tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37991366037713566822024-02-19T08:15:19.738-08:00Call me......ErinThe High School dropout's approach to college...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-51444795028050700722014-07-29T10:00:00.000-07:002014-09-06T15:56:43.946-07:00Peru Study Abroad 2014: April 28th, Day 1 (Provo-Lima)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The three hours to our first layover in Atlanta weren't that bad. With all of my kids (ok, so they are all adults and all older than me...somehow I still feel responsible...don't ask) safely aboard and everything that I was going to bring with me, I managed to calm down enough to sleep/read most of the way. Stay tuned for a book review of "To All the Boys I Ever Loved". (Yes, teenage romance is a guilty pleasure of mine...it just gets so much more complicated after you grow up.)<br />
<br />
Atlanta is a great city! Or at least it looks that way from the inside of their airport...<br />
<br />
For lunch I opted to have some Chipotle, because this girl loves Mexican-American food the most and for some reason I thought it might be a little hard to come by in Peru...<br />
<br />
Around FIVE we all piled into the enormous airplane that would carry us down south. Unfortunately we weren't paying to fly first class so our flight was accompanied by a pungent smell coming from just behind us in the back of the plane/latrine area. (I think the stewardess apologized at least three times in the first hour as she ran around trying to do just about anything to fix/mask the problem.) In all of my international flying experience I think that I enjoyed this one the most. Erika has the amazing ability to curl up into a tiny ball in the seat next to you...meaning you can spread out a little more. Thanks girl! However, I think that the pilot may have been bored because he decided to frequently interrupt any movie/music listening with announcements about how we may, or may not, encounter some amount of turbulence. Despite that I watched "The Book Thief" (I may eventually write a post about that...but after I read the book, so don't hold your breath.) which was most excellent, and then thought about sleeping but instead that Thor (round 2) was a much better way to spend my time. ( At this point I had just turned 21 and was, therefore, full of excellent decision making skills.)<br />
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We got into Lima about ELEVEN and we were all checked into our next flight around MIDNIGHT. Yes, you did just read that right. Less than an hour after landing we were already preparing for our next flight.<br />
<br />
Tune in Thursday for how our airport adventures and third flight in 24 hours went....<br />
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Serial Daterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505781051602955861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-79418439830044367412014-07-27T22:09:00.000-07:002014-07-27T22:09:46.748-07:00Peru Study Abroad: May 5, Day 8 (Cusco)Serial Daterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505781051602955861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-10672550444864295992014-05-10T10:00:00.000-07:002014-05-10T10:00:00.570-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...Listen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Scripture: <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/8?lang=eng">Moses 8:23</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As general conference
time rolls around once again I think it is interesting to hear how everyone
reacts to the “holiday” weekend. The most vocal people, at least around BYU
campus, are those who generally say things like
“OH-MY-GOSH-IT’S-CONFERENCE-WEEKEND-AGAIN!!!!!
I-CAN’T-WAIT-TO-HEAR-WHAT-ELDER-(FILL-IN-THE-BLANK)-HAS-TO-SAY!!!!” Sometimes
however, if you are paying attention, you can detect a slight undercurrent of
those who really just wish that the brethren would come up with some new
material. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a>I can imagine that this is how a majority of the people in Noah’s
time felt. Moses 8 records that on at least three separate occasions Noah went
out among the people and called them to repentance, to which they all responded
with death threats/attempts (naturally). <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/mormonads/prophets-and-revelation/mormonad-a-prophets-voice-1118413-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/mormonads/prophets-and-revelation/mormonad-a-prophets-voice-1118413-gallery.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://lds.org/">lds.org</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During just my short life time there
have been more than three occasions when the general authorities during
conference have called the church to repentance and exhorted them to become
better people. For the most part those listening to conference do not respond
with death threats, but are we responding by spiritually killing ourselves? Do
we think “Oh, I’ve heard this before and I am doing the best I can, so will
they please talk about something more achievable?” All this without actually
taking the opportunity to reexamine ourselves and our lives to determine if a)
we really are doing the best we can or 2) our attitude about conference can tell
us anything about where we are headed in life? I think we all know all of the
basic reasons that the essential truths of the doctrine are repeated to us, and
we repeat them to each other, frequently. The one thing I have to say on the
topic is, maybe instead of starting off with “oh, I’ve heard this before…” we
think of it as something brand new. You are human, you like new and shiny
things, try it. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-16603251697985383342014-05-03T10:00:00.000-07:002014-05-03T10:00:05.127-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...Journals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Scripture:
<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/6?lang=eng">Moses 6:5</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Usually
when we hear about writing in journals teachers in the Church refer to the
words of modern prophets to encourage class members. However, I think it is
instructive to look at the number of times in ancient scriptures that peoples
have been commanded to either keep a record or refer to a record kept by
someone else that they now have. Adam’s book of remembrance as referred to in
Moses 6 is the earliest example of a record that we have. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/mormonads/family-and-family-history/mormonad-choose-to-write-1118436-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/mormonads/family-and-family-history/mormonad-choose-to-write-1118436-gallery.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://lds.org/">lds.org</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Adam’s book, or the book started by Adam, recorded mostly the words of God spoken to man. We can
see how this might be important because the Church was brand new at this point
so really everything they learned would be extremely important for anyone that
followed, that sought to follow the words of God. <span id="goog_1102950305"></span><span id="goog_1102950306"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>The scriptures, which not
only are themselves a record, also record specific incidences of people being
commanded to begin writing their own book. This pattern even continued into
this the last dispensation, with the entire Doctrine and Covenants coming from
records kept by Joseph Smith and other Apostles and Prophets. So why then might
we assume that we should not keep records ourselves? Some may believe that the
words that they have to write are not as important as the Prophets and
Apostles. But when it comes to helping your own family, which should be our
focus, how can your words not be important in sharing your testimony and giving
those who follow the courage to make it through their own trials? How can you
assume that NONE of the lessons you have learned in life ought to be passed on?
I am not saying that we all have to share everything that is in our personal
journals, certainly those pages contain the secrets that we have no desire to
share. But they also contain truths, truths about ourselves, growing up, and
the gospel that we can share to help inspire others. Is it not selfish to keep
those to ourselves?<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-73984696494484122922014-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-26T10:00:00.435-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...Who is God?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Scripture:<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/5?lang=eng"> Moses 5:16</a><br />
<br />
Who is God? That is the question that Cain asked, immediately before deciding that serving Satan/himself was the better option. If we ignore the fact that Cain had parents who had literally walked and talked with God, then there are lots of people in the world today who ask this same question. Fundamentally they are all seeking a direct connection with God. Which I actually believe is a really good thing, because so much of my own belief comes from my direct connection with God. <br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, I have met a number of people who, like Cain, go about it in all of the wrong ways. There are numerous ways to go about developing a personal connection with God that can all be described as “wrong”. Mostly those ways involve things like “loving Satan [/yourself]” more than God, as opposed to correct methods which involve things that are more like prayer.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/gospel-art/church-history/the-first-vision-82823-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/gospel-art/church-history/the-first-vision-82823-gallery.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://lds.org/">lds.org</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">
There are lots of places to find God, but only one way to develop an actual deep relationship with God. You have to talk with HIM. It is incredibly hard to develop a relationship with someone that you never talk, never spend time with, and never try to get to know in a personal way. The hardest possible way to get to know God would be to seek after self and Satan. But far too often we let ourselves and others get in the way, we come up with lots of feeble reasons to not. We tell ourselves that we cannot know God, and that it is an impossible endeavor to try and know him. But the one thing that we have to keep in mind is that HE always wants to know US. He is doing everything in his power to convince us that we should also reach out to Him, his love, and the power of his Atonement. <br />
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-34629055265175188482014-04-22T10:00:00.001-07:002014-04-22T10:00:00.252-07:00The One with 28 sources and 3000 words... (not a joke)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
By virtue of the more than ninety per cent of shared deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) every human being has something in common with every other human being on Earth. An in-depth look at humans, however, proves similarities and differences beyond the genetic code. People everywhere have, or desire, strong familial bonds, recognize differences in the genders, and journey through life searching for a fulfilling life. These similarities manifest cross-culturally because they all relate to how we define ourselves. Despite the similarities all people have one major difference, culture. Everyone has a culture, but each culture leads to differences between people of one culture and another. These types of differences include what motivates a person, how they see others, and how they view themselves. Through different cultures similarities become differences. Therefore, while all people may see the importance of strong family/marital bonds, they may have different motivations for choosing a mate, while all people may see others as having some value, what makes a person beautiful or respectable can differ drastically and each depends on culture. With all of these differences there are those who want to divide, divide, and divide again until each person is in their own box all alone. But, for me, we are not people when alone. It is only when we come together and seek to understand, and embrace, each other for similarities and differences alike, that we find our humanity. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /> Humanity, what it means to be human, depends on the commonalities that bind us together. People everywhere have, or desire, strong familial bonds. In his work A Short Introduction to Anthropology David Crandall notes that “family” fills a wide range of definitions around the world, but everywhere people group themselves in units that are considered the basis of their society. [1] For the most part these “families” depend on consanguinity and affinity, or blood and marriage, although groups of unrelated people have been known to gather and form bonds, because the yearning for family relationships is so strong. [1] In Iraq, families seem to depend more blood than marriage, for when Elizabeth Fernea travelled to El Nahra, everyone considered it a great trial that she was so far from her blood family despite the fact that she was married. [2] Fernea reports that among the Iraqi, “loneliness was one of the greatest of misfortunes, for it meant that your family had deserted you, and you had no one sufficiently concerned for your welfare to stay with you.” [2] Similarly Americans feel a connection to family members by blood and marriage, and seek to strengthen these relationships through communication. [3] American parents feel the need to guide, instruct, and reprimand their children throughout their whole lives because they care about them, and want them to have the best life possible. [3] Across the world in Africa Himba families feel so strongly connected to each other that they often live in close proximity to each other. [4] In the Himba world families work together to ensure the continuation of the family unit. [4] In other areas around the world families have changed how they grow crops, to help ensure the continuation of their families. These farmers employ “no-till” methods to prevent the soil from eroding away, and thereby ensuring that their families can continue to work the land. [5] These examples from various cultures throughout the world, show a common theme: the importance of family. No matter who you are in the world, you have someone you consider “family” and that relationship has an especially strong place in your life. But even for those not considered “family”, universally people, more or less, recognize that each person has potential and the right to a fulfilling life. <br /> People everywhere have the right to a fulfilling life, and have the potential to be contributing members of society. Recognizing these truths is a similarity binds that every culture across the globe, and these truths manifest themselves in a variety of situations and circumstances. The most easily recognized manifestation is the right to life, and attempts to preserve the life of others. In two of Reader’s Digest “Everyday Hero” reports ordinary people step up to help save the lives of others. In one “Trapped on the Tracks” a few citizens band together to move a car stuck on railroad tracks in the face of an oncoming train. [6] In another “Slasher Attack” a man intervenes in the attack of a co-worker, despite the obvious threat to his own life by the attacker. [7] One night as Judith Schmidt got into her car to drive home an attacker forced her into her car at knife point and attempted to take off. [7] However, Schmidt’s co-worker Ted Lidgett happened to be nearby and intervened to save her, even while his own life was threatened. [7] In these two instances the common bond of the right to life manifests itself in the attempt to preserve the life of another. A further manifestation of this right to life is in the cry for universal healthcare found all over the world. The film “Sick around the World” takes a look at five specific cultures, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, and Switzerland, which manifest their common desire for a fulfilling life through providing healthcare to all citizens. [8] For those in Russia however, one manifestation of the desire for a fulfilling life came through the push for access to The Beatles music. During the time of The Beatles, youth in the West had free access to their music, however, behind the Iron Curtain youths had to smuggle in and illegally distribute copies of The Beatles. [9] Because the youth of the Soviet Union had the universal desire to live a happy life, they worked hard to gain access to this small joy, which later led to the downfall of the Iron Curtain and access to many of the greater joys of the western world. [9] A further manifestation of the right to life is seen in the work done by many to give the power access to the tools they need to pull themselves out of poverty and enjoy the riches of the world. Hernando de Soto has spent his life helping various cultures recognize this manifestation. [10] Particularly he has helped the Peruvian government to cut down on the money and time involved for small business owners to become legally recognized and enjoy the benefits thereof. [10] From these examples it is clear that across all cultures people recognize the need to have a fulfilling life. All cultures however, also recognize that “fulfilling” has different meanings, particularly for men and women. <br /> Crandall’s book on anthropology indicates that all cultures recognize at least two, and sometimes a third, gender with specific roles and places in societies. [11] He notes that although these roles can vary from culture to culture, the sexes are never-the-less recognized as distinctly different and having different life goals or finding fulfillment in different places. [11] For men in the Ilongot society part of a fulfilling life involves completing the ritual of headhunting, or taking the head of a man from another tribe. [12] For men and women in China, the definition of “fulfilling” is changing for each gender. However, most women continue to seek a fulfilling life in the home with their families, while men seek a fulfilling life by succeeding the business world. [13] The changes to the definition of “fulfilling” are slow to come however, because those who are still seeking fulfillment are not entirely in control of the definition. Many anthropologists agree that cultural ideals, about “fulfilling” lives, mainly come from those in charge. [14] In this case it is the parents and other older people, because the young people look to them to see what made them happy in life. [13] However, anthropologists have also noted that ideas, about fulfillment, can change over time even when these ideas previously seemed absolutely and irrevocably true. [15] Therefore, in recognizing the universal need for a fulfilling life, all people also recognize that these ideas are slowly changing as are their specific associations with gender. <br />These three commonalities family, a fulfilling life, and gender roles all have one constant that makes them universal similarities. Each commonality links directly to how we see ourselves. Within the bounds of a family a person finds part of a definition of self, the people we relate to help us find our place in the world. Finding our place is also key part of living a fulfilling life. Each person’s idea of having a fulfilling life links directly to their sense of self, the kind of life you want speaks to the kind of person you are. Most directly the kind of person you are is linked to your gender which then leads your idea of a fulfilling life. Despite the common goal we all share of searching for a sense of self, and the further similar life experiences of family, gender, and fulfillment, culture always brings up the differences. The types of differences that arise in culture include: motivations, how we see others, and most importantly how we see ourselves. <br /> One of the types of differences that arises through culture is that of motivation. A specific manifestation of differing motivations involves the motivation in choosing a mate. Even though the desire to form family bonds is universal, the motivation behind those bonds, particularly marital bonds, usually differs based on culture. In the Iraqi culture a man can marry up to four times, and often times the motivation to do so is economic. [2] In these cases the other wife/wives have too much household work and need the added help. [2] In Japan marriages are usually arranged, meaning that the couples often do not know, much less love, each other when they marry. [16] One woman recalls that “there was never an love between me and my husband” and “[I live] for my kids, and for my family, and for society”. [16] Here the motivation is more tradition and the need for offspring to continue the society. [16] Among the Himba motivation again varies as they usually marry to continue their family lines. [4] With the Himba however, love is also an important factor. [4] These differences in motivation arise because of the different cultures. Each culture teaches a different reason to marry, economy, offspring, love, or even a mixture of all three, and thus men and women find different motivations to marry and stay together. Culture also teaches how we see others. <br /> As seen earlier it is universally accepted that every person has a right to life. However, how we see others, in terms of beauty and economic standing or leadership, can vary depending on culture. In western cultures the emphasis placed on “skinny” as the equivalent of beauty, is well documented. However, there are other cultures that take an opposing view. Among some African tribes fat is seen as the equivalent of beauty. [17] Nigerians send their young women to special rooms where they only eat food in order gain weight and become more beautiful. [17] Still other cultures, such as the Iraqis, believe that a beautiful woman is one who keeps herself hidden from the world. [2] A person’s worth however is more than beauty, it also has to do with their economic standing. Jared Diamond argues that farming has brought about differences in economic standing. [18] With the advent of farming some people began to have more free time and they developed specialized talents that then led to stratification and division. [19] This stratification led to people with clear power over others, whether given or taken. In some cases specialization means political leaders. However, the amount of respect people have for a leader depends on how they were placed in charge and their personality. [20] Particularly for prison wardens, as noted by one commandant of Auschwitz, some are evil minded and terrorize prisoners, some are totally indifferent but still inflict harm through their neglect, while the last group is somewhat friendly and feels for the plight of their prisoners. [20] All of these different leadership styles, while based partially in personality, come from different cultures or ways of thinking as taught by society. A broader look at leadership style differences come from various cultures throughout the world. For instance tribal societies have leaders based on linage, but the position on inherits respect according to cultural customs. [21] This is contrasted with a state system where the leaders are more or less chosen by the people for their leadership qualities. [21] In all of these various cases the amount of respect people have for a leader, and the extent to which the leader is able to enforce his decisions, comes from what their culture dictates is important, the qualities of the leader himself, the position he has/inherited, or some other factor. Closely related to the worth we give to others is the worth we give to ourselves. While self-worth is related to ideas of beauty and societal standing, another aspect relates to fulfillment, and that is the source of our income. <br /> Generally people associate certain sources of income with more or less worth, particularly self-worth. However, which positions hold more worth vary drastically with culture. For example, in Edwardian England manor lords, who gained income from their vast estates, held high economic positions particularly over those that served in their houses as servants. [22] Even in American culture today certain positions are worth more than others. The mechanization of food production means that less than 2% of the population is responsible for feeding everyone. [23] However, this specialized group must rely one knowing their value to society with in themselves, because their place is often lost to the end user. [23] A group that was once also a fringe group, only knowing their value to society among themselves, is the nerds of the world. [24] This group began to change cultural perceptions of their place in society as they brought technology into the everyday lives of everyone else. [24] The value, and self-worth, placed on holding any one of these positions depends on one’s culture. In modern America nerds have a high place, however, in Edwardian England value depended more on money and land than strictly education and specialized knowledge. Max Weber substantiates the claim that this difference comes from culture. [25] Weber noted that differences in culture, particularly how religion views wealth, heavily influence how much people want wealth and therefore how much value they give to those who have already gained it. [25] Here the difference is clear: cultural values. <br /> A thorough look at all of the types of differences found among peoples of the world: motivation, beauty, and worth, reveals one constant. The only constant is culture. Every single one of the differences described previously arises because of different cultural values. But how do different cultures arise? Using Crandall’s definition, culture is “a learned set of ideas and behaviors acquired by person as members of society”. [26] Crandall later asserts that because we use these ideas to navigate through life we must be mostly sure of their “correctness”. [27] In another work Crandall states that we determine the “correctness” of our ideas “through an experience in which the knowledge is deemed to be universal and timeless”. [28] We then also base the “rightness” of some aspect of our lives off of these cultural ideas. [27] For example, among Americans the “right” idea of beauty is skinniness, while among Nigerians the “right” idea of beauty is fat. Therefore, different cultures began because one person determined one school of thought to be more “right” than another, and various cultures have perpetuated because successive generations continue to find them “right” despite obvious differences with other cultures. The similarities found in cultures also trace back to this sense of “rightness”. We want ourselves to fit into our world view and therefore we seek to define ourselves through common elements such as family, gender, and fulfillment. Our individual cultures then dictate what “right” feels like in each of those areas. It is this “rightness” that is most important. <br /> In fact to most people “rightness” comes above all else. In fact written into a simple acronym: We Are Right, it explains every single conflict in all of human history. Christians believed they we “right” to invade the Holy Land, Hitler believed he was “right” to conquer the world, and America believed it was “right” to invade Iraq and attempt to police the world. “Rightness” usually points out cultural differences and holds them against another group of people as some great evil, instead simply a different way of thinking about the world. Unfortunately as human beings our concept of “right” usually only allows for one way of thinking, so that despite all of the commonalities of our human experience, our common yearning for familial relationships and a fulfilling life, we focus on the differences. While I can see the importance of having relationships with people who have the same cultural values, these relationships provide assurance and solidarity, I think that the more valuable relationships we can have are with those that do not have the same cultural values. It is from these people that we learn to look at the world differently, learn that different is not the equivalent of wrong, and maybe, just maybe learn enough to take a deep at our previously held “truths” and reevaluate them for actual truth. Differences between people divide, and even within cultures idiosyncrasies can divide, divide, and divide people again, until the only person in your cultural “box” is yourself. However, it is through reaching out and across the divisions that we find similarities, commonalities and our humanity. We cannot be human alone.<br /><br /> <br />Works Cited<br /><br />[1] D. Crandall, "Chapter 4: Kinship, Descent & Marriage," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Birgham Young University, 2008, pp. 41-54.<br />[2] E. W. Fernea, Guests of the Sheik: An Ethnography of an Iraqi Village, New York: Anchor Books, 1965. <br />[3] D. Tannen, ""I Can't Even Open My Mouth" Separating Messaes from Metamessages in Family Talk," in I only Say This Because I Love You, Random House, Inc., 2001, pp. 3-28.<br />[4] D. Crandall, The Place of Stunted Ironwood Trees, New York: Continuum International Publishing Group Inc, 2000. <br />[5] D. H. John Reganold, "No-Till: How Farmers Are Saving the Soil by Parking Their Plows," Scientific American , 30 June 2008. <br />[6] "Trapped on the Tracks," Reader's Digest, 2008. <br />[7] L. Rosellini, "Slasher Attack," Reader's Digest, 2008. <br />[8] T. Reid, Director, Sick Around the World. [Film]. United States of America: Public Broadcasting Company, 2008. <br />[9] L. Woodhead, Director, How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin. [Film]. United States of America: Public Broadcasting Company, 2009. <br />[10] H. d. Soto, Director, Power of the Poor. [Film]. United States of America: Public Broadcasting Station, 2008. <br />[11] D. Crandall, "Chapter 5: Sex, Gender, & The Person," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 55-62.<br />[12] "Headhunting," 2008. <br />[13] S. Williams, Director, Young and Restless in China. [Film]. United States of America: Ambrica Productions, 2008. <br />[14] D. Crandall, "Chapter 2: Current Anthropological Theory," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 19-33.<br />[15] D. Crandall, "Chapter 3: Doing Anthropology: How Academic "Truth" is Created," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 34-40.<br />[16] N. D. Kristof, "Who Needs Love! In Japan, Many Couples Don't," New York Times, pp. 114-116, 11 February 1996. <br />[17] A. M. Simmons, "Where Fat is a Mark of Beauty," Los Angeles Times, pp. 129-130, 30 September 1998. <br />[18] J. Diamond, "The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race," Discover Magazine, pp. 1-6, 1987. <br />[19] J. Diamond, Director, Guns, Germs, and Steel. [Film]. United States of America: Lion Television, 2008. <br />[20] R. Hoess, in Commandant of Auschwitz, Cleveland and New York, The World Publishing Company, pp. 76-175.<br />[21] D. Crandall, "Chapter 6: Politics: Keeping the Order," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 63-72.<br />[22] The Manor House. [Film]. United States of America: Public Broadcasting Company, 2008. <br />[23] J. S. S. S. Nic Young, Director, America Revealed: The Food Machine. [Film]. United States of America: Lion Television, 2008. <br />[24] P. Sen, Director, Triumph of the Nerds. [Film]. United States : Oregon Public Broadcasting, 1996. <br />[25] D. Crandall, "Chapter 7: Making a Living: Economics & Life," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 73-87.<br />[26] D. Crandall, "Chapter 1: A Brief history of Anthropological Thought," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 3-18.<br />[27] D. Crandall, "Chapter 8: Humans & Ideas: Making Worlds Out of "Nothing"," in A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo, Brigham Young University, 2008, pp. 88-103.<br />[28] D. Crandall, "Knowing Human Moral Knowledge to be True: An Essay on Intellectual Conviction," Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. 10, pp. 307-326, 2004. <br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-26136735625627924442014-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:002014-05-26T23:47:42.226-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 11: Day 15 (Lima to Home)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few hours and one plane ride later meant that we all had finally arrived at the place this grand adventure started in...Salt Lake City.<br />
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So while we all gathered our luggage and each others, we had become serious experts at spotting everyone's bags quickly, and said our good byes we talked about the rest of the adventures that awaited us. </div>
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For some jobs and internships...</div>
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for others more school...</div>
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and for me: four flights, two weddings, and an awesome summer were just around the corner. </div>
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We will all be connected through the wonderful two weeks we spent changing the lives of those in Peru, and letting them change ours. </div>
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Thankfully I had the opportunity to return again one year later. </div>
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Stay tuned for those adventures!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-20131155406928307822014-04-19T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-19T10:00:00.082-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...choices...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Scripture: <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/4?lang=eng">Moses 4:3</a><br />
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Probably the longest lasting war is over the right for people to choose. The first recorded battle occurred a long, long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away…) when a parent gave his children the freedom to choose and a third of them turned their back on the advice of their parents, choosing what they wanted, probably despite knowing the permanence of that choice. Ever since then children have been disappointing their parents, making choices they know their parents won’t approve of all in the name of “figuring out who they are”. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/mormonads/agency-and-accountability/mormonad-choose-1118398-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/mormonads/agency-and-accountability/mormonad-choose-1118398-gallery.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mormonad from <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormonad-choose-1118398?category=mormonads/agency-and-accountability&lang=eng">lds.org</a></td></tr>
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Accordingly, parents have attempted to restrict their children’s choices until the only choice is the one their parent sees as the best, or “right” one. In all of our battling however, between kids doing what they want and parents trying to coerce them into becoming a certain kind of person, we sometimes forget the most important message of that first battle, “we each have the God given right to choose”. In that first battle God decided to let a full third of his children walk away to eternal damnation because to force them to stay, or to give into the plan they wanted so that they would willingly stay, would involve taking away agency, or the right to choose, from part or all of his children. <br />
So that’s how important all of your choices are. God let a full third of his children walk away from the chance of ever living with him, so that you could have the right and ability to choose between that blue or red shirt, this major or that, eternal salvation or eternal damnation. Ok, so maybe all of your choices don’t carry quite the same amount of weight, but many of them should probably carry more than we give them. These are the choices that we make every day to follow the straight and narrow path to the utmost of our ability, to do everything we can to become the person we want to be, or to not. I’m not saying be perfect I am saying be conscious of trying. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-1202321955877362472014-04-17T10:00:00.000-07:002014-05-25T21:57:16.236-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 10: Day 14 (Puno to Lima)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our last full day in Peru found everyone hurriedly packing for the long trip home and all of our stops in between.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/church/temples/lima-peru/images/lima-peru-450x480-0001583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/church/temples/lima-peru/images/lima-peru-450x480-0001583.jpg" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The LDS Lima, Peru temple. Photo from lds.org. </td></tr>
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The first stop was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arequipa">Arequipa</a>. About an hour by bus outside of Puno, this is the nearest city to Puno featuring an airport that could get us back to Lima. An hour or so through the air and we arrived. After gathering all of our things together we loaded into a bus and headed for the<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/temples/lima-peru?lang=eng"> Lima, Peru temple</a>.<br />
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As I have mentioned once or twice previously one of the things that I love about being LDS is the ability to find members of the church in all corners of the world. In many countries this includes the ability to visit the temple. <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/temples/why-we-build-temples?lang=eng">To learn more about LDS temples look here</a>.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCClfITMGghBKFHNFSld8-0zYZHGkdIKw2QNzIJr6x_VkwFe8Ty-PSkCYQIuuIMuoPUaR0MgwsYWi6W40Wkw274bo9R5rvmGIIf43F4NP0qJNzUz-eYcqIlWWzDwzFXSZ87K8WY030mhvA/s1600/Whole+Group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCClfITMGghBKFHNFSld8-0zYZHGkdIKw2QNzIJr6x_VkwFe8Ty-PSkCYQIuuIMuoPUaR0MgwsYWi6W40Wkw274bo9R5rvmGIIf43F4NP0qJNzUz-eYcqIlWWzDwzFXSZ87K8WY030mhvA/s1600/Whole+Group.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final group pic in front of the temple. </td></tr>
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We all had a great time and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.<br />
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After visiting the temple we walked down the street to a nearby Brazilian buffet/steakhouse. A couple hours later we had all stuffed ourselves full of the last good food we would have for a while. Because let's face it airplane food is about the worst kind of food ever invented and even airport food isn't that great when you have to pay a million dollars for it. So in something of a food coma we all headed to the airport for our midnight flight out of the country.<br />
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As always getting twenty or so people all the way through check-in, security, and immigration was a total breeze and we didn't stand in any enormous lines that felt like they were moving at snail pace...like at all. Then of course once we were about to board we had the pleasure of going through extra security because...'Merica...or something like that.<br />
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We had an awesome flight back that featured "dinner" at midnight and then a snack about an hour before we landed back in Houston. There are many great things about America, but one of the best when it is seven in the morning and you've just gotten back from a two week international trip is that the nice people at immigration speak English. Surely there can't be anything greater than being able to talk to more than the same twenty people you've been talking with for the last couple of weeks.<br />
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You would think that this would be the end of the adventure...and you would be wrong. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-5956367430303788402014-04-16T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-25T06:06:17.177-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: The Miracle of the Video Camera (Puno)Of all of the amazing an miraculous adventures that happened on this trip, I personally think this is the most miraculous. I don't know if it is the eleventh hour nature of the story, or the number of times it would have been easier to give up, or the number of "coincidence". But here it is for you to decide...<br />
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Most of the time when you are travelling and lose something you give it up as lost. Particularly when you are in a foreign country. Particularly when you are in a third world country. Particularly when the thing you lost was a $70 video camera. Almost everyone would tell you to just give it up for lost. But for some reason Porter, Rydge,and Nelson are not most people, and don't give up easily. This is their story...<br />
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At some point Rydge realized he had a problem. The video camera he had been using to interview people had gone missing, and the last place he remembered having it was on the public taxi/bus, the day before. After discussing the problem with Porter and Nelson they decided to set out after it.<br />
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Nelson happened to remember the bus number. So they set off to one of the most frequented stops to try and track down the bus. They ended up in a taxi and eventually chased the correct bus down.<br />
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After some convincing the driver revealed that he hadn't been driving the day before, it had been a friend. After some more convincing he drove the trio to his friend's house.<br />
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The friend initially denied knowing anything. But after some convincing he called his son (who had been with him) to the front room. The son heard what was going on and disappeared to his room. A few minutes later he appeared with the camera, intact and with all of its SD cards and cables.<br />
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Nelson, Porter and Rydge made it back to the hotel after the driver, friend and son had all been paid for their "trouble".<br />
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It is not often that you find some thing you lost...but this is just one of those miracles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Ym-qrDK3-AzNjz3B7cEONEbdXrFznGRc63PdnxIKAoi-lPdghCpSjVXDMJ_UgEWLSCvGbauPYsPALuen6pBLYTiACs1z6wp7O6x9w95xdX0Jg-bsVGOn6SvZebN8fV6Wr1EQcj3xF6u/s1600/Whole+Group+-+Puno.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Ym-qrDK3-AzNjz3B7cEONEbdXrFznGRc63PdnxIKAoi-lPdghCpSjVXDMJ_UgEWLSCvGbauPYsPALuen6pBLYTiACs1z6wp7O6x9w95xdX0Jg-bsVGOn6SvZebN8fV6Wr1EQcj3xF6u/s1600/Whole+Group+-+Puno.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last group shot on the islands. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-24281985790567199952014-04-15T10:00:00.001-07:002014-04-25T05:50:52.454-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 9: Day 13 (Puno)OUR LAST WHOLE DAY IN PUNO!!!<div>
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It was a crazy and amazing day when so many things came together, we really couldn't believe it. </div>
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The day started off with Whitney, Porter and I back at the plumbing shops try to find a few remaining parts, or coming up with a way to make them/make do without them. We headed out to the Uros for the last time not too excited about our prospects, but ready for anything. </div>
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By this time we had a fairly good idea of what the pump should look like, but before anything happened that day we needed to take a little polar bear plunge. </div>
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Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, it is also about 10 C, or really really cold. Nevertheless it was just begging to be jumped in. So several of us obliged. Unfortunately I have zero photos of this event...but it happened...I swear.</div>
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After our cool dip we set about trying to build a pump. Throughout the day we were offered lots of helpful advice from friends and islanders alike. We were best with problems like, losing (and finding!) a knife, losing (but never recovering because it slipped into the depths of the lake) most of our pipping, and having absolutely no idea what we were doing, but in the end we got this video...</div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/s_vi/HuuRuwcfRTY/default.jpg?sqp=CPSs6ZoF&rs=AOn4CLBOh0zItOzZBBEys-Mskxb-uHivsg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/HuuRuwcfRTY?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/HuuRuwcfRTY?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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The Reed team continued showing off their welded knife and trying to fix their reed whacker motor...</div>
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The Oven team finished one oven and started a fish cooking it to prove the concept to the islanders. Meanwhile the rest of the team worked to complete more ovens with other islanders...</div>
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The Washing Machine team showed off their final prototype and fielded many questions about it. It turned out that most of the islanders expressed disappointment, because even though it was significantly cheaper than the earlier version, they had become attached to the way that the earlier version looked and didn't quite trust the new one. Interesting turn of events, no?</div>
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As the sun set we all wrapped up our projects and headed over to Nelson's island. Dora and one of her sisters sell a few trinkets so while she finished serving customers for the day some people did a little more shopping. Others played soccer with Emerson (Nelson and Dora's son) and a few of his cousins. In the end we took a group picture with the Nelson and Dora extended family. </div>
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After that we headed back to the mainland with Nelson, Dora, and their two children. Because it was now night time, during the whole ride back we enjoyed some of the most beautiful stars I have ever seen. I am not sure if it was being 7000 feet closer to the heavens, or just the fact that there are not other lights in Puno, but they were AMAZING. </div>
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Back at our hotel Nelson and Dora expressed their gratitude for all of the things that we had done over the last few days. Afterward most everyone headed to bed. Porter, Rydge, and Nelson headed out on the adventure that turned into the Miracle of the Video Camera (come back tomorrow), and Emerson had the best time entertaining himself on the elevator. </div>
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That night was a frenzy of packing and repacking trying to fit all of our things and presents into our limited luggage. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-77816267603734628422014-04-12T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-12T10:00:01.040-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...equality...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Scripture: <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/moses/3?lang=eng">Moses 3:18</a><br />
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Studying the creation in the scriptures is always an interesting experience. There are so many fun and controversial topics to delve into and ponder about, because engineering seniors frequently have lots of spare time to ponder these things. There’s evolution, man’s relationship with nature and the one we’ll ponder today: man’s relationship to woman.<br />
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For centuries the rich learned white men used the scripture to justify their suppression of pretty much everyone else. Recently the unlearned masses have been using their numbers to gain more of the things denied to them before, and in an interesting turn of events we all scream for “equality” what we really mean is that it is time for everyone EXCEPT the rich learned white men to have a share of what they previously enjoyed all to themselves.<br />
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During all this time we haven’t given a sideways thought to Meg Murry O’Keefe’s, “‘alike’ and ‘equal’ are not the same thing”. Leaving parents to raise their children in a world that tells their girls they need to simultaneously be just as physically strong, just as athletically able, just as smart in math, the sciences, and all other subjects if they are ever to be respected as “equal” to the men around them. There’s no room for teamwork, there’s no room for this word that the scriptures use “help meet”.<br />
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Women have to be strong, independent, and entirely unattached to a man if they are to be respected. Any concept of “different but equal” is used to throw back at the American South for their inability to completely change their culture in less than a generation. I wish we might revisit the idea, and consider for a second that it is ok that female athletes play differently than male athletes, that it is ok for only a few females choose to enter science fields, and that men and women just ARE different. They just have DIFFERENT ways of contributing to the society, but not UNEQUAL.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-6320997805004461662014-04-11T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-25T05:16:57.526-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 8: Day 12 (Puno) Part 2We finally got everyone together and working around lunch time.<br />
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The Reed team was busy showing off their new welded knife and demonstrating it to the delight of the islanders. They were also busy interviewing people to gather information for a potential second run at this project, as well as trying to get their reed whacker to work under water.<br />
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The Oven team was busy helping people cut, fold, and rivet ovens trying to get them all complete before we had to leave, knowing that the likelihood that they would get finished after we left was extremely low.<br />
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The Washing Machine team was busy demonstrating their idea and discussing its pros and cons with some of the locals.<br />
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Whitney and I had just settled into helping the Oven team, when Dr. Lewis approached with a surprise.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It turned out that on the very first day some of the islanders had approached Larissa (one of our two Spanish speaking students) about having us build a pump like Nelsons.<br />
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Background: The year before one of the GEO teams had worked on a water pump. You see most of the islanders get the water that they use for washing/cooking/drinking/etc. by dragging up buckets from the side of their islands. So this GEO team designed a pump that sucked up the water from underneath the island and out a convenient hose. Unfortunately, no one remembered how to build the pump and Nelson was the only one who had one, with many people clamoring for one on their island.<br />
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So Larissa had talked to Dr. Lewis, who then emailed all of the students from the previous year's team asking for any directions/pictures to help us out. He then handed the emails to us (pictureless, naturally) and asked if we could figure it out and build one by the end of the next day. Whitney and I agreed we would try.<br />
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Our first step was to read over the directions, they were as clear as mud.<br />
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We then went to talk, via Porter, to Dora about the pump she and Nelson had. Conveniently Dora had a piece of paper with all of the parts listed (in Spanish, which was very good as it turned out). She also let us poke around her pump and proudly showed us how it worked.<br />
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We still spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how this ting went together, and just what was on the parts list we had been handed.<br />
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Once we returned to the mainland Whitney and I spent our last hour of daylight shopping for parts. After a little exploring we came across the "plumbing" section of the market. It consisted of about 5 shops selling more or less the same things in varying sizes, quantities, and prices. After a little window shopping we settled we found one shop owner at least willing to try and talk with us. So we showed her our list and she happily sold us almost everything on the list. Armed with our purchases, but still not feeling very optimistic, we raced the daylight and got back to the hotel just before dinner.<br />
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For dinner we headed out with the Reed cutting group, and sat in on their team dinner offering our always helpful suggestions. Really though we won, because we convinced Porter that he NEEDED to come shopping with us the next day, to help us get the rest of our parts.<br />
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Following dinner we did a little souvenir shopping, in shops that seemed impossibly small from the street but opened up into amazing shops with almost everything available. Armed with our latest purchases, and feeling better as only women can after shopping for clothes, we headed home to sleep before our last big day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-32222614342799428832014-04-10T10:00:00.001-07:002014-04-25T04:51:02.108-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 8: Day 12 (Puno) Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Me: This morning I woke up late!<br />
You: What? How?<br />
Me: Well I didn't have any alarm clock, didn't hear my roommates get up, and who doesn't sleep peacefully on a floating island that gently rocks you to sleep?<br />
You: Wait why were you sleeping on the island???<br />
Me: Well here's the long version...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Yesterday (May 7) Nelson and Dora offered to feed (dinner/breakfast) and sleep as many of the students that wanted to. (It turned out that everyone who was feeling well wanted to.) So after returning to the mainland for a "quick" shopping trip (remember the knife that the reed cutting team wanted welded?) and to gather things for an overnight stay we all headed back out to the islands to sit down to Dora's famous fish and rice and to settle in for the night.<br />
<br />
Side Notes on our "quick" shopping trip:<br />
1) I may be getting my days blended together (it is after all one year later, and my journal is not so helpful at this point), but I do certify that all of these events happened even if the order is mixed up.<br />
2) It felt like we walked all over the entire town of Puno looking for Nelson's friend's welding shop and a few other things for the other teams.<br />
3) There is a lot of irony in paying for the privilege of using a public restroom in Peru. Let's just say I've had more fun going to the bathroom on backpacking trips.<br />
4) Special Spiritual Story: At one point Rydge and I found ourselves waiting for team members and hanging out with one Nelson's relations on a street corner. Now neither Rydge nor I spoke very good Spanish and our friend spoke almost no English, so we all werent' talking a whole lot. Then Nelson's (brother???) decided he wanted to tell us the story of his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I won't share his story here, but what I do want to share is the miracle of how Rydge and I understood everything he said. We had not dictionary, just our limited Spanish and the Spirit. (For more information about the Spirit, also known among LDS as the Holy Ghost, <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng&query=the+holy+ghost">visit here</a>.) I don't know how exactly it worked, but I do know these three things:<br />
1) No English was spoken except between Rydge and I to confirm to each other what we had heard.<br />
2) The Holy Ghost can teach us anything, even if it is the humble conversion story of one man in Peru.<br />
3) When Porter (who did speak Spanish) later translated the story to the whole group, Rydge and I just looked at each other and nodded because we already knew the story.<br />
<br />
After dinner, we sat in a circle with Nelson, Dora, their children and Nelson's brother, his wife, and children, and listed as Nelson and Dora shared the stories of their conversions as well as their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For more about Nelson and Dora <a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/07/islands-of-faith-a-story-of-diligence?lang=eng">read here</a>. We all had a great time, and were grateful to Porter for translating. Then we all found places to sleep, the guys on the floor of the restaurant and the girls in an empty shed, and proceeded to sleep peacefully. Because as previously mentioned gently rocking island = bliss.<br />
<br />
The next morning (May 8) we all woke up and got back to work on our projects. Some people headed into town with Nelson to do some more shopping and to pick up the rest of our teammates. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-61496813385631143902014-04-09T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-25T04:18:09.184-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 7: Day 11 (Puno) Part 2Here's an update on the progress made by the groups:<br />
<br />
Reed Group: The team came armed with gas and prepared to show off their "reed
whacker". After explaining the concept to several interested islanders,
the team pulled out their assortment of blades (all round, but of varying
surface areas and teeth sizes) and got on a boat to test against some real
reeds. Then disaster struck. When the team tried to use the first blade under
water the motor stuttered to a standstill. Concerned, but not deterred the team
put on a smaller blade (less surface area = less drag). The following is a video of the test with the big blade.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IbVKXKppCrQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
While the blade would turn while under water, it moved extremely slow and failed to cut any of the reeds. Wanting to see how it was supposed to work the team showed several islanders, and gave them a turn, cutting the reeds above the water. This display was met with great applause. The following is a test with the little blade.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zTGeCnyLOs0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Returning to work
the team scratched their heads as to how to get more power of their little
motor and make the reed whacker work under water. (The islanders wanted it to
work under water so that they could get reeds of sufficient length.) A few of
the islanders with knowledge of motors (some of the people use motors to drive
their boats between islands and to the mainland) and the team worked together
and eventually decided that the motor had not been properly adjusted for
high-altitude (I mentioned we were at ~13000 feet (4 km) right??) and something
about too much oil in the petrol. (I have no idea about more details than that,
at this point I was busy with another project and mechanical engineer does not
equal motor expert.) At any rate the islanders concluded that idea a bust. At
this point the team brought out plan B and proposed to have a mainlander weld a
blade to a sleeve and put that on the end of a pole. Luckily Nelson had a
welder friend on the main land who was happy to bend the end of a steel pipe
and weld a knife blade to it<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oven Group: The team had a day full of folding ahead of
them. Out of all of the teams the oven team got the most attention from the islanders,
because they were all rather tired of having to buy bread from town. So the
team split up and did their best to discuss the design and help all of the
interested islanders build their own. Overall they had a lot of pleased
reactions but there was still much clamoring for a test, to see if it actually
worked or not. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-63428296392022004152014-04-08T10:00:00.001-07:002014-04-25T03:53:43.840-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 7: Day 11 (Puno) Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Day 2 in Puno dawned bright and early, and brought with it many great adventures and challenges.<br />
<br />
The day started with Whitney and I making an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empanada">empanada</a> run down to a local bakery, because who would say no to a fresh baked empanada or two for lunch? For the uncultured an empanada is essentially a Hot Pocket, but approximately one million times better and occasionally filled with fruit.<br />
<br />
When we got back to the hotel we were informed that we would get to go on an adventure with one of our professors to find so Peruvian stoves to take back to the US with us. I tell the following story not to mock anyone, but as a plea. To all those that every go on a study abroad please realize that if nothing else you are representing your country, and you owe it to this great country that guarantees so many freedoms and presents so many opportunities for you to be the best sort of representative. You should be an excellent visitor, you should respect all aspects of their culture, do your best to communicate in their language, and just generally realize to poor linguistic skills DOES NOT excuse DISRESPECTFUL behavior.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br /></div>
Background: When Peruvians, the ones that still cook on traditional stoves, build a stove in their house they start with a ceramic base. The base is essentially two 10 in cylinders and one 4 in cylinder meshed to form a large cavity with two places to put pots and a hole for smoke to escape out the back. There is also a hole in the front for the user to feed the fire beneath the pots. The Peruvians then take this base and put mud around it to build it into the house and provide a bigger surface area on top for holding larger pots. Our professors wanted to bring a couple of these bases back to the US with us, so that they could use them as the basis of their combustion efficiency research. This meant one of our professors, Whitney, and I got to go to the local market and purchase a couple. The following adventure ensued.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qN2RURfHp527V50V6-f8Hd5uIjkAsFtVo068fsS7Oi7ZZmnvylRtESFzj2aK8DEs8A47mJe4lVnQS_3o-rwSjwrMjIe6j5Qk-Fh2zs3vmK-gWmK9btxsTEfyeWUTGhB0i3DCGEQ2rq3c/s1600/Cusco+(29).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qN2RURfHp527V50V6-f8Hd5uIjkAsFtVo068fsS7Oi7ZZmnvylRtESFzj2aK8DEs8A47mJe4lVnQS_3o-rwSjwrMjIe6j5Qk-Fh2zs3vmK-gWmK9btxsTEfyeWUTGhB0i3DCGEQ2rq3c/s1600/Cusco+(29).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Peruvian stove cased in mud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first stop was to figure out where the post office was, on the theory that we would be able to mail said stoves back to the US. After several consultations with the hotel concierge and a little trust in Whit and I we found the post office and marked it on our map for future reference. We then set out for the market, following our professor who had been the day before and had CLEARLY marked it on his map. The problem with trying to use a map in a town like Puno is that only about half of the streets have a name on the map, and only about half of those have a name indicated somewhere on the street itself. So after about 30 minutes of walking and an attempt by our professor to consult a policeman (in English) we made it to the market, which as it turns out was only about 15 minutes from our hotel.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbJV9uFQUrPu4fIV-kQX6NEA29gp6JeMdGxCcCMo8ANRY8myyzNcFDdkedBDjhyVTQwhp-rhiILQqTZht4Xeeitp-HbKhcmErmDITMiXi_NoH_U5-iJT4r86dbZbgK_giOh438eQRV5ip/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbJV9uFQUrPu4fIV-kQX6NEA29gp6JeMdGxCcCMo8ANRY8myyzNcFDdkedBDjhyVTQwhp-rhiILQqTZht4Xeeitp-HbKhcmErmDITMiXi_NoH_U5-iJT4r86dbZbgK_giOh438eQRV5ip/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the islanders to come pick us up.<br />
Doesn't that water look great?</td></tr>
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Once there we approached a wary saleswoman and I asked her how much for her stoves. (Because of my amazing Spanish skills it sounded a lot like "cuanto para el orno" in the most american accent you can think of.) She had two sizes and indicated that the smaller was 8 sol, and the larger 12 sol. After hearing the prices our professor took off for another stall he had spied with similar wares. I did my best to say thanks and we'll be back. (It mostly sounded like "Lo siento *helpless gesture* gracias".) At the next stall I again asked how much and this lady indicated 10 and 14 sol for the two sizes. As our professor picked out two stoves I asked him why we were buying these stoves, he said because these were cheaper, so I reconfirmed the price and then translated this information to English, and discovered he had misunderstood 10 and 14 for 9 and 11. (Don't ask me how.) He then proceeded to set the stoves down and head back toward the first stall. I again apologized and helped her put the merchandise back in its original well stacked position.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vEPS02v99T-U9cmMU0kIpV2I7PHU7N81IVkV55dT1Zx2iNvpyjmQ7ma08WYTpHJj3Yk6A-QHItMVLJW8tjxaakCcWhnvo5ay7g2JUDeNI8GcmOrsYLNN4CfDj3eUWP6zoOskS_PWL2Zn/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vEPS02v99T-U9cmMU0kIpV2I7PHU7N81IVkV55dT1Zx2iNvpyjmQ7ma08WYTpHJj3Yk6A-QHItMVLJW8tjxaakCcWhnvo5ay7g2JUDeNI8GcmOrsYLNN4CfDj3eUWP6zoOskS_PWL2Zn/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one and only Whitney. A total goof and my roommate<br />
for the entire trip. </td></tr>
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When I arrived at the first stall the professor had two stoves sitting at his feet and was once more trying to figure out the price. After reconfirming the total as 20 sol and translating this to English, I was handed 15 sol and change. I indicated this was not enough, the sales lady made it clear that we could only have one stove for that much, and I was returned with a goofy grin and shrug, "this is how you bargain with them" and "that's all I have it'll have to be enough". Stunned I added 10 sol to the pile and handed it to the saleswoman indicating that she should keep it all, and attempting to apologize for the trouble we had caused.<br />
The adventure continued for when we got back to the post office, I got to *try* and ask the postmistress if she would mail the stoves. I got a vehement no, and was made to understand that they would probably break. This caused some consternation for our professor in his total disbelief that the mail system could be unreliable. Once we got back to the hotel I was asked to ask the concierge if there was any other form of post. (Which I was happy to do, because the concierge spoke English, this caused further woes and an "I could have done <i>that</i>.") The concierge said that there was no other form of post, and we wouldn't want to use it any way because it would be far less expensive and more likely to get there in one piece if we just carried them on our laps.<br />
<br />
After that thrilling adventure we headed out to the islands to join the rest of the group.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-56985291789035833062014-04-05T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-05T10:00:00.474-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...graduation...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4152/5126467995_cb54240380_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4152/5126467995_cb54240380_m.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Sean MacEntee via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/18090920@N07/5126467995/in/photolist-8P1uke-aBSJtu-buoRA9-6jRJ9g-NSKUH-iwACDG-gLdr42-8Hf2rw-5aqudP-5aqsHV-8PDYUQ-8HeECf-bpH9BC-5FMPus-Nt1vD-NsZDz-NsySm-Nt288-NsyPu-NsxnW-Nt3hz-Nsy6y-NsA4Y-Nsys1-Nsz2U-NsAcd-NsZQH-Nt2Sa-Nsypm-NsykJ-Nsxxb-Nszq1-Nsz85-Nt1Ni-Nsynh-Nt1K6-NswCQ-NsYWv-Nt22T-Nszo9-Nt3pv-NsZ4z-Nt1aT-NsZGR-NsAgG-Nt1tv-Nsxhy-Nt2ta-NsA9w-Nt1Ha-Nsxcf">Flickr</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Scripture: <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/2?lang=eng">Abraham 2:3</a><br />
<br />
Today I am thinking about graduation. (Ok, so <i>most</i> days I am thinking about graduation.) But today I applied to walk in<i> August!!!</i> I don’t know if it is because it is nearly March, which is nearly the end of the semester, which is nearly time to head to Peru, which is nearly time to start my internship, which (12 weeks later) means <i>walking for graduation AND starting my LAST semester</i>, or what, but <i>something</i> has me thinking about graduation. I am stoked for graduation! (Yes, I am from California, so I do get to use the word stoked.)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
So at any rate here I was pondering graduation, which in turn means pondering that moment 4 years ago when I found out I was going to BYU, and then reading the second chapter of Abraham where Abraham is told to leave his people and his land for something better. And I had this moment where I related, to Abraham. I left my people and my land for something better, and that was hard. When I planned out my life, I knew I was going to college, but I hadn’t planned specifically to leave my family and California at 17 to strike out sort-of-but-not-really on my own. And after two tellings by the Lord, Abraham did <i>almost</i> the same sort of thing, and the Lord had that adventure all planned out. So why shouldn’t the Lord have <i>my adventure</i> all planned out? (Or know how it is going to unfold for me in the way that God knows <i>everything</i>.) I believe he does. I also believe that I can do hard things. Which means that I can go out into the world and be a successful engineer, I can go out into the world and be a successful citizen, and I can go out into the world and be a successful person. All of those things will be hard, hard at the outset, and hard until the end. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t also be (at times) awesome, exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, fun, heartbreaking, moving, pleasurable, and/or thrilling. </div>
Serial Daterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505781051602955861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-35204155648471089162014-03-29T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-29T10:00:00.881-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...Egyptians & government...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Round 6...<br />
<br />
Scripture: <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/abr/1?lang=eng">Abraham 1: 26 </a><br />
<br />
A portion of the first chapter of the Book of Abraham explains the origins of the Egyptians. I do not know enough about the origin story of the Egyptians to comment on similarities and differences, I do, however, believe I know enough to comment on the evolution
of the system of government. As far as I know Egypt spent many thousands of years, and in many ways still to this day as a patriarchal monarchy. According to the Book of Abraham this form of government began with Egypt’s first ruler, Pharaoh. (That name sounds <i>extremely </i>familiar...)<br />
<a name='more'></a>Further the Book of Abraham records that the first Pharaoh tried to imitate the form of government set forth by Adam. It makes sense that Adam would rule over his child as a king, because he was their father and had that role naturally. What is interesting to note is that the government of the first people continued as a monarchy, instead of changing to what most modern people would say is the best form of government given the nature of men: democracy.Even <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/29?lang=eng">King Mosiah</a> recognized that a single king could easily become corrupted
and lead the people astray. Surely Adam with his frequent communication with God could also see this. Why then did he not press upon his children the need to form a different type of government?<br />
<br />
I suppose it is possible that he did not see a need, under the premise that there would always be someone to lead the people righteously, and a place for them to go to live as God would have them. I think the most feasible possibility is that monarchy was the form of government best suited to their needs, and only now something has changed so that a different form of government is necessary to allow the most freedom and happiness to the people. What has changed I can only guess. The number, nature or knowledge of people, are my first three guesses, but I will be the first to
admit that I have no idea.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-66970956165415686282014-03-27T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-25T02:34:00.042-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 6: Day 10 (Puno)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our first full day in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puno">Puno</a> was grand!<br />
<br />
The first item of the day was to get ourselves out to the Uros Islands. We had scheduled a meeting with the islanders to talk about why we were there, give a brief overview of our projects, and invite them to come by for the next few days and learn more. (I have no idea if that was what Porter actually said, but they seemed excited about whatever he did say.)<br />
<br />
Following that we headed over to Nelson's island to begin working on our projects. Because Nelson & Dora's main source of income is through a tourist restaurant they run on one end of their island, we were relegated to an area behind their storage shed to maintain "authenticity". Because Whitney and I were done with testing we split up that first day to help some of the other teams out. I spent most of my time with the Reed group, while Whitney helped out the Oven group.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disassembling the weed whacker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwzZ0RNe2LBmCTD-0FM3t_PloXWLxA3F3Bto1VylF1MVbdS-lHFQs8C6Aaz586uqtJP6pzWLtMx_Ge7L1zLPFaLw4z3TEa1zhyj-qSnIQKNIS_-0VLOL9Vif8MZTro3TgQFxrMMIrsVWO/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwzZ0RNe2LBmCTD-0FM3t_PloXWLxA3F3Bto1VylF1MVbdS-lHFQs8C6Aaz586uqtJP6pzWLtMx_Ge7L1zLPFaLw4z3TEa1zhyj-qSnIQKNIS_-0VLOL9Vif8MZTro3TgQFxrMMIrsVWO/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelson demonstrating his reed cutting skills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN3EardpKIt9KBNpwXrheVmc-XnJggxrKhXUFmLRZrpynbUl_XAOX1LWIzV9e6pic5FJq2Ut6QGL8tLaflvoGqwyBWAWdlzXS8tMhMhG-LwbHI0cJ4lv25b4sSXH-MuVVKdL9B-nQ0toT/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN3EardpKIt9KBNpwXrheVmc-XnJggxrKhXUFmLRZrpynbUl_XAOX1LWIzV9e6pic5FJq2Ut6QGL8tLaflvoGqwyBWAWdlzXS8tMhMhG-LwbHI0cJ4lv25b4sSXH-MuVVKdL9B-nQ0toT/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A successful hour at cutting reeds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe1zuC8DXfvtecFfyRtuXgZiNnXXRbhQiTeUzuH57trIMxkYZ6cq8gd1Fv8J3_JSAGVFupJWdK_fesJRhZ2lPfXR8bOK_pFVOpo3ZUfHw4pBRb6mgVBX5HJl0otAzVZDImkOrvsnyrHHC/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe1zuC8DXfvtecFfyRtuXgZiNnXXRbhQiTeUzuH57trIMxkYZ6cq8gd1Fv8J3_JSAGVFupJWdK_fesJRhZ2lPfXR8bOK_pFVOpo3ZUfHw4pBRb6mgVBX5HJl0otAzVZDImkOrvsnyrHHC/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep discussions between Peruvian children, <br />a sociologist, and an engineer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgQZ4koHYLyUp9mhHKw5LMGvQa9ZVBuMsSUAKYhyphenhyphenU1Hvah0tSAvLSD7_vcJ58g6OinphL7pNKf1JupYlaWSqs4wNEE-1X8H_C-5rLB3YGBepZModLTlyqVdQmWYTmZ1IgvoH1W4fmD0ob/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgQZ4koHYLyUp9mhHKw5LMGvQa9ZVBuMsSUAKYhyphenhyphenU1Hvah0tSAvLSD7_vcJ58g6OinphL7pNKf1JupYlaWSqs4wNEE-1X8H_C-5rLB3YGBepZModLTlyqVdQmWYTmZ1IgvoH1W4fmD0ob/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to test the Reed Whacker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QnRPaHT1FttKA_WArjrLUoENozvVvIID0XgHAcKd9f4WSGs1bxSUvxqSgw2ayP9rjVNJf_UBXtQMomd08n50lCOmi_PCoXsp4UANC5UoJV2HfgWCwS2_qtQCP5DeWLEoXEF-ImfA59zx/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QnRPaHT1FttKA_WArjrLUoENozvVvIID0XgHAcKd9f4WSGs1bxSUvxqSgw2ayP9rjVNJf_UBXtQMomd08n50lCOmi_PCoXsp4UANC5UoJV2HfgWCwS2_qtQCP5DeWLEoXEF-ImfA59zx/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone had an opinion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reed Group:<br />
<br />
Objective: Come up with a better way for the islanders to cut reeds.<br />
<br />
Background: The people of Lake Titicaca live on man-made islands. They make these islands out of the reeds that grow all around them in the lake. In order to avoid falling into the lake, the islanders must "resurface" their islands with several inches of reeds every 2 weeks. Gathering enough reeds for even the smallest of islands takes about 4 days of all day labor. At that time the people used blades lashed to the ends of poles to cut the reeds. They then hauled the cut reeds into their boats and rowed/motored back to their island. Needless to say, they wanted a way to speed this process up.<br />
<br />
Ideas: When they headed to Peru the team had two solutions, one more expensive than the other. The first idea was a weed whacker adapted with saw blade to cut the reeds. Testing in Utah had proven the concept, but the main concern that purchasing a weed whacker and the needed parts to adapt it, would prove too expensive. The second idea simply involved welding a knife blade to a metal sleeve and securely attaching it to a pole with a screw. The team reasoned that they would already have the knives and didn't think that welding would be very expensive.<br />
<br />
Results: The first day was spent learning more about the actual reed cutting process, and adapting the weed whacker. Stay tuned for what happened the rest of the week!<br />
<br />
Whitney spent a lot of her time helping out the Oven group.<br />
<br />
Oven Group:<br />
<br />
Objective: Create an oven whose heat source is the propane powered stoves used by the islanders.<br />
<br />
Background: For most of the time that the islanders have lived on the reed islands, they have cooked on open flame on the floor of their islands. This went a lot better than expected, considering that they live on islands made of very flammable reeds. However, after a particularly bad year, resulting in several isalnds burning down, the islanders decided to start using propane powered stoves. Because propane is so expensive GEO spent a couple of years trying to develop alternate methods, including making charcoal and several rounds of solar powered devices. None of these proved very successful for various reasons; some burned houses, other proved to difficult to use, to required to much change from current cooking methods. This time around the islanders had expressed the desire to be able to bake bread, and cook several other traditional dishes that they couldn't with their current stove tops.<br />
<br />
Idea: During their time in Utah the team designed and refined the manufacturing to a square oven that would sit on the top of the propane stoves. The oven is cut and folded out of sheet metal in much the same way that you make a box out of paper in kindergarten when learning about 3D shapes. The oven was held together by rivets, and a swinging door attached with hinges.<br />
<br />
Results: The team spent much of that first day cutting out the shapes they would use to folder later. They wanted to save as much as the folding process as they could for when the islanders were around so that they could demonstrate the process.<br />
<br />
The other group work was the Washing Machine group. (For those that care, this group consisted entirely of men.)<br />
<br />
Washing Machine Group:<br />
<br />
Objective: Design a washing machine easier than the current method.<br />
<br />
Background: This was a second generation project that had received a lot of attention the previous summer when two of team members (from the team the year before) stayed in Puno the entire summer and did some work on it, in addition to research for someone's PhD. In the first year the team had developed a nested barrel system that housed in a wooden frame. The user would put their clothes into the perforated inner barrel. They would then pour the desired amount of water into the outer barrel (actually half a barrel), and begin to crank. The crank was a converted bicycle pedal (bicycles are common in Peru) which used the original gear/sprocket assembly to turn the inner barrel while leaving the outer barrel stationary. The islanders generally liked the idea, but the project turned out to be very expensive and difficult for a person to build without extensive training.<br />
<br />
Idea: When this team began in Utah they knew that they needed to decrease cost. So despite all the work that had been done previously, this team started back at square 1. What they came out with was a single barrel with an attached pole. The barrel rested on the ground and featured corrugated plastic to cause a roughness/mixing. The user put his clothes in barrel along with the desired water. The user then stood and rocked the barrel back and forth for several minutes until the clothes were determined clean. This idea was far less expensive, and the team hoped that the motion would be comfortable because it was similar to rowing a boat.<br />
<br />
Results:<br />
I'll be honest, I spent very little time with this team so I'll just give an overall impression on the last day.<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-2297965575525334622014-03-25T10:00:00.000-07:002014-04-25T01:23:04.616-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 5: Day 9 (Manchu Picchu to Puno)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The trip back to Cusco was rather adventurous. Part of the train tracks had washed out along the route <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVul87Voi3UVz6tjNeiPGhbQzDNgBlt9MA2fylj8tUBftFB8EXS8-_wJ1QrbE-z3D_o3VVWfNcKK9OXNkLyq1wBkTtFjbdrlXbMlKNd12-_nkD8bsgQ7NdI50QV1A6Jf9XtcPflOBgJ3q/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVul87Voi3UVz6tjNeiPGhbQzDNgBlt9MA2fylj8tUBftFB8EXS8-_wJ1QrbE-z3D_o3VVWfNcKK9OXNkLyq1wBkTtFjbdrlXbMlKNd12-_nkD8bsgQ7NdI50QV1A6Jf9XtcPflOBgJ3q/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because you needed one last picture <br />
of me at Manchu Picchu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
back, so we transferred to a bus. The bus managed to do fairly well, until it hit a rock crossing a bridge popping out and bending one of the lower side doors that held the luggage in. This prompted a 30 or so minute wait while the driver attempted to fix it enough to drive. It also prompted a discussion among the 20 engineers in the back of the bus as to what exactly had happened, and the likelihood of the driver appreciating the help. We concluded that our help was probably the last thing the driver wanted, so we all stayed put.<br />
<a name='more'></a>After getting into Cusco we all pretty much rolled into bed, so that we could get up for church the following morning. <br />
<br />
I've probably said this before, but I LOVE BEING A MEMBER OF <a href="https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng">THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS</a>! Not only does the Church teach truth that makes me a better person and provides comfort, but it is a global church, meaning no matter where I am in the world I can find people who are warm, loving, and believe all of the exact same things that I do.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIFm8Eb-MpQbV0oe6cx3xSbaGdGQCGtgEzyWNHmAUjPrV0oVpKEx_jykP97RdDlXKVyp_7eJI-GTrEHNIdNhxsMkhYIhiuCZhmC2hgT_mzDqMxWsdAe_aVMgro0g9d8lLip1fb7poXCBY/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIFm8Eb-MpQbV0oe6cx3xSbaGdGQCGtgEzyWNHmAUjPrV0oVpKEx_jykP97RdDlXKVyp_7eJI-GTrEHNIdNhxsMkhYIhiuCZhmC2hgT_mzDqMxWsdAe_aVMgro0g9d8lLip1fb7poXCBY/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Urubamba River, our companion for<br /> most of the train ride to/from MP.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After church we all changed into our comfy clothes and piled into a bus for the 8ish hour drive down to Puno. I've been on a few 8ish hour drives (guess how long it takes to get from Provo to my parent's house?) but this was one of my favorites by far. We all played games, laughed, chatted, and generally had a good time to make the hours move a little bit faster.<br />
<br />
We got into Puno around dinner time so we checked ourselves in as fast as 20 people checking into their 4th hotel in 9 days have ever done and then headed out for some comida! (<-- that's food in Spanish!) About half of our group followed Dr. Lewis to his favorite pizzeria and had a grand time with some really good pizza, actually it was pretty amazing pizza compared to what I was expecting from a country not know for its pizza. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-3588966018777253142014-03-24T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-24T10:00:00.508-07:00The One About the Definition of Gender...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> How a person defines their sense of self reflects their interpretation of the many aspects that define a person, including gender. Gender, or the social role and characteristics associated with a sex, is, at least in part, defined by society. Therefore, how people interpret gender changes across societies. It follows then that how each person defines who they are as a person, changes based how they are taught to define each gender. Daily, and life choices then reflect this self-definition because it helps individuals decide how to act and be. </span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Anthropologists continue to debate whether gender is taught or somehow directly linked to a person’s biological sex. Because of similarities in definitions of gender across the globe some people believe that gender is directly linked to biological sex. [1] However, because there are also distinct cultural differences in these definitions many people hold that gender is taught. [1] Deborah Tannen claims that young children learn what it means to be men and women from their parents, and then continue to learn how society believes they ought to act from family and friends in close relationships. [2] Regardless of where precisely the definition arises gender definitions do differ and they directly affect the choices that people make.
Most noticeably gender definition differences arise in the cultural definitions of beauty. In
some Nigerian cultures beautiful women have copious amounts of fat. <w:sdt citation="t" id="-2107189314"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>CITATION Ann98 \l
1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->[3]<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt> Contrast this with
the definition of beauty from the United States: skinny. Therefore, because
women from both cultures claim the female gender as their own, they make daily
choices to fit those ideals. Many Nigerian girls spend their lives with the
sole goal of gaining fat so that they can be beautiful. <w:sdt citation="t" id="-1067957464"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>CITATION Ann98 \l 1033 <span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->[3]<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt>
While on the other side of the world many American girls spend their lives with
the sole goal of losing fat so that they can be beautiful. In both cases the
women and girls define, at least in part, their sense of person with how well
they fit into their culture’s ideal mold of their gender. The females then make
a series of choices in order to better fit this ideal. Gender roles and ideals
also have an effect when it comes to relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> In
heterosexual marriages assumed gender roles often play a significant part in
how couples interact. In Japan the role of the female is clearly defined to be
the person who cares for the house and children, while the role of the male is
clearly defined to be the person who earns the money for the household to
continue. <w:sdt citation="t" id="-660311182"><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>CITATION
Nic96 \l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->[4]<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt> On the other hand in
America these clear definitions fade into a greyer area where the husband works
and the wife stays home, the wife works while the husband stays home or both
might work outside the home. Japanese girls grow up knowing that their role will
be raising the children at home, therefore they does not focus on developing
careers. <w:sdt citation="t" id="-771781841"><!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>CITATION
Nic96 \l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->[4]<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt> Comparatively,
American girls grow up with the expectation of developing their own career
because they do not know what role they will take on. <w:sdt citation="t" id="722486130"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>CITATION Cra11 \l 1033 <span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->[1]<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt>
Here again these females define another aspect of their person, their role in
the home, largely on the cultural expectations (or lack thereof) for their
gender. These females must then make daily and life choices, such as school
attendance and career aspirations, that reflect what they perceive to be their
gender role and even their definition of a person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> When
defining people, the category of gender is always considered. A person must decide
which gender they are, and then interpret what that means. Much of these decisions
are influenced by the definitions taught by family and reinforced by society. Once
a person has chosen a gender, and accepted the associated characteristics and responsibilities,
their life is then a series of choices designed to maintain the image of belong
to that gender. Whether those choices involve beauty or roles in a marriage,
all of them are influenced by how we interpret what it means to be part of a certain
gender. What gender we see ourselves as a part of, regardless of what that
means, in turn influences how we see ourselves as people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Works Cited<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if supportFields]><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 1.0%;" valign="top" width="1%"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[1] </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">D. Crandall, A Short Introduction to Anthropology, Provo,
Utah: Brigham Young University, 2011. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr xmlns="">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 1.0%;" valign="top" width="1%"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[2] </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">D. Tannen, "I Can't Even Open My Mouth," in <i>I
Only Say This Because I Love you</i>, Random House, Inc., 2001, pp. 3-28.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr xmlns="">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 1.0%;" valign="top" width="1%"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[3] </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">A. M. Simmons, "Where Fat Is a Mark of Beauty," <i>Los
Angeles Times, </i>1998. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr xmlns="">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 1.0%;" valign="top" width="1%"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">[4] </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">N. D. Kristof, "Who Needs Love! In Japan, Many
Couples Don't," <i>New York Times, </i>pp. 1,12, 1996. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="-88091093" sdtdocpart="t">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-12281068529649019612014-03-22T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-22T10:00:00.969-07:00The One with Thoughts from a Pearl...#yolo...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Round 5...<br />
<br />
Scripture: Joseph Smith – <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-m/1?lang=eng">Matthew 1:40</a> (Compare to the Bible (King James Version) <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/24?lang=eng">Matthew 24:36</a>)<br />
<br />
As I read through Joseph Smith’s translation of the Gospel of Matthew I happened across a verse that I know has played a part of many a talk on the Second Coming. But more on that later. My first thought focused on what might possibly have changed
between the KJV Matthew 24:36 and JS – Matthew 1:40. So I looked it up. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Really the new translation only made a couple of changes. For example, the order of “knoweth no man” (King James Version) changed to “no one knoweth” (Joseph Smith-Matthew)and then “not the angels of heaven” (King James Version) changed to “not the angels of God in heaven” (Joseph Smith - Matthew). I did find it interesting that the preposition change in the Joseph Smith translation implies that the angels have more of a focus on God. I think that we, or maybe this is just me, hear a lot about how angels are on “heaven’s errand” or the like. When really that does not make very much sense because clearly all angels, well except for the devil’s angels, are sent to do the work <i>of God</i>.<br />
<br />
I understand that most people think of those as the same thing, but still I think that it is an interesting distinction that God tells Joseph Smith to make in the new translation. Now back to the meaning of this scripture.I am fairly certain that neither of these changes alters the basic meaning of the scripture, which I always find to be “you do not get to know when the end of the world is tiny human, therefore you should live ever day like it could be the last and you have to face me tomorrow #yolo” This is probably why no one will let me write scripture, too many hashtags. But really, this scripture, and others from the depths of the Book of Mormon, often play a central role in not only talks about the Second Coming but in doing everything we can now to prepare to meet our Maker, because we do not know when the end will come. Meaning that we need to live each day like it is our last, not doing every stupid thing that comes to our mind, but living our lives in the very best way possible, perhaps the way Christ would.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-16589782719726383092014-03-20T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-20T10:00:05.456-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 4: Day 8 (Manchu Picchu)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsjK-V3y7Z8ix30CzXP3l7HVUe414-aCT1Fk7aOTjfCgQZSfCxTo62EoS-wkyLdP_UyxU3Rw39pS9GW9EaBR-xzvnAVjnZOA8gCiQKgYSdryPtFMsprxmIGg5sKo9M0dW3NZ4zCtMxZu9/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsjK-V3y7Z8ix30CzXP3l7HVUe414-aCT1Fk7aOTjfCgQZSfCxTo62EoS-wkyLdP_UyxU3Rw39pS9GW9EaBR-xzvnAVjnZOA8gCiQKgYSdryPtFMsprxmIGg5sKo9M0dW3NZ4zCtMxZu9/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look it is an <i>almost smile</i> at 4:30am! <br />
And yes, I was reppin' BYU Women's Basketball <br />
and California ALL DAY LONG!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I keep on saying that I hate early mornings, and that <i>every single morning</i> started early, but really I think that we can all agree that waking up at 4:30am to be at the bus at 5:00 am is EARLY! But of all the days we woke up early, this one was ENTIRELY worth every second.<br />
<br />
In a word Manchu Picchu is AMAZING. Literally one of my favorite places on Earth. The only other word practically synonymous with Manchu Picchu is <i>hiking</i>. We hiked <i>everywhere</i>, but that was totally ok, because as I said earlier (or impled earlier) I literally loved e<i>very single second</i>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>So on to the hiking shall we? <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5uKbkGzmEzeMCDlc5FcXphEyvVroVU8S_7G_dcZaFcioY57g-rF_4fENY2w4OgflnHF23RfGe7oDKzc5sXIEUHI_Xng8_1scDv2GTRDz0OYrHkKE92hFJIDHNtWK-KfJEETHT8S13Nnx/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5uKbkGzmEzeMCDlc5FcXphEyvVroVU8S_7G_dcZaFcioY57g-rF_4fENY2w4OgflnHF23RfGe7oDKzc5sXIEUHI_Xng8_1scDv2GTRDz0OYrHkKE92hFJIDHNtWK-KfJEETHT8S13Nnx/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top of the mountain just as the sun was rising. </td></tr>
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We'll start off with the hike I didn't do, and slightly regret but I'll make it up this spring when I get the opportunity to go again!
<br />
<br />
Hiking up: When you go to Manchu Picchu you have a couple of options as to how you want to get up the mountain. If you are starting in Manchu Picchu city (aka Aguas Calientes at the bottom of the mountain) you can catch one of the buses headed up (they start at about 5:15am and run continuously until like an hour before closing time), or you can hike up. Basically there is a set of stairs that cuts straight up the mountain through all of the switchbacks made by the buses on the road.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IOEU1PrS0dPaQ33hQpns4w9L8xqnbPzvuvLOrpzE0fi7ku2GN1k8Ew29PGSz_24xpeFrvwC6TBdIWuN0187oIO4ikQjzA7kV05CSnIC40I0xnwscrHznIGKBC0d1Ln1TFBFFrC0YPwo_/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IOEU1PrS0dPaQ33hQpns4w9L8xqnbPzvuvLOrpzE0fi7ku2GN1k8Ew29PGSz_24xpeFrvwC6TBdIWuN0187oIO4ikQjzA7kV05CSnIC40I0xnwscrHznIGKBC0d1Ln1TFBFFrC0YPwo_/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic view of Manchu Picchu</td></tr>
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I recommend the buses to all first timers who want to maximize their time at the top of mountain.
<br />
<br />
The first thing every person should do as soon as they walk in is go up and take a classic picture like the one at left and below. If you've done it right and gotten in with the first of the crowd then the hillside will be empty and beautiful and not crawling with people (yet).<br />
<br />
The next thing every person should do is hike up Huayna Picchu. "Where is Huayna (Whine-nu) Picchu?" you might ask, well I'll tell you. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO7lCsh_0dfQhLZSBNnDgKaIXJw2yz0gi3TxwPaZ3GYrOjV79bW0zEen9eyqy2iMrTHIvYywgGsqhMRh3XCrV91aPlI6TNYWwGWzJoBBejJ11x7aF9RJZxYzTw4ZFjF4a2BLIPHJp3aeh/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO7lCsh_0dfQhLZSBNnDgKaIXJw2yz0gi3TxwPaZ3GYrOjV79bW0zEen9eyqy2iMrTHIvYywgGsqhMRh3XCrV91aPlI6TNYWwGWzJoBBejJ11x7aF9RJZxYzTw4ZFjF4a2BLIPHJp3aeh/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic view of Manchu Picchu with my<br />
favorite Canadian/teammate Whitney!</td></tr>
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"Do you see that tall mountain in the background of the picture you just took of what you thought was Manchu Picchu?" "Yes." "That's Huayna Picchu." "Oh."
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, most people don't know that you need a separate ticket to get up to Huayna Picchu. But you do, SO GET ONE! (And don't let what I'm about to say intimidate you, because the view is absolutely worth it no matter how long it takes you!)<br />
<br />
In a nutshell: 2 hours round trip, 1000 feet change in elevation. Basically if you picture the stairs from LotR 3, add a couple of switchbacks (but still stairs) and then add a really pretty view and beautiful ruins, that is the hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKInvyHb1-bpJyjGgzjk9M_FAcT02GQlAQ6xgSZKR34FuMFp5V3I6fOFw9BcOfRf4qi-iEISGDhjbJDcDnmqLiDmQccycL5uthgS9XN1tjDYePbenVKqjx8r5qMSgN2x5qxbkgmtCvGJn/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKInvyHb1-bpJyjGgzjk9M_FAcT02GQlAQ6xgSZKR34FuMFp5V3I6fOFw9BcOfRf4qi-iEISGDhjbJDcDnmqLiDmQccycL5uthgS9XN1tjDYePbenVKqjx8r5qMSgN2x5qxbkgmtCvGJn/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just being a little sassy at the top of Manchu Picchu</td></tr>
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Like I said, very intimidating, but very worth it. For those who know their way around a hike it probably takes less time, I just usually wheeze my way up mountains. NBD Keep scrolling down and you'll see some pics from at/near the top, but they don't quite capture the view of the entire valley.<br />
<br />
After the whole group got up and down Huayna Picchu without much incident (you have to worry about the guy who had a heart attack two years before, even though it doesn't slow him down any). We met up with our guide for a little tour of Manchu Picchu city (the part on top of the mountain).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9LVlxDyotMHQ3qjWqawwJeUTlxkTi-OM4MeEgDow1QgRr3DvvN5gPSZaKnVm0KY4AxO9rJoCgqvJ4JBP4TD54BcjvKkYEs34evaN067_SnufLSVke-vFszjgSp0q5vbRgYB6ZiLcGczU/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9LVlxDyotMHQ3qjWqawwJeUTlxkTi-OM4MeEgDow1QgRr3DvvN5gPSZaKnVm0KY4AxO9rJoCgqvJ4JBP4TD54BcjvKkYEs34evaN067_SnufLSVke-vFszjgSp0q5vbRgYB6ZiLcGczU/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hangin' out with a great view of Huayna Picchu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you want to hear all about it you'll have to go somewhere else. Here's the synopsis: 2 hours, I don't know the change in elevation but let me just say that Incans were not fat people. Also, apparently they designed their city just to scare me personally. I have an incredible fear of falling off edges (all of Manchu Picchu is an edge) and an incredible fear of very small spaces (there were several small spaces we had to take our backpacks off and crawl through on Waynupicchu and the tour).<br />
<br />
I will say that travelling with engineers has it's perks, including: actual appreciate for architecture, design, and the math/science behind knowing North, East, South, and West with a precision only recently replicated.<br />
<br />
Also, I'll throw in my favorite exchange: Guide: "Do you want to know the secret to the Incas' long health?" "Sure" "They chew the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca">coca </a>leaf! You should try it. It will make you smarter, healthier, and live longer" (In case you don't follow that link coca is the basis of cocaine.) "Dr. Lewis can we?" "Only if you want to be on the next plane back to Utah." (This goes back to an entertaining conversation with our TA in March who passed along the rumor that drinking water that had coca leaves in it would help with symptoms of elevation sickness. After discovering the connection to cocaine we were promptly forbidden from doing any such thing.)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGSauF4JiuTbznb3gFk8RzJqxmK3Zvsla9P2AXOcPotp4fdH_ALTEbet2nVJNWKr0DWU4wcKaFmMeOCfIrL8Nn9LVldBYFWp8H4SY7ALgR_T2BYkTYsUXAmlwMIauEZ5KjIZrejfCZnlk/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGSauF4JiuTbznb3gFk8RzJqxmK3Zvsla9P2AXOcPotp4fdH_ALTEbet2nVJNWKr0DWU4wcKaFmMeOCfIrL8Nn9LVldBYFWp8H4SY7ALgR_T2BYkTYsUXAmlwMIauEZ5KjIZrejfCZnlk/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staring up at Huayna Picchu, a short while later<br />
I'll be at the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iynApuAKTCGQCEQ7690Pn_1-90tgh39GQEC2ONZoMTM3kbQxTh4LWHn41iF1aoHprS7HCBpx3suYq7ZDJhVYvzkRFpywRfhOf6MVhcGu44tvxSEXdsdTyAtYcZgxKZDwpY6DaUcTmsrp/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iynApuAKTCGQCEQ7690Pn_1-90tgh39GQEC2ONZoMTM3kbQxTh4LWHn41iF1aoHprS7HCBpx3suYq7ZDJhVYvzkRFpywRfhOf6MVhcGu44tvxSEXdsdTyAtYcZgxKZDwpY6DaUcTmsrp/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing through some ruins at the top of Huayna Picchu, <br />
yes that hole is barely big enough to fit a person!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the conclusion of the tour we all more or less broke into smaller groups to rest, take more pictures, leisurely stroll, or (for the triumphant three) finish off the last two most famous hikes.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGqynj6IZJfdVY62DibbR76yF-Bj6h_FnVQyMXWex8GISpXwQAuwpk-2OHK5JSd_OHGlyW9IUXagW_n_BD-CYrKH1u4kO8K39jubp2Dt_uVFbr_N-z5Ph3-21YJuD1APAcHhvYvMlTv6V/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGqynj6IZJfdVY62DibbR76yF-Bj6h_FnVQyMXWex8GISpXwQAuwpk-2OHK5JSd_OHGlyW9IUXagW_n_BD-CYrKH1u4kO8K39jubp2Dt_uVFbr_N-z5Ph3-21YJuD1APAcHhvYvMlTv6V/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my favorite Whitney <br />
at the top of Huayna Picchu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Incan Bridge - 30 minutes round trip, 50 feet change in elevation. This was the easiest by far, but remember what I was saying about edges? Well apparently Incan defenses include being able to shoot your enemies off the edge of the path, so the entire path has as one million foot drop to the river below. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy29_oCwzdbHVxdtCWzC-1-CfEXnIRDoaXRPI9dIH5NzC2rBslvRArfw0nU775NR-v9gt_MzROKs1TfjP5e6uPcQRAkg_c1P0Zj0eANGLPKlFRWst3Ke_jfjA-yFmt6-xh12toeoCm36eE/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy29_oCwzdbHVxdtCWzC-1-CfEXnIRDoaXRPI9dIH5NzC2rBslvRArfw0nU775NR-v9gt_MzROKs1TfjP5e6uPcQRAkg_c1P0Zj0eANGLPKlFRWst3Ke_jfjA-yFmt6-xh12toeoCm36eE/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's take a minute and appreciate the architecture here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Incan bridge itself is pretty clever, after the windy, narrow path that drops off the edge to death the bridge itself is three logs set over a hole built out of stones so if you want to defend your city all you have to do is drop the logs off the side. One of my favorite parts about hanging out with a bunch of guys is their tendency to appreciate the cleverness of war strategy more than the view. Because let's face it the view is pretty, but figuring out how to defend a city on a mountain is awesome. (Yep, that was a little insight into how I evaluate hikes). But really I think that my face in the second to last picture (as near the bridge as we could get) says it all.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5kGmP8dSP3ea-VCMfC_S-0KBHb9OqqpPqqG108clL5YDr8MgyTmNKoHNykFdYn4JQTAj7n1X7wbZ1p-0Aw6etGBLJF06_LHVv8-nrm6vdjGVDPSNUIptVmT5UaVB2Xf9LWkMnu2RSRLx/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5kGmP8dSP3ea-VCMfC_S-0KBHb9OqqpPqqG108clL5YDr8MgyTmNKoHNykFdYn4JQTAj7n1X7wbZ1p-0Aw6etGBLJF06_LHVv8-nrm6vdjGVDPSNUIptVmT5UaVB2Xf9LWkMnu2RSRLx/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then be totally blown away that <br />
<i>the same group</i> of people did this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Triumphant Three (we were the only three two do all of the hikes, ok, Rydge and Porter did all of the hikes, I rode the bus up) rounded the day off with a quick trip up the the Sun Gate, before racing back down the mountain to round up our things and catch the train.<br />
<br />
Sun Gate - 1 hour round trip, several hundred feet change in elevation. We were going at a fairly good clip to make it in this time, Porter said he was impressed with my pace setting, for the incline we were taking. The ruins itself were pretty cool, but also the feeling of halving the time it takes most people was fun. We had a couple of really funny moments on this hike.
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfS_9Gwp_p6ZAaRZkZM7VdoQC6fUqTGu27_ra_FDmDXWdrn7Z7OuH01Ca0-AbF_Gv17lqUxqKMNpsSiUmkLKWL_AKdoGEEgAp9kY-aOEqssoJDCg72AHI7meAX6AJUEZ2FkTF17ziODJy/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfS_9Gwp_p6ZAaRZkZM7VdoQC6fUqTGu27_ra_FDmDXWdrn7Z7OuH01Ca0-AbF_Gv17lqUxqKMNpsSiUmkLKWL_AKdoGEEgAp9kY-aOEqssoJDCg72AHI7meAX6AJUEZ2FkTF17ziODJy/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny Incan bridge and a sunburn...</td></tr>
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Once we passed an Asian couple and instead of greeting us with "hello" they said "hola" which was interesting because as white people we were expecting a "hello". Also, on the way back Porter used his amazing ability to make friends with anyone and everyone to make friends with a black guy from Argentina and they had a nice conversation in Spanish the whole way down. First I had no idea there were black people who called themselves Argentines. And second watching a white guy and a black guy have a totally normal conversation in perfect Spanish, was an interesting moment. (There's some insight into how I grew up, always something to learn about yourself and the world, eh?)<br />
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Hike Down - 35 minutes, 1000 feet change in elevation. Porter, Rydge, and I booked it down the mountain (we were almost late for our train out of town). But it was a lot of fun, I felt like a gazelle leaping down the mountain. (Yep, super graceful.) Basically we made it down the mountain 10 minutes slower than the buses that take people up and down.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvwXb3hTcN1toiDvSf-FhQeAR4TwsduILAGN6BWgRqHNhOHDO2Rt-iy1H07r1tdGZlPzkz7CGN823XH_pk5X7NP5JU_BnpOeHVCNjf0OrhkaRa0x-s-XeKc59xUwvCNoxYZoHWhoqUYoA/s1600/Machu+Picchu+-+Porter+(131).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvwXb3hTcN1toiDvSf-FhQeAR4TwsduILAGN6BWgRqHNhOHDO2Rt-iy1H07r1tdGZlPzkz7CGN823XH_pk5X7NP5JU_BnpOeHVCNjf0OrhkaRa0x-s-XeKc59xUwvCNoxYZoHWhoqUYoA/s1600/Machu+Picchu+-+Porter+(131).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Triumphant Three! </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-55724096611234390552014-03-18T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-18T10:00:02.925-07:00Study Abroad Peru 2013: May 3, Day 7 (Cusco to Aguas Calientes)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh ya know, just me chillin' in Peru! <br />
Thanks for the pic Rydge!</td></tr>
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The day started early (ok, <i>everyday</i> started early) but we all had to be packed for our trip to Manchu Picchu today. Fortunately, all we had to do was put together a two day bag, and then throw everything else into our suite-cases which were staying in Cusco. Right after breakfast we all had packed ourselves into a bus for the couple hour drive down to the valley and the train station. <br />
The bus ride was beautiful and full of good times chatting and playing cards. For the most part we were above the tree line and had a great view of the peaks all around us. We stopped at several points to take some pictures, of the whole group and of some of the guys entertaining us with their gymnastics.<br />
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Once we got down to the Urubamba river valley we hopped a train and set out to Manchu Picchu. A train in Peru is probably not the best first impression of trains in general, I have since had more pleasant rides on Utah's Front Runner system, but it was an overall great experience. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnvvks5JzwXbQ1omCBsXmaAiqUGDlFb0DBz-NiaNc6rg-qNWqoeg1CRllatNasALPoXrDuwjtFf6aSTngm_P-sy9bCAux5Ivunw6kkN90KHA1OC502OvuE4wSDVyEFhHyhdwPOWZSQSUX/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnvvks5JzwXbQ1omCBsXmaAiqUGDlFb0DBz-NiaNc6rg-qNWqoeg1CRllatNasALPoXrDuwjtFf6aSTngm_P-sy9bCAux5Ivunw6kkN90KHA1OC502OvuE4wSDVyEFhHyhdwPOWZSQSUX/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Requisite group photo. (I'm hiding behind Dr. Lewis.)</td></tr>
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I thoroughly enjoyed the transformation in scenery all around us. As we descended to travel right next to the river the landscape changed from a desert with a few hardy plants to lush greenery that seemed practically a jungle. The train ride provided an excellent opportunity for several rousing games of Phase 10. We always knew how to have a grand time, even while sitting for most of the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSIO9ytS_tCzHhpaLrQynoPwE15KpNEKCEsHx4A2TU0LroOVYrEYMM0wG-ghS_026nBP9otxSOy_QqvHAEEoWc_uBUZ_VLvDxxbilPFOrhqSknfdrukeKmSkB_iYfHZPHH9d-iyJ8x3Yu/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSIO9ytS_tCzHhpaLrQynoPwE15KpNEKCEsHx4A2TU0LroOVYrEYMM0wG-ghS_026nBP9otxSOy_QqvHAEEoWc_uBUZ_VLvDxxbilPFOrhqSknfdrukeKmSkB_iYfHZPHH9d-iyJ8x3Yu/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on the Urubamba river valley.</td></tr>
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At the end of the train ride we were in Manchu Picchu city also known as Aguas Calientes. When we first arrived it was late in the day and clouds hid the mountain peak from our view. After checking in, always an adventure with 20+ people in rooms of 1-2, most everyone put their suites on to head to the famous hot springs that gave the city its name. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedbVPJyTzghk0_TF6rjzbSqWdiixqwv8ddD4dVCRUPBnvKJ9fSuFtzkZkWRjMj9LJkdQ3nC3oaV8pw0w9N-z0jW_9UwVeI03nvZSirA8R6KQRXT3Ub3QWeSBCUfpy0Gs5H5b95HBCUN3T/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedbVPJyTzghk0_TF6rjzbSqWdiixqwv8ddD4dVCRUPBnvKJ9fSuFtzkZkWRjMj9LJkdQ3nC3oaV8pw0w9N-z0jW_9UwVeI03nvZSirA8R6KQRXT3Ub3QWeSBCUfpy0Gs5H5b95HBCUN3T/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alright, so I think terraced farming is cool...</td></tr>
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After a short walk up along a tributary of the Urubamba river you arrive at a bridge and looking down can see the 4 or 5 man made pools with people sitting in them. Then after walking a little farther, and winding your way through a couple of buildings, you meet an armed guard unwilling to let you pass in anything but your swimming gear and shoes. (Yes, it was just about my favorite experience to be gestured at with a gun and told to take my board shorts and t-shirt off.) Upon reaching what appeared to be a suitable pool we all hopped in and were greeted by about the most lukewarm water imaginable. Severely disappointed we sent Larissa (the only Spanish speaker among us) off to inquire about the temperature of the rest of the pools. After a minute or two we found one marginally warmer, and those determined to stay did so while the more severely disappointed packed up and left. After a few more had arrived, some genius decided that if you were to stand in the water coming straight off of the river (in designated showers) for a bit coming into the mildly warm water would feel significantly better. Therefore a challenge was issued...three people were needed to stand under each of the three shower heads. Immediately it was determined the issuer ought to be among the party so Mitch (I believe) was volunteered. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh these boys...always entertaining us!</td></tr>
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Eventually the main subject of the challenge (Jay) relented on the condition that someone else also come, so naturally I volunteered. After carefully approaching the shallow (2 in max) pool of (literally nearly) freezing water, a countdown commenced and before I could scarcely breathe we three were standing with our heads under pouring fountains of pure mountain water. Predictably Jay bowed out quickly and that left two, to settle the matter of whose ego was bigger. I of course knew that no one would really bother twice if I stepped out first (women being the weaker sex and all that) and that Mitch would have a terrible awful time the rest of the week if he were to step out first. So then it became ego vs. stubbornness, and for those of you who haven't yet met my stubborn side, just know you should bet on it every time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zh_cFzw6KY5uJZgrjnjkKheXqFAl0wt1SWcI36m4OJ3cs9239VTIZJ05jGPehri20FbM9NJTsTOTYbMFmay7MWoPLBuuP8ghrXTH_nHdk5IebHQf52kfDm_EnkvqNOxArEKphPaavswx/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zh_cFzw6KY5uJZgrjnjkKheXqFAl0wt1SWcI36m4OJ3cs9239VTIZJ05jGPehri20FbM9NJTsTOTYbMFmay7MWoPLBuuP8ghrXTH_nHdk5IebHQf52kfDm_EnkvqNOxArEKphPaavswx/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared and Porter...always full of energy!</td></tr>
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Relatively soon it became apparent I was cold, shivering and hairs standing on end tend to do that, so the secret offers started. "Erin, we can step out together no big deal". Once it became obvious this was a contest, we had no trouble attracting the attention of the other tourists. (Stubborn white women tend to do that.) I honestly don't remember how long we stood there, only that I was cold and we exited to a lovely round of applause (at the exact same moment). Also, the previously lukewarm water was much warmer after a quick dip in the cold.<br />
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Not long after Porter and Jared decided that they were going to time themselves and see how long they could stay. Naturally, I hadn't had enough so I jumped in with them. That round was significantly more interesting as the team effort to stay in the cold resulted in the recitation of several scriptures and songs in an attempt to stay in and distracted. I also don't remember how long we stayed under that time, but it was a number of minutes (10 maybe???) and I was really cold, but not cold enough to hesitate and exit just behind they guys this time. :)<br />
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The rest of the day concluded rather quickly after that as a brief search for dinner led to the Peruvian version of Mexican food (an interesting but not highly recommended mix) and then off to bed because our adventures at Manchu Picchu started at 4:30am!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3799136603771356682.post-72539279995472471092014-03-17T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-17T10:00:02.391-07:00The One about FOOD...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is the third installment in the two page anthropology paper series...<br />
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Topic: Sustainable Farming<br />
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As the world advances in all aspects of life a greater number of scientists, politicians, businessmen, and <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Robert Taylor <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24854893@N00/3251898382/in/photolist-5XmQ6u-6aHiVi-6pPCyi-74rVi8-7hf3f5-czRDem-8wYuPf-8wVvcn-dX2E5y-85LfdJ-d2NSyW-d2NkWd-d2NT93-d2NRCo-d2P4rf-d2NPEh-d2Nkkw-d5MLo1-9EoX5p-8wVvhZ-8wVvjX-8wVvaP-8wYuQs-8wVvdH-dLPBgZ-d2Ndo7-8jdW91-9Kk9px-9Kki83-9Kki5L-9KhsDZ-9KhsM6-9KhsKH-9KhsJk-9KhsFT-9KkifC-9Kki7o-9Khsyx-dLVaff-dLPB2B-fA61Wo-7GvHU1-dTdkdZ-dcMExh-dcMExf-dcMCgM-dcMEHE-eizqQh-g8bTio-dNehu9-dLPAWv">via Flickr</a></td></tr>
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others have become increasingly cognizant of the possibility that current methods that support our way of life may ultimately lead to our demise. This awareness has brought up three important questions: 1) Do we want to maintain the current standards of living? 2) Do we need to change our methodology to maintain those standards? 3) Are we willing to change if need be? Currently, in mainstream America those answers appear to be: 1) YES! 2) Yes. 3) Maybe. Looking specifically at agriculture, market demand answers the first question, science has helped prove the second, but the last is solely up to us. <br />
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As humans we have spent nearly all of recorded history as an agricultural society and looking for ways to improve the standard of living among ourselves. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Diamond">Jared Diamond</a> argues that what began as a search for a better life instead lead to “starvation, warfare, and tyranny. [1] However, Diamond’s article misses the point that because people had not previously lived in such large numbers they probably simply did what came most naturally to them, because it followed the same pattern of what they had done for thousands of years previously: protect and elevate family first. No slack in consumer demand indicate that we want to continue living the way that we have become used to, with a variety of foods from nearly every corner of the world at our finger tips. [2] Entire markets have erupted looking to provide “the next big thing” in an attempt to satisfy our insatiable pallets for more and better. [2] The next question, then is: Do we need to change our methodology to maintain those standards? <br />
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To answer this question most environmentalists point to the overwhelming evidence that current thinking and methodology is changing the environment of the world around us. Despite this, whether or not you believe that cars are a great polluting evil, causing global warming and killing the polar bears is immaterial here. What we do know, for a fact and with indisputable evidence is that some current agricultural practices do more long term harm than near term good. [2] For example, for nearly as long as people have farmed they have tilled the ground in preparation to plant each season. [3] However, research has found that tilling increases topsoil erosion, decreasing soil fertility as well as facilitating runoff of fertilizers and pesticides into the local environment where they may harm wildlife and human life. [3] Clearly then, tilling methods need to change in order to preserve natural resources. Other examples of research into new methodologies including pest/herbicides and genetics also contribute to the overall effort to make agriculture a sustainable practice and maintain yields at rates we currently enjoy. The last question then is: Are we willing to change?<br />
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Humans are not opposed to change. All of the time we make small changes as we change what we want and who we want to be. But for most the biggest opposition to change is money. Changing from products and lifestyles that do not support a sustainable way of life, to those that do will cost consumers a significant amount of money up front. Alex Steffen promotes change, saying, “You may pay more [upfront]…but they’ll save real money over the long term.” [4] Even farmers will have to pay a price; Scientific American notes that, “specialized no-till seeding equipment can be expensive”. [3] The key to change will be convincing people that it is worth it. People need to want to reduce, reuse, recycle, or else nothing will change. <br />
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So, is it possible to have sustainable agriculture while maintaining our current standards of living? Yes. Are we there yet? No. The good news is that we are getting closer as scientists, farmers, and consumers come together in closer agreement on what the future looks like. The bad news is that the consumers are last to agree. On the one hand more Californians are powering their homes with solar panels than ever, on the other we still use massive motor vehicles to transport ourselves and all of our things. What do you want for the future? </div>
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Works Cited<br />
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[1] <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
J. Diamond,
"<a href="http://isite.lps.org/cmorgan/web/documents/WorstMistake_000.pdf">The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race</a>," <i>Discover
Magazine, </i>1987. <o:p></o:p></div>
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[2] <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.pbs.org/america-revealed/episode/1/">America Revealed: Food Machine</a>. </i>[Film]. USA: Public
Broadcasting Station, 2012. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 1.0%;" valign="top" width="1%"><div class="MsoBibliography">
[3] <o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
J. P. Reganold and
D. R. Huggins, "<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/no-till/">No-Till: How Farmers are Saving the Soil by Parking Their Plows</a>," <i>Scientific American, </i>2008. <o:p></o:p></div>
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[4] <o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoBibliography">
A. N. Steffen,
"<a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/green.html">The Next Green Revolution</a>," <i>Wired, </i>2008. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623998223692740842noreply@blogger.com0