International valuation method

International valuation method The objective of this research study is to development the best international valuation method for the valuation of hotel properties in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The target population is 50 respondents who coming from different valuation firm in the area of Kuala Lumpur. Among these respondents, there are 35 registered valuers and 15 property consultants are selected by convenience sampling technique. 70% of the respondents are registered valuers because their knowledge and skill of valuation are needed to achieve the goals in this research study. However, there are 30% of respondents are property consultants because they have different view points from registered valuers. Property consultants always keep abreast with the knowledge of new developments in property market. The Influence on Hotel Development from Tourism Industry: There are 68% of the respondents believe that the hotel industry will grows in parallel with the trend in tourism industry while 32% of the respondents disagree. The growth of tourism industry for the past few years. The future of tourism industry is predicted to grow in small trend. With the effort of government in order to encourage the growth of tourism industry, the number of tourism coming to Malaysia will increase and they will be staying for a longer period. In 30% of the respondents who are property consultants, the majority of property consultants which contribute 16% of property consultants agree with the statement while 14% of them disagree. Property consultants disagree because the hotel industry is just a portion of the property market which being encouraged by tourism industry in Malaysia. The Attraction of Hotel Industry in Malaysia: The secondary data in chapter 3 shows that the amount of tourists arrives in Malaysia is proportion to the equivalence amount of income received. Tourism ministry has aimed to generate more income through encouraging tourists stay longer and spend more in Malaysia. The hotels supply is hard to support the increasing amount of tourists. Thus, this gives a higher investment potential on hotel industry in property market. In the second question in questionnaire, there are 60% of respondents in the opinion that the potential of hotel industry is attracting investors. Property consultants and registered valuers believe that investors will undertake the opportunity to propose hotel development because the demand of hotel properties in Malaysia is high. However, there are 40% of respondents disagree with the statement. They believe that the investment potential in hotel industry encouraged by tourism industry is low because the hotel industry is just a small portion in property market. Thus, tourism industry has planned several programs to encourage investors to pay close attention to hotel industry. The Predicted Demand of International Valuation Standard for Hotel Properties in Malaysia: The third question shows the willingness to apply World Hotel Rating System is high. World hotel rating can gives standardize rating rate for the hotel properties. Thus, there are 82% of the respondents agree for the adoption of international valuation standard in the valuation of hotel properties is favored by investor in the forth question. The Comparison between International Valuation Methods and Malaysia Valuation Methods: Sales Comparison Approach and Comparison Method: There are 84% of respondents shown that sales comparison approach can replaces comparison method. The comparison between these two methods. The valuation process of these two valuation methods are the same. The market value of subject property determined by these methods is the adjusted transacted value from comparison between the subject property and similar comparable properties. However, the valuation techniques of these two valuation methods are similar. There are 16% of respondents disagree with the statement because the sales comparison approach is applied on the properties located nearby the boundary area among different countries while comparison method is just applied in Malaysia. Cost Approach and Cost Method: 98% of the respondents believe that the cost method can be replaces by cost approach. They assume that there are no potential buyer in real property will pay more for a property than the cost of buying a similar land and construct a similar building on it. Property consultants are fully agreed with the statement because the valuation processes and their valuation techniques of these two methods is the same. The market value of subject property is determined through summation of the land value and the building cost including any improvement value and depreciated value. The literature review has shown that these two methods are suitable for all type of property and they are the most reliable valuation methods for new or near-new property. This is because these valuation methods apply in the valuation of an older property, estimated depreciation on the construction cost for a new building need to be included. Income Approach and Investment Method: There are 62% of the respondents believe that the investment method can be replaced by income approach because these two valuation methods have the same valuation process and similar valuation technique. Chapter Two has reviewed that the valuation technique of investment method is similar to one of the valuation techniques in income approach which is named Gross Income Multiplier Technique. These two valuation techniques are the same. The market value of subject property is assessed by multiply the gross income multiplier with the gross income of the subject property. The gross income multiplier is derived by divide the transacted market value of similar comparable properties on the gross potential income. In 30% of the respondents who are property consultants, majority of 18% property consultants disagree with the statement. They believe that the differentiated this valuation technique into a unit valuation method such as investment method in Malaysia is better than the income approach built-up of three valuation techniques because it is used for the valuation of office buildings, shop lots and retails in shopping complex. These types of properties collect rentals from tenants as the main income stream. Income Approach and Profit Method: There are 66% of the respondents believe that the profit method can be replaced by income approach because these two valuation methods have the same valuation process and similar valuation technique. Chapter Two has reviewed that the valuation technique of profit method is similar to one of the valuation techniques in income approach which is named Capitalization Rate Technique. These two valuation techniques are the same. The market value of subject property is determined by multiplying the net operating income with capitalization rate. The capitalization rate is derived by divide the transacted market value of similar comparable properties on the gross potential income determined through the analysis of recent comparable sales. In the 30% of respondents who are property consultants, majority of 16% of them are disagreed with the statement. They believe that the differentiated this valuation technique into a unit valuation method such as profit method in Malaysia is better than the income approach built-up of three valuation techniques because it is used for the valuation of business property such as theme park, golf course, cinema, hotel etc. These types of properties are income-producing properties with not recently transacted. Income Approach and Residual Method: There are 60% of the respondents believe that the residual method can be replaced by income approach because these two valuation methods have the same valuation process and similar valuation technique. Chapter Two has reviewed that the valuation technique of residual method is similar to one of the valuation techniques in income approach which is named Discounted Cash Flow Technique. These two valuation techniques are the same. The market value of subject property is determined by the capitalized the amount of discounted the prospective net future income with discounted rate. The Discounted Rate is derived by estimating the risk involved through analyzing the historical data. In the 30% of respondents who are property consultants, majority of 22% of them are disagreed with the statement. They believe that the differentiated this valuation technique into a unit valuation method such as residual method in Malaysia is better than the income approach built-up of three valuation techniques because it is used for the valuation for proposed development. This valuation technique is used to justify the feasibility and viability of the proposed development. Factors that Influence the Selection of Valuation Method: There are 92% of respondents agreed with the statement while 8% of respondents disagreed. Majority of respondents believe that the factors stated above will not affect the selection of valuation methods but they are showed in their market value. The analysis result from interviews show the market value of hotel properties is higher when the hotel managements are doing well and the hotel rating is high. Chapter Three has determined the hotel managements will influence the profit margins and will influence hotel rating. Hotel property with higher rating are provides better facilities and services to satisfy customer demand. The analysis result from interviews show the different type of hotel has its own market value but market value for the hotel property with fully equipped hotel accommodations and facilities is higher. Chapter Three has determined the hotel accommodations and facilities according to the types of hotels such as world class facilities is provided in luxury hotels while part of the facilities in mid-range hotels and few of facilities in budget hotels. The Application of International Valuation Methods in the Valuation of Hotel Properties in Malaysia: There are 74% of respondents supported the application of International Valuation Methods in the Valuation of Hotel Properties in Malaysia. They believe that the international valuation methods are suitable for the valuation of hotel property because the trend of hotel industry is internationalized. Chapter Three has determined hotel industry in Malaysia is growing and tourism ministry has encouraged investors enter hotel industry that provides higher investment potential in property market. Chapter Two has reviewed that the analysis results of in comparison of International Valuation Methods and Malaysia Valuation Methods shows they have the same valuation processes and similar valuation techniques. There are 26% of respondents disagreed with the statement. They believe that the hotel properties located in Malaysia have no need of International Valuation Methods for the valuation since Malaysia Valuation Methods are functioning well to determine the market value of hotel properties. The Sequence of Influence Factors that Affect the Market Value of Hotel Properties: Types of Hotels: There are 44% of respondents selected the types of hotels as the smaller influence factor that affects the market value of hotel properties. Based on their opinions, different types of hotels are located at different location and provided with different facilities that will influence the market value of subject property. Chapter Three has determined the different types of hotels provide hotel facilities differently according to the types of hotels such as luxury hotels provided fully equipped world class facilities while part of facilities in mid-range hotels and few of facilities in budget hotels. Besides, Chapter 3 has reviewed the different types of hotels located differently. Luxury hotels are located in popular tourist destinations surrounded by shopping areas, business district and world- famous landmarks. Mid-range hotels are located near to the business and shopping district while Budget hotels are located far from tourism hotspots that required certain travelling distance. Hotel Ratings: There are 40% of respondents selected hotel ratings as the bigger influence factors that affect the market value of hotel properties. Based on their opinions, hotel properties with higher rating contain higher market value because hotel properties with high rating have higher profit margin. Chapter 3 has determined hotels are rated through star classification system based on the facilities and services provided. Hotel properties with a higher rating have provided the best accommodations and services that customers are content for their staying. The analysis result from interviews shows the 40% of respondents believe that hotel rating is a system that shows the performance in its services and accommodations provided for customers. Thus, this factor is chosen as the bigger influence in the market value of hotel property because it reflects the type of hotel properties, location and the services and accommodations of that hotel property. Hotel Managements: There are 54% of respondents selected hotel managements as the biggest influence factor that affects the market value of hotel properties. They believe that good hotel managements have the highest potential to bring the highest satisfaction of customers needs. Chapter Three has determined that hotel managements play an important role that bring a track in develop plans to achieve the profit targets through efficient use of human resource and technology. Hotel managements have been computerized in hotel accommodations and services management, administration management, working capital management, and employee benefit programs. Based on the selection by property consultants, there is a shape of V from the smallest influence towards the biggest influence. 8% of property consultants select it as the smallest influence factor. They believe that the effect of this factor is not significant because the market value of hotel properties with good management that located far from the tourist hotspot are lower than hotel properties with poor management that located near the tourist hotpot. Hotel Accommodations: There are 50% of respondents selected hotel accommodations as the smallest influence factor that affects the market value of hotel properties. They believe that the accommodations are provided in according to the types of hotel properties. Chapter Three has reviewed the accommodations for hotels are classified into full-service and limited services that are considered by their customers. Hotels with limited-services provide part of facilities and moderate accommodations that they targeted their customers are who willing to have lower room prices while full-services hotels provide various facilities and higher class accommodations. The analysis result from interviews shows the 50% of respondents believe that different class accommodations are provided by different types of hotels in according to different hotel development plans. This factor is chosen as the smallest influence in the market value of hotel property because it is according to the type of hotel properties, location and hotel management. The Sequence of the Factors that Affect The Valuation of Hotel Properties: From the selection of the smallest influence factors affects the market value of hotel properties, there are 50% of respondents selected hotel accommodations because they believe that the accommodations are provided in according to the types of hotel properties. From the selection of the smaller influence factors affects the market value of hotel properties, there are 44% of respondents selected the types of hotels because they believe that different types of hotels are located at different location. From the selection of the bigger influence factors that affect the market value of hotel properties, there are 40% of respondents selected hotel ratings because they believe hotel ratings have reflects the type of hotel properties, location, services and accommodations provided in that hotel property. From the selection of the biggest influence factors that affects the market value of hotel properties, there are 54% of respondents selected hotel managements. They believe that good hotel managements have the highest potential to bring the highest satisfaction of customers needs. Thus, the sequence from the smallest influence factor to the biggest influence factor that affect the market value of hotel properties is hotel accommodations, types of hotels, hotel ratings and hotel managements. The Selection of The Best Valuation Method for The Valuation of Hotel Properties: The Condition of Hotel Property: Fully-Built Hotel Property: This is a condition where fully-built hotel properties undergo valuation process to determine the market value of those hotel properties to be transacted. There are 66% of respondents who select profit method as the best Malaysia Valuation Method while there are 52% of respondents select income approach as the best International Valuation Method because they believe that these two valuation method have included the value of profit potentiality or service potential. Based on their experience, the transaction of hotel properties mostly are built-operate transfer. There are 34% of respondents who select cost method as the best Malaysia Valuation Method while there are 46% of respondents select cost approach as the best International Valuation Method. The analysis result shows that there are transactions where the owner would like to disposal his hotel properties. However, this situation is less than built-operate-transfer. Under-Construction Hotel Property: This is a condition where under-construction hotel properties undergo valuation process to determine the market value of those hotel properties to be transacted. There are 60% of respondents who select residual method as the best Malaysia Valuation Method while there are 66% of respondents select income approach as the best International Valuation Method because they believe that these two valuation methods are used because they can justify the future profitability for those under-construction hotel properties. There are 24% of respondents who select cost method as the best Malaysia Valuation Method while there are 34% of respondents select cost approach as the best International Valuation Method. Based on their experience, there are disposal of under-construction hotel properties due to financial problem of that proposed developer. However, that situation is less. These two valuation methods are mostly used for the purpose of fire insurance. Proposed Hotel Property: This is a condition where proposed hotel developments undergo valuation process to determine the market value of those hotel properties to be transacted. There are 88% of respondents who select residual method as the best Malaysia Valuation Method while there are 94% of respondents select income approach as the best International Valuation Method because they believe that the market value of hotel properties determine by these two valuation method have considered development potential with undergo the determination of feasibility and viability of that proposed development. Chapter Two has reviewed that the valuation technique of residual method is similar to one of the valuation techniques in income approach which is named Discounted Cash Flow Technique. The prospective income generated apply in valuation process are estimated based on the principle of highest and best use through analyzing by comparable data. The Purpose of Hotel Valuation: Lending Purposed: Chapter Three has determined that valuation of hotel properties for lending purpose is required by the banks and other financial institutions for loan security, mortgages or debentures used for hotel development. The market value of charged property is determined with undergo market study and feasibility study to ascertain the level of demand of that subject property and the viability of that proposed project. The analysis result for the best Malaysia Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties on lending purpose, there are 86% of respondents selected residual method. The analysis result for the best international Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties, there are 92% of respondents selected income approach. From their opinion, these two valuation methods undergo discounted cash flow technique that the market value of hotel properties has involve development potential after the feasibility and viability of that proposed development is determined. Fire Insurance: Chapter Three has determined valuation of hotel properties for fire insurance purpose is needed for fire insurance contract and policy or renewal of fire insurance contract and new policy. The market value of subject property that determined in this valuation is the reinstatement cost for a new. It may be valued for a new policy or a renewal for that fire insurance contract. The analysis result for the best Malaysia Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties on lending purpose, there are 82% of respondents selected cost method. The analysis result for the best international Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties, there are 84% of respondents selected cost approach. From their opinion, these two valuation methods determined the market value of property by the replacement value through analyzing the cost of the land and building. They are the best valuation method to determine the property value as new. Financial Reporting: Chapter Three has determined valuation of hotel properties for financial reporting purpose requires companies show their balance sheets of the subject property held under investment or business. The market value of subject property has included the profit potentiality or service potential. The analysis result for the best Malaysia Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties on lending purpose, there are 56% of respondents selected profit method. The analysis result for the best international Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties, there are 72% of respondents selected income approach. From their opinion, these two valuation methods determined the market value of subject property is determined by multiplying the net operating income with capitalization rate from the analysis from the balance sheets. They are suitable these type of business properties which are not recently transacted such as theme park, golf course, cinema, hotel etc. Sales and Purchase: Chapter Three has determined valuation of hotel properties for sale and purchase purpose requires companies show their balance sheets of the subject property held under investment or business. The market value of subject property has included the profit potentiality or service potential. The analysis result for the best Malaysia Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties on lending purpose, there are 82% of respondents selected cost method. The analysis result for the best international Valuation Method in the valuation of hotel properties, there are 78% of respondents selected cost approach. From their opinion, these two valuation methods determined the market value of subject property is determined by multiplying the net operating income with capitalization rate from the analysis from the balance sheets. They are suitable these type of business properties which are not recently transacted such as theme park, golf course, cinema, hotel etc. Submission for Securities Commission: Compulsory Acquisition: Rating Valuation: The Business Proposal of Hotel Development: Joint-Venture: Management Contract: Corporation: The Selection of The Best International Valuation Method: The Selection of The Best Malaysia Valuation Method: The Comparison between The Best International Valuation Method and The Best Malaysia Valuation Standard:

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 56-59

CHAPTER 56 Sophie stared at Teabing a long moment and then turned to Langdon. â€Å"The Holy Grail is a person?† Langdon nodded. â€Å"A woman, in fact.† From the blank look on Sophie's face, Langdon could tell they had already lost her. He recalled having a similar reaction the first time he heard the statement. It was not until he understood the symbology behind the Grail that the feminine connection became clear. Teabing apparently had a similar thought. â€Å"Robert, perhaps this is the moment for the symbologist to clarify?† He went to a nearby end table, found a piece of paper, and laid it in front of Langdon. Langdon pulled a pen from his pocket. â€Å"Sophie, are you familiar with the modern icons for male and female?† He drew the common male symbol The Da Vinci Code The Da Vinci Code â€Å"Of course,† she said. â€Å"These,† he said quietly,† are not the original symbols for male and female. Many people incorrectly assume the male symbol is derived from a shield and spear, while the female symbol represents a mirror reflecting beauty. In fact, the symbols originated as ancient astronomical symbols for the planet-god Mars and planet-goddess Venus. The original symbols are far simpler.† Langdon drew another icon on the paper. The Da Vinci Code â€Å"This symbol is the original icon for male,†he told her. â€Å"A rudimentary phallus.† â€Å"Quite to the point,† Sophie said. â€Å"As it were,† Teabing added. Langdon went on. â€Å"This icon is formally known as the blade, and it represents aggression and manhood. In fact, this exact phallus symbol is still used today on modern military uniforms to denote rank.† â€Å"Indeed.† Teabing grinned. â€Å"The more penises you have, the higher your rank. Boys will be boys.† Langdon winced. â€Å"Moving on, the female symbol, as you might imagine, is the exact opposite.† He drew another symbol on the page. â€Å"This is called the chalice.† The Da Vinci Code Sophie glanced up, looking surprised. Langdon could see she had made the connection. â€Å"The chalice,† he said,† resembles a cup or vessel, and more important, it resembles the shape of a woman's womb. This symbol communicates femininity, womanhood, and fertility.† Langdon looked directly at her now.† Sophie, legend tells us the Holy Grail is a chalice – a cup. But the Grail's description as a chaliceis actually an allegory to protect the true nature of the Holy Grail. That is to say, the legend uses the chalice as a metaphor for something far more important.† â€Å"A woman,† Sophie said. â€Å"Exactly.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"The Grail is literally the ancient symbol for womanhood, and the Holy Grail represents the sacred feminine and the goddess, which of course has now been lost, virtually eliminated by the Church. The power of the female and her ability to produce life was once very sacred, but it posed a threat to the rise of the predominantly male Church, and so the sacred feminine was demonized and called unclean. It was man, not God, who created the concept of â€Å"original sin,† whereby Eve tasted of the apple and caused the downfall of the human race. Woman, once the sacred giver of life, was now the enemy.† â€Å"I should add,† Teabing chimed,† that this concept of woman as life-bringer was the foundation of ancient religion. Childbirth was mystical and powerful. Sadly, Christian philosophy decided to embezzle the female's creative power by ignoring biological truth and making man the Creator. Genesis tells us that Eve was created from Adam's rib. Woman became an offshoot of man. And a sinful one at that. Genesis was the beginning of the end for the goddess.† â€Å"The Grail,† Langdon said,† is symbolic of the lost goddess. When Christianity came along, the old pagan religions did not die easily. Legends of chivalric quests for the lost Grail were in fact stories of forbidden quests to find the lost sacred feminine. Knights who claimed to be† searching for the chalice† were speaking in code as a way to protect themselves from a Church that had subjugated women, banished the Goddess, burned nonbelievers, and forbidden the pagan reverence for the sacred feminine.† Sophie shook her head. â€Å"I'm sorry, when you said the Holy Grail was a person, I thought you meant it was an actual person.† â€Å"It is,† Langdon said. â€Å"And not just any person,† Teabing blurted, clambering excitedly to his feet. â€Å"A woman who carried with her a secret so powerful that, if revealed, it threatened to devastate the very foundation of Christianity!† Sophie looked overwhelmed. â€Å"Is this woman well known in history?† â€Å"Quite.† Teabing collected his crutches and motioned down the hall. â€Å"And if we adjourn to the study, my friends, it would be my honor to show you Da Vinci's painting of her.† Two rooms away, in the kitchen, manservant Remy Legaludec stood in silence before a television. The news station was broadcasting photos of a man and woman†¦ the same two individuals to whom Remy had just served tea. CHAPTER 57 Standing at the roadblock outside the Depository Bank of Zurich, Lieutenant Collet wondered what was taking Fache so long to come up with the search warrant. The bankers were obviously hiding something. They claimed Langdon and Neveu had arrived earlier and were turned away from the bank because they did not have proper account identification. So why won't they let us inside for a look? Finally, Collet's cellular phone rang. It was the command post at the Louvre. â€Å"Do we have a search warrant yet?† Collet demanded. â€Å"Forget about the bank, Lieutenant,† the agent told him. â€Å"We just got a tip. We have the exact location where Langdon and Neveu are hiding.† Collet sat down hard on the hood of his car. â€Å"You're kidding.† â€Å"I have an address in the suburbs. Somewhere near Versailles.† â€Å"Does Captain Fache know?† â€Å"Not yet. He's busy on an important call.† â€Å"I'm on my way. Have him call as soon as he's free.† Collet took down the address and jumped in his car. As he peeled away from the bank, Collet realized he had forgotten to ask who had tipped DCPJ off to Langdon's location. Not that it mattered. Collet had been blessed with a chance to redeem his skepticism and earlier blunders. He was about to make the most high-profile arrest of his career. Collet radioed the five cars accompanying him. â€Å"No sirens, men. Langdon can't know we're coming.† Forty kilometers away, a black Audi pulled off a rural road and parked in the shadows on the edge of a field. Silas got out and peered through the rungs of the wrought-iron fence that encircled the vast compound before him. He gazed up the long moonlit slope to the chateau in the distance. The downstairs lights were all ablaze. Odd for this hour, Silas thought, smiling. The information the Teacher had given him was obviously accurate. I will not leave this house without the keystone, he vowed. I will not fail the bishop and the Teacher. Checking the thirteen-round clip in his Heckler Koch, Silas pushed it through the bars and let it fall onto the mossy ground inside the compound. Then, gripping the top of the fence, he heaved himself up and over, dropping to the ground on the other side. Ignoring the slash of pain from his cilice, Silas retrieved his gun and began the long trek up the grassy slope. CHAPTER 58 Teabing's† study† was like no study Sophie had ever seen. Six or seven times larger than even the most luxurious of office spaces, the knight's cabinet de travail resembled an ungainly hybrid of science laboratory, archival library, and indoor flea market. Lit by three overhead chandeliers, the boundless tile floor was dotted with clustered islands of worktables buried beneath books, artwork, artifacts, and a surprising amount of electronic gear – computers, projectors, microscopes, copy machines, and flatbed scanners. â€Å"I converted the ballroom,† Teabing said, looking sheepish as he shuffled into the room. â€Å"I have little occasion to dance.† Sophie felt as if the entire night had become some kind of twilight zone where nothing was as she expected. â€Å"This is all for your work?† â€Å"Learning the truth has become my life's love,† Teabing said. â€Å"And the Sangreal is my favorite mistress.† The Holy Grail is a woman, Sophie thought, her mind a collage of interrelated ideas that seemed to make no sense. â€Å"You said you have a picture of this woman who you claim is the Holy Grail.† â€Å"Yes, but it is not I who claim she is the Grail. Christ Himself made that claim.† â€Å"Which one is the painting?† Sophie asked, scanning the walls.† Hmmm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Teabing made a show of seeming to have forgotten. â€Å"The Holy Grail. The Sangreal. The Chalice.† He wheeled suddenly and pointed to the far wall. On it hung an eight-foot-long print of The Last Supper, the same exact image Sophie had just been looking at. â€Å"There she is!† Sophie was certain she had missed something. â€Å"That's the same painting you just showed me.† He winked. â€Å"I know, but the enlargement is so much more exciting. Don't you think?† Sophie turned to Langdon for help. â€Å"I'm lost.† Langdon smiled. â€Å"As it turns out, the Holy Grail does indeed make an appearance in The LastSupper.Leonardo included her prominently.† â€Å"Hold on,† Sophie said. â€Å"You told me the Holy Grail is a woman.The Last Supper is a painting of thirteen men.† â€Å"Is it?† Teabing arched his eyebrows. â€Å"Take a closer look.† Uncertain, Sophie made her way closer to the painting, scanning the thirteen figures – Jesus Christ in the middle, six disciples on His left, and six on His right. â€Å"They're all men,† she confirmed. â€Å"Oh?† Teabing said. â€Å"How about the one seated in the place of honor, at the right hand of the Lord?† Sophie examined the figure to Jesus' immediate right, focusing in. As she studied the person's face and body, a wave of astonishment rose within her. The individual had flowing red hair, delicate folded hands, and the hint of a bosom. It was, without a doubt†¦ female. â€Å"That's a woman!† Sophie exclaimed. Teabing was laughing. â€Å"Surprise, surprise. Believe me, it's no mistake. Leonardo was skilled at painting the difference between the sexes.† Sophie could not take her eyes from the woman beside Christ. The Last Supper is supposed to be thirteen men.Who is this woman? Although Sophie had seen this classic image many times, she had not once noticed this glaring discrepancy. â€Å"Everyone misses it,† Teabing said. â€Å"Our preconceived notions of this scene are so powerful that our mind blocks out the incongruity and overrides our eyes.† â€Å"It's known as skitoma,†Langdon added. â€Å"The brain does it sometimes with powerful symbols.† â€Å"Another reason you might have missed the woman,† Teabing said,† is that many of the photographs in art books were taken before 1954, when the details were still hidden beneath layers of grime and several restorative repaintings done by clumsy hands in the eighteenth century. Now, at last, the fresco has been cleaned down to Da Vinci's original layer of paint.† He motioned to the photograph. â€Å"Et voila!† Sophie moved closer to the image. The woman to Jesus' right was young and pious-looking, with a demure face, beautiful red hair, and hands folded quietly. This is the woman who singlehandedly could crumble the Church? â€Å"Who is she?† Sophie asked. â€Å"That, my dear,† Teabing replied,† is Mary Magdalene.† Sophie turned. â€Å"The prostitute?† Teabing drew a short breath, as if the word had injured him personally. â€Å"Magdalene was no such thing. That unfortunate misconception is the legacy of a smear campaign launched by the early Church. The Church needed to defame Mary Magdalene in order to cover up her dangerous secret – her role as the Holy Grail.† â€Å"Her role?† â€Å"As I mentioned,† Teabing clarified,† the early Church needed to convince the world that the mortal prophet Jesus was a divine being. Therefore, any gospels that described earthly aspects of Jesus' life had to be omitted from the Bible. Unfortunately for the early editors, one particularly troubling earthly theme kept recurring in the gospels. Mary Magdalene.† He paused. â€Å"More specifically, her marriage to Jesus Christ.† â€Å"I beg your pardon?† Sophie's eyes moved to Langdon and then back to Teabing. â€Å"It's a matter of historical record,† Teabing said,† and Da Vinci was certainly aware of that fact. The Last Supper practically shouts at the viewer that Jesus and Magdalene were a pair.† Sophie glanced back to the fresco. â€Å"Notice that Jesus and Magdalene are clothed as mirror images of one another.† Teabing pointed to the two individuals in the center of the fresco. Sophie was mesmerized. Sure enough, their clothes were inverse colors. Jesus wore a red robe and blue cloak; Mary Magdalene wore a blue robe and red cloak. Yin and yang. â€Å"Venturing into the more bizarre,† Teabing said,† note that Jesus and His bride appear to be joined at the hip and are leaning away from one another as if to create this clearly delineated negative space between them.† Even before Teabing traced the contour for her, Sophie saw it – the indisputable V shape at the focal point of the painting. It was the same symbol Langdon had drawn earlier for the Grail, the chalice, and the female womb. â€Å"Finally,† Teabing said,† if you view Jesus and Magdalene as compositional elements rather than as people, you will see another obvious shape leap out at you.† He paused. â€Å"A letter of the alphabet.† Sophie saw it at once. To say the letter leapt out at her was an understatement. The letter was suddenly all Sophie could see. Glaring in the center of the painting was the unquestionable outline of an enormous, flawlessly formed letter M. â€Å"A bit too perfect for coincidence, wouldn't you say?† Teabing asked. Sophie was amazed. â€Å"Why is it there?† Teabing shrugged. â€Å"Conspiracy theorists will tell you it stands for Matrimonio or Mary Magdalene. To be honest, nobody is certain. The only certainty is that the hidden M is no mistake. Countless Grail-related works contain the hidden letter M – whether as watermarks, underpaintings, or compositional allusions. The most blatant M, of course, is emblazoned on the altar at Our Lady of Paris in London, which was designed by a former Grand Master of the Priory of Sion, Jean Cocteau.† Sophie weighed the information. â€Å"I'll admit, the hidden M's are intriguing, although I assume nobody is claiming they are proof of Jesus' marriage to Magdalene.† â€Å"No, no,† Teabing said, going to a nearby table of books. â€Å"As I said earlier, the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is part of the historical record.† He began pawing through his book collection. â€Å"Moreover, Jesus as a married man makes infinitely more sense than our standard biblical view of Jesus as a bachelor.† â€Å"Why?† Sophie asked. â€Å"Because Jesus was a Jew,† Langdon said, taking over while Teabing searched for his book,† and the social decorum during that time virtually forbid a Jewish man to be unmarried. According to Jewish custom, celibacy was condemned, and the obligation for a Jewish father was to find a suitable wife for his son. If Jesus were not married, at least one of the Bible's gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhood.† Teabing located a huge book and pulled it toward him across the table. The leather-bound edition was poster-sized, like a huge atlas. The cover read: The Gnostic Gospels.Teabing heaved it open, and Langdon and Sophie joined him. Sophie could see it contained photographs of what appeared to be magnified passages of ancient documents – tattered papyrus with handwritten text. She did not recognize the ancient language, but the facing pages bore typed translations. â€Å"These are photocopies of the Nag Hammadi and Dead Sea scrolls, which I mentioned earlier,† Teabing said. â€Å"The earliest Christian records. Troublingly, they do not match up with the gospels in the Bible.† Flipping toward the middle of the book, Teabing pointed to a passage. â€Å"The Gospel of Philip is always a good place to start.† Sophie read the passage: And the companion of the Saviour is Mary Magdalene. Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval. They said to him,† Why do you love her more than all of us?† The words surprised Sophie, and yet they hardly seemed conclusive. â€Å"It says nothing of marriage.† â€Å"Au contraire.† Teabing smiled, pointing to the first line. â€Å"As any Aramaic scholar will tell you, the word companion, in those days, literally meant spouse.† Langdon concurred with a nod. Sophie read the first line again. And the companion of the Saviour is Mary Magdalene. Teabing flipped through the book and pointed out several other passages that, to Sophie's surprise, clearly suggested Magdalene and Jesus had a romantic relationship. As she read the passages, Sophie recalled an angry priest who had banged on her grandfather's door when she was a schoolgirl. â€Å"Is this the home of Jacques Sauniere?† the priest had demanded, glaring down at young Sophie when she pulled open the door. â€Å"I want to talk to him about this editorial he wrote.† The priest held up a newspaper. Sophie summoned her grandfather, and the two men disappeared into his study and closed the door. My grandfather wrote something in the paper? Sophie immediately ran to the kitchen and flipped through that morning's paper. She found her grandfather's name on an article on the second page. She read it. Sophie didn't understand all of what was said, but it sounded like the French government, under pressure from priests, had agreed to ban an American movie called The Last Temptation of Christ, which was about Jesus having sex with a lady called Mary Magdalene. Her grandfather's article said the Church was arrogant and wrong to ban it. No wonder the priest is mad, Sophie thought. â€Å"It's pornography! Sacrilege!† the priest yelled, emerging from the study and storming to the front door. â€Å"How can you possibly endorse that! This American Martin Scorsese is a blasphemer, and the Church will permit him no pulpit in France!† The priest slammed the door on his way out. When her grandfather came into the kitchen, he saw Sophie with the paper and frowned. â€Å"You're quick.† Sophie said,† You think Jesus Christ had a girlfriend?† â€Å"No, dear, I said the Church should not be allowed to tell us what notions we can and can't entertain.† â€Å"Did Jesus have a girlfriend?† Her grandfather was silent for several moments. â€Å"Would it be so bad if He did?† Sophie considered it and then shrugged. â€Å"I wouldn't mind.† Sir Leigh Teabing was still talking. â€Å"I shan't bore you with the countless references to Jesus and Magdalene's union. That has been explored ad nauseum by modern historians. I would, however, like to point out the following.† He motioned to another passage. â€Å"This is from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.† Sophie had not known a gospel existed in Magdalene's words. She read the text: And Peter said,† Did the Saviour really speak with a woman without our knowledge? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did he prefer her to us?† And Levi answered,† Peter, you have always been hot-tempered. Now I see you contending against the woman like an adversary. If the Saviour made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Saviour knows her very well. That is why he loved her more than us.† â€Å"The woman they are speaking of,† Teabing explained,† is Mary Magdalene. Peter is jealous of her.† â€Å"Because Jesus preferred Mary?† â€Å"Not only that. The stakes were far greater than mere affection. At this point in the gospels, Jesus suspects He will soon be captured and crucified. So He gives Mary Magdalene instructions on how to carry on His Church after He is gone. As a result, Peter expresses his discontent over playing second fiddle to a woman. I daresay Peter was something of a sexist.† Sophie was trying to keep up. â€Å"This is Saint Peter. The rock on which Jesus built His Church.† â€Å"The same, except for one catch. According to these unaltered gospels, it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church. It was Mary Magdalene.† Sophie looked at him. â€Å"You're saying the Christian Church was to be carried on by a woman?† â€Å"That was the plan. Jesus was the original feminist. He intended for the future of His Church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalene.† â€Å"And Peter had a problem with that,† Langdon said, pointing to The Last Supper. â€Å"That's Peter there. You can see that Da Vinci was well aware of how Peter felt about Mary Magdalene.† Again, Sophie was speechless. In the painting, Peter was leaning menacingly toward Mary Magdalene and slicing his blade-like hand across her neck. The same threatening gesture as in Madonna of the Rocks! â€Å"And here too,† Langdon said, pointing now to the crowd of disciples near Peter. â€Å"A bit ominous, no?† Sophie squinted and saw a hand emerging from the crowd of disciples. â€Å"Is that hand wielding a dagger?† â€Å"Yes. Stranger still, if you count the arms, you'll see that this hand belongs to†¦ no one at all. It's disembodied. Anonymous.† Sophie was starting to feel overwhelmed. â€Å"I'm sorry, I still don't understand how all of this makes Mary Magdalene the Holy Grail.† â€Å"Aha!† Teabing exclaimed again. â€Å"Therein lies the rub!† He turned once more to the table and pulled out a large chart, spreading it out for her. It was an elaborate genealogy. â€Å"Few people realize that Mary Magdalene, in addition to being Christ's right hand, was a powerful woman already.† Sophie could now see the title of the family tree. THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN â€Å"Mary Magdalene is here,† Teabing said, pointing near the top of the genealogy. Sophie was surprised. â€Å"She was of the House of Benjamin?† â€Å"Indeed,† Teabing said. â€Å"Mary Magdalene was of royal descent.† â€Å"But I was under the impression Magdalene was poor.† Teabing shook his head. â€Å"Magdalene was recast as a whore in order to erase evidence of her powerful family ties.† Sophie found herself again glancing at Langdon, who again nodded. She turned back to Teabing. â€Å"But why would the early Church care if Magdalene had royal blood?† The Briton smiled. â€Å"My dear child, it was not Mary Magdalene's royal blood that concerned the Church so much as it was her consorting with Christ, who also had royal blood. As you know, the Book of Matthew tells us that Jesus was of the House of David. A descendant of King Solomon – King of the Jews. By marrying into the powerful House of Benjamin, Jesus fused two royal bloodlines, creating a potent political union with the potential of making a legitimate claim to the throne and restoring the line of kings as it was under Solomon.† Sophie sensed he was at last coming to his point. Teabing looked excited now. â€Å"The legend of the Holy Grail is a legend about royal blood. When Grail legend speaks of ‘the chalice that held the blood of Christ'†¦ it speaks, in fact, of Mary Magdalene – the female womb that carried Jesus' royal bloodline.† The words seemed to echo across the ballroom and back before they fully registered in Sophie's mind. Mary Magdalene carried the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ?† But how could Christ have a bloodline unless†¦ ?† She paused and looked at Langdon. Langdon smiled softly. â€Å"Unless they had a child.† Sophie stood transfixed.† Behold,† Teabing proclaimed,† the greatest cover-up in human history. Not only was Jesus Christ married, but He was a father. My dear, Mary Magdalene was the Holy Vessel. She was the chalice that bore the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ. She was the womb that bore the lineage, and the vine from which the sacred fruit sprang forth!† Sophie felt the hairs stand up on her arms. â€Å"But how could a secret that big be kept quiet all of these years?† â€Å"Heavens!† Teabing said. â€Å"It has been anything but quiet! The royal bloodline of Jesus Christ is the source of the most enduring legend of all time – the Holy Grail. Magdalene's story has been shouted from the rooftops for centuries in all kinds of metaphors and languages. Her story is everywhere once you open your eyes.† â€Å"And the Sangreal documents?† Sophie said. â€Å"They allegedly contain proof that Jesus had a royal bloodline?† â€Å"They do.† â€Å"So the entire Holy Grail legend is all about royal blood?† â€Å"Quite literally,† Teabing said. â€Å"The word Sangreal derives from San Greal – or Holy Grail. But in its most ancient form, the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot.† Teabing wrote on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to her. She read what he had written. Sang Real Instantly, Sophie recognized the translation. Sang Real literally meant Royal Blood. CHAPTER 59 The male receptionist in the lobby of the Opus Dei headquarters on Lexington Avenue in New York City was surprised to hear Bishop Aringarosa's voice on the line. â€Å"Good evening, sir.† â€Å"Have I had any messages?† the bishop demanded, sounding unusually anxious.† Yes, sir. I'm very glad you called in. I couldn't reach you in your apartment. You had an urgent phone message about half an hour ago.† â€Å"Yes?† He sounded relieved by the news. â€Å"Did the caller leave a name?† â€Å"No, sir, just a number.† The operator relayed the number. â€Å"Prefix thirty-three? That's France, am I right?† â€Å"Yes, sir. Paris. The caller said it was critical you contact him immediately.† â€Å"Thank you. I have been waiting for that call.† Aringarosa quickly severed the connection. As the receptionist hung up the receiver, he wondered why Aringarosa's phone connection sounded so crackly. The bishop's daily schedule showed him in New York this weekend, and yet he sounded a world away. The receptionist shrugged it off. Bishop Aringarosa had been acting very strangely the last few months. My cellular phone must not have been receiving, Aringarosa thought as the Fiat approached the exit for Rome's Ciampino Charter Airport. The Teacher was trying to reach me.Despite Aringarosa's concern at having missed the call, he felt encouraged that the Teacher felt confident enough to call Opus Dei headquarters directly. Things must have gone well in Paris tonight. As Aringarosa began dialing the number, he felt excited to know he would soon be in Paris. I'll beon the ground before dawn.Aringarosa had a chartered turbo prop awaiting him here for the short flight to France. Commercial carriers were not an option at this hour, especially considering the contents of his briefcase. The line began to ring. A female voice answered. â€Å"Direction Centrale Police Judidaire.† Aringarosa felt himself hesitate. This was unexpected. â€Å"Ah, yes†¦ I was asked to call this number?† â€Å"Qui etes-vous?† the woman said. â€Å"Your name?† Aringarosa was uncertain if he should reveal it. The French Judicial Police? â€Å"Your name, monsieur?† the woman pressed. â€Å"Bishop Manuel Aringarosa.† â€Å"Un moment.† There was a click on the line. After a long wait, another man came on, his tone gruff and concerned. â€Å"Bishop, I am glad I finally reached you. You and I have much to discuss.†

Antibiotics resistant superbugs Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Once an antibiotic is induced in the system, it creates an environment that is not conducive for bacteria. However, the conditions created by induction of antibiotic does not inhibit existence of bacteria that are resistant. Once the resistant bacteria are left, there is likely to be spread of resistance gene throughout the system especially to the daughter cells. Due to the adopted resistance levels, the antibiotics become ineffective in the particular system that has become resistant. This then necessitates development of new antibiotics that can be able to destroy the bacteria despite their resistive state. Resistant genes have been in existence for a long time a fact that can arguably be attributed to ability to mutate. Natural mutations may arguably be considered to cause only low levels of gene resistance prevalence. This implies that antibiotic resistance mostly emanates from continued use of antibiotic medication. However, antibiotic resistance cases have increased in the recent with increased antibiotic use. For example, a report showed that the number of antibiotic resistant infections rose to 300,000 cases in 2005, which is almost doubles the number of cases in 2000, and that there were hardly any cases before 2000 (The Observatory, 2008, p. 1). We will write a custom essay sample on Antibiotics resistant superbugs or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now This implies that continued use of antibiotics is a leading factor to creating resistance. Creation of new antibiotics to deal with the problem of resistance is therefore imminent. However, creating new antibiotics that are effective in resistant environments and at the same time meet the required threshold for antibiotics, is still a great challenge. This can be attributed to the fact that creation of effective antibiotics is heavily dependent on high costs and require relatively long periods of time to create. However, in some cases the need to create new antibiotics in under the constraints of time limit therefore making it even harder to make the best antibiotics. Additionally, creating new antibiotics requires time to study the new forms of resistance gene in order to create an effective antibiotic that is effective even in resistant environments. Therefore, the increasing cases of antibiotic resistance pose a great threat to the health sector. With increased spread of health care centers that mainly deal with issuance of medication, the problem of antibiotic resistance has further burgeoned. For example, in some area sale of drugs over the counter without prescription is not discouraged or disallowed hence facilitating excessive use of drugs.

A Dolls House and The Glass Menagerie - 1137 Words

There is a common struggle between the call of duty and the desire to live one’s life in the two plays â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen and â€Å"The Glass Menagerie† by Tennessee Williams. Nora, from â€Å"A Doll’s House† didn’t realize her desire to live her own life until the end of the play and she dealt with the struggle by convincing herself that she was unfit to be a mother and a wife. Tom, from â€Å"The Glass Menagerie† always struggled between his responsibility to his family and his desire to be a merchant marine. Both Nora and Tom were trapped by the circumstances of life and needed to get out. Other characters struggled as well, and we can see this through character traits and flaws, abandonment, and character transformations.†¦show more content†¦Torvald was ill and the only thing that could save him would be time spent away from the cold. Nora never tells Torvald about this loan because he does n’t believe in borrowing. Toward the end of the play when Torvald finds out about the loan, his true colors come out and Nora finally gets to see what her husband is really like. This is what really causes Nora to leave her family and to try to find who she really is. This situation also causes Torvald to change a little as well. Near the end when Torvald finds out about the loan, he gets angry with Nora. Once he learns that she is going to leave him and the children, he begins to change his ways a little and starts treating her with a little more respect. He hopes this will make Nora stay, but she already has her mind set and finally has control for once in her life. Along with the character transformation in â€Å"A Doll’s House†, Tom, from â€Å"The Glass Menagerie†, also goes through some character changes. Throughout the entire play, Tom was working in a warehouse trying to support his family. While working there, he was struggling with his dreams of becoming a merchant marine. Towards the end of the play, when Tom introduces his friend Jim O’Connor to his sister Laura, his mother hopes that this could be a man that Laura could settle down with and someday marry. When Amanda finds out that Jim is already engaged, she blames Tom. She is furious that Tom brought a gentleman caller overShow MoreRelatedThe Doll s House By Henry Ibsen And The Glass Menagerie1101 Words   |  5 PagesSujin Oh Prof. JAMES WERNER ENG 102 11-15-2015 Paper 2 According to â€Å"The doll’s house† by Henry Ibsen and the â€Å"Glass Menagerie† by Tennessee Williams, women are portrayed as very resilient characters capable of overcoming adversity, both plays tell strong stories about feminism. Literally, Feminism is the advocacy of women’s right on the ground of social, political and economic equality to men. Henry Ibsen sets up the female main character, Nora, as a wife. However, unlike Henry Ibsen, TennesseeRead MoreSimilarities Between The Glass Menagerie And A Dolls House1334 Words   |  6 Pages2081). Realism is shown throughout the two following plays. The Glass Menagerie is a play written by Tennessee Williams, and it was published in the year of 1945. The play being compared is A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen it was published in the year of 1879. In A Glass Menagerie realism is shown through the fact that Tom’s family is struggling with money. Tom can be seen as the protagonist of th e story. Similarly, in A Doll’s House Nora’s family was struggling with money up until this year.Read MoreThe Concincing Character Develpoment in Nora Helmer of A Doll’s House and Laura Wingfield of The Glass Menagerie 757 Words   |  4 Pages Tennessee Williams and Henrik Ibsen both beautifully illustrate their characters in their plays. Although characters Nora Helmer of A Doll’s House and Laura Wingfield of The Glass Menagerie are incredibly different, the authors used very similar techniques of creating them as convincing characters. Nora and Laura both undergo convincing character development with specific motivations behind their actions. Williams and Ibsen also use direct and indirect characterization to further develop Nora andRead More Drama: Alive And Well Essay1244 Words   |  5 Pagesreal people, but they can be important interpretations of real-life situations by creative authors. Everyman is a good example of this. And it still applies t oday, even though it was written in 1485. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;quot;The Doll’s Housequot; (1879) by Henrick Ibsen portrays the life of Nora Helmer. I’m sure many people could relate to this character. Nora did not have any sense of who she really was because she had followed her father and her husband all of her life. She was likeRead MoreA Doll s House, And Tom946 Words   |  4 PagesNora, in A Doll’s House, and Tom, in The Glass Menagerie, are similar protagonists yet have very different characteristics. Both of them left their family that destroyed the family in some way in turn acting very selfishly, yet Tom has done worse in his circumstances because Amanda and Laura were dependant on him. Nora was a doll wife. She was coddled by her husband Torvald and realised she was really a doll at the end. She showed signs of really wanting to rebel by doing small acts of eating macaroonsRead MoreEssay Prompts4057 Words   |  17 Pageson the Floss The Awakening Moby-Dick Billy Budd Mrs. Dalloway Bleak House Native Son Bless Me,Ultima One Hundred Years of Solitude Catch-22 Othello Crime and Punishment The Scarlet Letter The Crucible Slaughterhouse-Five A Farewell to Arms Song of Solomon Ghosts The Stone Angel The Great Gatsby The Stranger Heart of Darkness A Tale of Two Cities The House of Mirth Their Eyes Were Watching God Jude the Obscure 2003 (Form A): According