Monday, August 24, 2020

History and Analysis of city Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

History and Analysis of city - Assignment Example Situated at north scope of 39 degrees 56’ and east longtitude of 116 degrees 20’, Beijing fabulously resting along the north most piece of the north China plain; alongside the northwest is the Shanxi area and inward Mongolian plain, and from the east is the Bohai ocean. Among the local areas are the Hebei region and Tianjin toward the southeast. Beijing as being considered as one of the three uber urban areas of China under the immediate locale of the focal government is partitioned into 10 regions and 8 individual districts. The individuals of Beijing are getting a charge out of the moderate mainland atmosphere. 600 to 700 millimeters is the normal precipitation Beijing gets yearly and quite a bit of it falls in late June, July, and August. Spring is dry and dusty and the best season being considered in Beijing, just as in the entire of China is the pre-winter. Beijing fills in as the political and social focal point of the advanced China. It was the considered as the capital of numerous administrations during the past, old occasions. Everything in this spot pleasant the emanation of the previous history, fights, sources and the sensations present in this spot will lead urge anybody to feel the profound regard for the city that keeps stories dated down to its inception. Taihang Mountains Beijing professed to be a bay by the history specialists and geologist a few million years back. The land conveyance of Beijing is noteworthy to be called â€Å"Beijing Gulf†. Beijing is encased by Taihang Mountains situated at the west and Yanshan toward the north, toward the east is the Bohai Bay and before the Hebei plain toward the south. As per geologist and history specialists, the liquefying of ice and snow during spring conveyed colossal measure of mud from the mountains to the inlet. This was changed to be alluvial plain and is currently known to be Beijing. Mountains that encompass Beijing fills in as the insurance spread from the northern solid breezes. From the east part blew the wet air, gigantic plain extended far toward the southland and wide protracted waterways and streams are a portion of the highlights that this spot is caused appropriate condition for human to live to and settle down. Occupants of this spot are likewise honored with mild atmosphere and copious precipitation that suits to farming exercises. History of Beijing Peking Man Anthropologist’s guarantee that confirmations shows appearances that the greater part a million years back, in the southwest rural areas carried on a Peking man. Atmosphere condition during that time was hotter and contrasted with the current atmosphere of Beijing. Relics of the Peking man was found just as the stone devices, how the fire was utilized something like the apparatuses being utilized path back 18000 prior. It is considered as the most punctual social relics China have recorded in the history. The genuine essentialness of the city’s birthplace, following ba ck 2,000 years prior, began in the time of the Western Zou Dynasty dated eleventh century BC to 771 BC. The primitive rulers during this time were given by the head plots of land in which one of the plot given was called â€Å"Ji City†. This is considered as the principal city in Beijing history. During the Eastern Zhou Period dated 476 BC to 221 BC, the Ji realm was annulled and supplant by â€Å"Yan Kingdom† however JI stays as the capital during that time. At the point when china was brought together by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Beijing has been considered as a vital spot in China’s northern part. Beijing was called â€Å"

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Negotiation Purpose Samples for Students †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Examine about the Negotiation. Answer: Exchange Exchange is a conversation between at least two gatherings or people which is intended to guarantee an answer or pleasing result to a circumstance is accomplished. The circumstance being talked about might be a contention or a difficult which is being looked by at least two stressing parties. The result of an arrangement is normally set to be advantageous to the two gatherings included. Nonetheless, now and again the result of an arrangement can be useful to a portion of the gatherings in question and not every one of them. The primary point of attempting into an exchange is to guarantee a pleasant result is accomplished (Marks 2011, p.387). At the point when an arrangement is being attempted the underlying procedure is for one gathering to table their position and afterward all the gatherings included discussion around this position fitting it to their requirements until a pleasant arrangement is accomplished. Arrangements happen each day in different settings. Regardless of whether it is a little issue or a worldwide issue, arrangements typically occur with the goal that significant repercussions are kept away from or relieved. Exchanges should be possible using an expert arbitrator who has been entrusted to follow up for the benefit of a particular gathering or association. Exchange is likewise alluded to as hard dealing or positional arrangement (Pease, Barbara Alan 2006, n.p.). This is on the grounds that in an exchange a specific position is presented then bantered until an agreeable arrangement is accomplished. Disseminated exchange is a sort on arrangement which is accepted to be that when on party benefits it is to the detriment of the other. Because of this case it is normally alluded to as win-lose arrangement. Integrative arrangement is an exchange type which is additionally called head, merit-based or intrigue based exchange (Lewicki, Saunders Minton 2001, p.82). This sort of arrangement works by attempting to improve the odds of an exchange turning into a triumph understanding that various gatherings need various things and results. Dishonesty arrangement is whereby one gathering attempts to sho w that they are keen on accomplished an answer however they really would prefer not to accomplish a trade off. Arrangement is an essential road to guarantee issues which are looked by changed gatherings accomplish a trade off. In this paper we will examine arrangement dependent on different premises. We will harp on Apple which is a global innovation organization. Apple is an enormous organization with a wide exhibit of mechanical items, for example, the Iphone. Apple being such an immense organization it faces different issues as is attempts its business. It needs to have dynamic and expert moderators who are talented in different viewpoints to guarantee the result of an arrangement is something in which they can bargain upon (Sagi Diermeier 2015, n.p.). At the point when Apple is picking its moderators it needs to screen all the certified individuals who can suitably fill the shoes of an arbitrator. Apple does this by picking people who are acceptable communicators. For a person to turn into a decent moderator one of the key properties is them having the option to impart well and unafraid. This empowers them to be heard and they have a reasonable possibility of haggling admirably for the organization. A moderator in Apple is picked dependent on the particular range of abilities the individual may have. The range of abilities of a mediator in Apple ought to regularly be a person who is innovation keen and is extremely familiar with the business condition in which Apple runs in. Such an individual stands apart when mediators are being picked on the grounds that they know about the organization and its needs and will consistently arrange the arrangements which suitably in accordance with the organization. In Apple, a mediator is picked additionally by their degree of professional movement. An arbitrator should be somebody who is consistently on their feet and will go the additional mile in everything they do to guarantee the eventual benefits of the organization are very much kept up in any exchange procedure (Gates 2011, p.232).. People who have demonstrated ingenious and inventive are additionally picked for the most part inside Apple. This is on the grounds that in an arrangement, the current issue may turn out badly for the organization quick. It is dependent upon the mediator to think of manners by which they can guarantee the result of the arrangement works out in a good way for the organization. The preparation of moderators should be possible here and there the activity. For this situation moderators can be prepared at work by learning all the elements that are related with the business. At the point when they get familiar with these components they gain information on the best conditions which will be expected to best fit the organization (Saner 2000, p.40).. This will empower them to know how they can haggle for the organization in different issues and addition the best result for the organization. The trainings which are done off the activity can be attempted through different occasions and workshops. These sorts of occasions guarantee that the mediators are instructed effectively on how best they can pick up abilities which will empower them to be acceptable at what they do. Workshops are additionally significant in light of the fact that people who go to them will be prepared on the best and best abilities and methodologies expected to turn out to be acceptable moderators. In such workshops the mediators will likewise be refreshed on the most recent patterns in arrangement which can empower them to turn out to be successful and attractive as they work for their organization to win exchanges (Forsyth 2009, p.380). There are organizations which don't have the ability to have in house arbitrators because of different reasons, for example, fiscal restrictions. These organizations have the chance to recruit mediators who can follow up for their sake as specialists at whatever poi nt they need their administrations. It is basic that any organization finds the for moderators and have them close with the goal that they can haggle for their sake to guarantee they arrive at a decent trade off at whatever point any issue emerges. Arbitrators are a bit much people to be kept in-house but rather when the need emerges they can be called upon to follow up in the interest of the association (Shell 2006, n.p.). In an organization, for example, Apple there are consistently in house mediators who work to support the organization. They are entrusted with guaranteeing that all exchange forms are taken care of expertly and that the organization may get the best or most proper outcomes from any arrangement procedure. At Apple, before any exchange happens there are forms which are embraced to guarantee that the organization has a decent possibility of accomplishing an ideal result. Right off the bat, the issues or subject to be haggled upon should be obviously comprehended. The organization needs to call upon its representatives who are familiar with their different offices and acquire the required skill and experience to have the option to arrange. After the representatives are called upon the issue is investigated and the organization concocts positional situations which are the different results the organization can acknowledge with the goal that the arrangement is a triumph (Journal of Organizational Behavior 2006, p.270). The way toward understanding the issue and breaking down the different positional situations will guarantee that the organization can be set up to haggle well with the included gatherings. The readiness period of an arrangement procedure can be improved by having the organiz ation have standard examination of any issues which they may confront so that if there ever emerges an issue where the organization may abide in exchanges with the included gatherings they are constantly prepared (Coburn 2012, n.p.). The organization can likewise compose reenacted issues or issues dependent on the organization and have the representatives take part in dynamic exchange meetings which are regulated by specialists to guarantee that everybody required inside the organization can have the vital talented which are expected to turn into a first class arbitrator. Post exchange process is the procedure which comes after an arrangement hosts occurred and the gatherings included have arrived at a trade off. In many organizations this procedure is shallow in that, the gatherings included just satisfy the provisions of their trade off. It is imperative to have a very inside and out post arrangement process. This is on the grounds that connecting with parties who you may need to look in an arrangement again will be acceptable in that you can generally distinguish potential issues and work together to understand them before they become a migraine to the organization. The post exchange procedure can likewise be utilized as a stage for moderators from every included gathering to enable each other to enhance their abilities (Van Kleef, De Dreu Manstead 2004, p.65). The nearness of these people examining and helping each other enhance their aptitudes will empower them to turn out to be better mediators in future. At Apple, the post exchange process is s een as a significant advance in guaranteeing the accomplishment of an arrangement is accomplished. The post arrangement process at Apple is a piece of the entire exchange cycle which implies that without it an exchange isn't finished. The exchange procedure ought to be inspected on the grounds that it is a down to earth contextual investigation wherein the organization and gatherings included can learn of their qualities and shortcomings and in this manner enhance them. An exchange procedure like some other procedure includes different advances which should be attempted to guarantee a doable result is accomplished (Brazeal 2009, p.1). For any gathering associated with an exchange, the audit of such a procedure will guarantee, that they can learn on the zones which they are acceptable at and keep enhancing them. They will likewise learn on the shortcomings wherein they may have and the organization can sort out workshops and trainings where the mediators will be educated on the most proficient method to exploit their shortcomings and transform them into their qualities. At Apple exploring of the exchange procedure is significant. In a specific case, a moderator might not have completely arranged themselves when str olling into an exchange. The moderator and the entire organization needs to gain from the slip-up by auditing the exchange procedure. This will guarantee that any future events of

Saturday, July 25, 2020

UGA Admissions and Personal Issues - UGA Undergraduate Admissions

UGA Admissions and Personal Issues - UGA Undergraduate Admissions UGA Admissions and Personal Issues Last week, I had the opportunity to talk with 40-50 people at a college night program for Camp Sunshine, a non-profit organization that offers support and opportunities to children with cancer and their families. I believe this is my eighth time doing this evening program, and I always have a great evening. I have known some of these campers for 10+ years, while others recently diagnosed and are going through treatment right now. Every year, the one question I am always asked is Should I tell the colleges I am applying to about my cancer, and if so, what should I say? My suggestion is always that they should let colleges know about their medical situation (if they feel comfortable sharing this), how it has impacted their lives, but more importantly, how they have both faced this obstacle and overcome it. As the quote from Vince Lombardi states, Its not whether you get knocked down, its whether you get up. And it is amazing how well these students have done getting back up on their feet and being active after being knocked down so hard by cancer! I have seen former campers who are now Paralympic Cycling medalists, founders of non-profits, and medical professionals now fighting cancer. Most every applicant has had some personal issue, from divorce to sickness/injuries to family challenges. These range from the rather minor (I was sick for three days) to the more life changing events (see above). The important thing when applying to UGA is first to tell us about it, but more importantly to show us how you have gotten back up off the ground and gotten over your personal hurdle. While I can not say how this information will impact a decision, it helps us to know what has occurred in your life. there are plenty of places to share this, from the Special Circumstances section on the application, the admissions essays, or from your recommendation letter(s). UGA can then have a better look at who you are overall as a student and a person, and see the connections between your academics, activities and personal events in your life.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Effective Communication As An Effective Negotiator Essay

â€Å"Delivering a difficult message is like throwing a hand grenade. Coated with sugar, thrown hard or soft, a hand grenade is still going to do damage† (Stone, Patton, Heen, 2000, p. 17). If the underlying context of our message is not desirable, no matter how hard we try to throw the grenade softly, once it lands, it shows its consequences. Difficult conversations are not about who’s right, rather they are about dissimilar insights, perceptions, interpretations, and beliefs. Effective communication is not only important to be an effective negotiator, but it’s very essential in all aspects of life. Regardless of our level of proficiency, some conversations are always cause of anxiety and frustrations. As argued by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen, â€Å"conversations take place on multiple levels: the rational, the emotional, and the â€Å"identity† level†. Essentially, by considering these parts of conversation, we can learn each party’s version of what was articulated; what feelings take place throughout the conversation; and to what extent one’s identity may have been exposed, sapped, or fortified by the dialogue. The â€Å"rational† conversations are essentially the â€Å"what happened† conversations, which are usually made much more complicated than what parties’ initial expectations are and commonly involve tension over what happened and who is to blame for. In such conversations, each side of the conversation should look for their contribution to the dilemma, rather thanShow MoreRelatedQuestions On Developing An Improvement Plan1582 Words   |  7 Pagesnegotiation style in concordance with the questionnaires that I took. One of the questionnaires identifies perceptions of myself related to negotiations, particularly it clarifies my â€Å"perception of human behavior.† The next questionnaire identified communication competence, I will go over my outcomes from each questionnaire and provide a summary of my negotiation results. Next, I will discuss things that I need to improve, and a plan for doing so. Summary The two questionnaires taken were based uponRead MoreDefining Negotiation : Influencing Encompasses Persuading And Negotiating1443 Words   |  6 Pagesnegotiation is being conducted). A negotiator with high process awareness initially stands back from the issues of the negotiation and then identifies and manages the process to achieve desired outcomes. †¢ Pre-Negotiation There is often quite a lot that can be done to help set the scene for successful conditions under which to negotiate, possibly bringing other key stakeholders or champions on-side prior to the negotiation. †¢ Objectives Successful influencers/negotiators focus on the objectives ofRead MoreThe Role of Negotiation in Conflict Resolution Essay examples1516 Words   |  7 Pageslife. Role of manager is paramount with regard to negotiating the conflict that arises in organisational life (http://www.sagepub.com/). Often lack of effective and direct communication between the employees or employees and management are major contributory factor towards the organisational conflict. Failure of manger to establish direct communication with the employees can be also regarded as principle factor behind the organisational conflict. According to Jambrek, and Penić (2008), conflict ofRead MoreInternational Business Is Not Just About Nationalities722 Words   |  3 Pagesmodern world, international business is not just about nationalities, it is also about cultures. Cultures affect negotiation strategies, decisions values and communications. A case in point focuses on a scenario whereby a proficient U.S negotiator travels to Mexico to negotiate for a profitable business deal. Furthermore, the above named negotiator puts into consideration the aspect of time. Time is considered as money and therefore he intends to achieve the best deal within 24 hours. Reasonably, theRead MoreEffective Communication in Negotiation1126 Words   |  5 PagesEffective communication in negotiation In this report I decided to consider effective communication in negotiation. It is a very important topic, because we have to negotiate every day at work, at home, with our friends. We negotiate for deciding a time for meeting, or where to go on a rainy day, etc. Also the importance of negotiation has grown in recent years in a workplace. Nowadays, people works more in teams, where they need to negotiate and prove their opinions. Also many workers are formingRead MorePersuasive Communication and1272 Words   |  6 PagesPersuasive Communication and Effective Negotiations Introduction In business the most vital skill is communication. In a setting where ideas are the business, it is imperative to be able to communicate those ideas effectively. The most important part of communication is the persuasive message. Communication is defined as a process by which we give and express meaning in an effort to create shared understanding. This process requires a huge range of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonalRead MoreMoms.com: Analysis of Integrative Negotiations1431 Words   |  6 Pagesprovides ideas on the types of questions negotiators should ask to maximize efficiency. Fisher and Ury (1991) say that without communication there is no negotiation. Communicating by willingly providing information and asking questions develops the relationship and trust between all parties. By sharing information, a negotiator encourages perspective taking and improves the quality of the agreement (class notes, 17/09/04). By gathering information, a negotiator is better able to identify where theRead MorePurchasing Negotiations and Outcomes1101 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Purchasing Negotiations and Outcomes Introduction Among the harsh realities of business transactions are the challenging negotiations that inevitably precede them. Some business leaders appear to be natural-born negotiators who are able to extract concession after concession in their favor during negotiations, while others seem to struggle to achieve a fair and equitable outcome. In between these two extremes are most business people who want and need to know how to negotiate successfully, butRead MoreNegotiation by Lewicki1690 Words   |  7 Pageshas been substantially updated and revised to reflect current negotiations research. Thirteen chapters are presented in four parts. The first chapters focus on the basic elements of conflict and negotiation. Part Two examines the processes of communication, persuasion, and ethical judgment. Part Three explores external influences on negotiations, including the social context, coalition or group participation, individual personality differences, and cultural factors. The final chapters d iscuss waysRead MoreIntegrative Negotiation1356 Words   |  6 Pagesto use active listening skills. Conflicting style of communication The individual with Integrating Style of communication faces conflict while engaging others in the resolution. Integrating style approach helps the party in a conflict to find new and creative ways to solve a problem with the help of making analytical statements from other group members. It also allows the party to find out resolutions of a conflict by open communication. This integrative style also helps to keep the team’s positive

Friday, May 8, 2020

International Service Of Air Transportation - 946 Words

Introduction An airline company can be defined as an organization providing public service of air transportation on one or more routes to passengers and freight. Airlines vary widely in size, from small companies to huge multinational companies. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which they supply services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefits. Generally an airline must have an air operating certificate or license issued by a governmental aviation body. History of airlines Airplanes were around the first few years of the 20th century. In 1925, the Air Mail Act facilitated the development of airline industry by allowing postmaster to contract with private airlines to deliver mail. Shortly after, the Air Commerce Act authorized the Secretary of Commerce to establish airways, certify aircraft, license pilots, and issue and enforce air traffic regulations. The first set of commercial airlines included Pan American, Western Air Express and Ford Transport Service. Within 10 years, many modern airlines, such as Southwest, Delta, United and American, had emerged as major players. In 1938, the Civil Aeronautics Act established the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). This board was responsible for determining airline routes of travel and regulating prices for passenger fares. The CAB based airline fares on average cost; airlines could not compete with each other by offering lower fares but they competed by striving to offer best qualityShow MoreRelatedInternational Service Of Air Transportation1825 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction An airline company can be defined as an organization providing public service of air transportation on one or more routes to passengers and freight. Airlines vary widely in size, from small companies to huge multinational companies. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which they supply services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefits. Generally an airline must have an air operating certificate or license issued by a governmental aviation body. HistoryRead MoreAir Charter Transportation Industry : Comparative Perspectives1173 Words   |  5 PagesCHAPTER-3 AIR CHARTER TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY - COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVES According to a study by the Air Charter Journal, with the advent of the twenty-first century, there are around three thousand operators available for charter transportation around the world. Given the enormity of air charter transportation around the world, it is worthwhile to have a look at the international regime governing air charters around the world. International Regime It is interesting to note that in commercialRead MoreMis : Information and Services Does the Web Site Provide for Individuals, Small Businesses and Large Businesses1474 Words   |  6 Pages What kind of information and services does the Web site provide for individuals, small businesses and large businesses? List these services and write several paragraphs describing one of them, such as UPS Trade Direct or Automated Shipment Processing. Explain how your business would benefit from the service. INTRODUCTION More and more people are looking to the web for the products and services they need. Consumers want to be able to access products and services online and businesses have toRead MoreAviation Provides The Sole Worldwide Transportation Network That Makes It Essential For International Business And Tourism1227 Words   |  5 PagesAviation provides the sole worldwide transportation network that makes it essential for international business and tourism. It plays a significant role in facilitating economic growth, notably in developing countries. Flying transports close to two billion travelers per annum and four-hundredth of interregional fares of merchandise (by worth), four-hundredth of international tourists currently travel by air. The air transportation industry generates a total of twenty nine million jobs globally (throughRead MoreTransportation Transport And Transport Transportation994 Words   |  4 PagesWithin transportation, there are a lot of different modes to transport it ems. The modes are land, water, pipeline, air, and railroad. The modes used by most companies is air and land. Two companies that use these modes are Ups and FedEx. With Ups and FedEx in these modes, consumers and manufactures are able to ship and receive items. Air mode of transportation is the movement of freight by air when time is of the essence. 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By Raymond Rau : Posted August 16, 2011 In Air Freight, International Shipping, ocean freight, shipping. http://www.universalcargo.com/4-factors-for-considering-air-freight-vs-ocean-freight/ INTRODUCTION This is a review of an article on ‘4 FACTORS FOR CONSIDERING AIR FREIGHT VS. OCEAN FREIGHT’. In the first place a summary of the article will be given, then we willRead More International Logistics Essays1333 Words   |  6 Pagesdesigning and managing of a system in order to control the flow of material throughout a corporation. This is a very important part of an international company because of geographical barriers. Logistics of an international company includes movement of raw materials, coordinating flows into and out of different countries, choices of transportation, cost of the transportation, packaging the product for shipment, storing the product, and managing the entire process. The concept of logistics is fairly new inRead MoreAn Analysis Of The International Logistics Systems1481 Words   |  6 Pagesefficient and reliable transportation mechanisms for their supply chains (Coyle et al. 2015). In addition, the various firms or companies have to contend with the fact that the increased distances of transportation come with its fair share of risks. The firms need to carry out risk assessment to deal with the unexpected processes. From another point of view, the firms need to make several compromises as they enter into various agreements that will ensure that the transportation processes are well integratedRead MoreAir Canada Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagescommercial air transportation that includes maintenance standards, policy, ground, operations standards, and safety and navigation facilities. The Canadian Transportation Agency independently acts as a quasi-judicial tribunal that resolves disputes that relate to the consumer and the business. As an economic regulator, the agency also determines, licenses, permits and issue air transport related authorities. NAV Canada, non-share Capital Corporation, is privately responsible for provision of air navigation

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Twilight Saga 3 Eclipse Chapter 11. LEGENDS Free Essays

â€Å"ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT HOT DOG?† PAUL ASKED JAcob, his eyes locked on the last remnant of the huge meal the werewolves had consumed. Jacob leaned back against my knees and toyed with the hot dog he had spitted on a straightened wire hanger; the flames at the edge of the bonfire licked along its blistered skin. He heaved a sigh and patted his stomach. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 11. LEGENDS or any similar topic only for you Order Now It was somehow still flat, though I’d lost count of how many hot dogs he’d eaten after his tenth. Not to mention the super-sized bag of chips or the two-liter bottle of root beer. â€Å"I guess,† Jake said slowly. â€Å"I’m so full I’m about to puke, but I think I can force it down. I won’t enjoy it at all, though.† He sighed again sadly. Despite the fact that Paul had eaten at least as much as Jacob, he glowered and his hands balled up into fists. â€Å"Sheesh.† Jacob laughed. â€Å"Kidding, Paul. Here.† He flipped the homemade skewer across the circle. I expected it to land hot-dog-first in the sand, but Paul caught it neatly on the right end without difficulty. Hanging out with no one but extremely dexterous people all the time was going to give me a complex. â€Å"Thanks, man,† Paul said, already over his brief fit of temper. The fire crackled, settling lower toward the sand. Sparks blew up in a sudden puff of brilliant orange against the black sky. Funny, I hadn’t noticed that the sun had set. For the first time, I wondered how late it had gotten. I’d lost track of time completely. It was easier being with my Quileute friends than I’d expected. While Jacob and I had dropped off my bike at the garage – and he had admitted ruefully that the helmet was a good idea that he should have thought of himself – I’d started to worry about showing up with him at the bonfire, wondering if the werewolves would consider me a traitor now. Would they be angry with Jacob for inviting me? Would I ruin the party? But when Jacob had towed me out of the forest to the clifftop meeting place – where the fire already roared brighter than the cloud-obscured sun – it had all been very casual and light. â€Å"Hey, vampire girl!† Embry had greeted me loudly. Quil had jumped up to give me a high five and kiss me on the cheek. Emily had squeezed my hand when we’d sat on the cool stone ground beside her and Sam. Other than a few teasing complaints – mostly by Paul – about keeping the bloodsucker stench downwind, I was treated like someone who belonged. It wasn’t just kids in attendance, either. Billy was here, his wheelchair stationed at what seemed the natural head of the circle. Beside him on a folding lawn chair, looking quite brittle, was Quil’s ancient, white-haired grandfather, Old Quil. Sue Clearwater, widow of Charlie’s friend Harry, had a chair on his other side; her two children, Leah and Seth, were also there, sitting on the ground like the rest of us. This surprised me, but all three were clearly in on the secret now. From the way Billy and Old Quil spoke to Sue, it sounded to me like she’d taken Harry’s place on the council. Did that make her children automatic members of La Push’s most secret society? I wondered how horrible it was for Leah to sit across the circle from Sam and Emily. Her lovely face betrayed no emotion, but she never looked away from the flames. Looking at the perfection of Leah’s features, I couldn’t help but compare them to Emily’s ruined face. What did Leah think of Emily’s scars, now that she knew the truth behind them? Did it seem like justice in her eyes? Little Seth Clearwater wasn’t so little anymore. With his huge, happy grin and his long, gangly build, he reminded me very much of a younger Jacob. The resemblance made me smile, and then sigh. Was Seth doomed to have his life change as drastically as the rest of these boys? Was that future why he and his family were allowed to be here? The whole pack was there: Sam with his Emily, Paul, Embry, Quil, and Jared with Kim, the girl he’d imprinted upon. My first impression of Kim was that she was a nice girl, a little shy, and a little plain. She had a wide face, mostly cheekbones, with eyes too small to balance them out. Her nose and mouth were both too broad for traditional beauty. Her flat black hair was thin and wispy in the wind that never seemed to let up atop the cliff. That was my first impression. But after a few hours of watching Jared watch Kim, I could no longer find anything plain about the girl. The way he stared at her! It was like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time. Like a collector finding an undiscovered Da Vinci, like a mother looking into the face of her newborn child. His wondering eyes made me see new things about her – how her skin looked like russet-colored silk in the firelight, how the shape of her lips was a perfect double curve, how white her teeth were against them, how long her eyelashes were, brushing her cheek when she looked down. Kim’s skin sometimes darkened when she met Jared’s awed gaze, and her eyes would drop as if in embarrassment, but she had a hard time keeping her eyes away from his for any length of time. Watching them, I felt like I better understood what Jacob had told me about imprinting before – it’s hard to resist that level of commitment and adoration. Kim was nodding off now against Jared’s chest, his arms around her. I imagined she would be very warm there. â€Å"It’s getting late,† I murmured to Jacob. â€Å"Don’t start that yet,† Jacob whispered back – though certainly half the group here had hearing sensitive enough to hear us anyway. â€Å"The best part is coming.† â€Å"What’s the best part? You swallowing an entire cow whole?† Jacob chuckled his low, throaty laugh. â€Å"No. That’s the finale. We didn’t meet just to eat through a week’s worth of food. This is technically a council meeting. It’s Quil’s first time, and he hasn’t heard the stories yet. Well, he’s heard them, but thiswill be the first time he knows they’re true. That tends to make a guy pay closer attention. Kim and Seth and Leah are all first-timers, too.† â€Å"Stories?† Jacob scooted back beside me, where I rested against a low ridge of rock. He put his arm over my shoulder and spoke even lower into my ear. â€Å"The histories we always thought were legends,† he said. â€Å"The stories of how we came to be. The first is the story of the spirit warriors.† It was almost as if Jacob’s soft whisper was the introduction. The atmosphere changed abruptly around the low-burning fire. Paul and Embry sat up straighter. Jared nudged Kim and then pulled her gently upright. Emily produced a spiral-bound notebook and a pen, looking exactly like a student set for an important lecture. Sam twisted just slightly beside her – so that he was facing the same direction as Old Quil, who was on his other side – and suddenly I realized that the elders of the council here were not three, but four in number. Leah Clearwater, her face still a beautiful and emotionless mask, closed her eyes – not like she was tired, but as if to help her concentration. Her brother leaned in toward the elders eagerly. The fire crackled, sending another explosion of sparks glittering up against the night. Billy cleared his throat, and, with no more introduction than his son’s whisper, began telling the story in his rich, deep voice. The words poured out with precision, as if he knew them by heart, but also with feeling and a subtle rhythm. Like poetry performed by its author. â€Å"The Quileutes have been a small people from the beginning,† Billy said. â€Å"And we are a small people still, but we have never disappeared. This is because there has always been magic in our blood. It wasn’t always the magic of shape-shifting – that came later. First, we were spirit warriors.† Never before had I recognized the ring of majesty that was in Billy Black’s voice, though I realized now that this authority had always been there. Emily’s pen sprinted across the sheets of paper as she tried to keep up with him. â€Å"In the beginning, the tribe settled in this harbor and became skilled ship builders and fishermen. But the tribe was small, and the harbor was rich in fish. There were others who coveted our land, and we were too small to hold it. A larger tribe moved against us, and we took to our ships to escape them. â€Å"Kaheleha was not the first spirit warrior, but we do not remember the stories that came before his. We do not remember who was the first to discover this power, or how it had been used before this crisis. Kaheleha was the first great Spirit Chief in our history. In this emergency, Kaheleha used the magic to defend our land. â€Å"He and all his warriors left the ship – not their bodies, but their spirits. Their women watched over the bodies and the waves, and the men took their spirits back to our harbor. â€Å"They could not physically touch the enemy tribe, but they had other ways. The stories tell us that they could blow fierce winds into their enemy’s camps; they could make a great screaming in the wind that terrified their foes. The stories also tell us that the animals could see the spirit warriors and understand them; the animals would do their bidding. â€Å"Kaheleha took his spirit army and wreaked havoc on the intruders. This invading tribe had packs of big, thick-furred dogs that they used to pull their sleds in the frozen north. The spirit warriors turned the dogs against their masters and then brought a mighty infestation of bats up from the cliff caverns. They used the screaming wind to aid the dogs in confusing the men. The dogs and bats won. The survivors scattered, calling our harbor a cursed place. The dogs ran wild when the spirit warriors released them. The Quileutes returned to their bodies and their wives, victorious. â€Å"The other nearby tribes, the Hohs and the Makahs, made treaties with the Quileutes. They wanted nothing to do with our magic. We lived in peace with them. When an enemy came against us, the spirit warriors would drive them off. â€Å"Generations passed. Then came the last great Spirit Chief, Taha Aki. He was known for his wisdom, and for being a man of peace. The people lived well and content in his care. â€Å"But there was one man, Utlapa, who was not content.† A low hiss ran around the fire. I was too slow to see where it came from. Billy ignored it and went on with the legend. â€Å"Utlapa was one of Chief Taha Aki’s strongest spirit warriors – a powerful man, but a grasping man, too. He thought the people should use their magic to expand their lands, to enslave the Hohs and the Makahs and build an empire. â€Å"Now, when the warriors were their spirit selves, they knew each other’s thoughts. Taha Aki saw what Utlapa dreamed, and was angry with Utlapa. Utlapa was commanded to leave the people, and never use his spirit self again. Utlapa was a strong man, but the chief’s warriors outnumbered him. He had no choice but to leave. The furious outcast hid in the forest nearby, waiting for a chance to get revenge against the chief. â€Å"Even in times of peace, the Spirit Chief was vigilantin protecting his people. Often, he would go to a sacred, secret place in the mountains. He would leave his body behind and sweep down through the forests and along the coast, making sure no threat approached. â€Å"One day when Taha Aki left to perform this duty, Utlapa followed. At first, Utlapa simply planned to kill the chief, but this plan had its drawbacks. Surely the spirit warriors would seek to destroy him, and they could follow faster than he could escape. As he hid in the rocks and watched the chief prepare to leave his body, another plan occurred to him. â€Å"Taha Aki left his body in the secret place and flew with the winds to keep watch over his people. Utlapa waited until he was sure the chief had traveled some distance with his spirit self. â€Å"Taha Aki knew it the instant that Utlapa had joined him in the spirit world, and he also knew Utlapa’s murderous plan. He raced back to his secret place, but even the winds weren’t fast enough to save him. When he returned, his body was already gone. Utlapa’s body lay abandoned, but Utlapa had not left Taha Aki with an escape – he had cut his own body’s throat with Taha Aki’s hands. â€Å"Taha Aki followed his body down the mountain. He screamed at Utlapa, but Utlapa ignored him as if he were mere wind. â€Å"Taha Aki watched with despair as Utlapa took his place as chief of the Quileutes. For a few weeks, Utlapa did nothing but make sure that everyone believed he was Taha Aki. Then the changes began – Utlapa’s first edict was to forbid any warrior to enter the spirit world. He claimed that he’d had a vision of danger, but really he was afraid. He knew that Taha Aki would be waiting for the chance to tell his story. Utlapa was also afraid to enter the spirit world himself, knowing Taha Aki would quickly claim his body. So his dreams of conquest with a spirit warrior army were impossible, and he sought to content himself with ruling over the tribe. He became a burden – seeking privileges that Taha Aki had never requested, refusing to work alongside his warriors, taking a young second wife and then a third, though Taha Aki’s wife lived on – something unheard of in the tribe. Taha Aki watched in helpless fury. â€Å"Eventually, Taha Aki tried to kill his body to save the tribe from Utlapa’s excesses. He brought a fierce wolf down from the mountains, but Utlapa hid behind his warriors. When the wolf killed a young man who was protecting the false chief, Taha Aki felt horrible grief. He ordered the wolf away. â€Å"All the stories tell us that it was no easy thing to be a spirit warrior. It was more frightening than exhilarating to be freed from one’s body. This is why they only used their magic in times of need. The chief’s solitary journeys to keep watch were a burden and a sacrifice. Being bodiless was disorienting, uncomfortable, horrifying. Taha Aki had been away from his body for so long at this point that he was in agony. He felt he was doomed – never to cross over to the final land where his ancestors waited, stuck in this torturous nothingness forever. â€Å"The great wolf followed Taha Aki’s spirit as he twisted and writhed in agony through the woods. The wolf was very large for its kind, and beautiful. Taha Aki was suddenly jealous of the dumb animal. At least it had a body. At least it had a life. Even life as an animal would be better than this horrible empty consciousness. â€Å"And then Taha Aki had the idea that changed us all. He asked the great wolf to make room for him, to share. The wolf complied. Taka Aki entered the wolf’s body with relief and gratitude. It was not his human body, but it was better than the void of the spirit world. â€Å"As one, the man and the wolf returned to the village on the harbor. The people ran in fear, shouting for the warriors to come. The warriors ran to meet the wolf with their spears. Utlapa, of course, stayed safely hidden. â€Å"Taha Aki did not attack his warriors. He retreated slowly from them, speaking with his eyes and trying to yelp the songs of his people. The warriors began to realize that the wolf was no ordinary animal, that there was a spirit influencing it. One older warrior, a man name Yut, decided to disobey the false chief’s order and try to communicate with the wolf. â€Å"As soon as Yut crossed to the spirit world, Taha Aki left the wolf – the animal waited tamely for his return – to speak to him. Yut gathered the truth in an instant, and welcomed his true chief home. â€Å"At this time, Utlapa came to see if the wolf had been defeated. When he saw Yut lyinglifeless on the ground, surrounded by protective warriors, he realized what was happening. He drew his knife and raced forward to kill Yut before he could return to his body. â€Å"‘Traitor,’ he screamed, and the warriors did not know what to do. The chief had forbidden spirit journeys, and it was the chief’s decision how to punish those who disobeyed. â€Å"Yut jumped back into his body, but Utlapa had his knife at his throat and a hand covering his mouth. Taha Aki’s body was strong, and Yut was weak with age. Yut could not say even one word to warn the others before Utlapa silenced him forever. â€Å"Taha Aki watched as Yut’s spirit slipped away to the final lands that were barred to Taha Aki for all eternity. He felt a great rage, more powerful than anything he’d felt before. He entered the big wolf again, meaning to rip Utlapa’s throat out. But, as he joined the wolf, the greatest magic happened. â€Å"Taha Aki’s anger was the anger of a man. The love he had for his people and the hatred he had for their oppressor were too vast for the wolf’s body, too human. The wolf shuddered, and – before the eyes of the shocked warriors and Utlapa – transformed into a man. â€Å"The new man did not look like Taha Aki’s body. He was far more glorious. He was the flesh interpretation of Taha Aki’s spirit. The warriors recognized him at once, though, for they had flown with Taha Aki’s spirit. â€Å"Utlapa tried to run, but Taha Aki had the strength of the wolf in his new body. He caught the thief and crushed the spirit from him before he could jump out of the stolen body. â€Å"The people rejoiced when they understood what had happened. Taha Aki quickly set everything right, working again with his people and giving the young wives back to their families. The only change he kept in place was the end of the spirit travels. He knew that it was too dangerous now that the idea of stealing a life was there. The spirit warriors were no more. â€Å"From that point on, Taha Aki was more than either wolf or man. They called him Taha Aki the Great Wolf, or Taha Aki the Spirit Man. He led the tribe for many, many years, for he did not age. When danger threatened, he would resume his wolf-self to fight or frighten the enemy. The people dwelt in peace. Taha Aki fathered many sons, and some of these found that, after they had reached the age of manhood, they, too, could transform into wolves. The wolves were all different, because they were spirit wolves and reflected the man they were inside.† â€Å"So that’s why Sam is all black,† Quil muttered under his breath, grinning. â€Å"Black heart, black fur.† I was so involved in the story, it was a shock to come back to the present, to the circle around the dying fire. With another shock, I realized that the circle was made up of Taha Aki’s great – to however many degrees – grandsons. The fire threw a volley of sparks into the sky, and they shivered and danced, making shapes that were almost decipherable. â€Å"And your chocolate fur reflects what?† Sam whispered back to Quil. â€Å"How sweet you are?† Billy ignored their jibes. â€Å"Some of the sons became warriors with Taha Aki, and they no longer aged. Others, who did not like the transformation, refused to join the pack of wolf-men. These began to age again, and the tribe discovered that the wolf-men could grow old like anyone else if they gave up their spirit wolves. Taha Aki had lived the span of three old men’s lives. He had married a third wife after the deaths of the first two, and found in her his true spirit wife. Though he had loved the others, this was something else. He decided to give up his spirit wolf so that he would die when she did. â€Å"That is how the magic came to us, but it is not the end of the story. . . .† He looked at Old Quil Ateara, who shifted in his chair, straightening his frail shoulders. Billy took a drink from a bottle of water and wiped his forehead. Emily’s pen never hesitated as she scribbled furiously on the paper. â€Å"That was the story of the spirit warriors,† Old Quil began in a thin tenor voice. â€Å"This is the story of the third wife’s sacrifice. â€Å"Many years after Taha Aki gave up his spirit wolf, when he was an old man, trouble began in the north, with the Makahs. Several young women of their tribe had disappeared, and they blamed it on the neighboring wolves, who they feared and mistrusted. The wolf-men could still read each other’s thoughts while in their wolf forms, just like their ancestors had while in their spirit forms. They knew that none of their number was to blame. Taha Aki tried to pacify the Makah chief, but there was too much fear. Taha Aki did not want to have a war on his hands. He was no longer a warrior to lead his people. He charged his oldest wolf-son, Taha Wi, with finding the true culprit before hostilities began. â€Å"Taha Wi led the five other wolves in his pack on a search through the mountains, looking for any evidence of the missing Makahs. They came across something they had never encountered before – a strange, sweet scent in the forest that burned their noses to the point of pain.† I shrank a little closer to Jacob’s side. I saw the corner of his mouth twitch with humor, and his arm tightened around me. â€Å"They did not know what creature would leave such a scent, but they followed it,† Old Quil continued. His quavering voice did not have the majesty of Billy’s, but it had a strange, fierce edge of urgency about it. My pulse jumped as his words came faster. â€Å"They found faint traces of human scent, and human blood, along the trail. They were sure this was the enemy they were searching for. â€Å"The journey took them so far north that Taha Wi sent half the pack, the younger ones, back to the harbor to report to Taha Aki. â€Å"Taha Wi and his two brothers did not return. â€Å"The younger brothers searched for their elders, but found only silence. Taha Aki mourned for his sons. He wished to avenge his sons’ death, but he was old. He went to the Makah chief in his mourning clothes and told him everything that had happened. The Makah chief believed his grief, and tensions ended between the tribes. â€Å"A year later, two Makah maidens disappeared from their homes on the same night. The Makahs called on the Quileute wolves at once, who found the same sweet stink all through the Makah village. The wolves went on the hunt again. â€Å"Only one came back. He was Yaha Uta, the oldest son of Taka Aki’s third wife, and the youngest in the pack. He brought something with him that had never been seen in all the days of the Quileutes – a strange, cold, stony corpse that he carried in pieces. All who were of Taha Aki’s blood, even those who had never been wolves, could smell the piercing smell of the dead creature. This was the enemy of the Makahs. â€Å"Yaha Uta described what had happened: he and his brothers had found the creature, who looked like a man but was hard as a granite rock, with the two Makah daughters. One girl was already dead, white and bloodless on the ground. The other was in the creature’s arms, his mouth at her throat. She may have been alive when they came upon the hideous scene, but the creature quickly snapped her neck and tossed her lifeless body to the ground when they approached. His white lips were covered in her blood, and his eyes glowed red. â€Å"Yaha Uta described the fierce strength and speed of the creature. One of his brothers quickly became a victim when he underestimated that strength. The creature ripped him apart like a doll. Yaha Uta and his other brother were more wary. They worked together, coming at the creature from the sides, outmaneuvering it. They had to reach the very limits of their wolf strength and speed, something that had never been tested before. The creature was hard as stone and cold as ice. They found that only their teeth could damage it. They began to rip small pieces of the creature apart while it fought them. â€Å"But the creature learned quickly, and soon was matching their maneuvers. It got its hands on Yaha Uta’s brother. Yaha Uta found an opening on the creature’s throat, and he lunged. His teeth tore the head off the creature, but the hands continued to mangle his brother. â€Å"Yaha Uta ripped the creature into unrecognizable chunks, tearing pieces apart in a desperate attempt to save his brother. He was too late, but, in the end, the creature was destroyed. â€Å"Or so they thought. Yaha Uta laid the reeking remains out to be examined by the elders. One severed hand lay beside a piece of the creature’s granite arm. The two pieces touched when the elders poked them with sticks, and the hand reached out towards the arm piece, trying to reassemble itself. â€Å"Horrified, the elders set fire to the remains. A great cloud of choking, vile smoke polluted the air. When there was nothing but ashes, they separated the ashes into many small bags and spread them far and wide – some in the ocean, some in the forest, some in the cliff caverns. Taha Aki wore one bag around his neck, so he would be warned if the creature ever tried to put himself together again.† Old Quil paused and looked at Billy. Billy pulled out a leather thong from around his neck. Hanging from the end was a small bag, blackened with age. A few people gasped. I might have been one of them. â€Å"They called it The Cold One, the Blood Drinker, and lived in fear that it was not alone. They only had one wolf protector left, young Yaha Uta. â€Å"They did not have long to wait. The creature had a mate, another blood drinker, who came to the Quileutes seeking revenge. â€Å"The stories say that the Cold Woman was the most beautiful thing human eyes had ever seen. She looked like the goddess of the dawn when she entered the village that morning; the sun was shining for once, and it glittered off her white skin and lit the golden hair that flowed down to her knees. Her face was magical in its beauty, her eyes black in her white face. Some fell to their knees to worship her. â€Å"She asked something in a high, piercing voice, in a language no one had ever heard. The people were dumbfounded, not knowing how to answer her. There was none of Taha Aki’s blood among the witnesses but one small boy. He clung to his mother and screamed that the smell was hurting his nose. One of the elders, on his way to council, heard the boy and realized what had come among them. He yelled for the people to run. She killed him first. â€Å"There were twenty witnesses to the Cold Woman’s approach. Two survived, only because she grew distracted by the blood, and paused to sate her thirst. They ran to Taha Aki, who sat in counsel with the other elders, his sons, and his third wife. â€Å"Yaha Uta transformed into his spirit wolf as soon as he heard the news. He went to destroy the blood drinker alone. Taha Aki, his third wife, his sons, and his elders followed behind him. â€Å"At first they could not find the creature, only the evidence of her attack. Bodies lay broken, a few drained of blood, strewn across the road where she’d appeared. Then they heard the screams and hurried to the harbor. â€Å"A handful of the Quileutes had run to the ships for refuge. She swam after them like a shark, and broke the bow of their boat with her incredible strength. When the ship sank, she caught those trying to swim away and broke them, too. â€Å"She saw the great wolf on the shore, and she forgot the fleeing swimmers. She swam so fast she was a blur and came, dripping and glorious, to stand before Yaha Uta. She pointed at him with one white finger and asked another incomprehensible question. Yaha Uta waited. â€Å"It was a close fight. She was not the warrior her mate had been. But Yaha Uta was alone – there was no one to distract her fury from him. â€Å"When Yaha Uta lost, Taha Aki screamed in defiance. He limped forward and shifted into an ancient, white-muzzled wolf. The wolf was old, but this was Taha Aki the Spirit Man, and his rage made him strong. The fight began again. â€Å"Taha Aki’s third wife had just seen her son die before her. Now her husband fought, and she had no hope that he could win. She’d heard every word the witnesses to the slaughter had told the council. She’d heard the story of Yaha Uta’s first victory, and knew that his brother’s diversion had saved him. â€Å"The third wife grabbed a knife from the belt of one of the sons who stood beside her. They were all young sons, not yet men, and she knew they would die when their father failed. â€Å"The third wife ran toward the Cold Woman with the dagger raised high. The Cold Woman smiled, barely distracted from her fight with the old wolf. She had no fear of the weak human woman or the knife that would not even scratch her skin, and she was about to deliver the death blow to Taha Aki. â€Å"And then the third wife did something the Cold Woman did not expect. She fell to her knees at the blood drinker’s feet and plunged the knife into her own heart. â€Å"Blood spurted through the third wife’s fingers and splashed against the Cold Woman. The blood drinker could not resist the lure of the fresh blood leaving the third wife’s body. Instinctively, she turned to the dying woman, for one second entirely consumed by thirst. â€Å"Taha Aki’s teeth closed around her neck. â€Å"That was not the end of the fight, but Taha Aki was not alone now. Watching their mother die, two young sons felt such rage that they sprang forth as their spirit wolves, though they were not yet men. With their father, they finished the creature. â€Å"Taha Aki never rejoined the tribe. He never changed back to a man again. He lay for one day beside the body of the third wife, growling whenever anyone tried to touch her, and then he went into the forest and never returned. â€Å"Trouble with the cold ones was rare from that time on. Taha Aki’s sons guarded the tribe until their sons were old enough to take their places. There were never more than three wolves at a time. It was enough. Occasionally a blood drinker would come through these lands, but they were taken by surprise, not expecting the wolves. Sometimes a wolf would die, but never were they decimated again like that first time. They’d learned how to fight the cold ones, and they passed the knowledge on, wolf mind to wolf mind, spirit to spirit, father to son. â€Å"Time passed, and the descendants of Taha Aki no longer became wolves when they reached manhood. Only in a great while, if a cold one was near, would the wolves return. The cold ones always came in ones and twos, and the pack stayed small. â€Å"A bigger coven came, and your own great-grandfathers prepared to fight them off. But the leader spoke to Ephraim Black as if he were a man, and promised not to harm the Quileutes. His strange yellow eyes gave some proof to his claim that they were not the same as other blood drinkers. The wolves were outnumbered; there was no need for the cold ones to offer a treaty when they could have won the fight. Ephraim accepted. They’ve stayed true to their side, though their presence does tend to draw in others. â€Å"And their numbers have forced a larger pack than the tribe has ever seen,† Old Quil said, and for one moment his black eyes, all but buried in the wrinkles of skin folded around them, seemed to rest on me. â€Å"Except, of course, in Taha Aki’s time,† he said, and then he sighed. â€Å"And so the sons of our tribe again carry the burden and share the sacrifice their fathers endured before them.† All was silent for a long moment. The living descendants of magic and legend stared at one another across the fire with sadness in their eyes. All but one. â€Å"Burden,† he scoffed in a low voice. â€Å"I think it’s cool.† Quil’s full lower lip pouted out a little bit. Across the dying fire, Seth Clearwater – his eyes wide with adulation for the fraternity of tribal protectors – nodded his agreement. Billy chuckled, low and long, and the magic seemed to fade into the glowing embers. Suddenly, it was just a circle of friends again. Jared flicked a small stone at Quil, and everyone laughed when it made him jump. Low conversations murmured around us, teasing and casual. Leah Clearwater’s eyes did not open. I thought I saw something sparkling on her cheek like a tear, but when I looked back a moment later it was gone. Neither Jacob nor I spoke. He was so still beside me, his breath so deep and even, that I thought he might be close to sleep. My mind was a thousand years away. I was not thinking of Yaha Uta or the other wolves, or the beautiful Cold Woman – I could picture her only too easily. No, I was thinking of someone outside the magic altogether. I was trying to imagine the face of the unnamed woman who had saved the entire tribe, the third wife. Just a human woman, with no special gifts or powers. Physically weaker and slower than any of the monsters in the story. But she had been the key, the solution. She’d saved her husband, her young sons, her tribe. I wish they’d remembered her name. . . . Something shook my arm. â€Å"C’mon, Bells,† Jacob said in my ear. â€Å"We’re here.† I blinked, confused because the fire seemed to have disappeared. I glared into the unexpected darkness, trying to make sense of my surroundings. It took me a minute to realize that I was no longer on the cliff. Jacob and I were alone. I was still under his arm, but I wasn’t on the ground anymore. How did I get in Jacob’s car? â€Å"Oh, crap!† I gasped as I realized that I had fallen asleep. â€Å"How late is it? Dang it, where’s that stupid phone?† I patted my pockets, frantic and coming up empty. â€Å"Easy. It’s not even midnight yet. And I already called him for you. Look – he’s waiting there.† â€Å"Midnight?† I repeated stupidly, still disoriented. I stared into the darkness, and my heartbeat picked up when my eyes made out the shape of the Volvo, thirty yards away. I reached for the door handle. â€Å"Here,† Jacob said, and he put a small shape into my other hand. The phone. â€Å"You called Edward for me?† My eyes were adjusted enough to see the bright gleam of Jacob’s smile. â€Å"I figured if I played nice, I’d get more time with you.† â€Å"Thanks, Jake,† I said, touched. â€Å"Really, thank you. And thanks forinviting me tonight. That was . . .† Words failed me. â€Å"Wow. That was something else.† â€Å"And you didn’t even stay up to watch me swallow a cow.† He laughed. â€Å"No, I’m glad you liked it. It was . . . nice for me. Having you there.† There was a movement in the dark distance – something pale ghosting against the black trees. Pacing? â€Å"Yeah, he’s not so patient, is he?† Jacob said, noticing my distraction. â€Å"Go ahead. But come back soon, okay?† â€Å"Sure, Jake,† I promised, cracking the car door open. Cold air washed across my legs and made me shiver. â€Å"Sleep tight, Bells. Don’t worry about anything – I’ll be watching out for you tonight.† I paused, one foot on the ground. â€Å"No, Jake. Get some rest, I’ll be fine.† â€Å"Sure, sure,† he said, but he sounded more patronizing than agreeing. â€Å"‘Night, Jake. Thanks.† â€Å"‘Night, Bella,† he whispered as I hurried into the darkness. Edward caught me at the boundary line. â€Å"Bella,† he said, relief strong in his voice; his arms wound tightly around me. â€Å"Hi. Sorry I’m so late. I fell asleep and -â€Å" â€Å"I know. Jacob explained.† He started toward the car, and I staggered woodenly at his side. â€Å"Are you tired? I could carry you.† â€Å"I’m fine.† â€Å"Let’s get you home and in bed. Did you have a nice time?† â€Å"Yeah – it was amazing, Edward. I wish you could have come. I can’t even explain it. Jake’s dad told us the old legends and it was like . . . like magic.† â€Å"You’ll have to tell me about it. After you’ve slept.† â€Å"I won’t get it right,† I said, and then I yawned hugely. Edward chuckled. He opened my door for me, lifted me in, and buckled my seat belt around me. Bright lights flashed on and swept across us. I waved toward Jacob’s headlights, but I didn’t know if he saw the gesture. That night – after I’d gotten past Charlie, who didn’t give me as much trouble as I’d expected because Jacob had called him, too – instead of collapsing in bed right away, I leaned out the open window while I waited for Edward to come back. The night was surprisingly cold, almost wintry. I hadn’t noticed it at all on the windy cliffs; I imagined that had less to do with the fire than it did with sitting next to Jacob. Icy droplets spattered against my face as the rain began to fall. It was too dark to see much besides the black triangles of the spruces leaning and shaking with the wind. But I strained my eyes anyway, searching for other shapes in the storm. A pale silhouette, moving like a ghost through the black . . . or maybe the shadowy outline of an enormous wolf. . . . My eyes were too weak. Then there was a movement in the night, right beside me. Edward slid through my open window, his hands colder than the rain. â€Å"Is Jacob out there?† I asked, shivering as Edward pulled me into the circle of his arm. â€Å"Yes . . . somewhere. And Esme’s on her way home.† I sighed. â€Å"It’s so cold and wet. This is silly.† I shivered again. He chuckled. â€Å"It’s only cold to you, Bella.† It was cold in my dream that night, too, maybe because I slept in Edward’s arms. But I dreamt I was outside in the storm, the wind whipping my hair in my face and blinding my eyes. I stood on the rocky crescent of First Beach, trying to understand the quickly moving shapes I could only dimly see in the darkness at the shore’s edge. At first, there was nothing but a flash of white and black, darting toward each other and dancing away. And then, as if the moon had suddenly broken from the clouds, I could see everything. Rosalie, her hair swinging wet and golden down to the back of her knees, was lunging at an enormous wolf – its muzzle shot through with silver – that I instinctively recognized as Billy Black. I broke into a run, but found myself moving in the frustrating slow motion of dreamers. I tried to scream to them, to tell them to stop, but my voice was stolen by the wind, and I could make no sound. I waved my arms, hoping to catch their attention. Something flashed in my hand, and I noticed for the first time that my right hand wasn’t empty. I held a long, sharp blade, ancient and silver, crusted in dried, blackened blood. I cringed away from the knife, and my eyes snapped open to the quiet darkness of my bedroom. The first thing I realized was that I was not alone, and I turned to bury my face in Edward’s chest, knowing the sweet scent of his skin would chase the nightmare away more effectively than anything else. â€Å"Did I wake you?† he whispered. There was the sound of paper, the ruffling of pages, and a faint thump as something light fell to the wooden floor. â€Å"No,† I mumbled, sighing in contentment as his arms tightened around me. â€Å"I had a bad dream.† â€Å"Do you want to tell me about it?† I shook my head. â€Å"Too tired. Maybe in the morning, if I remember.† I felt a silent laugh shake through him. â€Å"In the morning,† he agreed. â€Å"What were you reading?† I muttered, not really awake at all. â€Å"Wuthering Heights,† he said. I frowned sleepily. â€Å"I thought you didn’t like that book.† â€Å"You left it out,† he murmured, his soft voice lulling me toward unconsciousness. â€Å"Besides . . . the more time I spend with you, the more human emotions seem comprehensible to me. I’m discovering that I can sympathize with Heathcliff in ways I didn’t think possible before.† â€Å"Mmm,† I sighed. He said something else, something low, but I was already asleep. The next morning dawned pearl gray and still. Edward asked me about my dream, but I couldn’t get a handle on it. I only remembered that I was cold, and that I was glad he was there when I woke up. He kissed me, long enough to get my pulse racing, and then headed home to change and get his car. I dressed quickly, low on options. Whoever had ransacked my hamper had critically impaired my wardrobe. If it wasn’t so frightening, it would be seriously annoying. As I was about to head down for breakfast, I noticed my battered copy of Wuthering Heights lying open on the floor where Edward had dropped it in the night, holding his place the way the damaged binding always held mine. I picked it up curiously, trying to remember what he’d said. Something about feeling sympathy for Heathcliff, of all people. That couldn’t be right; I must have dreamed that part. Three words on the open page caught my eye, and I bent my head to read the paragraph more closely. It was Heathcliff speaking, and I knew the passage well. And there you see the distinction between our feelings: had he been in my place and I in his, though I hated him with a hatred that turned my life to gall, I never would have raised a hand against him. You may look incredulous, if you please! I never would have banished him from her society as long as she desired his. The moment her regard ceased, I would have torn his heart out, and drank his blood! But, till then – if you don’t believe me, you don’t know me – till then, I would have died by inches before I touched a single hair of his head! The three words that had caught my eye were â€Å"drank his blood.† I shuddered. Yes, surely I must have dreamt that Edward said anything positive about Heathcliff. And this page was probably not the page he’d been reading. The book could have fallen open to any page. How to cite The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 11. LEGENDS, Essay examples

Monday, April 27, 2020

Sigmund Freud Was Born On May 6, 1856, In The Small Moravian Town Of F

"Sigmund Freud was born on May 6, 1856, in the small Moravian town of Freiberg" . His father was a merchant, and his mother was his father's third wife. Freud and his family moved to the city of Vienna when he was almost four. This was the initial stages of the Hapsburg empire's liberal era. A lot of religious restrictions and unfair taxes targeted on the Jewish community were repealed. This created a feeling hope that affected the new generation of Jews, including Freud. Freud was a brilliant student and always placed at the top of his class. In 1873, Freud entered the University of Vienna to initially study law. However, as Freud would put it later, his "greed for knowledge" made him change his major to medicine. Although Freud was more interested in studying the philosophical-scientific aspects of the mind. He especially became interested in neurology and physiology and finally graduated in 1881. Freud's research was based on close observations and scientific skepticism. However, this skeptical quality was not appreciated by all of his mentors. One mentor especially, Ernst Brucke, did not like Freud's ideas at all. He even advised Freud to take a lowly position at the Vienna General Hospital. Freud took this position, but his decision was influenced by certain personal events that would change his life. Freud was secretly engaged to Martha Bernays (one of his sister's friends), but he did not have enough money to provide a respectable middle class household that his fiancee thought was necessary. In 1886, Freud finally was able to marry and the next nine years he and Martha had six children together. His youngest daughter Anna would later become Freud's disciple, assistant, and a very good psychoanalyst in her own right. Before his marriage, Freud had worked in Paris with a famous neurologist named Jean-Martin Charcot. Charcot claimed that he can cure mental disorders using hypnosis. This radical idea deeply influenced Freud and his quest to solve the mysteries of the mind. In 1887, Freud met Wilhelm Fliess (a nose and throat specialist) in Berlin. Fliess was a person who did not get shocked by any ideas. This kind of listener was exactly what Freud needed. For the next ten years, Freud and Fliess exchanged ideas and confidential information. It was during this time that Freud was practicing psychoanalysis, especially on female patients with hysteria. In 1895, Freud and his friend Josef Breuer published Studies on Hysteria. These studies dealt with one of Breur's patients, "Anna O". This patient had a series of confidential conversations with both Breur and Freud. She was the patient that Freud would use to prove his idea that hysteria initially originates from certain sexual malfunction. This was al so the year when Freud had his famous dream known as "Irma's Injection". This was used by his as the model for psychoanalytic dream interpretations, when he published his book Interpretation of Dreams. In 1896, Freud would first use the word "psychoanalysis". That same year his father would die. This loss would deeply affect Freud, and even his work to some extent. Freud then started working on his "Dream Book". He also abandoned the "seduction theory", a theory that Freud firmly believed in for some time. This theory stated that neurosis occurred in people who were somehow sexually abused when they were a child. Freud's Interpretation of Dreams was published in 1899. This book was not very popular as only 351 copies were sold in its first six years. However in 1901, Freud published his Psychopathology of Everyday Life. This book was a very popular one, as it dealt with how our mind has a certain set of rules governing it. In 1902, Freud was finally appointed the associate professor of the University of Vienna. For the next six years, more people came to support Freud and in 1908, Freud and his followers instituted the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. In 1905, Freud published his Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. This book dealt with the psychological development of a person's sex drive ever since childhood. For the next few years, Freud published more papers about the human psychological condition. in both adults and children. His ideas were strongly debated through out the world, as he

History and Analysis of city Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

History and Analysis of city - Assignment Example Situated at north scope of 39 degrees 56’ and east longtitude of 116 degrees 20Ã...