Personality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Personality - Essay Example â€Å"The Naked Face† demonstrates that personality and physical appearance directly influence each other through their two-way feedback system. Paul Ekman, a psychologist from San Francisco, studied human facial expressions with Wallace Friesen. They contacted Silvan Tomkins, another professor of Psychology at Princeton and Rutger. Ekman showed Tomkins close-up pictures of two tribes, the peace-loving South Fore and the hostile and homosexuality-practicing Kukukuku (Gladwell 3). Tomkins correctly interpreted the personalities of these two tribes, when he said that the South Fore were â€Å"a sweet, gentle people, very indulgent, very peaceful," while the Kukukuku were â€Å"violent, and there is lots of evidence to suggest homosexuality† (Gladwell 3). ... These researchers also studied medical textbooks that identified facial muscles, and they determined the specific muscular movements that the face can produce. They recognized forty-three movements and labeled them as â€Å"action units or A.U.† (Gladwell 3). After that, they wrote the Facial Action Coding System, or FACS, which included all A.U. and the rules for â€Å"reading† them. Their study emphasizes that it is possible to know who people are from their faces only. Their research reveals another perplexing finding: people's expressions also affect their body. When people consciously project happiness, their bodies also show signs of happiness: â€Å"In the facial-feedback system, an expression you do not even know that you have can create an emotion you did not choose to feel† (Gladwell 5). Friesen and Ekman implicate that appearance can also influence people's emotions, and perhaps their personalities too. â€Å"The Story of My Body† disagrees with â€Å"The Naked Face,† because it believes that physical appearance can impact personality, only when people allow it to. Cofer says that as a child, she was quite bony and small compared to American or white counterparts. As a result, her peers called her â€Å"Skinny Bones† and â€Å"The Shrimp.† Even when people taunted her, however, she remained emotionally strong, because she focused on her academic skills instead. She decided to be a â€Å"brain† and not an athlete. Still, how people saw her also shaped her personality. For instance, when Cofer had chicken pox, she scratched them and had permanent scars all over her face. A nurse told her that her scars would â€Å"always† seem to other people that â€Å"a mad cat had plunged its claws deep into [her] skin.† This remark made her feel inferior and she

Strategic Human Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Strategic Human Resources - Essay Example It is a statement, which shows the company’s ideology and direction. Many things depend upon this. Employees get a clear picture of what is going to happen in the near and far future. On the other hand, there is confusion in many organizations that the HR is only limited to bring new faces in the company. S/he is hardly aware of what the company has as its target. The HR strategy clears this confusion proving the fact that the HR is an essential person in the organization who is very much aware of everything happening there and thus help in attaining an important goal of retaining the employees. (Messmer, 2001) The HR of a company clearly states what the company has done so far. All the ups and downs are openly discussed before people and therefore, the employees become aware of the results that have come out of the business strategy that has been obtained by the company so far. Periodic briefings regarding the goals and objectives of a particular project and sharing of information also help. Therefore, the management also thinks about new changes that can be brought into service for pacing up the company furthermore. (Messmer, 2001) Basically, HR strategy and HR theories meet at two points – requirements of the firm and requirements of the employee. An HR manager always tries to explain the reality with a theoretical perception. This helps him/her to compare the reality with the ideal. S/he tries to improve the company’s standard by deciphering its basic requirements comparing with the theory. On the other hand, requirements of the individuals are also the important matters to him/her. S/he tries to bring the equilibrium between the theory and reality. In his book ‘The Human Side of Enterprise† McGregor shows how Theory Y influences the effectiveness of managers and salaries and promotions. The two theories highlight two different orientation of behavior or disposition. Theory X

Demonstrative Communication Essay Example for Free

Demonstrative Communication Essay Provide examples showing how demonstrative communication can be effective and ineffective, positive and negative, for the sender and receiver.   Demonstrative Communication is the process of people’s thoughts and messages of communicating by actively listening in verbal and nonverbal communication. Depending on how a message is communicated, â€Å"can be effective and ineffective, either positive or negative† (Juancho24, 2012). Communication is used everywhere for instance all over the world. There are many forms of communication by applying communication process model for example; â€Å"sender/receiver, encoding, decoding, message, channel, and feedback† (Cheesbro, O’Connor, and Rios, 2010). Learning to develop communication skills can help individuals to carry appropriate conversations and to interpret the connection with one another. There are many ways to communicate verbal and nonverbal for example, a parent tells his child how proud he is to be his parent and then gives him a hug, the parent expresses verbal communication by using positive words and applies nonverbal communication with a hug, body language. Individuals express verbal communication through oral or written skills. Verbal communication is the tone of voice that indicates how engaged the topic is and the ability to realize the emotions perceived. A person’s tempo in a conversation can be understood with the ideas being communicated. When sending a message in verbal communication the words accustomed to, can convey differently then how the receiver defines the context. Nonverbal communication is unstoppable and significantly valuable as much as speaking with a loud tone of voice and communicating verbally. In nonverbal communication, â€Å"All types of communication do not involve the exchange of words,† is defined as nonverbal communication† (Rogers Steinfatt, 1999, p. 67). A facial expression is the most common skill used in nonverbal communication for example; a smile or frown, eye contact, body language, and gestures. Overall, nonverbal communication can be effective positively and can be negatively ineffective in two different points of views. First example, husbands and wives communicate with each other by observing each other’s body language. This is a positive way of communication by effectively knowing each others thoughts. Second example, Children know as soon as their parents turn to look at them, the meaning is to stop misbehaving and could mean they are in trouble. The second example used is both effective and ineffective. Third example, a smile or frown can interpret a person to be happy or angry. The person could also be interpreted as approachable or would rather be left alone. This is positively effective and negatively ineffective. Fourth example, an individual waving or a hand shake in America, can be interrupted as a friendly sign or a strong individual but can also be interrupted as insulting and rude in other countries. This example is both effective and ineffective with positive and negative communication. However, verbal communication consequently has similar negatively ineffective as positively effective. First example, the lack of listening leads to misconception and when listening carefully the outcome becomes essential to the receiver. Both examples are ineffective and effective. Second example, is the choice of vocabulary and taking into consideration who will be receiving the information. This is used by effectively positive. Third example, the lack of verbal speech and failing to interpret the proper speech causes misunderstanding. In another way the proper use of speech can help the receiver to understand what is being interpreted. Example is used by ineffective with negative outcome but if used correctly can be effective with positive outcomes. Explain how demonstrative communication involves listening and responding. Listening and responding is used in demonstrative communication to engage the active communication skill from sender to receiver. This process is very important to both sender and receiver, by actively listening and ready to respond. One example is a sender and receiver must be willing to communicate properly. â€Å"Accurate listening efficiency promotes retention of important information, resulting in fewer misunderstandings and on-the-job errors† (Wilson, n.d., p. 1). Once a sender is ready to send out a message it is important for the receiver to receive the correct information by evaluating the message sent, this way the receiver can respond back with feedback and a solution. Applying the steps in the communication process model, mentioned in the first paragraph of this essay will go hand in hand with the practice of listening and responding which will help by demonstrating communication through the steps being practice. An example of listening and responding with children is, â€Å"monkey see monkey do† (Uebergang, 2006, Dec.20). Listening and responding is a process to be learned as individuals who continues to repeat the process with a good attitude. Conclusion Communicating can never be avoided no matter how hard we try and cannot solve every issue. Demonstrative communicate is an ongoing process of how we interact within one another every day, in different settings of environment such as professional, at home, work, and community. Verbal and nonverbal communication is deceiving if misunderstood. Therefore, communicating can be a lifelong advancement. References Cheesebro, T., O’Connor, L., Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the workplace. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Juancho24 (2012, 02). Demonstrative Communication. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 02, 2012, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Demonstrative-Communication-914632.html Rogers, E. M., Steinfatt, T. M. (1999). Intercultural communication. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Uebergang, J. (2006, December 20). Teaching your child listening skills. Improving our â€Å"signals† and â€Å"beings.† Retrieved January 9, 2008, from http://www.earthlingcommunication.com/blog/teachingyour-child-listening-skills.php Wilson, B. (n.d.). Practical benefits of better listening forleaders and teams. Retrieved April 6, 2007, from www.businesslistening.com/leadership_listening-skills.php

Geological Observation of Kabaena Island

Geological Observation of Kabaena Island GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF KABAENA ISLAND, SOUTEAST SULAWESI: AN IMPLICATION OF HYDROCARBON OCCURRENCE IN FRONTIER AREA BASED ON OUTCROP ANALOGUE STUDY Iyan Fadhlurrohman* Aprila Fitriani Parma* Citra Fitriani** Adi Maulana* ABSTRACT Kabaena island, located in the southeast Sulawesi province, has a complex tectonic condition due to its history. Field research on the island indicates that Kabaena Island formed by the rendezvous between microcontinent plates with oceanic plates that made up the complex lane between ophiolite and metamorphic rocks. These rocks were found from the results of field geological mapping. The aim of this paper is to explain the geological condition and potential occurrences of hydrocarbon based on outcrop model and petrographic analysis. The results of petrographic observations indicate ultramafic rocks containing minerals Ca-Rich and Mg-Rich pyroxene and Olivine. While the metamorphic rocks show the occurrences of Chlorite, Amphibolite and sericite minerals. Observation of thin section in limestone lithology shows that these rocks had fracture porosity that might become reservoir rocks. The limestone unit had undergone metamorphism process and mostly changed into marble. The black shale rocks which from limestone units locally occurred on this island, mostly changed into metamorphic rocks and associated with low-level process that characterized several changes into slate. The black shale rocks may contain the organic matters as source rock potential. Tectonic conditions in the study area indicates the occurrence of thrust fault by ultramafic rocks from oceanic into microcontinent plate. The other analysis also indicates another strike slip fault correlating the presence of gas seepage points in limestone unit. Some outcrops found as result of a one week geological mapping on Kabaena island. Several samples were used in petrographic observations. Key Words: Kabaena Island, Reservoir Rock, Source Rock, Hydrocarbon. INTRODUCTION Hydrocarbon exploration research in eastern region of Indonesia was done by few, especially in Kabaena island. This area was formed by the rendezvous between microcontinent plates with oceanic plates that made up the complex lane between ophiolite and metamorphic rocks. Tectonic conditions in the study area indicates the occurrence of thrust fault by ultramafic rocks on the plates microcontinent. Previous research revealed the potential source rock in the form of black shale of Kabaena Island area. Vitrinite reflectance results included in catagenesis phase (oil window) and indicate the mature rock but potentially less of total organic carbon (TOC). These rocks are locally distributed in research area, characterized by poorly lateral continuity of black shale (Ibrahim et al., 2014). Therefore, geological observation is needed to determine the development of the geological conditions of the research area. This is a continuation of previous studies which showed some samples of the oil content has a pyrite content in them (Ibrahim et al., 2014). Although the total organic carbon in the sample is less potential, but it is needed to provide additional data for developing research of hydrocarbon potential in the research area and its implications for petroleum system. METHODS The geological mapping on Kabaena island were conducted to identify the characterization of each formation (Simandjuntak et al, 1993) from outcrop locations. This research conducted from early until late March 2016. A few sample were collected and had been analyzed in the laboratory with petrography methods to determine mineral and rock properties type as characteristics and hydrocarbon potential occurrence. RESULTS Geology of Research Area Geomorphology Geomorphology observation in research area is generally comprised of plains and mountains. The morphological units of research area are divided based on classification of landform (Brahmantyo and Bandono, 2006) using topography analysis, DEM map analysis and field observation. Based on that, the units divided into mountains faults, karst hills, plains of rivers, and coastal plains.   The mountains faults and karst mountains are generally composed by pompangeo complex, ultramafic complex, and formation Matano. Whereas the landscape river plains and coastal plains composed by Langkowala formations and alluvial deposits. Characteristic of river flow system is a sub-dendritic pattern with vertical and lateral erosion. Land use is generally for residential land, plantation and mining areas. Stratigraphy The general lithology that was exposed on the research area comprised of sedimentary rock, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. The Rocks outcrop are commonly in scouring the walls due to roads expansion and bottom of rivers. The research area consists with various Pre-Tertiary rocks, Tertiary, and Quaternary. Pre-Tertiary Cretaceous rocks became the oldest rocks on Kabaena island, composed of ultramafic Complex, Matano Formation, and Pompangeo Complex from Cretaceous period to Paleocene epoch. The tertiary rocks composed of Miocene Formation of Langkowala and then Alluvium complete the formation from quaternary (Simanjuntak, et al., 1993). This research focused on Pre-Tertiary rocks that has implication of hydrocarbon occurrence. Ultramafic rocks in the area observed as shattered zone which influenced by the tectonic structure of thrust fault. The Lithological unit founded as Peridotite, Dunite and locally serpentinite. In the field observation, the peridotite showed grayish black physical characteristics and reddish condition of weathering (Figure 3).   That litholohy has holocrystalline texture, phaneritic granularity, subhedral-euhedral crystal shape, equigranular texture relation, and massive structures. Pompangeo complex are generally composed of low-moderate grade metamorphic rocks. Lithology which composed these metamorphic rocks are phyllite, mica schist, amphibole schist and chlorite schist. The field observation from the metamorphic rocks shown that foliated structure with direction relatively changing. It also showed the structure of the minor folds found in the study area (Figure 3). On Matano formations, limestone is spread on the east to the south of research area. These rocks characterized with carbonate minerals such as calcite and dolomite as the form of diagenetic process. Limestone lithology unit on the research area mostly changed into meta-limestone and marble which can be seen on petrographic observations in the form of a change of the mineral calcite. The Matano formation also formed a black shale lithological unit that generally changed into slate (Figure 4). Geological Structure The geological structure in research area was formed by thrust fault and strike-slip fault which refers to the geological map sheet of Kolaka, South East Sulawesi (Simandjuntak, et al., 1993). Each fault composed of irregular direction. The major stress direction commonly from Northeast to Southwest and Northwest to Southeast. Strike slip fault might control the deposition of rocks while the thrust fault limiting each lithology. The faults only found in pre-tertiary rocks. Tertiary rocks are not affected by the presence of faults. Petrography Analysis The results of petrography analysis were observed on thin section from rock samples of peridotite, amphibolite schist, slate, limestone, and shale. Peridotite rocks characterized with holocrystalline and phaneritic texture which composed by Ca-Rich Pyroxene, Mg-Rich pyroxene, and olivine Mineral Group (Figure 5). Based on the mineral content (Streckeisen, 1976) peridotite rocks classified as harzburgite, olivine websterite, and wherlite (Figure 6). Petrographic observations for muscovite schist shows foliated structure which composed of muscovite, Actinolite, Hornblende, and quartz (Figure 7). While at slate textures encountered sub-ophitic form with mineral content of clay minerals, quartz and calcite. On Matano formations limestone shows the occurrence of calcite and dolomite minerals which spread on each sample (Figure 8). A few samples encountered showed a type of fracture porosity as part of secondary pores.   Shale rock composed by clay minerals, quartz, and calcite mineral due to dissolution from carbonate rocks. Petroleum Implication The presence of source rock and reservoir rock from Matano formation made the research more focused into this formation based on potential hydrocarbon occurrence. Matano formation in the study area is scattered in the middle to the eastern part of research area. Reservoir rock that could potentially save the hydrocarbon reserves in the form of crystalline limestones, while the host rock in the form of black shale. Source rock is an important element in determining the quality of produced hydrocarbons. Source rocks in the study site were found in Matano formation that had partially transformed into slate rocks due to pressure and temperature. It is associated with the process of low level metamorphism in the study area. Based on the results of geological mapping, the black shale rocks scattered in several locations and has the type of local deployment. It can be seen on the field observation stations map. The results of geochemical analysis show host rock into the category of mature but has unfavorable TOC value (Ibrahim et al. 2014). Potential reservoir rocks in the study area was found in the Matano formations lithology, with its characteristic crystalline limestones. Limestone is spread laterally with layer thickness of 200-500m. Based on field observations gas seepage was found on one of observation station. Petrographic observations on thin section analysis shows rock porosity with 0-5%. P orosity that can be found was the fracture porosity. However, interconnectivity of pores is poor, because of the existence of calcite and dolomite cement and the recrystallization of calcite matrix. It might reduce pores which results in lower porosity and permeability quality. CONCLUSIONS The geological condition on research area comprised of geomorphological analysis which composed of mountains faults, karst hills, plains of rivers, and coastal plains morphological units, stratigraphical analysis which formed by ultramafic complex, matano formation, pompangeo complex, langkowala formation, and alluvium deposit. While the research area characterized by thrust fault, and strike slip fault with major direction stress northeast to southwest and northwest to southeast. Based on the petrographical analysis, the reservoir target which is a limestone of matano formation with limestone lithology characterized with fracture porosity which has poor quality of pores (0%-5%) while source rock target from black shale has bad TOC value. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors want to express their thanks to all the family in geological department University of Hasanuddin which have given attention and support to do geological field mapping. Special thanks to Mr. Kaharuddin MS whom always give moral support to finish the research activity. REFERENCES      Ã‚   Simandjuntak, T.O., Surono, and Sukido, 1993, Geological Map sheet of Kolaka, Sulawesi, 1:250.000, Geological Research and Development Centre, Bandung. Ibrahim, M. A., Rustandi, U., Suryana, A., 2014, Penyelidikan Bitumen Padat Daerah Pulau Kabaena Kabupaten Bombana, Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara. Proceedings Geological Resource Center. Surono, 1994, Stratigraphy of The Southeast Sulawesi Continental Terrane, Eastern Indonesia. Journal of Geology and Mineral Resources, V. IV, Pp. 4-11, April 1994 Brahmantyo, B., and Bandono, 2006, Classification of Earth Landform for Geomorphological Mapping at Scale 1: 25,000 and Its Application to Spatial Analysis.Geoaplika Journal Vol. 1 No. 2, 2006, Hal. 71-78 Figure 1 Geological Map of Kabaena Island (Modified after Simandjuntak, 1993) Figure 2 Stratigraphy of Southeast Sulawesi (Modified after Surono, 1993) Figure 3 Outcrop Location for peridotite and schist lithology. The schist sample location exist on a few station location which spread from North to Northeast from the map whereas peridotite spread on northeast to southwest. Figure 4 An outcrop observation map of limestone and shale lithology. Limestone from ST14 location characterized as crystalline with a massive structure whereas ST23 characterized as limestone interbedded with shale. ST9 and ST15 location characterized as calcareous shale as an occurrence of calcite minerals. Figure 5 Thin section of peridotite showed exist of Ortho-pyroxene mineral interpreted as hypersthene (4F). Some of olivine (6F) and Clino-pyroxene (1I) exist on this sample Figure 6 Mineral plotting for occurrence of major mineral (Opx-Cpx-Ol) from ultramafic igneus rock classification (Streckeisen, 1976) Figure 7 Sample A interpreted as schist muscovite which dominated by muscovite, hornblende, and sericite. Sericite mineral as changing from muscovite mineral (1B). Sample B shown occurrence of clay mineral (5I) and calcite (2H). This sample interpreted as calcareous shale Figure 8 Thin section of limestone sample shown the occurrence of fracture porosity (A. 6A-6F) Sample A and B dominated by dolomite while Sample C and D shown that the calcite minerals had changed as metamorphic process

No, Robots Arent Killing the American Dream Analysis

No, Robots Arent Killing the American Dream Analysis Shivam Gupta No, Robots Arent Killing the American Dream Everybody has problems, be it in their personal, social, or professional life. Some problems, however, involve all aspects of life and we are asked to choose a side. So is the issue with our fellow Americans who are facing difficulties in finding jobs. Some blame the economy and immigration while others believe that it is because of the advancement in technology. Artificial Intelligence has taken control over the entire world and has turned peoples attention to the future of their jobs. There are those who fear that robots are going to replace them, but, on the other hand, there are those who believe that the advancement of robots is going help them make life easier. However, according to some people, robots are not to be blamed for the competition in the job market. I agree with the New York Times article No, Robots Arent Killing the American Dream, real issue is not robots nor the advancing technology, rather, the real problems are the politicians and the policies they have impleme nted. Although people believe that robots are taking over the job market, data shows that it isnt the case. People like Christine Lagarde, former president Barack Obama believe that the robots are the reason behind the economic pain of globalization and that the economic dislocation would come over from automation (Editorial Board 1). If this was the case, you would see surge in the Capital Investment and Labor productivity as technology increases productivity and people invest more in technology. Instead, the data from the article shows that after the initial increase in the 1996-2002, both the investment and the productivity have gone down substantially. The Usage of data in the article shows the actual happenings in the world compared to what people are saying. Automation not only substitutes human labor, former complements the latter. It is the policies that the current government fails to implement and take action which prevents workers to share the earned wealth from technology-led-growth. The case wasnt the same for the 20th century where due to automation in the farms the result was mass migration of Americans from rural to urban areas in search of jobs and there came the knowledge of using automation in high schools to prepare students for the future. Young people were taught how to use the appropriate automation. Another example was when the productivity due to automation led to vast profits in the industries, the democrats at that time made policies which support workers and helped raise their pay. Ever since the World War II happened the education has taken a drift from the current scenario and the people in power are not doing anything regarding the issue. The result of this situation is that the rich are getting richer and the la bor class getting poorer. Politicians still target the immigrants and robots for the misery that they have brought upon the middle-class families due to their own failures. To disengage the doings, the policies made need to be revived, and new ones enacted. I agree with the New York Times article No, Robots Arent Killing the American Dream, real issue is not robots nor the advancing technology, rather, the real problems are the politicians and the policies they have implemented. To decrease the effects of the problem, people need to be educated in using the technology. Even though the robots have taken workers place, the reason behind is the extra spending that the employers have to do on workers compared to the negligible maintenance they have to spend on machines. You need to understand the real problem here, the people in-charge, and take action towards them in order to not be sidelined by technology. Works Cited No, Robots Arent Killing the American Dream. The New York Times 20 Feb. 2017. Web. 1 Mar. 2017.

Change Essay -- essays research papers

Change is something that is constantly occurring in our lives. Not a single moment goes by when everything in our lives will remain consistent. Indeed, it has become apparent to us that the only thing which in fact survives change, is change itself. Time and experience allows change to eventually reform and alter everything from the way it originally was. From ourselves physically, to those around us emotionally, to the way in which we perceive the entirety of the world everything it eventually changes. Most of the time we are not even explicitly aware of such changes occurring, but none-the-less they are indeed occurring. Change is a natural process that cannot be easily stopped or controlled. When we think of the things we valued at the age of, five, ten and even fifteen, the constant abundance of change in our lives become apparent. However, it is due to the unpredictability that change promotes in our life, that has made many perceive the ideology of change to be something which should be viewed as a negative in our lives today. However, we should passionately revolt against this notion. It is change which has bought about some of the greatest events in history. Had their not have been change in our past, there would never have been an industrial revolution and we would not be able to live in the liberalist country in which we do today, where we can voice our opinions without being under threat of persecution. This embracement of change which we sh... Change Essay -- essays research papers Change is something that is constantly occurring in our lives. Not a single moment goes by when everything in our lives will remain consistent. Indeed, it has become apparent to us that the only thing which in fact survives change, is change itself. Time and experience allows change to eventually reform and alter everything from the way it originally was. From ourselves physically, to those around us emotionally, to the way in which we perceive the entirety of the world everything it eventually changes. Most of the time we are not even explicitly aware of such changes occurring, but none-the-less they are indeed occurring. Change is a natural process that cannot be easily stopped or controlled. When we think of the things we valued at the age of, five, ten and even fifteen, the constant abundance of change in our lives become apparent. However, it is due to the unpredictability that change promotes in our life, that has made many perceive the ideology of change to be something which should be viewed as a negative in our lives today. However, we should passionately revolt against this notion. It is change which has bought about some of the greatest events in history. Had their not have been change in our past, there would never have been an industrial revolution and we would not be able to live in the liberalist country in which we do today, where we can voice our opinions without being under threat of persecution. This embracement of change which we sh...

Patricia MacLachlans Sarah, Plain and Tall :: Patricia MacLachlan Sarah Plain and Tall

Patricia MacLachlan's Sarah, Plain and Tall By telling you the story, Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan portrays the importance of family and allows you to see that by through a little bit of hope and wishing your happiness can be fulfilled. She shows you how personal sacrifices occur when forming a successful family. Overall, this book provides insight on how powerful and meaningful family life can be. In Sarah, Plain and Tall the concept of family is the base on which the book is written. The meaning of the word "family" becomes the center of the Witting's world. You learn at the beginning of the story that Anna and Caleb's mother had died after giving birth to Caleb. So when they both learned that Papa placed an advertisement in the newspaper for a wife and received a response they were very excited. "No one spoke when Papa finished the letter. He kept looking at it in his hands, reading it over to himself. Finally, I turned my head a bit to sneak a look at Caleb. He was smiling. I smiled, too" (10). Anna and Caleb had no reservations about meeting this lady they only knew by the name of Sarah. They both yearned to have a mother back in their life again. After Sarah arrives, Anna is very apprehensive that Sarah will not like being in this new place. "I shook my head, turning the white stone over and over in my hand. I wished everything was as perfect as the stone. I wished that Papa and Caleb and I were perfect for Sarah" (21). The Wittings soon try to make their home Sarah's home as well. "I slept, dreaming a perfect dream. The fields had turned to a sea that gleamed like the sun on glass. And Sarah was happy" (37). They soon start to question Sarah's happiness. Sarah often talks about how she longs for the sea, her brother, and her three old aunts. Sarah speaks to Maggie (who had also responded to a newspaper ad) and tells her about her sorrows. Maggie says, "There are always things to miss. No matter where you are" (40). Maggie then shows Sarah how she can relate to her new life by growing her own garden and gaining her independence back by learning to drive the wagon. After learning how to drive the wagon, Sarah decides to take a trip by herself.