Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 1

I picked out a heartbeat, a single life, in the near distance. The other noises of the city faded into the background as this one called to me. She had wandered away from her friends and left the well-worn paths. The sun had just set over Central Park, where I'd exiled myself since arriving in New York City fourteen long days ago. The colors in this expanse of wilderness were softening, sliding toward one another, shadows blurring with the things that made them. The oranges and deep blues of the sky morphed into an inky black, while the muddy ground dimmed to a velvety sienna. Around me, most of the world was still, paused in the breath that comes at the end of day when the guards change: Humans and their daylight companions lock their doors and creatures of the night like myself come out to hunt. With the ring Katherine gave me I can walk in the daylight like any normal, living human. But as it's been since the beginning of time, it's easier for vampires to hunt during the uncertain hours when day slowly becomes night. Dusk confuses those who aren't equipped with the eyes and ears of a nocturnal predator. The heartbeat I now pursued began to sound quieter . . . its owner was getting away. Desperate, I took off, forcing my body to move quickly, my feet to push off from the ground. I was weak from lack of feeding, and it was affecting my ability to hunt. Added to that, these woods weren't familiar to me. The plants and vines were as alien as the people on the cobbled streets a quarter mile away. But a hunter transplanted is still a hunter. I leaped over a twiggy, stunted bush and avoided an icy stream, devoid of the lazy catfish I used to watch as a child, until my foot slipped on mossy stone and I crashed through the underbrush, my chase growing far louder than I intended. The bearer of the heart I followed heard and knew her death was close. Now that she was alone and aware of her plight, she began to run in earnest. What a spectacle I must have made: dark hair askew, skin as pale as a corpse, eyes starting to redden as the vampire in me came out. Running and leaping through the woods like a wild man, dressed in the finery Lexi, my friend in New Orleans, had given me, the white silk shirt now torn at the sleeves. She picked up speed. But I wasn't going to lose her. My need for blood became an ache so strong that I couldn't contain myself any longer. A sweet pain bloomed along my jaw and my fangs came out. The blood in my face grew hot as I underwent the change. My senses expanded as my Power took over, sapping my last bit of vampiric strength. I leaped, moving at a speed beyond human and animal. With that instinct all living creatures have, the poor thing felt death closing in and began to panic, scrambling for safety under the trees. Her heart pounded out of control: thump thump thump thump thump thump. The tiny human part of me might have regretted what I was about to do, but the vampire in me needed the blood. With a final jump, I caught my prey – a large, greedy squirrel who'd left her pack to scavenge for extra food. Time slowed as I descended, ripped her neck aside, and sank my teeth into her flesh, draining her life into me one drop at a time. I'd eaten squirrels as a human, which lessened my guilt marginally. Back home in Mystic Falls, my brother and I would hunt in the tangled woods that surrounded our estate. Though squirrels were poor eating for most of the year, they were fat and tasted like nuts in the fall. Squirrel blood, however, was no such feast; it was rank and unpleasant. It was nourishment, nothing more – and barely that. I forced myself to keep drinking. It was a tease, a reminder of the intoxicating liquid that runs in a human's veins. But from the moment Damon ended Callie's life, I had sworn off humans forever. I would never kill, never feed from, and never love another human. I could only bring them pain and death, even if I didn't mean to. That's what life as a vampire meant. That's what life with this new, vengeful Damon as my brother meant. An owl hooted in the elm that towered over my head. A chipmunk skittered past my feet. My shoulders slumped as I laid the poor squirrel down on the ground. So little blood remained in its body that the wound didn't leak, the animal's legs already growing stiff with rigor mortis. I wiped the traces of blood and fur from my face and headed deeper into the park, alone with my thoughts while a city of nearly a million people buzzed around me. Since I'd sneaked off the train two weeks earlier, I'd been sleeping in the middle of the park in what was essentially a cave. I'd taken to marking a concrete slab with the passing of each day. Otherwise moments blended together, meaningless, and empty. Next to the cave was a fenced-in area where construction men had gathered the â€Å"useful† remains of a village they had razed to make Central Park, as well as the architectural bric-a-brac they intended to install – carved fountains, baseless statues, lintels, thresholds, and even gravestones. I pushed past a barren branch – November's chill had robbed nearly every tree of its leaves – and sniffed the air. It would rain soon. I knew that both from living in plantation country and from the monster senses that constantly gave me a thousand different pieces of information about the world around me. And then the breeze changed direction, and brought with it the teasing, cloying scent of rust. There it was again. A painful, metallic tang. The smell of blood. Human blood. I stepped into the clearing, my breath coming rapidly. The thick stench of iron was everywhere, filling the hollow with an almost palpable fog. I scanned the area. There was the cave where I spent my tortured nights, tossing and turning and waiting for dawn. Just outside it was a jumble of beams and doors stolen from knocked-down houses and desecrated graves. Farther in the distance there were the glowing white statues and fountains installed around the park. And then I saw it. At the base of a statue of a regal prince was the body of a young woman, her white ball gown slowly turning a bloody red.

Women Liberation during the Socialist Era

Women Liberation during the Socialist Era Introduction This lecture is a close examination of women liberation during the Cultural Revolution in China. Despite the great suppression that women were subjected to, they stood up against all odds to defend their rights. Rising from the lows of an abused slave, Wu Qiong Hua showed a great spirit of a soldier.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Women Liberation during the Socialist Era specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More She had a strong will to stand up for her rights and that will led her into joining the army and finally became an army leader. She had a great personality and great determination to fight for what was right. Considering the male dominated society and era that Wu Qiong Hua lived in, it is hard to imagine the feat she was able to accomplish. She was more than a fighter; she had the personality to fight women suppression. Thesis Women in China had been chained up by the traditional feminine role for thousands of years. They were coerced to obey the three obedience and four virtues. Mao introduced a new perspective of viewing women thus redefining the woman theory in a more liberal perspective. This was during the Cultural Revolution and women gracefully enjoyed a new status they had never experienced before. The new era in womanhood witnessed deep transformations spanning from the external appearance to the internal perceptions which had been deep seated during the class struggle era. The woman soldier is squarely a product of the actions of Mao, and thus of the socialist China. She is a witness and a proof of the transformation that took place during the socialist era. Women of this era were the contradictory mixture. They were the modifiers and were also the ones that were modified. The Red Detachment of Women, both in 1961 film version and 1964 ballet version, presented the enormous transformation of the female figure and their social status during the era of socialist C hina. The Red Detachment of Women, which had been assumed as the â€Å"model work† in Cultural Revolution, also reflects the life, politic, ideology and social values at the time.Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Historical Background The pre-socialist era was oppressive towards women. There were very many oppressive practices that the society embraced and which greatly burdened women. Fulton discusses these practices in great details. The first practice she highlights is that of foot-binding. This is an eleventh century practice introduced to the society by the wealthy class. Foot binding was very painful, but unfortunately very significant because it determined whether a woman could get married or not. This practice started at a very tender age of three years (Fulton 35). Another way that women were oppressed was in the manner in which the society allowed men to relate to them. Wives were treated with a lot off disrespect. A wife was a subject to the family she was married to. She did not have any powers but always had to be submissive to the family of her husband. Women also fostered oppression against themselves. A first wife had more power than the other wives and using this power she could cruelly treat the other wives. Concubines were used by men for sexual pleasure as well as for children siring. Wives had more power than concubines and as result concubines were also cruelly treated by wives. If a wife was barren she could take the children of a concubine. If a husband died, his wife took charge of the concubines and would do anything with them including selling them to a brothel. Prostitution was even worse. There were times when peasants resorted to sell their girls to prostitution (Fulton 35). On the question of women liberation from the above snapshot, Mao did a revolutionary work. Laws were instituted that gave protection to w omen, and consequently gave then a leeway from oppression. One such law was the right to get a divorce.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Women Liberation during the Socialist Era specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A wife could request for a divorce from her husband. This gave a great chance for wives to divorce husbands who abused them. Foot binding was also becoming a past act by 1949 as result of intentional advances by Mao to liberate women. Arranged marriages were banned – men and women had to choose each other for marriage. This gave great freedom to women to settle into marriage with men they were comfortable with. Marriage contracts and associated sales were also banned. This gave some dignity to women not to be viewed as goods for sale. Prostitution was outlawed and concubines were freed. A federation was started, Women’s Federation, to better the status of women in the society. Women wer e encouraged to join schools and the workforce (Fulton 35). Analysis of the scenes in film and ballet version Both the film and ballet version of The Red Detachment of Women reflects the status of women during the pre-socialist era. Wu Qiong Hua best illustrates this as she moves from being a slave into being a woman soldier. At the start of the film and the ballet, we get introduced to a slave girl who has been trying to escape from abuse in vain. She is subjected to beatings and torture every time she tries to escape. It seems she cannot do anything to free herself. The implication that is shed as at this level is that women were oppressed by forces above them and which they could not control (Xie 1). This was a true depiction of the events of the time because women were always under the control of their husbands and their mothers in law and if they were not married they were under their fathers’ and mothers’ control. As already discussed above, there was a time when families could sell their girls to get cash for food. Fulton also notes that at this time, food was so scarce that parents had to choose among the children who was to eat and who to starve and more often than not girls were forced to go hungry (Fulton 36).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The statement is simple, girls/women had nowhere to escape to for freedom whether they were married or not; oppression was right on their necks. This is exactly what is depicted at the opening moments of the film and ballet versions (Xie 1). It is worth noting that it is only the initial moments of the film and ballet versions that represent the status of women in the pre-socialist era. The depiction is that women were completely hopeless and they had nowhere to run. When Changqing gets attracted to the situation of Wu Qiong Hua, this marks the beginning of the desire by the Communist Party to liberate women and the whole of China indeed from oppression. The director used music and light to show the situation between good (socialist era) and bad (pre-socialist era). Changqing represents the good side which is bent on helping Wu Qiong Hua from the oppressive side Nan Batian (Xie 1). Gender norms at the time During the socialist era, women experienced great changes in their societal s tatus. One change which greatly changed the position of women in the society was the increase in their duties and especially the things they could do. Women were allowed to join the labor force in the factories. They learned how to run the factories. They were also allowed to go to school and gain academic competency. The call for education was even among the peasants and thus generally women gained education, and consequently were more informed. Education and empowerment from gains earned by joining the workforce raised women to a new level confidence; women gained some sort of independence which gave them some self-confidence. With this sort of confidence and the backup of the law, women were empowered to bargain even at the household level (Fulton 37). The role of the Women’s Federation cannot be assumed. This organization worked hard to see that women were given an opportunity to progress in the society. Some of the functions that the federation undertook was closing down of brothels and ensuring that all concubines were freed. The federation organized for the employment of women and did all it could to ensure that those who wanted to join school did that. Women were also informed of their rights concerning the various issues which touched their lives such as being married against their wish (Fulton 37). The empowerment of women did one great thing – it reduced the gender gap which had existed before. Women were no longer viewed as doormats but were accorded some respect. The mixture of women and men in the workplace made it possible for the notion of male gender superiority to melt. This era therefore uplifted the female gender, and as a result helped to wither masculinity dominance in the society. In other words, this time helped greatly in fostering equality. There was a great change in ideology on the role of women in the society. The society was turned round to respect and support women whom they had so much scorned. Women and Masculinit y Despite the stated above facts that the status of women changed under the socialist era, some critics have observed that the change in gender roles and the uplifting of women status was not as high as it has been said to be. According to Evans, women still played the roles of taking care of their families especially children. She argues that the fact that women were allowed to enter the workforce did not mean they neglected their primary role of taking care of their children, husbands and often parents-in-law. This was their customary domestic division of tasks (Evans 1). It is further noted that there was a violation of very basic issues that relate to women. The manner in which they were integrated into the workforce left much to be desired. The phrase â€Å"Whatever men can do, women can do too† was popularized in China at this time. Unfortunately, this led to rendering women masculine. Women were pushed into being like men – some sources refer to women of this ag e as ‘iron girls’ (Wang 136). For instance, they to wear the same uniforms as men and they made to appear as men. Men were being used as the yardstick for evaluating women (Li 1). This meant that women were losing their womanhood and were being transformed to be like me. This was degrading to women. Women soldiers under political influence As already noted above, women gained from the recognition they received from the political sector during the socialist era. It has been noted that the Communist Party had the interest of liberating women way before it was in power. This desire started among the founders of the party before it was even formed. As time progressed, much development unfolded and led to including women in the movement of the party after it was formed. Women issues were discussed in the first, second and third congress of the party back in 1923 (Evans 1). When the communist Party ascended to power, it had a clear picture of the need to liberate women. This is because women liberation was an issue which had been discussed at length way from the very beginning of the formation of the party. However, Evans argues that women liberation and politics, especially party politics, have been mixed up in issues to do with the definition of some terms. It has further been argued that depending on a term picked, the definition and perspective of liberation would take a different course. It is noted that the term given to liberation of women could change in definition depending on the party priorities (Xie, Lily, and Barry 1). Conclusion To conclude this lecture, we must note that the study of Chinese women warriors is very important. This is because they have made an important contribution in history of China. They stood up against barbaric traditions and fought their way to freedom. They therefore made a great contribution to the progress of the reformation of China. Asian women warriors in general have also made great contribution to their speci fic homelands in ensuring women rights are uplifted. The studies of women warriors in general therefore help us to appreciate the vital role that women play in the society to ensure that all society members are treated equally. Evans, Harriet. â€Å"The Language of Liberation: Gender and Jiefang in early Chinese Communist Party.† Intersections: Gender, History and Culture in the Asian Context 1 (1998): 1. Print. Fulton, Jessica. Holding up Half the Heavens: The Effect of Communist Rule on China’s Women. Class Article, 2013. Print. Li, Yuhui. â€Å"Women’s Movement and Change of Women’s Status in China.† Bridge, 2013. Web. https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/ Wang, Zheng. Maoism, Feminism, and the UN Conference On Women: Womens Studies Research In Contemporary China. Journal of Womens History 8.4 (1997): 126. Print. Xie, Bingying, Lily C. Brissman, and Barry Brissman. A Woman Soldiers Own Story: The Autobiography of Xie Bingying. New York: Columbia Univers ity Press, 2001. Print. Xie, Jin. The Red Detachment of Women. Shanghai Tianma Film Studio production, 1961. Film.

A Summary of Chansons de Geste

A Summary of Chansons de Geste The chansons de geste (songs of deeds) were Old French epic poems centering around heroic historical figures. Dealing primarily with events of the 8th and 9th centuries, chansons de geste focused on real individuals, but with a large infusion of legend. Those chansons that survive in manuscript form, of which there are more than 80, date to the 12th through 15th centuries. Whether they were composed then or survived in oral tradition from the 8th and 9th centuries is under dispute. The authors of only a few of the poems are known; the vast majority were written by anonymous poets. Poetic Form of the Chansons de Geste A chanson de geste was composed in lines of 10 or 12 syllables, grouped into irregular rhyming stanzas called laisses. Earlier poems had more assonance than rhyme. The length of the poems ranged from about 1,500 to 18,000 lines. Chanson de Geste Style The earliest poems are highly heroic in both theme and spirit, focusing on feuds or epic battles and on the legal and moral aspects of loyalty and allegiance. Elements of courtly love appeared after the 13th century, and ​enfances (childhood adventures) and the exploits of ancestors and descendants of the main characters were related, as well. The Charlemagne Cycle A large proportion of the chansons de geste revolves around Charlemagne. The emperor is depicted as the champion of Christendom against pagans and Muslims, and he is accompanied by his court of Twelve Noble Peers. These include Oliver, Ogier the Dane, and Roland. The most well-known chanson de geste, and possibly the most important, is the Chanson de Roland, or Song of Roland. Charlemagne legends are known as the matter of France. Other Chanson Cycles In addition to the Charlemagne Cycle, there is a group of 24 poems centering on Guillaume dOrange, a supporter of Charlemagnes son Louis, and another cycle about the wars of powerful French barons. Influence of Chansons de Geste The chansons influenced medieval literary production throughout Europe. Spanish epic poetry owed a clear debt to the chansons de geste, as is most notably demonstrated by the 12th-century epic Cantar de mio Cid (Song of my Cid). The incomplete epic Willehalm by the 13th-century German poet Wolfram von Eschenbach was based on the stories told in the chansons of Guillaume dOrange. In Italy, tales about Roland and Oliver (Orlando and Rinaldo) abounded, culminating in the Renaissance epics Orlando innamorato by Matteo Boiardo and Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. The matter of France was an essential element of French literature for centuries, influencing both prose and poetry well beyond the Middle Ages.

Emily Dickinson and Fame Essay Example

Emily Dickinson and Fame Essay Example Emily Dickinson and Fame Paper Emily Dickinson and Fame Paper The article Why Adopters Need To Find Their Biological Parents by Stephen Fetched is about finding closure between an adopted and their biological parents. At the age of forty Botchers adopted parents had already passed away and after waiting so long, he wanted to find his biological parents. Because he did not receive any medical records, he has a fear of dropping dead at any moment, which Is why he wanted to see his biological parents to get them. Fetched having a daughter, finds It difficult to claim her as his own. Fetched writes about how adopted people sometimes feel like hey dont belong. He also writes about how adopters have the idea that they should be financially stable just in case they get put up for adoption again. Fetched does find closure with his biological mother, but once he gets what he wanted he believed the relationship wore out, and did what any adopted kid would do, disappear. I agree with most of the points that Fetched made, but Im not adopted so I cant completely understand the point of view of a adopted. If I was adopted I would like at some point In my life have a chance to see my biological parents, especially If they ad my medical records. I can understand how an adopted could feel Like they dont belong because since day one their parents chose not to keep them. I could also understand how It would be hard for an adopted to accept their own children as their own since their parents did not accept them into their lives. I dont agree with adopters leaving their parents after theyve meet them. Just because the parents left the children doesnt mean they should do the same because at the end of the day theyre still their parents.

Liturgy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Liturgy - Essay Example The homily is always on the gospel of the day.† Considering the current universal trends and developments in worship, this statement is being tested for validity in the light of the Church of England’s Sunday Lectionary and Calendar of Common Worship. A lectionary is simply a list of Bible passages assigned to be read in designated days of the year. Although the Church of England does not prescribe which Bible translation to be used, the Common Worship Lectionary, which has a two-strand approach, is being adopted: one strand for special days and seasons and another strand for ordinary time (Horton et al, 2001). The church calendar being observed by the Anglican church is the same calendar being used by the traditional Christian churches. The calendar begins with the season of Advent in preparation for Christmas, followed by Christmas itself, then the Epiphany, then Lent with its conclusion at Pentecost (Common Worship, 2000). The Common Worship was the result of the incorporation of the improvements in the Alternative Service Book of the Church of England and was done to achieve overall uniformity in worship down to the local congregation (Horton et al, 2001). Latest improvements pertained specifically to providing flexibility in the substance and form of worship at the local service level. The question that invites contemplation and deep analysis is: In the light of this flexibility, how does it affect the homily? Must the homily always be on the gospel of the day, following the guidance of the Lectionary and the Calendar? The homily is delivered by the presiding priest or pastor right after the proclamation of the assigned Scripture reading, usually a gospel passage, during a worship ceremony as in the sacrifice of the mass. Being characteristically subjective in form and substance, the homily can have the tendency to veer away from its original intention, depending on the frame of mind and emotional state of the preacher. In a number of instances, the

First aid Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

First aid - Case Study Example heart complications and other body malfunctions that do not directly involve the heart; they include such as dehydration, high sea levels, diabetes, and hypertension. Situational fainting entails the loss of consciousness after events such as withdrawal of blood, urination, coughing, and defecation. These activities trigger an involuntary nervous system reaction that slows down the function of the heart leading to dilation of blood vessels in the body. This causes a person to feel weak, sweating and nausea and eventually losing consciousness (First Aid 45). Symptoms of fainting include feeling unsteady and weak, this is followed by passing out that lasts for a short period. However, the period it takes become a victim regains conscious is varies depending on the cause of fainting. Another symptom of fainting is a sudden sticky sweat, difficulty in breathing and nausea. The most common symptom of fainting is blurred visions and a ringing sound in the ears; this is followed by collapsing on the ground. After losing conscious, one may feel confused for almost 30 minutes; the victim may also fail to remember the previous events before they fainted (First Aid for Families 2). Assessment of fainting is done via the help of a theory referred to as FAST, this means Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. Face- the face of the victim looks abnormal, not be able to smile, open their mouth normally, and eyes that are drooped or half closed. Arms- the victim is not able to lift their arms at ease, this is due to feeling of numbness and lack of general body strength. Speech, the victims, show signs of blurred speech; they cannot speak and pronounce words in a normal manner. Time- when all these signs have been assessed, it is time to take the first aid steps or seek professional assistance (Thygerson and Alton 123). 1. If the victim is weak and seems to be about to collapse, try to hold them and assist them to the ground, this is because when people faint, they are not able to

Accounting For Financial Instruments For Securities and Investment Term Paper

Accounting For Financial Instruments For Securities and Investment Companies and Banking Institutions - Term Paper Example In particular, the use of the SFAS 157 accounting policy differs in its application for the banking industry and investment companies. Recent bouts of credit crises have ended in lasting implications in which financial instruments have stringent regulations. International accounting standards demand that certain procedures get disclosure in the accounting and valuation of financial instruments and securities. The standards are highly specific on fair value measurements for different classes of financial instruments. The objective of this report is to debate the differences in accounting for financial instruments and securities in investment companies and banking corporations with regard to SFAS 175 (ASC 820-20). Advancements in economic perspectives are responsible for the unprecedented increase in the use of financial instruments. Therefore, accounting regulations bodies have had to come up with policy guidelines to keep pace with these changes. Policy changes in regulation of finan cial instruments will continue to affect the industry for many years to come. An intriguing and somewhat challenging issue pertaining to the use of financial instruments and securities is the difference in their usage across a range of industries. SFAS 157, on fair value measurements, seeks to fill this important role and resolve any obstructing issues. This paper discusses how the financial reporting standard varies for the investment and the banking industries. SFAS 157 (ASC 820-10) Fair Value Measurements The fair value measurement standard, which came into force in 2006, seeks to provide a unified framework that offers greater consistency in application of fair value measurement guidelines (J.P. Morgan, 2).SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value, outlines a framework for its measurement through levels, and expands disclosures relating to fair value. The accounting statement provides a major pronouncement to the measurement of fair value for financial instruments, an d its effects spread to several corporate entities. The broad mandate of the SFAS 157 is to increase disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. IFRS standards require that the measure on securities be at fair value. Previously, accounting regulations on measurement of value for financial instruments were scattered and inconsistent, and the Fair Value Measurements guidelines’ intention was to lay a foundation for all fair value measurements, disambiguate the term ‘fair value’, and enhance disclosures falling under the fair value categorization (Deloitte, 7). To some extent, the disclosure of the financial instrument values and particularly securities differs with the industry type, notably for the banking and the investment industry. Terms on Fair Value Measurement In SFAS 157, fair value is the price at which an asset is saleable or transferrable between participants in the market at the date the measurement takes place (J.P. Morgan, 3). Inputs can eith er be observable and unobservable, where the observable inputs are indicative of the market conditions and the unobservable inputs indicate the company’s perspective on the price of an asset. An active market is one where daily price is obtainable and the fair value is easy to obtain without reliance on forecasting models or other forms of adjustments. Accounting for Financial Instruments and Securities Financial instruments are negotiable cash instruments with a certain financial worth. Financial instruments give an entity the right to receive or the commitment to provide cash or another financial instru