Effects Of Chewing On The Brain Essay - 1050 Words

Chewing gum has been linked to concentration thru studies showing that people who chew gum during an assessment might do better than a person who is not. This is do to the fact that while chewing gum your concentration rate goes up and allows you to focus more on the assessment given. The Brain is set up with two systems one is your involuntary this is the system that collects stimuli and process it. It’s the system that makes automatic decisions for us, like turning our heads when we hear our names called or freezing when we see a spider. While system 2 runs the voluntary parts of our brains. It processes suggestions offered by System 1, makes final decisions and chooses where to allocate our attention. The funny thing about how these system work is that we assume a lot of the things we do are purely conscious decisions made by System 2. In fact, almost everything we consciously decide on is based on automatic reactions and suggestions fed to us by System 1.New research shows it takes one part of the brain to start concentrating and another to be distracted. This discovery could help scientists develop better treatments for attention deficit disorder. This ability to willfully focus your attention is physically separate in the brain from distracting things grabbing your attention, said Earl Miller, a neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He led the study, published in Friday s edition of the journal Science. Now we know these two things areShow MoreRelatedThe Effect Of Chewing Gum On Cognitive Processing964 Words   |  4 Pagesthat chewing gum might improve the performance in memory task, although other studies have not confirmed this effect of chewing. Little is known about the brain activity and the task performance while chewing gum. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a spectroscopic method that uses the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum(what does this mean). Put in my own words, describe what it means.Near-infrared spectroscopy is a useful tool for investigating brain function and can measure brain activityRead MoreThe Benefits of Gum Chewing1791 Words   |  7 Pagestrying to lose weight, suffer from oral health problems or digestive problems? Simply chewing a piece of gum can help solve any of these issues. For example, everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. Whether its from school, work, relationships or life in general. Studies have proven that chewing gum can help relieve stress from someone who is experiencing either acute or chronic stress.†Chewing gum leads to reduced stress and anxiety, and can elevate mood, improve concentration andRead MoreShould Students Be Allowed to Chew Gum in School?700 Words   |  3 Pagesclassroom. Evidence shows that the process of chewing gum increases the blood flow to the brain and heart as well as increases saliva in the mouth, which gives the individual certain advantages. Students should be allowed to chew gum while in the classroom because they demonstrate increased memory and alertness, higher test scores and concentration, as well as decreased stress and anxiety (Pooley, Smith). Most people believe that the process of chewing gum can be distracting not only to the chewerRead MoreConcentration Levels Of High School Students Chewing Gum Versus Non Chewers1215 Words   |  5 Pagesbetween concentration levels of high school students chewing gum versus non-chewers. The concentration portion provided students with two color tests to take to record differences in concentration. The results provided data with an increase in concentration of students while chewing gum. Introduction: Psychologist have tested the effect of gum many times but can’t specifically find what makes gum a concentrating agent. Sugar-free gum has the same effect as gum with sugar present. At St. Lawrence UniversityRead More Nicotine Essay809 Words   |  4 Pagesaddictive drugs. The impact it has on society is like no other. It is one of more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke of tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. This addictive drug is the primary component in tobacco that acts on the brain. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Tobacco can be found two ways, it can be dried brown leaves of various sizes or it can be a grown form of tobacco. When extracted from the leaves, nicotine is colorless, but quickly turns brown when exposed to air. ItRead More Cocaine Essay1059 Words   |  5 Pagesstronger effect than chewing the leaves. The term quot;Crackquot; is alternately used to refer to street quality freebase cocaine, or to refer to the product of a particular manufacturing process, which uses sodium bicarbonate rather than a flammable solvent. Powdered cocaine is mostly snorted and crack or freebase cocaine is generally smoked. Smoking freebase cocaine causes a strong, short-lived peak of about 3-5 minutes, while snorting cocaine provides a lower high with major effects lasting closerRead MorePavlov s Stimulus Substitution Theory994 Words   |  4 Pagesto elicit the UR. However, during conditioning involving repeated pairing of the CS and US, new neurological connections between the CS neurons and US neurons are established which causes the US and CS to both activate the same neural centre of the brain that evokes the unconditioned response. Consequently, the CS becomes a substitute for the US and elicits the same response, hence the name Stimulus Substitution Theory (Chance, 2013). Pavlov s empirical research generally supported his theory. ForRead MoreNicotine Addiction: The Effects On The Body Essay1165 Words   |  5 Pagesapproximately 5 percent of nicotine by weight. There are two categories of tobacco products cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Nicotine has many effects on the body but the effect it has on the brain is responsible for the so called â€Å"good feeling† that is behind the addiction. Nicotine is considered to be addictive because of the psychological and physiological effects on a person. The Center for the Advancement of Health published the results of a study on teenager smokers: Almost two-thirds of the smokersRead MoreSmokeless Tobacco Essay1136 Words   |  5 PagesSmokeless tobacco is presented as an alternative to smoking cigarettes, although smokeless tobacco has some benefits over smoking cigarettes, it also causes harm to the user. There are different forms of smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco that come in the forms of as Plug/Twist, Verb Use (consider revising). Snuff another form of smokeless tobacco composed of grounded tobacco leaves requires you to place it between the gums and cheeks, then spit out the juices or swallow if you please. TheRead MoreThanksgiving Is A Holiday That Comes With A Great Feast1388 Words   |  6 Pagespart in the food consumption experience. The nose has millions of receptors that are sensitive to odor molecules. A person can smell food by sniffing the air just above the food through the nostrils or as the air is circulating inside the mouth when chewing. The latter occurs because the back of the throat is conn ected to the nose and mouth. Air has to flow in or out of the nose for the odor molecules to flow through the nostrils and into the nose which can either go through the front or the back. Without

Should Same Sex Marriage Be Legal - 968 Words

The Definition of Family What is your definition to the term ‘family?’ The answer to that question varies depending on whom you ask, and everyone seems to have his or her own idea of it. Just this year, same-sex marriage was finally recognized in Alabama – one of the most conservative, southern states that you could possibly drive into. The whole idea of homosexuality regarding important topics such as marriage, psychological health, and parenting have been called into question to scientifically define what the term family should mean. Just to be clear, this topic sparks a grand amount of opinion, and opinion can easily be shut down by facts and relative research. First and foremost, majority of the individuals that are opposed to same-sex marriage are usually just as opposed to same-sex couples raising children (whether or not these children of homosexual parents grow up to be heterosexual or homosexual). These individuals will typically argue that children raised by same-sex parents will suffer psychologically and will grow up to be anxiety ridden, depressed adults with the inability to identify with a sexual orientation. Upon further research, one will find that a child being raised by same sex parents or a homosexual parent has very little influence on the child’s well being (Golombok, Perry, Burston, Murray, Mooney-Somers, Stevens, and Golding, 2003, p. 2). According to Wainright, Russell, and Patterson’s (2004) research on children raised by lesbian mothers, theyShow MoreRelatedSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1288 Words   |  6 Pages Marriage is not precisely the same as it used to be interpreted. For example, women used to be their husband’s property. Sometimes the women were forced to marry whoever their parents wanted them to marry and most of the time they couldn’t leave the marriage. Nowadays women have more freedom. They can vote, they can run their own business, and they can marry whichever man they want to. The laws change as the people’s mind change. As they get more comfortable with the idea, they become more openRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal Essay1475 Words   |  6 PagesSame sex relationships relate to when a man or woman are attracted to someone of the same gender of themselves. It is being rejected as same gender marriage denies the obvious purpose between a man and a women which is procreation (Richardson-Self, 2012). Denying same sex couples the legal right to get married, could mean that they are being denied their basic human rights to enjoy human benefits (Richardson-Self, 2012). However, the opposing view is that if gay marriage was granted the legal rightsRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1403 Words   |  6 PagesSame-Sex Marriage â€Å"I now pronounce you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  At some point in a person’s life, they have heard or will hear those words. What follows, however, has changed somewhat over the years; although, the commitment has remained the same. Those words historically indicate that until the death of a spouse, that couple shall remain together. Who should be able to determine whom that spouse is for that person? Some people judge others for their sexuality and how it is affecting them, but they never stop andRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1144 Words   |  5 PagesGay Marriage There are many issues the revolve around same-sex marriage. Many issues like: Whether same-sex should be legalized and should there be an amendment on same-sex marriage? There are multiple side to view this, but gay marriage but in my opinion gay marriage is socially accepted. it should be legal and it does affect American teens in a broad spectrum of ways. There have been a lot of issues on whether or not same-sex marriage should be legal or not. According to Burns, â€Å" The unionRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal998 Words   |  4 PagesSame sex marriage ought to be legalized on the grounds that it is uncivilized and unmerited. Marriage is a commitment between two people that cherish one another. In almost every country and culture, marriage is a commitment of loyalty and love. Marriage is an authority contract gathering two individuals together, furnishing them with profits of holy matrimony such as tax cuts and clinical privileges. The debate throughout most countries today is whether or not the rights of these profits and commitmentsRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1659 Words   |  7 Pages Same-sex couples can hardly remember a time where they were not fighting for their right to marriage in the United States. After several court cases, California Proposition Six, and their struggle against the Defens e of Marriage Act (DOMA), same-sex couples found their way into U.S. society. Many misguided studies appealed to those opposing same-sex marriage, but after several years of integrating in society, same-sex couples found the support they were looking for. Before the Supreme CourtRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal899 Words   |  4 Pages In the United States, same sex marriage became legal nationwide on June 26, 2015, when the United States Supreme Court overruled the court in favor of same sex freedom and marriage. The victory of same sex marriage came to be recognized from the Obergefell v. Hodges case which was submitted when an American Ohio man was denied and regretted to get his name on his late husband’s death certificate. Same sex marriage has been a controversial social issue in the United States for several decades. SinceRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1491 Words   |  6 PagesSame sex marriage is one of the most debatable issues in the modern world. Marriage has been accepted as the social union between a man and a woman for the past thousand years. Homosexuality was viewed with scorn, and marriages among same sex couples were prohibited in most cultures across the globe. However, gay relationships are slowly obtaining acceptance, as homosexuals have come to be expressive in fighting their rights to marry in the early 90’s. As homosexuality grows in acceptance in theRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal892 Words   |  4 PagesLove Same sex marriage is now allowed in all states across the country. But it took years and years for this â€Å"issue† to be finally laid to rest. The first state to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts in 2004. There was not a last state to legalize gay marriage. The supreme court realized how many states were now legalizing it, so they just had all of the states left legalize it as well. ProCon.org supplies information that â€Å"Twenty-six states were forced to legalize gay marriage becauseRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal2253 Words   |  10 Pages1776). The recognition of same-sex marriage is an issue influenced by numerous factors, and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships have the right to marriage. Marriage provides many benefits, legally, financially, and personally. Same-sex marriage can open up those in same-sex relationships to tax benefits and financial demands comparable to those afforded to and required of peo ple in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections, such as

Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirty-six Free Essays

string(32) " was a low hum of conversation\." I’D OFTEN DREAMED ABOUT waking up with Dimitri, waking up in a way that was †¦ ordinary. Sweet. Not because we were hastily trying to catch sleep before fighting our next foe. We will write a custom essay sample on Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirty-six or any similar topic only for you Order Now Not because we were recovering from sex we had to hide, sex laden with baggage and myriad complications. I just wanted to wake up together, in his arms, and have it be a good morning. Today was that day. â€Å"How long have you been awake?’ I asked drowsily. My head was on his chest, and I was wrapped against him as best as I could manage. My wounds were healing rapidly but still had to be babied. We’d found a few creative workarounds last night. Sunlight now spilled in through the windows, filling my bedroom with gold. He was watching me in that quiet, solemn way of his, with those dark eyes that were so easy to get lost in. â€Å"A little while,’ he admitted, lifting his gaze to the sunlight-filled window. â€Å"I think I’m still on a human schedule. Either that, or my body just wants to be up when the sun is. Seeing it is still amazing to me.’ I stifled a yawn. â€Å"You should have gotten up.’ â€Å"I didn’t want to disturb you.’ I ran my fingers over his chest, sighing in contentment. â€Å"This is perfection,’ I said. â€Å"Is every day going to be like this?’ Dimitri rested his hand on my cheek and then moved down, tipping my chin up. â€Å"Not every day but most days.’ Our lips met, and the warmth and light in the room paled compared to what burned inside me. â€Å"I was wrong,’ I murmured when we finally broke the long, languid kiss. â€Å"This is perfection.’ He smiled, something he was doing an awful lot of lately. I loved it. Things would probably change once we were back out in the world. Even if we were together now, Dimitri’s guardian side would always be there, ready and watchful. But not right now. Not in this moment. â€Å"What’s the matter?’ he asked me. With a start, I realized I’d begun to frown. I tried to relax my face. Unbidden, Adrian’s words had come back to me, that the next time I was in bed with Dimitri, I should think about others who weren’t so lucky. â€Å"Do you think I ruin lives?’ I asked. â€Å"What? Of course not.’ The smile changed to shock. â€Å"Where would you get that idea?’ I shrugged. â€Å"There are just a lot of people whose lives are still kind of a mess. My friends, I mean.’ â€Å"True,’ he said. â€Å"And let me guess. You want to fix everyone’s problems.’ I didn’t answer. Dimitri kissed me again. â€Å"Roza,’ he said, â€Å"it’s normal to want to help the people you love. But you can’t fix everything.’ â€Å"It’s what I do,’ I countered, feeling a little petulant. â€Å"I protect people.’ â€Å"I know, and that’s one of the reasons I love you. But for now, you only have to worry about protecting one person: Lissa.’ I stretched out against him, noticing my injuries really were constantly improving. My body would be able to do all sorts of things soon. â€Å"I suppose that means we can’t stay in bed all day?’ I asked hopefully. â€Å"Afraid not,’ he said, lightly running his fingertips along the curve of my hip. He never seemed to get tired of studying my body. â€Å"They come first.’ I brought my mouth back toward his. â€Å"But not for a little while.’ â€Å"No,’ he agreed. His hand slid up to the back of my neck, tangling in my hair as he drew me closer. â€Å"Not for a little while.’ I had never attended a royal coronation before, and honestly, I hoped I never would again. I only wanted there to be this one queen ruling in my lifetime. Eerily, the coronation was kind of a reverse of Tatiana’s funeral. What was the old saying? The queen is dead. Long live the queen. Custom dictated the monarch-to-be spend the first part of the coronation day at the church, presumably to pray for guidance, strength, and all that spiritual stuff. I wasn’t sure what custom did in the case of atheist monarchs. Probably they faked it. With Lissa, who was fairly devout, I knew that wasn’t a problem and that she was probably legitimately praying she’d do a good job as queen. After the vigil, Lissa and a huge procession walked back across Court to the palace building, where the crowning took place. Representatives from all the royal families joined her, along with musicians who were playing much more cheerful tunes than they had for Tatiana’s procession. Lissa’s guardians–she had a fleet now–walked with her. I was among them, wearing my finest black and white, including the red collar marking me as a royal guardian. Here, at least, was a notable difference from the funeral. Tatiana had been dead; her guardians were for show. Lissa was very much alive, and even if she’d won the Council’s vote, she still had enemies. My colleagues and I were on high alert. Not that you’d think we needed to be, not with the way the onlookers cheered. All those who had camped out during the trials and election had stayed for this fanfare, and more had shown up still. I wasn’t sure when there’d ever been this many Moroi in one place. After the long and winding walk, Lissa made it to the palace building and then waited in a small antechamber adjacent to what served as the Moroi throne room. The throne room was almost never used for modern business, but every once in a while–like a new queen being sworn in–the Moroi liked to pull out ancient traditions. The room was small and couldn’t hold all the witnesses from outside. It couldn’t even hold the entire procession. But, the Council and highest-ranking royal members were there, along with some select invitees of Lissa’s. I stood off to the side, watching the glamour unfold. Lissa hadn’t made her grand entrance yet, so there was a low hum of conversation. You read "Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirty-six" in category "Essay examples" The room was all green and gold, having been given a thorough and fast remodel in the last few days, since custom dictated the ruling family’s colors dominate the throne room. The throne itself sat high against the far wall, accessible by steps. Carved of wood I could no longer identify, I knew the throne had been carried around the world by Moroi monarchs for centuries. People were lining up in carefully assigned positions, preparing for when Lissa would enter last. I was studying one of the new chandeliers, admiring how realistic the â€Å"candles’ in it looked. I knew they were electric, but the craftsmen had done amazing work. Technology masked in old-world glory, just as the Moroi liked. A small nudge drew my attention away. â€Å"Well, well, well,’ I said. â€Å"If it isn’t the people responsible for unleashing Rose Hathaway on the world. You’ve got a lot to answer for.’ My parents stood before me in their typical and wildly contrasting clothing. My mom wore the same guardian outfit I did, a white shirt with black slacks and jacket. Abe was †¦ well, Abe. He had on a black pinstripe suite, with a black dress shirt underneath. Splashed against the darkness was a bright, lemon-yellow paisley tie. A matching handkerchief peeped out one of the jacket’s pockets. Along with his gold earrings and chains, he also wore a black fedora, which was a new addition to his outlandish wardrobe. I guess he wanted to go all out for an event like this, and at least it wasn’t a pirate hat. â€Å"Don’t blame us,’ said my mother. â€Å"We didn’t blow up half of Court, steal a dozen cars, call out a murderer in the middle of a crowd, or get our teenage friend crowned queen.’ â€Å"Actually,’ said Abe, â€Å"I did blow up half of Court.’ My mom ignored him, her expression softening as she studied me with her guardian eyes. â€Å"Seriously †¦ how are you feeling?’ I’d seen them only briefly in the days since waking up, just enough for us all to check in on each other. â€Å"You’re doing an awful lot of standing today. And I’ve already told Hans not to put you on active duty for a while.’ It was one of the most motherly things I’d ever heard her say. â€Å"I †¦ I’m fine. A lot better. I could go on active duty right now.’ â€Å"You will do no such thing,’ she said, in exactly the tone she’d use giving orders to a troop of guardians. â€Å"Stop coddling her, Janine.’ â€Å"I’m not coddling her! I’m looking out for her. You’re spoiling her.’ I looked back and forth at them in amazement. I didn’t know if I was witnessing a fight or foreplay. I wasn’t thrilled about either option. â€Å"Okay, okay, just back off you guys. I survived, right? That’s what counts.’ â€Å"It is,’ said Abe. He suddenly seemed very fatherly, which weirded me out even more than my mom’s behavior. â€Å"And despite the property damage and string of broken laws left in your wake, I’m proud of you.’ I suspected that secretly, he was proud of me because of those things. My cynical interior commentary was brought to a halt when my mom concurred. â€Å"I’m proud too. Your methods were †¦ not ideal, but you did a great thing. Great things, really. Finding both the murderer and Jill.’ I noticed her careful wording of â€Å"the murderer.’ I think it was still hard for all of us to accept the truth about Tasha. â€Å"A lot will change because of Jill.’ All of us looked over at the foot of the throne. Ekaterina stood on one side, ready with the book of royal vows. The other side was where members of the monarch’s family stood–but only one lone person was there. Jill. Someone had done a great job of cleaning her up. Her curly hair had been elaborately styled and pinned, and she wore a knee-length sheath dress with a wide portrait style collar, just barely showing off her shoulders. The dress’s cut made the most of her lanky figure, and the dark green satin looked great with her features. She was standing straight, chin high, but there was anxiety all over her, made more obvious by her being so conspicuously alone. I glanced back at Abe, who met my eyes expectantly. I had a lot of questions for him, and he was one of the few who might tell me the truth. The decision was: which question to ask? It was like having a genie. I’d only get so many wishes. â€Å"What will happen to Jill?’ I asked at last. â€Å"Will she just go back to school? Are they going to train her to be a princess?’ Lissa couldn’t be both princess and queen, so her old title went to the next-oldest member of her family. Abe didn’t answer for several moments. â€Å"Until Lissa can get the law changed–and hopefully, she will–Jill is all that allows her to keep her throne. If something happens to Jill, Lissa will no longer be queen. So. What would you do?’ â€Å"I’d keep her safe.’ â€Å"Then you have your answer.’ â€Å"It’s kind of a broad one,’ I said. â€Å"†Safe’ means a lot of things.’ â€Å"Ibrahim,’ warned my mother. â€Å"Enough. This isn’t the time or place.’ Abe held my gaze a bit longer and then broke into an easy smile. â€Å"Of course, of course. This is a family gathering. A celebration. And look: here’s our newest member.’ Dimitri had joined us and wore black and white like my mother and me. He stood beside me, conspicuously not touching. â€Å"Mr. Mazur,’ he said formally, nodding a greeting to both of them. â€Å"Guardian Hathaway.’ Dimitri was seven years older than me, but right then, facing my parents, he looked like he was sixteen and about to pick me up for a date. â€Å"Ah, Belikov,’ said Abe, shaking Dimitri’s hand. â€Å"I’d been hoping we’d run into each other. I’d really like to get to know you better. Maybe we can set aside some time to talk, learn more about life, love, et cetera. Do you like to hunt? You seem like a hunting man. That’s what we should do sometime. I know a great spot in the woods. Far, far away. We could make a day of it. I’ve certainly got a lot of questions I’d like to ask you. A lot of things I’d like to tell you too.’ I shot a panicked look at my mother, silently begging her to stop this. Abe had spent a good deal of time talking to Adrian when we dated, explaining in vivid and gruesome detail exactly how Abe expected his daughter to be treated. I did not want Abe taking Dimitri off alone into the wilderness, especially if firearms were involved. â€Å"Actually,’ said my mom casually. â€Å"I’d like to come along. I also have a number of questions–especially about when you two were back at St. Vladimir’s.’ â€Å"Don’t you guys have somewhere to be?’ I asked hastily. â€Å"We’re about to start.’ That, at least, was true. Nearly everyone was in formation, and the crowd was quieting. â€Å"Of course,’ said Abe. To my astonishment, he brushed a kiss over my forehead before stepping away. â€Å"I’m glad you’re back.’ Then, with a wink, he said to Dimitri: â€Å"Looking forward to our chat.’ â€Å"Run,’ I said when they were gone. â€Å"If you slip out now, maybe they won’t notice. Go back to Siberia.’ â€Å"Actually,’ said Dimitri, â€Å"I’m pretty sure Abe would notice. Don’t worry, Roza. I’m not afraid. I’ll take whatever heat they give me over being with you. It’s worth it.’ â€Å"You really are the bravest man I know,’ I told him. He smiled, his eyes falling on a small commotion at the room’s entrance. â€Å"Looks like she’s ready,’ he murmured. â€Å"I hope I am,’ I whispered back. In true grandiose fashion, a herald brought the room to attention. Perfect silence fell. You couldn’t even hear breathing. The herald stepped back from the door. â€Å"Princess Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir.’ Lissa entered, and even though I’d seen her less than half an hour ago, I still caught my breath. She was wearing a formal gown but had once again dodged sleeves. No doubt the dress-maker had had a fit. The dress was floor-length, with a skirt of silk and chiffon layers that moved and fluttered around Lissa as she strode forward. The fabric was the same jade as her eyes, as was the dress’s top, with a halter collar covered in emeralds that gave the illusion of a necklace. Matching emeralds covered the dress’s belt, and bracelets completed the display. Her hair was worn long, brushed out to gleaming, platinum perfection, an aura unto itself. Christian walked beside her, a sharp contrast with his black hair and dark suit. Customs were being modified significantly today since a family member normally would have escorted Lissa, but †¦ well, she was kind of running out. Even I had to admit he looked amazing, and his pride and love for her shone on his face–no matter what troubled feelings stirred within him over Tasha. Lord Ozera, I remembered. I had a feeling that title would become more and more important now. He led Lissa to the base of the throne and then joined the Ozera delegation in the crowd. Ekaterina made a small gesture to a large satin pillow on the floor in front of the steps. â€Å"Kneel.’ There was the briefest hesitation on Lissa’s part, one I think only I noticed. Even without the bond, I was so attuned to her mood and tiniest actions that I could pick up on these things. Her eyes had gone to Jill. Lissa’s expression didn’t change, and it was so strange not to know her feelings. I could make some educated guesses. Uncertainty. Confusion. Again–the pause was only a moment long. Lissa knelt, artfully spreading her skirts around her as she did. Ekaterina had always seemed so frail and wizened in that testing room, but as she stood there with the ancient Moroi coronation book, I could sense a power still within the former queen. The book was in Romanian, but Ekaterina translated it effortlessly as she read aloud, beginning with a speech about what was expected of a monarch and then going to the vows Lissa had to swear to. â€Å"Will you serve?’ â€Å"Will you protect your people?’ â€Å"Will you be just?’ There were twelve in all, and Lissa had to answer â€Å"I will’ three times to each one: in English, in Russian, and in Romanian. Not having the bond to confirm her feelings was still so strange, but I could see on her face that she meant every word she said. When that part finished, Ekaterina cued Jill forward. Since I’d last noticed the girl, someone had given her the crown to hold. It had been custom-made for Lissa, a masterpiece of white and yellow gold intertwined with emeralds and diamonds. It complemented her outfit beautifully, and, I noticed with a start, Jill did too. Another tradition was that the monarch was crowned by a family member, and this was what Jill had been saved for. I could see her hands tremble as she laid the bejeweled wonder on her sister’s head, and their gazes met briefly. A flash of troubled emotions swirled in Lissa’s eyes once more, gone quickly as Jill stepped back and the weight of the ceremony took precedence. Ekaterina held out her hand to Lissa. â€Å"Rise,’ she said. â€Å"You will never kneel to anyone again.’ Holding Lissa’s hand, Ekaterina turned so that they both faced the rest of us in the room. With a voice startling for her small body, Ekaterina declared, â€Å"Queen Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir, first of her name.’ Everyone in the room–except Ekaterina–dropped to their knees, heads bowed. Only a few seconds passed before Lissa said, â€Å"Rise.’ I’d been told this was at the monarch’s discretion. Some new kings and queens enjoyed making others kneel for a long time. Paperwork followed, which we all watched dutifully as well. Basically, it was Lissa signing to say she’d been made queen while Ekaterina and a couple witnesses signed that they’d seen Lissa made queen. Three copies were on the ornate paper Moroi royalty so loved. One was plain white letterhead, which would go to the Alchemists. When the signing was done, Lissa took her place on the throne, and seeing her ascend those stairs was breathtaking, an image that would stay with me for the rest of my life. The room broke out into cheers and clapping as she settled into the ornate chair. Even the guardians, who normally stayed so deadly serious, joined in the applause and celebration. Lissa smiled at everyone, hiding whatever anxiety she felt. She scanned the room, and her grin broadened when she saw Christian. She then sought me out. Her smile for him had been affectionate; mine was a bit humorous. I smiled back, wondering what she would say to me if she could. â€Å"What’s so funny?’ asked Dimitri, looking down at me with amusement. â€Å"I’m just thinking about what Lissa would say if we still had the bond.’ In a very bad breach of guardian protocol, he caught a hold of my hand and pulled me toward him. â€Å"And?’ he asked, wrapping me in an embrace. â€Å"I think she’d ask, â€Å"What have we gotten ourselves into?† â€Å"What’s the answer?’ His warmth was all around me, as was his love, and again, I felt that completeness. I had that missing piece of my world back. The soul that complemented mine. My match. My equal. Not only that, I had my life back– my own life. I would protect Lissa, I would serve, but I was finally my own person. â€Å"I don’t know,’ I said, leaning against his chest. â€Å"But I think it’s going to be good.’ First and foremost, thank you to all of the loyal and enthusiastic readers around the world who have accompanied Rose and me throughout the series. I couldn’t have made this journey without you and hope you’ll continue to enjoy the many Moroi and dhampir adventures to come. Thank you also to all of the friends and family who have supported me–especially my husband, who continually amazes me with his patience, love, and ability to live with the ups and downs of a â€Å"creative type.’ A special shout-out also goes to Jesse McGatha for creating the forest riddle, something I could never have come up with, let alone solve. And as always, I’m grateful to the publishing folks who work behind the scenes to make these books happen: Jim McCarthy–my agent, occasional therapist, and non- stop advocate; Lauren Abramo, who keeps finding more countries I’ve never heard of to send Rose to; Jessica Rothenberg and Ben Schrank, editors extraordinaire whom I’m pretty sure forego food and sleep to perfect these books; and publicist Casey McIntyre, who organizes my tours and interviews, with great care to arrange them around my hair appointments. A final thanks to all the others who work on this series at Penguin Books, Dystel Goderich Literary Management, and my international publishers. There are far too many of you to list, but all of you are essential in telling Rose’s story. Thank you. How to cite Last Sacrifice Chapter Thirty-six, Essay examples