Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that bird's nest soup is an ancient Chinese and Southeast Asian dish made from the unique cave nests of two varieties of now endangered swiftlet. The writer points out that it has been a very costly dish associated with the well to do or special occasions when food is taken. The writer discusses that globalization and agribusiness techniques have created farmed swiftlet nests, yet other important developments involve constant demand for bird nests in some areas, mock bird's nest soup elsewhere, and a possible revival of traditional bird's nest soup among Asians in the West. The writer also provides details of harvesting nests and preparing soup.

From the Paper
"Anthropologists and sociologists appreciate matters of food and culture in ways beyond diet or nutrition as extend to matters of culture and ritual, not to mention their alterations. The example of Bird's Nest Soup permits a glimpse of several aspects of Chinese and related Southeast Asian cultures that also feature this very costly delicacy and related traditions that have altered only somewhat through time. Swiftlet nests are believed by some to have aphrodisiac properties but more Chinese regard them as a tonic, their cost as a central ingredient ..."

Tags:bird's, nest, soup, tradition, global, change

Abstract
This paper offers a favourable review of Maya Angelou's first volume of autobiography, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969). The paper discusses how this immediately successful volume has been widely read, and is inspiring to diverse persons beyond Black community for its American saga of overcoming all odds to rise to national fame as a poet, playwright and performer, activist and spokesperson on education for disadvantaged youth.

From the Paper
"Angelou's autobiography has been recommended or assigned to millions of readers for its very human yet stark depiction of all that worked to produce a woman to succeed in public life, but who is representative of countless other African-American women for whom Life did not offer a reprieve in fame, success or wealth. The book is suitable for a wide range of readers who will draw different kinds of inspiration from it. It is an important American autobiography that reinforces ideals of starting from..."

Tags:maya angelou, caged bird 1969, us autobiography

Abstract
This paper discusses the H5N1 avian bird flu disorder. It describes the history of the virus and the symptoms associated with the H5N1 virus. The treatment of the H5N1 influenza virus is also discussed. The paper concludes that the H5N1 influenza virus holds the potential for some type of future pandemic, wherein millions of people could die.

From the Paper
"In some of these areas, the H5N1 virus is endemic among domestic poultry and is often transmitted through contact with avian waste materials, such as found on poultry farms. However, the CDC wishes to make it clear that the H5N1 virus rarely spreads via human-to-human contact which makes an outbreak or some sort of pandemic more probable in areas of the world with large poultry farms or where people come into contact with birds in the wild. To make matters worse, researchers have determined that natural immunity to the H5N1 virus is extremely limited within the human population. With this in mind, it is obvious that if the H5N1 virus managed to mutate into another form of avian virus and thus replicate itself at a higher rate, the transmission rate among humans would skyrocket, due in part to the absence of an effective vaccine and the lack of any strong natural immunity."

Tags:bird flu, diseases medicine immunity influenza antibodies

Abstract
This paper explains that Claudia "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, during and after her husband's time in the White House, was involved with several environmental initiatives, which continue to make an impact decades later. The paper describes Lady Bird's efforts to make cities and highways throughout the U.S. more beautiful and relates that Lady Bird promoted legislation to protect the environment, although today not all laws remain in place. The writer also states that, as other first ladies, Lady Bird Johnson also knew that her place was to support her husband on his own personal issues.

Outline:
Introduction
Each First Lady Had Something of Her Own on which to Work, be in Healthcare, the Arts or Social Services
Lady Bird Johnson, Wife of Lyndon, Had Her Own Personal Issue
As Other First Ladies, She Will Always be Remembered for her Impact
Environment, the One Word to Sum up Lady Bird's Contribution
Quote: "Ugliness is so Grim..."
Beauty without and within People is her Legacy
Scenic America Considers Her its Spiritual Godmother and Inspiration
History behind Beautification Legislation
Bird Started the Committee for a More Beautiful Campaign Due to Run-Down and Decrepit Conditions in Washington, D.C.
Effort Grew from Cross City, to Neighborhood to Neighborhood to Across the U.S.
Her Committee Planted Trees and Flowers at Major Landmarks, and They Still Remain Today
As Momentum Increased, Wildflowers Began Replacing Ugly Billboards across the Country, and the Media Followed Her Ongoing Clean-Up Act
Despite Cynicism about Big Industry and Loop Holes, Legislation was Passed
Further Environmental Movements
She Pushed Hard from the Wilderness Act of 1964, Land, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and Expansion of National Parks
Made Littering A Public Acknowledged Problem and Led to Increase in Anti-Pollution Culture in 1970s
In 1982, National Wildlife Research Center
Grand Canyon and National Concerns
Problems Reappeared, as with any Legislation
Some states have Reneged on Billboard Usage; Others Continue the Fight
Still Better Than Situation Would Have Been
Conclusion--Why She Did It. Quotes.

From the Paper
"Unfortunately, as with many laws, the Highway Beautification legislation was not tight enough to keep the large concerns from moving through the loop holes, and the small concerns, as those along Route 66, to suffer the consequence. Time went on, and the number of billboards continued to grow. Today, the billboard blight is worse in some states than others and environmental groups actively work together to keep additional laws from making matters worse."

Tags:wildflowers, scenic america, billboard native, loop holes

Abstract
This paper explains that legendary Celtics MVP Larry Bird did not simply prove that white men could jump but also he is credited in bringing back the lagging Boston basketball franchise and infusing new energy into the league. The author uses the functionalist theory, which relates the individual to culture, media and society, to describe Bird's life and career. The paper underscores that, although Bird came of age during an era when America was becoming increasingly racially polarized and although basketball is a cultural template of racial conflicts, this white star has remained focused on the game and has maintained cordial relationships with African-American athletes on his and other own teams.

Table of Contents:
The Importance of Larry Bird
Chronological History of Bird's Career in Sports
How Socialized
Impact of Deviance
Impact of Violence
Athlete's Gender, Race/Ethnicity And Social Class Background As A Factor In His Sport Career
Economics of the Athlete's Sport and the Athlete's Career
Relationship with the Media
Functionalist Theory

From the Paper
"Bird had no fancy schooling in the game and began playing after he received a cheap rubber basketball for Christmas, shooting hoops for hours in his backyard to dull the pain he felt from his parents' divorce and later his father's suicide. As for many disadvantaged players, basketball was his only solace during a lonely and troubled childhood. He also grew up with a strong female role model, although not with a strong male role model. In an era and a town where few women worked, his mother had to work long hours, away from the growing Bird."

Tags:mother teamwork morality harmony, olympic games

Abstract
As she declares clearly in the beginning of her book, "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life", Anne Lamott's mission is not to fulfill her readers' dreams of getting published. Rather, her purpose is to pass on the knowledge she has acquired from direct experience and learning from other great writers to the readers to inspire them in their journey of writing. The paper discusses Lamott's book, including her unique style of writing, her use of analogies and images and the sense of intimacy she projects through the book.

From the Paper
"Especially in the first section, Lamott presents a tremendous number of techniques to stimulate the writing process, such as creating a routine for writing and writing short assignments (4, 18). Instead of simply doling out the techniques, she enlivens her passages with humorous descriptions of the difficulties involved in the writing process: "The obsessing may keep you awake, or the self-loathing may cause you to fall into a narcoleptic coma before dinner" (Lamott 8). Therefore, she succeeds in tapping into the feelings of her readers who are probably aspiring writers. The readers know that they are in the hands of a truthful writer who understands and empathizes with their frustrations during the writing process."

Tags:polaroids, Julia, Cameron, Natalie, Goldberg

Abstract
The paper demonstrates how bird's nest soup provides a glimpse into Chinese and South Asian cultures. The paper discusses how bird's nest soup is a status symbol, associated with special occasions. The paper highlights how food plays an important role in matters of culture, involving far more than environmental conditions and nutrition. The paper also assesses how popular bird's nest soup remains in China today.

Outline:
Introductory Discussion
A Ritual Dish and Economic Activity
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper
"Swiftlet nests are believed by some to have aphrodisiac properties but more Chinese regard them as a tonic, their cost as a central ingredient renders the soup something served to honour an important guest or occasion. Consuming food in Chinese cultures remains a group, event-oriented process, the nature of dishes served known to guests, in contrast with what Marshall referred to as a 'narcissism' of Western consumption in its individual preferences. (2005:71) To prepare for a special meal in the home or in more expensive restaurants in Asia, a cook will buy cleaned and dried nests of the swiftlet, a tiny cave-dwelling bird whose nest is made from its own gummy saliva as hardens in the air. Dried bird's nest is soaked in water overnight, drained, brushed with peanut oil, and soaked again until no bits of feather, dust or other debris, rise to the top of the water."

Tags:occasion, cost, meals, dish, delicacy, swiftlet, eggs, hatchlings, ritual

Abstract
This review offers an analysis of Caroline Bird's "The Case Against College". It explores Bird's major arguments against a college education, where she discusses that it is both a waste of financial resources and does not provide an adequate return of investment. The writer disputes Bird's arguments by offering a critique of her research methodology. The review concludes that although an interesting book, it is ultimately flawed.

From the Paper
"She suggests that students and parents who see college as a status symbol or as evidence of being a "well rounded" individual should seriously reconsider a college education. She sees college as a huge waste of financial resources, and argues that students are often neither intellectually or emotionally richer for the experience. Given that the text was written over 25 years ago, some issues are longer current, and monetary figures are inaccurate. However, many of the issues raised in the articles remain valid to this day."

Tags:review, analysis, arguments, investment, financial, resources, research, provide, methodology

Abstract
This paper explains that bird abundance and diversity across a rural urban gradient are decreasing as humans encroach on natural habitats. The author points out the loss of bird species due to the environmental changes, which occur as man uses the land for farming, highways and housing.

From the Paper
"Environments change over time inevitably and this leads to changes in bird populations. As human populations expand and change, the face of the earth and its natural inhabitants are forced into smaller and smaller ecological niches."

Tags:rural, urban human-disturbed, undisturbed, abundance, diversity, habitiat

Abstract
This paper explains that, in Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings", a story based on her life, the two things which propelled young Maya into adolescence were her thirst for learning and her love of reading. The author tells of several aspects of Angelou's life including her attending college at the age of fourteen and the birth of a baby boy out of wedlock. The paper concludes that, even today, Maya Angelou, who is a product of Stamps and Oakland and of the disdain and hatred of pre-Civil Rights Negroes, seeks freedom for all people, black and white, so that they are not a caged bird.

From the Paper
"Maya also became somewhat of a dreamer, especially when thoughts of her mother, Vivian Baxter, arose from time to time. It seems that a movie star of that period, Kay Francis, was supposed to look like their mother, and the two would go to the movies- the colored balcony, of course, every time a Kay Francis movie would be shown at the local theatre. Slowly, there was a need for mother and daughter to reunite. But, still the heart and soul of Maya was her education. "I had met and loved the Bronte sisters, and had replaced Kipling's 'If' with 'Invictus'.""

Tags:family, son, drama, freedom, california