Just for Fun; Swimming is the Best Exercise

Just for Fun; Swimming is the best exercise

"Swimming," said the boy's know-it-all cousin."is the best exercise. It can keep everyone slim and trim!"

"You think so?" mumbled the boy. "Then how come I've never seen a skinny whale?"

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New Earthquake in Padang Sumatra

PADANG, - A major earthquake struck off the city of Padang on the coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Wednesday, damaging houses, bringing down bridges and starting fires, a witness said. It was unclear if there were any casualties.

The 7.6 magnitude quake was felt around the region, with some high-rise buildings in the city state of Singapore, 275 miles (440 km) to the northeast, evacuating their staff. Office buildings also shook in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cancelled an earlier tsunami warning. Japan said no tsunami was expected there.

“Hundreds of houses have been damaged along the road. There are some fires, bridges are cut and there is extreme panic here maybe because water pipes are broken and there is flooding in the streets,” said a Reuters witness in the city.

Phone lines were down. Padang, the capital of Indonesia’s West Sumatra province, sits on one of the world’s most active fault lines along the “Ring of Fire” where the Indo-Australia plate grinds against the Eurasia plate to create regular tremors and sometimes quakes.

A 9.15 magnitude quake, with its epicentre roughly 600 km (373 miles) northwest of Padang, caused the 2004 tsunami which killed 232,000 people in Indonesia’s Aceh province, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and other countries across the Indian Ocean. The depth of Wednesday’s earthquake was measured at 85 km (53 miles), the United States Geological Survey said.

It revised down the magnitude of the quake from 7.9 to 7.6. A series of tsunamis earlier on Wednesday smashed into the Pacific island nations of American and Western Samoa, and Tonga killing possibly more than 100 people, some washed out to sea, destroying villages and injuring hundreds.

Source: http://english.kompas.com
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The legend of Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo, together with Mount Tengger and Mount Semeru, is one of the most beautiful places of interest in East Java. Watching the sun rises from the crest of Mount Bromo is a very exciting experience for the tourists coming to this mountain. To reach the area, which is about 2392 m above sea level, people usually take a bus or a car as far as the village of Ngadisari. From there, a pony ride will take tourists to the rim of the mountain. It is an active volcano, and the people from surrounding areas bring various things as a sacrifice to the fire god, Betoro Bromo. The legend goes as follows:

Hundreds of years ago, during the reign of the last king of Majapahit, Brawijaya, one of the King's wives gave birth to a girl, who was named Roro Anteng. Later this young princess married Joko Seger, who came from a Brahman caste. Because of an unfortunate situation the couple was forced to leave the kingdom. They settled down in the mountain area. They ruled the area and named it "Tengger", which was derived from the couples' names: Roro Anteng and Joko Seger.

After several years the region flourished in prosperity, but Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were unhappy because they did not have a child. Frustrated, they climbed the top of the mountain and prayed night and day hoping that the gods would listen. The prayer was heard and Betoro Bromo promised them many children. However, the couple had to promise that they would sacrifice their youngest child in return.

Roro Anteng gave birth to a child, then another, and another. In the end Roro Anteng and Joko Seger got 25 children. Soon it was time for them to sacrifice the youngest child, Kesuma, but the parents just could not do it. They tried to hide the child, but an eruption happened and Kesuma fell into the crater. There was silence before they heard a voice: "I have to be sacrificed so that you will all stay alive. From now on, you should arrange an annual offering ceremony on the 14th of Kesodo (the twelfth month of Tenggerese calender."It was Kesuma's voice.

Kesuma's brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony every year. Instead of a human being, these people collected fruit, vegetables, rice and meat to be offered to the gods. And this has been done generation after generation until today.

Taken from A Guide Book for Tourism: East Java

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Earthquake in Jakarta

Tasikmalaya, (TVOne)

Earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale (SR) rocked the southwest of Tasikmalaya. According to the Meteorological Agency, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG), the earthquake occurred at 14:55 pm.

Earthquake shocks felt in Jakarta, Jogjakarta, Pelabuhan Ratu, and Banjarnegara. Earthquake tsunami potential. As a result of the earthquake is reported, the telecommunications network in Tasikmalaya disconnected. Read more...

Funny Story Part 3

Funny Story 11

Mike was not feeling well. So, he went to see the doctor. The doctor asked him a lot of questions and wrote Mike's answers down.

"What do you eat in the morning?"he asked him.

"Eggs, bread, butter, jam, and coffee," Mike answered.

"And what do you have for lunch?" the doctor asked.

"Meat or fish and bread."

"And what do you have in the evening?" the doctor continued.

"Eggs and bread."

Then the doctor said,"Eat some fruit everyday, and eat all the skin of the fruit. The skin is very good for your health. Most of the vitamins of the fruit are found in the skin. Now what fruit do you like best?" Mike was not happy. "Coconuts," he answered. Adapted from Reader's Digest

Funny Story 12

A father took his son camping to show him how to live outdoors. As the father cupped his hands into a small river, the boy cried out, "You are not going to drink that, are you, Dad?"

"Of course I am, "said the father, drinking the spring water in his hands.

"Dad, I did not mean the water,"said the boy. "I meant the tadpole."

Funny Story 13

We were gathered together, all ten of us, for our mother's 80th birthday. the conversation was on Mom's life when she was young. At that time she had to work very hard. My elder sister said, "Of course, we were practically poor because we were such a big family. Mom, why did you have so many children?"

Mother looked around at us all and said, "Well, where did you want me to stop?"

Funny Story 14

Mrs. Streisand was having a log of trouble with her skin, so she went to her doctor about it. However, the doctor could not find anything wrong with her, so he sent her to the local hospital for some tests. The hospital, of course, sent the results of the test direct to Mrs. Streisand's doctor, and the next morning he telephoned her to give her a list of the things that he thought she should not eat, as any of them might be the cause of her skin trouble.

Mrs. Streisand carefully wrote all the things down on a piece of paper, which she then left beside the telephone while she went out to a ladies' meeting.

When she got back home two hours later, she found her husband waiting for her. He had a big basket full of packages beside him, and when he saw her, he said, "Hello, sweetheart. I have done all your shopping for you."

"Done all my shopping?" she asked in surprise. "But how did you know what I wanted?"

"Well, when I got home, I found your shopping list beside the telephone," answered her husband, "So I went down to the shops and bought everything you had written down."

Of course,Mrs. Streisand had to tell him that he had bought all the things the doctor did not allow her to eat!

Adapted from Advanced Stories for Reproduction

Funny Story 15
Black  :"What are you going to be when you grow up?"

Brown :"I think I will be a writer!"
Black  :"A writer? That's hard word, isn't it?"
Brown : "No, it's easy... All the words are in the dictionary!. All I have to do is rearrange them!"

Funny Story 16
Chick  : "Why cannot astronauts go to the sun?"
Chuck : "It's too hot there!"
Chick  : "They can go there at night, can't they?
Chuck : " (Stupid!)

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A Young Man and An Old Man

Some of Nasreddin's old friends were talking about the young people in their town. They all agreed that old people were wiser than young people. Then one of the old men said,"But young men are stronger than old men."All of them agreed that this was true, except Nasreddin. He said,"No. I am as strong now as when I was a young man." "What do you mean?" said his friends. "How is that possible? Explain yourself!" Well," said Nasreddin, "in on corner of my garden there is a big rock.

When I was a young man I always tried to move it, but I couldn't because I was not strong enough. I am an old man now, and when I try to move it, I still cannot."

Adapted from Intermediate Stories fo Reproduction

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Funny Story Part 2

Funny Story 7
"Children and grown-ups must do their best to keep the world clean," Mr. Fox said to his class. "Sometimes we see some rubbish in the streets and we must pick it up. Sometimes we eat some sweets and we must put the wrappings in the bin. We must all work together so there's no rubbish in the world. Never throw plastic into the sea! There should be no oil in the sea. If we pour poison--oil is poison in rivers and seas--into our rivers, some fish die. This is called pollution. This weekend, see if you can find some examples of pollution and write some sentences about it."Jimmy looked worried when he went home. 

On Monday, he handed in his composition. "Yesterday we had sardines fro lunch. Mom opened the tin, but all the fish were dead because the tin was full of oil!" Adapted from Longman English Grammar Practice.

Funny Story 8
A man went to a doctor and was told he had a serious illness and would need an operation. 

"Is it very dangerous?" asked the man. 

"Yes, It is. Four out of five people have this operation die," said the doctor. "But you will have nothing to worry about!"

"Why not"

"I have already operated on four people and they have all died."

Funny Story 9
Teacher : "What three words to students use most?"
Student : "I don't know"
Teacher : "That's correct!"
Student : ????

Funny Story 10

Professor Carter visited Mr. and Mrs. Crockett on the other side of town. After a good dinner and a game of cards, he said, "I'm going to walk home now."

But Mrs. Crockett looked out of the window and said, "It's raining outside. Please stay here tonight."She went and prepared the quest room for him. After a few minutes, she came back to the living-room, but the professor was not there.

Mr. and Mrs. Crockett waited for more than 30 minutes, and then they started to go to bed. But then somebody knocked at the back door of the house.

It was the professor. He was very wet. Mr. Crockett and his wife were very happy to see him. They said,"You're here!"

"Yes,"the professor answered. He smiled and added,"I went home and got my Pyjamas."

Taken from Introductory Stories for Reproductions

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Funny Story Part 1

Funny Story 1

A teacher was giving an achievement test to David, a precocious six-year-old, and she began by asking him when his birthday was.

"February 20", was the answer.

Next she asked him, "What year, David?"

He looked at the teacher quizzically at first time and then hit upon the obvious answer, "Every year".

precocious : looking older than his age

quizzically  : look curiously at

obvious      : clear

Funny Story 2

A five-year-old girl was watching her aunt breast-feed her baby.

"Does milk really come ot of there/" she asked.

"Of course," answered her aunt. There was complete silence.

Then the youngster asked,"Do you eat grass too?"

Funny Story 3

A bank teller had been robbed three times by the same man. The police officer asked her if she had noticed anything special about the robber.

"Yes,"replied the teller."He was better dressed each time."

Funny Story 4

One student to another:

"How are your English lessons coming along"

"Fine. I used to be the one who could not understand the English people, and now it is the English people who can not understand me." Taken From Reader's Digest.

Funny Story 5

A student was learning to speak English. he learned by having the tape machine under the pillow while he slept. It really worked. The trouble is he can only speak English when he's asleep!

Funny Story 6

Student: I don't think that I deserved a zero on this paper.

Teacher: You're right. But it is the lowest grade I can give.

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Tips on How Students Can Practice Their English

1. Perform every classroom activity. Do every task, even if the teacher does not call on you. If the teacher asks someone else a question, make up your answer too. Complete tasks in your head when it is someone else's turn, and check your answers against theirs.

2. Ask questions in the foreign language. As soon as you start studying English, you should learn how to ask questions, such as: "How do you say that in English?", "is it correct to say...?", "What is the English word for...?" Such simple questions give you a lot of opportunities for learning.

3. Interact with skilled speakers, including your teacher, or with classmates. Feel free to speak with your teacher outside of class. If it is not possible to do that, talking with your classmates can be an easy and enjoyable way to get some practice. Join a conversation club where you can sometimes practice your English with skilled speakers, such as English teachers, or even with native speakers who are invited by the club. or come and see them in some tourism destinations you know.

4. Listen to the language regularly. This will not only sharpen your comprehension skills, but also allow you to practice and speaking. Try to listen to the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) or the VOA (Voice of America), watch English TV serials, and attend English movies. Remember that you need not understand every word you hear.

5. Read something in the foreign language regularly. When choosing reading materials, look for things that you can understand without relying too much on a dictionary. Still, you don't have to understand all the words in a text. A page a day is a good way to start. As you advance, you will find that you can increase both the quantity of pages you read and their level of difficulty. Find a magazine, for instance, that reflects your personal interests, whether politics, sports, or arts. Many people find that illustrated foreign-language magazines are easier to read because the pictures provides many clues.



6. Write in the foreign language regularly. Find your own reason for writing if your teacher does not assign compositions on a regular basis. A pen pal is a good motivation. you will learn a lot by trying to communicate with someone who shares your interests but comes from another country. I you don't like to write letters, or emails you can keep a diary, or write notes to friends.



7. Rehearse silently in the foreign language. This is the easiest way to practice because it does not require any particular time, place, equipment, or partner. You can look at an apple, for instance, and think: "This is an apple. It is red an shiny. but I can not eat it. It is not mine.

"Adapted from Be a More Successful Language Learner

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My Life

My name is Muhamad Ali Saifudin. Everybody calls me Ali. I am an English teacher. I was a teacher in Al Hikmah High School Muncar, Junior School of Miftahul Mubtadi'in Muncar. Right now I am teaching in some schools; State Vocational High School of Darul Ulum Muncar, Islamic Boarding School of Minhajut Thullab Sumberberas, Islamic College of Darul ulum Banyuwangi, Teacher Training University of IKIP Jember and AMEC English Course. I really enjoy it. Teacher is a proud profession I think but sometimes it is a big problem related to the prosperity in Indonesia. but God gives me everything I want. I have a beautiful wife, her name is Amalia Ulfa. She is a house wife and she is still studying in University of Untag Banyuwangi for the last semester. She of course really love me. My little hero is Wildan (read:WELLDONE). he is 3 years old . he is so cute and cheerful. He always cheers me up. He can do everything. He is smart to study everything fast. He can sing some songs. Thanks God. you have sent me people who always support me to do my best. Read more...

World's First Human

Today, we know the man who made up of various tribes, races, nations, languages, and cultures. However, actual human ancestors were one, the Prophet Adam AS, the first man created by God.
God created Adam after He created other creatures like angels, devils, earth, mountains, moon, sun, and others. Angels are created from light and the devils created from the fire, while Adam was created from clay. Prophet Adam was created God as being in charge of maintaining, utilizing, and the prosperity of the earth and all its contents. Therefore, Prophet Adam supplied by the mind of God.
Meanwhile, the devils who had been expelled from heaven by God saying, "Oh God, that thou hast said that I was being lost, I would tempt the sons of Adam in the earth for the sinner and I'll bring them all astray."
God also said to the devil, "you go with your followers that they will be companions of Hell. You will not mislead helpless slaves My believing in me with all their heart." Since then, the devil kept trying to find opportunities to mislead the Prophet Adam AS and his descendants.
Translated from "the Best Stories of Quran"

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Friends from Another World

Abeydron hated Abunawas. One day heard Abunawas told a very strange story in the market place. He went to straight away to the palace. He reported to the king that opened the white cloth. It turned out the thing was a bird cage. There were three sparrows inside.
“Don’t fool me. They are only birds,” said King Aaron quickly.
“They are my friends, Your Majesty,” answered Abunawas.
The King looked at Abeydron. Abeydron understood what the King’s mind.
“You said that you have friends, not birds. You said so in the market!” shouted Abeydron. Abunawas had told a lie to the people.
The king looks very angry. “What do you think, Abey?” asked the king.
“I think he is a big liar. As telling a lie is against the law, he must be punished,” said Abeydron.
There was short silence. Suddenly the minister said, “Your Majesty, I’ve got a good idea. We ask him to prove his story. If he can’t prove it he must be punished!”
The king agreed. He sent two guards to call Abunawas to the palace.
In about twenty minutes, Abunawas was in the palace.
“Abu, Abeydron said that you told a lie to the people in the market” said the king.
“No, Your Majesty. I didn’t tell a lie. I tell the truth,” answered Abunawas calmly.
“You said that you have friends from a different world in the sky,” said Abeydron quickly.
“Yes I did,”
“You also said that their world is much better than our country here. Nobody should work. And every body can get food freely,” added the king also.
“Yes, Your Majesty. In their world there is no king,” said Abunawas smilingly.
“Can you prove your story?” asked the king “You’ll be punished if you can’t,”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Three of them are still in my house now,” answered Abunawas.
“Bring your friend here. Abeydron doesn’t believe you, either. So, he will follow your friends to their world in the sky,” said the king.
Abeydron smiled. He was very sure that there was no other world in the sky. At the time he thought that Abunawas would get a punishment.
“Never mind, Your Majesty. Let me go home and bring my friends here. Minister Abeydron can ask them about their world him self. He can also visit their world,” answered Abunawas.
Abunawas went home. Not long after that he came back to the palace. Now he brought something. He wrapped the thing with white cloth.
“What do you bring, Abu?” asked King Aaron.
“My friends are inside this, Your Majesty.”
“Abeydron told me that your friends have strange bodies. Now, show me,” ordered the king.
Abunawas opened the white cloth. It turned out the thing was a bird cage. There were sparrows inside.
“Don’t fool me. They are only birds” said King Aaron.
“They are my friends, Your Majesty” answered Abunawas.
The King looked at Abeydron. Abeydron understood what the king’s mind.
“You said that you have friends, not birds, oyu said so on the market.” Shuoted Abeydron.
“Look at their bodies. They are strange, aren’t they? They don’t live on earth because they are in the sky. I don’t say that my friends are people. The birds are my friends. They accompany me everyday, even when I am sad.
The King now understood what was going on. He remembered that he had not called him to the palace for the last few weeks. Minister Abeydron smiled bitterly.
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Children Learn from What They See

If a child lives with shouting,
He will learn to curse
If a child lives with hostility,
He will learn to fight
If a child lives with ridicule,
He will learn minder / shy
If a child lives with jealousy,
He will learn to blame
If a child lives with grace,
He will learn to be patient
If a child lives with the big heart,
He will learn to trust
If a child lives with the protection,
He will learn loyalty
If a child lives with approval / permission,
He will learn to love yourself
If a child lives with the support and hospitality,
He will learn to find love in this world
Taken from Dorothy Read more...

My Name is Wildan

Hi World! My complete name is Muhamad Alif Wildan Aulia but everybody calls me Wildan. I was born on August 6, 2006. My Father is Muhamad Ali Saifudin. he is a teacher. My mother is Amalia Ulfa. She is a house wife. They love, care, serve and understand me very much. They teach me day and night.
I live in a very rural region. It is located about 60 KM away from Banyuwangi Town. It is my address "Jalan KH Faqih Timur Pasaranyar KM 1 Wringinputih Muncar Banyuwangi East Java Indonesia, exactly in the eastern top of Java Island where you can travel to enjoy the very unique, wonderful place of Alas Purwo National Park. It has a surfing destination where surfers from all over the world surf there. it has held 4 times of International Surfing Challange. I am very proud living together with my parents and my grand parents. we live happily. I wanna be a hero for my parents, my social environment, my country. I will do my best of course. That is all my profile. to be continued... bye. Read more...