Story of Saint Hilarion Castle and Queen Regaena :: Byzantine Cyprus

Story of St. Hilarion Castle and Queen Regaena â€Å"Welcome to St. Hilarion, step forward into Queen Regaena’s chamber to receive your pay for your hard work and dedication!† As I step through the doorway, there is the alluring Queen Regaena just inside the open window of her chamber. I cross the room, and I unexpectedly feel the guards’ presence close in behind me. Suddenly, they grab me and force me through the open window. As the guards push me from the precipice outside the window, â€Å"Thank you again,† are the last words I hear, as I fall to my death in the valley below. The fairy tale-looking castle of St. Hilarion was built by the Byzantine queen, Regaena, the end of the 11th century. Queen Regaena was the most beautiful lady in the land of Cyprus, alas; she was also the most heartless and cruel. She was a greedy woman and desired to have the most beautiful and elaborate castle in all of Cyprus. Queen Regaena insisted on overseeing the construction of the castle herself. No detail was to be overlooked. In planning such a large and magnificent castle, Queen Regaena knew that she would need a large workforce. She gathered a large number of sturdy men from near and far and forced them to build her castle. She required the men to form lines, standing side by side, and pass the materials from man to man until they reached their assigned destination. This was difficult work since most of the materials had to be transported from the valley to the summit of the mountain. But goal was to complete the castle in Regaena’s lifetime so she could enjoy it. Finally, the glorious castle was completed and she named it St. Hilarion Castle. Its unsurpassed grandeur impressed all who beheld it. Queen Regaena should have been joyful at the completion of St. Hilarion, however, she was worried. Over the years, Queen Regaena had amassed a large fortune of gold and wealth in her family treasury. Her greatest fear was that the workers who constructed the castle would remember the hidden location of the royal treasure room. She sat in a chamber in the western wing of the castle and thought of a plan to prevent possible robbery. This particular chamber had a window which opened onto an enormous precipice and had a breathtaking view of the valley far below. Sitting at this window, she devised an evil plan to protect her treasure.

God Is love Essay

Love is the air. We breathe this air and so it is in us to love. Just like the involuntary need to breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide we need to love and be loved. It is near impossible to ignore that the presence or absence of love in someone’s life as it plays a magnificent role in all things regarding that person. God has created us diligently and therefore he has by default bestowed upon us his greatness – his loving nature. We are born with the ability to receive love, reciprocate it and the true deep desire to do both. God made us to love and I mean two things when I say that. Firstly, we were made to comprehend the love God has for us. He wants us to feel the love he feels towards each and every one of us which explains our senses. We can see the darkness, hear the depression, feel the disconnect, smell the rotting and taste the bitterness of a love deprived place. God made us to love us and so it only makes sense we try to serve our purpose. We are not here on earth to serve him as he does not require anything to continue to be himself. The beautiful construction of humans the way our minds work with our hearts allows us to receive love and understand it. For example; your mom wakes up early every morning to give you a kiss before you go to school and you take that kiss as her love. In the same way, everything you have been blessed with you can see and understand that it is God’s love. When we understand that we are truly loved, reciprocating becomes easy. Secondly, it is in our nature to reciprocate love. A simple example of how I believe reciprocation is nature; someone helps us with your homework we will most likely help them with theirs if they ask. Couples consist of two people the love each other, meaning reciprocation is happening and that is the case for almost all couples. Now in regards to the Almighty, he made us to bless us, to love us. We often assume that we were created to serve, love, and worship him. These are good and holy actions, but they are just the responses to God’s initiating act of love. He does not need anything we have to offer. A lot of us do feel this strong desire to love God back. It is evident in a lot of the things we do; religion class, going to church, being grateful, understanding the emphasis put on helping others and abiding by his rules even though we may not understand the reasons behind each. When we are aware someone loves us we cannot help but feel the need to love them back. Finally, beyond the fact that love is such a natural thing and the fact that it is something we do without much thought it is something we personally desire to do. The importance of love in life is beyond the logic of give and take. I can say everyone I have come across is on the pursuit of happiness; everyone desires to feel good regardless. Something we know, even if it is knowledge buried deep inside, is that love is blissful. We meet that bliss in our mothers’ arms, in our fathers’ words and in our lovers touch. The feeling of loneliness bugs each and every one of us at some point and we realize it is not a way we enjoy feeling. Loneliness sometimes does not leave us alone even while we are with others, however love is something that keeps us company even when we are alone. A lot of us have this void within we spend our lives trying to fill. Quite like the Prince who ran around with Cinderella’s glass slipper searching for the one who fits it perfect. Love fills our voids perfectly. We can take love, we can give it back and the essence of life is the craving to do so. God is everywhere, God is love and so love is the air. If you can breathe you can love and if you need to breathe you need to love.

The Financial Performance of Microsoft

In 2009, Microsoft felt the impact of the recession and the difficulties that all businesses faced in responding to one of the most challenging economic environments in the past 100 years. The fiscal 2010 was a year of remarkable accomplishments with record revenue earnings per share reported. Outstanding determination across all businesses, maintained a disciplined approach to controlling costs, and proved deep commitment to smart investments in technology innovation. Since the company was created in 1975, Microsoft has created technology that transformed the way people worked, played, and even communicated all over the world. Their services and developments in hardware, and other solutions has opened new opportunities, greater convenience, and enhanced value to people’s lives. Microsoft profits from software licenses, and web based services like Bing, Windows Live, and Xbox Live services. In reviewing the year performance from 2009 and 2010 it is clear that revenue increased. Microsoft had much success in 2010 with the release of Windows 7, as well as PC market improvements. Operating income increased reflecting the change in revenue, offset in part by higher operating expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased $335 million. This could be expected because of the increased advertising and marketing of Bing and Windows 7. General and administrative expenses increased $304 million and cost of revenue increased $240 million, primarily reflecting increased online costs and charges resulting from the discontinuation of the KIN phone, offset in part by decreased Xbox 360 console costs and reductions in other costs due to resource management efforts. Research and development expenses decreased $296 million, because of a decrease in third-party development and programming costs and increased capitalization of certain software development costs. Microsoft year ending 2010 reflects 380 million shares repurchased, an increase in earnings per share and an increase of net income. When viewing the performance of 2008 compared to 2009 it is clear that revenue declined across most segments due to the weak economic environment, which directly affected all markets. Many business experienced cut backs and layoffs, which caused a decline in demand for PC. According to Microsoft financial results the company had an increased server and server application revenue, reflecting recognition of deferred revenue from previously signed agreements and continued adoption of the Windows Server Platform and applications through SQL Server, Enterprise CAL Suites, and System Center products. Foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact of $486 million on revenue. In reference to the decreased operating income, it reflected decreased revenue. Operating expenses were flat with decreased general and administrative and sales and marketing expenses offset by increased headcount-related expenses, cost of revenue and employee severance charges. According to Microsoft’s calendar for first quarter results ending March 2011, financial performance dropped from the record-setting calendar fourth quarter results 2010. Earnings per share of $0. 61 were a 3-quarter low. First quarter has been an annual cyclical low for Microsoft for 3 years. Gross margin increased slightly but net margin decreased. Financial position continues strong, very liquid, and total assets are now just below $100 billion. Microsoft’s website has financial reports stating total revenues of $16. 43B, net income of $5. 71B, and earnings per share of $0. 61. From 2010 the fourth quarter total revenues were down -17. 67%, net income down -21. 13%, and earnings per share down -20. 78%. These results are shocking when compared to that same year’s fourth quarter, which these were up +13. 27%, +30. 60%, and +35. 56%, respectively. Financial reports state that first quarter of 2011, gross margin increased quarter over quarter to 76. 28%, but is still below historical 80+% range. Operating margin dropped quarter over quarter to 34. 75%, which is a 6-quarter low. Net margin dipped to 31. 85%, but is the 3rd consecutive quarter above 30%. Cash flow from operations per share increased dramatically to $1. 02 from the prior year’s fourth quarter (2010) of $0. 49. Most of the increase in cash flow was attributable to a decrease in accounts receivable. Total assets increased quarter over quarter +8. 4% to a record $99. 7B from the prior quarter of $92. 3B. The capital to assets ratio increased quarter over quarter to 53. 60%. The current ratio is a very liquid 66. 44%, which is a multi-year high. Microsoft reaffirmed operating expense guidance of $26. 9 billion to $27. 3 billion for the full year ending June 30, 2011. Microsoft also offered preliminary operating expense guidance of $28. 0 billion to $28. 6 billion for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. Microsoft’s growth rates for total revenues show a decrease of -17. 7% in March 2011 first quarter results, after increasing for 3 consecutive quarters, by +10. 59%, +0. 97%, and now +23. 20%. Earnings per Share decreased -20. 78% in March 2011 first quarter, after increasing for 3 consecutive quarters, by +13. 33%, +21. 57%, and now +24. 19%. This first quarter has started Microsoft is starting out 2011 with a weak quarter, especially after the 2010 fourth quarter peak. It is important for Microsoft to direct the business focus towards the continuation of technological advancements and high-quality products and services to customers. Peter Klein said, â€Å"We delivered strong financial results despite a mixed PC environment, which demonstrates the strength and breadth of our businesses,† as chief financial officer at Microsoft he continues by saying, â€Å"Consumers are purchasing Office 2010, Xbox and Kinect at tremendous rates, and businesses of all sizes are purchasing Microsoft platforms and applications†. Microsoft must continue 2011 with their trend of developing innovative software applications and solutions to enhance and improve communication and aid business intelligence, with special attention to innovations for small businesses.