The Twilight Saga 4 Breaking Dawn 25. Favor Free Essays

string(41) " to keep the little monster entertained\." It was only a little while later that Edward reminded me of my priorities. It took him just one word. â€Å"Renesmee†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I sighed. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 25. Favor or any similar topic only for you Order Now She would be awake soon. It must be nearly seven in the morning. Would she be looking for me? Abruptly, something close to panic had my body freezing up. What would she look like today? Edward felt the total distraction of my stress. â€Å"It’s all right, love. Get dressed, and we’ll be back to the house in two seconds.† I probably looked like a cartoon, the way I sprung up, then looked back at him – his diamond body faintly glinting in the diffuse light – then away to the west, where Renesmee waited, then back at him again, then back toward her, my head whipping from side to side a half dozen times in a second. Edward smiled, but didn’t laugh; he was a strong man. â€Å"It’s all about balance, love. You’re so good at all of this, I don’t imagine it will take too long to put everything in perspective.† â€Å"And we have all night, right?† He smiled wider. â€Å"Do you think I could bear to let you get dressed now if that weren’t the case?† That would have to be enough to get me through the daylight hours. I would balance this overwhelming, devastating desire so that I could be a good – It was hard to think the word. Though Renesmee was very real and vital in my life, it was still difficult to think of myself as a mother. I supposed anyone would feel the same, though, without nine months to get used to the idea. And with a child that changed by the hour. The thought of Renesmee’s speeding life had me stressed-out again in an instant. I didn’t even pause at the ornately carved double doors to catch my breath before finding out what Alice had done. I just burst through, intent on wearing the first things I touched. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy. â€Å"Which ones are mine?† I hissed. As promised, the room was bigger than our bedroom. It might have been bigger than the rest of the house put together, but I’d have to pace it off to be positive. I had a brief mental flash of Alice trying to persuade Esme to ignore classic proportions and allow this monstrosity. I wondered how Alice had won that one. Everything was wrapped in garment bags, pristine and white, row after row after row. â€Å"To the best of my knowledge, everything but this rack here† – he touched a bar that stretched along the half-wall to the left of the door – â€Å"is yours.† â€Å"All of this?† He shrugged. â€Å"Alice,† we said together. He said her name like an explanation; I said it like an expletive. â€Å"Fine,† I muttered, and I pulled down the zipper on the closest bag. I growled under my breath when I saw the floorlength silk gown inside – baby pink. Finding something normal to wear could take all day! â€Å"Let me help,† Edward offered. He sniffed carefully at the air and then followed some scent to the back of the long room. There was a built-in dresser there. He sniffed again, then opened a drawer. With a triumphant grin, he held out a pair of artfully faded blue jeans. I flitted to his side. â€Å"How did you do that?† â€Å"Denim has its own scent just like anything else. Now†¦ stretch cotton?† He followed his nose to a half-rack, unearthing a long-sleeved white t-shirt. He tossed it to me. â€Å"Thanks,† I said fervently. I inhaled each fabric, memorizing the scent for future searches through this madhouse. I remembered silk and satin; I would avoid those. It only took him seconds to find his own clothes – if I hadn’t seen him undressed, I would have sworn there was nothing more beautiful than Edward in his khakis and pale beige pullover – and then he took my hand. We darted through the hidden garden, leaped lightly over the stone wall, and hit the forest at a dead sprint. I pulled my hand free so that we could race back. He beat me this time. Renesmee was awake; she was sitting up on the floor with Rose and Emmett hovering over her, playing with a little pile of twisted silverware. She had a mangled spoon in her right hand. As soon as she spied me through the glass, she chucked the spoon on the floor – where it left a divot in the wood – and pointed in my direction imperiously. Her audience laughed; Alice, Jasper, Esme, and Carlisle were sitting on the couch, watching her as if she were the most engrossing film. I was through the door before their laughter had barely begun, bounding across the room and scooping her up from the floor in the same second. We smiled widely at each other. She was different, but not so much. A little longer again, her proportions drifting from babyish to childlike. Her hair was longer by a quarter inch, the curls bouncing like springs with every movement. I’d let my imagination run wild on the trip back, and I’d imagined worse than this. Thanks to my overdone fears, these little changes were almost a relief. Even without Carlisle’s measurements, I was sure the changes were slower than yesterday. Renesmee patted my cheek. I winced. She was hungry again. â€Å"How long has she been up?† I asked as Edward disappeared through the kitchen doorway. I was sure he was on his way to get her breakfast, having seen what she’d just thought as clearly as I had. I wondered if he would ever have noticed her little quirk, if he’d been the only one to know her. To him, it probably would have seemed like hearing anyone. â€Å"Just a few minutes,† Rose said. â€Å"We would have called you soon. She’s been asking for you – demandingmight be a better description. Esme sacrificed her second-best silver service to keep the little monster entertained. You read "The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 25. Favor" in category "Essay examples"† Rose smiled at Renesmee with so much gloating affection that the criticism was entirely weightless. â€Å"We didn’t want to†¦ er, bother you.† Rosalie bit her lip and looked away, trying not to laugh. I could feel Emmett’s silent laughter behind me, sending vibrations through the foundations of the house. I kept my chin high. â€Å"We’ll get your room set up right away,† I said to Renesmee. â€Å"You’ll like the cottage. It’s magic.† I look up at Esme. â€Å"Thank you, Esme. So much. It’s absolutely perfect.† Before Esme could respond, Emmett was laughing again – it wasn’t silent this time. â€Å"So it’s still standing?† he managed to get out between his snickers. â€Å"I would’ve thought you two had knocked it to rubble by now. What were you doing last night? Discussing the national debt?† He howled with laughter. I gritted my teeth and reminded myself of the negative consequences when I’d let my temper get away from me yesterday. Of course, Emmett wasn’t as breakable as Seth___ Thinking of Seth made me wonder. â€Å"Where’re the wolves today?† I glanced out the window wall, but there had been no sign of Leah on the way in. â€Å"Jacob took off this morning pretty early,† Rosalie told me, a little frown creasing her forehead. â€Å"Seth followed him out.† â€Å"What was he so upset about?† Edward asked as he came back into the room with Renesmee’s cup. There must have been more in Rosalie’s memory than I’d seen in her expression. Without breathing, I handed Renesmee off to Rosalie. Super-self-control, maybe, but there was no way I was going to be able to feed her. Not yet. â€Å"I don’t know – or care,† Rosalie grumbled, but she answered Edward’s question more fully. â€Å"He was watching Nessie sleep, his mouth hanging open like the moron he is, and then he just jumped to his feet without any kind of trigger – that I noticed, anyway – and stormed out. was glad to be rid of him. The more time he spends here, the less chance there is that we’ll ever get the smell out.† â€Å"Rose,† Esme chided gently. Rosalie flipped her hair. â€Å"I suppose it doesn’t matter. We won’t be here that much longer.† â€Å"I still say we should go straight to New Hampshire and get things set up,† Emmett said, obviously continuing an earlier conversation. â€Å"Bella’s already registered at Dartmouth. Doesn’t look like it will take her all that long to be able to handle school.† He turned to look at me with a teasing grin. Tm sure you’ll ace your classes†¦ apparently there’s nothing interesting for you to do at night besides study.† Rosalie giggled. Do not lose your temper, do not lose your temper,I chanted to myself. And then I was proud of myself for keeping my head. So I was pretty surprised that Edward didn’t. He growled – an abrupt, shocking rasp of sound – and the blackest fury rolled across his expression like storm clouds. Before any of us could respond, Alice was on her feet. â€Å"What is he doing? What is that dog doing that has erased my schedule for the entire day? I can’t see anything] No!† She shot me a tortured glance. â€Å"Look at you! You neec/meto show you how to use your closet.† For one second I was grateful for whatever Jacob was up to. And then Edward’s hands balled up into fists and he snarled, â€Å"He talked to Charlie. He thinks Charlie is following after him. Coming here. Today.† Alice said a word that sounded very odd in her trilling, ladylike voice, and then she blurred into motion, streaking out the backdoor. â€Å"He told Charlie?† I gasped. â€Å"But – doesn’t he understand? How could he do that?† Charlie couldn’t know about me! About vampires! That would put him on a hit list that even the Cullens couldn’t save him from. â€Å"No!† Edward spoke through his teeth. â€Å"Jacob’s on his way in now.† It must have started raining farther east. Jacob came through the door shaking his wet hair like a dog, flipping droplets on the carpet and the couch where they made little round gray spots on the white. His teeth glinted against his dark lips; his eyes were bright and excited. He walked with jerky movements, like he was all hyped-up about destroying my father’s life. â€Å"Hey, guys,† he greeted us, grinning. It was perfectly silent. Leah and Seth slipped in behind him, in their human forms – for now; both of their hands were trembling with the tension in the room. â€Å"Rose,† I said, holding my arms out. Wordlessly, Rosalie handed me Renesmee. I pressed her close to my motionless heart, holding her like a talisman against rash behavior. I would keep her in my arms until I was sure my decision to kill Jacob was based entirely on rational judgment rather than fury. She was very still, watching and listening. How much did she understand? â€Å"Charlie’ll be here soon,† Jacob said to me casually. â€Å"Just a heads-up. I assume Alice is getting you sunglasses or something?† â€Å"You assume way too much,† I spit through my teeth. â€Å"What. Have. You. Done?† Jacob’s smile wavered, but he was still too wound up to answer seriously. â€Å"Biondie and Emmett woke me up this morning going on and on about you all moving cross-country. Like I could let you leave. Charlie was the biggest issue there, right? Well, problem solved.’7 â€Å"Do you even realize what you’ve done? The danger you’ve put him in?† He snorted. â€Å"I didn’t put him in danger. Except from you. But you’ve got some kind of supernatural self-control, right? Not as good as mind reading, if you ask me. Much less exciting.† Edward moved then, darting across the room to get in Jacob’s face. Though he was half a head shorter than Jacob, Jacob leaned away from his staggering anger as if Edward towered over him. â€Å"That’s just a theory, mongrel,† he snarled. â€Å"You think we should test it out on Charlie? Did you consider the physical pain you’re putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesn’t? I suppose what happens to Bella no longer concerns you!† He spit the last word. Renesmee pressed her fingers anxiously to my cheek, anxiety coloring the replay in her head. Edward’s words finally cut through Jacob’s strangely electric mood. His mouth dropped into a frown. â€Å"Bella will be in pain?† â€Å"Like you’ve shoved a white-hot branding iron down her throat!† I flinched, remembering the scent of pure human blood. â€Å"I didn’t know that,† Jacob whispered. â€Å"Then perhaps you should have asked first,† Edward growled back through his teeth. â€Å"You would have stopped me.† â€Å"You should have been stopped – â€Å" â€Å"This isn’t about me,† I interrupted. I stood very still, keeping my hold on Renesmee and sanity. â€Å"This is about Charlie, Jacob. How could you put him in danger this way? Do you realize it’s death or vampire life for him now, too?† My voice trembled with the tears my eyes could no longer shed. Jacob was still troubled by Edward’s accusations, but mine didn’t seem to bother him. â€Å"Relax, Bella. I didn’t tell him anything you weren’t planning to tell him.† â€Å"But he’s coming here!† â€Å"Yeah, that’s the idea. Wasn’t the whole let him make the wrong assumptions’ thing your plan? I think I provided a very nice red herring, if I do say so myself.† My fingers flexed away from Renesmee. I curled them back in securely. â€Å"Say it straight, Jacob. I don’t have the patience for this.† â€Å"I didn’t tell him anything about you, Bella. Not really. I told him about me. Well, show is probably a better verb.† â€Å"He phased in front of Charlie,† Edward hissed. I whispered, â€Å"You what?† â€Å"He’s brave. Brave as you are. Didn’t pass out or throw up or anything. I gotta say, I was impressed. You should’ve seen his face when I started taking my clothes off, though. Priceless,† Jacob chortled. â€Å"You absolute moronl You could have given him a heart attack!† â€Å"Charlie’s fine. He’s tough. If you’d give this just a minute, you’ll see that I did you a favor here.† â€Å"You have half of that, Jacob.† My voice was flat and steely. â€Å"You have thirty seconds to tell me every single word before I give Renesmee to Rosalie and rip your miserable head off. Seth won’t be able to stop me this time.† â€Å"Jeez, Bells. You didn’t used to be so melodramatic. Is that a vampire thing?† â€Å"Twenty-six seconds.† Jacob rolled his eyes and flopped into the nearest chair. His little pack moved to stand on his flanks, not at all relaxed the way he seemed to be; Leah’s eyes were on me, her teeth slightly bared. â€Å"So I knocked on Charlie’s door this morning and asked him to come for a walk with me. He was confused, but when I told him it was about you and that you were back in town, he followed me out to the woods. I told him you weren’t sick anymore, and that things were a little weird, but good. He was about to take off to see you, but I told him I had to show him something first. And then I phased.† Jacob shrugged. My teeth felt like a vise was pushing them together. â€Å"I want every word, you monster.† â€Å"Well, you said I only had thirty seconds – okay, okay.† My expression must have convinced him that I wasn’t in the mood for teasing. â€Å"Lemme see†¦ I phased back and got dressed, and then after he started breathing again, I said something like, ‘Charlie, you don’t live in the world you thought you lived in. The good news is, nothing has changed – except that now you know. Life’ll go on the same way it always has. You can go right back to pretending that you don’t believe any of this.’ â€Å"It took him a minute to get his head together, and then he wanted to know what was really going on with you, with the whole rare-disease thing. I told him that you had been sick, but you were fine now – it was just that you’d had to change a little bit in the process of getting better. He wanted to know what I meant by ‘change,’ and I told him that you looked a lot more like Esme now than you looked like Renee.† Edward hissed while I stared in horror; this was headed in a dangerous direction. â€Å"After a few minutes, he asked, real quietly, if you turned into an animal, too. And I said, ‘She wishes she was that cool!'† Jacob chuckled. Rosalie made a noise of disgust. â€Å"I started to tell him more about werewolves, but I didn’t even get the whole word out – Charlie cut me off and said he’d ‘rather not know the specifics.’ Then he asked if you’d known what you were getting yourself into when you married Edward, and I said, ‘Sure, she’s known all about this for years, since she first came to Forks.’ He didn’t like that very much. I let him rant till he got it out of his system. After he got calmed down, he just wanted two things. He wanted to see you, and I said it would be better if he gave me a head start to explain.† I inhaled deeply. â€Å"What was the other thing he wanted?† Jacob smiled. â€Å"You’ll like this. His main request is that he be told as little as possible about all of this. If it’s not absolutely essential for him to know something, then keep it to yourself. Need to know, only.† I felt relief for the first time since Jacob had walked in. â€Å"I can handle that part.† â€Å"Other than that, he’d just like to pretend things are normal.† Jacob’s smile turned smug; he must suspect that I would be starting to feel the first faint stirrings of gratitude about now. â€Å"What did you tell him about Renesmee?† I struggled to maintain the razor edge in my voice, fighting the reluctant appreciation. It was premature. There was still so much wrong with this situation. Even if Jacob’s intervention had brought out a better reaction in Charlie than I’d ever hoped for†¦ â€Å"Oh yeah. So I told him that you and Edward had inherited a new little mouth to feed.† He glanced at Edward. â€Å"She’s your orphaned ward – like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.† Jacob snorted. â€Å"I didn’t think you’d mind me lying. That’s all part of the game, right?† Edward didn’t respond in any way, so Jacob went on. â€Å"Charlie was way past being shocked at this point, but he did ask if you were adopting her. ‘Like a daughter? Like I’m sort of a grandfather?’ were his exact words. I told him yes. ‘Congrats, Gramps, and all of that. He even smiled a little.† The stinging returned to my eyes, but not out of fear or anguish this time. Charlie was smiling at the idea of being a grandpa? Charlie would meet Renesmee? â€Å"But she’s changing so fast,† I whispered. â€Å"I told him that she was more special than all of us put together,† Jacob said in a soft voice. He stood and walked right up to me, waving Leah and Seth off when they started to follow. Renesmee reached out to him, but I hugged her more tightly to me. â€Å"I told him, Trust me, you don’t want to know about this. But if you can ignore all the strange parts, you’re going to be amazed. She’s the most wonderful person in the whole world.’ And then I told him that if he could deal with that, you all would stick around for a while and he would have a chance to get to know her. But that if it was too much for him, you would leave. He said as long as no one forced too much information on him, he’d deal.† Jacob stared at me with half a smile, waiting. â€Å"I’m not going to say thank you,† I told him. â€Å"You’re still putting Charlie at a huge risk.† â€Å"I am sorry about it hurting you. I didn’t know it was like that. Bella, things are different with us now, but you’ll always be my best friend, and I’ll always love you. But I’ll love you the right way now. There’s finally a balance. We both have people we can’t live without.† He smiled his very most Jacob-y smile. â€Å"Still friends?† Try as hard as I could to resist, I had to smile back. Just a tiny smile. He held out his hand: an offer. I took a deep breath and shifted Renesmee’s weight to one arm. I put my left hand in his – he didn’t even flinch at the feel of my cool skin. â€Å"If I don’t kill Charlie tonight, I’ll consider forgiving you for this.† â€Å"Whenyou don’t kill Charlie tonight, you’ll owe me huge.† I rolled my eyes. He held out his other hand toward Renesmee, a request this time. â€Å"Can I?† â€Å"I’m actually holding her so that my hands aren’t free to kill you, Jacob. Maybe later.† He sighed but didn’t push me on it. Wise of him. Alice raced back through the door then, her hands full and her expression promising violence. â€Å"You, you, and you,† she snapped, glaring at the werewolves. â€Å"If you must stay, get over in the corner and commit to being there for a while. I need to see. Bella, you’d better give him the baby, too. You’ll need your arms free, anyway.† Jacob grinned in triumph. Undiluted fear ripped through my stomach as the enormity of what I was about to do hit me. I was going to gamble on my iffy self-control with my pure human father as the guinea pig. Edward’s earlier words crashed in my ears again. Did you consider the physical pain you’re putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesn’t? I couldn’t imagine the pain of failure. My breathing turned to gasps. â€Å"Take her,† I whispered, sliding Renesmee into Jacob’s arms. He nodded, concern wrinkling his forehead. He gestured to the others, and they all went to the far corner of the room. Seth and Jake slouched on the floor at once, but Leah shook her head and pursed her lips. â€Å"Am I allowed to leave?† she griped. She looked uncomfortable in her human body, wearing the same dirty t-shirt and cotton shorts she’d worn to shriek at me the other day, her short hair sticking up in irregular tufts. Her hands were still shaking. â€Å"Of course,† Jake said. â€Å"Stay east so you don’t cross Charlie’s path,† Alice added. Leah didn’t look at Alice; she ducked out the back door and stomped into the bushes to phase. Edward was back at my side, stroking my face. â€Å"You can do this. I know you can. Ill help you; we all will.† I met Edward’s eyes with panic screaming from my face. Was he strong enough to stop me if I made a wrong move? â€Å"If I didn’t believe you could handle it, we’d disappear today. This very minute. But you can. And you’ll be happier if you can have Charlie in your life.† I tried to slow my breathing. Alice held out her hand. There was a small white box on her palm. â€Å"These will irritate your eyes – they won’t hurt, but they’ll cloud your vision. It’s annoying. They also won’t match your old color, but it’s still better than bright red, right?† She flipped the contact box into the air and I caught it. â€Å"When did you – â€Å" â€Å"Before you left on the honeymoon. I was prepared for several possible futures.† I nodded and opened the container. I’d never worn contacts before, but it couldn’t be that hard. I took the little brown quarter-sphere and pressed it, concave side in, to my eye. I blinked, and a film interrupted my sight. I could see through it, of course, but I could also see the texture of the thin screen. My eye kept focusing on the microscopic scratches and warped sections. â€Å"I see what you mean,† I murmured as I stuck the other one in. I tried to not blink this time. My eye automatically wanted to dislodge the obstruction. â€Å"How do I look?† Edward smiled. â€Å"Gorgeous. Of course – â€Å" â€Å"Yes, yes, she always looks gorgeous,† Alice finished his thought impatiently. â€Å"It’s better than red, but that’s the highest commendation I can give. Muddy brown. Your brown was much prettier. Keep in mind that those won’t last forever – the venom in your eyes will dissolve them in a few hours. So if Charlie stays longer than that, you’ll have to excuse yourself to replace them. Which is a good idea anyway, because humans need bathroom breaks.† She shook her head. â€Å"Esme, give her a few pointers on acting human while I stock the powder room with contacts.† â€Å"How long do I have?† â€Å"Charlie will be here in five minutes. Keep it simple.† Esme nodded once and came to take my hand. â€Å"The main thing is not to sit too still or move too fast,† she told me. â€Å"Sit down if he does,† Emmett interjected. â€Å"Humans don’t like to just stand there.† â€Å"Let your eyes wander every thirty seconds or so,† Jasper added. â€Å"Humans don’t stare at one thing for too long.† â€Å"Cross your legs for about five minutes, then switch to crossing your ankles for the next five,† Rosalie said. I nodded once at each suggestion. I’d noticed them doing some of these things yesterday. I thought I could mimic their actions. â€Å"And blink at least three times a minute,† Emmett said. He frowned, then darted to where the television remote sat on the end table. He flipped the TV on to a college football game and nodded to himself. â€Å"Move your hands, too. Brush your hair back or pretend to scratch something,† Jasper said. â€Å"I said Esme† Alice complained as she returned. â€Å"You’ll overwhelm her.† â€Å"No, I think I got it all,† I said. â€Å"Sit, look around, blink, fidget.† â€Å"Right,† Esme approved. She hugged my shoulders. Jasper frowned. â€Å"You’ll be holding your breath as much as possible, but you need to move your shoulders a little to make it /oo/clike you’re breathing.† I inhaled once and then nodded again. Edward hugged me on my free side. â€Å"You can do this,† he repeated, murmuring the encouragement in my ear. â€Å"Two minutes,† Alice said. â€Å"Maybe you should start out already on the couch. You’ve been sick, after all. That way he won’t have to see you move right at first.† Alice pulled me to the sofa. I tried to move slowly, to make my limbs more clumsy. She rolled her eyes, so I must not have been doing a good job. â€Å"Jacob, I need Renesmee,† I said. Jacob frowned, unmoving. Alice shook her head. â€Å"Bella, that doesn’t help me see.† â€Å"But I need her. She keeps me calm.’7The edge of panic in my voice was unmistakable. â€Å"Fine,† Alice groaned. â€Å"Hold her as still as you can and I’ll try to see around her.† She sighed wearily, like she’d been asked to work overtime on a holiday. Jacob sighed, too, but brought Renesmee to me, and then retreated quickly from Alice’s glare. Edward took a seat beside me and put his arms around Renesmee and me. He leaned forward and looked Renesmee very seriously in the eyes. â€Å"Renesmee, someone special is coming to see you and your mother,† he said in a solemn voice, as if he expected her to understand every word. Did she? She looked back at him with clear, grave eyes. â€Å"But he’s not like us, or even like Jacob. We have to be very careful with him. You shouldn’t tell him things the way you tell us.† Renesmee touched his face. â€Å"Exactly,† he said. â€Å"And he’s going to make you thirsty. But you mustn’t bite him. He won’t heal like Jacob.† â€Å"Can she understand you?† I whispered. â€Å"She understands. You’ll be careful, won’t you, Renesmee? You’ll help us?† Renesmee touched him again. â€Å"No, I don’t care if you bite Jacob. That’s fine.† Jacob chuckled. â€Å"Maybe you should leave, Jacob,† Edward said coldly, glaring in his direction. Edward hadn’t forgiven Jacob, because he knew that no matter what happened now, I was going to be hurting. But I’d take the burn happily if that were the worst thing I’d face tonight. â€Å"I told Charlie I’d be here,† Jacob said. â€Å"He needs the moral support.† â€Å"Moral support,† Edward scoffed. â€Å"As far as Charlie knows, you’re the most repulsive monster of us all.† â€Å"Repulsive?† Jake protested, and then he laughed quietly to himself. I heard the tires turn off the highway onto the quiet, damp earth of the Cullens’ drive, and my breathing spiked again. My heart ought to have been hammering. It made me anxious that my body didn’t have the right reactions. I concentrated on the steady thrumming of Renesmee’s heart to calm myself. It worked pretty quickly. â€Å"Well done, Bella,† Jasper whispered in approval. Edward tightened his arm over my shoulders. â€Å"You’re sure?† I asked him. â€Å"Positive. You can do anything† He smiled and kissed me. It wasn’t precisely a peck on the lips, and my wild vampiric reactions took me off guard yet again. Edward’s lips were like a shot of some addictive chemical straight into my nervous system. I was instantly craving more. It took all my concentration to remember the baby in my arms. Jasper felt my mood change. â€Å"Er, Edward, you might not want to distract her like that right now. She needs to be able to focus.† Edward pulled away. â€Å"Oops,† he said. I laughed. That had been my line from the very beginning, from the very first kiss. â€Å"Later,† I said, and anticipation curled my stomach into a ball. â€Å"Focus, Bella,† Jasper urged. â€Å"Right.† i pushed the trembly feelings away. Charlie, that was the main thing now. Keep Charlie safe today. We would have all night___ â€Å"Bella.† â€Å"Sorry, Jasper.† Emmett laughed. The sound of Charlie’s cruiser got closer and closer. The second of levity passed, and everyone was still. I crossed my legs and practiced my blinks. The car pulled in front of the house and idled for a few seconds. I wondered if Charlie was as nervous as I was. Then the engine cut off, and a door slammed. Three steps across the grass, and then eight echoing thuds against the wooden stairs. Four more echoing footsteps across the porch. Then silence. Charlie took two deep breaths. Knock, knock, knock. I inhaled for what might be the last time. Renesmee nestled deeper into my arms, hiding her face in my hair. Carlisle answered the door. His stressed expression changed to one of welcome, like switching the channel on the TV. â€Å"Hello, Charlie,† he said, looking appropriately abashed. After all, we were supposed to be in Atlanta at the Center for Disease Control. Charlie knew he’d been lied to. â€Å"Carlisle,† Charlie greeted him stiffly. â€Å"Where’s Bella?† â€Å"Right here, Dad.† Ugh! My voice was so wrong. Plus, I’d used up some of my air supply. I gulped in a quick refill, glad that Charlie’s scent had not saturated the room yet. Charlie’s blank expression told me how off my voice was. His eyes zeroed in on me and widened. I read the emotions as they scrolled across his face. Shock. Disbelief. Pain. Loss. Fear. Anger. Suspicion. More pain. I bit my lip. It felt funny. My new teeth were sharper against my granite skin than my human teeth had been against my soft human lips. â€Å"Is that you, Bella?† he whispered. â€Å"Yep.† I winced at my wind-chime voice. â€Å"Hi, Dad.† He took a deep breath to steady himself. â€Å"Hey, Charlie,† Jacob greeted him from the corner. â€Å"How’re things?† Charlie glowered at Jacob once, shuddered at a memory, and then stared at me again. Slowly, Charlie walked across the room until he was a few feet away from me. He darted an accusing glare at Edward, and then his eyes flickered back to me. The warmth of his body heat beat against me with each pulse of his heart. â€Å"Bella?† heasked again. I spoke in a lower voice, trying to keep the ring out of it.†It’s really me.† His jaw locked. â€Å"I’m sorry, Dad,† I said. â€Å"Are you okay?† he demanded. â€Å"Really and truly great,† I promised. â€Å"Healthy as a horse.† That was it for my oxygen. â€Å"Jake told me this was†¦ necessary. That you were dying.† He said the words like he didn’t believe them one bit. I steeled myself, focused on Renesmee’s warm weight, leaned into Edward for support, and took a deep breath. Charlie’s scent was a fistful of flames, punching straight down my throat. But it was so much more than pain. It was a hot stabbing of desire, too. Charlie smelled more delicious than anything I’d ever imagined. As appealing as the anonymous hikers had been on the hunt, Charlie was doubly tempting. And he was just a few feet away, leaking mouthwatering heat and moisture into the dry air. But I wasn’t hunting now. And this was my father. Edward squeezed my shoulders sympathetically, and Jacob shot an apologetic glance at me across the room. I tried to collect myself and ignore the pain and longing of the thirst. Charlie was waiting for my answer. â€Å"Jacob was telling you the truth.† â€Å"That makes one of you,† Charlie growled. I hoped Charlie could see past the changes in my new face to read the remorse there. Under my hair, Renesmee sniffed as Charlie’s scent registered with her, too. I tightened my grip on her. Charlie saw my anxious glance down and followed it. â€Å"Oh,† he said, and all the anger fell off his face, leaving only shock behind. â€Å"This is her. The orphan Jacob said you’re adopting.† â€Å"My niece,† Edward lied smoothly. He must have decided that the resemblance between Renesmee and him was too pronounced to be ignored. Best to claim they were related from the beginning. â€Å"I thought you’d lost your family,† Charlie said, accusation returning to his voice. â€Å"I lost my parents. My older brother was adopted, like me. I never saw him after that. But the courts located me when he and his wife died in a car accident, leaving their only child without any other family.† Edward was so good at this. His voice was even, with just the right amount of innocence. I needed practice so that I could do that. Renesmee peeked out from under my hair, sniffing again. She glanced shyly at Charlie from under her long lashes, then hid again. â€Å"She’s†¦ she’s,well, she’s a beauty.† â€Å"Yes,† Edward agreed. â€Å"Kind of a big responsibility, though. You two are just getting started.† â€Å"What else could we do?† Edward brushed his fingers lightly over her cheek. I saw him touch her lips for just a moment – a reminder. â€Å"Would you have refused her?† â€Å"Hmph. Well.† Heshook his head absently. â€Å"Jake says you call her Nessie?† â€Å"No, we don’t,† I said, my voice too sharp and piercing. â€Å"Her name is Renesmee.† Charlie refocused on me. â€Å"How do you feel about this? Maybe Carlisle and Esme could – â€Å" â€Å"She’s mine,† I interrupted. â€Å"I want her.† Charlie frowned. â€Å"You gonna make me a grandpa so young?† Edward smiled. â€Å"Carlisle is a grandfather, too.† Charlie shot an incredulous glance at Carlisle, still standing by the front door; he looked like Zeus’s younger, better-looking brother. Charlie snorted and then laughed. â€Å"I guess that does sort of make me feel better.†His eyes strayed back to Renesmee. â€Å"She sure is something to look at.† His warm breath blew lightly across the space between us. Renesmee leaned toward the smell, shaking off my hair and looking him full in the face for the first time. Charlie gasped. I knew what he was seeing. My eyes – his eyes – copied exactly into her perfect face. Charlie started hyperventilating. His lips trembled, and I could read the numbers he mouthed. He was counting backward, trying to fit nine months into one. Trying to put it together but not able to force the evidence right in front of him to make any sense. Jacob got up and came over to pat Charlie on the back. He leaned in to whisper something in Charlie’s ear; only Charlie didn’t know we could all hear. â€Å"Need to know, Charlie. It’s okay. I promise.† Charlie swallowed and nodded. And then his eyes blazed as he took a step closer to Edward with his fists tightly clenched. â€Å"I don’t want to know everything, but I’m done with the lies!† â€Å"I’m sorry,† Edward said calmly, â€Å"but you need to know the public story more than you need to know the truth. If you’re going to be part of this secret, the public story is the one that counts. It’s to protect Bella and Renesmee as well as the rest of us. Can you go along with the lies for them?† The room wasfull of statues. I crossed my ankles. Charlie huffed once and then turned his glare on me. â€Å"You might’ve given me some warning, kid.† â€Å"Would it really have made this any easier?† He frowned, and then he knelt on the floor in front of me. I could see the movement of the blood in his neck under his skin. I could feel the warm vibration of it. So could Renesmee. She smiled and reached one pink palm out to him. I held her back. She pushed her other hand against my neck, thirst, curiosity, and Charlie’s face in her thoughts. There was a subtle edge to the message that made me think that she’d understood Edward’s words perfectly; she acknowledged thirst, but overrode it in the same thought. â€Å"Whoa,† Charlie gasped, his eyes on her perfect teeth. â€Å"How old is she?† â€Å"Urn†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Three months,† Edward said, and then added slowly, â€Å"rather, she’s the size of a three-month-old, more or less. She’s younger in some ways, more mature in others.† Very deliberately, Renesmee waved at him. Charlie blinked spastically. Jacob elbowed him. â€Å"Told you she was special, didn’t I?† Charlie cringed away from the contact. â€Å"Oh, c’mon, Charlie,† Jacob groaned. â€Å"I’m the same person I’ve always been. Just pretend this afternoon didn’t happen.† The reminder made Charlie’s lips go white, but he nodded once. â€Å"Just what is your part in all this, Jake?† he asked. â€Å"How much does Billy know? Why are you here?† He looked at Jacob’s face, which was glowing as he stared at Renesmee. â€Å"Well, I could tell you all about it – Billy knows absolutely everything – but it involves a lot of stuff about werewo – â€Å" â€Å"Ungh!† Charlie protested, covering his ears. â€Å"Never mind.† Jacob grinned. â€Å"Everything’s going to be great, Charlie. Just try to not believe anything you see.† My dad mumbled something unintelligible. â€Å"Woo!† Emmett suddenly boomed in his deep bass. â€Å"Go Gators!† Jacob and Charlie jumped. The rest of us froze. Charlie recovered, then looked at Emmett over his shoulder. â€Å"Florida winning?† â€Å"Just scored the first touchdown,† Emmett confirmed. He shot a look in my direction, wagging his eyebrows like a villain in vaudeville. â€Å"‘Bout time somebody scored around here.† I fought back a hiss. In front of Charlie? That was over the line. But Charlie was beyond noticing innuendos. He took yet another deep breath, sucking the air in like he was trying to pull it down to his toes. I envied him. He lurched to his feet, stepped around Jacob, and half-fell into an open chair. â€Å"Well,† he sighed, â€Å"I guess we should see if they can hold on to the lead.† How to cite The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 25. Favor, Essay examples

Advances of Information Technology free essay sample

Advances of Information Technology Kea Brown BIS/220 January 11, 2014 Instructor: Michael Fisher University of Phoenix Advances of Information Technology The context of this paper will provide the reader with insight on the advances of technology that resulted in new ethical issues necessitating the creation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 1996 (HIPAA) and the Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000 (CIPA). These two topics are focused on providing privacy and accuracy of individuals’ personal information. This paper will be broken into three separate sections. Section one of the paper will be in reference to HIPAA, section two will be about the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and finally section three will end with a brief conclusion of how ethical issues due to advances in Information Technology (IT) call for the creation of new acts as it protects consumers. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 1996 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was planned with the purpose of assuring health care coverage to employees after separating from a job. We will write a custom essay sample on Advances of Information Technology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Steven Hastert states the foundation of HIPAA accelerated from the early 1990s, when it first became evident that the medical care industry would become more efficient by computerizing medical records. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has mandated HIPAA to only be viewed by using a secured network . Therefore, HIPAA must use a strong security software. It is also geared towards allowing the transition of medical records easier to move from one medical entity to another. This would eliminating the patient having to get hard copies of his/her chart when in need of seeing a diverse group of medical professionals. For instance, if a person needs to see a specialist for his/her medical concern, the patient medical records are accessible for both the primary care physician and specialist to view. Since the evolving of HIPAA, physicians have the ability to view patient records and test results over a secured network even if physicians’ are not currently in the office. Consequently, physicians can view the records using a laptop; tablets; and other mobile device. The physician has the ability to view the medical chart on different technology devices such as tables; mobile phones; and/or laptops. The enactment of HIPAA has brought on more administrative reforms such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems, electronic health records (EHR), and radiology, pharmacy, and laboratory systems. CPOE will assist physicians with patient treatment plans. These systems have been put in place to assure accuracy; develop effective communication amongst medical providers; and provide privacy to patients’ information. EHR reduces medical errors with patient personal information. Physicians can e-scribe a prescription that will reduce patient wait time upon arrival to the pharmacy. Health plans are providing access to claims and care management, as well as member self-service applications; meaning that the medical personnel can be more flexible with time; accurate and efficient with data that supports patient information. Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000 The Children’s Internet Protection Act was designed to deal with issues concerning children’s ability to view indecent or adverse content over the internet while using a school base computer. CIPA enforces specific requirements on schools or libraries that obtain reductions for internet connections through the E-rate program. E-rate program makes certain communications services and products affordable for eligible schools and libraries. The usage of technology has become a demanding form of communication todays’ society. Many school age children rely on internet access when attending school form home. It is obligatory for these types of schools to accept the CIPA. CIPA monitors numerous activities for children. This observation is focused on assuring the child safety while using the internet. Such observations consist of cyber bullying; lewd or explicit photographs; child pornography; that can be recovered through internet service. Conclusion Technology is becoming the most effective form of communication. HIPAA has changed the transformation of health care allowing employees to retain his/her medical coverage after leaving a job. It also provide patients with privacy and help create a more effective and accurate system for physicians to converse through various medical entities. Educational programs are not limited to the old brick house school forum. Currently, school age children are taking advantage of the new home school options. While offering discounts to schools and library services, CIPA also mandates cyber schools to monitor websites for proper usage and protect the safety of children on specific items that can be viewed when using the internet on a school issued computer. These ethical issues are a few ways technology has advanced in the 21st century. References Hastert, S. (2014). Record Nations History on HIPAA. Retrieved January 8, 2014, from Record Nations: http://www. recordnations. com Rodden, K. (2003). The Childrens Internet Protection Act. Fordham Law Review, 71(5). Retrieved January 9, 2014, from http://ir. lawnet. fordham. edu

Definition of Epistemology

Table of Contents What is knowledge? Sources of Knowledge Justification of Knowledge Works Cited Primarily, epistemology centers on the understanding of the theory of knowledge and levels to which such knowledge is legitimate. This one of the most crucial areas in philosophy, for it provides a means of understanding the precepts that make knowledge, its sources, organization, methods of verification, and its confines.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Definition of Epistemology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through understanding all of this, one is able to distinguish between personal perceptions and the ultimate truth of knowledge. The reality of knowledge depends on its justifiability; that is, epistemology tends to question the truth behind human knowledge hence, through such understanding, individuals are able to form a basis of comprehending any piece of knowledge (Heylighen, p.1). What is knowledge? Kn owledge is any belief with a verification mechanism, depending on the facts of reality behind it. Knowledge not only involves the recognition that different aspects of reality exists, but it also involves correct understanding of such aspects; hence, forming a basis of justifying beliefs. It is important to note that, this definition of knowledge applies the tripartite theory of knowledge, a fact disapproved by the Gettier cases hence, making the preposition lacking. According to the Gettier cases, knowledge cannot be any type of belief with a verification mechanism primarily because, to some extent, the evidential support of some reality concepts maybe out of luck hence, making such evidence unreliable (Pappas, pp. 5-17). Sources of Knowledge Notions and beliefs held by different individuals arise due to different reasons. The varying nature of beliefs held by individuals occurs due the varying nature of wants (which can be either psychological or emotional) and varying perceptions among different individuals. Philosophically, there exists two primary propositions, which explain how humans acquire knowledge namely empiricism and rationalism. According to empiricism, individuals’ experiences play the central role in knowledge acquisition. In addition, because perception determines individuals’ judgmental habits, it is an important component in the knowledge acquisition process. Three main classes of empiricism exists namely classical, constructivism and radical empiricism. Classical empiricism refutes the notion that individuals have inborn concepts; a fact supported by Locke’s idea of the mind being like a blank slate: hence, the importance of the surrounding environments in shaping perception. Closely linked to this is radical empiricism, which states that, senses are the primary sources of knowledge. Therefore, because different individuals have different perceptions of differences occurrences, according to radical empiricists, individu als must have a mechanism of verifying all sensory perceptions.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the other hand, because human knowledge depends on sensory instincts, acquisition of knowledge must go hand in hand with personal experiences. Lastly, according to constructivism, by using personal experiences, individuals are able to formulate personal guiding rules and mental representations, which they use in understanding their sensory insights and daily experiences (Moser, pp. 72-93). Contrary to the empiricists’ ideology is the rationalists’ ideology, which postulates that, acquisition of knowledge depends on individuals’ ability to reason and encode meaning from life’s occurrences. Rationalists oppose Locke’s idea of the human mind being like a blank slate by arguing that, experiences are there to shape what humans know, because human beings are born with some innate concepts (Moser, pp. 76-94). Justification of Knowledge Because of the varying nature of perceptions held by different individuals on different life occurrences, the truth of a claim depends on available evidence to support such claims. Three primary knowledge justifications propositions exist namely: reliabilism, foundationalism, and coherentism. According to foundationalism, individual infer the truth of a belief from other proved ideas; lack of other proved beliefs means that, such held knowledge is not true because it its proving will lack the justification regress concept. A good example of justified ideas is basic beliefs, a fact that makes this theory to face criticism, because selection of basic beliefs is random (McGrath, Sosa, and Kim, pp. 226-235). Contrary to this is the coherentism ideology, which states that, for a set of beliefs to be true, then they must be coherent. The coherence of a belief depends on three properties namely: comprehensibilit y, consistency, and cohesiveness. For an idea to be consistency, then the primary elements forming such a belief must agree with each other. Existence of any contractions between such elements makes beliefs to lack the coherence property hence, void. Cohesiveness of beliefs depends on the supportive and consistent nature of elements that make up beliefs. Consistence and support are important in truth justification, for it makes beliefs probable (Wray, pp. 53-66). Reliabilism as a mechanism of truth justification is very different from coherentism and foundationalism. According to reliabilism, the justification of a belief depends on its formation methodology. Depending on the belief forming methodology; whether dependable or defective, the outcome of a justification of the truth varies; hence the existence of true and untrue beliefs (Holt, p.1).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Definition of Epistemology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In conclusion, the legitimacy of knowledge held by individuals depends on the ability of individuals to verify such knowledge, by inferring to other beliefs, checking their forming mechanism, or ascertaining their coherence. Works Cited Heylighen, Francis. Epistemology, introduction. Principia Cybernetica,  1993. Web. Holt, Tim. Reliabilism. 2010. Web. McGrath, Matthew, Sosa, Ernest, and Kim, Jaegwon. Epistemology: an anthology. Malden, Massachusetts, 2000. Web. Moser, Paul. The Oxford handbook of epistemology. Oxford: Oxford university  Press, 2002. Web. Pappas, George. Justification and knowledge: New studies in epistemology. Boston: Reidel Publishers, 1979. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Wray, Brad. Knowledge and inquiry: readings in epistemology. Ontario: Broadview Press, 2002. Web. This essay on Definition of Epistemology was written and submitted by user Mae Fisher to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Food And Hospitality

Food And Hospitality The Food and Hospitality Industry has become very important to the Australian economy, as it is one of the biggest employers in our state. It now has attained a much higher status in society and demands high standards of work from its employees. This industry is important to Australia as it is bringing in money from different countries and once this money is made it stays in the country.Employment opportunities are many. Many who wish to enter the industry usually do so by gaining a apprenticeship . Apprenticeships in the hospitality industry usually last between 2.5 years to 4 years. These apprenticeships mainly consist of 'on the job training', combined with full time practical work experience, along with future training at TAFE.This industry consists of long hours and workers must have a keen attitude, a friendly disposition, neat appearance, a willingness to work, confidence, cleanliness, personal hygiene and honesty.Main building of Villa Blanka, a secondary school ...Interperso nal skills basically include the ability to interact with people and using initiative to deal with problems which may arise if the customer is not satisfied.This Industry has many different sectors, including the Hospitality sector, which consists of restaurants, cafes, licensed clubs, accommodation, caravan parks, casinos, bed breakfasts and taverns. This sector is broken down into the food, beverage and accomodation services and is involved a lot with the tourism sector.Travel - travel agencies, tour and travel wholesalers, coach and air companies, shipping lines and car rentals Visitor services - tourist information centres, regional tourism associations, tourism commissions.Gaming - table and electronic gaming, this sector is mainly involved with casinos and establishments with tab facilities, keno and where gaming machines are available. Many locals and tourists spend their money in this part of the industry.Tourism - tour operations, theme parks, attractions, wildlife parks,

Exam III Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Exam III - Essay Example Concentration of several institutions serving the early settlers made the San Antonio quite important to the early settlers and the town evolved to become the capital of Texas in the early 1770s (Arreola, 1987). However, the San Antonio had grown into a city by early 1811 following the influx of Mexican and Spanish settlers and served as a special border town during the colonial period. Due to this fact of being a border town, its sovereignty changed several times in the early eighteenth century. According to Arrelola (1987) San Antonio was first Spanish; it then became a part of Mexican republic in early 1920s and finally a city in the Republic of Texas in 1930s what would later make it statehood in the United States in 1840s. As the time passed by, the population of this city doubled and the Mexicans continued to represent quite a significant proportion of the population of San Antonio (Meier & Ribera, 1994). In 1930s, San Antonio’s population was reported to be plainly dominated by Mexican. The Mexicans were later joined by the Americans, Germans, Irish and French immigrants who also became inhabitants of this city (Arreola, 1997). Following the intermarriages between the different individuals, the separateness of the ethnic groups became the order of the day with Mexicans reducing to approximately forty six percent of the entire population of the city. Even though the Mexican population of the town continued to decline through the 19th and 20th centuries, the nearness of the city to Mexico and the fact that among the early inhabitants were Mexicans helped the city grow as an important Mexican cultural city in United States by being the best location of settlement of the Mexican immigrants into the US (Arreola, 1997). In 1980s, the development of the railway network system across America and it connection to Mexico further shortened the distance between Mexico and the Central and Southern

Profile in Leadership Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Profile in Leadership - Term Paper Example For me leadership is a way of living and it’s hidden in small acts with big results. In order to act like a leader, one does not need a designation or role assigned to him as someone may act as a leader in petite situations. Currently, he is working as a restaurant manager in one of Starbucks branches. I have seen him dealing with his staff and observing him makes me realize that he is a highly effective leader. I have also taken feedback about him from his staff and they all declare him as an effective leader and a great motivator using various means to satisfy and keep the team on track. In domestic life, he is always supportive and helping. One of his strengths is his negotiation and conflict management skills; he is well-respected in his friend’s circle, therefore he is often asked for help in managing difficult situations. The purpose of selecting him for this interview is to identify what kind of leader he is, how he perceives himself in a leading role, how others perceive him, what are his strengths and weaknesses in this role and what makes him an effective leader. Also, analyzing his leadership skills with the help of leadership theories was another main objective of this interview. Prior to this meeting, the objective of this interview was shared with him and his consent was taken. ... According to this theory, followers have four development styles according to which leadership styles are required to be amended. Competence and motivation of the follower act as the main criteria for selection of respective leadership styles. Hersey and Blanchard (1996) presented situational leadership theory that provided a correlation between respective leadership style and skill level of the follower. According to this theory, there are four leadership styles. First one is telling or directing. Such leadership style is used when the follower lacks competence and is not willing or motivated. In such case where relationship between leader and follower is quite weak, appropriate leadership would require the leader or manager to provide directions with strict task focus. This leadership style requires that the leader maintain necessary distance with the follower as effort to strengthen relationship would lead to further confusion. Another leadership style is selling or coaching, such leadership style is appropriate in a situation where follower has a reasonable degree of commitment and competence. In such situation, the leaders are expected to focus on relationship building as well as high task focus. Since the follower has a reasonable knowledge of the job required to be done, therefore strict directions would result in further demotivation. Therefore, leader needs to develop relationship through effective listening and providing appropriate guidance when required. These two leadership styles are mainly dependent on the leader, his competence and relationship building skills. Third leadership style is participating and supporting. In this case, follower is exceptionally competent and skilled but lacks motivation to perform tasks. In such cases, leader is

Operation Management Report For Alton Towers

Operation Management Report For Alton Towers Introduction In my report to CEO I am going to explain the importance of operational management and how environmental factors affect the operations management then various operational strategies. Explaining the layout of the Alton towers and what the strategic importance of operational management are further more capacity planning, inventory planning and quality control planning. 1.1. Operations management Operations constitutes an essence role in all case by business enterprise, covering a broad chain of actions, not entirely making up, merely whole steps in the general supply/value chains. This let in procurement, stocktakings, adeptnesss, logistics, and statistical distribution. Operations management constitutes the management of the resourcefulnesss, techniques, and systems of rules accustomed translate input signal into end product to produce vendee rate. These courses of study concentrates on trading operations rules and methods utilized through systems contending globally although besides allowing a strong ecumenical masterminding direction ground. 1.2. Main focus of this leisure business As it is obvious from the case study the main focus of the business is to provide there customer the magnificent surrounding, historic legacy, fun and flight of the imagination which suits all ages and tastes. It is clear from this statement is that there main focus of operation is the customer satisfaction and by doing this achieve the Alton tower strategic goals and objective of profit maximization and become market leader in theme park business. To attract the visitor Alton tower new attractions like Oblivion, the Nemesis, Ugland and Energizer. Beside the ride and physical leisure for its customers it contain eating places like restaurants, shops where visitors can buy there desired product of the choice. Instead of shopping and eating Alton tower do organize and conduct exhibition and festival to attract more visitors. Alton tower do succeed in achieving there desired target as shown above in the case study there were over three million visitor in 1998 beside of attraction how Alton tower can gain this in providing their customer quality of services in lower price as Alton tower was charging Nineteen pound of the entrance which is not just entrance fee like other theme park do but this price include use of all rides for unlimited times. They do provide special discounts discount to elder or aged customers and organized parties. For the purpose of offering the high quality of services to its customers Alton tower maintain team of 1800 staff who are performing their duties like operating rides caterers, cleaning and shop supervisors and security purposes. Security department are one and only by the life-sustaining servicing in business sector alike these, Alton Towers could advance itself for a safe park to travel to along concentrating on it is safe record all over the yrs, and whatsoever safe certifications they have received. They could build safe a primary feature for whatever future rides, and promote these information. Alton tower has spent 20 million on these new rides in order maintain attraction of the park between peoples which is part of its ten year development program me. Due to size of the park as it is on 800 acres it is not possible for the visitor to visit the whole park in one attempt therefore they take step to construct the hotel in the park in which they provide comfort services to the visitor where they can stay at night by pay the attractive price which is another step of achieving its strategic objective. Alton vary its fee accordingly in peak, off peak, week days and week ends times in which there was rush of visitors. Alton tower can asses that how well they focus on their operations effectively by providing questionnaires to visitor and examine the level of their satisfaction and there opinions regarding how it can improve its services. 1.3. Environmental Factor Effecting Operations Management The type of environment within which, the operation functions. The key environmental variables for operations managers are: *Volume-refers to the number of times that an operation has to deliver a service or product. The combination of specialization, standardization and high volume and high volume also usually opens up the possibility of using technology to perform the task *Variation-describe the pattern of the volume demands. If there are many peaks and troughs in demand the situation is said to be one of high variation *Variety-is the term applied to the number of different types of service or product demanded. High variety environment s require different services or products on a frequent basis, whereas low variety demands look for the same output for most of the time There are several environmental factors that affect the business operation in an economy. They are classified into internal and external factors. The internal factors are those which relates to organization internal environment that can be under the control of the organization like its culture leadership and manufacturing processes. On the other side the external factors includes social environment, political, rivals, government bodies, rules and regulation issued by the regulating authorities like accountancy standard board etc. Environmental issues in the case The 1st issue that create environmental issue arise in 1924 when its operation was bought by Alton tower after that it was under the hold of army during the period of war. War destruction totally destroy the park as we are aware of the during and after war side effect on the local environment it was in poor condition when it handed over to Alton tower again for refurbishment it cause major effect to environment. As there is no way to mitigate the affect of such event as it arise such event are out of control of organisation, as its obvious during war period its impossible to protect any area and property. Therefore the one action is to control such events is in hands of government and their relation with other countries. 2nd impact was made by the technological era as the installation of new rides in park beside of customer and visitor attraction does have environmental issue as well like sound pollution, cutting trees and machinery waste pollution to environment. It can be mitigated by trying to preserve my natural resources like by instead of destroying they can be move them to alternative places which will overcome the overall impact to least level. Using such technology which was closer to sound reduction and produce minimum waste. Finally, as Alton tower has invested potential amount of money for new ride. Mostly rides was indoor and few which are outside is due to its limitation to cover them as this will cost the Alton tower major cost on the other hand it will destroy the natural things as well. It would have social issue as well as the visitor came there to entertain themselves with naturalistic environment. Another weather issue as the park is closed between November and February. This factor is also out off control of Alton tower as it is weather that prevent the visitor to come there one way it to create as much indoor facilities that protect the visitor from the tightness of weather as this step will cause massive investment as well agree the visitor to come which will happen only by huge marketing policy and attractive packages like reduction in price which I think is not cost benefit strategy for Alton tower as this will increase its cost but reduction in profitability. But most indoor concerts can b e organised there to attract the visitor to come and entertain themselves from it. Task 2 2.1. Various operation strategies At the mind of operations is the idea of transformation (output). Inputs are acquired, and the operations process converts them into outputs. Operations strategies in bare: Operation implies driving matters finished. Operation management comprises significant because its causative dealing administration resourcefulness. Operations are an day-after-day action. Strategy constitutes course to accomplish organisation long-run targets. Operation strategies are referred on correcting of aims for operations by whole procedure. Theres accented relationship betwixt operations and functions. There are all of the time hazards of dispute tween operations and functions. Because commercializing objectives to fulfill clients demands and expect operations to offer diversity, intensity, speed and higher quality service. This will direct to lower effective servicing till an contingent operation strategy is designed to conciliate and associated on additional roles by administration. All procedure experiences it is strategically target also equally operational objectives. E.g. Commercializing functions strategically target aspirant selecting cost, advancement etc and operational side implies daily tactics inward providing service. Operations strategies let in administration set up strategy, localization strategy, man resource strategy, marketing strategy, hence all functions of organization has operations responsibility in addition to equally long-run. 2.2. Evaluate and analyse the operation strategies adopted by the business. I am going to evaluate the operational strategies of Alton tower under following headings. Product and services Process and technology Capacity and facility Human resource Quality Product and services Under this operation strategy I believe that Alto tower are offering the design there services according to need and understanding of the taste of the Visitor so they are fully fulfil the need of the users of those services. Alton tower has installed new rides in park like Oblivion, The Nemesis, Runway mine train and haunted house etc. These are the products that meet the international standards and provide its user adventure and thrill they are willing to obtain from it. Alton tower has invested 20 million which is part of ten year program in which they are planning to launch new products and services for their users. There are few age and height restriction for the visitor which on one hand is in best interest of the user but if we see it from the user point of view some of them was not satisfied with this discrimination. Not only ride if we look at other services like shops amusement parks, live entertainment and exhibitions these are all fall in the services that Alton Tower are offering to its Visitors to entertain them and meet the expectations. Therefore I think Alton tower are fully active in its product and services operational strategy. Process and technology Alton tower was offering there customer Professional services in each section like ride operators, caterers, cleaner, shop assistant, supervisors and security personnels. Professional and trained operator was handling the rides which include the speed and safety measures for the visitors. Therefore visitors consider themselves to be safe when they using the ride as the feel they are under safe hands. Services like catering and shop supervision providing to elderly visitor who was unable to take ride can entertain them selves from the services that meet the highest level of quality their priority was customised to visitor need. In each process Alton tower are using the latest technology in offering these services. Capacity and facility In 1998 Alton tower entertained over three million of the visitors and they are planning to increase this annual volume of visitor per year for this purpose they installed new rides as described before to attract more visitors toward Alton tower. As explained in case study during east bank holiday the visitor reaches to 40000 and through out summer this limit sustain to 30000. Alton tower has so much area which is left as for exploring that can be utilise for further activities. There fore Alton tower do pass this operation management strategy of capacity and facility in order to hold the capacity it has develop market and shop exhibition hall where they can facilitate the visitors. Human resource In order to fulfil this strategy objective Alton tower recurit1800 staff members and more as needed during the peak time. As their is limited explanations of human resource policy in case study however Alton tower need to provide training for operating new ride installed in the park before its opening and they need to have policy to treat each member of staff equally and paid standard for like paying them on hourly basis or monthly basis. Teams should be maintain to support each different areas of theme park and task should be assign to them and proper supervision held on them so that they are performing their tasks accordingly. Bonus and post employment benefit schemes should be launched so that employees consider there future safe and offer highest level of quality in their work. Quality In this business the quality is extremely important as ride need regular maintenance because it raise health and safety issues. It is Obvious from the case that Alton tower in maintaining quality in each business services. 2.3. Strategic importance of operations management Each and every decision and strategy implementation was imposed from strategic level in every business. Therefore it is vital at strategic level to know whether there strategy was successful at operational level and it is the operation management responsibility to strictly implement instruction to achieve the desired targets. Operation management deal the day to day activities of the business therefore report on regular bases to strategic level the stage of completion on there strategy and if there are any problem arise at operational level that need careful consideration. Task 3: 3.1. Factors affecting the design of product and services and benefit gained from good design Operations managers have to consider factors like the nature of demand, the degree of vertical integration, flexibility, degree of automation, and quality level and degree of customer contact while making process design Nature of Demand: Organization need to produce products or design the services according the expectation of the customers. Schedule need to be made in order to produce product and services on time by take in to consideration the seasonality, growth in trend and demand of customers. Influence of demand patterns The demand pattern of the product and services are varying due to following factors influence like seasonal factors. For example demand for ice cream rise during summer season and air conditioning etc. Influence of price level Mostly customers demand more products at cheaper price, as they are price sensitive this will affect on the design of product and services. Degree of vertical integration: Vertical integration is degree in which determine the degree of product and services can produced internally. There are two types of integration: Forward integration is expansion of organization product to different chains and different markets. Backward integration organization tries to expand backward to source of supply. Flexibility: Organizations have to be flexible in order to increase or maintain their market share. In order to meet the flex demand of the customers organization need to be flexible in its operations. Flexibility can be broadly classified into: Product/service Flexibility and Volume Flexibility etc. Degree of automation: Despite the cost factor of implementing the automation operation management should focus on the automation for their production processes. This will reduce the labor cost and speed up the process of production. How ever the level of quality demand by the customers also impact upon the cost factors. Benefit of good design Below are 5 points to remember in order to assess the usefulness and potential success of a design. It can be adapted to specific design professions, even projects and used as a checklist. Benefit of good design includes: It should meet the desired objectives. It meets the desired quality standards. Customer is satisfied with the quality of service. Automation increase the processing time and reduce the labor cost. Customer is satisfied with the price of the product and services. 3.2. Discuss layout of Alton tower: Facilities Available at Alton Towers Resort: Through out the park 8 cash machines are installed which can be used by the customers for withdrawals of cash. Gift Shops. Push chair hire at Guest Services. Wheelchairs take into service for disabled guests, available from Guest Services. Lockers at Guest Services. First Aid is between the Towers Restaurant and Sky ride Station. Toilets are expediently situated in a multiplicity of spaces all the way through the park. Restaurants, bars and cafà ©s are as well situated right through the park. 3.3. Work measurement Work measurement is concerned with the relationship between units of output and resource time. It provides the factor that converts units to time and vice versa. According to Jack Greene view in the time study and work measurement. Work measurement is the place to start, for any organization where people or machines contribute to output, customer service, or cost. Work measurement also provides tools to manage your business better †¢ calculate actual capacity the operation can produce †¢ develop standard cost models for products and services †¢ justify equipment and automation acquisition †¢ meet the Sarbanes Oxley Act for financial understanding of costs †¢ adjudicate disagreements about workload, assignments †¢ analyze variance to find problems †¢ estimate potential benefit from changes beforehand According to Institute of management services: Work measurement is the process of establishing the time that a given task would take when performed by a qualified worker working at a defined level of performance. There are a variety of ways in which work may be measured and a variety of techniques have been recognized. The essential practice, irrespective of the particular measurement technique being used, consists of three stages; an analysis phase in which the job is separated into suitable, separate components, normally known as elements; a measurement phase in which the exact measurement technique is used to establish the time required to complete each element of work; a synthesis phase in which the different elemental times are added, together with appropriate allowances to construct the standard time for the complete job. Task 4: 4.1. Capacity planning In the case after the three million visitors in 1998 Alton tower took plan too increased this capacity for this purpose it had invested 20 million for extension of park, for this reason it installed new ride to attract the new visitors and in order to cope with the increased volume of visitor it constructed magical hotel where visitor can stay day and night during there visit and increased the number of shops and recruit additional staff to serve the visitor in efficient way. For capacity planning demand need to be forecasted ahead in order to analyse that demand meet the capacity of the company product and services. Demand can be converted into capacity by inserting time requirement. Or following method of capacity planning can be used to support the demand. Level capacity plan: in which capacity remains same it will not alter with the change in demand. Chase demand plan: in this expand the capacity with the increase in volume of demand through increase the shift and no of staff to cope with this. Manage demand: demand will be managed to deal with the capacity. In Alton tower case they have adopted chase demand plan for capacity planning as the increase the number of rides and shops and to handle the volume of demand they recruit the addition staff to fulfill the demand or volume of visitor. 4.2. Inventory planning Method Economic order Quantity (EOQ) The economic order quantity is the number of units that a company should order in an order to reduce the cost of inventory. Costs include cost of storage, cost of holding and cost of shortage. Benefit of EOQ is ongoing review of the inventory system it help to calculate the reorder level which help the business to determine what to order and how many time and who often to reorder to minimize the cost of inventory. Just in Time (JIT) Just in time is producing goods in required demand, in necessary quantity and in necessary Quality require by the customer. By doing this many business improve there return on assets. Cost includes Provide regular training to staff and establishing the policy so that they become flexible. Benefit of using JIT it reduce the operating cost, greater performance through put, higher quality, improved delivery and increase in flexibility. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) ERP provides business the control and visibility in operation to maximize the profitability and to fulfill the customer demand. ERP provides the business to manage there operation with dynamic forecast using formula based production. Benefits totally based on forecasting and inventory planning, easy to use, system is flexible, easy to understand, quick and reduce cost of operation. 4.3. Approaches for project management and quality control The traditional Approach In traditional approach it identifies the step that is going to be completed. It has five steps: Initial stage Planning and design stage Production stage Monitoring stage Completion stage Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) It is the method of planning that mainly focuses on resources like physical and human need to continue the project. Once the resources is final than project are plane and managed to ensure that resources that had planned are ready when critical chain starts and subordination other resources in the critical chain. PRINCE 2 It is information that describes the justification for setting up and continuing a prince2 project. It provides the reason for the project. An outline business case should be in the project. PRINCE2 provide a method for organization project within a plainly clear frame. PRINCE2 describe actions to direct people and activities in a project, how to design and supervise the project, and what to do if the project has to be adjusted if it does not develop as planned. Quality Control Approaches Total quality management This method is beyond the quality assurance under this approach business is concerned by creating the quality culture in the organization in which each employee is aware of quality demand to satisfied their customer. In this method every employee set out to satisfy the customer placing him at the heart of production process. Quality circles These are groups of employees who work on similar task or area of responsibility and sort out solutions for the problems to improve the quality of work. This team was head by the manager and supervisors which also improve the employee morale. Benchmarking In this method organization find out the leading competitor in the market who are performing at optimum level in there production and service areas, in order to benchmark its operation so that to stay level with the competitor. 5.1. Just in time: The first most suitable strategy of Toyota is just in time inventory. It means manufacture automobiles simply when you get the order from client at real time. Toyota Company establishes just in time inventory idea and gives benefit to its respected clients by providing excellence automobiles. The main advantage of just in time is help to run the Toyota companys manufacturing operations most easily and without wasting the raw material by estimating that what is required, when is required and how much amount is required in order to finish the given project. Basically, the main attitude behind just in time scheme of Toyota is removing wastes; decrease waste material and unreasonable requirements resulting in improved output. Kanban System: The Toyota Kanban system is one of the controlled developed inside the Toyota production system (the way we make things). The Toyota production system is exclusive and unmatched. The thinking after it and way of execution has been perfected after long years of test and mistakes. In a nutshell it is also a structure of construction based on the attitude of whole removal of waste that asks for highest in rationality in the way we create equipments. And it can be named as Toyota style production scheme or Toyota production structure. Only when the Toyota production system in its totality is acceptably conducted, can there be an efficient deployment of Kanban structure. Jidoka system: The word Jidoka appears under total production system of Toyota and it can be talked about as an individual aptitude and automation with a human stroke. The word Jidoka captivating its roots forms Sakichi Toyoda the creator of Toyota Group. The major advantage of Jidoka that excellence must be fabricated in the manufacturing procedure. And major purpose of Jidoka technology in Toyota manufacturing procedure is that device is automatically end when the construction is finished. It also has a purpose that device excellence or equipment problem happens, the device automatically discovers the difficulty at its own and stops, and it stops imperfect products from produced. And due to this simply those products are transported to next procedure which is fulfilling the criteria to transfer into next procedure and excellence of building products of Toyota enlarges with the passage of time without damaging the material. What are manufacturing operations? A manufacturer is an individual, an enterprise, or a body that produces something. Consequently, a produces process is a company or a plant where goods and commodities are prepared. Raw materials are used to produce these goods and are then twisted into complete goods prepared to be sold. A manufacture is an extremely significant factor in the selling procedure because without them, the products we require, utilize and enjoy would not be present. What are service operations? Service Industries comprise those industries that do not generate goods, but offer convinced services. The peculiarity of these industries is that frequently the utilization of the service takes place while it is in the generation. Typically, this segment comprises hospitality, publicity, banking, insurance, consultancy, logistics, etc. Compare and Contrast the Manufacturing industry with Service industry: Manufacturing and service business is frequently altering. Basically, in manufacturing business one can determine the presentation of the product. The presentation could be calculate by building efficient utilization of the product physically, and on the other hand in service industry its bit tough to determine the performance of ones service, because one matter is that it is intangible and it cannot be calculated, but once possible view to measure the performance of service business by captivating the feedback by companys reliable consumers. Productivity is more simply measured in manufacturing as compared to service. Services operations concerned more and through contact with customers rather than in manufacturing operations. Quality standards are simple to create in manufacturing whereas in service industry once quality is not easy to evaluate. Manufacturing operations can increase or decrease the finished goods record levels in respond to alter consumer demand pattern while servi ce operations cannot increase or decrease the customer demand models. Services can also comprise support operations which are also shaped and stocker rather than developing operations. Online actions are finished in services operations which fits to consumer rather than in manufacturing operations. Conclusion: The goal of this report satisfy importance of operations management and I have experienced the role of operational management in vital in any organization operational management is responsible for implementing the strategic orders and their implementations. I build up the understanding the key factors affecting the product design and strategic importance of operation management. I build my understanding of different planning techniques for capacity, inventory and quality control. It has enabled me to set goals and take the actions that will lead to best and desired destination.