Sales promotion campaign Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Deals advancement battle - Essay Example The primary objective segment is involved basically of upwardly versatile white collar class cubicle laborers keen on keeping up a specific status of achievement who commonly as of now have very much characterized thoughts of what kinds of beverages are suitable for their situation throughout everyday life. As per Hugh Archibald, director of the National Association of Cider Makers, â€Å"drinkers in England have a profound established impression of juice as a provincial ‘alternative’ drink† (refered to in C&C, n.d.). Perceiving an incentive in an item is a quality most Britons highly esteem, especially in the bigger urban areas among the prime segment gathering. Among these purchasers, picture is significant in assisting with building up this impression of value. â€Å"UK customers think about quality, they have a specialist information on natural items and what is beneficial for them. They comprehend that quality is important† (Vyse, 2005). On the off chance that Magners can situate itself as an item that offers higher caliber and in this way more noteworthy incentive for the cash spent, it can rehash its Ireland accomplishment all through Great Britain too. It will be the goal of this crusade to help deals of Magners Cider in Great Britain to mirror a c loser relationship to the 24% piece of the overall industry right now delighted in Scotland. To point out the natural idea of Magners Cider while as yet underscoring a cutting edge offer, a business battle that centers around tending to present day issues and innovations ought to be used. To bring the focal point of the buyer onto the apples utilized in the creation procedure, Magners can print up specific bundling that incorporates an exceptional apple symbol meaning a level of the business cost will be given to a children’s noble cause gathering. For those customers who buy their juice fundamentally at the bars, specific apple limited time materials can be made that can recognize those bars

Romanticisam And Washington Irving :: Writer Author Irving

Sentimental stories didn't generally end with a glad consummation. Actually, the firsts of the advanced sentimental stories were about the malice of human instinct. Crafted by early American scholars like Irving and Poe show the impact of European Romanticism. Irving would weight on nature, the heavenly, and odd notions in his accounts. The extraordinary, the accentuation of nature, and fascinating areas were utilized in Poe's works. Washington Irving would utilize an accentuation on nature, the extraordinary, and odd notions in his accounts. His story The Devil and Tom Walker imagined nature as puzzling. Tom strolled through a marsh that was thick to such an extent that when it was early afternoon it would be still be extremely dull. On occasion, water logs would seem as though crocodiles gliding in the water. The heavenly region likewise assumed a basic job in the story. The fallen angel, being the extraordinary being, appeared to be able to exchange wealth for an individual's spirit. Tom, having sold his spirit, needed to outfox the villain by enlisting the assistance of another otherworldly force, God, via conveying a book of scriptures. At long last, the fallen angel took his spirit and he took in an exercise he can't overlook. Another of Irving's works The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, shows the force than strange notion can have over individuals. Ichabod Crane was a cautious man who abstained from strolling und er stepping stools, crossing dark felines, or tipping over the salt shaker. When Ichabod heard the legend of lethargic empty, he was so startled that being said least complex of commotions like cattails beating on a log, frightened him. The qualities of Irving's works have been plainly communicated, along these lines demonstrating that his works were in actuality sentimental. The powerful, the accentuation of nature, and intriguing areas were utilized in Edgar Allan Poe's works. Poe's story The Fall of the House of Usher included crafted by the powerful. Usher was disheartened by the loss of his sister to an ailment. Peculiar things start to occur as the storyteller shows up: the outside is filled a bizarre, awful shine and the house appears to wake up. Close to the finish of the story is the point at which the most abnormal otherworldly thing happens. The figure of Usher's sister moves through the corridor, ends Usher's life, and demolishes the house. A similar story has an accentuation of nature according to Usher's family. Throughout the years, the house had gotten jumbled with plants and parasites.

Things to Consider when Writing Your Job Application

Things to Consider when Writing Your Job Application Sending job applications requires a bit of time and planning. If you don’t take the time to understand the elements of a good job application, your chances of landing your dream job will diminish. © Shutterstock | Rawpixel.comThis guide will help you understand the basics of a job application and the best practices of filling one out. We’ll also examine the essentials you need to keep in mind when writing your job application.WHAT IS A JOB APPLICATION?In order to write a winning job application, it’s a good idea to examine the concept of a job application.A job application is a method used by employers for recruitment purposes. It’s typically a form-based process, which the candidate has to fill in order to be considered for a specific role.Although a job application used to be a paper version the candidate filled, in today’s world most applications are filled digitally.Job application forms provide employers plenty of benefits, which include:The reduction in the time spent browsing through CVs and resumes.The levelling of the playing field for candidates, as the forms ensure consistency and impartiality.The option for employers to create customized application forms, which fit their specific job criteria.For candidates, the biggest benefit of job applications is the fact that the form is the same for everyone. Therefore, each candidate has the same opportunity to highlight their skill set in terms of the role they are applying for.THE FOUR CORE PARTS OF A JOB APPLICATIONWhile employers can always customize the job application form according to the company’s specific needs, most job applications consist of four core elements.The candidate’s educational backgroundThe candidate’s work experienceCompetency-based questionsA personal statement by the candidateWe’ll look at each of these four elements in detail in the following section. But as you can see, a job application is rather similar to a person’s CV and cover letter. But a job application offers a more ordered way of presenting the information, since candidates will use the same form instead of submitting individual CVs and cover letter formats.In addition to the four elements, a jo b application often also asks for references. A typical number of references tend to be a minimum of two. The suitable references to use include your previous employers or academic tutors and professors.[slideshare id=47431094doc=12winningtips-150426125320-conversion-gate02w=640h=330]BEST PRACTICES WHEN FILLING OUT EACH SECTION IN YOUR JOB APPLICATIONLet’s now turn our attention to examining the best practices of filling each of the four core sections.Educational backgroundYou’ll need to include information regarding your educational background. The information you should point out to in this section includes:The institutions you’ve attended. Including university or other vocational school.The courses you’ve taken. It’s better to only include courses that are related to the role or position you are applying for, especially if you’ve attended a number of different courses.The qualifications you’ve obtained. The grades you’ve received for the above courses.Any other in stitution related activities or achievements you’ve obtained or done, relating to the position. This could be about being part of a student group or other such activity.Work experienceThe second core element of a job application focuses on your work experience. The objective is to list the jobs you’ve held in the past; including information about the role, the company and the amount of time you worked in this role.Furthermore, in terms of each job, you should list the main duties of the role.For example, what were the daily activities you did and what specific things were under your responsibility. This section should also include any achievements you’ve gained in the role. You might have been voted as the employee of the month, for instance.In terms of best practices, it’s crucial to focus on listing the jobs relating to the position you are applying for. Therefore, if you have a varied job history, it might be more beneficial to omit certain positions that don’t highligh t any skills, keeping in mind transferable skills, required in the position you are applying for.In addition to paid job position, you often have a section for voluntary roles. It’s important to also list these, keeping in mind their relation to the job in question.Competency-based questionsThe above two sections should be relatively straightforward to fill. The other two elements of a job application might require a bit more tweaking and thinking.First, let’s look at the section referred to as the competency-based questions.The section is the key part where you are able to highlight the skills you have in relation to the role. It’s about showcasing how well you meet the specifications of the role.As the section name suggests, this part of the form is about answering questions, which ask about examples demonstrating a specific skill or ability needed in the job.Below are some of the example questions followed by good example answers you might face in the job application form:G ive an example of a time when you worked with a successful team. Why was the team a success? What was your contribution to the success? You should answer the question by using the formula of STAR. This stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Only 20% of your answer should be dedicated to outlining the situation and the mission at hand, with the 80% of the answer being all about the action and the result. For example, “During my final year at university, we were organizing a charity event. I was part of a team whose mission was to find the right venue for the event with a very limited budget. We were able to use our networking skills and negotiating abilities to find a great venue. I feel I contributed to the success by finding two partners for the event that helped cover part of the cost.”Why do you want this job? A good answer would be to talk about the company’s needs and why you can help them with achieving these goals. You would also want to mention the successes t hey’ve had and how you are looking forward to help overcome the key challenges within the industry with them. For example, “Your company has been at the forefront of the sector and I’m impressed by the research you are doing in terms of X. I would love to provide my knowledge of the technologies of X, in order to transform the way the industry treats Y.”Why did you leave your previous job? Focus on looking forward and never critique your past employers. For instance, you could say, “I’ve gained plenty of experience and knowledge at my current employer, but I feel I want a fresh challenge and to use my talent to something different, such as this opportunity.”The goal in answering these types of questions is to highlight the skill you are asked about through a real life example. It doesn’t have to be a special or heroic situation; the aim is to showcase you have what it takes to work in the role.The examples you use can be from your time at school, in a specific job or even from your personal life. Furthermore, you simply want to show the employer, you also understand why the skill is important for the role.Another important thing to keep in mind is to not focus solely on what the employer is looking for, but also what you are looking for from the role. Therefore, the question “Why you want this job?” shouldn’t just be about outlining the positives of the company, but what the role means for you in terms of career progression, for instance.Learn more on how to answer competency-based interview questions. Personal statementFinally, most job applications include a section for including a personal statement or a similar supporting statement. This part of the application is your moment to pitch for the role in questions.When writing a personal statement, use headings to make the text appear clearer. Include examples, but don’t simply repeat the examples you’ve already used in the competency section.Use the personal statement to highlight yo ur motivation and passion for the role, as well as the industry in general. You should also mention why you’d like to work for the specific company. It’s rather important to tailor the personal statement in terms of the role and organization in question, instead of using a general model.You can find great personal statement examples on the Lighthouse Project. Here are two examples of good personal statements from the site:“I am a flexible and experienced insurance administrator with excellent time management skills. I am a good communicator with proven inter personal skills and am used to working in a team whilst also being capable of using own initiative. I am skilled In dealing with problems in a resourceful manner and negotiating to achieve beneficial agreement. I am always enthusiastic to learn and undertake new challenges.”“I am a dedicated, organized and methodical individual. I have good interpersonal skills, am an excellent team worker and am keen and very willing to learn and develop new skills. I am reliable and dependable and often seek new responsibilities within a wide range of employment areas. I have an active and dynamic approach to work and getting things done. I am determined and decisive. I identify and develop opportunities.”[slideshare id=30832974doc=personalbranding-140204234334-phpapp01w=640h=330]ESSENTIAL THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH YOUR JOB APPLICATIONIn addition to the above points about the best practices regarding the specific sections, there are some essential things to keep in mind when filling the job application. The following five points should be at the forefront of your application.Do your researchBefore you even start filling out the job application, make sure to research the company and the role. Read the job description carefully and focus on the points the organization seems to be emphasizing.You also want to look at the company website to better understand its values and business mission. Find out more about the vision of the company and what it is trying to achieve. Compare these to your own values and needs, especially in terms of your career.It might also be worth looking up LinkedIn and other social media platforms to see if you know people working for the company. If you have someone in your network, you can ask further questions about applying to the company or the role.This research is important because it helps you highlight your passion and motivations towards applying for the role with the specific employer. You don’t want the answers to be generic, but instead reflect what the employer is looking for from the candidate.Questions that can guide your research include:Why do I want to work for the company?What is appealing to me about the role?Why is the industry something I’m passionate about?The answers will naturally depend on what you find about the company’s culture and the specifics of the job. For example, it might be that the organization is committed to green business , which is important for you. The role might seem appealing because you would get to work with young people, for example.Tailor your job applicationAs alluded above, it’s beneficial to tailor your job application according to the role and the company you are applying. With a tailored job application, you highlight two things to the employer:You’ve read the job description carefully and fully understand what the role entails.You’ve done research into the company, and you reflect the same business values and work ethics the organization admires.Don’t use copy-paste answers in your job applications. While it’s OK to have a core answer ready, you should always look at it in terms of the application in question.Generic answers that are copied have lower chances of getting you into a job interview.Don’t lieYou should never lie on your job application. This includes small tweaks to make things look better to coming up with examples that haven’t ever happened.It might seem obv ious advice, but plenty of candidates are still attracted by telling little lies. But there are two main reasons for telling the truth, aside from it being the right thing to do morally.First, changing your degree classification to something different can in fact be classified as a crime. For example, you could face criminal prosecution in countries like the UK simply by having your classification switched.Second, if you happen to get into a job interview, you are probably going to face questions based on some of the examples and information you’ve provided in your application.If you make up stories about your achievements or skills, it might be impossible to remember the exact story (as it never happened) or to demonstrate the skill.Keep it shortA job application isn’t a test to write a novel. Most applications tend to provide you with a maximum word limit for competency questions and you should stick with it. Don’t go above the limit, but don’t also feel the need to hit it exactly. You want to answer the question clearly and provide as much essential details as required, while keeping it short and simple.You don’t need to include everything, in terms of experience, you’ve ever done. You only need to talk about the experience and skills required in the role you are applying for. The employer is only interested in information that says you’ll be amazing in that role, not how good you are at other things. Essentially, it means that a restaurant wants to know how good you are at cooking, not how you’ve managed to repair a car, for instance.Furthermore, focus on topical answers as much as you can. Examples from the past few years are better than something you did ten years ago. This is because it highlights how you’ve used these skills recently to your advantage.Proofread and edit your job applicationFinally, don’t just fill out the form and click “Send”. You should always re-read it for two reasons:To stamp out spelling mistakes.To ensure the answers are clean and crisp to catch the attention of the recruiter.If you fail with the two above points, your job application can end up looking un-professional and the employer is unlikely to forgive your errors.If possible, you should ask another person to read the application form, along with the job description. They might be more able to look at it more objectively and to provide you insights into how you could improve it.Furthermore, even if you proofread it yourself, never do so immediately after filling the form. Sometimes stepping away from the answers can give you a fresh look at it once you return to it. You might come up with a better way of answering a question or be more able to spot the spelling mistakes.Check out the below tips on writing job applications: CONCLUDING REMARKSWhen it comes to writing your job application, you should first take the time to understand the role on offer and the specific requirements for it.You want to keep these at the core of your application and highlight your own skills and achievements in relation to these requirements. Ensure you focus on clarity and professionalism. Your job application should be error free and be based on your actual capabilities.

Hiv / Aids Infection And Design Ways And Methodologies...

HIV is a human immune virus while AIDS is acquired immunity-deficiency syndrome. From sampling, I chose HIV/AIDS to be my topic of research, based on the magnitude of the rate of infection and spread of the disease given that it is relative to behavioral and social relations of people. This topic is controversial in the sense that it s one of the major factors responsible for the underdevelopment of most of the nations in the world. The purpose of the research and study was to identify the rate of HIV/AIDS infection and design ways and methodologies towards reducing the rate of infection of the population. The study is also aimed at providing a detailed analysis of available studies on the effects of AIDs. It was also to investigate†¦show more content†¦How to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic/ Intervention programs Sex education Sex education should be provided to all, especially the young generation so that they get to learn about ways of preventing them and reduce chances of them contracting the disease. By giving them sex education, it enables them to take care of their bodies. Peer counseling This is also another method of preventing the likelihood for the spread of HIV/AIDS. This one helps to withdraw negative peer pressure, which may mislead and lead others to carry out irresponsible sexual behavior Adoption of safe sex practices It’s advisable for people to practice safe sex. This will lead to prevention of the exchange of body and virginal fluids and this increases chances of getting infections. Research has it that oral sex is much less risky than anal or vaginal sex (Balmer, 1993). Anal sex is the most risky type of sex for the spread of HIV Sexual abstinence Abstinence is the best method in which one can prevent the spread of a disease. Here the married couples are advised to remain faithful in their relationships and for the unmarried people to abstain from sexual activities until marriage. Immigration regulation There should be in place policies regulating migration from one region to another, especially in war torn areas where we have refugee camps. These cases led to evils like rape and other sexual activities with aliens or people from different regions whose status is unknown, hence

Is the Illegalization of Marijuana Valid - 1589 Words

Is The Illegalization of Marijuana Valid? The debate over the legalization of Cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, has been one of the most heated controversies ever to occur in the United States. Its use as a medicine has existed for thousands of years in many countries world wide and is documented as far back as 2700 BC in ancient Chinese writings. When someone says ganja, cannabis, bung, dope, grass, rasta, or weed, they are talking about the same subject: marijuana. Marijuana should be legalized because the government could earn money from taxes on its sale, its value to the medical world outweighs its abuse potential, and because of its importance to the paper and clothing industries. This action should be taken†¦show more content†¦Dr. Roger Pertwee, Secretary of the International Cannabis Research Society states that as a recreational drug, Marijuana compares favorably to nicotine, alcohol, and even caffeine. Under extreme amounts of alcohol a person will experience an inability to stand or walk without help, stupor and near unconsciousness, lack of comprehension of what is seen or heard, shock, and breathing and heartbeat may stop. Even though these effects occur only under an extreme amount of alcohol consumption, (.2-.5 BAL) the fact is smoking extreme amounts of marijuana will do nothing more than put you to sleep, while drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will kill you. The most profound activist for marijuanas use as a medicine is Dr. Lester Grinspoon, author of Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine. According to Grinspoon, The only well confirmed negative effect of marijuana is caused by the smoke, which contains three times more tars and five times more carbon monoxide than tobacco. But even the heaviest marijuana smokers rarely use as much as an average tobacco smoker. And, of course, many prefer to eat it. His book includes personal accounts of how prescribed marijuana alleviated epilepsy, weight loss of AIDs, nausea of chemotherapy, menstrual pains, and the severe effects ofShow MoreRelatedEssay about Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized1554 Words   |  7 Pages Marijuanas illegalization has always been erroneous. Early in the 1900s, a surge of Mexicans immigrated to the U.S., and the marijuana they brought with them was quickly associated with them. In the 1930s, tensions between white Americans and Mexican immigrants were heightened due to the Great Depression, and the use of marijuana was ultimately prohibited for the general public in 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act (Marijuana Timeline). By the 1960s, marijuana became a symbol of countercultureRead MoreEssay about Legalize It!828 Words   |  4 Pagesat one of these methods that deals with the legalization of marijuana. In the following pages you can look at why I think there is a problem in the United States which deals with the use of drugs, our solutions to the problem and our responses to the attacks against the legalization of marijuana. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Although, legalization will increase use of the drug. However, many supporters of continuing the illegalization of drugs believe that by legalizing drugs they will become moreRead MoreGore Vidal and Legalization of Marijuana1243 Words   |  5 PagesGore Vidal, An American writer acknowledge for writing plays, essays, and novels is also famously known for the essay â€Å"Drugs: Case for legalizing Marijuana.† In this essay, he talks about the effects of legalizing Marijuana. As he begins to talk about the possible ways of stopping addiction, he analyzes modern society while critiquing the flaws of preventative laws against illegal substances. Using himself as an approach to explain that addiction does not occur after one intake; however after variousRead MoreThe Issue Of The Legality And The War On Drugs1246 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica is absurdly simple and easily solved† and â€Å"that the drug problem in America is a lost cause†. He suggests that the war on drugs is essential and they aren’t taking it seriously. He seems very passionate on the topic and brings up a lot of valid points which also covers many common rebuttals. On the other hand, although having good intentions on the matter, there are many fallacies that are obvious and he tends to use worst-case scenarios as a kind of norm. Overall I would rate the essay aRead MoreThe Cultural Shock Of Cannabis1993 Words   |  8 Pageswas a skunk in someone’s pocket, but once my older brother made fun of me for thinking so, I was sure to never make the same mistake again. In high school, the drug was around me even more, and there was a lot of publicity about the â€Å"new† medical marijuana controversy. A few years later, the drug was legalized and my â€Å"skunky little acquaintance† was everywhere. From the chairlifts at Vail Ski Resorts, to constant advertisements, and even to the parties I would attend on weekends, it seemed as thoughRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?2225 Words   |  9 PagesComparison Marijuana is amongst one of the most disputable subjects in political issues. It is the most exploited drug in the United States and can even be around the globe. Marijuana is the main source of substance reliance other than alcohol in the United States. Numerous groups in recent years have come forward and claim that marijuana use has been beneficial with numerous medical conditions. In fact, it has helped numerous people with diseases, for example, Glaucoma, Cancer, and any other physicalRead MoreMarijuana Prohibition Has Failed United States2670 Words   |  11 PagesMarijuana Prohibition Has Failed United States In today’s society, criminalizing the use of marijuana has proved to be as effective as prohibition ended the consumption of alcohol in 1920. In retrospect, many people find ways in which to illegally obtain the drug. This drug has infiltrated our nation to the point that many citizens find the drug readily available in society and according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 34.8% of 12th graders admitted to abusing the drug in the year prior

Business Ethics Within Today Free Essays

Business Ethics within Today’s Business See Yang University of Phoenix Business Ethics within Today’s Business Ethics are very important to all business people. Yet, many neglect ethics as an important part that plays a major impact upon a person’s success as a leader or advisor. Ethical dilemmas are faced everyday in the society. We will write a custom essay sample on Business Ethics Within Today or any similar topic only for you Order Now Which in today’s business world ethical issues like harassment, conflict of interest, and customer confidence issues does affects the community and organization. Business ethics is not something that naturally occurs within an organization. It’s a culture that upper management and employees need to build from the ground up, which helps the company to tackle moral issues confronting the business. Therefore, business ethics examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problem that arise in a business environment, which applies to all aspect of business conduct and are relevant to the conduct of individuals and business organizations all together (Trevino Nelson, 2007). However, business ethics creates professional attitudes and behaviors throughout the organization and the surrounding environment. In today’s business world, harassment is not taken lightly. Harassment or sexual harassment is sexual behavior toward another person with unwanted contact with the other person. Harassment is not when two people come together and kiss but when someone is making rude comments or trying to have sexual contact with another person without permission. Because harassment is a form of discrimination harassment is an ethical issue that stops workers from performing their duties due to miss treatment and unfairness (Trevino Nelson, 2007). Another ethical issue is conflicts of interest. Conflict of interest includes issues as bribes, influence and privileged information. For example, if an individual was working for a retail company and was also employed by another retail company at the same time would be consider a conflict of interest. Due to valuable information the individual holds about the company, therefore the company would expect the individual to quit or look for another job. Conflict of interest can also occur by holding a personal relationship with another co-worker and distributing irregular discounts to other vendors when the discount is meant just for the worker. As a company, avoiding conflict of interest is the best way to go. Conflicts could cause loss of employment and corporation or law and federal charges. Customer confidence issues are another ethical issue. It includes topics such as confidentiality and truth in advertising. Confidentiality is basically the privacy of the customer. The privacy protects the customer’s personal information on sales and finance. As an employee, truth in advertising plays a huge role in customer service. If an employee is promoting something and is not promoting the proper information, the company could lose a substantial amount of money depending on the situation. As well as losing customers and business. Customer confidence has a saying, â€Å"the customer is always right† (Trevino Nelson, 2007). Most businesses use the saying to prevent tension between the corporation and the customer and provide customer satisfaction. Harassment, conflict of interest, and customer confidence issues are some of the business ethical issues, which are common in everyday business. An individual can make a single decision that can have a negative or positive effect around his or her surroundings. Businesses make the choices through being honest or lying. However, it will determine what fate the business would fall in. A business who values work ethics would be a business valued by the customers. Reference Trevino, L. K. , Nelson, K. A. (2007). Managing businessethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (4th ed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Retrieved January 3, 2010,from ecampus. phoenix. edu How to cite Business Ethics Within Today, Papers

A Postmodern Paradox free essay sample

A Postmodern Paradox Postmodernism, a paradox in itself, challenges conformity in countless ways. Taking place after World War II, this movement is mainly characterized by its rejection of social constructs and its challenges to traditional forms of philosophy, literature, art, and religious authority. Ironically, while it defied categorizing, it became a category itself. Nevertheless, this movement has had a profound impact on countless literary, cinematographic, art, and philosophic works. Two works that have been profoundly influenced by postmodernism includes Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Opponent, and the elm and book The Hours, by Michael Cunningham. While both works have been influenced by modernism in separate ways, they ultimately share its key themes: an abstraction of time, a rejection of reality, and a search for higher purpose. Through the use of postmodernism themes and literary techniques, both the movie and book were able to convey that absolute truth does not exist because it is relative, intricate, and blurred. Occurring in the post-World War II era, postmodernism can be considered an intentional departure from previously dominant modernist approaches such as scientific positivism, realism, constructivism, formalism, and tapestries. Through its emphasis and use of power relations, binary classifications, fragmentation, paradox, dark humor, rejection of reality, sociology, linguistics, and subjectivism it constantly attacks contemporary life, art, literature, philosophy, religion, and ethics. In addition, it is characterized by a rejection of reality, claiming that transmutable validity cannot exist since reality is limited by concepts like time and sexuality. It is able to achieve its unique goals in literature and film through numerous literary devices. In literature, there are several devices frequently used by southernism writers to convey some of the main ideas of the movement. Of these devices the use of fragmenting, dark humor, satire, paradox, allusions, mixed point of view and interruption of form are the most frequently used. These devices allow writers to deal with topics like the absurdity of moral, philosophical, political, and authoritative relativism; in addition, these devices provide for a blurring of classifications and boundaries of societal structuring. Ultimately, postmodernists desire to condemn contemporary life, reject reality, and accept relativity and complexity in indefinite answers. The movement of postmodernism came about through a series of meaner. An important factor that contributed to the development was that it followed World War II. Before the war, modernism dominated the current literature of the time. This movement involved rationalism, reason, the scientific approach, optimism for human potential, and a pursuit of absolutely certain knowledge. However, in the wake of both World Wars, the climate was set for postmodernism as confidence in human progress, autonomy, and optimism were destroyed in battle. This permeating and predominantly pessimistic aura of thinking exulted in a series of books, films, artworks, and musical pieces that rejected reality, worldly concepts like time, renounced identity, and questioned the purpose of life. These themes clearly reflect the toll that war had on society; many people desired to marginality the horrors of war in a rejected reality, ostracize human error through a pitiful purpose of existence through fragmented viewpoints. The wars essentially brought about a pessimistic form of modernism that relished in the repudiation of absolute answers; for postmodernists nothing could ever be easily or fully explained. As postmodernist ideals began to develop and conglomerate they were influenced by countless individuals. One extremely influential individual was Linda Hutchison. Hutchison, who wrote several postmodernist works like A Theory of Parody, expressed a great deal of interest in self-reflexive approaches to texts through parodies that both legitimate and subvert that which it parodies (Introductory Guide to Critical Theory). Hutchison also coined the term historiographer metrification, which describes literary texts that assert an interpretation of the past but are also intensely self- flexi; these texts allow a double process of installing and ironing, parody signals how present representations come from past ones and what ideological consequences derive from both continuity and difference (Introductory Guide to Critical Theory). With historiographer metrification, writers can speak constructively about that past in a way that acknowledges the falsity and violence of the past without isolating the present. Many other writers, artists, composers, and directors have had a significant impact on the evolution of postmodernism as well. Key incepts of postmodernism have also developed and evolved through the influence of society and individuals. For example the term kitsch or stratification, which can be defined as the reduction of aesthetic objects or ideas into easily marketable forms, has a more widely accepted definition adopted by famous postmodern philosopher Jean Baudelaire: The kitsch object is commonly understood as one of that great army of trashy objects, made of plaster of Paris [stuck] or some such imitation material: that gallery of cheap Junk”accessories, folksy knickknacks, souvenirs, emphases or fake African masks”which proliferate everywhere, with a preference for holiday resorts and places of leisure (Consumer Society 109-10). Jean Baudelaire also offered a definition for simulacrum, defining it as Simulation is no longer that of a territory, a referential being, or a substance. It is the generation by models of a real without origin or reality: a hyperbole. It is no longer a question of imitation, nor duplication, nor even parody. It is a question of substituting the signs of the real for the real (The Precession of Simulacra 1-2). Postmodernism, like any literary movement, was molded and defined by society and intellectuals involved in its progression. The profound impact postmodernism had on Kurt Evensongs Slaughterhouse 5, through its use of frame-breaking, criticism of worldly concepts like time and war, exploration or reality and truth, simulacrum, and rejection of reality, satire, allowed for the novel to express its ultimate renunciation of an absolute truth in exchange for intricate and indefinable answers. In addition, it was able to express key concepts of post modernism through its use of postmodern iterate devices; many of these concepts included a search for a higher purpose, a renunciation of social structuring, and a rejection of reality. By expressing these concepts, Opponent follows the postmodernist ideals of historiographer metrification, and questioning the absurdity of contemporary life and conventional viewpoints of society. Frame-breaking, the linkage of separate subplots in a novel to unify the intricacies of an entire plot, contributed to the postmodernist impact on the novel by individuality. Frame-breaking takes place in the novel through the employment of Opponent as three characters of differing importance: the narrator, the protagonist, and a supporting character. Through frame-breaking, Opponent demonstrates that even the recount of a war experience does not hold a simple plot; it consists of a web of intermingled plots, ideas, characters, events, and concepts; this adheres to the postmodernist principle of blurred lines of interpretation and absolute truth. In addition, frame-breaking allows for a loss of identity. The loss of identity occurs when Opponent represents an omniscient force narrating the story as he simultaneously lays protagonist Billy Pilgrim, and a seemingly inconsequential supporting character. Opponent as an omniscient force demonstrates the renunciation of religion in postmodernist ideals; Opponent plays god, yet he is as trivial as any other human being. Furthermore, by telling his own story in the perspective of Billy Pilgrim this demonstrates how war results in a loss of identity, or the adoption of an alias. Rather than personalizing the story in a first person perspective, Opponent distances himself from the horrors of his past. Finally, by including himself as a prison mate in Billy Pilgrims story, this demonstrates how in postmodernism, all identities consolidate; the man that represented god and the protagonist is nevertheless a supporting character in the larger plot of the story. By disparaging his ultimate role in the novel, Opponent demonstrates that people are all essentially equal in life and in death- thus a loss of individualism. Through the use of simulacrum, which involves replacing reality with a representation, Opponent is able to criticize worldly concepts like time and war. For instance, by using the simulacrum of Transformable for Earth, e criticizes the necessity of war. Transformable represents a conglomeration of ideals he believes are optimal in achieving peace. However, instead of directly stating those concepts, Opponent employs a narrative and symbolism; this allows for a rejection of reality while criticizing war. Time is also criticized through a simulacrum of time traveling. Through time traveling the distinctness of years is blurred and time loses meaning as it is muddled together. This criticism of time is a unique postmodernist concept that is closely related to the criticism of social structuring. As postmodernist writer, Opponent denounces the traditional concept of time and replaces it with a web of linked yet intricate events. Simulacrum is also used in the plot of Billy Pilgrims Journey; rather than telling the story in the first person perspective, Opponent ostracizes himself thus criticizing the worldly concept of individualism and identity. Contrastingly, he links all frames of the story in the end of the novel to demonstrate that personal identity is futile when people are all equal in life and in death. In addition the concept of death is abandoned as Opponent accepts omelet equality of the human identity. By employing a plot dedicated to the exploration of reality and truth, Opponent demonstrates that the world according to postmodernists is full of blurred lines, undefined edges, and complex networks of relationships. Not only does the novel in its entirety consist of three convoluted interwoven subplots made up of smaller subplots, but it contains episodes of irrationality and science-fiction. This mixture of reality and science fiction represents a renunciation of reality for a combination of philosophy and fantasy; further mistreating that reality does not exist in a state of definable truth, but in limbo higher purpose is an impossibly multifaceted path that nevertheless ends the same as all others do: everything is connected and personal identity is trivial. The Hours, written by Michael Cunningham and directed by Stephen Deadly, has been manifestly impacted by postmodernism through its use of fragmenting, stratification , satire, and renunciation of worldly concepts like death to express postmodern ideals like a loss of identity or interconnection of all things. Through expressing these ideals, Cunningham was able to reject typical social and literary construct and ultimately convey that answers are not simple or absolute. Frame- breaking is employed in the hours through the eventual amassing of all three subplots within the novel to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all human identities. The novel is formatted in three separate spheres to demonstrate how as humans search their lives for purpose, they are unable to see how individualism and identity are inane. The three plots are eventually connected through death- another worldly concept denounced by postmodernists. Through death, the characters become linked to one another and the reader becomes aware of their unity; this demonstrates how death provides enlightenment and is not solely the end of a life. Additionally, frame-breaking allows the criticism of the concept of time. All three subplots take place in completely different eras, yet they have profound impact on one another despite this detriment; this demonstrates that time is merely a concept, rather than an obstacle, and cannot overcome the unity of humanity identity. Stratification and loss of identity are expressed through a variety of literary devices n The Hours to demonstrate that superficiality and identity are ultimately trivial in life. Stratification most chiefly occurs in the novel and film when the concept of love is reduced to a party and flowers; this becomes a criticism of superficiality upon the death of Richard when the party goes to waste. It signifies that the superficial form of love was powerless and inconsequential to Richards death and that death encompasses all. In addition, both Richard and Virgins death represents a loss of identity in that his life and accomplishment were evidently meaningless to them. In he end, they chose the namelessness of death as their path rather than a quest for a higher purpose or discovery of self-identity. Their deaths are a demonstration of the interconnectedness of life in that both writers commit suicide, creating a full circle to the complex web of relationships. Postmodernism, contradicts itself in its essence. Yet its use of paradoxes, satire, criticisms of the conventional, and quest for answers have had a profound impact on the development of literature, art, and society. While postmodernism will be phase in the history of writing, it will not cease to remind rites to question the norm, look past what is conventional, and defy typical form and construction.

Managers and Subordinates Interaction

Thoreaus Biography What distinct character trait emerges from this mans life and writings essays

Thoreaus Biography What distinct character trait emerges from this man's life and writings essays Perhaps the most attractive aspect about the life of Henry David Thoreau to a modern reader is the fact that the man actually lived the type of life and philosophy that he preached. Thoreau disdained the industrialized, modern urban life of the modern intellectual. His entire life illustrates how he lived, not simply as a great thinker, but as one who embodied the living principles of the Transcendentalist movement. Thoreau did not simply tell others to live. Rather he sought to discover, and then to embody his own principles in the text of lived experience, as First of all, rather than attempting to secure a job as a minister or academic after graduating from college, Thoreau embarked upon a period of study in the real world, to determine what was the best path for himself. On this quest, he worked as, among many other menial' occupations and pursuits, as a handyman for the esteemed essayist and Unitarian minister, Ralph Waldo Emerson. By working with his hands, Thoreau was able to gain a better sense of the importance of lived experience, rather than living in books. However, the literary climate at this most famous Transcendentalist's house enabled the emerging writer in Thoreau to remain immersed in this movement's literary scene and its ideas. The importance of working with one's hands, as a path to true self- reliance, in Thoreau's philosophy was next put into practice in his most famous experiment, that of his time of living in the woods in Walden, Massachusetts. Thoreau recoded in his journals and in the book that bears the location's name, his practical daily difficulties of dealing with ordinary individuals in the community, as well as his many successes and failures in dealing with harsh environmental conditions. Unlike Emerson, Thoreau does not sentimentalize the natural world. Having come to grips with its harshness in a very real and vi ...

Minimizing the risk of cold stress and thermoregulation in neonatal Essay

Minimizing the risk of cold stress and thermoregulation in neonatal children - Essay Example Any deviation from the normal values will influence the biochemical processes and will disturb the natural homeostasis presents within the cells of the human organism. The temperature of the body is divided in two parts: the temperature of the internal organs, known as the core temperature, and skin temperature. The temperature of the internal organs remains almost exactly constant, within a variation of 0.6 0C. Nevertheless, many healthy people whose temperature has been measured orally have shown a range of normal temperatures, varying from under 36 0C to over 37.5 0C. The average normal temperature of the internal organs is considered to be within the range of 36.6 to 37.5 0C if it's measured orally and 1 0C if it's measured rectally. Since the temperature regulatory systems of the body are not perfect, the body temperature varies in different situations, such as extreme exercise and extremes of temperature of surroundings. For example, during exercise, when excessive heat is produced, the temperature of the body can rise temporarily to as high as 38.5 to 40 0C. On the other hand, when the body is subjected to extreme cold, the temperature of t he body can often fall below 36 0C. The skin temperature, on the other hand, constantly varies, depending on the surroundings. This temperature is important when we take into account the ability of the skin to lose heat to the surroundings. As was stated before, the body's perfect functioning is dependent on maintain the balance, or homeostasis, in the organism. The control of body temperature is no different; in essence, it represents a balance between heat production of the body and heat loss. Logically, the rate of heat production that increases more than the loss of heat leads to elevated temperature of the body. If the loss of heat is greater, lowering of body temperature occurs. Heat production represents the principal by-product of metabolism. There are various factors that determine the rate of heat production, and these factors combined are named the metabolic rate of the body. According to Guyton and Hall (2000, p.822) the most important factors are the following: 1) Basal rate of metabolism of all the cells of the body 2) Extra rate of metabolism as a result of muscle contraction (this includes muscle contractions caused by shivering) 3) Extra metabolism caused by the effect of thyroxin (and to a smaller extend other hormones like growth hormone and testosterone) 4) Extra metabolism caused by the effect of epinephrine, norepinephrine and the sympathetic stimulation of the cells. 5) Extra metabolism caused by increased chemical activity in the cells, especially when the cell temperature increases. The main generators of heat in the body represent the internal organs, especially the liver, brain and heart, and in the skeletal muscles during exercise. From these organs the heat is transferred to the skin, where it is lost to the air and other surroundings. According to Guyton and Hall (2000, p.822) the rate at which the body heat is lost is determined by two factors: 1) How rapidly heat can be conducted from where it is produced in the body core to the skin 2) How rapidly heat can then be transferred from the skin to the surroundings. The insulator system of the body, that prevents the heat from

The danger of smoking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The danger of smoking - Research Paper Example Therefore, it is extremely essential to increase the level of awareness of the general public regarding the ill effects and hazards of smoking. The cigarette smoking might immediately change the precious life of the human being into death through stroke or heart attack. According to Gary Ford, it is stated that habit of consuming tobacco is more influential rather than health consciousness. Therefore, these individual consider tobacco smoking to be a passion or relaxation from their mental tension and so, they consume tobacco without any distress for health. Moreover, most of the individual treat smoking as a sense of status and style and so do not believe in the statistics of deaths presented by WHO or National Health Service (NHS). But they always remain in the top-most position in the list of deaths caused for excessive smoking of tobacco. Therefore, in order to decrease the rate of deaths or health related disorders, the passion of tobacco smoking needs to be reduced significantly. Tobacco smoking is extremely dangerous as it means the inhalation of numerous harmful chemicals or by-products of smoke such as nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide. Nicotine is the addictive constituent of tobacco (Ford 525). When nicotine is smoked, then immediately the molecules get inside the lungs of the individual. Then these nicotine molecules get absorbed by the blood stream and travel to the brain and lock the specific receptor regions. However by locking the specific receptor regions, the brain gets affected in a way that hinders the metabolism and appetite of the individual. Carbon monoxide is also another important ingredient of tobacco smokes. Carbon monoxide is also a poisonous gas inhaled into the lungs and absorbed by the blood cells of the body. After being inhaled, carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen present in blood cells and so numerous cells die, because of lack of oxygen supply. However,

Social Work Reflective Essay

Social Work Reflective Essay Introduction Reflection forms a central part of social work practice and education, and it is particularly important for social workers in placement settings or newly qualified social workers (Dcruz et al, 2007; Parker, 2010). In its simplest terms, reflection provides us with an opportunity to review our decisions and decision-making processes however, in practice, reflection is a far more complex concept (Trevethick, 2005: 251). It is essential that social workers have the confidence to question their own practice, the organisation that they work in, and dominant power structures in society at large (Fook, 1999). Reflection, and in particular critical reflective practice, forms a key part of this, as social workers are called on to reconsider and reconstruct the dominant social discourse. In this essay I will explore my experience of reflection during my practice placement, and in particular in relation to a specific case study. I will start by outlining my practice setting, and the details of the particular case study. I will then explore my experience of reflection, and how reflective practice supported me to apply theory to practice. Finally take a critical look at my practice, and suggest things that I could have done differently. Although I engage with and explored multiple models of reflection during my placement, the model of reflection that I found most useful was Schons theory of reflection (Schon, 1983; 2002). Schon advocated 2 types of reflective practice. Firstly, reflection-on-action, which involves reflecting on an experience that you have already had, or an action that you have already taken, and considering what could have been done differently, as well as looking at the positives from that interaction. The other type of reflection Schon notes is reflection-in-action, or reflecting on your actions as you are doing them, and considering issues like best practice throughout the process. Due to the limits of the current medium, I will be focusing mostly on reflection-on-action. However, appropriate use of this type of reflection should inform future practice, and encourage appropriate reflection-in-action when presented with a similar situation again. Practice Setting My placement was based at a not for profit mental health agency, where we provided psycho-social support for people who have experienced mental health difficulties. Many of the people that we worked with had been subject to section 2 or 3 orders under the Mental Health Act 1983/2007, and were now experiencing aftercare under section 117. Referrals to the agency could come from social services, GP surgeries, and other not-for-profit organisations. The people with whom we worked usually had a multitude of presenting issues and concerns, and I was aware from the onset that complex settings like this require social workers to be reflective in their practice in order to be able to deal with a variety of situations (Fook and Gardner, 2007). However, it soon became clear to me that the fast-paced working environment, where at times paperwork was promoted over practice, meant that reflection could potentially be ignored in favour of bureaucracy and targets (DCruz et al, 2007). This type of difficulty and uncertainty around reflection is common in placement settings and when starting a new role (Knott and Spafford, 2010). Reflection was particularly important when making the transition from university learning to the learning experienced in a placement setting. Social workers are provided with some guidance in practice to support this process. The Practice Competency Framework (PCF) domains provide some direction about what areas social workers are expected to emphasise in practice, and what needs to be evidenced in order to successfully complete a placement. Values and ethics are central to this framework, and comprise domain 2. Critical reflection is also part of this framework, making up the entirety of domain 6. However, it is essential that social workers do not become complacent in their personal reflection, and they cannot fall back on these types of guidance and procedures as a shield against engaging in reflection on complex ethical subjects (Banks, 2006). Case Study Many of the service users that we worked with had a dual diagnosis (problems with mental health and addiction). These service users particularly challenged me, as I found their intersecting issues usually stretch well beyond their dual diagnosis, to other areas like housing or physical health. I have, therefore, chosen to discuss one such case, where I engaged in substantial reflection. The background to this case study, and my involvement with him, will now be discussed. JK is a man in his 50s who was born in Nigeria but moved to the UK at a young age. When I worked with him, he lived in a housing project that was specifically meant to house ex-offenders. Although JK had a lead key-worker at my agency who was a permanent member of staff, I was responsible for the majority of the key working sessions with JK during my time on this placement. JK had a long history of substance misuse and mental health problems. He was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, and dealt with significant anxiety and depression. He received depot injections monthly for his mental health difficulties, and he found these instances particularly distressing. JK also had a substantial history of criminal activity, which he said became necessary in order to maintain his addiction to certain illicit drugs. I would meet JK in a location of his choosing. Although usually this would mean either in our office or in his room, sometimes we went for a walk and I accompanied him to appointments at times also. This more informal working setting was where he felt he could speak most openly to me. Although I will discuss my involvement with JK more broadly,I will focus on one particular key working session that we had, where JK was most descriptive about all his concerns and the issues that were effecting him (session A). This is significant because reflection is particularly important when a critical incident like this has been experienced, and a less reflective approach could lead to a less holistic or even inadvertently oppressive account of what had transpired (Ruch, 2002). Reflective Practice Different models of reflection supported me throughout the reflective process. Gibbs Model of Reflection (1988) and Atkin and Murphys Model of Reflection (1994) both promote a cyclical approach to reflection, whereby reflection is ongoing and not a linear process. I found this to be the case, as I did not move through stages of refection one after the other, but moved between them, often returning to my conceptual starting point multiple times before settling on a holistic understanding of an event or situation that incorporates all systems influencing that scenario. Keeping a reflective diary of critical issues and my own thought process encouraged me to construct my understanding of the work I was doing, and justify what actions I had taken (White, 2001). Support from colleagues and supervisors was also invaluable in this process (Ruch, 2002). Yip (2006) aptly notes that models like those described above are most useful when starting out the reflective process, and I quickly adapted and developed a model of reflection that was most appropriate for me. Social work has traditionally been constructed as the professional knowing best, and continues to be practised in a way where the practitioner holds most of the power (Holmes and Saleeby, 1993). The power dynamics are slightly different in a non-statutory setting like I was working in. However, these power dynamics cannot be ignored, and underline all social work practice.I acknowledged the inherent power dynamics from the inception of my interactions with JK. I recognised that where unequal power dynamics exist in a relationship, it is usually the partner with the most power that benefits most from the interaction (Milner and OByrne, 2002). This is why it is important for social workers to listen to the perspectives of the people with whom they work, and be willing to accept different paradigms than their own or the dominant paradigm (Milner and OByrne, 2002). When working with JK, I was made aware of his engagement with mental health services, usually provided through the medical professions. He had an allocated community psychiatric nurse (CPN) who would visit occasionally, and at times he also met with a psychiatrist. Throughout my social work education, the difference between the medical model and the social model of experiencing mental illness has been stressed to me, and I clearly saw this when working with JK. The historically oppressive nature of mental health services is widely recognised in literature (Szasz, 1961; Foucault, 1967), and JK expressed to me at times that he felt that he was not listened to by medical professionals, and just moved from service to service having things done to him, rather than with him. Tew (2005) noted that the in the social model of mental distress, core values required include looking at the person and their situation holistically, removing the us and them thinking that tends to dominate mental health services, listening to what people really have to say, and being committed to anti-oppressive practice. I found these to be very helpful in working with JK. During Session A, the fact that I chose to explore JKs mental distress alongside the other issues that were going on in his life allowed me to identify that his physical health, including intense back pain that he has been experiencing, was having a substantial effect on his mental health, and I encouraged him to seek help and support with this. JK clearly appreciated my anti-oppressive approach, where I tried to work with him in partnership, and he was always keen to know when we would meet next. There is a stigma attached to having a mental illness, and even when contact with services has ceased, that stigma usually persists (Miles, 2005). JK had clearly been the subject of this stigma throughout his life. Tew (2005) believes if mental health services were more receptive to the social model of looking at mental distress, then significant amounts of this stigma and the resultant oppression would be removed. Applying Theory to Practice An important part of reflection in social work is the application and consideration of theories in practice (Trevethick, 2012). The theory base of social work is essential to all the work that we do in practice (Teater, 2010). Social workers need to be prepared to critically reflect on the theory that they are bringing to practice. It has been noted that the theory base of social work is dominated by euro-centric discourse, meaning that certain paradigms or perspectives may be excluded unintentionally (Trevethick, 2012). Being from Nigeria originally, and coming from a different cultural background than myself, meant that I had to be particularly careful in applying theory to the work that I did with JK.However, it is also clear that practice cannot just be based on routine or habit, with no basis in evidence (Thompson, 2009). The increasing influence of post-modern theory, which does not promote one paradigm over another, but focuses on the subjective nature of truth, has helped to alleviate these issues in social work to some extent (Fook, 2012). Our agency worked with some of the most marginalised and vulnerable members of society, and engaging in uninformed work with these types of service users is a dangerous undertaking (Collingwood et al, 2008). Through active engagement with reflection, I was able to work with JK using an eclectic theory and knowledge base, but was also careful to note if JK was not comfortable with some aspects of my approach, and adjusted the approach accordingly. Working closely with JK over a period of several months supported me to be able to identify any issues quickly, and by the time I we were engaged in Session A, we had a good working relationship. Of particular importance when working with service users who have a dual diagnosis was systems theory, and I found this theory to be particularly important when reflecting on Session A. Healy (2005) has recognised that systems theory have been highly influential on the knowledge base of social work. As noted above, people experiencing problems with addiction tend to have other issues in other areas of their lives (Tober and Raistrick, 2004).I was able incorporate specific applications of systems theory for the service user group I was working throughout my placement, and in particular with JK. The Six Cornered Addictions Rescue System (SCARS) was useful in that it took into account a person who was dealing with an addictions situation holistically, rather than just focusing on the addiction in isolation (McCarthy and Galvani, 2004). In Session A this allowed me to see how JKs addiction and mental health problems were also linked to issues with accommodation, physical health, relationships and employment. What could have been done differently? I have discussed my work with JK, and reflected on specific incidents and issues with him. However, returning to Schon (1983), he notes that reflection takes place within our own understanding and the meaning that we attribute to an event, rather than within the event itself. Therefore, social workers need to look at their own underlying assumptions, as well as dominant social narratives, in order to shape their holistic understanding and experience of a given incident. Dewey (1993) recognised the importance of discovering new information in reflection. This can come from both internal sources (personal reconsideration) and external sources (professional support or research), and this new information can completely re-construct the way that an incident or event is considered, and change the narrative that we are engaged in. This is helpful in reconsidering an event, and determining whether something could have been done differently or better. In relation to Session A, one area that I reflected on was that I may have focused too much on theory when working with JK. It has been recognised in literature around theory in practice that overly focusing on theory when working with service users can actually hinder the work being done, as the service user can feel depersonalised (Parker, 2010). As noted above, this was particularly important in the case of JK, who was from a different culture than me. More time could have been spent on listening to JK and his perspective, rather than trying to fit him into a theory or model for the sake of evidencing my own case notes or reflective journals. I worked with JK very much in isolation. Although I met his CPN and his drug worker, at no stage was a multi-agency meeting held that I was invited to. To some extent, this was the fault of the other professionals, who did not consult me on the work they were doing with JK, and literature has noted that collaboration is particularly difficult when working with dual diagnosis service users, as mental health and addiction services can disagree over the correct course, or who should take the lead (Clement et al, 1993; Champney-Smith, 2004). However, I could have made more of an effort to engage with them, or at least discuss with JK how much consultation he would like me to have with those other workers. Suter et al (2009) have found that a willingness to communicate is a key characteristic needed for effective collaboration, and after the other professionals were not active in engaging with me, I lost this willingness, potentially to the detriment of my work with JK. It has to be noted that reflection is not always recognised as a self-evidently positive mechanism. There are critics of the way reflection is promoted in current practice environments, with some bemoaning the cult following that has developed around reflection in the social work sphere (Ixer, 1999: 513). Boud and Knight (1996) equally describe how reflection has come to be seen as self-evidently worthwhile without significant critique (p.32). Ixer (1999) recognises that focusing too much on assessing reflection can lead to a prescriptive approach to reflection that is uncompromising. I found this to be the case at times, when I was expected to write my reflections at a certain time, and have reflective supervision in a certain way. As well as this, having someone essentially assessing my reflection made this even more difficult, as I was not able to reflect in a way that was personal for me. Parker (2010) has noted that reflection is not something that can be assessed based on traditional reductionist techniques. Therefore, I found it important to not just reflect on my work and the working environment, but also the process of reflection itself. Conclusion The issues that social workers are engaged with, and that I have discussed here, do not only reflect the concerns of the service user, but are a reflection of the issues that are inherent in wider society (Davis, 2007). Unequal power dynamics, concerns around oppression and issues with stigma are all societal problems that social workers need to engage with not just on a micro-level, but also a macro-level. To some extent this is an area that I found reflection lacking in. I was able to look at my own practice, and my own assumptions and narratives; however, I was unable to determine how best to address wider inequality and societal oppression of people like JK. In this reflective essay, I have explored my practice setting in relation to a particular case study. I introduced the placement setting and the case study, and then looked at my experience of reflection within this setting. I discussed how I engaged with different models of reflection, experienced power dynamics, and explored different interpretations of mental distress. I then moved on to look at how reflection promoted me to engage with theory in practice, in particular in relation to systems theory. Finally, I used this reflection to look at things that I could have done differently, including a decreased focus on theory and engaging more with other services. This type of critical reflection should be ongoing for social workers in practice, and to some extent it would be difficult to work in a complex setting like I was without being reflective. Although I noted some areas I could have improved on in my interactions with JK, what was most apparent in my work with him was that my willingness to explore his paradigm and perspectives opened him up to engaging with me on a range of issues, that otherwise may have remained hidden. References Atkins, S. and Murphy, K. (1994) Reflective Practice, Nursing Standard8(39) 49-56. Banks, S. (2006) Ethics and Values in Social Work, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Cameron, A., Lart, R., Bostock, L. and Coomber, C. (2012) Factors that promote and hinder joint and integrated working between health and social care services, London: SCIE. Champney-Smith, J. (2004) Dual Diagnosis in T. Peterson and A. McBride (Eds.) Working with Substance Misusers: A Guide to Theory and Practice, London: Routledge. Clement, J., Williams, E. and Waters, C. (1993) The client with substance abuse/mental illness: Mandate for Collaboration Achieves of Psychiatric Nursing, 7(4), 189-196. Collingwood, P., Emond, R. and Woodward, R. (2008) The theory circle: A tool for learning and for practice Social Work Education, 27(1), 70-83. Davis, A, (2007) Structural Approaches to Social Work in J. Lisham (Ed.) Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care: Knowledge and Theory, London: JK. Dewey, J. (1993) How we Think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the education process, Boston: Health Publishing. DCruz, H., Gillingham, P. and Melendez, S. (2007) Reflexivity, its meanings and relevance for social work: A critical review of the literature British Journal of Social Work, 37, 73-90. Fook, J. (1999) Critical reflectivity in education and practice in B. Pears and J. Fook (eds) Transforming Social Work Practice: Postmodern Critical Perspectives, St Leonards: Allen and Unwin, 195-208. Fook, J. (2012) Social Work: A Critical Approach to Practice, London: Sage. Fook J. and Gardner F. (2007) Practising Critical Reflection: A Resource Handbook, Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill. Foucault M. (1967) Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason, London: Tavistock. Gibbs, G. (1988) Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Healy, K. (2005) Social Work Theories in Context: Creating Frameworks for Practice, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Holmes, G. and Saleeby, D. (1993) Empowerment, the Medical Model and the Politics of Clienthood, Journal of Progressive Human Services, 4(1), 61-78. Ixer, G. (1999) Theres no such thing as reflection British Journal of Social Work,29, 513-527. Knott, C. and Spafford, J. (2010) Getting Started in C. Knott and T. Scragg (eds.) Reflective Practice in Social Work, Exeter: Learning Matters. McCarthy, T. and Galvani, S. (2004) SCARS: A new model for social work with substance misuse  Practice, 16(2), 85-97. Milner, J. and OByrne P. (2002) Assessment in Social Work Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.Parker, J. (2010) Effective Practice in Social Work, Exeter: Learning Matters. Miles, A. (1987) The Mentally Ill in Contemporary Society, Oxford: Blackwell. Parker, J. (2010) Effective Practice Learning in Social Work, Exeter: Learning Matters. Ruch, G. (2002) From triangle to spiral: reflective practice in social work education, practice and research, Social Work Education, 21(2), 199-216. Schn, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner, New York: Basic Books. Schon, D. (2002) From technical rationality to reflection-in-action in R. Harrison, F. Reeve, A. Hanson and J. Clarke (eds) Supporting Lifelong Learning: Perspectives on Learning, London: Routledge. Szasz, T. (1961) The Myth of Mental Illness: Foundations of a Theory of Personal Conduct, London: Harper and Row. Teater, B. (2010) An Introduction to Applying Social Work Theories and Methods, Maidenhead: Open University Press. Tew, J. (2005) Social Perspectives in Mental Health London: Kingsley. Thompson, N. (2009) Practicing Social Work: Meeting the Professional Challenge, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Tober, G. and Raistrick, D. (2004) Organisation of Services Putting it all Together in T. Peterson and A. McBride (Eds.) Working with Substance Misusers: A Guide to Theory and Practice, London: Routledge. Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills: A Practice Handbook, Maidenhead: Open University Press. White, S. (2001) Auto-ethnography as reflexive enquiry: The research act as self-surveillance, in I. Shaw and N. Gould (eds), Qualitative Research in Social Work, London: Sage. Yip, K. (2006)Self-reflection in reflective practice: A note of caution British Journal of Social Work, 36(5), 777-788.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 11. The Two Things At The Very Top …

11. The Two Things At The Very Top Of My Things-I-Never-Want-To-Do List Sam started moving the others into formation while i was still on the ground. Embry and Quil were at my sides, waiting for me to recover and take the point. I could feel the drive, the need, to get on my feet and lead them. The compulsion grew, and I fought it uselessly, cringing on the ground where I was. Embry whined quietly in my ear. He didn't want to think the words, afraid that he would bring me to Sam's attention again. I felt his wordless plea for me to get up, for me to get this over with and be done with it. There was fear in the pack, not so much for self but for the whole. We couldn't imagine that we would all make it out alive tonight. Which brothers would we lose? Which minds would leave us forever? Which grieving families would we be consoling in the morning? My mind began to work with theirs, to think in unison, as we dealt with these fears. Automatically, I pushed up from the ground and shook out my coat. Embry and Quil huffed in relief. Quil touched his nose to my side once. Their minds were filled with our challenge, our assignment. We remembered together the nights we'd watched the Cullens practicing for the fight with the newborns. Emmett Cullen was strongest, but Jasper would be the bigger problem. He moved like a lightning strike – power and speed and death rolled into one. How many centuries' experience did he have? Enough that all the other Cullens looked to him for guidance. take point, if you want flank, Quil offered. There was more excitement in his mind than most of the others. When Quil had watched Jasper's instruction those nights, he'd been dying to test his skill against the vampire's. For him, this would be a contest. Even knowing it was his life on the line, he saw it that way. Paul was like that, too, and the kids who had never been in battle, Collin and Brady. Seth probably would've been the same – if the opponents were not his friends. Jake?Quil nudged me. How do you want to roll? I just shook my head, t couldn't concentrate – the compulsion to follow orders felt like puppet strings hooked intoall of my muscles. One foot forward, now another. Seth was dragging behind Collin and Brady – Leah had assumed point there. She ignored Seth while planning with the others, and I could see that she'd rather leave him out of the fight.There was a maternal edge to her feelings for her younger brother. She wished Sam would send him home. Seth didn't register Leah's doubts. He was adjusting to the puppet strings, too. Maybe if you stopped resisting†¦,Embry whispered. Just focus on our part. The big ones. We can take them down. We own them!Quil was working himself up – like a pep talk before a big game. I could see how easy it would be – to think about nothing more than my part. It wasn't hard to imaging attacking Jasper and Emmett. We'd been close to that before. I'd thought of them as enemies for a very long time. I could do that now again. I just had to forget that they were protecting the same thing I would protect. I had to forget the reason why I might want them to win†¦. Jake,Embry warned. Keep your head in the game. My feet moved sluggishly, pulling against the drag of the strings. There's no point fighting it,Embry whispered again. He was right. I would end up doing what Sam wanted, if he was willing to push it. And he was. Obviously. There was a good reason for the Alpha's authority. Even a pack as strong as ours wasn't much of a force without a leader. We had to move together, to think together, in order to be effective. And that required the body to have a head. So what if Sam was wrong now? There was nothing anyone could do. No one could dispute his decision. Except. And there it was – a thought I'd never, never wanted to have. But now, with my legs all tied up in strings, I recognized the exception with relief – more than relief, with a fierce joy. No one could dispute the Alpha's decision – except for me. I hadn't earned anything. But there were things that had been born in me, things that I'd left unclaimed. I'd never wanted to lead the pack. I didn't want to do it now. I didn't want the responsibility for all our fates resting on my shoulders. Sam was better at that than I would ever be. But he was wrong tonight. And I had not been born to kneel to him. The bonds fell off my body the second that I embraced my birthright. I could feel it gathering in me, both a freedomand also a strange, hollow power.Hollow because an Alpha's power came from his pack, and I had no pack. For a second, loneliness overwhelmed me. I had no pack now. But I was straight and strong as I walked to where Sam stood, planning with Paul and Jared. He turned at the sound of my advance, and his black eyes narrowed. A/o, I told him again. He heard it right away, heard the choice that I'd made in the sound of the Alpha voice in my thoughts. He jumped back a half step with a shocked yelp. Jacob? What have you done? I won't follow you, Sam. Not for something so wrong. He stared at me, stunned. You would†¦ you would choose your enemies over your family? They aren't – I shook my head, clearing it – they aren't our enemies. They never have been. Until I really thought about destroying them, thought it through, I didn't see that. This isn't about them,he snarled at me. This is about Bella. She has never been the one for you, she has never chosen you, but you continue to destroy your life for her! They were hard words, but true words. I sucked in a big gulp of air, breathing them in. Maybe you're right. But you're going to destroy the pack over her, Sam. No matter how many of them survive tonight, they will always have murder on their hands. We have to protect our families! I know what you've decided, Sam. But you don't decide for me, not anymore. Jacob – you can't turn your back on the tribe. I heard the double echo of his Alpha command, but it was weightless this time. It no longer applied to me. He clenched his jaw, trying to force me to respond to his words. I stared into his furious eyes. Ephraim Black's son was not born to follow Levi Uley's. Is this it, then, JacobBlack? His hackles rose and his muzzle pulled back from his teeth. Paul and Jared snarled and bristled at his sides. Even if you can defeat me, the pack will never follow you! Now jerked back, a surprised whine escaping my throat. Defeat you? I'm not going to fight you, Sam. Then what's your plan? I'm not stepping aside so that you can protect the vampire spawn at the tribe's expense. I'm not telling you to step aside. If you order them to follow you – never take anyone's will away from him. His tail whipped back and forth as he recoiled from the judgment in my words. Then he took a step forward so that we were toe to toe, his exposed teeth inches from mine. I hadn't noticed till this moment that I'd grown taller than him. There cannot be more than one Alpha. The pack has chosen me. Will you rip us apart tonight? Will you turn on your brothers? Or will you end this insanity and join us again?Every word was layered with command, but it couldn't touch me. Alpha blood ran undiluted in my veins. Icould see why there was never more than one Alpha male in a pack. My body was responding to the challenge. I could feel the instinct to defend my claim rising in me. The primitive core of my wolf-self tensed for the battle of supremacy. I focusedall my energy to control that reaction. I would not fall into a pointless, destructive fight with Sam. He was my brother still, even though I was rejecting him. There is only one Alpha for this pack. I'm not contesting that I'm just choosing to go my own way. Do you belong to acoven now, Jacob? I flinched. don't know, Sam. But I do know this – He shrunk back as he felt the weight of the Alpha in my tone. It affected him more than his touched me. Because I had been born to lead him. will stand between you and the Cullens. I won't just watch while the pack kills innocent – it was hard to apply that word to vampires, but it was true – people. The pack is better than that. Lead them in the right direction, Sam. I turned my back on him, and a chorus of howls tore into the air around me. Digging my nails into the earth, I raced away from the uproar I'd caused. I didn't have much time. At least Leah was the only one with a prayer of outrunning me, and I had a head start. The howling faded with the distance, and I took comfort as the sound continued to rip apart the quiet night. They weren't after me yet. I had to warn the Cullens before the pack could get it together and stop me. If the Cullens were prepared,it might give Sam a reason to rethink this before it was too late. I sprinted toward the white house Istill hated, leaving my home behindme. Home didn't belong to me anymore. I'd turned my back on it. Today had begun like any other day. Made it home from patrol with the rainy sunrise, breakfast with Billy and Rachel, bad TV, bickering withPaul†¦ How did it change so completely, turn all surreal? How did everything get messed up and twisted so that I was here now, all alone, an unwilling Alpha, cut off from my brothers, choosing vampires over them? The sound I'd been fearing interrupted my dazed thoughts – it was the soft impact of big paws against the ground, chasing after me. I threw myself forward, rocketing through the black forest. I just had to get close enough so that Edward could hear the warning in my head. Leah wouldn't be able to stop me alone. And then I caught the mood of the thoughts behind me. Not anger, but enthusiasm. Not chasing†¦ but following. My stride broke. I staggered two steps before it evened out again. Wait up. My legs aren't as long as yours. SETH! What do you think you're DOING? GO HOME! He didn't answer, but I could feel his excitement as he kept right on after me. I could see through his eyes as he could see through mine. The night scene was bleak for me – fullof despair. For him, it was hopeful. I hadn't realized I was slowing down, but suddenly he was on my flank, running in position beside me. am not joking, Seth! This is no place for you. Get out of here. The gangly tan wolf snorted. I've got your back, Jacob. I think you're right. And I'm not going to stand behind Sam when – Oh yes you are the hell going to stand behind Sam! Get your furry butt back to La Push and do what Sam tells you to do. No. Go, Seth! Is that anorder. Jacob? His question brought me up short. I skidded to a halt, my nails gouging furrows in the mud. I'm not ordering anyone to do anything. I'm just telling you what you already know. He plopped down on his haunches beside me. tell you what I know – I know that it's awful quiet. Haven't you noticed? I blinked. My tail swished nervously as I realized what he was thinking underneath the words. It wasn't quiet in one sense. Howls still filled the air, far away in the west. They haven't phased back,Seth said. I knew that. The pack would be on red alert now. They would be using the mind link to see all sides clearly. But I couldn't hear what they were thinking. I could only hear Seth. No one else. Looks to me like separate packs aren't linked. Huh. Guess there was no reason for our fathers to know that before. ‘Cause there was no reason for separate packs before. Never enough wolves for two. Wow. It'sreally quiet. Sort of eerie. But also kinda nice, don't you think? I bet it was easier, like this, for Ephraim and Quil and Levi. Not such a babble with just three. Or just two. Shut up, Seth. Yes, sir. Stop that! There are not two packs. There is THE pack, and then there is me. That's all. So you can go home now. If there aren't two packs, then why can we hear each other and not the rest? I think that when you turned your back on Sam, that was a pretty significant move. A change. And when I followed you away, I think that was significant, too. You've got a point,I conceded. But what can change can change right back. He got up and started trotting toward the east. No time to argue about it now. We should be moving right along before Sam†¦ He was right about that part. There was no time for this argument. Ifell into a run again, not pushing myself quite as hard. Seth stayed on my heels, holding the Second's traditional place on my right flank. can run somewhere else, he thought, his nose dipping a little. didn't follow you because I was after a promotion. Run wherever you want. Makes no difference to me. There was no sound of pursuit, but we both stepped it up a little at the same time. I was worried now. If I couldn't tap into the pack's mind, it was going to make this more difficult. I'd have no more advance warning of attack than the Cullens. We'll run patrols,Seth suggested. And what do we do if the pack challenges us?My eyes tightened. Attack our brothers? Your sister? No – we sound the alarm and fall back. Good answer. But then what? I don't think†¦ I know,he agreed. Less confident now. don't think I can fight them, either. But they won't be any happier with the idea of attacking us than we are with attacking them. That might be enough to stop them right there. Pius, there're only eight of them now. Stop being so†¦Took me a minute to decide on the right word. Optimistic. It's getting on my nerves. No problem. You want me to be all doom and gloom, or just shut up? Just shut up. Can do. Really? Doesn't seem like it. He was finally quiet. And then we were across the road and moving through the forest that ringed the Cullens' house. Could Edward hear us yet? Maybe we should be thinking something like,'We come in peace.† Go for it Edward?He called the name tentatively. Edward, you there? Okay, now I feel kinda stupid. You sound stupid, too. Think he can hear us? We were less than a mile out now. think so. Hey, Edward. If you can hear me – circle the wagons, bloodsucker. You've got a problem. We've got a problem, Seth corrected. Then we broke through the trees into the big lawn. The house was dark, but not empty. Edward stood on the porch between Emmett and Jasper. They were snow white in the pale light. â€Å"Jacob? Seth? What's going on?† I slowed and then paced back a few steps. The smell was so sharp through this nose that it felt like it was honestly burning me. Seth whined quietly, hesitating, and then he fell back behind me. To answer Edward's question, I let my mind run over the confrontation with Sam, moving through it backward. Seth thought with me, filling in the gaps, showing the scene from another angle. We stopped when we got to the part about the â€Å"abomination,† because Edward hissed furiously and leaped off the porch. â€Å"They want to kill Bella?† he snarled flatly. Emmett and Jasper, not having heard the first part of the conversation, took his inflectionless question for a statement. They were right next to him in a flash, teeth exposed as they moved on us. Hey, now,Seth thought, backing away. â€Å"Em, Jazz – not theml The others. The pack is coming.† Emmett and Jasper rocked back on their heels; Emmett turned to Edward while Jasper kept his eyes locked on us. â€Å"What's their problem?† Emmett demanded. â€Å"The same one as mine,† Edward hissed. â€Å"But they have their own plan to handle it. Get the others. Call Carlisle! He and Esme have to get back here now.† I whined uneasily. They were separated. â€Å"They aren't far,† Edward said in the same dead voice as before. I'm going to go take a look,Seth said. Run the western perimeter. â€Å"Will you be in danger, Seth?† Edward asked. Seth and I exchanged a glance. Don't think so,we thought together. And then I added, But maybe I should go. Just in case†¦ They'll be less likely to challenge me,Seth pointed out. I'm just a kid to them. You're just a kid to me, kid. I'm outta here. You need to coordinate with the Cullens. He wheeled and darted into the darkness. I wasn't going to order Seth around, so I let him go. Edward and I stood facing each other in the dark meadow, i could hear Emmett muttering into his phone. Jasper was watching the place where Seth had vanished into the woods. Alice appeared on the porch and then, after staring at me with anxious eyes for a long moment, she flitted to Jasper's side. I guessed that Rosalie was inside with Bella. Still guarding her – from the wrong dangers. â€Å"This isn't the first time I've owed you my gratitude, Jacob,† Edward whispered. â€Å"I would never have asked for this from you.† I thought of what he'd asked me for earlier today. When it came to Bella, there were no lines he wouldn't cross. Yeah, you would. He thought about it and then nodded. â€Å"I suppose you're right about that.† I sighed heavily. Well, this isn't the first time that I didn't do it for you. â€Å"Right,† he murmured. Sorry I didn't do any good today. Told you she wouldn't listen to me. â€Å"I know. I never really believed she would. But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  You had to try. I get it. She any better? His voice and eyes went hollow. â€Å"Worse,† he breathed. I didn't want to let that word sink in. I was grateful when Alice spoke. â€Å"Jacob, would you mind switching forms?† Alice asked. â€Å"I want to know what's going on.† I shook my head at the same time Edward answered. â€Å"He needs to stay linked to Seth.† â€Å"Well, then would you be so kind as to tell me what's happening?† He explained in clipped, emotionless sentences. â€Å"The pack thinks Bella's become a problem. They foresee potential danger from the†¦ from what she's carrying. They feel it's their duty to remove that danger. Jacob and Seth disbanded from the pack to warn us. The rest are planning to attack tonight.† Alice hissed, leaning away from me. Emmett and Jasper exchanged a glance, and then their eyes ranged across the trees. Nobody out here,Seth reported. All's quiet on the western front They may go around. I'll make a loop. â€Å"Carlisle and Esme are on their way,† Emmett said. â€Å"Twenty minutes, tops.† â€Å"We should take up a defensive position,† Jasper said. Edward nodded. â€Å"Let's get inside.† run perimeter with Seth. If I get too far for you to hear my head, listen for my howl. â€Å"Iwill.† They backed into the house, eyes flickering everywhere. Before they were inside, I turned and ran toward the west. I'm still not finding much,Seth told me. take half the circle. Move fast – we don't want them to have a chance to sneak past us. Seth lurched forward in a sudden burst of speed. We ran in silence, and the minutes passed. I listened to the noises around him, double-checking his judgment. Hey – something coming up fast!he warned me after fifteen minutes of silence. On my way! Hold your position – don't think it's the pack. It sounds different. Seth – But he caught the approaching scent on the breeze, and I read it in his mind. Vampire. Bet it's Carlisle. Seth, fall back. It might be someone else. No, it's them. I recognize the scent Hold up, I'm going to phase to explain it to them. Seth, I don't think – But he was gone. Anxiously, I raced along the western border. Wouldn't it be just peachy if I couldn't take care of Seth for one freaking night? What if something happened to him on my watch? Leah would shred me into kibble. At least the kid kept it short. It wasn't two minutes later when I felt him in my head again. Yep, Carlisle and Esme. Boy, were they surprised to see me! They're probably inside by now. Carlisle said thanks. He's a good guy. Yeah. That's one of the reasons why we're right about this. Hope so. Why're you so down, Jake? I'll bet Sam won't bring the pack tonight. He's not going to launch a suicide mission. I sighed. It didn't seem to matter, either way. Oh. This isn't about Sam so much, is it? I made the turn at the end of my patrol. I caught Seth's scent where he'd turned last. We weren't leaving any gaps. You think Bella's going to die anyway,Seth whispered. Yeah, she is. Poor Edward. He must be crazy. Literally. Edward's name brought other memories boiling to the surface. Seth read them in astonishment. And then he was howling. Oh, man! No way! You did notThat just plain oT sucks rocks, Jacob! And you know it, too! I can't believe you said you'd kill him. What is that? You have to tell him no. Shut up, shut up, you idiot! They're going to think the pack is coming! Oops!He cut off mid-howl. I wheeled and started loping in toward the house. Just keep out of this, Seth. Take the whole circle for now. Seth seethed and I ignored him. False alarm, false alarm,I thoughtas I ran closer in. Sorry. Seth is young. He forgets things. No one's attacking. False alarm. When I got to the meadow, I could see Edward staring out of a dark window. I ran in, wanting to be sure he got the message. There's nothing out there – you got that? He nodded once. This would be a lot easier if the communication wasn't one way. Then again, I was kinda glad I wasn't in his head. He looked over his shoulder, back into the house, and I saw a shudder run through his whole frame. He waved me away without looking in my direction again and then moved out of my view. What's going on? Like I was going to get an answer. I sat very still in the meadow and listened. With these ears, I could almost hear SetlYs soft footfalls, miles out into the forest. It was easy to hear every sound inside the dark house. â€Å"It was a false alarm,† Edward was explaining in that dead voice, just repeating what I'd told him. â€Å"Seth was upset about something else, and he forgot we were listening for a signal. He's very young.† â€Å"Nice to have toddlers guarding the fort,† a deeper voice grumbled. Emmett, I thought. â€Å"They've done us a great service tonight, Emmett,† Carlisle said. â€Å"At great personal sacrifice.† â€Å"Yeah, I know. I'm just jealous. Wish I was out there.† â€Å"Seth doesn't think Sam will attack now,† Edward said mechanically. â€Å"Not with us forewarned, and lacking two members of the pack.† â€Å"What does Jacob think?† Carlisle asked. â€Å"He'snot as optimistic.† No one spoke. There was a quiet dripping sound that I couldn't place. I heard their low breathing – and I could separateBella's from the rest. It was harsher, labored. It hitched and broke in strange rhythms. I could hear her heart. It seemed†¦ too fast. I paced it against my own heartbeat, but I wasn't sure if that was any measure. It wasn't like I was normal. â€Å"Don't touch her! You'll wake her up,† Rosalie whispered. Someone sighed. â€Å"Rosalie,† Carlisle murmured. â€Å"Don't start with me, Carlisle. We let you have your way earlier, but that's all we're allowing.† It seemed like Rosalie and Bella were both talking in plurals now. Like they'd formed a pack of their own. I paced quietly in front of the house. Each pass brought me a little closer. The dark windows were like a TV set running in some dull waiting room – it was impossible to keep my eyes off them for long. A few more minutes, a few more passes, and my fur was brushing the side of the porch as I paced. I couldsee up through the windows – see the top of the walls and the ceiling, the unlit chandelier that hung there. I was tall enough thatall I would have to do was stretch my neck a little†¦ and maybe one paw up on the edge of the porch†¦. I peeked into the big, open front room, expecting to see something very similar to the scene this afternoon. But it had changed so much that I was confused at first. For a second I thought I'd gotten the wrong room. The glass wall was gone – it looked like metal now. And the furniture was all dragged out of the way, withBella curled up awkwardly on a narrow bed in the center of the open space. Not a normal bed – one with rails like in a hospital. Also like a hospital were the monitors strapped to her body, the tubes stuck into her skin. The lights on the monitors flashed, but there was no sound. The dripping noise was from the IV plugged into her arm – some fluid that was thick and white, not clear. She choked a little in her uneasy sleep, and both Edward and Rosalie moved in to hover over her. Her body jerked, and she whimpered. Rosalie smoothed her hand across Bella's forehead. Edward's body stiffened – his back was to me, but his expression must have been something to see, because Emmett wrenched himself between them before there was time to blink. He held his hands up to Edward. â€Å"Not tonight, Edward. We've got other things to worry about.† Edward turned away from them, and he was the burning man again. His eyes met mine for one moment, and then I dropped back to all fours. I ran back into the dark forest, running to join Seth, running away from what was behind me. Worse. Yes, she was worse.