Coca-Cola Marketing Plan Essay Example for Free

Coca-Cola Marketing Plan Essay A. Introduction The Coca-Cola Company is the worlds largest beverage company, operating in over 200 countries with a product line that includes over 2,800 diverse items. The companys primary responsibility is to develop concentrates, beverage bases and syrups, which are sold to bottling companies that comprise the worlds largest beverage distribution system. In addition to product development, the Coca-Cola Company is responsible for product marketing. Their mission is to refresh the world, inspire moments of optimism, and to create value and make a difference. B. External Environment Socio-Cultural Factors Coca-Cola is recognized as the worlds most valuable brand. The company has been extremely successful in global marketing, and experts indicate that this success is largely based on product variation and adaptation (Lamb, Hair McDaniels, p. 114). Since the Coca-Cola Company extends to over 200 countries (with headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia), they have an immense need to diversify their products and create a marketing plan that meets the socio-cultural interests of all their customers (vendors) and consumers (drinkers) around the world. The Coca-Cola trademark is recognized worldwide, no matter what language is printed on the bottle. However, the Coca-Cola Company must continue to tailor their marketing plan and product development to respect each consumers unique values, beliefs and cultures. An example of the Coca-Cola Company adapting to the external socio-cultural environment is in 2007, the Coca-Cola Company received a silver award at the Iberoamerican Advertising Festival for their Levate la Mano (Raise Your Hand) commercial that was aired in Latin America (2007 Annual Report: Marketing Highlights). Coca-Cola has also created a unique formulation for Sprite sold in Japan to meet the cultural preferences (p. 114). Social factors have been carefully considered in the companys marketing plan. The Coca-Cola Company has successfully developed products to please the 21st centurys health-conscious consumer with brands like Coca-Cola Zero (their best selling brand in over 25 years), sports drinks, and bottled water. Coca-Cola must continue to adapt to the external environmental threat of the healthy lifestyle movement through product development and marketing of healthy options available in the product line. Economic Factors  The United States is currently experiencing an economic recession. This period of negative growth includes higher unemployment, inflation, and cost of living expenses while consumers are experiencing lower disposable income and purchasing power (p. 641). The Coca-Cola Company contracts with numerous bottling companies around the world to create and distribute their beverages. The weakened economy could have a negative impact on any of the bottling companies, which would threaten the stability of the Coca-Cola Company due to the dependent relationship. The Coca-Cola Company must be profitable in order to sustain their investment in communities around the world. Furthermore, small communities depend on large businesses like the Coca-Cola Company to strengthen their own economy and help create social and environmental programs. The Coca-Cola Company has been very successful in helping other nations grow and become economically stable by investing millions of dollars back into the countries in which they are operating. Legal Factors Legal factors that could pose an environmental threat to the Coca-Cola Company include new legislation or regulation of food and beverage products. Activists are trying to push for more government involvement in product advertising and labeling. While many laws have already been passed in this regard, expanded or new laws could threaten the company by creating more overhead expenses and decreasing the profit margin. Technological Factors In todays marketplace, technology is a key player in helping a business stay profitable. Large businesses, like the Coca-Cola Company, must invest in technological research to find ways to become more efficient, and ultimately better competitors. The Coca-Cola Company should address external technological threats by investing directly in applied research to improve recording and monitoring of the sales, production and delivery process between the Coca-Cola Company and the bottling companies (p. 90). Competitive Factors Consumer tastes and needs are ever changing. With the new focus on health and nutrition and concerns with obesity, many consumers are changing their behaviors and products choices. Tea products, bottled water and energy drinks have become favored as opposed to the typical soft drink. This is an external threat to the Coca-Cola Company, as these changes in preferences have increased the number of competitors in the industry. The Coca-Cola Company is not only in competition with soft drink companies, like PepsiCo, Inc., but with other unassuming companies like Unilever, Kraft Foods, and Nestle. The Coca-Cola Company must continue aggressive efforts in responsible marketing, community investment and product development to hold the No. 1 place in sales of juice, ready-to-drink coffees, and teas. Surprisingly, Coca-Cola is ranked No. 3 in soft drinks, but their No. 1 ranking in juices, teas and coffee products indicate that they are in touch with their consumers interests, and that they understand that soft drinks cannot be their sole products in order to sustain business. C. Target Market The primary target market of the Coca-Cola Company is all consumers of all nations that have a thirst for a high-quality beverage from a reputable brand that cares about small communities and saving the environment. The Coca-Cola Company is well known for advertising to persons of all ages, genders, incomes, ethnicity and lifestyles. Nevertheless, more specifically, over the last decade the Coca-Cola Company has focused on a secondary target market, based on specific psycho-graphic characteristics, of consumers that are health conscious and interested in buying products to support their overall wellness. The Coca-Cola Company has reached this market through many product lines, and has customized their website to provide healthy resources and marketing of products that are considered smart choices. D. Product Coca-Cola is the number one selling sparkling beverage in North America. Coca-Cola is primarily a business product. As a business product, Coke is sold to grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, vending companies and restaurants. Coke could also be considered a convenience product as it is a relatively inexpensive item that merits little shopping (Lamb, Hair, McDaniel, pg. 308). It is can found almost everywhere, from schools, hotel, theme parks, airports, places of business and even rest stops on the highways. Coca-cola was packaged solely as soda fountain drink when it was introduced in 1886. In 1894, a candy storeowner started placing the drink in bottles and approached the owner of the Coca-Cola Company, Asa Griggs Candler, about bottling the drink. Candler declined. Then in 1899, Candler sold the rights to bottle the drink and over the next 10 years, 400 bottling plants would be born. The packaging of red and white Coca-Cola products is a world recognized.

Facts on Hamlet :: essays papers

Facts on Hamlet Title: Hamlet Published: It was written in the late 1500s. It has been on national stages since 1589, and the earliest known publications date back to the years 1600 and 1601. Biographical Information: Biographical Information: All though much is not known about Shakespeare the man, there is numerous speculations about Shakespeare the playwright. He was the son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. At the age of eighteen he married Anne Hathaway and had three children, Susanna, Hamlet, and Judith. William Shakespeare wrote thirty-seven plays and over one hundred and fifty poems which are renowned for their wisdom, knowledge of human nature, and genius Genre: Classical Drama Characteristics of a Genre: This is a dramatic tragedy, highlighting the fall of a great leader/character. Setting: The date in which the play took place is unknown, however it is believed to have been during the later parts of the 1500s during Shakespeare's life span. Although the exact date is unknown and to this day remains a mystery, the setting is revealed. The play underwent in Denmark and it's neighboring states. Characters: King Hamlet - The original king of Denmark who is Hamlet's father, and the husband of Gertrude. He is betrayed and murdered by his jealous brother, and later appears throughout the play to guide his son Hamlet in the quest for revenge and answers. He was Hamlet's father, and that was his relation to Hamlet. Hamlet - Son of Queen Gertrude, and King Hamlet, and later King Claudius (Who is his uncle). He is the main character who undergoes the most drastic changes of them all, psychologically. In the beginning he questioned all, but by the end after his journey had been cleared up he acted upon instinct and want, ultimately succeeding. Claudius - Jealous brother of King Hamlet, who acts upon his jealousy and dumps poison in the King (his brother's) ear and takes his life so that he may become king. He is now the father of Hamlet and the husband of Queen Gertrude. His jealousy and all around evil causes him to lose his life in the finality. He was Hamlet's uncle and new father, who was responsible for his real father's death.

The Golden Lily Chapter 3

EVEN THOUGH EDDIE had told me not to worry about Angeline, the curious part of me couldn't help but prod him about it on the drive over to Adrian's apartment. â€Å"How are you going to handle it?† I asked. â€Å"Have a heart-to-heart?† He shook his head. â€Å"Mostly I was going to simply avoid her unless absolutely necessary. Hopefully she'll lose interest.† â€Å"Well. I guess that's one method. But, I mean, you're a pretty direct person.† If faced with a roomful of Strigoi, he would've walked in without hesitation. â€Å"Maybe you should try that kind of approach instead. Just confront her and tell her honestly that you're not interested.† â€Å"That's easy in theory,† he said. â€Å"Not so much in person.† â€Å"Seems easy to me.† Eddie was skeptical. â€Å"That's because you've never had to do it.† Going to Adrian's was a lot easier than it once had been for me. His apartment used to belong to Keith and was also the site where a Moroi named Lee and two Strigoi had died. Those were hard memories to shake. The Alchemists had offered the apartment to me, since I'd also taken on full responsibility for Palm Springs, but I'd yielded it to Adrian. I hadn't been sure I wanted to live there, and he'd been pretty desperate for his own place. When I'd seen how happy the apartment made him, I knew I'd made the right choice. Adrian opened the door before we'd barely had a chance to knock. â€Å"The cavalry! Thank God.† I hid a smile as Eddie and I stepped inside. The first thing that always hit me about this place was the sunny yellow paint Adrian had put up on the walls. He was convinced it helped the mood and had warned us not to question his â€Å"artistic sensibilities.† The fact that the yellow clashed pretty terribly with his secondhand plaid furniture was apparently irrelevant. Or maybe I just wasn't â€Å"artistic† enough to appreciate it. Nonetheless, I actually found the erratic style comforting. It bore little resemblance to Keith's decorating, making it a little easier to blot out the events of that awful night. Sometimes, when I looked around the living room, my breath would catch as visions of the vicious Strigoi attack and Lee's death haunted me. Adrian's stamp on the apartment was like light chasing away the gruesome shadows of the past. Sometimes when I was down, Adrian's personality had a similar effect. â€Å"Nice blouse, Sage,† he told me, deadpan. â€Å"It really brings out the khaki in your pants.† His sarcasm aside, he looked supremely delighted to see us. He had the tall, lean build that most Moroi guys did, along with their typically pale (though not Strigoi-pale) skin. I hated to admit it, but he was more good-looking than he had any right to be. He wore his dark brown hair stylishly messy and had eyes that sometimes seemed too green to be real. Adrian had on one of those button-up printed shirts that were trendy with guys lately, with a blue pattern on it I liked. He smelled like he'd been smoking recently, which I didn't like. Dimitri and Sonya were sitting at the kitchen table going over a bunch of papers with hand-written notes on them. The papers were kind of haphazardly scattered around, which made me wonder how much work they could really be accomplishing. I would have had those pages neatly stacked and organized by topic. â€Å"Glad you're back, Sydney,† said Sonya. â€Å"I've needed a little female support here.† The prettiness of her red hair and high cheek bones was tainted by the fact that she showed her fangs when she smiled. Most Moroi were taught early to avoid that, to prevent detection from humans. Sonya had no qualms about doing it in private. It still bugged me. Dimitri smiled at me. It made his already handsome face even more so, and I knew that â€Å"Zen master wisdom† wasn't the reason Rose had fallen for him. â€Å"I'm guessing you didn't take a nap.† â€Å"Too much to do,† I said. Sonya gave Eddie a curious look. â€Å"We've been wondering where you were.† â€Å"Busy at Amberwood,† said Eddie vaguely. He'd mentioned in the car that it might be best if Angeline's indiscretion and his forced shopping weren't mentioned. â€Å"You know, keeping an eye on Jill and Angeline. Besides, I was waiting until Sydney came back since she wanted to see what we were doing.† I let the white lie slide. â€Å"How is Angeline?† asked Dimitri. â€Å"Is she improving?† Eddie and I exchanged glances. So much for avoiding her indiscretions. â€Å"Improving how exactly?† I asked. â€Å"In combat, in following the dress code, or in keeping her hands to herself?† â€Å"Or in turning off caps-lock?† added Eddie. â€Å"You noticed that too?† I asked. â€Å"Hard not to,† he said. Dimitri looked surprised, which was not a common thing. He wasn't caught off guard very often, but then, no one could really prepare for what Angeline might do. â€Å"I didn't realize I needed to be more specific,† said Dimitri after a pause. â€Å"I meant combat.† Eddie shrugged. â€Å"There's a little improvement, but it's hard to get through to her. I mean, she's absolutely dead set on protecting Jill, but she's also convinced she already knows how. She's got years of that sloppy training drilled into her. It's hard to break that. Plus, she's†¦ easily distracted.† I had to swallow a laugh. Dimitri still looked troubled. â€Å"She has no time for distraction. Maybe I should talk to her.† â€Å"No,† said Eddie firmly, in a rare show of contradicting Dimitri. â€Å"You've got plenty to do here. She's my responsibility to train. Don't worry.† Adrian pulled up a chair, turning it backwards so he could rest his chin on its back. â€Å"What about you, Sage? I know we don't have to worry about you violating the dress code. Did you have fun at your Alchemist spa this weekend?† I set down my bag and walked over to the refrigerator. â€Å"If by spa, you mean underground bunker. And it was just business.† I made a face as I looked inside. â€Å"You promised to get me diet pop.† â€Å"I did promise that,† said Adrian, no remorse whatsoever. â€Å"But then I read some article that said those artificial sweeteners aren't good for you. So, I figured I'd watch out for your health.† He paused. â€Å"You're welcome.† Dimitri said what we were all thinking. â€Å"If you want to start tackling healthy habits, I could suggest a few.† If Eddie or I had said that, it would have rolled right off Adrian – particularly since it was completely valid. But coming from Dimitri? That was different. There was a huge amount of tension between the two men, tension that had been building for a long time. Dimitri's girlfriend, a notorious dhampir named Rose Hathaway, had briefly dated Adrian. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but she'd been in love with Dimitri the whole time. So, there was no way that situation could have ended well. Adrian still carried a lot of scars from that and was particularly bitter toward Dimitri. â€Å"Wouldn't want to inconvenience you,† said Adrian, a bit too coolly. â€Å"Besides, when not hard at work with this research, I'm actually conducting a side experiment on how cigarettes and gin increase charisma. As you might guess, the results are looking very promising.† Dimitri arched an eyebrow. â€Å"Wait, go back. Did you say hard at work?† Dimitri's tone was light and playful, and again, I was struck by the double standard here. If I'd made that comment, Adrian's response would've been something like, â€Å"Absolutely, Sage. I'll probably win the Nobel Prize for this.† But for Adrian, Dimitri's words were a call to battle. I saw a glint of something hard in Adrian's eyes, a stirring of some old pain, and it bothered me. That wasn't his way. He always had a smile and a quip, even if they were often irreverent or inappropriate. I'd gotten used to that. I kind of liked it. I glanced at Adrian with a smile that I hoped looked genuine, rather than a desperate attempt to provide distraction. â€Å"Research, huh? I thought you were a gambling man.† It took Adrian a few moments to drag his gaze from Dimitri and fix it on me. â€Å"I've been known to roll the dice now and then,† he said warily. â€Å"Why?† I shrugged. â€Å"No reason. Just wondering if you'd put your charisma research on hold and step up for a challenge. If you went twenty-four hours without cigarettes, I'd drink a can of pop. Regular pop. The whole can.† I saw the glimmer of Adrian's earlier smile returning. â€Å"You would not.† â€Å"I totally would.† â€Å"Half a can would put you into a coma.† Sonya frowned. â€Å"Are you diabetic?† she asked me. â€Å"No,† said Adrian, â€Å"but Sage is convinced one extraneous calorie will make her go from super skinny to just regular skinny. Tragedy.† â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"You think it'd be a tragedy to go an hour without a cigarette.† â€Å"Don't question my steel resolve, Sage. I went without one for two hours today.† â€Å"Show me twenty-four, and then I'll be impressed.† He gave me a look of mock surprise. â€Å"You mean you aren't already? And here I thought you were dazzled from the moment you met me.† Sonya shook her head indulgently at the two of us, like we were adorable children. â€Å"You're missing out, Sydney,† she remarked, tapping the open pop in front of her. â€Å"I need about three of these a day to keep me focused on all this work. No detrimental effects so far.† No detrimental effects so far? Of course not. Moroi never had any. Sonya, Jill†¦ they could all eat whatever they wanted and still keep those amazing bodies. Meanwhile, I labored over every calorie and still couldn't reach that level of perfection. Fitting into these size four khakis had been a triumph this morning. Now, looking at Sonya's slender build, I felt enormous by comparison. I suddenly regretted my comment about drinking a can of pop, even if it had succeeded in distracting Adrian. I supposed I could rest easy knowing that him skipping cigarettes for a day was impossible. I'd never be called to pay up on my sugary wager. â€Å"We should probably get to work. We're losing time.† That was Dimitri, getting us back on track. â€Å"Right,† said Adrian. â€Å"This is five minutes of valuable research wasted. Up for more fun, Castile? I know how much you love sitting around.† Because they were trying to find something special about Dimitri, Sonya and Adrian would often sit the two dhampirs side by side and study their auras in fine detail. Their hope was that Dimitri's Strigoi conversion had left some sign that would help explain the immunity to being turned again. It was a valid idea, though not something that someone as active as Eddie enjoyed. He didn't complain, of course. Eddie wore a look as tough and determined as Dimitri. â€Å"Tell me what you need.† â€Å"We want to do another aura study,† said Sonya. Looked like poor Eddie would be doing some more sitting around. â€Å"Last time we focused on any sign of spirit. This time, we want to show both of you some pictures and see if they trigger any color changes in your auras.† I nodded in approval. A lot of psychological experiments attempted similar techniques, though they usually monitored physiological responses instead of mystical auras. â€Å"I still say it's a waste,† said Adrian. â€Å"They're both dhampirs, but that doesn't mean we can assume any different reactions they have are because Belikov was a Strigoi. Everyone's unique. Everyone's going to respond differently to pictures of kittens or spiders. My old man? He hates kittens.† â€Å"Who could hate kittens?† asked Eddie. Adrian made a face. â€Å"He's allergic.† â€Å"Adrian,† said Sonya. â€Å"We've already been over this. I respect your opinion but still think we can learn a lot.† I was actually impressed that Adrian had an opinion. So far, I'd kind of felt like he was just going along with everything Sonya and Dimitri told him to do and that he didn't give these experiments much thought. And, although I wasn't familiar with the auras that surrounded all living creatures, I could understand his point that individual differences would throw off their research. â€Å"All data is useful in this case,† said Dimitri. â€Å"Especially since we haven't found anything so far. We know there's something different about former Strigoi. We can't rule out any chance to observe it.† Adrian's lips tightened, and he made no further protest. Maybe it was because he felt overruled, but I had a feeling it was because he just didn't want to engage with Dimitri. With the attention off me, I settled into the living room with a book and tried to stay awake. They didn't need me. I'd simply come to keep Eddie company. Occasionally, I'd check the others' progress. Dimitri and Eddie watched as Sonya flipped through different images on her laptop. In turn, Adrian and Sonya watched the dhampirs closely and made notes on paper. I almost wished I could see the bands of color and light and wondered if there really were any noticeable differences. Studying Eddie and Dimitri, I sometimes would notice a change in facial expression when particularly cute or horrific images showed up on the screen, but for the most part their work remained a mystery to me. Curious, I walked over to Sonya when they were about halfway through. â€Å"What do you see?† I asked in a low voice. â€Å"Colors,† she said. â€Å"Shining around all living things. Eddie and Dimitri have different colors, but they have the same reactions.† She changed the picture on the screen to one of a factory spilling black smoke into an otherwise clear sky. â€Å"Neither of them like this. Their auras dim and turn troubled.† She flipped to the next image, a smile on her lips. Three kittens appeared on the screen. â€Å"And now they warm up. Affection is very easy to spot in an aura. So far, they react in normal ways. There's no sign in Dimitri's aura that he's different from Eddie.† I returned to the couch. After a couple of hours, Sonya called a halt. â€Å"I think we've seen what we needed to. Thank you, Eddie.† â€Å"Happy to help,† he said, rising from his chair and stretching. He seemed relieved both that it was over and that it had involved something slightly more interesting than staring off into space. He was active and energetic, and didn't like captivity. â€Å"Although†¦ we've got a few other ideas,† she added. â€Å"Do you think you guys can power through a little longer?† Naturally, she asked just as I was yawning. Eddie regarded me with sympathy. â€Å"I'll stay, but you don't have to. Go sleep. I'll get a ride home.† â€Å"No, no,† I said, stifling a second yawn. â€Å"I don't mind. What are your other ideas?† â€Å"I was hoping to do something similar with Eddie and Dimitri,† she explained. â€Å"Except this time, we'd use sounds instead of images. Then I'd like to see how they respond to direct contact with spirit.† â€Å"I think that's a good idea,† I said, not really sure what that last one would entail. â€Å"Go for it. I'll wait.† Sonya glanced around and seemed to notice I wasn't the only one who looked tired. â€Å"Maybe we should get some food first.† Eddie brightened up at that. â€Å"I'll go,† I offered. It was a sign of my progress that vampires talking about â€Å"food† no longer made me hyperventilate. I knew she didn't mean blood, not if the dhampirs and I were being involved. Besides, there was no feeder around. Feeders were humans who willingly gave blood to Moroi for the high it produced. Everyone here knew better than to even joke about that around me. â€Å"There's a good Thai carryout place a few blocks away.† â€Å"I'll help,† said Adrian eagerly. â€Å"I'll help,† said Sonya. â€Å"The last time you ran an errand, you were gone two hours.† Adrian scowled but didn't deny the charge. â€Å"Our aura observations have been identical anyway. You can get them started on the sounds without me.† Sonya and I took everyone's orders and set out. I didn't really feel like I needed help, but I supposed carrying food for five people – even for a few blocks – could get unwieldy. I soon learned she had other motives for coming along, though. â€Å"It feels good to get outside and stretch my legs,† she said. It was early evening, with significantly less sun and heat – a condition the Moroi loved. We walked along a side street leading toward downtown, lined with cute apartments and small businesses. All around us, huge palm trees loomed, providing an interesting contrast to the eclectic urban setting. â€Å"I've been cooped up there all day.† I smiled at her. â€Å"And here I thought Adrian was the only one who got cabin fever from the work you guys do.† â€Å"He just complains the most,† she explained. â€Å"Which is kind of funny since he also probably gets out the most, between his classes and his cigarette breaks.† I'd nearly forgotten about the two art classes Adrian was taking at a local college. He usually kept his latest projects on display, but there'd been none in the living room lately. I hadn't realized until that moment how much I missed them. I might give him a hard time, but sometimes those artistic glimpses into the way he thought were fascinating. Sonya gave me a brief recap of her wedding plans as we walked the short distance to the Thai restaurant. Her relationship with dhampir Mikhail Tanner was kind of epic on a lot of levels, I supposed. First, dhampirs and Moroi didn't generally get involved in serious relationships. Usually, they were just casual affairs that resulted in the reproduction of more dhampirs. In addition to the scandal of even being involved, Mikhail had actually wanted to hunt down Sonya when she was a Strigoi to free her from that twisted state. Rose had attempted the same with Dimitri, believing death was better than being a Strigoi. Mikhail had failed, but their love had remained steadfast enough through the ordeal that when she'd defied the odds and been restored, they'd immediately gotten back together. I couldn't even begin to imagine love like that. â€Å"We're still deciding on flowers,† she continued. â€Å"Hydrangeas or lilies. I'm guessing I know what your vote is for.† â€Å"Actually, I'd say hydrangeas. I'm around too many lilies already.† She laughed at that and suddenly knelt near a flower bed filled with gladiolas. â€Å"More than you know. There are lilies sleeping in this bed.† â€Å"They're out of season,† I pointed out. â€Å"Nothing's ever out of season.† Sonya glanced around covertly and then rested her fingers on the earth. Moments later, dark green shoots appeared, growing taller and taller until a red trumpet lily opened up on top. â€Å"Ah. Red. Alchemists ones are white – oh, are you okay?† I had backed up so far on the sidewalk that I'd nearly walked into the street. â€Å"You†¦ you shouldn't do that. Someone might see.† â€Å"No one saw,† she said, getting to her feet. Her face softened. â€Å"I'm so sorry. I forget sometimes how you feel about this. It was wrong of me.† â€Å"It's okay,† I said, not sure that it was. Vampire magic always made my skin crawl. Vampires, creatures who needed blood, were bad enough. But being able to manipulate the world with magic? Even worse. That lily, although beautiful, took on a sinister edge now. It shouldn't have existed this time of the year. No more was said about magic, and we soon reached the main strip downtown, where the Thai restaurant was. We placed a giant carryout order and were told it would take about fifteen minutes. Sonya and I lingered outside, admiring downtown Palm Springs in twilight. Lastminute shoppers were out before the boutiques closed, and all the restaurants were hopping with those coming and going. Many of them had outdoor tables on the sidewalk, and friendly conversation buzzed around us. A large fountain, tiled in bright colors, fascinated children and inspired tourists to stop for photo ops. Sonya was easily distracted by the various plants and trees that the city used to beautify the streets. Even without spirit's ability to affect living things, she was still quite the gardener. â€Å"Hey you! Elder Melrose!† I turned and winced when I saw Lia DiStefano striding toward me. Lia was a fashion designer with a shop here in downtown Palm Springs. I hadn't realized we were standing directly across from her store. If I had, I would've waited inside the restaurant. Lia was short but had an overwhelming presence, enhanced by the flamboyant gypsy style she often chose for her personal attire. â€Å"I've been calling you for weeks,† she said, once she reached our side of the street. â€Å"Why don't you answer?† â€Å"I've been really busy,† I said straight-faced. â€Å"Uh-huh.† Lia put her hands on her hips and tried to stare me down, which was kind of amazing since I was taller. â€Å"When are you going to let your sister model for me again?† â€Å"Miss DiStefano,† I said patiently, â€Å"I've told you before. She can't do it anymore. Our parents don't like it. Our religion doesn't allow faces to be photographed.† Last month, Jill's runway-perfect build and gorgeous, ethereal features had attracted Lia's attention. Seeing as having your picture taken en masse was kind of a bad way to stay in hiding, we'd only agreed to let Jill walk in Lia's fashion show because all the models wore Venetian masks. Lia had been on me ever since to let Jill model again. It was hard because I knew Jill wanted to, but she understood as well as I did that her safety came first. Claiming we were part of some obscure religion had often explained away our weird behaviors to others, so I'd figured it would get Lia off my back. It hadn't. â€Å"I never hear from these parents of yours,† Lia said. â€Å"I've watched your family. I see how it is. You're the authority. You're the one I have to go through. I have the chance to do a major magazine spread for my scarves and hats, and Jill was born to do it. What's it going to take to get her? You want a cut of the pay?† I sighed. â€Å"It's not about the money. We can't show her face. If you want to put her in a Venetian mask again, then be my guest.† Lia scowled. â€Å"I can't do that.† â€Å"Then we're at an impasse.† â€Å"There must be something. Everyone has a price.† â€Å"Sorry.† There was no price in the world she could offer to get me to shirk my duty to Jill and the Alchemists. A restaurant clerk stuck his head outside and called that our order was ready, mercifully freeing us from Lia. Sonya chuckled as we loaded up on our bags and headed back down the street to make the walk to Adrian's. The sky was still purple with the last of the day's light, and street lamps made whimsical patterns on the sidewalk as they cast their light through the leaves of palm trees. â€Å"Did you ever imagine your job here would involve dodging aggressive fashion designers?† Sonya asked. â€Å"No,† I admitted. â€Å"Honestly, I never foresaw half the stuff this job has – â€Å" â€Å"Sonya?† A young man appeared seemingly out of nowhere, blocking our path. He was no one I knew and looked to be a little older than me. He wore his black hair in a buzz cut and was staring curiously at Sonya. She came to a halt and frowned. â€Å"Do I know you?† He brightened. â€Å"Sure. Jeff Eubanks. Remember?† â€Å"No,† she said politely, after a few moments of study. â€Å"You must have me mistaken for someone else. I'm sorry.† â€Å"No, no,† he said. â€Å"I know it's you. Sonya Karp, right? We met in Kentucky last year.† Sonya stiffened. She'd made Kentucky her home while she was a Strigoi. I knew those couldn't be pleasant memories. â€Å"I'm sorry,† she repeated, voice strained. â€Å"I don't know what you're talking about.† The guy was undaunted, still smiling as though they were best friends. â€Å"You've come a long ways from Kentucky. What brings you out here? I just transferred for work.† â€Å"There's some mistake,† I told him sternly, nudging Sonya forward. I didn't know what that mistake could be exactly, but Sonya's attitude was all I needed. â€Å"We have to go.† The guy didn't follow us, but Sonya remained silent for most of the walk home. â€Å"Must be hard,† I said, feeling like I should say something. â€Å"Meeting people from your past.† She shook her head. â€Å"He's not. I'm certain of it. I've never met him.† I'd figured she just wanted to avoid all associations with being a Strigoi. â€Å"You're sure? He wasn't just some casual acquaintance?† She shot me a wry look. â€Å"Strigoi don't have casual acquaintances with humans. They have them for dinner. That guy shouldn't have known who I was.† â€Å"He was human? Not dhampir?† I couldn't tell the difference, but Moroi could. â€Å"Definitely.† Sonya had stopped again and was glancing back at the guy's retreating figure. I followed her gaze. â€Å"There must be some reason he recognized you. He seems pretty harmless.† That got me another smile. â€Å"Come now, Sydney. I figured you'd been around us long enough to know.† â€Å"Know what?† â€Å"Nothing's ever as harmless as it seems.†

The Attack on Pearl Harbor - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1223 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/06/26 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Pearl Harbor Essay Did you like this example? The 7th of December marked the day that President Franklin Roosevelt described as the date which will live in infamy, the Japanese attacked the U.S naval base in Hawaii Pearl Harbor without warning. The devastating assault resulted in many American casualties that turned the citizens of America furious and that was reflected in the presidents declaration of war against Japan. The unforgettable day in 1941 in which Pearl Harbor was attacked affected the countrys participation in the second World War, and the patriotic spirit of every American. The merciless Japenese military attacked and bombed the great base in Hawaii known as Pearl Harbor exactly 77 years ago on the 7th of December in 1941. Pearl Harbor was Americas Gibraltar of the Pacific, the acting home port for the Pacific fleet (Parrish). The Japanese target, Pearl Harbor was thought to be an impregnable fort capable of withstanding any and all attacks that could be made against it. Pearl Harbor was made to be the stronghold of the United States, a title that intrigued many nations that were opposed to the U.S, but was only a target to the Japanese. The Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, killing thousands and wreaking havoc across the United States naval and air fleets (Depression). The attack was unforeseeable and America was not prepared to defend itself against the flurry of Japanese fighter planes. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Attack on Pearl Harbor" essay for you Create order Casualties were over 2,400 American deaths with more than 1,100 wounded, alongside 23 ships and other water vessels that were damaged or sunk and around 188 destroyed Japanese aircrafts. The nation was filled with hatred as the news of Pearl Harbor came, and as President Roosevlt called it a date which will live in infamy (Depression). Ever since, The United States has continued to honor the fallen warriors of this merciless attack that impacted everyone living in the country from children to elderly. Japans allies, Germany and Italy, declared war on The States, the next day after the attack and americans shouted Remember Pearl Harbor as they fought on in World War Two, leaving the past behind and uniting together as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all (Parrish). After the attack, President Franklin Roosevelt received the Congress approval to join the war. America tried to maintain a stance of neutrality and only committed to supplying Allied forces, but when the Japanese bombs hit, an unwanted beast, furious and lusting for revenge was awakened. The declaration passed with only a single dissenting vote (America). Most citizens lusted for revenge and felt its necessity, and support of the nation going to war was widespread across the country. I dont think it was American weakness that put us in World War Two; duplicity by the japanese is what put us into the Pacific War (Shirley qtd. In Morella). The United States joining the war was to express its might and power, but the Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor was the only one capable of conquering Japans Navy (A Brief). In 1941, Japan had the military power of about 2.4 million trained soldiers and the U.S military stood at only 1.5 million fighters and only one third of them were trained. The U.S h ad only 1,157 planes in its air fleet and only 347 warships in its Navy while the Japanese air fleet consisted of about 7,500 planes, thus, President Franklin Roosevelt decided not to immediately retaliate against Japan. And he used the majority of his forces to fight Germany (US Goes). That decision came about for many reasons, Germany was an advanced nation, which was threatening to the U.S, and Britain, one of Americas closest allies was fighting against germany (US Goes). So it was the most sensible decision and thus, the country joined the war with a sanguine head on their shoulders. And in 1942, U.S planes stopped the japanese advance on Australia at the Battle of Coral Sea (Feldmeth). The citizens were ravenous after revenge on those who have wronged them, and any advancement was gargantuan to them. America was a huge aid to the allied forces in many successful battles against the axis powers. America put out everything in this war and it paid off. Because of the involvement in the war and the attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans showed the patriotism they have always been known for as they volunteered to defend their cherished country from bombings and invasions. They trained in aircraft spotting, bomb removal, first-aid and firefighting (America). And those were only a few of the many actions, citizens took in order to keep their beloved country safe throughout the war. Civilians rationed sugar so that the army could have chocolate bars, a standard K ration (America). The K ration was first supplied in World War II and at the time chocolate bars fit the needs of the military due to their portability and nutritional value. But many other citizens felt that supplying sugar so that more chocolate bars would be made for the troops was not enough so they themselves joined the service. And as more men and women were sworn into the military, more flags were raised in front of homes and businesses, more motivational and patriotic quotes and mottos appeared in ne wspapers and magazines. For that it was of high importance to keep the nations spirits up in those troubling times. The production which has flowed from the country to all the battlefronts of the world has been due to the efforts of American business, American labor, and American farmers, working together as a patriotic team (President Roosevelt qtd. In America). Patriotism needed to rise because the nation was in such an economic depression, providing Americans a reason to support their country. One man recalled this infamous day, saying, I was in Scouts, and much of our scout-time was spent on war projectsbuilding things, planting gardens, collecting scrap iron, studying first-aid, identifying Jap and Kraut airplanes and ships (Norris). Including children who had to mature quickly to help their fellow citizens who were being shipped off to war. Patriotism united Americans together in a bond like no other across the entire country, and thats how america left a lasting impact on th e world. The date which will live in infamy is December 7th, 1941 commemrated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when the Japanese unleashed a merciless attack against Pearl Harbor. This unforgettable day was when citizens came united and patriotism exploded, it was during the war that the country wanted to avoid but turned ravenous for retribution after the Japanese attack, and it will be remembered as the date which will live in infamy for eons to come. Works Cited America Goes to War. The National WWII Museum. National WWII Museum, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. . A Brief History of the U.S. Army on World War Two. U.S. Army Center of Military History. United States Army, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. . Depression and WWII. Americas Story from Americas Library. Lib. of Cong., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. . Feldmeth, Greg D. American Involvement in World War II. U.S. History Resources. N.p., 31 Mar. 1998. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. . Norris, Don. After Pearl, Patriotism Flourished. Remembering World War II: n. pag. The Melrose Mirror. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. . Parrish, Ann. Pearl Harbor. Our States: Geographic Treasures(2011): 1. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. US Goes to War After Pearl Harbor, but Japan Is Not the First Target. Learning English. VOA, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. . The Attack on Pearl Harbor - Free Essay Example Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1213 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/06/26 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Pearl Harbor Essay Did you like this example? In December 1941, Pearl Harbor was assaulted by the Japanese. It was the result of a progression of occasions which conveyed strain among Japan and America to breaking point. Japan was a nation developing in power and stature and America before long came to understand that this development could demonstrate a danger to them. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Attack on Pearl Harbor" essay for you Create order America meant to stop Japans development in its tracks as they understood that in the event that the circumstance was left to advance any longer, the circumstance might be out of their control. Notwithstanding, it tends to be contended that by not truly managing this risk until the 1940s, America had left things past the point of no return and confronted a rival who might not withdraw. Nobody suspected that Japan would begin a war with an assault on American soil. President Franklin Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, multi day which will live in infamy. Pearl Harbor was assaulted by the Japanese on December 7, 1941; only 200 miles from Oahu. Hawaii and Japan are around 4,000 miles separated. This attack kept going two brief hours. The shelling murdered in excess of 2,300 Americans and sank or stranded 12 ships and annihilated 9. Additionally, 160 flying machine were wrecked and 150 others were harmed. The assaulting planes came in two waves; the primary hit its objective at 7:53 AM, the second at 8:55. By 9:55 it was everywhere. The greater part of the American officers and mariners were either having breakfast in the chaos lobbies or still in their night robe when the assault started. The main rush of the Japanese warriors, dive-bombers, and torpedo planes came at 7:53 and comprised of 183 planes. Around an hour after the main wave, there were 167 fleets came to help. The fight was unavoidable. Like easy targets, the fight ships: Arizona, Nevada, California, Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and ex ship Utah were not ready for the Japanese attack. The Japanese fleet had wrecked 188 planes, 3 unit cruisers, 8 ships, 3 unit destroyers and 1 minelayer. There were 350 planes conveyed to this place, however the Japan just lost 29 air ships. At the point when the Pearl Harbor attack was finished, each warship USS Arizona, USS California, USS Maryland, USS Nevada, USS Oklahoma, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee, USS Utah, and USS West Virginia-had continued harm. The precise following day, President Roosevelt conveys a speech to congress that will be known as the Day of infamy speech.Japan has therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves . Because of this speech, Congress pronounces war on the Domain of Japan with a 82-0 vote from the Senate, and a 388-1 vote from the house of representatives .This activity is reflects what the American individuals were feeling around then, and the degree of their shame. Secretary Knox at that point endeavors to rally general society trying to energize confidence in the United States government all together for more help. After the assault on Pearl Harbor, a few Americans suspected that the Japanese would return and dispatch a full scale attack on the Pacific shore of the United States. The consistent victories all over East Asian in the previous couple of years influenced Japan to appear to be relatively relentless. The two citizens and the military had some uncertainty about where the loyalties of the Japanese Americans as of now living in the United States. Three days after the assault, Germany and Italy proclaimed war on the United States. The Congress passed another joint goals which authoritatively joined the US in World War II. By January 1942, the Japanese had arrived in Manila. American powers held out until the point when early May until the point when they were compelled to surrender. This brought about the Bataan Death March in which a huge number of Philippine and Americans walked 65 miles to a Japanese jail camp. As of now, President Roosevelt was experiencing tremendous emotional of American Prestige in the Pacific. In the meantime he was endeavoring to respect his responsibility with the British Alliance against Hitler. Before Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt concurred that the thrashing of the Nazi guideline in Germany must be the main need. Until the point that America could recover from the huge naval misfortunes because of Pearl Harbor and assemble towards a two-front war, the choice was made to acknowledge the loss of the Philippines, Wake, and Guam and furthermore to center around a guarded triangle that included The Alaska, Hawaii, and Panama. The unexpected assault had been a huge reminder and a tremendous activation of the countrys labor and mechanical potential. Young fellows were gotten for battle obligation and ladies volunteered for help obligations. Indeed, even before that tragic Sunday morning, America had been preparing. Between July 1, 1940 and July 1945, the Unified States had made an extraordinary number of 296,601 air ship, 71,060 boats, and 85,388 tanks. Ladies, obviously, did their part with working in safeguard plants doing modern and hard work that had beforehand had just been finished by men, in this manner finishing the contention that a ladys place was always in her home. As America arranged for war, another contention was likewise settled. Isolationists could never again say that America should avoid outside entanglements and war. The main thing left to do was to overcome the suspects of the assault that had brought about the demise of 2,000 Americans. In nature of doubt and suspicion that had come about because of the assault, Americas administration disbanded the pro Nazi German-American Association. American nationals of Japanese descent were compelled to migrate from the West Coast, because of the fear of being spies. As more awful news originated from the Far East, the national energy and reason from America became more stronger. Volunteers of the Red Cross, Irving Berlin energetic tunes, addresses, and serious exertion to activate the US were each of the a piece of the outrageous requirement for America to demonstrate that she could battle back at Japan. Out of this time of dissatisfaction a thought had developed for a striking besieging attack on Tokyo by Colonel James Doolittle that will be known as the Doolittle raid. In spite of the fact that, the Doolittle raid did little harm to the Japanese city and had no impact on the result of the war, the mental impact on America and national good was electric. The stunning accomplishment of B-25 medium planes from the deck of the plane carrying warship Hornet that was 670 miles from Tokyo totally energized American residents who were anxious to get any uplifting news of the wars first year. Most definitely, Americas reaction to the date which will live in infamy was stun transformed into outrage and resolve. The Japanese Naval commander, Isoroku Hamamoto, was the man who had arranged and prevailing in the assault on Pearl Harbor. It is said that Chief of naval operations Hamamoto stated,I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and to fill him with terrible resolve. Nobody has ever checked if the words were composed or talked, yet paying little heed to how they appeared, they were prophetic. Americas quality in the long run prompted the entire thrashing of Japanese, German, and Italian one party rule and made the United States gain its high rank post-war reputation as a genuine power. The movie Pearl Harbor says, America endured, yet America became more stronger.