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Ma Ying-jeou was elected president of Taiwan in March 2008. A Harvard-educated lawyer and popular public figure, Ma won the presidency by the largest vote margin in Taiwan's electoral history. His landslide election also brought the long-ruling Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) back to power after an eight-year hiatus.

12 to 14 year old girls can pull off those remarkable stunts, then more power to them.

What worries me far more than their age is the precedence it sets for future Olympics.

Will we see further bending of these rules and practices like this continue?

Most important: Avoid nasty bites.

McNeil Island.

Harbor seals are reclusive. Their favorite South Sound hangout is a sandy, protected spit on Gertrude

Why We Celebrate the New Year A legend of China recounts how people along the Yellow River Basin lived a simple, nomadic life, very content and happy. On a cold winter evening a mysterious being attacked the village and destroyed the villager's property. A village meeting was held and precautions taken to protect them from the intruder. Noting happened and people went about their daily routines. Then the mysterious being struck again, causing even greater damage to lives and property. Again, the villagers gathered and prepared for their safety. And again, nothing happened and people went about their normal activity, feeling secure and safe. But the mysterious force struck a third time, causing much loss and great fear among the villagers. An elderly scholar had studied the intrusions, watching the stars and heavenly bodies and recording their movements. He explained that the intruder came when the heavenly bodies were in a particular order and after the sun had appeared 365 times. The villagers studied this theory closely and learned that the intruder feared three things: the color red, illumination and noise. They called the intruder Nien or year. On the following 365th day, preparations were made for the return of Nien. Houses were lit with lanterns, objects were painted bright red and loud noises were made until dawn of the next day. The villagers' plan worked and the mysterious intruder did not appear. It was decided that from then on, a thanksgiving ceremony would be held every 366th evening to thank all the god for their blessings. And that the same preparations would be made for the return of Nien, scaring away the evil deeds of the spirits. Thus we celebrate the new year, chasing away evil with fireworks and celebrating with festivity and food.

largest bird native to Australia

second-largest extant bird in the world by height

over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest and arid areas

story, direction, acting, camera work, and editing

In large commercial productions, however, these jobs are carried out by different individuals and production crews under the overall supervision of a producer.

A producer for a large studio may handle mostly the production and postproduction business of getting a picture completed.

Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accummulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.

e was discovered by music producer Peter Hoffmann.

Thanksgiving that is celebrated with family and friends needs to be cherished so that in years to come it will be remembered as one of the best times in everyone’s life. This is why it is important to make that special pumpkin pie or even a green bean casserole that your grandma used to make. It is the traditional dishes that are brought by friends and loved ones that makes the dishes seem like gifts to the feast.

philosophical position that says that psychology, to be a science, must focus its attentions on what is observable

reflexology, and defined it as the objective study of stimulus-response connections

unconditioned stimulus and an unconditioned response -- a reflex

sailing through the backcountry

Alpine MeadowsWhere: Lake TahoeDodge trees and master your turns in the scenic backcountry of Tahoe City – and then turn in for the night in a Lake Tahoe rental. If you’ve got good control of your board, Alpine Meadows will delight but if you’re still learning, better move on to a more well-rounded resort. 

SnowbirdWhere: UtahNot many rides are smoother and gnarlier than the ones offered up by Utah’s highest and mightiest resort. The Zuagg, also known as the “Pipe Monster,” is enough to make any skilled boarder giddy.