Yepi game

Video games really are a excellent leisure time exercise, but they can drain your pocket in a flash. Doing exercises some knowledge prior to you making any future personal computer recreation transactions and take notice of the was created on this web page. It will conserve you dollars and permit you to buy a great deal a lot more online games. We regularly see that video games can be addicting. Youthful children spent a good deal of their personal quantity of time In taking part In It on the expense with their raining, discover hrs In addition to family obligations.In addition, taking pleasure In online video clip games constantly can Isolate kids from friendships, shorten their check out and create significant healthcare problems. In case you are the sort of Individual who sacrifice considerable time enjoying online games with no performing anything at all, after that it is really some thing which you need to worry about. A great deal of on the world wide web players do not attenti on significantly about getting on radical modifications inside of their habits. As a result we undoubtedly eve mentioned several negatives of on-line movie video games.In addition, if you presently have a game that you enjoy, you could want to search for its sequels. Popular online games often end up with a number of sequels, which maintain the topic of the sport, whilst including some new potent alternatives and functions to it. Locating free of charge online flash online games on the world wide web is simple, there are some websites that have a assortment of flash games, and the games are classified and structured in accordance to the preferences of the consumers.Hence, the choices of selecting the correct enjoyable filled flash games are maximized for the gamers in this sort of sites and it is Just a matter of clicking the proper sport you want to perform. Hyperemia. Com By Christian deal of their personal quantity of time in taking part in it on the expense with their training, discover hrs in addition to family obligations. In addition, taking pleasure in online video clip games constantly can isolate kids from friendships, shorten their individual who sacrifice considerable time enjoying online games with no performing

Information Technology Essay

James Price is an Information Technology consultant with specific expertise in website design. His consultancy is doing well, but he would really like to gain another client to ensure that he has enough work for the foreseeable future. One Saturday, at his brother Anthony’s 40th birthday celebration, James is approached by Mark Jackson, a store owner, who James has met previously at some of his brother’s other social functions. Mark explains to James that he is looking to revamp his store’s website and that he could use James’ expertise to complete the project. James expresses his interest in assisting and Mark tells James that he will email him on Monday with a proposal. On Monday morning, Mark sends James the following email: Dear James, After thinking further about your potential involvement in the website project for the store, I want to bring you on board as a consultant. The terms of the engagement are that you will provide your web design services exclusively for two weeks, starting on 1st February 2014, working onsite with me and the store manager. In terms of remuneration, you will be paid a flat fee of $35,000 with a parking spot to be provided for the time that you are onsite. It is important that if you want this work, you indicate your acceptance in writing by the end of the day. I look forward to hearing from you. Mark Jackson. An hour after the email is sent, James reads it and is happy with the terms  of the proposal. He goes to draft an email to Mark detailing his acceptance of the terms of the offer, but because of a sudden storm that has hit the area where he lives, James’ email stops working and he is unable to send the message to Mark. James then tries to call Mark to tell him that he wants the work, but Mark doesn’t answer, and James is not given the option to leave a message. As a last resort, James drafts a letter to Mark communicating his acceptance of the offer proposed. He then takes the letter, and a strategic map for the project that he quickly prepared, to the post office and posts them at 4.30pm on Monday afternoon. The letter and the map take a day to be delivered to Mark and he receives them late Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, Mark realises that he has offered to pay James $15,000 more than an award winning web design firm has quoted him for the job, and he doesn’t want to engage James anymore. He sends an email to James saying that because he didn’t receive James’ acceptance by the end of Monday, James has missed out on the work. Mark also states in his email that he never meant for the proposal to be real anyway because he was only trying to help out his friend Anthony by throwing James some work. James is upset upon receiving this email from Mark and calls his lawyer for advice on the situation. Question 1: Using the four step process, discuss the element of agreement required for the formation of a legally binding contract between James and Mark. STEP 1: Identify the principles or issues of law The principles of law here is that in addition to intention and consideration aspects, there should be the existence of a valid agreement between James and Mark which is required for the formation of a legally binding contract to be created. Step 2: Explain the rule(s) of law relevant to the principle/area/issue of law identified in step one with reference to authority. There are three main requirements for the formation of a legally binding contract; intention to create a legal contract, offer and acceptance  (agreement) of the terms of the contract and consideration (reference book P-60).

Job Automation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Job Automation - Essay Example in an article named Automation and the healthcare cost curve dated April 2012 reports how the Dallas-based Parkland Health & Hospital System adopted automation in the pharmacy. The hospital has a robotic pick-and-pull system which can locate, prepare, and package pharmaceuticals for each patient. This helps the hospital reduce the number of staff required to furnish the orders. Another important area is the evidence-based care where automation is visible. An example is the Atrius Health which has nearly 1000 physicians employed at nearly 30 locations. The group was finding it difficult to keep its al physicians well-informed of the new developments in evidence-based medicine treatment protocols. For that purpose, the physicians had to rely on an online service from a clinical decision-support system named UpToDate. However, as it required the use of web browsers, the physicians had to leave the electronic medical record to conduct any search. However, presently, this service is installed as an additional button with the Epic EMR system. That means it is easier and more convenient for the physicians, thus saving a lot of time. At this juncture, it becomes necessary to go back to Parkland Hospital to see how it reduced its financial counselors by 35% through the adoption of automated eligibility rechecks. Earlier, people used to come back again to see a counselor to requalify to receive public assistance for medical care. However, presently, the system has introduced automation in this area, which allows 100% automation in eligibility rechecking. Another area is the labs of hospitals. Admittedly, present day labs are capable of receiving specimens, and centrifuging and loading the specimens onto an analyzer. The automation continues till the result is released. It is accepted by most healthcare experts that such labs are free from issues associated with human errors like mixing up specimens, interchanging results, and misplacing specimens. One cannot ignore the

Personal Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Analysis Paper - Essay Example Until now, we still talk to each other during and after class about school, friends, family, and our plans for college. Analyzing how we converse with each other, I guess it would be one that is characterized by a free flowing and unconstrained type of communication. We talk about anything and everything under the sun, from serious matters to the most absurd ones. However, this does not mean that we always have the same thoughts on everything. Both of us both love to talk about subjects in school, which areas of our lessons we hardly understand and also which parts we show weakness in, the upcoming parties and activities we are going to attend to, and most especially our plans for college that includes the course we are planning to take, the dream school we wish to get in to and etc. However, what differentiates both of us in what we communicate would be that I would not hesitate to talk about sensitive issues such as family and financial problems I am going through. On the other hand, my best friend would prefer to take serious issues she is facing on her own to analyze and contemplate on. Two of the barriers of communication we both have in our relationship would be the fact that I am the talker while she is a good listener and at the same time the frame of reference we have in our conversations. Though I would usually ask questions about her to dig deeper into her life, she would usually answer me with one-liner statements and proceed with the conversation by asking me more about my day or a certain topic we are talking about. Also, I would say that because I share almost everything about my life to her, she would have more frame of reference in giving me advice. In my part, I only have a few frame of reference when it comes to helping her with the more serious issues about her life because she is not the sharing type of person. With these said, the

Examining the Effectiveness of Self Directed Work Teams Assignment

Examining the Effectiveness of Self Directed Work Teams - Assignment Example In our day to day life, we undergo several tasks. We plan our task and try to implement it in an efficient manner. Thus we take several important decisions every day. But, what about our status while at our workplace? Do we have enough freedom to take our own decision there? Such questions have paved way for the development of â€Å"Self-directed work teams†. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we do in a team. Working in a team is basically built in with us. But still, there are certain important strategies which influence the rise or fall of a team.  The team, by itself, is a powerful force. A team behaves in a peculiar manner which moves toward a specific goal. The performance output given by a team is always ahead of that given by an individual. Generally, a team comprises of many people focussing on a specified target. The individuals in a team will be having individual skills. Thus a team is a collection of strengths and a good range of abilities. Because of this reason, i n a team, for every situation, there will be at least a person who can deal with it. Also in team flaws or pitfalls can easily be spotted and corrected. As there are many persons focussing on the same target they will be very cautious about every move and hence the mistake done by an individual will be easily found by another one. (Scholtes et al. 2003, 1) In an efficient team, the ultimate responsibility is rested on everyone’s shoulder. And the team is structured in such a way that whoever having strength in a specified area takes more responsibility in that area. One more interesting fact about a team is â€Å"Motivation†. A powerful motivating force is created amidst a good team. It never let its teammates go down. Also, it makes the team members feel proud to be a part of such a team. (West 2002, 9) Teams, also have another face for it. That is â€Å"Team conflict†. Conflicts are often mistaken within a team which is a bitter fact to be accepted. But confli cts too could turn desirable, provided the team members look into conflict as an outcome of indifference in their thoughts or views.     Ã‚  

Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 3

Strategic management - Essay Example It is ranked among the top 100 ethical and sustainable companies globally (L’Oreal, 2011). The company has about 23 global brands in around 130 companies with 66, 600 employees. The brands annual sales turn up to be more than 50 million Euros. Some of the consumer products of L’Oreal are L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York, soft sheen Carson to name a few. The brand has its presence felt globally and has been well accepted by the people. 2. Company background L’Oreal is the largest cosmetic company across the world and was established in 1909 by Eugene Schueller, who was a French chemist. By the year 2003, the company had entered 130 countries through 290 subsidiaries and agents. The main heart of L’Oreal strategy is the dermatologist and cosmetic department. The L’Oreal group had thus marketed about 500 brands and provides services for all sectors of business such as body care, skin care, fragrances, hair colour and other products. L ’Oreal owns various brands such as Garnier, Armani, Maybelline, and others. According o L’Oreal innovation and diversification were the critical success factors for the brand and invested highly on research and development but recovered the investment made by launching the products globally. L’Oreal markets its product under its name and also other family brand names. L’Oreal strategy was to drop down technology over the time from high end outlets and markets to the mass population. The brand Plenitude was the market leader in France but in US it was not that promising but with its innovation and diversification strategy the company was able to overcome it (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2007, p. 158-159). 3. Competitive advantage Focusing on fundamentals of strategy does not always lead to formulation...Base on the analysis from various tools it can be concluded that L’Oreal in order to remain competitive in the market place has adopted various strate gy and with needs and demands have also altered the strategies from time to time. L’Oreal has primarily adopted the premium price differentiation strategy in order to stay ahead but as stated above the company also make use of the cost leadership strategy. L’Oreal is the most popular and well known cosmetic brad and in order to maintain its position the company invest heavily in its R&D to innovate and create new products to suit the demands and need of its target market. With the female segment the many has also targeted the male segment and as per reports huge opportunity tends to exists as the male have started to take care about grooming themselves.

CONTRACT COST CONSIDERATIONS Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

CONTRACT COST CONSIDERATIONS - Research Paper Example The three are firm-fixed price, cost-plus-fixed fee and cost-plus-incentive fee. Therefore, this paper will look at the advantages and disadvantages of these three contract pricing systems before outlining and discussing them in a specific NAICS case-study. Firms seeking contracts in different spheres of operations as classified by NAICS adopt different contracting or pricing schemes that are in line with their needs and capabilities and also by putting into considerations the needs of clients. In this way, it can be deduced that numerous factors, either in single or in multiple, influence the selection of the appropriate and most efficient pricing mechanisms in contract projects. However, in adopting an appropriate contract mechanism to employ, firms are always advised to take into account the responsibility of certain and specific risks that the projects might have. Three major contract pricing systems are used by contracting firms. The three include fixed price system, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive fee. Therefore, discussion in this research paper will involve looking at the three contract pricing systems in terms of advantages and disadvantages and how they apply to a specific NAICS firm. The first contract pricing mechanism is the firm-fixed-price contract. This type of contract provides a price that in most cases is not subject to any change or adjustment (Stewart, Wyskida and Johannes, 1995). Favor for this type of contract has usually been based on the contractor’s experience in performing the contract. This type of contract provides maximum incentive for the contractor to have control over the costs and also be able to perform effectively. In such arrangement, there is always minimization of administrative burden on both the contracting parties. It has been found firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is most favored by contractors keen on

Training and Development Task 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Training and Development Task 2 - Essay Example The manager gives feedback at every stage of the performance management process. The report focuses on developing an improved performance management process for construction supervisors and laborers of a mid-sized construction company operating in five states in the northeastern United States. This is the planning stage in the performance management process which set the performance standards or expectations for the laborers or supervisors in the construction company in the USA (Rolstadas, 2012). Utilization of resources by the construction supervisors like explaining the project requirements to the workers, locate the work zone, delegate work, plan the workers task and efficiently allocate the resources available. The performance must be measurable and adequate information should be gathered on the output of performance which should be assessed on the basis of cost, time, quality, quantity, nature of performance and the methods used in productivity (De Waal, 2013). Observation should be practiced in the performance evaluation process in a routine manner. It deals with evaluation of employee performance and providing instant behavioral feedbacks to the workers. The supervisors can obtain additional information about the performance of the workers which would be beneficial for performance appraisal. Coaching enable workers to gain important skill based knowledge from their mentors which increases the productivity of the organization. By following the coaches’ guidance, workers can discover skills that they were never aware of. Feedback helps in two way communication between the employee and the supervisor evaluating their performance. It helps in providing guidance which results in increased retention as workers feel motivated and encouraged by the continuous assessment given to them for improvement (Hatry, 2013). Observation

Leadership and management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leadership and management - Term Paper Example This paper will discuss the dynamics of leadership that are required in order to ensure proper development as a nursing professional. The review of literature on the subject will compare nursing to actual practice needs and then further blend these concepts into a self-development program for career and leadership excellence. Expectations of the Role and its Relevance to Leadership Development According to Grossman & Valiga (2009, p.138) nurses must maintain diplomatic skills in order to facilitate better social working conditions and also manage conflicts as they arise. In order to accomplish this successfully, they must be â€Å"emotionally-intelligent thinkers who can be create and open to new possibilities between all group members† (Grossman & Valiga, p.138). The role requires an individual who can maintain their composure under pressure by identifying the emotional needs of others as a means to ensure minimal occurrences of poor peer working conditions. At the same time, nurses maintain a frontline position as both representatives of their employer, but also as an ongoing and constant patient resource for information. Morrison (2007) identifies that because of this frontline position, nurses must maintain a knowledge center to advise patients on their treatment options or current health and emotional needs. Nurses are described as patient advocates (Morrison, p.4) and thus social interaction will occur routinely with many patients of varying demographics and cultures. Blend together the need for diplomacy skills and the ability to function successfully with others of varying values and backgrounds and the first leadership skill requiring development is to improve knowledge in psychology and sociological theory. Even though this is provided at the school, a personal journey into the foundations of human interaction and inter-office communication are necessary to identify which strategies are most effective and which strategies generally lead to barr iers to achieving leadership status. If there is a need to identify with peer and supervisory job roles, with an emphasis on regulating the existence of conflict, digging deeper into primary and secondary literature on the subject comparing career individuals in the workplace with actual study outcomes. Behavioral knowledge development, then, should be a primary goal for success in nursing and being able to take a leadership role to help develop others. Understanding what drives the root of potential conflicts and how to appeal to motivational profiles and individual empathy strategies will require more intensive research so that leadership efforts are effective. How Nurses View Jobs Today There is a stoicism in nursing today, a form of resilience, that relies on structural integrity related to job function efficiency and job role mapping. According to one author in the health care industry, â€Å"Nurses believe it is essential to have smart, portable, point-of-care solutions to ca pture and share data, as well as routine communication† (Murphy, 2010, p.406). Concurrently, nurses also demand new innovations to improve workflow efficiency and end time wasting in the supply chain and care delivery process (Murphy). This shows a regard for authority hierarchy linkages to ensure that there are solutions that provide productivity rather than redundant

Essay on a case relating to complex pregnancy Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

On a case relating to complex pregnancy - Essay Example Perceived psychosocial stress as well as the overall psychological wellbeing of a woman during pregnancy has been attributed to preterm delivery and intrauterine growth retardation (Dolatian, Mirabzadeh, Forouzan, Sajjadi, Majd et al, 2013). Empirical evidence supports the conclusion that preterm delivery is predicated by lack of social support, which increases the risk for psychosocial stress (Ghosh, Wilhelm, Dunkel-schetter, Lombardi, & Ritz, 2010); from the case study, Kylie is described as a 40 year old G6PO with her 6th IVF pregnancy who presents alone to the birth unit of the local tertiary hospital. The fact that Kylie has had 6 IVF pregnancies and presents alone to the local tertiary hospital suggests that she could be living alone, unmarried or unsupported, and without adequate social support from family or friends. Upon further enquiry, Kylie discloses experiencing anxiety and depression related to her recent separation from her husband of ten years; Kylie is referred to th e Obstetric social worker and psychologist for support since it was evident that her depression and anxiety was related to her lack of social support. Research indicates that preterm delivery is common in women of lower social class, unmarried, or unsupported mothers (Mannem, & Chava, 2011); lack of social support greatly predisposes such women to psychosocial stress. The presence of a spouse and social cycles greatly reduce the risk for psychosocial stress for pregnant women because they are able to share their fears and frustrations thereby alleviating the risk of worry and anxiety that may trigger preterm labor and delivery (Mirabzadeh, Dolatian, Forouzan, Sajjadi, Majd et al, 2013). In that respect, the lack of social support that greatly predisposes Kylie to psychosocial stress is highly predictive of preterm labor and delivery that she

Homosocial Communication Practices Essay Example for Free

Homosocial Communication Practices Essay The issue on mixed or single gender school has raised very many arguments; interestingly there is no profound truth that single-sex schools provide quality education compared to mixed school. But mainly the choice of school depends on where the parent fill their child won’t get good education. The school choice can as well be determined by the individual child’s abilities and weaknesses. Being a parent with a school going girl child, and with much interest to sent her to a public school, my choice would be in a K-12 single-sex school for girls. The reasons behind my decision are that single-sex educational setting often controls student’s academic ability. Girls and boys do better in single-sex schools than in mixed-sex schools (Becker, 2001). Single-sex girl’s schools provide them with confidence and achievement; this is evident since they can take non-traditional courses considered for boys especially advanced mathematics and Physics. The girls have freedom of expression in absence of boys who would make jokes upon what the girls say assuming they where in a mixed class thus learning becomes more comfortable (Forgasz Leder, 1995). Better expression gives the girls the much desired inside to conceptualize scientific concepts. There is also a better teacher-student relationship because teaches do not compare between different sexes. The single-sex class setting provides and creates very many opportunities that cannot exist in mixed classes, these opportunities result to better understanding of life concepts Teaches in single-sex schools undergo specialized training on how to interact with the students thus a one-to-one specialized handling of issues which would otherwise not be solved in a mixed gender school, test scores and grades improve significantly (Forgasz, Leder, 1995). The major disadvantage of same sex school for my child is that they lack enough exposure in interacting with opposite sexes; this reduces their level of maturity and even self-discipline. These can result in shy behavior traits since they lack exposure Later in life it becomes a big challenge interacting with men since they lacked the exposure, do not understand their beliefs and way of life from their early ages. Emotional development is as well not fully established in their lives (Haag, 2000). The establishment of single sex schools means that districts must have twice the number of school as opposed to if they had mixed sex schools within the same district. The number of teacher employed is twice even if classes are small and uneconomical teaching. These would result to a nightmare in timetabling, logistical and budget challenges. This could affect the quality of education being offered within the institutions. The required same-sex education skills and extra training provided to the teachers handling these classes may not be provided and the full benefits of the single-sex school may not be accomplished in the long run (Edison Penelope 1982). In conclusion, though same sex school offer children all the opportunities to effectively explore and maximize their potentials in an open and friendly environment, they mainly equip the young ones with one side of what they need in life which is the academics and offer less of other life knowledge skills required later in live. So as parents we must be considerate on our children whole being without laying much emphasis on the academics and ignoring the social part of life. References Edison T. Penelope T. (1982). The independent school experience: aspects of the normative environment of single-sex. Journal of Educational Psychology. Becker, J. R. (2001). Single-gender schooling in the public sector in California: Promise and practice. Forgasz, H. J. , Leder, G. C. (1995). Single-sex mathematics classes: Who benefits? Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. . Haag, P. (2000). K-12 single-sex education: What does the research say? ERIC Digest.

Grecian Couch Essay Example for Free

Grecian Couch Essay The Grecian couch, otherwise known as a Kline in Greece, is a blending of a bed, couch, and sofa. Its functions is not only limited to providing a seat for sleeping and reposing, but also for reclining in when eating food. The long frame of the couch provides just the right length for a petite lady to repose in. Also the top of the frame is usually fixed with interlaced cords and on the interlacing; a mattress is placed on top of it with covers and a single long pillow. The mattress, covers, and pillows are richly embroidered with silk in a light gold color. The form directs the sitter to lie usually in any position leaving the head to rest on the right where the tallest backing is. There is only one armrest on the very left of the couch and a waist length backing to hold the sitter from falling off. While other Grecian Couches were being supplemented by rosewood, it is principally made out of mahogany wood. The legs â€Å"that was similar to those found on a throne chair, namely legs terminating in animals’ feet† (Boger, â€Å"Guide to Furniture Styles† 5), are usually in the form of chimera, lion, eagles, and swans. The carvings are earthy with leaf patterns and extended curved lines following the over arching â€Å"sweeping curves and scrolls† (Boger, â€Å"Guide to Furniture Styles† 5) that resembles the work of Duncan Phyfe in America. They are realistically carved sometimes with â€Å"medley of and human heads, sphinxes with upraised wings, dolphins, swans, ringed lion’s mask, and the lion monopodium (Boger, â€Å"Furniture Past Present† 364). Today, the additions of wheels are sometimes added to the legs of the couch to give it mobility. The John and Hugh Finlay brothers were the designers responsible for creating the couch, and much more famous Grecian furniture. The Finlay brothers first advertised their designs in the Baltimore Federal Gazette of January 25, 1803. It was not until 1810 (Henry Ford Museum) till the Hugh brothers crafted the Grecian chair. The Finlay brothers worked at times together like when designing the Grecian couch and sometimes apart. Together, they provided to the high demands of hand painted high style furniture for people during the Royal empire styles of design. There was a huge improvement in wealth and class during that period which prompts the Finlay brothers to create luxury goods that promoted a neoclassicism American empire taste. It was in Baltimore where the Finlay brothers generated a large quantity of classical period furniture. The furniture they built were â€Å"stylish, decorated furniture for a wealthy clientele† (Fodera, 183) before 1815, till they met Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Latrobe teamed up with the brothers to create â€Å"confident interpretation of the Greco-Roman aesthetic† style, with â€Å"careful attention given to every detail† (Fodera, 184) so that the brothers were able to create furniture for wealthy residences in Philadelphia and many other people in Maryland. The Finlay brothers, with Latrobe partnering up, constructed some pieces of furniture to showcase in the Waln commission where they were able to showcase the â€Å"neoclassical style as well as the concept of a total approach to household decoration in America† (Fodera, 184) that influenced their direction. This led to Latrobe commissioning the Finlay brothers to decorated the drawing room in the White house for the President James and Dolley Madison in 1808, where a â€Å"set of 36 chairs, two sofas, and four settees† (Fodera, 184) were built. Unfortunately, the furniture remains no more after the White House burned in the fire of 1814. The only thing remaining is the drawings the Finlay brothers made with Latrobe’s instructions on it. However, the fame from constructing furniture for the president, their partnership with Latrobe, and the influences of classical Greek and Roman designs with controlled palettes, led the Finlay brothers to travel Europe by 1810. This is where Hugh Finlay discovered the Empire motif and brought it back to America where with John helped develop quickly a â€Å"familiarity and comfort with the neoclassical idiom† that was readily apparent in the field. They became the first firm to readily advertise painted classical furniture with great success. The trip to Europe and back by the Finlay brothers was one of the first Americans who brought the Grecian-Roman revival to the public. After the War of 1812, a sense of renewal of a better time became a distinct interest to designers as well as the public. With the help of the Finlay brothers, â€Å"there was a civility and sophistication in the late neoclassical ideals† (Greene, 122) that mirrored the continued success of the newborn America. Thus from it grew the early empire style furniture in America, which featured elegant and delicate furniture with waterleaf carving being one of the favorite treatments like the Grecian couch. The Grecian style in which the Finlay brothers pulled from was perfected in the 5th century B. C. and it stayed as a furniture with curving lines and elegant simplicity till the emergence of the American empire style that pulled directly from it in the early 1800s. The height to the American Empire style furniture that featured Grecian sofas and couches as their forefront was after the War of 1812 to about 1830, were the â€Å"obsession with the aesthetic styles of the ancient civilizations† (Greene, 124) was at its peak. Some people might get confused between the Egyptian and Grecian couch due to the similarity between the materials and style of carvings with animalistic foots that they both have. This might be due to the fact that Greece and Egypt are so close to each other and culture intermingled during the Roman period. An important distinction, however, when comparing between the Egyptian and Grecian couch is that the Egyptian Couch has no back frame, nor an arm rest. The Grecian couch lacked the separate headrest, which was common in Egypt (Boger â€Å"Guide to Furniture Styles, 5). What makes this couch Grecian is that the backs of all Grecian couches do â€Å"not extend over the entire area of the couch, but leaves a portion of the seat without a back, indicating that the couch was intended to be used for reclining† (Miller), and not only for a place to sit. As seen in Greek and other classical paintings, the chair is used as a place to lay and pose for artist to paint portraits. A famous portrait known as â€Å"Portrait of Madame Recamier† by Jacques Louis David in 1800 illustrates the ideal image of how one would imagine how to sit in such a delicate couch. One could imagine a lady reposing gracefully on the couch with a fan open chatting and flirting with gentleman. The Grecian couch is meant to display beauty and also represent class in order to decorate the room. The second function and more modern coined term for the style like the Grecian couch is the â€Å"fainting couch† better known as a couch in a room that’s used to catch elegant women who often happen to faint, relax, or encounter a dizzy spell. The Grecian couch could have been a couch for women who needed to fall down onto something that would catch them. It was common for people at the time to have a couch like that in there home in order to provide the women with someplace to be distraught so they can relax. Women was in no doubt the primary target for Grecian style designer, it quickly became popular in the early 1800s with both European and American interest in acquiring these couches in order to display not only wealth but the elegance of having a couch that would function as a designated fainting location. It’s quite possible that the blood vassal tightening corsets worn by women at the time could have influenced the effects of having fainting spells. The clothes worn by women and the amount of time spent at home worrying about there husband might have a contribution. Another theory is the need for a couch that could be used to keep women comfortable enough for doctors to treat their female hysteria when anything unfortunate happens. The influences of the Grecian couch or fainting couch would later create a room known as the fainting room where the couch would be the centerpiece with other calming furniture and paintings would surround the room. During the period right after the War in 1812, also known as the American Revolution, resurgence of a want for peace but also the reminder of the past where fear and death was always around, the fainting couch had its role in comforting women. The Grecian couch became a symbol to wealthy women as the couch used for comforting themselves when mentally stressed. The psychological advantage for the Grecian couch is found today as an example in the hit TV Show on AMC called Madmen where Betty Francis purchases a Grecian couch because she is mentally stressed out that she couldn’t be the perfect woman for Don Draper. At the same time she worries that he might be cheating on her. The act of buying a Grecian chair and resting on it could have meant many things, but to Betty it was a way to escape the awkward 60s after World War II. Today, Grecian couches are used to display elegance and grace much like it did in the past, usually as a centerpiece for the room. New designs and more padding must have increase the comfort of the couch, so women today will use it to primarily to sleep, rest and read their books in. The design change keeps the Grecian chair elegant but with added comfort. It acts like a modern half bed for women to be comfortable and pretty in, just as they would look in a painting.

Supply Chain Management in PepsiCo Pakistan

Supply Chain Management in PepsiCo Pakistan Pepsi was founded in 1898 by Caleb Bradham, a new Bern North Carolina, druggist who first formulated Pepsi-Colyeah book followed supply chain k three decisions phir push pull cycle view phr stages phr demand phr drivers phr distribution and recommendations are at the end a. Today Pepsi has expanded at a large scale and has a portfolio of beverage brands that includes carbonated soft drinks, juices and juiced drinks, humara link basically pepsi co sey b nae hai kyunki riaz bottlers are its suppliers aswell as maunfacturesr and they give that via transportations to the retailers( stores hotel etc) then it goes to customers .they have warehouses storage sites production sites.its located in gulbergso riaz bottler are everythihumara link basically pepsi co sey b nae hai kyunki riaz bottlers are its suppliers aswell as maunfacturesr and they give that via transportations to the retailers( stores hotel etc) then it goes to customers .they have warehouses storage sites production sites.its located in gulberg so riaz bottler are everything Ready-to-drink teas and coffees, isotonic drinks, bottled water and enhanced water. PepsiCo has well known beverages such as Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, Tropicana Pure Premium, Aquafina, Tropicana Juice Drinks, Tropicana Twister , MIRINDA and much more. PepsiCola markets Frapoccuino ready-to-drink coffee through a partnership with Starbucks. PEPSI CO PRODUCT: the product we are taking for the project of supply chain management is MIRINDA. RIAZ BOTTLERS: Riaz Bottlers (PVT) Limited (RBL) incorporated in Pakistan as a private limited company in 1976. RBL is the franchise holder of Pepsi Cola International with seven brands. Like PEPSI, PEPSI MAX, 7UP, MIRINDA and MOUNTAIN DEW etc. They have recently launched Aquafina and are in process of moving towards some other products. RBL today is one of the best National Companies in Pakistan. At RBL, they believe that Our existence and success is more than just meeting our business objectives and we are proud of the success that the company has achieved. Together our people provide the skills, knowledge and expertise to deliver the quality of service that our customers expect and upon which our reputation depends. RIAZ BOTTLERS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: RBLs primary functions are to demeanor a methodical manufacturing and supply of the product without any tactical and strategic flaws. Backed by a powerful competitive strategy and empowered by some effective supply chain strategies, the group has been managing an effective supply chain through out the region. It has set up a urbane manufacturing and storage plant in Lahore with production units and huge production capacity. RBL has different management departments dealing with specialized Marketing, HR, IT and Supply Chain Processes. In this report we conducted the process of the basic supply chain management functions of RBL for MIRINDA by Pepsi co. COMPREHENSION OF MIRINDA SUPPLY CHAIN: The goal of every supply chain is to maximize the overall value generated. The value of a supply chain generates is the difference between what the final product is worth to the customer and the costs the supply chain incurs in filling the customers request. (Chopra, Meindl 2006) DECISION PHASES IN SUPPLY CHAIN OF MIRINDA SUPPLY CHAIN DESIGN OF MIRINDA: A proper decision regarding how to structure the supply chain over next upcoming years have been made and the short term aswell as the longterm decisions have been made by the company in regards to location and capacities of production and warehousing facilities, the products to be manufactured or stored at various locations, the modes of transportation to be made, information systems and so on. Their supply chain design is very expensive to alter on short notice and supports the companys strategic objectives. In order to ensure a good supply chain strategy, Riaz Bottlers plans one to two years in advance. It has several contracts with manufacturers, and receives raw material on a convenient basis. The company also decides where production plants are to be placed. RBL has production plants at Lahore. The production process is 80% automated. The company has to provide and manage transport for the delivery of products as well as the arrangement of third party services for the procurement of products. The shipping department handles orders and the transport department decides the vehicles for safe delivery. Material planning and sourcing is carried out as well. Sources of supply of raw material both local and foreign are identified and terms and conditions are negotiated. Capacity planning is also done at this stage. Sales forecasting and production planning depends upon the capacity of the organization with respect to: Production. Storage: Raw and packing. Storage: Finished goods. Riaz bottlers Lahore has a procurement budget of nearly Rs 10 billion. Approved suppliers cannot go beyond this budget. The supplier is audited by the most cost efficient quality control department. Distributors are also decided by the company, keeping in mind past performances. The company has increased its distribution capacity from one to ten filling lines during the last few years lending it a competitive edge over Coca Cola. FIGURE 1 SUPPLY CHAIN PLANNING OF MIRINDA: After RBL set the design of their supply chain they do the planning which increases their surplus in supply chain and thats their goal too. The planning launches and make them set their constraints over some span of time according to the demand of Mirinda. Pepsi co carries out sales forecasting for local demand as well as for export purposes to countries such as Afghanistan etc for Mirinda. The annual sales target is conveyed to the supply chain department of RBL. Planning is carried out on a monthly, weekly and daily basis for order planning allocation , warehousing ,production scheduling inventory planning and optimization. at RBL. images.jpg FIGURE 2 SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATION OF MIRINDA: In RBL , the production , sales and supply chain departments get united to decide the inventory on weekly basis. There is always less uncertainty about the demand . the operation process includes customer orders in the best possible manner. During this RBL , allocate inventory or production to individual orders, set a date (which is always according to the will of customers and they dont get disappointed) that an order is to be filled, generate a proper pick lists at a warehouse in gulberg , allocate to shipping, set delivery and so on. PROCESS VIEWS OF MIRINDA SUPPLY CHAIN The processes in a supply chain are divided into a series of cycles each performed at the interface between two successive stages of a supply chain. CYCLE VIEW OF SUPPLY CHAIN: scm12 FIGURE 3 Supplier / manufacturers: The suppliers to Pepsi Co are franchise operative (RBL) as well as company operative (LAYS chips) system and are located in eight cities of Pakistan. The cities are Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Sukkhar, Gujranwala and Faisalabad. PepsiCo has its Plant , Factory ,Workshop and Warehouse at the same place in Lahore . the Address is : Guru Mangat Road, Gulberg Lahore Distributors: They are located throughout the country; every city has its distributors. The distribution done on direct and indirect ways that would be discussed in the distribution section of the report. Retailers : retailers outlets are all sort of shopkeepers, malls , hotels etc to whom the distributors provide the stock via transportation i.e. trucks etc which carries distribution from point to point in different allocative routes. Customers: Its customers are all sort of target markets from social class A to C and range within all demographical and pyschographical parameters. PUSH AND PULL VIEW OF MIRINDA SUPPLY CHAIN: The push process implementation is commenced in anticipation to a customer order. MIRINDA has a seasonal demand. Just in time concept is pertinent in non-seasonal period and not pertinent in seasonal period. All processes that are part of the procurement cycle, manufacturing cycle, replenishment cycle, and customer order cycle are push processes. MIRINDA Sales order and processing: The Shipping Manager receives sales order from Sales Team, distributors through telephone, fax email one day before dispatch. The sales are made to base distributors on advance payment against orders then shipping manager plans according to the demand of distributors on daily basis. fig1107 FIGURE 4 COMPETITIVE AND SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES: There are three major sustainable advantages that give PepsiCo a competitive edge as they operate in the global marketplace: Big, muscular brands. Proven ability to innovate and create differentiated products. Powerful go-to-market systems. PepsiCos ( Mirinda) overall mission is to increase the value of shareholders investment. They do this through sales growth, cost controls and wise investment of resources. They believe their commercial success depends upon offering quality and value to their consumers and customers; providing products that are safe, wholesome, economically efficient and environmentally sound; and providing a fair return to their investors while adhering to the highest standards of integrity. A customer while purchasing a bottle of Mirinda will consider product quality, price and availability of the product. Thus, Mirinda in Pakistan particularly focuses its competitive strategy as to producing sufficient variety, reasonable prices, and the availability of the product. SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGIES STEP ONE: THE CUSTOMER AND SUPPLY CHAIN UNCERTAINTY. Identifying customer needs : RBL needs to understand the customer needs for each targeted segment and the uncertainty the supply chain faces in satisfying these needs. As RBL deals with beverages, which are a fast moving consumer good, it knows the requirements of consumers. Mirinda is considered as a drink which is refreshing during summer, and taken regularly during winter, with demand hiking around festivals such as Eid and occasions such as weddings. RBL caters to both cities and rural areas. It understands the needs of both. As demand for beverages is seasonal, the quantity of product needed for each lot is taken care of with past demand in mind. Consumers generally require a small response time, high service level, reasonable price and some variety (for example mirinda has apple flavor too now). Demand uncertainty and implied demand uncertainty: Demand for Mirinda varies by product. For example there is a greater demand for Mirinda as compared to Mirinda Apple, which is sort of new. Hence, Mirinda has a low demand uncertainty as compared to Mirinda Apple. The product Mirinda is approaching its maturity stage in the PLC whereas Mirinda Apple is in the introductory stage. Mirindas implied demand uncertainty varies with the product type as well as the customer needs. Due to decreased lead time (the customer may purchase its competitors product if Mirinda is not available at that time such as Fanta, Gourmet cola, Amrat cola ), need for greater variety and higher level of service, implied demand uncertainty increases. This is true for cities where unmet demand by Mirinda is met by Coca Cola Company, Gourmet Cola and other such competitors. Supply uncertainty is also affected by new products. New products have higher supply uncertainty. Uncertainty for the capability of the supply chain: After determining the demand uncertainty it takes a look at the uncertainty resulting from the supply chain. Mirinda is not a new product and its market is going towards maturation. The company does not have many difficulties in delivering a product and has a fixed delivery schedule (on daily basis). Mirinda hence has a predictable supply and somewhat uncertain demand depending on market conditions. STEP TWO: UNDERSTANDING THE SUPPLY CHAIN CAPABILITIES: The efficiency and responsiveness varies according to the consumer needs, implied demand uncertainty, product type and market segments. In remote areas Pepsi Co ( Mirinda) focuses on being somewhat efficient as other modes of transportation could turn the product to be highly expensive. According to the company it does not deal with distributors who do not have 20 to 25 vehicles, therefore as the company has focus on cost reduction, uses slow and inexpensive modes of transportation, the demand is certain, and uses economies of scale in production, the product Mirinda is more inclined towards being somewhat efficient. In cities, the company focuses its attention on being highly responsive as Mirinda has to meet short lead time, meet a high service level, handle a large variety of products and respond to wide ranges of quantity demanded especially at the retail stage. Highly efficient somewhat efficient somewhat responsive highly responsive In towns MIRINDA In cities FIGURE 5 STEP 3: ACHIEVING THE STRATEGIC FIT: The Mirinda supply chain assign different roles to its different stages, the company has to decide either to transfer the responsiveness to the manufacture stage or to the retailer stage as making one stage more responsive allows the other stage to focus on being more efficient. While discussing the Mirindas supply capability it is seen that Mirinda tends to be more responsive in the cities and a bit less in towns. Therefore, transferring the responsiveness to the retailer and distributor, allowing them to face the higher implied demand uncertainty. This in return allows the manufacturer and supplier to be more efficient. At the same time, multiple beverage types contribute to a broader product portfolio causing RBL to adjust its strategies accordingly; tailoring the supply chain to best meet the needs of each beverage demand. SUPPLY CHAIN DRIVERS AND METRICS: Bonding drivers with Product Life Cycle (PLC) Supply chain strategy: Mirinda mainly follows a combined cost effective responsive supply chain strategy in lahore. The intensive supply of the product is being ensured throughout the city market with the help of RBL distributors. Mirinda has been able to reach out to all market segments without any delays because of its business maturity and comparative business strength. It has the normal beverages sales volumes as compared to any other cities . Although there is an overwhelming stability in the product market yet there are some remote areas where there are conditions for a possible stock out due to their remoteness. For addressing this risk Mirinda has financed different whole sellers in those areas to respond immediately. Mirinda in Lahore and in most parts of Pakistan can be rightly placed into the category of an ever growing mature business. Responsiveness: In case of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) that target a huge segment of market, responsiveness is a deciding factor for the organizational success. In a typical Pakistani market, quick response enables supply chains to meet the customer demands for evershorter lead times, and to synchronize the supply to meet the peaks and troughs of demand. Mirindas supply chain has been able to reinforce a greater response to the uncertain and unpredictable market behavior only because it has multisided processing facilities and corresponds to a systematic production network with both dedicated and multi-product facilities. The major focus is to determine the processes that are to be integrated in the supply chain network with their corresponding suppliers, distribution centers and the associated transport links between them. The major considerations in the design are the supply chain responsiveness and profitability. Framework for Structuring Drivers: FIGURE 6 The framework is based on a motive to create strategic fit between the competitive and supply chain strategy. Mirinda Competitive strategy stands to provide a large variety of products very quickly; simultaneously the supply chain strategy stands to materialize the availability of that variety of products. Mirinda mainly follows a responsive supply chain strategy. Alignment of mirindas business strategy to a corresponding supply chain strategy is achieved through proper deployment of supply chain drivers. Mirinda has to deal with different set of market segments simultaneously. Most of the time the approach needs to be responsive enough to grow substantially to be able to compete with uncertain demand, while in many areas demand is certain and very much predictable, so there it incorporates an efficient supply chain strategy. THE FACILITY DRIVER ROLE , LOCATION AND CAPACITY : In RBL the Mirinda is stored, assembled and fabricated at gulberg Lahore..Mirinda has established a flexible and a product-focused production facility in order to respond effectively to the variability in demand.The storage facilities are designed in order to provide maximum possible capacity for the inventory. It has franchising holding bottling operations. OVERALL TRADE OFF ( RESPONSIVE) : In order to ensure the responsive strategy implementation, the role of facilities is of prime importance in the supply chain of RBL The large amount of excess capacity allows the facility to be very flexible and to respond to wide surges in demands placed on it. In alignment with the responsive supply chain strategy the facilities have been geographically located close to the market. FIGURE 7 FIGURE 8 THE INVENTORY DRIVER ROLE , LOCATION AND SEASONAL INVENTORY: RBL has established a comprehensive plan to ensure the sufficient inventory levels to keep up with the market demand effectively. The inventory type is seasonal .For this purpose the main inventory storage has been established within the main plant area maneet road gulberg Lahore inside RBL. It has the storage capacity of 200,000 Sq Ft and the area is being utilized both horizontally and vertically. The shipping department is in charge for storage and subsequent displacement of the product orders. The inventory capacity is being utilized and maintained in coordination with the production department and is based on the term production estimates. OVERALL TRADE OFF (RESPONSIVE): Increasing inventory makes the supply more responsive to the customers. At RBL, managers bear a high inventory cost to ensure maximum levels of inventory and to reduce the production and transportation costs. inventory.jpg FIGURE 9 THE TRANSPORTATION DRIVER DESIGN AND CHOICE OF TRANSPORTATION MODE: PTN is providing transport to PEPSI CO( mirinda) in the form of big large trucks.Faster transportation of the products allows RBL to maintain sufficient levels of stock on the shelves.RBLs transportation network is the collection of routes, modes and locations along which the product can be shipped. With the help of distributors the product is being supplied to the market. There are multiple supply and demand points within the city which cater to the market demand. RBL decides and selects different modes of transportation having different characteristics with respect to the speed and size of shipment. OVERALL TRADE OFF ( RESPONSIVE): The transportation network has been designed with a view to ensure responsiveness and boost the availability of the product. For RBL using fast mode of transport increases responsiveness as well as the transportation cost but lowers the inventory holding cost. Transportation driver has a large impact on the responsiveness of the business. THE INFORMATION DRIVER COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION DECISIONS: Connects all the supply chain stages effectively allowing them to coordinate and maximize total supply chain profitability. It is also crucial to the daily operations of each stage in the supply chain. The unit manager utilizes the production scheduling system that is based on information on demand to create a schedule that allows RBL to produce the right amount of product. The warehouse in charge uses this information to create visibility of the warehouses inventory items. They dont have any enabling technologies such as EDI, ERP and RFID OVERALL TRASE OFF (RESPONSIVE): Information sharing helps these firms improve its responsiveness within the market. It helps to accurately forecast demand and realize frequency of updates, measurements of the effects of seasonal factors influencing the production, measurements of variances from the plan and the ratio of demand variability to order variability. Timely and accurate information enables the distribution managers to fix potential stock out or oversupply problems. FIGURE 10 THE PRICING DRIVER FIXED PRICING VERSUS MENU PRICING: Mirinda keeps its pricing strategy with the comparison of its competitors for example FANTA. And the demand is seasonal so during the season on period the pricing is done on the fixed basis i.e. summers. And during winters which is the off season period the pricing is done on menu basis for example Rs 2 to Rs 5 ruppees off per 1.5 litre bottle etc. THE SOURCING DRIVER: OUTSOURCED, SUPPLIER SELECTION AND PROCUREMENT: Pepsico has outsourced decisions in its supply chain as RBL is an outsourced company for it. They think that it was best to outsource Mirinda and other beverages aswell because the growth in total supply chain is significant with little additional risk. The responsive components are outsourced such as the PTN aswell which provides transportation to Pepsico ( Mirinda). It has number of suppliers within Lahore and all districts of the country. Both procurement in direct aswell as indirect ways are doneand they have a good coordination between its suppliers and buyers. images.jpg FIGURE 11 DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF MIRINDA Direct distribution: Delivery of post mix cylinders handling of key accounts: The key accounts are different wholesalers, restaurants and hotels like Pizza Hut, KFC, Metro which serve as a place for key sale. These are known as national key accounts and are very important in terms of competition. Export Parties. Indirect distribution: Through Base market distributors Through Outstation distributors Before delivering the product some certain guiding principles are followed for the assessment of distributors capability by RBL. Applicant must have 30 to 40 vehicles (depending on the area). Applicant must have 40,000 cases of empty bottles. Applicant must deposit Rs.5, 000,000 as a security. RBL uses light and heavy vehicles for safe delivery of goods to the distributors for timely delivery. It follows the just in time concept which is applicable in Non-seasonal period and not applicable in the seasonal period. REVIEW AND REVISE DISTRIBUTION: This is usually done through taking over key revenue areas. If the distributor does not achieve its sales target, the distribution is taken back and an addition of new distributor is done. Therefore MIRINDAS supply is low supply uncertainty. Some of its supply source capabilities are: Less breakdowns High quality Flexible supply capacity Mature production process FACTORES INFLUENCING DISTRIBUTION NETWORK DESIGN: At the highest level, performance of a distribution network should be evaluated along two dimensions: 1. Customer needs that are met 2. Cost of meeting customer needs While customer service consists of many components we will consider those measures that are influenced by the structure of the distribution network for Mirinda . Response Time: For Mirinda is minimal as the direct customers for it are the retailers and then the consumers. So with over 30 to 40 delivery trucks in Lahore , it is readily available to every retailer within 30 minutes or an hour max . Lahore has 12 warehouses from where the supply to the market is done through trucks provided by PTN. Product Variety: They have made their place in the market with their unique product line ranging from Mirinda to Mirinda Apple with refreshing taste and great quality. Customers Desire: customer desire more for mirinda instead of apple mirinda .Recently, the sales for 250 ml bottles has increased and 1.5 litre bottle decreased but they are trying to increase it as it gives the company higher profits. Availability: The product is always available in stock whenever an order arrives. Whenever the distributors feel that after one loading there could be a stock out they place an order to RBL in advance just to keep the floor with enough stock in hand. The Distributors have 3 days stock as back up with them in order of any malfunctioning of the plant or other such external factors. Customer Experience For Mirinda has always been positive as they receive the product with ease and on time. The retailers are the direct customers as they place an order to the distributors. There has never been a shortage or a delay for mirinda in Metro or Pizza Hut which are the key accounts for the company. Order Visibility They are not really an electronic phenomenon where you can track your order through computer. It is more of person-to-person contact and one can easily track down their orders through the designated staff in each sector of Lahore or for that sake all over Pakistan. Returnability: Pepsi Co ( mirinda) has always been very strong in a sense that unsatisfactory items can be returned and changed on the spot. This is true for both the consumers and the retailers. They have laid down a system through which they can effectively manage this requirement. The retailers are told to take down the comments and the address or phone numbers from the person who is returning the bottle. It seems at first that a customer always wants the highest level of performance along all these dimensions, in practice however this is not always the case. DESIGN OPTION FOR DISTRIBUTION NETWORK:: Distributor Storage with Carrier Delivery: In Pepsi Co ( mirinda) inventory is not held by the manufacturers at the factories but is held by distributors/ retailers in intermediate warehouses and package carriers are used to transport the products from the intermediate location to the final customer. This requires distributor storage to keep high levels of inventory because distributor/retailer aggregates demand uncertainty to a lower level than the manufacturer. Transportation costs for Pepsi are somewhat lower because an economic mode of transportation (e.g. truckload) can be employed for inbound shipments to the warehouse, which is closer to the customer. Facility cost is high because of a loss of aggregation and often end up with higher processing costs. The information structure needed is not that complex. The distribution warehouse serves as a buffer between manufacturer and customer. Real time visibility between customers and warehouse is needed whereas as visibility between customer and manufacturer is not required. Response time is also reduced. Customer convenience is high and order visibility with manufacturer storage becomes easier. Distributor storage is well suited for medium to fast moving goods and it can also handle higher level of variety than retail stores FIGURE 7 VALUE OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: There are basically two components of distribution: Storage Distribution The storage facilities of RBL are designed in order to boost the timely availability of the product. For this purpose the distributors are fully equipped with facilities that are needed to ensure intensive supply of the product. The storage facilities are designed to contain the maximum possible inventory items that are needed at any given time. RBL has established several storage units nearer to the market in order to boost availability. Transportation conducts inventory movement from point to point in supply chain of RBL. It incorporates a combination of modes and routes at different stages. Transportation choices have a large impact on the responsiveness strategy of the business. RBL has several contracts with several distributors with multiple transport facility that ensure the maximum possible transport of inventory within a short period of time. The distribution does not work between specific supply chain components but it performs a basic function of integration amongst all supply chain components. The Pepsi Co distribution system linked the entire supply chain for all product categories. The distribution centers and its information network play a key role in that regard. The major object is to carefully track sales of items and offer short replenishment cycle times. The distributors offer stored deliveries too many retail outlets in the twin cities. Different products are being delivered conveniently on pre-orders. The distribution system is flexible enough to alter delivery schedule depending on customer demand. The Territory Distributor Managers maintain a contact with the retailers in order to book and place the orders. Whenever a store places an order it is immediately transmitted to the supplier through the distribution manager. Now RBL receives orders from all distribution centers and the shipment department delivers the orders. At the distribution centre, products from the manufacturer are delivered into different trucks and each truck makes deliveries to multiple retail stores. The number of stores depends upon the sales volume. The system works on trust and does not require the delivery person to be present when store personnel scan the delivery. This reduces the delivery time at each store. Each truck has a capacity of 1572 cans.The distribution department is in direct contact with the manufacturers and keeps updating inventory levels. They keep in stock spare three days stock to combat external uncertainty. The distribution department is responsible for all the variety of the products in their portfolio. PepsiCos overall distribution network spreads throughout Pakistan connecting the remotest of places and providing great customer service. Globalization has increased the competition that the company for its products like mirinda is constantly coming up with new projects, campaigns and distribution. RECOMMENDATIONS: RBL doesnt have proper enabling technologies such as EDI , ERP , RFID and EDD . they should be having that for the better performance of its supply chain activities. These engagements would

Scout’s Maturity Essay -- English Literature

Scout’s Maturity Maturation is a stage of growth that we as human beings begin at birth. â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† in Harper Lee shows Scouts growth as she experiences and understands the prejudice of Maycomb. In the beginning Scout is a naive little girl but as the story commences she begins to understand what goes on in Maycomb and by the end she may still be young but she has matured. In â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† author suggests the actions we take lead us to become human beings and what we have done and learned from it leads to mature beings. In the beginning, Scout is an outsider, a tomboy who is not accepted by her brother or his friend. She is known as â€Å"the girl† also she announces that she is five years old but she tries her best to fit in and play with he brother and Dill. Scout thinks of herself as an adult in the beginning, like at when at school she thinks of herself and her school mates as little adults, who must take care of the first year teachers, this shows she is still small but is working her way to adulthood. As the first part of the story progresses we learn another quality which makes Scout immature; the fact that she can’t control her anger. For example when Scout beat up her cousin, this shows she needs to accept something’s and let them go because if she keeps getting angry she is going to go on a rampage because in those days bigotry existed and she has to get use to it.. Scout makes very little progress in the first part of â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† but that doesn’t mean she isn’t determined. To fit in and feel as old as achievable is one of her true goals so she does as much as she can do to fit in and act as old as possible. One thing she does that is mature is she tries her b... ...but in the beginning she made childish accusations. As the story progressed she was shown the true colors of people and understands how life is in Maycomb County, Alabama. Near the end she makes better decisions and the ideas that come to her mind make her seem more mature. After Tom Robinson gets shot Scout matures into a woman mentally and the court trial was the route that showed her the people and there prejudice decisions from a girl to a man. In â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† Harper Lee says that in life we encounter many situations that affect us deeply but from the mistakes of others we learn valuable lessons. Scouts maturation from a young girl to a young woman is a slow alternation she made as she went through the tunnel and showed how she matured. People far prefer belonging than wisdom, but that is like wanting to be immortal without getting older.

Tess of the dUrbervilles- summary of part I :: essays research papers

Tess of the d’Urbervilles Chapter I   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The scene begins with a middle-aged peddler, named John Durbeyfield. Making his way home, the man encounters Parson Tringham, who claims to have studied history. The Parson tells Durbeyfield that he is of noble lineage, the d’Urberville family, and his family has prospered for many generations until recently. Tringham tells his him however that this heritage comes from such a long period of time ago that it is worthless. At this the seemingly drunk man sits near a road and beckons a young boy to fetch him a horse and carriage to take him home in his newly liberated state. Chapter II   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tess, the eldest daughter of the Durbeyfield family, has accompanied the other women in the village, young and old, to celebrate May Day. All of the women are clothed in white, but not the same shade of white, as noticed by the narrator. They all hold white flowers in one hand and a white wand made from oak in the other. This celebration commemorates the coming of spring, and all the women enjoy it, as it seems, because it allows them to forget their insignificant role in society. In the middle of the procession, John Durbeyfield rides along in his carriage, making quite a spectacle. Tess is embarrassed, and three very attractive (and obviously rich) brothers walk in. Only one of them, the youngest stays to dance, while his brothers continue their journey. All the women are anxious to be picked to dance by him, for all dream of a better life as the wife of a gentleman. Tess is chosen to dance with the young man, and before they can even exchange their names, the b oy runs off to catch up with his siblings. Chapter III   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Upon Tess’ arrival home after the festivities, her mother, Joan confronts her with two important pieces of news. She relates that their family has been found to be of noble blood, and that John has been diagnosed with a heart condition. Tess sees the Compleat Fortune-Teller, a book full of superstitions that her mother follows for guidance. Mr. Durbeyfield is not home, but rather at Rolliver’s, the local inn and drinking hole, celebrating the news of his new â€Å"wealth†. Obviously, the man spends a many hours there, and it is no surprise that he has not returned home. Joan, leaving Tess to tend her 5 siblings, leaves to fetch her husband.

Glacier :: Nature Wildlife Geography Essays

Glacier The glacial run off river was colder than ice, so cold it was like a torrent of broken glass against the skin. The water itself is bluish white, the color of skim milk. On the bank of the glacial river, a hundred dead and rotting fish lay scattered around like casualties of a recent battle. The corpses lay in every stage of decay, from fresh, as if just pulled from the water, to pure white skeletons stripped by scavengers. The stench is like an enormous natural gas leak. The river itself is so crowded with spawning silver salmon, that it resembles a giant can of sardines. The sunlight shining off their silver backs gleams like polished chrome. These amazing fish are swimming upstream against the current, jumping often with the power and agility of an Olympic gymnast. The terrain surrounding the river is frozen tundra. It has slimy green and brown muck on top due to the unusually warm summer, but dig down an inch and you will encounter ground as hard as concrete. The vast tundra is in sharp contrast to the rolling hills far in the distance. The retreating glacier literally cut its path through the landscape, voiding this stretch of land of everything but hard ground and arctic grass. Thousands of years of glacial movement had cut a distinct scar that could read history as well as any sedimentary rock. In the distance you could clearly see the boundaries of the ancient glacier. Hills suddenly appear out of the frozen wasteland. Tall evergreens jutting into the sky, look like giants, even at a distance, compared to the flatness of the tundra. Thick grey clouds hang ominously over head, as if further threatening any one who might dare this rugged country. The mountains far away have rings around them like halos, and one can see that they are emptying their heavy burden upon the green mountain slopes. When looking up the river, you can follow it west and trace it to its source. There, stands a magnificent mountain of ice, known as portage glacier. The glacier strongly resembles a real mountain, one that has endured a blizzard of phenomenal proportion. Instead of being a brown dirt slope with patches of white snow and ice, it is the opposite. A perfectly white slope pocked with patches of brown. The end of the glacier, which is about as far away as the eye can see, is pressed against the ground, like an unstoppable force working against an unmovable object.

The Importance of Good Writing Skills for Prospective University Students

Introduction In the age of technology, most students are absorbed in using electronic sources to either read or listen to academic information and usually attempt to memorize facts as far as possible. While electronic devices such as Android phones, iPads, Kindles, and other devices provide students with an amalgamation of information at their fingertips and students are very well informed regarding what is happening in the world and how various things work, they often lack the ability to form and express their opinions in their own words. This skill is often seen non-existent amongst prospective university students, who possess a great degree of knowledge regarding numerous topics, but struggle when they are required to write their personal statements to when they are required to write their dissertations in their final years. It is important for prospective university students to recognize the importance of good writing skills in order to help them get through their university years. The issues of plagiarism, use of vocabulary, and proper structuring must be addressed adequately in order to help prospective university students achieve good grades. The following tips may help university students improve their writing skills: Adopting the habit of reading: Listening to music, playing sports, and hanging out with friends are common activities found in young adults nowadays. However, a study found that approximately 21% of university-aged students said that they enjoyed reading while the majority of students did not express this interest (CollegeXpress, 2013). However, this hobby is highly important for students in order to help them improve their structuring, their ability of expression, and their vocabulary skills. Writing a diary or a blog: While diaries may be slightly out-dated, students can create a blog on a topic of interest which will help them regularly post their thoughts, feelings, and opinions regarding various topics. This will help enhance their creativity, expressive abilities, and enable them to generally enhance their writing skills to capture the interest of readers. Becoming a freelance writer: While prospective university students search for various part-time jobs, it may be beneficial for them to look for jobs as freelance writers. Indulging in activities such as writing advertising and marketing messages, writing emails, and other small tasks to earn a small income may pay a long way in their future. Avoid using slang when chatting, writing emails, or in any other form of communication: Using slang impairs a person’s spelling and vocabulary skills and may often hinder a person’s ability to write properly structured sentences. Hence, avoiding the use of such language can help a student write more appropriately in the future. Having good writing skills can help prospective students in their university years and can also pay a long way when looking for prospective careers. Most employers are looking for candidates with a good level of expression, excellent writing skills, and a high level of creativity. Research has found that individuals with good writing skills score 80% higher than those who do not possess such skills in university and tend to find jobs 30% quicker than others (Aims Community College, 2013). References Aims Community College. (2013) Online Writing Lab. [online] Accessed on: November 10, 2013 Available at: http://www.aims.edu/student/online-writing-lab/overview/why CollegeXpress. (2013) â€Å"Cultivating Exceptional Writing Skills for Success and Beyond†. Accessed on November 11, 2013 Available at: http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/college-academics/cultivating-exceptional-writing-skills-success-college-and-beyond/

The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 1

Dear Diary, Elena whispered, how frustrating is this? I left you in the trunk of the Jaguar and its both oclock in the morning. She stabbed her finger on the subdivision of her nightgown as if she had a playpen and was making a period. She whispered stock-still much than than softly, leaning her fore read/write head against the window, And Im sc atomic number 18d to go step to the fore brass in the stern and deal you. Im afraid She lay down new(prenominal) stab and consequentlyce, odoring tears put dep permite down her cheeks, reluctantly turn her mobile on to record. It was a stupid ingest of the battery, tho she couldnt help it. She needed this.So here I am, she verbalize softly, session up in the ventureseat of the car. This has to be my diary entry for to daylight. By the expression, we make a rule for this road trip I sleep in the Jags adventureseat and its the Great outdoors for languor and Damon. Right forthwith its so dark outside that I after partt des birdcall Matt some(prenominal)where. and Ive been exit crazy crying and knowing mixed-up and so l iodinly for Stefan.We turn over to learn rid of the Jaguar its in addition large-minded, to a fault red, overly flashy, and too memorable when were chinkk non to be reck atomic number 53d as we blend to the place where we fag free Stefan. aft(prenominal) the car is sold, the lapis lazuli and diamond dependent Stefan gave me the day in advance he disappe bed go a course be the most precious amour I score hold of left. The day in advanceStefan got tricked into issue a dash, thought he could lead an ordinary pitying creation. And nowHow can I s spinning top rec perpetu bothyy(prenominal)ing virtu every(prenominal)y what They cleverness be doing to him, at this real present moment who eer They argon? Probably the kit temperatenesse, the infernal regionish play a joke on spirits at the prison ho single-valued function call(a)e d the Shi no Shi.Elena paused to wipe her nose on her nightgown sleeve.How did I ever set up myself into this situation? She shook her head, hit the seat stick out with her clinched fist.mayhap if I could opine that out, I could add to upriseher up with scheme A. I always drive home a program A. And my friends always be watch a Plan B and C to help me. Elena blinked unstated, esteeming of fair and Meredith. moreover when now Im scargon that Ill neer see them again. And Im scared for the int modus operandi town of Fells Church.For a moment she sit down with her clenched fist on her knee. A small interpretive program inside her was prescri world, So stop whining, Elena, and regain. Think. Start from the starting signal.The beginning? What was the beginning? Stefan?No, she had lived in Fells Church long in the lead Stefan came.Slowly, more or less dreamily, she verbalize into her mobile. In the commencement place who am I? Im Elena Gilbert, board eighteen. unc onstipated more slowly, she state, Idont call its vain to say that Im beautiful. If I didnt score it off I was, Id have to have never beted in a mirror or heard a compliment. Its non whatsoever thing I should be proud of its save something that was passed down from Mom and Dad.What do I look akin? I have nordic hairs-breadth that plunges in mannikin of waves past my shoulders and raunchy eyes that some people have said are give care lapis lazuli dark blue with splashes of favorable. She gave a half-choked laugh. perchance thats why vampires handle me.Then her lips tightened and, staring into the utter lightlessness rough her, she spoke seriously.A nap of boys have called me the most angelic mis net in the world. And I played near with them. I just used them for popularity, for amusement, for some(prenominal). Im being h cardinalst, all chastise? I considered them to be toys or trophies. She paused. entirely there was something else. Something that I knew a ll my life was coming and I didnt know what. I entangle as if I were searching for something that I could never find with boys. None of my intrigue or playing around with them ever touched mydeepest internalityuntil one in truth special boy came along. She stopped and dep permiteed and said it again. One genuinely special boy.His seduce was Stefan.And he turned out non to be what he looked like, a sane notwith bandstanding gorgeous high throw off do senior with rumpled dark hair and eyes as green as emeralds.Stefan Salvatore turned out to be a vampire.A real vampire.Elena had to pause to take a hardly a(prenominal) choked breaths before she could conquer the next words out.And so did his gorgeous older argumentation brother, Damon.She bit her lips, and it seemed a long sequence later that she added, Would I have loved Stefan if Id known he was a vampire from the beginning? Yes Yes Yes Id have fallen in love with him no matter what solely it changed things and it changed me. Elenas finger traced a pattern on her nightgown by touch alone. You see, vampires show love by exchanging affinity. The enigma wasthat I was sharing lineage with Damon, too. not really by choice, still because he was after me constantly, day and night.She let out a sigh. What Damon says is that he lacks to make me a vampire and his Princess of the Night. What that translates into is he wants me all to himself. alone I wouldnt trust Damon on anything unless he gave his word. Thats one quirk he has, he never breaks his word.Elena could feel an scratchy smile curling her lips, tho she was talk alleviately now, fluently, the mobile almost forgotten.A girl involved with two vampireswell, theres resound to be trouble, isnt there? So perhaps I deserved what I got.I died.Not just died like when your heart stops and they resuscitate you and you come back talk of the town intimately almost going into the Light. I went into the Light.I died.And when I came back wh at a surprise I was a vampire.Damon waskind to me, I suppose, when I premier woke up as a vampire. Maybe thats the reason I still haveintuitive feelings for him. He didnt take advantage of me when he could have easily.But I exactly had cartridge clip to do a few things in my vampire life. I had time to find Stefan and love him more than ever since I knew, consequentlyce, how difficult everything was for him. I got to find out to my own memorial service. Ha Everybody should gain a chance to do that. I learned to always, always wear lapis lazuli so I wouldnt become a vampire Crispy Critter. I got to say good-bye to my little four-year-old sister, Margaret, and visit Bonnie and Meredith.Tears were still sliding almost unnoticed down Elenas face. But she spoke quietly.And then I died again.I died the way a vampire dies, when they dont have lapis lazuli in the sunlight. I didnt crumble into splosh I was solely s change surfaceteen. But the sun poisoned me anyway. Going was almo stpeaceful. That was when I made Stefan promise to take care of Damon, always. And I say Damon swore to take care of Stefan, in his mind. And that was how I died, with Stefan holding me and Damon beside me as I simply drifted away, like going to sleep. later that, I had dreams I dont remember, and then suddenly, one day everyone was surprised because I was talking to them by means of Bonnie, who is very psychic, poor thing. I guess I had landed the origin of being Fells Churchs guardian spirit. There was a d peevishness to the town. They had to excite it and somehow, when they were certain(a) that they had lost, I got dumped back to the world of the living to help. And well, when the scramble was won I was left with these preternatural powers I dont understand. But there was Stefan, too We were together againElena wrapped her munition around herself tightly and held on as if she were holding Stefan to her, imagining his w encircle arms around her. She shut her eyes until he r breathing slowed. active my powers, lets see. Theres telepathy, which I can do if the other person is para prescript which all vampires are, unless to contrary degrees unless theyre actually sharing blood with you at the time. And then there are my go.Its true I have move And the Wings have powers you wouldnt believe the barely problem being that I dont have the faintest idea how to use them. Theres one that I can feel sometimes, like recompense now, act to get out of me, trying to shape my lips to name it, trying to light upon my body into the set stance. Its Wings of tribute and that sounds like something we could really use on this trip. But I cant even remember how I made the old Wings work much less figure out how to use this new one. I say the words until I feel like an idiot but vigor happens at all.So Im a human again as human as Bonnie. And, oh, God, if I could only see her and Meredith right now But all the time I tell myself that Im getting next to St efan every minute. That is, if you take into account Damons political campaign us up and down and over to throw off anybody trying to shack us down.Why would anyone want to cut of meat us down? Well, you see, when I came back from the afterlife there was a very big explosion of tycoon that everyone in the world who can see office staff truism. promptly, how do I explain business office? Its something that everybody has, but that humans except genuine psychics like Bonnie dont even recognize. Vampires decidedly have Power, and they use it to Influence humans to like them, or to think that things are different from reality oh, like the way Stefan Influenced the high school staff to think his records were all in order when he transferred to Robert E. Lee High School. Or they use Power to b digest other vampires or creatures of darkness or humans. But I was talking virtually the burst of Power when I dropped down from the heavens. It was so big that it attracted two horri ble creatures from the other side of the world. And then they decided to come see what had made the burst, and if there was any way they could use it for themselves.Im not joking, either, about them being from the other side of the world. They were kitsune, evil bedevil spirits from Japan. Theyre something like our Western werewolves but much more coercive. So powerful that they used malach, which are really plants but look like insects that can be no bigger than a dope or big enough to swallow your arm. And the malach attach themselves to your nerves and feather out along your entire nervous scheme and last they take you over from inside.Now Elena was shuddering, and her voice was hushed.Thats what happened to Damon. A tiny one got into him and it took him over from inside so that he was only a puppet of Shinichis. I forgot to say, the kitsune are called Shinichi and Misao. Misao is the girl. They both have murky hair with red all around the tips, but Misaos is long. And the yre supposed to be brother and sister but they sure dont act like it.And once Damon was fully feature, thats when Shinichi made Damons bodydo terrible things. He made him torture Matt and me, and even now I know that sometimes Matt still wants to kill Damon for it. But if hed seen what I saw a total thin, wet, white second body that I had to pull out with my fingernails from Damons spine with Damon finally passing out from the pain then Matt would understand better. I cant tear Damon for what Shinichi made him do. I cant. Damon wasyou cant imagine how different. He was crushed. He cried. He wasAnyway, I dont waitress to ever see him like that again. But if I ever get my Wings powers back, Shinichi is in big trouble.I think that that was our misunderstanding last time, you see. We finally were able to fight Shinichi and Misao and we didnt kill them. We were too moral or too gentle or something.It was a bad mistake.Because Damon wasnt the only one who got possessed by Shinic his malach. There were girls, young girls, xiv and fifteen and younger. And some boys. Actingcrazy. hurting themselves and their families. We didnt know how badly until after wed already made a pile with Shinichi.Maybe we were too immoral, making a bargain with the devil. But they had kidnapped Stefan and Damon, who was already possessed by then, had helped them. Once Damon was unpossessed, all he cherished was for Shinichi and Misao to tell us where Stefan was, and then for them to put across Fells Church forever.In exchange for that, Damon let Shinichi into his mind.If vampires are ghost with Power, kitsune are obsessed with memories. And Shinichi treasured Damons memories for the last few old age the time that Damon was possessed and torturing usand the time when my Wings made Damon produce that he had make it. I dont think Damon himself wanted those memories, either of what hed done or of how hed changed when he had to face that hed done it. So he let Shinichi take t hem, in exchange for Shinichi putting Stefans location into his mind.The problem is that we were trusting Shinichis word that he would chair then when Shinichis word meant nothing at all.Plus, ever since then hes been using the telepathic channel that he opened amidst his mind and Damons to take more and more of Damons memories without Damon even knowing.It happened just last night, when we were pulled over by a guardman who wanted to know what three teenagers in an high-ticket(prenominal) car were doing that late at night. Damon Influenced him to go away. But just a few hours later Damon had forgotten the policeman completely.It frightens Damon. And anything that frightens Damon not that he would ever admit it scares me to death.And, you exponent ask, what were three teenagers doing out in the shopping center of nowhere, in Union County, Tennessee, according to the last road sign I saw? Were heading toward some Gate to the colorful ratiowhere Shinichi and Misao left Stef an in the prison called the Shi no Shi. Shinichi only put the experience into Damons mind, and I cant get Damon to say much about what kind of place it is. But Stefan is there and Ill get to him somehow, even if it kills me.Even if I have to learn how to kill.Im not the sweet little girl from Virginia I used to be.Elena stopped and blew out her breath. But then, cuddling herself, she went on.And why is Matt along with us? Well, because of Carolean Forbes, my friend since kindergarten. operate yearwhen Stefan came to Fells Church, she and I both wanted him. But Stefan didnt want Caroline. And after that she turned into my worst enemy.Caroline was also the golden winner of Shinichis depression visit to any girl in Fells Church. But more to the point she was Tyler Smallwoods girlfriend quite a while before she was his victim. I curio how long they were together and where Tyler is now. All I know is that, in the end, Caroline hung on to Shinichi because she needed a husband. That was how she put it herself. So I assume well, what Damon assumes. That shes going tohave puppies. A werewolf litter, you know? Since Tyler is a werewolf.Damon says that having a werewolf baby turns you into a werewolf even loyaler than if youre bitten, and that at some point in the pregnancy you gain the power to be all wolf or all human, but before that point youre just a mixed-up mess.The sad thing is that Shinichi exactly gave Caroline a second discern when she blurted it all out.But before that Caroline had been desperate enough to accuse Matt of of assaulting her on a date that went wrong. She had to have known something about what Shinichi was doing because she claimed her date with Matt was at a time when one of the arm-swallowing mallach was fight him, making marks on his arm that looked like a girls fingernail scratches.That sent the police after Matt, all right. So basically I just made him come with us. Carolines father is one of the most eventful people in Fell s Church and hes friends with the regularize attorney in Ridgemont and the leader of one of those mens clubs where they have secret handshakes and other stuff that makes you, you know, prominent in the community.If I hadnt convinced Matt to run instead of facing Carolines charges, the Forbeses would have lynched him. And I feel the anger like a fire inside me not just anger and hurt for Matt, but anger and the feeling that Caroline has let all girls everywhere down. Because most girls arent pathological liars, and wouldnt say something like that about a boy falsely. Shes shamed all girls by doing what she did.Elena paused, looking at her hands, and then added, Sometimes when I get angry at Caroline, cups shake or pencils roll right off the table. Damon says all this is caused by my ambiance, my life force, and that ever since I came back from the afterlife its been different. First of all, it makes anyone who drinks my blood incredibly strong.Stefan was strong enough that the fox demons could never have forced him into their sand trap if Damon hadnt tricked him in the beginning. They could only deal with him when he was weakened and surrounded by iron. urge on is bad news for any eldritch creature, plus vampires need to feed at least once a day or they get weak, and Ill bet no, Im sure that they used that against him.Thats why I cant stand to think about what shape Stefan might be in right this minute. But I cant let myself get too afraid or angry or Ill lose control of my aura. Damon showed me how to keep my aura mostly inside, like a normal human girl. Its still pale gold and pretty, but not a shine for creatures like vampires.Because theres one other thing my blood maybe even just my aura can do. It canoh, well, I can say anything I want to here, right? Nowadays, my aura can make vampires want methe way human guys do. Not just to bite, get it? But to embrace and all the rest. And so, naturally, they come after me if they wizard it. Its as if the world is full of honeybees and Im the only flower.So I have to utilise keeping my aura hidden. If its just scarce showing, then I can get away with seeming like a normal human, not somebody whos died and come back. But its hard to always remember to hide it and it hurts a lot twist it in suddenly if Ive forgottenAnd then I feel this is absolutely private, all right? Im putting a whammy on you, Damon, if you replay this. But its then that I feel like I want Stefan to bite me. It eases up the pressure, and thats good. beingness bitten by a vampire only hurts if you fight it, or if the vampire wants it to hurt. Otherwise, it can just feel good and then you touch the mind of the vampire whos done it, andoh, I just miss Stefan so muchElena was shaking now. As hard as she tried to quiet her imagination, she unbroken thinking about the things that Stefans jailers might be doing to him. Grimly, she gripped her mobile again, letting tears fall on it.I cant let myself think of wh at they might do to him because then I really start to go crazy. I become this useless shaking demented person who just wants to bellyache and scream and never stop. I have to fight every second not to think about it. Because only a cool, calm Elena with a Plan A and B and C is going to help him. When I have him safe in my arms, I can let myself shake and cry and scream, too.Elena stopped, half laughing, her head bent against the passengers seatback, her voice husky with overuse.Im tired now. But I have a Plan A, at least. I need to get more information from Damon about the place were going, the bleak Dimension, and anything he knows about the two clues Misao gave me about the key that will unlock Stefans cell.I guessI guess I havent mentioned that at all. The key, the fox key, that we need to get Stefan out of his cell, is broken into two pieces that are hidden in two different places. And when Misao was taunting me about how little I knew about those places, she gave me flat-o ut clues about where they were. She never woolgather Id actually go into the sombre Dimension she was just showing off. But I still remember the clues, and they went like this The first half is in the silver nightingales instrument. And the second half is buried in Bloddeuwedds ballroom.I need to see if Damon has any ideas about these. Because it sounds as if once we get to the Dark Dimension were going to have to pass through some peoples houses and other places. To search a ballroom, its best to somehow get invited to the ball, right? That sounds like easier said than done, but whatever it takes, Ill do. Its simple as that.Elena lifted her head in determination and went still, then said in a whisper, Would you believe it? I looked up just now and I can see the palest streaks of dawn in the sky light green and creamy orange and the faintest aqua. Ive talked all through the darkness. Its so peaceful now. Just now the sun peeked up o What the hell was that? Something just went BAN G on the top of the Jag. Really, really loud.Elena clicked off the recorder on her mobile. She was scared, but a noise like that and now scrabbling sounds on the roofShe had to get out of the car as fast as possible.