Advertising Industry Should Market America to the Islamic World :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

The American Advertising Industry Should Market America to the Islamic World The real power in the world today is not in the western technology, economy or military. Rather it is in images and their use in a system of communication called symbolism. In effect, the real power of the world today is in the symbolism of western culture. It is this power which threatens the religion of Islam. The power of the western world to create and communicate this symbolism to other parts of the world, and particularly the middle eastern world of the Islamic religion, is at the root of the problem the Judeo-Christian west faces with the Islamic middle east. If one accepts the hypothesis that symbolism might be at the root of the problem, it seems important to understand 1) the basic messages of this symbolism and 2) whether these messages might be manipulated or â€Å"recruitedâ€Å" as â€Å"warriorsâ€Å" in the coming battle. Certainly the western world has been adept at directing its symbols mainly inward towards western culture in the form of propaganda and the persuasion of our advertising into a consumer culture. American consumer culture was created by the application and manipulation of these symbols. Emerging questions of today are 1) whether Americans can come to see coming events of the world in a symbolic context and 2) whether this knowledge of symbolic context will help them direct their symbol making powers outward rather than inward. Right now, America's symbol making powers are directed inward at persuasion and propaganda of the populace. Anyone who doubts this simply needs to push the button to CNN for about an hour. But, might it be directed outward towards propaganda of the western civilization into the Islamic culture? We might say that it is not right to use propaganda to achieve goals. Yet, there is a vast amount of evidence that America's enemies use many forms of propaganda against America. If our enemies can use propaganda against America, why shouldn't America enlist its greatest propaganda machines in Hollywood and Madison Avenue in the great coming battle? Of course we do this on a simple Coke or McDonalds type of global expansion philosophy for American brands and the unrelenting promotion of that rather ambiguous beehive archetype symbol of ideas and emotions called â€Å"globalism.â€Å" But here I mean more of a â€Å"kick assâ€Å" Marine philosophy of putting Madison Avenue and Hollywood into the coming war that CNN constantly advertises to us in a ubiquitous logo.

Free College Admissions Essays - A Loss of Innocence :: College Admissions Essays

A Loss of Innocence The United States of America lost its innocence on September 11, 2001. No longer are the vicious attacks on democracy in some far away country; they are now in our own backyard. President Bush said it best, "freedom itself was attacked by a faceless coward..." but now we know the name of that face. For many of us, this is the first time we have experienced what others around the world live with daily. As young people, we can have a profound impact on the future. We can start at this level by supporting our country and the ideals it holds dear. We must remember that the very privilege of an education is one that those who attacked us plainly detest. In fact, it is illegal for women in that country to pursue an education at all. Every step we achieve in the learning process is in defiance to those who keep their citizens ignorant. As students and citizens, we must realize that the power of education comes with a responsibility: to help people of all backgrounds understand that if we are to make any progress as a society, we cannot tolerate terrorism anywhere in our world. However, we must be careful not to express our outrage irrationally against people who had nothing to do with that evil act. One motive for the terrorist attack on our country was contempt for the freedom that allows America to tolerate those who hold different beliefs. Our future belongs to those who stand up and fight for what they believe in. As a nation, we are now at the crossroads: we can choose to allow those with evil intentions to have the loudest voices or we can stand together with one voice. It has been said, "All that evil needs to succeed is for

Republic Day Essay

In India, Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950. The date of 26 January was chosen to honour the declaration of independence of 1930. It is one of the three national holidays in India. While the main parade takes place in the national capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India (currently Pranab Mukherjee), the anniversary is also celebrated with varying degrees of formality in state capitals and other centres. India achieved independence from British rule on 15 August 1947 following the Indian independence movement noted for largely peaceful nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. The independence came through the Indian Independence Act 1947, an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent Dominions of the British Commonwealth (later Commonwealth of Nations): India and Pakistan. India obtained its independence on 15 August 1947 as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr.B. R. Ambedkar as chairman. While India’s Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.

Al-Qaeda In Iraq

Al-qaeda is an Arabic word also written as Al-qaida. It is a network of international alliance of Islamic militant group. Abdullah Yusuf Azzam who was later replaced by Osama bin Laden formed the organization in 1988. Other veteran Arabs from Afghanistan joined the leadership after the soviet war in Afghanistan. Al-qaeda network advances Islamic fundamentalism by carrying out attacks and disrupting western countries influences to the Islamic states. Al-qaeda finances and trains various radical Islamic groups that oppose western countries ideologies especially the United States of America and Britain.Al-qaeda groups or network have various operational bases in more than fifty countries in the world. Al-qaeda uses force, intimidation and instilling fear to attain their goals. They carry out acts of terrorism (an act or a threat against civilian life) aimed at attaining political, economical and religious goals. Al-qaeda aims at ending foreign influence in Islamic states by creating a n ew Islamic caliphate or authority. The Al-qaeda network is very active in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. History of al-qaedaAl-qaeda was founded in the late 1980’s as an alliance of Islamic militia group with an aim of expanding Islamic fundamentalism. Al-qaeda has it roots during the Afghanistan’s soviet occupations. Anti-Muslim afghan guerillas (mujahidin), the afghan government and soviet forces were involved in the conflict. The Soviet invasion sparked the afghan resistance. The Afghan government was supported by the USA, China and Saudi Arabia. Mujahidin came from the Middle East to Afghanistan to assist their fellow Muslims in the war. Osama bin laden was the main financier he started recruiting Muslims around the world to join the group.The recruited army in there thousands defeated the soviet forces making them withdrew from Afghanistan. Osama bin laden later founded an organization that could help veterans of Afghans war; this com prised the bases of Al-qaeda. (Biri A. 2001). Bin laden and other radical Islamic thinkers at that time had been organizing Al-qaeda in the Iraq invasion to Kuwait in 1990. The Saudi government had allowed the United States government to station a military base in Saudi Arabia. This was very outrageous to Laden and the radical group. Osama was later expelled from Saudi Arabia by opposing the government.Al- qaeda basis shifted from Saudi Arabia to Khartoum in Sudan, their first task against the interest of the United States of America was in Somalia where they attacked the U. S army during the Somalia crisis. Further attacks perpetrated by al-qaeda followed. In august 1996 bin laden issued a â€Å"declaration of war† against the U. S. A Al- qaeda and radical Islamic group had worked together to alliance in their acts of terrorism against western influence on Islamic interests. Osama shifted his base from Sudan to Afghanistan in 1994 after the U. S had put pressure on the Khart oum government to expel him.Osama joined the Talibans in Saudi Arabia where al-qaeda established military bases in mountains. In Iraq the main objective of the Al-qaeda organization is the governing of Iraq. After president Sadaam Hussein was brought down from power by the U. S. A who sent thousands of troops to help in putting in place the government in Iraq. Al-qaeda was against the US invasion of Iraq. According to the U. S government, Al- qaeda wanted to be seen as a legitimate political organization in Iraq. Al-qaeda in Iraq is composed of both Sunni Iraq members plus other foreign members who wage jihad or holy war.This group was formed in 2004, but it is not clear, who founded it in Iraq between Bin Laden and Nusab Al Zarqawi. The group had been a force behind the violence and civil war between the Shiites and Sunnis. They accuse the US government of murdering innocent civilians in their â€Å"war on terror†. The Al-Qaeda has been behind many attacks in Iraq against th e U. S government interests. Insurgency in Iraq is still continuing up to now. Members of the group had shifted to other bases where they mastermind suicide bomb attacks. Other military organizations had joined Al-Qaeda in Iraq in their activities.Abu Musab al-zarqawi from Jordan had affiliated with Al-qaeda in Iraq. He joined the Al-qaeda in Iraq and threatened the U. S government over its interest in Iraq. The group had killed many U. S army personnel and they are believed to have killed ordinary Iraq civilians. The group continues to instigate violence in Iraq despite the U. S government efforts on war on terror by president Bush administration. Al-qaeda is against the U. S invasion of Iraq. Members of the terrorist group had carried out many suicide attacks, kidnapping and even shooting their perceived enemy. The leadership of al-qaedaThe leadership of Al-qaeda in Iraq, according to some sources from Jihad’s was put under Abu Ayyub Al Masri in 2006. This is following the death of its former leader Musab Al Zarqawi. Al Masri is considered as lacking good military organization that he relies on his intellectual abilities (Hajez M. 2007 p. 136-147). Al-qaeda in Iraq is composed of both Sunni Iraq members and the jihads (foreigners who came to aid in Jihad war). Osama bin Laden is the top active leader of the Al-qaeda group. The leadership coordinates with others groups; Al-qaeda group of jihad in Iraq, Al-qaeda in land of the two rivers plus others.Through the official statement of the U. S government, Abu Musab Al Zarqawi forms the top leadership responsible for the insurgency in Iraq. It is believed that the leadership organizes and masterminds attacks on civilians and U. S troops. It is also believed that the leadership of Al-Qaeda in Iraq composes other foreign terrorist and senior Al- Qaeda leadership. The U. S administration believes that Abu-Musab Al Zarqawi was not an Iraq even his successor Abu Ayyub Al Masri. The leadership of Al-queda is dec entralized.There is collaboration between Al-qaeda senior leaders and Al- qaeda leaders in Iraq. The leader’s role is to finance, command, advice, and make bombs including others roles in the group. The leadership also provides intelligent information’s and facilitates its operations. They have their former headquarter in Fallujah in Iraq. Various operations they have performed: The al qaeda has claimed responsibility of the chlorine bombings in Iraq in mosques. The group also is targeting wealth people by kidnapping and killing their family members when they fail to remit ‘protection’ fee.They are also inciting violence by causing hatred among the Shiites and Shia groups to cause civil war. What were the targets of the operations? Al-qaeda operates in Iraq but it is limited in the broad Middle East. They play actively in the Iraq insurgency. Their deputy leader, Ayman alzawahiri, in July 2005 through a letter indicated four plans in expanding the war in I raq. They were to expel US forces out of Iraq and an Islamic authority put in place. Other missions were to spread the Iraq conflict to their neighbors and fight with Israel.Al-qaeda in Iraq (AOQ) created an organization called mujahidee shura council in January 2006. This was to unite the Sunni insurgents in Iraq. However, this attempt failed due to the methods they used against civilians and their extreme fundamentalists doctrines. Alqaeda is the most feared organization; experts regard it as an enemy of the US. Al-qaeda is associated with terrorist’s activities in Iraq that targets international forces and civilians. The US government holds that they have an extended network to other parts of the world especially the Islamic states although there operations are based in Iraq.In 2005, Al-qaeda is believed to be responsible for about more than 1800 attacks in Mosul city in Iraq; they were aiming at Iraq forces and coalition government. They use bombs and other explosives in their suicide attacks. They mainly targeted Iraq security forces, Shiite militaries and the US troops. The group was responsible for the killing of 35 children and seven adults in Baghdad in September 2004. The bombs were directed at the US forces. In the same year on December 19, they had bombed a Shiite funeral procession killing about 60. Their attacks were aimed at Iraq security forces, civilians and the Iraq government.In 2005 they carried out and co-coordinated suicide attacks including the Sheraton Ishtar and Palestine hotel in Baghdad during the Iraq elections. (Napoleni L. 2005) They claimed responsibility of killing of Ihab Al-Sherif an Egyptian envoy to Iraq; they also killed many unemployed Shiite workers in Baghdad. They had abducted and executed American soldiers. In 2006, many of the top leadership were captured and killed by US army. They had carried on with their attack such as the 23rd March 2007, assassination attempts of the Iraq deputy Prime Minister Salam al-za ubai a Sunni.They had claimed responsibility of the Iraq parliament bombing in April 12 2007. The execution of the three US force soldiers in May the same year. Activities of Al –qaeda in Iraq, have received negative publicity due to attacks and intimidation against the civilian’s making it lack local support. The Sunni militias had abandoned them and joined the government and US forces. Many of their leaders have been captured and killed making their activities crippled. The Al-qaeda had been involved in other operations outside Iraq; in April 2004 they claimed responsibility of the chemical bomb plot in Jordan.They had also targeted Israel in December 2005 by firing rockets from Lebanon. They are also implicated with 2006 train bombing plot in Germany. What were the goals of the operations? Al-qaeda in Iraq had an aim of expelling all the U. S soldiers and their allied forces. In July2005, top Al-qaeda leadership had urged that the entire US soldier to withdraw from Iraq. They had threatened to carry military operations and executions; they perceive the US as the enemy who must leave the Islamic state. The group also had an aim in the governance of Iraq.The Al –qaeda in Iraq had wanted to form a political group that would be the legitimate political organization in Iraq. They had wanted to fight and overthrow the existing government. Al-qaeda aims to control key areas in the economic, political and religious sector in Baghdad. They want to portray that the Iraq government has failed to expel the US army, by discrediting the government they aims at removing people support. It aimed at initiating conflict between the Shia and Sunni Muslims. This would force the USA to take a neutral stand and depart from Iraq.This would enable them to establish their rule in Iraq. Al-qaida in Iraq wanted to spread propaganda through the media that, the coalition forces and the government of Iraq were attacking the Sunni Islam. They wanted the Sunnis to joi n their side, portraying themselves to defend rights of those who are oppressed. This would give them a positive image to the Sunni Islamic group. Part of their aim was to spread propaganda that the Iraq social-economic problems were the government responsibility. They regarded themselves as an organization that can free Iraq’s from their problems.(Hoofman B. 2004). It was also believed that operations of Al-qaeda in Iraq involved bringing foreign fighters and terrorist in order to kill innocent civilians to encourage hatred between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir an Al-qaeda leader in Iraq through his message said that they aimed at creating an Islamic state in Iraq. They were willing to die for God’s sake â€Å"there is no rule but that of Allah†. The attacking and killing of the Sunni by al-qaeda in Iraq was aimed to compel them to join their group and withdraw the support of the US forces.â€Å"Dedicate yourself to fighting the true enemy in or der to avoid opening up new fronts against the Sunni Arabs† (Abu Hamza al Muhajer), they attempted to portray the US as a common enemy. What were the ideologies of this group? Al-qaeda in Iraq was organized and carried its operation on basis of different ideologies. They had issued a manifesto calling for violence and destruction of American empire. They had vowed to continue with the insurgency and destroy America. Their ideologies were religiously based â€Å"we vow by the name of God and we are determined to destroy the American empire†.They believed that attacking the United States was a call from God. They believed that that who dies in their mission becomes a saint. Their leader Abu Musab al- zarqawi had justified their violent means through audio messages. Al-qaeda called for all Muslims to start attacking their enemies in Iraq and their associates. They believed that through Islam their faith, no harm would be inflicted on true Muslims. Shedding blood of a true Muslim would lead to destruction of the whole world. The attack against Americans and aides in Iraq was an order from God. It was a holy war or jihad to bring justice and glory in the world.They calls for those betraying them to repent, by collaborating with their enemy all they deserve is to have their neck cut. Al-qaeda through their documents, vows that insurgency will not end soon, they believe that Islam is the only true religion in the world. It is their duty to have Allah worshiped. The Al-qaeda beliefs that the US government wants to seek control of the region through the assistance of the Iraq government. It argues that those who oppose and fight the group are enemies of Islam. Their ideologies hold that the American government wanted to control the region to access oil wells.Osama bin laden through a video tape on December 29 2007, said that the Iraq government had â€Å"agreed to having large American bases on Iraq land and giving the Americans all the Iraq oil they may wish† Muslims perceive the war in Iraq widely as a war on Islam giving strength to al-qaeda’s ideology, Islamic sympathizers of the group are now trying to support the idea of universal holy war on western world and their allies. Al-qaeda sympathizers are justifying the acts of terrorism by using propaganda about the Iraq war. This is evidence in Madrid bombing in 2004 and London attacks in transport network to oppose the invasion of Iraq.Conclusion The Al-qaeda networks’ operating in all over the world seems to be well-organized coordinated and funded group. Al-qaeda in Iraq has escalated more violence in the country. The group has forged alliances with other front in order to work together against their perceived common enemy. According to them the enemy must be defeated by all mean, as it is the will of God. These militia groups have threatened peace in the world. They have claimed responsibility for various attacks in the world; the issue of terrorism in the world needs to look at carefully to avert more acts of death and hatred.The world should not draw too much conclusion about Al-qaeda and war in Iraq. This is to avert from having propaganda war, whose truth cannot be determined thus sparking more conflict. (US state report on terrorism) Work cited Biri Abdel, The secret History of Al-Qaeda, 1998. Bruce Hoffman, Insurgency and Countersurgency in Iraq, 2004. Hajez Mohammed; Suicide Bombers In Iraq: The strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom, 2007. Napoleni Lorreta; Insurgent Iraq: The Al-zarqawi and The New Generation, 2005. The United State Department Country Report on Terrorism, 2005.

Shadow Kiss Chapter 1

One HIS FINGERTIPS SLID ALONG my back, applying hardly any pressure, yet sending shock waves over my flesh. Slowly, slowly, his hands moved across my skin, down the sides of my stomach to finally rest in the curves of my hips. Just below my ear, I felt his lips press against my neck, followed by another kiss just below it, then another, then another. †¦ His lips moved from my neck toward my cheek and then finally found my mouth. We kissed, wrapping ourselves closer together. My blood burned within me, and I felt more alive in that moment than I ever had. I loved him, loved Christian so much that – Christian? Oh no. Some coherent part of me immediately realized what was happening – and boy, was it pissed off. The rest of me, however, was still actually living in this encounter, experiencing it as though I was the one being touched and kissed. That part of me couldn't break away. I'd merged too much with Lissa, and for all intents and purposes, this was happening to me. No, I told myself sternly. It's not real – not for you. Get out of there. But how could I listen to logic when every nerve of my body was being set on fire? You aren't her. This isn't your head. Get out. His lips. There was nothing in the world right now except his lips. It's not him. Get out. The kisses were the same, exactly as I remembered with him. †¦ No, it's not Dimitri. Get out! Dimitri's name was like cold water hitting me in the face. I got out. I sat upright in my bed, suddenly feeling smothered. I tried kicking off the covers but mostly ended up entangling my legs even more. My heart beat hard in my chest, and I tried to take deep breaths to steady myself and return to my own reality. Times sure had changed. A long time ago, Lissa's nightmares used to wake me from sleep. Now her sex life did. To say the two were a little different would be an understatement. I'd actually gotten the hang of blocking out her romantic interludes – at least when I was awake. This time, Lissa and Christian had (unintentionally) outsmarted me. In sleep, my defenses were down, allowing strong emotions to pass through the psychic link that connected me to my best friend. This wouldn't have been a problem if the two of them had been in bed like normal people – and by â€Å"being in bed,† I mean â€Å"asleep.† â€Å"God,† I muttered, sitting up and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My voice was muffled in a yawn. Couldn't Lissa and Christian have seriously kept their hands off each other until waking hours? Worse than being woken up, though, was the way I still felt. Sure, none of that making out had actually happened to me. It hadn't been my skin being touched or my lips being kissed. Yet my body seemed to feel the loss of it nonetheless. It had been a very long time since I'd been in that kind of situation. I ached and felt warm all over. It was idiotic, but suddenly, desperately, I wanted someone to touch me – even just to hold me. But definitely not Christian. The memory of those lips on mine flashed back through my mind, how they'd felt, and how my sleepy self had been so certain it was Dimitri kissing me. I stood up on shaky legs, feeling restless and †¦ well, sad. Sad and empty. Needing to walk off my weird mood, I put on a robe and slippers and left my room for the bathroom down the hall. I splashed cool water on my face and stared in the mirror. The reflection looking back at me had tangled hair and bloodshot eyes. I looked sleep-deprived, but I didn't want to go back to bed. I didn't want to risk falling asleep quite yet. I needed something to wake me up and shake away what I'd seen. I left the bathroom and turned toward the stairwell, my feet light on the steps as I went downstairs. The first floor of my dorm was still and quiet. It was almost noon – the middle of the night for vampires, since they ran on a nocturnal schedule. Lurking near the edge of a doorway, I scanned the lobby. It was empty, save for the yawning Moroi man sitting at the front desk. He leafed halfheartedly through a magazine, held to consciousness only by the finest of threads. He came to the magazine's end and yawned again. Turning in his revolving chair, he tossed the magazine on a table behind him and reached for what must have been something else to read. While his back was turned, I darted past him toward the set of double doors that opened outside. Praying the doors wouldn't squeak, I carefully opened one a crack, just enough to slip through. Once outside, I eased the door shut as gently as possible. No noise. At most, the guy would feel a draft. Feeling like a ninja, I stepped out into the light of day. Cold wind blasted me in the face, but it was exactly what I needed. Leafless tree branches swayed in that wind, clawing at the sides of the stone dorm like fingernails. The sun peeped at me from between lead-colored clouds, further reminding me that I should be in bed and asleep. Squinting at the light, I tugged my robe tighter and walked around the side of the building, toward a spot between it and the gym that wasn't quite so exposed to the elements. The slush on the sidewalk soaked into the cloth of my slippers, but I didn't care. Yeah, it was a typically miserable winter day in Montana, but that was the point. The crisp air did a lot to wake me up and chase off the remnants of the virtual love scene. Plus, it kept me firmly in my own head. Focusing on the cold in my body was better than remembering what it had felt like to have Christian's hands on me. Standing there, staring off at a cluster of trees without really seeing them, I was surprised to feel a spark of anger at Lissa and Christian. It must be nice, I thought bitterly, to do whatever the hell you wanted. Lissa had often commented that she wished she could feel my mind and experiences the way I could feel hers. The truth was, she had no idea how lucky she was. She had no idea what it was like to have someone else's thoughts intruding on yours, someone else's experiences muddling yours. She didn't know what it was like to live with someone else's perfect love life when your own was nonexistent. She didn't understand what it was like to be filled with a love so strong that it made your chest ache – a love you could only feel and not express. Keeping love buried was a lot like keeping anger pent up, I'd learned. It just ate you up inside until you wanted to scream or kick something. No, Lissa didn't understand any of that. She didn't have to. She could carry on with her own romantic affairs, with no regard for what she was doing to me. I noticed then that I was breathing heavily again, this time with rage. The icky feeling I'd felt over Lissa and Christian's late-night hookup was gone. It had been replaced by anger and jealousy, feelings born of what I couldn't have and what came so easily to her. I tried my best to swallow those emotions back; I didn't want to feel that way toward my best friend. â€Å"Are you sleepwalking?† a voice asked behind me. I spun around, startled. Dimitri stood there watching me, looking both amused and curious. It would figure that while I was raging over the problems in my unfair love life, the source of those problems would be the one to find me. I hadn't heard him approach at all. So much for my ninja skills. And honestly, would it have killed me to pick up a brush before I went outside? Hastily, I ran a hand through my long hair, knowing it was a little too late. It probably looked like an animal had died on top of my head. â€Å"I was testing dorm security,† I said. â€Å"It sucks.† A hint of a smile played over his lips. The cold was really starting to seep into me now, and I couldn't help but notice how warm his long leather coat looked. I wouldn't have minded wrapping up in it. As though reading my mind, he said, â€Å"You must be freezing. Do you want my coat?† I shook my head, deciding not to mention that I couldn't feel my feet. â€Å"I'm fine. What are you doing out here? Are you testing security too?† â€Å"I am security. This is my watch.† Shifts of school guardians always patrolled the grounds while everyone else slept. Strigoi, the undead vampires who stalked living Moroi vampires like Lissa, didn't come out in sunlight, but students breaking rules – say, like, sneaking out of their dorms – were a problem night and day. â€Å"Well, good work,† I said. â€Å"I'm glad I was able to help test your awesome skills. I should be going now.† â€Å"Rose – † Dimitri's hand caught my arm, and despite all the wind and chill and slush, a flash of heat shot through me. He released me with a start, as though he too had been burned. â€Å"What are you really doing out here?† He was using the stop fooling around voice, so I gave him as truthful an answer as I could. â€Å"I had a bad dream. I wanted some air.† â€Å"And so you just rushed out. Breaking the rules didn't even cross your mind – and neither did putting on a coat.† â€Å"Yeah,† I said. â€Å"That pretty much sums it up.† â€Å"Rose, Rose.† This time it was his exasperated voice. â€Å"You never change. Always jumping in without thinking.† â€Å"That's not true,† I protested. â€Å"I've changed a lot.† The amusement on his face suddenly faded, his expression growing troubled. He studied me for several moments. Sometimes I felt as though those eyes could see right into my soul. â€Å"You're right. You have changed.† He didn't seem very happy about the admission. He was probably thinking about what had happened almost three weeks ago, when some friends and I had gotten ourselves captured by Strigoi. It was only through sheer luck that we'd managed to escape – and not all of us had gotten out. Mason, a good friend and a guy who'd been crazy about me, had been killed, and part of me would never forgive myself for it, even though I'd killed his murderers. It had given me a darker outlook on life. Well, it had given everyone here at St. Vladimir's Academy a darker outlook, but me especially. Others had begun to notice the difference in me. I didn't like to see Dimitri concerned, though, so I played off his observation with a joke. â€Å"Well, don't worry. My birthday's coming up. As soon as I'm eighteen, I'll be an adult, right? I'm sure I'll wake up that morning and be all mature and stuff.† As I'd hoped, his frown softened into a small smile. â€Å"Yes, I'm sure. What is it, about a month?† â€Å"Thirty-one days,† I announced primly. â€Å"Not that you're counting.† I shrugged, and he laughed. â€Å"I suppose you've made a birthday list too. Ten pages? Single-spaced? Ranked by order of priority?† The smile was still on his face. It was one of the relaxed, genuinely amused ones that were so rare to him. I started to make another joke, but the image of Lissa and Christian flared into my mind again. That sad and empty feeling in my stomach returned. Anything I might have wanted – new clothes, an iPod, whatever – suddenly seemed trivial. What did material things like that mean compared to the one thing I wanted most of all? God, I really had changed. â€Å"No,† I said in a small voice. â€Å"No list.† He tilted his head to better look at me, making some of his shoulder-length hair blow into his face. His hair was brown, like mine, but not nearly as dark. Mine looked black at times. He brushed the unruly strands aside, only to have them immediately blow back into his face. â€Å"I can't believe you don't want anything. It's going to be a boring birthday.† Freedom, I thought. That was the only gift I longed for. Freedom to make my own choices. Freedom to love who I wanted. â€Å"It doesn't matter,† I said instead. â€Å"What do you – † He stopped. He understood. He always did. It was part of why we connected like we did, in spite of the seven-year gap in our ages. We'd fallen for each other last fall when he'd been my combat instructor. As things heated up between us, we'd found we had more things to worry about than just age. We were both going to be protecting Lissa when she graduated, and we couldn't let our feelings for each other distract us when she was our priority. Of course, that was easier said than done because I didn't think our feelings for each other were ever really going to go away. We'd both had moments of weakness, moments that led to stolen kisses or saying things we really shouldn't have. After I'd escaped the Strigoi, Dimitri had told me he loved me and had pretty much admitted he could never be with anyone else because of that. Yet, it had also become clear that we still couldn't be together either, and we had both slipped back into our old roles of keeping away from each other and pretending that our relationship was strictly professional. In a not-so-obvious attempt to change the subject, he said, â€Å"You can deny it all you want, but I know you're freezing. Let's go inside. I'll take you in through the back.† I couldn't help feeling a little surprised. Dimitri was rarely one to avoid uncomfortable subjects. In fact, he was notorious for pushing me into conversations about topics I didn't want to deal with. But talking about our dysfunctional, star-crossed relationship? That was a place he apparently didn't want to go today. Yeah. Things were definitely changing. â€Å"I think you're the one who's cold,† I teased, as we walked around the side of the dorm where novice guardians lived. â€Å"Shouldn't you be all tough and stuff, since you're from Siberia?† â€Å"I don't think Siberia's exactly what you imagine.† â€Å"I imagine it as an arctic wasteland,† I said truthfully. â€Å"Then it's definitely not what you imagine.† â€Å"Do you miss it?† I asked, glancing back to where he walked behind me. It was something I'd never considered before. In my mind, everyone would want to live in the U.S. Or, well, they at least wouldn't want to live in Siberia. â€Å"All the time,† he said, his voice a little wistful. â€Å"Sometimes I wish – â€Å" â€Å"Belikov!† A voice was carried on the wind from behind us. Dimitri muttered something, and then shoved me further around the corner I'd just rounded. â€Å"Stay out of sight.† I ducked down behind a bank of holly trees that flanked the building. They didn't have any berries, but the thick clusters of sharp, pointed leaves scratched where my skin was exposed. Considering the freezing temperature and possible discovery of my late-night walk, a few scratches were the least of my problems right now. â€Å"You're not on watch,† I heard Dimitri say several moments later. â€Å"No, but I needed to talk to you.† I recognized the voice. It belonged to Alberta, captain of the Academy's guardians. â€Å"It'll just take a minute. We need to shuffle some of the watches while you're at the trial.† â€Å"I figured,† he said. There was a funny, almost uncomfortable note in his voice. â€Å"It's going to put a strain on everyone else – bad timing.† â€Å"Yes, well, the queen runs on her own schedule.† Alberta sounded frustrated, and I tried to figure out what was going on. â€Å"Celeste will take your watches, and she and Emil will divide up your training times.† Training times? Dimitri wouldn't be conducting any trainings next week because – Ah. That was it, I realized. The field experience. Tomorrow kicked off six weeks of hands-on practice for us novices. We'd have no classes and would get to protect Moroi night and day while the adults tested us. The â€Å"training times† must be when Dimitri would be out participating in that. But what was this trial she'd mentioned? Did they mean like the final trials we had to undergo at the end of the school year? â€Å"They say they don't mind the extra work,† continued Alberta, â€Å"but I was wondering if you could even things out and take some of their shifts before you leave?† â€Å"Absolutely,† he said, words still short and stiff. â€Å"Thanks. I think that'll help.† She sighed. â€Å"I wish I knew how long this trial was going to be. I don't want to be away that long. You'd think it'd be a done deal with Dashkov, but now I hear the queen's getting cold feet about imprisoning a major royal.† I stiffened. The chill running through me now had nothing to do with the winter day. Dashkov? â€Å"I'm sure they'll do the right thing,† said Dimitri. I realized at that moment why he wasn't saying much. This wasn't something I was supposed to hear. â€Å"I hope so. And I hope it'll only take a few days, like they claim. Look, it's miserable out here. Would you mind coming into the office for a second to look at the schedule?† â€Å"Sure,† he said. â€Å"Let me check on something first.† â€Å"All right. See you soon.† Silence fell, and I had to assume Alberta was walking away. Sure enough, Dimitri rounded the corner and stood in front of the holly. I shot up from my hiding spot. The look on his face told me he already knew what was coming. â€Å"Rose – â€Å" â€Å"Dashkov?† I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice low so Alberta wouldn't hear. â€Å"As in Victor Dashkov?† He didn't bother denying it. â€Å"Yes. Victor Dashkov.† â€Å"And you guys were talking about†¦Do you mean†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I was so startled, so dumbstruck, that I could barely get my thoughts together. This was unbelievable. â€Å"I thought he was locked up! Are you saying he hasn't been on trial yet?† Yes. This was definitely unbelievable. Victor Dashkov. The guy who'd stalked Lissa and tortured her mind and body in order to control her powers. Every Moroi could use magic in one of the four elements: earth, air, water, or fire. Lissa, however, worked an almost unheard of fifth element called spirit. She could heal anything – including the dead. It was the reason I was now psychically linked to her – â€Å"shadow-kissed,† some called it. She'd brought me back from the car accident that had killed her parents and brother, binding us together in a way that allowed me to feel her thoughts and experiences. Victor had learned long before any of us that she could heal, and he'd wanted to lock her away and use her as his own personal Fountain of Youth. He also hadn't hesitated to kill anyone who got in his way – or, in the case of Dimitri and me, use more creative ways to stop his opponents. I'd made a lot of enemies in seventeen years, but I was pretty sure there was no one I hated as much as Victor Dashkov – at least among the living. Dimitri had a look on his face I knew well. It was the one he got when he thought I might punch someone. â€Å"He's been locked up – but no, no trial yet. Legal proceedings sometimes take a long time.† â€Å"But there's going to be a trial now? And you're going?† I spoke through clenched teeth, trying to be calm. I suspected I still had the I'm going to punch someone look on my face. â€Å"Next week. They need me and some of the other guardians to testify about what happened to you and Lissa that night.† His expression changed at the mention of what had occurred four months ago, and again, I recognized the look. It was the fierce, protective one he got when those he cared about were in danger. â€Å"Call me crazy for asking this, but, um, are Lissa and I going with you?† I had already guessed the answer, and I didn't like it. â€Å"No.† â€Å"No?† â€Å"No.† I put my hands on my hips. â€Å"Look, doesn't it seem reasonable that if you're going to talk about what happened to us, then you should have us there?† Dimitri, fully in strict-instructor mode now, shook his head. â€Å"The queen and some of the other guardians thought it'd be best if you didn't go. There's enough evidence between the rest of us, and besides, criminal or not, he is – or was – one of the most powerful royals in the world. Those who know about this trial want to keep it quiet.† â€Å"So, what, you thought if you brought us, we'd tell everyone?† I exclaimed. â€Å"Come on, comrade. You really think we'd do that? The only thing we want is to see Victor locked up. Forever. Maybe longer. And if there's a chance he might walk free, you have to let us go.† After Victor had been caught, he'd been taken to prison, and I'd thought that was where the story had ended. I'd figured they'd locked him up to rot. It had never occurred to me – though it should have – that he'd need a trial first. At the time, his crimes had seemed so obvious. But, although the Moroi government was secret and separate from the human one, it operated in a lot of the same ways. Due process and all that. â€Å"It's not my decision to make,† Dimitri said. â€Å"But you have influence. You could speak up for us, especially if†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Some of my anger dimmed just a little, replaced by a sudden and startling fear. I almost couldn't say the next words. â€Å"Especially if there really is a chance he might get off. Is there? Is there really a chance the queen could let him go?† â€Å"I don't know. There's no telling what she or some of the other high-up royals will do sometimes.† He suddenly looked tired. He reached into his pocket and tossed over a set of keys. â€Å"Look, I know you're upset, but we can't talk about it now. I have to go meet Alberta, and you need to get inside. The square key will let you in the far side door. You know the one.† I did. â€Å"Yeah. Thanks.† I was sulking and hated to be that way – especially since he was saving me from getting in trouble – but I couldn't help it. Victor Dashkov was a criminal – a villain, even. He was power-hungry and greedy and didn't care who he stepped on to get his way. If he were loose again†¦well, there was no telling what might happen to Lissa or any other Moroi. It enraged me to think that I could do something to help put him away but that no one would let me do it. I'd taken a few steps forward when Dimitri called out from behind me. â€Å"Rose?† I glanced back. â€Å"I'm sorry,† he said. He paused, and his expression of regret turned wary. â€Å"And you'd better bring the keys back tomorrow.† I turned away and kept going. It was probably unfair, but some childish part of me believed Dimitri could do anything. If he'd really wanted to get Lissa and me to the trial, I was certain he could have. When I was almost to the side door, I caught movement in my peripheral vision. My mood plummeted. Great. Dimitri had given me keys to sneak back in, and now someone else had busted me. That was typical of my luck. Half-expecting a teacher to demand to know what I was doing, I turned and prepared an excuse. But it wasn't a teacher. â€Å"No,† I said softly. This had to be a trick. â€Å"No.† For half an instant, I wondered if I'd ever really woken up. Maybe I was actually still in bed, asleep and dreaming. Because surely, surely that was the only explanation for what I was now seeing in front of me on the Academy's lawn, lurking in the shadow of an ancient, gnarled oak. It was Mason.

Design And Construction Fundamentals Of Earth Engineering Essay

Abstraction: This paper focuses on Earth dikes, one of the oldest dike in the universe. Forming service reservoir for domestic H2O supply and irrigation intent, Earth dams comprise the most legion category. The design and building of Earth dikes is complex because of the nature of the changing foundation conditions and the different belongingss of the stuffs available for the building of the embankment. Careful choice of site and types of stuffs used in the building every bit good as a site probe are critical. Last but non least, an apprehension of the possible failure of Earth dikes is of import in the design and building procedure of the Earth dikes.1. IntroductionEarth dikes, besides called Earthen or Earth-filled dikes are by and large built in or near drainage line which has assortment of intents including domestic H2O supplies, agricultural irrigation, H2O for landscape betterment and others. One advantage of the Earth dike is that it can accommodate to a weak foundation provid ed proper consideration is given to the foundation and design of the Earth dikes. However, failure of any of import portion of the Earth dikes such as ooze, structural and foundation will take to the prostration of the whole dike.Types of Earth DamsConstructed as a simple homogeneous embankment of good compacted Earth, Earth dikes are classified as Homogenous Earth Dams, Zoned Earth Dams and Diaphragm Dams. A brief treatment of the types of dike is as follow: Homogeneous Earth Dam is a sort of common Earth dikes which consist of two chief constituents ; the imperviable to semi-pervious construction and the toe filter and the drain. The intent of the filter and the drain is to supply a done manner for ooze to go out the dike construction without doing eroding. This type of dike is normally built on an imperviable foundation such as solid stone or clay. The following type of Earth dike is Diaphragm Dam. A stop dike, can be used when there is no imperviable bed below the dike and alteration of the dike can be made to accommodate at an imperviable bed. Besides, this type of dike is limited to a tallness of 8.0m in order to maintain ooze forces at a safe degree. Last type of Earth Dam is Zoned Dam. A Zoned Dam is known to be the most efficient usage of dirt as each stuff is used to its greatest potency. The incline protection protects the shoulder from eroding and beckon action, the nucleus retains the H2O and the shoulders stabilize the nucleus. Last, Figure 1 shows the 3 types of Earth dikes. Figure 1. Cross subdivision of Homogenous Earth dike, Zoned Earth Dam and Diaphragm Dams ( Stone, 2003 ) .2. Design OF EARTH DAMEarth dike is built for the intent of hive awaying H2O and is made of compacted Earth. It is normally more convenient when concrete is expensive and timber beginning is scarce.2.1 FoundationA site probe should be conducted anterior to building so as to look into the nature of the foundation. By cognizing the existent foundation status at site, the Earth dike can so be designed harmonizing to it. A dike foundation is said to be equal if it is capable of supplying a stable support for the embankment under all status of impregnation and burden and that it supply adequate opposition to seepage to avoid inordinate loss of H2O ( Bureau of Reclamation 1987 ) . Harmonizing to Bureau of Reclamation ( 1987 ) , dam foundation can be by and large classified into three types viz. foundation of stone, foundation of farinaceous stuff and foundation of powdered stuff. These foundations may necessitate to be treated to stabilise any failing every bit good as to cut down ooze. For case, farinaceous, pervious foundations present no troubles in the affair of colony or stableness whereas a powdered, weak foundation is capable to colony or supplanting normally present no job in ooze. Rock foundation on the other manus must be checked for erosive escape and inordinate uplift force per unit area. If such conditions exist, grouting to the foundation must be considered.2.2 DirtEarth dike is normally built with clay, sand and crushed rock and hence is besides known as Earth make full dike. The type of dirt used in the building of an Earth dike must be suited to let for optimal compression every bit good to cut down ooze. Soil permeableness is one of of import standards to be considered in dam design, seepage-confinement units, drainage and other structural elements ( Goldin, AL & A ; Rasskazov, LN 1992 ) . Higher frictional opposition and greater permeableness in farinaceous dirts is the ground for its greater stableness as compared to cohesive dirts. Greater permeableness permits rapid dissipation of pore H2O force per unit areas ensuing from compressive forces.2.3 EmbankmentIn finding the tallness of the embankment, it is necessary to apportion for a colony between 5 to 10 per centum. This is to forestall its tallness from going lower than the wasteweir tallness ( Figure 2 ) since colony is ineluctable despite holding a good compression due to the fact that air and H2O are being forced out of the nothingnesss by the weight of the dike, therefore doing consolidation ( Shaw, R & A ; Smout, I 2009 ) . During compression, equal attempt should be applied throughout the dike to forestall differential colony. The minimal compression attempt should non be less than 95 % of the Standard Maximum Dry Density ( Department of Primary Industries and Water 2008 ) . The stableness of the embankment depends mostly on its ability to defy shear emphasis which comes from internally applied tonss such as the weight of the dirt and the embankment inclines, and externally applied tonss such as reservoir and Earthquake tonss. As mentioned earlier, steeper inclines can be adopted for farinaceous dirts since they are more stable. In contrast, a gentler incline needs to be applied for homogeneous stuff with low permeableness. Figure 2. Cross subdivision of an Earth dike2.4 SpillwaySpillway plays an of import function in Earth dike since it allows inordinate H2O to flux without dominating the dike wall. There are two types of wasteweir viz. the cut wasteweir ( Figure 3 ) and natural wasteweir. Figure 3. The place of a cut wasteweir In order to cut down H2O speed and later minimise eroding, a soft incline for wasteweir must be provided. However, for steep incline, loose rocks or geotextile can be provided to cut down eroding. Apart from that, equal capacity for the wasteweir must be provided to forestall dominating and to enable the wasteweir to efficaciously manage run-off.3. Construction ON EARTH DAMS3.1 DeprivingOrganic dirt and flora must be removed from the country that will be covered by the dam base. The removed organic dirt are stockpiled and used on the downstream incline of the fill.3.2 Key trenchKey trench which is besides known as cutoff trench is excavated below the base of the fill to a lower limit of three pess deep for dike with 10 to 12 pess height. The cardinal trench is included in the dike design to procure the dike to the base stuff and to forestall ooze under the fill.3.3 Diversion tunnelDiversion channels are excavated before the dike can be constructed. This tunnel is frequently lined with concrete. The tunnel is built around the dike building country at one side of the vale. In the drill holes, explosive stuffs are placed and blaring will takes topographic point. The dirt or broke n stone is so removed. The stairss are repeated until the tunnel is completed. Figure 4. Constructing a recreation channel ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hydro.com.au/handson/students/images/damb1.gif ) In Figure 5, after the dike building is completed, the recreation channel is closed o let the lake to get down make fulling. Figure 5. Closing of recreation tunnel ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hydro.com.au/handson/students/images/damb4.gif )3.4 CofferdamIn summer, the building on deviating the river starts when the river degrees are low. At the upstream of the upstream of the chief dike building country, little dike which is besides called as caisson are built. It is built utilizing Earth-moving equipment. The caisson will move as a barrier to the river and the H2O will flux to the recreation tunnels. The 2nd caisson will be built downstream of the chief dike building country. At this country, the caisson will forestall the river flow to flux back into the building country. Figure 6. Cofferdams act as barriers to the river ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hydro.com.au/handson/students/images/damb2.gif )3.5 Foundation GroutingGrouting consists of lines or a line of holes which are drilled into the dike foundation. The two types of foundation grouting are drape and consolidation grouting.3.6 Curtain groutingCurtain grouting consists of a individual row of urarthritis holes which are drilled and grouted in sequence by bagger proving to the base of the permeable stone or to a deepness that acceptable hydraulic gradients are achieved ( Fell et al 2005 ) . Based on Figure 7, primary holes are drilled foremost. The last hole spacing will usually be 1.5m or 4m, but besides may be every bit close as 0.5m ( Fell et al 2005 ) . This attack allows control over the efficiency of the drape grouting. Figure 7. Curtain and consolidation grouting ( Fell et al, 2005 ) Figure 8. Grouting downstage with bagger ( WRC, 1981 )3.7 Fill buildingEarth dike is normally constructed from imperviable stuff which is clay or clay-based stuff. The building stuffs, taken from the environing country have to be placed and compacted horizontally in the fill. Dry dirts are normally added with wet and compression equipment such as a sheepsfoot bagger is used to obtain the proper compression. The building started by make fulling the cutoff trench with well-compacted stuff and six inch beds is added until the maximal tallness is obtained. The top of the dike at the centre of the draw is normally built 10 per cent higher than the design to let colony of the fill. Based on Figure 9, a riparian pipe is placed through the underside of the fill and a frost-free valve is placed on the riparian pipe. This pipe and valve system map is to let H2O to be released downstream to other H2O storage installations during H2O deficits. Figure 9. Elevation position of dike ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/ $ department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4613 )4. POTENTIAL FAILURES OF EARTH DAMSPotential failures of dikes have ever been great importance and much attending has been given to safety rating and research due to their black effects. Harmonizing to Fell, MacGregor, Stapledon and Bell ( 2005 ) , 79 % of Earth dikes with less than 30m high suffer more failures than higher dike. This may reflect better design, monitoring and surveillance of larger dike. Potential failures of Earth dike can be grouped into three classs: Fluid mechanicss failure, ooze failure and structural failures. A detail treatment of the types of possible failure of Earth dike is as follow:4.1 Fluid mechanicss FailureFluid mechanicss failure occurs by the surface eroding of the dike by H2O. Fluid mechanicss failure is due to several grounds. One of fluid mechanicss failure is dominating of dikes. Dominating failure occurs when the d egree of the reservoir exceeds the capacity of the dike. Harmonizing to Fell, MacGregor, Stapledon and Bell ( 2005 ) , over-topping is one of the chief causes of failure in Earth dikes. Overtopping may besides be caused by deficient freeboard provided. Figure 10 shows the overtopping of Earth dike. Following, eroding of upstream face ( Figure 11 ) due to uninterrupted wave action caused eroding of the dike. However, this can be avoided if the surface is protected by rock rip-rap and filter. The following ground is due to eroding of downstream incline by rain H2O. Although the downstream face of the embankment is non affected by reservoir H2O, it may acquire eroded by heavy rain fluxing down the face of the dike, doing the formation of gullies and eventually prostration of the whole dike. An Example of failure of Earth dikes due to dominating is South Fork Dam which is built across Conemaugh River, Pennsylvania. The intent of the dike was to provide H2O to a navigable canal from Johnstown to Pittsburg. The dike was about 2.5m high and during a heavy rainstorm on 30th May 1889, big sum of dust was washed into the reservoir and blocked the wasteweir. Finally the dike was overtopped and failed by eroding let go ofing a inundation moving ridge about 1.2m high. Figure 10. Overtopping of dike ensuing in washout ( Bassell, 1999 ) . Figure 11. Erosion of upstream face by moving ridges interrupting on the surface ( Bassell, 1999 ) .4.2 Seepage failureSeepage failure is besides known as piping failure. Seepage failures are by and large caused by pervious foundation, escape through embankments, conduit escape and shedding. All dikes have seepage as the impounded H2O seeks way of least opposition through the dike construction and its foundation. If the surface ooze intersects the upstream face of the dike, eroding may happen which will take to possible failure of the dike. Typical method used to command the measure of ooze is rock fills installed at the downstream toe or gravel covers to cross the line of ooze before it reaches downstream toe as shown in Figure12. Figure 12. Seepage through a dike or embankment with stone toe or crushed rock cover. ( Stone, 2003 )4.3 Structural FailureStructural failure includes failure of the upstream, downstream inclines of the Earth dike, foundation every bit good as checking distortion and colony ( Figure 13 ) of the dike construction that may take to dominating or seepage failure. Slides in embankment occur when the inclines are excessively steep ( Figure 14 ) for the shear strength of the embankment stuff to defy the emphasiss imposed. Failure of this type normally cause by defective design and building. As for foundation failure, it occurs because of inordinate pore H2O force per unit area which reduces the strength of the dirt which it may non be able to defy the shear emphasiss induced by the embankment. Furthermore, harm caused by tunneling animate beings lead to structural failure. This causes seepage H2O to flux out rapidly, transporting all right stuffs along which accordingly leads to shrieking failure within the construction of the dike and eventually take to a complete prostration of the dike. Figure 13. Excessive colony of dike and foundation ( Bassell, 1999 ) . Figure 14. Downstream face excessively steep unable to be resisted by dirt shear strength ( Bassell, 1999 ) .5. DecisionEarth dike, besides known as Earth filled dike, is built for the intent of hive awaying H2O. It can be classified into three different types which vary in their designs. A site probe must be conducted prior to plan and building to find the appropriate design that suits the foundation of the dike. The type of dirt used in the building of the Earth dike must let for optimal compression. The stableness of the dirt will so act upon the incline design of the embankment. During building, flora and organic dirt will be removed from the dam country. Water will be diverted to let for building. In add-on, grouting is besides done to assist better the foundation. When planing and building an Earth dike, it is besides critical to see possible dike failures so as to take considerations to forestall it.

Autobiography: three of my childhood memories

In this talk I'm going to discuss three of my childhood memories. These things are very special to me and I've treasured them mentally and physically throughout my life. I'd like to start with a book, this book is called ‘Better days'. The moral of this book is to never give up trying in life, it describes a boy's childhood. The boy is called Tom and he was abused by his family, he was brutally beaten and his parents treated him like filth. But one day he thought that life was about happiness and dreams so he decided to stand up to what he believes in. Unfortunately his wicked parents did not agree and he continued getting beaten. This fragile and disturbed boy wanted to be a teacher, he wanted the opportunity to help children with their education and most of all he wanted to teach children that life is like a drop of rain, you can see it for a moment but eventually it goes. Throughout the story it describes Tom's feelings towards others, he was a kind and considerate person, even to his parents but most of all he never stopped believing in hope.  Like read about memories? Read also  Flashbulb memory! This story stays close to my heart because it shows that anyone can be who they want to be, but the only way to live that dream is to stick with it and never give up. This story is also an inspiration in my life and it has taught me to never give up believing. Now I'm going to describe a song which to me feels really emotional, it is by a rapper called 2 Pac and the song is called ‘Changes'. This song is about life and how life itself copes with changes. When I listen to this song it reminds me of September 11th because I think that tragic day changed the world for ever. It involved war on other countries and it has ruined many people's lives. When I compare the song and that day of September 11th I think to myself that the world is very cruel and the people of the world are very cruel to each other. Didn't God say ‘love each other like I have loved you ?'; well to me I think the world has broken that promise. This song will stay with me throughout my life and it reminds me to be kind to others and to settle things with peace and not war. Finally, this brings me to my last memory and that is an object that has been with me all my life. It would have to be my flannel. You are probably thinking ‘why a flannel'. Well it may not be an expensive object but as long as it is yours it's priceless. When I was born I had this flannel by my side in hospital, it was just something to amuse and comfort me but from that day on I couldn't go anywhere with out it. This small flannel reminds me of my whole life and it symbolizes me as an individual.