Knows No Weariness

As a human being, we can’t live alone. We need others in our life to help us with some things that we can’t do ourselves. There’s no limit as to who may help you and what they may help you with. It might be a kid below your age or even an elderly.

One of the people who have been helping me a lot is my driver. His name is Yana but I usually call him Om Yana. He has been working for my parents on and off for almost 6 years. He works every day except for Sunday, and for most days he works from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. or even later. His job is very hard because he has to synchronize with the schedule of 5 people with different activities and different needs. My brothers and I get off from school at different times; sometimes early in the afternoon and sometimes late at night. Plus, my mum often has to go to work in Jakarta; therefore he has to wake up very early so that my mum can catch her meeting.

Different from any other driver that have worked at my house, Om Yana is very patient. His patience is often tested whenever any of us has a change of schedule and didn't tell him soon enough. Another example is when he has to wait for hours because we come out of school late. During these 6 years, I've grown very comfortable with his style of driving and time management because he’s very easy to contact whenever I need to be picked up or driven somewhere.

Sometimes I forget to appreciate the little things that happen and also the people who help me. But I know that I would be helpless without him or even with a different driver to help me around. 

A Short, but Meaningful Holiday

The last few weeks leading up to 2017 was a little different than any New Year celebration I've ever encountered. It wasn't as exciting and liberating as the past two years, where I spent the holidays with my extended family. We used to have barbecues, light up fireworks, and blow the silly horns till midnight. But this year, none of that happened. The biggest difference might be the fact that my family wasn't together during that holidays; my dad was in Padang, my older brother was in Bandung, whereas me, my mum, and my little brother were all the way in East Java. It was all one chaotic mess.

My get-away started on the 24th of December when I was dragged along on a field trip with my little brother and around thirty of his friends. We went by train from Bandung to Kediri and it took a long and tiring fourteen hours! Once we got off the train, it was already the next morning. We headed straight to where my brother and his friends would be staying at for the next seven days, which was a small housing unit in Kampung Inggris, in a town called Pare. After dropping them off, me, my mum, and the other chaperone parents headed off to our motel to take a long awaited rest. There wasn't much to do in Kediri, so after a day of lounging around, my mum decided that we should go travel around East Java just to pass the time.

Our first stop was at the great Mt. Bromo where we saw the beautiful sunrise at the very top of the mountain. Later, the guide brought us to the crater, but we were too lazy to go on horseback up the crater, let alone on foot. You could tell we weren't the most adventurous people on earth. After the sporty expedition, we continued our journey to Malang. We went to the city by car. Unfortunately, the car we rented had some trouble with the air conditioning which made the ride very hot and uncomfortable. So, once we checked in to our hotel, we decided to go on foot for the rest of the day. We enjoyed our trip to Malang by trying all the traditional cuisines such as Bakso, Soto, and the famous Toko Oen. After spending the night in Malang, we headed to Batu. The city of Batu is famous for it's Jatim Parks, Museum Angkut, Batu Night Spectacular, and the flower gardens. We visited the Museum Angkut, which was filled with transportation vehicles from all over the world and many as old as our ancestors. Another place we visited while in Batu was the Batu Night Spectacular. There, we saw a beautiful lantern garden and went on many thrilling rides. Apart from those two places, what mesmerized me most was the spectacular view from our resort. We could see the whole city just by standing on the balcony. It was absolutely breath-taking!

After an amazing two days in Batu, it was time to go back to Kediri. We drove for about three hours and finally made it to our motel, which was near to my little brother's home-stay. My mum and I spent our last few days of 2016 relaxing in our room, out of the heat, and connected to Wifi. On the other hand, my brother and his friends were finishing up their English course at the Language Center. After their closing ceremony, twenty of the remaining participants joined us at our motel because their home-stay was far from acceptable.

It was New Year's Eve and our motel seemed quiet, like how it normally is. Very different than how New Year's Eve in big cities are. There were no sounds of fireworks, no trumpet sounds, and no countdown.

On the last day, my mum took the group to Gumul Paradise Island, which is a water park located in the center of Kediri. Unfortunately, I couldn't join in because I was a bit sick that day. However, the ambiance was great and I still had a wonderful time there. One of the things I noticed about Gumul Paradise Island was that the food and beverages they were selling at the food court were very inexpensive, unlike most common theme parks. Their food ranges from Rp. 5.000 - Rp. 20.000, and their drinks were even more affordable.

Once we got back to the motel, it was already noon. We packed all our stuff and got ready to leave for the station. On our way there, we stopped at a restaurant to have lunch and take-away dinner. We arrived at the station a little early and waited for the train which will be taking us to Bandung. At 10 to 7p.m. we boarded the train and I helped the little ones lift their luggage to the cabin. While we were busy helping each other, the train suddenly took off without us even realizing. It turns out, one of the porters who helped my mum's friend with her bags didn't jump off the train soon enough, so he had no other option than to get off at the next station. I felt sad for the old man because now he had to find his way back to Kediri all the way from Nganjuk, which was a whole other city.

Finally, we arrived in Bandung. All of us were really tired even though we weren't doing anything for fourteen hours while on the train.

The whole trip made me realize that even though things weren't so great in the beginning, we could still make it worthwhile. Maybe some things went wrong, but I guess that's the whole point of adventures. I also realized something most of us usually take for granted, which is hard work and effort. In my case, I realized the hard work my mum put in to make the trip happen. She organized a whole field trip for my little brother and thirty of his friends, and while doing that, she managed to make a fun holiday for me and her. All of that she did on such short notice. So, even though I slept through the whole new year's countdown, and my family wasn't totally complete, I am still thankful for everything that has happened.

Thank you, 2016.
Welcome, 2017!

Questions on Nelson Mandela

1. Nelson Mandela grew up up in a/an... environment.
a. friendly
b. unjust
c. fair
d. dull
e. righteous

2. Why did he think that the Apartheid system was cruel?
a. because it controlled his life
b. because his people were being looked after
c. because of the injustice done by the black nation
d. because he was in prison
e. because the white-ruled government wasn't fair on the black nation

3. What was Mandela known for before his imprisonment?
a. his political views
b. his childhood
c. his fight for freedom against the government
d. his knowledge on the government
e. his courage to fight in the army

4. Why was Mandela's presidency special?
a. he was the first ever president of South Africa
b. he was the first president to be imprisoned for 27 years
c. he received the Nobel Peace Prize as a president

d. he was the first black president, and the first to be elected in a fully democratic election
e. he was one of a kind

5. What effect did Nelson Mandela have on the people of South Africa?
a. they were free from being held captive
b. they used to have equal rights
c. they can finally live their lives like before
d. they can live productively with equal rights
e. they live producing comfortable right

Nelson Mandela

Who is Nelson Mandela?

The easy answer is; he was the president of South Africa.

But he's much more than that. He's a hero, one of the world's greatest.

Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 and lived his early life in South Africa in an unjust government system of Apartheid. He lived in a country where he could have the same job as his white neighbor, but still get payed less in a year than his neighbor would in a week. But he was a fighter, and he never bowed down to the unjust, white-ruled government.

He was known as a democratic socialist and the leader of the African National Congress (ANC). He played a big part in the dramatic demonstrations against the Apartheid system. But his career in ANC was cut short due to his life imprisonment in 1964. People saw Nelson Mandela's imprisonment as a cruel ploy done by the unjust system to silence him once and for all. But even behind bars, he was a beacon of hope for the people of South Africa.

After 27 long years in prison, Mandela was finally released. His release also marked the end of the apartheid system. Just 5 years after his release, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was elected as the president of South Africa. He was the first ever black president of the country, and the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid, and tackling institutionalised racism. Mandela died in 2013.

Today, thanks to his self-sacrifice, apartheid has been outlawed. The people of South Africa can live their lives comfortably and productively, with equal rights. He is one of the world's true freedom fighters, and he will be remembered long after the world has forgotten about the evils of apartheid.

His extraordinary story is told in his book, Long Walk to Freedom. This book has also been made into a film.

Source:

https://www.google.co.id/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiwtp_Cn5vQAhXKvI8KHTGtDnUQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.emaze.com%2F%40ACTTOLZF%2FNelson-Mandela&psig=AFQjCNHbnvkJ9FcDS9Ji3qG4NQ3fQccmEQ&ust=1478763456055168

http://myhero.com/hero.asp?hero=nelsonMandela

SEAHORSES

SEAHORSE

Seahorses are small marine fishes which are categorized in the genus Hippocampus. In latin, 'hippos' means horse, and 'kampos' means monster. Although they are considered as fish, they do not have fish-like scales. Instead, they have a long neck, a snout, a hard body, an upright posture, and a curled tail. Very different from Nemo, eh?

You can find seahorses in shallow waters across the world. Sheltered areas such as seagrass beds, estuaries, coral reefs, or mangroves.

Seahorses needs food too, just like any other living thing. They find their food by using their excellent camouflage skill and patience to ambush their prey with striking speed. What sorts of prey? Well, seahorses feed on small crustaceans such as mysid shrimp, other invertebrates, and even larval fish.

             

Their reproduction cycle is definitely a unique one. From the left picture above you can see the cycle. The first stage is courtship, where the male and female seahorse 'get to know' one another for a few days before breeding. Then, the eggs are deposited by the female into male! Weird right? After the eggs have been deposited, they will grow inside the males pouch for several weeks until they become babies. Then, the male will give birth to hundreds of his tiny seahorse babies.  

Seahorses also have some functions. Some are kept as pets, others may be enjoyed as a delicacy, while some are made as traditional Chinese medicine.

All in all, seahorses are definitely amazing aquatic creatures that should be nurtured and protected.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seahorse#/media/File:Black_Sea_fauna_Seahorse.JPG
http://s3.thingpic.com/images/12/xE85D3kVehJYEQg9mSXv4HH9.jpeg
http://www.fusedjaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/IngensWithFood.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seahorse#/media/File:Seahorse_lifecycle.svg
https://www.google.com/search?q=pregnant+seahorse&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj5orWomJnQAhXEQY8KHbuLAnQQ_AUICCgB&biw=1280&bih=634#imgrc=XO6CxvR26tTBiM%3A

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiEsfTwnpnQAhXJOo8KHVhxA_AQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fvrr0865%2Fseahorse-reference%2F&bvm=bv.137904068,d.c2I&psig=AFQjCNGJ4kA_aYLhjtqeYQsFqHM_BukNkA&ust=1478696293575789
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwik_qiTn5nQAhXFOo8KHYe4CdoQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffusedjaw.com%2Faquariumcare%2Fseahorse-and-pipefish-sources%2F&bvm=bv.137904068,d.c2I&psig=AFQjCNGv5dFjdoqEjTYgEkDo8loP182kfg&ust=1478696400013714&cad=rjt
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi_tdqhn5nQAhVKRo8KHaVvD8gQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSeahorse&bvm=bv.137904068,d.c2I&psig=AFQjCNEaX33CnjhBHf53etTDeH9aioy2Aw&ust=1478696500720123
https://www.google.com/search?q=pregnant+seahorse&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj5orWomJnQAhXEQY8KHbuLAnQQ_AUICCgB&biw=1280&bih=634#tbm=isch&q=seahorse+as+medicine&imgrc=Kr4xn9it7x0tkM%3A

QUESTIONS ABOUT HANSEL AND GRETEL

1. Where does the opening of the story take place?
a. In the village
b. In the woods, under a tree
c. In a tree house, deep in the forest
d. In a cabin, in the woods
e. In a tiny cottage, in the woods

2. Which character acts as the antagonist in the story?
a. Hansel and Gretel
b. The father and the witch
c. The stepmother
d. The stepmother and the witch
e. The woodcutter

3. What did Hansel and Gretel do when their stepmother abandoned them?
a. They tried to find their way back home
b. They ran as fast as they could
c. They scattered breadcrumbs through the forest
d. They were eaten by the witch
e. They went to the a house made of chocolate, cookies, and bread

4. Why did Hansel and Gretel think that they were going to be eaten?
a. Because they're fat
b. Because they were being fed so much food by the witch
c. Because the house was made of  chocolate
d. Because there was something wrong with the witch
e. Because there was a big pot

5. Based on the story, we can tell that...
a. They were a prosperous family
b. This story was taken from a past experience
c. The witch means no harm
d. They lived in a civilized town
e. The two children learnt a valuable lesson

(Script) Hansel and Gretel

(Script) Hansel and Gretel

NARRATOR: Hansel and Gretel lived in a forest in a tiny cottage with their poor father, who was a woodcutter, and their evil stepmother.One day, their stepmother said to their father that they should abandon the two children deep in the forest because she thought that if they were gone, she would have more food for herself. She insisted so much that the woodcutter finally agreed. But Hansel and Gretel were not sleeping, they were listening to the whole conversation.

HANSEL: Don´t cry, little sister. I have an idea to find our way back home.

NARRATOR: The next morning, when they went into the forest, their stepmother gave each one of them a piece of bread.

STEPMOTHER: Don´t eat this bread before lunch, because this is all you are going to eat today.

HANSEL AND GRETEL: We won´t.

NARRATOR: While they were walking, Hansel was secretly leaving a trail of breadcrumbs in order to find their way back home.

STEPMOTHER: Stay here until we come to pick you up.

NARRATOR: Hansel and Gretel did as they were told, but then night came.

HANSEL: Come on Gretel, it´s time to find our way home.

GRETEL: I´ll help you find the breadcrumbs.

HANSEL: I can´t find any!

GRETEL: Oh no, I knew it! The animals ate them! Now what are we going to do?

HANSEL: We need to find a safe place to stay.

GRETEL: Look! There´s a cave over there.

HANSEL: Let´s go!

NARRATOR: They stayed in the cave for a few days without eating, until they finally decided to go out and find some food to eat. So they walked deeper into the forest when they saw something in the distance.

GRETEL: What is that over there?

HANSEL: It looks like a little house.

GRETEL: Let´s take a closer look.

NARRATOR: So they approached the little house.

HANSEL: This house is weird. Look Gretel, it´s all made up of chocolate, cookies, and bread!

GRETEL: And it´s delicious!

HANSEL: I´ve never tasted anything like this in my whole life!

NARRATOR: Suddenly, a witch opened the door to the delicious house.

WITCH: How did you get here, little children?

HANSEL: We got lost in the forest.

WITCH: Oh, poor of you! Please, come inside.

GRETEL: No, I don´t think we should. 
HANSEL: Don´t worry, she will not harm us.

WITCH: Of course not, I am an old, old lady.

HANSEL: See, Gretel. She is like our grandmother. 
WITCH: You can even stay here with me. I live here all alone in the forest. I will cook for you, you look so thin and weak.

NARRATOR: The two siblings stayed with the witch but Hansel knew deep inside him that there was something wrong.

GRETEL: What is wrong?

HANSEL: Why does she care so much about us, if she doesn´t even know us?.

GRETEL: And she gives us so much food!

HANSEL: She wants us to be fat…

GRETEL: To eat us!

HANSEL AND GRETEL: Oh No!

NARRATOR: The witch was hiding behind the door listening to every word they said.

WITCH: You´re right! Get in the oven!

HANSEL AND GRETEL: In the oven? It´s too small!

WITCH: No it's not, even I can fit in it… look!

NARRATOR: Then she gets inside the oven and Hansel and Gretel quickly shut the door, leaving her trapped inside.

HANSEL: Come on, run!

NARRATOR: They ran outside the house as fast as they could. They walked for two days until they reached their old house.

HANSEL: We are finally home!

NARRATOR: They knocked at the door and their father opened it.

FATHER: My dear children!

HANSEL AND GRETEL: Father!

FATHER: My wife died and all this time I have been thinking of you.

HANSEL: We missed you!

GRETEL: We suffered a lot but we learned to survive by ourselves.

FATHER: Please forgive me!

HANSEL AND GRETEL: We love you, there is nothing to forgive!

THE END

Author: Grimm Brothers
Source: http://www.kidsinco.com/2009/02/hansel-and-gretel-2/