Oh, and one other train voyage that I have on my bucket list (maybe it should be on yours too?) is the Trans-Siberian Railway. Or the Ghan in Australia.

Just saw your dilemma and I think it is a rather complex one! If we bring manufacturing (and even servicing) back to North America, people in the developing world are going to suffer for want of jobs! For example, the standard of living in India, especially in the cities, has been dramatically increased because of all the IT outsourcing that goes on! Because of the safety net in North America, people can survive inspite of all the outsourcing, but not so in the developing world! Innovation is the key in North America – ie. creating jobs that can only be done in North America! (eg. my calendar project on Calgary!!)

Re. buying goods at fair market value, keep in mind the actual producers of one set of goods, which may be sold through cooperatives etc., are different from the actual producers of another set of goods which may be sold at an unfair price but nevertheless provide jobs for that set of people! Either group will suffer if we don’t buy products from them! Hence I think there has to be a balance in the things we buy. However, well known companies like Wal Mart or Nike, can be checked out and educated/boycotted in various ways to bring about change….not very easy!

You should probably visit some fair price / unfair price producers/buyers in China or India to get a first hand look at the whole situation. In India, child labour is an absolute must in many cases if those families are to survive!

One campaign that is helping to bring about change is the One Campaign sponsored by U2. (one.org) I believe the Christian response should be first prayer and second action. Talking of response, the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, is holding a state-wide prayer rally on Aug. 6 in a big stadium in response to the economic and moral crisis in America. It’s aptly called “The Response.” The Apostle Paul had the same response when he wrote in Eph. 3:14: “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father.” Prayer is the best response because it moves the Hand that moves the world and also the hearts and minds of rulers! But prayer is also the launching pad for further action. – GS

Thank you for your encouragement . I am definitely going to try! I think since the West Coast Trail, my drive to succeed and determination have been buried underneath other things… it’s about time I dug it up.

Thanks also for the counter-arguments, it’s so easy to only see one side of the coin (the negative side) sometimes. This semester is going to be my busiest one yet, it looks like, between school and portfolio work and job applications! I’ll need all the positivity and determination I can get

My counters to your thoughts on not being suitable:
1. Portfolios can be updated and made over. With a little motivation it will get done faster.
2. Those four months would be enough to get your foot in the door; perhaps once you finish school they would really want you back. If you don’t give them the chance to see what you’re capable of, how would they know if they want to try and snag you back?
3. Grades are not the only things they’ll be looking for because grades don’t accurately display the true personality and creativity of an individual.
4. There is no such thing as comparing creativity in terms of amount. Everyone is creative. What gets compared is what kind of creativity you possess and use.

And I agree with all of your pros.

CalgaryHerald.com has the information on the avalanche if wish to read it. It helped me learn what truly happened. Just don’t read the comments, there’s a bunch of douches on there.