GORESAN PUTRI

European Space Agency Seeks Secrets of Universe

2009-05-15T09:57:00.002+07:00

The European Space Agency has launched into orbit, two space observatories that will help scientists understand the information of the universe.

The telescopes will give European scientists powerful new tools to look at some of the basic questions we all wonder about when we look at stars and galaxies millions of kilometers away.

Goran Pilbratt is project scientist for one of the telescopes, called Herschel.

"We may learn a lot more about how stars like the sun formed and when they formed," said Goran Pilbratt. "[How] planets like our own planet formed. So star formation is a very big thing for Herschel."

If the operation is successful, Pilbratt says, the Herschel telescope will also try to answer other questions.

"Astronomers talk about structure formation in the universe, how did the universe get its large-scale structure that we can see today? And here is the second very important part about where Herschel can contribute a lot," he said. "Nobody else has been able to observe, with the detail that we can, the infrared emission from galaxies."

Those infrared emissions will allow the telescope to peer through cosmic dust and gas to see things like the evolution of early stars and galaxies. Scientists also want to learn more about mysterious dark matter and energy, and whether the universe will expand forever.

The other telescope, known as Planck, will study temperature variations from the very early universe.

The two telescopes are being launched from French Guyana for a total cost of more than $2 billion. If all goes well, scientists hope Herschel will be working for three years, and the Planck telescope for about 15 months.

The French launch coincides with the anticipated spacewalk of U.S. Astronauts John Grunsfeld and Drew Feustel who are expected to exit the space Shuttle Atlantis for the first of five spacewalks to upgrade Hubble telescope. They will replace the telescope's 15-year-old workhorse camera with one that sees deeper into the universe.

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
14 May 2009
VOA News

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

2009-05-12T11:00:00.000+07:00

What does MRI stand for? MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Below are some information and a picture of MRI equipment I obtain from Wikipedia about MRI and its uses.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is primarily a medical imaging technique most commonly used in Radiology to visualize the structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than does computed tomography (CT), making it especially useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological (cancer) imaging. Unlike CT it uses no ionizing radiation, but uses a powerful magnetic field to align the nuclear magnetization of (usually) hydrogen atoms in water in the body. Radiofrequency fields are used to systematically alter the alignment of this magnetization, causing the hydrogen nuclei to produce a rotating magnetic field detectable by the scanner. This signal can be manipulated by additional magnetic fields to build up enough information to reconstruct an image of the body.

MRI is a relatively new technology, which has been in widespread use for less than 20 years (compared with over 100 years for X-rays). The first MR Image was published in 1973 and the first study performed on a human took place on July 3, 1977.

Magnetic resonance imaging was developed from knowledge gained in the study of nuclear magnetic resonance. In its early years the technique was referred to as nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). However, as the word nuclear was associated in the public mind with ionizing radiation exposure it is generally now referred to simply as MRI. Scientists still use the term NMRI when discussing non-medical devices operating on the same principles. One of the contributors to modern MRI, Paul Lauterbur, originally named the technique zeugmatography, a Greek term meaning "that which is used for joining". The term referred to the interaction between the static and the gradient magnetic fields necessary to create an image, but this term was not adopted.

Turning off Autorun

2009-05-11T13:16:00.000+07:00

Below are several steps to turn off autorun in your computer:

Click Start - Run.
Type "regedit".
Go to HKEY_CURRENT _USER\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
On the right window of registry editor, right-click NoDriveTypeAutoRun.
Click Modify.
Change value data into "ff" to disable autorun function on the drive.
Click OK.
Then go to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
Do the same things as previous steps.
Exit fromRegistry Editor.
Restart the computer.

WHO: Swine Flu Cases Top 2,000

2009-05-08T11:07:00.001+07:00

The World Health Organization says the swine influenza A-H1N1 virus has infected more than 2,000 people worldwide.

The WHO says the swine flu has spread across 23 countries, though most of the cases have been reported in Mexico and the United State

Earlier Thursday, the WHO's acting director-general Keiji Fukuda told Asian officials in Bangkok by videolink that the WHO does not know how severe the swine flu outbreak will become. He warned the virus could get more virulent later in the year during the northern hemisphere's flu season.

If it turns into a pandemic, he said one third of the world's population - up to two billion people - could end up infected.

The United States has confirmed nearly 900 cases of swine flu, while Mexico has reported more than 1,000.

The acting director for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Richard Besser said officials expect to see far more cases in the U.S., as well as more deaths. Two fatalities have already been confirmed in the U.S. state of Texas, which borders Mexico, while all 42 other deaths from the virus occurred in Mexico.

Mexican businesses and schools began reopening Wednesday and Thursday after officials said the virus was spreading more slowly in the country.

Other countries have also been easing measures to control the disease.

China on Thursday lifted a seven-day quarantine for passengers who arrived in Shanghai on a flight with a Mexican man who was later found to be infected with the virus.

Also Thursday, Russia announced it was lifting a ban on meat imports from five U.S. states, but added another - Illinois - to its list.

At a Congressional hearing Thursday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he is disappointed that Russia and China have imposed restrictions on U.S. imports.

Vilsack stressed that U.S. pork products are safe, saying there is no evidence the swine flu virus can be transmitted through food. He said the agriculture department is working hard to reach out to the Russians, the Chinese and other governments to reopen international markets.

By VOA News
07 May 2009

How to Hide Icons on the System Tray

2009-05-07T10:29:00.000+07:00

There are usually several icons on the system trays. If you don't like to see them, you can hide the icons from your system tray.

Follow these steps to hide them:

Click Start - Run.
Type "regedit".
Go to HKEY_CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
On the right window of registry editor, right-click the empty space.
Choose New - DWORD Value.
Type the value name "NoTrayItemsDisplay" and press Enter.
Right-click the new key you've made and choose Modify.
On the Value Data type the number "1" to hide the icons.
Press OK.
Restart your computer.

Changing Icon Size

2009-01-03T14:26:00.001+07:00

If you think that the icons on the desktop of your computer are too small, you can change the size of those icons. Follow these steps:

Right-click on the desktop.
Choose Properties.
Click Appearance.
Click Effects.
Check Use Large Icons.
Click OK.

Acai Berry

2008-12-20T14:12:00.000+07:00

I’m sure you have known about strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry. But, have you ever heard about acai berry? If you search in the internet, you will find many topics about this. Many people, especially women, use it to lose weight and to get a good skin appearance. Of course, there are some other uses of this kind of berry. Interested? Just visit the website.

Line of Credit

2008-12-19T05:33:00.001+07:00

Nowadays there are a number of non-bank financial institutions. They offer some kinds of loans to their customers. A line of credit is provided to fulfill the customers’ needs. This kind of financial institutions usually demand easier requirements compared to banks. America One Unsecured has been in this business for such a long time. It has had much experience in coping with the customers’ problem. Unsecured small business loan is offered to those who has a small business or who want to develop their business. The application process is easy and the approval is fast. You do not need to bother yourself with many kinds of difficult requirements and you do not need to wait long for the approval. Everything is simple and easy!

America One Unsecured also offers personal loans if you need some money for your personal necessities. Whether you are planning to go for vacation or anything, this type of loans is suitable for you. So, what are you waiting for? If you need loans, just visit America One Unsecured. This website will serve you by offering lending programs throughout America. Besides that, customer service staff will also be ready to help you. Service excellence becomes the priority of this website.

LifeLock & Your Identity Protection

2008-12-03T07:01:00.001+07:00

Identity theft protection has become a crucial problem. Without this protection, it will be harmful to our identity. As we know, when we have a credit account, for example, we will also have identity or personal information that we should keep well. Or else, other bad people will be able to access our personal information and use our financial information to ask for credits in our name. Now many people and websites use the service of LifeLock which focuses on identity security. By using this service, the clients will feel more secure because their identities or their accounts are protected by Life Lock.

Bad news has traveled that the cases of identity theft have frequently happened. The victims certainly suffer from a lot of losses. I am sure you do not want to undergo the same situation, do you? That’s why, you need to know more about this to make a prevention. Prevention is better than cure, right? So, why not get more information from LifeLock.com? This is one of the good resources for you to learn more about identity theft. Identity theft is a serious problem. Once your identity or your personal information is stolen, it will be a disaster for you!

Nouveau Riche

2008-11-28T20:35:00.001+07:00

I am very sure that you have known Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (the Sultan of Brunai Darussalam), Queen Elizabeth II (the Queen of England), Liem Sioe Liong (Indonesian entrepreneur who has many big companies), and William Soeryadjaya (also Indonesian entrepreneur who has many big companies). They are famous and rich people. Now there have also been so many new rich people that we often call them ‘Nouveau Riche’.

Nouveau Riche comes from French. People become very rich because of many factors. They are among others: the wealth of their parents, their strong willingness to reach their goal, or learning in a special educational institution. Community for Nouveau Riche is available. Even they have their own website where the members can share their experiences. Of course, the community website is very important and can become a bridge which links one member of the community to the others.

As a matter of fact, there are several definitions of Nouveau Riche. It can be a person who get higher position in his financial condition. For example, he is very poor, but because of something, he can become very rich. Or, the definition can also refer to an ordinary person who suddenly becomes famous.

Jokes

2008-09-18T16:42:00.002+07:00

Websites containing jokes have seemingly become the choice for some visitors. Jokes are always interesting to tell or to be heard. Some people say that if we like jokes, we will look younger than our real age. Is it right? Maybe you can prove it by yourself. Jokes can be written on magazines, newspapers, or websites, and can also be spoken out directly or through radio or television.

Business Loans

2008-08-22T07:48:00.001+07:00

Business financing plays a very important role in the success of the business goals. In many cases, business owners need business loans to run their businesses. EZUnsecured.com is a company which provides services in giving financial assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs. EZUnsecured.com applies an easy process in giving a business loan. This fast funding system, accompanied with excellent service, will certainly satisfy the clients.

Jim Piccolo, A Visionary CEO

2008-08-07T23:15:00.001+07:00

Once Jim Piccolo said,”To succeed, you must build relationships and recognize that you create your own success when you create success for others." This quotation is very interesting and inspirational. It is absolutely right that if we want to be successful in our life, we must build relationships with other people. Without these relationships, how can we achieve the success that we have dreamed of before. Relationships are needed in many aspects of life.

Maybe a question crosses your mind,”Who is Jim Piccolo?” Well… as a matter of fact, he is a very famous and successful person. He becomes the driving force behind Noveau Riche University. This university teaches its students how to create wealth, how to build confidence, how to make a business, how to become a real estate investors, how to be a successful entrepreneur, etc.

Jim Piccolo has becomes president and Chief Executive Officer of many national and multinational companies. Innovative companies have been established by him. With his skill, he can make his businesses run well. Many people learn from his success. He masters self-developmental methods and business strategies and shares them with other people. Now he has become an examplary figure for many people in the world.

Stocks Online

2008-08-06T08:01:00.001+07:00

Have you ever heard about eToroUSA? Well… this independent finance and stock info portal is famous for its forex trading business. This portal also gives information on stocks online and forex exchange. The design of eToroUSA’s website is good and interactive. All currency trading activity can be monitored well. If you want to know more about this trading business, just visit the website.

Real Estate Investment College

2008-07-24T19:25:00.000+07:00

Do you want to be a real estate investor? If you do, Real Estate Investment College Nouveau Riche can become one of your choices. Here you can learn many things having to do with real estate investment. You can also learn how to create wealth in such an effective way that you can apply it more easily. The learning system offered by Nouveau Riche is very good, interesting, and applicable. So, you will learn excitedly at this college.

As we know, success of a learning program will depend greatly on the learning system applied by the college and the instructors who are in charge of teaching the students. The instructors at Nouveau Riche are experts who have much experience and expertise in their fields. They are persons who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with the students. If you want to get further information on this real estate investment college, feel free to visit its website. Many things can happen to you and success can also come to you. You must believe this! Nothing is impossible in this world, is it? So, take a positive action as soon as possible and grab all the golden opportunities which come to you.

Custom Writing Service

2008-07-16T16:55:00.001+07:00

There are many nursing schools or nursing courses now. Not only women can become nurses, but also men. People are interested in this career because this career has a good prospect in the future. At the end of learning process in any study programs, including nursing, students are usually given an assignment to write an essay, scientific paper, or nursing thesis. Actually, there are a lot of interesting materials that the students can write for their thesis. Unfortunately, some students sometimes meet difficulties or obstacles in writing their thesis. The existence of overnightessay.com seems to be able to help such students because this website specializes in assisting those who have problems with essay or paper writing.

When you are assigned to write Great Expectations coursework, it will be time-consuming to read the source, to collect the materials needed, and to write it. For example, what you are going to write is a popular novel entitled The Count of Monte Cristo. So, you should deeply describe and analyze the main characters in the novel and how he/she solves the problem.

Writing a thesis on Islamic terrorism is much more difficult because there are many aspects that should be taken into account. Moreover, not all you see on TV can describe Muslims as a whole.

Zenni Optical

2008-07-11T19:17:00.003+07:00

Nowadays there are various kinds of frames for eyeglasses. The consumers can choose the suitable material and shape for them. If you visit Zenni site, you can see incredible stylish new frames from Zenni. Zenni Optical is not a new name in optical business. Zenni Optical was on FOX news! That’s great! Oh yeah… now Zenni offers Zenni Optical $8 Rx eyeglasses. Interested???

Hypertension

2008-07-01T16:30:00.002+07:00

Hypertension, most commonly referred to as "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. It was previously referred to as nonarterial hypertension, but in current usage, the word "hypertension" without a qualifier normally refers to arterial hypertension.

Hypertension can be classified either essential (primary) or secondary. Essential hypertension indicates that no specific medical cause can be found to explain a patient's condition. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of (i.e., secondary to) another condition, such as kidney disease or tumours (pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma). Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. At severely high pressures, defined as mean arterial pressures 50% or more above average, a person can expect to live no more than a few years unless appropriately treated.

Hypertension is considered to be present when a person's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or greater, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or greater. Recently, as of 2003, the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has defined blood pressure 120/80 mmHg to 139/89 mmHg as "prehypertension." Prehypertension is not a disease category; rather, it is a designation chosen to identify individuals at high risk of developing hypertension. The Mayo Clinic website specifies blood pressure is "normal if it's below 120/80" but that "some data indicate that 115/75 mm Hg should be the gold standard." In patients with diabetes mellitus or kidney disease studies have shown that blood pressure over 130/80 mmHg should be considered high and warrants further treatment.

Hypertension is labeled resistant if a person’s blood pressure remains above their target blood pressure despite taking three or more medications to lower it. The American Heart Association released a scientific statement in May 2008 with guidelines for treating resistant hypertension.

Source: Wikipedia

Bloggerwave

2008-05-18T19:49:00.001+07:00

Many bloggers still don’t know that their blogs can actually be used to make money. If you are one of them, you can also make money by registering your blog to Bloggerwave. If your blog is approved, you will be given job(s) to write reviews and you will get paid for every post you have written.

Look of the Year Contest

2008-05-10T19:10:00.003+07:00

Hello young boys and girls….

Have your ever heard about Look of the Year? If you still don’t know what it is, I’ll explain to you a little bit. This is a kind of beauty contest which is carried out through the internet. You just need to send your picture and the visitors of the site will give their votes. So, if you think you are beautiful or handsome and want to be a model, join it. There are four categories you can join: Girls 14-19, Boys 14-19, Women 19+, and Men 19+.

Calcium

2008-05-05T16:42:00.002+07:00

Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet. Calcium is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of bones and teeth, and calcium requirements must be met throughout life.

Long-term calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, in which the bone deteriorates and there is an increased risk of fractures. While a lifelong deficit can affect bone and tooth formation, over-retention can cause hypercalcemia (elevated levels of calcium in the blood), impaired kidney function and decreased absorption of other minerals. High calcium intakes or high calcium absorption were previously thought to contribute to the development of kidney stones.

However, more recent studies show that high dietary calcium intakes actually decrease the risk for kidney stones. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are a well-known source of calcium. However, some individuals are allergic to dairy products and even more people, particularly those of non Indo-European descent, are lactose-intolerant, leaving them unable to consume non-fermented dairy products in quantities larger than about half a liter per serving. Others, such as vegans, avoid dairy products for ethical and health reasons.

Fortunately, many good sources of calcium exist. These include seaweeds such as kelp, wakame and hijiki; nuts and seeds (like almonds and sesame); blackstrap molasses; beans; oranges; figs; quinoa; amaranth; collard greens; okra; rutabaga; broccoli; dandelion leaves; kale; and fortified products such as orange juice and soy milk. An overlooked source of calcium is eggshell, which can be ground into a powder and mixed into food or a glass of water. Cultivated vegetables generally have less calcium than wild plants.

Source: Wikipedia

Myrtle Seaside Resorts

2008-05-02T19:43:00.001+07:00

Going for a picnic with the members of the family or with our friends is fun. We can really enjoy the atmosphere. Where are you going in this vacation? Hiking or climbing a mountain? Staying in luxurious hotels? Or, visiting a beautiful beach? If you like to visit beaches, Myrtle Beach is worth visiting. Why? Because this beach is very beautiful and very suitable for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere on the beach. Myrtle Beach resort is available for you. You can spend your days there.

Besides enjoying the situation on the beach, you can also invite your friends to play golf together. There are tricky courses in which you can play. Those courses can really challenge you. You must think hard to conquer the courses. Yet, those courses are also entertaining and inspiring. I bet you will be addicted to playing golf there. Myrtle Beach golf is an interesting place for those who are crazy about playing golf.

Superb accommodations are also provided to the visitors. You can stay in luxurious hotels or condominiums. So, you can really feel the comfort. Are you interested in coming to this place? Take the members of your family and book now! Have a nice Myrtle Beach vacation!

How to Remove Links in Microsoft Word

2008-04-30T17:37:00.001+07:00

Browsing is an interesting activity. Sometimes, when we find a good article, we will copy the text and paste it to Ms-Word document. The problem is, if the article contains some links, the links will also be copied.

If you don't like or don't need those links, you can remove them. Please follow these steps:

Highlight the whole text with your mouse. (Or, you can also press CTRL+A.)
Press the combination of CTRL+SHIFT+F9. (Remember! You must press these three keys simultaneously.)

Now you can see that all the links in your Ms-Word document has been removed.

Source: Computer Tips & Tricks

Mac Games

2008-04-25T17:37:00.001+07:00

Do you like playing Mac games? Are you looking for free Mac games? Maybe you should visit macgamesandmore.com. This site contains weekly news on Macintosh software and hardware. There is an interesting game you can get from this site, i.e. Airport Mania for Mac. In this game you can try to play your roles as well as possible, such as landing various kinds of planes or avoiding delays. Interested?

Paris Bed & Breakfast

2008-04-25T17:07:00.001+07:00

Have you ever been to Paris? Do you have a plan to visit that romantic city and stay for several days there? Hotel Paris is one of the luxurious and cozy Paris hotels where you can enjoy the atmosphere and refresh your mind. Even you can get away from your bad mood. You will feel better if you also have Paris bed and breakfast. Well… Enjoy your stay with so much fun!

Osteoporosis (Part 2)

2008-04-25T14:43:00.001+07:00

Signs and symptoms

Osteoporosis itself has no specific symptoms; its main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures. Osteoporotic fractures are those that occur in situations where healthy people would not normally break a bone; they are therefore regarded as fragility fractures. Typical fragility fractures occur in the vertebral column, hip and wrist.

Fractures

The symptoms of a vertebral collapse ("compression fracture") are sudden back pain, often with radiculopathic pain (shooting pain due to compression of a nerve) and rarely with spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome. Multiple vertebral fractures lead to a stooped posture, loss of height, and chronic pain with resultant reduction in mobility.

Fractures of the long bones acutely impair mobility and may require surgery. Hip fracture, in particular, usually requires prompt surgery, as there are serious risks associated with a hip fracture, such as deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism, and increased mortality.

Falls risk

The increased risk of falling associated with aging leads to fractures of the wrist, spine and hip. The risk of falling, in turn, is increased by impaired eyesight due to any cause (e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration), balance disorder, movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease), dementia, and sarcopenia (age-related loss of skeletal muscle). Collapse (transient loss of postural tone with or without loss of consciousness) leads to a significant risk of falls; causes of syncope are manifold but may include cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), vasovagal syncope, orthostatic hypotension (abnormal drop in blood pressure on standing up) and seizures. Removal of obstacles and loose carpets in the living environment may substantially reduce falls. Those with previous falls, as well as those with a gait or balance disorder, are most at risk.

Sumber: Wikipedia

Osteoporosis (Part 1)

2008-04-24T14:30:00.001+07:00

Osteoporosis is a disease of bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bone is altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in women as a bone mineral density 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass (20-year-old healthy female average) as measured by DXA; the term "established osteoporosis" includes the presence of a fragility fracture.^[1] Osteoporosis is most common in women after menopause, when it is called postmenopausal osteoporosis, but may also develop in elderly men, and may occur in anyone in the presence of particular hormonal disorders and other chronic diseases or as a result of medications, specifically glucocorticoids, when the disease is called steroid- or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (SIOP or GIOP). Given its influence on the risk of fragility fracture, osteoporosis may significantly affect life expectancy and quality of life.

Osteoporosis can be prevented with lifestyle advice and sometimes medication, and in people with osteoporosis treatment may involve lifestyle advice, preventing falls and medication (calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates and several others).

Source: Wikipedia

Superior Performers

2008-04-22T11:18:00.001+07:00

Superior performers intentionally seek out feedbacks; they want to hear how others perceive them, realizing that this is valuable information. That may be part of the reason people who are self-aware are also better performers. Presumably their self-awareness helps them in a process of continuous improvement.

Self-awareness in itself is an invaluable tool for change, especially if the need to change is in line with the person's goals, sense of mission, or basic values--including the belief that self-improvement is good.

(Source: Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman)

When Your Computer Is Not Stable

2008-04-20T00:10:00.002+07:00

Have you ever come across a problem where the computer that you use restarts or turns off by itself? If this problem happens to your computer, there are some possibilities:

Your computer is too hot. To overcome this problem, install an additional fan inside the case of the CPU. This fan can function to make the CPU cooler.
The quality of the power supply in your computer is not good. Try to use a power supply with the output power of at least 400 Watts. The higher the power is, the better it will be.
The system files of your computer are corrupt. Try to reinstall your operating system to make your computer fresh again.
The problem can also be caused by a virus. Try to update your antivirus and scan your computer regularly. But remember! Installing an antivirus program does not always guarantee that your computer is free from viruses. Some viruses cannot be detected.

Source: Computer Tips & Tricks

A Short Biography of Daniel Defoe

2008-04-19T12:31:00.001+07:00

Daniel Defoe was born in London in 1660. After many years of studying for the ministry, Daniel decided that a religious life did not suit him. He chose, instead, to become a merchant.

He traveled widely and built up a successful business. During this period, he married and started raising a family.

But in 1692 his business failed, leaving the 32-year-old Defoe heavily in debt, with a wife and six children to support. Since he had always been interested in politics, he tried making his living by writing political articles for newspapers. These articles often criticized the king and the ruling party. As a result, Defoe spent many years in and out of prison.

Since his political writings had brought only troubles and increasing debts, Defoe turned to fiction writing. His first novel written in 1719 when Defoe was nearly sixty years old, was to become one of the best known adventure stories in the world. That novel was Robinson Crusoe--a story which still thrills readers today, more than two hundred fifty years later.

Robinson Crusoe brought Defoe great success and helped him pay back part of his debts. He continued writing novels such as Moll Flanders, Colonel Jack, and two other Robinson Crusoe stories, but his creditors always seemed to be one step behind him.

During his last years, Defoe was a sick, lonely old man, hunted by his creditors and abandoned by his ungrateful children. He died in 1731 at the age of 71, as alone and frightened as his hero, Robinson, had been during his 28 years on a deserted island.

Source: What-Who-Why

The Life of Mark Twain

2008-04-18T09:58:00.001+07:00

Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri, on November 30, 1835. During his school days, he was often mischievous and inattentive. Therefore, he left school when he was only twelve years old. But... many years later he became a man of many interests and occupations.

He began his career as a printer, then became a pilot of a Mississippi riverboat. Next, he also worked as a journalist, travel writer, and publisher. He wrote a number of articles, short stories, and novels. Some of his great works are The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Life on the Mississippi, The Prince and the Pauper, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Mark Twain was a pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. This name came from his riverboat days. At that time he was measuring the depth of the water which was called "marking the twain."

Mark Twain died in 1910. Now his name is very popular. He becomes one of America's greatest writers. If you want to know more about him and his works, I suggest you read one or more of his works.

Source: What-Who-Why

Imagination

2008-03-02T13:39:00.004+07:00

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire; you will what you imagine; and at last you create what you will.
-George Bernand Shaw-

Imajinasi adalah awal penciptaan. Anda membayangkan apa yang Anda inginkan; Anda mau apa yang Anda bayangkan; dan akhirnya menciptakan apa yang Anda mau.

Sumber: English Proverbs And Quotations Oleh Hendro Darsono, Penerbit Dioma

Jangan Sombong yeah....!

2008-02-19T15:55:00.003+07:00

Above the cloud with its shadow is the star with its light.
(Victor Hugo)

Di atas awan dengan bayangannya masih ada bintang dengan cahayanya.

(Sumber: Buku English Proverbs & Quotations oleh Hendro Darsono, diterbitkan oleh Penerbit Dioma Malang)

Rahasia Perut Rata Kayak Seleb

2007-11-17T20:51:00.001+07:00

Ternyata bisa punya perut rata gak perlu harus diet ketat lho, karena cara terbaik untuk memperoleh perut rata adalah dengan melatih bagian-bagian pada otot perut. Latihan ini dapat dilakukan minimal 3 kali seminggu dengan lama kurang lebih 1 jam.
Di bawah ini ada beberapa latihan yang harus dikerjakan untuk memperoleh hasil yang baik.

Sit ups Duduklah di matras atau karpet, lalu tekuk kaki. Silangkan tangan di dada. Kencangkan perut, lalu angkat badan ke atas, ke arah kaki yang di tekuk. Usahakan jangan melakukan nya dengan terburu-buru dan jangan mengangkat tubuh sebelum punggung menyentuh lantai
Crunches Berbaringlah di lantai dan letakkan betis di atas bangku datar. Atur posisi kaki supaya paha kelihatan tegak lurus. Taruh tangan di samping kepala. Gerakkan badan perlahan-lahan, tahan sebentar kemudian kembali ke posisi awal.
Leg Raises Berbaringlah di atas bangku datar dan pegang ujung bangku di belakang kepala. Dengan posisi kaki sedikit bengkok, angkat kaki hingga membentuk sudut 45 derajat. Usahakan kaki tidak menyentuh lantai. Tahan sebentar lalu kembali ke posisi awal.
Side to side Berdiri tegak dengan kedua tangan memegang dumble. Posisi tangan lurus di samping badan. Perlahan-lahan gerakkan tubuh ke kiri sampai otot perut samping merasakan tekanan. Usahakan jangan sampai tubuh membungkuk atau conong ke depan. Tahan kemudian kembali ke posisi semula. Lakukan lagi dengan arah sebaliknya.

Demikianlah beberapa cara untuk melatih otot-otot perut..Semoga bermanfaat dan selamat mencoba!

Sumber: Majalah Kawanku no 41-2007

Panduan Puasa Penderita Maag

2007-09-26T21:24:00.000+07:00

Sebelum saya memberikan beberapa panduan kepada penderita maag, saya ingin memberikan sedikit informasi tentang penyakit maag.

Dalam dunia medis, maag disebut dengan dispepsia. Dispepsia (maag) terbagi dalam 2 kelompok, yakni organik dan fungsional. Maag itu disebabkan oleh asam lambung yang berlebihan.

Pada saat bulan puasa, sebenarnya penderita maag dapat mendapakan sedikit penawar bagi penyakit ini. Memang pada minggu pertama, perut sering merasa tidak nyaman karena pola makan yang berubah. Tetapi pada minggu kedua, perut sudah semakin baik karena pola makan yang mulai teratur. Karena dengan berpuasa, penderita maag dapat mengurangi cemilan yang menggangu pencernaan.

Panduan makanan untuk penderita maag:

Hindari makanan yang banyak mengandung gas, misal kol, sawi, nangka, pisang. Selain itu kita juga harus menghindari makanan yang memperlambat pengosongan lambung, seperti coklat, keju, minuman bersoda, alkohol. Kopi pun harus dikurangi, karena dapat meningkatkan asam lambung.
Hindari makanan yang merangsang maag seperti makanan asam dan pedas.
Hindari makanan yang melemahkan klep kerongkongan bawah sehingga menyebabkan cairan lambung dapat naik ke kerongkongan, misal coklat, makanan tinggi lemak, dan gorengan.
Beberapa sumber karbohidrat harus dihindari, seperti beras ketan, mie, bihun, bulgur, jagung, dan ubi singkong.
Hindari juga kegiatan yang meningkatkan gas di lambung, misalnya merokok.

Itulah beberapa panduan makanan untuk penderita dispepsia (maag). Semoga bermanfaat dan selamat menjalankan ibadah puasa bagi yang menjalankan....

Mata Kucing yang Bersinar

2007-09-06T14:43:00.000+07:00

Mungkin kita semua tak asing lagi dengan lagu 'Kucing Garong' yang lagi digandrungi oleh semua kalangan, dari anak kecil sampai orang tua. Tapi maaf, dalam postingan kali ini saya belum membahas lagu itu. Dalam posting kali ini, saya akan membahas tentang mata kucing yang bersinar-sinar di dalam gelap, terutama pada malam hari.

Bila kita perhatikan pada malam hari, mata kucing sering terbuka lebar. Mata yang terbuka itu dimaksudkan agar setiap cahaya yang ditangkap dapat masuk sebanyak-banyaknya ke dalam matanya. Tujuannya adalah agar dapat memburu mangsanya di saat gelap. Karena mata kucing yang sering bersinar tajam pada malam hari yang gelap gulita, mata kucing tersebut menjadi terkesan menyeramkan.

Pintu Kebahagiaan

2007-08-13T16:30:00.000+07:00

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. (Hellen Keller)

Ketika satu pintu kebahagiaan tertutup, pintu yang lain terbuka; tetapi sering kali kita memandang begitu lama pada pintu yang tertutup itu sehingga kita tidak melihat pintu yang sudah dibukakan untuk kita.

Lagu: Kembang Perawan

2007-08-05T20:23:00.004+07:00

Kembang Perawan
By: Gita Gutawa

Ketika surya menampakkan cahayanya
Ku gapai hari terangku
Menanti sebuah cerita
Yang pasti akan terjadi di diriku

Kini ku mulai mengerti artinya cinta
Walau senda tawa
Namun hatiku mulai merasa
Bila dekat lelaki aku pun malu...

Akulah kembang perawan
ingin mulai merasa
Perasaan yang pasti
milik semua insan

Aku mulai jatuh cinta
Papa biarlah aku
menikmati semua anugerah
di hidupku...

Keajaiban dalam Diri

2007-07-17T15:48:00.000+07:00

Know that you are yourself a miracle. And believe you can make miracle happen--by thinking, praying, believing, working, and by helping people. (Norman Vincent Peale)

Ketahuilah bahwa diri Anda sendiri adalah sebuah keajaiban. Dan percayalah bahwa Anda bisa membuat keajaiban-keajaiban terjadi--dengan berpikir, berdoa, percaya, bekerja dan dengan membantu orang lain.

Ikutan nge-blog ah....

2007-06-23T15:54:00.000+07:00

Setelah beberapa lama saya ingin memiliki blog, akhirnya hari ini semua keinginan itu tercapai. saya sangat bersyukur sekali.hehehe. Sebenarnya keinginan ini turut didukung oleh omku yang bisa dibilang sudah sangat sukses dalam menggeluti dunia blogging.
Saya sangat mengharapkan kepada semua senior-senior di dunia blogger ini untuk bisa memaklumi semua kesalahan yang dilakukan karena sekarang ini masih dalam tahap belajar. Tapi saya akan selalu berusaha agar dapat mencari suatu gagasan yang asyik tapi tetap bermanfaat.
Enjoy my blog........