Bandung ? Is it Flower City ?

By Vernida Mufidah


Bandung is our city. It's Capital of West Java, Indonesia. in the 1930s, the City of Bandung was known as "Paris of Java", as well as "the Flower City". But since the population growth, it makes Bandung is so dense. The density makes our city to be hot, dirty and musty. Why? Because we don't conscious about the environment.


Bandung has a perspective and mission, that is BERMARTABAT.
BER = Bersih (Neat)
MAR = Makmur (Prosperous)
TA = Taat (Obedient)
BAT = Bersahabat (Friendly)
From the first perspective that is Neat, we want our city to be neat city. But look our city! Are you sure it is neat ?

First so many rubbish, even our city is known as “Rubbish City”. I remember when I went to Dufan with my friends in Junior High School, Jakarta people teased us about rubbish. They asked us,
“Hey, Are you from Bandung ? Don't throw rubbish everywhere! Hahahah!”
Yeah, it so tragic! Based on research, everyday 2 until 3 liter of rubbish is produced by everybody. It means we produce so many rubbish everyday. And the problem is no place for throw our rubbish, moreover when TPA ( Tempat Pembuangan Akhir / Final Banishment Place) Leuwigajah is slide of embankments. There is no place, and it makes the rubbish on the side street. So stink!! Ugghhh…

Second, its air is so dirty. Based on research, Only 55 days every year, Bandung can produce the clean air. Hey, it means only 15 % the clean air! Why ? Because we don't have enough RTH (Ruang Terbuka Hijau/ Opened Green Space), We have 6.5 % from Bandung's capacious, but in fact we must have 30% from Bandung's capacious.

What's the main problem ? It's only one, because of us. We only do protest, protest and protest, but there is no act! Many people critics about air in Bandung, but they don't have Opened Green Space in their yard.

So from now, we conclude “Lets to be conscious and take act about our environment!”. So make our city to be clean, comfort, and beautiful

Death of the Seven Dwarfs

A Legend from Switzerland

Translated by D. L. Ashliman
© 1998-2005

On one of the high plains between Brugg and Waldshut, near the Black Forest, seven dwarfs lived together in a small house. Late one evening an attractive young peasant girl, who was lost and hungry, approached them and requested shelter for the night. The dwarfs had only seven beds, and they fell to arguing with one another, for each one wanted to give up his bed for the girl. Finally the oldest one took the girl into his bed.

Before they could fall asleep a peasant woman appeared before their house, knocked on the door, and asked to be let inside. The girl got up immediately and told the woman that the dwarfs had only seven beds, and that there was no room there for anyone else. With this the woman became very angry and accused the girl of being a slut, thinking that she was cohabiting with all seven men. Threatening to make a quick end to such evil business, she went away in a rage.

That same night she returned with two men, whom she had brought up from the bank of the Rhine. They immediately broke into the house and killed the seven dwarfs. They buried the bodies outside in the garden and burned the house to the ground. No one knows what became of the girl.

from www.pitt.edu

Let’s Everlasting Our Culture !

By Vernida Mufidah

Many country especially our neighbor country, Malaysia stole our culture. It was a big problem for us. Because we as Indonesian people feel humiliated.

When we knew that, we did critic and did demonstration to Malaysia Embassy, when they stole and perform our culture like Angklung, Reog Ponorogo, etc.

But we as Indonesian people don’t want to learn our culture, we only want to learn west culture, like band, break dance, graffiti, etc. It makes us so lazy to learn our culture.

And they as our neighbor even learn our culture. They like it and make it as subject in the school. The impact they confessed that to be their culture.

Why don’t we learn our culture ? So many advantage if we learn them, first we can keep everlasting it, second we have identity as Indonesian people who love their country, and the last is we can get chance to go to abroad because of it.

So, let’s everlasting our culture ! Don’t be shy to learn it, Because they who don’t want to learn it is not really Indonesian people. Don’t let our culture are stolen by other.

Banana Split Sundaes

2 oz Semisweet Chocolate

1/4 c Light Corn Syrup

1/4 c Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/4 ts Vanilla

1 x Ice Cream

2 tb Unsalted, Roasted Peanuts

2 ea Small Bananas, Quartered

Place chocolate in a 2-cup measure. Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100% power for 2 to 3 minutes or till melted, stirring once. Stir in corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Micor-cook, uncovered, on 100% power for 45 seconds to 1 minute or till heated through. Stir in vanilla. Serve warm atop ice cream. Sprinkle with peanuts. Arranged quartered bananas around ice cream.

SKILLET TORTILLA PIZZA

This is a quick, tasty snack for when you're in a hurry and don't have the time for take-out!

1 tortilla
1/3 cup cheese (any kind)
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon each basil and oregano
olive oil spray
salt, pepper
garlic powder
hot salt or cayenne pepper (optional)

Heat a small amount of olive oil in a skillet on high.

Spray a tortilla with olive oil on both sides.

Season the top with salt, pepper, garlic powder and hot salt or cayenne pepper, if desired.

Mozzarella cheese is nice, but American, Cheddar, Provolone, Scamorza and Muenster cheeses also work well. This is a good way to use up cheese ends often available at the deli. Cut the cheese into 1/2" X 1/4" chunks. Have your ingredients ready for quick assembly on the hot pan as it continues to heat up.

When the pan begins to get hot, place the seasoned tortilla in the center of the skillet. Mound the cheese in the center of the tortilla, leaving a 1" margin around the edge of the circle. Allow a few minutes to go by, (don't walk away!) and as the cheese is partially melted and the skillet is becoming quite hot, pour the sauce over the cheese. Reduce heat at this point if needed, but the goal is for the tortilla to become golden brown and crispy.

Sprinkle the remaining seasonings over the sauce and drizzle with a few random drops of olive oil.

When the sauce is heated and the tortilla is golden brown underneath, use a large spatula to carefully transfer it to a dish.

Season with salt, pepper, and hot salt to taste (if desired) and roll up or cut into 4 triangle wedges or two halves for serving.

Each tortilla pizza makes one serving.

Simple, made with ingredients usually on hand, faster than thawing those tasteless frozen pizzas and so good!

Note: If you have flatbread or pita bread on hand, these can also be used for the crust. Spray with olive oil and proceed as above. Split pita bread by cutting along the side to make two circles. Place the crust part down. Pita will need a longer cooking time because of the added thickness, or simply place the pre-assembled pizza under the broiler instead.

from www.cooks.com

CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

4 squares unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter
2-1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs
1-1/4 cups flour
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9-inch aluminum foil baking pan.

Read through this recipe entirely before you begin, as you will need to divide ingredients into separate batters in order to create two layers.

Microwave together the chocolate and butter on high setting 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of the sugar and blend well. Stir in 4 eggs and 1 cup of flour. Spread this mixture in the greased pan.

Beat cream cheese, gradually adding remaining ingredients. Combine well.

Spoon second mixture over batter already in pan. Swirl together lightly stirring with knife to create a marble-like pattern. Bake in Preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until toothpick has grainy fudge bits but is not clean, like in a cake. Be careful not to overbake.

Submitted by: CM

from www.cooks.com

Former Indonesian dictator Soharto dies

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Former dictator Suharto, an army general who crushed Indonesia's communist movement and pushed aside the country's founding father to usher in 32 years of tough rule that saw up to a million political opponents killed, died Sunday. He was 86.

"He has died," Dr. Christian Johannes told The Associated Press, adding that he died at 1:10 p.m.

Dozens of doctors on Suharto's medical team had been rushed to the Pertamina Hospital in the capital, Jakarta, after his blood pressure fell suddenly Saturday night. Suharto had slipped out of consciousness for the first time in more than three weeks of treatment, doctors said.

Suharto had been in intensive care with lung, heart and kidney failure since he was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 4. Over the past week his physicians had spoken of a recovery, but by Sunday that had changed dramatically.

Suharto, who led a regime widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most brutal and corrupt, has lived a reclusive life in a comfortable villa in downtown Jakarta for the past decade.

He had been in and out of the hospital several times since being toppled by a pro-democracy uprising during the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis for heart problems and internal bleeding.

Historians say up to 800,000 alleged communist sympathizers were killed during Suharto's rise to power from 1965 to 1968. His troops killed another 300,000 in military operations against independence movements in Papua, Aceh and East Timor.

Suharto's poor health had kept him from facing trial, and no one has been punished for the killings.

Corruption watchdog Transparency International has said Suharto and his family amassed billions of dollars in stolen state funds, allegations the family is fighting in court.

Borobudur

By Vernida Mufidah

Borobudur is Buddhism temple. it belongs to seven wonder of the world. Borobudur is near Magelang on the island of Java. It was built in 9^th century on the syailendra dynasty. It is like temple in India and used for ceremonial and another Buddhism activity.

Borobudur temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like stone terraces. Some terraces surrounded by unless and adorned with Buddhist sculpture that is relief. The upper three are circular, each with a circle of bell and it is called stupa. And on the top especially in center there is the bigger stupa.

It is symbol of Buddhism. Many relief on the walls, like about Ramayana, Budhist’s life, and another.

The World Without You

There is no white,

There is no shine,

There is no fun

There is no life.

Because,

There is no love.

There is no you.

And the world without you is zero.

by vernida mufidah -the wizard of poetry-

LOVE

Love is you,

you and me.

Love is knowing,

we can be.

Love is heart,

in body.

Love is life,

in human.

Love is love,

by Vernida Mufidah -the wizard of poetry-

You are my shine

I hear. . .

I hear a sound from there

When all of the moments go out

When all of my soul loses out

I only stuck and don’t move

I see . . .

I see a shine from there

When all of my body doesn’t feel

When all of my brain doesn’t think

I only see and breath.

I run . . .

I run to the shine there

When all of my loves call me

When all of my heart loves you

I run and run

And,

You are there

I can found you,

You are my shine my love, my soul and my everything,

who make me wake up from the dark world.

by Vernida Mufidah -the wizard of poetry-

Penguin in the park

Once a man was walking in the park when he across a penguin.

He took him to policeman and said, “I have just found this penguin. What shall I do ?”

The policeman replied, “Take him to the zoo!”

The next day the policeman saw the same man in the same park and the man was still carrying the penguin with him. The policeman was rather surprised and walked up to the man and asked, “Why are you still carrying that penguin about ? Didn’t you take it to the zoo ?”

“I certainly did,” replied the man

“It was a great idea because he really enjoyed it. So today I’m taking him to the movies.”

From :

PROGRESS Grade XI

Holiday with my family

by Vernida Mufidah

On Thursday, January 10^th 2008. I with my family went to Safari Park in Bogor. We departed at 6.10 AM from my home. And duration of the journey was 3 hours. During on the way, I saw a parade in Cianjur, oohhh,,, that’s a Moslem New year, 1^st Muharam 1429 Hijriyah.

At 9.10 PM we arrived in Safari Park, and wow!!! Many animals in there, there were zebra. giraffe, monkey, orang utan, bison, elephant, deer, bear, tiger, lion, and many more. We could see thousands of animals from up close. Not only that, but also we could feed their, and it was so fun!

Some bison ran on the way and it made us so afraid! hahahah,,, but it was so funny! Besides that we saw Sumatra’s tiger and it ran near us! Ughhh,,, so afraid! And the odd thing was when an elephant walked and asked money from us.

After that, we went to recreation area in there. There were waterfall, roller coaster, kora-kora, train, ghost house, bianglala, bird aviary, baby zoo, and many animal shows. First We had to lunch in SFC (Safari Fried Chicken) because we were so hungry after the long journey.

Then I with my cousin drove a water cycle on the medium lake. We went around the lake and raced with my other family. But I always defeated. Huhuhuhuh,,,, L so sad! Next we went to Tiger show, wow! There were 6 tigers, and they did wonderful show, all audience gave applause to their.

And the unforgettable moment when we took picture with animal, likes white tiger and Orang Utan. I was so afraid besides tiger, because it was so big. After that we went home because we were so tired.

It was a happy holiday, and I enjoyed it! Hope next time I will go to other interesting place.

My Inspirational Place

by Vernida Mufidah

I have a place that has good environment. That place is my favourite place for retire into solitude. It isn't popular because it is on my region that is at Cilengkrang 1, district society 5. Dou you want to know ? Ok, I will invite you to go there!

First, there is a triumphial arch which written "Welcome to bear fruit plant area". When we enter that area, so we will see many trees which in a row on that street. Many trees are at distance of three meters until to Pasanggrahan Indah gate. It is free from rubish, so clean, so fresh and you will get your briliant inspiration at there. And many trees are so various, there are mango trees, pomegranate trees and other trees at there. It is something which we rarely find in our city.

Beside that, there is a traditional stall. It sells traditional drink that is "bandrek" and other traditional food. If I am sad, I will spend time at there while write poetry. I sometime walk in the rain, and I will be better.

Ok, back to the place! It is initiative from Mr. H. Sali Iskandar. He and other people make it. That place is needed for penetration area in my region. It is so needed because we get water hard. So, may be with penetration area can help us. Beside that we can eat fruit from there.

Do you like it ? Try to go there! Because if I go to there, I will get inspiration like my inspiration about this writting. Or do you want to make bear fruit plant area in your region ? Wow, that is good! But remember do it because Allah SWT and Muhammad, so your plan is noble.

One Thousand Trees VS L, who is the winner ???

By Vernida Mufidah

This essay is the second winner of 24 environment essay writting competition 2007

At August 2004 our school ( SMAN 24 Bandung ) made a project about environment, that was "Planting 1001 Trees Action". This project got applause from all people. Even Indonesian Ministry of Environment, Mr. Rachmat Witoelar visited to our school. Was it a pride for us?

But do you think it will run like our dream? Oh . . . no, no and no! Look, our effort is useless. May be some trees still live, they are only near our school. Why ? Try to think it! That is a good idea, but its episode isn’t continued. May be Roni Hartanto Gunawan as who has that idea though about it. But its reality isn’t like his dream. And my question, why?

The biggest enemy for human is "L". Do you know "L" ? Lazy. Laziness is unwilling to work or showing a lack of activity. So, lets to fight Laziness versus Planting of 1001 Trees Action. But it isn’t a fight in a round of boxing or football field. We fight it in our life. If we can conquer it, We are terrible! Don’t only think but act! For example, Planting 0f 1001 Trees Action. Can we care the trees ?

First, we must believe that WE CAN DO IT !!! And we must do it because of Allah and Muhammad SAW. Cause everything we do if our intention is caused by Allah and Muhammad SAW, our wishes will be carried out.

Next, we spray trees. But don’t you spray all ! For example, if you live on Ujungberung. And you will go by public transportation. Look! Are there trees? If there are trees, you must bring a bottle of water everyday, and spray them with it.

Then, we must fertilize them. It is done once a month. And don’t forget to take care them. And write report about them, how many trees live? And it can help us to know "What is the problem?", "Who is caused?", "Where is critics area?". So with that report, we can solve problem about it.

But, remember !!! We must be consistant ! We do it by thinking about future of the world, especially our city. It has a bad effect. Now weather in Bandung is like in Jakarta. Hot, hot and hot ! Because trees in Bandung are decrease. We begin hard to get water too. Don't we ?

So, we conclude lets to fight Planting of 1001 Trees Action Vs Lazy. And the winner is . . . We look it, later. When our grandchild say "thank" to us. I hope.

SPECIAL PRESENT

Based True story,,
By Vernida Mufidah

It is a story about me, it is so funny, so scoff, and I always remember it.

When VIII grade at SMPN 8 Bandung, I liked to throw rubbish anywhere. In table, floor, field, all place in my school. Until once day when my birthday.

“Hey Hik, happy birthday!” my friend said.

“Plakkk!!!” she boxed on my cheek.

“Plakk!!” other friend do it too.

Yap, it is our tradition. If somebody birthday, we must box on the cheek. So, I think birthday is a hot day, because my cheek is so hot, so torture! But I like it, caused with it you will know, they care.

Virus. It isn’t tiny living thing that causes infectious disease. She is my friend. Her complete name is Fika Dara Nurina Firdaus, but I called her Virus. Why ? Cause I have friend with name is Fika too, so for differ it. I called Virus.

“Hik, I have a present for you.” she came and gave me a present.

“Ohh , , , thanks !! How kind you are !” I received a present.

A present with pink paper, what was it ? I was vexed. Was a doll ? No, I didn’t like a doll. Was a bomb ? I was scared of bomb, and it can explode and I will die. Finally I opened a present from Virus. And . . . it was a blue cylinder curved bear doll. It was scrap basket. What was her mean ? Was she scoff me ? And I sent message with my hand phone.

* Thanks for your present ! So scoff.

* Oh sorry Hik, I didn’t scoff. Really sorry!