Disney s The Pastoral Symphony - 2227 Words

Disney s Fantasia (1940) lies in a class separate from all other animations of program music. While its initial reception was less than stellar, it has since become a standard film in home collections. Theatrical performances, games, and many other derivatives of the brand now exist. Despite this, it has also generated a fair amount of controversy. For example, it contains scenes that allude to Darwin’s theory of evolution, and others that display negative racial stereotypes. Yet the most controversial scene at the movie’s premiere was the animation of Beethoven s Sixth, the Pastoral Symphony. This feature upset many classical music lovers who objected to the idea of giving Beethoven’s symphony an explicit storyline and a set of images that he did not have in mind. The Pastoral Symphony is likely the most familiar example of program music, but most musicians and critics seem to agree that this does not give a free pass to any form of interpretation. In the intr o to Fantasia, the narrator addresses this by cautioning the listener that the video clips were created based on the musical interpretations of animators, not of trained musicians. From that cautionary message to articles published as recently as this year, Fantasia remains a topic of controversy, influenced by factors such as audience familiarity and general views on Beethoven himself. The reach of this influence is not limited to reviews of the Pastoral Symphony feature, but rather extends to the wholeShow MoreRelatedControversies with the Walt Dinsey Company1471 Words   |  6 Pagesis, their mind most likely automatically thinks of one word- Disney. Once they think of that there is an array of movies to choose from. The Walt Disney Company has been making its place in this world for almost one hundred years. Over the decades Disney has become a household name whether it be through their blockbuster movies, television channel, books, products, resorts, cruise line or their world famous theme parks. The Walt Disney Company has spread its ideas and products of imagination throughoutRead MoreDisney Golden Age Of Animation2192 Words   |  9 Pages 1. Disney’ golden age of animation a) 1940 b)Though Disney films are considered wholesome and upbeat,characteristic of this era of films is their darkness. Though they are somewhat eerie and perhaps disturbing, scenes like these are typically sandwiched between two more upbeat and positive scenes, creating an extreme mood shift that engages all of the audience’s emotions. This style of animation also landed the â€Å"Golden Age† the nickname â€Å"The Tar and Sugar Era†, due to its dramatic jumps fromRead MoreRacism in Disney Movies Essay5488 Words   |  22 PagesRacism in Disney During the last several decades, the media has become a strong agent in directing and controlling social beliefs and behaviors. Children, by nature, can be particularly susceptible to the influencing powers of the media, opening an avenue where media created especially for children can indoctrinate entire generations. Disney movies, like all other media â€Å"are powerful vehicles for certain notions about our culture,† such as racism. (Giroux 32). Racist scenes in Disney movies areRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pagesmoney From multiple study paths, to self-assessment, to a wealth of interactive visual and audio resources, WileyPLUS gives you everything you need to personalize the teaching and learning experience.  » F i n d o u t h ow t o M A K E I T YO U R S  » www.wileyplus.com ALL THE HELP, RESOURCES, AND PERSONAL SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS NEED! 2-Minute Tutorials and all of the resources you your students need to get started www.wileyplus.com/firstday Student support from an experienced

Blood Promise Chapter Nineteen Free Essays

string(64) " Seeing her straight on, I was surprised at how pretty she was\." For someone who had preached to Denis about impulse control, I wasn’t setting a very good example. Once left alone in the suite, I continued trying everything possible to get out-emphasis on the â€Å"try† part. Nathan had acted like keeping a prisoner was a rare thing, but from what I could tell, this place had been built to hold people in. We will write a custom essay sample on Blood Promise Chapter Nineteen or any similar topic only for you Order Now The door and window remained impassible, no matter how hard I beat at them or threw objects against them. I didn’t bother with the chair this time and instead used one of the living room’s end tables, hoping it would carry some extra heft. It didn’t. When that didn’t work, I actually tried entering random codes into the door’s keypad. Also useless. Finally, exhausted, I collapsed onto the leather sofa and tried to assess my options. The process didn’t take very long. I was trapped in a house full of Strigoi. Okay, I didn’t know that for sure, but I knew there were at least three here, which was far too many for me. Dimitri had referred to this place as an â€Å"estate,† which I didn’t find comforting. Estates were big. The fact that I appeared to be on the fourth floor was proof of that. A big place meant that there could be lots of room for lots of vampires. The one comfort I had was that Strigoi didn’t cooperate very well. Finding large groups of them working together was rare. I’d observed it a couple of times-the attack on the Academy being one such occasion. They’d come then because the school’s wards had dropped, and that had been a big enough incentive for the Strigoi to unite. Even when they did try to work together, the unions were usually short-lived. The friction I’d observed between Dimitri and Nathan was proof of that. Dimitri. I closed my eyes. Dimitri was the reason I was here. I’d come to free him from this state of living death and had promptly failed, just as he’d said. Now, it appeared I might be on the verge of joining him. Yeah, good job, Rose. I shivered, trying to imagine myself as one of them. Red rings around my pupils. Tanned skin gone pale. I couldn’t picture it, and I supposed I’d never have to actually see myself if it happened. Strigoi cast no reflections. It would make doing my hair a real pain in the ass. The scariest change of all would be within, the loss of my connection to my soul. Both Dimitri and Nathan had been cruel and antagonistic. Even if I hadn’t been around to start the fight, it probably wouldn’t have taken long for them to find some other reason to turn on each other. I was combative, but it was always driven by some passion for others. Strigoi fought because they relished the bloodshed. I didn’t want to be like that, seeking blood and violence because I enjoyed it. I didn’t want to believe that of Dimitri either, but his actions had already branded him as a Strigoi. I also knew what he had to have been eating this whole time to survive. Strigoi could go longer without blood than Moroi, but it had been over a month since he was turned. There was no question he had fed, and Strigoi almost always killed their victims to eat. I couldn’t picture that of Dimitri†¦ not the man I’d known. I opened my eyes. The topic of feeding had brought my lunch to mind. Pizza and brownies. Two of the most perfect foods on the planet. The pizza had long gone cold during my escape efforts, but as I stared at the plate, both it and the brownie looked delicious. If the outside light was any indication, it hadn’t been a full twenty-four hours since Dimitri had caught me, but it was getting pretty close. That was a long time to go without food, and I wanted to eat that pizza badly, cold or not. I didn’t really want to starve to death. Of course, I didn’t want to become Strigoi either, but this situation was quickly running away from what I wanted. Starvation took a long time, and I suspected Dimitri was right: he’d turn me long before I had a chance to truly starve. I’d have to find some other way to die-God, not that I wanted that at all-and in the meantime, I decided I might as well keep up my strength on the feeble chance I might be able to escape. Once the decision was made, I gobbled down the food in about three minutes. I had no idea who Strigoi hired to do their cooking-hell, Strigoi couldn’t even eat regular food, unlike Moroi-but it was fantastic. Some wry part of me noted that I’d been given food that required no silverware. They really had thought of every possible way I might get my hands on a weapon. My mouth was full of my last giant bite of brownie when the door suddenly opened. Inna slipped deftly inside, the door shutting almost immediately. â€Å"Son of a bitch!† Or at least I tried to say that through my mouthful of food. While I’d been debating whether to eat or not, I should have been staking out the door. Dimitri had said Inna would check in on me. I should have been waiting to overpower her. Instead, she’d gotten in while I wasn’t paying attention. Once again, I’d slipped up. Just like when she was around Dimitri and Nathan, Inna made very little eye contact. She held a pile of clothes in her arms and paused in front of me, holding them out. Uncertain, I took them from her and set them beside me on the couch. â€Å"Um, thanks,† I said. Pointing at the empty tray, she actually glanced up at me shyly, a question in her brown eyes. Seeing her straight on, I was surprised at how pretty she was. You read "Blood Promise Chapter Nineteen" in category "Essay examples" She might even have been younger than me, and I wondered how she’d ended up being forced to work here. Understanding her query, I nodded. â€Å"Thanks.† She picked the tray up and waited a moment. I wasn’t sure why; then it occurred to me she must be waiting to see if I wanted anything else. I was pretty sure â€Å"the combination to the lock† wouldn’t translate very well. I shrugged and waved her off, my mind spinning as I watched her approach the door. I should wait for her to open the door and then jump her, I thought. Immediately, a gut reaction sprang up in me, hesitation at striking out at an innocent. Another thought squashed that one: It’s me or her. I tensed. Inna pressed herself close to the door as she punched in the combination, effectively blocking my view. Judging by how long she was punching in numbers, the code appeared to be pretty long. The door clicked open, and I braced myself to act. Then-I decided against it at the last moment. For all I knew, there could be an army of Strigoi out there. If I was going to use Inna to escape, I probably only had one opportunity. I needed to make it count. So, instead of leaping up, I shifted slightly so that I could see beyond her. She was just as fast as before, slipping out as soon as the door unlocked. But in that moment, I caught a glimpse of a short corridor and what looked like another heavy door. Interesting. Double doors on my prison. If I did follow her, that would prevent me from making an immediate escape. She could simply wait by the other locked door, holding out until Strigoi backup showed up. That made things more difficult, but understanding the setup at least gave me a spark of hope. I just needed to figure out what to do with this information, provided I hadn’t screwed myself by not acting now. For all I knew, Dimitri was about to walk in and turn me into a Strigoi. I sighed. Dimitri, Dimitri, Dimitri. Looking down, I took the time to actually see what she’d brought me. My current attire wasn’t bothering me, but if I stayed here much longer, my jeans and T-shirt were going to get pretty gross. Like Tamara, someone wanted to dress me up. The clothes Inna had brought were all dresses and all in my size. A red silk sheath. A long-sleeved, form-fitting knit dress edged in satin. An empire-waist, ankle-length chiffon gown. â€Å"Oh, great. I’m a doll.† Digging deeper into the stack, I discovered there were a few nightshirts and nightgowns tucked in there-as well as some underwear and bras. All of those were satin and silk. The most casual item in the whole lot was a forest-green sweater dress, but even it was made of the softest cashmere. I held it up, trying to imagine myself making a daring escape in it. Nope. With a shake of my head, I heedlessly tossed all of the clothes onto the floor. Looked like I’d be wearing grungy clothes for a while. I paced around after that, turning over futile escape plans that I’d already spun around in my head a million times. In walking, I realized how tired I was. Aside from the blackout when Dimitri had hit me, I hadn’t slept in over a day. Deciding how to handle this was like deciding how to deal with the food. Let down my guard or not? I needed strength, but each concession I made put me more at risk. At last, I gave in, and as I lay down on the massive bed, an idea suddenly occurred to me. I wasn’t totally without help. If Adrian came to visit me in my sleep, I could tell him what had happened. True, I’d told him to stay away last time, but he’d never listened to me before. Why should this time be any different? I focused on him as hard as I could while I waited for sleep to come, as though my thoughts might act as some sort of bat signal and summon him. It didn’t work. There was no visit in my dreams, and when I woke up, I was surprised at just how much that hurt me. Despite Adrian’s infatuation with Avery, I couldn’t help but recall how kind he’d been to Jill the last time I saw them. He was worried about Lissa, too, and he’d displayed none of his usual carefree bravado. He’d been serious and†¦ well, sweet. A lump formed in my throat. Even if I had no romantic interest in him, I’d still treated him badly. I’d lost both our friendship and any chance of calling for help through him. The soft rustling of paper snapped me from my musings and I jerked upright. Someone was in the living room, his back to me as he sat on the couch, and it took me only a moment to recognize who. Dimitri. â€Å"What are you doing here?† I asked, climbing out of bed. In my groggy state, I hadn’t even registered the nausea. â€Å"Waiting for you to wake up,† he said, not bothering to turn around. He was overly confident in my inability to inflict damage-as well he should have been. â€Å"Sounds kind of boring.† I walked into the living room, moving myself far to the side of him and leaning against the wall. I crossed my arms over my chest, again taking comfort in that meaningless protective posture. â€Å"Not so boring. I had company.† He glanced over at me and held up a book. A western. I think that shocked me almost as much as his altered appearance. There was something so †¦ normal about it all. He’d loved western novels when he was a dhampir, and I’d often teased him about wanting to be a cowboy. Somehow, I’d imagined that hobby would go away when he turned. Irrationally hopeful, I studied his face as though I might see some radical change, like maybe he’d turned back to the way he’d been while I slept. Maybe the last month and a half had been a dream. Nope. Red eyes and a hard expression looked back at me. My hopes shattered. â€Å"You slept for a long time,† he added. I dared a quick look at the window. Totally black. It was nighttime. Damn. I’d only wanted a two-hour power nap. â€Å"And you ate.† The amusement in his voice grated at me. â€Å"Yeah, well, I’m a sucker for pepperoni. What do you want?† He placed a bookmark in the book and set it on the table. â€Å"To see you.† â€Å"Really? I thought your only goal was to make me one of the living dead.† He didn’t acknowledge that, which was a bit frustrating. I hated feeling like what I had to say was being ignored. Instead, he tried to get me to sit down. â€Å"Aren’t you tired of always standing?† â€Å"I just woke up. Besides, if I can spend an hour tossing furniture around, a little standing isn’t that big a deal.† I didn’t know why I was throwing out my usual witty quips. Honestly, considering the situation, I should have just ignored him. I should have stayed silent instead of playing into this game. I guess I kind of hoped that if I made the jokes I used to, I’d get some kind of response from the old Dimitri. I repressed a sigh. There I was again, forgetting Dimitri’s own lessons. Strigoi were not the people they used to be. â€Å"Sitting’s not that big a deal either,† he replied. â€Å"I told you before, I’m not going to hurt you.† â€Å"? ®Hurt’ is kind of a subjective term.† Then, in a sudden decision to seem fearless, I walked over and sat in the armchair across from him. â€Å"Happy now?† He tilted his head, and a few pieces of brown hair escaped from where he’d pulled it back in a small ponytail. â€Å"You still stay beautiful, even after sleeping and fighting.† His eyes flicked down to the clothes I’d tossed on the floor. â€Å"You don’t like any of them?† â€Å"I’m not here to play dress-up with you. Designer clothes aren’t going to suddenly get me on board with joining the Strigoi club.† He gave me a long, penetrating stare. â€Å"Why don’t you trust me?† I stared back, only my stare was one of disbelief. â€Å"How can you ask that? You abducted me. You kill innocent people to survive. You aren’t the same.† â€Å"I’m better, I told you. And as for innocent†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He shrugged. â€Å"No one’s really innocent. Besides, the world is made up of predators and prey. Those who are strong conquer those who are weak. It’s part of the natural order. You used to be into that, if I remember correctly.† I looked away. Back at school, my favorite non-guardian class had been biology. I’d loved reading about animal behavior, about the survival of the fittest. Dimitri had been my alpha male, the strongest of all the other competitors. â€Å"It’s different,† I said. â€Å"But not in the way you think. Why should drinking blood be so strange to you? You’ve seen Moroi do it. You’ve let Moroi do it.† I flinched, not really wanting to dwell on how I used to let Lissa drink from me while we lived among humans. I certainly didn’t want to think about the rush of endorphins that had come with that and how I’d nearly become an addict. â€Å"They don’t kill.† â€Å"They’re missing out. It’s incredible,† he breathed. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. â€Å"To drink the blood of another†¦ to watch the life fade from them and feel it pour into you†¦ it’s the greatest experience in the world.† Listening to him talk about killing others increased my nausea. â€Å"It’s sick and wrong.† It happened so fast that I didn’t have any time to react. Dimitri leapt out and grabbed me, pulling me to him and spreading me out on the couch. With his arm still wrapped around me, he positioned himself so that he was half beside me and half on top. I was too stunned to move. â€Å"No, it’s not. And that’s where you have to trust me. You’d love it. I want to be with you, Rose. Really be with you. We’re free of the rules that others put on us. We can be together now-the strongest of the strong, taking everything we want. We can eventually be as strong as Galina. We could have a place just like this, all our own.† While his bare skin was still cold, the press of the rest of his body against mine was warm. The red in his eyes practically gleamed while this close, and as he spoke, I saw the fangs in his mouth. I was used to seeing fangs on Moroi, but on him†¦ it was sickening. I briefly toyed with the idea of trying to break free but promptly dismissed it. If Dimitri wanted to hold me down, I would stay down. â€Å"I don’t want any of this,† I said. â€Å"Don’t you want me?† he asked with a wicked smile. â€Å"You wanted me once.† â€Å"No,† I said, knowing I lied. â€Å"What do you want then? To go back to the Academy? To serve Moroi who will throw you into danger without a second thought? If you wanted that kind of life, why did you come here?† â€Å"I came to free you.† â€Å"I am free,† he responded. â€Å"And if you’d really intended to kill me, you would have.† He shifted slightly, resting his face close to my neck. â€Å"You couldn’t.† â€Å"I messed up. It won’t happen again.† â€Å"Suppose that were true. Suppose you were able to kill me now. Suppose you were even able to escape. What then? Will you go back home? Will you return to Lissa and let her continue bleeding spirit’s darkness into you?† â€Å"I don’t know,† I replied stiffly. And it was the truth. My plans had never gone past finding him. â€Å"It will consume you, you know. As long as she continues to use her magic, no matter how far away you go, you’ll always feel the side effects. At least as long as she’s alive.† I stiffened in his arms and moved my face away. â€Å"What’s that mean? Are you going to join Nathan and hunt her down?† â€Å"What happens to her is no concern of mine,† he said. â€Å"You are. If you were awakened, Lissa would no longer be a threat to you. You’d be free. The bond would break.† â€Å"And what would happen to her? She’d be left alone.† â€Å"Like I said, that’s no concern of mine. Being with you is.† â€Å"Yeah? Well, I don’t want to be with you.† He turned my face toward him so that we were looking at each other again. Once more, I had that weird feeling of being with Dimitri and not with Dimitri. Love and fear. He narrowed his eyes. â€Å"I don’t believe you.† â€Å"Believe what you want. I don’t want you anymore.† His lips quirked into one of those scary, smirking smiles. â€Å"You’re lying. I can tell. I’ve always been able to.† â€Å"It’s the truth. I wanted you before. I don’t want you now.†If I kept saying it, it would be true. He moved closer to me, and I froze. If I shifted even half an inch, our lips would touch. â€Å"My exterior†¦ my power, yes, that’s different. Better. But otherwise, I’m the same, Roza. My essence hasn’t changed. The connection between us hasn’t changed. You just can’t see it yet.† â€Å"Everything’s changed.† With his lips so close, all I kept thinking about was that brief, passionate kiss he’d given me the last time he was here. No, no, no. Don’t think about that. â€Å"If I’m so different, then why don’t I force you into an awakening? Why am I giving you the choice?† A snappy retort was on my lips, but then it died. That was an excellent question. Why was he giving me the choice? Strigoi didn’t give their victims choices. They killed mercilessly and took what they wanted. If Dimitri truly wanted me to join him, then he should have turned me as soon as he had me. More than a day had passed, and he’d showered me with luxury. Why? If he turned me, I had no doubt that I’d become as twisted as him. It would make everything a lot simpler. He continued when I remained silent. â€Å"And if I’m so different, then why did you kiss me back earlier?† I still didn’t know what to say, and it made his smile grow. â€Å"No answer. You know I’m right.† His lips suddenly found mine again. I made a small sound of protest and tried vainly to escape his embrace. He was too strong, and after a moment, I didn’t want to escape. That same sensation as before flooded me. His lips were cold, but the kiss burned between us. Fire and ice. And he was right-I did kiss him back. Desperately, that rational part of me screamed that this was wrong. Last time, he’d broken the kiss before too much could happen. Not this time. And as we continued kissing now, that rational voice in me grew smaller and smaller. The part of me that would always love Dimitri took over, exulting in the way his body felt against mine, the way he wound my hair around one of his hands, letting the fingers get tangled up. His other hand slid up the back of my shirt, cold against my warm skin. I pushed myself closer to him and felt the pressure of the kiss increase as his own desire picked up. Then, in the midst of it all, my tongue lightly brushed against the sharp point of one of his fangs. It was like a bucket of cold water tossed upon me. With as much strength as I could muster, I jerked my head away, pulling out of the kiss. I could only guess that his guard had been momentarily down, allowing me that small escape. My breathing was heavy, my whole body still wanting him. My mind, however, was the part of me in control-for now, at least. God, what had I been doing? It’s not the Dimitri you knew. It’s not him. I’d been kissing a monster. But my body wasn’t so sure. â€Å"No,† I murmured, surprised by how pathetic and pleading I sounded. â€Å"No. We can’t do this.† â€Å"Are you sure?† he asked. His hand was still in my hair, and he forcibly turned my head so that I was face-to-face with him again. â€Å"You didn’t seem to mind. Everything can be just like it was before†¦ like it was in the cabin†¦ You certainly wanted it then†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The cabin†¦ â€Å"No,† I repeated. â€Å"I don’t want that.† He pressed his lips against my cheek and then made a surprisingly gentle trail of kisses down to my neck. Again, I felt my body’s yearning for him, and I hated myself for the weakness. â€Å"What about this?† he asked, his voice barely a whisper. â€Å"Do you want this?† â€Å"Wh-â€Å" I felt it. The sharp bite of teeth into my skin as he closed his mouth down on my neck. For half an instant, it was agonizing. Painful and horrible. And then, just like that, the pain disappeared. A rush of bliss and joy poured through me. It was so sweet. I had never felt so wonderful in my life. It reminded me a little of how it had been when Lissa drank from me. That had been amazing, but this†¦ this was ten times better. A hundred times better. The rush from a Strigoi bite was greater than that of a Moroi’s. It was like being in love for the first time, filled with that all consuming, joyous feeling. When he pulled away, it felt like all the happiness and wonder in the world had vanished. He ran a hand over his mouth, and I stared at him wide-eyed. My initial instinct was to ask why he’d stopped, but then, slowly, I reached inside myself to fight past the blissful daze that his bite had sent me into. â€Å"Why†¦ what†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My words slurred a little. â€Å"You said it would be my choice†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It still is,† he said. His own eyes were wide, his breathing heavy too. He’d been just as affected as me. â€Å"I’m not doing this to awaken you, Roza. A bite like this won’t turn you. This†¦ well, this is just for fun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Then, his mouth moved back to my neck to drink again, and I lost track of the world. 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Story of an Hour free essay sample

They had no say so in their welfare (clothes they wore, house they lived in, bedroom they slept in, their inner thoughts was not heard). A woman day was started the same way every day. Women didn’t have any autonomy and or independence. They were not allowed to be self-sufficient unless they were widows. Characters: Everyone treats Mrs. Mallard as if she was weakest individual in the world. Everybody knows what is best for Mrs. Mallard except Mrs. Mallard. Josephine, Brently, and Mrs. Mallard have a parent child relationship. Josephine, Mrs. Mallards, sister takes the role her of her mother and Brently, Mr. Mallard, takes the role as her father instead of her husband. Brently was a good provider, loved his wife, and was very devoted to her. He wanted the best for her. His downfall was he never asked her what she wanted. This marriage doesn’t have any sense of balance. We will write a custom essay sample on Story of an Hour or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Symbols that lead to a bigger meaning than the one that is literal: marriage, women, Marriages was one sided. No matter how good the man was he was still bad. Or how considerate he was he was still inconsiderate of her feelings. He had the final say so. She lived to please him. They didn’t live to please each other. Thought he knew best Mrs. Mallard loved her husband and he loved her. Just didn’t have a balanced marriage. Meaning that he didn’t listen to her inner thoughts and wants. Even though he was a good man. He took care of her as if she was royalty. The one thing in the marriage she wanted was a voice. And he didn’t allow her to have one. His death to her meant that she would have a voice in her life. Heart trouble in this story meant that Mrs. Mallard was torn between loving her husband and loving herself. Even though she loved him with all her heart. She bore a grudge of resentment toward Mr. Mallard. She loves him, he loves her, but she loves herself beyond the love for him. She dies from heart trouble that is related to her disappointment. She is disappointed to see her freedom, her voice, and her chance at living for one person that is herself and not living for her husband taken away from her. She loves him but for the first time in her life she controlled her every move/destiny/fortune/future. That is what every woman is looking for today. To have a voice in their life. The Story of an Hour was written in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard was a fine for their times. It was a typical marriage. Mr. Mallard loved Mrs. Mallard and she stated so, â€Å"†¦the face that had never looked save with love upon her. â€Å"When two people get married you have to live for that other person. Both have to compromisetoo much compromise from one person makes that person tired or resent the other. That person doesn’t compromise that makes that person a slacker or don’t care†¦. (1) give and compromises gets tired, (2) takers give enough to stay around. Both have to have a voice or right to be heard or expression or say so or opinion You have to find balance between compromise and or give and take of a relationship.

What are the main features of British conservatism, and how have these features changed from one conservative leader to another Essay Example

What are the main features of British conservatism, and how have these features changed from one conservative leader to another? Essay Given that the Conservative Party is the oldest political establishment in Britain, a study of its history and evolution will reflect broader socio-economic changes. From the earliest days of parliamentary democracy in Britain to the current modern polity, the Conservative Party has withstood many upheavals and challenges. This essay attempts to identity the main features of British conservatism by way of studying its primary political representative that is the Conservative Party, the implication being that not all policies of the Conservative Party have been consistent with the theme of British conservatism and vice versa. Conservatives have never been known to support universal health care. The reluctance of the Conservative party to support an efficient and public funded healthcare system remains one of its major criticisms. Conservatism in Britain is also associated with staunch nationalism and the concept of â€Å"one-nation†. The Tory party’s attempts to rejuvenate its electoral prospects have taken the form of party brochures and propaganda literature. The â€Å"Renewing One Nation† campaign under the leadership of Stanley Kalms may not have persuaded the electorate, but it nevertheless brought to light the other recurrent theme of Conservative ideology in Britain– that of its links with Christian organizations. Even if official Conservative rhetoric makes mention of the virtues of separating State and Church, it is one of the open secrets in British polity that the Conservative Party patronizes Christian faith and at elections expects a return favour. This expla ins why the Tories have failed to win the trust of the growing numbers of religious and ethnic minorities in the country (Coxall Robins, 2003). We will write a custom essay sample on What are the main features of British conservatism, and how have these features changed from one conservative leader to another? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What are the main features of British conservatism, and how have these features changed from one conservative leader to another? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What are the main features of British conservatism, and how have these features changed from one conservative leader to another? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Yet, in spite of the apparent rigidity in Conservative ideology, the party has shown some flexibility at crucial junctures in the nation’s history. While the â€Å"one nation† policy and its attendant policies of social reform and limited economic planning were significant factors in the Tories’ consistent electoral success for most part of the twentieth century, the party’s policy framework had also shown signs of malleability: â€Å"When Winston Churchill lost power in 1945, he quickly called on people such as Rab Butler to devise an inclusive, socially reformist postwar policy agenda. The result was a drastically reduced Labour majority in 1950 and a Tory election victory in 1951. In the two subsequent elections, the Conservatives, led by men who believed in the party’s national responsibility and who abhorred the right-wing narrow-mindedness of some of the party’s activists, increased their share of the vote to margins that Margaret Thatcher would only be able to dream of.† (Porter, 1999) In assessing Britain’s performance in the decade of Conservative party rule in the 1950s, two prominent themes emerge as the backbone of British identity. The first is a symbolic one, that of the triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. While Britain’s days of imperial glory had come to an end by then, it had other prospects to look forward to, namely the prosperity and standard of living of its people. During the 1950s and early 1960s, the British people saw a â€Å"sustained improvement in welfare provision, even after Labour gave way to the Conservatives in 1951. So, too, did the rising level of personal prosperity culminating in a `great leap forward’ into affluence at the end of the 1950s.† This is all the more commendable when seen in light of the fact that social welfare is not usually associated with British Conservatism. Indeed the Tory government in the 1950s had admirably â€Å"balanced the often conflicting priorities of `welfare’ and `g reatness’† (Porter, 1999). But some commentators are of the view that in the trade-off between ‘welfare’ and ‘greatness’, it was the former that had emerged the stronger. In other words, â€Å"if welfare, broadly defined, was prioritised, was it really such an undesirable outcome? Britain may have lost an empire but there are many who would ask whether this was a morally defensible or economically advantageous arrangement anyway† (Clarke, 2004). The 13 years of Conservative party rule from 1951 to 1964 are crucial to any assessment of the nation past the Second World War period. For Tory governments of this period, headed first by Winston Churchill and later by Eden, Macmillan and Home, the primary issue was to cope with the reduced stature of Britain in the new global order to go with the rising expectations of Britons at home â€Å"as people began to regard welfare as a right and affluence as a reasonable expectation. In this period `the art of the possible’, as pol itics was once described, required that constant attention be given to the delicate balance between external priorities (greatness) and internal priorities (welfare)† (Clarke, 2004). This brings us to the most controversial of Tory leaders in the person of Margaret Thatcher. While she carries the distinction of being the party’s longest serving Prime Minister, she also earned the party disrepute and growing unpopularity – something that confronts the party even today. Even two decades after retirement from politics and party leadership, Margaret Thatcher is still being blamed for the Conservatives’ hiatus from power since 1997. The party has never seen three consecutive defeats in parliamentary elections as it did since 1997. Ideally, such a debacle should have led to a revamp similar to the one conducted by Rab Butler after the Second World War. But Thatcher had not only altered the common pattern of Tory governments by pursuing a new right-wing policy framework, she had also distorted the nature and image of Conservative party leadership. To expound further, â€Å"for most of the 20th century, Conservative leaders were successful because, on the whole, they refused to place themselves at the mercy of their activists. Churchill, Eden and Macmillan were merely the most prominent leaders who felt uneasy with Tory activists, and instead saw their role as being to represent the aspirations and needs of the vast swathe of public opinion outside the party. This led to electoral success, and that, in turn, placated the activists. Thatcher was unusual in that she drew her inspiration from the deepest wells of Conservative activism. She carried the same, insular ideological baggage, and viewed the world through the same prism, as her constituency followers.† (Kampfner, 2003) As a result, the Tories’ activists found their ideal leader in Margaret Thatcher. Following Thatcher, her successors have not been able to pose any meaningful challenge to the right-wing’s stranglehold on policy. More worryingly, the exercise of choosing candidates for parliamentary seats, as a result of becoming an entirely local affair, â€Å"has led to a much more ideological brand of MP†. Hence, under the reign of Margaret Thatcher, the liberal elements in the party leadership had been overwhelmed by the ultra-conservative grass roots supporters (Kampfner, 2003). The cornerstone of Margaret Thatcher’s leadership was not its compassion towards British citizens, but rather a ruthless approach to what she deemed as progress. Thatcher, more than any other leader of her party, was the most vocal in promoting capitalism and its attendant privatization. The merit of such dogmatic approach to governance is debatable but she nevertheless forced many changes in the name of progress. But Thatcher’s iron-fisted efforts were to leave the Conservative party and its political philosophy a legacy of disrepute. In other words, it ended up being a traumatic process â€Å"that cost her the leadership and nearly destroyed her party. No Conservative leader after her has been able to slow the party’s decline into a rancorous rabble. If John Major was unable to nudge it back into the mainstream, William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith fared no better in their attempts to lead it from the right† (Coxall Robins, 2003). With ties to tradit ion broken in this way, the party had become impossible to manage. A little later in the party’s history, the rise and fall of William Hague demonstrates the sort of weak leadership the party has come to be associated with in recent years. Hague, who showed a lot of promise and potential, to go along with his pleasant and amiable personality, took the Tory party into deeper chaos with his infamous speech about â€Å"a foreign land†, further alienating the party from racial minorities inBritain. Coming at a critical time as it did, the speech was even condemned by the parties own backbenchers. For example,

Anti-Terrorism Bill essays

Anti-Terrorism Bill essays The senate, in regards to the safety of America, should pass the bill proposed by Ashcroft. Our lives in America are no longer calm and idyllic. We have been struck by these horrid attacks on September 11th, 2001. It is time to struck back and take action and we need to pass the bill to obtain the protection needed for America. Terrorism is a clear and present danger to Americans today and the American people do not have the luxury of unlimited time in erecting the necessary defenses. Terrorism is a threat to America. We must take action to prevent the terrorists from invading our safety in this country. This bill will help increase security and allow law enforcement to seize suspected terrorists. Our best defense right now is to pass the bill because safety comes first in a situation like this. We need to be more cautious and enhance our security to protect the good citizens in America. We need this bill to authorize search and surveillance. It is stated in section 201 of the bill that they will enforce the Alien Terrorist Removal Procedures. This provision would authorize the INS to deport aliens accused of engaging in terrorist activities. It is critical to be more vigilant and be aware of all activities around us. The bill will allow broader disclosure of grand jury information. It is important for us to increase our wariness and make sure we will not be attacked by terrorists ever again. The bill serves as our protection in America. Many people argue, The civil liberties we value so much as a society are at stake. Although it is often times mentioned that our rights will be violated, it is undeniable to say that America needs this bill. We need examination and protection to give us assurance in this country. The bill is meant to allow authorities to detain individuals only when they are already in violation of the immigration law. It is not meant to shred our constitution ...

Case study on tata nano

Sunsilk was introduced in 1989 in Pakistan with three variants related to hair types. Endorsement of a hair stylist was the first step in building the image of the brand as a hair care expert. With the competition from local and multinational companies due to rationalization of excise duties, Sunsilk has not been able to gain the desired share in the market. To strengthen the brand, LBPL decided to re-launch Sunsilk with a premium range consisting of four variants in January 2000. In 2001, due to the constant research of their affiliated hair care institutes, the need of a shampoo for oily hair was observed and they launched a new variant of Sunsilk having citrus extracts. 1. 2 Background: LBPL, the largest consumer goods producing company in Pakistan, was incorporated here in 1948 and started building their factory at Rahim Yar Khan. This factory was inaugurated formally in 1951 by the then Governor General of Pakistan. LBPL moved into the personal care product business in 1981. It has gained a major market share due to the introduction of quality brands likeSunsilk, Lifebuoy, Lux and Fair Lovely. Lever Brothers was the recipient of Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) and Karachi Stock Exchange awards in recognition of its performance. For the purpose of MAP award, it was judged the best among the companies that have performed well in the areas of Financial Discipline, Management practices such as Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Research Development. Lever Brothers is committed to investment and modern production facilities thereby contributing to economic growth and employment opportunities. 1. 3 Statement of Problem: Their main target market is females between the ages group 16-40 belonging to the two upper income classes. But in their promotional activities, they cover the whole market irrespective of these classes. Competitors’ Review: The major competitor of Sunsilk in the rural areas is Bio Amla while in the urban areas, Sunsilk faces cutthroat competition with PG. The main advantage of Bio Amla is its Herbal composition and low price, which attract the rural market, but in terms of quality, they are far behind Sunsilk. In urban areas, Sunsilk is acting as a market challenger against PG. Sunsilk has got the advantage of keeping their prices lower than PG shampoos but PG has captured a bigger share of the market due to its intense promotional activities. 1. 4 Objectives of the study: 1. To carry out the review of literature on brand, brand awareness and consumer behavior. 2. To study the socio economic characteristics of women consumers in Bangalore. 3. To identify the factors influencing brand awareness of Sunsilk shampoo. 4. To identify and interpret the factors involved in quality and benefits offered in the shampoo product. 5. To know the impact of brand awareness in sales improvement of the shampoo product. 1. 5 Research Methodology: Literature survey has been carried out using research journals, books and websites. Socio economic stratum of women consumers have been identified using socio economic classification grid during personal interview at individual households. Factors influencing brand awareness of shampoo products have been analyzed with the data collected from questionnaire. Comparative study has been carried out based on advertisement awareness with the competitor. Pareto analyses have been used to identify the major quality problems in the shampoo product. 1. 6 Company Objectives: Neither our own nor our major competitors’ objectives are simple or obvious. There are many choices between short term and long-term profit, between growth and cash flow, between growth in assets and growth in earnings, between proportions of earnings paid to share holders as dividends or reinvested. It is reasonable to assume that these different objectives of different competitors predetermine some of their strategies and tactical behavior. Assess the concept of product acceptability, credibility and perceived benefits. Examine consumer’s assessment of the product, in terms of product performance and related benefits. Explore consumers’ reaction towards packaging. Understand consumers’ perception of quality advertisement in terms of its impact. 2. Chapter II 2. 1 Mission Statement: The New Sunsilk Shampoo aims at fulfilling the needs of its target market by offering a high quality, assessment of the concept in terms of its acceptability, credibility and perceived benefits, that it offers a healthy choice shampoo alternative to the targeted consumer. The theme of the product shall be anchored around the motto: â€Å"Softness, shine and manageability of Hair† Figure 1 2. 2 Packaging: The packaging design for the New Sunsilk range is extremely exciting and has been developed by Brown Inc. UK. The packaging makes the brand look expert and modern. This packaging makes the brand look more contemporary and hi-tech. It ensures more emphasis on the variants that have already been a part of the product but never been communicated to the customer that well. This new packaging has clearly identified that there is a separate product for each hair type. Currently, the range consists of: Yellow Sunsilk with Bio Proteins from Vegetable Extracts: Normal hair needs wholesome nourishment. New Sunsilk with Bio Protein extracted from Vegetable milk has nutrients that deeply penetrate each hair strand, to nourish it leaving hair strong and beautiful. Black Sunsilk with Melanin from Plant Extracts: Dull hair needs a rich black shine. New sunsilk with Melanin extracted from plants serves this purpose very effectively. It helps in the growth and retention of the black color of hair, giving it a rich black shine. . Green Sunsilk with Fruitamins Vitamins from fruit Extracts: Thin and limp hair needs extra body and volume. New sunsilk with Fruitamins has natural extracts from fruit that contains Vitamins. These vitamins help in giving extra body, shine and amazing manageability to the thinning and lifeless hair. Pink Sunsilk with essential Oils from Flower Extracts: Dry hair needs wholesome conditioning, extra shine and styleability. New Sunsilk with essential oils makes the dry hair full of life. Its especial ingredients moisturize each hair right to its tips leaving it shiny and beautiful. Orange Sunsilk with active nutrients from Citrus Extracts: The advanced formula of orange Sunsilk is the result of the latest research. This shampoo is especially designed for oily hair type that looks flat and greasy due to the excess of moisture. New sunsilk with active ingredients from citrus extracts cleans the excess oil off hair while its nutrients deeply penetrate each hair strand to nourish it. Customer Review of Product Usage Figure 2 2. 3 Pricing Objectives: Lever claims to practice value-based pricing in which the customers’ perception of the product’s price provides a starting point for developing the marketing mix of the product. The research department determines this price usually by using focus groups. The price of RS 3 for Sunsilk shampoo sachets shows how the price also reflects a concern to make the purchase more convenient, since the rupee is dominated in this value. The primary importance of this value-based pricing is that the product demand will be much higher if its price is in line with the customer’s perception of its value. One crucial concern for value-based pricing is strict management of cost in order to be able to make a profit at the value-based price. After the initial price is determined, Lever then uses target costing in order to achieve the required profits. With the marketing plan now being termed as ‘Annual Contract’ the importance of meeting the profit margin requirements has increased. Target costing thus provides an essential tool to manage cost effectively. The characteristic of monopolistic competition typifying the market sets the threshold for pricing. This market consists of many buyers and sellers trading over a range of prices. The key element is differentiation, which allows the seller to gain market share in contrast to competitors. Given this market condition, Lever differentiates its products and also sells them in different price ranges to cover at least a large portion of the market. Also this makes Lever more sensitive to price changes of competitors’ products. Last year PG revised their prices which has increased the prices of their shampoos considerably but Sunsilk has maintained its prices and their prices are much lower than PGs’, which is a major blow to PG because being a poor country people go for products which are within the range of Rs. 100. Figure 3 2. 4 Promotion objectives: Build top of the line consumers’ awareness. Creating a personality of the brand. Besides having these general objectives, the advertising objectives are set avoiding to the advertising strategy for each product, e. g. Sunsilk advertising objectives since it was being re-launched were: To increase the usage. Conditioning benefits. Makes the hair appear clean and shiny. Imparts a feeling of freshness-due to fragrance. Easy to manage, silky, soft hair. Unique shampoo for every hair type. Effectively communicate brand promise. 2. 5 Advertisement objectives: The advertisement of a product should follow the smile approach that is: S Simple M Memorable I Interesting with relevant information L Linked to the brand E Emotionally involved and liked. The advertisement should be in line with the past ad (if any). The ad should have a good advertising idea. Advertising should meet the brief Message clearly communicated Advertising should fit the brands personality An add is usually changed after 18 months TARP(Target Audience Rating Points) 2. 6 Advertising strategy: A product’s particular advertising strategy also depends on the level of competition involved with each product. For example shampoo ads previously used to provide emotional benefits but when PG entered the shampoo market with it’s shampoo Pantene, it revamped the whole situation, Pantene ads promoted the shampoo’s functional benefits, which greatly appealed the consumers. Levers seeing this trend changed its advertising strategy for Sunsilk so that Sunsilk advertisements also promoted the shampoo’s functional benefits. Thus Lever evaluates the product’s present position in the market, the promotion objectives it wants to achieve and the level of competition involved while setting the advertising strategy for a product. Elida Hair Institute does a lot of research and they come up with innovation in the product. Elida provides credibility that Sunsilk is not locally made but it is based on a lot of research by internationally accredited institutions. Lever believes that messages about product delivered by credible sources can be very persuasive. Hence Nabila who is an hair care expert endorses Sunsilk and more value is added to the brand. Consumers relate to products itself, they can relate to a human being who consumers believe is an expert so if Nabila is an expert so is Sunsilk. Nabila a recognised and highly qualified hair stylist is used by Sunsilk in its ads because they want to bring out an expert’s image. Sunsilk has come up with a new promotional campaign GOOD HAIR DAYS in six major cities in collaboration with famous hair stylists of the country. 2. 7 Advertising Evaluation: Lever also carriers out on extensive evaluation process. Target audience rating points are used to evaluate a product. Households are monitored in various cites to get consumers response and feedback. R-Lintas carriers out in own evaluation proceeds for its advertisement. Weekly figures are presented by research department. Regarding sales which have been carried out by extensive surveys. Products manager themselves have to visit the Consumers’ View of Sunsilk Advertisements Figure 4 2. 8 Distribution Objective: â€Å"To reach as many towns and villages as we can† Lever has 150 distributors whose function is to sell to wholesalers directly. There are different distributors for different areas. They are carefully selected and their performance is constantly evaluated. They appear extremely satisfied with their channel systems and have a good rapport with them. We feel that this is essential since these are not too many levels, thereby preventing channel complexity and allowing Lever greater control. Lever’s statements were verified by our consumer survey, which revealed that the retailers were very satisfied with Lever’s distribution system, which allowed well-stocked shelves. This is an added advantage, since the consumers undergo habitual buying behavior. Sunsilk has a very good distribution network all over the country. They have struggled hard to adopt such channels that guarantee the perfect results regarding the placement of their product. These distributors are given clear instructions regarding the selection of the retailer and to make sure that the retailer; Knows about the significant characteristics of the product. Places the product along with its major competitors like PG. Displays the sachets distinctly. They give off and on offers as trade promotion incentives to their distributors. The distributors contribute to the promotion of Sunsilk by word of mouth. 2. 8. 1 Strengths Lever Brothers Pakistan Limited is one of the largest organizations in Pakistan. Company has advanced technology and well skilled professionals. The New Sunsilk Shampoo is a high quality product in terms of hair protection. The target market is educated, professionals and belongs to premium and middle class. Company totally owned, systematic distribution network, transparent communication system. Participative management style Very good distribution network all over Pakistan, in all major and small cities. 2. 8. 2 Weaknesses: Competitor has strong promotional activities. Imported brands also available in the market. Customers are offered better alternatives by the competition. 2. 8. 3 Opportunities: Population expanding at a rapid rate. Consumers are becoming more quality conscious Current capacity utilization is 80%, which can be further broadened with the increase in demand. Customer base is increasing with effective marketing. Baby shampoo is another area where Lever Brothers can make huge gains. Shampoo plus conditioner and anti-dandruff shampoos are another area where lever brothers can earn huge profits. Rural areas are a large prospective market where they can introduce Sunsilk. 2. 8. 4 Threats: Political and Economic factors. Partial Government policies. High rate of competition. Local and Foreign competition. Smuggling via Afghan Trade Transit is one of the big hurdles faced by Sunsilk. Supplies from Indonesia and Thailand is another important issue. 3. Chapter III 3. 1 Summary: This marketing plan forms the basis of the introduction of an innovative and unique productby Sunsilk. The analysis allows us to the best strategies to help our product be successfulwith the internal and external environments which we have analyzed at our bestunderstanding. Sunsilk Hair Colour Shampoo will be marketed as a unique and convenientproduct for consumers who need and want to colour their hair. And we would like tomaintain the company’s status as the 2nd brand leader in hair care industry in Pakistan. Themarketing strategies will enable us to reach the target sale ofRs 50 million by end of first year and also bring awareness to the consumers in the sixmonths about the new product, and reach at least 80% consumers in Pakistan. The hair colourindustry is currently in the growth stage and the number of people who wish to colour theirhair is growing day by day. Customer have been introduced by hair colouring products andthere is a existing industry for colour in Pakistan, but Sunsilk Hair colour Shampoo is a newinnovative product which is convenient for consumers to use and also less harmful then otherproducts available. IntroductionThis plan has been prepared as an assignment for Marketing Strategies and Operations classat London Business School of Finance. The plan will provide background information aboutthe current environment in which Hair colour products are operating in Pakistan. It will alsodiscuss the present state of hair colour products in general, which will include information onthe company and its interest in extending product range in Pakistan, and give a broader ideaof how the brand will be introduced and marketed in the current environment. Company BackgroundSunsilk is a product of United Kingdom, which was launched in 1954. Sunsilk wasintroduced by Unilever (LBPL), who are the largest consumer goods producing company inPakistan, especially in personal care products. Unilever was found in 1930 by AntoniusJohannes Jurgens and William Hulme Lever. It was incorporated here in 1948 at Rahim YarKhan. Sunsilk was introduced in 1989 in Pakistan with three different types of shampoos fordifferent hair texture. Getting Support from hair stylist was the first step in constructing theimage of the brand as a hair care expert. In beginning of introduction of Sunsilk brand, it wasbeing raided by other competitors, in which, sunsilk was not able to gain the desired share inthe market 3. 2 CONCLUSION The survey helped in understanding the consumer perception on brand awareness and position of product in the market. It was observed that consumer’s expectations were, Quality, benefits offered and packaging of shampoo product. Based on the results obtained, integrated marketing communication was suggested, as a result an improvement of 8% to 12. 6% was observed in target population. Lagging quality Attributes have been identified for the improvement of sales by 45. 39%. Suggestions towards improving brand awareness through quality attributes have been made. 3. 3 Recommendations: Lever, Pakistan realizes the huge potential of the rural markets, i. e. 72% of the total population, but has not yet developed a successful strategy to penetrate this market. The success of Levers Hindustan should be emulated, which has successfully captured the rural market by two key strategies; firstly, by developing a strong distribution infrastructure and secondly, by adapting the packaging and pricing to this market. Lever should increase the buying of raw materials from local markets so that it does not have to suffer excessively from devaluation and continuous increase in tariff rates. This would also negate the adverse affect on sales volume due to smuggled foreign product. Lever should introduce a smaller (100 ml) pack of Sunsilk shampoo in order to capture the lower income segment. Lever should enter into WEB Marketing. The Legacy Soccer Foundation sponsored mainly by Levers, should be emulated by Levers Pakistan in the area of cricket since it is the most popular sport in Pakistan. Levers could also provide consumers with a hot line number where they can call in to complain or to ask specific questions about Lever’s products. These hot line numbers can also advise consumers about their hair type and other hair related queries. Such a strategy would highlight Levers concern for the public as well as helping it to gain market share. They should increase the frequency of their advertisements on electronic and print media. They should introduce 2 in 1 composition, i. e. shampoo plus conditioner which is the demand of a huge potential market.

Application As Physician Assistant Personal Statement

Application As Physician Assistant - Personal Statement Example For five years, I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for 72 hours a week, or more, whenever possible; and did my best at school. These challenges, and the psychiatric disorders of both, my mother and sister, provided the impetus for my decision to pursue a Physician Assistant Program. Thus, I have affirmed that my previous health care experiences and the commitment to undertake message-based volunteering with autism patients, veterans and chronically depressed patients in my Santa Ana Community through the California Fellowship of Neuromuscular Therapists organization, make me qualified to pursue the PA Program. I want to be a PA for professional growth in the medical field and to enable me to support my family and my community who needs health care workers who understand the "options" and "limitations" in their lives and can work with them to face an under-education in healthy resistance to care. I excelled in massage therapy school, with a 97% rating. I acknowledge that PA s chool is more difficult; yet, I strongly believe I would excel due to the time management skills that have been developed; and a perspective that recognizes placing education, as the priority. I affirm my conviction that I could be an instrumental contributor to the well-being of people through undertaking the responsibilities of a physician assistant. The challenges and difficulties that I have encountered in life were seen as little blessings in disguise to pursue a productive and rewarding profession.