The Express Transportation And Logistics Industry Commerce Essay

The Express Transportation And Logistics Industry Commerce Essay Using examples from FedEx Corporation and your own research on the Global Transportation and Logistics Industry, critically evaluate the: Strategic Vision and visionary Leadership behind FedEx Corporation Federal Express is a global express transportation and logistics company that offers customers a single source for global shipping, logistics, and supply chain solutions. It was founded in 1973 by Frederick W. Smith. Since its inception FedEx pioneered the express delivery industry. The company focused on the core business of express delivery and provided overnight delivery services to the customers globally. However, the transformation of businesses and customers from old economy to the new economy forced FedEx to reposition itself from overnight delivery service to a one-stop-shop for the entire logistics requirement of the business. The company became the logistics service provider of leading organizations, like, General Motors. Background: During the late 1960s, Frederick Smith (Smith) chanced upon an idea to start an airline courier company. During this period, it was common practice to send packages as cargo on commercial carriers like American, United or Delta Airlines. This practice had a number of drawbacks because passenger airlines usually operated during the daytime and were grounded at night. In addition, freight forwarders (the company responsible for carrying the packages from the airport to the destination address) usually did not offer home delivery. Smith felt the need to start an airline courier company that would address all these problems. During his college years, he recognized that the United States was becoming a service-oriented economy and needed a reliable, overnight delivery service company designed to solely transport packages and documents. He wrote a Yale term paper on this idea, and received C grade. His professor thought it would never work. Fortunately for Frederick Smith, he didnt take it to heart and ended up building that company he dreamed of.Smith found investors willing to contribute $40 million, used $8 million in family money, and received bank financing. He started Federal Express with over $80 million, making it the largest company of its time ever funded by venture capital. In the last 36 years, FedEx has expanded horizontally with its five subsidiaries to include FedEx Express (formerly Federal Express), FedEx Ground (formerly Roadway Package System), FedEx Custom Critical (formerly Roberts Express), FedEx Logistics (formerly Caliber Logistics), and Viking Freight. As a result, the FedEx family has been able to compete collectively in the express transportation and logistics industries. FedExs strategy is to corroborate on selling and synergies for all FedEx companies, but run operations separately and keep each companys strengths and markets separate. Today, services offered by FedEx include worldwide express delivery, ground small-parcel delivery, less-than-truckload freight delivery, and global logistics, supply chain management, and electronic commerce solutions. Federal Express is the worlds largest package delivery company today. FedEx began its operations with the sole focus of improving customer segmentation, pricing and quality of services for the overnight delivery market in the United States. Since then, it has grown to provide leading document and freight services for the entire North America and for over 212 countries abroad. Federal Express Corporation had the visionary leadership to become the first mover in the express transportation and logistics industry leaving FedEx with one source of differentiation: their ability to help in the control of the entire supply chain management. FedEx Firsts Company dedicated to overnight package delivery Offer next-day delivery by 10h30 Offer Saturday deliveries Offer a time definitive service for freight Money-back guarantees and free proof of performance services that now extend to its worldwide network The companys ability to use technology and create its own supply of resources has made it difficult for competitors to match the companys standards for service.FedEx has been successful mainly because of their technological advancements. Technology has allowed them to have superior customer service and quality that was unparalleled by any company. No company was able to offer overnight delivery of packages with the speed and precision that Federal Express did. FedExs modeling capability gave them a competitive advantage as they implemented new methods and technology. They currently have a SuperHub with several regional hubs and packages are managed and tracked by a system called COSMOS. COSMOS Customers, Operations and Services Master Online System, a centralized computer system to manage people, packages, vehicles and weather scenarios in real time. This system allowed customers to know where their packages are at all times and was later integrated for web use, allowing customers to track packages over the Internet. In addition, the customized delivery service of the company is unique in the market. Mission Statement The Mission Statement of FedEx is to produce superior financial returns for stockholders, by providing high value-added logistics, transportation and related information services through focused operating companies. Customer requirements will be met in the highest quality manner appropriate to each market segment served. FedEx will strive to develop mutually rewarding relationships with its employees, partners and suppliers. Safety will be the first consideration in all operations. Corporate activities will be conducted to the highest ethical and professional standards. This mission statement shows that FedEx has a clear focus. (1) The main focus is to bring returns to stockholders. (2) They will emphasize adding value above and beyond just their service of transporting an object from one place to another. (3) Their focus of operations will be logistics, transportation, and related information. This mission statement is focused enough to keep FedEx from diversifying into for example, food products; yet vague enough to allow growth in all of those areas.   Philosophy Federal Express holds a People-Service-Profit philosophy. The People goal is the continuous improvement of managements leadership. The Service standard is 100 percent customer satisfaction. The Profit goal is much like any other companys goal, and is essential to long-term viability. This philosophy governs how FedEx runs its business, and defines strategies. Federal Express Five-Point Strategy Federal Express has five strategies that govern business tactics. These are to improve service levels, lower unit costs, establish international leadership and sustain profitability, get closer to the customer, and maintain the People-Service-Profit Philosophy. The unique FedEx operating strategy works seamlessly and simultaneously on three levels. Compete collectively  by standing as one brand worldwide and speaking with one voice. Operate independently  by focusing on our independent networks to meet distinct customer needs. Manage collaboratively  by working together to sustain loyal relationships with our workforce, customers and investors. Values People: We value our people and promote diversity in our workplace and in our thinking. Service: Our absolutely, positively spirit puts our customers at the heart of everything we do. Innovation: We invent and inspire the services and technologies that improve the way we work and live. Integrity: We manage our operations, finances and services with honesty, efficiency and reliability. Responsibility: We champion safe and healthy environments for the communities in which we live and work. Loyalty: We earn the respect and confidence of our FedEx people, customers and investors every day, in everything we do Transportation and logistics infrastructure within FedEx Corporation FedEx started its operation by sending eight packages on the first night, of which 7 were trial run addresses from one employee to another. The company has since grown to handling an astonishing 9.8 million shipments per day. An overview of FedExs Infrastructure: Handling 9.8 million shipments per day More than 700 aero planes, Daily lift capacity of 12 million kilograms Servicing more than 220 countries through 375 airports Workforce of more than 140,000 permanent employees worldwide 500,000 calls are dealt with professionally With this Infrastructure and new ones being added over time , the Purple Promise of I will make every FedEx experience outstanding is achieved with the collection and delivery of each shipment. Physical goods when transported over trucks on a highway usually travel the most frequented routes. But as more vehicles start traversing that highway, and as the trips become longer, packages get delayed, go astray, arrive spoiled, or dont arrive at all. To solve this problem, faster, more attentive carriers with their own hardware and infrastructure came into being: FedEx, UPS, Airborne Express, and so on. These new carriers pay attention to speed, tracking, billing, quality of service and automation. They also devised systems that didnt travel through the middle of town, except for final delivery, and didnt change hands en route. And finally, they offered lots of optional services to make life easier for both shipper and recipient. Home delivery infrastructure: As part of Infrastructure expansion plans of its U.S. delivery network, FedEx Corp. will add another 9 distribution hubs, bringing its total number of hubs to 39. In addition, a new home-delivery facility planned for Florida will be able to process more than 10,000 packages per hour. The three hubs that are under construction are in Dallas, Cincinnati and Hagerstown, MD, the fourth hub in Memphis, TN. The hub expansion project will also expand the 30 existing hubs; this will nearly double the companys average daily hub package volume capacity by the end of its 2010 fiscal year. The expansion project will support a sharp growth in FedExs shipments to consumers on behalf of online retailers. The new Florida satellite distribution center, in Pompano Beach near Fort Lauderdale, will be three times the size of the two existing facilities combined, and will open with a workforce of approximately 356 employees and independent contractors, an increase from the current combined figure of 200 employees and independent contractors. FedEx Smart Posts best-of-breed technology ensures swift package processing and delivery. This technology provides shipment visibility throughout the delivery process of the packages while they are en route to their destinations. This enables to know always where the packages are and where theyre going next. Advanced control systems, sophisticated automated sorters, and state-of-the-art data-collection devices enable FedEx to collect detailed information about every package. And the highly proficient logistics team is fully equipped to sort hundreds of thousands of packages each day. The client tools are housed on a secure Web site, customized to meet the unique needs of each client. These tools provide timely access to package delivery information, logistics analysis, manifest detail, and billing statements, as well as the ability to create necessary reports needed in planning the package delivery strategy. As a leader in the package delivery industry, FedEx provides with data and reporting needed to examine and enhance logistics operations on an ongoing basis. Virtual information infrastructure at FedEx Corporation. Though FedEx began as an express air delivery company in the early 1970s, it has successfully transformed itself into an integrated transportation and logistics service provider. A major part of FedExs success is directly attributed to its committed use of information technology (IT). IT has not only facilitated its business processes like operations, customer service and employee training but also integrated its information network with that of its clients to provide them with seamless logistic and supply chain solutions. Dennis Jones, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of FedEx says IT (information technology) is a function that has a strategic value because the essence of our business is taking a basic service and adding information technology services to transform into a value added product. And that is very important. Any company can move freight from point A to point B. But the way you make it a valuable product to your customer is to wrap it with intensive information technology capabilities. Leveraging Information Technology In the late 1970s, FedEx saw a great benefit in using IT to simplify its business processes. Smith had very early on understood that speed, reliability and customer service was an essential factor for success in the global transportation industry. IT in Human Resources FedEx had in place Interactive Video Instructions (IVI) that allowed employees to take advantage of slack periods to train themselves at any time of the day. The program was used for training and test preparation (Customer service employees at FedEx were tested twice a year on job knowledge). IT in Customer Service FedEx also used IT to improve upon its customer service, by monitoring various aspects of a customers transaction. The goal was to achieve 100% accuracy, quality, and customer satisfaction on all transactions. One such system that FedEx used was the Service Quality index (SQI) that quantified every part of a transaction like Was the package undamaged? Was the customer billed correctly? Using the Internet The widespread use of the Internet from the early 1990s threw open significant opportunities for FedEx. Since the company already had an EDI based system on which it had spent a lot of money, FedEx decided to use a combination of Internet and the EDI. One example was the implementation done for the purchasing of products. FedEx purchased a product from a company called Ariba. Ariba was a requisitioning system that was housed on the FedEx intranet. The system was set up so that suppliers could maintain a database of catalogs that could be accessed by any FedEx employee. The company website hosts more than 6.3 million unique visitors per month and handles on an average over 2.4 million package tracking requests daily. More than 2 million customers connected with the company electronically every day, and electronic transactions accounted for almost two-thirds of the more than five million shipments FedEx delivered daily. FedEx operates one of the worlds largest computer and telecommunications networks- more than 75,000-networked computers and thousands of hand-held computers that recorded and tracked shipments. FedExs data center processes more than 20 million information management system transactions daily, more than any other US company. The company is involved in connecting 39 hubs across the globe, operating 677 planes and 90,000 vehicles, monitoring 200,000 employees and delivering six million packages daily in 220 countries where every second was important. This is the FEDEX EDGE, for which the company is known for. FedEx transformed both customer and business transportation model with higher speed, reliability, application of information technology, improved material handling system and streamlined logistics network. The company popularized the concepts of just-in-time and build-to-order which reduced customers lead time and increased productivity. Apart from venturing into logistics solution provider the company was able to maintain its leadership position in small package and light freight market through its unique hub and spoke model. The role information technology has played in FedExs strategy is exciting. By using IT as a major part of its business, FedEx has reached an almost entirely new group of people. It has maintained its reputation and increased its business at the same time. IT has created a greater opportunity for customers in the global market. They can now request service, pay for that service, and track the package online. Customers no longer need to speak to FedEx. They are now free to order as they need, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Because of this, FedExs strategy has changed. It is now focused on the use of the Internet and other technological advances. Because this is such a critical aspect of the strategy, the implementation of the strategy had to be almost immediate. To compete with other major businesses in the industry, FedEx had to provide a service to customers that could be accessed using technology. They also had to provide a package tracking service. As they develope d this service, their reputation and business grew. FedEx has done several things with its value chain to develop new business. First they have always recognized the need to have technology and IT work to communicate the logistics that they run. They have developed internet technologies that work simply and efficiently to enable customers and sellers to use FedEx as a go between. This has enabled many companies to integrate FedEx technology into their own web sites for customers to use. Question Two: Branding and business structure up until 19 January 2000 Using information from the case study and your own research, critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of Merger and Acquisition (MA) strategies in the Global Transportation and Logistics Industry. Discuss how FedEx Corporation managed the acquisition of Caliber Systems in 1998, and determine whether or not the acquisition of Caliber Systems was a success or failure? Mergers acquisitions in the Transportation Logistics industry The Transport and Logistics (TL) sector is characterized by a significant level of privatisation, finance-raising and merger and acquisition activity. Transactions are often complex and impacted by the regulatory environment, competition issues, or need for contracted subsidies to support operations. We have witnessed many privatizations of bus companies, ports and airports which have created successful private sector groups that have continued to grow via further acquisitions. In other segments there is ongoing global consolidation within and between operators from the courier, parcel, freight forwarding and contract logistics arenas. Postal organizations and railway companies that have historically been more nationally oriented are now seeking opportunities to expand into cross-border markets driven by a more commercial focus and liberal regulatory regime. Transportation Logistics The Transportation Logistics (TL) industry forms the backbone of global supply chains. Postal operators as well as large logistics providers play a dominant role as key stakeholders in the TL industry. In recent years some former national Posts have undergone an extensive transformation to emerge as multinational providers of complex logistics and financial services. These evolved entities face new competition in their core markets of mail delivery through the liberalization of markets and privatization. At the same time, former Posts may be able to leverage their years of experience in collecting, processing, transporting and delivering national and international mail in order to develop and provide a broader palette of logistics based services, upstream with direct mail activities and downstream with package delivery and payment services. Further, many existing logistics and express companies have expanded well beyond simple delivery services and are now managing all aspects of the supply chain. These ongoing trends have changed the face of an industry which has become increasingly focused on serving customers in all parts of the world. Mergers and Acquisitions: Three types Merger: A transaction where two firms agree to integrate their operations on a relatively coequal basis because they have resources and capabilities that together may create a stronger competitive advantage. Acquisition: A transaction where one firm buys another firm with the intent of more effectively using a core competence by making the acquired firm a subsidiary within its portfolio of businesses. Takeover: An acquisition where the target firm did not solicit the bid of the acquiring firm. Problems in Achieving Success Integration Difficulties/Cultures Inadequate evaluation of target Too much diversification Large or extraordinary debt Inability to achieve synergy Managers overly focused on acquisitions Too large Increased market power Overcome ent entry barriers Lower risk compared to developing new products Cost of new product development Increased speed to market Increased diversification Avoid excessive competition Acquisitions Reasons for Acquisitions Benefits of Acquisitions Increased Market Power: Acquisition intended to reduce the competitive balance of the industry Overcome Barriers to Entry: Acquisitions overcome costly barriers to entry which may make start-ups economically unattractive Lower Cost and Risk of New Product Development: Buying established businesses reduces risk of start-up ventures Increased Speed to Market: Closely related to Barriers to Entry, allows market entry in a more timely fashion Diversification: Quick way to move into businesses when firm currently lacks experience and depth in industry Reshaping Competitive Scope: Firms may use acquisitions to restrict its dependence on a single or a few products or markets Problems with Acquisitions Only a financial team assembled and they make the decision (should have two teams: one financial and one organizational where the organizational Team says Yes or No Integration Difficulties: Differing financial and control systems can make integration of firms difficult Inadequate Evaluation of Target: Winners Curse bid causes acquirer to overpay for firm Large or Extraordinary Debt: Costly debt can create onerous burden on cash outflows Inability to Achieve Synergy: Justifying acquisitions can increase estimate of expected benefits Overly Diversified: Acquirer doesnt have expertise required to manage unrelated businesses Managers Overly Focused on Acquisitions: Managers may fail to objectively assess the value of outcomes achieved through the firms acquisition strategy Too Large: Large bureaucracy reduces innovation and flexibility FedEx Corporation has made 31 acquisitions while taking stakes in 3 companies. FedEx Corporation has 22 divestitures during this period. FedEx-Caliber Merger: Reason for Merger: FedEx and Caliber believe that the combination of the two companies will permit their customers to take advantage of a broader portfolio of services and choices at a level of excellence unmatched by any competitor. Stockholders of both companies will become stockholders of a $15 billion powerhouse in global transportation and logistics. When FedEx announced in October 1997 that it was buying Caliber System for $2.4 billion, observers warned that the merger could disrupt FedExs already profitable express shipping business. Observers were wrong. FedEx finalized its Caliber System merger in January 1998, and by the end of that year, the new company, FDX, was posting a seven percent increase over the same quarter the year before. Domestic income grew 30 percent that period, from $168 million to $217 million. The company claimed that its tough cost controls and low fuel prices contributed to this short-term growth. FedEx subsidiaries that came from Caliber Systems also grew. RPS, the largest subsidiary besides FedEx, grew 14 percent for the period, while Viking Freight grew seven percent. In the long-run, the merger strengthened FedExs overall health. UPS largely rebounded from a crippling 15-day strike in 1997, and now the two companies compete head-to-head for the express-shipping business in most markets. While FedEx does battle, several smaller companies continue their reliable service for niche markets, such as logistics operations, business-to-business transportation, overseas shipping, and small package delivery. FedEx has ensured its long-term survival by buying several of these smaller companies. After the Caliber System merger, FedEx included six operating divisions: FedEx; RPS, the second-largest small-package shipping business; Roberts Express, the worlds largest express trucking firm; Viking Freight, a leading regional trucking company; Caliber Logistics, a logistics outsourcing firm; and Caliber Technology, an order fulfillment operation. Question Three: Events leading up to the January 2000 reorganisation Using appropriate examples from FedEx Corporation, critically evaluate FedExs financial and non-financial performance in the context of developments in the Internet market and e-tailing up to the January 2000 reorganisation. Financial Performance Analysis FedEx has an impressive performance record. In 1998 they had revenues of $15.9 billion grown 15 percent from 1997. Sales have been growing steadily for the past five years. The net income, though, isnt that impressive. It even declined in 1997, from the rising fuel costs during that year. However, in 1998 it grew from $200,000 to $500,000. That could be from reduction in operating costs, or from the acquisition of the subsidiaries which had lower operating costs compared to Federal Express. FedExs financial statements shows that its assets have not been utilized as well as other firms in their industry, but their profitability is better than other industry firms. Still they must decrease selling and administrative expenses while increasing sales. Many of their technological advancements have been financed primarily with internal cash, which decreases long-term debt. Future assets possibly and should be invested in the international market and new businesses, while still investing a decent percentage for technological advancements. Today FedEx has a competitive advantage over other firms and if they continue the practices that they have in the past, while also opening up to new ideas, FedEx will remain a powerhouse in the package delivery industry. The financial ratios for FedEx clearly show that it is the market leader in this industry, have outstanding sales, a healthy profit, and a safe amount of debt. These ratios over time show a steady increase, except for year 1997, where fuel costs hurt FedEx deeply. Company Analysis In this section we shall discuss FedExs strengths and weaknesses as a company, opportunities and threats. S.W.O.T. Analysis Company Strengths and Resource Capabilities: Globalism: Federal Express operates on a global scale in 211 countries. They provide services that appeal to most of the world, realize tremendous revenues and also achieve global economies of scale. Innovation: Federal Express took airplanes and trucks and used them differently than any other company before them. This is innovation. They have first-mover advantage in name recognition because of this innovation. This has helped them to remain the industry leader since 1973. Technology and Communication: Federal Express uses and continues to search for new technology. They allow spending of $1billion a year, 10% of total revenues, for information technology. That commitment keeps customers from switching to other providers. Federal Express also has excellent communication with their customers. They use tracking devices on all shipments, and customers can find out where their shipment is through many different avenues including a user-friendly Web site. Federal Express customers are assured that FedEx will always be on top of technology. Strategic Vision: Federal Express will always have competent top managers in charge of strategic direction. Frederick Smith built an industry leader, and kept it in that position since 1973. First-Mover Advantage: Federal Express has had first-mover advantage in several areas. (1) Being a global express transportation company. (2) Advanced technology and communication throughout the companys operations. (3) Incorporating smaller companies with similar operations under its belt to synergize and control more of the market. Strong Brand Image: In 1990, Federal Express became the first company awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the service category. In 1994, Federal Express became the first global express transportation company to obtain simultaneous system-wide ISO 9001 certification in international quality standards. Federal Express has also developed their own quality system that matches their customers standards. Company Weaknesses and Resource Deficiencies: Rising Prices: Federal Express prices are above their competitors. This can be a weakness if their customers do not perceive a difference between Federal Express and its competitors services. Labor Disputes with Pilots: Federal Express pilots have formed the Fedex Pilots Association. This organization demanded changes in the pilots salaries, retirement benefits, and the fact that Federal Express outsources some foreign flights instead of giving their own pilots the job. The pilots have a Web site where news is posted and feelings are discussed. During the busy Christmas season in 1998, the pilots threatened to strike. Federal Express and the Fedex Pilots Association have developed a tentative agreement, which is published on the pilots Web site. However, the pilots do not believe this agreement fully meets their expectations. This dispute is definitely an internal weakness for Federal Express, considering they have 3,500 pilots employed with them. Their operations would suffer if there were strikes. When UPS employees went on strike in 1997, Federal Express took the extra 800,000 shipments a day. If Federal Express employees went on strike, their competitors could gain an advantage. Running Subsidiaries Separately: FDX has deliberately chosen to keep their companies separate. In FDXs 1998 Annual Report, CEO Frederick Smith states, Simply layering the unique resource and operating requirements of a time-definite, global, express-delivery network onto a day-definite, ground small-package network would surely result in diminished service quality and increased costs. Under the FDX umbrella, we will leverage our shared strengths while operating each delivery network independently, with each focused on its respective markets. Frederick Smith is confident this will be a strength, instead of a weakness. Time will tell. Company Opportunities: Expansion Globally: Federal Express can continue to expand globally, including the other companies under FedEX. Expansion Internally: Federal Express can continue to acquire more companies, and expand into new technologies or areas in their industry. Run Subsidiaries Together: If FDX doe

Jahari Window Essay

The Johari Window, named after the first names of its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, is one of the most useful models describing the process of human interaction. A four paned â€Å"window† divides personal awareness into four different types, as represented by its four quadrants: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses (Daft, 2011 pg. 273-276). The Johari Window concept would be particularly helpful for leaders to promote understanding employee/employer relationships and is a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. The Johari Window actually represents information such as feelings, experience, views, attitudes, skills, intentions, motivation, etc, within or about a person, in relation to their group, from four perspectives (Daft, 2011, pg. 275). The Johari Window model can also be used to represent the same information for a group in relation to other groups. Johari Window terminology refers to ‘self’ and ‘others’: ‘self’ means oneself, ie, the person subject to the Johari Window analysis. ‘Others’ means other people in the person’s group or team (Dart, 2011, pg. 275). The Johari window, essentially being a model for communication, can also reveal difficulties in this area. In Johari terms, two people attempt to communicate via the open quadrants. On the simplest level, difficulties may arise due to a lack of clarity in the interaction, such as poor grammar or choice of words, unorganized thoughts, faulty logic etc. This induces the receiver to criticize you, the sender, by revealing something that was in your blind quadrant. Then, if the feedback works, you correct it immediately, or perhaps on a more long term approach take a course in reading and writing. On a deeper level, you may be in a group meeting, and while you secretly sympathize with the minority viewpoint, you voted with the majority. However, blind to you, you actually may be communicating this information via body language, in conflict with your verbal message. On an even deeper level, you in an interaction with others, may always put on a smiling, happy face, hiding all negative feelings. By withholding negative feelings, you may be signaling to your friends to withhold also, and keep their distance. Thus, your communication style may seem bland or distant (Chapman, 2010).

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 12

Micha â€Å"Dude, where the fuck is your head today?† Ethan asks and seconds later a grease rag hits me in the face. I throw it back at him, hard. â€Å"You're starting to piss me off with this crap.† Ethan widens his eyes exaggeratedly. â€Å"Whatever man. You've been so distracted for the last two days.† He sticks his head back under the hood. â€Å"And I'm not going to say why.† â€Å"Good, because I don't want to hear it.† I round the back of my car and eye over the tools on the wall of the garage. I grab a rusty toolbox, one of the few things my dad left behind, and toss it into the garbage can. He called again this morning, begging on the answering machine for either my mom or I to pick up. Ethan raises his head up and eyes the garbage can. â€Å"Wanna explain what that was for?† â€Å"Nope.† I pick up a wrench and start working on the car. We work on it for a while, but it's hot and I'm getting more pissed off at my dad by the second. Finally, I move back and throw the wrench down onto the concrete. Ethan doesn't ask questions this time. â€Å"We should have a party tonight,† I announce, unable to hold still. â€Å"A big one, like the one we had on graduation night.† â€Å"You really want to relive that night?† Ethan backs out from under the hood. â€Å"Because I'm not sure I do.† I step outside into the sunlight, determined to get my mind off stuff. â€Å"What you can't remember doesn't hurt, right?† â€Å"I don't think you want to go there.† Ethan walks next to me and we stare down the driveway at an old guy pushing a shopping cart. â€Å"There are plenty of times in my life I wish I could remember – that I'd give anything to remember – but I can't. I lost like a year of my life. It's better to stay within the boundaries of a semi-clear head. Besides, this doesn't sound like you at all. What's up?† â€Å"Nothing's up.† I sigh, raking my fingers through my hair. â€Å"I'm just thinking out loud.† Ethan returns to the garage and starts working on the engine again. Around sophomore year, he started hanging out with these kids at school, who had really heavy views on the world and liked to sit around and get high while they talked about it. Ethan somehow ended up being friends with them, and within a month, he had dropped out of school and got into some pretty heavy shit. A year later he made the decision to get some help. He cleaned up his life, cut the habits, and worked the hell out of himself to catch up in school. He was a grade behind, but managed to graduate with our year. Looking at him, you wouldn't guess. The side door of Ella's house swings open and Lila steps out. She looks upset, although not as bad as she did last night. She glances up the driveway at the house across the street, where there's a very loud game of tackle football going on in the front yard. Her eyes roam to my house and then widen when she sees that I'm watching her. She gives a tentative wave from the top step. â€Å"Hey, Micha.† â€Å"What's up?† I say with a nod of my chin. â€Å"Is Ella up yet?† Shielding her blue eyes from the sun, she looks up at Ella's window. â€Å"Yeah, she said she'd be out in a second. She's just talking to her brother.† â€Å"He's not being a dick, is he?† â€Å"I'm not sure what constitutes as a brother being a dick, since I don't have one.† A smile cracks at her lips. I walk toward the fence, pulling up my jeans that are riding low on my hips. â€Å"There's no yelling going on?† Lila shakes her head and meets me at the fence, plucking some of her blonde hair away from her mouth. â€Å"But Ella's not much of a yeller, is she?† I rest my arms on the top of the fence. â€Å"It depends on which one we're talking about.† Her face falls. â€Å"How could I know her for eight freaking months and not know anything about her. It must say something about me, right?† I feel bad for her. â€Å"I think Ella kind of made it her mission to keep who she was hidden from you. It's not your fault.† She eyes me over with this suspicious look. â€Å"Honestly, it seems like she's that way with everyone, except for you.† â€Å"We've known each other forever,† I say. â€Å"We have a comfortable relationship.† Her blue eyes twinkle with mischievousness. â€Å"One where you feel her up in the car?† â€Å"It feels like you're trying to start some trouble,† I say, liking the girl even more. â€Å"Maybe I am.† She leans over the fence to the side of me so she can get a better view of the inside of the garage. â€Å"Is that Ethan in there?† I step back so she can get a better look. â€Å"Yep, he's working on the car.† â€Å"I think I'll go give him some help.† A grin spans across her face and she hops over the fence, squealing as her shoe gets caught in the wire. Trying not to laugh at her, I unhook her shoe and she walks into the garage, surprising Ethan. The door to Ella's house opens and my attention centers on her as she steps out into the sunlight. She's wearing a tight, black and purple plaid dress, and knee high lace-up boots, but her hair is curled up neatly. It's like a mix of her old look and her new one. Her face is guarded as she ambles across the driveway, with this strange look in her eyes, like she's terrified yet excited at the same time. â€Å"Did Lila come out here?† She bites her lip and I want to lean over and bite it for her; taste her and feel her like I did last night. Without taking my eyes off her, I nod my head at the garage. â€Å"She's in there with Ethan. I think she might have a thing for him.† â€Å"I think you're right.† She pauses. â€Å"I think I might have freaked her out a little, just barely.† â€Å"You mean you and Dean might have freaked her out a little?† â€Å"She told you I was talking to Dean?† â€Å"She mentioned it.† I extend my hand to her. â€Å"Why don't you come over and join the party on this side of the fence?† â€Å"A party of four?† she asks, trying not to grin and looking as cute as hell. I snag her by the hip, jerk her toward me playfully, and dip my lips to her ear. â€Å"It can be a party of two. Just say the word.† She shivers from the feel of my breath on her neck. â€Å"I think we better keep it a foursome.† I press my fingers into the curve of her hips. â€Å"I didn't know you liked it kinky.† She swats my shoulder and I laugh, my dad problems feeling less heavy. â€Å"Relax, I was just kidding, even though you're the one who brought it up first.† â€Å"I was joking.† â€Å"I know†¦ I think I am going to have a party tonight.† â€Å"Don't you have one of those every night?† I cock my eyebrow. â€Å"Besides the night you showed up, have you seen one going on?† She wrinkles her forehead. â€Å"No.† She sits down on the fence, swinging her legs over to my side. â€Å"Micha, what have you been doing for the last eight months?† â€Å"Pinning for you.† I avoid the truth. That I haven't been doing much of anything besides looking for her and helping my mom take care of things. She tucks her dress underneath her legs and I get a small glimpse of the black lacy panties she has on. â€Å"Where do you work?† Against her protest, I spread her legs apart and put myself between them. â€Å"I work at the shop with Ethan a lot, but it's not going to be forever. I have plans. I'm still working on getting everything lined up.† She places her hands on my chest, holding me back. â€Å"I think the lines between our friendship are getting a little blurred.† â€Å"That happened a long time ago,† I tell her, gliding my palms up the sides of her bare legs. â€Å"At least for me it did.† Her jaw tightens. â€Å"It's things like that which make them blurry and things last night†¦ and things like in the car.† â€Å"There seems to be a lot of things, which I think might be a hint that you and I belong together.† Her eyes snap wide and I back off to try another tactic. She needs to smile and let those stressed lips free. I pinch her side and she squeals. â€Å"Don't do that,† she says, holding back a laugh. â€Å"You know I hate being tickled.† I graze my fingers across her other side and she squirms, before falling over the fence and landing on her back in the grass. I leap over the fence easily as she scrambles to her feet. She narrows her eyes, backing toward her back door. I run up to the side of her and she skitters out of my reach. She glances at the door and then at the front yard, which is closer to her. â€Å"Micha, seriously,† she warns. â€Å"We're too old for this.† I spread my arms out to the side innocently. â€Å"I'm not doing anything.† Her eyes flick to her house one last time and then shaking her head, she spins around and runs for the front yard. I give her a head start before I sprint off after her. When I round the house, she's up on the front porch, jiggling the door knob. I laugh at her. â€Å"Is it locked?† She heaves a frustrated sigh and hops over the railing, slipping on the grass. â€Å"Dammit Micha! I'm so going to kick your ass for this.† â€Å"I'm planning on holding you to that threat.† I jog after her across the neighbor's yard. She races across the grass, her hair falling out of a clip. She leaps over the brick fence into the next yard and smashes a row of flowers. Without using my hands, I hop onto the fence, but trip during my dismount and fall on my knees. She freezes in the middle of the lawn and starts to laugh at me. â€Å"You so deserved that.† I get to my feet, dusting the dirt off my knees, and a dark smile rises on my face. â€Å"You think that's funny?† Her eyes sparkle and it's worth the fall. â€Å"You look ridiculous.† â€Å"Do I?† I take a step toward her. She takes a step back. â€Å"You do.† Abruptly the sprinklers turn on, drenching the grass and her. She screams and covers her head with her arms. â€Å"Serves you right for laughing at me,† I say with a grin. She lets her arms fall to the side and smirks. â€Å"Well, at least it keeps you away from me.† Her dress is clinging to her body in all the right places and pieces of her wet hair stick to the sides of her face. She begins to twirl in circles with her hands up above her head. â€Å"You're beautiful,† I say, unable to help myself. Ella Micha looks ridiculous and I can't help but laugh. I haven't laughed in so long that it feels unnatural leaving my mouth. It's like we're kids again, as if this moment belongs in another time where things are weightless and full of sunshine. As I'm laughing at him, the sprinklers turn on and my clothes instantly get soaked. At first I squeal, but then I let go, lifting my hands above my head and twirling in the water, figuring he won't come in after me. He calls out something about me being beautiful and then he charges into the sprinklers, completely blind-siding me. His arms snake around my waist and we collapse to the ground but Micha holds my weight up, so I land on the wet grass gently. â€Å"Micha,† I say, trying to be serious. â€Å"Don't do it. You know how much I hate being tickled.† â€Å"Which makes it even more appealing.† Water beads in his hair, his long eyelashes, his lips. With one hand, he pins my arms above my head and presses his body against mine. My wet clothes cling to my skin and I can feel every part of him. â€Å"I take that back. This is more appealing.† He lets his hand move up my ribs, his thumb sketching along the ridges, sending my body into a frenzy. I stop fighting him and lay perfectly still. Water sprinkles our faces as he lowers his lips to mine. Our wet tongues twine together, full of desire as they collide. A strange, unfamiliar feeling opens inside of me again and my legs fall apart and hook around his waist, requesting more of him, like they did last night. Micha draws back, looking surprised as he glances at the house to the side of us and then at the street. Then he lets out an untamed growl and deepens the kiss, thrusting his tongue deep into my mouth. I suck on his bottom lip and trace my tongue along his lip ring. It sends a quiver through his body and I'm secretly pleased, but my pleasure confuses me. â€Å"Ella,† he groans and then kisses me fiercely. His hand travels upward and cups my breasts. His thumb circles around my nipple and through the wet fabric of my clothes, the feeling is mind blowing. It's driving me wild and my knees vice-grip against his hips. A moan laced with ecstasy crumbles from my lips. I'm starting to lose control again and it's alarming. I try to get past it this time, but it consumes me and I have to stop. After a lot of effort, I get my arms between our bodies and I push him away. â€Å"We should get back.† I look at the brick home of the yard we're laying in. â€Å"Besides if Miss Fenerly comes out, she'll have a heart attack.† Micha's aqua eyes penetrate me. There's mud on his forehead and grass in the locks of his blonde hair. â€Å"If that's what you want.† Maneuvering to his feet, he takes my hand and lifts me to mine. He plucks pieces of grass out of my hair and lets his hand linger on my cheek. Holding hands, we walk across the grass and down the sidewalk, leaving a trail of water behind us and something else. Something invisible to the outside eye, but to me it's more noticeable than the sun in the sky.

Personal Success Paper - 1253 Words

How to Succeed in Graduate School Kelly S. Matthews HSN /505 How to Succeed in Graduate School While I will have to sacrifice time with my husband and children, by completing my graduate degree by January 2017, I will have the necessary knowledge and training to compete for advanced positions. I have always been told that anything worth having is worth working for and a little hard work never hurt anyone. As I began this journey and decided to return to school to complete a graduate program in nursing, I had to make a list of my priorities. I wanted to see if continuing my education was really worth the sacrifice and hard work. With the cost of higher education continuing to grow, making a decision to return to school would†¦show more content†¦My husband and I love to travel and visit different places, but I knew that if I made the decision to return to school I would have to limit my traveling. This decision would not only affect me, but it would affect my husband as well. 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