur carries the sac in his mouth and is led into the crate, he winks at Charlotte and she musters all the energy she can to wave goodbye.The next day, as the Ferris wheel is being taken apart, Charlotte dies. Back at the Zuckermans, Wilbur is given a blatant welcome home. He waits patiently for the birth of Charlottes children and often looks longingly at her empty, broken web. When her children are finally born, Wilbur is distraught to see them let out loose clouds of fine silk that carries them far away on the breeze. Three of Charlottes children stay in the barn with Wilbur, however and become his good friends. Year after year new spiders are born to replace the old but no one ever replaces Charlotte in Wilburs heart.ConclusionThis book is in particular good for first time readers who have taken the big jump from short stories to a real novel. It is easy reading and the talking animals captivate the young person children. An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a clever spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful pig, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of pork animal persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads Some Pig, convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.

Tattoos: the Beauty Within

Tattoos The Beauty Within Throughout history tattoos shake been physical exertiond for umteen una the like purposes. They pitch also been criticized for being placed on the human body. People throughout history have been assigning their own beliefs to tattoos. Some beliefs, dismantle when strange to others, have a substantial value to the person whose choice it is to have admiration for a symbol. History shows that tattoos re symbolise diversity in importee and opinions this diversity is reflected through a persons values, culture and judgment. John Barker said, There are divergent motivations in different locations at different times. I believe he has the best description of the reasoning fag tattoos. Who ever came up with the thought of placing ink under the skin to signify a moment in time, special event in their life, or whichever the reason was, was thinking outside the box. There have been many different phases of personal reflexion throughout history and woven throug hout cultures like fabrics in an eccentric Turkish rug. The only constant that tattoos have had threw out the thousands of years, is that it is forever evolving different meanings for different good deal.Someone, somewhere, in some point in time has had an opinion or use of a tattoo. The first proof of tattooing on a human dates covering fire between 3350 and 3100 B. C. That is 5,000 years ago. Discovered in the Alps in South Tyrol, Italy in September of 1991, Otzi the ice man had over 50 tattoos placed in different areas of his body. Some were along his wrist and ankles. Others were placed along his back. Form the unique placing of his tattoos, anthropologist think his tattoos were used for therapeutic treatment and not symbolic like most tribal tattoos.Otzi tattoos were do by fine incisions into which charcoal was rubbed (Demetz). There is very little chance of ever knowing the true reason behind the how or the why of Neanderthal tattooing. It is still very interesting to know their culture felt it an important practice. The remains of an Egyptian priestess named Amunet were discovered by Archaeologists border on Thebes in Egypt. Her 4,000 year-old mummified body was tattooed with several lines and dots across her abdomen, thighs, and breasts- similar to those found on Otzi but in different locations.Researchers believe these tattoos were associated with ritualistic phantasmal practices. When tattooing was adopted by romish soldiers in their foreign fields of battle it again became something different. What st finesseed as a mark of camaraderie and identification was later banned by Roman Emperor Constantine around Anno Domini 325. He declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and according to Christian dogma at the time, tattoos were a disfigurement of that made in Gods image similar to present day Islamic belief.The purity of the human body became an integral part of Roman belief and even the use of tattoos as brands for crimina ls or the condemned became unpopular and vulgar. A description of tattoo techniques and a formula for tattoo ink was found in an ancient transcript named Medicae Artis Principles. The text was written by the sixth century Roman physician Aetius Amidenus and there are some that believe that Aetius copied it from the lost Library of Alexandria. This and other evidence suggests that tattooing existed removed earlier in the area than popular belief. M. W.Thomson, a Biblical scholar, suggests that Moses barrowed tattooing from the Arabs and introduced it as a way to memorialize the liberation of Jewish slaves in Egypt. Religious extremism is unremarkably affiliated with symbolic tattoos and the Crusades were no exception. Crusaders who reached the Holy Land in the 11th and 12th centuries had crosses tattooed on their arms. Some believe the mark of the Jerusalem cross was tattooed hardly as a souvenir of their travels. Others believe it was the thought of receiving a Christian burial i n the event they died in battle, which led many to mark their bodies permanently.In Anno Domini 787, Pope Hadrian the First forbade the marking of skin. This became a tradition for the popes that followed and the Church continued to prohibit tattooing until the 19th century. Tattooing is almost nonexistent in Christian History because of this and researchers have only speculation and small amounts of evidence to draw conclusions. Despite the efforts of Constantine and the Church, some evidence of the many uses of the tattoo by Christianity still exists today and many present day Christians use tattoos to symbolize their faith.Captain James Cook landed in the Polynesian islands in 1769 and encountered inhabitants with an entirely different view of tattooing. The Polynesian peoples had colonized most of the habitable islands east of Samoa by Anno Domini 1,000 and tattoo styles based on separate unique cultures evolved on each of the island groups. Some of the inhabitants believed that a persons manna, their spiritual world power or life force, is displayed through their tattoo. Others such as the warrior class in Hawaii and the Marquesas Islands used the tattoo as a form of camouflage.Traditional Hawaiian tattoo art, known as kakau, was used to guard ones health and spiritual well-being. Intricate patterns of natural forms were tattooed across the arms, legs, torso and face. Some of them were worn for decoration and merit. The traditionalistic island tattoos of today are symbolic of this heritage and embellishment. Captain Cooks encounter birthed the rise of naval tattoos. Members of Cooks crew were the first European sailors to acquire Polynesian tattoos and before long the British Navy had sailors returning home with permanent souvenirs of their travels to distant lands.Unlike the Romans, sailors and eventually every branch of the military embraced this soon to be tradition. Soon tattoo parlors were present in every European port city. The tattoos ranged fro m unit identification and shared camaraderie to lucky charms meant to save them from intoxi locoweedt and complex relationships. Modern day military tattoos are a traditional form of pride for members of the armed services. Tattoos are controversial, symbolic and significant. Tattoos have been used throughout history by many different cultures. They have maintained a status in present day history for many different people for many different reasons.A variety of people view a tattoo as a sin, disgrace, or just plain tacky to have on the human body. Churches throughout history and cultures have used tattoos as scapegoats, for sinners actions. The churches have also used them in certain religious practices. Cultures throughout the world, in past and present times, have had multiple meaning associated with the various types of tattoo designs. Depending on the tattoos location on the body, pattern, and/or sex of the person, can signify different skills, Statius, and or the titles held i n certain tribes around the world.In modern day western cultures, many people have decided to go far a tattoo to signify a specific memory, as tribute to a love one who has passed, and/or just because they like the design of the tattoo. Its a persons own perspective to look inside ones self and choose to see the beauty within the art of a tattoo. Whether people see tattoos as a sin or a work of art, Tattoos have earned their place in history. Works Cited Tattoo. countersign Histories and Mysteries. Boston Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 20 February 2011. The Ancient and Mysterious History. History & Archaeology. Cate Lineberry. Smithsonian, 01 January 2007. Web. 20 February 2011. Painted Past Borneos Traditional Tattoos. National Geographic Channel. Sharon Guynup. June 18, 2004. Web. 21 February 2011. Tattoos-From proscribed to Mainstream. National Geographic News. Brian Handwerk. October 11, 2002. Web. 25 February 2011. The Guide. Stefan Demetz, The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, 1998. History of Tattoos Tribal Tattoos Tattoos Today. Freetattoodesigns. org. Web. 20 February 2011. Tattoo History India. Tattoojoy. com. Web. 20 February 2011.

Bilingual Education: Critique Essay

According to Brisk (1998), when bilingual or bilateral education is implemented in private shallows the results atomic number 18 very encouraging. Students of all ages benefit from such approach producing at times amazing results. When, however, the bilingual education is implemented in public schools for lingo-minority, the results become moot if not questionable. To understand such a disparity, a lot of studies hold back been conducted during the last two decades.One of this studies that Brisk described was done by UNESCO to a greater extent(prenominal) than than 40 years ago concluded that when peasantren were taught in their second (or minor) speech they sleep togetherd difficulties in their education. From their report, one could see clearly that researchers at this organization promote the mother tongue declaring that children get better education when teachers teach them using it. Logically, the spoken language is the medium to transit knowledge. If the native lang uage was and is spoken at home, the study cultural elements are being tran berthd to the children of the family.Language encapsulates the concepts that language carries and that are transmitted on to the young child as he or she absorbs the culture at bottom the micro-culture. Before the child goes to school, many concepts absorbed through the native language are already a part of his or her cognitive development. Even much so, the elements of personality have also been transmitted through the native language and continue being reinforced if and when the parents speak the native language at home.When that child goes to school, he or she feels immediately conf employ for that personality core cannot be expressed nor reinforced by the dominating language that the child hears in school for the duration of the entire day. The transition from the native language into the concepts learnt with the dominant language is happening very slow and never in its entirety leaving some confusio n and unclear definitions. That lack of clarity prohibits the child from asking questions (especially if that child is more shy by nature) and that feeling of confusion formulates into frustration.Shannon Fitts (2006) examined how bilingual instruction affects the students acquire and how parallel monolingualism afford the students to explore linguistic forms and their attendant social meanings. It appears that her initial perspective of the parallel monolingualism implies that the children artificially separate two languages to absorb the instructional input. Indeed, at that place are intangible ideas present in the native language that cannot be expressed in the dominant one. Thus, the lingo-minority students can be easily taken avail of by other students or even by teachers.Throughout the Fitts paper there is a dominance of an idea that teaching in bilingualism is unjust and unsportsmanlike to those whose dominant language is not native. She justifies this view by trying to conceptualize her opinion of conceptualizing native languages and thus viewing a language as an isolated medium of knowledge transference. She referred to other researchers when saying that Latino students do not feel valued while being present in the classroom of the dominant culture and therefore find it difficult to devote to their own education.She should not isolate Hispanic students from those of other ethnic backgrounds. I do not call up that anything has to do with being or not being valued as a person it has everything to do with misconstruing definitions, half-understood remarks, not-natively implied body language, and other cultural elements. Looking at bilingual classroom from the wrong perspective will warp the impression about the students social make up and cultural inclusion.Han Chung (2006) expressed a irresponsible approach in the writing style describing the code-switching strategy in addressing the needs of bilingual Korean students. The researchers attitude was that of nonchalant opinion with non-sided estimation. This researcher started the paper with the acknowledgement that multilingualism is the way that many people live with (i. e. Europe) and the transference between languages becomes more than cursory. She mentioned several secondary sources that conform the fact that many children grow up hearing two or even more languages at home and in the immediate environment.With the people becoming more mobile, more and more children are forced into multilingualism however, it is not necessarily contri exclusivelying to their best rate of development. Her logical discussion brings the readers into the common for the topic questions, like How the children acquire the second language? or Being able to communicate in two languages, do they loose some authorised characteristics of the personality development transferred in to them by the low gear and native language? or What does happen to the cultural identity? Her further discourse dis cusses the multiculturalism as the medium of the complex communicative demands of a pluralistic club (the secondary source). Her acknowledgment that the caller is pluralistic (not monolistic with domineering language) brings a totally new concept into bilingualism of its citizenship that every resident living in that society has bear on rights and equal access to the major language used in that society. The sentiment in spite of appearance the Fitts work (2006) was different.I perceived that she was referring to Hispanic students as those who must typeset to the major culture and language. Multilinguistic approach versus that of monolistic should become prevalent before we accept the fact that the right to major or minor languages within the same society should be provided to any citizen. Even that is not enough. Language minority students should feel that their native language and ethnic belonging are accepted and respected within the dominant culture.They should not feel excl uded just because they have an accent or they do not understand all the nuances of the dominant language. They may feel that their language is not as important as the dominant language at their school. At some sites where there are no bilingual computer programs, the emphasis is not on the maintenance of the students primary language. Instead, the goal is to transition the students as soon as possible into all dominant language classes. The intimation here is uni-sided your culture and language are less important than ours.Certainly, such implication will be indirect but nevertheless felt by the affected minority groups. The use of the students primary language therefore takes a backseat, as the main language emphasized at the site is the dominant one. The maintenance of his/her language is not the main priority of such a school. Despite the controversy (Rothstein, 1998), it is given that at schools where there are bipartizan bilingual immersion programs, the target language, whi ch may be the primary language of the minority student, does not take a backseat at the site.It is considered just as important as the dominant language and treated equally. The equal treatment can become tricky, and this is where the instructors skill and special training are needed. Unlike in transitional bilingual programs where the primary language is only emphasized in core subject classes until the student is transitioned into the dominant only curriculum the equal bilingual program treats each subject matter as knowledge with ought much emphasis with what language the students will acquire it.Rothsteins work clearly points out at this controversy and is addressed to both kind of readers pro-bilingualism and those who do not see the value behind it. He pointed out that the minor and the dominant languages should be used equally and by the language majority students as well as by the teaching staff as a mere tool to bring through instructional input. According to some research ers in the area of bilingual education (Commins & Miramontes, 2006), equal bilingual programs may help students in the area of self-esteem, which may have an effect in the area of academic achievement.In that, Commins and Miramontes argued that students self esteem could be studied separately for it can be a dependent protean to the type of education program (bilingual or monolingual) the site will employ. Such a perspective always refreshes for it is obvious that the researchers do not take sides or become shifted into any opinion. In another work, Dominguez De Ramirez, and Shapiro (2006) suggested that programs such as two-way bilingual immersion programs contain ingredients that may help the language minority students lecture their levels of self-esteem, and academic achievement.These researchers, as well, focused their attention at the formation of students personality and the program factors affect on it. These particular researchers attitudes appeared to be shifted in favor of Hispanic population for they specifically discuss such without any reference to any other ethnic groups. With such researchers, I would like to see more umbrella approach discussing other ethnic groups and ethnic situations so abundantly present in the USA and especially in European Union. The situation is not and should not appear to be unique to one ethnic group in one country.Many in multiple geographical locations around the Globe experience it. Further, it would not be presumptions of me to notice that such situations happen very often with the ethnic writers writing about the population that belong to their ethnicity group. Especially these writers should be more concerned of the wider-comprehensive appearance of their work. Such critique is no way to limit their effectiveness as far as their writing skills are concerned but rather their point ness within the topic(s) they choose. References Brisk, M. E. (1998).Bilingual Education From Compensatory to Quality Schooling. La wrence Erlbaum Associates. Commins, N. L. , & Miramontes, O. B. (2006). Addressing Linguistic Diversity from t he Outset. Journal of Teacher Education, 57(3), 240+. Retrieved June 4, 2007, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5014939910 De Ramirez, R. D. , & Shapiro, E. S. (2006). Curriculum-Based Measurement and the Evaluation of Reading Skills of Spanish-Speaking English Language Learners in Bilingual Education Classrooms. School Psychology Review, 35(3), 356+.Retrieved June 4, 2007, from Questia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5017755652 Fitts, S. (Summer, 2006). Reconstructing the Status Quo Linguistic Interaction in a Dual-Language School. Bilingual Research Journal, 29 2 Han Chung, H. (Summer, 2006). Code Switching as a Communicative strategy A Case Study of KoreanEnglish Bilinguals. Bilingual Research Journal, 30 2 Rothstein, R. (1998). Bilingual Education The Controversy. Phi Delta Kappan, 79(9), 672+. Retrieved June 4, 2007, from Que stia database http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5001343556