The Golden Lily Chapter 2

I DIDN'T SLEEP THAT NIGHT. Part of it was simply the time change. My flight back to Palm Springs was scheduled for six in the morning – which was three in the morning in the time zone my body still thought it was in. Sleeping seemed pointless. And, of course, there was the teeny-tiny fact that it was kind of hard to relax after everything I'd witnessed over at the Alchemist bunker. If I wasn't envisioning Liam's freaky eyes, then I was replaying the constant warnings I'd heard about those who got too close to vampires. It didn't help the situation that I had an inbox full of messages from the gang in Palm Springs. Normally, I checked my e-mail automatically on my phone when I was out and about. Now, in my hotel room, staring at the various messages, I found myself filled with doubt. Were these truly professional? Were they too friendly? Did they blur the lines of Alchemist protocol? After seeing what had happened to Keith, it was more obvious than ever that it didn't take much to get in trouble with my organization. One message was from Jill, with a subject line reading: Angeline†¦ sigh. This wasn't a surprise to me, and I didn't bother reading it yet. Angeline Dawes, a dhampir recruited to be Jill's roommate and provide an extra layer of security, had had a little trouble fitting into Amberwood. She was always in trouble for something, and I knew whatever it was this time, there was nothing I could do about it right now. Another message was from Angeline herself. I also didn't read it. The subject was: READ THIS! SO FUNNY! Angeline had only recently discovered e-mail. She had not, so it seemed, discovered how to turn off the caps-lock key. She also had no discrimination when it came to forwarding jokes, financial scams, or virus warnings. And speaking of that last one†¦ we'd had to finally install child protection software on her laptop, in order to block her from certain websites and ads. That had come after she'd accidentally downloaded four viruses. It was the last e-mail in my inbox that gave me pause. It was from Adrian Ivashkov, the only person in our group who wasn't posing as a student at Amberwood Preparatory School. Adrian was a twenty-one-year-old Moroi, so it would have been kind of a stretch passing him off in high school. Adrian was along because he and Jill had a psychic bond that had been inadvertently created when he'd used his magic to save her life. All Moroi wielded some type of elemental magic, and his was spirit – a mysterious element tied to the mind and healing. The bond allowed Jill to see Adrian's thoughts and emotions, which was troubling to both of them. His staying near her helped them work out some of the bond's kinks. Also, Adrian had nothing better to do. His message's subject was: SEND HELP IMMEDIATELY. Unlike Angeline, Adrian knew the rules of capitalization and was simply going for dramatic effect. I also knew that if I had any doubts about which of my messages related to my job, this was hands-down the most nonprofessional one in the set. Adrian wasn't my responsibility. Yet, I clicked the message anyway. Day 24. Situation is growing worse. My captors continue to find new and horrific ways to torture me. When not working, Agent Scarlet spends her days examining fabric swatches for bridesmaid dresses and going on about how in love she is. This usually causes Agent Boring Borscht to regale us with stories of Russian weddings that are even more boring than his usual ones. My attempts at escape have been thwarted thus far. Also, I am out of cigarettes. Any assistance or tobacco products you can send will be greatly appreciated. – Prisoner 24601 I began smiling in spite of myself. Adrian sent me some kind of message like this nearly every day. This summer, we had learned that those who were forcibly turned Strigoi could be turned back with the use of spirit. It was still a tricky, complicated process†¦ made more so by the fact that there were so few spirit users. Even more recent events had suggested that those restored from being Strigoi could never be turned again. That had electrified Alchemists and Moroi alike. If there was some magical way to prevent Strigoi conversion, freaks like Liam would no longer be a problem. That was where Sonya Karp and Dimitri Belikov came in – or, as Adrian called them in his angst-filled letters, â€Å"Agent Scarlet† and â€Å"Agent Boring Borscht.† Sonya was a Moroi; Dimitri was a dhampir. Both had once been Strigoi and had been saved by spirit magic. The two of them had come to Palm Springs last month to work with Adrian in a sort of think tank to figure out what might protect against Strigoi turning. It was an extremely important task, one that could have huge ramifications if successful. Sonya and Dimitri were some of the hardest working people I knew – which didn't always mesh with Adrian's style. A lot of their work involved slow, painstaking experiments – many involving Eddie Castile, a dhampir who was also undercover at Amberwood. He was serving as the control subject since, unlike Dimitri, Eddie was a dhampir untouched by spirit or a Strigoi history. There wasn't much I could do to help Adrian with his frustration over his research group – and he knew it. He just liked playing up the drama and venting to me. Mindful of what was essential and nonessential in the Alchemist world, I was on the verge of deleting the message, but†¦ One thing made me hesitate. Adrian had signed his e-mail with a reference to Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. It was a book about the French Revolution that was so thick, it could easily double as a weapon. I had read it in both French and English. Considering Adrian had once gotten bored while reading a particularly long menu, I had a hard time imagining he'd read the Hugo book in any language. So how did he know the reference? It doesn't matter, Sydney, a stern Alchemist voice said inside my head. Delete it. It's irrelevant. Adrian's literary knowledge (or lack thereof) is no concern of yours. But I couldn't do it. I had to know. This was the kind of detail that would drive me crazy. I wrote back with a quick message: How do you know about 24601? I refuse to believe you read the book. You saw the musical, right? I hit send and received a response back from him almost immediately: SparkNotes. Typical. I laughed out loud and immediately felt guilty. I shouldn't have responded. This was my personal e-mail account, but if the Alchemists ever felt the need to investigate me, they'd have no qualms about accessing it. This kind of thing was damning, and I deleted the e-mail exchange – not that it mattered. No data was ever truly lost. By the time I landed in Palm Springs at seven the next morning, it was painfully obvious that I had surpassed my body's limits to subsist on caffeine. I was too exhausted. No amount of coffee would help anymore. I nearly fell asleep at the airport's curb, waiting for my ride. When it arrived, I didn't notice until I heard my name called. Dimitri Belikov jumped out of a blue rental car and strode toward me, grabbing hold of my suitcase before I could utter a word. A few nearby women stopped talking to stare at him admiringly. I got to my feet. â€Å"You don't have to do that,† I said, even though he was already loading my suitcase into the trunk. â€Å"Of course I do,† he said, his words lightly touched with a Russian accent. He gave me a small smile. â€Å"You looked like you were asleep.† â€Å"I should be so lucky,† I said, getting into the passenger side. Even if I'd been wide awake, I knew Dimitri would've taken my suitcase anyway. That's how he was, a lost remnant of chivalry in the modern world, ever-ready to help others. That was only one of the many striking things about Dimitri. His looks alone were certainly enough to make many halt in their tracks. He had dark brown hair pulled back into a short ponytail, with matching brown eyes that seemed mysterious and alluring. He was tall, too – about 67 – rivaling some Moroi. Dhampirs were indistinguishable from humans to me, so even I could admit that he scored pretty high on the attractiveness scale. There was also an energy around him that you couldn't help but be affected by. He was always on alert, always ready for the unexpected. I'd never seen his guard down. He was constantly ready to strike. He was dangerous, no question, and I was comforted that he was on our side. I always felt safe around him – and a little wary. â€Å"Thanks for the ride,† I added. â€Å"I could've called a taxi.† Even as I spoke, I knew my words were as useless as when I'd told him he didn't need to help me with my bag. â€Å"It's no problem,† he assured me, driving toward suburban Palm Springs. He wiped sweat off his brow and somehow made that look attractive. Even this early in the morning, the heat was beginning to build. â€Å"Sonya insisted. Besides, no experiments today.† I frowned at that. Those experiments and the amazing potential they represented to prevent the creation of more Strigoi were vastly important. Dimitri and Sonya knew that and were dedicated to the cause – especially on weekends, when Adrian and Eddie didn't have classes – which made this news so puzzling. My own work ethic had a hard time understanding why there'd be no research happening on a Sunday. â€Å"Adrian?† I guessed. Maybe he wasn't â€Å"in the mood† for research today. â€Å"Partially,† said Dimitri. â€Å"We're also missing our control subject. Eddie said he had some conflict and couldn't make it.† My frown deepened. â€Å"What conflict could Eddie have?† Eddie was intensely dedicated too. Adrian sometimes called him mini-Dimitri. Although Eddie was going to high school and completing assignments just like me, I knew he'd drop any homework in an instant to help out with the greater good. I could think of only one thing that would take precedence over helping find a â€Å"cure† for being Strigoi. My heart suddenly raced. â€Å"Is Jill okay?† She had to be. Someone would have told me, right? Eddie's main purpose in Palm Springs – and mine – was to keep her safe. If she was in danger, it would trump everything else. â€Å"She's fine,† said Dimitri. â€Å"I talked to her this morning. I'm not sure what's going on, but Eddie wouldn't be away without good reason.† â€Å"I suppose not,† I murmured, still concerned. â€Å"You worry as much as me,† teased Dimitri. â€Å"I didn't think that was possible.† â€Å"It's my job to worry. I always have to make sure everyone's okay.† â€Å"Sometimes it's not a bad thing to make sure you're okay too. You might find it actually helps others.† I scoffed. â€Å"Rose always joked about your ‘Zen Master Wisdom.' Am I getting a taste of it? If so, I can see why she was helpless against your charms.† This earned me one of Dimitri's rare, genuine laughs. â€Å"I think so. If you ask her, she'll claim it was the staking and decapitation. But I'm sure it was the Zen wisdom that won her in the end.† My answering smile immediately melted into a yawn. It was amazing that I could joke with a dhampir. I used to have panic attacks being in the same room with them or Moroi. Slowly, over the last six months, my anxiety had begun to ease up. I'd never shake the feeling of â€Å"otherness† I got from all of them, but I'd come a long way. Part of me knew it was a good thing that I still drew that line between them and humans, but it was also good to be flexible in order to make my job smoother. Not too flexible, that inner Alchemist voice warned. â€Å"Here we are,† said Dimitri, pulling up in front of my dorm at Amberwood Prep. If he'd noticed my shift in mood, he didn't say so. â€Å"You should get some rest.† â€Å"I'll try,† I said. â€Å"But I need to find out what's going on with Eddie first.† Dimitri's face turned all-business. â€Å"If you can find him, you should bring him over tonight, and we can see about getting a little work done. Sonya would love it. She has some new ideas.† I nodded, reminding myself that that was the kind of standard we needed to adhere to. Work, work, work. We had to remember our higher goals. â€Å"I'll see what I can do.† I thanked him again and then headed inside, filled with resolve to carry out my mission. So, it was a bit disappointing when my lofty goals were shattered so quickly. â€Å"Miss Melrose?† I turned immediately at the sound of the last name I'd assumed here at Amberwood. Mrs. Weathers, our plump, elderly dorm matron, was hurrying over to me. Her face was lined with worry, which couldn't bode well. â€Å"I'm so glad you're back,† she said. â€Å"I trust you had a good family visit?† â€Å"Yes, ma'am.† If by â€Å"good,† she meant â€Å"terrifying and unsettling.† Mrs. Weathers beckoned me over to her desk. â€Å"I need to talk to you about your cousin.† I held back a grimace as I recalled Jill's e-mail. Cousin Angeline. All of us attending Amberwood were doing so under fake family connections. Jill and Eddie were my siblings. Angeline was our cousin. It helped explain why we were always together and getting involved with each other's business. I sat down with Mrs. Weathers and thought longingly of my bed. â€Å"What's happened?† I asked. Mrs. Weathers sighed. â€Å"Your cousin is having trouble with our dress code.† That was a surprise. â€Å"But we have uniforms, ma'am.† â€Å"Of course,† she said. â€Å"But not outside of classes.† That was true. I was in khaki dress pants and a green short-sleeved blouse, along with a small gold cross I always wore. I did a mental rundown of Angeline's wardrobe, trying to recall if I'd ever seen anything concerning about it. Probably the most appalling part was its quality. Angeline had come from the Keepers, a mixed community of humans, Moroi, and dhampirs who lived in the Appalachian Mountains. Along with a lack of electricity and plumbing, the Keepers chose to make a lot of their clothing or at least wear it into threads. â€Å"Friday night, I saw her wearing the most appallingly short jean shorts,† continued Mrs. Weathers with a shudder. â€Å"I immediately chastised her, and she told me they were the only way she could be comfortable in the heat outside. I gave her a warning and advised she find more appropriate attire. Saturday, she appeared in the same shorts and a tank top that was totally indecent. That was when I suspended her to the dorm for the rest of the weekend.† â€Å"I'm sorry, ma'am,† I said. Really, I had no idea what else to say. I'd spent the weekend caught up in the epic battle to save humanity, and now†¦ jean shorts? Mrs. Weathers grew hesitant. â€Å"I know†¦ well, I know this isn't really anything you should be involved in. It's a parental matter. But, seeing as how you're so responsible and look out for the rest of your family†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I sighed. â€Å"Yes, ma'am. I'll take care of it. Thank you for not taking more severe action against her.† I went upstairs, my small suitcase growing heavier with each step. When I reached the second floor, I stopped, unsure what to do. One more floor would take me to my room. This floor would take me to â€Å"Cousin Angeline.† Reluctantly, I turned into the second floor hall, knowing the sooner this was dealt with, the better. â€Å"Sydney!† Jill Mastrano opened the dorm room's door, her light green eyes shining with joy. â€Å"You're back.† â€Å"So it seems,† I said, following her inside. Angeline was there as well, lounging on her bed with a textbook. I was pretty sure that was the first time I'd ever seen her study, but the house arrest probably limited her recreational options. â€Å"What did the Alchemists want?† asked Jill. She sat cross-legged on her own bed and began absentmindedly playing with the strands of her curly, light brown hair. I shrugged. â€Å"Paperwork. Boring stuff. Sounds like things were a little more exciting here.† That was delivered with a pointed look at Angeline. The dhampir girl jumped off her bed, face furious and blue eyes flashing. â€Å"It wasn't my fault! That Weathers woman was completely out of line!† she exclaimed, a slight southern drawl in her words. A quick scan of Angeline showed nothing too concerning. Her jeans were threadbare but decent, as was her T-shirt. Even her mop of strawberry blonde hair was tame for a change, tied back in a ponytail. â€Å"What on earth did you wear that got her so upset then?† I asked. Scowling, Angeline went to her dresser and produced a pair of jean shorts with the most ragged hem I'd ever seen. I thought they'd unravel before my eyes. They were also so short that I wouldn't have been surprised if they showed underwear when she wore them. â€Å"Where did you get those?† Angeline almost looked proud. â€Å"I made them.† â€Å"With what, a hacksaw?† â€Å"I had two pairs of jeans,† she said pragmatically. â€Å"It was so hot out, I figured I might as well turn one into shorts.† â€Å"She used a knife from the cafeteria,† said Jill helpfully. â€Å"Couldn't find the scissors,† explained Angeline. My bed. Where was my bed? â€Å"Mrs. Weathers mentioned something about an indecent shirt too,† I said. â€Å"Oh,† said Jill. â€Å"That was mine.† I felt my eyebrows rise. â€Å"What? I know you don't own anything ‘indecent.†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Before Angeline had come along a month ago, Jill and I had been roommates. â€Å"It's not,† agreed Jill. â€Å"Except, it's not really Angeline's size.† I glanced between the two girls and understood. Jill was tall and slim, like most Moroi, with a figure much coveted among human fashion designers, a figure I would've killed to have. Jill had even done some modeling. With that figure came a modest chest. Angeline's chest†¦ was not so modest. If she wore a tank top in Jill's size, I imagined the shirt's structural integrity would indeed be stretched to indecent limits. â€Å"Jill wears that tank top all the time and doesn't get in trouble,† said Angeline defensively. â€Å"I figured there wouldn't be a problem if I borrowed it.† My head was starting to hurt. Still, I supposed this was better than the time Angeline had been caught making out with a guy in the boys' bathroom. â€Å"Well. This is easily fixed. We can go – well, I can go since you're stuck here – and get you some clothes in your size tonight.† â€Å"Oh,† Angeline said, suddenly turning more upbeat, â€Å"you don't have to. Eddie's handling it.† If not for Jill nodding along, I would've thought it was a joke. â€Å"Eddie? Eddie's buying you clothes?† Angeline sighed happily. â€Å"Isn't that nice of him?† Nice? No, but I understood why Eddie would do it. Getting decent clothes for Angeline was the last thing he probably wanted to do, but he would do it. Like me, he understood duty. And now I could guess why Eddie had canceled the experiments – and been vague about his reasons for doing so. I immediately took out my cell phone and called him. He answered right away, like always. I was certain he was never more than three feet from his phone at all times. â€Å"Hello, Sydney. Glad you're back.† He paused. â€Å"You are back, right?† â€Å"Yeah, I'm with Jill and Angeline. I understand you've been doing some shopping.† He groaned. â€Å"Don't get me started. I just walked into my room.† â€Å"You want to swing by with your purchases? I need the car back anyway.† There was a moment's hesitation. â€Å"Would you mind coming over here? As long as Jill's okay. She is okay, right? She doesn't need me? Because if she does – â€Å" â€Å"She's fine.† His dorm wasn't far, but I'd been hoping for a quick nap. Nonetheless, I found myself agreeing, just like I always did. â€Å"Okay. I'll meet you in the lobby in about fifteen minutes?† â€Å"Sounds good. Thanks, Sydney.† As soon as I disconnected, Angeline asked excitedly, â€Å"Is Eddie coming over?† â€Å"I'm going to him,† I said. Her face fell. â€Å"Oh. Well, I guess it doesn't matter since I have to stay here anyway. I can't wait until I'm free to train again. I'd like to get some more one-on-one time with him.† I hadn't realized how focused Angeline was on her training. In fact, she seemed really excited about the prospect of it. I left their room and was surprised to find Jill right behind me once the door shut. Her eyes were wide and anxious. â€Å"Sydney†¦ I'm sorry.† I regarded her curiously, wondering now if she'd done something. â€Å"For what?† She gestured toward the door. â€Å"For Angeline. I should have done better at keeping her out of trouble.† I almost smiled. â€Å"That's not your job.† â€Å"Yeah, I know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She glanced down, letting some of her long hair fall forward. â€Å"But still. I know I should be more like you. Instead, I've just been†¦ you know. Having fun.† â€Å"You're entitled to it,† I said, trying to ignore the subtle commentary on me. â€Å"I should still be more responsible,† she argued. â€Å"You are responsible,† I assured her. â€Å"Especially compared to Angeline.† My family had a cat back in Utah that I was pretty sure was more responsible than Angeline. Jill's face brightened, and I left her so that I could return the suitcase to my room. Angeline's arrival and my work in busting Keith had earned me my own private room in the dorm, something I treasured. Inside it, everything was quiet and orderly. My perfect world. The one place that the chaos of my life couldn't touch. The neatly made bed was asking to be slept in. Begging, really. Soon, I promised it. I hope. Amberwood Prep was divided into three campuses, East (where the girls were housed), West (where the boys were), and Central (containing all the academic buildings). A shuttle bus ran between them on a regular schedule, or brave souls could walk between them in the heat. I usually didn't mind the temperatures, but walking seemed like a lot of work today. So, I took the shuttle to West Campus and tried to stay awake. The lobby of the boys' dorm was a lot like my own, people coming and going to either catch up on academic work or simply enjoy the Sunday off. I glanced around, but Eddie wasn't here yet. â€Å"Hey, Melbourne.† I turned and found Trey Juarez approaching, a grin on his tanned face. He was a senior like me and had picked up the Melbourne nickname after one of our teachers proved incapable of remembering Melrose. Honestly, with all these names, it was a wonder I knew who I was anymore. â€Å"Hey, Trey,† I said. Trey was a bona fide high school football star – but also pretty brainy, no matter how much he tried to hide it. We got along well as a result, and my help in restoring his athletic status last month had gone a long way to raise my stock in his eyes. A backpack hung on one of his shoulders. â€Å"Are you finally going to finish that chem lab write-up?† â€Å"Yup,† he said. â€Å"Me and half the cheerleading squad. You want to join us?† I rolled my eyes. â€Å"Somehow I doubt there'll be much work going on. Besides, I'm meeting Eddie.† Trey gave an easy shrug and brushed some unruly black hair out of his eyes. â€Å"Your loss. See you tomorrow.† He took a couple of steps and then glanced back at me. â€Å"Hey, are you dating anyone?† I immediately started to say no, and then a panicked thought occurred to me. I had a tendency to take things very literally. Friends of mine here, Kristin and Julia, had been trying to train me up in the subtleties of high school social life. One of their chief lessons was that what people said wasn't always what they meant – particularly in romantic matters. â€Å"Are you†¦ are you asking me out?† I asked, taken aback. This was the last thing I needed right now. How should I respond? Should I say yes? Should I say no? I'd had no idea helping him with chemistry homework would be so alluring. I should've made him do it on his own. Trey looked as startled by the thought as I was. â€Å"What? No. Of course not.† â€Å"Thank God,† I said. I liked Trey, but I had no interest in dating him – or figuring out what the appropriate way to say â€Å"no† would be. He shot me a wry look. â€Å"You don't have to look that relieved.† â€Å"Sorry,† I said, trying to mask my embarrassment. â€Å"Why'd you ask?† â€Å"Because I know the perfect guy for you. I'm pretty sure he's your soul mate.† We were back in familiar territory now: logic vs. lack of logic. â€Å"I don't believe in soul mates,† I said. â€Å"It's statistically unreasonable that there's only one ideal person for everyone in the world.† And yet, for half a moment, I wished it was kind of possible. It'd be nice to have someone who understood some of the things that went on in my head. Trey rolled his eyes. â€Å"Okay. Not a soul mate. How about just someone you could maybe go out with once in a while and have a nice time with?† I shook my head. â€Å"I don't have time for anything like that.† And I didn't. Keeping everything in order with the group, and pretending to be a student, was a full time job as it was. â€Å"I'm telling you, you'd like him. He goes to a public school and just started at Spencer's.† Spencer's was a coffee shop Trey worked at, an arrangement that yielded me discounts. â€Å"The other day, he was going off on unaerobic vs. aerobic respiration, and I was thinking, ‘You know who this sounds like? Melbourne.'† â€Å"It's anaerobic respiration,† I corrected. â€Å"And it still doesn't mean I have the time. Sorry.† I had to admit, I was immensely curious about how that topic would have come up between baristas, but figured it was best not to encourage Trey. â€Å"Okay,† he said. â€Å"Don't say I never tried to help you.† â€Å"Wouldn't dream of it,† I assured him. â€Å"Hey, there's Eddie.† â€Å"My cue to go then. See you guys.† Trey gave a mock salute to Eddie and me. â€Å"Don't forget my offer if you want a hot date, Melbourne.† Trey left, and Eddie shot me an astonished look. â€Å"Did Trey just ask you out?† â€Å"No. He's just got some co-worker he wants to set me up with.† â€Å"Maybe that's not a bad idea.† â€Å"It's a terrible idea. Let's go outside.† The desert heat didn't seem to care that it was October, and I led us to a bench right by the dorm's stucco walls. Partial shade from some nearby palm trees offered mild relief. People swore the temperature would taper soon, but I'd seen no sign of change. Eddie handed me my car keys and a shopping bag from a local superstore. â€Å"I had to guess at size,† he told me. â€Å"When in doubt, I went big. Figured it was safer that way.† â€Å"Probably.† I sat down on a bench and rifled through his purchases. Jeans, khakis, a few solid colored T-shirts. They were very practical, very much something a no-nonsense guy like Eddie would pick out. I approved. â€Å"The size actually looks right. Good eye. We'll have to send you out shopping more often.† â€Å"If that's what I have to do,† he said, face serious. I couldn't help but laugh in surprise. â€Å"I was joking.† I put the shirts back in the bag. â€Å"I know that couldn't have been fun.† Eddie's face gave nothing away. â€Å"Oh, come on. It's okay. You don't have to play stoic with me. I know you didn't enjoy it.† â€Å"I'm here to do a job. Doesn't matter if I enjoy it or not.† I started to protest but then thought better of it. After all, wasn't that my philosophy too? Sacrificing my own wants for higher goals? Eddie was intensely dedicated to this mission. He never backed down. I expected nothing less from him than single-minded focus. â€Å"So, does that mean you're up for some experiments tonight?† I asked. â€Å"Of cours – † He stopped and reconsidered. â€Å"Are Jill and Angeline coming?† â€Å"No. Angeline's still under house arrest.† â€Å"Thank God,† he said with visible relief. His reaction was probably the most surprising thing to happen today. I couldn't imagine why Eddie would look so relieved. Aside from his guardian loyalty to Jill, he was also crazy about her. He would've done anything for her, even if it wasn't his job, but refused to share his feelings with her. He thought he was unworthy of a princess. An uneasy thought occurred to me. â€Å"Are you†¦ are you avoiding Jill because of her and Micah?† Micah was Eddie's roommate, a nice guy who caused Eddie all sorts of therapy-worthy trauma because he bore so much similarity to Eddie's dead best friend, Mason. Micah also had a weird pseudo-dating relationship with Jill. None of us were happy about it, since (aside from the Keepers) humans dating Moroi or dhampirs was strictly taboo. We'd finally decided it would be impossible to keep Jill from a social life, and she swore nothing serious or physical was going on between her and Micah. They just spent a lot of time together. And flirted incessantly. He didn't know the truth about her, but I wondered at what point he'd want more from their relationship. Eddie kept insisting it was better for Jill to have a casual relationship with a human than one with an â€Å"unworthy† dhampir like him, but I knew it had to be torturous. â€Å"Of course not,† said Eddie sharply. â€Å"It's not Jill I want to avoid. It's Angeline.† â€Å"Angeline? What's she done now?† Eddie ran a hand through his hair in frustration. His was a sandy blond, not far from my own, which was a dark gold. The similarity made it easy to pass ourselves off as twins. â€Å"She won't leave me alone! She's always dropping these suggestive comments when I'm around†¦ and she won't stop staring at me. Like, you wouldn't think that'd be creepy, but it is. She's always watching. And I can't avoid her because she's with Jill a lot of the time, and I have to keep Jill safe.† I thought back on recent interactions. â€Å"Are you sure you're reading this right? I've never noticed anything.† â€Å"That's because you don't notice that kind of thing,† he said. â€Å"You cannot imagine how many excuses she finds to rub up against me.† After seeing her homemade jean shorts, I actually could imagine it. â€Å"Huh. Well, maybe I can talk to her.† Like that, Eddie snapped back to all-business. â€Å"No. It's my problem, my personal life. I'll deal with it.† â€Å"Are you sure? Because I can – â€Å" â€Å"Sydney,† he said gently. â€Å"You're the most responsible person I know, but this isn't what you're here to do. You don't have to take care of everything and everyone.† â€Å"I don't mind,† I said automatically. â€Å"It is what I'm here for.† But even as I said it, I wondered if that was true. A bit of the anxiety from the bunker returned, making me question if what I did was truly Alchemist responsibility or the desire to help those who – against protocol – had become my friends. â€Å"See? Now you sound just like I did earlier.† He stood up and flashed me a grin. â€Å"You want to come with me to Adrian's? Be responsible together?† His words were meant as a compliment, but they echoed too close to what the Alchemists had told me. And Mrs. Weathers. And Jill. Everyone thought I was so amazing, so responsible and controlled. But if I was so amazing, then why was I always so unsure if I was doing the right thing?

International Finance

The nomenclature of the global economic arena Is the saying that the world Is flat and that It comes In a full circle; but where corporate power has transcended barriers and territorial borders, Terrorism remains as the bane of existence. Terrorism Is that plague that reeks In every corporate dominated land. It wasn't Just the twin WET towers plummeting at the darted vision of terror but it was the networked failure of man's economic progress.The global news of today is resplendent of the clatter of bullets, the tyranny of armed tanks and most importantly, the breakthrough of man's bestial brutality. Truncated calls, crashing stock markets, wary economists; the economic world witnessed the horror on 9/1 1, 26/11 etc. Brokers lay crestfallen, investors chose survivals over super profits; above all, the business of man failed. The first question that can be gawked on is how does the economy of the world suffer after the aftermath of a terrorist activity?In the advent of superior global ization, countries favor entry Into the markets by relying on exporting goods and services, which leads to the feasibility of rapid and broad outlook of global markets; It will also reduce the heavy dependence on high remissive physical faceless, which can offer much understandability, flexibility for reacting to unforeseeable market changes and rapid adjustments. Foreign direct Investment or FDA remains one of the key backstabbers for an aspiring global economy.Major investments in major countries of the world stand on shaky ground when such events happen in the light of the economy. When it comes to global economics, transaction costs and economies of scale, Foreign Direct Investment is a priority among financial planners, but the risky affair of dwindling between what is to e injected in the economy and what is to be exported are deemed to be worrisome. Global Markets have the trend to reprimand failure more severely than rewarding success, which have made risk minimizing strateg ies a pathway for business promoters and planners.The yester years before the first fatal blow of terrorism to the global business arena saw a stupendous growth of International ventures; but after the wrath experienced by the international markets: it took into concentrating of domestic affiliations and concentrations. This was evident by the fall of international monetary saving and faith. Money laundering has led to the modern day malaise of terrorism financing. Tightening money laundering laws in the United states still remain ineffective at the gawking reality of a global banking giant- HASH having fallen prey to such accusations.Hash's banking activities in Saudi Arabia, specifically activities pertaining to referencing banking with AY Rajah Bank were brought under the radar. An investigation claimed that the Saudi bank had financed terrorist activities In purview of the September 11 investigations. In fact, it is now Infamously known as the- â€Å"Early Financial benefactor of the al- Qaeda†. Although, there was a hiatus In the banking transactions of HASH and AY Rajah bank; but both the banks have resumed their dealings. Two Bangladesh banks have been accused on salary grounds.Tighter norms and stringent Basel laws could be the trump card but the Course structures pertaining to international business have witnessed a setback in lieu of worsening international ties; it is well evident by the declining education of international studies in the United States, as per the stats relating to enrollments in International Business Courses and Foreign language courses. During the past few ears, managers have moved from the focus of proactive exploration concerning international opportunities in the global arena to a rather defensive posture that emphasizes on the vulnerability of foreign operations and global threats.The September 11 attack alone caused around 40 billion of insurance losses in USA. There was an liquidity need addressed by the federal rese rve along with the delay of major global stock markets like NYSE, FETES etc. The nightmares of the Ells (Foreign institutional Investors has Just begun with the sharp shoot ups of the gold and other commodities prices. As the dollar recovered, it rather showed how the economy could have a domino effect in Just a moment of a terror attack.Although stocks recovered from the short bearish phase of the 26/11 attack in Iambi; it can't offer a solution for the momentary involuntary losses in the global economy. The worst part is that how can a manager appropriate against such costs? The cost of human labor, wealth and resources? It is not Just the infrastructure being marred or the sabbatical day being a black day but it is the vulnerability of corporate giants in front of the tryst with terrorism. The cost born for provisioning against such losses cannot be anticipated.They can seep through any advent of the business; whether it's the hijacked plane or the bakery which gets bombarded; th e vivid imagination of terror cripples the masculinity of business. The real question that looms on every single business maker is that who is supposed to bear this impossible to inappropriate cost? The government or the various international bodies? Yes, there is indeed something scarier than the sublime crisis, and it is the sublime crisis of human empathy and brotherhood. What might seem as the biggest looming threat to the business of the world can actually be a way to fight this common malaise forever.It is the world cooperation of various international bodies and government bodies including multinational corporations to bring an end to this plaguing condition. In the face of such a terror; the rescue can only be the pooled efforts of every individual who dreams of international cooperation and benefit. Rather than basking on the indifference curve, it might be the time of our corporate lives to pull our socks even higher; so that each individual with its own competence forms t he army of seamless unity and strength. International Finance Chapter 4 Practice Problems Percentage Depreciation †¢ Assume the spot rate of the British pound is $1. 73. The expected spot rate one year from now is assumed to be $1. 66. What percentage depreciation does this reflect? †¢ ($1 66 – $1 73)/$1 73 = –4. 05% ($1. 66 $1. 73)/$1. 73 4 05% Expected depreciation of 4. 05% percent Inflation Effects on Exchange Rates †¢ Assume that the U. S. inflation rate becomes high relative to Canadian inflation. Other things being equal, how should this affect the (a) U. S. demand for Canadian dollars, (b) supply of Canadian dollars for sale, and (c) equilibrium value of the Canadian dollar? Demand for Canadian dollars should increase, ? Supply of Canadian dollars for sale should decrease, and ? The Canadian dollar’s value should increase. 1 Interest Rate Effects on Exchange Rates †¢ Assume U. S. interest rates fall relative to British interest rates. Other things being equal, how should this affect the (a) U. S. demand for British pounds, (b) supply of pounds for sale, and (c) equilibrium value of the pound? ? Demand for pounds should increase, ? Supply of pounds for sale should decrease, and ? The pound’s value should increase. Income Effects on Exchange Rates †¢ Assume that the U.S. income level rises at a much higher rate than does the Canadian income level. Other things being equal, how should this affect the (a) U. S. demand for Canadian dollars, (b) supply of Canadian dollars for sale, and (c) equilibrium value of th Canadian dollar? f the C di d ll ? ? Assuming no effect on U. S. interest rates, demand for dollars should increase, ? Supply of dollars for sale may not be affected, and ? The dollar’s value should increase. Trade Restriction Effects on Exchange Rates †¢ Assume that the Japanese government relaxes its controls on imports by Japanese companies.Other things being equal, how should this affect the (a) U. S. demand for Japanese yen, (b) supply of yen for sale, and (c) equilibrium value of the yen? ? Demand for yen should not be affected, ? Supply of yen for sale should increase, and ? The value of yen should decrease. 2 Effects of Real Interest Rates †¢ What is the expected relationship between the relative real interest rates of two countries and the exchange rate of their currencies? ? The higher the real interest rate of a country relative to another country, the stronger will be its home currency, other things equal. Speculative Effects on Exchange Rates Explain why a public forecast about future interest rates could affect the value of the dollar today. Why do some forecasts by well-respected economists have no impact on today’s value of the dollar? ? Speculators can use anticipated interest rate movements to forecast exchange rate movements. ? Th may purchase f i securities b They h foreign iti because of their f th i expectations about currency movements, since their yield will be affected by changes in a cur rency’s value. ? These purchases of securities require an exchange of currencies, which can immediately affect the equilibrium value of exchange rates. It was already anticipated by market participants or is not different from investors’ original expectations. Interaction of Exchange Rates †¢ Assume that there are substantial capital flows among Canada, the U. S. , and Japan. If interest rates in Canada decline to a level below the U. S. interest rate, and inflationary expectations remain unchanged, how could this affect the value of the Canadian dollar against the U. S. dollar? ? If interest rates in Canada decline, there may be an increase in capital flows from Canada to the U. S. ? In addition, U. S. investors may attempt to capitalize on higher U.S. interest rates, while U. S. investors reduce their investments in Canada’s securities. ? This places downward pressure on the Canadian dollar’s value. 3 Interaction of Exchange Rates †¢ How might this affect the value of the Canadian dollar against the Japanese yen? ? Japanese investors that previously invested in Canada may , p shift to the U. S. Thus, the reduced flow of funds from Japan would place downward pressure on the Canadian dollar against the Japanese yen. Relative Importance of Factors Affecting Exchange Rate Risk †¢ Assume that the level of capital flows between the U.S. and the country of Krendo is negligible and will continue to be. But there is a substantial amount of trade between the U. S. and the country of Krendo. Which affect, high inflation or high interest rates will be seen in the value of the Krendo’s currency? Krendo s †¢ The inflation effect will be stronger than the interest rate effect because inflation affects trade flows. ? The high inflation should cause downward pressure on the kren. Speculation †¢ Blue Demon Bank expects that the Mexican peso will depreciate against the dollar from its spot rate of $. 5 to $. 14 in 10 days. The following interbank lending and borrowing rates exist: U. S. dollar Mexican peso Lending Rate Borrowing Rate 8. 0% 8. 3% 8. 5% 8. 7% Assume that Blue Demon Bank has a borrowing capacity of either $10 million or 70 million pesos in the interbank market, depending on which currency it wants to borrow. How could Blue Demon Bank attempt to capitalize on its expectations without using deposited funds? Estimate the profits that could be generated from this strategy. 4 Speculation 1. Borrow MXP70 million 2.Convert the MXP70 million to dollars: MXP70,000,000 ? $. 15 = $10,500,000 3. Lend the dollars through the interbank market at 8. 0% annualized over a 10-day period. The amount accumulated in 10 days is: $10,500,000 ? [1 + (8% ? 10/360)] [ ] = $10,500,000 ? [1. 002222] = $10,523,333 4. Repay the peso loan. The repayment amount on the peso loan is: MXP70,000,000 ? [1 + (8. 7% ? 10/360)] = 70,000,000 ? [1. 002417] = MXP70,169,167 5. Based on the expected spot rate of $. 14, the am ount of dollars needed to repay the peso loan is: MXP70,169,167 ? $. 14 = $9,823,683 6.After repaying the loan, Blue Demon Bank will have a speculative profit of: $10,523,333 – $9,823,683 = $699,650 Speculation †¢ Assume all the preceding information with this exception: Blue Demon Bank expects the peso to appreciate from its present spot rate of $. 15 to $. 17 in 30 days. How could it attempt to capitalize on its expectations without using deposited funds? Estimate the profits that could be generated from this strategy. Speculation 1. Borrow $10 million 2. Convert the $10 million to pesos (MXP): $10,000,000/$. 15 = MXP66,666,667 3. Lend the pesos through the interbank market at 8. % annualized over a 30-day period. The amount accumulated in 30 days is: MXP66,666,667 ? [1 + (8. 5% ? 30/360)] [ ] = 66,666,667 ? [1. 007083] = MXP67,138,889 4. Repay the dollar loan. The repayment amount on the dollar loan is: $10,000,000 ? [1 + (8. 3% ? 30/360)] = $10,000,000 ? [1. 006917] = $10,069,170 5. Convert the pesos to dollars to repay the loan. The amount of dollars to be received in 30 days (based on the expected spot rate of $. 17) is: MXP67,138,889 ? $. 17 = $11,413,611 6. The profits are (could be): $11,413,611 – $10,069,170 = $1,344,441 5 International Finance The nomenclature of the global economic arena Is the saying that the world Is flat and that It comes In a full circle; but where corporate power has transcended barriers and territorial borders, Terrorism remains as the bane of existence. Terrorism Is that plague that reeks In every corporate dominated land. It wasn't Just the twin WET towers plummeting at the darted vision of terror but it was the networked failure of man's economic progress.The global news of today is resplendent of the clatter of bullets, the tyranny of armed tanks and most importantly, the breakthrough of man's bestial brutality. Truncated calls, crashing stock markets, wary economists; the economic world witnessed the horror on 9/1 1, 26/11 etc. Brokers lay crestfallen, investors chose survivals over super profits; above all, the business of man failed. The first question that can be gawked on is how does the economy of the world suffer after the aftermath of a terrorist activity?In the advent of superior global ization, countries favor entry Into the markets by relying on exporting goods and services, which leads to the feasibility of rapid and broad outlook of global markets; It will also reduce the heavy dependence on high remissive physical faceless, which can offer much understandability, flexibility for reacting to unforeseeable market changes and rapid adjustments. Foreign direct Investment or FDA remains one of the key backstabbers for an aspiring global economy.Major investments in major countries of the world stand on shaky ground when such events happen in the light of the economy. When it comes to global economics, transaction costs and economies of scale, Foreign Direct Investment is a priority among financial planners, but the risky affair of dwindling between what is to e injected in the economy and what is to be exported are deemed to be worrisome. Global Markets have the trend to reprimand failure more severely than rewarding success, which have made risk minimizing strateg ies a pathway for business promoters and planners.The yester years before the first fatal blow of terrorism to the global business arena saw a stupendous growth of International ventures; but after the wrath experienced by the international markets: it took into concentrating of domestic affiliations and concentrations. This was evident by the fall of international monetary saving and faith. Money laundering has led to the modern day malaise of terrorism financing. Tightening money laundering laws in the United states still remain ineffective at the gawking reality of a global banking giant- HASH having fallen prey to such accusations.Hash's banking activities in Saudi Arabia, specifically activities pertaining to referencing banking with AY Rajah Bank were brought under the radar. An investigation claimed that the Saudi bank had financed terrorist activities In purview of the September 11 investigations. In fact, it is now Infamously known as the- â€Å"Early Financial benefactor of the al- Qaeda†. Although, there was a hiatus In the banking transactions of HASH and AY Rajah bank; but both the banks have resumed their dealings. Two Bangladesh banks have been accused on salary grounds.Tighter norms and stringent Basel laws could be the trump card but the Course structures pertaining to international business have witnessed a setback in lieu of worsening international ties; it is well evident by the declining education of international studies in the United States, as per the stats relating to enrollments in International Business Courses and Foreign language courses. During the past few ears, managers have moved from the focus of proactive exploration concerning international opportunities in the global arena to a rather defensive posture that emphasizes on the vulnerability of foreign operations and global threats.The September 11 attack alone caused around 40 billion of insurance losses in USA. There was an liquidity need addressed by the federal rese rve along with the delay of major global stock markets like NYSE, FETES etc. The nightmares of the Ells (Foreign institutional Investors has Just begun with the sharp shoot ups of the gold and other commodities prices. As the dollar recovered, it rather showed how the economy could have a domino effect in Just a moment of a terror attack.Although stocks recovered from the short bearish phase of the 26/11 attack in Iambi; it can't offer a solution for the momentary involuntary losses in the global economy. The worst part is that how can a manager appropriate against such costs? The cost of human labor, wealth and resources? It is not Just the infrastructure being marred or the sabbatical day being a black day but it is the vulnerability of corporate giants in front of the tryst with terrorism. The cost born for provisioning against such losses cannot be anticipated.They can seep through any advent of the business; whether it's the hijacked plane or the bakery which gets bombarded; th e vivid imagination of terror cripples the masculinity of business. The real question that looms on every single business maker is that who is supposed to bear this impossible to inappropriate cost? The government or the various international bodies? Yes, there is indeed something scarier than the sublime crisis, and it is the sublime crisis of human empathy and brotherhood. What might seem as the biggest looming threat to the business of the world can actually be a way to fight this common malaise forever.It is the world cooperation of various international bodies and government bodies including multinational corporations to bring an end to this plaguing condition. In the face of such a terror; the rescue can only be the pooled efforts of every individual who dreams of international cooperation and benefit. Rather than basking on the indifference curve, it might be the time of our corporate lives to pull our socks even higher; so that each individual with its own competence forms t he army of seamless unity and strength. International Finance Abstract: The assignment requires one to select one major economic sector in Tanzania and †¢Evaluate the FDI’S flow and †¢the importance of FDI’s in that sector during the past 4 years. †¢Identify the likely impairing factors to FDI’s in that sector. †¢Recommend what the government should do to attract more FDI’S Method After selecting the one major economic sector which is Agricultural sector, data were requested which will provide the end results of this assignment. ? Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Tanzania’s Economy4 2. Evaluation of Tanzania’s FDI’s flow5 . Importance of FDI in Agriculture in the past 4 years7 †¢Capital:7 †¢Technology:8 †¢Market Access:8 4. Factors Impairing FDI’s in Tanzania8 †¢Poor Infrastructure8 †¢Capacity8 †¢Bureaucracy8 †¢Corruption9 †¢Seasonality9 †¢Access to finance9 †¢Regulatory framework9 5. Recommendation to attract more FDI ’s10 6. Conclusion10 References. 12 1. Introduction: Tanzania’s Economy Tanzania is one of the world's poorest economies in terms of per capita income, with GDP growth of average 7% per year between 2000 and 2008 on strong gold production and tourism.However, the economy heavily depends on agriculture, which accounts for more than one-fourth of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs about 60% of the work force. Tanzania also depends on the World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors to provide funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging economic infrastructure, including rail and port infrastructure that are important trade links for inland countries. With the recent banking reforms that have helped increase private-sector growth and investment, and the government has increased spending on agriculture to 7% of its budget.Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported a positive growth rate, despite the world recession. Also, in 2008, Tanzania receive d the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact grant, worth $698 million. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus and loosened monetary policy to ease the impact of the global recession. GDP growth in 2009-10 was a respectable 6% per year due to high gold prices and increased production. Tanzania's economy was forecast to grow by 7. 2 percent in 2012, up from an estimated 6. 0 percent this year, provided weather conditions improve as reported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).However, Tanzania's economy will grow by a median 6. 7 percent this year from 7. 0 percent last year, weighed down by chronic energy shortages, as reported by a Reuter’s poll. The median forecast by a poll of 11 analysts showed gross domestic product would rebound to 7. 1 percent next year in east Africa's second-largest economy. The downside risks to the growth outlook emanate mostly from the power rationing that has been going on in the country. It has compelled firms to resort to less productive sources of power. The Washington-based body earlier this year cut its 2011 growth projection for Tanzania from 7. percent because of widespread power outages triggered by drought in the predominantly hydropower producing country. Africa's fourth biggest gold producer, Tanzania mainly depends on tourism, mining and agriculture and is increasingly attracting higher investor interest in telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, financial services and transport. 2. Evaluation of Tanzania’s FDI’s flow The Government of Tanzania (GOT) generally has a favorable attitude toward foreign direct investment (FDI) and has made significant efforts to encourage foreign investment.After several years of growing FDI, new FDI declined sharply from USD 6. 68 billion in 2008 to USD 2. 3 billion in 2009. The number of new foreign projects registered at TIC dropped to 503 last year from 768 in 2008. There is no restriction in foreign exchange. Foreign investors generally receive national treatment; however, the Tourism Act of 2007 bars foreigners from engaging in some tourism-related businesses. The Dar Es Salaam Stock Exchange forbids companies with more than 60 percent foreign ownership from listing.There are no laws or regulations authorizing private firms to limit or prohibit foreign investment, participation, or control, and firms generally do not restrict foreign participation in practice. The global economic crisis had minimal impact on the Tanzanian financial sector due to its relatively low global integration, however tourist arrivals dropped up to 20 percent, new tourist projects fell by 50 percent, and FDI dropped within the natural resource sector, resulting in layoffs at gold mining firms and stalled mineral and gas exploration and development projects.The Tanzanian Investment Center (TIC), established by the Tanzanian Investment Act of 1997, is the focal point for all investors’ inquiries, screens foreign investments, and facilitates project sta rt-ups. Filing with TIC is not mandatory, but offers incentives for joint ventures with Tanzanians and wholly owned foreign projects above USD 300,000. The review process takes up to 10 days, and involves multiple GOT agencies, which are required by law to cooperate fully with TIC in facilitating foreign investment, but in practice can create bureaucratic delays.TIC continues to improve investment facilitation services, provide joint venture opportunities between local and foreign investors, and disseminate investment information. TIC does not have specific criteria for screening or approving projects, but considers factors such as: foreign exchange generation and savings, import substitution, employment creation, linkages to the local economy, technology transfer, and expansion of production of goods and services. Among investment and trade opportunities promoted by the TIC are agriculture, mining, tourism, telecommunications, financial services, and energy and transportation infra structure.The Economic Processing Zones Act 2006 authorized the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to augment investments in the light industry, agro-processing industry and agriculture sectors. Greenfield foreign direct investments are allowed through this legislation. The Export Processing Zones Authority continues to promote Export Processing Zones (EPZ) to attract investments in agribusiness, textiles and electronics and Spatial Development Initiatives (SDI). Investors in EPZs are eligible for tax exemptions. Investments on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) are open to foreign investors, but capped at 60 percent.Foreign investors are barred from participating in government securities. The financial sector has continued to expand, with an increase in foreign-affiliated financial institutions and banks operating in Tanzania. As of December 2009, the Bank of Tanzania listed a total of 27 commercial banks licensed and operating in Tanzania, over half of which are fo reign-affiliated banks. Competition among these foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvement in the efficiency and quality of financial services.Tanzania expected to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) by 16 percent in 2010 from $645 million last year as the global economy recovers. Foreign direct investment in 2009 dropped from $679 million the year before as a result of the global financial crisis. The FDI inflows into east Africa's second largest economy were expected to surge to $800 million in 2011. Tanzania's economy mainly depends on tourism, mining and agriculture. Its telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, financial services and transport sectors are attracting rising investor interest.It is expected that most of the investments in 2010/11 will focus on tourism, agriculture and telecoms. The government is implementing investment reforms to woo foreign capital. According to the World Bank's Doing Business in the East African Community 2010 report , Tanzania fares poorly in key areas such as closing and starting a business, protecting investors, access to credit, cross border trade and issuance of construction permits. 3. Importance of FDI in Agriculture in the past 4 years Tanzania has more than 44 million hectares of arable land, and a wide variety of ecological zones, climates and water resources.The country could feed most of the East, Central and Southern African countries with food deficits. 80% of the population in Tanzania lives in rural areas and are in some way or another depending on agriculture. The agricultural sector is vital to Tanzania’s economy and therefore also to the reduction and eradication of poverty. Other advantages of FDIs in agricultural sector in Tanzania are as follows: †¢Capital: First and foremost FDI brings much needed capital to Tanzania. This helps the country to achieve rates of domestic investment higher than their domestic savings.Besides, the financial resources that FDI bring s in are in long term and non-debt creating. †¢Technology: There are a number of ways in which FDI through TNCs can help develop indigenous technology. Firstly TNCs usually bring in modern technology in agriculture and practices to Tanzania and help it upgrade its existing technology. †¢Market Access: TNCs in the agricultural sector has enabled Tanzania to better exploit its comparative advantage in international trade and thus gain access to global markets. 4. Factors Impairing FDI’s in Tanzania †¢Poor Infrastructure Lack of stable power has led to power outages throughout the country.It has compelled firms to resort to less productive sources of power. These power outages triggered by drought due to high reliance in the predominantly hydropower. Another significant constraint to improving FDI in Tanzania through agriculture is poor infrastructure within Tanzania. Insufficient investment in the road network has resulted in just 4,000 kilometers of Tanzaniaâ₠¬â„¢s 85,000 km road network being paved. Most of these unpaved roads are feeder roads in rural areas, and many routes become impassable after heavy rains. The country’s two railway systems are also unreliable, with dilapidated infrastructure and outdated rolling stock. Capacity TIC currently lacks the capacity to address the complicated and non-transparent investment clearance processes, to collect comprehensive and timely data for the research needed to facilitate both policy making and investment decision-making. †¢Bureaucracy Bureaucratic intransigence continues to pose a severe obstacle to doing business in Tanzania as in the rest of East Africa. Investors looking to startup businesses in Tanzania often complain about the level of red tape associated with issues such as the issuance of business licenses, company registration, building permits, land certificates and taxation. Corruption Corruption is an endemic problem in Tanzania and is often cited as one of the big gest hindrances to doing business. The World Bank 2006 Enterprise Survey indicates that 49. 5% of the surveyed companies reports that they expect to make informal payments to achieve specific goals. According to the 2006 IFC-World Bank Enterprise Survey, 20% of the companies surveyed expect to give gifts or make informal payments to get an operating license, and 32% to get a construction permit. †¢SeasonalityMore than 75% of Tanzanian enterprises are heavily affected by seasonality, whereby farmers sell their produce when prices are lowest and buy inputs for the next cropping season when prices are highest. †¢Access to finance Most enterprises in the rural areas are small scale and engage in or rely on agriculture. Bearing the above constraint, these small enterprises have a comparatively high risk, high transaction costs and low volumes, limiting access to capital. †¢Regulatory framework The economic growth potential of investments in agricultural land is questionabl e due to an inadequate regulatory framework governing (FDI) in the sector.FDI in agricultural sector in Tanzania can even jeopardize local resource users land rights. In such that farmers are giving away their most valuable assets to profit-seeking entities, based on information asymmetries and persuasion. 5. Recommendation to attract more FDI’s Including the ongoing reforms to woo investments, TIC continues to improve investment facilitation services, provide joint venture opportunities between local and foreign investors, and disseminate investment information.In order to attract more FDIs in the agricultural sector and to increase productivity and high quality output, effort is needed to understand and eliminate the barriers to smallholders that inhibit the growth of productivity. The structural problems facing smallholders such as limited access to information, to input and output and financial markets need rethinking that will attract more FDI to the sector. Such an arra ngement would involve smallholders being better organized in producer associations.Producer associations can improve productivity, reduce costs through supply chain linkages and improve competitiveness. They manage to do so by improving access to necessary and affordable input (technologies and credit). The second challenge is to build integration of production, transport, processing and marketing to take advantage of supply and demand value addition. Third is to ensure the introduction of innovation and knowledge on a continuing basis without subjecting members to high consultancy fees given the socio-economic conditions of smallholders. 6. ConclusionApart from general determinants such as macroeconomic stability, efficient institutions, political stability and a good regulatory framework, the smallholder institutional setup has positive impact on FDI flow into the sector. It has been observed that crops whose smallholders are well organized attracted more FDI. An important implica tion of the result is that FDI to the agricultural sector is not solely driven by policies and incentives to foreign investment and that the institutional setup of smallholder farmers can play an important role in promoting investments to the sector.In the short and medium term, efforts to foster integration and creation of strong bonds between smallholders and investors through integrated producer schemes can increase FDI to the sector and thus increase productivity. Other determinants such as investment regulatory frameworks, policies that promote macroeconomic economic stability, and improved physical infrastructure also have a role to play both in the short and long run. In the long run, more FDI can be attained by developing strong institutions in all sectors. ?

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The Christian Tradition Course Paper Two Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Christian Tradition Course Paper Two - Essay Example Christians believe in the existence responsibility as a service to Christ. Therefore, they need to identify religious beliefs of people around them, whether Christians or non-Christians as this will help in solving significant issues in life because people are able to understand their religious differences. This can be achieved through discussion of the spiritual lives of those people. He encourages Christians to participate actively in such discussions. In order to demonstrate the compassion as that of Christ, Christians ought to go down to the level of those people, rather than hope that they will grow to their (Christians) level (Millard 220). 2. The church is one aspect of what Christians understand to be the work of Jesus. Describe what Christians believe about the church and show in what way this belief leads to a view of how humans ought to live together in community. Christians believe that since Jesus founded the church, he came on earth as the son of God to save humanity from sins. In his quest to rescue human race, he was killed as a religious heretic but rose from the darkness of death and eventually ascended to heaven. Since Jesus came for everybody in the world, Christian’s belief people ought to live together in unity as described in the book of John 17: 21. The core aspect to people living in unity is the attachment to the Apostle creed or structures, which stipulate significant values and doctrine that Christians, need to follow. In addition, Christians understand and believe that the church is the body of believers called by God to live as his children under the power of Jesus Christ. The book Ephesians (1:22) asserts that all believers are bound and protected by the blood of Jesus (Millard 243). 3. Christians call the various ways they talk about who Jesus is â€Å"Christology.† Talk about at least three ways that

Effective Communication in the project management perspective Essay

Effective Communication in the project management perspective - Essay Example There are notable consequences of miscommunication on the harmonious operation at the workplace. This calls for amicable avenues strategized to deal with consequences that result from miscommunication at the workplace. Actions taken to solve problems that result from gender difference initiated miscommunication help mitigate the consequences and ensure improved performance of employees in the workplace. Tannen hints out the variation in communication styles between men and women, a factor that spreads to cause effects as miscommunication in the workplace. Communication between men and their male colleagues in the workplace experience a series of difference. Men adopt hierarchal conversations and a time involves mockery, jokes and teasing among colleagues in the workplace (Tannen, 1994). On the contrary, women are keen in their conversations with their female colleagues and take utmost care and sensitivity. They ensure maximum awareness in their conversations with fellow women. In the ir conversations, women are keen to evade possibilities of interpretations that would judge them as assertive, firm or authoritarian. They tend to avoid aggressiveness and aim at remaining feminine in their conversations. ... They feel it is the most appropriate style for use in the workplace as opposed to men’s conversational style (Tannen, 1994). Men, however, view the communication style used by women as attributed to devious and deceitful for purposes as manipulation of ideas and processes. Men view such indirect style of communication used by women as falsehearted and involving dishonesty. There exists a rift between the perception of men and women of the communication styles used by the opposite gender. This acts as a foremost cause of miscommunication at the workplace between men and women. The gender difference affects the view that men and women have on the world. It notably changes the view that women and men have when dealing with different scenarios. Men and women react in different ways to diverse events. Men take life as a competitive space where there is the need to remain at par with the events in the contemporary world setting. They work to evade the consequences of failure and dis appointment in life. They assume a unique form of social order in the society where others are in high ranks while some in low ranks or position. Women, on the contrary, view life to involve a holistic form of co-existence. The miscommunication caused by gender difference at the workplace can have detrimental effects on the performance of employees. Evident consequences that may emanate from such miscommunication include unfair advantage received by a particular gender. Tannen (1994) notes that men receive fair advantages over women in the workplace. In what is referred to as a glass ceiling, women receive little opportunities at the workplace that bars them from rising up to high management and positional levels. A considerable number of professional

Writing Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Writing Process - Essay Example The purpose of the first step is to make the writer comprehend the details of the task. Thereafter, the writers should limit their subject based on the length of their essay, audience, purpose, and what is known regarding the subject. When the writers have decided the topic to tackle, they should organize and collect facts and ideas up to the moment they are ready to come up with the main idea that they want to write about, or a thesis statement (Heller, 1991). Even before the writers embark on the real writing, it is important to decide the manner in which they want to organize their resources into an essay. This is particularly a critical decision that establishes how their audience will respond, which will be based on how clear the essay will be. Organizing of the ideas could be very easy sometimes because the task points out a specific outline of development (Peters, 1985). The mistakes made while making this draft can be corrected during the second or third draft. Here, the writer should ensure that every aspect is accomplished in each stage. When the writers are prepared to undertake the revision, they can begin by drawing a revision checklist to be used to enhance the essay. When critically reading from paragraph to paragraph or from sentence to sentence, it is possible to assess the effectiveness of the essay. This can be started by checking the thesis statement, to establish its accuracy. If it is found that the statement has drifted away from the original objective, then it can be revised or the part that departs from it can as well be deleted or revised so it is relevant (Blaxter, Hughes and Tight, 2006). To finalize the essay, the sentences should be looked over carefully to make sure they are effective, correct, and interesting. In case there is need to delete or add any sentence, this is the opportunity to do so.  In case there is need to delete or add any sentence, this is the opportunity to do so. Then, the writer should scrutinize the word use and make any necessary adjustments, including any substitutions or additions that might be necessary are done.  

ELP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ELP - Assignment Example y helps the students to improve their skills, but also provides them with lot of informations about themselves so that in such a way they can identify, rectify and enrich their qualities and overall increase their personality. In this way, ELP becomes a PDP (Personal Development Planning) tool. Once a student is out of the academic field, he becomes a total stranger in the competitive world, and by all means he has to improve every inch of his talents in order to be successful in his life. This is where ELP comes to them as an aid that would help and support them in all their progressions. Many students out there are not at all bothered about their lack of skills. They think that is something which they need not worry about, but the truth is that once they come to realize the need, it would be too late. Such students are left aside from excellent opportunities. It is the sole duty of the students to be careful about their steps, they should use the opportunity properly only then they will have a good future. Employability learning programme educates the students about their role in the future, teaches and trains them about the employability skills they need to have, makes them understand their own talents and last but not the least it gives them strength to face the world skillfully. In all ways, we should understand and use the opportunity of this programme to improve and shine in the society. This programme acts like an identifier bringing out the language, communication problems in the individuals and then creates a good impact on it through motivation and encouragement finally resulting in excellent performance. Through this innovative approach students will be able to master their talents and use them in a fruitful way making them stand out from the crowd. This is how the programme works on every individual considering lot of things from the learner side. As it focuses on what mainly the employers look at, the programme is of great use for the students.

The Genesis of Faith Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Genesis of Faith - Essay Example Noah is depicted as a righteous and blameless man. He loved God wholeheartedly and practiced obedience. In his life, he had stable faith only in God. Out of faith, Noah built a large boat and did so by obeying God’s warning to him about mysterious floods that were to happen. Noah rebuked the whole world, and from the faith he became righteous. Abraham and Sarah: Abraham is depicted as an obedient and faithful servant of God. God commanded him to take with him his only beloved son Isaac and offer him as a burnt sacrifice. When he was about to sacrifice him, God intervened and provided a ram for the sacrifice. Out of faith, Sarah Abraham’s wife was able to have a child despite being barren and too old to conceive. However, she doubted faith in God just like any other human being but God fulfilled His promise of giving her a child. Sarah’s faith inspires every person who easily loses hope in life.Isaac is known as the miracle child of Abraham and Sarah and a man of faith. Faith reigned in Isaac’s entire life and he practiced it in his marriage with Rebekah. By faith, he promised his sons Jacob and Esau future blessings.Jacob was liar and manipulator but he knew God and he was renamed Israel. Out of faith, despite being old he blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped while leaning on his staff. Leaning is of significance in this context because Jacob had spent his entire life limping after wrestling with God and being broken. He then gave his life to God who took control over it.

World Heritage Analysis (Ilocandia) Essay Example for Free

World Heritage Analysis (Ilocandia) Essay Directions: Considering the World Heritage Sites you will visit in the Ilocos Region (Church of San Agustin in Paoay , La Asuncion dela Nuestra Senora in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and the Historic Town of Vigan) find answers to the following questions by observing, interviewing, researching, etc. 1. What makes the Ilocandia a World Heritage Site? Vigan represents a unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning. Criterion (iv): Vigan is an exceptionally intact and well preserved example of a European trading town in East and South-East Asia. 2. What are the threats that face the world heritage sites? Natural threats such as earthquake, natural decay, tidal waves and typhoons might affect or damage the World Heritage Site in Ilocandia because most of them are cultural heritage. 3. What brings about the successful preservation of these world heritage sites? First objective: Fortify the sense of identity and pride of the community on their historic city. Second objective: To institutionalize local protective measures and development plans to ensure continuity of programs and involvement of stakeholders. Third objective: Forge local and international linkages. Fourth objective: Develop Vigan as a tourist destination where tourism programs enrich and conserve the people’s core values and traditions, as well as sustain livelihood and employment for bigueà ±os. 4. What is protected in the world heritage sites? They are protecting the historical significance and/or value of the cultural heritage sites (ancestral buildings and some of the Baroque churches in the Philippines) and the history and culture that it has left. 5. How are world heritage sites protected? What protection measures do they follow? (Localized your answers based on your local findings) a. An ordinance defining the boundaries of the protected historic district specifying the core and buffer zones. b. An ordinance providing the general conservation guidelines for Vigan ancestral houses and specifying the compatible uses of structures within the historic district. c. An executive order creating a multi-sectoral Vigan conservation council to promote involvement of local stakeholders. This council serves as a clearing house for all d. applications for building permits within the historic district. Clear-cut and specific steps in securing permits for house restorations were designed. e. An ordinance enacting the Vigan conservation code prescribing detailed guidelines for conservation of Vigan ancestral houses. f. An ordinance providing a yearly allocation of one percent of Vigan’s internal revenue allotment for arts, culture and tourism. 6. What impacts the presence of visitors have on world heritage sites and the host community? Through their conservation program, Vigan’s traditional industries continue  to fuel the economy and provide employment opportunities to the residents. With an annual income of 800,000 dollars in 1995, it grew over the years reaching our current income of 4.2 million dollars. The added revenues enable us to deliver basic services. 7. What steps are adopted in order to influence and encourage visitors toward adopting responsible behavior during their visit (and even afterwards)? Unlike in El Nido, Palawan, I have not seen nor heard that Ilocandia has their code of conduct for their visitors. Because, in truth it is into the visitor’s common sense to respect this world heritage sites. 8. Do they have codes of responsible conduct for visitors at heritage sites? How are they used? There is a signage in Paoay Church not only indicates visiting schedules but also regulations requesting people to behave in a responsible and civilized manner. This move is reflective of how people vandalize important monuments, even places of worship. The signage talks about dress codes, off-limit areas and even warns people from urinating along the side of the church between the buttresses. 9. How does the local organization enhance the quality of visitors’ experience? Last year, August 2010, Ilocos Norte Governor, Imee Marcos presented Norte Tourism Master Plan, they are aiming for an airport-driven urban development. I guess their main target is tourists from other countries. The governor also promoted through national media the Sand dune adventure in Suba. 10. How can the quality of heritage visitation be improved at the World Heritage Sites? They have provided ready access of information in Vigan for the local and international community through website. They also revitalized existing people’s organizations and encouraged the creation of new ones to become active partners in the transformation of their community. 11. What are the visitor problems they encounter at the World Heritage Sites? The problems that they encounter with the visitors or guests are minimal, for example, whenever visiting a museum or an old house, there is a signage that reads â€Å"Do not touch† or â€Å"Do not sit† simple problems. 12. What are the Top 5 characteristics of a great experience at these World Heritage Sites? 5th is that feeling when before I only saw it in a picture but at that particular time, I have seen in built right there, with my own eyes. :)4th hearing Ma’am Tina talk about everything she knows about those places, the shock, awe, and the knowledge that I gain. 3rd Is that I have heard how they speak, the local folks, tasted their food, watched how they cook, just simply observing them, their culture and trying to see the differences that the Ilocanos and Capampangan has.2nd When I was there, I felt and thought, like, â€Å"how did they survived the Spanish colony back then?† It is like at that moment I wished to go back in time. And 1st is that I have laid my foot on the floor of those places which are part of the World Heritage Sites. 13. How do the local people in the area help to protect the heritage values of these World Heritage Sites? There was a popular movement among community members to have the ancient status of Vigan as a city restored. In the plebiscite of January 22, 2001, â€Å"An act validating and recognizing the creation of the City of Vigan by the Royal Decree of September 7, 1758 issued by King Fernando VI of Spain† it was ratified by an overwhelming 93% affirmative votes. 14. What tourism services are offered to the visitors? Tourism services such as accommodation (hotels and restaurants), recreation services (Pagudpud beach, Sand dunes in Suba) travel agencies and/or tour operator services, tourist guide services, and other related services. 15. Why are these World Heritage places important? Heritage sites in Ilocos Sur and Norte (Vigan Heritage Village, Paoay Church, Sta. Maria Church) are important places for it stand as passive witnesses to the major events in Philippine history. These are not only beautiful landmarks but also monuments that mark time. The two churches symbolize the  need to protect religious places by the way the Spaniards built massive structures even if it took them many years to finish. The following definitions of social, aesthetic, historic and scientific values are from the Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance (the Burra Charter) (1992) and the Draft Guidelines for the protection and management and use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage places (1998). The definitions of biological diversity, ecosystems and geological values are from the Australian Natural Heritage (7 charter standards and principles for the conservation of places of natural heritage significance (1996). SOCIAL VALUES Social value to the community embraces the qualities for which a place is a focus of spiritual, traditional, economic, political, national or other cultural sentiment to the majority or minority group. * Is the place important to the community as a landmark or local signature? In what ways, and to what extent? Both, but they see the place more as a landmark than a local signature. Because the local people are still trying to preserve the history that the place, particularly the World Heritage Sites, conveys. * Is the place important as part of community identity? In what ways, and to what extent? Yes, Vigan is known for it shows the remains of what has happened in the past (history) and observing the community there, I noticed that unlike here in Angeles, or in any other cities, they are a bit conservative, maybe because they still possess the â€Å"Dalagang Pilipina† identity. And they are proud to be Ilocanos, Mrs. Angel Alvarez-Lao would be a very great example. * Is the place important to the community because an attachment to it has developed from long use? What is the length and strength of that attachment? Yes, because they benefit from the place because it is visited by tourists  from all over the world. And at the same time, maybe, because of that significant place a culture might have evolved. They are tightly attached to it, when I got there I have seen long lines of souvenir shops, an evidence of the pride they have as part of that community. * Which community values the place? The whole community values the place, because the local government has made several ordinance and the local people followed suit. A proof that they approve of the beatification of their community. * What is the relative importance of the place to the group or community (compared to other places important to it)? The place is important to them because aside from they get something from it, their tradition, culture, and their language was made through the past which the place represents. * Is the place associated with a particular person or group important in your community’s history? What is the importance of the association between this place and that person or group? There are a lot of important persons who grew up or stayed in this land. The second President of the Republic of the Philippines was born in Ilocos, as well as former President Ferdinand Marcos. Both of them have done good things for their region, especially Marcos. * Is the place valued by a community for reasons of religious, spiritual, cultural, educational or social associations? In what ways, and to what extent? Yes, in terms of religion Ilocos is known for the Baroque churches that were built there during the Spanish era. Culturally, yes, because these places represents how some/most of their traditions and cultures were made. Educationally, yes, Ilocos is known nationally for its beauty and especially  the stories behind those beautiful places. Socially, of course, for they meet a lot of people in their everyday lives. AESTHETIC VALUES Aesthetic value to the community includes aspects of sensory perception (sight, touch, sound, taste, smell) for which criteria can be stated. These criteria may include consideration of form, scale, colour, texture and material of the fabric or landscape, and the smell and sounds associated with the place and its use. * Does the place have natural or cultural features which are inspirational or evoke strong feelings or special meanings? What are those features, and to what extent are they evocative? Is the place a distinctive feature that is a prominent visual landmark? In terms of cultural features Ilocos has the Baroque churches and of course the Vigan Heritage Village, as I’ve said many times now, it does have special meaning not only to the locals but also to every Filipino, for they are the witnesses of what has happened in the past. Yes, it is a landmark, people outside the country knows Ilocos because of this World Heritage sites. * Does the place evoke awe from its grandeur of scale? To what extent is this important? Yes it does, it would not be part of the World Heritage list if it is not. It is important that they would really have to preserve so that its grandeur would be maintained. * Does the place evoke a strong sense of age, history or time depth? How does it do this, and to what extent? It does, it is like when you look at it, you went back in time when the Spanish colony was reigning. The structure is still the same; the only difference is that it obviously looks old. Yet, its beauty still remains. * Is the place symbolic for its aesthetic qualities? Has it been represented in art, poetry, photography, literature, folk-art, folklore mythology or other imagery? The place has its aesthetic qualities, the genuineness and originality of this site is still intact to it. It has been showcased in different museums, the photographs as well as paintings of the Paoay Church, Vigan Heritage Village, and the Sta. Maria Church. * Does the place have outstanding composition qualities involving any combinations of color, form, texture, detail, movement, unity, sounds, scents, spatial definition and so on? To what extent is this important? The three heritage sites which can be  found in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte possesses outstanding combination qualities such as its form, texture, and details, the architectural design of this three are known for it is unique structure. HISTORIC VALUES Historic value to the community encompasses the history of aesthetics, science and society, and therefore could be used to encompass a range of values. A place may have historic value because it has influenced, or has been influenced by, an historic figure, event, phase or activity. It may be the site of an important event. History can describe the ‘story’ of a place or its people and can apply to any period, though not usually the current period. * Is the place important in showing patterns in the development of the history of the country, State or Territory where your community lives or a feature of your local area? How does it show this? It shows the development of the history of the country, yes, before the Philippines is under the Spanish colony, but currently the Philippines is an independent (not really though) and democratic country, in this way I could say yes. * Does the place have indigenous plant species that have historic significance? The name Vigan was derived from Biga, a giant taro plant that grows abundantly along the banks of the Mestizo River. Another one is tobacco, in the past there had been a tobacco monopoly, it was only after 100 years King Alfonso XII lifted the tobacco monopoly. This has been part of their history, and until now they continuously harvest tobacco. * Does the place show a high degree of creative or technical achievement? How does it show this? Creative yes, in Vigan, the architectural structures of the fast-food chains (found in the last page) resembles the old houses in Vigan. Technically too, Bangui Windmills which can be found in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte had done a great job to the local people, they can get free power supply through this windmills. * Does the place have geological features that have historic significance? There is, Mrs. Lao told us a story that she had been trying to prove it was a research by his late grandfather Emilio Alvarez. The sunken village of Paoay lake (San Juan Village) said to sink because of a tremendous earthquake due to the three volcanoes which erupted all at the same time. * Is the place associated with a particular person  or group important in your history? What is the importance of the association between this place and that person or group? It is; this Paoay Lake had been as I have said a research by Mr. Emilio Alvarez, and by the time Ma’am Angel is graduating her thesis was about this sunken village, and she proved that what his late grandfather’s findings were real. * Does the place exemplify the works of a particular architect or designer, or of a particular design style? In what ways, and to what extent? It is the most evident and only surviving example in the Philippines that shows Spanish urban planning of the early 18th century that conforms to the Ley de las Indias that regulates the layout, street patterns, and open spaces of all new settlements planned during the Spanish empire. * Is the place associated with a particular event in the history of your area, or the State, Territory or nation? What is the relationship between this place and those events? In the national history of the Philippines, Vigan has played an important role. It was the center of the Basi Revolt (1807) and the Ilocos Revolt (1762-63) led by Diego and Gabriela Silang. It was the birthplace of Fr Josà © Burgos whose martyrdom polarized the revolution against the Spanish. Other historic personalities are Leona Florentino, the first Filipina poetess be internationally acclaimed. Her son, Isabelo de los Reyes, founded the Philippine labor movement. The Second President of the Philippine Republic, Elpidio Quirino, was born in Vigan. While Sarat, is the birthplace of Ferdinand Marcos, his administration ruled for 20 years. * Does the place demonstrate ways of life, customs, processes, land use or design no longer practiced, in danger of being lost, or of exceptional interest? How does it demonstrate these things? The local people in Vigan still posses their customs, they are actually known to be â€Å"kuripot† and yes they are. After the inscription, the Vigan Conservation Council (VCC) was made. This council conserves and preserves the beauty and integrity of the Vigan Heritage Village. * Does the place exemplify the characteristics of a particular type of human activity in the landscape, including way of life, custom, process, land use, function, design or technique? In what ways, and to what extent? During the Spanish era, yes, but at the present time, somehow it does not. In a way the local people in Ilocos have been urbanized. Their way of life had already changed, though  some still remains. * Does the place reflect a variety of changes over a long time? In what ways, and to what extent? Yes it had, starting from how the houses are built, very far from the unique style before. The Bangui windmills are one of the developments in Ilocos Region. This kind of development is unavoidable and somehow natural and besides this are positive developments. SCIENTIFIC VALUES Scientific value to the community will depend upon the importance of the data involved, on its rarity, quality or representativeness, and on the degree to which the place may contribute further substantial information. * Is the place important for natural values in showing patterns in natural history or continuing ecological, earth or evolutionary processes? In what ways, and to what extent? It is, though Pagudpud beach is not part of the World Heritage List or even in their tentative list, the natural beauty of this island is awesome. Another thing is that Ilocos is near South China Sea. * Is there anything about the place or at the place which is rare or endangered, for example, plant or animal species, geological features, a type of construction method or material used, or a particular form of archaeological evidence? Researchers from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) found that 113 plant species in Ilocos Norte are vanishing: 16 vegetables, 31 fruits and forest tree species, 43 ornamentals and medicinals, 7 rootcrops and 16 other plant species. * Is the place important in helping others to understand this type of place? In what ways, and to what extent? Yes, and not just the place but also understanding the culture and the history behind it. Ilocandia is one of the best tourist spots in the country. * Is the place a good example of a particular type of place, that is, undisturbed, intact and complete? Why is this? Pagudpud beach is, according to the locals they are afraid that when the beach might boom or click to the tourists, what happened to Boracay in Aklan might happen to Pagudpud too. This is why in Pagudpud they do not have much of other activities besides boat riding. * Can the place contribute to research understanding of natural or cultural history? In what ways, and to what extent? They can, the local Government of Ilocos have been doing or implementing laws that helps the local people and the visitors towards understanding more of Ilocandia’s natural and cultural  history. * Can the place contribute to scientific understanding of biodiversity or geodiversity? In what ways, and to what extent? Biodiversity yes, Ilocos is not just rich in culture but it is also rich in living species, some of it are even endangered, and has a great possibility of extinction. Knowing this the local government should at least try to look into this and do something about it. SPECIAL VALUES Special values to the community can be considered as part of other values but are particularly important for some places and some communities. * Does the place have important values relating to spiritual beliefs? Yes, in fact two of the Baroque churches in the Philippines that are listed in the World Heritage List can be found in Ilocandia. Spaniards are said to be the one or are the one who brought us the Catholic religion. * Is the place spiritually important for maintaining the fundamental health and well-being of natural and cultural systems? Yes, and not just for the natural and cultural systems, but of course to every Filipino who believes in the works and goodness of Christ. * Are there wilderness or wild river values recognized at the place? No, there is none.