Here is another picture of the restored wetlands. This area is not particularly for treatment, however, it was restored to maintain a wild habitat. Just at first sight you would think you can walk around... however, it is extremely dangerous, first you will sink to your waist in the mud (if you are short like me) and two there is a lot of snakes + other organisms. So if you visit any wetland or swaps, please be mindful of the ecosystem (don't disturb it) and be careful were you walk around. Also, the Phinizy Swamps is a public park, and as such should be well treated (Don't throw your trash in it) :)

Treatment Wetlands

One of the greatest inventions by mother nature. The highest biological productivity can be found in wetlands ecosystems. Why? Well, for one thing they are constantly flooded with water and allows a lots of biological processes take place (Kadlec, 2009). Anyhow, these wonderful ecosystems can be designed to help mitigate some of the worst places that have been polluted by man. Also, these ecosystems are very 'easy' to construct and maintain -compared with other waste treatment infrastructures- they are cost-effective. When I found out all the applications of treatment wetlands, it was like Christmas for me. Isn't it great? Well to do all fairness to these wonderful places, I have to say that they are gorgeous and they sustain a variety of habits to all kinds of organisms. One in particular is the Blue Heron birds that everybody loves to see. Anyhow, I am not a good writer but I just had to post this picture from the Phinizy Swaps in GA. You should check them out. Dr. Eidson and collaborators made this possible and they did a great job.

Cacao Industry

Many crops world wide have a tendency to degrade the environment because of mass production, over fertilization, and over use of ubiquitous pesticed. Monocrop over time can severely degrad the soil and prone to be subject to pest because of lack of biodiversity around the crop. Therefore, small farmers are a better way to promote environmental-friendly agricultural practices.


One of the crop that can only grow in tropical weather, with lots of rain, is the cacao plant. The cacao plant is grown in places with enough shade, warm temperatures, and enough humidity. It is grown mostly by small farmers around latinameria, Africa and Asia. Because of it sensitivity to the sun and light, it requires shade provided by other trees; thus, promoting biodiversity and other crop productions that can help meet the farmers' needs. These combinations of agricultural practices help the cocao plant preserve the environment and biodiversity of the area.
This crop it is not only world-wild enjoyed, and it is exported everywhere year round as well.

Therefore, I considered worstwhile to talk about its benefits and to promote its consumption. However, if you have tasted a good chocolate, then you know that it is reason enough to maintain and promote its production. I invite you to watch this ~15 min video if you enjoy chocolate and learning a bit more about its production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tez9RZZIwC8

Wedding details, Jun 14, 2008

Mis sister Dora and her husband Jose helped me to plan the wedding. They did a lot for us. They also made possible that my mom were able to watch the wedding ceremony and the reception. Thank you so much.
Here you can see all the food. Some of the things that were in the menu was the Pupusas, salsa, curtido (Lima's), Sushi, variety of cheese and crackers, fruit, Chips (Dora). Pecan pie, Cheesecake (Principal wedding cake), banana bread, pineapple bread, crab deep, pound cake (Wanda Grayso). Carrot cake and white cake (Christine Christensen). And trail mix, sweets, and vegetables, chips, pretzels, etc. from Lorena and Laura. I hope I got everything right. There was so much food, and I am so happy and thankful for everyone!

Christine Christensen, Laura Thompson, and Lorena Durham with Liam Durham. They made possible that the Seneca Chapel look pretty for the wedding, and the food and the wedding cake. Everything was decorade by them, and it was beautiful!. Thank you so much for all you did. The wedding was so beautiful and I owe it to you and mi sister Dora and Wanda Grayson, whom prepared most of the food.

Lorena Durham, my good friend who set up and arranged the Seneca Ward for the wedding. She also got married in Seneca Ward and President White was also who did the marriage for them. Gracias amiga. Te quiero mucho.

More pictures from our wedding. This was taken by the Lima's. They are from El Salvador. They also made Pupusas for the reception. Pupusas are a national dish and is made from corn tortilla and cheese.

Very good family picture, though we are missing Breanna, Michael's sister. On the far left Mariel, Elizabeth Scoville, Jose Alonzo, Dora de Alonzo, Victor Alonzo, Grace Morrissey, Karla Contreras, Edith de Sierra (mi tia), Michael and me, and James and Wanda Grayson.

I really like this picture. It is a close-up and we both look good. My baby is so cute. Te quiero pollito. Below is also another good picture. I like the picture behind us. It is when Jesus talked to Maria Magdalena, one of my favorite events in the scriptures.

Wedding date Jun 14, 2008

Our wedding was in Seneca Ward, and here is Michael,me and James and Wanda Grayson, Michael's parents.