Creation Myth Compare and Contrast

Usually, creation myths have a lot of similarities and seem to convey the same message. A creation myth is a symbolic narrative of how the world began and how people first came to inhabit it. There are many different creation myths that have been passed down from generation to generation and in â€Å"Enuma Elish† â€Å"Osiris, Isis and Horus† and â€Å"Genesis† you are able to see just how similar they are, but also slight different. One of the first things you will notice in these myths is that they are all based on gods.Each myth has an evil entity that helps set the myth to tell a story on what happened and to get the message across. Each evil entity plays a big part in the myth and eventually loses the battle to show that good always prevails.1. Osiris, Isis and Horus – Set was the son of Geb and Nut who chose to be born on the third day. Set was aggressive from the very beginning choosing the time and manner of his birth. Osiris became king of Upper a nd Lower Egypt. Set wanted to take over the country and established a plan to trick Osiris by showing a beautiful wooden box during the feast.Set said that anyone who can fit in the box perfectly was able to keep the box – little did everyone know that Set secretly measured the box to fit Osiris. Once Osiris had his turn to fit in the box, it was nailed shut with him inside. They then poured melted lead to make sure that he suffocated. Isis eventually was able to bring Osiris back to life and in the mean time their son, Horus, was born. Horus was born to avenge his father’s death and kill Set. Isis would not allow Horus to kill Set, so they battled each other, and Horus won each time.2. Enuma Elish – Tiamat was encouraged by her son Kingu to seek revenge her children to avenge the death of Apsu and for creating a fourfold wind that kept them awake and disturbed their bodies. Tiamat created monsters to help her win this battle against the other gods, but they had something else in mind. They made Marduk fight the battle against Tiamat because the others were not strong enough and Marduk was the wisest and strongest of all of the gods. Marduk won the battle against Tiamat and killed her to make the heavens and the earth from her body.3. Genesis – The evil entity in Genesis is the serpent that convinces Eve to eat the apple off of the tree of wisdom. God specifically told Adam and Eve not to eat this fruit as it was forbidden. Eve gave in and ate the fruit and then had Adam do the same. Because of the serpent, Adam and Eve ate the fruit and they were all punished and put out of the Garden of Eden. As you can see, each myth’s evil entity lost their battle during the story. None of them achieved what they wanted to, which shows that good always overcomes evil, even though there are conflicts raised from it.Sometimes you have to fight for what you know is right, but eventually, the good always shines. Enuma Elish and Genesis are mo st similar in a few different ways. With these myths, you are really able to tell that most creation myths are a foundation on the way different cultures are made up. Some of the similarities between Enuma Elish and Genesis are;1. Both myths imply that there was nothing in the beginning. In Genesis it states, â€Å"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. † The myth of Enuma Elish starts by stating â€Å"In the beginning, only water and the mist that hovered above it existed. † As you can see, both myths beginning started with nothing until the Gods created something.2. The Enuma Elish is recorded on seven tablets where as Genesis states that everything was created in seven days.3. In both myths, water is divided into upper and lower waters.Both of these creation myths have a similar beginning as well as a similar plot †“ they both created human life to worship God and the gods, to serve them. Both had an evil entity in them that tried to cause chaos to the gods. Although I do think that all three myths are very similar, I believe that Enuma Elish is most different from Osiris, Isis and Horus. The difference between the two is shown when it comes to the creation of the world around them. The difference between the two myths is;1. In Osiris, Isis and Horus doesn’t mention anything about the creation of the heavens, earth, etc.  in the beginning.The myth starts out with the parent’s of Osiris and Isis and the story of how Nut was not allowed to give birth in any month of any year.2. The beginning of the the Enuma Elish starts out with what all existed and how the waters were split between gods.Each myth has a lot of similarities as well as differences but they each tell a story on how things were created. All of the myths had gods that tried to do good for the other gods and had an evil entity try to change that. Each of the explained how good will always outweigh evil even though evil is always in the world.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 16

Stefan was surprised to find Mrs. Flowers waiting for them when they returned from their picnic. And, also unusually, she had something to say that didn't involve her gardens. â€Å"There is a message for you upstairs,† she said, jerking her head toward the narrow staircase. â€Å"It came from a dark young fellow – he looked somewhat like you. He wouldn't leave a word with me. Just asked where to leave a message.† â€Å"Dark fellow? Damon?† Elena asked. Stefan shook his head. â€Å"What would he want to be leaving me messages for?† He left Elena with Mrs. Flowers and hastened up the crazy, zigzagging stairs. At the top he found a piece of paper stuffed under the door. It was a Thinking of You card, sans envelope. Stefan, who knew his brother, doubted that it had been paid for – with money, at least. Inside, in heavy black felt-tipped pen, were the words: DON'T NEED THIS. THOUGHT ST. STEFAN MIGHT. MEET ME TONIGHT AT THE TREE WHERE THE HUMANS CRASHED. NO LATER THAN 4:30A.M . I'LL GIVE YOU THE SCOOP. D. That was all†¦except for a Web address. Stefan was about to throw the note in the wastebasket when curiosity assailed him. He turned on the computer, directed it to the proper website, and watched. For a while, nothing happened. Then very dark gray letters on a black screen appeared. To a human, it would have appeared to be a completely blank screen. To vampires, with their higher visual acuity, the gray on black was faint but clear. Tired of that lapis lazuli? Want to take a vacation in Hawaii? Sick of that same old liquid cuisine? Come and visit Shi no Shi. Stefan started to close the page, but something stopped him. He sat and stared at the inconspicuous little ad beneath the poem until he heard Elena at the door. He quickly closed the computer and went to take the picnic basket from her. He said nothing about the note or what he'd seen on the computer screen. But as the night went on, he thought more and more. â€Å"Oh! Stefan, you'll break my ribs! You squeezed all my breath out!† â€Å"I'm sorry. I just need to hold you.† â€Å"Well, I need to hold you, too.† â€Å"Thank you, angel.† Everything was quiet in the room with the high ceiling. One window was open, letting the moonlight through. In the sky, even the moon seemed to creep stealthily along, and the shaft of moonlight followed it on the hardwood floor. Damon smiled. He had had a long, restful day and now he meant to have an interesting night. Getting through the window wasn't quite as easy as he'd expected. When he arrived as a huge, glossy black crow, he was expecting to balance on the windowsill and change to human form to open the window. But the window had a trap on it – it was linked by Power to one of the sleepers inside. Damon puzzled over it, preening himself viciously, afraid to put any tension on that thin link, when something arrived beside him in a flutter of wings. It looked like no respectable crow ever registered in the sighting book of any ornithologist. It was sleek enough, but its wings were tipped with scarlet, and it had golden, shining eyes. Shinichi?Damon asked. Who else?came the reply as a golden eye fixed on him.I see you have a problem. But it can be fixed. I'll deepen their sleep so that you can cut the link. Don't!Damon said reflexively.If you so much as touch either of them, Stefan will – The answer came in soothing tones.Stefan's just a boy, remember? Trust me. You do trust me, don't you? And it worked out exactly as the demonically colored bird said it would. The sleepers inside slept more deeply, and then more deeply still. A moment later the window opened, and Damon changed form and was inside. His brother and†¦and she†¦the one he alwayshad to watch†¦shewas lying asleep, her golden hair lying across the pillow and lying across his brother's body. Damon tore his eyes away. There was a medium-sized, slightly outdated computer on the desk in the corner. He went over to it and without the slightest hesitation turned it on. The two on the bed never stirred. Files†¦aha.Diary. How original a name. Damon opened it and examined the contents. Dear Diary, I woke up this morning and – marvel of marvels – I'mmeagain. I walk, talk, drink, wet the bed (well, I haven't yet, but I'm sure I could if I tried). I'm back. It's been one hell of a journey. I died, dearest Diary, I really died. And then I died as a vampire. And don't expect me to describe what happened either time – believe me; you had to be there. The important thing is that I was gone, but now I'm back again – and, oh, dear patient friend who has been keeping my secrets since kindergarten†¦I am so glad to be back. On the debit side, I can never live with Aunt Judith or Margaret again. They think I'm â€Å"resting in peace† with the angels. On the credit side, I can live with Stefan. This is the compensation for all I've been through – I don't know how to compensate those who went to the very gates of Hell forme. Oh, I'm tired and – might as well say it – eager for a night with my darling. I'm very happy. We had a fine day, laughing and loving, and watching each of my friends' faces as they saw mealive! (And notinsane, which I gather is how I have been acting the past few days. Honestly, you'd think Great Spirits Inna Sky could have dropped me off with my marbles all in order. Oh, well.) Love ya, Elena Damon's eyes skimmed over these lines impatiently. He was looking for something quite different. Ah. Yes. This was more like it: My dearest Elena, I knew you would look here sooner or later. I hope you never have to see it at all. If you're reading this, then Damon is a traitor, or something else has gone terribly wrong. A traitor? That seemed a little strong, Damon thought, hurt, but also burning with an intense desire to get on with his task. I'm going out to the woods to talk to him tonight – if I don't come back, you'll know where to start asking questions. The truth is that I don't exactly understand the situation. Earlier today, Damon sent me a card with a Web address on it. I've put the card under your pillow, love. Oh damn, thought Damon. It was going to be hard to get that card without waking her. But he had to do it. Elena, follow this Web link. You'll have to dither with the brightness controls because it's been created for vampire eyes only. What the link seems to be saying is that there is a place calledShi no Shi – literally translated, it says, asthe Death of Death, where they can remove this curse which has haunted me for almost half a millennium. They use magic and science in combination to restore former vampires to simple men and women, boys and girls. If they truly can do this, Elena, we can be together for as long as ordinary people live. That's all I ask of life. I want it. I want to have the chance to stand before you as an ordinary breathing, eating human. But don't worry.I'm just going to talk with Damon about this. You don't need to command me to stay. I would never leave you with all the goings-on in Fell's Church right now. It's too dangerous for you, especially with your new blood and your new aura. I realize that I'm trusting Damon more than I probably should. But of one thing I am certain:he would never harm you.He loves you. How can he help it? Still, I have to meet with him at least, on his terms, alone at a particular location in the wood. Then we'll see what we see. As I said before, if you're reading this letter, it means that something has gone drastically wrong. Defend yourself, love. Don't be afraid. Trust yourself. And trust your friends. They can all help you. I trust Matt's instinctive protectiveness for you, Meredith's judgment, and Bonnie's intuition. Tell them to remember that. I'm hoping that you never have to read this, with all my love, my heart, my soul, Stefan P.S. Just in case, there is $20,000 in hundred-dollar bills under the second floorboard from the wall, across from the bed. Right now the rocking chair is over it. You'll see the crack easily if you move the chair. Carefully, Damon deleted the words in this file. Then, with one corner of his mouth quirked up, he carefully, silently typed in new words with a rather different meaning. He read them over. He smiled brilliantly. He'd always fancied himself a writer; no formal training of course, but he felt he had an instinctive flair for it. And that was Step One accomplished, Damon thought, saving the file with his words instead of Stefan's. Then, noiselessly, he walked to where Elena was sleeping, spooned behind Stefan on the narrow bed. Now for Step Two. Slowly, very slowly, Damon slipped his fingers under the pillow on which Elena's head rested. He could feel Elena's hair where it spilled on her pillow in the moonlight, and the ache that it awoke was more in his chest than in his canines. Inching his fingers under the pillow, he searched for something smooth. Elena murmured in her sleep and suddenly turned over. Damon almost jumped back into the shadows, but Elena's eyes were shut, her lashes a thick inky crescent on her cheeks. She was facing him now, but strangely Damon didn't find himself tracing the blue veins in her fair, smooth skin. He found himself staring hungrily at her slightly parted lips. They were†¦almost impossible to resist. Even in sleep they were the color of rose petals, slightly moist, and parted that way†¦. I could do it very lightly. She would never know. I could, I know I could. I feel invincible tonight. As he bent toward her his fingers touched cardboard. It seemed to jerk him out of a dream world. What had he been thinking? Risking everything, all his plans, for akiss ? There would be plenty of time for kisses – and other, much more important things – later. He slipped the little card out from under the pillow and put it in his pocket. Then he became a crow and vanished from the windowsill. Stefan had long ago perfected the art of sleeping only until a certain moment, then awakening. He did this now, glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece to confirm that it was fourA.M . exactly. He didn't want to awaken Elena. He dressed soundlessly and exited the window by the same route his brother had – only as a hawk. Somewhere, he was sure Damon was being made a fool by someone using malachs to make him their puppet. And Stefan, still pumped up with Elena's blood, felt that he had a duty to stop them. The note Damon had delivered had directed him to the tree where the humans had crashed. Damon would also want to continually revisit that tree until he'd traced the malach puppets to their puppeteer. He swooped, drifted, and once almost gave a mouse a heart attack by stooping down on it suddenly before rocketing skyward again. And then, in midair, as he saw evidence of a car hitting a tree, he changed from a glorious hawk to a young man with dark hair, a pale face, and intensely green eyes. He drifted, light as a snowflake, down to the ground and gazed in each direction, using all his vampire senses to test the area. He could feel nothing of a trap; no animosity, just the unmistakable signs of the trees' violent fight. He stayed human to climb the tree that bore the psychic imprint of his brother. He wasn't chilly as he climbed the oak his brother had been lounging in when the accident had taken place at his feet. He had too much of Elena's blood running through him to feel the cold. But he was aware that this area of the forest was particularly cold; that something was keeping it that way. Why? He'd already claimed the rivers and forests that ran through Fell's Church, so why take up lodging here without telling him? Whatever it was, it would have to present itself before him eventually, if it wanted to stay in Fell's Church. Why wait? he wondered, as he squatted on the branch. He felt Damon's presence coming at him long before his senses would have noticed it in the days before Elena's transformation, and he kept himself from flinching. Instead he turned with his back to the trunk of the tree and looked outward. He could feel Damon speeding toward him, faster and faster, stronger and stronger – and then Damon should have been there, standing before him, but he wasn't. Stefan frowned. â€Å"It always pays to look up, little brother,† advised a charming voice above him, and then Damon, who had been clinging to the tree like a lizard, did a forward flip and landed on Stefan's branch. Stefan said nothing, merely examining his older brother. At last he said, â€Å"You're in good spirits.† â€Å"I've had a sumptuous day,† Damon said. â€Å"Shall I name them off to you? There was the greeting-card shop girl†¦Elizabeth, and my dear friend Damaris, whose husband works in Bronston, and little young Teresa who volunteers at the library, and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Stefan sighed. â€Å"Sometimes I think you could remember the name of every girl you've bled in your life, but you forget my name on a regular basis,† he said. â€Å"Nonsense†¦little brother. Now, since Elena has undoubtedly explained to you just what happened when I tried to rescue your miniature witch – Bonnie – I feel I'm due an apology.† â€Å"And sinceyou sent me a note that I can only construe as provocative, I really feelI'm due an explanation.† â€Å"Apology first,† Damon rapped out. And then, in long-suffering tones, â€Å"I'm sure you think it's bad enough, having promised Elena when she was dying that you would look after me – forever. But you never seem to realize that I had to promise the same thing, and I'm not exactly the caretaking type. Now that she's not dead anymore, maybe we should just forget it.† Stefan sighed again. â€Å"All right, all right. I apologize. I was wrong. I shouldn't have thrown you out. Is that enough?† â€Å"I'm not sure you really mean it. Try it once more, with feel – â€Å" â€Å"Damon, what in God's name was the website about?† â€Å"Oh. I thought it was rather clever: they got the colors so close that only vampires or witches or such could read it, whereas humans would just see a blank screen.† â€Å"But how did you find out about it?† â€Å"I'll tell you in a moment. But just think of it, little brother. You and Elena, on the perfect little honeymoon, just two more humans in a world of humans. The sooner you go, the sooner you can sing ;;Ding Dong, the Corpse Is Dead'!† â€Å"I still want to know how youjust happened to come across this website.† â€Å"All right. I admit it: I've been suckered into the age of technology at last. I have my own website. And a very helpful young man contacted me just to see whether I really meant the things I said on it or if I was just a frustrated idealist. I figured that description fit you.† â€Å"You – a website? I don't believe – â€Å" Damon ignored him. â€Å"I passed the message along because I'd already heard of the place, theShi no Shi .† â€Å"TheDeath of Death , it said.† â€Å"That's how it was translated to me.† Damon turned a thousand-kilowatt smile on Stefan, boring into him, until finally Stefan turned away, feeling as if he'd been exposed to the sun without his lapis ring. â€Å"As a matter of fact,† Damon went on chattily, â€Å"I've invited the fellow himself to come and to explain it to you.† â€Å"You didwhich ?† â€Å"He should be here at 4:44 exactly. Don't blame me for the timing; it's something special to him.† And then with very little fuss, and certainly no Power at all that Stefan could discern, something landed in the tree above them and dropped down to their branch, changing as it did. It was, indeed, a young man, with fire-tipped black hair and serene golden eyes. As Stefan swung toward him, he held up both hands in a gesture of helplessness and surrender. â€Å"Who the hell are you?† â€Å"I'm the hell Shinichi,† the young man said easily. â€Å"But, as I told your brother, most people call me just Shinichi. Of course, it's up to you.† â€Å"And you know all about the Shi no Shi.† â€Å"Nobody knows all about it. It's a place – and an organization. I'm a little partial to it because† – Shinichi looked shy – â€Å"well, I guess I just like to help people.† â€Å"And now you want to help me.† â€Å"If you truly want to become human†¦I know a way.† â€Å"I'll just leave the two of you to talk about it, shall I?† said Damon. â€Å"Three's a crowd, especially on this branch.† Stefan looked at him sharply. â€Å"If you have any slightest thought of stopping by the boardinghouse†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"With Damaris already waiting for me? Honestly, little brother.† And Damon changed to crow form before Stefan could ask him to give his sworn word. Elena turned over in bed, reaching automatically for a warm body next to her. What her fingers found, however, was a cool, Stefan-shaped hollow. Her eyes opened. â€Å"Stefan?† The darling. They were so in tune that it was like being one person – he always knew when she was about to wake up. He'd probably gone down to get her breakfast – Mrs. Flowers always had it steaming hot for him when he went down (further proof that she was a witch of the white variety) – and Stefan brought up the tray. â€Å"Elena,† she said, testing her old-new voice just to hear herself talk. â€Å"Elena Gilbert, girl, you have had too many breakfasts in bed.† She patted her stomach. Yes, definitely in need of exercise. â€Å"All right, then,† she said, still aloud. â€Å"Start with limbering up and breathing. Then some mild stretching.† All of which, she thought, could be put aside when Stefan showed up. But Stefan didn't show up, even when she lay exhausted from a full hour's routine. And he wasn't coming up the stairs, bringing up a cup of tea, either. Where was he? Elena looked out their one-view window and caught a glimpse of Mrs. Flowers below. Elena's heart had begun beating hard during her aerobic exercise and had never really slowed down properly. Though it was likely impossible to start a conversation with Mrs. Flowers this way she shouted down, â€Å"Mrs. Flowers?† And, wonder of wonders, the lady stopped pinning a sheet on the clothesline and looked up. â€Å"Yes, Elena dear?† â€Å"Where's Stefan?† The sheet billowed around Mrs. Flowers and made her disappear. When the billow straightened out, she was gone. But Elena had her eyes on the laundry basket. It was still there. She shouted, â€Å"Don't go away!† and hastened to put on jeans and her new blue top. Then, hopping down the stairs as she buttoned, she burst out into the back garden. â€Å"Mrs. Flowers!† â€Å"Yes, Elena dear?† Elena could just see her between billowing yards of white fabric. â€Å"Have you seen Stefan?† â€Å"Not this morning, dear.† â€Å"Not atall ?† â€Å"I get up with the dawn, regular. His car was gone then, and it hasn't come back.† Now Elena's heart was pounding in good earnest. She'd always been afraid of something like this. She took one deep breath and ran back up the staircase without pausing. Note, note†¦ He'd never leave her without a note. And there was no note on his pillow. Then she thought ofher pillow. Her hands scrabbled frantically under it, and then under his pillow. At first she didn't turn the pillows over, because she wanted so badly for the note to be there – and because she was so afraid of what it might say. At last, when it was clear that there was nothing under those pillows but the bed sheet, she flipped them and stared at the empty white blankness for a long time. Then she pulled the bed away from the wall, in case the note had fallen down behind it. Somehow she felt that if she just kept looking, she must find it. In the end she'd shaken out all the bedding and ended up staring at the white sheets again, accusingly, ever so often running her hands over them. And that ought to be good, because it meant Stefan hadn'tgone somewhere – except that she'd left the closet door open and she could see, without even meaning to, a bunch of empty hangers. He'd taken all his clothes. And emptiness on the bottom of the closet. He'd taken every pair of shoes. Not that he had ever owned much. But everything that he needed to make a trip away was gone – and he was gone. Why? Where? Howcould he? Even if it turned out that he'd left in order to scout them out a new place to live, howcould he? He'd get the fight of his life when he came back – – if he came back. Chilled to the bone, aware that tears were running unmeant and almost unnoticed down her cheeks, she was about to call up Meredith and Bonnie when she thought of something. Her diary.

Learning Through Travel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Learning Through Travel - Essay Example Somehow, by the teens, a lot of people lose this valuable attribute. I feel that traveling is a great way to reawaken that dormant hunger for knowledge. When people think of traveling they usually think of vacationing and relaxing. However, traveling should be more than just a chance to ‘get away from it all.’ Traveling has the potential to be a transformative experience that deepens us as human beings. The wise traveler will not only have fun, he will seek ways to use his traveling experience to broaden and improve himself as a person and use the world as a classroom. If a travel book can change the very course of history, then there must be something very powerful about taking a journey to different places. I speak of one of the most important books every written; The Travels of Marco Polo. Polo’s book is credited with helping to spark the interest in the Far East which eventually set Columbus on his own voyage and led to the epochal Age of Discovery. In our own ‘voyages of discovery,’ I agree that three goals that every traveler might want to consider as they set out are; engaged citizenship, personal growth and cultural diversity. Everyone is a citizen of a country but not everyone is takes advantage of the fact. â€Å"In a democracy, citizenship is an aspect of stewardship,† as writer and commentator Jane Chastain puts it. Engaged citizenship means that a person appreciates and understands their role as a citizen and acts on it. This means being engaged and involved in the world around us. This is not limited to voting for a new chief executive every 4 years. We are connected to community at many levels; national, state, country, municipal and our neighborhoods. Many of us complain about improvements needed in our communities or nation, but do we do anything about it? Unfortunately, most people are too busy to be involved. Or it could be lack of knowledge as to how be involved? I found in my travels that even in coun tries with less freedom than we have, one can still be very involved in the cultural life of a nation or local community. The experiences I gained from travel had the potential to cause personal growth, but only if I allowed them to. The trick was to be sensitive to opportunities for growth, to have a hunger for knowledge and to allow my experiences to take me in new directions. To learn from your mistakes is a common lesson we are all admonished for. Each day offers opportunities to grow, whether we take full advantage of them is another matter. As John Steinbeck said in Travels with Charley, â€Å"A Journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.† The Africans have a saying, â€Å"What is near is dear.† This is very true. However, the ability to encounter other cultures and to appreciate them is also important. Treasures aboun d throughout the world waiting to be discovered. Each culture claims unique characteristics and distinctly local flavors. And yet as a discerning traveler I discovered common traits as well, such as universal human needs and social constructs to meet them. But although each culture has similar needs and wants, different cultures have often developed fascinatingly unique ways of meeting them. Relating this to engaged citizenship, as an appreciative traveler, I, by my understanding and appreciation of other cultures,

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Ratios report - Essay Example This shows that the company has been aggressive in financing its growth through debts. Investors may be happy at this ratio because benefits of earnings are spread to the same number of stockholders and there is no need to add in new investors. However, analysts feels that a high debt financing may result to unstable earnings because of high interest that can be too much for the company to handle (Investopedia) The total debt to equity ratio of 115% shown in Table 1 is an analysis done by stock brokers that is higher than the sector average (Table 1 attached) A high ratio is generally accepted to capital intensive industry that tends to have a higher ratio, according to Investopedia 2. Financial analysis of the company’s published accounts over a five (5) year period (most recent) including profitability and liquidity ratios and analyzed with graph for each ratio are presented in annexed tables and charts. Gross Profit ratio. As of 2008, La Farge has a gross profit ratio of 27.86% which is slightly lower than 27.89% of 2007. Its gross profit ratio does not differ much in previous years’ performances as shown in Table 1 and Chart 1. (Reuters Financial Statement) Net profit ratio. The sales turnover of 2008 provided 8.40% net profit ratio for the company which is lower than its net profit ratio of 2007 that is 10.8% Table 2 and Chart 2 show Net Profit Ratio of the company for five years. Return on Shareholders. In 2008, La Farge gave the shareholders a return on their investment of 18%. This figure is very much lower than the 25.39% ROS in 2007. Table 3 and Chart 3 show fluctuating ROS, with 2007 as having the highest, followed by 2004. Share price of La Farge as of November 20, 2009 is â‚ ¬56.83. From the chart it showed significant upward movement from July to October. The share price movement is an indication of investors’ confidence to the company’s performance or a response to economic problems. Stock

Clownfishing Mating Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Clownfishing Mating - Essay Example The fish thrive in the warm waters of the tropics (Maddern 1990 p 36). They are mainly found in the salty waters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The excretion from the fish is a major source of nourishment for the sea anemone that absorbs the nutrients emanating from fecal matter. More over, the movements of the Clownfish in the water surrounding the sea anemone, especially when fanning the eggs are significant for water circulation, which is significant for the distribution of nutrients for the nourishment of the sea anemone (Drury 2008 p 63). The Clownfish is covered by a mucus coating around its body which as Wittenrich et al. (2007 p 93) observed are derived from sugars, which is one of the factors that prevents the stinging reaction of the sea anemone as the nematocysts are triggered by the presence of protein based substances in the surrounding. The fish dwell in one sea anemone as a group, which means that several sea anemones will host different groups of fish (Godwin 1994 p 561). In other words one sea anemone is the territory of one small group of fish. Clownfish is one of the aquatic organisms whose sex remains a subject of controversy. It is generally known that the fish is capable of switching its sex. This essay is a critique of the Clownfish mating process and gender changes that occur, as well as an exploration of the different species. The ability to switch sex is one of the aspects that make the fish unique especially the fact that this can happen to any adult fish. Kuwamora & Nakashima (1998 p 126) observe that during hatching, the fish are usually one sex, i. e, all males. The dominant male that becomes larger than all the rest during adult stage develops in to a female. None other develops in to a female so long as the dominant female is alive. The fish that follows in terms of size becomes the dominant male, while the rest remain small

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

AUCA - Essay Example Also, their stories captivate people such that for instance the tale of Ghismunda and Tancredi is translated into so many languages like Latin severally and Italian among others because it appeals to people’s emotions greatly. These two stories are similar in a number of ways. Both Ghismunda and Madonna Filippa stand up for themselves. Nobody would stand up for them and they both brave up and speak up to defend themselves. Moreover, they both stand up to defend their love. Filippa Madonna is accused of adultery and she is encouraged to plead innocent but she boldly pleads guilty and even goes ahead to speak against the cruelty that the society has on women. She sees it unfair for all the blame to be put on the woman yet even the man in adultery and the husband of the adulterer could be at fault. She explains that, â€Å"†¦Sir, it is true that Rinaldo is my husband, and that last night he found me in Lazzarinos arms, in which I enjoy myself. And because of the good and perfect love I have for him, many times I have done this, which I would never deny. But as I am certain that you know, the laws must be fair and made with the agreement of those who are affected by them. In this case it is not so, sinc e this law affects only the unfortunate women, who much better than men could satisfy many. And besides this, no woman agreed when the law was made, and no woman was ever consulted. Therefore, we could justly define this law as unfair.† â€Å"†¦Is it not much better to serve a gentle man who loves more than himself than let it wither or go waste?† On the other hand, Ghismunda stands up to her father for her right as a woman and states all the reasons she actually took matters to her hands and found for herself a lover. She also gives her reasons for choosing the man she chose despite the father’s seemingly displeasure for choosing

Corporate strategy and its integrated nature. Volkswagen case Essay

Corporate strategy and its integrated nature. Volkswagen case - Essay Example This report will discuss as to what is a successful business strategy by discussing the key dimensions of the business and discussing the same with respect to the Volkswagen group.Corporate strategy is an integrated process as it requires a collaborative effort at the organization-wide level to ensure that the overall objectives of the organisation are achievedIntegrated nature of the strategy outlines that the different organizational resources are combined together to execute the corporate level strategy and achieve the strategic objectives of the firm. It’s also because of this reason that strategy as a process is considered as an iterative process where the firms keep on adjusting and changing their strategies in order to successfully negotiate with their external environment. Strategy therefore outlines as to how the firm, by utilizing its internal strengths can take up the opportunities offered by the external environment while at the same time negotiating with the threa ts faced. There are four key dimensions of any business strategy involving the strategy formulation under which organizations actually formulate the strategy, the analysis dimension under which the firms perform the strategic analysis before any strategic option is chose, choosing the right strategy and finally implementing the same. These four key dimensions of a well developed business strategy therefore require a collaborative and integrated approach to make a business strategy successful. It is through all these key dimensions that a firm reaches at a point where it can achieve its organizational objectives. This report will discuss as to what is a successful business strategy by discussing the key dimensions of the business and discussing the same with respect to the Volkswagen group. Corporate Strategy and its integrated nature Johnson and Scholes define strategy in following manner: â€Å"Strategy is the direction and scope of an organisation over the long-term: which achiev es advantage for the organisation through its configuration of resources within a challenging environment, to meet the needs of markets and to fulfil stakeholder expectations".1 The above definition suggests that strategy is the name of setting an overall direction for the firm on long term basis. What is also important to note that it outlines the need for achieving a configuration with the organizational resources while working in an uncertain and challenging external environment to achieve the kind of advantage which can fulfill the expectations developed by the stakeholders? The above definition is quite comprehensive in the sense that it outlines as to how the integration of different elements together can provide the firm the kind of advantage to achieve its objectives. Without setting a direction and configuring it with the organizational resources, it may not be possible for a firm to achieve its organizational goals. Volkswagen Group has set up a strategy of achieving its g rowth through expansion in the emerging markets. It is also aiming to consolidate its position in the existing markets while at the same time achieving the set financial targets to be achieved in medium and short term. A closer analysis of this would suggest that the group is actually aiming to develop a two pronged strategy of consolidating in the existing markets while at the same time achieving the expansion in new markets.2 Evaluating the same in the light of above definition would suggest that the firm’s strategy is clearly focused upon meeting the expectations of its stakeholders by using its traditional advantage in its existing markets while at the same time configuring its resources to gain access to the emerging markets. It is also important to understand that an organization is a collection of different resources which are combined together to achieve the common objectives. For example, a firm’s excellent production system and high quality output may not sel l itself unless it’s backed up by excellent marketing resources. Similarly, despite having the capability to produce high quality products, a firm may not be able to achieve the same if it does not have access to finances. As such strategy is therefore of integrated

State Involvement in Higher Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

State Involvement in Higher Education - Essay Example In this paper arguments against and in favour of state involvement would be thoroughly analyzed. Appropriate theoretical frameworks like market failure, public expenditure and government failure will be included in the first section of the essay in order to support argumentative discussion. The theories on public finance management would be able to highlight the importance of governmental intervention in higher education. Public expenditure in educational system of various countries shall also be included within this particular study. Empirical data from different countries such as Europe, Asian countries and United States will also be encompassed in the essay. As the essay declares UK government to certain extent is actively involved in enhancing higher educational system of the country. The level of performance and importance of UK government will be analyzed with the support of public finance management theories. These ideas would be associated with government failure and market failure concepts. A higher educational system can only perform appropriately when it is supplied with essential resources. These resources are either provided by private sector or by government. Educational system being totally dependent on market, results into a risky scenario in future years. The future trends along with present scenario of state level educational expenditure management shall be evaluated in this study.

Employee Training Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Employee Training - Term Paper Example Some of the main force that influence a company’s training and developments are: ‘economic cycle, globalization, additional emphasis on intangible assets and human capital, focus on link to business strategy, changing demographics and delivery of work force, talent management, customer service and quality management, new technology, high-performance work systems’ (Noe, 2010, p. 10). Influence of Technology on Employee Training: As it has been just seen, that one of the forces that can influence training and development of employees in an organization is new technology. The discussion, here, is about the influence of technology on employee training and development. A look around us will show how people are getting trained on/off-jobs by computers, i-pods, i-pads; and through internet. Therefore the impact of technology is mainly on delivery of training programs. Methods of training employees also have gone through many changes due to the advancement of technology. But use of technology also follow the same basic principles of learning as the traditional methods do . for example, technologies like multimedia, interactive software etc. ‘appeal to multiple senses and allow employees to pace themselves, receive feedback and reinforcement, and find information from experts on as need basis’ (Noe, 2010, p. 337). ... Training could be delivered anywhere: at office or at home, a distant location or at hometown. Technology has given freedom to the employees of choosing when or where they receive training. They can access their training materials on need basis. A simulation of work environment at the learning environment can make employees better equipped for their job. Keeping training records, documentations and other formalities involved in employee training and development could be taken care of by computers. This will cut a lot of paperwork and official activities. Employee’s progress in the training could be better monitored (Noe, 2010, p. 297). Influence of Technology on Learning Environment: The traditional classroom learning environment is linear and not as dynamic as the technology learning process. In the traditional learning process the instructors gives information to the learners; and practice and use of the information is done after the instruction process is finished. This lea rning environment includes only the trainers and the trainees, not the experts or the resources. The learners are passive and the instructors are active members. There is a one way communication from the trainer to trainees. The learners have to wait for the instruction to end to access the resource materials and the experts that is beyond their course material. The communication among the learners happens only outside the training environment. But in a technology based learning environment the training process is dynamic and multidirectional. Here, the learner plays an active role; and the instructor plays minor role. In this learning environment the resource matter and experts are also included. Internet has made a technology based learning environment possible. Internet