Study Guide Essay Example

Study Guide Essay PCB 3063 Spring 2012 Problem Set 1 ANSWERS 1. Determine the types of gametes produced by each of the following individuals: a. Aa1/2 A, 1/2 a b. AaBb1/4 AB, 1/4 Ab, 1/4 aB, 1/4 ab c. AABb1/2 AB, 1/ Ab d. AaBBCc1/4 ABC, 1/4 aBC, 1/4 ABc, 1/4 aBc 2. Use the Punnett square to determine the genotypes in the progeny of each of the following crosses: a. Dd x Dd b. AaBB x AaBB c. CcEE x CCEe Notice: in every case, each parent produces only two types of gametes. [pic] 3. In guinea pigs, rough coat (R) is dominant over smooth coat (r). A rough coated guinea pig is bred to a smooth one, giving eight rough and seven smooth progeny in the F1 generation. a. What are the genotypes of the parents and their offspring? The recessive trait is observed in the progeny, so the rough-coated parent must be heterozygous. P: Rr (rough) x rr (smooth) F1: 1/2 Rr, 1/2 rr b. If one of the rough F1 animals is mated to its rough parent, what progeny would you expect? This would be a monohybrid cross: Rr x Rr =gt; 1/4 RR, 1/2 Rr, 1/4 rr. 4. In maize, a dominant allele A is necessary for seed color, as opposed to colorless (a). We will write a custom essay sample on Study Guide specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Study Guide specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Study Guide specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Another gene has a recessive allele w that results in waxy starch, as opposed to normal starch (W). The two genes segregate independently. What are the phenotypes and relative frequencies of offspring from each of the following crosses? Notice: The question specifies phenotypic ratios. a. AaWw x AaWw This is a dihybrid cross: 9/16 A_W_ (normal) 3/16 A_ww (waxy) 3/16 aaW_ (colorless) 1/16 aaww (waxy, colorless) b. AaWW x AaWW This works like a monohybrid cross because both parents are homozygotic for WW. 3/4 A_WW (normal), 1/4 aaWW (colorless) 5. In humans, alkaptonuria is a metabolic disorder in which affected persons produce black urine. Alkaptonuria results from an autosomal allele (a) that is recessive to the allele for normal metabolism (A). Sally has normal metabolism, but her brother has alkaptonuria. Sally’s father has alkaptonuria, and her mother has normal metabolism. a. Construct a pedigree of this family and indicate the genotypes of Sally, her mother, her father, and her brother. Sally’s mother must be a carrier. Sally is also a carrier because she received one alkaptonuria allele from her father. [pic] Caution: this is not X-linked inheritance. b. If Sally’s parents have another child, what is the probability that this child will have alkaptonuria? aa (father) x Aa (mother) 1/2 Aa (normal metabolism) 1/2 aa (alkaptonuria) 6. Both John and Cathy have normal vision. After 10 years of marriage to John, Cathy gave birth to a color-blind daughter (color blindness is an X-linked recessive trait). John filed for divorce, claiming that he is not the father of the child. Is John justified in his claim of non-paternity? Explain your answer. Give the genotypes of John, Cathy and the child. Since color blindness is an X-linked recessive trait, the color-blind daughter must be homozygous for the color blindness allele. That means that she inherited a color blindness allele from each parent. John can not be the father, because he has no color blindness alleles (he has normal vision, so he is hemizygous for the normal vision allele). Cathy is a carrier. She is also a big cheater! John: CY Cathy: Cc Daughter: cc Whoever the father of the girl is must be cY and color blind. [pic] 7. If the pedigree above illustrates an autosomal dominant trait, then individual I-1: (Note: the â€Å"carrier† symbol was not used in the above pedigree. a. must be homozygous dominant b. must be heterozygous c. must be homozygous recessive d. could be either homozygous dominant or heterozygous e. could be either homozygous recessive or heterozygous This is a dominant trait and I-1 is affected, but he had unaffected children. Therefore he must be heterozygous. 8. The following pedigree is f or an X-linked trait: (Note: the â€Å"carrier† symbol was not used in this pedigree. ) [pic] a. Is this trait dominant or recessive? Recessive: unaffected females III-4 and IV-1have affected sons. b. Indicate the genotypes of all the individuals in the pedigree. Affected males are hemizygous for the recessive allele †¢ Affected females are homozygous for the recessive allele †¢ Unaffected males are hemizygous for the dominant allele †¢ Heterozygotes are carrier females Pedigree with the carrier symbols: [pic] Notice: the exact genotype of individual IV-4 is uncertain. 9. The following pedigree illustrates the inheritance of Nance-Horan syndrome, a rare X-linked genetic condition in which affected persons have cataracts and abnormally shaped teeth. (Note: the â€Å"carrier† symbol was not used in this pedigree. [pic] If III-2 and III-7 mated, what would be the expected genotypic and phenotypic ratios in their progeny? Draw a Punnett square. The trait is recessive because some unaffected mothers have affected sons (and males get their X from their mothers). III-2 is an affected male, so he must be hemizygous for the condition. III-7 is a carrier female because her father is affected. [pic] 10. If traits R1 and R2 exhibit incomplete dominance over each other, what will be the phenotypic ratio in the progeny of the cross R1R1 x R1R2 ? :1 (individual R1R1 produces only one type of gamete) 1/2 R1R1, 1/2 R1R2 11. In shorthorn cattle, coat color may be red, white, or roan. Roan is an intermediate phenotype. The following data were obtained from var ious crosses: red x red-gt; all red white x white-gt; all white red x white-gt; all roan roan x roan-gt; 1/4 red: 1/2 roan: 1/4 white a. How is coat color inherited? Incomplete dominance: heterozygotes have an intermediate color (roan) b. What are the genotypes of parents and offspring in each cross? RR x RR =gt; all RR rr x rr =gt; all rr RR x rr =gt; all Rr Rr x Rr =gt; 1/4 RR, 2/4 Rr, 1/4 rr [pic] 12. Bar is an X-linked mutation in Drosophila that exhibits incomplete dominance. Flies that are homozygous for Bar have bar-shaped eyes. Heterozygous flies have bean-shaped eyes (an intermediate phenotype). a. What will be the outcome of a cross between a normal female and a bar-eyed male? Normal females must be homozygous for the normal allele because Bar is an incomplete dominant. Bar-eyed males are hemyzygous Bar. [pic] b. Use the Punnett square to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of the F2 generation [pic] Note: always indicate sex along with the phenotypes for X-linked inheritance. 13. If traits LM and LN exhibit codominance relative to each other, what will be the phenotypic ratio in the progeny of the cross LMLN x LMLN ? 1:2:1 (monohybrid ratio): 1/4 LMLM (M), 2/4 LMLN(MN), 1/4 LNLN (N) 14. In a rare species of frog, red color (Y) is dominant over yellow color (y, a null allele). The character is autosomal. The cross YY x Yy produced over 100 frogs: 96% red and 4% yellow. Which complication of Mendelian genetics can explain this outcome? a. recessive lethality of the y allele . codominance c. incomplete dominance d. incomplete penetrance e. variable expressivity All the frogs in F1 are Y_ so they should all be red, but a small percentage is not. There are no yy individuals, so recessive lethality can not explain this. It is not incomplete dominance or codominance, because those would yield 1:1 ratios. It is not variable expressivity because yellow is a recessive phenotype, not a var iation of the dominant phenotype. 15. In foxes, two alleles of a single gene, P and p, may result in lethality (PP), platinum coat (Pp), or silver coat (pp). Notice: this is an autosomal trait because nothing is indicated otherwise. a. Is the P allele behaving dominantly or recessively in causing lethality? Recessive: heterozygotes survive. b. Is the P allele behaving dominantly or recessively in causing platinum coat color? Dominant: heterozygotes are platinum, while the pp homozygotes are silver (two p alleles are necessary for the silver coat, therefore silver is recessive). c. What ratios are obtained when platinum foxes are interbred? Pp x Pp =gt; 1/4 PP (dead), 1/2 Pp (platinum), 1/4 pp (silver) Apparent ratio: 2/3 platinum: 1/3 silver [pic] 16. In a rare species of duck there is an X-linked allele (E1) that results in animals with only one eye (pictured above). The normal phenotype results from the wild-type allele (E), which is also necessary for survival. Use the Punnet square to determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios in the progeny of a cross between a one-eyed female and a normal male. Since E is necessary for survival, the E allele is recessive in causing lethality (because homozygous E’E’ would die) but dominant in causing the one-eye condition (since only heterozygotes would be able to carry the E’ allele, and they would be one-eyed). Notice: the one-eyed male (pictured above) cannot occur! [pic] 17. The g allele in the Chupacabra is X-linked recessive lethal. Heterozygous individuals have gray hair instead of the normal black hair. Use the Punnett square to determine the outcome of a cross between a normal male and a gray female. I made this up! The gray female must be heterozygous because she needs at least one copy of the normal allele to survive. Since she’s also gray, the g allele is recessive in causing lethality but dominant in causing color. [pic] Important: always indicate sex along with the phenotypes for X-linked inheritance.

Free Essays on World War One

The World War I was a significant turning point in the Twentieth century. It caused â€Å"the world to go crazy.† The roles of Wilson, Clemenceau and Lloyd-George helped structure the peace agreements. Some historians have criticized the Treaty Of Versailles as a failure and as the signal event that laid the foundation for World War II. Twenty-seven countries on five continents were involved in World War I. This war was also called the Great War. New weapons and new methods of warfare were developed during World War I that dramatically affected the war. World War I was the bloodiest and most costly of all the previous wars. World War I was different from previous wars because of the new types of weapons and methods used on the battlefields, in the skies, and on the seas. World War I was different from previous wars because of the types of weapons and the methods of warfare used. Soldiers first saw the use of tanks, submarines, trench warfare, hand grenades, long-range field guns, air warfare including bombers and airships called zeppelins, and poisonous mustard gas. Because of the new technology in warfare, World War I took the lives of twice as many members of our armed forces as all the previous major wars put together. The British army first established the use of tanks, a new weapon in warfare. The Germans , in turn, developed new weapons to deal with the tanks, which included field guns. World War I marked the beginning of chemical warfare in which clouds of poisonous mustard gas contributed to the casualties of the war. Unlike previous wars, World War I was fought on the sea and in the air. This was the first war in which airplanes and zeppelins were used. At the outbreak of the war, each army had several hundred planes. The Germans used the zeppelin for observation and for bombing raids. The submarine came into use for the first time on a large scale during World War I. The Germans speeded up production of submarines in an... Free Essays on World War One Free Essays on World War One The World War I was a significant turning point in the Twentieth century. It caused â€Å"the world to go crazy.† The roles of Wilson, Clemenceau and Lloyd-George helped structure the peace agreements. Some historians have criticized the Treaty Of Versailles as a failure and as the signal event that laid the foundation for World War II. Twenty-seven countries on five continents were involved in World War I. This war was also called the Great War. New weapons and new methods of warfare were developed during World War I that dramatically affected the war. World War I was the bloodiest and most costly of all the previous wars. World War I was different from previous wars because of the new types of weapons and methods used on the battlefields, in the skies, and on the seas. World War I was different from previous wars because of the types of weapons and the methods of warfare used. Soldiers first saw the use of tanks, submarines, trench warfare, hand grenades, long-range field guns, air warfare including bombers and airships called zeppelins, and poisonous mustard gas. Because of the new technology in warfare, World War I took the lives of twice as many members of our armed forces as all the previous major wars put together. The British army first established the use of tanks, a new weapon in warfare. The Germans , in turn, developed new weapons to deal with the tanks, which included field guns. World War I marked the beginning of chemical warfare in which clouds of poisonous mustard gas contributed to the casualties of the war. Unlike previous wars, World War I was fought on the sea and in the air. This was the first war in which airplanes and zeppelins were used. At the outbreak of the war, each army had several hundred planes. The Germans used the zeppelin for observation and for bombing raids. The submarine came into use for the first time on a large scale during World War I. The Germans speeded up production of submarines in an...

The Duma in Russian History

The Duma in Russian History The Duma (Assembly in Russian) was an elected semi-representative body in Russia from 1906 to 1917. It was created by the leader of the ruling Tsarist regime Tsar Nicholas II in 1905 when the government was desperate to divide the opposition during an uprising. The creation of the assembly was very much against his will, but he had promised to create an elected, national, legislative assembly. After the announcement, hopes were high that the Duma would bring democracy, but it was soon revealed that the Duma would have two chambers, only one of which was elected by the Russian people. The Tsar appointed the other, and that house held a veto over any actions of the other. Also, the Tsar retained ‘Supreme Autocratic Power.’ In effect, the Duma was neutered right from the start, and people knew it. There were four Dumas during the institution’s lifetime: 1906, 1907, 1907–12 and 1912–17; each had several hundred members made up of a mix of peasants and ruling classes, professional men and workers alike. Dumas 1 and 2 The first Duma was comprised of deputies angry at the Tsar and what they perceived as backtracking on his promises. The Tsar dissolved the body after only two months when the government felt the Duma complained too much and was intractable. Indeed, when the Duma had sent the Tsar a list of grievances, he had replied by sending the first two things he felt able to let them decide on: a new laundry and a new greenhouse. The Duma found this offensive and the relations broke down. The second Duma lasted from February to June 1907, and, because of the actions of Kadet liberals shortly before the election, the Duma was dominated by extremely anti-government factions. This Duma had 520 members, only 6% (31) had been in the first Duma: the government outlawed anybody who signed the Viborg Manifesto protesting dissolving of the first one. When this Duma opposed the reforms of Nicholass Minister of the Interior Pyotr A. Stolypin, it too was dissolved. Dumas 3 and 4 Despite this false start, the Tsar persevered, keen to portray Russia as a democratic body to the world, particularly trade partners like Britain and France who were pushing forward with limited democracy. The government changed the voting laws, limiting the electorate to just those who owned property, disenfranchising most peasants and workers (the groups who would come to be used in the 1917 revolutions). The result was the more docile third Duma of 1907, dominated by Russia’s Tsar-friendly right wing. However, the body did get some laws and reforms put into effect. New elections were held in 1912, and the fourth Duma was created. This was still less radical than the first and second Dumas, but was still deeply critical of the Tsar and closely questioned government ministers. End of the Duma During the First World War, the members of the fourth Duma grew increasingly critical of the inept Russian government, and in 1917 joined with the army to send a delegation to the Tsar, asking him to abdicate. When he did so, the Duma transformed into part of the Provisional Government. This group of men tried to run Russia in conjunction with the Soviets while a constitution was drawn up, but all that was washed away in the October Revolution. The Duma has to be considered a significant failure for the Russian people, and also for the Tsar, as none of them were either a representative body or a complete puppet. On the other hand, compared to what followed after October 1917, it had a lot to recommend it. Sources Bailey, Sydney D. Police Socialism in Tsarist Russia. The Review of Politics 19.4 (1957): 462–71.Briman, Shimon. The Jewish Question and Elections to the First and Second Duma, 1905-1907. Proceedings of the World Congress of Jewish Studies 1997 (1997): 185–88.Keep, J. L. H. Russian Social-Democracy and the First State Duma. The Slavonic and East European Review 34.82 (1955): 180–99. Walsh, Warren B. The Composition of the Dumas. The Russian Review 8.2 (1949): 111–16. Print.Walsh, Warren B. Political Parties in the Russian Dumas. The Journal of Modern History 22.2 (1950): 144–50. Print.

Executive Briefing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Executive Briefing - Essay Example Strategic planning is about what the organization does; whom it does it to; and how it excels. This paper seeks to analyze the importance of strategic planning to homeland security organizations. Strategic planning, in most organizations, is basically a process used to determine where the organization is headed to over a year or more. Strategic planning therefore includes the mastery of the organization’s mission, vision, strategies, and values (Ahrenfelt, 2006). Strategic planning is therefore important for homeland security organizations in that the process will enable them understand, where they are currently with their services, the people they are serving, where they want to be in the near future, and strategies and courses of action they need to get to the destination of their choice. According to strategic planning, various approaches can be used to achieve components of strategic management. However, to homeland security organizations, it will be vital for them to appl y approaches such as: the Situation Target Proposal Approach, which evaluates the currently existing condition and how it resulted, defines objectives and goals of the organization, and maps the most probable path or route to achieving those objectives and goals; and the Draw See Think Plan Approach, which defines the desired end state or the ideal organization’s image, defines the situation today and determines the existing gap from the idea and the reason for that gap, determine the specific courses of action that must be undertaken in order to seal the gap existing between the ideal state and the current condition, and plans the required resources that will facilitate the execution of strategy activities (Donald, 2004). These approaches describe strategic planning importance to homeland security organizations. Through strategic planning, the homeland security organization is able to train its employees and take positive steps towards establishing a department wide approach which is effective in executing its duties. Strategic planning is important to homeland security organizations, because it helps the department to address the challenge of cultural change and transformation, and aid it ensuring that the workforce possesses the skills and knowledge that is required to respond effectively to both the current and future threats to the organization. Some of the actions already taken by the homeland security organization because of the importance of strategic planning include; issuing the strategic plan for training, establishing training groups and councils in order to increase communication across the components, and providing directly training for particular departmental need (Fridson, 2001). However, without effective strategic planning, homeland security organizations are likely to be impeded by several challenges. This is because without strategic planning, there would be lack of compatible or common information management systems as well as a tra ining terminology commonly understood, hence making sharing of information on training difficult (Donald, 2004). Lack of strategic planning will also lead to unclear relationships of accountability and authority between the components of organization and the office of the human capital. In the absence of strategic planning, planning by the homeland security organization will be insufficiently detailed in ensuring coordination and effective implementation of training efforts. Strategic planning is also important to the homeland secu

Racial Prejudices Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Racial Prejudices - Research Paper Example According to Allport (1954), definition of prejudice is a negative bias directed to a particular group of people. On the hand, racism is has a foundation on beliefs and shown in behaviors that believes race to be a biological entity and claims other racial groups apart from their own are psychologically, intellectually and physically inferior (Allport, 1954). Pascoe (1985) describes racism that it results from race prejudice transformation and ethnocentrism through power exercise against another racial group regarded as inferior by institutions and individuals with unintentional and intentional support of the whole culture. Therefore, the racism core includes prejudiced mentality of superiority in a in group with a power exercise to subjugate a group considered out. Therefore, as prejudice is attitudinal in nature mainly, racism extends the attitude into a discriminating behavior against another group. Many theorists have tended to explain why racial prejudice is easy to develop. Som e claim that racial prejudice is one of the by-products of evolution for adaptive strategies for survival that make humans beings to distinguish between a foe and a friend (Oskamp, 2000). Furthermore, the process of natural selection programmed the human brain to depend on physical markers in assessment of a potential threat among competing different racial groupings. This perspective is echoed in prehistoric societies where interpersonal interactions among different tribes were noted to be dangerous in transmission of deadly diseases (Allport, 1954). Adaptive reactions to these threats were to attribute a potential threat to people of an out group who were identified by different physical features. From this perspective, racism and prejudice can be and has been embedded in the cultural, biological and social collective human consciousness. Pascoe (1985) points out that many scholars have conceptualized the psychodynamic of psychological processes thought to explain racial prejudice development and maintenance among the whites. The conceptual perspective views racial prejudice as an unconscious ego mechanism for defense designed for reduction of anxiety among most experience of white people due to conflicted super ego and id based racial feelings and thoughts (Oskamp, 2000). There are different sources of racial prejudice; key among them are various forms of fear. The expectation that another person will do harm , perception that the other’s difference in viewing the world will create to one’s own challenges, presumption that by interacting it will lead to rejection, embarrassment or ridicule and the fear generation of negative consequences due to negative stereotypes. According to Allport (1954), the theoretical support that suggests forcing of people to change their behaviors will results to a long term in change of attitude relates to the theory of cognitive dissonance that stipulates that people cannot think in a particular way and contrarily behave in a manner without interfering with the belief structure. Therefore, according to Pascoe (1985), two strategies can work to this problem: First, attention should be paid to the normative exertion to change behavior as contrary to legal pressure. Second, steps to be taken to make sure that the moral pressure conveyor is someone respected, similar to the target. Oskamp (2000) adds that strategies that try to change the

The Change in Our Relationship with Nature over Time Essay Example for Free

The Change in Our Relationship with Nature over Time Essay The relationship between humans and nature has been interactive, chaotic, and complex. From a many human viewpoints, nature can be considered as both a source of everyday needs, and an adversary, a rather indefinite force which we interact with. Many people today consider themselves a separate entity, existing completely outside, if not above nature, especially in western cultures. Yet, nature was not always perceived as such. Over the centuries, people have thought of nature in a number of different ways, depending on their connection to nature at the time. To fully understand this relationship, one must first define what is meant by nature. Nature, put simply, is the complete physical world. One might also venture further to say nature is what also occurs beyond of any human feats, with a distinction between nature and the artificial. While this line between the natural and synthetic is not always so clear, one could say nature is the original arrangement and order of components of a substance, without mankind’s tampering and interference. Whereas all humans have an agenda of some sort, nature can be considered perhaps the clearest example of indifference. Beginning from humanity’s more primal state, nature was most often viewed as more of an omnipotent presence than anything else, where nature’s indifference bore down upon them the strongest. It brought hunger, disease, and disaster, wreaking havoc on all mankind. Of course there were different reactions to cope with nature’s torments, one being the creation of tools to help increase the chances of survival. However, more often a coping method would involve embodying these elemental powers as celestial forces by representing them with animals or through ritual objects. They could also be personified as gods who could direct these forces however they pleased. When disasters struck, it was due to the actions and offences of humans, so hence they let loose their unbridled anger upon the masses of terrified souls. One could say this is especially true for the Judeo-Christian traditions, where humans are thought to sit at the head of the table over all aspects of natur e, and to help deal with the intimidating character of nature, it is said humans are destined by God to dominate nature. While on the other hand,  many Eastern religions claim nearly the exact opposite: humans are an internal and basic part of nature. This Eastern way of thinking evolved over the years and became a basis for the Romantic/Transcendentalist movements. These two movements reflected people’s feeling of estrangement from nature as a dreadful loss, and they worked to recover what was seen as a broken concord between humans and nature. As a result, they favored the pastoral simplicity of the outdoors to the extensive commotion of the more modern cities. This opinion was expressed by Henry David Thoreau in his essay when he stated â€Å"Our life is frittered away by detail†¦ Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!† With this statement he tells us that people are too caught up in their own petty, insignificant problems and a fast-paced lifestyle to see the beauty in nature and how communing with it can release men from â€Å"quiet lives of desperation,† enslaving them. Romanticism and Transcendentalism had much more of a sentimental viewpoint of life and unity with nature people, especially of Eastern philosophies, used to have. Eventually this world view dwindled and was overtaken by the manufacturer’s standpoint. Nature was simply a vast expanse of raw materials only waiting to be taken advantage of, according to the more modern businessman. With the usage of both human labor and a little human ingenuity these natural stores could be converted into products for society’s use, precious goods and services to be dispersed within communities everywhere, particularly for the company’s profit. This point of view is nearly the exact opposite of Romanticism and Transcendentalism. One could also say it seems to be a caricature of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s statement â€Å"To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing,† where the entrepreneur’s viewpoint is just that, only taken to a whole new level. Instead of simply being estranged from nature, caught up in their own little lives, they imply that nature is only a collection of decomposing matter and the physical forces controlling it, just waiting to be exploited by humans. This stance tapered away to be exchanged with its radical opposite: Environmentalism. Once people realized the rise in industry and the destruction triggered by it and the potential damage that could be done, they began to condemn what they saw as corporate greed running rampant. Environmentalists generally believed that nature was almost sacred in a sense, and inspiring reverence. Any mistreatment of nature by humans was considered invasive and an offense against its inborn inviolability. Should humans not see their mistakes and fix their lifestyles, humanity shall surely be lost. Finally, the relationship between humans and nature is much more complex and ambiguous than how most perceive it. The notion of nature has other conceptual connotations and meanings to be dealt with and understood. In different time periods this relationship is seen in many different lights, from fear, to mastery, to spiritual connectedness, to near worship. This demonstrates that the differing philosophies show one common theme-the idea that humans share an awkward, disconnected relationship with nature. The reason why is an enigma that with continue to mystify the human race.

american lit Essay -- essays research papers

When did American Literature begin?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -with the Native Americans Three dominant characteristics/themes of Native American Literature?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1. Relationship with the land   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2. Belief in the Great Manito   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3. Use of natural images How did Columbus describe the New World?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -astonishing, colorful, marvelous speed of the canoes, a paradise Identify:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Bay Psalm Book: first book published in America   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -manito: spiritual forces   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Walum Olum: painted record   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -allusion: reference to something   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -concrete language: short, forceful, cleaner   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -conceit: controlling image   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -analogy: comparison   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -simile: direct comparison using like or as   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -metaphor: saying it is something its not   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   -antonyms: two opposite words   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -irony: opposite of what's supposed to happen   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -sarcasm: low form of irony   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Great Awakening: fervent revival of religious dedication   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -pictographs: word pictures Compare and contrast the literature of Puritans and the southern colonies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Puritans: simple, religious, practical, examining of spiritual selves, communicated ideas clearly, explained Biblical interpretation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Southerners: flashy, flowery, ornate, complicated, decorative What is the purpose of ‘A Description of New England?' How does the author go about meeting this purpose?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -to get people to move to New England; exaggerates the good, doesn't mention the bad What does TULIP stand for? Explain each point.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Total Depravity/inability   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Unconditional election/selection   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Limited Atonement   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Irresistible grace   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Perseverance/preservation for the saints Identify the conceit of ‘In Reference to Her Children' and ‘Huswifery'   Ã‚  Ã‚  &nb... ...ial encounter with the Devil, wife's involvement, terms of tom's deal, occupation, Tom's fate. Translate Thanatopsis. Summarize Bryant's thanatopsis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -‘view of death,' Bryant's view was deaath is one with nature, be with other great people who have gone before, etc. Define:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -meter: regular rhythm in poetry, unit of meter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -foot of poetry: stressed/unstressed syllables/ one stressed two unstressed syllables How is the Black Cat an example of Romantic Literature?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -focus on self and individual, fascination with the supernatural, gothic Compare and contrast the following views on the dark side of humanity:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Death Instinct/Spirit o Perverseness: Freud and Poe–dark side is constantly present   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Sinful Nature: Christianity–there is a way out According to Montressor, what are the two requirements of meaningful revenge?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -can't be consumed by it, once you've taken your revenge, drop it   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -don't let the person know you're upset with them and seeking revenge

Mama Thai Instant Noodle

Company Background Thai President Foods Public Company Limited  was established on February 15, 1972 with an initial registered capital of 6 million baht through a joint venture between President Enterprise Co. , Ltd. of Taiwan – providing manufacturing technology expertise and Saha Pattanaphibul Co. , Ltd. – responsible for marketing and distribution. The founding objective was to produce instant noodles under the â€Å"MAMA† brand. The Company’s first Head Offices were located on New Petchburi Road, while the first factory was inaugurated at Nong Khaem District, Bangkok. After the first year, all the shares then were transferred to Thai shareholder who remains as the major shareholder until now. The Company have been listd the Stock Exchange of Thailand and become a Public Company in 1994 with presently Registered Capital 240 million baht, comprising 18,000,000 ordinary shares, par value 10 bath per share, paid up 180 million baht. Mama Products Mama has variety of brands and products in food industry in which they separate their domestic products from export products. Mama’s main product is instant noodles under the brand name Mama is one of the most popular in Thailand as the brand has been a part in Thai market for the longest time comparing with other brands. The company had later launched many other products and brands including Homey, Bissin, Ruski, Mendake, Thai Chef, Kelly and Bamee. Under these brands, the company is able to expand its’ product lines to other kinds of food such as snacks, biscuits, fruit juice, etc. Today, Mama instant noodles have more than 20 variety of flavors which allow the company to match its exported products with each country preferences. The most famous flavor to all consumers both Thai and foreigner is Mama Shrimp Tom Yum. Mama instant noodles is also offered in vary sizes including pack 55-60 grams, pack 90 grams, bowl 60 grams, bowl 80 grams and cup. Internal Analysis Internal Analysis of Product ; Strength Cheap and Quick : Mama has low price. It’s only 5 baht per package and it uses 3 minutes for preparation. Easy to Cook : Mama is one of the foods that require low abilities of cooking. It is only pour hot water then it is ready to eat. ? Easy to Find : Mama has many distribution channels. You can easily find Mama in everywhere even in a small shop near your house or a big store. ? Many flavors : Mama has lunched many flavors to suit individually person. There are at least 20 flavors with also different type of noodles. Promotions : Mama has many promotions for their customers e. g. lucky draw for gold. ? Brand Loyalty : Mama has been introduced for 35 years. Therefore, everyone known Mama and will choose Mama as the first choice. Weaknesses Low Nutrient Mama has mostly only carbohydrate in their product. And people concern about the Monosodium Glutamate that Mama has been use in the ingredient. ? High Production Cost Recently, Mama has been face with the problem of high production cost. Internal Analysis of the Company ; Strength ? Global Network : The company has a global network and its products are sell in both Thailand and International markets. ? Reputation : The company has won the reputation as one of the most successful Thai distributors with its effective logistics system, wide distribution networks, and efficient handling services. Wide Range of Products : The company has wide range of products and can customize to serve different preferences of customers in different countries. ? Large Markets : The company’s market has expanded to many countries like North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania with the estimated annual capacity of 100 million packages per year. Weaknesses ? Image : Because the company specially focus on MAMA so consumer only knows that this company se lls only MAMA even they produce many products besides MAMA. Exact Product Line we are going to export . Instant Noodles Artificial Tom Yum Pork Flavour 2. Instant Noodles Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Flavour 3. Instant Noodles Shrimp Flavour (Tom Yum) Target Market Demographic: Pilipinos 15-60 years old. Geographic: Urban and Suburban area Psychological: Lower income people and those who preferred as desired. In-land Transportation In order to ship our products to Philippines, we first have to transport the products to Laem Chabang port. Mama factory is currently located in Chonburi which is only around 16 kilomaters from Laem Chabang port. As we are using the ocean shipping service from NYK, the company also offers the pick-up service from our factory to Laem Chabang port. HS code Instant Noodle: 1902. 30. 10. 00 1902: Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed (with meat or other substances) or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagna, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared. Custom Classification & Valuation Export Tariff structure of Thailand for instant noodles * Thailand Export Duty is exempted due to the agreement of ASEAN Import Tariff structure of Philippines for instant noodles Instant noodles that are imported goods into Philippines are levied on 1. Import Duty According to the Philippines’s custom policy, all imported goods are subjected to pay 3% of value of products. 2. Value Added Tax (VAT) According to the Philippines’s custom policy, it is 12% of the price of product. 3. Import processing fee The Philippines has import processing fees that are normally assessed against items that require review or examination, certifications, quarantine or similar services that are required upon import. Mama has food certifications which are needed to be examined for the first time exporting into Philippines. The rate of Import processing fees are as following. http://www. tariffcommission. gov. ph/cao02-2001. html Non-tariff barriers 1. Food Safety Certification In order to export â€Å"Mama† to Philippines, the certificates that the company needs to have are following. 1. 1 GMP : Good Manufacturing Practice GMP is a collection of generally recognized rules, procedures and practices that together provide a code stating what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in the Food Industry. It reflects the whole body of knowledge that has been developed by experience and scientific study in the fields of food preservation and technology and hygiene. GMP is closely linked to Quality Assurance because it is preventive in its approach. It aims to produce safe and wholesome food through well-controlled operations that avoid waste and any type of contamination. It is applied in the whole production and supply chain. 1. 2 HACCP : Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points HACCP is a preventive risk management technique designed to provide increased control and monitoring during critical stages of the food processing chain. It is a systematic and scientific approach of identifying food safety hazards along the manufacturing process flow and supply chain, setting limits or specifications, establishing controls and monitoring and then documenting results. Safety hazards precluded by this system are not only biological, microbiological and chemical hazards but also hidden allergens, physical contaminants such as dangerous foreign bodies and radiological contaminants. . 3 BRC Global Standard The BRC Global Standards are a leading global safety and quality certification programme. The BRC Global Standards are widely used by suppliers and global retailers. They facilitate standardization of quality, safety, operational criteria and manufacturers’ fulfillment of legal obligations. They also help provide protection to the consumer. 1. 4 ISO 9001 ISO 900 1 is an international standard that gives requirements for an organization’s quality management system (QMS). The requirements cover a wide range of topics, including supplier’s top management commitment to quality, its customer focus, adequacy of its resources, employee competence, process management (for production, service delivery and relevant administrative and support processes), quality planning, product design, review of incoming orders, purchasing, monitoring and measurement of tis processes and products, calibration of measuring equipment, processes to resolve customer complaints, corrective/preventive actions and a requirement to drive continual improvement of the QMS. Also, there is a requirement for supplier to monitor customer perceptions about the quality of the goods and service it provides. 2. Packaging According to mandatory label information, the label on packaging of foods exporting to Philippines should bear the following information. 1. ) Name of the Food : The name should indicate the true nature of the food and shall normally be specified and not generic†¦ 2. List of Ingredients : A complete list of ingredients should be declared in descending order of proportion on either the principal display panel or information panel except that when a food product is covered by a Food Standard, only the optional ingredients shall be declared unless otherwise required by such regulation†¦ 3. ) Net Contents and Drained Weight : The net content should be declared using the metric system of measurement or â€Å"SI† (International System of Units) on either the principal display panel or the information panel and in line generally para llel to the base of the package. . ) Name and address of Manufacturer, Packer and Distributor : The name and address of either the manufacturer, packer or distributor of the food should be declared on the label. 5. ) Lot Identification : The lot identification code shall be embossed or otherwise permanently marked on immediate individual packages or containers. PEST : Philippines 1. Political & Legal Environment 1. 1 Import tariff : There is no tariff of instant noodle product between Thailand and Philippines because of the ASIAN contract. Normally they charged 7% tariff restriction for noodles. 1. Free Trade Agreement : Philippines has join ASEAN as free trade agreement. 1. 3 Political System : Democracy modeled on the U. S. system 2. Economic Environment 2. 1 Market Size (Population): Total Population in Philippines is 92. 2 million people. The target consumer age 16-24 is around 61. 1% of total population in the country (male 31,103,967/ female 31,097,203). The annual population growth rate 2. 04% per year. 2. 2 GDP growth rate: GDP (2011 estimate): $188. 7 billion. Annual growth rate (2011 estimate): 7. 3%. GDP per capita is $2,007. 2. 3 Number of hypermarket and supermarket : Philippines has 192 Malls and Shopping Centers, 248 groceries, and 66 convenience stores. These are a lot of numbers of ways to sell and expand our noodles to Philippines. Especially for the groceries where they usually sell instant noodles in. Most of them are Greenfield groceries which use the owner name as the shop name. 2. 4 Import Volume : Total value of imports for the country is US$59. 9 billion. Primary imports products are electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic. Primary imports partners are Japan (12. 5 percent of total imports), US (12 percent), China (8. percent), Singapore (8. 7 percent), South Korea (7. 9 percent), Taiwan (7. 1 percent), Thailand (5. 7 percent). In Thailand we import instant noodles from Philippines at USD$ 26,454,000 value. 2. 5 Export Volume : Total value of exports: US$50. 72 billion. Primary exports – commodities: semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment , garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits. Primary exports partners: US (17. 6 percent of total exports), Japan (16. 2 percent), Netherlands (9. 8 percent), Hong Kong (8. 6 percent), China (7. 7 percent), Germany (6. 5 percent), Singapore (6. percent), South Korea (4. 8 percent). In Thailand we export instant noodles to Philippines at USD 27,933,000 value. 3. Social Environment 3. 1 Geographic Distance (from Thailand) : The distance between Thailand and Philippines are 2,215 kilometers away. 3. 2 Consumer eating habits : Philippines people love to eat. Since people are kind and hospitality, food is important of their social life. Rice is the main component as usual in Asia countries. They eat three meals a day plus 2 snacks in between. The ingredients of the food they like to eat are usually contain salt and remain fresh. They commonly use spoon and folk as an equipment to eat. Some local people they still use hand to eat. 3. 3 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) : The Environmental Performance Index of Myanmar is now scored 65. 7at ranked 50th. 4. Technological Environment 4. 1 Infrastructure (Seaport) : Since the Philippines country is island, there are 19 Seaports available in the country. We can choose the appropriate location to export the instant noodles. Most of them meet the standard quality so we make sure that there won’t have much problem about the facilities and procedures. 4. Infrastructure (Roads &Highways) : The road and highways in Philippines are most likely the same as in Thailand. They spent adequate budget to improve the road systems every year. The route of the cities and houses around the country are all connected. The raod quality is great. We can transport the product within the country by using car or truck with no problems. 4. 3 Infrastructure (Telecommunication) : I n Philippines the communication system is quite perfect. The telephone system is provided to every houses. The internet, FAX, mails and other communication tools are provided. O (opportunities)| T (Threats)| P (Political)| ASEAN trade member| There are import tariff (3%)and VAT (12%)| E (Economic)| – Large market size (3rd largest in ASEAN)- Highest GDP growth rate in ASEAN- Various convenience stores& department stores| There are only few big shopping malls in the country but there are large numbers of small grocery stores. So, it will be difficult for us to distribute the products in the country. | S (Social)| Same eating habitat as Thai| | T(Technology)| Highly developed of telecommunication system| Moderate infrastructure of transportation| PEST : Thailand 1. Political & Legal Environment 1. 1 Import tariff : There is no tariff of instant noodle product between Thailand and Philippines because of the ASIAN contract. Normally they charged 7% tariff restriction for noodles. 1. 2 Free Trade Agreement : Thailand has join ASEAN as free trade agreement. 1. 3 Political System : Democracy;The politics of Thailand is currently conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. 2. Economic Environment 2. Market Size (Population): Total Population in Thailand is 66. 7 million people. The target consumer age 15-64 years: 70. 9% of total population (male 23,410,091/female 23,913,499). The annual population growth rate 0. 566% per year. 2. 2 GDP growth rate: GDP (2011 estimate): $616. 783 billion. Annual growth rate (2011 estimate): 9%. GDP per capita is $9,598. 2. 3 Number of hypermarket and supermarket : Thailand has 297 Malls and Shopping Centers all over provinces. These are a lot of numbers of ways to sell and expand our noodles in Thailand. 2. 4 Import Volume :Total value of imports: US$156. billion – Primary imports – commodities: capital goods, intermediate goods and raw – materials, consumer goods, fuels – Primary imports partners: Japan (18. 7 percent of total imports), China (12. 7 percent), Malaysia (6. 4 percent) 2. 5 Export Volume : Total value of exports: US$191. 3 billion – Primary exports – commodities: textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances – Primary exports partners: US (10. 9 percent of total exports), China (10. 6 percent), Japan (10. 3 percent) 2. 6 Exchange Rate : 1 baht = 1. 3832 pesos This currency chart displays the value of the  Philippine peso  in relation to 1  Thai baht  (PHP/THB) over a 6-month period. To view the currency graph over different time period please click the links below the chart. | 5-Day| 7-Day| 10-Day| 14-Day| 1-Month| 3-Month| 6-Month| 9-Month| 1-Year| 2-Year| 5-Year| 10-Year| 3. Social Environment 3. 1 Geographic Distance (from Thailand) : The distance between Thailand and ? Philippines are 2,215 kilometers away. 3. 2 Consumer eating habits : All types of food items are used by Thai people and they are also conscious about their health. They used to eat all dairy products, poultry products, eat, chicken, seafood, vegetables, fruits and grain products. Here are some famous dished of Thailand that people love to prepare and eat frequently. Thai pad Som tum Tom yum goong Tom kha kai Pad kaprao Moo satay 3. 3 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) : The Environmental Performance Index of? Myanmar is now scored 62. 2at ranked 12th in Asia -Pacific. 4. Technological Environment 4. 1 Infrastructure (Seaport) : Thailand seaport are fully equipped with many technology machines. We can able to move or transfer the cargo around the port. The areas are big and clean. The security system and safety are very great. There is a lot of private service to help provide facilities to us. The port also has general warehouses that we can keep our product or good, distribution centers, road and railway network system which connects every part of the country. Furthermore, the port provides significant utilities such as electricity, water and land lines throughout the whole port. 4. 2 Infrastructure (Roads &Highways) : The road and highways in Thailand are good. Total road network includes motorways, highways, and main or national roads, secondary or regional roads, and all other roads in a country. 4. Infrastructure (Telecommunication) : In Thailand the communication system is quite moderate. Daily Newspaper,Telephone,Mobile,3G,Internet, FAX, mails and other communication tools are provided. Thailand | O (opportunities)| T (Threats)| P (Political)| Thailand is always willing to promote the exportation in order to bring more wealth to the country. Thai government will support us and help us to export our product to the Philippine. Some advice or tax reduction or premium we might gain from the government. | Thailand and Philippine don’t do the business together much if we compare to other countries. Trust will be needed and bank guarantee should be the appropriate method. | E (Economic)| Thailand has a great number of cultivated area and be able to produce at very low cost. | As thai baht has been lately appreciated against pesos, this make our products more expensive to Pilipino people. | S (Social)| | The effect of major flooding in Thailand affect a lot to agriculture and maybe next year there will be a flood happen in Thailand again. | T(Technology)| Today, social network is very useful for the marketing purpose. We can bring the awareness of our product in less cost. The oil price in Thailand is going up especially diesel which can increase the transportation's cost within country. | Five Forces Analysis : Philippines 1. Rivalry Among Current Competitors (High) From our research, the market in the Philippines now having various brands of instant noodles sell in the country. Those brands are produce in the country and some were imported from other countries. Lucky me brand i s seems to be the biggest brand that earn a lot of market shares in Philippines. In the Philippines there are a lot of groceries and convenience stores where usually instant noodles have been sold. In each stores sell many kinds of instant noodles. Customer can choose the one they like easily. Each brand uses different promotions and different method to sell and present their products. This will challenge us, Mama Company, to think of new strategy in order to sell the product in Philippines. 2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Not our concern) For this type of industry, they mostly have ordered the ingredients and produced in the same place. The floor and other materials come from same factory. This type of factory are not much seen in the country because ostly the instant noodles product are imported (produced in other countries). So, the bargaining power of suppliers in Philippines are tend to be high. It is not not a good idea if we choose to produce the product in Philippines. Since we are doing the export method this should not be a problem. 3. Bargaining Power of Customers (Low) Even though there are a lot of instant noodle brands sell in the country. The price range is lik ely the same numbers. This price range tends to be fixed and most of stores in the market use this price range (From 1 USD to 2 USD). Customers can not bargain the price much because the prices are the same. If they are not satisfied with the price, they still have to buy it because every stores sell at the same prices. There are few well-known shopping malls in The Philippines. Convenience stores is tend to be more popular among the customers. In every area, city and local, there will be small groceries in each village. These small convenience stores or groceries buy the instant noodles product from shopping mall and sell it again in their own stores. EDSA CentralJTC Mall in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Southway SquareStarMall And many convenience stores and groceries 4. Threat of Substitute Products or Services (High) As we already know instant noodles are easily cooked and can eat instantly in few minutes. This type of product has different features and brands. These could be cereals breakfast, tea, coffee, cream soup, joke, and many others that can be easily cooked instantly. 5. Threat of New Entrance (Moderate) Since there are many goods (instant noodles) imported from many countries. Most of them are in the trade agreement that concern the surplus and reduce the tax between countries. Especially the ASEAN trade agreement that pay very little tax or no tax to export the instant noodles into Philippines. For those who are not in the trade agreement, Philippines charge 10% tax rate and it would be very hard to those new comer to survive in the Philippines market. Competitor Positioning Low Price Low Price Payless Payless Quick Chow Quick Chow Lucky Me Lucky Me Quality Quality Market Share Market Share Mama Mama Various Tastes Various Tastes Explanation Our company, Mama, currently have many types of tastes and the production cost is low so the price is not high. Lucky Me has been in the Philippines market for a long time. They have a lot of market share in the country. Payless is expert in selling price. They sell the product at low price and have some market share. Quick Chow is in the middle of everything. SWOT Analysis Strengths * Cheap and Quick : Mama has low price. It’s only 5 baht per package and it uses 3 minutes for preparation. * Easy to Cook : Mama is one of the foods that require low abilities of cooking. It is only pour hot water then it is ready to eat. * Easy to Find : Mama has many distribution channels. You can easily find Mama in everywhere even in a small shop near your house or a big store. * Many flavors : Mama has lunched many flavors to suit individually person. There are at least 20 flavors with also different type of noodles. * Promotions : Mama has many promotions for their customers e. g. lucky draw for gold. * Brand Loyalty : Mama has been introduced for 35 years. Therefore, everyone known Mama and will choose Mama as the first choice. Weaknesses * Image : Because the company specially focus on MAMA so consumer only knows that this company sells only MAMA even they produce many products besides MAMA. Opportunities * Since Philippines and Thailand are in the ASEAN trade member, There is no tariff collected when doing export-import business. Philippines has a lot of seaport and also has good facilities to export our product by shipment. * People eating habits in the Philippines are likely to consume noodles type quite often. * The current tastes of instant noodles in Philippines are not various enough. If we introduce new tastes of the product, we might success and earn lots of market share. * Thailand is always willing to promote the exp ortation in order to bring more wealth to the country. Thai government will support us and help us to export our product to the Philippine. Some advice or tax reduction or premium we might gain from the government. Thailand has a great number of cultivated area and be able to produce at very low cost. * Today, social network is very useful for the marketing purpose. We can bring the awareness of our product in less cost. Threats * Philippines currently has a lot of instant noodle brands. It would be serious competition n the market. * As the government of Philippines encourages foreign company to come and invest in the country, it would be easy for other competitors to enter into the market. * Philippines has a lot of stores in the country, many small one, The delivery system of flowing our product within the country might face a potential complex. Thailand and Philippine don’t do the business together much if we compare to other countries. Trust will be needed and bank guara ntee should be the appropriate method. * As thai baht has been lately appreciated against pesos, this make our products more expensive to Pilipino people. * The effect of major flooding in Thailand affect a lot to agriculture and maybe next year there will be a flood happen in Thailand again. * The oil price in Thailand is going up especially diesel which can increase the transportation's cost within country. Demand Situation Currently in Philippines has a lot of instant noodle brands sell in the country. Which means Pilipinos like to consume noodles very often? All kind of food related Noodles is seems to be the main dish of Philippine people. In today instant noodle production has contribute more ingredients, vitamins, various of taste, and other food enrichments. People would like to consume it more not because only it is cheap but also have qualities and benefits. Another factor is that the trend of Korean TV shows that show about the Korean teenagers like to eat instant noodles more often. It makes a huge impact around Asia to boost the sales of instant noodles up high. In Philippines the demand of the instant noodle product are increasing everyday due to the variety of brands provide to them. Some people want to try new taste different from the local traditional taste. If we export our instant noodle products to the country with new feature taste that different from the current taste that already sell in the Philippine. Focus on the young customers who like to be adventurous and want to try new things. Rank| Country| 2007| 2008| 2009| Total| 9| Philippines| 24. 8| 25. 0| 25. 5| 27. 0| 13| Malaysia| 11. 8| 12. 1| 12. 0| 12. 2| 26| Singapore| 1. 2| 1. 3| 1. 3| 1. 2| Sales Contact Agreement Number: 1234a55b Date: 08/03/2012 [date of acceptance and legal agreement number] This sales agreement is committed between: Thai President Foods Public Company Limited. And SM Investments Corporation. INCOTERM: CIF Port of Bangkok Incoterm 2010 Term of Payment: Documentary Letter of Credit, Time Draft Price of the goods: S$1 Sales organization details: Name: Thai President Foods Public Company Limited Address: 304 TF Bldg. , Srinakarin Rd. , Huamark, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240 Thailand. Factory: Sahapat Group Industrial Park, 601 Sukapiban 8 Rd. , Nongkarm, Sri Racha, Cholburi 20232 Thailand. Phone Number: Telephone  : (662) 374-4730  Fax :  (662) 374-7743 Buyer organization details: Name: SM Hypermarket Address: Building E, SM Corporate Office 1000 Bay Boulevard Central Business Park Pasay Metro Manila Philippines Contact number: +6328311212 Whereas, the buyer is interested to buy the following products from the seller organization 1. Instant Noodles Artificial Tom Yum Pork Flavour 2. Instant Noodles Shrimp Creamy Tom Yum Flavour 3. Instant Noodles Shrimp Flavour (Tom Yum) The seller organization will receive $_________ [money in the local currency] on every purchase as the buyer organization has already received $___________ as advance amount. This sales agreement is commencing on 17/08/2012 and is ending on 16/08/2017. [Give required dates] Both the organizations will follow the given terms: – Importers are required to source products from regulated establishments. The food is produced under proper sanitary conditions. – Traders and manufacturers adhere to quality assurance procedures that are acceptable to the AVA (Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore). – AVA demands the importers to submit certified-true-copy documents from the food safety authority of the country of origin certifying that the imported food product is produced by licensed or regulated premises. Validation of the sales agreement by both the organizations: Signature of the Seller organization: ___________ Singed by the buyer organization: ____________ [approved by both the parties] Incoterm CIF (Port of Manila) INCOTERMS 2010 Cost , Insurance and Freight (CIF) Exporters have to pay the transportation costs and freight cost that are required to bring the goods or the product from the factory at beginning to the named port of destination (Port of Manila). More ever, Exporter (us) is also required to find and buy insurance against the buyer's risk of loss or damage to the products (Mama) during sea transportation. Furthermore, the exporter is required to clear the goods for export custom as well. * Our company (Mama) will prepare all the documents that are needed for clearing export procedures, and deliver the goods to the reach the port of origin. * Our company will load the finished goods from the factory in Sriracha, Chonburi into our own trucks and give all prepared documents with them for export clearing purpose. * When trucks reach the custom clearing point at the port, do the export custom clearing with all prepared documents to let the goods go into the harbor. Then we follow all the export procedures to get our products or containers into Laem chabang port. * The products will ship to port of Manila along with insurance that we pay. Reasons to choose this CIF INCOTERMS The reason why we choose CIF incoterm method for export our product to the Philippine because Ports Port of Shipping Laem Chabang Port We choose Laem Chabang port as the main port to send the product, instant noodles, a nd export to Philippines port. Laem Chabang port is elected to be the main major seaport in Thailand for years and it is also Thailand’s largest port. It is Deep-water port and used for international importation and exportation. It is located between Laem Chabang distinct, Amphoe Sriracha and Amphoe Bang Lamung in Chonburi province Thailand. This port is under control by Port Authority of Thailand in overall management. Private firms are responsible for the activities process. This port is first open in 2534 and was fully supported by Thailand Government all along. Leam Chabang port can handle or has ships or vessels come to port around 8,118 ships. The areas around Leam Chabang port are being developed to be economic area of the country. The area that being developed are housing, utilities, communications, transportation, industry, and government center. In 2005 Laem Chabang port was order to be the 20th busiest port in the word. Many of the international shipping come in and out of Thailand will go through this Laem Chabang port. Leam Chabang Port has many sub-port and they was separated into 4 main zones; -Zone A -Zone B -Zone C -Zone D -Others Factors why we choose this port 5. Location Mama instant noodle has 3 factories which are located at Rayoong, Lumpoon, and Sriracha. Especially the factory in Sriracha is very near to Laem Chabang port. So it is very easily to transport the product or goods by in-land from the factory through the Laem Chabang port. 6. Facilities and equipment Surely, Laem Chabang port is the main port that mostly used in Thailand. This port is fully equipped with many technology machines. We can able to move or transfer the cargo around the port. The areas are big and clean. The security system and safety are very great. There is a lot of private service to help provide facilities to us. The port also has general warehouses that we can keep our product or good, distribution centers, road and railway network system which connects every part of the country. Furthermore, the port provides significant utilities such as electricity, water and land lines throughout the whole port. List of facilities in Laem Chabang port 7. Provincial Office of Chonburi – Public Relations Office of Chonburi – Chonburi Transportation Station – City Council of Chonburi – Local Police Station (Pattaya) – Local Police Station (Bang Lamung) – Tourist Police – Tourist Police (Jom Tien) – Tourist Police (Pattaya) – Bangkok-Chonburi Hospital – Eak-Chol Hospital – Bang-La-Mung Hospital – Many banks ; Bank of Ayudhya included – Courier express – Accommodation 8. Service We can say that Laem Vhabang port has a one stop service. Many of private and government firms in the port provide different service and cover all port activities. There is custom burean in the port that take care about the documents and also many private firms have helping service for us to prepare the document and give advice. Laem Chabang open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week: that’s mean the port opens all the time. The port has skillful and experienced employees, truck services, vessel routes, train schedule, shipping lines, forwarders, and many other more. The port also has an efficient website that provides understanding information and contacts. Port of Destination Manila Port, Philippine The Port of Manila is the largest seaport in the Philippines. It is widely used as the main port of all international shipping gateways to the Philippine. The port is located in the vicinity of Manila Bay. The Port of Cagmat is another name of this port for local and it is also known as Manila International Cargo Terminal. This port is operated by International Container Terminal Services Inc. This port is recognized as one of Asia’s major seaports and one of the Philippine most active port with full of activities every day. In 2005, port of Manila was list as 31st the world most active port. Manila is also the Philippine country’s main economic, cultural, and political center because Manila is the capital city and has the highest population. -Port of Manila has 3 major areas. 1. Manila North (seaport code MNN) 2. Manila South (MNS) 3. Manila (MNL) Port Location Map 9. Quick fact Summary information Port Location:    Manila Port Name:    Port of Manila Port Authority:    Philippine Ports Authority, PDO Manila/Northern Luzon Address:    PNR Building South Harbor Manila Philippines Phone:    527-44-14 Fax:    527-44-14 Email:    [email  protected] com. ph Web Site:    www. ppa. com. ph Latitude:    14 ° 31’ 27† N Longitude:    120 ° 56’ 57† E UN/LOCODE:    PHMNL Port Type:    Seaport Port Size:    Very Large Factors why we choose this port 10. Reliable This port is very popular and has been trusted by many countries. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) who control and manage the port promise to provide reliable services, sustaining the development of port communities and the environment. The Philippine Ports Authority’s priority objectives are include of establishing, developing, regulating, managing, and operating a national port system that supports trade and development for the nation of the Philippines. To meet these goals, the PPA will make adjustment at least ten ports by the year 2010, improve port services, reduce costs for port customers, corporative between ports and communities, development and operation, and provide a working environment to improve productivity and job satisfactions. 11. Location Manila is the capital city. It implies the highest population city in Philippine. It will be a perfect place to enter our product to the market. This city has many distribution channel including Macro; where we going to send our cargo to. So this port is quite near to the destination location. 12. Facilities With no doubt, port of Manila is the largest and busiest port in Philippine. This port serves a total of 5325 vessels for both foreign and domestic. The entrance to the Bay of Manila is 19 Km wide and it will expand to 48 Km in the future so, the vessels could easily reach the port. The Port of Manila International Cargo Terminal (MICT) also help developing the facilities on the port. The company (MICT) is responsible for managing, operating, and administrating the Port of Manila. They are planning, developing, and constructing better facilities; supplying all equipment,handling more capacity, and controlling the system. Term of Payment Method of Payment : Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) 16 16 15 15 14 14 13 13 12 12 11 11 2 2 4 4 8 7 8 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 Custom Shipper Custom Shipper Shipper Shipper Custom Shipper Custom Shipper Shipper Shipper 3 1 3 1 1 1 Issuing Bank Issuing Bank Advising Bank Advising Bank Exporter Exporter Importer Importer 9 9 10 10 1. Negociation in sales contact. 2. Send request to open L/C together with sending all documents required. 3. After bank verify the correctness of the documents, issue L/C and transfer to Advising bank. 4. Advising bank notifies the exporter the presence of L/C. 5. Exporter makes a shipping reservation. 6. Shipper sends export document to custom. 7. Receive mate’s receipt once product is on broad. Exchange mate’s receipt for Bill of Lading with shipper. 8. Documents collection as agreed. 9. Export sends documents for payment to advising bank. 10. Advising bank confirms documents and receives payment. 11. Advising bank sends documents and requests for reimbursement. 12. Issuing bank checks document and requests payment. 13. Importer makes a payment and documentation. 14. Reimbursement 15. Importer exchanges B/L for delivery order (D/O). 16. Shipper shows D/O for goods shipped to custom. Document needed * Draft or Bill of Exchange * Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading * Certificate of Origin, Insurance policy, License (if any) * Certificate of Health, Certificate of Analysis * Certificate of Inspection, etc * Insurance Certificate, Commercial, Official or Legal Documents (for shipping) Reasons for choosing this term of payment As we will export a large amount of goods to the foreign company as well as this is the first time that we do business with this company, using â€Å"Documentary Letter of Credit† will reduce the commercial risk or the risk of not being paid. This is because, for the first of doing business, there will be low trust of buyer’s credit and high risk that importer or buyer might not pay for the goods. Therefore, we choose â€Å"Irrevocable Letter of Credit, Time Draft (60 days)† to reduce risk. By using irrevocable letter of credit, issuing bank will be the one who is responsible for importers’ obligations toward exporters under the specified term and conditions and commit themselves not be able to make amendment without consensus from all parties related. Cable / Swift charges for LC opening| THB 1,000 for the first page, THB 300 for the other pages| THB1,000 (Max. pages, Next pages = 500/page)| Asia, Australia, % NZ: THB 500 Middle East, US, Europe, Africa ; Rest of the world: THB 800 With attached sheet: THB 400 per attached sheet Others: THB 400| L/C amendment | In case increase in amount or extension of validity date : ? % of opening amount for validity of each 90 days (1 period), fraction of month w ill be treated as one period (Minimum THB 500) Other cases: THB 500| Increase Amount – 0. 5% of incresing amounts (min. THB1,000. 00), Extend validity if exceed 1 period – THB 500 per item| Increase of L/C amount:0. 25% of additional amount per period (90 days) or part thereof min. THB 1,000 Extension of L/C validity: 0. 25% of opening amount per period (90 days) or part thereof min. THB 1,000| Cable / Swift charges for LC amendment| THB 500 per item| THB 500 per item| THB 400/item| Revolving L/C comission| ? of opening amount upon L/C times amount of time for revolving (Minimum THB 1,000)| 0. 25% per quarter or part thereof with a minimum of THB 1,000| 0. 25% of opening amount per period (90 days)or part thereof min. THB1,000 | Standby L/C comission| N/A| Morethan 2. 5% per annum or part thereof with a minimum of THB 300| 1. 5 – 2. 5 % per annum min. THB 1,000| Kasikorn Bank Kasikorn Bank Bangkok Bank Bangkok Bank Bank of Ayudhaya Bank of Ayudhaya Postage (Cour ier Charges) | N/A| Asia, EU and USA: THB 500 except China, Laos and Cambodia: THB 700| THB300. 0 for 1st envelope, additional charge of THB100. 00 per additional envelope | Reasons for choosing Kasikorn Bank 1. Kasikorn Bank provides the services of Cable/Swfit charges for L/C opening, Cable/Swift charges for L/C amendment,Standby L/C and postage fee at the rate cheaper than other banks. 2. Kasikorn Bank has professional staff, innovative technology and worldwide network that will enhance our international transaction easily and smoothly. 3. Kasikorn Bank got the award of Best Trade Finance Providers 2011 for the fourth consecutive year (2008-2011). This guarantees that it provides good international trade services. 4. Kasikorn bank got the award of Best Bank (Thailand) for the second consecutive year (2010-2011). This guarantees that the bank is realiable and trustable. 5. Kasikorn Bank provides a lot of information towards its services on the internet. So, the customer can find the information about the fee, procedure and document needed of services easily and conveniently. 6. Kasikorn Bank has K-BIZ contact center that provides business information for 24 hours. So, we can contact the bank anywhere anytime when we need information, advice or when we have a problem regarding our business. In addition, the K-BIZ staff are well-trained. So, we can be sure that we will get comprehensive and accurate answers or advice. Trade Finance Services 1. Export L/C Advising Kbank acts on behalf of the beneficiary in receiving the L/C issued by the overseas issuing bank. The bank will check the apparent authenticity of the L/C before notifying and delivering it to the beneficiary. Documents Needed 1. Letter of Credit agreed upon by both sellers and buyers. 2. Pro forma invoice 3. Application form for amendment of letter of Credit Procedure for Export L/C Advising 13. After receiving the L/C from the issuing bank in overseas, the bank will check its apparent authenticity. 14. Kbank notifies exporter of the arrival of the original L/C. 15. Before picking up the original L/C at any  Corporate ; SME Service Center, exporter have to pay for the L/C advising fees. 16. It is recommended that exporter has to review all terms and conditions specified in the L/C. If they are not comply with the terms and conditions as agreed with the importer, exporter is required to notify the importer to amend those conditions in the L/C. By using export L/C advising from Kbank, we can receive the authenticated L/C within 3 hours after Kbank receives it by SWIFT Message from the issuing bank in overseas and a copy L/C will be delivered to us in advance by facsimile or email to allow us to prepare export documents in advance. So, it’s more convenient for us to do the international transaction. 1. L/C Confirmation L/C Confirmation is the service that the bank, Kbank, add confirmation on the letter of credit received from the oversea issuing bank which allows adding confirmation and the beneficiary in the L/C request it to do so. The bank will add confirmation on full amount, not on partial amount, and effect payment to the beneficiary upon receipt of conforming documents provided that all terms and conditions have been complied with the L/C’s. Documents Needed 1. Application for L/C confirmation 2. Original L/C and amendment L/C (if any) Procedure  for L/C Confirmations . Exporter ( the beneficiary in L/C) submits an application for L/C confirmation alongwith the original L/C and the amendment of L/C (if any) to Kbank. 2. The bank will examine the application form, conditions in the L/C and credit rating and country rating of the issuing bank. 3. If all criteria is met, the bank will collect all confirmation charges and other expenses from the beneficiary. 4. A letter of confirmation and the original L/C will be delivered to  the beneficiary. 5. The bank, then, inform the issuing bank of the adding confirmation without delay. By using this service, we will have more security in receiving payment under L/C, Kbank will serve us with L/C confirmation with their professional and experienced staffs. Therefore, it is more reliable and secure than using only Export L/C advising. 2. Export Collection under L/C Kbank acts as the nominated bank authorized by the L/C issuing bank to collect payment from the L/C issuing bank in a foreign country by sending the documents for collection under L/C provided that all terms and conditions have been complied with L/C. Documents Needed 1. Application for Negotiation/Discount of Export Bills Drawn Under Letter of Credit. 2. Original L/C and amendment L/C (if any). 3. Other documents stipulated in the L/C. Procedure  for Export L/C Collection 1. Kbank receives the export documents submitted by the beneficiary, then check for the complying presentation. 2. Notify the beneficiary of checking result. 3. Send the documents to the issuing bank for collection. Also, tracking payment (as the case may be). 4. Upon receipt of payment, inform the beneficiary and remit proceeds to the beneficiary’s account. By using this service, we can be more assured of receiving payment under L/C. Moreover, the documents will be checked by professional and experienced staff. Also, they will be re-checked by CDCS or Certified Documentary Credit Specialists. As a result, we can operate our export business smoothly and confidently. Custom Export Clearance Procedure in Thailand Generally, the export clearance processes include 4 stages: 1. Submission of a Declaration: The export procedures start when an exporter/broker submits an Export Declaration in ebXML message to the e-Customs system. 2. Verification of a Declaration: The second stage is automated verification of the Declaration. As soon as the e-Customs system receives the Export Declaration data, such data is preliminary validated. In cases where the validated data contains no error, the Goods Declaration number is generated in conjunction with the e-Payment system (if export taxes and duties are applicable. ). The response message, then, is transmitted to the exporter/broker. In addition, the selectivity profile system will validate the transmitted data and classify the Goods Declaration into two categories: Green Line and Red Line. . Payment of Duties and Taxes: The third stage is payment of applicable duties and taxes and/or guarantee. There are currently 3 means for payment of export duties and taxes: payment at the Customs Department, payment via e-Payment system, and payment at banks. 4. Inspection and Release of Cargo: The last stage is to inspect and finally release cargo from Customs custody. At this stage , a freight forwarder loads cargo into containers and electronically sends a cargo control report to the e-Customs system. The e-Customs system validates the data, and reports any error for immediate online correction. If no error is found, the cargo control report number is automatically generated by the system and the response message is sent to the freight forwarder and the exporter/broker. The freight forwarder then prints out the cargo control report with its number and removes the cargo to the port of exit. At this stage, the Customs officer at a sub-gate checks whether the declaration is a Red Line or a Green Line. 4. 1  In case of the green line,the Declaration is cleared within a few minutes. After the cargo is exported, a shipping company/agent is required to submit, the manifest information to the e-Customs   system. The system then automatically loads the Goods Declaration and transmits the response message back to the exporter/broker. 4. 2  In case of the red line, the cargo is removed for physical inspection. Documents needs 1. Export Declaration 2. Invoice 3. Export License (if applicable) 4. Other relevant documents such as catalogue, product ingredients, etc. Example of Documents Custom Import Clearance Procedure in Philippines Documents required in all shipments to the Philippines * Commercial Invoice * Bill of Lading or Airway Bill for air shipments * Certificate of Origin, if requested * Packing List Applicable special certificates required due to the nature of goods being shipped/requested by importer/bank/letter of credit clause, such as the Bureau of Food   and Drugs (BFAD) license * Commercial Invoice of Returned Philippine Goods and Supplemental Declaration on   Valuation * For Letter of Credit (L/C) Transaction, a duly accomplished Letter of Credit (L/C)   including Proform a Invoice and Import Entry Declaration for Advance Customs Import   Duty (ACID) * For non-L/C Transactions, either Draft Documents against Acceptance (D/A),   Documents Against Payment (D/P), Open Account (OA) or self-funded, a Proforma Invoice Example of Documents Container * Type of Cargo and Container Size: Container| Interior Dimension| Door Opening| Tare Weight| Cubic Capacity| Payload| 20’ Dry Container| L:5. 919m 19’ 5† W:2. 340m 7’ 8† H:2. 380m 7’ 9 ? †| W:2. 286m 7’ 6† H:2. 278m 7’ 5 ? †| 1,900 kg 4,189 lbs. | 33. 0 cbm 1,116 cu. Ft. | 22,100 kg 48,721 lbs| As our products can be packed in cases, they are classified to be general cargo and can be stuffed in containers. Our products to be exported to Philippines will be sold throughout the country, we believe that the demand of the whole country with a huge number of population like Philippines is sufficient for us to fill up the whole container, meaning that we can use full cargo load. Our products do not require any special container, the normal general purpose container or dry cargo of 20’ft is sufficient to keep the products safely while transporting them from Thailand to Philippines. One 20 footer container can fit 360 cartons, one carton contains 6 boxes of 30 packs. Totally one container can fit 68,400 pack of Mama. * Container Transport Status: In order to deliver the products to Philippines, we have to use the combination of transportation modes that includes land and ocean transportation. The products will be placed in the container and taken from our factory by using the container truck or line haul to transport them to the port. At the port, the products then will be moved from the truck onto the container ship which will transport our products from the port of Thailand to the port of Philippines and again the products will be taken of the ship and placed on the container truck and deliver them to the distribution of our customers in Philippines. The most suitable container transport status for us is FCL/FCL. We as the only one seller deliver products by using full container load from Thailand and export to only one buyer in Philippines which is SM Hyper Market. To keep the products safe and in the best condition, we have to use the right method of packaging and cargo unitization which are mention below. Freight Forwarder As our products are shipped from Thailand to Philippines which are already a normal and often travelled route, we can save our cost by using the service from conference line vessel or the so called†Liners†. By using these liners, the service is cheaper than to use the non-conference vessels or charter ships. The rates are fixed and standardized, the schedule is also strictly followed which allow us to deliver our products to customers at the expectable time. The company that we use for ocean transportation is NYK and the route is FTS (Far East Thailand Service) which serves from Laem Chabang pass by Port of Manila to Busan. The turnaround day for the service route is 21 days. The total fee for ocean transportation is 765 USD which includes 730 USD for the service fee plus with 35 USD fuel fee which is calculated to be roughly around 23,532 Baht. Insurance Company As we are using CIF Incoterm 2010, we are responsible for all the risks of lost or damages occur during the inland transportation from our factory to Laem Chabang port and we are assigned to purchase the insurance to cover any risks of lost and damages occur during the ocean shipment from Laem Chabang port to Port of Manila. We selected Dhipaya Insurance Public Company Limited as our insurance company. The type of policy selected is open policy, which covers over a period of time as we plan to ship the products quite often in the near future. The package we choose is â€Å"Institute Cargo Clauses type C† which covers fire or explosion; vessel stranded or sunk, collision of vessel and discharge of cargo at port of distress. The reason we choose Dhipaya Insurance is because the company has a long history as well as the credit of the company is widely accepted both in Thailand and other countries in this region. Marketing Mix Marketing Mix(4P) 1. Product 2. Price 3. Place 4. Promotion Product Ingredients and Condiments of MAMA instant noodles still remain the same. The size of MAMA's pack and accumulated net weight within the pack are also the same. But label that state on the pack will be changed from Thai language to English language. And all informations at the back of the pack will be translated to Pilipino as well. – Product Standardization We make our product to be standardized. We not change any Research&Development. We use the same strategies as in Thailand. We dont adapted or changed our products forward Pilipino . Price We changed the price from originally 6 baht in Thailand to 30 baht or 1USD per pack selling Philippines. We set the price followed our competitors but our competitors set 1USD or more than but we set only 1USD to penetrate the market. Pricing Policy We use Dual Pricing because we change the selling price from 6Baht to 1USD. We add more price because we have to calculate cost-plus method ,For example; Import taxes,Vat,Transportation cost,Shipping cost,etc. Place We decided to sell our products MAMA instant noodles into Philippines though only one major distribution channel,SM hypermarket company. Promotion We use quantity discounts as a promotion in Pilipino market. Consumers will pay less if they buy pack of six. Cost Structure EXPORT| IMPORT| Cost element| Cost| Cost element| Cost| Factory cost of 205,200 [email  protected] US$0. 098 per packs| US$20,109. | Land cost CIF| $****| Expenses:| | Duty @ 3%| $****| Export packing (205,200 [email  protected] US$0. 005 per pack)| US$1,026| Other Taxes| $****| | | Brokerage – Clearance fees| $****| Consular invoice| US$30| Forwarder Fees| $****| Freight forwarder Fee (included in transportation cost)| -| Banking charges| $****| FOB price| US$21,165. 6| Total landed cost (DDP)| $****| | | Expenses:|   | |   | Warehouse| $****| |   | Repacking| $****| |   | Freight out| $****| |   | Advertising| $****| |   | Interest| $****| |   | Others| $****| Marine Insurance| US$317. 5| Total landed plus expenses| $****|   |   |   |   | Transportation (Ocean)| US$2,295| Plus Markup| $****| Landed cost (CIF)| US$23,778. 1| Suggested selling Price| $****|   |   |   |   | |   |   |   | Reference * http://www. dksh. ph/htm/388/en_PH/News-Detail. htm? Id=60707 * http://goodnewspilipinas. com/2010/04/06/philippines-set-to-become-food-safety-hub-of-asean/ * http://www. selamat. wur. nl/NR/rdonlyres/F6A33BEE-EE82-464A-A1EB-118034E1F9D9/122444/Philippines. pdf * http://www. iso. org/iso/iso_catalogue/management_and_leadership_standards/quality_management/more_resources_9000/9001supchain. htm#what_is_iso_9001 * http://www. rcglobalstandards. com/GlobalStandards/Home. aspx * http://www. inspection. gc. ca/food/fish-and-seafood/exports/by-jurisdiction/philippines/eng/1304243817860/1304243914409 * http://www. mama. co. th/faqs. php * http://ebook. foodrecap. net/food-standard/pinoy-food-label/ * http://www. lcbcustoms. net * http://www. laemchabangport. com * http://www. mama. co. th * www. thaiblogonline. com * ma ps. google. co. th * http://www. ppa. com. ph * http://www. maplandia. com/philippines/ncr/manila/port-area/ * http://www. worldportsource. com/ports/PHL_Port_of_Manila_1947. hp * http://www. mapsofworld. com/cities/philippines/manila/port. html * http://smhypermarket. com/hypermarket/index. php? p=420 * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/SM_Hypermarket * http://internet1. customs. go. th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/importexport/exporter/exporter * http://www. dti. gov. ph/dti/index. php? p=196&fb_source=message * http://www. chanrobles. com/presidentialdecrees/presidentialdecreeno1679. html * http://www. nykline. co. th/main/content_view. php? data_cat=6&data_id=16 * http://www. dhipaya. co. th/ * http://www. x-convert. com/chart/PHP-THB? period=6m

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 23

Part V Lamb I am light, now I fly, now I see myself beneath myself, now a god dances through me. FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE Chapter 23 We rode Vana north toward the Silk Road, skirting the great Indian desert that had almost killed Alexander the Great's forces as they returned to Persia after conquering half of the known world, three centuries before. Although it would have saved a month to cut through the desert, Joshua was not confident about his ability to conjure enough water for Vana. A man should learn the lessons of history, and although I insisted that Alexander's men had probably been tired from all that conquering, while Josh and I had basically been sitting around at the beach for two years, he insisted we take the less hostile route through Delhi, and north into what is now Pakistan until we joined the Silk Road once again. A little ways down the Silk Road I thought we received another message from Mary. We had stopped to have a short rest. When we resumed the journey, Vana happened to walk over where she had just done her business and the pile was pressed into the perfect likeness of a woman's face, dark poo against the light gray dust. â€Å"Look, Josh, there's another message from your mother.† Josh glanced and looked away. â€Å"That's not my mother.† â€Å"But look, in the elephant poop, it's a woman's face.† â€Å"I know, but it's not my mother. It's distorted because of the medium. It doesn't even look like her. Look at the eyes.† I had to climb to the back of the elephant to get another angle on it. He was right, it wasn't his mother. â€Å"I guess you're right. The medium obscured the message.† â€Å"That's what I'm saying.† â€Å"I'll bet it looks like someone's mom, though.† With the detour around the desert, we were nearly two months getting to Kabul. Although Vana was an intrepid walker, as I have mentioned, she was a less than agile climber, so we often had to take long detours to get her through the mountains of Afghanistan. Josh and I both knew that we could not take her into the high, rocky desert once we passed Kabul, so we agreed to leave the elephant with Joy, if we could find the erstwhile courtesan. Once in Kabul we asked around the market for any news of a Chinese woman named Tiny Feet of the Divine Dance of Joyous Orgasm, but no one had heard of her, nor had they seen a woman simply named Joy. After a full day of searching, Joshua and I were about to abandon the search for our friend when I remembered something she had once said to me. I asked a local tea seller. â€Å"Is there a woman who lives around here, a very rich woman perhaps, who calls herself the Dragon Lady or something like that?† â€Å"Oh, yes sir,† the fellow said, and he shuddered as he spoke, as if a bug had run across his neck. â€Å"She is called the Cruel and Accursed Dragon Princess.† â€Å"Nice name,† I said to Joy as we rode through the massive stone gates into the courtyard of her palace. â€Å"A woman alone, it helps to have your reputation precede you,† said the Cruel and Accursed Dragon Princess. She looked almost exactly as she had almost nine years ago when we had left, except perhaps that she wore a little more jewelry. She was petite, and delicate, and beautiful. She wore a white silk robe embroidered with dragons and her blue-black hair hung down her back almost to her knees, held in place by a single silver band that just kept it from sweeping around her shoulders when she turned. â€Å"Nice elephant,† she added. â€Å"She's a present,† Joshua said. â€Å"She's lovely.† â€Å"Do you have a couple of camels you can spare, Joy?† I asked. â€Å"Oh, Biff, I had really hoped that you two would sleep with me tonight.† â€Å"Well, I'd love to, but Josh is still sworn off the muffin.† â€Å"Young men? I have a number of man-boys I keep around for, well, you know.† â€Å"Not those either,† Joshua said. â€Å"Oh Joshua, my poor little Messiah. I'll bet no one made you Chinese food for your birthday this year either?† â€Å"We had rice,† Joshua said. â€Å"Well, we'll see what the Accursed Dragon Princess can do to make up for that,† said Joy. We climbed down from the elephant and exchanged hugs with our old friend, then a stern guard in bronze chain mail led Vana away to the stables and four guards with spears flanked us as Joy led us into the main house. â€Å"A woman alone?† I said, looking at the guards that seemed to stand at every doorway. â€Å"In my heart, darling,† Joy said. â€Å"These aren't friends, family, or lovers, these are employees.† â€Å"Is that the Accursed part of your new title?† Joshua said. â€Å"I could drop it, just be the Cruel Dragon Princess, if you two want to stay on.† â€Å"We can't. We've been called home.† Joy nodded dolefully and led us into the library (filled with Balthasar's old books), where coffee was served by young men and women who Joy had obviously brought from China. I thought of all the girls, my friends and my lovers, who had been killed by the demon so long ago, and swallowed my coffee around a lump in my throat. Joshua was as excited as I had seen him in a long time. It might have been the coffee. â€Å"You won't believe the wonderful things I've learned since I left here, Joy. About being the agent of change (change is at the root of belief, you know), and about compassion for everyone because everyone is part of another, and most important, that there is a bit of God in each of us – in India they call it the Divine Spark.† He rambled on like that for an hour, and eventually my melancholy passed and I was infected by Joshua's enthusiasm for the things he had learned from the Magi. â€Å"Yes,† I added, â€Å"and Josh can climb inside a standard-size wine amphora. You have to bust him out with a hammer, but it's interesting to watch.† â€Å"And you, Biff?† Joy asked, smiling into her cup. â€Å"Well, after supper I'll show you a little something I like to call Water Buffalo Teasing the Seeds out of the Pomegranate.† â€Å"That sounds – â€Å" â€Å"Don't worry, it's not that hard to learn. I have pictures.† We were four days at Joy's palace, enjoying comfort, food, and drink such as we hadn't experienced since we'd last seen her. I could have stayed forever, but on the morning of the fifth day Joshua stood at the entrance to Joy's bedchamber, his satchel slung over his shoulder. He didn't say a word. He didn't have to. We shared breakfast with Joy and she met us at the gate to say good-bye. â€Å"Thanks for the elephant,† she said. â€Å"Thanks for the camels,† Joshua said. â€Å"Thanks for the sex book,† Joy said. â€Å"Thanks for the sex,† I said. â€Å"Oh, I forgot, you owe me a hundred rupees,† Joy said. I had told her about Kashmir. The Cruel and Accursed Dragon Princess grinned at me. â€Å"Just kidding. Be well, my friend. Keep that amulet I gave you and remember me, huh?† â€Å"Of course.† I kissed her and climbed on my camel's back, then coaxed him to his feet. Joy embraced Joshua and kissed him on the lips, hard and long. He didn't seem to be trying to push her away. â€Å"Hey, we had better go, Josh,† I said. Joy held the Messiah at arm's length and said, â€Å"You are always welcome here, you know that?† Josh nodded, then climbed on his camel. â€Å"Go with God, Joy,† he said. As we rode through the gates of the palace the guards shot fire arrows that trailed long tails of sparks over us until they exploded above the road ahead: Joy's last good-bye to us, a tribute to the friendship and arcane knowledge we had all shared. It scared the bejeezus out of the camels. After we had been on the road awhile, Joshua asked, â€Å"Did you say goodbye to Vana?† â€Å"I intended to, but when I went to the stable she was practicing her yoga and I didn't want to disturb her.† â€Å"No kidding?† â€Å"Really, she was sitting in one of the postures you taught her.† Joshua smiled. It didn't hurt anything for him to believe that. The journey on the Silk Road through the high deserts took us over a month, but it was fairly uneventful, except for one attack by a small group of bandits. When I caught the first two spears they flung at me and flung them right back, wounding the two who had thrown them, they turned and ran. The weather was mild, or as mild as one can expect in a deadly and brutal desert, but by now Joshua and I had traveled so much in this sort of harsh country that there was little that affected us. Just before we reached Antioch, however, a sandstorm whipped up out of the desert that left us hiding between our camels for two days, breathing through our shirts and washing the mud out of our mouths every time we took a drink. The storm settled enough to travel, and we were at a veritable gallop in the streets of Antioch when Joshua located an inn by impacting with its sign on his forehead. He was knocked back off his camel and sat up in the street with blood streaming down his face. â€Å"Are you hurt badly?† I asked, kneeling beside him. I could barely see in the driving dust. Joshua looked at the blood on his hands where he had touched his forehead. â€Å"I don't know. It doesn't hurt that badly, but I can't tell.† â€Å"Inside,† I said, helping him to his feet and through the door of the inn. â€Å"Shut the door,† the innkeeper shouted as the wind whipped through the room. â€Å"Were you born in a barn?† â€Å"Yeah,† said Joshua. â€Å"He was,† I said. â€Å"Angels on the roof, though.† â€Å"Shut the damn door,† said the innkeeper. I left Joshua sitting there by the door while I went out and found shelter for the camels. When I returned Joshua was wiping his face with a linen cloth that someone had handed to him. A couple of men stood over him, eager to help. I handed the cloth to one of them and examined Josh's wounds. â€Å"You'll live. A big bump and two cuts, but you'll live. You can't do the healing thing on – â€Å" Joshua shook his head. â€Å"Hey, look at this,† one of the travelers who had helped Joshua said, holding up the piece of linen Joshua had used to wipe his face. The dust and blood from Josh's face had left a perfect likeness on the linen, even handprints where he'd gotten blood from his head wound. â€Å"Can I keep this?† the fellow said. He was speaking Latin, but with a strange accent. â€Å"Sure,† I said. â€Å"Where are you fellahs from?† â€Å"We're from the Ligurian tribe, from the territories north of Rome. A city on the Po river called Turin. Have you heard of it?† â€Å"No, I haven't. You know, you fellahs can do what you want with that cloth, but out on my camel I've got some erotic drawings from the East that are going to be worth something someday. I can let you have them for a very fair price.† The Turinians went off holding their pathetic swath of muddy cloth like it was some kind of holy relic. Ignorant bastards wouldn't know art if you nailed them to it. I bandaged Joshua's wounds and we checked into the inn for the night. In the morning we decided to keep our camels and take the land route home through Damascus. As we passed out of the gates of Damascus on the final leg home, Joshua started to worry. â€Å"I'm not ready to be the Messiah, Biff. If I'm being called home to lead our people I don't even know where to start. I understand the things I want to teach, but I don't have the words yet. Melchior was right about that. Before anything you have to have the word.† â€Å"Well it's not just going to come to you in a flash here on the Damascus road, Josh. That sort of thing doesn't happen. You're obviously supposed to learn what you need to know in its own time. To everything a season, yada, yada, yada†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"My father could have made learning all this easier. He could have just told me what I was supposed to do.† â€Å"I wonder how Maggie's doing. You think she got fat?† â€Å"I'm trying to talk about God here, about the Divine Spark, about bringing the kingdom to our people.† â€Å"I know you are, so am I. Do you want to do all of that without help?† â€Å"I guess not.† â€Å"Well, that's why I was thinking about Maggie. She was smarter than us before we left, she's probably smarter than us now.† â€Å"She was smart, wasn't she? She wanted to be a fisherman,† said Josh, grinning. I could tell that the thought of seeing Maggie tickled him. â€Å"You can't tell her about all the whores, Josh.† â€Å"I won't.† â€Å"Or Joy and the girls. Or the old woman with no teeth.† â€Å"I won't tell her about any of them, not even the yak.† â€Å"There was nothing with the yak. The yak and I weren't even on speaking terms.† â€Å"You know, she probably has a dozen children by now.† â€Å"I know.† I sighed. â€Å"They should be mine.† â€Å"And mine.† Joshua sighed back. I looked at him as he rode beside me in a sea of gently loping camel waves. He was staring off at the horizon, looking forlorn. â€Å"Yours and mine? You think they should be yours and mine?† â€Å"Sure, why not. You know I love all the little – â€Å" â€Å"You are such a doofus sometimes.† â€Å"Do you think she'll remember us? I mean, how we all were back then?† I thought about it and shuddered. â€Å"I hope not.† No sooner did we pass into Galilee than we began to hear about what John the Baptist was doing in Judea. â€Å"Hundreds have followed him into the desert,† we heard in Gischala. â€Å"Some say he is the Messiah,† one man told us in Baca. â€Å"Herod is afraid of him,† said a woman in Cana. â€Å"He's another crazy holy man,† said a Roman soldier in Sepphoris. â€Å"The Jews breed them like rabbits. I hear he drowns anyone who doesn't agree with him. First sensible idea I've heard since I was sent to this accursed territory.† â€Å"May I have your name, soldier?† I asked. â€Å"Caius Junius, of the Sixth Legion.† â€Å"Thank you. We'll keep you in mind.† To Josh I said, â€Å"Caius Junius: front of the line when we start shoving Romans out of the kingdom into the fiery abyss.† â€Å"What did you say?† said the Roman. â€Å"No, no, don't thank me, you earned it. Right at the front of the line you go, Caius.† â€Å"Biff!† Josh barked, and once he had my attention he whispered, â€Å"Try not to get us thrown into prison before we get home, please.† I nodded and waved to the legionnaire as we rode away. â€Å"Just crazy Jew talk. Pay no attention. Whimper Fidelis,† I said. â€Å"We have to find John after we see our families,† Joshua said. â€Å"Do you think that he's really claiming to be the Messiah?† â€Å"No, but it sounds like he knows how to get the word out.† We rode into Nazareth a half hour later. I suppose we expected more upon our arrival. Cheering maybe, little children running at our heels begging for tales of our great adventures, tears and laughter, kisses and hugs, strong shoulders to bear the conquering heroes through the streets. What we'd forgotten was that while we were traveling, having adventures, and experiencing wonders, the people of Nazareth had been living through the same old day-to-day crap – a lot of days had passed, and a lot of crap. When we rode up to Joshua's old house, his brother James was working outside under the awning, shaving a piece of olive wood into a strut for a camel saddle. I knew it was James the moment I saw him. He had Joshua's narrow hooked nose and wide eyes, but his face was more weathered than Josh's, and his body heavier with muscle. He looked ten years older than Joshua rather than the two years younger that he was. He put down his spoke shave and stepped out in the sunlight, holding up a hand to shield his eyes. â€Å"Joshua?† Joshua tapped his camel on the back of his knees with the long riding crop and the beast lowered him to the ground. â€Å"James!† Joshua climbed off the camel and went to his brother, his arms out as if to embrace him, but James stepped back. â€Å"I'll go tell Mother that her favorite son has returned.† James turned away and I saw the tears literally shoot out of Joshua's eyes into the dust. â€Å"James,† Joshua was pleading. â€Å"I didn't know. When?† James turned and looked his half brother in the eye. There was no pity there, no grief, just anger. â€Å"Two months ago, Joshua. Joseph died two months ago. He asked for you.† â€Å"I didn't know,† Joshua said, still holding his arms out for the embrace that wasn't going to come. â€Å"Go inside. Mother has been waiting for you. She starts every morning wondering if this is the day you'll return. Go inside.† He turned away as Joshua went past him into the house, then James looked up at me. â€Å"The last thing he said was ‘Tell the bastard I love him.'† â€Å"The bastard?† I said as I coaxed my camel to let me down. â€Å"That's what he always called Joshua. ‘I wonder how the bastard is doing. I wonder where the bastard is today?' Always talking about the bastard. And Mother yammering on always about how Joshua did this, and Joshua did that, and what great things Joshua would do when he returned. And all the while I'm the one looking out for my brothers and sisters, taking care of them when Father got sick, taking care of my own family. Still, was there any thanks? A kind word? No, I was doing nothing more than paving Joshua's road. You have no idea what it's like to always be second to Joshua.† â€Å"Really,† I said. â€Å"You'll have to tell me about that sometime,† I said. â€Å"Tell Josh if he needs me I'll be at my father's house. My father is still alive, isn't he?† â€Å"Yes, and your mother too.† â€Å"Oh good, I didn't want to put one of my brothers through breaking the painful news.† I turned and led my camel away. â€Å"Go with God, Levi,† James said. I turned. â€Å"James, it is written, ‘To the work you are entitled, but not the fruits thereof.'† â€Å"I've never heard that. Where is that written?† â€Å"In the Bhagavad Gita, James. It's a long poem about going into battle, and this warrior's god tells him not to worry about killing his kinsmen in battle, because they are already dead, they just don't know it yet. I don't know what made me think of it.† My father hugged me until I thought he'd broken my ribs, then he handed me off to my mother, who did the same until she seemed to come to her senses, then she began to cuff me about the head and shoulders with her sandal, which she had whipped off with surprising speed and dexterity for a woman her age. â€Å"Seventeen years you're gone and you couldn't write?† â€Å"You don't know how to read.† â€Å"So you couldn't send word, smart mouth?† I fended off the blows by directing their energy away from me, as I had been taught at the monastery, and soon two small boys who I didn't recognize were catching the brunt of the beating. Fearing lawsuits from small strangers, I caught my mother's arms and hugged them to her sides as I looked at my father, nodded to the two little ones, and raised my eyebrows as if to say, Who are the squirts? â€Å"Those are your brothers, Moses and Japeth,† my father said. â€Å"Moses is six and Japeth is five.† The little guys grinned. Both were missing front teeth, probably sacrificed to the squirming harpy I was currently holding at bay. My father beamed as if to say, I can still build the aqueduct – lay a little pipe, if you know what I mean – when I need to. I scowled as if to say, Look, I was barely able to hold on to my respect for you when I found out what you did to make the first three of us; these little fellows are only evidence that you've no memory for suffering. â€Å"Mother, if I let you go will you calm down?† I looked over her shoulder at Japeth and Moses. â€Å"I used to tell people she was besought by a demon, do you guys do that?† I winked at them. They giggled as if to say, Please, end our suffering, kill us, kill us now, or kill this bitch that plagues us like the torments of Job. Okay, maybe I was just imagining that's what they were saying. Maybe they were just giggling. I let my mother go and she backed off. â€Å"Japeth, Moses,† Mother said, â€Å"come meet Biff. You've heard your father and me talk about our oldest disappointment – well, this is him. Now run and get your other brothers, I'll go fix something nice.† My brothers Shem and Lucius brought their families and joined us for dinner and we all lay around the table as Mother served us something nice, I'm not sure what it was. (I know I've said that I was the oldest of three brothers, and obviously, with the squirts, it was five, but dammit, by the time I met Japeth and Moses I was too old to have the time to torment them, so they never really paid their dues as brothers. They were more like, oh, pets.) â€Å"Mother, I've brought you a gift from the East,† I said, running out to the camel to retrieve a package. â€Å"What is it?† â€Å"It's a breeding mongoose,† I said, tapping on the cage. The little scamp tried to bite the pad off of my finger. â€Å"But there's only one.† â€Å"Well, there were two, but one escaped, so now there's one. They'll attack a snake ten times their size.† â€Å"It looks like a rat.† I lowered my voice and whispered conspiratorially, â€Å"In India, the women train them to sit on their heads like hats. Very fashionable. Of course the fad hasn't reached Galilee yet, but in Antioch, no self-respecting woman will go out of the house without wearing a mongoose.† â€Å"Really,† said Mother, looking at the mongoose in a new light. She took the cage and stowed it gently away in the corner, as if it contained a delicate egg, rather than a vicious miniature of herself. â€Å"So,† said Mother, waving to her two daughters-in-law and the half-dozen grandchildren that loitered near the table, â€Å"your brothers married and gave me grandchildren.† â€Å"I'm happy for them, Mother.† Shem and Lucius hid their grins behind a crust of flatbread the same way they did when we were little and Mother was giving me hell. â€Å"All the places you traveled, you never met a nice girl you could settle down with?† â€Å"No, Mother.† â€Å"You can marry a gentile, you know. It would break my heart, but why did the tribes almost wipe out the Benjamites if it wasn't so a desperate boy could marry a gentile if he needs to? Not a Samaritan, but, you know, some other gentile. If you have to.† â€Å"Thanks, Mother, I'll keep that in mind.† Mother pretended to find some lint or something on my collar, which she picked at while she said, â€Å"So your friend Joshua never married either? You heard about his little sister Miriam, didn't you?† Here her voice went to a conspiratorial whisper. â€Å"Started wearing men's clothes and ran off to the island of Lesbos.† Back to normal nudging tone. â€Å"That's Greek, you know? You boys didn't go to Greece on your travels, did you?† â€Å"No, Mother, I really have to go.† I tried to stand and she grabbed me. â€Å"It's because your father has a Greek name, isn't it? I told you, Alphaeus, change the name, but you said you were proud of it. Well, I hope you're proud of it now. What's next, Lucius here will start hanging Jews on crosses like the other Romans?† â€Å"I'm not a Roman, Mother,† Lucius said wearily. â€Å"Lots of good Jews have Latin names.† â€Å"Not that it matters, Mother, but how do you think they get more Greeks?† To my mother's credit, she stopped for a second to think. I used the lull to escape. â€Å"Nice to see you guys.† I nodded to all of my relatives, old and new. â€Å"I'll come by and visit before I go. I have to go check on Joshua.† And I was out the door. I threw the door open at Joshua's old house without even knocking, nearly coldcocking Joshua's brother Judah in the process. â€Å"Josh, you've got to bring the kingdom soon or I'm going to have to kill my mother.† â€Å"She still plagued by demons?† asked Judah, who looked exactly as he had when he was four, except for the beard and the receding hairline, but he was as wide-eyed and goofy of smile as he had ever been. â€Å"No, I was just being hopeful when I used to say that.† â€Å"Will you join us for supper?† said Mary. Thank God she had aged: gone a little thicker around the hips and waist, developed some lines at the corner of her eyes and mouth. Now she was just the second or third most beautiful creature on earth. â€Å"Love to,† I said. James must have been home with his wife and children, as I guessed were the other sisters and brothers, except for Miriam, and I'd already been apprised of her whereabouts. At the table it was only Mary, Joshua, Judah, his pretty wife, Ruth, and two little redheaded girls that looked like their mother. I expressed my condolences for the family's loss, and Joshua filled me in on the timing of events. About the time that I spotted Mary's portrait on the temple wall in Nicobar, Joseph had taken ill with some disease of the water. He started peeing blood, and in a week he was bedridden. He lingered only a week longer before he died. He'd been buried for two months now. I looked at Joshua as Mary related this part of the story and he shook his head, meaning, too long in the grave, there's nothing I can do. Mary had known nothing about a message calling us home. â€Å"Even if you two had only been in Damascus you'd have been lucky to get here in time. He went so fast.† She was strong, had recovered somewhat from the loss, but Joshua appeared to still be in shock. â€Å"You have to go find Joshua's cousin John,† Mary said. â€Å"He's been preaching about the coming of the kingdom, of preparing the way for the Messiah.† â€Å"We've heard,† I said. â€Å"I'll stay here with you, Mother,† Joshua said. â€Å"James is right, I have responsibilities. I've shirked them too long.† Mary touched her son's face and looked in his eyes. â€Å"You will leave in the morning and you will find John the Baptist in Judea and you will do what God has ordained you do since he placed you in my womb. Your responsibilities are not to a bitter brother or an old woman.† Joshua looked at me. â€Å"Can you leave in the morning? I know it's soon after being gone so long.† â€Å"Actually, I thought I'd stay, Josh. Your mother needs someone to look after her, and she's still a relatively attractive woman. I mean, a guy could do worse.† Judah aspirated an olive pit and began coughing furiously until Joshua pounded him on the back and the pit shot across the room, leaving Judah gasping and staring at me through watery red eyes. I put my hand on Joshua and Judah's shoulders. â€Å"I think I can learn to love you both as sons.† I looked at the pretty but shy Ruth, who was tending the little girls. â€Å"And you, Ruth, I hope that you can learn to love me as a slightly older, but incredibly attractive close uncle. And you, Mary – â€Å" â€Å"Will you go with Joshua to Judea, Biff?† Mary interrupted. â€Å"Sure, first thing in the morning.† Joshua and Judah were still staring at me as if they'd both been smacked in the face with a large fish. â€Å"What?† I said. â€Å"How long have you guys known me? Jeez. Grow a sense of humor.† â€Å"Our father died,† said Joshua. â€Å"Yeah, but not today,† I said. â€Å"I'll meet you here in the morning.† The next morning, as we rode through the square, we passed Bartholomew, the village idiot, who looked no worse or less filthy for the years gone by, and who seemed to have come to some sort of understanding with his doggy friends. Instead of jumping all over him as they always had, now they sat quietly before him in a group, as if listening to a sermon. â€Å"Where have you been?† Bart called to us. â€Å"In the East.† â€Å"Why did you go there?† â€Å"We were looking for the Divine Spark,† Joshua said. â€Å"But we didn't know that when we left.† â€Å"Where are you going?† â€Å"To Judea, to find John the Baptist.† â€Å"He should be easier to find than the Spark. Can I come?† â€Å"Sure,† I said. â€Å"Bring your things.† â€Å"I don't have any things.† â€Å"Then bring your stench.† â€Å"That will follow on its own,† Bartholomew said. And thus we became three.