Kicking The Habit Through Negative Reinforcement :: essays research papers

My dependence on nicotine advanced from easygoing social smoking to expending two packs every week. Despite the fact that I’ve just been smoking for around one year, I needed to stop before my dependence turned out to be a lot more grounded. Like most smokers, I’ve attempted to stop without any weaning period on numerous events, however the state of mind and the self discipline endures just until my neurotransmitters (nerve endings) begin shouting, crying, and begging my cognizant for a cigarette. The intendment of my mission was to perceive the effects on my smoking propensity and to control the physical and mental fixation through the execution of explicit fortified practices. Positive reinforcers make me smoke, and negative reinforcers keep me from smoking. By recognizing uplifting comments, I figured out how to stop smoking.      Before starting my investigation of my smoking propensities, I recorded the quantity of cigarettes smoked consistently. On a normal day I smoked 4-5 cigarettes. By setting up my pattern execution on an ordinary week, I set out to locate the encouraging comments, which constrained me into smoking. The days that were generally productive in smoking were Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The essential explanation behind the expansion in smoking was because of the get-togethers of that specific night, which incorporated the infrequent liquor utilization, and friendship of individual smokers/companions. â€Å"Partying† significantly influenced my smoking propensity. Without a doubt my gregarious shenanigans influenced my smoking, yet the post-sex cigarette additionally added to the tally. By pinpointing these components, I had the option to create a fixed negative fortification timetable to lead me away from smoking and steer me towards a more beneficial way of life.      In request to build up a fixed negative fortification calendar, I separated my cigarettes into gatherings permitting myself just three cigarettes every day. I set my day by day apportion of cigarettes into envelopes and named them for every day of the week. I smoked one cigarette after lunch, one after supper, and one later around evening time. I would remunerate myself with a cigarette in the wake of going to classes and having lunch. I would then reward myself with another cigarette after schoolwork and supper. Through the course of my week, I disregarded my routine just twice. On Wednesday and Friday, I â€Å"bummed’ a cigarette from one of my companions. In the wake of feeling remorseful about abusing my routine, I apologized for a considerable length of time, and vowed to myself that I was going to beat my fixation. Essential negative reinforcers likewise helped me stay with the arrangement, for example, improved endurance during physical exercise and more cash in my pocket.

Relational Database for Global Computer - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Talk about theRelational Databasefor Global Computer Solutions. Answer: The paper manages taking care of the issues that have emerged on course of building the database for the Global Computer Solutions. The three kind of challenges that surfaced during the development of the database were: Data repetition, Data compels and the refreshing of the information. The primary issue was the information excess or the duplication of the information in the database. This sort of issues can be unraveled by normalizing the tables of the database and conveying the database into 3NF structure. For the standardization methods the database must be standardized into 1NF structure from the outset and information excess is to be evacuated. After the strategy the tables are to additionally broken into 2NF structure and the duplication of the information is to be evacuated and furthermore the table is to broken into 3 NF structure at long last and the transitivity of the information is to be executed. Notwithstanding this the tables can be divided into various structures and as indicated by the functionalities and the utilitarian conditions of the qualities of the various elements. Notwithstanding this the information obliges likewise came up during the development of the databases. These were illuminated by the appropriately characterizing the information into independent information types and furthermore the scope of the information are to characterized appropriately so as to settle this sort of issues. Moreover, the information word reference is to be characterized productively and subsequently this kind of challenges can be comprehended without any problem. The meaning of the outside keys and the applicant keys appropriately likewise can resolve the issues effectively. Notwithstanding this the super keys and the keys that don't have a lot of impact to the database are additionally to be distinguished. Notwithstanding such a lot of refreshing the information additionally causes an immense measure of challenges in the databases. Refreshing or erasing the information in a solitary information can making issues for different tables. Different tables having similar characteristics would confront information peculiarities in the table. Henceforth this issue is to unraveled by characterizing the information word reference and the relationship models of the database effectively. The EER Diagrams are no proficiently attracted and are additionally to be seen appropriately before the execution of the database. This would help settling the issues that are connected with the database and furthermore expanding the database proficiency of the database. Notwithstanding this it would assist the clients with storing the information appropriately. For end it tends to be said that, there were a few sort of issues that had emerged during the development of the database however they were tackled productively. The serious issues that were distinguished were Data repetition, information refreshing methods and furthermore information obliges. The arrangements of the issues were given in the article proficiently and the arrangements would be expanding the effectiveness and the presentation of database to a specific level. Book index Mitrovic, A. what's more, Suraweera, P., 2016. Training Database Design with Constraint-Based Tutors.International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education,26(1), pp.448-456. Alabbasi, S., Ahmed, A., Kaneko, K., Rebeiro-Hagrave, A. what's more, Fukuda, A., 2014, October. Information types oversaw database structure for dynamic substance: A database plan for Personal Health Book framework. InTENCON 2014-2014 IEEE Region 10 Conference(pp. 1-5). IEEE. Bugiotti, F., Cabibbo, L., Atzeni, P. what's more, Torlone, R., 2014, October. Database plan for NoSQL frameworks. InInternational Conference on Conceptual Modeling(pp. 223-231). Springer International Publishing. Shin, K., Hwang, C. what's more, Jung, H., 2017. NoSQL Database Design Using UML Conceptual Data Model Based on Peter Chens Framework.International Journal of Applied Engineering Research,12(5), pp.632-636.

Writing In A Second Language Example

Writing In A Second Language Example Writing In A Second Language â€" Coursework Example > ASSIGNMENT 2The Hayes Flower (1980) model of the composition process has been extremely influential in the area of first language writing. Evaluate the main features of this model and say how far it can be applied to second language writers. The Hayes Flower (1980) model has been very influential as a basic theory of recursive cognitive process of composition. As a traditional recursive problem-solving model in which both process and product issues are incorporated, it has been found to be very useful and robust in the area of first language writing. The main features are (1) Planning, (2) Translating, and (3) Reviewing functions. Functions are monitored constantly throughout the writing process. The task environment of the model consists of variables such as writing task and the generated text. The relationship between the variables and long-term memory of writer is reciprocal. The theory is based on four points: “1.The process of writing is best understood as a set of distin ctive thinking processes which writers orchestrate or organize during the act of composing2. These processes have a hierarchical, highly embedded organization in which any given process can be embedded within any other3. The act of composing itself is a goal-directed thinking process, guided by the writer’s own growing network of goals. 4. Writers create their own goals in two key ways: by generating both high-level goals and supporting sub-goals which embody the writer’s developing sense of purpose, and then, at times, by changing major goals or even establishing entirely new ones based what has been learned in the act of writing. ”PlanningThe word `Planning’ is used in a broad sense. It is an abstract state of writer’s mind in which an internal representation of the knowledge is formed and it would be used in writing. The representation could be a key word, an image or a perceptual code. Thus planning is the art of building this internal representation and involves many sub-processes( sub-planning,  generating and revising) which are used repeatedly at different levels  and at different. These processes generate ideas drawn from information in memory. The information may be at different levels of fragmentation, maturity and connectedness. The sub-process of organizing helps the writer to derive sense from information, discover and develop concepts creatively by grouping the ideas. At a technical level, the writer decides about presentation and ordering of the text. Another major aspect of planning is goal-setting which could be procedural and substantive. Goal-setting is a crucial part of being creative. The very act of defining rhetorical problem and setting goals is crucial to creativity. It is not exclusive to pre-writing stage but an ongoing continuous process of composing. Often one idea naturally leads to another but not in a planned sequence. The model’s notion of `planning’ as an abstract internal representation of knowledge is gen erally relevant for first language writers. TranslatingThe process of expressing ideas in language is called translating. During translation, the writer `clothes’ or gives `flesh’ i. e a shape to the ideas generated during the process of planning. He may use language to represent thoughts that were not structurally organized, in a linear fashion and convey the intended meaning. During the translation process, the writer’s language skills and flexibility in using them come into play. Naturally it may vary across age-groups, strategic command over knowledge/subject. Clearly while the process of planning is more natural to any language writers, it is the process of translating that presents a variety of constraints for second language writers. This is mainly because besides the extent of command over the second language, the writer has to negotiate the social construction and environment involved in the cognitive process. Theoretically the second language writers are clearly at a disadvantage compared to first language writers because they do not have the felicity of equal command over complexities that are socially and linguistically specific to situations. Hence to a certain extent, the second language writers face constraints over creativity during translation.

Exploring How a Teaching About Discipleship Might Affect...

Exploring How a Teaching About Discipleship Might Affect the Life of a Christian Today The role of a disciple continues to inspire men and woman today. History is marked be people who committed their life to Jesus Christ In the question, I will explore the lives of the following Christian disciples, Martin Luther King, Maximillian Kolbe and Sister Eleisha. Martin Luther King might affect the life of a Christian today because he is a good example of a disciple. He is a good example of a disciple because he is dedicated to God and he gave up his life for God, as he became a Baptist minister. Also in 1955 he led a boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Through out his career he pressed for equal†¦show more content†¦The next disciple I have chosen to look at is Maximillian Kolbe as he was also a good disciple. Maximillian Kolbe was a good disciple because he accepted the cost of discipleship. He became a priest and gave up his life of getting married and starting a family. He also gave up all his possessions and money. He must forget self, carry his cross, and follow me. (MK 8:34-35) This teaching is telling us that you must be ready to sacrifice your own life to save others and thats what Maximillian Kolbe did he sacrificed his life for the man. He had a lot of faith in Jesus that he went on to build two monasteries, which meant the K.O.G is for anyone and it is everywhere. He went to Japan and became a missionary by preaching the word of God, He was fulfilling Gods mission. For whoever wants to save his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. (MK 8:35-36) Maximillian Kolbe forgot his old life and he went on to follow Jesus by becoming a priest. He also was prepared to sacrifice his life for other people, as he laid down his life for a man. The man was going to be killed and the man had a wife and 2 children. Maximillian Kolbe told the Nazis that he will take the mans place and to let the man live. Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to the whole human race.Show MoreRelatedTheology of Poverty3073 Words   |  13 PagesTheology of Poverty: Analysis of the Historical Christian Response to Poverty in America, in the Context of our Biblical Calling By Jonathan Yang Professor: Dr. Victor Ezigbo Course: Christian Theology (THE 201) November 21, 2011 Bethel University Table of Content I. Intro A. Statement of problem pg. 1 B. Thesis Statement C. Statement of Relevance II. Two major Opposing View A. Prosperity Gospel 1. Explanation 2. Argument I 3. Weaknesses/critiques Read MoreThe Doctrine Of The Trinity9485 Words   |  38 PagesTRINITY: Instructor: Lisa Nichols Hickman – hickmanl@duq.edu Director: Father Radu Bordeianu, Ph.D. Course Description: At the center of the Christian faith is a mystery. This mystery has everything to do with the identity of God, the nature of Christian community, the salvation history and our understanding of Christology. This is the mystery of the Trinity – how is the Godhead fully three persons, and yet one nature? Theophilus was the first to name the ‘triad’ nature of God in his letter To Autolycus

The Issue of Racism in America - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1204 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2019/01/31 Category Society Essay Level High school Topics: Racism in America Essay Did you like this example? The issue of racism is a deep-rooted problem in the world, and over the years, it has morphed into severe discrimination and segregation, forming part of the world history. Racism involves judging and treating others unequally based on their skin color and ethnic origin. Since time immemorial, white people have been known to discriminate against black and other non-white people. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Issue of Racism in America" essay for you Create order Slavery increased the racial gap between whites and non-whites when black people were captured and enslaved in white people’s homes and plantations. Since then, white people have always felt superior and therefore discriminated against others such as the African Americans, Hispanics and so on. In the modern world, racism manifests itself in the society at workplaces, schools, churches and all other public sectors. As a result, this issue should be addressed to establish the truth about whether racism is increasing or declining in the United States. According to some scholars, racism is no longer an issue in the American society while others believe that America is still divided largely by racism and racial discrimination. In the United States, racism has always been a grave issue, but the world is working hard to get over that archaic practice. America Still divided by Racism into two unequal societies; by Joseph E. Stiglitz In this article, Joseph interrogates the extent to which racism has manifested itself in the contemporary world†. He says that African Americans are still suffering in a dominantly white society regarding education, employment as well a peaceful coexistence with their white counterparts. I chose this article because it gives a deep insight into the issues of racism that still exist in the world today and their effects on the victims. In public institutions, for instance, white people receive better and quicker services compared to people from other races. The finance sector is particularly said to target African Americans for exploitation by selling them volatile products and charging them high fees for the same products. Wells Fargo Bank ended up being fined hugely by the authorities for having exploited African Americans as well as Latinos by charging them higher interest than their white counterparts. The author says that today, America is paying dearly for racial inequalities and the economy feels the effects of this inequality. The assumption that the power structures in the United States are run primarily by the military forces is a complete fallacy because the Presidency has eroded the country’s soft power (Stigliz, 2018). As time goes by, the situation is worsening, and since President Trump was elected, there is no end in sight to this nightmare. Racism has developed roots in the system such that non-white people are unlikely to get employment in America. An individual’s resume does not matter as much as their skin color and when it comes to hiring and firing, African Americans, Latinos and other people from other races. He, however, concludes by saying that there might be hope for a better future only if people are willing to stand up, they can purpose to transform the society. Racism in America; By Donald W. Shriver The second article by Shriver explains that despite the past having been full of racism and prejudice, the world has changed and racism remains a thing of the past. He explains that the only thing that remains are the scars inflicted on black people by racism. Shriver talks of an actor who only encountered racism upon arrival at the United States and even today, Americans carry with them the scars of this vice. He had previously talked to his friend who was black, and they both acknowledged that they still have the scars of racism, but now, the world has changed. They both looked at racism as a challenge as well as an opportunity for people to move on and realize the value each other. The article shows that racism is heading to an end and it is not as bad as it was in the past. The hopeful difference between people is that some of them learned how to fight and overcome the influences of racism such as members of the Christian community and the church at large. Points of View I chose these two sources because they have an opposing opinion about racism in America. In the first source, racism is said to be at its peak in the United States and continues to manifest itself. In the second article, racism is becoming a thing of the past, and all that remains are the scars from the years of racial discrimination. Similarities exist between these viewpoints such as the fact that both authors agree on the fact that racism is negativity that needs to be addressed in the society. They also concur in the fact that racism has undergone serious metamorphosis and it is not as it was a few years ago. However, in Joseph’s perception, there is an increasing danger brought about by racism, and the American society remains divided nonetheless. The white people who perceive themselves as a superior race deny their non-white counterparts the opportunity to access equality. On the other hand, Shriver believes that shortly, everyone will be able to deal with racism and the only thing remaining would be the previous scars. Racism in America can be dealt with, (Shiver, 2018) and there is no need to worry about people getting discriminated . If Joseph could speak to Shriver, he would explain that the dynamics of the society dictate interpersonal relationships and racism is one of them. Contrastingly, Shriver would argue that the society has already outgrown the era of racism and that everyone is capable of dealing with the situation. The differences between their points of view include the fact that Joseph addresses the situation from a social perspective while Shriver uses an individualistic approach. According to Joseph, the whole society is doomed while Shriver claims that the individuals can work things out and eliminate racism and its effects. In conclusion, racism remains a calamity in the modern world, and as time goes by, there is a need for change and individuals must perform. According to Joseph, the American society has fully embraced racism, and as a result, most of the public sectors and their service delivery is influenced by race. African Americans do not enjoy equal rights as the rest because they are black and the whole society is divided into two groups. On the other hand, Shriver believes that racism is almost over and if people could be responsible, the world would be a better place. I do agree with the fact that racism is a problem and it is so deep-rooted in the American society that there is no quick solution in sight. Joseph gives a true and clear account of the reality on the ground because looking at the modern society, it is clear that there may not be an end in sight for racism in America. I would like to challenge the government and the media to propagate equality by passing legislative measures aga inst racist people. In most cases, the media plays a huge role in propagating racism, and for that reason, there is a need to change the type of communication passed to the public on racism.

Night Creature Dark Moon Chapter Seven Free Essays

Nic sat up, groaned, fell back. I caught him before he cracked his head against the ground again. â€Å"Maybe we should get you to a doctor. We will write a custom essay sample on Night Creature: Dark Moon Chapter Seven or any similar topic only for you Order Now † â€Å"You’re a doctor.† â€Å"Not that kind.† â€Å"I’m all – † His voice faded, and his eyes closed as he slumped in my arms. Concerned, I leaned close. He was out cold, so I gave in to the urge that had been haunting me since I’d first seen him in the doorway. Pressing my lips to his forehead, I breathed in the familiar scent of his hair. All the feelings rushed back with a force that staggered me. I’d known I still loved him, but I hadn’t realized that I always would. Once we’d dreamed of sharing a life: marriage, careers, family. Together, we would never be alone again. I longed for that normal life – a normal me. But I’d come to understand that even if I cured myself, there were things I’d done in the interim for which there could be no forgiveness. Nic was as lost to me now as he’d been the first night I changed. The wind slapped snow against my face. The drop in temperature had turned the fluffy flakes into icy needles. I smelled death – probably just Billy’s. Nevertheless, we had to keep moving. With the clouds covering the moon, the road was dark. Though there wasn’t much of a chance a car would come along and run over us†¦ then again, one might. Taking advantage of Nic’s momentary lapse of consciousness, I lowered him gently to the ground and hurried to the ATV. After a quick glance to make sure he was still out, I picked up the machine and set it back on the road. There was a dent in one side, a bit of dirt on the other, but when I started the engine, it worked. Nic began to come around. I tugged on his arm, grunting as if he were â€Å"oh, so heavy,† though I could have lifted him with one hand. â€Å"Wanna help me out a little?† â€Å"Sorry, I’m – â€Å" â€Å"Hurt,† I supplied when he seemed to lose his thought again. Thankfully, he was too spacey to notice how much I helped him as he got to his feet, too woozy to see that my clothes were torn and I had flecks of blood in my hair. I hoisted Nic onto the ATY, crawled behind, then adjusted his body so that I could see, drive, and hold on to him. If I hadn’t had superpowers, I wouldn’t have been able to manage, making this one of the first times I was glad to be what I was. Nic drifted in and out of consciousness. I’d wondered how to make him stop asking questions. I’d have preferred another method. The wind shifted, or we were able to get ahead of the storm, because the highway outside of Clear Lake was dry, the forest surrounding it devoid of white. Most of the businesses on the main drag were closed, probably had been for a while. The town was small, innocent, clueless. I’d been toying with the idea of dumping Nic with a doctor – they had to have one – then disappearing again. But an hour on the ATV with little to do beyond think had nixed that idea. Billy might be dead, but Billy hadn’t blown up the compound. Whoever had, could be right behind us. I let my gaze wander over Nic’s still face. He’d say he was a highly trained FBI agent; he could take care of himself. But I knew better. To werewolves he’d be an easy lunch. No matter how dangerous it was for us both, I was going to have to take him along to Wisconsin. I pulled into the only gas station in Clear Lake. The attendant stepped outside. His gaze wandered over my torn suit, the spatters of blood and the leaves in my hair, then flicked to Nic’s lolling head. With the typical understatement that characterized inhabitants west of the Mississippi, he murmured, â€Å"Trouble?† â€Å"Nearly hit a†¦ deer. We flipped.† The story, close enough to the truth to be believable, explained Nic’s injuries and my appearance. â€Å"Need a doctor?† he asked. â€Å"No.† Nic struggled to sit up. â€Å"I’m okay.† The attendant’s brows drew together. â€Å"If you say so.† Nic tried to prove it by climbing off the ATV. He wobbled, but he didn’t fall down. â€Å"You know where I can buy some clothes?† As the word buy left my mouth, I realized I had no money. I glanced at Nic; he was already extracting his wallet. â€Å"And a car,† he added, pulling out an obscene amount of cash. â€Å"Got some T-shirts and sweatpants for sale inside.† The man scratched his head as he contemplated the money. â€Å"Car we’ll have to talk about.† I hesitated, prepared to deal, but Nic waved me away. â€Å"I’ll handle the car.† I let him. The less time we hung around, the better. Inside I snagged a pair of gray sweatpants and an equally cheery gray T-shirt. Making use of the restroom, I stripped off my torn and dirty suit. After extracting the wolf totem, I tossed the clothes into the nearly full garbage can. Holding the tiny bit of plastic between two fingers, I stared into the sparkly blue eyes. The idea that something this small, this tacky, could carry enough power to make me superduper wolf was laughable. But standing in a dirty women’s restroom in the middle of nowhere, I didn’t feel like laughing. I shoved the talisman into the pocket of my new sweatpants just as I remembered the little wolf wasn’t the only thing that had been in my skirt. Both the list of names Nic had given me and his .38 were missing. I must have dropped them somewhere along the road. I didn’t care about the list, but the gun might have been good for a bluff or two. Since I couldn’t go back for the weapon now, I shoved my bare feet into my tennies and picked one last flake of blood from my hair. My nails looked as if I’d been burying dead bodies in the woods, which was close enough to the truth to make me worry. I could only hope that the people we met between here and Wisconsin were less concerned with personal hygiene than I was. When I exited the bathroom, I found the attendant behind the register. I peered around the station, which was packed ceiling to floor with chips, soda, candy, and borderline pornography. But no Nic. â€Å"I sold your friend a car.† From the man’s grin, the deal had been sweet. Of course, we couldn’t exactly be choosy. We had to get out of here, and we couldn’t do that on an ATV. â€Å"He went across the street to pick it up.† Though I didn’t like Nic being out of my sight for more than a minute, his absence did give me time to do something I should have done before now. â€Å"Do you have a phone?† He pointed to the wall behind me. I considered the risks. I doubted anyone would have thought to put a bug on this particular phone, and Edward always had his own lines meticulously swept for listening devices. By the time someone traced the call, Nic and I should be long gone. I punched in the numbers as the clerk moved off to refill a potato chip display. Edward answered on the second ring. â€Å"Elise?† How did he do that? The caller ID should have read â€Å"Joe’s Gas Station,† not â€Å"Elise Hanover.† Sometimes the old man was spookier than everything he hunted. My response – â€Å"Yes, sir!† – was rewarded with a vicious stream of German curse words. â€Å"I know you aren’t often glad to hear from me,† I muttered, â€Å"but is that necessary?† â€Å"I have been calling the compound every half an hour, and the line is dead. If we are having a malfunction, Elise, it is your job to inform me.† â€Å"It’s a little bit more than a malfunction.† â€Å"Be specific.† I’d known Edward all of my life. He’d practically raised me – although paying various nannies, shipping me off to the best schools, then recruiting me to be his right-hand woman was hardly raising someone. There was little warmth between us, no matter how much I might want there to be. â€Å"Specifically†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I glanced around. No one was in the gas station but me and the attendant, who was more interested in straightening the Hustler supply than listening to me. Nevertheless, I lowered my voice. â€Å"There’s a crater where the compound should be.† Silence greeted my statement. â€Å"Sir?† â€Å"Sabotage?† I thought of the shadow, the shot, the silver. â€Å"Definitely.† â€Å"The guard?† â€Å"Dead.† â€Å"Subjects?† â€Å"Could be alive.† Edward’s grunt told me he understood the ramifications of that as much as I did. â€Å"Except for Billy.† â€Å"And Billy is not alive because†¦ ?† â€Å"He pissed me off.† Though his sigh traveled hundreds of miles before reaching me, the sound lost none of its power to belittle. â€Å"Your temper is, as always, a problem.† Only Edward would think that I had a temper. Everyone else considered my personality one step removed from ice bitch of the universe. Except Nic, but then, he didn’t really know me as well as he thought. â€Å"I will send someone to Montana,† Edward said. â€Å"Someone who can take care of things.† Taking care of things being a J-S euphemism for cover-up. Even if Nic managed to send some of his pals into the woods, by the time they got there, there’d be nothing left to see. â€Å"Who is responsible for this travesty?† Edward continued. â€Å"Bad guys?† The line went silent again, and I waited for the inevitable set-down. But instead of a lecture, I was rewarded with a dry chuckle, which made my heart stutter. â€Å"Who is this?† I demanded. He had the heavy German accent down to a T, but there was no humor in Edward – never had been. Which was understandable. His life had not exactly been one laugh riot after another. â€Å"What have you done with my boss?† â€Å"It is me, Elise. I have just lightened up in my old age.† Lightened up ? Okay, the world had stopped turning, and I had been too busy to notice. â€Å"So much time with Jessie and Leigh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I could almost see him shrug in that way he had that implied both nonchalance and Old World European manners. â€Å"They are amusing.† My teeth ground together at the reminder of Edward’s favorite Jger-Suchers. I had known him the longest, had helped him the most, yet when Edward had chosen pets, I was not one of them. Jessie McQuade and Leigh Tyler-Fitzgerald were Edward’s darlings as well as bosom buddies. Not that they hadn’t tried to kill each other on occasion – when you released hunters into the same field you got explosions more often than tea parties – but they were two of a kind, and I didn’t fit in. I wasn’t the type to banter and snipe. I didn’t dare participate in the physical scuffles they relished. Sarcasm wasn’t my venue. Nevertheless, having them take the place that I’d always wanted in Edward’s affections made me a lot less enamored of them than he was. â€Å"If this is Edward,† I continued, â€Å"then tell me something only we would know.† Another long swell of silence drifted over the line. For a minute I thought I was right, maybe someone was impersonating my boss. I should have known that no one got the better of the old man, including me. â€Å"By that,† he said in a hard, cool voice that made me straighten even though he wasn’t there to see, â€Å"I suspect you’re referring to the fact that I killed your mother.† How to cite Night Creature: Dark Moon Chapter Seven, Essay examples

Finding My Voice free essay sample

I distinctly remember what was running through my mind: â€Å"OWWWWWWWWWW!† No, this isnt a story about a violent attack, or some intense physical anguish. I wasnt being tortured, or really experiencing any serious harm at all. This isnt a story like that. This is a story about a voice lesson. One that changed my life. For as long as I can remember, Ive loved to sing. I’d sing all the time. In the car, in the shower, in bed at night while trying to fall asleep; you name it, I sang there. Except one place: on a stage. In front of people. Up until about eighth grade, I had a classic case of stage fright. I did the school musicals, but never worried about performing because I was usually just an ensemble member, swaying in the background. I occasionally took voice lessons and even performed in a couple of recitals for small audiences, but I was still afraid of that stage. We will write a custom essay sample on Finding My Voice or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In the back of my mind I doubted my voice and thought that it wasnt strong enough. This doubt was pulling me back, keeping me in the wings. The summer before tenth grade I participated in Summerstage at the New York State Theatre Institute, and I learned so much about the many aspects of theatre. One of the first days we had a group voice lesson, where each person in the group of about fifteen had to sing a solo in front of everyone. â€Å"On My Own† from Les Miserables was my piece, a song that needs a big voice and lots of power. I stood shaking, about to start, when one of the counselors stopped me. He stood behind me, grabbed my arms, and started pulling me backwards. He said, â€Å"Now start singing, and try to break free at the same time.† I was perplexed, and honestly found it a little odd, but I hesitantly started. He tugged hard, and it really hurt! With my mind so focused on pulling away and struggling to escape his grip, my voice just happened. It came bursting out and left my body with so much power, I couldnt believe what I was hearing. I was sure the look of surprise on my group’s face s mirrored my own. It was exhilarating and electrifying, and in that moment I knew I had the strength. I finally found my voice. That voice lesson lingers in my memory. It gave me the confidence to perform, and now musical theatre is a big part of my life. But it also showed me that sometimes the biggest thing holding me back is simply me. I have overcome my self doubt and now love to sing, as well as voice my opinions, whether it be in my Peace and Justice class, or about who is the best actress to ever play Eponine (definitely Lea Salonga, by the way). That lesson, in many aspects, made me come out of those wings and onto the center of the stage.