Sunday, May 24, 2020

Anne Brandstreet and Female Identity Essay - 533 Words

There are not many â€Å"major† female writers in American Literature, and writing, traditionally, has always been viewed as a masculine activity. It is therefore very interesting, and even ironic, that the first author published in the newly established Puritan society on the American soil, Anne Bradstreet, was a female. Indeed, Bradstreets poems are filled with female presence. However, I also sense that Bradstreet’s feminism is held in check by her Puritan values, and there is a conflict created throughout her writing between this society of Puritan patriarchy that she lived in and her identity as a female. Bradstreet’s poems are focused on the simple pleasures found in the realities of the present. She rejoices in the†¦show more content†¦This tone ventures farther across that thin line as she writes about the great female Queen Elizabeth I: â€Å"Now say, have women worth? Or they have none? Or had they some, but with our Queen is’t gone? Nay masculines, you have thus taxed us long, But she, though dead, will vindicate our wrong, Let such as say our sex be void of reason, Know ‘tis a slander now but once was treason.† Here Bradstreet almost masks her female identity by using humor to laugh at the Puritan beliefs on women as being unfit and unreasonable as compared to men. However, while questioning and laughing somewhat at the traditional view of women in her society, Bradstreet does not take a feminist view. Through the use of Queen Elizabeth as a figure representing the greatness, intellect, power, and reason of a woman, Bradstreet could have pointed to the fact that women can indeed reign over men, and are just as capable. Instead all Bradstreet says is that Elizabeth â€Å"will vindicate our (the women’s) wrong.† In other words, she is one of a kind. Puritan patriarchy demands this subordination of the female, and this mindset is shared by Bradstreet as she is held in check by her Puritan piety. In her poem to her husband, she writes, â€Å"If ever two were one, then surely we.† Indeed, this line could also be used to describe Bradstreet’s poetry itself, as there are two seemingly conflicting elements of her Puritan

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Online Shopping Developing Countries - 1017 Words

The internet phenomenon has significantly evolved particularly in developed countries. This has transformed how retailers and buyers meet at the market place through physical and online purchases, distribution of products and services(Bashir, 2013). Although deemed to be a familiar channel for success and growth in developed countries, online shopping is still considered an innovation in developing countries like Tanzania (Mlelwa, 2015; Zaied, 2012) According to Katawetawaraks Wang(2011) online shopping has facilitated the presence of many foreign companies looking to boost their brand visibility . Locally, buyers have easy access on information and products that may not be physically available in their home countries(Oreku, Mtenzi, Ali, 2013).Unlike conventional stores, online shops are open 24 hours a day throughout the year(Gong, Stump, Maddox, 2013). Moreover, consumers from the comfort of their homes can log in at any time throughout the world and buy products and services at their convenience. On the other hand, online retailers who do not have physical presence can gain local and international exposure whilst reducing transactional costs(Laohapensang, 2009). Over the last few years Tanzania has seen a steady rise of internet users who are showing growing interest in online shopping (Mlelwa, 2015). The Tanzania government has made tremendous effort in facilitating the electronic environment through forming the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB).Show MoreRelatedOnline Shopping Habits1389 Words   |  6 Pages REVIEW OF LITERATURE ONLINE SHOPPING Online shopping or online retailing is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the Internet using a web browser. Alternative names are: e-shop, e-store, Internet shop, web-shop, web-store, online store, and virtual store. An online shop evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a bricks-and-mortar retailer or shopping center; the process is calledRead MoreElectronic Commerce ( Ec )1031 Words   |  5 Pagesway to their customer to purchase products online. Online buying is the process of selling and buying goods or services by using computer via internet. Since the development of www (World Wide Web), vendors have looked for a way to sell their goods and products to people who like to spend time on the internet. Shoppers can visit web stores from their houses and shop while they are sitting in front of their computer or laptop. Internet and online shopping has the ability to provide a lot of typesRead MoreAlibaba Case Study737 Words   |  3 PagesAlibaba, it is the differences then other online company such as, Amazons, eBay, Google, Walmart, Costco, and Sears, so that it shows how the Chinese company has developed and get bigger. Alibaba provides availability of Chinese products to the world. Alibaba has increased to cover Chinese desires, including companies extending from an old-style online marketplace and online investment service opportunities. Additionally, Alibaba offers an excellent shopping experience to Chinese customers w ith lowRead MorePower of E-Commerce over Traditional Mall Shopping1219 Words   |  5 PagesTRADITIONAL MALL SHOPPING i. Most people with different ages can easily browse the internet for several reasons; however, the online shopping considered being one of the most amazing motives. Internet revolution and growing of online marketing shifted most of consumers’ preferences to rely on online shopping instead of the usual traditional mall shopping especially when it comes to convenience, easiness, and globalization. ii. Convenience a. Convenience is the key motivation for most online shoppersRead MoreE Commerce And The Electronic Shopping Industry1108 Words   |  5 Pagesthe electronic shopping and mail-order houses industry as transactions between this business and consumers would require the use of information technology such as a computer network or through a phone network. The goods purchased would need to be delivered by mail or courier that were retailed through catalogue showrooms on the internet. Our business will specifically be providing groceries through the internet on a website. Attractive characteristics of the electronic shopping industry: E-CommerceRead MoreOnline Purchases from IKEA, Gome, and Parkson666 Words   |  3 PagesAccording to the latest trend, the online purchase is putting pressure on retail stores to go online to increase their sales and revenue. To gain more customers retailers are showing importance to optimizing a mix of online and offline tactics. Researches have shown that people tend to look online before purchasing any products. Moreover, a company’s websites and email generate business for both online channels and offline stores. To keep up with the new ‘hype’ traditional brands are modifying theirRead MoreMission, Vision And Values Essay1606 Words   |  7 PagesMission, vision and values Amazon’s vision statement is â€Å"To be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online.† (Lawrence). This vision statement underscores the organization s position as the world s best e-commerce company of the main objectives. Amazon s vision statement emphasizes the following components or features: global wide, customer priorities, and the widest selection of products. The â€Å"Global Wide† component of AmazonRead MoreStrategic Management and Planning788 Words   |  4 Pagesjewelry* 7. Is BN â€Å"stuck in the Middle† APA 3-5 pages at least 4 references Blue Nile, Inc. is considered the world’s largest online retailer of diamonds. Founded in Nineteen-ninety nine, the Blue Nile offers gold, platinum, pearl and silver jewelry. The company’s headquarters is located in Seattle, Washington and operates in over twenty five countries, with products offered through their United States, Canada and United Kingdom websites. As of January 2012, the Blue Nile employed twoRead MoreThe Internet And Its Impact On The World Of Commerce1249 Words   |  5 Pagestravel to a store. Today, shopping on the internet is commonplace, but less than 20 years ago companies would hire technicians to teach them how to use the scroll bar and other simple functions. Once enough people knew how to use the internet, the idea of selling products online came into fruition. Many people believed they could make a large sum of money quickly by starting a business online. Before this time the internet was too complicated to use for most people. Online sh opping and retail have revolutionizedRead MoreBarriers Of Transactional Trust1365 Words   |  6 Pagese-Commerce adoption. Developing countries are reputed for their high level of illiteracy. Uneducated people tend to be computer illiterate, have limited access to formal information channels and to the internet. Additionally, the information on the web is often presented in a language that requires a certain level of education. 8.5.3 Socioeconomic Barriers Economic Condition According to Lawrence Tar (2010), the unfavorable economic conditions in developing countries is widely recognized

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Thorn Queen Chapter Fourteen Free Essays

â€Å"You!† Even with her hands bound, Jasmine didn’t hesitate to attack me. She came tearing across the room, face filled with fury. I’m not sure if her intent was to kick me or simply throw herself at me, but she never even got close. We will write a custom essay sample on Thorn Queen Chapter Fourteen or any similar topic only for you Order Now My guards were on her in a flash, hauling her back. Magic started to flare around her, but one of the guards countered it with some weak nullifying magic. Her iron cuffs made magic hard to use, but the human in her gave her greater resistance. I turned on all of them incredulously. â€Å"That’s not the missing girl. That’s my sister! How could you not know that? She was Aeson’s mistress!† It was Rurik who answered. â€Å"A lot of the guard has changed since Aeson’s time. Many here came as a gift from King Dorian.† It was true. Dorian had warned that even though I’d won the Thorn Land fair and square, many of those who had served Aeson would have a hard time shaking that loyalty. Rurik had consequently sifted through the servants and guards, getting rid of those he didn’t think could be trusted. â€Å"Still,† I said. â€Å"Someone should have known. Where the hell is Shaya?† â€Å"She is away, tending to administrative errands,† said the guard who’d been so excited initially. Now he seemed deeply embarrassed and upset. Jasmine, meanwhile, hadn’t ceased in her struggles to break free of the guards. Without her magic, she wasn’t much of a threat and seemed to realize using it was futile right now. She stood average height for a girl her age, but her build was slim, and she always seemed a little too skinny. Maybe that just ran in our family. Her eyes were large and blue-gray, reminiscent of storm clouds. â€Å"You can’t hold me here, Eugenie!† she screamed. â€Å"I’m going to break free and kill you. Then I will be the one to bear our father’s heir!† â€Å"Jesus Christ,† I muttered. â€Å"The song remains the same.† To be honest, I was actually kind of surprised Jasmine wasn’t already pregnant and took it as a positive sign that she was still referring to it as a future event. The prophecy that loomed over both of us said that Storm King’s daughter’s son would be the one to lead the battle to conquer humanity. It hadn’t specified which daughter, and apparently, Jasmine was still hell-bent on beating me to it. â€Å"It’s going to happen,† Jasmine continued. â€Å"You can’t stop it.† â€Å"Are you out of your mind?† I demanded. â€Å"You’re fifteen! You have no business even talking about getting pregnant, let alone conquering the human world. You were raised there, for God’s sake. Do you know how much Wil misses you?† â€Å"I hate them,† she spat. With the angry look in her eyes, I expected to hear thunder rumbling somewhere. â€Å"I hate them all. Even him. I never belonged there. This is my world.† â€Å"Not if I pack you up and send you to Catholic boarding school somewhere,† I mused, rather entertained by the idea. â€Å"They’d never be able to hold me.† â€Å"I was joking. Geez, doesn’t sarcasm run in the family?† â€Å"You’ll never be able to hold me either. Your men got lucky, and you know it. I’ve been dodging them for weeks, each time they thought they had me.† I rolled my eyes at her smug attitude, secretly wondering what the hell I was going to do with her now. I’d spent all this time hunting her and had almost gotten used to the idea that she was gone for good. Now that we had her, I was at a bit of a loss. Never would I have guessed that my guards would inadvertently stumble across her while looking for Moria. In the midst of my puzzling, Jasmine’s words suddenly replayed through my mind. â€Å"My guys have never found you before,† I said. â€Å"Believe me, we’ve been looking.† Jasmine stared at me like I was crazy, which was something, considering that she was the one who needed to be on medication. â€Å"They almost got me last week. Maybe they were just too embarrassed about how I nearly drowned them with a tidal wave to tell you.† I shot a questioning look to Rurik, who shook his head. I turned back to her. â€Å"Those weren’t my guys.† A strange thought suddenly occurred to me. â€Å"Were they human?† â€Å"No, of course not.† â€Å"Are you sure?† Jasmine gave me a narrow-eyed look. â€Å"I know the difference between humans and shining ones. You’re the one who’s in denial, trying to act like you’re all-human.† I doubted she would say that if she had any idea what I’d been contending with here lately. Her obnoxious adolescent attitude aside, I was thinking again about what she’d said. She’d spoken of nearly being caught†¦by whom? I thought back to my meeting with Moria and her babbling about the Red Snake Man. I’d made a huge leap about Art being responsible for kidnapping her and the others. Again, I slowed down my racing mind to think of other options. It was possible that Moria’s red snake was something entirely different. Or, maybe she’d just run into him here. Like all shamans, he probably crossed over every now and then. Maybe she’d seen the tattoo then. Or, perhaps most likely, was my earlier notion that Art had simply banished her back. All of that seemed more plausible. Yet was it enough to cause Moria such terror? That was the repeated question with no answer. And now here was Jasmine, also talking about abduction. It seemed too much of a coincidence that that would happen while other young girls were disappearing. â€Å"Were they brigands?† I asked Jasmine. â€Å"Like†¦sort of rough and dirty types?† â€Å"They were guards or some other kind of fighter,† she said. â€Å"Stop trying to act like you had nothing to do with it. I know the difference between a bunch of gross beggars and trained soldiers.† â€Å"Yeah, yeah, you’re a freaking genius,† I muttered. â€Å"That’s not hard, compared to you.† â€Å"Oh, look at that. Sarcasm is in the genes.† When I was younger, I’d hated being an only child and had longed for siblings. I’d never in my wildest dreams imagined this was what I’d end up with. â€Å"What did these guys look like? Were they in uniform?† My guards’ uniforms were mismatched. They all had leather armor, but Dorian’s recruits wore the green of his army while mine had blue left over from Aeson. Some just wore whatever color tunics they wanted. â€Å"I’m not telling you anything else,† she said. â€Å"Now let me go!† There was almost a whine to her command, making her seem very much her age and less like someone literally set on world domination. Of course, there was no way I was letting her out of this place, not when she was clearly willing to spread her legs for anyone who might help fulfill our deranged father’s grand plans. Then, staring at her young face, a new thought occurred to me. I was always so concerned about her wanting to get pregnant that I never paid much attention to the idea of her facing the same risks I did. My queenly status had given me some reprieve, but there were still plenty of Otherworldly guys not above raping me. Jasmine had to be facing the same thing, the target of anyone who wanted to be the father of Storm King’s heir. These soldiers she was talking about might have had no connection at all to Moria’s abductors-if she had been abducted. Fuck. This was all hurting my brain. I needed to talk to Roland and Art before jumping to any more conclusions. And in the meantime, this was all good reason to keep Jasmine under lock and key. â€Å"Sorry,† I told her. â€Å"You aren’t going anywhere. You’ll be lucky if I don’t break out the Depo-Provera and fill your cell full of abstinence propaganda.† â€Å"Cell? You are not locking me in any cell.† Her lips were puffed into a pout. Again, she seemed so much like any ordinary surly teen that I nearly laughed. She looked more like a girl who’d been grounded from texting than one who aspired to be an all-powerful fairy queen. When I didn’t respond, the impact seemed to truly hit her. â€Å"You can’t†¦you can’t do that! Do you know who I am? I’m a princess. I’m Storm King’s daughter! My son is going to rule the worlds.† I shook my head. â€Å"No, you’re a self-absorbed brat in serious need of discipline and counseling.† â€Å"You can’t do that!† â€Å"I can†¦or did you forget who I am? I’m the big sister who rules a kingdom and isn’t going to let you jump all over this prophecy.† â€Å"You can’t lock me up forever,† she warned. â€Å"She’s right,† a voice behind me said. I turned and saw Ysabel hovering near the doorway. She didn’t look terrified of me anymore, but she no longer bore that cocky arrogance. She looked cool and aloof. â€Å"You can’t lock her up forever,† continued Ysabel. â€Å"You should kill her.† â€Å"What?† Both Jasmine and I spoke at the same time. Ysabel seemed perfectly blase about it all. â€Å"She’s your greatest rival to bearing Storm King’s grandson. So long as she lives, she always will be an obstacle. The only way you’ll be free and retain your power is if she’s gone.† I started to protest that I didn’t want to beat Jasmine to the prophecy. Then, I realized that part didn’t matter. It was Jasmine’s own desire for getting pregnant that was the problem, and Ysabel was right to a certain extent. As long as Jasmine was around, I wouldn’t have any peace. I slowly shook my head. â€Å"I’m not killing my own sister. But I am double-binding her. Somebody get another set of iron cuffs.† I saw a few guards flinch. Even with as little iron as the cuffs had, that was still more than most gentry could comfortably handle. Doubling it would stunt her magic even more, but that human blood was still going to give us trouble. â€Å"I want her cell guarded at all times,† I told Rurik. â€Å"With more than you usually would post. And make sure you’ve got guards that can actually use magic.† Someone had returned with the second set of cuffs by then, causing Jasmine to start up a new round of shrieks and protests. Rurik gave me a nod and then said in a low voice, â€Å"If I could speak to your majesty in private?† I arched an eyebrow. Rurik always obeyed me but rarely bothered with formalities or respect, which didn’t bother me. In public, though, he always used my titles, and I wondered what was on his mind. We stepped out of the room, past a disapproving Ysabel, and came to a halt a little ways down the hall. â€Å"Keeping the girl locked and under guard might not be the best idea,† he said. I groaned. â€Å"Don’t tell me you think I should kill her too.† He shrugged. â€Å"Dorian would tell you to. But if you insist on keeping her here, then get that demon of yours to guard her.† For a moment, I thought of the fire demons. Then, I realized he was using a more generalized term. â€Å"You mean Volusian?† â€Å"I’m not saying they’d do it†¦.† Rurik hesitated. â€Å"But I’m not saying they wouldn’t either. A lot of those guards might be tempted by the thought of fathering the heir, and if she offered†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Good God. She’s fifteen.† â€Å"Old enough. It didn’t stop Aeson, and if she convinced one of the guards, her age wouldn’t matter. I’m guessing your, uh, friend wouldn’t be so easily swayed.† Volusian swayed by sex? Hardly. Particularly if he was under my commands. â€Å"Fine. I’ll summon him.† Volusian would also stop any magic she could muster. â€Å"You might also consider finding a potion master to create a tincture of nightshade.† â€Å"A what?† â€Å"It’s a drink that will inhibit her from using her magic.† â€Å"Isn’t nightshade poisonous?† â€Å"Not to shining ones. Not if mixed with the right ingredients. With her human blood, it will, ah, leave her a little†¦disoriented. But it won’t kill her.† â€Å"I’m not going to keep her in a drugged stupor.† I started to return to the room and then paused to give Rurik a canny look. â€Å"Why warn me? I remember a time when you wanted to father the heir. Why not take your own shot?† â€Å"With her?† Rurik snorted. â€Å"I still wouldn’t hesitate to beget Storm King’s grandson-but she’s not the one. The heir’s mother should be a warrior, and unfortunately, that only leaves you.† â€Å"You’re never getting near my bed, Rurik.† â€Å"Yes, I’ve deduced as much. But I would still support Storm King’s grandson and would be nearly as happy for my lord the Oak King to father him.† â€Å"Dorian? That’s the only other alternative as far as you’re concerned?† Rurik’s expression seemed to wonder that there could be any question. â€Å"Who else?† I shook my head and left him, off to order the imprisonment of my sister. Before setting Volusian on permanent guard duty, I had one brief task for him. He wasn’t very happy about it, not that that came as any real surprise. â€Å"My mistress, as usual, is intent on furthering my eternal torment.† â€Å"I don’t really see how watching a teenage girl is that bad-for you, anyway. It’s going to be a lot harder on her.† â€Å"I am a being of considerable power. I cannot die. If you insist on enslaving me, you should use my abilities to bring nations to their knees.† Volusian’s red eyes narrowed ever so slightly. â€Å"Instead, my mistress dispatches me to supervise children and deliver love notes.† â€Å"It’s not a love note! Just ask him, okay?† Volusian blinked once and then vanished. While he couldn’t teleport, exactly, he could travel much faster than human or gentry. After Jasmine’s capture and Moria implicating Art, I wanted nothing more than to sit down with Kiyo. I needed to talk this out. I wasn’t used to this sort of turmoil and indecision in my life. I longed for the days when my job had simply been to go out, find the monster, and get rid of it. It had been a lot easier than this sort of deliberation. Kiyo, to my knowledge, was with Maiwenn, and I’d dispatched Volusian to see if Kiyo would come to me later. It was the closest I could get to making a phone call in the Otherworld-but still far from it, seeing that it took Volusian about twenty minutes to get back to me. â€Å"You see?† I said when he appeared in my bedroom. â€Å"That wasn’t so bad.† â€Å"The kitsune says he will come to you in two hours,† Volusian said in his flat voice, not deigning to acknowledge my comment. Two hours. Well, it was better than nothing. I sighed. â€Å"Okay. Thanks.† Volusian simply stared. My gratitude meant nothing to him. â€Å"Alright. Go watch Jasmine then. Don’t let her escape, and for God’s sake, don’t let her get pregnant.† â€Å"For how long?† â€Å"Until I say so,† I snapped. The malice radiated off Volusian, but my mastery of him would not let him disobey. Demeaning task or not, he had no choice. He vanished. Once alone, I lay back on my bed, hoping two hours would go by quickly. Like everything else among gentry royalty, the bed I’d inherited was plush and luxurious, with a thick down mattress. The covers were heavy brocade and almost never needed in this weather-but they felt great to lie against. It wasn’t quite sunset outside, but the light was fading, casting long shadows onto the room’s heavy stone walls. I’d need to light torches soon. A knock at the door forced me upright. â€Å"Yeah?† It was Nia. She gave a polite curtsey. â€Å"Your majesty, you have a guest.† For a glorious moment, I thought it was Kiyo. Then: no. It was too soon. And Nia wouldn’t have announced him. Everyone around here knew enough to let him in by now. â€Å"Who?† â€Å"Prince Leith of the Rowan Land.† â€Å"Leith?† I said, certain I’d misheard. â€Å"I just saw him, like, six hours ago.† Nia shook her head helplessly. â€Å"He’s here, that’s all I know.† I swung my legs over the bed’s edge and stood up, slipping my socked feet into short leather boots. Leith? What was he doing here? A flash of panic went through me. Had something gone wrong in Westoria? If so, wouldn’t my own people have told me? They’d taken him to my parlor, where he sat on the edge of one of the satin-lined chairs. He sprang up at my approach, hurrying over to catch my hands in his. He leaned down and kissed them. â€Å"Your majesty. Thank you for seeing me so unexpectedly. I’m sure I’m interrupting all sorts of important things.† â€Å"Not so much,† I said, withdrawing my hands. â€Å"And you should really just call me Eugenie now. What’s up? Is there a problem?† Around here, who knew what could go wrong? Famine, flood, locusts†¦ â€Å"A problem with-oh, no. Everything in Westoria is great. We made amazing progress today.† I relaxed. â€Å"Good. I was worried.† Leith shook his head, eager to reassure me. â€Å"No, no problems there. I just†¦well, I know this is strange, but I just had to come see you. That is, I had to ask you something. I feel like an idiot, though.† I frowned. â€Å"You can ask me anything. What’s going on? Are you okay?† â€Å"Oh, yes.† His embarrassment grew. â€Å"But after today†¦I just had to hear something from you.† â€Å"Okay, ask.† â€Å"Are you involved with the Oak King?† â€Å"Involved with†¦what, you mean romantically? With Dorian? No!† Leith’s face shone like the sun. â€Å"You mean it? When I saw you together today. The way he spoke†¦and the way you two interacted†¦well, I thought for sure the rumors were true.† â€Å"What rumors?† I asked warily. â€Å"That you were still lovers.† â€Å"Where are you hearing these rumors?† â€Å"Pretty much everywhere.† â€Å"Well, the answer is no. Absolutely not.† â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Really.† Leith exhaled with palpable relief. He reached for my hand, and I stepped back, putting space between us. The rapture on his face made me uneasy. â€Å"Then there’s still a chance.† â€Å"A chance for what?† I asked. â€Å"You and me.† â€Å"You and-oh, Leith, no.† It was just like everyone had said. â€Å"I like you-you’re really great-but there isn’t going to be anything happening with you and me.† â€Å"But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He moved forward again, and again, I moved away. â€Å"But you keep wanting to see me and have asked me to be a part of your kingdom. I just assumed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No, no†¦Leith, I’m involved with someone already†¦you know, Kiyo? The kitsune? We’re together.† He frowned and was still too close to my personal space. â€Å"I didn’t think it was a serious romance. I thought he was just a†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Fling?† I suggested. â€Å"Yes. I mean, someone like you couldn’t take him as a true consort.† I sighed. â€Å"Why does everyone say that? I love Kiyo. We’re together. We’re going to be together for a very long time.† Leith’s earlier joy was rapidly giving way to distress. â€Å"But†¦I mean, with my background and the way we get along, we’re a perfect match. Admit it: you are usually happy to see me.† â€Å"Of course I am. But that’s because I want to be your friend, not encourage you romantically. I like you-like hanging out with you. But that’s it. I’m sorry. I’m sorry if I led you on.† â€Å"It has to be more than friendship. I know it is for me.† He sighed. â€Å"I’ve never been able to talk to someone so easily. It feels natural.† â€Å"That’s because you guys always make everything so†¦exaggerated. There are probably a dozen girls you could sit down with and have great conversations with if you just got rid of the formality.† â€Å"No.† The grief on his face was killing me. â€Å"It’s something about you. I just can’t help it. I’m falling more and more in love with you every day.† â€Å"You barely know me! You can’t love me.† â€Å"I do,† he said in a low voice, and some of that glowing passion returned. â€Å"From the moment I saw you. Mother had said you’d be a suitable match politically, but even if that weren’t true, I’d still love you. I’ve never met anyone like you, Eugenie. So brave and beautiful†¦I’d want to be with you even if we weren’t ruling a kingdom together.† â€Å"Leith,† I said, trying hard to make my voice stern. God-dammit. Why couldn’t he have been an annoying jerk like most of my other would-be suitors? Why did he have to be a nice guy? With great effort, I tried to let him down easy instead of in my usual harsh way. â€Å"I meant it: I like you. But that’s it. I value your help and your friendship, but I’m not leaving Kiyo.† â€Å"But I love you.† It was weak and plaintive. I shook my head. â€Å"I’m sorry.† His face fell, and he turned away, wrapped in despair. He started to walk toward the door and then abruptly turned, eyes alight once more. â€Å"If things end between you and the kitsune†¦then I’d be next in line, right?† â€Å"Next in line? Er, well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Why couldn’t I just lie and say yes? Or why not use a â€Å"I don’t want to ruin our friendship† kind of crap line? â€Å"I don’t think so, Leith. I just don’t think I could ever feel that way about you.† Leith stared at me wide-eyed for several moments, and then at last, his features tightened. â€Å"I see. I’m sorry to have taken your time, your majesty. Your workers in Westoria understand my task and should no longer require my help.† He gave a small, polite bow and then hurried out the door. â€Å"Leith†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I took a few steps forward, my stomach sinking. I felt horrible. I knew he’d had a crush on me, but I hadn’t thought it was much more than the usual Otherworldly attractions I experienced. His face at the end there had broken my heart. I hadn’t wanted to hurt him, particularly after all he’d done for me. Dejected, I returned to my bedroom and ordered wine sent up. It arrived in a jewel-encrusted pitcher, complete with a heavy golden goblet. Had to love gentry room service. I declined any requests to see anyone until Kiyo arrived. I sat down on the floor, leaning against the bed and wondering how much of the wine I could get through before he arrived. To my surprise, all of it. I had no clock there but was pretty sure more than two hours had passed. I’d drunk goblet after goblet, thinking about Jasmine, Leith, and Art-and finding no resolution for any of them. I was staring at the bottom of the empty pitcher, pondering the time, when I heard a soft knock at my door. Finally! I stood up and felt the world sway around me. I gripped the bed for support. â€Å"Kiyo?† But it wasn’t him. It was Shaya. Like Rurik, she’d dropped a lot of formalities and didn’t bother with a curtsey. Her face was troubled, and I saw her clever eyes assess me and my drunkenness in a matter of seconds. â€Å"I’m sorry to bother you†¦but a messenger just arrived from the Willow Land.† The anger I’d been kindling against Kiyo’s tardiness ran cold. â€Å"Oh my God. Is he okay?† Shaya hesitated and then gave a swift nod. â€Å"As far as I know, he’s fine. It’s Queen Maiwenn everyone’s concerned about†¦she’s gone into labor.† How to cite Thorn Queen Chapter Fourteen, Essay examples

Monday, May 4, 2020

International Trades

Questions: Imagine that you have been recently hired for the job of Export Sales Manager by a Spanish manufacturer of ladies fashion garments with the aim of selling these products in other European markets. During your first participation in an international trade fair in Europe, you receive a visit from an important Commercial Agent in France. After the exhibition he sends you an email confirming his interest in being your Agent in France and asks you to send him a first draft in order to start negotiating an agreement.Having discussed in the classroom some cases relating to international trade contracts negotiation and the main legal aspects of commercial agency contract, how would this learning experience apply to your work?a) Summarize the main dos and donts regarding the negotiation process and make your remarks and comments;b) Summarize the main legal aspects regarding agents protection that you should take into consideration and make your remarks and comments. Answers: 1. Negotiation process 1.1 Remarks In this part, it is required to shed light on some dos and donts at the time of international trade negotiation. 1.1.1 Dos i. Proper use of language Initially, focus must be shed on proper use of language as clear as possible. It can be seen that the trade union guide towards two-sided negotiation has successfully in an effort to beginning to fill the information gap, such that trade unions can be provided with the potentialities to get more involved in their negotiation with the government and implementation of the bilateral and the regional trade agreements (Bhatia 2014). ii. Business terms The second most important part is defining the terms of the business in details and not mentioning the business terms clearly might hinder the path of business expansion in the foreign country. Piekkari et al (2014), has stated that it is required to use short and articulate language at the time of business negotiation, otherwise two business parties might misinterpret each other and this might affect the business. Besides that, mentioning clear time description, spelling out the name, month, date etc are some of the major and must do activities. It has been already seen that the Spain women fashion garment manufacturer has been planning to take entry into the other European market and thus, it is required to mention that they must be prepared for any kind of compromise, as this is one of the major parts of the business negotiation procedure (Brooks 2013). iii. Flexible attitude Both the business parties are required to have a flexible attitude, unless they have a flexible attitude, it would be tough for the business expansion into the other foreign markets (Tsai 2013). The organization is a fashion garment manufacturing company and thus they are required to mention the technical terms based on necessary at the time of business negotiation. iv. Be Creative Another major thing that is required to mention here is that this fashion garments manufacturing organization is required to make sure to stand out from the crowd. This organization is required to think creatively regarding how to grab the attention of the visitors walking past the strands (Rios, McConnell and Brue 2013). 1.1.2 Donts i. Complexity Now, it is required to mention some donts in this regards, as these might affect the business expansion in the foreign markets. Initially, it is required to mention that at the time of negotiation, no one is required to use of doubting words like reasonable, as this might affect the business in future. Apart from that, use of long and complex sentences is completely prohibited, as the explanation of the long sentences might hamper the understanding of the business claws (Piekkari et al. 2014). ii. Lingering language Besides these, at the time of negotiation procedure, no one must use the vague time descriptions because this can hamper the reputation of the organization. Garcia et al (2015), have stated that use of the lingering language is not at all accepted and thus they must not use this language during negotiation process. iii. Lengthy descriptions Most importantly, it is necessary to avoid any somewhat lengthy description, as this might create miscommunication among the business parties regarding the business terms and conditions. Therefore, from the above discussion, some of the dos and donts have been clearly figured out at the time of business negotiation procedure. 1.2 Comments It is very important to develop a personal relationship and certain level of trust with the Commercial agent prior to starting the negotiation process. In order to build and establish a healthier working relationship, the meeting should begin with the discussion about the general matters and catching up with each other. Relationships and feelings play an important role for French than facts (Holsti 2016). The building of a healthier relationship should be the primary focus of the negotiation process on an International Standard. It is very important to follow an agenda such that to lead the discussion in the right direction and preventing the same from any deviation. Moreover, it also should be ensured that the presentation should be clear and can be easily understandable and followed by each and every individuals being present in the meeting. 2. Main legal aspects regarding protection of agents 2.1 Remarks As the agent belongs to France and the company would be dealing its business and would be providing its products in the French market, there needs to have some protective measures to safeguard against the unfair termination of the agencies. With the advancement of trade liberalization, the manufactured products of company including the ladies clothing has been subject to increasing non tariff barriers and thereby increasing the need of protectionism (Akhtar and Jones 2013). The various legal aspects for the protection of the agents dealing with the International Trade between the two countries are described below as: 2.1.1 Contracts Agency Agreements The terms and conditions of the agency agreements are generally governed by the European Union law viz., Commercial Agents Regulations 1993. The regulations incorporated in this agreement covers the duties and rights of the agents (Twigg-Flesner 2013). These regulations are automatically incorporated within the agency contract. 2.1.2 World Economic Environment GATT GATT is the abbreviated form of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The main objectives of the regulation is to reduce down the barriers and discriminatory conduct among the parties under a contract. The law as incorporated in the GATT is to govern the rules of recognition of the tariff relating to the tariff schedule. It also provides the forum for consulting among the members (Desmarais 2012). Article 1: Non Discrimination The Non Discrimination governs the prevention of any discriminatory acts and providing some benefits to the members of the GATT, Free trade Zones and Custom Unions in the EU (McGovern 2016). Article XX: Conservation laws not prohibited The law relates to the protection of the life or health of the agents not arbitrary unjustifiable or disguised discrimination or restriction on the International trade between two countries. 2.1.3 WTO (World Trade Organization) Intellectual properly The Intellectual property agreement governs the identification of the products which amounts to rules for the investment and trade and is required to be protected when the agents get involved with the trade (Sands 2014). DSB DSB is the abbreviated from of the Dispute Settlement Body that is responsible for hearing the appeals related to the law legal interpretation (Chi 2014). France could be bringing disputes to the WTO if their rights, as they believe, under the agreements would be infringed. TRIMS (Trade Related Investment Measures) Agreement The agreements prevents the agents to conduct the business operations from the foreign investors of a particular country that requires to buy certain amount of items being sold by the ladies garment manufacturing company in Spain (Raman 2014). GATS GATS is the abbreviated form of the General Agreement on Trade in Services with the main objective is to regulate the foreign exchange among the members of the EU (Batista 2012). It also deals in regulating the members to follow the rules and regulations related to the exchange controls. 2.2 Comments The EU has a well organized administration comprising of the parliament, council of ministers, commission, auditors, advisory committees and courts of justice that abide by the substantive laws dealing in the protection of the rights of the agents dealing in the foreign trade (Egeberg et al. 2013). Some of the countries including the EU have resorted to imposition the non tariff barriers including the provision of strict quality standards in order to safeguard the domestic internets and to ensure the safety to the heath of the members and the environment as well. The main objective of an agent in an International Trade is to promote and sell the products being manufactured by a particular company with their acts. References Akhtar, S.I. and Jones, V.C., 2013. Proposed transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP): In brief. Current Politics and Economics of Europe, 24(1), pp.107-122. Batista, J.P., 2012. General agreement on trade in services. The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization. Bhatia, V.K., 2014. Analysing genre: Language use in professional settings. Routledge. Brooks, A., 2013. Stretching global production networks: The international second-hand clothing trade. Geoforum, 44, pp.10-22. Chi, M., 2014. Exhaustible Natural Resourcein WTO Law: GATT Article XX (g) Disputes and Their Implications. Journal of World Trade, 48(5), pp.939-966. Desmarais, A.A., 2012. La Va Campesina. John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Egeberg, M., Gornitzka, ., Trondal, J. and Johannessen, M., 2013. Parliament staff: unpacking the behaviour of officials in the European Parliament. Journal of European Public Policy, 20(4), pp.495-514. Garcia, F.J., Ciko, L., Gaurav, A. and Hough, K., 2015. Reforming the International Investment Regime: Lessons from International Trade Law. Journal of International Economic Law, 18(4), pp.861-892. Holsti, K., 2016. Governance without government: polyarchy in nineteenth-century European international politics. In Kalevi Holsti: Major Texts on War, the State, Peace, and International Order (pp. 149-171). Springer International Publishing.