My Blanket free essay sample

Money, jewelry, puppies, lovers—most people rank these items high on their lists of â€Å"My Favorite Thing.† But not me. My favorite item in the world is â€Å"Beibei.† I can’t live without her; she’s as important as oxygen to me. Beibei is my blanket, white and soft and sweet-smelling. When I touch Bei-Bei, it’s like touching clothes fresh from the dryer, warm, fluffy, scented with â€Å"Snuggle.† Beibei has always seemed to have a magic power that attracts and soothes me: When I was born, my parents covered me with her to quiet my crying. They say I would tuck my chin into Beibei’s folds and grip her corners in my tiny fingers. Even now, I find it almost impossible to sleep without Beibei. One time, I forgot to take Beibei when I traveled to Australia. Every night was a nightmare. I didn’t enjoy that trip. I love Beibei’s smell; it keeps me calm and happy. We will write a custom essay sample on My Blanket or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page But my family hates Beibei’s smell; it’s like sweaty socks to them. When they smell her, they throw her across the room. The only person who agrees with me is my brother. He loves Beibei’s smell because he once had a blanket, too. Unfortunately, it fell apart. Sometimes, I share Beibei’s smell with him. Even though I love the smell, I want my family to accept Beibei. So I decided to wash her. (It took me a week to make this decision.) My mother was so happy and volunteered to help. I had two rules, however. First, Beibei can’t be washed in the washing machine. She needs to be washed by hands or she’ll fall apart. Second, Beibei can’t be thrown into the dryer or she’ll shrink. After Beibei was cleaned, my family finally accepted her. No one throws Beibei away and treats her like a pernicious disease. Beibei—my blanket—is my favorite item in the world. I can’t live without her. She’s a part of my body. When she hurts, I feel pain, too.

Loving Ones Self essays

Loving One's Self essays One day, my friend Samantha and I were walking through a mall. I had just turned 17, and my grandparents sent me some birthday money to spend. Samantha and I went shopping that day. We entered various stores, either purchasing or just glancing around. We carried bags of purchases in and out of stores, but at this mall they had a policy that I had never heard of. When we entered stores, we had to put our bags of purchases from other stores behind the counter of the cashier. Sam and I were surprised at this. We asked the employees at each store why we must do this, unsure of this policy. They all told us the same thing, store policy. We did as we were asked and continued to walk around the store. We saw other groups of kids our age come in, and the same thing was done as well. As all of this was happening, two adults, older than us, more likely to be in their thirties, walked in as they pleased. They held their bags in their hands the whole time they were in the store, no q uestions asked. Many adults walked in without a problem. I couldnt understand what the meaning of this was. Little did I know I was facing a social oppression I was unaware of called adultism. Adultism is the oppression of young people that happens from the day they are born. It is based on age and is presented by the attitudes of adults who surround young people, such as teachers and parents. Adultism can result, or be expressed through many things, such as stereotyping young adults as lazy, mean, angry, and silly, not including young people into decisions made at home and in the classroom, and the failure of supporting young adults development by not being a positive influence or putting in time to talk to us and see what is going on in our lives today. Memmis theory of racism can be applied to adultism as well. There are many situations in which people face the same prejudices for being young adults tha...

KU Consulting Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

KU Consulting - Case Study Example Moreover, the company’s surroundings and equipments used for the manufacturing process are also old-fashioned, technology-deprived and unhealthy as well. Consequently, the company with its obsolete plant and pathetic surroundings fails to satisfy the US safety and environmental standards. Contextually, the company is required to improve and upgrade its plants and equipments substantially in order to ensure greater profitability along with increasing production of quality products. Competitiveness of Albatross Anchor 1. Cost A) Cost of Production Cost of production can be sub-divided into two general categories namely, fixed costs and variable costs which accumulatively represent the value of total costs. Different companies operate in a market place; however they can be distinguished upon their level of cost efficiency examining their variable and fixed cost attributes which further determine their production efficiency. For instance, a higher level of cost-efficiency can be d etermined with the assistance of a comparatively lower cost of production. Contextually, Albatross’ current manufacturing costs of mushroom anchors and snag hook anchors are accounted to be $8.00 per pound and $11.00 per pound respectively. It is in this context that the company charges the same per unit as that of its competitors. Notably, the profit margin of the company in certain instances is recorded to be approximately 35 percent less on its outputs produced. The major cause behind the limitation of the company to earn adequate profit can be identified with reference to its operational inefficiencies (Article Directory, 2012). B) Economies of Scale in Material Purchasing The company purchases the required raw materials in bulk from its suppliers that help in acquiring advantages in terms of discounts. The bulk purchases of the raw materials also assist the company to attain competitive advantages from economies of scale. However, the current limitations of the company h as been witnessed to incur large volumes of wastes as the raw materials purchased in bulk remain unused for a long time period owing to its inefficient and time consuming production process. Hence, the company can avail the benefits of bulk purchase if it is able to produce products at faster rates (Byrns, 2001). C) Cost of Raw Materials Sitting Idle In the Warehouse The production process of the company is witnessed to be quite time-consuming, as a result of which, the only small units of outputs are produced at a given period of time. This leads toward increased volumes of unused raw materials. Consequently, such activities contribute towards an increase in costs as well as wastage of raw materials to a substantial extent. In such circumstances the company should strive to avoid the unnecessary costs associated with the raw materials and its deterioration. The company can thus invest in productive equipments and raw materials preserving efficient inventory system that can ultimate ly enhance the production process, rather than investing in unnecessary purchases of raw materials which are kept idle for a long period of time. D) Cost of Finished Goods Sitting Idle In the Warehouse The company’s warehouses are located far away from the main production area that contributes towards an increase in the carrying costs and thereby consumes substantial time and efforts of the

Business financial management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business financial management - Essay Example In the year 2004, this amount increased by about 9%, while in 2005 it fell by 19%. This suggests that this amount responded as the sum of long-term debt fluctuated. Also, the company's gearing policy, as suggested by above ratio is to maintain a mixed structure of capital and rely on equity funds more than the borrowed capital, because debt demands fixed payment of interest to the lenders whereas dividends are decided by the management according to their future plans. The gearing ratio of Baa plc reveals that the company's debt at market value is about 95% of the total funds invested by the shareholders. It also means that the company has kept the level of debt slightly below the equity capital so as to avoid interest payments. Koch and Shenoy (1999, p18) posit that, "an increase in leverage due to a debt offering will initially provide more cash for possible over investment, but over time the higher interest expense will decrease the cash available for over investment". Hence, the company might have adopted this strategy to keep the interest payment at a minimum level. The gearing policy of the company as illustrated in part A also reflects that the company has opted to continually decreas... In the year 2004, this amount increased by about 9%, while in 2005 it fell by 19%. This suggests that this amount responded as the sum of long-term debt fluctuated. The amount of long-term debt was 49% of the total capital invested in the company for the year 2003, which rose to 53% in 2004 and declined to 52% in 2005. This suggests that about half the company's total capital comes from external sources i.e., lenders and other outsiders. This in turn also reflects the gearing policy of the company to keep the level of long-term debt in the company at a balanced level Also, the company's gearing policy, as suggested by above ratio is to maintain a mixed structure of capital and rely on equity funds more than the borrowed capital, because debt demands fixed payment of interest to the lenders whereas dividends are decided by the management according to their future plans. Part B: Gearing Ratio Baa Plc 2005 Market Value Debt 4,150 = 95% Total Shareholders' Equity 4,374 The gearing ratio of Baa plc reveals that the company's debt at market value is about 95% of the total funds invested by the shareholders. It also means that the company has kept the level of debt slightly below the equity capital so as to avoid interest payments. Koch and Shenoy (1999, p18) posit that, "an increase in leverage due to a debt offering will initially provide more cash for possible over investment, but over time the higher interest expense will decrease the cash available for over investment". Hence, the company might have adopted this strategy to keep the interest payment at a minimum level. The gearing policy of the company as illustrated in part A also reflects that the company has opted to continually decrease the percentage of long-term debt in the total

Great Expectations Essay Example for Free

Great Expectations Essay Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is a novel that focuses on the life of Philip Pirrip and his expectations. Throughout the book these expectations change and as they do, the reader comes to realise the key theme of how a characters upbringing and environment can dehumanise them. This essay will examine this key theme and how it demonstrates and helps the reader understand Pips growth as a character.  Initially, Pip is a very compassionate and sensitive character. We see this right from the start as the first scene describes him at his families grave crying. The reason for this behaviour at this stage of the book is Pips sister and guardian Mrs Joe Gargery. She concluded by throwing me- I often served her as a connubial missile-  This quote shows that Pip feels in most ways inadequate to his sister and that this domination is the reason for his sensitive and compassionate appearance at this stage of the book.  However, when Pip receives his expectations from Mr Jaggers, and he moves into lodging with Herbert, this domination is no longer valid. As Pip falls deeper and deeper into debt with his flippant spending, he moves further away from Joe and his old home. This gap becomes more apparent after Mrs Joes funeral, when Pip has an awkward conversation with his used to be good friend Biddy. In this conversation Pip presents himself as much more of a selfish and uncompassionate young man: Biddy, said I in a virtuously self-asserting manner, I must request to know what you mean by this?  This quote demonstrates Pips growth as a character as it shows the speed at which he has changed into more arrogant and self-righteous Pip since his childhood. It helps the reader understand the theme of how a characters upbringing and environment can dehumanise them, by showing that in his new, wider-boundary environment, Pip has become somewhat dehumanised. This dehumanisation is demonstrated in this conversation, as Pips manner is made to seem selfish and arrogant to underline the gap between Pips humanised place of upbringing and his somewhat dehumanised state in London. After Mrs Joes death, Pip seems more compassionate and thoughtful. This is because his visit back to his place of birth has helped him realise the change that he has undergone while he has been away by showing him the emotional distance he has put between himself and his family, and the consequences these distances have had on his relationships with his friends and family back home. This compassionate change is reinforced when he sets up Herberts job in a bid to see his friend more financially stable. I did really cry in good earnest when I went to bed, to think that my expectations had done some good to somebody.  This quote shows that Pip has realised the main theme of how a characters environment and upbringing can dehumanise them, by acting in this compassionate and thoughtful way. Also by referring to Herbert as somebody at the end of this quote, Pip shows the reader that he does not believe that his expectations have done himself that much good. In conclusion, Pip reacted throughout the novel towards his environment and upbringing in both negative and in the end positive ways. At the beginning of the novel, he seemed a very modest and sensitive young boy. However when he receives his expectations this marks the beginning of the changes and dehumanisation that he undergoes whilst he is in London. Thankfully though, after his experience at Mrs Joes funeral Pip realises these changes that he has undergone and endeavours to be more compassionate and thoughtful. This shows the reader that Pip has almost completed a full circle of growth, in terms of his behaviour in relation to his upbringing and environment, and this was reinforced by the main theme of how a characters upbringing and environment can dehumanise them.

Educating Rita by Willy Russell Essay -- A Play By Willy Russell

Educating Rita by Willy Russell â€Å" How do the characters of Frank and Rita change throughout the play and what is Russell’s purpose of using the technique?† Educating Rita is a play written by Willy Russell who was born in Liverpool, Whiston. â€Å"I really don’t want to write plays which are resigned, menopausal, despairing and whining. I don’t want to use any medium as a platform for displaying the smallness and hopelessness of man.† Willy Russell wrote Educating Rita as a comedy, he wanted to write a funny play to be watched and not to be studied. Coming from a working class family and society, he witnessed a deep injustice in the way lower classes were treated. Even though people who were working class had wonderful qualities, they were often regarded as worthless. In Educating Rita there are two classes, the lower class that is represented by Rita and the upper class represented by Frank. Russell reveals that although both characters come from different classes, they can both learn from each other. In this play there are only two characters. Although many other people are important to the play, Rita and Frank are the central characters. Rita is a 26-year-old woman who has decided to take a course in English Literature at the Open University. Frank, who is in his early fifties, is Rita’s tutor at the University. From the first opening scene we immediately see that Frank has a drinking problem, as he hides bottles of alcohol behind books in his study. Frank is in his study on the phone to his girlfriend to whom we can see he does not like much â€Å"†¦yes just pop off and put your head in the oven†¦Ã¢â‚¬  At the start of Act 1 Frank shows that he is uninterested in Rita, prejudges her and thinks that she ... ... one she leaves behind. She does pay a price, by leaving Danny and not having a baby yet, she gets what she want’s, an education. In the play, education is portrayed as a game when they are in the university – not going there for the need of an education but to acquire the lifestyle that an ‘educated’ person would so. Frank doesn’t know this game, but Rita does and at the end of the play she realises what it has done to her. At the beginning of the play she is an ‘uneducated’ woman, who knows little about academic things but has a lot of experience about life. She doesn’t value the knowledge which she already has much. She throws away her old life and what she gets back - Frank thinks- is much less valuable. But to Rita, education is a way out of mediocrity into a superior lifestyle. The tragedy is that she pays for it by becoming a different person.

Database Management Systems Essay

While the database management system terminology has become widespread in India, there is a vast space for the adoption of the systems. The market potential still has a significant amount of spread to increase market share. A computer database is a repository of structured data or information and a database management system is a collection of programs that allows storage and retrieval of this data efficiently. Database management systems have undergone significant changes over the last thirty years. Starting with IBM’s IMS, a hierarchical database management system, in the early 1970s to the recent grid computing relational database management system – Oracle, the database technology has undergone a substantial technological change. During the last decade, relational management system or a derivative of it has become a de facto standard of the industry. ANSI SQL has become the standard query language to interact with any DBMS, though each vendor has its own extension to the standard SQL. (The Indian Express Limited) According to Gartner, in 2008, the Indian DBMS market was worth around $194 million and is expected to grow by 20% in 2010 over 2009. It expects the Indian DBMS market size to reach $233 million in 2010. According to a Forrester Research report, the open-source database market stands at $850 million and is expected to grow by more than 40%, to $1. billion, by 2011. Though small in comparison with the $16 billion commercial database market, it is still a significant feat considering most open-source databases bear no licensing costs. (Gartner) The size, growth, and sheer desire to gain a competitive edge lured global DBMS vendors to India. They have opened offices, signed local partners, and translated their software – and they are finding success. Driven by the inherent need for businesses of all kinds to manage their information, Indian database management system (DBMS) software vendors support customers in a large variety of markets. â€Å"From an Indian market perspective, there is still a long way for all vendors to go. The market potential still has a considerable amount of spread to increase market-share,† says Anil Menon, Country Manager, Software Group Channels, IBM India/South Asia.