Payroll Accounting Essay

Payroll Accounting Essay Payroll Accounting Essay How Accounting Information Systems Has Improved Payroll Accounting Kendall Lehart ACC 575 Stephen F. Austin State University Payroll Process 1. Update Employee Master File 2. Set Pay Period and Enter Time Worked 3.Enter any Adjustments or other types of Income 4. Calculate Pay for the Period 5. Print and Review Reports before Printing Checks 6. Print Paychecks, or Pay Stubs if Direct Deposit is used 7. Print Payroll Registers and Distribute Reports 8. Transmit Payroll Taxes Payroll Before AIS MANUAL Time Cards Calculations Lots of Paperwork Time-Consuming Mistakes Payroll Clerk What to Consider Hours Worked Federal Income Tax Withholdings State and Local Taxes Deductions (Voluntary and Involuntary) Employee Benefits Child Support Overtime and Vacation Pay Way You Pay (Hourly, Salary, Commission, etc) Pay Rate Information Payment Options (Direct Deposit or Paper Check) Payroll After AIS AIS Advantages: Companies can keep better track of payroll information Automatic Time Clocks can Directly Port Hours into System Print Checks Faster AIS Disadvantages: Accurate Data Entry Danger of Hackers Risk of Fraud Outsourcing Payroll Payroll Services Basic Services: Payroll Tax Obligations Print and Deliver Checks Management Reports Envelope Stuffing Direct Deposit W-2 401(k) 125 Mutual Fund Plans Outsourcing Payroll Choosing a Provider: High Customer Service Within Reasonable Driving Distance Bonded

Interview of a Marriage and Family Therapist

Interview of a Marriage and Family Therapist Abstract Ethical dilemmas are challenging situations that compel individuals to make decisions concerning certain aspects of life. In families, ethical dilemmas arise when individuals disagree on what they believe is right or wrong. Different views, varying lifestyles, and time management are among the ethical dilemmas common in several families.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Interview of a Marriage and Family Therapist specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Notably, the judgment given by therapists should be free from personal values, cultural affiliations, or ethnic favors. The common ethical dilemma faced by family therapists, is the dilemma of varying opinions since it has profound impacts in family operations. Resolution of the dilemma requires intensive scrutiny on the actions and their repercussions so that a wise decision materializes. Introduction Ethical dilemmas are challenges that individuals encounter in an attempt to make decisions concerning certain situations. The need to make a choice drives individuals into a state of mental conflict where they eventually select one of the issues and forego the others. In families, some of the common ethical dilemmas concern what various individuals in the family believe is correct. To ascertain the various ethical dilemmas that families face, the study interviewed a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT). Therefore, the essay explains the types of ethical dilemmas in families and their resolution. Ethical Dilemmas and Personal Values, Culture, and Ethnicity As a family therapist, some of the common ethical dilemmas encountered during the practice comprise time management, different views and opinions, diverse lifestyles, and varying religious orientations. These dilemmas are challenging as they entail what each member of the family thinks is right or wrong. While some individuals in the family believe that a given time can be useful for a p articular activity, other members think differently. The difference leads to a conflict among those, who think one activity is good and better over the other. Another dilemma concerns opinions, lifestyles, and religious orientations.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Mead (2012) elucidates that a family entails union of people from different backgrounds, and thus, the diversity of opinions and lifestyles is inevitable. The dilemma arises when these opinions, lifestyles, and religious orientations offend other members in the family hence, compelling the subject individuals to relax some of their opinions, religious orientations, and adjust their lifestyles Since I am a licensed therapist with the expertise required in the field of therapy, my values, culture, and ethnicity do not affect my practice. Conversely, in scenarios where my personal views are ethical, I share the valu es with clients and give them the chance to make their own decisions. Although my values and cultural inclinations can at times attempt to influence my judgment, I employ the code of conduct and use it to make wise and independent decisions. According to Dallos (2010), the code of conduct ensures that all the clients receive fair and correct therapy irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, religious orientations, and places of origin. Essentially, the therapy should be free from coercion and ought to give the clients the liberty to make their decisions from a range of solutions deemed as right and ethical. Common Ethical Dilemma, a Challenging Ethical Dilemma, and Its Resolution The most common ethical dilemma or concern that I experience in my practice regards difference in opinions and views. Principally, union among individuals, who have divergent opinions and views lead to a set of challenges concerning what they think is ethical.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Interview of a Marriage and Family Therapist specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In several instances, people disagree because of the different views that they have and expect from others in the family. The differences always transpire from the backgrounds of respective individuals, which influence their activities (Goldenberg Goldenberg, 2008). As a result, they expect that the other family members should engage in activities that are in line with their views and opinions. The dilemma is evident since the views imposed by these individuals conflict with what the others in the family believe are ethical. Therefore, the implication of the dilemma is a mental conflict that compels one to make a choice out of several views, which are right and forego others that are equally ethical. In one occasion, I faced a challenging ethical dilemma concerning a family disagreement that threatened to initiate divorce between the wife and the husban d. According to the husband, the wife undertook her activities in a different manner conflicting with what he expected. As a result, the husband felt that no one valued his opinions and views concerning family operations. Consequently, the wife complained that the husband imposed his opinions into the family without understanding that other family members held different views. The wife complained that the husband dictated the family using his views and in the process downplayed correct opinions held by the wife. Brock and Barnard (2009) explain that to resolve ethical dilemmas in families, therapists must focus on the actions and their possible consequences. As such, I explained the significance of compromise, dialogue, and assertiveness in line with what they held concerning implementation of various operations in the family. With the explanation and adoption of the values, the ethical dilemma attained a productive solution.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Process of Resolving the Ethical Dilemma and the Acquired Training The process of resolving the dilemma followed a procedure that stressed on the actions and their consequences. The procedure looked into the various repercussions that would arise from the actions that the two individuals wanted to undertake. In the assertion of the wife, the family was not productive, and thus, she wanted to file a divorce. However, a scrutiny on the benefits of staying together and understanding one another in the family outweighed the consequences that would transpire from the divorce. Some of the major consequences of a divorce include stress that the children experience after the divorce (Metcalf, 2011). Therefore, it was fundamental to adopt values such as compromise, dialogue, and assertiveness to ensure that each member respected the views of others in the family instead of a divorce. The training that I received concerning ethical dilemmas is sufficient and very instrumental in dealing w ith various family issues. Moreover, the ability to solve cases like the one that concerned a divorce implies that the training acquired is adequate and productive. Dallos (2010) asserts that to improve the quality of the services that therapists offer to clients, they should undertake constant research on matters regarding families and ethical dilemmas. Therefore, my research focuses on secondary and primary sources and is useful in compounding the skills and expertise in family therapy. Since several families face different ethical dilemmas, a therapist needs to engage in constant research in order to gain the required skills useful in addressing the dilemmas. Involvement in Advocacy Programs and People to Consult for Advice I have been involved in various advocacy programs that address the unique requirements faced by several families. Some of the programs that I have actively participated in include one, which emphasized involvement of children in decision making particularly on matters that affect them directly. The program materialized after an observation that a number of children abuse drugs and substances when parents make decisions that concern their wellbeing without their involvement. Apparently, the need to involve an expert in family therapy compelled the community to involve me in the advocacy program aimed at addressing the unique need. Significantly, my expertise was instrumental in ensuring that the program became successful. In case I need assistance on aspects of ethical dilemmas or concerns, my course of action will entail seeking advice from experts, who have the relevant experience in the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT). In addition, I will involve entities such as close family members, religious leaders, and focus groups that have augmented understanding on the issue. Involvement of these entities will be in a creative and innovative manner so that I do not violate the rights of the subject clients. To increase my knowledge, I will refer to past records that entail dilemmas that are similar to the challenge. The reference will have its basis on sources that have applicable information and will focus on ascertaining the best solution, which was useful in solving the related dilemma. Reactions to the Therapist, Interviewee’s, Answers The therapist demonstrated sufficient understanding on the concept of ethical dilemma and family therapy. Imperatively, the responses were not surprising as they revolved around field of family therapy, ethical dilemmas, and the appropriate solutions. Given the chance, my perspective would be similar since the responses were germane and objective. Remarkably, it is paramount to abide by the code of conduct since failure to follow it leads to a situation where the therapists use their views and personal values to make unwise judgments. Conclusion Ethical dilemmas compel individuals to make decisions from a range of options that are correct. Therefore, the individuals en ter into a state of mental conflict as the choice involves ethical options. Families experience ethical dilemmas, which comprise difference in opinions, time management, and lifestyles. Principally, difference in opinions is the dominant ethical dilemma and challenges several families. Therefore, therapists must provide judgments that successfully solve ethical dilemmas faced by families. References Brock, G. W., Barnard, C. P. (2009). Procedures in marriage and family therapy. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. Dallos, R. (2010). An Introduction to Family Therapy. London: McGraw-Hill International. Goldenberg, H., Goldenberg, I. (2008). Family therapy: An overview. Sydney: Thompson Brooks/Cole. Mead, E. (2012). Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist: From Classroom to  Consulting Room. Chicester: Wiley. Metcalf, L. (2011). Marriage and family therapy: A practice-oriented approach. New York: Springer.

Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Law ( British Law) Essay

Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Law ( British Law) - Essay Example Additionally, the population of Britain is rising for the first time because the number of those who stay minus those who leave is positive and the trend is going to continue. Green claims that Britain already has "a severe congestion" (1). Because the density of population is higher than in India and in some places out measures the Netherlands. Moreover, the system of immigration is hugger-mugger by letting in all the kinsfolk and "quadruple [icating] the number of works permits" (Green 2). According to him migration has no limits and "the character of our society, and especially our cities, is being radically alerted." (2). Green also mentions that immigrants have been seeking to influence Britain's political parties; consequently Government should use severe policies to curb migration. Although Green is right worrying about the loss of national identity he overlooks very important facts as to why the migration is useful to Britain. The migration has always existed and will exist and "in both directions is natural and welcome" (Green 1). The fear to lose national identity is somewhat worth considering, but it depends on citizens themselves if they want to uphold the traditional country's values. Great Britain was the only country, which didn't impose any restrictions for the new EU members and it now is clearly seen that it has been the opportune policy. However, in this case the world-wide migration will not be considered because migration between European Union countries is more appealing to us as the competent citizens. One of the most appreciable pluses of immigration is that "the greater mobility of labour which comes with EU enlargement is beneficial to [Britain's] economy" (Clark 1). Migrants are not only useful for country's economy but also better, cheaper and harder- working. They come here to feel the free-market economy and are not spoiled as British, "who treat their workplace more as a social club" (Clark 1). Moreover, it is useful because the labour force from the new EU countries tend to stop the gap of British labour market. According to Tony McNulty, the Immigration minister: "Workers are contributing to our economy, paying tax and national insurance and filling key jobs in areas where there are gaps. We estimate registered workers contributed approximately Pounds 500 million to the UK economy between May 2004 and March 2005." Consequently, Britain will economically benefit; however the British workers may lose their jobs too. In addition to that, creating boundaries for the new EU co untries is disadvantageous and irrational because it "prolong[s] economic stagnation" (Rossant 1). Great Britain is the only one country which can improve the economic growth of the region, regenerate aged and spoiled workers and ensure the right of the promised free mobility. Closing door policy is also irrational because "continental economics can't respond flexibly to macroeconomics shifts" (Rossant 1). It means that in nowadays world we can't rely only on our countries' economy and the economy should be integrated world-wide. To sum it up, Green is right that immigration worries local people but they should understand the fact that it is useful for the economy and that's why they are able to live better. Green also asserts

Interrelations Between the Syrian Conflict And the Instability Research Proposal

Interrelations Between the Syrian Conflict And the Instability Situation In Lebanon - Research Proposal Example The mixed nature of the study cannot be stressed. As such, theorists argue for the application of the synthesis of existing literature for such studies. Experts claim that among the most acceptable methods of research is an analysis of literature from reputable sources. Even though various forms of studies drawn from literature exist, the study adopts a narrative approach to investigate the issue and point out the problem as it is. As such, various pieces of literature will be analyzed to generate the most relevant facts regarding the issue. The analysis method is adopted due to the existence of abundant literature concerning the problem of the study and the available time constraints in conducting a field study. Of interest to the study is the findings and the conclusions drawn from various studies conducted regarding the topic of the research. As such, the study will review the historical underpinning of the crisis, and their socio-economic impacts. Among the relevant sources considered in the synthesis include websites of multilateral organizations such as the UN and its constituents. It also considers governmental websites regarding population and academic commentary on the war. Consideration is also given to research papers by various NGO’s relating to the topic and independent searches on the problem. The paper will also consult various academic journals and other print media to ascertain their perception regarding the issue.

Factors that Triggered the Collapse of Communism in Poland in 1989 Essay

Factors that Triggered the Collapse of Communism in Poland in 1989 - Essay Example The economy, politics, cultural and social lives were controlled by the state, which did not allow the establishment of free enterprise. Agriculture was conducted collectively. The system was fully totalitarian with the state controlling all aspects of life. The regime used propaganda to pressurize the people to accepting the policies concerning social issues such as marriage and child bearing. Under communism, it was not easy to divorce, and abortion was illegal. This was not welcome for to the people since they were denied a chance to make their own choice concerning private life. Social education in schools was controlled by the regime in order to ensure that the information that was offered in schools was in line with the communist policies regarding social life. Fees in the upper classes had been designed to reduce the number of children who could go for higher education since only some parents could afford it. The government ensured that important information about it was kept away from the public (Ka-Loc Chan K pp. 66-71). One of the major factors that led to the collapse of communism in Poland was the method which the regime used to govern. Intimidation and force were the common ways that were used on the people, and therefore communism could never get support from the majority. This was a political failure that caused the decline. This is because generally, a political party that lacks public support is politically weak. The failure was amplified by the fact that communism adopted an undemocratic ways of acquiring power and continued using them to enhance its stay in power. The labor strike of 1980 formed the beginning of anti-communism in Poland. This was facilitated by the formation of the trade union whose members were drawn the anti-communist leftists and from the Roman Catholic Church, as some of the members of the Solidarity (The Daily News - September 1981). The union became strong due to the support by rebellious

Compassion Fatigue Essay Example for Free

Compassion Fatigue Essay ― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me The health care industry is made up of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals who are dedicated to the care and healing of others. The modern medical field is a very fast-paced, stressful, and demanding environment. Often, the constant stress and demands of the job can adversely affect the healthcare provider. Not surprisingly, those who go into the healthcare industry, do so because they have a sincere desire to make a difference in people’s lives and provide care for a patient’s spiritual, mental, and physical needs. However, this type of career requires energy and dedication way beyond that of other comparable careers. â€Å"Compassion fatigue† is a common side-effect. â€Å"Compassion fatigue† can be defined as, â€Å"the gradual decline of compassion over time as a result of caregivers being exposed to events that have traumatized their patients (Cherry 497).† In fact, the damage that results from this condition has been linked to more sick days, high turnover rates, and decreased productivity. If left untreated, this condition can adversely affect patient safety, so it is vital that hospitals and healthcare providers are able to accurately recognize compassion fatigue and treat it early. (Landro, L. 2012) Compassion is an important and critical gift necessary for the care of others. Compassion can be defined as, â€Å"sympathetic consciousness of others distress together with a desire to alleviate it† (Merriam-Webster 2013). No one is immune to compassion fatigue. In fact, anyone caring for another person can suffer from it. However, compassion fatigue is more prevalent in the health care industry due to the extenuating nature of the work. The reality is that healthcare providers have an exhausting array of job duties that entail lengthy shifts, selfless service, endless dedication, love, and compassion. Due to the extreme demands, medical professionals often neglect their own personal needs for the sake of others. Every single day, healthcare professionals come face to face with disease, illness, decline in health, and death. Over time, it can be incredibly traumatizing. â€Å"Compassion is a verb.† ― Thich Nhat Hanh If not prevented or left untreated, â€Å"compassion fatigue† can negatively affect a caregiver emotionally, spiritually, cognitively, physically and behaviorally. Warning signs can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. The emotional effects of compassion fatigue can include mood disturbances, increased apathy, lassitude, irritability, discontentment, hopelessness, aggressiveness, hostility, numbness, and helplessness. (Eagan, T. 2012) Other signs may include oversensitivity, restlessness, depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse. (Lombardo, B., Eyre, C., 2011) The spiritual effects of compassion fatigue may often be harder to pinpoint. Warning signs may include subtle things such as starting to question one’s purpose in life, an increasing sense of disbelief or an increasing sense of aimlessness. (Ginter, C. 2010). The caregiver may start to question their personal religious beliefs, become increasingly skeptical and even question life’s meaning. (Portnoy, D. 2011) The cognitive effects of compassion fatigue can be easier to identify. It’s easy to observe when someone is having difficulty concentrating or is unable to focus on tasks and duties that are critical to the job. The work ethic and performance of the healthcare provider may also be affected, resulting in increased absences, low morale, decreased motivation, and overall negativity in the workplace. This not only affects the healthcare provider, but also their co-workers and patients. The physical effects of compassion fatigue can include, but are not limited to headaches, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and self neglect (poor diet, lack of exercise, poor hygiene). (Eagan, T. 2012) Other physical effects can include gastrointestinal complaints, hypertension, (Pfifferling, J., Gilley, K. 2000) muscle tension and cardiac symptoms (chest pain, tachycardia, and palpitations. (Lombardo, B., Eyre, C., 2011) Behavioral changes can include â€Å"isolating†, withdrawing, extreme hyper-vigilance, (Portnoy, D. 2011) apathy or extreme attention to work, avoiding, faking interest, blaming, restlessness, and even inappropriate humor (Ginter, C. 2010). â€Å"I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.† ― Mother Teresa, A Gift for God: Prayers and Meditations Although compassion fatigue can be an easy problem to identify, the specific causes of this condition are often varied and harder to pinpoint. The stressful nature of a healthcare career can certainly create â€Å"the perfect storm†. Overall, health care professionals can feel stressed about things like control over workload, lack of recognition or appreciation of doing a good job. Lifestyle changes can also cause compassion fatigue. If the person is working too much without taking time off to relax, taking on too much responsibility with no help from others, not getting enough sleep, or not having a supportive relationship in their personal life, it becomes easier for compassion fatigue to develop. People with certain personality traits (pessimistic, perfectionist, those who do not delegate, and type A, and overachievers) are particularly predisposed to experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout. The constant exposure to negative situations, stress, loss, and giving more than receiving, in addition to having a more intense personality, can increase the risk of developing compassion fatigue. (Frandsen, B. 2010) â€Å"Compassion fatigue is caused by empathy. It is the natural consequence of stress resulting from caring for and helping traumatized or suffering people† (Portnoy, D. 2011). In the medical field, nurses, doctors, and other health care providers often witness pain, suffering and death first-hand. They play numerous roles with less time, resources and support. The increased demands and stress along with the constant exposure to negative and traumatic events can build up over time and put anyone at risk for compassion fatigue. â€Å"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.† ― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness A caregiver is not so different from a patient. Both caregiver and patient have physical, spiritual, and emotional needs that must be met. When their own needs are neglected, caregivers are unable to properly care for their patients. In short, they’re hurting themselves as well as the patients. Maintaining regular exercise, staying hydrated, staying productive, eating healthy and taking time to rest and relax are critical ways to reduce the chances of developing compassion fatigue. Although spiritual beliefs may be different from person to person, it is vital to nourish and grow in one’s faith. Those needs may be different depending on beliefs and may include going to church on a regular basis, taking the time to pray or meditate, speaking with a church leader, reading scriptures, or having time alone to reflect and think. There are many different ways a caregiver can begin to focus on their spiritual health. (StopPain.org 2013) Emotional needs are another important area that should be nurtured. Emotional needs are just as important as physical and spiritual needs. A caregiver may need time to mentally unwind, have peace and quiet, laugh and cry, and â€Å"tune in† to their personal experiences and emotions. Taking short breaks to renew emotional energy and doing things that bring you joy and happiness are ways to increase and improve emotional health. (StopPain.org 2013) By making sure the needs of the caregiver are met, the caregiver, patients, and even the company will benefit from it. There are many ways to cope with compassion fatigue. Perhaps the most important way of addressing the needs of the caregiver is to acknowledge compassion fatigue when necessary and take aggressive steps to assist caregivers in finding supportive coping strategies. Some coping strategies according to Varner, J. (2004) include: asking for assistance and support from peers or other support groups, staying positive, smiling and talking to peers, using humor to decrease anxiety and tension, giving comfort through physical contact, taking breaks with peers and not alone, using problem solving tools, generating solutions, and focusing specifically on tasks at hand. Learning how to balance work and life essentially means learning how to invest the time and energy into taking care of oneself in order to effectively take care of others. Putting together a plan of self-care (journaling, yoga, meditation, exercise, proper diet, doing things that you find pleasure in, and doing non work related activities) as well as educating yourself and others on communication skills is vital in preventing compassion fatigue. Employers can aid in combating compassion fatigue by offering on-site counseling, support groups, de-briefing sessions, and bereavement interventions (Boyle, D., 2011) that all work together to give employees the tools and skills needed for prevention. Early recognition of compassion fatigue is vital to anyone in a caring profession. Maintaining and constantly improving self-care and creating optimal wellness are crucial in order to properly care for others. .†Caregivers need to be able to deliver excellence without compromising their well-being†(Portnoy, D. 2011). Caregivers often neglect their own personal needs for the sake of others and need to realize the importance of focusing on their own needs first. By taking care of their own needs and ensuring they have a life that entails supportive relationships, health care providers will be able to successfully care for their patients long-term.

I Remember :: Personal Narrative Nuclear Bombing Violence Essay

I Remember I remember Rick's face as he turned away from the window and came back toward his seat that day; it had a look of horror I was to never forget. His face expressed seriousness, disbelief, and sadness. We were all terror-stricken after we knew the awful truth, but Rick had seen it. He knew before all of us. Even before his eyes began to have problems, he was visibly affected by the bomb. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. It all started with more subtle things such as the small bomb at the World Trade Center, but then bigger disasters began to occur. When the bomb hit Idaho, everyone was devastated. . . . "What do you mean it's not an earthquake, Rick?" I asked. Before he could answer, we heard an announcement over the intercom telling all classes to get to a television. The newscaster's words shocked us all. "...what appears to be a bomb of nuclear origin. We are still trying to discover who dropped this bomb. All we currently know is that INEEL has gone up in flames as a result, and we have heard of no survivors so far." Everything began to sink in slowly . . . a nuclear bomb? INEEL? No survivors? What about radiation? I began to worry about everything at once. The school called an assembly ten minutes later. Many of us wandered into the gym in a daze. Some people didn't seem to know what was going on, or else weren't affected. As I looked around the crowded gym, the sea of faces reflected their emotions. Mr. Kyrel, a science teacher, looked extremely grim. He sat on a bleacher with his head in his hands. He wasn't paying any attention to the students passing by him. When he did look up his lips formed a tight line, his hair was tousled, and every wrinkle on his brow was visible. He sat in solitude with solemness etched into his eyes. A student on the other side of the gym was crying hysterically. Several people surrounded her. Her face was contorted by her anguish and sorrow. Those around her looked distressed as well, but they were focusing on calming her down. In another area of the gym a junior b oy was clowning around with a friend of his. He didn't seem to know what was happening. I Remember :: Personal Narrative Nuclear Bombing Violence Essay I Remember I remember Rick's face as he turned away from the window and came back toward his seat that day; it had a look of horror I was to never forget. His face expressed seriousness, disbelief, and sadness. We were all terror-stricken after we knew the awful truth, but Rick had seen it. He knew before all of us. Even before his eyes began to have problems, he was visibly affected by the bomb. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. It all started with more subtle things such as the small bomb at the World Trade Center, but then bigger disasters began to occur. When the bomb hit Idaho, everyone was devastated. . . . "What do you mean it's not an earthquake, Rick?" I asked. Before he could answer, we heard an announcement over the intercom telling all classes to get to a television. The newscaster's words shocked us all. "...what appears to be a bomb of nuclear origin. We are still trying to discover who dropped this bomb. All we currently know is that INEEL has gone up in flames as a result, and we have heard of no survivors so far." Everything began to sink in slowly . . . a nuclear bomb? INEEL? No survivors? What about radiation? I began to worry about everything at once. The school called an assembly ten minutes later. Many of us wandered into the gym in a daze. Some people didn't seem to know what was going on, or else weren't affected. As I looked around the crowded gym, the sea of faces reflected their emotions. Mr. Kyrel, a science teacher, looked extremely grim. He sat on a bleacher with his head in his hands. He wasn't paying any attention to the students passing by him. When he did look up his lips formed a tight line, his hair was tousled, and every wrinkle on his brow was visible. He sat in solitude with solemness etched into his eyes. A student on the other side of the gym was crying hysterically. Several people surrounded her. Her face was contorted by her anguish and sorrow. Those around her looked distressed as well, but they were focusing on calming her down. In another area of the gym a junior b oy was clowning around with a friend of his. He didn't seem to know what was happening.