Revised Abstract

ETHIOPIA: ARE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING DEPENDENCY RATHER THAN SUSTAINABILITY?”

Rachael Dailey Goodwin (Dr. Ralph Brown, Sociology Dept, Brigham Young University)

According to US Embassy reports, the economic stability of Ethiopia in recent years has taken a turn for the worse, despite the increased number of NGOs operating to help provide stability. Are NGOs promoting dependency rather than sustainability? Ethiopia is a country rich in natural resources but poor in economy, infrastructure, and leadership. Non-governmental organizations set out to implement their own projects, while the government takes a different approach. While NGOs and Ethiopian Government point fingers at each other, the Ethiopian people continue to suffer. Through personal observation, interviewing those involved with NGOs operating in Ethiopia, and researching scholarly approved case studies of NGO projects, I will outline the positive and negative consequences of NGO operations and I shall better define the relationship between NGOs and the Ethiopian government.

Scenes of the Quest

The Letters of Joseph Smith

Yesterday I learned once more the value of writing. The priesthood lesson was about Joseph Smith's letters to his wife Emma.
Those letters were not written having in mind any other audience but Emma, still they disclose the mind, feelings and experience of the prophet.
Regardless the circumstances in which they were written, they survived the pass of time. I wondered what it had happened if the prophet had lived his life continuously at home. He had never written such letters and we had not had our priesthood lesson about his letters obviously, but not only that, we had missed to learn from those letters some aspects of the life of the prophet that today they reveal.
There is a magic in writing that brings the writer back to present.
There is a power in writing that no intelligent man can deny.

Proposal: This is Why I Write (Revised)

“Poetry is language condensed.” It’s photography of the heart, for it captures a moment of beauty and sifts the meaning from it. There is, perhaps, a common misconception that literary devices are for their own sakes; that they’re frosting on the cake, paint on the walls, ribbons in poetry’s hair. Not so. Neither are devices vain displays. They are the magnifying glass essential for shaping life’s diamonds. They are the mahogany with which we construct poetry.
I write because I love the feeling I get from a finished product. If I can write something beautiful, perhaps there’s a part of me that’s beautiful too. If I can write something worthwhile, perhaps I have value. If, miraculously, I can write something divine, perhaps, someday, I can find my divinity.
Don’t mistake me, writing is difficult. Like forcing myself to look in the mirror when I first wake up, it’s a painful experience. Through language, I confront me. And far too often, I despise what I see. Why then, do I continue to write? I write because when I do not, part of me dies. I am the rosebush and poetry is my flower. Without it, my thorny experiences aren’t worthwhile.
And then there are the moments, the springtimes, when I am in full bloom. At these instants I speak with the sun. He gives me life and I teach him of love: through poetry.

Promatch: A Computational Method for Identifying Conserved Transcription Factor Binding Sites in C. Elegans. (Revised)

The nematode species C. Elegans serves as an ideal model organism for genomic research due to the simplicity of its genetic structure when compared to most vertebrates. Study of C. Elegans has served to identify many target genes of several regulatory transcription factors. It has been shown through prior research that the transcription factor binding sites which have the largest effect on gene expression tend to be conserved across the genomes of several different species. Using this knowledge, we will utilize the level of species conservation into an accessible format that will allow researchers around the world to enhance their genomic studies. We have developed such a method to incorporate the conservation of DNA sequences across six different nematode genomes into a mathematical algorithm. These include the genomes of: C. Elegans, C. Briggsae, C. Japonica, C. Remanei C. Brenneri, and P. Pacificus. This algorithm has the ability to identify specific transcription factors using position weight matrices obtained through the TRANSFAC database which are significantly represented in a submitted C Elegans gene list. This algorithm will be presented to the public through a website where one may submit a list of genes and choose from one of three background models.

The Fatal Consequences of Human Isolation - Abstract (Revised)

Is there a correlation between the lack of physical or emotional interactions and physical health? After several years interested in this topic I found that the answer is yes. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the lack or deficiency of physical and emotional interactions among humans leads first, to psychological, and then to biological disorders, and that the extreme of total social isolation may provoke a fatal outcome, even death. The method I will use consists in finding a relation among already-studied psychological disorders that have biological implications.

Simplicity in the Gospel - Getting Back to the Basics (revised)

Eleventh Annual BYU Religious Education Student Symposium
Simplicity in the Gospel – Getting back to the Basics

The theme for my essay will be the simplicity of the Gospel and the happiness that lies therein. My focus will be using doctrinal reminders to shed light onto the straightforwardness of the Gospel and the joy that results from these simple truths. As Latter-Day Saints, we are given pure and basic truths, and we tend to think “this is too easy, salvation should be difficult to achieve.” We corrupt these plain and simple truths with details, and we occasionally need reminders to simplify our lives and views on the Gospel. I will compile the advice and commandments given concerning the plain nature of the Gospel and plan of happiness. The paper will be based on the scriptures and words from modern day prophets, seers, and revelators (conference talks, ensign articles, etc.).

Living a Christ-Centered Life. Cindy Hurst. Conference Abstract (Revised)

Living a Christ-Centered life
Modified to become the David O’Mckay Essay

Title:

Becoming Like Christ: The Constant Journey

Background:

Christ came to the earth proclaiming these simple words: “Come, unto me”. What an extraordinarily simple command, for such a life changing movement. His knowledge is the purest of knowledge. When we choose to follow Christ, we are stepping above man’s logic, and are appealing to a much higher knowledge—a self-less, love-centered knowledge. If we choose to follow him, we will find far greater meaning, purpose, and direction in our lives. However, choosing to follow him is only the first step. It is in the constant journey towards becoming like him that we truly feel a deep change of heart.

Purpose:

My goal is to be able to explain to others the great truths that I have learned in my quest to live a Christ-Centered life, with emphasis on it being a constant journey. We cannot hope to simply maintain. We must keep moving forward or else we will find ourselves struggling.

Method:

As a narrative. I will reflect on important events in my life that brought me on a new path to follow Christ, when I had lost my way from lack of a constant progression. Also included will be important doctrines that helped me to come closer to Christ. I will relate these experiences to the mountains, and explain some
powerful metaphors in my life that have helped me understand the journey in becoming Christ-like, including how constant movement is necessary to become a good skier as much as it is to become like Christ.

Anticipated results:

By living with the constant goal of progressing towards Christ, a person can expect to have feeling of peace and stillness in their life. They will more readily feel the spirit, and experience the blessings that come with choosing to be righteous. They will also find greater strength to overcome adversities that may approach them.

(Revised Abstract) Accuracy and predictor variables of listeners’ identification of male speaker body size, age, and ethnicity

While previous research has shown listeners' ability to determine age, ethnicity, and body size, sometimes based only on a single word, no known studies have explored the interaction of these variables in voice recognition.
To determine the factors involved, male speakers varying in ethnicity, height, weight, and age were asked to produce 5 monosyllable English words. These were analyzed for acoustic features (fundamental frequencies, formant frequencies, jitter & shimmer, voice onset time, etc.), then played for listeners asked to identify the four variables based only on that word.
Preliminary results show that listeners are most able to identify ethnicity and least accurate at identifying body size. Successful rating for Caucasian ethnicity was significantly higher than for other ethnicities. These results may have application in forensic linguistics in criminal identification.

"Non-governmental Organizations & Government Relations: Are NGOs Doing More Harm Than Good?" Abstract Revised (Rachael)

Conference Paper Part I: Abstract

“Non-Governmental Organizations & Government Relations in Ethiopia: Are Non-Governmental Organizations Doing More Harm Than Good?”

The economic stability of Ethiopia in recent years has taken a turn for the worse (according to US Embassy reports) despite the increased number of NGOs operating in Ethiopia to help provide stability. Government officials in Ethiopia lobby for, boast of, and depend upon more funding coming from NGOs each year (according to the Ministry of Ethiopian Foreign Affairs). Are NGOs promoting dependency rather than sustainability? Ethiopia is a country rich in natural resources but poor in economy, infrastructure, and leadership. Non-governmental organizations set out to implement projects their way with their funding while the government takes a different approach. NGOs operating in Ethiopia claim that new rules rules and regulations keep them from operating effectively. The Ethiopian Bureau of Federal & Economic Development (BOFED) claims the increased misappropriation of NGO funds to be the reason for recent added rules and regulations. While NGOs and Ethiopian Government point fingers at each other, the Ethiopian people continue to suffer.
I hypothesize that there are both positive and negative consequences to the work of nongovernmental organizations in Ethiopia. While some are doing more harm than good, I hope to find that others are doing more good than harm.
Through personal observation, interviewing those involved with NGOs operating in Ethiopia, and researching scholarly approved case studies of NGO projects, I intend to determine the positive and negative consequences NGOs have in Ethiopia. I intend to better define the relationship between Ethiopian government and NGOs, as I believe defining this relationship will show some of the aforementioned consequences and help provide a solution for the two to work together to move forward.

HIV/AIDS in Senegal

Senegal’s differences in awareness, legislation, infrastructure, and previous programs have allowed its fight against HIV/AIDS more success than in similar countries. Levels of awareness of practices protective against HIV/AIDS among the general population exceeded 90% in the early ‘90s, with high-publicity educational campaigns. Legislation is also favorable: adultery is illegal in Senegal; in addition, polygyny requires consent (although this law is often not enforced, in favor of tradition) and prostitution was legalized in 1969, allowing for a unique infrastructure providing health care to sex workers.

Established in 1969, the Female Sex Worker Registry (FSWR) has been used since its creation for STD treatment and screening, encouraging registration by providing needed, affordable services; these services effectively outweigh the costs of some social stigma. The aforementioned other programs setting the stage for Senegal’s current fight against HIV/AIDS includes the STD control program administered through the FSWR, which was integrated into primary health care services and included cost recovery for reduced-cost STD treatments, allowing for sustainability.

Acknowledging these foundations in Senegal as part of the rapid response to the emergence of HIV/AIDS in Senegal in the 80s, this paper will examine the success of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Senegal by evaluating its structure and outcome and assessing the basic feasibility of its the most recent experimental project, ISAARV, in other western African countries. The ISAARV (Senegalese Antiretroviral Drug Access Initiative), launched in 1998, is the base of Senegal’s current Strategic Plan Against AIDS (PNLS) and is recognized as a possible framework from which to base other HIV/AIDS interventions in countries like Benin and Cameroon in western Africa.

Warning this is long, kind of corny and really really rough and for some reason it didn't want to format. Read at own risk!

So for fun I started to write a story it is kind of cheesy at parts and is really rough. I thought that writing this would be a fun on the side thing that I could do. I have been working on it here and there for about a month. It could possibly be turned into a short story, but I am not sure. Just remember that this was for fun and it is probably not very good. In fact I knew the writing isn’t anything amazing. Enjoy!


At first I didn’t even feel it. The small electric shock was nothing more than that of static. It wasn’t big enough to notice. Yet the second wave knocked me to the ground. I stayed there where I fell, on my hands and knees. I tensed, waiting for a third and even bigger jolt. As I knelt there panting, two feet stepped into my view. The boots were worn, yet they contained a style that suggested power. I knew the boots well. I had seen them many times before as they chased down rebels. Rebels like me.

Chapter 1
The weight of the package in my hands seemed to increase with each passing second. Only one more turn until my office and then I could relieve my arms of this burden. I was almost at a run when I reached the corner.
“Ow!” I yelped as I hit something and tumbled to the floor. Maybe I hit the wall; I really should pay more attention. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I laid there hoping that; first of all no one saw, and second of all that it was a wall that I ran into. A hand came into view. Dang it! No such luck on either account.
“I’m so sorry about that,” I heard as I was placed on my feet, “Are you okay?” I was just about to answer when I realized that I was no longer carrying the package. Oh no, oh no. I can’t have lost it. This can’t be happening.
“Are you okay?” Where is it? Where is my package? I am dead, absolutely dead without it. It wasn’t on the floor. Two firm hands grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. I stared into two emerald green pools.
“Are you okay?”
“ Ur… um… Yes. Yes I am”
“You sure?” He looked at me skeptically. I brushed my skirt off and straightened my jacket self-consciously.
“Yes I am sure. I just… I just dropped something.” My eyes scanned the floor at my feet once more.
“Oh” I watched as his face lit up with understanding. “How big was it?” I realized that his hands were still on my shoulders as he took one off and put it in his pocket. The other he left on my shoulder as if he thought that if he let go I would fall down again. Who does this guy think he is?
“Well, it is small and square, and is wrapped…”
“…In brown paper?” My blood chilled as he finished my sentence for me. My following answer was so quiet that he had to lean closer in order to hear.
“ Yes.” He chuckled as he leaned back and pulled the small ring box sized package from his pocket. My eyes widened in fear. Did he recognize it? Is that why he had pocketed it? Before I realized it, my hand shot out and snatched up the small object. He chuckled again at my reaction. I rotated the package in my hands. Everything looked all right. I sighed inwardly and turned to walk into my office.
“I‘m sorry that I scared you like that.” He called at my retreating back.
“That’s alright.” I mumbled without turning around to see if he had heard me. My hand reached the door knob which I turned quickly letting myself into my safe zone. I closed the door and leaned up against it. My eyes remained closed as I breathed, in and out, in and out, trying to slow and calm my panicked heart. Air, I needed air. My eyes flickered open as I slowly walked over to the window straight ahead of me. The button for the shades was warm against my cold fingers. I gently slid the pane of glass upward, and as soon as I did I could feel the cool breeze against my face. My hands searched for the arms of the chair behind me. I slid into it trying to let the cool breeze blow away my cares, and my fears. Yet paranoia won. I took a mental inventory of my fairly small office. First the bookshelf; everything seemed to be in order. My pictures were all there; my books still in alphabetical order. I moved to my desk. I put my hand on the top drawer handle. How silly of me to worry. I tried to calm myself. There really was no way that anyone could have found out. With a small sigh, I opened the drawer and drop the small package inside. Yet my nerves wouldn't calm. It wasn’t safe here; I had to leave, but where would I go. I walked back to my window and gazed out at the scenery.Out my window I could see the crystal lake below me. I had always loved my office. It was the furthest one built over the lake, which put me right in the middle of it all. The sensation that came with the view calmed me, or at least it used to. Now it made me anxious. I was the furthest from the shore. So many things could happen. I continued to stare out the window looking for anything out of the ordinary, but I found nothing.I jumped as the phone on my desk started singing.
“Hello, this is Rhea.”
“Did you get it?” I shuddered at the voice.
“ Yes, I just retrieved it.” There was silence on the other end.“Hello?” I heard a small click. My heart started to race again. I needed to leave, and it had to be now. Was someone listening to my conversation? Had I been cut off? I started gathering things into a bag. The package, a few books, all my pictures, my files; Was I forgetting anything? I did a quick look over my office, before opening the door and stepping out of it for the last time, hopefully.I tried to keep my pace casual as I walked down the long hallway. There is no need to alert anyone of my intensions. My footsteps seemed loud in my ears. They almost seemed to echo. My mind began to process the sound. There did seem to be some kind of echo, yet my foot fall didn’t match the sound. Someone had to be following. Why? It is okay, there are tons of people around they could just be going the same way as me. I could feel my palms becoming uncomfortably wet with a nervous sweat.I needed to find a reason to stop. Someway to turn around and see who was there. I slid the bracelet of my delicate wrist. One… Two… Three… I let the small projectile slide through my fingers as I tried to keep a natural swing to my arm. I stopped, I hoped not too abruptly, and slowly turned around. I told myself to stay focus on the bracelet until it was in my hands. I bent down to retrieve it. As I reach out for it, two feet stepped into view. I noted the army looking boots, they looked very worn. I could tell there was some kind of story behind them. I straightened my posture and found myself looking again into deep green eyes.
“Do you drop things often?” There was a smirk in his voice.
“No… I mean sometimes.” I can’t let him think that I am acting abnormally. Even though I am; I am losing my edge. This job is becoming way to stressful. I fidgeted uncomfortably."Well, I have to go" I started to walk away. Yet as I turned I felt his hand clasp my wrist and turn me to fact him once more.
"I don't believe I know your name?"
"I don't give out my name to strange men?" The smirk returned to his eyes.
"I wouldn't be strange if you got to know me better." He chuckled as he moved closer. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. DANGER, DANGER.
"I... I am sorry, but I really must go" I said as I wiggled my way out of his grip. I moved fast to avoid further interaction with this man. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I reach the exit. I swung the door out in front of me and stepped outside not looking back.I knew that from that moment on that my life would no longer be easy. The storm was coming and it was going to be big. I felt as though I was being watched as I walked to my car. I shook the feeling off as I opened my door. I needed to focus now. I needed to keep my mind on the road. Just that narrow stretch of road in front of me.
Chapter 2
I sank into the chair that faced my bay window. I closed my eyes trying to replay the past few days. I had gone to the drop off spot to find it in shambles. The package was still in my possession. I knew that I shouldn’t open it, but I couldn’t stay away. I was drawn to it like a magnet. To solve the problem I had put it in a huge safe in the attic of my small beach house. Even though it was out of the way, I often caught my eyes wandering up to the ceiling as if they could bore hole through the safe and then the package would drop into my lap. How could something so small be so important to the plan?My mind began to drift to what had started all this commotion, and how I had gotten involved. I remembered that it had been right after I had bought this small beach house. Chase had helped me pick it out. He had always been a mentor to me. He had taught me the laws of the land and had gotten me the job at the governments Special Forces office. I didn’t know what my job was there at first and then I figured it out. I was a spy. To everyone else I was a secretary of sorts. Every week Chase would give me a new assignment, and each week I would complete it just to see the look of satisfaction in Chase’s eyes. His bright blue eyes shined with affection every time I did something right. I had grown accustom to it, I even began to crave it. Yet now, he was gone. I had no idea where he was or what I was to do now. I didn’t feel safe enough to go back to work, so I stayed here. In this secret house only used every once in a while. I had come here hoping that Chase would be here to greet me, but I had no such luck. I was staring at nothing now. I just look absentmindedly at the waves that pelted the shore below.The rhythm of the ocean brought peace to me, and I fought myself at the water’s edge moments later. With my shoes in my hands I walked into the water until in swirled around my ankles. After soaking in the feeling I returned to the soft sand. I sat down and curled my knees up to my chest. I hugged them for comfort. Oh Chase, where are you? I need you.The next thing I knew I was lifting my head off the sandy floor. It was dark, did I fall asleep outside? Suddenly fear strangled me. I fought it, but it was winning. It was crippling me. I slowly made my way back to the house. As I reached for the door knew I heard something in the bushes move. The fear was overwhelming. I practically fell through the doorway, only to be tackled all the way to the floor a second later.I never imagined that I could ever make such a sound, but the scream that burst out of my lungs was the most terrifying cry that I had ever heard. My scream was suddenly cut off by a hand.
“Rhea?” My eyes widened at my name and the sound of the voice that said it. The weight was suddenly off me and the lights flickered on a moment later. Chase stood at the switch, a look of total shock on his face. I was still trying to slow my pulse. I laid there panting on the cold hard wood floor. Chase closed the space between us in few steps and lifted me to my feet with ease.
“Where have you been?” He asked as his arms drew me near. I pushed away and looked up at him.
“Where have I been? I have been here for the past three days? Where have you been? He took my hand and led me to the couch in the next room. He sat down next to me keeping my hand in his.
“ I was at the drop off zone waiting for you, when they showed up. I barely got away, but not before they jolted me.” He lifted up his pant leg to reveal a large bloody gash. I recoiled slightly. “ I pulled their little machine out my leg, it was painful, but it was either that or get caught and I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
“Where did you go after that?”
“ I stayed away until it got dark and then I went back to wait for you, but you never showed up, so I…” I cut him off to correct him.
“ I went there and found the place in pieces, and then I came here. I have been waiting here, worried and frightened. I thought you had been caught or worse kil…” It was his turn to cut me off. He covered my mouth with his hand.“Shhh … You need to calm down. You were frightened? Really?” I nodded under his hand. “There was really no reason for you to be scared.” I removed his hand from my face.“You say that, but I have no idea what to do if something suddenly happens to you.” he shook his head at my panic.“You don’t think I am the head of this job do you? I guess you would have no other reason to believe anything otherwise, but listen I am not the boss in this. There are so many others involved. I never told you because… well I guess it was because, I was worried about your safety. I have you in a safe enviro…” I cut him off again.“Had.”“Had? What do you mean? What are you talking about?” his eyes searching my face for an answer.“I walked out yesterday.” I cringed waiting for him to blow up at me.“You walked out?”“Yeah.”“Did you tell anyone you were leaving?”“NO, No I just gathered up all the stuff that I could carry and walked away”“So no one saw you leave?” At this point he was gripping my shoulders with such force that it was cutting off circulation to my arms. I tried to pry his fingers off of me.“Ouch! Well, there might have been somebody”“What?” His face was white and his eyes glazed over in a combination of fear and shock, “Who saw you?”“I…I don’t know his name,” I pulled my legs up to my chest and hugged them for comfort, “I ran into him when I was getting the package. I accidentally dropped it he pocket it for a little while and then…” I was rambling on and Chase put up a hand to silence me. He sat for a while, still as stone. I wondered what kind of plan he was cooking up in that mystic little head of his.“Okay, you are going back.” It was a command, not a request.“WHAT?” My eyes were wide with horror, “I can’t go back; I just can’t. You don’t understand. What if I got caught? I thought you were worried about my safety?” He reached forward to comfort me, but I moved away from him. How could he put me in danger? Did he not realize how scared I was? Was I scared for no reason? No, there was a reason. Traitors if caught were killed. I would not be caught; I would not.“Listen, you were our eyes and ears. We need you in the center of it all.” His pleading eyes softened my resolve. “Please,” He made a big deal of the asking part, “Go back.”“I don’t know if I can. What if… What if that guy knows everything. I mean why did he pocket the package before helping me up and why did he follow me out of the building?”“We don’t know the answers to those questions; that is why we need you there more than ever.” I stood up and head to the window. I stared at the even beating of the ocean. Chase stayed on the couch and watch my back; waiting for my answer. I turned back to face him.“I will need to think about this, but not tonight. I will see you in the morning.” And with that I ended the conversation and walked toward the stairs. As I ascended I looked back at the couch. Chase was sitting forward with his face resting in his hands. He suddenly looked older and worn. I pulled my eyes away and walked to the end of the hallway where the door to the master bedroom stood ajar, waiting for me.After getting ready for the night, I jumped onto the bed and began reading, hoping that it would calm me and help me sleep. As I read my eyelids grew heavier, the book in my hand slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor. * * * “Please, please let me go, I swear I am innocent. I didn’t know what the package contained,” My eyes blurred with tears could still see his bright green eyes. I struggled as he gripped my wrists and dragged me down a lonely hallway. “Where are you taking me? Please. Please. Please.” My own sobs cut me off. I was too frightened to fight with my tears or this man.“I have been watching you for a while, you know,” He didn’t look back at me now, he only quickened his pace. “You are very well trained and you probably would have gotten away too, but you made the mistake of coming back. Thank you for making my job easier.” He laughed maniacally. The hallway seemed to go on forever. The long walk helped to clear my head. I need to fight back. So I started to pull at his fingers and twist in his grip. I turned and pulled as hard as I could until finally I broke free. As soon as I was free I was falling.“Ough!” I landed on the hard wood floor with a thump. I looked at the clock on the wall, 3:38 AM.“Urgh.” I picked myself off the floor. My skin was sticky with a nervous sweat. It was only a dream, it was only a dream. It had been so real. I worked on calming myself. I sucked in the cool morning air, realizing that I had left my window open I rushed to it. As I reached to pull the window pane down I glanced at the silent beach below. There on the shining sand stood a dark silhouette. I jumped back from the window. Was he looking at the house or the rolling tide? The moons glow didn’t cast enough light to tell the difference. I crept back to the window. My heart began pound as my eyes registered the fact that the figure was suddenly gone. Where had he gone and how could he have moved that fast?I jumped back onto the bed and threw the covers over me, like I had when I would hide from monsters as a young child. I felt alone and over my head. Why couldn’t my life be boring and normal. I would trade anything for that again. I had wished so hard for some adventure before Chase had come along. Yet now I realized that I had gotten an adventure alright, an adventure that would eventually get me killed if I wasn’t careful.I laid awake debating whether or not I should return to Nforce or not. The haunting nightmare kept me wanting to say no. If I returned I could be caught. My life could end. My mind drifted back to the strange figure outside my window. I peeked out from behind my soft shelter and scanned my dark room. Everything was in order, of course. What did I expect? They couldn't have found me that fast. Although it was only a matter of time before it happened, and when it did there would be no escape.Chapter 3"Oh, finally back are we." I jumped at the sound that came from my doorway. I looked up to see those green eyes again. This guy was really starting to annoy me. I quickly thought through the strategy that Chase and I had discussed. It was time for me to make a new friend. It is like the saying, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." That was the plan. I stood up and walked around my desk to him. I held out my hand."Yes, I just need to have a little vacation time, and I don't think that we have been formally introduced, my name is Rhea. Yours is?" I gave him a wide smile as he took my hand.He had firm grip, of course I already knew this from our previous encounter."Pleased to truly meet you Rhea, I am Anders.""Pleased to meet you Anders. I am glad to finally know your name, since we are constantly running into one another." He gave a small wink at my comment.I almost thought I had imagined it."So, how about dinner Friday?""Wow, you don't waste anytime do you?" His smile appeared again."No I don't. If I see something I like then I go after it, no matter the impending defeat.""Well, I don't like to take such risks, so considering that the only things I know about you are that you follow women around the building and your name, I will have to pass." He forced a scowl upon his face. It made him look darker and evil. I didn't like it. I retreated back the my desk hoping that he would close the door behind him. To my dismay he didn't close the door as he left, he closed it as he came all the way into my office. I tried to ignore him at first, yet when he decided to sit on my desk I couldn't ignore him anymore. "Can I help you with something?" I tried to keep my tone light."Yes, you can accompany me to dinner on Friday.""I believe that I already said no.""Yeah, but I thought I would give you a second chance." He winked again, and then stood up. "Well if you change your mind, which you probably will, you now know who I am." With that disclaimer he left the room. I sank into my chair and let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing Through The Atonement's Lens: A Fresh Look At First Nephi (Revised)

Seeing Through The Atonement's Lens: A Fresh Look At First Nephi

Since the time that the Book of Mormon was translated and brought forth by Joseph Smith, we the membership of the church have been exhorted to read it and gain spiritual strength through its messages. However, many times we fail to take the full spiritual journey and end up reading the book of First Nephi again and again. My purpose in writing this paper is to show that when we read the Book of First Nephi through the lens of the Atonement, we can discover a trove of doctrine about Christ's mission and His character. I will do this by showing how specific stories including Getting the Brass Plates forshadow Nephi's revelatory vision of Christ. Then after Nephi has had his witness, I will show how he is called to emulate certain characteristics of the Savior's through trials such as The Broken Bow, the Murmering of Lamen and Lemuel, and being Bound on the Ship. I will use quotes from prophets and apostles to supplement the doctrine that is found in the text of First Nephi. My hope is that this paper will testify that the message of the Savior can be manifest and rediscovered in any book of scripture, regardless of length or how many times it has been read before.

In 4 sentences:

We have been called as members to read the Book of Mormon, but often we end up reading First Nephi over and over again until we think we have it practically memorized. My goal is to show how new lessons can be learned from First Nephi when we read it through the lens of the Atonement. I will do this by showing symbolism in the familiar stories in First Nephi and also using supporting doctrine and quotes from church leaders. I hope that this message will encourage others to look at scripture, familiar and unknown, and see how the Savior can always be manifested and testified of therein.

Abstract (Revised)

Title: Pioneers and Converts: an African heritage

Topic: Church history and Pioneers in Rural Africa.

Background: We often focus on the pioneer heritage of the early Latter Day Saints of European decent. There are, however, many unsung heroes of church history relating to other parts of the world.

Scope: This essay addresses the history of early pioneer converts in Africa and their influence.

Justification: The research will help others to greater understand and appreciate modern pioneers in Africa

Abstract for Conference Paper

“To Us!” An Investigation of the Alcoholic-Induced Liver Disease: Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Background:
The excessive consumption of alcohol is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States. 75,000 Americans die unnecessarily each year because of alcohol abuse, with 30% of alcoholics developing alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcohol cirrhosis is the result of chronic liver disease that causes scarring of the liver and liver dysfunction due to the consumption of alcohol in excess and over a long period of time.

Purpose:
My purpose is to investigate how alcohol consumption leads to cirrhosis, the internal symptoms and effects of this disease, as well as the treatments that are used to manage complications and aim at preventing further liver damage.

Method:
I will research many medical studies that have focused on the affects and causes of liver cirrhosis, and to see which age, gender and cultural groups it is most prevalent in, if there is such a pattern, and to investigate how such a disease can lead to fatality.

Anticipated Results:
Through carrying out my method I hope to find that alcoholic cirrhosis can be reversed or at least have the affects subsided by treatments and preventable measures, so as not to reach the stage of liver failure and death. I would predict that such a disease is most prevalent in adult males, past the age of forty, since alcoholic cirrhosis is a disease that arises from longevity and frequent consumption of alcohol.

Preach my Gospel: A Post mission guide (Revised)

Title: Preach my Gospel: A Post mission guide

Background: Young men and women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are called to serve twenty-four and eighteen month missions respectively. The transition upon returning home can be quite a difficult experience. This period of transition is one of the most, or can be one of the most difficult and personally challenging times of a young person’s life.
Purpose: This papers aim is to provide returned missionaries with a clear post mission objective. This paper will demonstrate how to live, cope, survive, and thrive after the mission. I will show how to transition to post mission life through the use of using Preach My Gospel.
Method I will show how to transition to post mission life by setting out ten principles that were lived in the mission, and now can be applied after the mission. They are: Develop Christlike attributes, Use the Scriptures, Pray often, Rely on the spirit, Be exactly obedient, Goal setting and accountability, Work effectively, Build relationships with members, Bear frequent testimony, Love the Lord.
Anticipated Results: This method will yield happiness and confidence, a smooth transition into the post mission era, and the fulfilling of post mission duties. PMG will become not only a pre-service and missionary manual, but also a post mission guide or PMG.

Revised: Project - Mayhew submission

Title/Theme: The theme of my work(s) will be religious, specifically my mission. My mission has had a profound impact on my life and has given and continues to give me inspiration. I haven’t yet firmly decided on a title, but it will probably have something to do with my mission and/or the experiences I had.

Background/Description: I’ll be writing a series of poems. Some were written on my mission, some since I’ve been home and others are still floating around in my brain, waiting to be clothed in words. They will portray some of my experiences, feelings and some of the people I knew.

Focus/Scope: The focus, hopefully, will be the spiritual significance found in the profound spiritual moments that only happen on a mission. I think that most of the collection will recount experiences, thoughts or people that changed/impacted me in some way.

Genre/Style: I’ll be experimenting/playing with several different types of poetry. I hope to use several different styles of poetry that I haven’t used very much before.

Justification/ Delimitations: Each poem will in some way have to do with my mission. I will probably submit several smaller poems, unless of course, in the process of writing the smaller ones I’m blessed with some great epiphany birthing a phenomenal longer poem that’s like nothing else I’ve ever written before. If that should happen, I’ll submit it.

Abstract Blog

The Benefits of Family and Other Social Support on Adolescent Mothers and their Children

Adolescent pregnancy is becoming more prevalent today with about 10% of 15- to 19- year-old girls becoming pregnant every year in the United States. Whereas most adult pregnancies are planned and prepared for, teen pregnancies are often unexpected. This can cause great distress to the adolescents who lack the knowledge and support they need to care for their child. Although pregnancy is difficult for an adolescent, research has shown that certain resources and factors can help the adolescent and her family to cope in a way that benefits the child, mother, and family. For example, family support alone can lessen stress, strengthen the attachment of the child to the adolescent mother, and provide and better environment for both mother and child. Therefore, purpose of this review of literature is to explore the difficulties that pregnant adolescent girls and their babies face and to observe the benefits of the available resources, specifically the family, the father of the baby and other support have on them. Research on three sources of support was gathered from peer-reviewed articles. The information was gathered and synthesized in an organizational manner for the reader. An adolescent pregnancy is a trying time for all—family, father, friends, mother and the baby. This review of literature is written in hope that teen mothers realize that they do not have to go through this trying time alone, that there are resources out there, beginning with simply the family. It’s very possible to get through this trial and this is what adolescent mothers need to know.

Abstract: Influences in NBA Ticket Prices (Revised)

Title: We must fill up this House! A look at what affects average NBA ticket prices

Background: In sports entertainment the goal of any franchise is to be successful.... and rake in a lot of dough while doing it. Many sports analysts and fans have asked if the location of the franchise (i.e. small market (Salt Lake City/San Antonio vs. big market (NY/LA)) has a direct effect on the profits of the said franchise. My study will look to see what factors, whether city size or on-court success, are the biggest influencers on ticket prices in the NBA.

Purpose: My purpose in this study is to show that location and franchise success both affect the prices of tickets. This model could be valuable to team owners as they attempt to maximize both profits and attendance.

Method: My method will be to use the average ticket price (not including premium, box, or luxury seats) for each team and regress this data against such dependent variables such as size of the metropolitan area around the team, per capita income of its fan base, whether or not the team made the playoffs the previous year, etc. in order to achieve an appropriate model and view how each aspect influences ticket pricing.

Anticipated Results: I anticipate that my results will generally follow city size where the franchise is located. Larger markets will have higher ticket prices, etc. Although I do not expect the difference to be very dramatic. This may just prove that small market team fans might just be getting the better deal when watching their favorite players play.

Mayhew Short Story Contest (Revised)

Title/Theme: While I'm sure a final title will come to me in time, the theme that i am working with for my short story is the idea of what a person thinks when they stand face to face with death. People often contemplate their life when they near death and in my story a young man will be forced to look back on his own life and come to grips with the fact that he may die in moments as he waits for his troop transport ship to land at the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. This idea came to me as part of an in class writing exercise. I liked the short piece that i wrote for class but wanted to do something more grand with it and thought this would be a nice chance to expand on my original idea and see where it goes.

Background/Description: The short story will take place on June 6, 1944 at the allied landings at Normandy. My character is an unnamed private in the United States army who is on board a landing craft that is headed toward the beachhead at Omaha Beach. The story will be told through his internal thoughts with flash back memories mixed in with fear of death and the reality of what he is experiencing. I will try to tell the story in a way that resembles how i might have felt had i been there myself. I'll insert some of my own memories as his own to add some feeling and authenticity. I want to connect with the character because, if i can, the final product will feel more genuine.

Focus/Scope: The focus is squarely set on this young soldier and his thoughts as he is but a small player in one of histories greatest battles. The scope is also quite small as i will spend little time on the historical significance of the events taking place. I do this simply because, as the men were experiencing it, i feel that most of them were thinking about their loved ones, the prospect of being killed, and how scared they were rather than the grand implications of what they were doing. With such a narrow scope, i will try to give depth by going deeper into some of his thoughts and memories.

Genre/Style: The style will be free flowing thought. The thoughts will be jumbled, emotional, and at times confusing in hopes of doing justice to this unnamed soldier and how he really felt. As it is a short story, i will tie in his past with his present and examine, through his thoughts, what his life was like.

Justification/ Delimitations: I will stay within the prescribed length and try to stay focused on the reality and grit of the young man's situation. My aim is to stay with him and make his thoughts as realistic as i can. I will not go too long into his memories without snapping him back into his grim, frightening reality. As the entire length of this story will be only moments, the actual length of the paper will be shorter than other entries.

Abstract for Religious Symposium--Revised

I feel guilty, I feel great: guilt, shame, and self image in the LDS emerging adult

LDS church leaders caution against discouragement and self doubt. Scriptures likewise testify of the value God places on each human soul. Despite knowing these doctrines, some people become hindered by shame and low self esteem amid transgressions; this issue is especially salient to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in emerging adulthood. Moral development research indicates those who allow themselves some flexibility in moral conduct have higher likelihood of behaving morally long-term, an outcome associated with positive self-image. Research also shows connections between guilt and healthy outcomes--in contrast to shame, which is associated with depression and self-loathing. This paper aims to help LDS emerging adults maintain self worth, despite transgressions, leading to increases in hope and faith. Through examining statements from church leaders, scriptures, and research in moral development, a view will emerge which promotes living God’s commands with exactness, yet avoiding moral rigidity.

Conference Paper Abrstract: Music is Key to Learning

Title: Music is Key to Learning

Background:

For decades people have questioned if music really does have an impact on children’s lives. Numerous experiments and case studies have been conducted to search for an answer to this important question. From personal experience, I know that every phase of my life has been incredibly benefited as a result of my adolescent classical music training. Although the positive effects of early musical training in elementary schools is evident, the Utah Legislature is diminishing the importance and availability of music courses. Music education in the elementary schools is instrumental in helping children not only perform better in school, but also in many areas of their lives.

Purpose:
It is unmistakable that musical training is an important tool which improves every aspect of a child’s life. So, why are the school districts threatening to remove the fine arts departments from their schools? Currently, the Utah legislature is trying to place more emphasis and importance on the core classes; such as: science, math, and reading.

This in turn would guarantee that children would not have enough time in the day to take fine arts classes. As Lois Birkenshaw-Fleming points out, “other subjects such as math and science may give children the tools for living, but music and the other arts are what give them a reason for living” (qtd. in Campbell 186). Some educators see music education as cultural frill not worth studying, but music education for children is much more than that.

Good music instruction touches the child’s mind where it lives—the body. It is essential for the rhythm, the balance, the emotions, the social awareness, and the increasingly sophisticated thinking of the kindergarten and elementary school child. (Campbell 165)

Method:

I plan to research many different studies that have been done focused on children within music education. Using those studies, quotes, and statistics in my paper will give it more credibility.

Anticipated Results:

After reviewing the evidence, one can conclude that musical training can drastically improve every aspect of a child’s life. Some of the benefits a child could expect are: improved mathematical reasoning, improved reading scores, enhanced memory, social benefits including greater self-esteem and confidence, and enhanced coordination and motor skills. It has been said that, if a child feels like he has no friends, music can be a jumpstart to new friendships. Studying rhythm and tone can help him advance in his schoolwork. Also, the “grace and mastery” of a musical instrument can help him feel coordinated and able to successfully participate in other activities. Finally, music is a means of communicating his deepest emotions and feelings (Campbell 191).

Conference Paper Abstract (Revised): Strengthening the Conduit...

Strengthening the Conduit of Communication

between the Conscious Mind

and the Supernal Higher Intelligence

"...Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made. Neither indeed can be" (D&C 93:29). I have chosen to research that which has been of the greatest fascination to me throughout most of my young-adult life: Strengthening the conduit of communication between the conscious mind and the supernal higher intelligence.

My purpose is to find a way to more readily access the relatively untapped reservoir of knowledge, absolute truth, creativity, and genius I believe each of us has encapsulated within the subconscious mind. How we live here in mortality will determine our state of happiness or misery for the rest of eternity (see Alma 41:4); then why not use every possible resource we have, to live life to the fullest, and to prepare for the time to meet our Maker which will shortly come to pass (see D&C 110:16)?

The methods I plan to research in connecting with my own higher intelligence include, meditation, kinesiology, monitoring intake of physical and mental content, exercising faith, and seeking further light and knowledge.

Among the results of my research, I anticipate to find that there is a real and valid relationship between the things we physically and mentally permit to enter our beings, and our ability to put off the natural man and frequent the conduit of communication between that which we are consciously aware of, and what lies dormant within, the embryo of Deity. I expect to compile a concise list of proven methods so people can readily access their own higher intelligences in their personal quests to communicate.

Book Review

Citation:

Bach, Richard. Jonathan Livingston Seagull. New York, NY, 1970. Pages, 127. Front pages, tribute page, three parts/chapters.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a delightful fable written in prose narrative, telling the journey of a seagull named Jonathan who is determined to find more to the meaning of life. Though fiction, this easy-to-read novella is simple yet profound, and can be applied to the life of almost any audience in the present. To many, the quest of Jonathan Livingston Seagull is not just another story, but a three-part spiritual guide or homily for self-perfection.

This book lives up to the high recommendations and excellent ratings it has been given across the United States. From one flight’s lesson to the next, the author brings his readers to the sky for practice in areas of speed, technique, and thought (psychology), while visions of hope, eternal progression, freedom, belief, and service are instilled in each student.

In Part I, Jonathan is made a very likeable character of persistence, determination, and perseverance. While Jonathan lives to fly (most gulls fly only to eat), and he flies very well, the author speaks openly of his falls as well as his world records in flight, so that each reader may relate his/her own experiences with Jonathan’s failures and successes. Although Jonathan wants to fly more than anything, there are moments of upset wherein he almost lets himself give up. Upon one instance after a particularly challenging day of high-speed crashing, Jonathan tells himself, “there would be no more challenge and no more failure,” in his decision to stop his radical flight pursuits. The author inspires readers endowing Jonathan with an ability to think through and discover ways to overcome the thoughts of failure that are certainly not unique to just, Jonathan, but a part of everyday life to those reading.

The reader is taught along with Jonathan in an active style, that revolutionary ideas are often unkindly received by those uncomfortable with change. Upon discovering the beginnings of his abilities in flight, Jonathan proclaims his excitement to share his new-found knowledge with the Flock he belongs to: “When they hear of it, he thought…they’ll be wild with joy. How much more there is now to living!...We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!” And yet, he is outcast from the Flock, from his own family, friends, and leaders, “forever.”

In Part II the reader is taught that when “one school is finished…the time has come for another to begin.” We journey with Jonathan from his isolated, banished state to a new place. “So this is heaven, he thought....It felt like a seagull body, but already it flew far better than his old one….His feathers glowed brilliant white now, and his wings were smooth and perfect as sheets of polished silver.” From a writer’s perspective, Brilliant imagery is used to paint the picture of heaven, where “…the most important thing in living was to reach out and touch perfection in that which they most loved to do…” Bach uses simple words and phrases that sink deep into the heart when pondered. A reader may wonder, ‘how do I reach out and touch perfection…?’ as he/she is inspired to do so in taking their own flight, and a writer may be inspired to write his/her response to such questions.

Jonathan’s question in heaven is thought-provoking: “Why aren’t there more of us here? Where I came from there were…thousands and thousands of gulls….” The answer is even more profound: “We went from one world into another….we choose our next world through what we learned in this one.” If Jonathan “learned so much at one time that [he] didn’t have to go through a thousand lives to reach this one,” can I do the same? Bach leaves several unasked, unanswered questions for readers and writers to mull over while learning how to fly.

While Jonathan is on a physical quest to fly, his moral quest is also evident. “Is there no such place as heaven?” he asks. Jonathan is taught (along with the readers of his story), how to find heaven on earth: “Heaven is not a place, and it is not a time. Heaven is being perfect.” A gull must know his “true nature” to become perfect, to overcome limitations, and to obtain freedom. The reader is intrigued, and the writer is taught how to use narrative in a simplistic but profound, and even symbolic manner.

Through his process of learning, young, overzealous Jonathan becomes wise Fletcher Lynd Seagull who acknowledges that flying the speed of thought is nothing without love, forgiveness, and serving others. To be a student is not enough to Fletcher, who willingly accepts the call of one higher to return to those who still knew him as an outcast, to help them learn all that he has. How does one fly or teach others to fly when they don’t want to see you as anything but an outcast? “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.” Bach provides uplifting tidbits of advice for the quest of the reader and writer alike, in sharing his own flight, leaving both with the challenge of overcoming limitations, through an eternity of progressive learning.

Here is one more recommendation to add to the list of many for Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Young children, youth, early adults/students or well-experienced adults who want to feel young again, will all be edified in reading this book. Jonathan Livingston Seagull is not just another fable, but a quest for anyone ready to enjoy the journey, learning and teaching along the way.

Book review

(“The Poems of Emily Dickinson”----1999 edition, by R.W. Franklin. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA)

Life is Life, and death but death!

Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!

And if, indeed, I fail,

At least to know the worst is sweet.

Defeat means nothing but defeat,

No drearier can prevail!

Emily Dickinson seemed to have an outlook on life that a lot of us at this time forget about. We worry about every little thing, and we put too much weight into so small things. We need to remember that “Defeat means nothing but defeat,” This is one of my favorite lines that Emily has written. I read this and realized that I need to not worry so much.

A lot of her poems have this uplifting feeling to them. She really had a feel for the way life was supposed to be lived. She saw things for what they were and wrote about them they way she felt and wanted not the way the world told her to.

Another thing about Dickinson that really catches my eye and makes me think is her interest in a higher being, in God. She grasps the concept so well.

Prayer is the little implement

Through which men reach

Where presence is denied them

They fling their speech

By means of it in God’s ear;

If then He hear,

This sums the apparatus

Comprised in prayer.

I find this poem so interesting. Often we are told that praying is how we communicate with God. We send our hopes, concerns, dreams, and questions, up to heaven. To a place where, at this moment is not within our reach. Though through our prayers we are in a way reaching for that place, but because we cannot reach, we “fling” our words to God’s ear. Dickenson says that sums up a prayer. We send our words to him hoping he will hear us.

Along with Dickenson knowing of a God, she knew there was a Son as well. She knew that he died to show his love for us, and that is love will never die.

That I did always love,

I bring thee proof:

That til I loved

I did not love enough.

That shall I love always,

I offer thee

That love is life,

And life hath immortality.

This, dost thou doubt, sweet?

Then have I

Nothing to show

But Calvary.

“That love is life, and life hath immortality.” Christ showed his love for us throughout his life, and even gave it for our sakes. The gift of his life was his love. And being immortal means you can never die. Dickenson was saying that the love that that Son has for us will never die. No matter what we do, or how much we doubt, we will always have His love.

In reading Emily Dickenson’s poems you not only find excellent writing, but I believe you can find inspiration as well. She captures her feelings so well. I have found many of her poems that seem to come alive and express how I feel at times.

I really feel as though Emily Dickenson was an inspired writer. As a writer this gives me ideas and hopes for my own creations. She wrote for herself, yet at the same time she is not the only person to ever feel that way, other can read her word and relate. It is for that reason that she has such amazing works and masterpieces.

I find that her writing flows very well and it makes you think at times.

Death is a dialogue between

The spirit and the dust.

“Dissolve,” says Death. The Spirit, “Sir

I have another trust.”

Death doubt it, argues from the ground.

The Spirit turns away,

Just laying of the evidence,

An overcoat of clay.

I highly recommend reading Dickenson. She has such a style. Not only do you get to read excellent writing, but you get to read words that inspire, and isn’t that what good writing is? Something that will inspire us.

It was too late for man,

But early yet for God;

Creation impotent to help,

But prayer remained our side.

How excellent the heaven,

When earth cannot be had;

How hospitable, then, the face

Of our old neighbor, God!

The Poems of Emily Dickinson (Book Review) (Revised)

The Poems of Emily Dickinson, 1999 reading edition, edited by R.W. Franklin. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachussetts.

Emily Dickinson started to write poetry early in her life. She started writing around 1844 when she was 14 years old, and she would continue to write poems for the rest of her life. When she passed away in 1886, she left a legacy of 1,789 poems, all of them expressing her candid and pure spirit. Her poems were mostly inspired by nature, and her observations of life have inspired thousands of people since they were published. In the 1999 edition, Ralph W. Franklin presents the poems in numerical and chronological order.

Dickinson did not put titles to her poems. Her style reflects a purity of mind and soul within the context of nineteenth-century English. Dickinson used a variety of forms in her poems: some are short ones, some are longer ones, some of them rhyme, others do not, but all of them reflect an innocent, profound, but simple spirit.

The Lady Of The Bee.

Dickinson saw in the elements of nature more than the rest of mortals. In several poems, she mentions the bee and implies what a bee might represent. For me, the most bold and basic poem that exalts the bee is Poem 23:


In the name of the Bee-
And of the Butterfly –
And of the Breeze. Amen!

The poem is so simple and paraphrases the end of a baptismal prayer: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." I found the analogy amusing and irreverent at first sight, but after pondering what each of the elements (the breeze) may represent, I found the poem honest and profound. Since the Bee is an intelligent creature that works hard, it is a good symbol of God the Father. The Butterfly is the most beautiful insect, in the same way that the Son of God is the most beautiful present from God to mankind. Finally, the Breeze, invisible and vital, is a force that moves things, and it symbolizes the Holy Ghost very well.

In Poem 1788 she wrote:

Fame is a Bee.
It has a song-
It has a sting-
Ah, too, it has a wing.

Most of the time, Dickinson writes the word "bee" with the capital letter B, suggesting perhaps that the Bee meant a lot to her. In the previous example is remarkable the way she compares the bee with fame describing that fame is temporary when she writes "it has a wing".

Some other elements besides the Bee that are found many times in Dickinson’s poems are the butterfly, the robin, the rose, the flowers, the trees, the mountains, the sea, and so forth.
I find Dickinson’s poems to be a continuous celebration of nature, human life and its relation to God.

Going to another theme in Dickinson's poetry, Poem 34 struck me especially in the line that says:


Met by the Gods with banners –


Since she wrote the word gods with "G" instead of "g", did she really know that God the Father and his Son were two Gods? I would like to ask her but it is not possible. Another poem that expresses profound values is Poem 980 that says:


Love – is anterior to Life –
Posterior – to Death –
Initial of Creation, and
The Exponent of Earth –


A very short poem, but it does not need more, striking, concise and beautiful. All of these are strengths in Dickinson’s poems. I find most of them to be inspiring and profound ones.

As a writer I can say that I learned many things from those poems. First, a person could write over seventeen hundred poems during a lifetime, meaning that human mind is only limited by time and physical conditions. Second, that inspiration may be like a continuous river flowing words over the years. Third, that inspiration may be based on observations of the simplest elements of nature and human life, absorbed, processed in the mind and soul of the writer and then given back as powerful and inspirational words from the writer’s pen.

As a writer, the Poems of Emily Dickinson have inspired me and given me the encouragement to pursue improvement of my writings, not only about the quality but also about the quantity. It has showed me again that it is worth to write and write again and to commit time for writing exercises either in the commonplace book or in my personal journal, practice that I had left for some years.

Why did I choose The Poems of Emily Dickinson? Simple, I thought I needed it. Since I love good poetry and after learning that Dickinson was a very important person maybe the most important composer in the American poetry I had to give myself the chance to read her. But there are other considerations as well. I just wrote "I needed it" and I want to say more about it. Since I was in elementary and high school and later in college I always studied science courses, depriving myself of reading good books of literary works, during those years there was a voice in in my mind telling me that I was missing something very important, that is why in the last years I have turned myself over to study humanities and English classes and to read the good books that I always postponed for "another time", and after all of these last years of learning I found a writer inside of me. I guess I always knew he was there, but never paid attention to him and never let him grow. The Poems of Emily Dickinson have reconfirmed me that there is not only beauty in writing but a way to walk.

I think that the reading of The Poems of Emily Dickinson is a must for any aspiring writer of either prose or verse. I strongly recommend it for several reasons: because it shows that clean poems can be written in a very successful way, that there is no need of bad words or profanity to impress an audience. That aesthetic can be obtained in written exercises that come from the soul and that almost any time of our lifespan is a right time to express our minds by poetry. There is only one recommendation before starting to read The Poems of Emily Dickinson, since the poems were written over 150 years ago some words may be not familiar in our modern English, therefore, get yourself a good dictionary and also be consistent in using the Emily Dickinson Lexicon website where it can be found the meanings of such words.

"High on a Mountain Top"