breakingdawn book review

Breaking Dawn

Published 2008          754 pages

Summary (from the book jacket)

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both a fantasy and a nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, she has endured a tumultuous year of temptation, loss and strife to reach the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice, to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or pursue a fully human life, has become the thread from which the fate of two tribes hangs.
Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella’s life – first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse – seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed… forever?

The Review

Breaking Dawn is the fourth and final novel in Stephenie Meyer’s hugely popular Twilight saga.  With all the hype surrounding the release of Breaking Dawn I doubt that there is anyone left on the planet that isn’t aware of the books publication!  However, readers who haven’t read any of the previous books in this saga should not be tempted to start here – you really need to read these books in order since the story continues over the series.
For readers who have read Stephenie Meyer’s previous offerings Breaking Dawn is the long awaited and highly anticipated end to the compelling tale of vampire Edward and human Bella’s impossible romance.  Beginnings can be tricky but Twilight got this series off to a fantastic start with its modern day fairy tale quality and heart stopping romance.  New Moon further built on that with Bella and Edward’s bleakly painful separation and subsequent happy reunion - but since the end of New Moon the romantic tension that had been driving the story into the heady heights compelling reading has been lacking.
As a result Eclipse was a different novel – it was clear that what ever happened in Eclipse Edward and Bella would be together forever – and the stresses on their relationship came from outside forces rather than from within the relationship itself.  Breaking Dawn is similar. The romantic tension between Edward and Bella is non-existent – it is clear that whatever happens to them (death, Jacob, mutant vampire baby) their love is non-negotiable and to a certain extent this alters the feel of the story, losing some of the romantic magic of Twilight in the process.
If beginnings are tricky, endings are fraught with difficulties.  At the beginning readers have no expectations but by the end everyone seems to have an opinion on how they would have finished the book if they were writing it.  Thankfully Stephenie Meyer was writing the ending so the resulting story is a good one and in my opinion a fitting end to this fantastic series.
In Breaking Dawn Stephenie Meyer addresses one of the major issues that some readers had with Bella’s character – namely that she wasn’t independent enough.  This novel sees Bella coming into her own power and proving that she is more that capable of independent thought and action.  While the Cullen family vampires have always been kind to Bella, it has been clear that she was no match for this talented bunch - but Bella’s character gains strengths that make her just as unique and talented as the rest of her new family.
Breaking Dawn is a weighty novel, weighing in at over 750 pages but it doesn’t feel like a long read.  The story is well paced and well balanced, with a mixture of exciting supernatural action as well as good character development and romance.  The strength of Stephenie Meyer’s writing as ever lies in her exploration of love in its many guises and Breaking Dawn gives her the opportunity to examine the relationships between mother and child, father and daughter, husband and wife and the bonds of friendship.
Breaking Dawn is a different novel to Twilight (and New Moon) and some readers may be disappointed by this but I’m not one of them.  I don’t want to keep buying the same story over and over again just with a different title and cover picture – I enjoy seeing the development of the characters as well as seeing the development of the author’s writing.  Breaking Dawn is more like Eclipse, Edward and Bella are sure of their love for each other but outside forces (this time it’s the Volturi) may tear them apart as the story reaches its thrilling climax.
The only small gripe I have about this novel is that in wrapping up the story every loose end has been neatly tied into a pretty bow - sometimes it’s good to leave something dangling in the breeze!  Oh, and I don’t like the book's cover either.  But apart from that, this book is all that I was personally hoping it would be.
Full of Forks goodness, Breaking Dawn is recommended reading for any self-respecting Stephenie Meyer fan. 


sumbe r:http://www.lovevampires.com/smbreakingdawn.html

twilight book review

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer

 

Published 2005        434 Pages

Synopsis

When seventeen year-old Bella Swan leaves sunny Arizona to live with her father in the small and gloomy Pacific North-West town of Forks she doesn’t expect to like it.  After all she has made excuses not to go there enough times over the past few years.  If living in Forks, with its constant mist and rain, wasn’t bad enough she will have to make a whole new set of friends and settle into a new school.
Bella soon makes some new friends at school but when she sees a boy called Edward Cullen sitting with his brothers and sisters in the cafeteria she is instantly intrigued.  Edward is stunningly attractive, almost inhumanly beautiful, and yet he is an outsider too.  Although Edward and his family have lived in Forks for two years they have never really been accepted by the townsfolk. 
At first Edward is aloof, sometimes it almost seems like he can’t stand to be in the same room as her, but eventually they strike up an unlikely friendship.  Even as Bella falls hopelessly and irrevocably in love with Edward, she still can’t work out exactly what makes him so different to everyone else.
On a trip to the beach, Bella is told of the local legend about the “cold ones”, a group of blood drinkers who have sworn off hunting humans but are still not welcome on Indian land because vampires are not to be trusted.  Realising Edward is vampire changes nothing for Bella, she knows that she still loves him even if he’s not human.
Edward and his whole family are vampires.  Edward himself was made a vampire when he was seventeen years-old, although that was at the end of World War I.  For Edward his love for Bella is both a delight and a torment.  A delight because she is the first person he has loved since he was made a vampire.  A torment because although he has sworn off human blood and only hunts animals the craving for human blood never truly leaves him and the very scent of her also stirs his hunger for blood….

The Review

Twilight is the story of Edward and Bella’s romance.  Forget any vampire romance you have read before, Twilight is so unique it is almost like it’s in its own genre.  The book is marketed at Young Adult readers but it has the ability to cross age barriers and will satisfy both teenagers and adults alike.
The story is told in first person from the perspective of Bella, so the reader only ever know what she knows, making Edward and his family a mystery that is slowly unravelled through out the book.  Even by the end of the book I was still thirsting for more of the Cullen family back story - hopefully their characters might be developed further in future books.  Bella herself is a well written and realistic character, shy and lacking in confidence, her sarcastic inner voice narrates the story for the reader.
Twilight is simply and yet beautifully written.  The descriptions of Forks leave you feeling like you can almost smell the damp air and hear the rain falling on the roof. 
The romance between Edward and Bella is both touching and compelling.  There is a melancholic feel to their impossible love, yet at the same time they both are unwilling to give up hope that their relationship is not doomed.  The book reaches a fever pitch of excitement as the romance between Bella and Edward turns into a frantic race to stay alive. 
I have heard Twilight described as “a vampire story for people who don’t like vampire stories” and I think I would agree with that.  This book really has something for everyone.  Young adult readers, vampire fans or romance readers will all find Twilight to be an appealing story.
For a Young Adult novel the book is quite long but don’t let that put you off reading it because each page is to be savoured.  Believe me, this is one book that you won’t want to end.

sumber :http://www.lovevampires.com/smtwilight.html

city of glass book review

CITY OF GLASS

As City of Glass opens Clary, Jace and the other Shadowhunters are on their way to Idris. Valentine is up to no good again and the very foundation of the Shadowhunting community is at risk. He’s waging a war and he’s asking all Shadowhunters, old and young, to pick a side: fight with him, or feel his all mighty wrath. But the Shadowhunters know that they can’t face Valentine alone – there aren’t enough of them and they would surely loose. Then someone has a genius idea: maybe the Downworlders will fight alongside the Nephilim. Their army would unquestionably increase in size, and with a bigger army, the Clave has a better chance of defeating Valentine. But will the Nephilim and the Downworlders be able to put aside their differences to fight for their lives?
Meanwhile, Clary and Jace are struggling with more than the evil actions of their father. Jace decides that being in love with Clary is just too hard, and he sets about finding himself a distraction. Aline doesn’t know about Jace and Clary’s history and when she makes a play for Jace, he doesn’t exactly stop her. Clary has tried distracting herself before with Simon, and that didn’t work. But seeing Jace with Aline hurts – a lot – and maybe its time for Clary to try the whole distraction thing again…
Enter Sebastian. He’s sexy, smart, charming, and seems totally interested in Clary. The question on everyone’s lips, however, should be, interested in what? Clary decides that she’d like to at least try and figure that out. Sebastian is a multi-layered character that provides a whole lot of entertainment for fans. Reading Sebastian is like riding an emotional rollercoaster. I sighed and cooed with delight, laughed at him, cheered for him, screamed at him and seethed as my blood curdled furiously at one point, too.
But Jace and Clary realise that watching each other cavorting with other people is just too hard. It hurts way too much…
“And I’m supposed to sit by while you date boys, fall in love with someone else, get married…?” His voice tightened. “And meanwhile, I’ll die a little bit more everyday, watching.”
Society says that Jace and Clary can’t be together, right? Maybe, just maybe, Jace and Clary don’t care what society says anymore. Jace and Clary, however, aren’t the only ones having romantic issues. Magnus and Alec seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place, too.
“I’m tired of you only wanting me around when you need something. I’m tired of watching you be in love with someone else – someone, incidentally, who will never love you back. Not the way I do.”
Magnus has been avoiding Alec – big time. As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and being away from Magnus forces Alec to deal with some of his inner demons. Can he let his feelings for Jace go and save his relationship with Magnus? And what about his parents… Alec has worked so hard to hide his sexuality from his parents and the Clave. Does he have the courage to open up to them and be true to himself? Its time for Alec to decide what kind of life he wants to lead. Will he chose a lonely life buried in the confines of the closet, or will he sacrifice everything he’s ever known for love?
There’s a whole lot more going on, too. Simon gets himself locked up, Izzy falls for someone very unexpected, Clary turns out to be a whole lot more talented than anyone expected she ever would, old friends return, and one of our beloved Shadowhunters will leave us forever…
But I’m sure you all want to know about Valentine, right? Is he really Jace and Clary’s dad? And for the love of the angel, are they going to take him down already? Everybody loves a good fight, and a good fight you shall get. Who will make it out alive, and whose lives will be shattered for all of eternity? I have the answers but I don’t feel like sharing right now… I suppose you’ll just have to grab yourself a copy of the book and find out for yourself.
There’s a whole lot of action, a little smooching, and one huge bombshell surprise after the other. I recommend coffee – lots of it – snacks, and a super comfy reading spot because this is one of those books that you wont be able to put down. Not for anything.
Cassandra Clare is a force to be reckoned with. Her use of imagery to create a real and vivid picture of her world is commendable. There was not one scene in the entire novel that didn’t appear in front of me like I was watching a film. Not only can she unpack an awesome story, but she writes beautifully, too. This is one of those rare, high-quality young adult reads that you don’t come by too often. The literary world should be thankful Miss Clare decided to grace us with her amazing talent.
A perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. If it were possible to award it a six star rating, I would.


SUMBER : http://www.yareads.com/city-of-glass-cassandra-clare/book-reviews/1040

city of ashes book review

City of Ashes

Cassandra Clare

 

Published 2008           411 pages

Summary (from the book jacket)

With her mother in a coma and her father hell-bent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged deeper into New York’s terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters.
Discovering the truth about her past was only the beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary’s shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

The Review

City of Ashes is the second book in Cassandra Clare’s young adult (YA) Mortal Instruments trilogy.  The first book, City of Bones, introduced readers to the hidden world of the Shadowhunters as seen through the eyes of Clary Fray when her secret Shadowhunter heritage finally catches up with her.  Events in City of Ashes take place directly after where the story in City of Bones finishes and if you haven’t already read City of Bones I would recommend reading it first, rather than starting with City of Ashes since it’s not really a story that a reader can drop straight into.
One of my criticisms of City of Bones was that the pacing of the novel seemed slow in places – possibly a result of the huge amount of fantasy world building that that story contained.  City of Ashes suffers from no such problems, in fact the story rockets forward at great pace - dragging readers along for a thrilling ride through the urban fantasy landscapes of a magical New York City.
The story is told in third person and mostly from the perspective of Clary, which for the most part works very well since it means that the reader can share Clary’s sense of bewilderment and wonder at the secret world that is revealed to her.  Her confusion over her relationship with her new found brother (the boy she wants but can’t have) and her feelings for Simon (her lifelong best friend who she wishes was her brother and not her boyfriend) make for compelling, if soap opera-ish reading (and I mean that in a good way – I like soap operas!)
City of Ashes shows its popular culture roots, in particular there are elements of Star Wars (the discovery of an evil father and the reunion of a brother and sister who never knew that the other existed) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (a mixed group of almost-adults battling evil and saving the world.) 
Even the description of Simon crawling out of his shallow grave – “The grave was roiling like the surface of an unsteady ocean. Ripples appeared on its surface. Suddenly it burst apart, clods of dirt flying. A small mountain of dirt, like an anthill, heaved itself upward. At the center of the mountain was a hand, fingers splayed, clawing at the dirt.” – conjures an image that I have seen countless times in nameless horror films as zombies, vampires and the evil undead arise to wreak havoc.
While City of Ashes may show its strong popular culture roots that is not necessarily a bad thing.  After all there is the word “popular” in popular culture.  These are ideas that have the ability to capture the imagination on more than one occasion, and in more than one way, and have fascinated countless people before now and will continue to do so for sometime to come.  Ultimately, City of Ashes adds up to more than the sum of its parts, so there is really no cause for complaint.
A fast paced and engaging read, City of Ashes is well written and a much stronger novel than City of Bones.  Summing up, if you liked City of Bones, you will love City of Ashes. Check it out!


sumber : http://www.lovevampires.com/cclcityofashes.html

city of bones book review

City of Bones

Cassandra Clare

 

Published 2007          442 pages


It’s after dark in New York City, and Clary Fray is seeing things.  The best-looking guy in the nightclub has just stabbed a boy to death – but the victim has vanished into thin air.  Her mother has disappeared, and a hideous monster is lurking in her apartment.
With her life spiralling into darkness, Clary realizes that she has stumbled into an invisible war between ancient demonic forces and secretive Shadowhunters – a war in which she has a fateful role to play…

The Review

City of Bones is the first part of The Mortal Instruments, a Young Adult (YA) urban fantasy trilogy, as well as Cassandra Clare’s first full length novel. Set in New York City, the story opens with fifteen year old Clary witnessing the murder of a blue-haired teenage boy in a nightclub - the only problem is no one else can see what she has seen…
Events in Clary’s life just get stranger when her mother disappears without warning and monsters start to infest her home.  Suddenly Clary is seeing odd and unusual things everywhere as demons, vampires, werewolves, faeries and warlocks start to be apparent all over New York City.
Luckily Clary’s path seems destined to cross with that of Jace, the good looking teenage boy that Clary first saw in the nightclub (murdering the blue haired boy) and he introduces her to the hidden world of the Shadowhunters.  A world where werewolves roam the streets of Chinatown, faeries live in Central Park, and vampires ride demonically powered motorbikes…
The Shadowhunters are Nephilim.  Traditionally Nephilim are the children of angels who have bred with mortal humans but in City of Bones the Nephilim were created when the Angel Raziel mixed his blood with human blood in the Mortal Cup.  The Shadowhunters exist to fight demons and are trained from birth for this purpose, the Mortal Cup can be used to create more Nephilim - making it a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. 
The vampires in City of Bones have most of the traditional vampire weaknesses and strengths (including being able to turn into bats) but they are the results of a demonic viral infection rather than the more traditional evil undead.  The Shadowhunters refer to them, and all other races not of pure human origin, as Downworlders - but they do not hunt vampires unless they turn rogue and start to kill humans.  The vampires only have a small part in this story but they make their presence felt with both humour (drunk vampires have an unfortunate habit of spontaneously turning into piles of dust until they sober up) and menace (drunk vampires seem more likeable than sober ones)!
City of Bones is a YA novel so much of the story revolves around the relationships and group dynamics of Clary, her human best friend Simon, and the three Shadowhunter teenagers that aid Clary when her mother goes missing.  Much of the action in story is related to an uprising lead by a Shadowhunter called Valentine, who has approximately the same political views as Hitler - just with Downworlders taking the place of the gypsies and Jews.
City of Bones is written in third person, almost entirely from the perspective of Clary and one of my criticisms of this book would be that, although she turns sixteen during the course of the book, the narrative sometimes seems more like the thoughts and actions of an adult in places rather than an adolescent.  The story suffers from uneven pacing too. The world building is laboured in places and the occasional over florid descriptions jar readers out of the story rather than drawing them into it.  
That said, once you get into the story, City of Bones still makes entertaining reading and is a fairly imaginative addition to the YA urban fantasy genre.  The length of the novel, combined with the pacing and content, will perhaps be a deterrent to younger readers but I can’t see the average fifteen year old fantasy fan having too many problems.  Certainly I enjoyed reading City of Bones, even though I am much older than its target audience!

Senin, 02/05/2011 11:18 WIB
Promotor Belum Resmi Umumkan Harga Tiket Konser Katy Perry
Adhie Ichsan - hotMusic

Katy Perry (Yulia Dian/detikhot)

Jakarta - Beberapa waktu yang lalu beredar kabar soal harga tiket konser Katy Perry yang mencapai jutaan rupiah. Namun, pihak promotor menegaskan kalau pihaknya belum mengumumkan secara resmi soal harga tiket.

"Belum, hari ini kita masih membahas soal harga tiket. Jadi belum ada pengumuman soal sistem penjualannya maupun harga resmi," ujar publisis dari Rumah Sinema, Ade Kusumaningrum kepada detikhot, Senin (2/5/2011).

Sebelumnya, pihak Rumah Sinema dan Berlian Entertainment berencana melakukan jumpa pers pada Senin (1/5/2011), namun dibatalkan. Saat ini Berlian Entertainment sudah tidak terlibat dalam penyelenggaraan konser Katy Perry.

"Kita akan umumkan segera soal tiket pada hari Rabu atau Kamis besok," tambah Ade.

Selain Katy Perry, Jakarta International Teen Festival Music akan menampilkan Big Bang (Korea), 24herbs (Hong Kong) dan Brown Eyed Girs (Korea). Acara tersebut akan digelar di JIE Expo, Kemayoran, Jakarta pada 28 Mei mendatang.


 (ich/mmu)

Sumber : http://music.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/02/111823/1630157/228/promotor-belum-resmi-umumkan-harga-tiket-konser-katy-perry

Waduh! Justin Bieber Dilempar Telur Saat Konser di Australia

Senin, 02/05/2011 13:43 WIB
Adhie Ichsan - hotMusic

Bieber (Adhie Ichsan/detikhot)

Jakarta - Rupanya, tidak semua remaja di dunia mengidolakan penyanyi sensasional Justin Bieber. Kejadian tidak mengenakkan dialami Bieber saat konser di Australia.

Penyanyi berusia 17 tahun itu dilempari 6 buah telur. Namun untungnya, tidak ada satu pun telur yang tepat mengenai sasaran.

Insiden tersebut terjadi saat pelantun 'Never Say Never' itu manggung di Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia pada Jumat (29/4/2011). Seperti dilansir Zimbio, Senin (2/5/2011), keenam telur tersebut dilemparkan dari kerumunan penonton.

Meskipun mendapat perlakuan buruk, Bieber masih bersikap profesional. Kekasih Selena Gomez itu tetap melanjutkan konsernya hingga usai.

Hingga kini, belum ada pernyataan resmi dari Bieber soal insiden tersebut. Sebelum konser di Australia, ia telah sukses memuaskan sekitar 10 ribu Belieber di Indonesia pada 23 April lalu.


 (ich/mmu)

Sumber : http://music.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/02/134309/1630338/228/waduh-justin-bieber-dilempar-telur-saat-konser-di-australia

Ingin Laku, Andien Tak Mau Idealis

Senin, 02/05/2011 14:52 WIB

Mahardian Prawira Bhisma - hotMusic

Andien (dok. detikhot)

Jakarta - Karier penyanyi Andien memang dibesarkan oleh musik jazz. Namun karena situasi pasar, Andien mengaku rela berpaling ke lain hati.

Musik jazz yang telah ditekuni pelantun 'Moving On' itu memang hanya bisa dinikmati oleh kalangan tertentu saja. Ia pun mengaku tak mau terlalu idealis dengan musiknya.

"Untuk masalah apa pun berusaha adil saja, saya tidak mau egois karena ini bicara pasar. Kalau mau mikir idealis pasti tidak laku," ungkap pemilik nama lengkap Andini Aisyah Hariadi itu saat ditemui di 'Dahsyat RCTI' Jalan Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta Barat, Senin (2/5/2011).

Walau berpaling, perempuan berusia 25 tahun itu tak mau melupakan musik yang dicintainya sejak kecil itu. Ia pun ingin tetap dikenal sebagai penyanyi jazz.

Baru-baru ini Andien berkolaborasi dengan Ungu yang notebene band pop. Bagi Andien, kolaborasinya tersebut bukan hanya untuk menarik pasar tapi juga memperkaya ilmunya dalam bermusik.

"Iya banyak kolaborasi yang aku lakukan. Gimana caranya lagu jazz dilantunkan dengan baik," tuturnya.

 (nu2/mmu)

Sumber : http://music.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/02/145255/1630502/228/ingin-laku-andien-tak-mau-idealis

Harga Tiket Konser Paramore di Indonesia Mulai Rp 400 ribu

Senin, 02/05/2011 16:23 WIB

Mahardian Prawira Bhisma - hotMusic

Paramore (Getty Images)

Jakarta - Band rock asal Amerika Serikat Paramore akan menggelar konsernya di Bali dan Jakarta pada 17 dan 19 Agustus 2011. Harga tiket dijual mulai Rp 400 ribu.

Untuk presale tiket konser di Pantai Carnaval Ancol, Jakarta dijual seharga Rp 600 ribu untuk kelas Festival A. Sedangkan harga presale untuk Festival B dijual Rp 400 ribu.

"Kalau harga normal konser yang di Jakarta, Festival A Rp 700 ribu dan Festival B Rp 500 ribu," ujar perwakilan promotor ShowMaxx Entertainment Syam Talisman saat jumpa pers di Hard Rock Cafe, EX Plaza, Jakarta Pusat, Senin (2/5/2011).

Sedangkan untuk konser di GWK, Bali, promotor menjual harga tiket Festival A Rp 600 ribu dan Festival B Rp 400 ribu. Promotor juga menyediakan sistem penjualan secara online untuk memudahkan para penonton mendapatkan tiket.

Syam mengungkapkan kalau Paramore amat bersemangat menggelar konser di Indonesia. Mereka sudah tidak sabar untuk menyapa para fans di Tanah Air.

"Awalnya Hayley (vokalis) minta konser di Jakarta dan Jogja, karena pacarnya dari New Found Glory (gitarisnya) memberikan suvenir dari Jogja. Akhirnya kita pilih Bali dan kasih foto-foto Bali, dan dia suka. Sebelum mengajukan ke Bali, kita udah memberikan survei bahwa fanbase-nya cukup besar," tambahnya.


 (ich/mmu)

Sumber : http://music.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/02/162349/1630627/228/harga-tiket-konser-paramore-di-indonesia-mulai-rp-400-ribu

Yuni Shara Siapkan Lagu Untuk Raffi Ahmad

Senin, 02/05/2011 17:25 WIB

Mahardian Prawira Bhisma - hotMusic

Yuni Shara (Rachman/DetikHot)

Jakarta - Meski tengah berduet dengan Iwa K dan sibuk menjalankan promo dengan trio-nya bersama Krisdayanti dan Iis Dahlia, tak membuat Yuni Shara melupakan duetnya dengan sang kekasih, Raffi Ahmad.

Diam-diam, wanita kelahiran Malang, 3 Juni 1972 itu menyiapkan lagu baru untuk Raffi. "Aku sudah siapkan lagu untuk Raffi sendiri dan untuk duet kita juga," ungkapnya usai mengisi acara musik 'DahSyat' di RCTI, Senin (2/5/2011).

Tak hanya itu, Yuni juga selalu memberikan dukungan kepada pria yang telah tiga tahun dipacarinya tersebut agar berani untuk bernyanyi seorang diri.

"Saya sudah bilang Raffi untuk nyanyi sendiri. Tapi Raffi masih belum mau, masih malu-malu," tegasnya.

Sebelum lagunya dengan Iwa K resmi diluncurkan, dikatakan Yuni jika Raffi sudah mencoba untuk belajar nge-rap.

"Bagus lho, asyik juga Raffi, hanya perlu digali terus potensi bernyanyinya dan keberaniannya untuk tampil sendiri,"jelas Yuni.

 (nu2/mmu)

Sumber : http://music.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/02/172558/1630674/228/yuni-shara-siapkan-lagu-untuk-raffi-ahmad

'Iron Man 2', Film 2010 Dengan Kesalahan Terbanyak

Jumat, 17/12/2010 14:36 WIB

Han Kristi - detikMovie

Iron Man (Paramount)

Los Angeles - 'Iron Man 2' bisa dibilang sebagai salah satu film Hollywood yang tersukses pada 2010 ini. Namun, film yang dibintangi Robert Downey Jr itu dinobatkan sebagai Film 2010 Dengan Kesalahan Terbanyak.

Situs Movie Mistaken membuat polling untuk menentukan daftar film dengan kesalahan terbanyak yang dirilis pada 2010. Film yang disutradarai oleh Jon Favreau itu berada di peringkat puncak daftar tersebut. Sepanjang 125 menit, total terdapat 46 kesalahan.


(hkm/hkm)

Sumber : http://movie.detikhot.com/read/2010/12/17/143611/1527280/618/iron-man-2-film-2010-dengan-kesalahan-terbanyak

Gading Marten Terima Tawaran Jadi Sutradara

Jumat, 29/04/2011 17:59 WIB

Komario Bahar - detikMovie

Gading Marten (Fakhmi/DetikHot)

Jakarta - Gading Marten kini tengah menantang dirinya sendiri. Hal ini dibuktikannya lewat keberaniannya mencoba menjadi seorang sutradara.

Setelah dua tahun lalu presenter kelahiran Jakarta 8 Mei 1982 itu menjajal kemampuan aktingnya, tahun ini giliran ia menerima tawaran untuk berkarya di belakang layar film.

"Dua tahun lalu aku jadi pemain dalam LA Lights Indie Movie, dan tahun ini aku ditawari untuk jadi sutradara. Aku pun tertarik karena punya tantangan sendiri. Aku ingin menghabiskan dunia aku di sini," ungkapnya saat ditemui di Pusat Perfilman Haji Usmar Ismail, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan, Jumat (29/4/2011).

Anak dari aktor veteran Roy Marten itu juga nampaknya tak ingin menyia-nyiakan kesempatan yang datang padanya. Ia akan ikut dalam kompetisi LA Lights Indie Movie tahun ini.

"Kali ini kompetisinya ada temannya, Love and Passion. Pemaknaannya lebih universal dan cinta bisa ke mana saja," ujarnya.

"Sebenernya tema ini sangat bertolak belakang dari keinginan aku. Karena, aku maunya bikin film thriller. Menurut aku tema cinta rada melow. Tapi karena tema sudah ditentukan aku pun harus ikut aturan," paparnya.

(nu2/mmu)

Sumber : http://movie.detikhot.com/read/2011/04/29/175944/1628857/229/gading-marten-terima-tawaran-jadi-sutradara

Laura Basuki Belum Pede Jadi Sutradara

Jumat, 29/04/2011 22:19 WIB

Rachman Haryanto - detikMovie

Laura Basuki (Fakhmi/detikhot)

Jakarta - Aktris cantik Laura Basuki mempunyai keinginan besar untuk menggali talentanya di dunia layar lebar. Bukan hanya menjadi aktris, Laura juga ingin mencoba berkreasi di balik layar sebagai sutradara.

Namun keinginan tersebut agaknya belum bisa diwujudkan dalam waktu dekat. Karena bintang film '3 Hati 2 Dunia 1 Cinta' itu masih ingin menggali pengalaman berakting terlebih dahulu.

"Kalau saya sudah punya pengalaman yang cukup di dunia akting, pasti saya coba untuk jadi sutradara," tutur Laura Basuki saat ditemui di acara 'LA Light Indie Movie: Film Gue Cara Gue' di PPHUI, Kuningan, Jakarta, Jumat (29/4/2011).

Sebetulnya banyak tawaran yang menghinggapi peremupan kelahiran 9 Januari 1988 itu. Namun karena ia masih merasa belum matang, pupuslah kesempatannya untuk mencoba menjadi sutradara. Ia merasa masih butuh waktu untuk memutuskan terjun menjadi sutradara.

"Tawaran-tawaran seperti itu (sutradara) pasti ada, cuma saya masih butuh waktu, saya butuh mematangkan pengalaman saya dulu, nanti kalau sudah matang baru pindah jalur," pungkasnya.


(fk/mmu)

Sumber : http://movie.detikhot.com/read/2011/04/29/221944/1629032/229/laura-basuki-belum-pede-jadi-sutradara

Pengalaman Atiqah Hasiholan Syuting 'The Mirror Never Lies'

Komario Bahar - detikMovie

Atiqah Hasiholan (Rachman/DetikHot)

Jakarta - Aktris Atiqah Hasiholan harus berperan sebagai orang suku Bajo di film terbarunya 'The Mirror Never Lies'. Ia pun harus menjalani salah satu adat di suku tersebut.

Di sebagian besar adegan, bintang Lux itu memakai bedak pupur di wajahnya yang merupakan salah satu kebiasaan dari suku asal Sulawesi Tenggara itu.

"Perempuan sana banyak yang pake, biasanya untuk melindungi muka dari matahari, selain.itu karena perempuan Bajo banyak yang pake, itu juga sebagai simbol," Ujar Atiqah saat ditemui di Plaza FX, Senayan, Jakarta belum lama ini.

Akibat terlalu sering memakai bedak itu selama syuting, Atiqah mengaku kulit wajahnya sempat mengalami efek samping.

"Beruntusan abis itu karena terlalu sering, dari pagi sampe malam pake itu, aslinya sih nggak harus selama itu juga," Kisahnya.

Kendati begitu, Kekasih Rio Dewanto itu pun mensyukuri pengalamannya bermain film garapan putri Garin Nugroho itu. Keindahan laut 'Wakatobi' dan keramahan penduduk asli Suku Bajo selama syuting sangat disyukuri Atiqah.

"Di sana orangnya menyenangkan sekali, orang yang sangat open banget. Untuk akrab gampang sekali. Karena mungkin aku kebanyakan di daerah Jawa yang banyak tata kramanya dan banyak basa-basinya, nah di sana tuh nggak gitu, Jadi cepat akrab" tutupnya.

(kmb/hkm)

Sumber : http://movie.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/01/121124/1629580/229/pengalaman-atiqah-hasiholan-syuting-the-mirror-never-lies

'Fast Five' Geser 'Rio' dari Puncak Box Office

Senin, 02/05/2011 10:26 WIB

Adhie Ichsan - detikMovie

'Fast Five' Geser 'Rio' dari Puncak Box Office
(ist.)
Jakarta - Setelah dua minggu menduduki puncak box office Amerika Serikat, film animasi 'Rio' akhirnya tergeser. Aksi balapan Vin Diesel lewat film 'Fast Five' berhasil meraih pendapatan terbesar minggu ini.

'Fast Five' adalah seri kelima dari 'The Fast and the Furious'. Film garapan sutradara Justin Lin itu telah dirilis di Amerika Serikat sejak 29 April lalu.

Di minggu pertama pemutarannya, 'Fast Five' langsung meraih pendapatan sebesar US$ 83,6 juta. Sementara 'Rio' turun ke peringkat kedua box office dengan pendapatan US$ 14,4 juta.

Film drama komedi 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family' berada di peringkat ketiga dengan pendapatan US$ 10,05 juta. Minggu lalu, film yang disutradarai Tyler Perry itu berada di peringkat kedua box office dengan pendapatan US$ 27,75 juta.

'Water for Elephants' yang dibintangi Robert Pattinson dan Reese Witherspoon hanya menduduki peringkat empat box office dengan pendapatan US$ 9,12 juta. Peringkat kelima box office minggu ini ditempati film drama remaja 'Prom' dengan pendapatan US$ 5 juta.



(ich/mmu)

Sumber : http://movie.detikhot.com/read/2011/05/02/102618/1630076/229/fast-five-geser-rio-dari-puncak-box-office

Lorenzo Puas, Spies Frustrasi

Estoril - Duo Yamaha, Jorge Lorenzo dan Ben Spies, mengakhiri balapan di Estoril dengan berbeda. Lorenzo dipuaskan dengan finis di posisi dua sedangkan Spies yang harus retired untuk kali kedua beruntun mengaku frustrasi.

Lorenzo sebenarnya sempat memimpin balapan di Estoril, Minggu (1/5/2011) malam WIB. Sial untuknya, Lorenzo tak kuasa menghambat laju Dani Pedrosa dari Honda yang lantas keluar jadi pemenang.

"Posisi kedua cukup bagus, kami punya angka cukup banyak dari tiga balapan, jadi aku pikir kami dalam posisi bagus untuk terus berjuang di kejuaraan ini," nilai Lorenzo di situs resmi MotoGP.

Dengan hasil tersebut Lorenzo masih memuncaki klasemen sementara pembalap MotoGP dengan poin 65, unggul empat poin dari Pedrosa yang ada di posisi dua.

Kalau Lorenzo terlihat puas dengan hasil balapan di MotoGP Portugal, hal sebaliknya dirasakan Spies. Ia mengalami masalah dengan sebuah alat yang digunakan untuk menghambat aliran bahan bakar di pipa, yang mana alat itu mestinya sudah dicopot sebelum balapan dimulai.

"Saat aku mendapati alat itu belum dilepas, aku mencoba melepasnya sendiri karena letaknya tepat di samping tuas/handle-rem motorku," jelas Spies.

Usaha itu lantas malah melahirkan masalah lain karena kemudian ada bagian lain dari motornya yang longgar dan membuyarkan konsentrasi Spies.

"Itu benar-benar merusak konsentrasiku karena aku khawatir membuat pembalap lain jadi out di salah satu tikungan. Lalu aku crash," sesal Spies.

Dengan demikian, selama dua seri berturut-turut Spies gagal melintasi garis finis, sebagaimana yang terjadi di Jerez. "Aku sangat kecewa dengan hari ini. Setelah yang terjadi di Jerez, ini benar-benar bikin frustrasi karena terjadi di luar kendaliku," tukasnya.

sumber :http://www.detiksport.com/read/2011/05/02/030314/1629919/81/lorenzo-puas-spies-frustrasi?s99110269

Heat Memimpin 1-0 dari Celtics

Miami - Miami Heat dan Memphis Grizzlies memetik kemenangan atas lawannya masing-masing di gim pertama partai semifinal wilayah. Heat mengatasi Boston Celtics 99-90, Grizzles membekap Oklahoma City Thunder 114-101.

Bertarung di kandang sendiri, Senin (2/5/2011) dinihari WIB, Heat mendapatkan perlawanan sengit dari Celtics. Saking panasnya, Paul Pierce dari Celtics mendapat dua technical foul dalam selang 58 detik dan harus meninggalkan lapangan.

Heat sendiri memulai gim pertama Semifinal Wilayah Timur ini dengan baik dan berhasil mengungguli Celtics sebanyak tiga bola, 20-14.

Keunggulan terus dijaga dan dilebarkan di kuarter dua, di mana Heat sukses menambah 31 angka seraya menghambat Celtics sehingga cuma mampu mendulang 22 poin tambahan. Heat menyudahi paruh pertama dengan 51-36.

Celtics memperlihatkan sinyalemen kebangkitan sedari kuarter tiga dengan melebihi tambahan angka Heat di babak ini dengan 26-25. Celtics masih tertinggal 62-76.

Jauhnya selisih tersebut terbukti terlalu jauh untuk dikejar Celtics. Tim tamu akhirnya harus mengakui keunggulan tuan rumah. Heat menang 99-90 di gim pertama ini.

Dwayne Wade menjadi penampil terbaik Heat dengan 38 poin, 1 rebound dan 5 assist. Di kubu Celtics, Ray Allen tampil paling menonjol dengan sumbangan 25 poin, 3 rebound dan 3 assist.

Sebelumnya di Oklahoma City, Grizzlies tampil relatif dominan saat menggulung tuan rumah Thunder. Setelah memimpin lima bola di paruh pertama, Grizzlies terus melaju sampai akhirnya memastikan kemenangan 114-101.

Dengan demikian Grizzlies kini memimpin 1-0 atas Thunder di Semifinal Wilayah Barat.

sumber :http://www.detiksport.com/read/2011/05/02/060006/1629938/78/heat-memimpin-1-0-dari-celtics?s99110269

Belum Siap Menang, Rossi Bidik Catalunya

Pedrosa Rebut Estoril dari Lorenzo

Estoril - Mempertimbangkan kondisinya, Valentino Rossi cukup puas dengan hasil di Estoril. Akibat kondisinya pula ia mungkin baru akan bisa unjuk gigi di dua seri mendatang.

Rossi hanya mampu mengakhiri balapan MotoGP Portugal, Minggu (1/5/2011) malam WIB di posisi lima setelah dilewati Andrea Dovizioso menjelang garis finis.

"Kami senang dengan hasil balapan ini, terutama sekali karena aku senang dengan kondisi fisikku, aku bisa melaju dengan normal sampai akhir balapan," nilai Rossi di Autosport.

Meski demikian, pembalap Ducati tersebut mengaku belum mencapai kondisi 100%. Maka dari itu Rossi pun menilai dirinya belum siap berpacu dengan tingkat kebugaran penuh mengejar kemenangan.

Selain itu, Ducati juga masih perlu memangkas ketingalan sekitar 0,4 detik dari para pembalap terdepan untuk bisa meraih kemenangan. Jika itu bisa dilakukan, plus dengan kondisinya yang membaik, Rossi optimistis bisa kompetitif di MotoGP Catalunya yang menjadi seri kelima musim ini.

"Kini kami harus membenahi motor untuk berusaha menyelesaikan beberapa masalah."

"Aku pikir kami belum siap untuk menang. Le Mans hanya ditargetkan untuk meningkatkan posisi. Mungkin aku belum akan 100% di Le Mans. Tapi untuk Barcelona aku pikir aku akan fit," tegas Rossi.

Usai Estoril, MotoGP akan menyambangi Prancis di Le Mans pada 15 Mei depan. Setelahnya giliran Circuit de Catalunya di Barcelona bakal dijalani pada 5 Juni mendatang.


sumber :http://www.detiksport.com/read/2011/05/02/070727/1629953/81/belum-siap-menang-rossi-bidik-catalunya?s99110269

Simoncelli Salahkan Ban

Getty Images

Estoril - Usia balapan Marco Simoncelli di Estoril hanya empat tikungan sampai akhirnya ia crash. Rider Honda Gresini itu pun menyebut kesalahan ada pada ban motornya.

Pada balapan yang berlangsung Minggu (1/5/2011) malam WIB, Simoncelli menjadi salah satu pembalap pertama yang mengalami crash. Bersama dirinya, ikut keluar dari balapan juga Hector Barbera saat lap pertama bahkan belum usai.

Padahal Simoncelli merasa yakin dirinya bisa naik podium setelah memulai balapan dari posisi dua. Atas kegagalannya tersebut ia pun meminta maaf kepada tim.

"Saya meminta maaf atas kegagalan ini karena kali ini kami punya kesempatan untuk naik podium, bahkan menang," ujarnya di situs resmi MotoGP.

"Mungkin saya melakukan sedikit kesalahan. Namun, saya pikir ini adalah kesalahan pada ban yang dingin di sisi kiri, karena di akhir Turn 1 kami cenderung mengarahkan motor ke kiri untuk berakselerasi. Di sanalah pertama kalinya saya kehilangan bagian belakang."

"Jadi, di tikungan lainnya saya mulai lebih memperhatikan, terutama di Turn 4."

"Saya melewati tikungan dengan satu gigi lebih tinggi untuk membuat motor menjadi lebih motor dan lebih halus. Namun, di tengah tikungan, tanpa gas, saya crash. Tak ada yang bisa saya lakukan," tukasnya.


sumber :http://www.detiksport.com/read/2011/05/02/132916/1630316/81/simoncelli-salahkan-ban?s99110269

Webber Mungkin Saja Tinggalkan Red Bull

Milton Keynes - Mark Webber tak menutup kemungkinan dirinya akan meninggalkan Red Bull pada akhir kompetisi Formula 1 tahun ini. Hal itu akan dilakukannya jika 'Banteng Merah' tak memperpanjang kontraknya.

Team principal Red Bull, Christian Horner, sebelumnya sempat memprediksi Webber akan pensiun pada akhir musim ini jika dia tak bersama Red Bull lagi. Namun, Webber mengaku siap mengambil pilihan lain jika merasa ambisi pribadinya belum tercapai.

"Saat kejuaraan ini usai kontrak saya bersama Red Bull akan tuntas. Tapi, saya tak berpikir itu akan tergantung pada hasilnya," ujar Webber kepada La Stampa, sebagaimana dikutip ESPN.

"Saya ingin menang untuk diri saya sendiri. Kita akan lihat, jika tim tak menginginkan saya lagi, saya harus bertanya kepada diri saya sendiri--menggantung helm atau berganti tim?" lanjut pembalap Australia itu.

Untuk kompetisi tahun ini, Webber bertekad untuk ikut dalam perebutan gelar juara. Dia siap bersaing dengan rekan setimnya, Sebastian Vettel.

"Saya bertekad. Tahun lalu saya bertarung untuk titel dan saya ingin melakukannya lagi. Sebastian sangat cepat dan dia sekarang lebih berpengalaman, tapi dia bukannya tak bisa dikalahkan. Saya tak mau bicara soal kelemahannya, tapi kami semua tahu," tutupnya.

sumber :http://www.detiksport.com/read/2011/05/02/172128/1630687/80/webber-mungkin-saja-tinggalkan-red-bull?s99110269

Menara Air Tirtanadi, Ikon Kota Medan

Menara air yang bernama Tirtanadi ini pada jamannya menjadi bangunan penanda kota Medan. Inilah ikon kota Medan yang sebenarnya. Dia dulu memang tidak cuma sebagai landmark, tetapi juga sangat berguna untuk mengalirkan air bersih ke seluruh pelosok kota Medan. Pertumbuhan kota yang semakin membutuhkan pasokan air lebih banyak tentu tidak bisa lagi dilayani menara air yang masih berdiri megah di kota Medan ini. Sekarang menara air ini sudah bukan landmark kota lagi karena mulai terhimpit bangunan tanpa cita rasa dan tanpa tertata di sekelilingnya. Tak lupa kemacetan parah disekitarnya.:).....
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Menara ini merupakan peninggalan sejarah pemerintahan kolonial Belanda dengan Nomor Bangunan No. 3D-036 dan tahun penyelesaian 1908. Klo gak salah dibangun mulai tahun 1896 mendahului perusahaan-nya yang dibentuk kemudian. Nama resminya adalah Menara Air di jalan Pandu, kalo dulu cukup dengan Menara Air saja. Namun lebih dikenal sebagai Menara Air Tirtanadi. Alamat resmi Menara Air ini di JL.Sisingamangaraja No.1. Lokasinya pas di persimpangan jalan Sisingamangaraja, Jl. Pandu, Jl. Cirebon, dan Jl. Hj. Ani Idrus.
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Menara Air ini tidak dapat dilepaskan dari sejarah Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum Tirtanadi yang didirikan pada tanggal 23 September 1905 dengan nama NV. Water Leiding Maatschappij Ajer Beresih yang berkantor pusat di Amsterdam negeri Belanda. Sepertinya akrab tuh dengan istilah 'Leiding', 'Ajer Beresih', hehehe. Dengan dikeluarkannya Peraturan Daerah Sumatera Utara No.11 tahun 1979 perusahaan ini resmi menggunakan nama yang sekarang (Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum Tirtanadi) disingkat PDAM Tirtanadi yang berlokasi di Jl.Sisingamangaraja No.1 Medan.

sumber : http://jalanjalandiindonesia.blogspot.com/2010/04/menara-air-tirtanadi-ikon-kota-medan.html#more

Serba Serbi Makassar

Kota Makassar yang pernah dikenal sebagai Ujungpandang atau Ujung Pandang (dari tahun 1971 s.d. 1999) adalah sebuah kotamadya dan sekaligus ibu kota provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Kotamadya ini adalah kota terbesar di Indonesia Timur atau terbesar keempat di Indonesia setelah Jakarta, Surabaya, dan Medan. Makassar dikenal mempunyai Pantai Losari yang indah. Kota ini akan merayakan ulang tahunnya setiap tanggal 9 November dan ulang tahun yang ke-400 dirayakan pada 9 November 2007 yang lalu.....
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Secara geografis, Makassar terletak di pesisir barat daya pulau Sulawesi, menghadap Selat Makassar. Jadi, posisi kota Makassar itu berbatasan Selat Makassar di sebelah barat, Kabupaten Kepulauan Pangkajene di sebelah utara, Kabupaten Maros di sebelah timur dan Kabupaten Gowa di sebelah selatan. Kalo koordinat letaknya di globe sih pada 5°8′ LS 119°25′ BT. Sehingga kota Makasar termasuk zona Waktu Indonesia bagian Tengah (WITA). Sedangkan kode telepon interlokal untuk kota ini adalah 0411
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Kota ini termasuk kota kosmopolis, banyak suku bangsa tinggal di sini. Di kota ini ada suku Makassar, Bugis, Toraja, dan Mandar. Di kota ini ada pula komunitas Tionghoa yang cukup besar. Makassar memiliki wilayah seluas 175,77 km² dan penduduk sebesar kurang lebih 1,25 juta jiwa. Orang Makassar terkenal sebagai pelaut, maka tak heran kalo motto kota Makassar adalah 'Sekali Layar Terkembang, Pantang Biduk Surut Ke Pantai'.


Kota Makassar dibagi kepada 14 kecamatan dan 143 kelurahan. Kecamatan-kecamatan tersebut adalah: Biring Kanaya, Bontoala, Makassar, Mamajang, Manggala, Mariso, Panakkukang, Rappocini, Tallo, Tamalate, Tamalanrea, Ujung Pandang, Ujung Tanah, dan Wajo.
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Kota Makassar mempunyai sebuah bandara internasional, Bandar Udara Internasional Sultan Hasanuddin, yang pada tanggal 4 Agustus 2008 resmi dioperasikan. Arsitektur bandara ini mengambil konsep kapal pinishi. Bandara Hasanuddin juga memiliki taksi khusus Bandara dengan harga yang bervariasi sesuai dengan region dari daerah yang di tuju serta Shuttle bus khusus yang melayani jalur dari dan ke bandara baru.
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Di kota Makassar terdapat sekitar 6000 bus mini atau juga dikenal dengan sebutan pete-pete yang menjadi komuter utama di kota ini. Jumlah pete-pete di kota ini seringkali dianggap terlalu banyak mengingat kota ini hanya membutuhkan sekitar 3000 pete-pete. Sudah mirip Bogor, si Kota Seribu Angkot. Hal ini berarti terdapat 2 pete-pete untuk seorang komuter. Biaya Rp.1500,- untuk orang dewasa dan Rp.1100,- untuk pelajar.
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Sedangkan bus pada umumnya hanya digunakan untuk transportasi dalam skala besar dan bus tidak bersifat publik di dalam kota. Pada umumnya untuk skala antar kota. Kini Angkutan tersebut dikonversi menjadi Bus Way. Pemerintah akan membangun infrastruktur tersebut mulai tahun 2008.
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Taksi adalah komuter paling eksklusif di kota ini. Bagus-bagus. Saat ini Makassar sudah memiliki 7 perusahaan taksi baik yang dikelola oleh pmerintah setempat atau pun oleh swasta. Diantaranya ada Bosowa, Putra, dll.
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Makassar juga terkenal dengan angkutan tradisional becak. Jumlahnya sendiri mencapai 1.500 unit. Ada becak motor juga lho, kayak di Sumatra Utara dan Gorontalo. Pemerintah setempat memberlakukan becak untuk pariwisata. Khusus beroperasi disekitar kawasan wisata saja. Tarifnya tergantung kesepakatan dengan penggayung. Oleh karena itu Makassar juga biasa disebut dengan kota 'DAENG' yang artinya panggilan terhadap orang yang lebih tua. Tapi bukan kota 'KRATINGDAENG'.:)
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Untuk mengatasi lalu lintas yang makin padat di dalam kota Makassar, maka saat ini telah terbangun jalan tol yang diberi nama Jalan Tol Reformasi yang menghubungkan bagian timur kota Makassar dengan pelabuhan Makassar. Pada tahun 2007 telah mulai pula dibangun jalan tol yang menghubungkan Bandara International Hasanuddin dengan pusat kota Makassar dan juga sementara dilaksanakan pembangunan jalan lingkar yang selain menghubungkan Bandara Hasanuddin dengan kota Makassar juga menghubungkan kawasan-kawasan pergudangan dan pabrik. Selain itu Makassar juga sedang melakukan pelebaran jalan untuk mengatasi kemacetan terutama di kawasan pegudangan [KIMA].
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Makanan khas Makassar adalah coto Makassar, Roti Maros, Kue Tori', Palabutung, Pisang Ijo, Otak-otak, Sop Saudara (hmm, yummy) dan Sop Konro. Kalo minuman sih ada Markisa Makassar. Sedangkan obat kuat khas disini terkenal adalah Sanrego (labelnya ada gambar kuda berdiri sambil meringkik, hehehe).
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Sedangkan tempat-tempat tujuan wisata di kota Makassar ini adalah: Pantai Losari, Fort Rotterdam, Pantai Akarena, Pulau Laelae, Pulau Khayangan, Pulau Samalona, Benteng Sombaopu, Pantai Barombong, Makam Raja-Raja Tallo, Makam Sjekh Jusuf (Gowa), Pelabuhan Rakyat Paotere, dan Taman Makam Pahlawan.
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Selain tujuan wisata itu, terdapat juga beberapa bangunan penting fasilitas kota Makassar, yaitu : Celebes Convention Centre, Bandara Internasional Hasanuddin, Pelabuhan Soekarno-Hatta, Gereja Kathedral, Masjid Al-Markaz Al-Islami, Masjid Raya, dan Kelenteng Kwangkong.
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Terakhir, kota satelit Makassar yang saat ini giat dikembangkan adalah Tanjung Bunga


sumber :http://jalanjalandiindonesia.blogspot.com/2010/04/serba-serbi-makassar.html#more.

istana Maimoon, Istana Kuning

Istana Maimoon atau disebut Istana Maimun memang didominasi warna kuning, warna khas Melayu. Klo menurut buku Sejarah Singkat Istana Maimoon yang aku beli disitu seharga Rp 20.000,- sih istana ini didirikan dengan biaya Fl. 100.000 (atau setara 1 juta gulden Belanda) tahun 1888 dengan arsitek seorang tentara KNIL, Kapten Th. van Erp, dan dikerjakan oleh pemborong Italia. Bangunannya berdiri di atas tanah seluas 2.772 Meter persegi, menghadap Timur. Peletakan batu pertama tanggal 26 Agustus 1888 dilakukan oleh Sultan Maimun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alam Shah. Mulai ditempati tanggal 18 Mei 1891. Ini dapat dibaca pada sekeping marmer di kedua tiang ujung tangga naik. Jadi, usia istana ini sekarang sudah lebih dari satu abad.....

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Sementara Pak Fajar cari-cari parkir aku masuk ke Istana Maimoon. Oh ya, kita mesti melepas sepatu dan meninggalkannya di anak tangga teratas. Agak lama juga saya berada di dalam sambil potret sana potret sini.:) Untung Pak Fajar sabar menunggu di luar.
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Kalo saya perhatikan, desain istana ini meniru berbagai gaya, yaitu gaya tradisional istana-istana Melayu yang memanjang ke depan dan bertingkat dua, juga pola India tepatnya India Moghul dan juga pola Eropa. Bangunannya terdiri dari dua lantai yang terbagi dalam tiga bagian, yakni bangunan induk, sayap kiri, dan sayap kanan.
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Begitu juga di dalam ukiran-ukiran, terutama di ruang Balairung Sri bercampur baur. Ukiran-ukiran Melayu tradisional dapat terlihat pada 'Pagar Tringgalum'. Begitu juga terlihat pada pinggiran atas lespfank (bener gak sih nulisnya?) dengan bentuk "Pucuk Rebung" yang terkenal. Trus, terlihat pula di dinding sebelah atasnya dengan bentuk "Awan Boyan". Dan juga pada langit-langit dengan Kubisme gaya India Moghul.
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Melalui sebuah gang beratap dengan lengkungan2 lunas perahu terbalik yang banyak hiasan floralistis dan geometris, kita sampai pada sebuah ruangan di bagian belakang yang dulu dipakai sebagai tempat acara pernikahan dan ruang makan keluarga sultan. Makan malam ini biasanya dipersiapkan dan dilayani oleh para dayang yang menempati 2 kamar kecil di sebelah kiri dan kanan di antara balairuung dan ruang makan. Di dalam ruangan ini saya lihat ada dua kursi/tahta sultan dan dua meja yang katanya buatan Eropa.
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Istana ini di bagian atasnya ada 12 ruangan, yang terdiri dari 2 ruangan besar untuk upacara kerajaan dan 10 ruangan kecil untuk kelelengkapannya. Sedangkan di sebelah bawah ada 10 ruangan termasuk kamar mandi, dapur, kantor Sultan, penjara sementara (wah!), dan tempat penyimpanan barang.
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Di sisi kanan, di depan Istana berdiri sebuah bangunan atau rumah Batak Karo, dimana di dalamnya ditempatkan sebuah meriam yang sudah puntung (putus). Katanya sih benda ini dianggap suci dan selalu dihubungkan dengan legenda Putri Hijau dari Tanah Karo.
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Kira-kira 10 meter di depan Istana ada semacam Altar atau panggung yang dahulunya adalah pondasi dari dua patung kuda yang berfungsi sebagai pancuran.

 

 

sumber :http://jalanjalandiindonesia.blogspot.com/2010/04/istana-maimoon-istana-kuning.html#more

Vihara Gunung Timur, The Biggest Temple in Sumatera

Setelah tanya-tanya orang di Kampung Keling, akhirnya sampai juga saya ke Vihara Gunung Timur diantar Pak Fajar. Hehehe. Vihara Gunung Timur adalah kelenteng Tionghoa (Taoisme) yang terbesar di Kota Medan, Indonesia dan mungkin juga di pulau Sumatra. Kelenteng ini dibangun pada tahun 1930-an. Vihara Gunung Timur ini terletak di Jalan Hang Tuah, sekitar 500 meter dari Kuil Sri Mariamman dan berada persis di tepi Sungai Babura sehingga dianggap sebagian oleh orang, mempunyai fengshui yang baik lantaran dekat dengan air.....

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Vihara Gunung Timur merupakan vihara milik semua orang, bahkan mungkin tidak hanya umat Buddha. Sebab, vihara yang dibangun tahun 1960-an didirikan dari banyak sekali penyumbang yang tidak bisa disebut satu per satu namanya. Tidak ada yang lebih menonjol dari penyumbang yang lain. Pada awalnya, vihara itu merupakan rumah petak dengan pelataran yang luasnya tidak lebih dari 50 meter persegi.
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Sekarang tanah curam di tepi Sungai Babura sudah berubah menjadi area vihara dengan luas sekitar satu hektar. Suasananya langsung mengingatkan saya waktu kunjungan ke vihara-vihara di Hong Kong saat Mensa Annual Gathering di sela-sela Mensa IBD 2007 yang lalu.
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Menarik juga klo kita perhatikan, dan ini salah satu yang membuatnya terkenal, bahwa Vihara ini didirikan secara bersama-sama. Seluruh orang yang berkomitmen membangun vihara memberikan sumbangan. Selama bertahun-tahun, akhirnya bisa terbangun. Jadi, benar-benar gotong-royong. Saya jadi ingat waktu kami dulu gotong-royong membangun gereja HKBP Palembang. Saya suka sekali semangat gotong-royong ini.
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Bagi warga Medan, Vihara Gunung Timur disebut-sebut sebagai bangunan yang dilindungi dan selama ini kerap menjadi kunjungan para wisatawan baik dalam negeri maupun luar negeri. Salah satu daya tarik vihara itu adalah ornamen Tionghoa yang kental. Mirip banget sama vihara-vihara yang saya lihat di Hong Kong.
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Patung naga dan ikan berkepala naga dipadu dengan patung empat dewa menambah daya tarik bangunan. Warna dominan vihara sebagian besar berwarna merah menyala berpadu kuning emas. Tepat di pelataran vihara terdapat dua patung singa indah.

 

sumber :http://jalanjalandiindonesia.blogspot.com/2010/04/vihara-gunung-timur-biggest-temple-in.html#more

Menyelami Ketakjuban Sawit Di Kalimantan

KALIMANTAN TENGAH - "Hati-hati, Kalimantan itu masih hutan semua", pesan Ibu yang disampaikan dengan nada cemas sebelum keberangkatan saya itu kembali terngiang ditelinga saat melanjutkan petualangan di tanggal 18 Oktober 2010 untuk menelusuri Kalimantan. Tetapi pesan itu justru bertolak belakang ketika sopir yang membawa kami sehari sebelumnya menuju Sampit mengeluh kepada kami : "Hutan disini sudah gundul, sudah banyak yang jadi kebun sawit Mas..", sebuah ungkapan yang diiringi dengan senyum canda itu membuat saya penasaran akan faktanya.

Saya dan Berka sempat berkunjung ke perkebunan sawit di Sungai Rungau yang dimiliki PT. Smart Tbk, dan di benak saya terpikir keluhan terkait perkebunan sawit yang diucapkan oleh sopir tersebut, tapi ternyata hasilnya mengejutkan, saya takjub dengan apa yang saya temukan disana. Rupanya selalu ada dua sisi dari setiap cerita.

Ketika saya naik ke Fire Tower di dataran perkebunan yang tinggi, saya lihat dengan mata kepala sendiri bahwa perkebunan ini justru memanfaatkan lahan “gundul” atau istilah profesionalnya lahan yang sudah terdegradasi dulunya untuk menanam sawit. Dengan demikian lahan di daerah tersebut bisa lebih produktif, kebun sawit ini menjadi detak jantung pertumbuhan ekonomi di sekitar pedesaan. Selain kebun, sarana pendukung lainnya seperti jalan, sekolah, rumah ibadah, puskesmas yang bisa dinikmati gratis bagi penduduk.

Dari sini masihkah kita memandang negatif keberadaan perkebunan sawit yang ada di indonesia, yang kini justru mengangkat martabat bangsa sebagai produsen minyak sawit terbesar di dunia mengungguli Malaysia dan negara-negara lainnya? Mari sisihkan prasangka yang buruk atas realita sawit yang telah membantu pembangunan Kalimantan.


sumber: http://aci.detik.com/read/2010/10/29/070325/1478295/1001/menyelami-ketakjuban-sawit-di-kalimantan

The Teacher

Stories like this, always have a way of putting the right perspective on life.
Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat on the third row, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkept and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy was unpleasant.
It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest of all. Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's records and put Teddy's off until last. When she opened his file, she was in for a surprise. His first-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh." "He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."
His second-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."
By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem, but Christmas was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Teddy Stoddard.
Her children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except for Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.
Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children. Jean Thompson paid particular attention to one they all called "Teddy."
As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On days where there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.
A year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favorite. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher, but that now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that Spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom. And guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And I bet on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled just like...well, just like the way Teddy remembered his mother smelling on their last Christmas together.
THE MORAL: You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Consider this fact in your venture thru life.

sumber : http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/teacher.htm

Mother Dog Doing What She Does Best

In 2003, police in Warwickshire , England , opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.  http://www.warwickshirewildlifesanctuary.co.uk/

Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

The dog had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, probably, a rhinoceros, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

"She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.


sumber : http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/MotherDog.htm

Plum Pretty Sister

Justin was a climber. By one and a half, he had discovered the purple plum tree in the backyard, and its friendly branches became his favorite hangout. At first he would climb just a few feet and make himself comfortable in the curve where the trunk met the branches. Soon he was building himself a small fort and dragging his tractors and trucks up to their new garage.

One day when he was 2, Justin was playing in the tree as usual. I turned my back to prune the rosebush, and he disappeared.

"Justin, where are you?" I hollered.

His tiny voice called back, "Up here, Mommy, picking all the plums for you!"

I looked up in horror and disbelief. There was Justin on the roof of the house, filling his plastic bucket with the ripe juicy plums from his favorite tree.

When Justin was 3, I became pregnant. My husband and I explained to him that we were going to have another baby as a playmate for him.

He was very excited, kissed my tummy and said, "Hello, baby, I'm your big brother, Justin."

From the beginning he was sure he was going to have a little sister, and every day he'd beg to know if she was ready to play yet. When I explained that the baby wasn't arriving until the end of June, he seemed confused.

One day he asked, "When is June, Mommy?"

I realized I needed a better explanation; how could a 3-year-old know what "June" meant? Just then, as Justin climbed to the top of the plum tree, he gave me the answer I was looking for . . . his special tree.

"Justin, the baby is going to be born when the plums are ripe. You can keep me posted when that will be, okay?" I wasn't completely sure if I was on target, but the gardener in me was confident I'd be close enough.

Oh, he was excited! Now Justin had a way to know when his new baby sister would come to play. From that moment on, he checked the old plum tree several times a day and reported his findings to me. Of course, he was quite concerned in November when all the leaves fell off the tree.

By January, with the cold and the rains, he was truly worried whether his baby would be cold and wet like his tree. He whispered to my tummy that the tree was strong and that she (the baby) had to be strong too, and make it through the winter.

By February a few purple leaves began to shoot forth, and his excitement couldn't be contained.

"My tree is growing, Mommy! Pretty soon she'll have baby plums, and then I'll have my baby sister."
March brought the plum's beautiful tiny white flowers, and Justin was overjoyed.

"She's booming, Mommy!" he chattered, struggling with the word "blooming." He rushed to kiss my tummy and got kicked in the mouth.

"The baby's moving, Mommy, she's booming, too. I think she wants to come out and see the flowers."

So it went for the next couple of months, as Justin checked every detail of his precious plum and reported to me about the flowers turning to tiny beads that would become plums.

The rebirth of his tree gave me ample opportunity to explain the development of the fetus that was growing inside me. Sometimes I think he believed I had actually planted a "baby seed" inside my tummy, because when I drank water he'd say things like, "You're watering our little flower, Mommy!" I'd laugh and once again explain in simple terms the story of the birds and the bees, the plants and the trees.

June finally arrived, and so did the purple plums. At first they were fairly small, but Justin climbed his tree anyway to pick some plums off the branches where the sun dappled near the rooftop. He brought them to me to let me know the baby wasn't ripe yet.

I felt ripe! I was ready to pop! When were the plums going to start falling from that darn tree?

Justin would rub my tummy and talk to his baby sister, telling her she had to wait a little longer because the fruit was not ready to be picked yet. His forays into the plum tree lasted longer each day, as if he was coaxing the tree to ripen quickly. He talked to the tree and thanked it for letting him know about this important event in his life. Then one day, it happened. Justin came running into the house, his eyes as big as saucers, with a plastic bucket full to the brim of juicy purple plums.

"Hurry, Mommy, hurry!" he shouted. "She's coming, she's coming! The plums are ripe, the plums are ripe!"
I laughed uncontrollably as Justin stared at my stomach, as if he expected to see his baby sister erupt any moment. That morning I did feel a bit queasy, and it wasn't because I had a dental appointment.

Before we left the house, Justin went out to hug his plum tree and whisper that today was the day his "plum pretty sister" would arrive. He was certain.

As I sat in the dental chair, the labor pains began, just as Justin had predicted. Our "plum" baby was coming! I called my parents, and my husband rushed me to the hospital. At 6:03 p.m. on June 22, the day that will forever live in family fame as "Plum Pretty Sister Day," our daughter was born. We didn't name her Purple Plum as Justin suggested, but chose another favorite flower, Heather.

At Heather's homecoming, Justin kissed his new playmate and presented her with his plastic bucket, full to the brim with sweet, ripe, purple plums.

"These are for you," he said proudly.

Justin and Heather are now teenagers, and the plum tree has become our bonding symbol. Although we moved from the home that housed Justin's favorite plum tree, the first tree to be planted in our new yard was a purple plum, so that Justin and Heather could know when to expect her special day.

Throughout their growing-up years, the children spent countless hours nestled in the branches, counting down the days through the birth of leaves, flowers, buds and fruit. Our birthday parties are always festooned with plum branches and baskets brimming with freshly-picked purple plums. Because as Mother Nature--and Justin--would have it, for the last 15 years, the purple plum has ripened exactly on June 22.


sumber : http://www.plantea.com/plum-pretty-sister.htm

Planting Day

When I was little, I often helped my mother plant our family's garden. As soon as the chilly winds of Chicago winter gave way to spring, Mom would be outside with a spade, seed packets, gardening gloves, and a secret smile that had been hibernating all winter. That smile never seemed to shine as bright as on those first few days in April when she squatted in the mud with tiny seeds in her hands.
I would pull on my grubbiest jeans, choose my shovel with care, and bound across the yard before Mom could say, "You forgot a jacket!" I would kneel by her side for hours, carefully digging holes and cautiously pushing seeds into the earth with my chubby fingers. We would spend hour after hour repeating the process, until the formerly snow-smothered area barely knew what hit it!
Unfortunately, I grew up. Somehow, I found better ways to spend the first days of spring, and I threw my annual April morning job into the growing pile of childish, outgrown activities. After all, I was too old to kneel in the dirt all day planting some silly seeds. I came to the conclusion that the shopping mall needed my assistance more than Mom did.
Surprisingly, my mother never said much about my decision until two years ago, the spring I turned 14. I was on my way to a friend's house, when Mom stopped me.
"Would you please help me with the planting today?" she asked.
"Oh, Mom, I was just getting ready to leave," I pouted. "I'll probably be gone most of the day." "Well, could you possibly come home a little early and join me in the fresh air?" Mom asked.
I mumbled something along the lines of, "Uh, maybe . . . I'll see."
By the time I left the house, Mom was already in the garden. She looked up for a moment as I walked past, and from the corner of my eye I saw a certain pain and sadness in her gaze. At first my heart told me I should stay to help, but as I got farther from home and closer to an exciting day of hanging out with friends, I forgot my impulse.
A few hours later, as the sun started to fall from its place in the warm, spring sky, I decided to leave my friends a bit early and head back home.
"Mom usually finishes planting around six," I thought. "If I get back soon, I'll still have an hour or so to help her." I felt very noble for my selfless decision. But when I reached home, there were Mom's dirty boots by the door and a small pile of empty seed packets on top of the garbage can. I was too late.
I didn't think much about that day until nearly a year later.
One of my father's good friends suddenly lost his wife to cancer. The doctors hadn't discovered Sara's illness until it was too late. She died shortly after the diagnosis, leaving behind her husband and two small, confused children.
Right away, Mom went south to visit the family and see how the children, David and Rachel, were coping with the sudden loss of their mother. She spent a few hours with little Rachel. When she came home, she told me this story.
When Sara had received her terminal diagnosis, she asked her husband, "What should I leave our children? How do I give them something to remember me by, a symbol of my love for as long as they live?"
Mom learned the answer from Rachel.
"Mommy made me my own garden," Rachel cooed, as she tugged on Mom's hand and led her outdoors. Sara had decided to plant her children something that would live on long after she was gone.
Although the children had helped with the original planting, it was obvious that most of the work had been patiently completed by their mother. The result was a masterpiece, with so much more among the leaves and petals than simple foliage. A piece of Sara's heart and soul was left in full bloom for her children.
As I listened to my mother tearfully tell Sara's story, I realized the true power of a garden. How had I missed it? Our annual planting was not about kneeling in dirt, throwing in some seeds, and hoping for the best. It was about kneeling there together, planting potential life, and creating the best memories possible out of those moments together. I was so lucky to have a healthy, vibrant, caring mother who was always there for me. As I suddenly realized how badly I missed seeing her soft hands place seeds in mine, many things became clear. I began to understand that the pain I had seen in her eyes that day a year ago had come from missing the little girl who was once at her side.
A few weeks later, I came home to find several bags of seeds on the kitchen table. I knew spring planting was near. The following Sunday, I woke to rays of sunlight streaming through my window. I looked outside to see a figure stooping in the dirt. I threw on the first clothes I could find and ran outside.
The first rays that encircled me were the ones streaming from my mother's smile. The first water our seeds encountered were the teardrops sliding happily from my eyes. We worked together all day and didn't stop until nightfall.
I won't ever miss planting day again.

sumber : http://www.plantea.com/plantingday.htm

chicken soup :from the Gardener soul