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[分享] 國際商情俄羅斯

2009-07-20T15:34:00.001+08:00

因為工作需要，所以擷取了國際商情(第270期)對俄羅斯的部分介紹，翻成簡單的英文。

翻完才發現，原來俄羅斯不只是「冰天雪地，有金絲貓」，還有許多世界第一的成就。

天然資源

Russia has abundant natural resources. 俄羅斯有豐富的天然資源。
It has 13% of the world's crude oil, 45% the natural gas, 23% the coal, and 22% the timbering. 它有世界13%的原油、45%的天然氣、23%的煤礦，和22%的木材。
Its output of copper, iron, nickel, and other valuable metals are also among the largest in the world. 它出口銅礦、鐵礦、鎳礦和其他珍貴金屬的量也是全球的前幾名。
Russia is also the fourth large grain exporting country, next to the USA, the European Union, and Canada. Its grains have been exported to nearly 60 countries around the world. 而且它還是世界第四大糧食出口國，只次於美國、歐盟和加拿大。它的糧食被出口到超過六十個國家。

最貴城市

According to the Forbes researches in March, 2008, it is Moscow that gathered the most billionaires, 74 persons to be more exact, in the world. 2008/3月富士比雜誌表示，莫斯科有74位身價超過十億美元的富豪，為全球之冠。
Back to 2006, it has become the world's most expensive city, defeating London, Seoul, Tokyo, and HK. 而且早在2006年，莫斯科曾拿下「最貴城市」的頭銜，打敗倫敦、首爾、東京和香港等城市。
St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia, has also been among the top ten expensive cities for many times. 俄羅斯的第二大城──聖彼得堡，也多次進入前十大「最貴城市」。

教育程度

The education level of Russians is now the Top 1 among the world. 95% of the adults have received higher education. 俄羅斯的教育水平是全球第一，95%的成人接受過高等教育。
There are more than 700 colleges, 500 academic subjects, and 800 scientific institutes, which foster people in mathematic, physics, chemistry, medical science, education, aviation, space, navigation, nuclear application, optical mechanics, and military equipment. 整個國家有700間以上的大專院校，涵蓋超過500多門學科，還有800多所研究機構，培養數學、物理、化學、醫學、教育、航空、航太、航海、核能、工學機械和軍工等各領域人才。

[單單] Armonto 阿曼特自動寵物餵食器

2009-07-17T10:08:00.004+08:00

今天剛把家裡的二手Armonto自動寵物餵食器賣出，

能夠這麼迅速賣出，我想應該是單單的功勞！

另外，當初在魚中魚買的時候，附的說明書很爛，

只有薄薄一張紙，又髒髒皺皺的，字很小，所以我早把它丟了。

為了方便下一位使用者設定，特地打了下面的使用說明，

如果有朋友不會使用，可以參考看看。

使用說明：

電源：插上變壓器電線，或裝上4顆1號電池即自動開機。使用電池時有低電量警報功能。斷開電源後再重新供電，可不需重新設定。
寵物食盆：機器本體正面的下方有一條小溝槽，請將食盆上突起之處對準此溝槽放置，並定期擦拭、消毒。

設定時間 (CLOCK TIME)

設定「時」：輕按住「H」鍵不放，直至LCD螢幕上「時」的部分開始閃爍；此時再按「M」鍵為時間+1，按「H」鍵則為時間-1。
設定「分」：輕按住「M」鍵不放，直至LCD螢幕上「分」的部分開始閃爍；此時再按「M」鍵為時間+1，按「H」鍵則為時間-1。

設定份量 (QTY)

輕按住「▲」鍵或「▼」鍵不放，直至LCD螢幕上「份量」的部分開始閃爍；此時再按「▲」為數量增加，按「▼」則為數量減少。
份量最大可設定到20單位，建議每次調整完後使用「TEST」鍵，實際測量份量是否符合需求。

錄音 (RECORD)

輕按住「Re」鍵不放，直至「TEST」鍵旁的小燈泡發出藍光，此時不要放開「Re」鍵，開始錄音，錄音完畢後放開「Re」鍵則錄音自動結束，藍光熄滅。
錄音時間最長為12秒，時間到藍燈亦會自動熄滅。麥克風「MIC」在「M」和「H」鍵上方，若嫌錄製聲音太大，請不要靠太近。
錄音完後可輕按住「▕►」鍵，機器會自動播放錄音一次，若不滿意可無限次數重複錄音。喇叭在面板最右上方。

「TEST」鍵：模擬正式使用狀況，輕按住「TEST」不放，機器會依設定份量推出飼料，並播放錄音三次，每次錄音播放間隔30秒。
設定餵食時間：操控面板左方的圓盤顯示2：00到24：00，每次間隔2小時。設定好時鐘後，只需將要餵食的時間撥到「ON」即可，最多可設定12次餵食。其他不餵食的時間請撥到「OFF」。
注意事項

按各個按鍵時，請不要過分用力，以免按鍵卡住。
飼料桶內只可使用乾飼料，請勿放置濕式糧食。

若擔心食物保存問題，可在飼料桶內加放乾燥包，但是不要太小包，以免和食物一起被推出，被寵物誤食。

[單單] 眾神桌布

2009-07-16T15:39:00.002+08:00

[遊記] 夏遊蘭嶼

2009-07-16T13:23:00.002+08:00

去年七月前往蘭嶼遊玩四天三夜，

從板橋出發，包含食衣住行，兩個人總共花了14280，

等於一個人花了新台幣7140元。

以下詳細行程和結算表，提供給想去蘭嶼遊玩的朋友參考。

郵輪占岸輪 (089)320413

民宿恩惠民宿 (089)732979 野銀村94號聯絡人：李哥

時間	地點	活動	花費內容	金額
Day 1	7月13日
	板橋	行前採購	零食253	253
22:42	板橋車站	63莒光	來回火車票1134X2=2268	2268
06:05	台東車站	抵達	計程車前往台東客運總站 100	100
06:30	台東總站	早餐	麥當勞早餐 160	160
	台東鐵道藝術村	打發時間
	藥局	採購	防蚊液199+暈車藥50=249	249
	台東肯德基	打發時間	肯德基雞肉串 38	38
10:30	誠品書局	打發時間
	客來吃樂	吃綠豆蒜	綠豆蒜X2=60	60
11:50	鼎東客運總站	搭客運	客運22X2=44	44
13:00	富岡漁港農會	採購	手電筒99+草帽(100+150) +泡麵75=424	424
	富岡漁港	搭占岸輪	來回船票2000X2=4000	4000
15:30	蘭嶼開元港	雯雯機車	機車加油 60	60
16:30	野銀恩惠民宿	整理行李	飲料 30	30
18:00	青青草原	觀賞夕陽	手鍊 150	150
19:30	紅頭村	吃晚餐	晚餐(路邊攤小吃) 120	120
20:00	野銀冷泉	玩仙女棒	打火機 15	15
24:00	恩惠民宿	就寢

Day 2	7月14日
06:15	野銀	參觀地下屋
06:30	恩惠民宿	吃早餐	恩惠早餐X2=200	200
07:00	恩惠民宿	補眠
09:30	環北島	機車環島	機車加油 104	104
	小天池+燈塔	爬山
13:00	朗島村	吃午餐	風味午餐130+150=280	280
14:00	天池	爬山
17:30	野銀商號	採購	雪碧+蘋果西打=60	60
18:30	恩惠民宿	吃晚餐	恩惠晚餐X2=200	200
21:00	蘭嶼氣象台	觀星
23:00	恩惠民宿	就寢

Day 3	7月15日
09:00	東清美亞美	吃早餐	美亞美早餐 110	110
10:00	環北島	機車環島	避風港飲料X2=50	50
	加油站	機車加油	機車加油 50	50
12:00	恩惠民宿	吃泡麵
14:15	美亞美東清灣	浮潛	浮潛 400X2=800	800
17:00	恩惠民宿	梳洗
19:00	漁人碼頭	吃晚餐	漁人碼頭晚餐X2=300	300
20:20	永興農莊	夜觀角鴞
21:00	過象鼻岩海灣	看海蛇螃蟹
22:00	恩惠民宿	就寢

Day 4	7月16日
10:00	野銀商號	環島公車	公車5X2=10	10
	東清美亞美	機車環島	美亞美早午餐 190	190
12:00	郵局提款	機車加油	機車加油 51	51
		吃點心	燕窩冰 40	40
		吃點心	冰沙40X2=80	80
13:30	恩惠民宿	算帳、補眠	餅乾 15	15
			民宿 3002人3天=1800	1800
			機車 300*4天=1200	1200
15:30	開元港	搭占岸輪
18:00	海神廟商店	抵達台東	酸梅5+飲料25=30	30
18:20	鼎東客運富岡站	搭客運	客運22X2=44	44
18:40	台東市區	打發時間	風仔餅 150	150
			鹹酥雞 45	45
19:20	陶花源	吃晚餐	陶花源晚餐 305	305
			鹹水雞 50	50
			暈車藥 25	25
21:00	鼎東客運總站	回台東車站	計程車 100	100
22:10	台東火車站	11莒光	飲料 20	20
05:30	抵達板橋火車站
			總計	14280

[食譜] 翡翠金杯

2009-07-16T00:37:00.002+08:00

一、低筋麵粉4兩(150g) 發粉(泡打粉)1/8t(或油1t)

1-1、砂糖2T 沙拉油2T 清水4T

做法：將(一)加入1-1揉勻成麵糰，放10分鐘等發粉發酵。

二、圓形小模型

做法：將(一)麵糰切小粒(15g)後放在(二)圓形小模型上，用牙籤在中央戳3-4洞，確保中間不可有空氣。入油鍋小火炸3-4分鐘，形狀固定後取出模具，繼續將麵糰炸至金黃色。

三、鮮蝦肉5兩乾香菇2朵(去梗) 紅蘿蔔2兩馬蹄肉2兩(或竹筍) 青碗豆1兩

做法：鮮蝦肉切碎+太白粉1t+水1t下水川燙。其餘材料一樣切碎川燙。

四、蒜頭末1t 芹菜末1棵油2T

4-1、細鹽1/8t 醬油1t 砂糖1t 胡椒粉1/8t 麻油1t 清水2T

4-2、太白粉1t 清水2T

做法：將(四)炒香後加入(三)餡料炒香，隨後加入4-1煮沸，起鍋前加入4-2勾芡。

步驟：將(一)和(二)金杯做好後，盛入(三)和(四)煮成的餡料即可。

[食譜] 貴妃雞

2009-07-16T00:19:00.002+08:00

一、馬鈴薯1個紅蘿蔔4兩

做法：切大塊油，中油炸至金黃。

二、雞腿1斤(2-3支) (雞胸亦可)

2-1醬色：醬油1t 糖1/4t 麻油少許胡椒粉少許雞蛋半顆(或太白粉1t)

PS. 炸雞的油不可留用。

做法：雞腿加入3-1醃30-60分鐘，小火炸5分鐘，大火雞肉會老。

三、洋蔥1個紅蔥頭末3粒油3T

3-1、鹽1/2t 砂糖1+1/2T 麻油1t 黑醋1T 番茄醬3T 清水1杯(15T)

做法：熱炒。

四、太白粉1t 清水1T

做法：勾芡。

步驟：分別將(一)和(二)油炸後取出，將(三)炒香後，加入(一)和(二)煮沸，沸騰後轉小火煮5分鐘，起鍋前加入(四)即可。

[食譜] 蒜泥蒸魚

2009-07-16T00:03:00.002+08:00

一、魚一條鹽1/4t 薑4片

做法：魚正面切三刀，或背部切開(較易蒸熟)，單面各抹上1/8t的鹽，正面放上薑片去腥，醃15-30分鐘(醃久一點肉質較結實)。

二、蒜末1T 油3T 蔥絲(紅蔥頭)1顆

做法：炒熟，可另外加入薑片、辣椒、香菜等佐料。

三、醬油1T 糖1t 麻油1/2t 水1T

做法：炒熟。

步驟：將(一)放入蒸籠蒸13-15分鐘後取出，丟掉薑片，淋上(二)及(三)料。

[食譜] 菊花香菇

2009-07-15T23:52:00.002+08:00

一、乾香菇12-16朵

1-1、鹽1/8t 醬油1t 砂糖1/4t 薑3片沙拉油1T 清水1+1/4杯

做法：乾香菇用水泡軟，加入1-1料煮開，轉小火收乾湯汁。

二、瘦絞肉10-12兩(或五花肉)

2-1、醃醬：鹽3/4t 砂糖1t 胡椒粉1/4t

2-2、勾芡：太白粉3t 麻油1t 清水1t

做法：豬肉可多加入蔥、香菇末等料，和2-1拌勻後，再加入2-2拌勻成為餡肉。

三、鹹蛋黃3個(或紅蘿蔔)

做法：蛋黃切4-6小塊，或紅蘿蔔切丁，若為紅蘿蔔須先川燙。

四、鹽1/8t 砂糖1/2t 胡椒粉少許麻油1t 清水1/2杯(7.5T)

4-1、太白粉1t 清水3T

做法：(四)料煮沸後，加入4-1料勾芡煮熟。

步驟：將(一)香菇面朝上，每朵各沾些許太白粉，再塞滿(二)餡料，中間嵌入(三)，入蒸鍋加半杯水蒸10分鐘，起鍋後淋上(四)料。

[食譜] 麻辣粉蒸雞

2009-07-15T23:32:00.002+08:00

一、地瓜8兩鹽1/4t(或醬油1t)

PS. 可加入芋頭番薯或紅蘿蔔配色。

做法：切塊後加入鹽或醬油，醃10分鐘。

二、土雞1斤

2-1、醃醬：太白粉2t 糖1t 鹽1/2t 醬油1t 麻油1t 花椒粉1t 辣油1t 薑4片水3T

2-2、蒸肉粉2+1/2T ( 五香口味是不辣的)

做法：土雞切塊，加入2-1料拌勻醃15-20分鐘，再加入2-2拌勻，放5分鐘讓水和蒸肉粉被吸收。

三、蔥粒1T 油2T

做法：熱炒。

步驟：將(一)地瓜醃好鋪在盤底，把(二)雞肉放在其上，放入蒸鍋加2杯水蒸30分鐘，[起鍋前可再加入蔥段或青椒配色，蒸1分鐘]，起鍋後淋上(三)料。

[食譜] 水果涼麵

2009-07-15T23:15:00.002+08:00

一、乾麵條6兩 (或細油麵8兩)

PS. 油麵有硼砂、防腐劑，建議不要太常食用。

做法：水中加入鹽及沙拉油，水滾後麵條丟入川燙，轉小火滾7分鐘。

二、紅蔥頭2粒(不去皮) 油2T

做法：紅蔥頭切末，炒至金黃。

三、砂糖1T 麻油1t 油膏3T 黑醋1t 白醋1T 冷開水3T

四、小番茄10個鳳梨罐頭2片水蜜桃2塊(或蘋果1顆) 柳丁1顆(去皮)

PS. 若用甜椒代替，須先川燙。

做法：全部切丁過水。(水滾了，火關掉之後迅速燙過一次。)

步驟：將(一)準備好後，淋上(二)和(三)的醬汁，再加入(四)的水果攪拌均勻。

My boyfriend

2005-08-11T01:50:00.000+08:00

笨笨上哲

Newstalk : Interview with T. Newman (Ecologist)

2005-08-05T04:29:00.000+08:00

In the middle of June, seven people were attacked in the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Instead of human, this time it was the deer that attacked. However, according to the reporter Monique Garcia, Clay Nielsen, an ecologist, claimed that deer would not keep being aggressive once the fawning season came to an end. The university’s police department did not have any plan to kill the deer or put them somewhere else.

To learn more about the deer attack event, I interviewed T. Newman, an ecologist in the Department of Forestry. She thought people should stop calling deer “violent”, because we should not call mothers who were trying to protect their children violent. She interpreted this event as the consequence of the social relationship between human and deer, and the reason as “human encroachment”. According to Newman, the first victim touched the fawns and made deer alerted, thus during the period, the does would not give anyone else a chance to come any closer. The only way to protect ourselves from the attacks of deer is to leave them alone. Do not touch them. After all, just like what Newman asserted, “People should know who their neighbors are, and who they share the land with. We should learn how to live with them, not hoping for them to leave.”

Synthesis Quiz : Energy

2005-08-02T04:01:00.000+08:00

Automobile brings great convenience to the modern world, but it also has hidden danger and causes pollutions. “Stop driving Petropigs” as Lovins said (1994, P.78). The problem is that cars have become part of our lives, and the transition to new energy sources will be so costly that few people are willing to pay for it (Carlos, 1995, P.291). However, fuel-efficient cars can eliminate the threat that conventional cars pose, and should be popularized on account of economy, environment, and national security.

Fuel-efficient cars save people’s money. According to Miller, Jr., during the past two decades, over ten automobile companies have developed high-quality sample cars, which can reach 29-59 kilometers per liter (1994, P.85). In the long term, drivers can spend much less money on the fuel. Even though fuel-efficient cars cost slightly higher at the beginning, once they become ready-made, the reduction on fuel still compensate more than the extra payments (Miller, Jr., 1994, P.85).

Fuel-efficient cars also save the planet. In the words of Richardson, the exhaust produced by cars pollutes the air (1994, P.17). The dropped gasoline also causes environmental problem and becomes a waste (Richardson, 1994, P.17). Since fuel-efficient cars use less oil, they produce less pollution. In addition, electric cars and solar-power vehicles also find a way to the problem. They can relieve people’s high reliance on oil (Miller, Jr., 1994, P.85), and minimize the air pollution at the same time (Elliot, 1995, P. 8).

Last but not least, the fuel-efficient cars enhance the national security (Lovins, 1994, P.78). “The U.S. uses 2.5 billion barrels of oil a year, with 1.5 billion of those being imported from the Middle East” (Richardson, 1994, P.17). Now many developed countries extremely depend on imported oil, because oil concentrates in few deposits like Saudi Arabia and Middle East (Miller, Jr., 1994, P. 80). This means that countries that monopolize oil can affect the global economy and energy balance at a great scale. Transition to new energy resources can reduce a nation’s dependence on imported oil, and thus confirm national security.

All in all, fuel-efficient cars are the start of the coming new age, which oil no longer dominates the worldwide vehicles. The “energy-efficiency revolution” (Miller, Jr., 1994, P. 83) is an irresistible and unpreventable trend, because fossil fuel will finally be depleted one day. The sooner we phase in fuel efficiency technique, the greater benefits we get. Every country should grab the chance to lead the way of this new age, just like what Richardson appeals, people should “start thinking about the future” (Richardson, 1994, P.17).

Synthesis Practice : Environmental Damage on America

2005-07-29T04:55:00.000+08:00

Although the ecosystem in America seems to remain intact, it is in fact severely damaged by human activities in famous scenic sites like Florida Everglades, the Central States, and even the National and State parks. According to Connor, in Florida Everglades, the ecosystem of the wetland has been destroyed by foreign species that are brought in as new merchandises, and the wetland also gradually disappears in order to generate new lands for human use (1994, P. 2). In the Central States, the once well-known giant plain is now replaced by farms and houses, and suffered from fires caused by either human or storms from time to time (Donovan, 1993, P. 42). Above all, things are not better in the National and State parks. In the words of Grant, instead of protecting the flora and the fauna, National and State parks are actually “only protecting historical sights and landmarks” (1993, P. 42). In conclusion, the natural environment in America is now facing a great threat. If the people, from the executives to residents, do not change their attitude, they will eventually lose the final green land they have.

Argumentative Essay : Ecotourism – Choice between Ecology and Economy

2005-07-28T05:43:00.000+08:00

Ecotourism is tourism focusing on wilderness and undeveloped areas, with the purpose of providing financial aids to support the conservation. Many states in India, like Uttaranchal and Sikkim, are paying great efforts to attract tourists, while some critics claim ecotourism costs greater than the profits it brings in and can damage nature (The Times of India, 2005, Para. 1). Although there are hidden dangers in ecotourism, under the consideration on both ecology and economy, ecotourism is still worthwhile as long as it is under control.

To have a hold over ecotourism, and to prevent it from damaging the ecosystem, the nation needs to build up sound management systems. Alongside the Forest Protection Acts, the regional governments should make laws and rules that fit local needs (Para. 8). The amount of tourists authorized to enter certain eco spots should be measured and monitored strictly. People who want to enter will need to register before entering. Above all, the government needs to educate the tourists, residents, and businessmen to respect nature frequently, and at the same time develop environment-friendly facilities, like fuel cell hydrogen cars, collaborating with its laws (Business Line, 2005, Para. 3). These efforts can minimize or even avoid the potential damages on nature.

Ecotourism, on the other hand, enhances living standards among the nation. Targeting at ecotourism, to please the visitors, the government will construct more infrastructure, including bridges, sewers, and hospitals, which are also essential to improve the residents’ living conditions (The Times of India, 2005, Para. 8). Besides, prosperous ecotourism creates job opportunities for the poor citizens (Hindustan Times, 2005, Para. 6). Local people can earn money as guides, agents, vendors, businessmen, or owners of hotels, groceries, and souvenir stores. The government will need more people in charge of ecotourism as well. Ecotourism incubates economic growth, not to mention the money raised by ecotourism also attributes to conservation and people’s living.

Moreover, ecotourism strengthens the cultural heritages in a nation. To cater to the tourists, the neighboring villages around the eco spots will need to cultivate their unique charm. If the traditional markets, foods, and clothes become attractions to the tourists, they will be able to last long in India, instead of fading away in the global trend. Individual cultural inheritance does not seem extremely important at this stage, but it can hardly, or even never, be regained once it disappears. Unique cultural heritage is the most valuable asset for tourism as well as for all the Indian. By the way, this reinforcement of cultural characteristics also helps disperse the high tourist concentration on eco spots (Para. 16).

In conclusion, ecotourism can bring India wealth and preserve Indian culture at the same time, without ruining the ecosystem if controlled. Compare to other industrial development, it finds India a way to solve the dilemma between ecology and economy. Ecotourism has already existed in the market, but the government’s control on it still has a long way to go. Instead of banning it, the Indian government should prepare for it. By working on laws and management, the government may handle the difficulty with ease, making India a renowned ecotourism destination.

Reference:
Business Line (Apr. 13, 2005) Reva to Develop Fuel Cell Cars for IOC Pilot Project. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database. [Jul. 18, 2005].
Hindustan Times (Jan. 20, 2005). Eco-tourism, the Order of the Day in Sikkim. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database [Jul. 4, 2005].
The Times of India (May 2, 2005). Tourists ‘Threaten’ Wildlife Sanctuaries. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database [Jul. 7, 2005].

Research Proposal : Ecotourism – Choice between Ecology and Economy

2005-07-28T05:39:00.000+08:00

Ecotourism is tourism focusing on wilderness and undeveloped areas, with the purpose of providing financial aids to support conservation. In India, some states like Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh are already available for visitors (Vasan, V., 2005, Para. 1). But ecotourism becomes an everlasting controversy among the nation. People who support ecotourism say ecotourism leaves nature untouched, so it does no harm to the environment. The profits also help the local conservation (Business Line, Feb. 26, 2005, Para. 11). On the other hand, people who oppose ecotourism say even tourist staring can disrupt the ecosystem, with the costs exceeding the profits (The Times of India, 2005, Para. 1 & 3).

Although there are hidden dangers in ecotourism, under the consideration of both ecology and economy, ecotourism is still worthwhile as long as it is under control. From the ecological perspective, ecotourism damages the ecosystem less than other industrial developments do. Even the problem caused by consumption overpopulation is much greater than ecotourism. Not to mention that the profits raised by ecotourism can help local conservation, and thus reinforce the supervision of ecotourism (Business Line, Feb. 26, 2005, Para. 11), and develop new environmental-friendly facilities like fuel cell hydrogen cars (Business Line, Apr. 13, 2005, Para. 3). From the economical perspective, ecotourism can enhance the living standards of India by bringing in a great amount of revenue into India, speeding up the construction of infrastructure, and increasing job opportunities (Hindustan Times, 2005, Para. 6 & 15). Further more, targeting at ecotourism nudges the satellite villages to cultivate their unique charm, which is the most precious asset (Para. 7).

Ecotourism has already existed in the market, but the government’s control on it still has a long way to go. Instead of banning it, the Indian government should prepare for it. By working on laws and management, the government may handle the difficulty with ease, making India a renowned ecotourism destination.

Reference:
Business Line (Feb. 26, 2005) National Policy on Ecotourism Needed: Expert. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database. [Jul. 18, 2005]
Business Line (Apr. 13, 2005) Reva to Develop Fuel Cell Cars for IOC Pilot Project. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database. [Jul. 18, 2005]
Hindustan Times (Jan. 20, 2005). Eco-tourism, the Order of the Day in Sikkim. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database [Jul. 4, 2005].
The Times of India (May 2, 2005). Tourists ‘Threaten’ Wildlife Sanctuaries. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database [Jul. 7, 2005].
Vasan, V. (May 5, 2005) Uttaranchal, Up Wooing Tourists at Gulf Fair. Business Line. Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database. [Jul. 18, 2005]

Summary-Response #2 : Eco-tourism, the Order of the Day in Sikkim

2005-07-21T02:34:00.000+08:00

According to the article “Eco-tourism, the Order of the Day in Sikkim” from Hindustan Times, the India government is building a network between villages in Sikkim to expand its ecotourism market (2005, Para. 11). Sikkim, a state located in the eastern Himalayas, has a quarter of the nation’s blossoming plants, even though it possesses only 0.2 percent territory of India (Para. 4). In order to reinforce the native power to protect the distinctive nature and cultures, and at the same time increase job opportunities, the 452 societies in Sikkim, the Environment Coalition of South Seattle, or ECOSS, and ecotourism groups work together to develop village tourism (Para. 2, 6, 7, 8, & 11). The cooperation has increased the amount of tourists by 30 percent in 2004 (Para. 17). Regina Lepcha, a member of ECOSS, said that the network inside Sikkim is just the beginning of that across the northeast India (Para. 16).

After reading this article, I think ecotourism plus union village tourism is indeed a promising industry. We know that ecotourism spots are mostly located in less developed countries. For these countries, ecotourism uses nature as its resource, pumping in the most profits with the least expense. First of all, ecotourism helps accelerate a country’s development. While entirely rural areas can draw a certain amount of tourists, rural landscapes added up sanitary infrastructures like streets, sewers, hotels, and hospitals will bring in a greater number of tourists. These facilities are indispensable to elevate the living conditions in a place. And ecotourism project nudges the government to speed up, because the sooner it builds up the infrastructures, the sooner the visitors come.

Besides, ecotourism increases employment. In the early stage, people can participate in infrastructure construction. And later on they can engage in sightseeing careers, playing the roles of guides, agents, or businessmen. They can also own small shops, selling indigenous food and souvenirs. They can earn money without leaving their hometown.

However, the major threat ecotourism poses is the environmental impact. Although the goal of ecotourism is to provide financial aids to enhance the country’s ability to protect nature, it still can damage the environment by noise, garbage, automobiles, and buildings like traditional tourism does. In this case, the impact ecotourism causes is even stronger because the spot is closer to the core of nature. Nonetheless, union village tourism provides a possible solution to the dilemma. It withdraws some tourists from the nature, dispersing visitors’ high concentration on rural areas, and meanwhile spreads out the satellite towns’ fame as exotic sightseeing spots. The only difficulty is that each town should create its unique charm to appeal visitors. But the efforts will be worthwhile, because its product will become a part of its cultural assets.

On the whole, I think developing ecotourism is indeed a way to help India government out, because we cannot expect people suffering from poverty to protect the environment. Non-industrial development may enhance people’s living conditions rapidly by building infrastructure and increasing job opportunities. Though it may require some ecological terms, at least it costs and damages less than other industries like factories do. Since the Indian government must pay in order to gain, it should choose the strategy that has the lowest payment.

Reference:
Hindustan Times (Jan. 20, 2005). Eco-tourism, the Order of the Day in Sikkim. HT Media Ltd. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database [Jul. 4, 2005].

Newstalk : Career Spotlight: Take time for a real vacation

2005-07-21T02:31:00.000+08:00

In the article “Career Spotlight: Take Time for a Real Vacation”, Kim Clark points out that most people do not take “real” vacations (June 27, 2005, Para, 3). Despite that Americans give up 3 vacation days a year in average, 10 people out of 100 even contact with the office everyday during their vacations (Para. 3). Stacey Moran, a psychologist works for a Travelers insurance company, suggests that workers should go as far from the company as they can for vacation, or call the company on a regular basis instead of being anxious all the time (Para. 6 & 7).

I think it is a pity that nowadays people need to “learn” how to relax. Maybe the society is responsible for creating such an anxious atmosphere among people, or it is the people who should try with effort to let go sometimes.

Newstalk : Deer attacks at SIUC hospitalize 4

2005-07-19T03:28:00.000+08:00

The article "Deer attacks at SIUC hospitalize 4" by Monique Garcia portraits the deer attack event in Southern Illinois University Carbondale. From June 7, 2005 on, deer had attacked seven people in the campus within 9 days (Garcia, M., Jun. 6, 2005, Para. 5). Among the seven injured, four was sent to hospital (Para. 5). Experts said during the climax of the fawning season, which lasts from June 1 to June 10, female deer will become fierce in order to protect baby deer (Para. 11). But it will be nearly impossible for deer attack to take place after the season passed (Para. 11).

It is horrifying to learn that there are such violent deer inside the campus. And the number of deer that did the attacks is possibly more than one (Para. 9). Since two weeks ago when I arrived here, I have been dreaming about wandering through the Thompson Woods and visiting the Campus Lake. But the hope now seems to be dangerous. I really hope that I can have a tour all the way through the campus before I leave, without meeting a terrible deer.

Newstalk : Women's Health Fears Often Don't Line Up With Reality

2005-07-18T05:46:00.000+08:00

Women's Health Fears Often Don't Line Up With Reality
Heart Disease Claims the Most Lives, But Cancer Is Feared More
Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Venture

According to Kagan, E., the latest survey done by the Society for Women’s Health Research shows that some certain diseases that scare women a lot are in fact not those that cause major mortality among women (Emily Kagan, Jul. 7, 2005, Para. 1). For instance, while cancer is the No. 1 frightening disease in women’s minds, heart disease kills the most in reality (Para. 2). And while women ignore emphysema, the No. 4 killer, they rank HIV/AIDS as the fourth scary illness, which is indeed not among the top ten killing diseases (Para. 6 & 10). Experts are worrying that the discrepancy between women’s fears and reality will lead to women’s ignorance of those really fatal diseases (Para. 8). However, at least women are aware of some of the ailments (Para. 4). The next thing for women to do is to bridge the gap between their fears and reality, and to take action to prevent the diseases (Para. 13).

To my surprise, those top ten killing diseases are really far from women’s commonly known diseases. While some of the diseases are left out in the list, it seems that the advocacy groups of ovarian cancer and breast cancer have been doing so well that we become keenly aware of them. In my opinion, although the gap between fear and reality is somewhat wide, it is better for women to be conscious than unaware. In this mundane world, people are highly likely to get bad habits and live unhealthy lifestyles. We all know that, and we always receive teachings from the elders and warnings from the media. However, we have been learning the importance of health and the terror of disease, but we merely become anxious and do nothing. I think it is really important for us to do something to stop the preventable tragedy from happening. The perception of illness is just a beginning, despite the fact that there is still a long way to go; whether we take the awareness into action is what really matters.

Weblog Opening

2005-07-15T06:00:00.000+08:00

7/14 15:00 writter's workshop in lab

Sum-Res Practice : India—Renewable Energy

2005-07-15T05:23:00.000+08:00

In the article “India—Renewable Energy” from eia.doe.gov, the author points out that while the request for energy is increasing rapidly, how to provide its people with sufficient energy has become the greatest issue for India government. The government even founded an independent Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources to dominate the renewable energy projects (eia.doe.gov, 2005, Para. 2). Unlike other countries that treat solar-, wind-, and hydropower- generated electricity as high technique, the MNCES thinks renewable energy is the only, or even the cheapest way to solve the problem (Para. 1). For example, the solar energy cost much less than conventional energy in many rural areas (Para. 2). In addition, due to great efforts, the MNCES has achieved its goal in wind power generation much earlier than the deadline (Para. 3). Moreover, although the hydroelectric power once declined unexpectedly, it still has the potential to compensate the shortage of energy (Para. 4).

In my opinion, it is wise for India government to build renewable energy systems rather than conventional ones. Nowadays the developed countries are all trying to replace the conventional energy for environment’s purpose. It may be good for Indians to construct their country while still protecting their environment. Beside, this makes a good use of their strength of having a huge continent. Because of the geological condition, they can get many natural sources, such as solar-, wind-, and hydro- power than some of other small countries can. Although India is among the most crowned countries, the lack of energy is to be solved once they use all the sources well.

People now become aware of environment protection in these decades. All the residents on earth know the earth may no longer be suitable for human. If people continue to do harm to the earth, it will fight back. Desertification, greenhouse effect, and slide, all of them are the evidences of the living earth, and, the angry earth. People should not exploit the earth as they used to do. For those undeveloped countries, they can start from the very beginning. As for those developed countries, it is impossible for them to start all over again. However, the trend is that they must replace the coal- and fossil fuel- energy as soon as possible. Conventional energy may exhaust eventually. It is only a matter of time.

It is for sure that the government is the leading force of a country, and the official policy will affect the whole people. Under these circumstances, individual efforts seem to be trivial. Nevertheless, we still cannot give up the right for making some change. We can try to save as much energy as possible, from now on.

Reference:
Eia.doe.gov (2005). India—Renewable Energy. Retrieved from eia.doe.gov database [2005, Jul. 05].

Summary-Response #1 : Tourists ‘Threaten’ Wildlife Sanctuaries

2005-07-15T04:16:00.000+08:00

Ecotourism is tourism focusing on wilderness and undeveloped areas, with the purpose of providing financial aids to support the conservation. But in the article “Tourists ‘Threaten’ Wildlife Sanctuaries” form The Times of India, the problems of ecotourism in India are brought out. Indifferent visitors and local businessmen injure the environment. The damage goes beyond the profits they distribute. Even though they do respect the nature, their insidious stares still change the tigers’ routine in Bandhvgarh forests (The Times of India, 2005, Para. 2). However, the author provides some solutions. First, the quality and quantity of tourists should be monitored (Para. 5). Second, beside the Forest Protection Act, the government should make more detailed rules that fit local needs (Para. 8). At the same time, it should construct the vicinity to relieve the tourist intensity (Para. 8).

Ecotourism not only can bring in the country fortune, but also can take away its stake. As we all know, those countries in poverty are more likely to have better conservation. Compared to more developed countries, they do not have sufficient facility, good health condition, and spectacular construction. Their surpassing strength is the nature. However, although the trend now is being close to the nature, what a poor country wants is wealth. In this case, ecotourism seems a good bargain between the government and the visitors. For the tourists, they can have fun in rural area; for the India government, it can improve economy, get international fame, and relieve unemployment, while it pays nothing.

Nevertheless, India government should be aware of all the consequences they may confront in the future. Ecotourism seems to be a nature-friendly way of making profits, but we have no idea of how seriously ecological footprints will damage the nature. Especially as thousands of tourists pour in India, the foreign forces will certainly disturb the ecological pattern. Ecological system changes all the time, but prosperous ecotourism is beyond its endurance. If the tourists do not respect the nature and destroy it deliberately, the situation will become even worse. Apart from the impact on ecology, the Indians’ lifestyle will also undergo a dramatic change. They will face visitors from all over the world. To cater to the customers, the business need to build luxury hotels, design exciting tour routes, and compete with each other. We do not know whether the country is ready for tourists or not. The security of India, the discipline of society, and the change among industries are out of expectancy. The country will become chaotic if it is not well prepared.

Just like what the author says, the government should build sound infrastructure to meet the amount of tourists, and develop Satellite Township to relieve the high pressure on certain spots. Above all, it should educate the visitors. (Para. 8). Thus they can make an everlasting use of the nature. Besides, in order to increase employment, the government can orients some of its cities towards sightseeing career, and at the same time pull tourists from rural area to exotic eastern cities. Or it can build more modern facility and make India an international trading center, since India was once the bridge between Asia and Europe. And we know nowadays Indian engineers are thought to be diligent and smart, the India government may recruit its overseas people to develop high technology in India. All in all, India should think twice before letting tourists destroy the unredeemable environment.

Reference:
The Times of India (2005, May 2). Tourists ‘Threaten’ Wildlife Sanctuaries. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Retrieved from Lexis-Nexis database [2005, Jul. 7].

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