Moving On How to Quit Your Job with Grace

Moving On How to Quit Your Job with Grace Finally! The day has arrived when you’ve finally decided to make the big announcement of quitting your job to your colleagues and boss. However, your mind is a mess and you don’t have a clear plan of action on how you should handle the procedure. It’s quite normal to feel awkward and nervous before taking the big step.You are undoubtedly filled with bittersweet emotions and hence, are looking for the perfect way to quit your job gracefully without impacting any relationships in a negative way.The following guidelines will educate you on all the required steps that you should follow for a painless exit strategy. ENVISION A STRATEGY BEFORE THE BIG DAYPreparation for taking the big step of quitting your job requires certain protocols to be executed to ensure a painless and convenient way of leaving the company with grace.Prepare a speech, have a few words with your boss on how the time was well spent, offer your gratitude to all your colleagues, and be prepared for a counter offer that may be offered to you at the last minute by the powers-that-be.Here are the most important aspects to consider before you post your final notice.Let your Boss be the First to know  Your boss happens to be the most influential figure during your time of employment, hence, it’s your responsibility to notify him before spreading the news to your colleagues. It’s important to consider that your boss could have many important projects lined up and may not be available to have a one-on-one session when you approach him.Schedule an appointment with him or let him know that you have something important to talk to. Y ou could also try catching him at the beginning of the day when things aren’t too busy, this allows you to pour your heart out and explain why you are leaving the company. Your boss may have a few words of inspiration and might even try to offer you advice on your new job. This is valuable advice from someone far more experienced and you should seriously consider it.Not every employee has a positive relationship with their bosses, nonetheless, it’s considered impolite to send your notice by e-mail or by SMS. During your recommendation letter, your boss may not have the best things to write about you and this can affect your prospects in your new job.Refrain from offering feedback on other employees to your boss on the day of departure, you never know when you may need their help or end up crossing paths in the future. Also, keep the matter strictly professional and offer a personal note of thanks without the need for gifts and other festivities.Here’s a summarized video by Eva n Carmichael on how to tell your boss that you are quitting the company. Provide Backup in Transition Planning When Required of You  Ensure all your work commitments, project reports, business follow-ups, and client deadlines are completed before you quit the job. This can positively affect your relationship with your co-workers and managers. You can be the role model for the company that affects future candidates on how to complete their work tasks before posting their resignation.If another employee has been assigned as part of a transition plan to replace you, politely oblige and showcase the day-to-day schedule on how the new employee can ease into your position. Your fellow colleague will be grateful for your helping hand and your boss will be sure to add in a detailed description in your recommendation letter.By keeping a tidy work desk on the last day of work, you demonstrate that you value your position in the company even to the final day. Being messy shows a lack of discip line and can showcase a poor code of conduct by you. Remember, by following appropriate protocols in the workplace, you instill positive guidelines into yourself and become a valuable member of any company you choose to join.Be Prepared to Take up a Counter-offer  During your exit interview, a counter-offer, by increasing your paycheck, can arise if you are considered valuable to the company. It’s not unusual for companies to bribe their employees with a promotion if their services are in great demand. Instead of declining, request your seniors for a day or two to think over it and carefully consider the counter-offer.It’s in your best interests to weigh the pros and cons of a counter-offer over your new job. The biggest advantage is that you get to increase your pay without having to move desks and you are already accustomed to the workings of your company. If you have gained a promotion, consider the responsibilities of the new position and the additional workload that comes w ith it.It’s alright to be bold and ask for a higher pay when faced with a counter-offer. Remember, they are the ones that need your services, so it’s alright to hike the offer by a few numbers. However, don’t be selfish in your endeavors and ask for more than you are worth, this can have negative consequences.If you’re stuck with your principles and no hike in your salary can stop you from pursuing your goals, then politely decline and offer your sincerest gratitude and proceed to move on.Don’t Quit Before You’ve Made Peace with Your Co-workers  Professional rifts or a former feud with a colleague can cause confusion on whether you should be the better person and apologize or storm off leaving them in the dust. In such situations, it’s always better to extend a hand of friendship and let bygones be bygones. After all, after a month in your new job, you won’t remember any of the past controversies, but you can leave your present job with a clean conscience at the very least.Who knows, you could also find a friend for life just by offering a second chance at starting again. It’s always the better move to create more professional contacts in your career than to lose a few due to an ego clash.While its normal to expect some people to react differently, for example â€" them being happy knowing of your departure. Do understand that their presence has no place in your future and such employees are better off not being a part of your career prospects. You will always be happy to know that if you’ve been a valuable employee, you will have a dozen friends for every resentful co-worker.Create a Thank-you Note to Express your positive feelings  You’ve obviously not made it this far in your professional career all by yourself. Take the time to make a list of all the people who’ve helped you and assisted you when the times were tough. Remember that colleague who once took your shift because you had a party to rush off to? â€" Add them to your list.By remembering the little positive things and writing a personalized thank-you note to your co-workers, you provide them with happiness thanks to your little gesture. Also, be sure to leave your contact information behind and do stay in touch with them. You never know when you could need their help, or you could reach out to help them by informing them of an opportunity.Refrain from bragging about your new job in front of your colleagues. It’s great that you made it this far in your professional venture but that doesn’t give you the right to make your co-workers feel bad. Leave the office on good terms and do offer to help your colleagues in any project they are working on during your 2-week notice, if you have the time to spare. There’s no better way to express gratitude than to help ease the burden of your fellow comrades.HELPFUL TIPS TO PREPARE FOR DURING YOUR 2-WEEK NOTIVE PERIODThe standard 2-week notice period can be an important time for you to execute the above plans whi le also showcasing your positive abilities. It’s normal for employees to relax and conduct themselves in a non-professional manner by chatting away with their colleagues and not taking their work seriously. After all, the new job is yours, what could go wrong, right?Wrong!You have every reason to prove yourself to ensure the recommendation letter that reaches you has all your positive qualities mentioned. If your boss decides to write an awful review of your professional qualities, your new boss may immediately be concerned and may even consider firing you.Hence, it’s important to follow protocol and pay specific attention to the following points.Offer Feedback During Your Exit Interview  Was the company able to fulfill your career requirements? Were you able to learn new skills from the company? Is the workforce within the company up to the standards? Care to share a few points on how to improve the company? These are some of the questions that employers are looking to learn fr om their employees to ensure a quality working environment.As an employee, it’s your responsibility to offer feedback to improve the current state of the company. For example, If there is a much-needed equipment that could improve production and ease the workload of your co-workers, then write it down in the feedback letter.On a personal front, do mention what the company taught you over the years and how satisfied you were with the company. These questions can help a company grow and make appropriate decisions during the next board meeting. Most companies tend to review the feedback forms of their past employees. This allows them to better assess the situation and make the necessary changes to bring improvement.Remember to always put your thoughts on paper and not discuss any improvements with your co-workers. It’s impolite to talk about the flaws with your office mates when you are quitting your job. It also goes without saying that being honest in your feedback can really boo st the company’s performance over a period.Maintain a Friendly Demeanor  During the last 2-weeks of your job, it’s easy to lose yourself by becoming selfish, after all, you have no reason to fear anyone. This behavior can call for an ugly confrontation and a lot of feuds that can cause you to be mentally harassed. By being friendly, you can gain brownie points from your seniors that can affect your recommendation letter in a positive light.By complimenting your company and talking about it in a positive sense, you can boost the morale of your comrades and help them achieve even greater heights. There’s no greater happiness than having your junior co-workers call you and ecstatically talk about the promotion they just received and how your motivational words had a hand in it.Don’t forget your company gave you a job and a means of security when you most needed it, it’s your turn to pay it back. Never ask your office mates to follow suit by lecturing them on the negative draw backs of the company. If word spreads around to your seniors, they won’t find it a least bit amusing.Maintain a friendly appearance even if you don’t feel like it, after all, it’s just 2-weeks of showing up to work. And when the final day comes, don’t forget to say goodbye to everyone and leave the office feeling like a champ for enduring it all.Different People Will Provide Different Reactions: Maintain a Straight Face  Let’s face it, it’s unlikely for all your co-workers to react the same way to hearing the news of your departure. While most would be emotional enough to cherish the fond memories they had with you, others may be elated at you vacating the post. In these times, it’s important to never lose your cool or act in an unprofessional manner.Since your employer is legally obliged to terminate your contact information linked to the company, it’s important to share your personal contact number and e-mail with your co-workers on the last day of work. This is so that you can stay connected to them even after you’ve exited the company. Making professional contacts is incredibly valuable and it’s considered a good practice to keep a list of all known associates you’ve worked for.If you have any mentors or sponsors from another department, it’s important to schedule an individual meeting and ensure you are on good terms and explain the reason for leaving. If there are too many colleagues to individually address within the 2-week period, it’s alright to write a personalized e-mail.Do remember that the last day of work is an incredibly important day, it’s the last time your co-workers and managers see you in a professional environment and it’s critical to maintain a friendly demeanor if you want to be remembered in a positive sense.Be Regular Until the Last Working Day  It might seem like the easy route out by posting your two-week notice and not showing up for work until the very last day of work. This can prove disastrous for yo ur career and you could end up receiving a lawsuit by the company. The 2-week period is an important time frame that allows your employer to find another candidate that can replace you. Hence, it’s necessary that you show up during this time and complete your outstanding work commitments.By being irregular, your employers will have no other choice than to blacklist you for being an unprofessional candidate. All the years of working tirelessly can mean nothing in the end if you end up being lackadaisical.Create a 2-week regimen with great emphasis on punctuality, show up for work earlier than usual and complete any unfinished projects. Ensure you have all your reports submitted and leave no stone unturned for your manager or boss to feel disappointed in you during your last day of work.BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU LEARNT IN YOUR TIME WITH THE COMPANYThe first thing to learn in your professional career is to never forget the roots that helped you grow into the tree you are today. Th e best way you can thank your current company is by working hard until the last minute of the final day and ensuring all your co-workers are treated with respect upon your departure. Offer your last-minute goodbyes to every member of the company, no matter how small their role was. You never know when you could run into each other again on a professional front and you wouldn’t want your previous negative encounter to ruin things for you.If you’ve been asked to serve a longer notice period than the required 2-week duration, you can politely decline and explain that a longer notice period clashes with your joining date for the new job. However, it’s your duty to ensure you leave no pending work for the employee that replaces you, to take over.Don’t forget to collect any employee benefits you may have missed on the last day. This could include unused vacation pay, sick pay, pension plan, insurance, tax rebate, etc. It’s also in your best interests to return any company proper ty that might be in your possession â€" company phone, keys, documents, security access codes, etc.If you are confused about making the right decision on whether to quit or stay with your current job, this video segment by John Baybay is the right guide to alleviate your situation. CONCUSIONTurning in your resignation doesn’t necessarily have to be a stressful experience. Make sure the details of your new job are finalized before you submit your final papers. Create a checklist to ensure the transition process is executed smoothly. The resignation letter should strictly be professional and must be written with a tone of gratitude in mind.When in doubt, always refer to the internet for ideas on how to write a professional resignation letter. By following the steps in this guide, you can be sure you’ve managed to impress your boss and your co-workers and give them a full understanding of how to sign off professionally.

Trámites para viudos de ciudadanos para la green card

Los viudos de ciudadanos americanos pueden obtener tarjeta de residencia permanente, tambià ©n conocida como green card, despuà ©s del fallecimiento de sus cà ³nyuges. Esto aplica tanto a los matrimonios heterosexuales como a los igualitarios, es decir, a los celebrados entre dos varones o dos mujeres. Requisitos para que los viudos de ciudadanos puedan obtener la residencia permanente Pueden darse dos supuestos distintos. En primer lugar, cuando el ciudadano fallece tras haber solicitado la green card para su marido o mujer mediante la presentacià ³n a USCIS de la forma I-130. En este supuesto, no hay que rellenar ningà ºn formulario mà ¡s, ya que automà ¡ticamente las autoridades migratorias cambiarà ¡n esa forma a la I-360.   En estos casos, si la persona viuda se casa de nuevo podrà ­a obtener, a pesar de ello, la green card basada en la peticià ³n del I-130, por aplicacià ³n de la Seccià ³n 204(l) de la Immigration and Nationality Act. Ademà ¡s, si el fallecido no habà ­a solicitado la residencia para sus hijastros menores de 21 aà ±os y solteros, podrà ¡ hacerlo en ese momento el viudo o viuda. En segundo lugar,  si  el ciudadano fallecià ³Ã‚  sin haber presentado los papeles para pedir a su cà ³nyuge, el viudo o viuda podrà ¡ solicitar la tarjeta de residencia permanente por sà ­ mismo mediante la presentacià ³n el formulario  I-360. El requisito indispensable es que debe enviarse dicha planilla antes de que pasen dos aà ±os a contar desde el dà ­a de fallecimiento de su cà ³nyuge. Por ejemplo, si el ciudadano estadounidense fallecià ³ el 1 de mayo de 2018, la presentacià ³n del I-360 debe realizarse antes del 30 de abril de 2020. El costo actual de ese formulario es de $435. Ademà ¡s, en estos casos, la persona viuda no puede contraer nuevo matrimonio mientras està ¡ pendiente de que le salga la residencia permanente. Si lo hace, pierde ese derecho. Por ejemplo, Carolina Sà ¡nchez, viuda de un ciudadano, se casa con Pascual Duarte. Posteriormente se divorcia y quiere saber si podrà ­a iniciar el proceso para obtener la residencia permanente presentando la planilla I-360, basà ¡ndose en su condicià ³n de viuda de un ciudadano. La respuesta es no, ya que perdià ³ su derecho al casarse con Duarte. Asimismo, en la peticià ³n I-360 se puede incluir a los hijos comunes de la persona fallecida y el/la viudo/a y a los hijastros del fallecido solteros y menores de 21 aà ±os.   Cabe destacar que los hijos de la persona fallecida y su viudo/a podrà ­an ser ciudadanos estadounidenses desde su nacimiento. Si nacieron fuera de los Estados Unidos y nunca se pidià ³ para ellos la ciudadanà ­a, hay dos opciones. En primer lugar, aplicar por la ciudadanà ­a para ellos, en estos casos las autoridades estadounidenses podrà ­an pedirse una prueba de ADN. En segundo lugar, podrà ­a optarse por directamente incluir a los hijos en la peticià ³n del viudo/a y obtener asà ­, una green card. Finalmente, destacar que aplica tanto a los viudos que ya tenà ­an un I-130 presentado a su nombre en el momento de fallecimiento del ciudadano estadounidense como a los que no lo tenà ­an y, por lo tanto, siguen la opcià ³n de la presentacià ³n del I-360, la obligacià ³n demostrar que los esposos no estaban ni divorciados ni separados legalmente en el momento del fallecimiento del cà ³nyuge ciudadano. Asimismo, debe tenerse en consideracià ³n que si el ciudadano fallecido era militar y su fallecimiento ocurrià ³ en combate, el viudo/a debe asesorare porque puede tener derecho a beneficios especiales en aplicacià ³n de la ley 108-136. Trà ¡mites segà ºn el paà ­s de residencia del viudo Si el viudo vive en Estados Unidos ademà ¡s de la peticià ³n I-130 (si ya la habà ­a presentado el cà ³nyuge fallecido) o el I-360, se debe solicitar un ajuste de estatus mediante la forma I-485. Se puede presentar conjuntamente con la I-360 o en un momento posterior. Cabe destacar que si el fallecido habà ­a pedido a su cà ³nyuge mediante la planilla I-130 es muy posible que el ajuste de estatus ya està © pedido, en este caso no hay que volver a hacerlo. Es importante destacar que los migrantes indocumentados que llegaron a Estados Unidos cruzando ilegalmente la frontera no pueden ajustar su estatus. Las personas en esta situacià ³n deben asesorarse con un abogado antes de iniciar o seguir los trà ¡mites. Sin embargo, los migrantes que sà ­ pueden ajustar su estatus pueden solicitar un permiso de trabajo mientras espera a que se apruebe. Asimismo, pueden pedir un documento para viajar que se conoce como advance parole y que permite salir y entrar de nuevo en Estados Unidos sin ningà ºn problema. Estos dos beneficios se solicitan con el ajuste de estatus. Por el contrario, si el viudo vive fuera del paà ­s debe ir a travà ©s de lo que se conoce como procedimiento consular. Una vez que USCIS aprueba la peticià ³n, el Centro Nacional de Visas inicia la parte final del trà ¡mite que culminarà ¡ con la entrevista del viudo/a en un consulado estadounidense para la obtencià ³n de la visa de inmigrante para ingresar a EE.UU. como residente permanente. Problemas para sacar la green card para viudos de ciudadanos Para obtener la residencia permanente no es suficiente ser viudo de un ciudadano. Ademà ¡s,  hay que cumplir con los requisitos generales de admisibilidad en Estados Unidos. Si no se cumplen, la tarjeta de residencia serà ¡ negada. Entre todos los posibles problemas destaca, por su frecuencia, el de aplicacià ³n del castigo de los 3 y de los 10 aà ±os a los migrantes que han estado ilegalmente en Estados Unidos 180 dà ­as corridos o mà ¡s. En el caso de existir una causa de inadmisibilidad, dependiendo de la naturaleza de la misma podrà ­a ser posible solicitar una waiver, tambià ©n conocido como perdà ³n o permiso. Cambio de la ley El 28 de octubre de 2009 se revocà ³ la ley que exigà ­a a los viudos dos aà ±os de matrimonio con un ciudadano para poder sacar la residencia permanente. Desde entonces ya no aplica ese requisito. Puntos clave: obtencià ³n de green card para viudos de ciudadanos Si el fallecido ya habà ­a presentado un I-130 para pedir green card para su cà ³nyuge, no es necesaria otra peticià ³n.Si el fallecido no habà ­a presentado una peticià ³n para su viudo/a, à ©ste puede auto-solicitar la green card mediante la planilla I-360.El costo actual del formulario I-360 es de $435La presentacià ³n del I-360 debe completarse antes de cumplirse dos aà ±os de la fecha de fallecimiento del ciudadano estadounidense. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal

Comparison Of The Movie The Crucible - 827 Words

The Crucible, a movie directed by Nicholas Hytner, was critically acclaimed and earned several awards. It received an Academy Award nomination for best screenplay based on material previously produced or published, a BAFTA award for best-adapted screenplay, and Golden Globe awards for supporting actor and actress in a motion picture. In Empire’s review, they say, â€Å"In this almost perfect screen adaptation, the lingering question is the most important one: what caused such madness?† This movie adaptation is objectively superior than the written play for many reasons. One reason is how the characters are portrayed, specifically John Proctor. The way Nicholas Hytner deals with the other characters is exceptional as well. Nicholas Hytner’s The†¦show more content†¦The movie has a visual aspect that the play cannot provide. When reading the play, the reader must rely on their own imagination for visualizing the characters based on the descriptions given. Beyond the dialogue, the movie can show more explicitly how the characters are descending into madness. The play cannot show you facial expressions and body language that the actors in the movie can depict. One example is Goodwife Putnam, who is driven crazy from her daughter’s mysterious affliction. Frances Conroy’s performance in the movie brings the added layers of her desperate facial expressions and strident voice. Winona Ryder’s Abigail Williams is another great example, because as her character becomes more and more unhinged, we see her less kept together, and in one scene she is missing her bonnet. One might argue, if you want the best interpretation of The Crucible, you should read the original play because it is exactly what Arthur Miller wanted to express with the story. This would seem to be logical, as the play is his original work. However, one could also debate that most plays rely on the director’s and the actor’s interpretation while they are in production. Most plays or musicals rely heavily on the imagination of who is putting on the show. With this power in hand, they can change the play for better or for worse. And in the case of this movie, it was exceptional. To defend the playShow MoreRelatedThe Crucible1591 Words   |  7 PagesThe Crucible Many different parts form together to make up the society we see in The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller. Whether it be religion, government, or social roles; they all play some sort of impacting part to the characters we met while watching The Crucible. Who knew that religion and government could change a person’s life in a matter of minutes like it did so many times throughout the movie. The characters like Abigail Williams and John Proctor both knew the risks of going againstRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1358 Words   |  6 PagesA. The movie, The Crucible, was produced in 1996 and portrayed the dramatized play written by Arthur Miller in 1953. The movie story deals with the Salem, Massachusetts hysteria in 1692 with an irrational fear of the devil. Witch hunts and false accusations resulted. Trials took place and resulted in the hanging and associated death of more than 20 people and the false imprisonment of many others. B. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraftRead MoreTelevision Interview : The Crucible 1118 Words   |  5 Pagesplayed the role of John Proctor in the movie, â€Å"The Crucible†. Tell us briefly about your role. D: Well, I play the role of John Proctor, Elizabeth’s husband, as a local farmer who is a stern, harsh-tongued man of high social standing and integrity and who hates hypocrisy. He is a proud man who places great emphasis on his reputation in society. ABC: As in most plays and movies, there are important themes represented. What are some of these in the movie? D: Well, there are several themesRead MoreLord Of The Flies And The Crucible Comparison Essay1255 Words   |  6 PagesFear can cause people do some crazy actions. The book, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding and the movie, The Crucible, by Arthur Miller both have many character traits in common. They both show variations of how everyone in both The Lord of the Flies and the Crucible, experience having the fear of the unknown. Each character from both the book and the movie express it in a different way. The fear of the unknown can haunt many characters. Parachute’s body and spectral evidence, Jack and AbigailRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1064 Words   |  5 PagesLucifer, Satan or his common name, the devil. From an English perspective, he is the first antagonist. In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the Devil is the main cause of conflict. He is the root of Evil. Now the reaction to devilish behavior varies from person to person, possibly even society to soci ety. The Puritan society combats evil doing with actions that could be considered worse than the Devil s worst of deeds. This is demonstrated by Reverend Hale, whose importance starts initially as a figureheadRead MoreThe Crucible : Drama, History Essay707 Words   |  3 Pages Ryan Diraljal August 30, 2016 Period 2 The Crucible Drama, History Nicholas Hytner Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield BAFTA Awards Best Actress, Best Screenplay The truth: Two girls, Betty and Abigail, were experimenting with horseshoes and Venus glass trying to raise demonic spirits. They later started acting very strangely and twitching. Betty and Abigail are accused of being possessed, andRead MoreThe Middle Of The 16th Century1571 Words   |  7 Pagesinnocence were executed, those who refused to name names were put in jail and tortured and lastly those who confessed were freed. Comparison Evaluation The film â€Å"The Crucible† can be considered very historically accurate as compared to the Salem Witch Trials that occurred in our history minus a few detail that were added to enhance the plot for the audience. In the movie Abigail was portrayed to be 17 years old but in realty she was actually 12 years old. This difference allows for viewers to haveRead MoreThe And Folklore Of All Hallows1629 Words   |  7 Pagesfor best actor and author. He then wrote his most famous play â€Å"The Crucible† which didn t get as high reviews on broadway at first, because it was considered â€Å"unamerican† by some, but then gained it s popularity. Then in the year 1956, Arthur married Marilyn Monroe. They were known as â€Å"The Brain and the Body† of hollywood. Through his work, Arthur Miller made a big impact on many American lives, such as using comparisons to help people view the world in different ways. He did this by writingRead MoreThe Devil Visited Salem Witch Trials1597 Words   |  7 PagesThe devil visited Salem in 1692, or did he? Nicholas Hytner’s The Crucible depicts the 1692 witchcraft epidemic in Salem, Massachusetts. The film was adapted from a play written by Arthur Miller in 1953. The film’s producers, Robert A. Miller and David V. Picker, released the film along with Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation in 1996. The film focuses on one female resident of Salem and her revenge against her ex-lover. The revengeful girl and her group of friends begin to accuse other membersRead MoreEssay about Arthur Miller1626 Words   |  7 Pageswas blacklisted after refusing to give information about others who had been suspected of involvement with the Communist Party, however it was later revoked. In 1953 he was even denied a passport to attend the Brussels premiere of his own play The Crucible, a play in which he expressed his faith in the ability of an individual to resist conformist pressures. Whether it was the specific experience of being blacklisted by the government or another, Arthur Miller always wrote of social concerns relative

The Vampire Diaries Dark Reunion Chapter Eight Free Essays

From where Bonnie and Meredith sat in the car, they could just see Vickie’s window. It would have been better to be closer, but then someone might have discovered them. Meredith poured the last of the coffee out of the thermos and drank it. We will write a custom essay sample on The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Eight or any similar topic only for you Order Now Then she yawned. She caught herself guiltily and looked at Bonnie. â€Å"You having trouble sleeping at night too?† â€Å"Yes. I can’t imagine why,† Meredith said. â€Å"Do you think the guys are having a little talk?† Meredith glanced at her quickly, obviously surprised, then smiled. Bonnie realized Meredith hadn’t expected her to catch on. â€Å"I hope so,† Meredith said. â€Å"It might do Matt some good.† Bonnie nodded and relaxed back into the seat. Meredith’s car had never seemed so comfortable before. When she looked at Meredith again, the dark-haired girl was asleep. Oh, great. Terrific. Bonnie stared into the dregs of her coffee mug, making a face. She didn’t dare relax again; if they both fell asleep, it could be disastrous. She dug her nails into her palms and stared at Vickie’s lighted window. When she found the image blurring and doubling on her, she knew something had to be done. Fresh air. That would help. Without bothering to be too quiet about it, she unlocked the door and pulled the handle up. The door clicked open, but Meredith went on breathing deeply. She must really be tired, Bonnie thought, getting out. She shut the door more gently, locking Meredith inside. It was only then that she realized she herself didn’t have a key. Oh, well, she’d wake Meredith to let her back in. Meanwhile she’d go check on Vickie. Vickie was probably still awake. The sky was brooding and overcast, but the night was warm. Behind Vickie’s house the black walnut trees stirred very faintly. Crickets sang, but their monotonous chirping only seemed like part of a larger silence. The scent of honeysuckle filled Bonnie’s nostrils. She tapped on Vickie’s window lightly with her fingernails, peering through the crack in the curtains. No answer. On the bed she could make out a lump of blankets with unkempt brown hair sticking out the top. Vickie was asleep too. As Bonnie stood there, the silence seemed to thicken around her. The crickets weren’t singing anymore, and the trees were still. And yet it was as if she was straining to hear something she knew was there. None of her ordinary senses told her this. But her sixth sense, the one that sent chills up her arms and ice down her spine, the one that was newly awakened to the presence of Power, was certain. There was†¦ something†¦ near. Something†¦ watching her. She turned slowly, afraid to make a sound. If she didn’t make any noise, maybe whatever it was wouldn’t get her. Maybe it wouldn’t notice her. The silence had become deadly, menacing. It hummed in her ears with the beat of her own blood. And she couldn’t help imagining what might come screaming out of it at any minute. Something with hot, moist hands, she thought, staring into the darkness of the backyard. Black on gray, black on black was all she could see. Every shape might be anything, and all the shadows seemed to be moving. Something with hot, sweaty hands and arms strong enough to crush her- The snap of a twig exploded through her like gunfire. She spun toward it, eyes and ears straining. But there was only darkness and silence. Fingers touched the back of her neck. Bonnie whirled again, almost falling, almost fainting. She was too frightened to scream. When she saw who it was, shock robbed all her senses and her muscles collapsed. She would have ended up in a heap on the ground if he hadn’t caught her and held her straight. â€Å"You look frightened,† Damon said softly. Bonnie shook her head. She didn’t have any voice yet. She thought she still might faint. But she tried to pull away just the same. He didn’t tighten his grip, but he didn’t let go. And struggling did about as much good as trying to break a brick wall with bare hands. She gave up and tried to calm her breathing. â€Å"Are you frightened of me?† Damon said. He smiled reprovingly, as if they shared a secret. â€Å"You don’t need to be.† How had Elena managed to deal with this? But Elena hadn’t, of course, Bonnie realized. Elena had succumbed to Damon in the end. Damon had won and had his way. He released one of her arms to trace, very lightly, the curve of her upper lip. â€Å"I suppose I should go away,† he said, â€Å"and not scare you anymore. Is that what you want?† Like a rabbit with a snake, Bonnie thought. This is how the rabbit feels. Only I don’t suppose he’ll kill me. I might just die on my own, though. She felt as if her legs might melt away at any minute, as if she might collapse. There was a warmth and a trembling inside her. Elena wouldn’t like it, she thought, just as his lips touched hers. Yes, that was it. But the problem was, she didn’t have the strength to say it. The warmth was growing, rushing out to all parts of her, from her fingertips to the soles of her feet. His lips were cool, like silk, but everything else was so warm. She didn’t need to be afraid; she could just let go and float on this. Sweetness rushed through her†¦ â€Å"What the hell is going on?† The voice broke the silence, broke the spell. Bonnie started and found herself able to turn her head. Matt was standing at the edge of the yard, his fists clenched, his eyes like chips of blue ice. Ice so cold it burned. â€Å"Get away from her,† Matt said. To Bonnie’s surprise, the grip on her arms eased. She stepped back, straightening her blouse, a little breathless. Her mind was working again. â€Å"It’s okay,† she said to Matt, her voice almost normal. â€Å"I was just-â€Å" â€Å"Go back to the car and stay there.† Now wait a minute, thought Bonnie. She was glad Matt had come; the interruption had been very conveniently timed. But he was coming on a little heavy with the protective older brother bit. â€Å"Look, Matt-â€Å" â€Å"Go on,† he said, still staring at Damon. Meredith wouldn’t have let herself be ordered around this way. And Elena certainly wouldn’t. Bonnie opened her mouth to tell Matt to go sit in the car himself when she suddenly realized something. This was the first time in months she’d seen Matt really care about anything. The light was back in those blue eyes-that cold flash of righteous anger that used to make even Tyler Smallwood back down. Matt was alive right now, and full of energy. He was himself again. Bonnie bit her lip. For a moment she struggled with her pride. Then she conquered it and lowered her eyes. â€Å"Thanks for rescuing me,† she murmured, and left the yard. Matt was so angry he didn’t dare move closer to Damon for fear he might take a swing at him. And the chilling darkness in Damon’s eyes told him that wouldn’t be a very good idea. But Damon’s voice was smooth, almost dispassionate. â€Å"My taste for blood isn’t just a whim, you know. It’s a necessity you’re interfering with here. I’m only doing what I have to.† Contemptuously he said, â€Å"Why don’t you pick on somebody your own size, then?† Damon smiled and the air went colder. â€Å"Like you?† Matt just stared at him. He could feel muscles clench in his jaw. After a moment he said tightly, â€Å"You can try.† â€Å"I can do more than try, Matt.† Damon took a single step toward him like a stalking panther. Involuntarily, Matt thought of jungle cats, of their powerful spring and their sharp, tearing teeth. He thought of what Tyler had looked like in the Quonset hut last year when Stefan was through with him. Red meat. Just red meat and blood. â€Å"What was that history teacher’s name?† Damon was saying silkily. He seemed amused now, enjoying this. â€Å"Mr. Tanner, wasn’t it? I did more than try with him.† â€Å"You’re a murderer.† Damon nodded, unoffended, as if he’d just been introduced. â€Å"Of course, he stuck a knife in me. I wasn’t planning to drain him quite dry, but he annoyed me and I changed my mind. You’re annoying me now, Matt.† Matt had his knees locked to keep from running. It was more than the catlike stalking grace, it was more than those unearthly black eyes fastened on his. There was something inside Damon that whispered terror to the human brain. Some menace that spoke directly to Matt’s blood, telling him to do anything to get away. But he wouldn’t run. His conversation with Stefan was blurred in his mind right now, but he knew one thing from it. Even if he died here, he wouldn’t run. â€Å"Don’t be stupid,† Damon said, as if he’d heard every word of Matt’s thoughts. â€Å"You’ve never had blood taken from you by force, have you? It hurts, Matt. It hurts a lot.† Elena, Matt remembered. That first time when she’d taken his blood he’d been scared, and the fear had been bad enough. But he’d been doing it of his own volition then. What would it be like when he was unwilling? I will not run. I will not look away. Aloud he said, still looking straight at Damon, â€Å"If you’re going to kill me, you’d better stop talking and do it. Because maybe you can make me die, but that’s all you can make me do.† â€Å"You’re even stupider than my brother,† Damon said. With two steps he crossed the distance to Matt. He grabbed Matt by his T-shirt, one hand on either side of the throat. â€Å"I guess I’ll have to teach you the same way.† Everything was frozen. Matt could smell his own fear, but he wouldn’t move. He couldn’t move now. Damon’s teeth were a white glitter in the dark. Sharp as carving knives. Matt could almost feel the razor bite of them before they touched him. I will not surrender anything, he thought, and closed his eyes. The shove took him completely off balance. He stumbled and fell backward, his eyes flying open. Damon had let go and pushed him away. Expressionless, those black eyes looked down at him where he sat in the dirt. â€Å"I’ll try to put this in a way you can understand,† Damon said. â€Å"You don’t want to mess with me, Matt. I am more dangerous than you can possibly imagine. Now get out of here. It’s my watch.† Silently, Matt got up. He rubbed at his shirt where Damon’s hands had crumpled it. And then he left, but he didn’t run and he didn’t flinch from Damon’s eyes. I won, he thought. I’m still alive, so I won. And there had been a kind of grim respect in those black eyes in the end. It made Matt wonder about some things. It really did. Bonnie and Meredith were sitting in the car when he got back. They both looked concerned. â€Å"You were gone a long time,† Bonnie said. â€Å"Are you okay?† Matt wished people would stop asking him that. â€Å"I’m fine,† he said, and then added, â€Å"Really.† After a moment’s thought he decided there was something else he should say. â€Å"Sorry if I yelled at you back there, Bonnie.† â€Å"That’s all right,† Bonnie said coolly. Then, thawing, she said, â€Å"You really do look better, you know. More like your old self.† â€Å"Yeah?† He rubbed at his crumpled T-shirt again, looking around. â€Å"Well, tangling with vampires is obviously a great warm-up exercise.† â€Å"What’d you guys do? Lower your heads and run at each other from opposite sides of the yard?† asked Meredith. â€Å"Something like that. He says he’s going to watch Vickie now.† â€Å"Do you think we can trust him?† Meredith said soberly. Matt considered. â€Å"As a matter of fact, I do. It’s weird, but I don’t think he’s going to hurt her. And if the killer comes along, I think he’s in for a surprise. Damon’s spoiling for a fight. We might as well go back to the library for Stefan.† Stefan wasn’t visible outside the library, but when the car had cruised up and down the street once or twice he materialized out of the darkness. He had a thick book with him. â€Å"Breaking and entering and grand theft, library book,† Meredith remarked. â€Å"I wonder what you get for that these days?† â€Å"You mean you found it? You figured it out? Then you can tell us everything, like you promised,† Bonnie said. â€Å"Let’s go to the boarding house.† Stefan looked slightly surprised when he heard that Damon had turned up and stationed himself at Vickie’s, but he made no comment. Matt didn’t tell him exactly how Damon had turned up, and he noticed Bonnie didn’t either. â€Å"I’m almost positive about what’s going on in Fell’s Church. And I’ve got half the puzzle solved, anyway,† Stefan said once they were all settled in his room in the boarding house attic. â€Å"But there’s only one way to prove it, and only one way to solve the other half. I need help, but it isn’t something I’m going to ask lightly.† He was looking at Bonnie and Meredith as he said it. They looked at each other, then back at him. â€Å"This guy killed one of our friends,† said Meredith. â€Å"And he’s driving another one crazy. If you need our help, you’ve got it.† â€Å"Whatever it takes,† Bonnie added. â€Å"It’s something dangerous, isn’t it?† Matt demanded. He couldn’t restrain himself. As if Bonnie hadn’t been through enough†¦ â€Å"It’s dangerous, yes. But it’s their fight too, you know.† â€Å"Darn right it is,† said Bonnie. Meredith was obviously trying to repress a smile. Finally she had to turn away and grin. â€Å"Matt’s back,† she said when Stefan asked her what the joke was. â€Å"We missed you,† added Bonnie. Matt couldn’t understand why they were all smiling at him, and it made him feel hot and uncomfortable. He went over to stand by the window. â€Å"It is dangerous; I won’t try to kid you about that,† Stefan said to the girls. â€Å"But it’s the only chance. The whole thing’s a little complicated, and I’d better start at the beginning. We have to go back to the founding of Fell’s Church†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He talked on late into the night. Thursday, June 11, 7:00 a.m. Dear Diary, I couldn’t write last night, because I got in too late. Mom was upset again. She’d have been hysterical if she’d known what I was actually doing. Hanging out with vampires and planning something that may get me killed. That may get us all killed. Stefan has a plan to trap the guy who murdered Sue. It reminds me of some of Elena’s plans-and that’s what worries me. They always sounded wonderful, but lots of the time they went wrong. Anyway, we’re going to do it after graduation. We’re all in on it except Damon, who’ll be watching Vickie. It’s strange, but we all trust him now. Even me. Despite what he did to me last night, I don’t think he’ll let Vickie get hurt. I haven’t had any more dreams about Elena. I think if I do, I will go absolutely screaming berserk. Or never go to sleep again. I just can’t take any more of that. All right. I’d better go. Hopefully, by Sunday we’ll have the mystery solved and die killer caught. I trust Stefan. I just hope I can remember my part. How to cite The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion Chapter Eight, Essay examples

The Agricultural Revolution from the Neolithic Age to a New Era of Agricultural Growth

The introduction So, first of all, I would like to point out that Neolithic Revolution is one of the most interesting technological discoveries of pre-history. The discovery of tools is recognized to be one of the most important events of human development, as it is a well-known fact that â€Å"The development of tools such as flint points, axes, weapons such as the spear and the bow and arrow, snares, and hooks is a reflection of the change from gathering and scavenging to hunting† (â€Å"Neolithic Revolution and the Discovery of Agriculture† 1).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Agricultural Revolution: from the Neolithic Age to a New Era of Agricultural Growth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Another important point of humans’ development is recognized to be control of fire. Generally, I suppose that this aspect is of great importance as fire provided people of the Neolithic Age with heat and light. On the other hand, the discovery of fire helped people to cook food. In my opinion, this aspect is very important, as at that time numerous food items were not only unpalatable, but also unsanitary. The most significant discovery of humankind is considered to be the way to preserve fire. On the other hand, one may point out that another key technique people became familiar with is getting fire due to combustion processes. For this reason, I suppose that one can make a conclusion that Neolithic Revolution is the key moment in the history of humans’ development. Finally, another important aspect of the age is considered to be the invention of agriculture. This process includes domestication of various wild animals, management of plants, etc. Generally, when talking about the invention of agriculture, one is to make a conclusion that the dawn of profound social changes had started in times of Neolithic Age. It is said that â€Å"Agriculture was adopted rep eatedly and independently in various parts of the world after the retreat of the Pleitocene ice around 12,000 years ago† (â€Å"Neolithic Revolution and the Discovery of Agriculture† 1). The discovery of the wheel is another important event, which is to be highlighted. Thus, this invention marked the beginning of the so-called mechanical revolution. Stages of human development Generally, the stages of human development include hunting and gathering, use of wild grains, and Neolithic agricultural revolution. The last point is characterized by the so-called New Stone Age, farming, domestication of dogs, goats, and other wild animals. Numerous social consequences also took place.Advertising Looking for research paper on ancient history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The body The Neolithic Age and Agricultural Revolution This period started 10,000 years ago. The Neolithic Age is mostly associated with â€Å"the use of polished stone implements, development of permanent dwellings, cultural advances such as pottery making, domestication of animals and plants, the cultivation of grain and fruit trees, and weaving† (â€Å"Neolithic Revolution and the Discovery of Agriculture† 1). On the other hand, the definition of the Neolithic Revolution is mostly related to farming appearance. When bronze tools appeared, this period was called the late period of revolution; or, in other words – the Late Neolithic Period. Origins of agriculture are still quite ambiguous. To understand the precise origin of agriculture, one is to analyze numerous aspects, including various ecological types, a mind climate, hunting and fishing aspects, flora, etc. â€Å"The spread of early agricultural techniques led to new advances as new plant forms were carried to new environments† (â€Å"Neolithic Revolution and the Discovery of Agriculture† 1). The earliest tools were made from stones. Gene rally, they say that the first traces of agricultural development were obvious on the territory of the Fertile Crescent. As far as I know, Israel and Iraq are considered to be modern areas of agricultural development. Adze and axe 7000 BCE – 5000 BCE The process of domestication can’t be neglected and requires some more attention. Thus, there is an opinion that domestication took place for religious reasons. For instance, various ceremonies and rituals were held to worship Gods as well as to present them with gifts. Christopher Paik is of the opinion that in time of the Neolithic Age â€Å"the regions of fertile lands also adopted agriculture early, and they also developed more extractive institutions; the regions that had less suitable lands for agriculture on the other hand adopted agriculture later and developed less extractive institutions† (4).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Agricultural Revolution: from the Neolithic A ge to a New Era of Agricultural Growth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, domestication can be also explained by certain climatic changes. â€Å"In agricultural societies children are assets, so once the decision is made to depend on agriculture, populations inevitably increase and the economy becomes locked into agriculture† (â€Å"Neolithic Revolution and the Discovery of Agriculture† 3). Finally, I would like to point out that nomadism can also explain agricultural development. In other words, there is certain interdependence between hunting and farming. Generally, the major points of the Neolithic Revolution are food raising, settled life (it includes the construction of villages, towns, and first cities), new technologies, and social organization. (â€Å"The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution† 12) Fertile Crescent, South Asia, East Asia, Central America, Egypt, Vietnam, etc. are considered to be the most well-known areas of agriculture development. The earliest near East town were Ain Ghazal (Jordan), Jericho (in our days, it is modern Palestine), and Catal Huyuk (in our days, it is contemporary Turkey). Demographic changes are also recognized to be rather important. Thus, I would like to tell a few words about this aspect. So, it is necessary to point out that the availability of food items influenced higher populations. In this respect, some extra points can be added. For instance, sedentary mode of life permitted more children. On the other hand, this mode of life also caused various illnesses. The illnesses were spread from animals. Of course, taking into account people’s constant interactions, one can point out that the diseases caused epidemics.Advertising Looking for research paper on ancient history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More So, another important aspect I would like to highlight is related to the so-called social transformation. This aspect includes increasing organization (families, large societies, chiefdoms, states), social stratification (some food producers appeared, – they provided societies with food items; craft specialization, religious elites, hereditary rulers, slavery, gender discrimination), welfare of separate societies or groups. The fist states are also to be considered. Various chiefdoms competed for domination. Thus, the first states were formed. The functions of the state were to resolve internal disorders, to protect the state from external threats, and to redistribute resources. Finally, the basic elements of civilization were political institutions, organized religion, administrative centers, hierarchical system of classes, taxation, specialization of labor, technological development, trade, and the last step – writing. The conclusion The Agricultural Revolution: New Era In the untimely part of the 18th century, several farmers had narrow pieces of land that they would cultivate and generate their food (Snell 62). This system had several limitations among them being wastage of land the banks of earth that divided the narrow pieces of lands. Moreover, the drainage system for these lands was poor, and since the farmers had little knowledge on land fertility, they had to leave some land fellow every four years to improve their fertility. This means that here was no agricultural revolution because this practice persisted for an unusually long period. Besides, the general modifications in farming were extremely slow. The problem with that was that food production remained constant while the population increased. Therefore, some people begun to experience food shortages, which meant that something had to be done. However, in early 19th century, farmers begun to encompass new farming methods such as Norforlk Crop rotation system, which helped them, eli minate the problems of land fallow. The land was split in four portions with different crops planted in them (Bellis par. 6). The crop that would be produced in each section would be rotated so that distinct nutrients would be consumed from the land. For example, in one year, crop such as turnips would be cultivated and in the second year, barley cultivated on the same land piece turnips crops, which in turn, replaces the barleys in their initial land. In the third year, a grass crop replaces the barley and in the fourth year wheat grown in the field. This process helped the farmers grow some crops for profits such as wheat and barley. As the demand of food rose, individuals began to make modifications to the types of farming machines they used in their farms among them being the threshing and drilling machines (Bellwood 27). These types of inventions accompanied with field enclosure method, facilitated agriculture to grow swiftly and generate adequate food for the increasing popula tion. Other inventions such as the plow, creation of large-scale agricultural generation potential and leading agrarian communities led to the agricultural revolution that generated an alteration of human society. The revolution had such a massive significance on society that several individual refer to as the â€Å"dawn of civilization.† It was during the same era when the plow was discovered that the writing, wheel and numbers were also discovered (Snell 201). The agricultural revolution drew more attention on the changes that occurred because of the domestication upheaval that lengthened the evolution effects even further in community. The following figure shows the breakdown of radical changes that occurred during agricultural revolution. In time of the revolution era, stratification appeared as the principal feature of social life. This integration of authority and resources finally led to the establishment of the state as the wealthy and authoritative established instit ution of the state to consolidate their gains even further (Bellis par. 3). The farmers of early days in America had poor agricultural equipments that could not lead to incredible harvest. Agricultural plows that Roman farmers had were better than the American farmers’ plows. By description, a plow (others call it plough) refers to farm equipment with one or several blades that smashes the soil and cut a furrow for spreading seeds (Cohen 35). So, while analyzing the above-mentioned facts, one can state that agricultural development began a long time ago with acceleration and pressure from the increasing population that increased the demand of food. The agricultural revolution was mainly on the farming tools that reduced labor and increased production. Works Cited Bellis, Mary. The Agricultural Revolution: Introduction to the Agricultural Revolution, 2012. Web. Bellwood, Peter. First Farmers: The Origins of Agricultural Societies. Malden  (MA):  Blackwell  Publishers,  2004.  Print. Cohen, Mark Nathan. The Food Crisis in Prehistory: Overpopulation and the Origins of Agriculture. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1977. Print. Neolithic Revolution and the Discovery of Agriculture, n.d., Web. Paik, Christopher. Historical Underpinnings of Institutions: Evidence from the Neolithic Revolution, 2010. Web. Snell, K.D.M. Annals of the Labouring Poor, Social Change and Agrarian England 1660-1900. Cambridge University Presslocation: Cambridge, UK, 1985. Print. The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution, n.d., Web. This research paper on The Agricultural Revolution: from the Neolithic Age to a New Era of Agricultural Growth was written and submitted by user Gregory Acevedo 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.

The Quiet Room essays

The Quiet Room essays 1. Schizophrenia is a mental illness, characterized by a range of symptoms. Most common symptoms include delusions and hallucinations. Additional symptoms of schizophrenia found in humans include: bizarre behavior, loss of contact with reality, disorganized thinking and speaking, decreased emotional expressiveness, social withdrawal and memory loss. When a person smiles at another person, the usual response is to smile back. When a schizophrenic person sees ones smile, he/she wonders, Why are they laughing at me? Schizophrenics think that everyone is against them, causing everything to be rarely funny. Unlike other mental illnesses, schizophrenia has a fading effect on the persons life. They soon lose the ability to distinguish the difference between real and unreal experiences, also called delusions. Lori recalling how she killed her dog, beating it to death, is an example of delusion. It actually happened in her head, and only in her head. The illness takes over and shuts them down until they cannot operate, causing a both a high number of suicides and attempted suicides. People with schizophrenia usually exhibit short attention spans and abstract thinking. Also, they are more likely to abuse and/or become dependent on drugs and alcohol. To describe the suffers of schizophrenia, common terms like mad and insane are used by the outside world Erikson formulated many different, but sequential stages in human development. The first is the trust versus mistrust stage. This occurs in the first year of childs life, with the infant gaining a sense of trust. Responsive and sensitive caregivers meet their basic needs. Lori was treated well by her parents as an infant. She also developed within the following stages successfully. Stage two is autonomy versus shame , which occurs in the second year of infancy. Infants start to find that th...

Spanish Vocabulary for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

Spanish Vocabulary for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Easter is the most widely and ardently celebrated holiday in most of the Spanish-speaking world - even bigger than Christmas -   and Lent is observed nearly everywhere. The week before Easter, known as Santa Semana, is a vacation week in Spain and most of Latin America, and in some areas, the vacation period extends to the following week. Thanks to their strong Roman Catholic heritage, most countries celebrate Holy Week by emphasizing the events leading up to the death of Jesus (Jesà ºs or Jesucristo), often with large processions, with Easter set aside for family gatherings and/or carnival-like celebrations. Words and Phrases As you learn about Easter - or, if youre fortunate, travel to where its celebrated - in Spanish, here are some words and phrases youll want to know. el carnival - Carnival, a celebration that takes place in the days immediately preceding Lent. Carnivals in Latin America and Spain are usually organized locally and last several days. la cofradà ­a - a brotherhood associated with a Catholic parish. In many communities, such brotherhoods have organized Holy Week observances for centuries. la Crucifixià ³n - the Crucifixion. la Cuaresma - Lent. The word is related to cuarenta, the number 40, for the 40 days of fasting and prayer (Sundays not included) that take place during the period. It is often observed through various kinds of self-denial. el Domingo de Pascua - Easter Sunday. Other names for the day include Domingo de Gloria, Domingo de Pascua, Domingo de Resurreccià ³n, and Pascua Florida. el Domingo de Ramos - Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem five days before his death. (A ramo in this context is a tree branch or a bunch of palm fronds.) la Fiesta de Judas - a ceremony in parts of Latin America, usually held the day before Easter, in which an effigy of Judas, who betrayed Jesus, is hung, burned, or otherwise mistreated. la Fiesta del Cuasimodo - a celebration held in Chile the Sunday after Easter. los huevos de Pascua - Easter eggs. In some areas, painted or chocolate eggs are part of the Easter celebration. They are not associated with the Easter bunny in Spanish-speaking countries. el Jueves Santo - Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Last Supper. el Lunes de Pascua - Easter Monday, the day after Easter. It is a legal holiday in several Spanish-speaking countries. el Martes de Carnaval - Mardi Gras, the last day before Lent. el Mià ©rcoles de Ceniza - Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The main Ash Wednesday ritual involves having ashes imposed on ones forehead in the shape of a cross during Mass. el mona de Pascua - a type of Easter pastry eaten primarily in the Mediterranean areas of Spain. la Pascua de Resurreccià ³n - Easter. Usually, Pascua stands by itself as the word used most often to refer to Easter. Coming from the Hebrew pesah, the word for Passover, pascua can refer to almost any holy day, usually in phrases such as Pascua judà ­a (Passover) and Pascua de la Natividad (Christmas). el paso - an elaborate float that is carried in Holy Week processions in some areas. The pasos typically carry representations of the Crucifixion or other events in the Holy Week story. la Resurreccià ³n - the Resurrection. la rosca de Pascua - a ring-shaped cake that is part of the Easter celebration in some areas, especially Argentina. el Sbado de Gloria - Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It is also called Sbado Santo. la Santa Cena - The Last Supper. It is also known as la Última Cena. la Santa Semana - Holy Week, the eight days that begin with Palm Sunday and end with Easter. el và ­a crucis - This phrase from Latin, sometimes spelled as viacrucis, refers to any of the 14 Stations of the Cross (Estaciones de la Cruz) representing the stages of Jesus walk (sometimes called la Và ­a Dolorosa) to Calvary, where he was crucified. It is common for that walk to be re-enacted on Good Friday. (Note that và ­a crucis is masculine even though và ­a by itself is feminine.) el Viernes de Dolores - Friday of Sorrows, also known as Viernes de Pasià ³n. The day to recognize the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is observed one week before Good Friday. In some areas, this day is recognized as the start of Holy Week. Pasià ³n here refers to suffering just as passion can in a liturgical context.