20903 Blog Feed: Gwatlan 2008-10-11 21:10:26 Gwatlan Your e-mail address 162351 2008-10-11 21:44:26 It was about ten years ago. Paul and I just arrived home from our honeymoon when I promised Ruby, my mother in law, that I would bake my famous chocolate cake for her sixtieth birthday.

On the night before the birthday, I prepared myself to make the cake. I recalled my mother’s advice that the egg yolks had to be separated from the whites very carefully to make sure that there was not even the smallest speck of yolk in the whites. The egg whites fluffed beautifully and it reminded me of the highest mountain peak of the Himalayas. The rest of the steps of mixing, folding and baking the dark sweet indulgence went perfectly well. The next thing was to make the mouth watering chocolate butter icing to spread on the cake where I would top it with strawberries. Some green leafy ferns and white chocolate curls will make the last finishing touches to the beautiful and elegant decorations. I remembered that I bought some icing sugar. My eager and helpful husband had put it in a jar. He labelled all the containers where I was supposed to keep salt, sugar, flour etc. I found the glass jar with a label that said icing sugar and quickly without any hesitation I measured the white substance and poured it into the softened unsalted butter, and I mixed it together with melted dark chocolate. The spread of the shiny icing was amazingly smooth and even on the high cake and I was proud of myself.

The barbeque lunch was superb and Ruby was delighted with the pearl necklace that we bought in Singapore for her birthday present. Then, my big moment came when Sam, my father in law, carried the beautifully decorated chocolate cake to the table and he proudly announced that his new daughter in law had made it special for his loving wife.

I put a big chunk of the cake into my mouth and to my horror the cake tasted very salty. It explained why people left their cake on the table after the first bite. I wished there was a disastrous earthquake that split the ground open at that very moment so I could jump and disappear. The fact that nobody said anything about it made the embarrassing situation even worst. Then I saw my mother in law carefully examining and tasting her slice when suddenly she told everyone that it was only the icing that was salty and the cake itself was very delicious. Still my pride was deeply dented. Up until now, I had never told Paul that it was actually his fault that I put salt instead of sugar in the icing. He had put salt in the jar with icing sugar label on it.

 ]]> 162035 2008-10-11 01:21:12 Golden Diosma

Botanical Name: Caleonema Pulchrum Aurea
A very versatile evergreen shrub with pleasant aromatic heath-like leaves. It bears small starlike whitish pink flowers in spring. It tolerates frost and hates warm and humid tropical climate.

It can grow up to 2 m high (6”) and the dwarf variety (Caleonema Pulchrum Compactum) will grow up to 1 m (3”). It is better to clip this plat regularly to maintain a compact shape, otherwise it will be a bit rangy. It is good to use this plants for hedging or borders and should be grown about 25 cm apart (12 inches). It is better grown in full sun or partly shade area.

The use of golden diosma in a home garden will give the garden a manicured look if they are regularly trimmed and shaped. Some people shape these plants round like ball or egg shapes.


Centre  Top  center with orange flower is Orange Browalia;  Top Right with yellow flowers is Genista Racemosa; Bottom right is Dwarf nandina and Bottom center is Golden Diosma.

Orange Browalia (Streptosolen Jamessonii)

This evergreen shrub which is also known as Marmalade Bush is a native plant of South America and the National flowers of Colombia. It has small bright orange bell shape flowers which grow profusely mostly in spring and summer. If grown in colder climate, it needs some kind of protection against frost. Respond well to light pruning to maintain a good compact shape and it can grow up to 1 meter high (3”). Best grown in sandy loam soil or any other well drain soil. It is better to add organic matter like compost.

Orange browalia is perfect if you like a display of showy bright orange flowers in your garden.


Dwarf Nandina

Nandina Domestica Nana or dwarf nandina is a variety of Japanese Sacred Bamboo. It has green to bright reddish foliage. During warmer months, the foliage will be green and during the winter in colder months the leaves can change to bright red to burgundy. It is best grown in poor soil and hates too much fertiliser. So once established, it is better to leave them alone as the drier and the poorer the soil the better. It only needs occasional light pruning to maintain the shape.

This dwarf variety of nandina can grow up to 30 cm (12 inch) tall. Suitable for hedging or border, very hardy, frost resistance, drought tolerance and can be used in coastal planting. 

Genista Racemosa

This hardy evergreen plant is also known as Sweet Broom or Cystisus Racemosa. Originally it is from Canary Island. A very quick growing plant which can grow up to 2 meters (6 ft) high. It is perfect to make a topiary. It has a compound leaves which consist of three oval leaflets. In spring it will bloom profusely with a display of bright yellow small pea-like flowers. Best grown in warmer area and it needs very low maintenance. Will do well in average well drain soil with full sun position and it hardly needs any fertilizer.

 

]]> 161661 2008-10-10 06:16:38 Masih ingat kutipan beken dari Romeo and Juliet "What's in a name? That which we call a rose ....By any other name would smell as sweet."

Kalau dipikir ya betul juga kutipan ini. Kalau kita ganti nama mawar dengan kentut busukpun, bunga ini tetap akan wangi. Aku jadi mikir tentang nama nama orang. Banyak orang tua menamakan anak mereka dengan apa yang diharapkan untuk anak tersebut. Misalnya nama Satria, Teguh, Agung, Ayu, Lestari dsb. Nama nama ini begitu umum jadi orang tidak lagi memikirkan apa artinya, apa lagi membandingkan kepribadian seseorang dengan arti namanya.

Kanapa aku tiba2 memikirkan nama? Hari ini seorang teman kerjaku kena laringitis, jadi hampir2 dia tidak bisa berbicara. Anehnya suasana tempat kerja  terutama disaat jam makan siang jadi lain tidak seperti biasanya. Aku jadi pikir hal ini disebabkan oleh karena teman tersebut tidak banyak berbicara. Aku jadi sadar betapa indahnya persona teman yang satu ini, dia ramah tamah, kocak, cocok dengan siapapun dan yang paling penting dia mampu membuat suasana tempat kerja ceria.

Dia sesosok wanita yang disukai bukan karena dia cantik, tapi karena sifatnya yang seindah arti namanya mampu menerangkan suasana kelabu. Soleil adalah bahasa Perancis yang berarti Matahari. Tapi kita memanggilnya Sol yang juga berarti matahari di bahasa Spanyol atau Latin. Jadi seterang namanya, Sol selalu membuat suasana tempat kerjaku cerah ceria. Dia mampu membuat siapapun tersenyum atau tertawa dan hilanglah perasaan jenuh yang sering melanda suasana tempat kerja. Begitu dia muncul pagi2 ditempat kerja, akan kedengaran suaranya yang dengan ramah dan penuh antusias menyapa kita kita semua. Kalau dia udah melucu jangan ditanya lagi, suasana ruang makan pun jadi penuh dengan tawa ria.

Kuharap buat Sol supaya sakit tenggorokannya cepat sembuh. Tanpa tutur sapamu yang ramah tamah, tanpa ceria dan tawamu suasana tempat kerja terlalu membosankan.

Kalau anda memiliki seseorang, mungkin pasangan hidup, saudara atau teman seperti Sol ini, anda beruntung sekali. Aku tak terbiasa memikirkan arti nama seseorang dan membandingkan dengan kepribadian orang tersebut. Tapi dengan teman yang satu ini, namanya jelas jelas memancarkan kepribadiannya. Semua ditempat kerjaku menyukai Sol...............



 

]]> 161142 2008-10-09 05:40:51
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t3ENUqV5-bw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t3ENUqV5-bw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> ]]> 161134 2008-10-09 05:01:19 Aku ingat dulu waktu zaman masih kecil Papa sering bilang pepatah Jawa yang bilang "Uwis dike'i ati isih ngrogoh rempela". Yang artinya seseorang yang udah diberi kebaikan tapi masih tidak bisa puas dan masih minta diberi lebih banyak lagi.  Jadi peribahasa ini menggambarkan orang yang rakus dan memikirkan diri sendiri.

Hidup ini idealnya adalah "give and take". Kalau kita menerima kebaikan dari seseorang kita harus membalasnya dengan kebaikan juga. Walaupun banyak orang yang lebih suka memberi tanpa mengharapkan balasan, tapi bukan berarti ini disalah gunakan dan menganggap kebaikan ini sebagai sumber rejeki yang engga ada habisnya.

Kalau orang Barat itu sifatnya aku aku, kamu kamu dan apa apa diperhitungkan atau istilah bahasa Belandanya "zakelijk". Runyamnya kita2 orang Indonesia (terutama yang dari tanah Jawa) itu sering berperasaan tidak enak terhadap orang lain. Banyak hal2 yang kita ucapkan itu hanya sekedar basa basi atau kalau dimaksudkan dalam arti yang sebenarnya ya ada batas batas tertentu yang kita-kita tahu jangan dilanggar.

Contohnya adalah tetangga baru diseberang.  Belum lama ini dia butuh jeruk lemon dan kebetulan pohon kita yang mungil didepan rumah sedang berbuah dan banyak yang udah kuning siap untuk dipetik. Dia ngetok pintu dan bilang boleh engga minta dua biji lemon. Nah aku  yang masih berpikiran seperti kebanyakan orang Indonesia, menyahut boleh saja. Terus aku ambil kantong plastik dan kupetik lemon kira-kira 12 biji dan kuberikan pada sang tetangga. Sebagai basa basinya orang asal Indonesia, aku bilang kalau butuh lagi silahkan petik sendiri. Kalau kita orang Indonesia ya tahu apa artinya ini. Tapi ternyata tetangga seberang itu betul2 mengartikan pesanku itu dalam arti yang lainnya. Kemarin ini aku pulang kerumah dan semua lemon yang kuning2 musnah dari pohon. Wah dalam hati aku nyeletuk sendiri "ada yang maling buah lemon"...............Eh tergopoh, gopoh tetangga seberang menghampiriku dan bilang terima kasih lemonnya, dia petik yang kuning kuning karena saudaranya pada datang dan mereka mau lemon......Wah, wah dalam hati aku bilang udah diberi hati masih nyolong ampela......Maksudku dia boleh memetik sendiri itu adalah untuk kebutuhan sendiri. Kalau dia mau memenuhi kebutuhan sanak saudaranya atau semua teman temannya ya bisa beli ditoko. Siapakah yang salah dalam hal ini? Bukankah hidup ini ada nalar-nya?

Suamiku yang orang bule nyalahkan aku. Dia bilang seharusnya aku jangan berpesan kalau dia butuh lemon silahkan ambil sendiri. Seharusnya aku bilang kalau butuh lagi silahkan ketok pintu dan minta jadi kita bisa petikin.........Tapi nulariku masih percaya bahwa rata2 manusia itu punya "common sense"...hanya dimanapun didunia ini ada saja sebagian kecil manusia yang sedihnya tak memiliki nalarnya kebanyakan orang. Salah satunya  ya orang itu yang tinggal diseberang rumahku itu.

Sekian dulu ini warna warni ini, semoga bisa untuk kita renungkan.........................

 ]]> 160230 2008-10-07 07:12:08 It is a powerful song with strong lyrics  ..........There were times when we stumbled and were hurting each other, but somehow I believe that love can conquer frictions in a relationship....

Couldn't Have Said It Better
Meatloaf

And you said nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

Little lady, I think there's something on your mind
I've known you long enough to know
The words are not that hard to find

And the harder you try and the longer you go
Well there's nothing but love in those eyes anymore
You know what to say but you never know how
You can keep your mouth shut because it doesn't really matter right now

I will guide you all the way
Because I know exactly what you're trying to say

You have the right to remain silent
I'll get the lights... you get that smile and you say nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

I see the angels, they're standing right outside your door
Girl: They're watching over me, they're watching over us all
You can send them home tonight, because you won't need them anymore
Girl: In your arms I think I've found the safest place to fall
When I step in the door and I stare at your face
There are so many things that I wish I could say
Well I struggle with words but they put up a fight
You can keep your mouth shut, because it doesn't really matter tonight

I will guide you all the way tonight
Because I know exactly what you're trying to say

Girl: You have the right to remain silent
I'll get the light... you get that smile and you say nothing at all

Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like love nobody else

And I know you feel the same
You've been searching for the words,
Now you know what to say

Just say nothing - Don't say a word
Silence is gold - Don't say a word

This is the moment we've been waiting for
Girl: If I exercise my right
I will take your body language and hold it against you tonight

And I know you feel the same
I've wondered all my life, if this moment comes would I know what to say
Then you say nothing at all
Girl: So many times I stumbled on the words I wanted to say
You say nothing at all
Girl: So many thoughts, that I should have just let my heart explain
You say nothing at all
Girl: So many ways we could turn the words around
You say nothing at all
Girl: So many nights our hearts came crashing to the ground
You say nothing at all
Girl: So many dreams that are finally coming true
Well, I couldn't have said it better myself
Girl: Now you finish me off when you finish my thoughts the way you do

You say nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zCKN7XqSQw8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zCKN7XqSQw8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
]]> 156952 2008-09-29 06:51:49 Bagi mereka yang merayakannya, saya mengucapkan:

SELAMAT HARI RAYA IDUL FITRI 1 SYAWAL 1429 H

MINAL 'AIDIN WAL FAIDZIN... MOHON MAAF LAHIR & BATHIN
 
 ]]> 154822 2008-09-23 23:31:04 The tropical morning sun was cheery and bright and the warmth was caressing both our body and thoughts. We were both madly and deeply in love. How funny that you tried so hard not to show your feelings around my family. The local culture never allowed lovers to show their feelings in public. It had been two days since we arrived in my home town and it was very hard for you not to hold my hand, not to play with my fingers and caressing the edges of my long finger nails. The very first time you did it you asked me:
“Are these nails real or fake?” What a silly question……
“Of course they are real, they are my pride and joy,” I answered softly. Playfully you flicked the red amber coloured nails gently as to confirm that they were genuine.
“Be careful will you? I don’t want you to break them!” You lifted your eyes from my hands and looked at me on the face.
“What kind of punishment will you give me if I break it? I’m willing to do anything for you….” With these words you pulled me close and kissed me gently on my lips.

The chartered car had arrived and the driver dusted the car’s interior while he was waiting for both of us to get ready. While I was putting my shoes on, my mum came to see if we were ready and I couldn’t believe it when she told me that my three younger siblings would come along with us.
“Hurry up you three!” She called out. “Your brother and sisters want to see the beach. I hope you don’t mind. Just watch them… don’t let them go in deep water.” She reminded me.
Your understanding of our language was poor, so you asked me what my mum was talking about. After I told you, you looked disappointed. Our chance of being alone together vanished.
“Who’s watching who?” you whispered into my ears. I laughed as I thought it was very funny.

Slowly the car was approaching a busy city market. Along the street there were endless displays of tropical fruits.
“Hey, aren’t they pineapples?” you asked, “Let’s stop and get some. You told me that pineapples here are very sweet.”
So both of us got out of the car and we walked to one of the biggest stall. I picked one of the pineapples and brought it close to my nose.
“What are you doing?” You asked me in surprise.
“I’m trying to smell it to see if it is ripe.”
“What? How strange…. Is that how you tell that they are good?” You picked one and tried to do the same. “Never smell a pineapple this sweet before, and they aren’t this colour, all of them are green.” It amused me, I thought that you were funny.
After I did some bargaining with the fruit vendor, I bought a dozen of those big orange prickly fruits.

The beautiful lagoon was secluded and quiet. The turquoise water was shimmering brightly against the sunlight. My three younger siblings squealed with delight to see the beach. The silent of the place was interrupted by the murmuring whispers of the coconut leaves that were blown gently by the ocean wind. Now and then we could hear the screams of the seagulls from afar. Both of us preferred not to swim in the lagoon as there was no fresh water to rinse. I hated the feeling of sticky salty water on my body. We walked hand in hand while watching my younger brother and sisters merrily playing and splashing water to each other. Now and then you tried to steal a little kiss down my cheek.

The driver who was also the owner of the rented car was well known to me as we hired him many times before when we needed another car. We chatted for awhile and to my surprise he could talk reasonable English. I was glad that you could talk to someone else other than me in the last two days. My mother did not speak English and my father’s knowledge of the language was limited. All of sudden the young driver said to me that he would watch the kids so that you and me had a private moment.

I thanked him for the understanding.

With your arm around my shoulder, we walked towards a high mound of a sand dune. The thick white sand made walking heavy and laborious.
“Take you shoes off,” you said to me. “Let’s go around the dune out of sight.”
Just before we turned around the corner of the hilly path, I glanced back to see my brother and sisters. They hardly noticed that we were not there anymore. I could hear their happy voices.
Once out of sight, you pulled me into your arms and we kissed like it was never before………….

 ]]> 154777 2008-09-23 21:23:57 A little glimmer of hope deep in my heart
Meticulously tended so it would never depart
Faintest ray of light brightened inner thought
Because I knew where you were without any doubt

But now you are not there anymore
My sense of lost was never this real before
I am losing my grip to hang on to the past
The reality of missing you is very hard to grasp

Gone and away this make-believe hope
My love, have you passed on to another world?
Or are you still there somewhere not very far?
Part of me is gone not knowing where you are ]]> 154342 2008-09-22 21:44:16 Era: 1850 – 1880
Location: Victoria, Australia.................

Nowadays, we take transportation for granted. Many people will complain at a slightest inconvenience which may occur. If we could travel back in time in the l850’s, the problems in transportation at that time were very serious and they were so bad which made our problems now were nothing at all.


Riding a horse was the most popular way to travel during the pioneering time in Victoria where the conditions of the streets were very bad. It was a practical way to travel through muddy and potholes riddled streets and pathways. However, during the gold rush which started in 1851, riding was not a good option to do. The cost of fodder (feed) was not cheap and water was hard to find.

During this time, most men left their home to travel a long way to the gold fields around Bendigo and Ballarat. For many, walking was the only way that they could afford. They put their little supply of food, water, clothes, simple camping equipment and digging tools in a big bag and carried it behind their back.

The popular vehicles that people used were carts and carriages. Many people used small wooden handcarts that looked similar like wheelbarrows. They would walk many kilometres away pushing their little carts through dirt and mud. And for those who could afford to pay for expensive fodder, they would have their horses or bullocks did the job to move the carts.

To carry big supplies needed in the gold fields, drays and wagons were used. Some drays had two wheels and the others had four wheels. Bullocks were more common to use because they were much stronger than horses and they ate less food. Two- wheel drays were easier to handle in very bad tracks compared with the ones that had four wheels. However, some drays, wagons or carts were still bogged in deep mud or in creeks. There were no bridges to cross over many rivers and creeks. Very often people abandoned both their vehicles and animals when it was impossible to save them.

Later when people were wealthier because of the boom time of the gold rush, many smart and trendy looking one-horse gigs and two-horse phaetons were common sights in cities like Bendigo and Ballarat.


Besides travelling by railways which started for the very first time in Melbourne in 1857, there was another important public transport available and it was using a stage coach. These fully enclosed carriages were available in Melbourne in l851 and covered a journey as far as Sydney and it used similar route as Hume Hwy that was available now. However, these early English coaches were not suitable for the primitive roads in Australia. They were too heavy, very uncomfortable and their metal springs were prone to break

In l854, Freeman Cobb, one of the co-founders of Cobb & Co Coaching Service in America expanded their business in Melbourne. They used Concord coaches which were imported from America. These Concords were decorated with bright colours. They were more suitable for the condition of the roads in Australia compared with the previous ones from England. Instead using metal springs, these Concords used six to eight layers of bullock hides to attach the upper body to the lower part of the carriage. This way it gave more flexibility and reduced rough road shocks. Every about ten miles, Cobb & Co would change the horses, so with new team of horses in every point, they could travel quicker. These first Concord could carry over ten passengers.

The first Cobb & Co service started from Criterion Hotel in Collin St. in Melbourne to the mining fields in Forest Creek near Bendigo. Initially, the costs to travel with Cobb & Co were from six to eight pounds. Not many people could afford this luxury, but in July l859, Cobb & Co reduced the fares by almost half price. New fares were between three to five pounds.

In 1858, much bigger Concords were imported and they could carry from 20 to 32 people and they used a team of six horses. The biggest coaches were manufactured in Ballarat in l862 which could take 89 passengers and they called these big coaches Leviathan. However these huge coaches were not practical because they were too big and used at least 12 horses. The drivers could not reach the lead horses with their whips, so they filled their pockets with small stone to throw at the horses. Not long after their first operation, they withdrew these coaches completely from business.

Although Cobb & Co faced fierce competitions from other coaching companies and experienced hold-ups by bush rangers and break-downs, it was known as the most successful coaching company in Australia.

Cobb & Co reached its peak of operation in 1870 under the young and brilliant owner James Rutherford who manage the company for 50 years with the routes extended to every mining and farming frontiers in Victoria, N.S.W and Queensland


The condition of transportation in Victoria was relatively the same during 30 years from l850-l880. The real progress only happened much later in early l900’s when auto-mobiles took over and also when they started to seal the surface of the road by using coal-tar.

Throughout the Victorian history, early transportations during the gold rush in l850 to 1880 were regarded as primitive. The horrific and dangerous condition of the roads made travelling in those years slow, uncomfortable, difficult, dangerous and also costly. 

 ]]> 153554 2008-09-20 20:18:56 Pagi ini aku dibangunkan oleh hangatnya sinar surya. Nyanyian burung ramai berkicau di awal musim semi ini. Sambil sarapan pagi aku mendengarkan lagu2 klasik yang dinyanyikan oleh Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Andrea Bochelli, Russel Watson dan Sarah Brightman.

Disaat aku dengarkan lagunya Russel Watson, Nella Fantasia, pikiranku jadi bertanya-tanya apakah sebenarnya arti lagu ini? Lagu ini selalu menggugah benak dan pikiranku walaupun aku tak tahu artinya. Nah cepat2 kucari di Google dan ternyata arti lagu ini seindah lagu dan iramanya itu sendiri.

Nella Fantasia

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo giusto,
Li tutti vivono in pace e in onestà.
Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,
Come le nuvole che volano,
Pien'd'umanità in fondo all'anima.

Nellafantasia io vedo un mondo chiaro,
Li anche la notte è meno oscura.
Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,
Come le nuvole che volano.

Nella fantasia esiste unvento caldo,
Che soffia sulle città, come amico.
Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,
Come le nuvole che volano,
Pien' d'umanità in fondo all'anima.

Translation:
In My Fantasy

In my fantasy I see a fair world,
Where everyone lives in peace and honesty.
I dream of a place to live that is always free,
Like a cloud that floats,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

In my fantasy I see a bright world
Where each night there is less darkness.
I dream of spirits that are always free,
Like the cloud that floats.

In my fantasy exists a warm wind,
That breathes into the city, like a friend.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like the cloud that floats,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul

YouTube Link: Nella Fantasia _ Russel Watson

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HaHa_9d2y5s&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HaHa_9d2y5s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Siapa yang engga pernah memimpikan kehidupan didunia ini seperti isi lagu Nella Fantasia ini? Kenyataan hidup adalah sebaliknya, penuh dengan kepedihan, kekacauan, kecurangan. Begitu banyak manusia yang menghujat Tuhan dan mengatakan Tuhan itu tak ada. Mereka blilang kalau ada Tuhan mengapa semua hal2 yang jelek dan memedihkan terjadi didunia ini? Aku jadi ingat kata2 petuah yang belum lama ini kubaca yang bisa menjawab semua pertanyaan ini:

I Asked For

I asked for Strength…. And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom… And God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity… And God gave me a Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage… And God gave me obstacles to overcome.
I asked to Love… And God gave me Troubled People to help.
I asked for Favours… And God gave me Opportunities.
“I received nothing I wanted… But I received everything I needed”
So let us thank the Lord for our life.
(Unknown writer)

Jelas dikatakan bahwa disaat kita meminta kekuatan, Tuhan memberikan rintangan dan kesulitan supaya kita jadi kuat. Ketika kita meminta kepintaran, Tuhan-pun memberikan problema2 yang harus kita pecahkan. Kalau kita memohon kemakmuran, Tuhan memberikan pikiran dan tenaga untuk bekerja. Jika kita meminta keberanian, Tuhan memberikan tantangan hidup. Disaat kita meminta kasih sayang, Tuhan memberikan orang orang yang membutuhkan bantuan kita. Jika kita minta supaya Dia membantu, kesempatan dan harapanlah yang kita dapatkan dariNya.

Sekian renungan hari Minggu ini. Semoga anda yang membacanya bisa ikut merenungkannya dan mengambil manfaatnya.
]]> 152904 2008-09-19 00:28:17 I know that you are a fake
It is just an easy online trick
It is not your name
Your photo? you must be insane

It is a pure online fantasy
An addiction that goes crazy
Fake charms and a good look
Lonely females fall into your hook

Online chatting and flirting
Who cares if it is addicting
But you know it is painful
To realize that you are a fool

Your old self hasn’t changed at all
Imaginary pleasures take its toll
Tired blurred vision is so bad
Insomnia drives you mad

Oh, vain online fantasy
The imaginations drive you crazy
The pleasure is so temporary
It is when you wake up to reality

I like you the way you are
Your true self is better by far
Don’t run away my dear one
I want you as what you really are


LB September 19, 2008

About The Poem:

This poem is purely fictional, it has got nothing to do with anyone here at Thoughts.com. My apologize if for some reason it has hurt someone's feeling. To avoid any further misundertanding, I have also changed the title.
 ]]> 152774 2008-09-18 17:47:57 Jika ngomong tentang bahasa Indonesia, yang paling aneh rupanya orang Indonesia itu suka sekali membuat singkatan kata.

Nonton berita TVRI dan mereka menyebut-nyebut kejagung…..jagung apaan itu? Eh engga tahunya singkatan dari Kejaksaan Agung. Dulu aku ingat sering bilang GR. Misalnya dikalimat ini: “Kau GR sekali” GR= Gegeden Rumangsan (bahasa Jawa). Anak anak muda sering menyebut kata Ortu yang engga tahunya singkatan kata Orang tua. Terus istilah Bokap dan Nyokap itu aku engga jelas apa singkatan atau slang. Ada ada saja, hahaha......

Karena banyaknya singkatan yang dipakai dan rupanya semakin berkembang alias semakin banyak..... kita bisa beli kamus singkatan. Nanti deh kalau pulang mudik ke Indonesia akan kubeli kamus ini. Untuk sementara ini yang bisa kukumpulkan:

Balitbang = Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan
Banjarmaskuala = Banjar Banjarbaru Banjarmasin Barito Kuala
Bappeda = Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah
Bappenas = Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional
Bappepam = Badan Pengawas Pasar Modal
Bawasprop = Badan Pengawas Propinsi
Binus = BIna Nusantara
Bispak = Bisa Pakai
Bisyar = Bisa Bayar
Bawasda = Badan Pengawas Daerah
BPKP = Badan Pengawas Keuangan dan Pembangunan
BPPN = Badan Penyehatan Perbankan Nasional
BPS = Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan
BPD = Badan Pembangunan Daerah
BU = Butuh Uang
Buser = Buru Sergap
BUMN = Badan Usaha Milik Negara
Bulog = Badan Urusan Logistik Gelora
Depdagri = Departemen Dalam Negeri
Depdiknas = Departemen Pendidikan Nasional
Dephankam = Departemen Pertahanan Keamanan
Depkes = Departemen Kesehatan
Depkominfo = Departemen Komunikasi dan Informasi
Deplu = Departemen Luar Negeri
Depnaker = Departemen Tenaga Kerja
Depag = Departemen Agama
Gelora = Gelanggang Olah Raga
Gerwani = Gerakan Wanita Indonesia
Gepak = Gerakan Pemuda Asli Kalimantan
Gepeng = Gelandangan dan Pengemis

Hardiknas = Hari Pendidikan Nasional
HUT = Hari Ulang Tahun

Jabotabek = Jakarta Bogor Tangerang Bekasi
Jagorawi = Jakarta Bogor Ciawi
Jamsostek = Jaminan Sosial Tenaga Kerja

KA = Kereta Api ; Kepala
Kabid = Kepala Bidang
Kabidhumas = Kepala Bidang Hubungan Masyarakat
Kabidtu = Kepala Bidang Tata Usaha
Kabiro = Kepala Biro
Kabin = Kepala Badan Intelijen Negara
Kades = Kepala Desa
KADIN = Kamara Dagang dan Industri
Kadiv = Kepala Devisi
Kadus = Kepala Dusun
Kajari = Kepala Kejaksaan Negeri
Kajati = Kepala Kejaksaan Tinggi
Kapolda = Kepala Kepolisian Daerah
Kapolres = Kepala Kepolisian Resor
Kapolresta = Kepala Kepolisian Resor Kota
Kapoltabes = Kepala Kepolisian Kota Besar
Kapolri = Kepala Kepolisian Republik Indonesia
Kapolsek = Kepala Kepolisian Sektor
KKN = Korupsi Kolusi dan Nepotisme

Puslitbang = Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan

Tilang = Bukti Pelanggaran
Tukul = Tulang dan Kulit ; Turunan Kuntilanak; Tukang Mukul
VUTW = Verietas Unggul Tahan Wereng

Bagi anda yang membaca ini dan mau menambahkan singkatan singkatan lain, silahkan. Trim ya? Sampai jumpa lagi di Warna Warni = Sajumladiwar??? Ha ha ha.......
 ]]> 151416 2008-09-15 19:29:34 Dizaman sekarang ini, sang Iblis semakin menang dan ini mungkin memang udah pertanda kita mendekati akhir zaman/ datangnya Yesus kembali kedunia. Masih menyingggung betapa semakin jauhnya orang2 Barat (khususnya Amerika) pada agama betul2 memprihatinkan. Bayangkan kalau disekolah-sekolah tak diperbolehkan agama diajarkan, sebagai penggantinya mereka mengajarkan Darwin teori/ Evolution Theory. Betapa banyaknya orang2 yang hidup didalam gelap, putus asa dan sia sia karena tak ada pegangan hidup.

Tapi bagi saya kususnya yang percaya pada agama Kristen, percaya akan adanya Tuhan Pencipta berarti saya harus memujaNya (tidak hanya kalau sedang digereja saja), takut kepadaNya, merasakan & memelihara ciptaanNya dan terakhir yang penting adalah percaya bahwa Tuhan (the Father, the Son & The Holy Spirit) akan menerima saya setelah hidup saya didunia ini selesai............

Menurut saya sih cukup banyak orang yang dibaptis dan kegereja (tak pernah absen)....... tapi dalam kehidupan sehari-harinya tak pernah memikirkan Tuhan. Jadi seolah-olah mereka ke gereja itu hanya sebagai kewajiban/kebiasaan dan begitu keluar gereja ya udah engga pernah merasakan/memikirkan keberadaan Tuhan. Jadi akan lebih baik lagi kalau mereka itu lebih sadar akan kebesaran Tuhan dalam kehidupan dan alam lingkungan sehari-hari.

Kegereja itu tentu tak ada salahnya dan memang idealnya kita harus kegerja. Tapi merasakan secara pribadi bahwa Tuhan itu ada (diluar gereja) amat penting. Setelah saya tua, anehnya semakin saya membaca ilmu pengetahuan tentang alam, binatang, tumbuh2an, outer space, biology dan masih banyak lagi, saya merasakan secara pribadi bahwa Tuhan itu  ada dimana-mana didekat saya. Dan saya begitu bersyukur, kagum dan kepercayaan saya semakin kuat.......Bukannya seperti sebagian ilmuwan yang semakin mengerti ilmu pengetahuan semakin menolak adanya Tuhan.
Dengan menamakan kemajuan, manusia udah banyak merusak ciptaan Tuhan..........Global trading, mass production dimana industri besar2-an menyebabkan polusi. Kepintaran manusia dalam mengatasi masalah, dibidang kesehatan, pangan dsb banyak yang bukan membuat baik tapi malah merusak. Contohnya memberi anti biotik, growth hormon pada binatang ternak, zat pengawet makanan, pesticida/zat kimia pembasmi hama dsb yang akibatnya sekarang bisa kita rasakan (flu burung, allergy, kanker dsb). Penggundulan hutan yang menyebabkan cuaca kacau dan kebanjiran serta tanah longsor.....

Bagi saya pribadi kehidupan modern ini yang banyak effek effek negatifnya justru membuat saya sadar oleh kebesaran Tuhan. Kalau kita lihat binatang binatang liar dihutan belantara, semuanya diciptakan dengan tugas tertentu. Bahkan lalat, cacing, dung beetles/kumbang, micro organisme itu ada karena tugas mereka adalah untuk membersihkan bangkai/waste/kotoran.......Wah kalau diteruskan engga ada habisnya kebesaran ciptaan Tuhan yang begitu sempurna.........

Tanaman, terutama pohon2 di hutan belantara diciptakan dengan tugas tertentu untuk menjaga ecosystem alam ini. Yang terpenting adalah untuk menjaga keseimbangan udara, kemudian untuk menciptakan hujan, buahnya untuk makanan burung dan binatang hutan lainnya. Rimbun dedaunan-nya berfungsi sebagai tempat bernaung.  Sistem saling menunjang ini, kalau tidak dirusak oleh manusia amatlah sempurna. Ini membuat saya semakin sadar akan kebesaran-Nya.

Dulu didongeng-dongeng, selalu diajarkan bahwa binatang buas itu jahat karena memakan binatang lemah. Tapi binatang lemah itu memang diciptakan Tuhan salah satunya adalah sebagai makanan binatang buas. Binatang pemakan daging itu berkembang biaknya lebih lambat dari pada binatang lemah lainnya yang jadi makanan, dimana binatang ini kebanyakannya berkembang biak cepat. Dengan demikian keseimbangan terjaga. Lihat saja semua binatang buas tidak membunuh kalau tak lapar......Jadi salah kalau menceritakan bahwa singa dan harimau itu binatang jahat....Manusialah yang jahat. Kita membunuh binatang tidak saja kalau kita lapar tapi untuk memperoleh duit.......Banyak sekali makanan (terutama dinegara maju) yang akhirnya terbuang karena tak habis terjual........
 
Manusia bagitu takut untuk mati jadi ilmu kedokteranpun berusaha menyelamatkan manusia secara berlebihan, jadi akibatnya over population dan rusaklah keseimbangan alam. Semua ciptaan dan akal pikiran manusia itu tak ada yang sempurna....pasti menimbulkan problem nantinya. Ini salah satu hal yang mengingatkan saya pada kebesaran Tuhan. Jadi disaat ini dimana muncul banyak gereja gereja baru dimana banyak orang yang bingung gereja mana yang benar, kepercayaan pada Tuhan diluar gereja dengan melalui alam semesta disekeliling kita ini penting sekali untuk menjaga iman.

Wah, saya harus berhenti nih ngecapratnya. Mungkin kepala anda udah pusing membacanya. HeHeHe......Harapan saya, semoga anda yang membaca obrolan saya ini akan ingat pada kebesaran Tuhan.

Sekian warna warni kali ini nanti disambung lagi................
 ]]> 151079 2008-09-15 01:57:42 “The rugged terrain of the dense tropical rain forest is rough and dark. Giant banyan trees dominate the scene with their big gnarled, clawed like roots. The undergrowths are intermingled with the dangling air roots of the majestic trees” ……………..

The "quote" above from my short story “The White Javan Tiger”, clearly explains that banyan tree is a large majestic tree with exposed roots both on the ground and the ones that hanging down (aerial roots). Banyan is the name that is common in India, while in Indonesia it is called Beringin and the botanical name is Ficus Benjamina/Benghalensis. It is known that banyan trees live for hundreds of years. In a very old tree, the aerial roots grow very thick and harden like small trunks. When these hardened roots touch the ground, they will anchor themselves into the ground giving the large tree an appearance of having multiple trunks and it will make it possible for the canopy to grow wider.


Native to South and South East Asia, this tree grows well in Tropical climate which is hot and humid. It can grow up to 30 m (100 ft) with a very large and wide canopy. The small fruits are good food supply for some species of birds and other animals like monkeys. The canopy is also a place for birds and other animals to live and built their nests. While in Asia the canopy gives people some protection from the heat of the sun. In India, or Indonesia, you can find street peddlers open their business under the dense canopy of this banyan tree. The glossy deep green or variegated leaves are about 8 cm long (3 inches), oval in shape with pointy tips.

In Asia like for example Indonesia and India, the practice of Animism and Hinduism makes people believe that banyan trees are holy trees that can protect the area from evil spirits. And some believe that spirits live in the tree so in order to make the spirits friendly, people give offerings and burn incense under the tree.

In gardening, these species of ficus trees are cultivated to grow in pots as indoor plant. People make a big mistake by planting this tree in the garden, as it can grow too big for a suburban garden and the roots are regarded as invasive.Except if you have a very large land, grow this tree in a pot or large container only.  Ficus Benjamina is also a very good species for making bonsai.

Banyan or beringin is one of my favourite trees. I love their unique shapes and personally this tree symbolizes strength, endurance and beauty. I grow them as bonsai and my profile picture is one of my ficus benjamina bonsai collections.
 ]]> 151001 2008-09-14 22:00:27 Barusan aku baca blog seseorang yang bertanya kenapa patung Reco Gladak di Jalan Slamet Riyadi di Solo itu menghadap kebarat. Si penulis blog ini bilang kan lebih nyeni kalau menghadap ke selatan kearah Kraton.

Reco Gladak atau yang juga dikenal dengan nama Arca Gopala atau Reco Penthung adalah arca batu besar yang berbentuk raksasa yang membawa penthung/tongkat. Dizaman dahulu arca ini bukanlah hanya untuk sekedar hiasan, tapi secara mistis dipercayai bahwa arca raksasa ini memberi perlindungan dari roh-roh jahat atau dedemit. Nah, jadi kan tidak masuk akal kalau arca pelindung ini menghadap kearah keraton. Sebagai penjaga tentunya letaknya mengadap kedepan kearah jalan. Jadi bisa mencegah datangnya atau menyusupnya roh roh jahat.



Arca raksasa yang khasnya kota Solo ini sering diberi sesajian yang berupa macam2 bunga seperti misalnya mawar, melati,kenanga, kantil dsb. Jelas maksudnya supaya membuat sang raksasa senang dan memberikan perlindungan. Sekarang arca ini banyak dijumpai di pintu-pintu gerbang kota Solo, didepan bangunan umum seperti misalnya pusat perbelanjaan, bank dsb.
 

 ]]> 150575 2008-09-13 18:07:47 Apakah artinya to "monkey around'? artinya adalah bercanda atau tidak serius. Jadi jelas  dari judulnya, pendapat saya mengenai posting saya ini betul betul serius. . Kalau anda tak percaya, itu problem kamu...  TETAPI INILAH YANG KUPERCAYA!!!!! 

What is the meaning of  to "monkey around"? It means doing something not seriously or muck about. So by the title, it is clear that... what I feel about this entry is very serious. If you don't agree, that is your problem.....BUT THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE!!!!
.
Puisi pertama saya yang tulis dan puisi kedua ditulis oleh Ellen Bailey. The first poem I wrote it and the second one was written by Ellen Bailey.

God’s Creations

I see God’s creations through the splendour around me
In wild luscious green of meadows and a forest canopy
The colourful rush of growths in a crisp fragrant spring
The vast abundance, diversity and beauty of flora can bring

I see God’s creations through the creatures around me
Horses, cattle, cats, dogs, the fish and crustaceans in the sea
Birds that fly, forage on earth floor or swim in the water
How all tamed and wild creatures differ from one another

I see God’s creations whenever I’m gazing up high
At the clouds, rains, lightning, thunders or a blue sky
Blinding sun, gentle moon, twinkling stars and the infinite heaven
How space and galaxies are arranged in a precise formation

I see God’s creations whenever I roam and wander
Down the valleys, to the rivers, lakes and the mountains yonder
Whenever I see gentle waves or fearsome roars of the seven seas
The vastness of ever changing desert sand and fertile territories

I see God’s creations in science and laboratories
In knowledge and wisdom or those remain as mysteries
The wonder of human anatomy and intelligence
The more I learn, the more I realised the glory of Your creations

Written by: LB
March 17, 2007

Evolution
Ellen Bailey

Scholars say mankind is a product of evolution
Citing many textbooks for their conclusion
They say man is a descendant of the ape
That there is no Heaven; no Pearly Gate

Scholars say mankind is a product of evolution
And some argue for this man made solution
But God created Earth and God created Man
Why is this so hard for them to understand?

Scholars say mankind is a product of evolution
And this muddled thinking has lead to confusion
Maybe man does act like a monkey sometimes
But it's God's help they seeks when in a bind 

 

 

]]> 150251 2008-09-12 20:03:16 I love music. More listen to it than playing it. The only music instrument that I can play is a harmonica :(  My taste in music is very broad from classical ( Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahm etc) to Techno and Rave.

Listening to music and songs can affect our feeling deeply, this is the reason that I only choose songs with good lyrics to listen to. When I feel like having peace and quiet time, I always listen to easy listening type of music, but when i feel cheerful then I will listen to happy music or dance music.

Here, I just want to share one Japanese song that means so much to me, reminder of the good time past. It had been awhile that I tried to remember this song. Out of the blue,  I just remembered vaguely the notes and I tried to hum to the tune and thank you for those sharing music at UTube that finally i found the song.

Hope you also enjoy it.

Kokoro No Tomo - Mayumi Itsuwa

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6ZToJc2sXn0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6ZToJc2sXn0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


English translation:

Friend Of Heart

That moment when I was able to steal away your pain
As for me, is when my courage start heating up
Until I met you, I had been a lonely wanderer
Please let me feel the warmth of your hand

Love is always a lullaby
So when you’re tired from your journey
Please, just please call me
Your friend of heart

Forgetting their hearts that trust each others
Why is it that people want to chase happiness from the past days
Silently closing my eyes, opening the door to my heart
And if you hold me, I will cry

Love is always a lullaby
So when you feel weak
Please, just please call me
Your friend of heart
 
Another version of the song, Mayumi Itsuwa Duet with Delon (Japanese and Indonesian Lyrics)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tC2SonYrL0M&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tC2SonYrL0M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> ]]> 150232 2008-09-12 18:48:23 The other day I read in one article on dating, that it is important to know what personality your date has. Extrovert or Introvert? Being an extrovert you’ll be feeling bored to death to go out with an introvert. And if you are an introvert, certainly you’ll get along better with an introvert.

So what are they anyway?

Introverts are those who:
• Enjoy time alone
• Among many people, the will feel exhausted
• Good listeners
• Act calm and self-contained
• Tend to think first before speaking

Extroverts:
• Talk active, even to people they hardly know
• Like to be around people and feel bored to be alone
• Enjoy variety of life
• More talking than listening
• Tend to talk first before thinking

I considered myself as an introvert. I don’t need many friends…. Just few close friends are more than enough for me. But it doesn’t mean that I am a weird person who are scared to venture outside my home. I know that the world will always more in favour towards the extroverts because there are misconceptions about us the introverts. How many ads for secretarial and office jobs will start with this sentence: “Are you young, friendly and have a bubbly personality……..?”

People think that introverts are:
• Hermits
• Timid and Shy
• Loner/recluse
• Not friendly
• Hate people
• With drawn
• Don’t have social skill

You’ll be surprise to know that us, the introverts are reliable, responsible, able to maintain long term reliationship, strong ablility to concentrate and posess good analytical skills. Many famous people are introverts like for example actor Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks. Actress; Julia Roberts, Meg Ryans, Gwayneth Paltrow and many more. Even it is said that TV hosts Johnny Carson and David Latterman are also introverts.
 ]]> 149887 2008-09-11 23:27:06 Tadi pagi jam 7.00 aku pergi ke Airport Melbourne yang dikenal dengan nama Tullamarine. Udah sering aku ke airport tapi baru kali ini aku nyetir sendiri kesana. Suamiku pulang dari Holland dan aku harus menjemputnya pagi ini.

Dari rumah aku harus pergi melewati South Eastern Freeway/ City Link. Sejak dibangunnya terowongan Burnley (Burnley Tunnel) kita-kita harus bayar toll yang memakai system elektronik (E-Tag). Kebetulan anakku punya prepaid E-Tag jadi aku bisa memakainya. Dia harus memberi tahu RTA (Road Traffic Authority) bahwa mobilku yang nomornya sekian…account E-Tag dia yang akan bayar. Banyak orang bilang E-Tag ini kadang2 tidak bunyi bip waktu melewati scanning point, jadi aku was-was juga nih….Tapi no problemo, bunyi juga bip-nya……

E-Tag is a small device attached to the front windscreen of the vehicle. As the vehicle passes one of the tolling points of the tunnel, the tag will transmit a signal to the tolling equipment. This will acknowledge and deduct the appropriate toll amount from your toll account.

Dikiri jalan ada papan yang memberitahukan bahwa perjalanan ke airport akan memakan kira-kira 35 menit. Tak jelek mengingat lalu lintas padat juga. Disaat akan memasuki terowongan Burnley (Burnley Tunnel), kututup jendela mobil dan kututup juga udara luar yang bisa masuk melalui heating/colling fan,  karena tak mau aku menghirup udara beracun didalam terowongan itu, walaupun ventilasi-nya cukup memadai…..

 

Trendy Sound Barrier On Tullamarine Fwy, Melbourne Australia


Perjalanan melewati terowongan Burnley cukup lancar. Beberapa waktu yang lalu terowongan ini yang resmi dibuka pada tanggal 22 Desember 2000, pernah mengalami kebocoran. Sebagian dari terowongan ini letaknya dibawah sungai Yarra, jadilah bocor itu air sungai masuk ke terowongan. Hari ini kulihat di beberapa dinding seprti basah mungkin masih juga terdapat air yang merembas.

Tak lama setelah keluar dari terowongan aku melewati jembatan Bolty dan dari situ masuk ke Tullamarine freeway. Wah aku suka dengan design tembok peredam suara (sound barrier wall) yang bentuknya seperti terowongan kaca. Tapi aku kurang suka dengan monument hiasan bentuknya seperti papan panjang berwarna kuning dan miring letaknya diatas jalanan. Bayangkan kalau ada gempa, langsung deh akan menimpa mobil2 dibawahnya. Ha, ha…..

Silly Yellow Sculpture over the Tullamarine Fwy, Melbourne Australia


Sampai di airport jam 8.10 setelah muter muter cari tempat parkir yang paling dekat dengan lift. Karena engga sempat sarapan pagi jadi aku ngopi dulu. Satu cup kecil cappuccino dan dua potong tabouleh sandwich aku harus bayar lebih dari 11 dollar….. ya ampun mahalnya.
Pesawat yang membawa suamiku pulang ternyata mendarat 10 menit lebih awal. Tapi aku harus tunggu lebih dari sejam sebelum dia nongol juga dari pintu pemeriksaan immigrasi.

I’m so very happy that my hubby is home again…..

Udah dulu ya warna warni ini, aku mau membantu suami bongkar itu koper dan tas-nya dan lihat oleh oleh apa saja yang dia bawa.......
 ]]>