Breaking Cover

It was sunny, breezy Sunday afternoon in July, and three girls crowded around the window seat, looking out at the hunks from a volleyball camp on the Skidmore campus quad play Ultimate Frisbee. Some of those playing had even taken off their shirts, revealing the muscles underneath, resulting in the squeals of delight that had first attracted my attention. As our camp was for the nerdy sort, our boys rarely looked so well-developed. My dormmates were chatting, creating a pleasant hum of conversation. I was the youngest in the bunch, rather like a kid sister. You know, SJs a lesbian, Corinne said idly. It was like poking a beehive. An immense buzzing started as every girl added her commentary. My face must have shown my consternation, because Corinne was suddenly asking, concernedly, if Id known. Dead silence and all eyes on me. My face heated. I gave a short nod of acknowledgement. Inwardly I added a small footnote of just since yesterday. In fact, SJ had been rather blunt. Shed said point-blank, after fumbling a few moments, that she was a lesbian. That while she didnt go out and advertise, she also didnt try to hide it. My reply had been equally awkward. The conversation took on a strained tone. I gave a half-shrug and mumbled OK. The room was dimming with the setting sun, but neither of us moved to turn on the lights. What should I say? Should I change the subject? It would be a death-knell to our friendship, but I had other friends here. It was only a week before I went home. I didnt have to deal with this. I was panicking now. Invisible deep breath. Im in a gifted program, think about this! Whats changed? Shes gay, you dolt! But that doesnt change the fact that all in all SJ was still the same, still running to sign up for morning running, still able to have rapid-fire Spanish conversations with Lori that left me convulsing in laughter. I conveyed my rev elations to SJ, and the room brightened as I flipped the switch and turned on the light. After that quick agreement, we fell into a more companionable silence. The conversation flowed on to family and other matters. Friendship kept, crisis avoided. But apparently I hadnt dodged the bullet as cleanly as Id hoped. Now I once again had to make a decision. Betray SJ and talk behind her back, or defend her and possibly ostracize myself from the rest of my hallmates. It was especially likely, as several of them went to church. But there was really only one thing to do. I wasnt panicking now. Im fine with it. Are you? I asked, a little challenging. Two weeks after camp ended, I received a letter from SJ, which thanked me for being so accepting on campus and supporting her among our hallmates. I didnt know shed known.

Financial Analysis for Managers Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial Analysis for Managers - Article Example However, the highly competitive nature of today’s corporate world has given rise to an essence of unethical behaviour which underlies a majority of business operations; in order to ensure their success. Many a times, unethical behaviour in the workplace has an immense negative impact on the organization and its employees. These effects can be psychological, financial, social, or even bureaucratic in nature. Financially speaking, if a company adheres to unethical means, then it endangers its image in the eyes of the public, and less people would be interested in dealing with the firm. These may include suppliers, financial institutions, customers and distributors. Such a trade-less condition obviously is a set-back to the revenue, and thus the profit of the company. Moreover, from an intra-firm point of view, employees would have lesser faith in a company which does not deal ethically with the public, as there emerges a possibility of the firm using corrupt means against employ ees; if need be someday. Not only does this encourage the existing workforce to leave the firm, it also keeps potential employees to join the firm. This proves to be disastrous for the company’s overall growth and progress.

Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 21

Personal Statement Example During that time, I had to adjust to the local culture. This of course threw up its fair share of challenges, but I was determined to succeed. I preserved through many language courses and made a concerted effort to speak Japanese whenever I had the chance to converse with the locals. I did not think at that time that learning Japanese would give me a leg up in life, but later on I got a job working at a Japanese restaurant. My knowledge of Japanese helped to convince my boss to give me the job over the other candidates. 3. The most significant challenge that I have faced was when I decided to study abroad. This was a new experience for me because I had never traveled overseas by myself before. When I arrived, I did not know anyone and could not fit into the local culture the way that I wanted to. I did not understand the language and the cultural customs were foreign to me. I overcame these obstacles by trying to adopt a Japanese way of life and keep an open mind, which allowed me to take many things onboard. 4. I have made my community a better place to live by volunteering for a couple of local soup kitchens. My motivation for participating in these activities at the beginning was simply to get a good reference for my resume, but after seeing the faces and hearing of the lives of some of the people who come into soup kitchens, I have realized that what I do cannot be measured because it is not really tangible. 5. I have witnessed many types of discrimination, but one experience that stands out in my mind is when I helped out an old black woman who was not being served at a soup kitchen. Some of the other servers were busy, but there were a few who were available but just did not see her or did not want to see her. I went over and helped reassure her that she was in the right place. 6. I want to receive an education that allows me to pursue my work goals in the long term. I will work