Tuesday, May 12, 2020

My Fascination with Biotechnology Application Essay

Learning about living things always makes me fascinated. The uniqueness of each structure and their functions always brings curiosity and many questions in me to probe deeper about them. My interest in biotechnology area was first aroused during my first degree. In my agricultural biotechnology class, when my lecturer exposed me with genetic engineering, proteins, and plant tissue culture, I am likely was mesmerized by them and at the same time, I began to realize my enthusiasm towards biotechnology application. Since then, I started to read few books about biotechnology application in many fields. Among of them was â€Å"The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It† written by a genetic counselor and journalist named Ricki Lewis.†¦show more content†¦Besides that, I was very impressed with the achievement and quality of education in the Imperial College London which has been known for its excellence in both, teaching and research along with their excellent facilities and laboratories provided. Besides that, the university also provides top class facilities and varieties of extra-curricular activities that can help me towards becoming a well-rounded individual. I strongly believe that, this institution will offer me precious and unique opportunity to experience effective education as well as to pursue a world standard education. I graduated my first degree in Plantation Technology Management with second upper class (with overall CGPA of 3.33). I realized that my background of study is insufficient to pursue postgraduate study in biotechnology. This is because, in agricultural biotechnology class, we are mostly exposed with the theoretical of biotechnology application. Therefore, as an alternative, I have decided to work as a temporary research assistant for six months (starting from August 2013 until the end of February 2014). Currently, I am working asShow MoreRelatedApplying for a Master ´s in Microbial Biotechnology Essay993 Words   |  4 Pages Program: Master’s in Microbial Biotechnology Statement of Purpose Having pursued relevant projects, courses and considering my aptitude, I find myself interested in life sciences and more specifically in Microbiology. I believe that pursuing Masters in Microbial Biotechnology at North Carolina State University will help me to widen my knowledge, hone my technical and managerial skills and provides me an opportunity to contributeRead MorePersonal Statement Of Purpose By Mr. Thomas H. Huxley812 Words   |  4 PagesThomas H. Huxley. The unyielding quest for boundless knowledge has been my motivating and driving force throughout my career pursuit. It’s the same quest that prompted me for higher studies. The dedication to finding solutions and a thirst for creating new tools to benefit humanity has molded me into a seeker of advanced knowledge. I commence this statement with a bit of my personality which has a direct bearing on my academic pursuits. I have always felt a strong need for achievement, whichRead MoreMy Path to Choosing a Career741 Words   |  3 Pagestennis academy. Now, my mornings are free and my afternoons are filled teaching the fundamentals of tennis to young players as I hope to transition towards a career in law. How did I arrive at this juncture? What motivated me to leave the lab and embark on this new path? To answer these questions, let me first explain what motivated me initially to pursue a career in research. With an interest in science well before college, I entered Emory University as a chemistry major. In my introductory coursesRead MoreEssay on Ms Biomedical Engineering Sop1183 Words   |  5 Pagesfamily of doctors. From my early childhood, my frequent visits to the hospital (run by my grandfather) have had an impact on me .As a ten year old boy, I once walked into the X-ray room and was thoroughly fascinated by the machines, which were huge, when compared to my tiny self. Since then my fascination and interest in medical equipments and instruments have been growing day by day. I have always believed that every moment in life is a learning experience I’m proud to say my learning experienceRead MoreThe Physiological Effect Of Angiotensin Renin System821 Words   |  4 PagesDuring my undergraduate years, I came across a drug class called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. This medicine interferes in a production of angiotensin II via the enzyme inhibition, ultimately lowering the blood pressure. Understanding the physiological effect of angiotensin-renin system greatly fascinated me how our body is sophisticated in its structure and function, and it intrigued me further that our current knowledge allows us to design ACE inhibitor to combat high blood pressureRead MoreI Love Reading Essay69689 Words   |  279 Pagesfactors that could further encourage and facilitate even greater growth. Deï ¬ nition: For the purposes of this study and keeping in mind its key role in creating value, NKC deï ¬ nes Entrepreneurship as follows: ‘E ntrepreneurship is the professional application of knowledge, skills and competencies and/or of monetizing a new idea, by an individual or a set of people by launching an enterprise de novo or diversifying from an existing one (distinct from seeking self employment as in a profession or trade)Read More65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays 2nd Edition 147256 Words   |  190 Pages BUSINESS SCHOOL HARVARD SUCCESSFUL 65 APPLICATION SECOND EDITION E S S AY S APPLICATION BUSINESS SCHOOL HARVARD SUCCESSFUL 65 ECSNS A IYI O N S SE O D ED T With Analysis by the Staff of The Harbus, the Harvard Business School Newspaper ST. MARTIN’S GRIFFIN NEW YORK 65 SUCCESSFUL HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL APPLICATION ESSAYS, SECOND EDITION. Copyright  © 2009 byThe Harbus News Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of AmericaRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesof Effective Managers 7 Essential Management Skills 8 What Are Management Skills? 9 Improving Management Skills 12 An Approach to Skill Development 13 Leadership and Management 16 Contents of the Book 18 Organization of the Book 19 Practice and Application 21 Diversity and Individual Differences 21 Summary 23 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL 24 Diagnostic Survey and Exercises 24 Personal Assessment of Management Skills (PAMS) 24 What Does It Take to Be an Effective Manager? 28 SSS Software In-Basket ExerciseRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pages The Individual 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Diversity in Organizations 39 Attitudes and Job Satisfaction 69 Emotions and Moods 97 Personality and Values 131 Perception and Individual Decision Making 165 Motivation Concepts 201 Motivation: From Concepts to Applications 239 3 The Group 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Foundations of Group Behavior 271 Understanding Work Teams 307 Communication 335 Leadership 367 Power and Politics 411 Conflict and Negotiation 445 Foundations of Organization Structure 479 v vi

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Changing Meanings Of Religion - 975 Words

The research article: The changing meanings of religion. Sociological theories of religion in the perspective of the last 100 years was written by Irena Borowik and published on March 2011. The purpose of this article is to discuss the conceptual framework for defining religion from a sociological perspective. The target population the article is geared towards is†¦... Borowik begins the article by talking about how the views on religion were diverse due to the fast-changing society in the second half of the nineteenth century. Sociologists witnessed the rapid changes in production, social organization, structure and political legitimacy and because of that they tried to be objective while being aware of their own biography, political and other views and the zeitgeist in which they constructed their theories. More than 100 years ago of theoretical reflection on religion in the framework of sociology may be organized in a few ways in order to highlight the dominant characteristic s. In the first chronological approach, there are three periods of development in the sociology of religion, which are: classical, post-classical and contemporary. In the second approach, there are three theories of religion that in different ways find the reasons or seed of religious changes that occurs in modernity. The classical period is about the different theories about religion that many sociologists came out with. For example, Karl Max with his criticism of religion, Herbert Spencer with hisShow MoreRelatedHow Socialization Is Defined As The Process Of Learning And Internalizing The Values, And Gender Roles Essay1415 Words   |  6 Pagesbut varies in all societies. Religion is another popular social group that dates back several years. According to the Pew Forum, the Census Bureau’s director during the 1950s (Vincent P. Barabba) decided to eliminate the question of religion out of fear that its inclusion would lead to controversy over the separation of state and church. Later that year, Congress passed a law stating that mandatory questions of religion were banned. Though, sociologists define religion as any institutionalized systemRead MoreTo Live for God or for Meaning737 Words   |  3 Pagesexistence to thoughts on the â€Å"death of God† and ways to find meaning in life despite his absence. This shift is demonstrated by the changing tone of the writings of Anselm and Descartes to the writings of Feuerbach and Nietzsche. This change happened for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the proving of scientific facts that did not coincide with religious beliefs (evolution, the sun is the center of our galaxy, etc.), the changing societal structure that reduced religious involvement inRead MoreReligion as a Conservative Force Essay1132 Words   |  5 PagesReligion as a Conservative Force ‘Conservative forces’ in this context can be defined as forces, which protect the existing social order, and radical forces being the opposite of conservative forces are those, which promote change. ‘’ Religion is essentially a conservative force in society and if that is true than it would also be true that religion can also play a part in social change.’ To evaluate whether religion is a conservative force or a forceRead MoreReligion Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesReligion Essay 1. What are the functions of religion? 2. Is it possible to be religious and accept the teachings of modern science? Based upon my opinion and research I believe that it is not possible to be religious and at the same time, accept the teachings of modern science. As explained in the two questions below, the idea of a religion is to seek the answer to the meaning of life, and after death, live in an eternity with their God. Many religions outline the beginning of the world andRead MoreEssay 1. In Modern Times, It Is A Crucial To Be Aware Of777 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent types people, religions, and cultures everyday. Despite constant encounters with new religions and cultures, many people do not understand the significance of religious symbols and traditions. In order to combat this ignorance, Harvard University and Diana L. Eck founded the Pluralism Project. The Pluralism Project’s mission consists of four vital mission statements. The first statement is to continue the documentation and growth in the understanding of the ever-changing religious demographyRead MoreThe Four Characterist ics of Religion1212 Words   |  5 PagesCHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION INTERACT TO CREATE A DYNAMIC, LIVING FAITH TRADITION† Religion is the belief and worship of an extraordinary and supernaturally controlling power that has developed and become an essential factor in the way humans have ordered and made sense of the world in which we reside in and is defined by its characteristics. To create a dynamic, living and breathing religion, it must have all of these characteristics that distinguish and separate a religion from others. TheseRead MoreThe Significance And Meanings Behind The Use Of Symbols1110 Words   |  5 PagesThe significance and meanings behind the use of symbols and iconography within Western Christianity and Buddhism has evolved in the depiction of Christ and Buddha. The purpose of this essay is to compare some key elements of Christian and Buddhist symbolism as pertaining to the meaning of concept of God, the soul, suffering, and their view of religious concepts. Concept of God First let’s look the idea of God. According to the Christian religion God is divine and is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, OmniscienceRead More`` Homo Religiosus `` By Karen Armstrong1416 Words   |  6 Pagesaccepted by the society around them. In â€Å"Homo religiosus† Karen Armstrong brings out the materialized definition of an â€Å"individual† through concepts such as religion, activities like yoga, the artistic features of caves, and most importantly the image of Brahma. The detailed notions placed on each concept yields the reassuring meaning that religion symbolically is a safe harbor, in which individuals can feel comforted and relieved. However the question that always comes up is if an individual is willingRead MoreThe Freedom Of The Free Love Movement Essay1582 Words   |  7 Pagesheavily influenced. During this period, the need for children to help maintain farmland was no longer necessary. Cities emerged and reproduction slowed. This peri od was a major turning point for the dominant meaning of sexuality; thus it has great significance. D’Emilio writes about this changing sexual ideology when he states â€Å"especially within the middle class, sexual desires had become increasingly fused with a romantic quest for emotional intimacy and even spiritual union† (84). Sexuality no longerRead MoreEssay on Modern Britain as a Secular Society886 Words   |  4 Pagesof whether or not Religion is losing its importance in todays Society. Bryan Wilson defined Secularisation as being The process whereby religious thinking, practices and institutions lose social significance. This definition itself and not just the topic alone causes problems, it might be argued that it is not possible to measure the significance of such a personal thing as religion and if it is possible it may not even be true that Religion held such a significance

Between the Wars Free Essays

The event that had significant impacts during the interlude between the First and Second World Wars would be the Great Depression. The effect of this financial crisis, not only in the United States but also in other parts of the world, was apparent both in the domestic front and in the international community. The Great Depression started during the late 1920s and would stretch until the next decade. We will write a custom essay sample on Between the Wars or any similar topic only for you Order Now This historical turning-point was triggered by Black Tuesday, which was the day when the stock markets had a major downturn. (Rothbard, 2000) The impact of this event, both positive and negative, was massive indeed as the country was forced into a state of great recession and then reassessment of economic and social policies. (Mcelvain, 1993) In the ground level, the people experienced difficulties, as employment becomes scarce, thereby leading to poverty and hunger, which was prevalent during that decade. The citizens in the grassroots were the ones that was most affected, for the depression was deeply felt by everyone. The length, lasting 10 years, was overwhelming indeed; the extent of the crisis was equally devastating. The agriculture and primary sectors industries experienced economic slumps even bankruptcies, which in turn burdened the people whose wages declined and employment opportunities disappeared. The end of this Great Depression coincided with the start of the Second World War. The implication of the financial crisis was not only social but also political, as policies were forced to be reassessed and eventually changed. The New Deal policy was a result of the crisis. Also, government officials debated the liberal policies in economics, as many abandoned liberal economics, and advocated more protectionist policies. The impact of the Great Depression is far-reaching and vast, as it is political, social and economic. References Mcelvaine, Robert. (1993). The Great Depression: America 1929-1941. United States: Three Rivers Press. Rothbard, Murray. (2000). America’s Great Depression. United States: Ludwig Von Mises Institute. How to cite Between the Wars, Papers

Business Economics Demand Pull and Cost-Push

Question: Describe about the Business Economics for Demand Pull and Cost-Push. Answer: (a) If the wages of cleaners is increased in a burger shop, the supply of burgers will be reduced due to increase in the cost of production. Figure 1: Decrease in Supply (Source: Created by Author) The graph shows that supply from S to S2 that in turn leads to excess demand at the old equilibrium cost P (Canto, Joines and Laffer 2014). (b) Since burger is considered as a normal good and as a result, with the fall in income the demand for burger will decrease. Most of the goods that we usually purchase are considered as normal goods. They are also considered as a superior commodity (Atkinson and Stiglitz 2015). Figure 2: Normal Good (Source: Created by Author) A single seller who sells a unique good in the market characterizes a monopoly market structure. The seller does not face any competition in the monopoly market, as he is the single owner of commodities with no close substitutes. On the other hand, an industry is a natural monopoly when a single firm can supply a commodity to a complete market at a subordinate cost (Askar 2013). Figure 3: Monopoly (Source: Created by Author) The above graph shows that more quantity Q2 can be sold at a lower price P2. The slope of the AR curve is downward sloping under monopoly that in turn implies that if the monopolist sets the high prices, the demand will decrease. Under the monopoly market structure, there is bound to be interaction between the forces of demand and supply (Anton and Biglaiser 2013). Under perfect competition price is equivalent to marginal cost at the equilibrium output. However, under monopoly the price is larger than average cost. When the Reserve Bank of Australia intervenes in the foreign exchange market, it generates demand as well as supply for the Australian dollar by purchasing or selling Australian dollars against a different currency. In the exchange market of the Australian dollar, the RBA always conducts its interference due to the fact that liquidity and earnings are utmost in that market. Most of the transaction of the foreign exchange intervention of the RBA takes place in the spot market. Traditionally, the Reserve Bank of Australia has usually chosen to intervene by performing in the foreign exchange market in its own name (Benes et al. 2015). The benefits to Australia of the appreciation of the Australian dollar are as follows: With the appreciation of the Australian dollar, Australian exports are bound to become more costly. The imports into Australia will become reasonable and as a result, there will be increase in demand for imports. This has the probability to worsen the current account deficit (Garton, Gaudry and Wilcox 2012). The preferential trade agreement that Australia shares with China mainly includes a currency deal. This in turn allows the Australian dollar to trade directly against the currency of China. China has also allowed RMB to be traded against the AUS dollar directly. As a result, if the foreign investors become optimistic about China, it would lead to an increase in the demand for RMB. The economic interaction between Australia and China is likely to provide a wider implication for the Asia-Pacific area both in terms of state capital flows as well as in terms of financial security (Bowman, Gilligan and OBrien 2015). The percentage change in the value of the Wholesale Price Index on a yearly basis is termed as inflation. It efficiently measures the change in the prices of a basket of commodities and services in a year. The imbalance between demand and supply of money as well as changes in the cost of production and distribution leads to inflation (Bresciani-Turroni 2013). The major cause of inflation is merely the growth in the quantity of money. The level of prices and the value of money also lead to inflation. There are mainly two types of inflation that includes demand-pull inflation and cost-push inflation. Figure 4: Demand-pull inflation (Source: Created by Author) Demand-pull inflation takes place when aggregate demand for commodities and services in an economy increases more rapidly as compared to the productive capacity of the economy (Addison and Burton 2013). Figure 5: Cost-push inflation (Source: Created by Author) On the other hand, cost-push inflation takes place when prices of production procedure inputs rise. Increasing wages are also a major factor that leads to cost-push inflation as wages are considered the most imperative cost for firms. The two economic policies that the government could apply to reduce inflation are as follows: Fiscal Policy: The government can raise taxes as well as cut spending. These in turn improves the budget circumstances as well as help to reduce demand in the economy (Auerbach and Gorodnichenko 2012). 2. Monetary Policy: The rate of interest could be increased by the Central Bank that will in turn make borrowings more costly and saving more attractive. The quantity theory of money states that the wide-ranging level of prices of goods and services is directly comparative to the amount of money in circulation or money supply. It mostly states that there is a direct relationship between the quantity of money in an economy as well as the level of prices of commodities and services sold (Su et al. 2016). According to Quantity Theory of Money, if the amount of money doubles in an economy, the level of price also doubles. According to the economists, a rapid increase in the money supply leads to a rapid rise in inflation. Money growth that exceeds the expansion of economic output results in inflation. If the makers of the monetary policy decrease the supply of money, the rate of interest will get increased. If the rate of interest are determined by free economy it becomes more attractive in order to deposit funds as well as to diminish borrowing from the Central Bank. One of the rate of interest that is advertised in the free economy is the coupon rate. As per the economists, competitive markets allocate resources efficiently. According to the economists, efficient allocation of resources takes place when individuals are able to choose the commodities and services that they desire. Resources are being allocated effectively mostly when they are being used to manufacture the appropriate amount of goods as well as services that is desired mostly by the customers. Allocative efficiency requires that an individual produces each commodity up to the point where the advantage it conveys to the society. According to the economists, an efficient allocation of resources is the combination of distribution of inputs as well as outputs such that any alter in the economy that makes an individual better off. Efficiency is also obtained when there is efficiency in the production. In other words, the manufacturing of the largest value of commodities as well as services with available resources. It also takes when all mutual benefits gained from busin ess are exhausted (Rancire and Tornell 2016). The non-price determinants of demand are as follows: Branding: Sellers make use of advertising, product quality, and customer service as well as product differentiation. That in turn leads to strong brand images and as a result, the purchasers have a strong preference for their commodities. Hence, the demand curve shifts towards the right as the demand for products increases. Market Size: With the rapid expansion of the market, the demand of the customers for the goods is likely to increase (Verheyen 2015). Complementary goods: The demand for a commodity is influenced by the change in the price of the product. As a result, the demand for movies is likely to get impacted by the price of popcorn in the movie theatre. Similarly, the demand for movies in the particular theatre is also likely to get influenced due to the price of nearby parking. Available Income: If the amount of income of the purchasers alters, the propensity to purchase will also change. Thus, irrespective of price, if there is an economic boom, an individual is more likely to purchase. Seasonality: The requirements for commodities alter by time of year. As a result, there is a powerful demand for grass mowers in the spring, but not in the fall. Future Expectation: The purchasers are likely to purchase more commodities in the future, if they expect that the price is likely to increase in the future. The value of money is determined by the supply of money as well as demand for money that is similar to that of the price of a commodity. Quantity Theory of Money states that the general level of price (P) is directly relied on the supply of money (M). In other words, if M doubles, P will also double. On the other hand, if M is diminished, P will also diminish by the similar quantity (Cline 2015). The growth of the money supply determines the inflation rate. According to Quantity Theory of Money, if the amount of money doubles in an economy, the level of price also doubles. This in turn leads to inflation in the economy. As inflation increases, the value of money diminishes. References Addison, J.T. and Burton, J., 2013. The demise of demand-pull and costpush in inflation theory.PSL Quarterly Review,33(133). Anton, J.J. and Biglaiser, G., 2013. Quality, upgrades and equilibrium in a dynamic monopoly market.Journal of Economic Theory,148(3), pp.1179-1212. Askar, S.S., 2013. On complex dynamics of monopoly market.Economic Modelling,31, pp.586-589. Atkinson, A.B. and Stiglitz, J.E., 2015.Lectures on public economics. Princeton University Press. Auerbach, A.J. and Gorodnichenko, Y., 2012. Measuring the output responses to fiscal policy.American Economic Journal: Economic Policy,4(2), pp.1-27. Benes, J., Berg, A., Portillo, R.A. and Vavra, D., 2015. Modeling sterilized interventions and balance sheet effects of monetary policy in a New-Keynesian framework.Open Economies Review,26(1), pp.81-108. Bowman, M., Gilligan, G. and OBrien, J., 2015. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Growing Acceptance of Chinese State Capital Investment.Asian Journal of Public Affairs,8(1), pp.03-24. Bresciani-Turroni, C., 2013.The Economics of Inflation: A study of currency depreciation in post-war Germany, 1914-1923. Routledge. Canto, V.A., Joines, D.H. and Laffer, A.B., 2014.Foundations of supply-side economics: Theory and evidence. Academic Press. Cline, W.R., 2015. Quantity Theory of Money Redux? Will Inflation Be the Legacy of Quantitative Easing?.National Institute Economic Review,234(1), pp.R15-R26. Garton, P., Gaudry, D. and Wilcox, R., 2012. Understanding the appreciation of the Australian dollar and its policy implications.Economic Round-up, (2), p.39. Rancire, R. and Tornell, A., 2016. Financial Liberalization, Debt Mismatch, Allocative Efficiency, and Growth.American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics,8(2), pp.1-44. Su, C.W., Fan, J.J., Chang, H.L. and Li, X.L., 2016. Is there Causal Relationship between Money Supply Growth and Inflation in China? Evidence from Quantity Theory of Money.Review of Development Economics. Verheyen, F., 2015. The role of non-price determinants for export demand.International Economics and Economic Policy,12(1), pp.107-125.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

My Most Frightening Day free essay sample

My Most Frightening Day Most people don’t have any idea when their most frightening day will be, it could have been when they were young or maybe it has not quite happened yet. I did not have the luxury of surprise although I also didn’t exactly have a day marked on my calendar. I knew my most frightening day would come when a doctor called my house and informed my family that my great grandpa Papahualo had two weeks to live, and my dad informed me that we were going to fly out there to be with him.He was like a father to my dad and he traveled with us most everywhere we went and now, we were going to be with him before his greatest journey yet. I had been planning to go to New York during winter break; I was hoping to spend time with Papahualo as I went around sight-seeing and getting to know the city. This was not the trip I had planned at all. It wasn’t during winter break, it was two weeks before classes would begin for me, and this was not how I wanted to see him.The last time I had seen Papahualo was one year before when he was strong as a horse and could still pick me up when he gave an extra strong hug. We bought the tickets two days in advance and everything happened so fast that it almost seemed like a dream. Papahualo was one of the healthiest, strongest people I knew. He was not the frail old man the doctor described over phone with his organs slowly shutting down. On the plane everything felt normal, like any other trip, I am used to traveling, but never like this.Even though the flight was short it felt like a nerve racking eternity of uncertainty, I couldn’t get a wink of sleep. I was sure I would break down sometime on the plane, if not then maybe once we got there and everything stopped feeling like a dream and became real but that moment never came. We went almost immediately to the hospital and although I ran scenario after scenario in my mind of what it would be like, I had no idea what to expect.My Papahualo’s lungs were filled with water and due to his organs shutting down, especially the kidneys and liver he didn’t look pale but instead a slight yellow color took over. As of the day before he had stopped being able to talk, he was so weak and fragile he barely resembled the man I knew wrinkle by wrinkle in my memories. He was so sedated for the pain that he was only capable of sleeping, I was told he had been slightly delusional and I wasn’t sure if he would even know who I was. The nurses and doctors had been having issues with him wanting to get up and leave.They just could not understand that nothing ever stopped him from being independent and able to live just like them only weeks before. He had raised or taken care of so many children, grand children, nephews, nieces and even great grandchildren but had never had to be taken care of to this extent. I spent the first night at his bedside on a reclining chair, it was not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement but it was better than the chair my aunt kindly offered to sleep in. The first time he opened his eyes I filled with excitement and fear all at the same time. I leaned in and asked if he knew who I was, he whispered â€Å"of course† and squeezed my hand as if he would never let go. That’s what I wanted deep down, I never wanted to say goodbye I had never even so much as given a thought to it. How do you say goodbye to someone who has always been there and watched you grow? How do you let go of someone who has meant so much to you for so long that a future without them seems impossible? I was holding my breath waiting for him to take his last. It is the scariest thing I have ever had to do.The second night I spent the same, just holding his hand and staying awake until around six in the morning when my aunt or uncle would wake up and take over my shift, the nurses were not the only ones up around the clock. By the third night my family may as well have locked me up in my aunts’ house, they insisted I need to take care of myself too and finally go home, eat a good meal and get some real rest. The fourth night was my last night in New York. My great grandpa had finally been transported to a hospice and we knew it was now only a matter of time.It was decided that my two aunts and uncle would stay overnight with him but I begged and was allowed to stay instead of my uncle. He was surrounded by family from the beginning but now even more than ever with people from the area were even coming to visit trying to give their last goodbyes and sharing memories with the rest of us. He was so respected, admired, and loved; no one ever had anything bad to say of him and this was not just because of the circumstances. As it got later the family proceeded to clear out, leaving me with my aunts.I was reading my book and positioned myself as usual by his bedside until the familiar sound of his peaceful breathing began to change and slow down. Was this the moment everyone has been dreading? I put my book down, got out of my chair and walked closer. I wasn’t alone because my aunts immediately were asking him if he was okay and comfortable enough and the mandatory things they’d say when he opened his eyes or got their attention. As he was breathing slower and slower my heart raced faster and faster, I squeezed his hand and I felt him still holding on.I looked into his eyes and tried to find a conscious mind behind the stare but there was none. My aunt called her sister and explained their dad wasn’t breathing the same â€Å"he’s breathing too slowly, he’s taking so long to breathe †¦he’s not breathing anymore†. I closed his eyes for him, which I felt was an honor because only one person could ever put you at your final peace like that. I didn’t say anything because there was nothing left to say, I had been talking to him in the few moments we had alone and he knew I loved him very much. Words were not needed at the moment just a few silent tears. Then came the duty of delivering some phone calls out to family, and I had to maintain calm. I cannot describe all the emotions I went through in those four days; twenty six letters in different combinations could not possibly express the love, pain, exhaustion and fear that passed through me. I have never seen someone losing their life slowly before my eyes, but it’s a feeling I will never forget and one that scared me beyond what I can explain. I don’t wish it on anyone but in a way I also do feel special to have truly been there until the very end. Rest in peace Marino Eduardo Pacheco Alegre, better known as my Papahualo.