Paid in Full

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and he handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing
through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he had written on, and this is what
she wrote:

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing
inside me: No Charge.
For all the nights that I’ve sat up with you, doctored and
prayed for you: No Charge.
For all the trying times, and all the tears that you’ve caused
through the years: No Charge.
For all the nights filled with dread and for the worries I
knew were ahead: No Charge.
For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose:
No Charge.
When you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight up at his mother and said,

“Mom, I sure do love you.”
And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote:
“PAID IN FULL.”

 

use paint software : D

 

abstract tree 

 cute picture.. dalila made this with me few months ago

HOW do YOU Like READING ???

How Do You LIke Reading ?

There is a saying that book is  the window of the world. Have you heard of that? Well, I have, a long time ago.. And how can we open  the window? There is only one answer to that: through reading.

          Maybe some of you ask, why reading? For one thing, by reading we can broaden our knowledge. We can also enrich our vocabulary if we like reading books in language other than ours. And, by reading we can visit places without having to go there.

           Nowadays we can find a lot of books to read, from easy reading materials to the heavier ones. It is for us to choose which we prefer, which we like better. Some people prefer comics because they provide entertainment. But some others might choose something more ‘intellectual’ like biographies or books for knowledge.

          To develop reading as a need or a habit is not as easy as turning our palms, though. It takes time, and usually starts in the family. Parents who like reading can pass down the hobby to their children so it will stay with them. Of course the parents should be selective in choosing the reading materials for their children, because there are many trash reading materials available in book stores. The pictures or stories are not proper for the children’s age.

          Another question...how can we afford to buy the books? It is not a secret that books’ price is expensive. Many people have to save their allowance to buy the book they like. Come on, it’s a modern era..why don’t we just browse in the internet and find what we need and download it? If we can’t get a paper-book, let’s get an e-book.

          The point is...how big is your interest in reading? If you’re really into reading, there are a lot of ways for you to get the material. When there is a will, there is a way. And please don’t forget, God has told us to READ... The whole world is open for us to read. So, happy reading!!

 taken from ECB material

Please FORGIVE Me…

    Have you ever had a quarrel or an argument? I bet everyone has surely ever been there! You name it, from friends, officemates, partners, couples, colleagues, neighbors to family members. People say that the quality of relation can be measured through its capability of solving problems. The harder problem you conquered the stronger relation you have. But the worst part is that most problems come in hurricane. However, the issue is not about the cause of it but how you deal with it. So here you go…Will you FORGIVE them? Must you FORGET it? Can you MOVE ON?

   FORGIVE . . . 

Let’s see, minor mistake can be easily forgiven, some maybe have forgiven already before you even apologize. While others can’t. Though you want to forgive, you just couldn’t do it because your heart just won’t let you do so. Specially, when it really hits or hurts you.  Betrayal is one of that. Will you forgive someone who stabbed you from behind? Someone who you really trust and know almost all your secret? In marriage life it is unacceptable when your couple is cheating on you. It takes years to fix the pieces of your broken heart before you do. In certain cases some choose not to give forgiveness at all.         

   FORGET . . .

Forgetting? Hold on, wait… is not that easy. Our brain contains the ability both in learning new things and remembering old information. Speaking about old information, brain tends to keep certain memory, specially, the unforgettable ones. Some are good memories while others are not. The time has gone by, he’s already apologized, you’ve given your forgiveness already, but somehow the memory still hunted you. And everything will never be the same, no more trust. Well, just a little, maybe. You try to act the same but sure everything will never be like that.     

   MOVE ON . . .

Can we move on without forgiving and forgetting? It depends on the term of move on itself. Still go on with the same relationship without forgetting is possible. But forgiving, absolutely not, it’s a different story. Trying to have the same relationship without it is impossible. Move on and make another relationship with different person is a better option.

Forgive… Forget… and Move On… 

Would you be so kind to bring them back into your life ?


Taken From ECB Material

How Old Are You?

If you hear that question, what will your reaction be? Angry, flattered, or even speechless? Well, actually the question is just to know the ‘real’ you. Want to know the reasons? For one thing, nowadays we can see many people who act or want to look younger, or even older than they really are. In some cases, some men and women deliberately dye their hair so they can look younger. They wear outfits suitable for youngsters or teenagers. Not only those. To get further, they even have facelift to make their appearance better. The same things go for those who want to look older.

    Have you ever wondered why they do those things? Some say that they are not satisfied with the way they look. They might get more confidence by looking younger or even older. It means that it comes from their own will. Certain situation might also require them to go to such length, such as pressure from the place where they work.

    Surely there are pros and cons about this kind of situation. The people who are against it, might say that those who want to appear younger or older are not realistic. In short, if you are 20 or 40, just act your age! Be realistic, will  you? It seems that we are not grateful for what God has given us, if we change anything from Him. I am sure that you have your own opinion about this. Feel free to express it. Meanwhile I’d like to remind you of an old song that says....

                   Don’t go changing...

                Don’t change the colour of your hair...

                Through the good times and the bad times...

                I love you just the way you are...

Can we stay the way we are...in a positive way? It is a simple question, but quite difficult to answer.. So I suggest that we look into our deepest heart, and listen to our conscience, whether we want to be at our real age, or younger, or even older... Have a nice time thinking!

Notes:

- conscience      : hati nurani                         - facelift   : operasi plastik untuk mempercantik diri

- dye            : mencat/mewarnai                  - outfit     : pakaian

- deliberately    : dengan sengaja                    - require    : menuntut/mengharuskan

- flattered      : tersanjung

Taken From ECB Material

CHEATING? NO WAY !

     “Oh God, the test was awful! So difficult! I was lucky I could get the answer from my friend.”  Or “I didn’t have enough time to prepare for this test. Fortunately I could take a peek at my friend’s answer.” Sounds familiar in  your ears? Well...that’s what we usually hear from students who just finished a test, but have many excuses about being unprepared.

It seems that ‘cheating’, that’s what we call it, has become something common in our society, especially among students. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, cheat means to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage. By the definition we can understand that if we do it, we will be dishonest or unfair. I don’t think we want to have that character, right?

As mentioned earlier, there are many reasons why students cheat. They don’t have enough preparation, they don’t understand the material, or they are simply being lazy...only wait for what will happen, and if they are lucky enough, their friend will give them the answer. But some others cheat because they are not confident of themselves. So by cheating they will have more confidence. Have you felt that way, or do you?

Viewing this issue from any sides, we will admit to ourselves that  it is not a good thing. Experience has proven that, someone who likes cheating will do the same thing in any occasions. Not only in a test. It will develop one’s character. What will happen to this country if most of the citizens are cheaters? Well..you can imagine..corruption will be everywhere...

Anyway, can we say NO to cheating, just like we say it to drugs? I know it is very difficult, but it’s worth TRYING. So if I may suggest, give yourselves the best preparation before having a test, and be confident of yourselves, OK?

taken from ECB Material

Living Cost Make You Drop ?

 How much is your expenses in a month? Is your parents “envelope” still enough for you (if you still study and away from home)? Is your salary enough for a month or not?    Of course you spend more money after the increasing of BBM price last year. One thing for sure…the price is always increase time after time.

Hmm… let’s see, for weekly grocery which is usually around Rp.200 - Rp.250 thousand, now turns to Rp.250 - Rp.300 thousand. LPG is usually Rp.57 thousand, now becomes Rp.90 thousand. Though living cost increases drastically, most of our salary is still the same as before, well, maybe crawling and finally reach nothing but the nearest point.

A survey from BPS (Statistic Centre Board) Balikpapan (East Borneo) shows the consumption level of Balikpapan People of 250 commodities, which can be classified in to 7 big groups. Mr.Basiran Suwandi, head of BPS Balikpapan said that the housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel are in the first place for 26,76%, grocery 22,41%, Fixed food material 18,43%, transportation, communication, and finance service 17,8%, clothing 5,28%, education, and recreation 5,66%, and health 3,65%.

In our beloved city, rent a room can drive you mad, Rp.300 – Rp.750 thousand for a month, some even have to be paid for one year, 1/2, 1/3, or at least ¼. What about a house? Well, you may take a deep breath for it… Two times public transportation cost you Rp.12 thousand plus “sweat” coz you might have to take a little “foot practice”. For lunch, one portion of rice cost Rp.3 – Rp.5 thousand, chicken Rp.7 – Rp.15 thousand. So, your simple menu cost Rp.10 – Rp.20 thousand, plus the waiter, I mean water/drink. What about breakfast and dinner? Oh GOD … I live not only for today

Maybe we can cut some expenses. Less food, eat only once or twice a day, fasting on Monday and Thursday? Well those are other options... Find roommates, travelling on foot or bicycling, and use the same clothes more than once. You’ll save soap, water, electricity, time, lots of energy, and good smell, he..he..just kidding.

And most of Balikpapanese are very consumptive. Maybe because many people work in foreign company, so they have a lot of money to spend. But what about the rest of them? Are they also rich, or do they just pretend to be rich? Do you think Balikpapanese are very consumptive?               

Vocabulary :

crawl                  : merangkak                         take a deep breath   : tarik nafas dalam2

drive                   : membuat                           foot practice         : jalan kaki                

mad                    : marah                              pretend               : berpura-pura

taken from ECB Material

Flood in Balikpapan

The rapid development of a city has either positive or negative impact. Balikpapan, due to its strategic location, has also had rapid growth population. Consequently, the need for providing settlements is also big, which will increase the number of developers to build houses. And with the government issuing permit of real estate, it will automatically enlarge the need for land clearance. The negative impact of land clearance is that there will be flood when rainy season comes. There for strategy for overcoming flood need to be done.

                                                             

The research is conducted to find strategies for overcoming flood in the area of  KORPRI Damai Housing estate in the sub District of Sepinggan, Balikpapan. The method use in this research is descriptive qualitative where the dependent variable here is flood while the independent variable are land clearance and government policy. The result of this research is that the flood is caused by the increasing area of land clearance in the upstream area, which causes sedimentation and result in the silting up of Sepinggan River passage which finally causes flood when rainy season comes

The strategic to overcome the flood which are proposed in the research can be done by asking developers to participate in preserving the environment, specially the one owned by the developers and by applying the regulation strictly as well as commitment from law officers to take action against violation… 

The most important is the political will from the Government and House of Representatives to make regulation and approve it as a legal constitution so that law officer could take action against violation and the court institution could give punishment for it. 

Vocabulary :

Rapid                  : cepat                               passage              : saluran

Consequently          : karena itu                          proposed            : menganjurkan,mengusulkan                

Settlement            : pemukiman                         preserving           : pemeliharaan, melindungi

Clearance              : izin                                 strictly              : secara ketat

Dependent variable    : variabel yg diteliti                 violation             : pelanggaran

Independent variable : variable bebas                     approve              : menyetujui

Policy                  : kebijakan                          legal constitution   : undang-undang

Upstream              : hulu                                court                : peradilan, pengadilan

Silting up              : pendangkalan

taken from ECB Material

DEMONTSRATION

SMART? TOo MUCH…”YES” sTOP!!

People everywhere, everyday are demonstrating for and against issues and groups that they believe in/against. They have a brave to speak out their opinion. And they didn’t keep silent about what happened in Indonesia or world. They aren’t apathetic.

Demonstration can be used to show a viewpoint (either positive or negative) regarding public issues, especially relating to a perceived grievance or social injustice. It is usually considered more successful if more people participate. Topics of demonstration often deal with political, economic, and social issues.

There are many types of demonstration, including a variety of elements. These may include:

·        Marches, in which a parade of people proceeds from one location to another.

·        Rallies, in which people gather to listen to speakers or musician.

·        Picketing, in which people surround an area.

·        Sit-ins, in which demonstrator occupy an area, sometimes for a stated period of time and sometimes indefinitely, until they feel their issue has been addressed, or they are otherwise convinced or forced to leave.

But protest marches seen to be a common nonviolent tactic. Some demonstration and protests however can turn, at least partially, into riots or mob violence against object such us automobiles and business, bystanders and the police. Police and military authorities often use non-lethal force or less-lethal weapons, such us rubber bullets, pepper spray, and tear gas against demonstrator. In this situation, sometimes violations are caused by the preemptive or offensive use of these weapons which can provoke, destabilize, or escalate a conflict.     

Have you ever taken a part in a demonstration?

Is it really necessary or effective to demonstrate our ideas to the government?

Vocabulary

Viewpoint      : pendapat                                                     occupy           : menempati, menggunakan                                               

Perceived      : merasakan                                                   indefinitely   : kurun waktu yang tak tentu

Grievance      : keluhan                                                       mob                : massa

Marche          : barisan                                                         provoke         : provokasi

Rally               : large public meeting                                 destabilize     : tidak stabil

Picketing       : pemogokan, penjagaan                             escalate          : memperburuk

Sit-in              : aksi menduduk

taken from ECB Material