The Lane free essay sample

The shady lane stretched out to run through seems endless at dawn. The shades of the trees and the wavering lake cooled down the path I run through every morning, but my body is still hot like the sun. Every step I make, I can hear my heart pump the blood through my head, my arms, and my legs. Even though the fatigue that blows up my lungs crushes my body and indomitable will to the ground, I would never stop jogging because of the despairs I have felt my whole life. My body started to get plump when I was eight years old. I was fond of eating excessively and was not fond of any physical activities. My waist grew an inch every year and my anxiety grew as well. I often thought about dieting, but I never placed this idea into action. Maybe I was too young to have the strong volition to get in shape. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lane or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I promised myself I would uncover the figure of my body that was concealed by thick layer of mushy fat later in life. As I entered middle school, I felt miserable when I looked at my huge belly in the bathroom. Kids started to become more attentive about their appearance at that age and so was I. Once I realized I could not do a single push up, I wanted to realize the promise I made. I bolt out to the field to jog. However, in a minute, I saw myself panting in the middle of the road and wanting to go home. Furthermore, as I exercised, the desire for the food grew greater and I could not restrain myself. I failed dieting over five times in middle school. The number on the scale was the symbol of my feebleness and I kept scolding myself without a solution. My high school, Culver, is a grateful place for me in many ways. This school helped me to resolve this setback of obesity. I gained the strong confidence that I can become healthier and gain a better looking body and spirit as I loo ked at the wonderfully emerald campus of Culver. I told myself in the bathroom. If I can’t defeat my aˆ?feebleness,’ I would never be able to achieve anything in life. Many setbacks and assignments, which are even more intense, are waiting for me to break through in future. Culver supported me with wonderful facilities and a fresh environment and affluent time. I lost approximately twenty pounds in my freshman year at Culver. To make my assurance doubly sure, I set a healthier routine. I tried not to use my laptop except for academic purpose. While I used to use most of my free time playing computer games, I spent most of my free time exercising and playing sports. The outcome granted me the self-respect, confidence, and willpower. Twenty pounds of fat changed my attitude toward setbacks dramatically. I had been acting impulsively to resolve this setback. However, Culver taught me the way I should act upon resolving a problem: Compose the best environment for the s olution and change the fundamental factor which induces the problem. I am not frustrated by the difficulty anymore, but treat difficulty as an opportunity to reflect upon myself and step up to a better outcome. The setbacks I will face in the future will be more intense and difficult to overcome, but I won’t be so worried about them because I have the confidence to breakthrough.

Dual Polarization in Urban Russia, 1905-1917 Essay Example

Dual Polarization in Urban Russia, 1905 Dual Polarization in Urban Russia, 1905-1917 Essay Dual Polarization in Urban Russia, 1905-1917 Essay The first twenty years of the 20th century were a period of sweeping changes in Russia. At the beginning of the century the country remained a monarchy with obsolete economy and poor development of industry and technology. The liberal-democratic revolution 1905 made the first blow to tsarism: the monarch Nikolay II gave some of his state authority to the parliament (State Duma). In 1906 the minister Stolypin launched agrarian reforms that failed to modernize the inefficient economy.In 1914 Russia entered World War I, which undermined already weak country. By 1917, almost all layers of the society were discontent with the social, economic and political condition of the country. In October 1917 the Bolsheviks along with other political parties unleashed the October revolution that completely overthrew the monarchy, ended Russia’s participation in WWI and finally reformed the economy, but eventually led to bloody Civil War in the country.What caused numerous uprisings, revolutions and civil war, when all objectives (regarding peace, land and power) appeared to have been met? This matter remains a hot issue for both Russian and especially Western researchers, which creates obvious singularity of this decade for Western experience . Soviet historians thought that October revolution of 1917 was the culmination of revolutionary movements of the decade. In contrast, Haimson argues that there was no political and economic stability, thus the revolutionary masses were largely stratified.Despite the all-nation opposition to absolutism, this nation was very heterogeneous, consisting of gentry, educated people, big businessmen and industrialists, workers and peasants, Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, SRs and intelligentsia . Some participants of the revolution strived for modernization of the obsolete system of authority, while proletariat was displeased with the results of industrial modernization that led to impoverishment of the province and appearance of the industrial slums, as well as new capitalist relations.Haimson introduces the concept of dual polarisation that characterized the urban society before 1914. The first level of this polarization was represented by the sense of isolation, of psychological distance, that separated the Petersburg workers from educated, privileged society . This huge gap caused the inefficiency of the multiple strikes of the period. A vivid example is the Petersburg strike in July 1914, which failed, because the workers failed to involve other social strata to this strike.The second level of polarization, after Haimson, represented the distance between the vast bulk of the privileged society and the tsarist regime . In the long run, this distance was decisive to the final overthrow of tsarist rule (Nicholay II abducted the throne) . The educated intelligentsia, inspired by the French revolution and aware of the Russia’s dire need for modernization of authority and economy, was ready to join the proletariat and establish a more progressive authority.However, in practice these social layers were too different not to disintegrate, as soon as the old regime was overthrown. Even the intelligentsia itself was very differently orientated. Haimson’s conception is very helpful for a Westerner who wants to look into the complicated history of Russia in the 20th century. The notion of double polarization reveals that the revolutionary masses were highly heterogeneous and were united only for a temporary aim, so that the civil war was in a kind inevitable.It also visualizes the main forces that motivated the people to participate in strikes and revolutions, despite their differences in social status and aims. Haimson’s idea also helps to account for the elemental, spontaneous character of the October revolution that engaged at once almost all the population of the country – and then resulted in the civil war and re-division of land and power with Bolsheviks finally coming to power to establish the Soviet union. To sum up, this conception helps to explain the internal mechanism of the revolutions that were crucial to formation of the democratic society.

Statement of Purpose Personal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Of Purpose - Personal Statement Example Criminology is my favorite subject and I think this is a right time for me to go further in the field of criminology as I have not only completed my bachelor degree but also I fully determined to establish my career in criminal justice department. My good grades in the criminology related subjects, which I studied at bachelor level, also show my extreme interest and aptitude in the field of criminal justice. Another reason why am I interested in the master degree program that is being offered by the University of South Florida is my passion and determination to obtain master degree from one of the top universities of the world. I am seeking my professional career in criminal justice, and that can be possible if I study under guidance of highly experienced faculty of this university. My English language proficiency, educational background in criminal justice, and interest in this field make me a suitable candidate for getting admission in the University of South Florida. The Universit y of South Florida is known for its talented faculty not only in the fields of accounting, public health, and arts, but also in all other courses that are being offered by the university. It is due to the well-experienced faculty of University of South Florida, that today I feel very pleased while thinking of doing my masters from this university.

Elements of Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Elements of Design - Essay Example Welch was in charge of making sure the costume designer, hair and makeup stylists, director of special effects, and the location managers were able to perfectly blend their visions together for the sake of the complete vision. If one of the aforementioned elements were out of place, Welch would have been the one to step in and make sure that aspects were properly altered to keep the film true to the vision of the director. The art directors was a combination of talents by Pierre Buffin, Kasra Farahani, Luke Freeborn, Sean Haworth, A. Todd Holland, and Maya Shimoguchi. Their jobs involved assigning tasks to members of the Art Department, who would then follow through accordingly. The art directors also kept track of the art department budget and making sure that construction, special effects tasks, graphics, and the locations department were all on schedule. Anything that required keeping some from of artwork or another on track was tended to by the art directors. In the â€Å"I cast you out† scene from Thor, the way that the artists utilized lighting helps to express fear and uncertainty, as well as anger. In this scene, Thor is being casted out of Asgard by his father Odin. The shadows that are casted on Odin’s face by the dim, flickering light in the room evoke anger as he banishes his son. These same shadows appear on Thor’s face, though they convey fear about what is about to take place. As the action unravels, the overall feel of the film is gloomy, which is accomplished in large by the lighting. The story that the filmmaker is attempting to tell is that Odin is upset by his son’s disobedience, and Thor is nervous about the new life that awaits him. The setting of the film is in mythological Asgard, a place that is overrun by the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology. It is a mystical land with massive golden palaces of the

Opportunities & Threats Essay Example for Free

Opportunities Threats Essay The changing demographics of the American population will provide Walgreens with several opportunities to increase their sales. By 2010, the American population over 50 years of age is expected to reach 95 million (SIC 5912, 2006). This increase in the number of elderly Americans will provide Walgreens with an increased demand for prescriptions and thepotential to increase sales and revenue in that category. The aging American population will greatly impact the pharmaceutical industry. In 2002, 30% of Walgreens’ prescriptions and 42% of prescription sales were derived from older Americans. Recent changes in Medicare plans allow Medicare participants to pay the same no matter where they shop, which will benefit not only Walgreens, but other companies that sell prescription medication, as well as the manufacturing companies of prescription drugs. This category is especially important as pharmacy sales rose 12% in the last quarter, significantly more than the 5. 2% increase in non-pharmacy sales (Miller, 2006). Prescription drugs currently constitute nearly 64% of Walgreens sales (Biesada, 2006). Despite this, Walgreens should also recognize the opportunities that lie in non-pharmacy related goods. Though Walgreens currently sells several goods other than prescription drugs, the overall company sales do not reflect successful sales in these categories. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores the greatest growth opportunity for stores like Walgreens is increasing non-pharmacy purchases that existing shoppers make. It is interesting to note that the number of customers shopping at drug stores is generally declining. Even so, the frequency of returning customers has risen. Customers often visit drug stores to fill prescriptions, but also purchase cosmetic products and over-the-counter drugs. These categories comprise 80% of purchases on these trips, but only 30% of these shoppers make impulse purchases. As such, Walgreens is presented with an incredible opportunity to increase sales revenue by using marketing strategies to increase the number of sales made for non-prescription drug products. In 2001, the average non-pharmacy drug store purchase was $19. 38. An additional $2. 00 for every purchase made would increase the average sales by nearly 10% (NACDS/American Greetings Research Council, 2002). Another opportunity for Walgreens that could potentially lead to company growth lies in expansion to international markets. Today, Walgreens remains a domestic corporation, and as such, its target market is limited only to residents of the United States. However, as the United States market becomes saturated, Walgreens has the opportunity to expand to other countries. Although cultural differences and government regulations may necessitate changes in the Walgreens’ product line and business practices in other countries, the quality service and products provided by Walgreens will be universally recognized and will help to ensure the company’s success. In choosing to expand internationally, Walgreens would be the pioneer and market leader, as its largest competitors, such as CVS, have yet to enter international markets. Due to the fact that the majority of Walgreens’ sales are derived from prescription drugs, intertype competitors are a large threat. In an effort to attract customers by providing a convenient, one-stop-shop, grocery store chains and discounters have ventured into the prescription drug market. Furthermore, the average American visits a grocery store 2. 2 times per week, but a drugstore only once a month (SIC 5912, 2006). Discounters such as Wal-Mart emphasize low cost, making it difficult for Walgreens to compete. These retailers also offer a broader range of products, and have a larger customer base. 138 million Americans shop at Wal-Mart every week and many may find it tempting to fill their prescriptions in the stores in which they already shop. Another threat to Walgreens is the rising cost of health care. The high cost of health care has motivated more and more people to search for lower cost alternatives outside of traditional drug stores. These include the purchase of prescription drugs over the internet, particularly from countries such as Canada, where they are less expensive. For example, of the top 100 branded prescription drugs in Canada and the United States, 93% were less expensive in Canada, and in Canada the average branded prescription drug costs 43% less than in the United States (Skinner, 2005). Furthermore, there is a shortage of pharmacists, which is an additional threat to the continued success of Walgreens. Studies estimate that there are currently 8,000 unfilled pharmacist positions and predict that there will be a shortage of 150,000 pharmacists by 2020. If Walgreens is unable to hire qualified pharmacists, the quality of service provided will definitely decrease, which will negatively impact the company’s sales. IV. Strategies Walgreens has traditionally followed an organic expansion strategy. This has recently changed through the acquisition by Walgreens of other companies such as Happy Harry’s and Mermark, a specialty pharmacy. (Walgreens Corporation, 2006). In order to exploit its opportunities and neutralize the threats, Walgreens must focus on customer convenience. The quality of service traditionally provided by Walgreens is what made it a household name, and the factor that distinguishes it from competitors. Improved and more frequent training of current Walgreens staff and changes to store design are ways in which Walgreens can provide a more convenient shopping experience to customers. Another strategy would be to improve Walgreens’ online services. This will not only allow Walgreens to expand to international markets, but will also reduce the need for pharmacists. Discounts and free shipping could be provided to online customers in order to allow Walgreens to be more competitive with other online drugstores. References: Biesada, A. (2006b). Walgreen Co. Hoovers. Retrieved May 16, 2009 from http://www. hoovers. com/walgreen/ID__11601/free-co-factsheet. xhtml Miller, J. P. (2006, September 26). Walgreens net climbs 25%; drug sales jump. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2009 from http://www. chicagotribune. com/business/chi- 0609260258sep26,1,5174751

White Resistance to Somewhere in the Darkness Essay -- Somewhere in th

White Resistance to Somewhere in the Darkness  Ã‚  Ã‚   I feel compelled to revisit the one novel we have read that created the most resistance in me and would quite possibly do so in a significant population of white readers: Walter Dean Myers' Somewhere in the Darkness.   That the book is well written or valuable to readers is irrelevant here -- I enthusiastically grant both.   Of greater concern in this discussion is the notion of resistance to the book that could easily be encountered with a particular population of suburban, white readers, namely those who would seem to have the most in common with Jimmy and who, paradoxically, would most likely resist the book.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The readers who comprise this group have much in common with Jimmy. They are largely lower-middle class and come from either fatherless homes, what might easily be considered dysfunctional two-parent homes, and/or live with extended families in lieu of their natural parents.   In any case, the parent(s) are possibly absent from the home a great deal of the time, involved in a variety of dating practices and sexual promiscuity, caught up in illegal activity and often incarcerated or have been, oppressed by substance abuse of some type, and/or often living in an environment of either subtle or overt racism.   I have made no effort to quantitatively justify the particulars of this description though such a study would undoubtedly prove enlightening.   Rather, I assert this general description based on 12 years of experience of living in a white, lower middle-class suburb. In some ways, we could easily view these readers as insiders in t hat they share with Jimmy some elements of a common familial experience, but it is the cultural differences between white and ... ...ility: there is no hope for me or my kind.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A white reader's resistance to Walter Dean Myers' novel, Somewhere in the Darkness, is inevitable, particularly when that white reader has more in common with the protagonist than not.   It seems the closer in circumstance the white reader is to Jimmy, the more he/she might resist to his cultural differences because those underlying cultural differences cause Jimmy to act in ways that seem unlikely to a white reader.   The key is to be aware of those differences and be willing to see what Jimmy sees -- from his point of view.   If we are willing to do that, then Myers' work is a wonderful and effective way to learn not only about Jimmy and his culture but also about ourselves and the hopes we have for our lives. Works Cited: Myers, W. D. Somewhere in the darkness. New York: Scholastic Book Services.1992.

Becoming American

Dinesh D'Souza was born in Mumbai, India to parents from the state of Goa in Western India. He grew up in a middle-class family in Mumbai. His father was a chemical engineer; his mother is an office secretary. He was raised without great luxury, but neither did he lack for anything. He arrived in the United States in 1978, originally through a Rotary International program, attending Patagonia Union High School in Patagonia, Arizona, and then move to Dartmouth College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English in 1983.In 1981, D'Souza published the names of officers of the Gay Student Alliance in an article for The Dartmouth Review, including the names of those who were still closeted. While at Dartmouth, D'Souza became the editor of a conservative monthly called The Prospect. The paper and its writers ignited much controversy during D'Souza's editorship. Later on, D’ Souza published a lot of write up with regard to his new life in America.D’Souza able to illustrate t he feelings and emotion of an immigrant coming from a third world country, for him (D’Souza), as a new comer in America he feel a typical experienced that alternate between wonders and delight. D’Souza added that, America is a country where all people has freedom, hard working, the community is organized, the economic is abundant, the roads are properly paved, telephone has dial tone, highways and sign board are clear and accurate. Moreover, the author claimed that American government provides an amazingly good life for their ordinary citizen.Rich people live well everywhere, but what distinguishes America is that it provides a remarkably high standard of living for the â€Å"common man. † According to him (D’Souza) that â€Å"a country is not judged by how it treats its most affluent citizens but by how it treats the average citizen†. The author added, as an immigrant coming from a third world country, you cannot help noticing that America is a co untry where poor people live comparatively well; they had television sets and cars.Ordinary Americans not only enjoy security and dignity, but also comforts that other societies reserve for the elite. American worker particularly in construction regularly earned 4$ for a cappuccino, where maids drive nice cars, where plumbers take their families on vacation to Europe. If this luxurious living in America as compared to the living in the Third world country, all of us can noticed that huge gap. Because according to the author, the life in the Third world country was miserable, people are struggling for their basic existence, it is not that they don’t work hard.On the contrary, they labor incessantly and endure hardships that are almost unimaginable to people in America. In the villages of Asia and Africa, for example, a common sight is a farmer beating a pickaxe into the ground, women wobbling under heavy loads, children carrying stones. These people are performing arduous labo r, but they are getting nowhere. The best that they can hope for is to survive for another day. Their clothes are tattered, their teeth are rotten, and disease and death constantly loom over the horizon.For most poor people on the planet, life is characterized by squalor, indignity, and brevity. The author sited some problem with regard to the situation of a Third world country are their basic infrastructure is abysmal. The roads are not properly paved, the water is not safe to drink, pollution in the cities has reached hazardous levels, public transportation is overcrowded and unreliable, economic is unstable and there is a two-year waiting period to get a telephone.The poorly paid government officials are inevitably corrupt, which means that you must pay bribes to get things done. Most important, prospects for the children’s future are dim. Dinesh D'Souza has elaborate many reasons why America is so great, he was able to discussed some issue with regard to America’s equality, pursuit of happiness, the ethics of work, religious liberty, ideals and interest and American’s virtue. According to the author, American critics alleged that the history of United States is defined by a series of crimes, slavery and genocide.American critics even point out a demand for apologies for these historical offenses and seek financial reparations for minorities and African-American. But the truth is that American has gone further than any society in establishing equality of rights. As documented by William Mcneill in Plagues and People, it was determined that numbers of Indians did perish as a result of their contact with whites, but most of them died by contracting diseases such as smallpox, measles, malaria, tuberculosis for which they had not developed immunities.Surely, all of this is relevant to the reparations debate. A trenchant observation that this issue was totally healed is the fight of Muhammad Ali against George Foreman for the heavyweight tit le, for which this battle was held in the African nation of Zaire. The issue with regard to slavery proved to be the transmission belt that brought Africans into the orbit of Western prosperity and freedom. Blacks in America have a higher standard of living and more freedom than any comparable group of blacks on the continent of Africa.D’Souza, stated that all this allegation is not strictly true, for a few decades now we can see blacks and some minorities have enjoyed more rights and privileges than whites. The reason behind this is that America had implemented affirmative action policies that give legal preferences to minority groups in university admission, jobs and government contracts. The author illustrates the pursuit of happiness in America because it offers more opportunity and social mobility than any other country. As a matter of fact, most societies offer limited opportunities for and little chance of true social mobility.Even in Europe, social mobility is relativ ely restricted. On the other hand, D’Souza discussed the ethic of work in America that gives a worldly focus in which death and the afterlife recede from everyday view. The people gazed are shifted from heavenly aspiration to earthly progress. In America, American Founders are responsible for the change, drawing from the inspiration of modern philosophers like Locke and Adam Smith. The American Founders knew that they could not transform human nature, so they devised a system that would thwart the schemes of the wicked and channel the energies of flawed persons toward the public good.The religious and ethnic difference in America does not lead to extreme violence; there was generally no framework fro people to coexist harmoniously, although America has a lot of religious groups, such as Hindus, Muslims, Irish Catholics and Irish Protestant, Jews and Palestinians and etc. The government still managed to balance the culture and religious difference of their citizen. One reason that separation of religion and government worked is that colonial America was made up of numerous, mostly Protestant sects. The Puritans dominated in Massachusetts; the Anglicans, in Virginia; the Catholics were concentrated in Maryland; and so on.The second reason was, the American Founders were able to avoid religious oppression and conflict ii which they found a way to channel people’s energies away from theological quarrels and into commercial activity. D’Souza concluded his write up that America is the greatest, freest, and most decent society in existence. For him, America is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism and the history will view America as a great gift to the world, a gift that Americans today must preserve and cherish. He imagines that, if ever he remained in India, what probably is his life now?Would he find and married a woman who was identical of his religion, socio-economic and cultural background? Would he certainly become a medical doctor, an engineer or a software programmer? For him, as a writer, he considers his life as a destined one, the opportunity to migrate in America became his bridge to gain his success in life today. Bibliography Bookstove, Nov. 16, 2007. What so Great About America. Stanza Ltd. April 08, 2007. http://www. bookstove. com/Non-fiction/Whats-So-Great-About-America-by-Dinesh-Dsouza. 59078/1