I went to see the orchestra concert performed by U of I orchestra on September 25. It was really an unforgettable experience. It reminds me my experience of playing violin a lot.
When I was nine years old, one day, my mother took me to a musical instrument store, and let me pick one instrument I like. She said to me that as I grew up, I need something accompanied with me for my whole life. An instrument, which can listen to my sadness, my loneliness, and my happiness, and will be my soul mate forever.
I looked around the store, and tried to find something in line to fit my wishes. I do not like the flute much. Though it is agile and gentle, I still think it sounds a little harsh when it is played in a high register. The saxophone seems like a good choice because its mellow and forceful tone is really charming, but a saxophone is too cumbersome for a girl, isn’t it? “What about piano?” My mother asked me. “No, I cannot take it everywhere.” My heart had been set; violin was destined to be an indispensable part of my life. I took my best friend home that day. Moreover, she is like my teacher.
Violin taught me “never, never give up”. It was hard to create the voice I was looking forward to. I had to know exactly where to place the fingers on the strings, to play with good intonation, and at the same time, use my right arm, hand, and bow to adjust tone quality, rhythm, dynamics, and articulation. I am not a genius in music. I cannot learn it as quickly as Mozart. Actually, it took me a long time to make an acceptable sound. During this process, I felt despaired. But I did not give up. I could not give up so easily. The most important thing is how to stick to it! So, I did as what I thought, and the effect was exciting. After a long period hard time of practicing, everything was under control at last. The techniques like Pizzicato, Col legno, Martelé, Tremolo and Mute which I finally mastered contributed to my almost-perfect performance on a big event during high school anniversary. Every time when I want to give up, I will think of my tough days of practicing violin. All the pain will be easy; all the difficulties will be a breakthrough.
Violin taught me how to be patient. There was a time it was very difficult to get along with my violin. She was like an exclusive, aloof, and pampered gentlewoman. During winter time, it was freezing cold outside while the indoor temperature was very high. Every time when I was back from outside, I would feel really nervous that the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor would cause the strings to become unstable, even broken up. So, then I had to wrap up my violin layer by layer with cotton cloth carefully. This was an easy work for me the first time and the second time, but to spend nearly twenty minutes to do the same actions every time after practicing violin sounded like a “mission impossible” for me because the shape of a violin is anomalous. The neck of a violin is slender and a little complicated. If I had a little too much force, I would break the scroll and the peg box. One day, I did not repeat the fussy work, and when I came back home at night, the outcome was imaginable – two of my strings was broken and it was totally out of tune. Every time when I wanted to do something without one-hundred percent of responsibility and graveness, I would think about the lesson this one taught me.
Violin taught me that whatever I am doing, I should be confident. At the very beginning, I was attracted by the fascinating expressions of gorgeous violinists. I imagined that one day I could be as graceful as they are on stage. When I practiced violin myself, I tried to straighten my back. However, I looked into the mirror; I looked not confident but weird. I finally figured out that what I should do was not stand in a good position but to feel confident from bottom of my heart. If I told myself I was confident, then I could be confident. Another source of confidence, as violin told me, was to be familiar with what I wanted to do. When someone is doing what he/she is good at, confidence will flow out of that person naturally. To do what I want to do better, and to do it confidently, I can stand elegantly on the stage of my life.
Violin is a witness of my growing up. She is the mentor and my friend who has influenced me for my whole life and is always willing to listen to my sadness, my loneliness, and my happiness.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Outline2
Thesis statement: Even though genetically engineered crops have some unintended harm to human health in the long term, I still strongly claim that GM crops should be encouraged to be researched and produced
1. A brief introduction of GMO including its history and definition.
A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
The possibility of adding new genetic material into an organism's genome first succeed through the discovery of DNA and the creation of the first recombinant bacteria in 1973. In 1986, field tests of bacteria genetically engineered to protect plants from frost damage (ice-minus bacteria) at a small biotechnology company called Advanced Genetic Sciences of Oakland, California, were repeatedly delayed by opponents of biotechnology. In the same year, a proposed field test of a microbe genetically engineered for a pest resistance protein by Monsanto Company was dropped.
2. Opinions of the GM crops
A. Scientists tend to against GM crops because there exist some potential threatens to people.
B. Scientists and farmers in developing countries can get benefit from GM crops, so they support the production of GM crops.
3. Long-lasting
A. tomatoes
Long-lasting, genetically modified tomatoes came on to the market in 1994 and were the first genetically modified food available to consumers. The genetically modified tomato produces less of the substance that causes tomatoes to rot, so remains firm and fresh for a long time.
• Advantages: Because the GM tomatoes can remain fresh longer they can be allowed to ripen in the sun before picking - resulting in a better tasting tomato.
• GM tomatoes can tolerate a lengthier transport time. This means that market gardens can avoid picking tomatoes while they are green in order that they will tolerate the transport.
The producers also have the advantage that all the tomatoes can be harvested simultaneously.
4. Environment friendly
GM crop is an environment friendly product which can eliminate the application of chemical pesticides, and decrease the emissions of greenhouse gas.
A. corn and cotton
Have the ability to protect themselves against specifically targeted pests, farmers use less amount of pesticides to control the pests.
B. Insecticide sweet corn
Scientists have genetically modified sweet corn so that it produces a poison which kills harmful insects. This means the farmer no longer needs to fight insects with insecticides. The genetically modified corn is called Bt-corn, because the insect-killing gene in the plant comes from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis
Advantages:
• The farmer no longer has to use insecticide to kill insects, so the surrounding environment is no longer exposed to large amounts of harmful insecticide.
• The farmer no longer needs to walk around with a drum of toxic spray wearing a mask and protective clothing.
5. Economical
GM crop can improve the quantity of life for farmers in developing countries.
A. developing country
Small and large-scale family farms worldwide that use the technology are benefiting by deriving extra farm income.
6. Better quality foods
GMO technology can make a single food contain more nutrition to prevent malnutrition.
Rice with built-in Vitamin A can help prevent blindness in 100 million children suffering from Vitamin A deficiency.
A. Golden rice
Golden rice is genetically modified rice that now contains a large amount of A-vitamins. Or more correctly, the rice contains the element beta-carotene which is converted in the body into Vitamin-A. So when you eat golden rice, you get more vitamin A.
Advantages:
• The rice can be considered a particular advantage to poor people in underdeveloped countries. They eat only an extremely limited diet lacking in the essential bodily vitamins. The consequences of this restricted diet causes many people to die or become blind. This is particularly true in areas of Asia, where most of the population live on rice from morning to evening.
B. carrot
Beta-carotene gives carrots their orange color and is the reason why genetically modified rice is golden. For the golden rice to make beta-carotene three new genes are implanted: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, genetically modified foods have the potential to help protect and preserve the environment by reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, to solve many property and hunger problems by increasing yield and reducing production costs, and to solve malnutrition problems by researching and developing multifarious-nutrient crops. Yet there are some challenges remained to be solved. I still think GM crops will have an enthusiastic and powerful future.
1. A brief introduction of GMO including its history and definition.
A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
The possibility of adding new genetic material into an organism's genome first succeed through the discovery of DNA and the creation of the first recombinant bacteria in 1973. In 1986, field tests of bacteria genetically engineered to protect plants from frost damage (ice-minus bacteria) at a small biotechnology company called Advanced Genetic Sciences of Oakland, California, were repeatedly delayed by opponents of biotechnology. In the same year, a proposed field test of a microbe genetically engineered for a pest resistance protein by Monsanto Company was dropped.
2. Opinions of the GM crops
A. Scientists tend to against GM crops because there exist some potential threatens to people.
B. Scientists and farmers in developing countries can get benefit from GM crops, so they support the production of GM crops.
3. Long-lasting
A. tomatoes
Long-lasting, genetically modified tomatoes came on to the market in 1994 and were the first genetically modified food available to consumers. The genetically modified tomato produces less of the substance that causes tomatoes to rot, so remains firm and fresh for a long time.
• Advantages: Because the GM tomatoes can remain fresh longer they can be allowed to ripen in the sun before picking - resulting in a better tasting tomato.
• GM tomatoes can tolerate a lengthier transport time. This means that market gardens can avoid picking tomatoes while they are green in order that they will tolerate the transport.
The producers also have the advantage that all the tomatoes can be harvested simultaneously.
4. Environment friendly
GM crop is an environment friendly product which can eliminate the application of chemical pesticides, and decrease the emissions of greenhouse gas.
A. corn and cotton
Have the ability to protect themselves against specifically targeted pests, farmers use less amount of pesticides to control the pests.
B. Insecticide sweet corn
Scientists have genetically modified sweet corn so that it produces a poison which kills harmful insects. This means the farmer no longer needs to fight insects with insecticides. The genetically modified corn is called Bt-corn, because the insect-killing gene in the plant comes from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis
Advantages:
• The farmer no longer has to use insecticide to kill insects, so the surrounding environment is no longer exposed to large amounts of harmful insecticide.
• The farmer no longer needs to walk around with a drum of toxic spray wearing a mask and protective clothing.
5. Economical
GM crop can improve the quantity of life for farmers in developing countries.
A. developing country
Small and large-scale family farms worldwide that use the technology are benefiting by deriving extra farm income.
6. Better quality foods
GMO technology can make a single food contain more nutrition to prevent malnutrition.
Rice with built-in Vitamin A can help prevent blindness in 100 million children suffering from Vitamin A deficiency.
A. Golden rice
Golden rice is genetically modified rice that now contains a large amount of A-vitamins. Or more correctly, the rice contains the element beta-carotene which is converted in the body into Vitamin-A. So when you eat golden rice, you get more vitamin A.
Advantages:
• The rice can be considered a particular advantage to poor people in underdeveloped countries. They eat only an extremely limited diet lacking in the essential bodily vitamins. The consequences of this restricted diet causes many people to die or become blind. This is particularly true in areas of Asia, where most of the population live on rice from morning to evening.
B. carrot
Beta-carotene gives carrots their orange color and is the reason why genetically modified rice is golden. For the golden rice to make beta-carotene three new genes are implanted: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, genetically modified foods have the potential to help protect and preserve the environment by reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, to solve many property and hunger problems by increasing yield and reducing production costs, and to solve malnutrition problems by researching and developing multifarious-nutrient crops. Yet there are some challenges remained to be solved. I still think GM crops will have an enthusiastic and powerful future.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Outline
Thesis statement: Even though genetically engineered crops have some unintended harm to human health in the long term, I still strongly claim that GM crops should be encouraged to be researched and produced
1. A brief introduction of GMO
A. the definition of GMO
A genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organism (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
B. the history of GMO
The possibility of adding new genetic material into an organism's genome first succeed through the discovery of DNA and the creation of the first recombinant bacteria in 1973.
In 1986, field tests of bacteria genetically engineered to protect plants from frost damage (ice-minus bacteria) at a small biotechnology company called Advanced Genetic Sciences of Oakland, California, were repeatedly delayed by opponents of biotechnology.
In the same year, a proposed field test of a microbe genetically engineered for a pest resistance protein by Monsanto Company was dropped.
2. Opinions of the GM crops
A. Scientists tend to against GM crops because there exist some potential threatens to people.
B. Scientists and farmers in developing countries can get benefit from GM crops, so they support the production of GM crops.
3. Environment friendly
GM crop is an environment friendly product which can eliminate the application of chemical pesticides, and decrease the emissions of greenhouse gas.
A. corn and cotton
Have the ability to protect themselves against specifically targeted pests, farmers use less amount of pesticides to control the pests.
B. Insecticide sweet corn
Scientists have genetically modified sweet corn so that it produces a poison which kills harmful insects. This means the farmer no longer needs to fight insects with insecticides. The genetically modified corn is called Bt-corn, because the insect-killing gene in the plant comes from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis
Advantages:
- The farmer no longer has to use insecticide to kill insects, so the surrounding environment is no longer exposed to large amounts of harmful insecticide.
- The farmer no longer needs to walk around with a drum of toxic spray wearing a mask and protective clothing.
4. Economical
GM crop can improve the quantity of life for farmers in developing countries.
A. developing country
Small and large-scale family farms worldwide that use the technology are benefiting by deriving extra farm income.
5. Better quality foods
GMO technology can make a single food contain more nutrition to prevent malnutrition.
Rice with built-in Vitamin A can help prevent blindness in 100 million children suffering from Vitamin A deficiency.
Golden rice
Golden rice is genetically modified rice that now contains a large amount of A-vitamins. Or more correctly, the rice contains the element beta-carotene which is converted in the body into Vitamin-A. So when you eat golden rice, you get more vitamin A.
Beta-carotene gives carrots their orange colour and is the reason why genetically modified rice is golden. For the golden rice to make beta-carotene three new genes are implanted: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium.
Advantages:
- The rice can be considered a particular advantage to poor people in underdeveloped countries. They eat only an extremely limited diet lacking in the essential bodily vitamins. The consequences of this restricted diet causes many people to die or become blind. This is particularly true in areas of
6. Long-lasting tomatoes
Long-lasting, genetically modified tomatoes came on to the market in 1994 and were the first genetically modified food available to consumers. The genetically modified tomato produces less of the substance that causes tomatoes to rot, so remains firm and fresh for a long time.
- Advantages: Because the GM tomatoes can remain fresh longer they can be allowed to ripen in the sun before picking - resulting in a better tasting tomato.
- GM tomatoes can tolerate a lengthier transport time. This means that market gardens can avoid picking tomatoes while they are green in order that they will tolerate the transport.
The producers also have the advantage that all the tomatoes can be harvested simultaneously.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Research Log
A. Topic: GMO crops
B: A thesis statement: GMO crops should be encouraged to be produced.
B: A thesis statement: GMO crops should be encouraged to be produced.
- Title:
- Testing for genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Past, present and future perspectives.
- Authors:
- Holst-Jensen, Arne1 arne.holst-jensen@vetinst.no
- Source:
- Biotechnology Advances; Nov2009, Vol. 27 Issue 6, p1071-1082, 12p
- http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=44582575&site=ehost-live
- Catalan agriculture and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) — An application of DPSIR model
- Authors:
- Binimelis, Rosa1 rosa.binimelis@gmx.net
Monterroso, Iliana2
Rodríguez-Labajos, Beatriz1 - Source:
- Ecological Economics; Nov2009, Vol. 69 Issue 1, p55-62, 8p
- http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=44417708&site=ehost-live
- Title:
- Commercialized GM crops and yield.
- Authors:
- Gurian-Sherman, Doug1 dgurian-sherman@ucsusa.org
- Source:
- Nature Biotechnology; Sep2009, Vol. 27 Issue 9, p801-802, 2p, 1 color
- http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n9/index.html
- Title:
- Rapeseed cytoplasm gives advantage in wild relatives and complicates genetically modified crop biocontainment.
- Authors:
- Allainguillaume, J.
Harwood, T.
Ford, C. S.1
Cuccato, G.1
Norris, C.2
Allender, C. J.3
Welters, R.4
King, G. J.5
Wilkinson, M. J. jjw@aber.ac.uk - Source:
- New Phytologist; Sep2009, Vol. 183 Issue 4, p1201-1211, 11p
- http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=43609445&site=ehost-live
- Title:
- GM potato decision is a wake-up call to the EU.
- Authors:
- Blake, Andrew crops@rbi.co.uk
- Source:
- Crops; 7/18/2009, p16-17, 2p, 1 color
- Title:
- Can genetically modified cotton contribute to sustainable development in Africa?
- Authors:
- Morse, Stephen1
Mannion, A. M.1 - Source:
- Progress in Development Studies; Jul2009, Vol. 9 Issue 3, p225-247, 23
- phttp://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=43225986&site=ehost-live
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