Monday, 8 August 2011
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Celebrity Resorts Indonesian Shores
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Batik Lifestyle
Recently Batik Lifestyle has swarmed the fashion industry, not only it is the prominent dress code locally but extending to the worldwide stages as well. A formal ceremony would not be as elegant if any participants not wearing Batik, on the contrary more and more people today are willing to dress Batik clothing to appreciate the matching formal nuances. Batik is a cloth which traditionally has been produced through a manual wax-resist dyeing technique process for generations.
Batik Lifestyle is also gaining more appreciation amongst the young hip generation which undoubtedly triggered by local prominent fashion designers. It is a tribute to the persistence of these designers striving hard to make refreshing yet attractive stylistic innovations. Partly due to the growing people abroad recognize Batik as our own unique heritage and quite a significant numbers copying even claiming Batik Lifestyle as theirs.
It is not until the turn of the last century that Batik is shown at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, following a mere piece of Batik cloth being exhibited by a Dutch merchant named Van Rijekevorsel at an ethnic museum in Rotterdam on the year of 1873. Coincidentally to mark its centennial introduction a local designer has recently published a book by the title of The 20th Century Batik Masterpieces.
Though this article will not dwell further on its content but rather merely pointing out that the book writer is a relatively new player in the Batik clothing design. Instead of the popular Javanese mainstream, Komar Batik designer is typically adopted Cirebon style Batik. It is also quite a coincident that we stumbled upon this kind of Batik story during the recent trip to Bandung.
Hence our Bandung Travel has revealed a sort of enlightenment on our own Batik awareness. As one of our own heritage, batik is referred to and hence being introduced world widely on the History of Java book published in London on 1817 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The designer is also offering his facility for those who have the interest to learn by doing Batik making process.
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Blossoming Orchid
Mind Body Soul may be utterly important at the end of a hectic day, peace of mind, soul and body togetherness, yet the effort upon practicing as well as attaining such state is quite a hassle to some. Going to the park and finding a perfect spot is generally a good start, especially if the park is just around the corner.
A quiet environment is definitely mandatory in addition to feeding all of our senses the nature at its best. Perhaps the sound of falling water during the rain, the crisp air created during such raining moment, or if we are close to the beach the constant wave comes and goes. There is plenty more example to get the inviting natural environments.
And this includes watching our flower grows. The moment arrives when we get to see the Blossoming Orchid, the orchid which has been there in our garden for quite some time without blossoming due to our own neglect. It has been exactly a fortnight after a professional gardener take care the neglected Saskava Guest House backyard.
The Blossoming Orchid is indeed a rare sight since in order to see this backyard we need to travel at least two hours from where we are currently living and it is often we only have such travel in monthly basis. The unusual heavy rainy season adds the perfect ingredients to our senses. Upon our three days staying it continuously rains every day. Just marvelous!
Good sleeps, cool weather and Orchid flower are really helping us to face another busy hectic week ahead in Jakarta. It seems our peace of mind needs to be refreshed as often.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Rugged B2100 Samsung Cellphones
1.8" 128x160 pixel display
Monday, 19 April 2010
Trains H0
Mind Body Soul is generally accepted as when our Body, Mind and spirit at its balanced harmony points. In the past the only access to our peace of spiritual-thought relies heavily on Meditation Guidance. But, thanks to the advanced technology we have additional “star-gate” as in amongst others the Adult Toy of Trains H0.
There are many affordable books as well as e-book Guidance on Meditation self training, likewise there should be as many tutored training at main large city facilities, but Model Toys requires a great deal of patience and most importantly a sizeable of investment amount. Two of my old acquaintances have been known to invest thousand of US Dollars on their RC Model Cars, and once a while they sort of tune in their Mind Body Soul to relieve the heavy work stress by playing these toys.
As I often accompany them on RC Model tinkering, I suddenly realize that I too have a dozens of Model Toys on my own, thanks to the inheritances from my late uncle, Rest in Peace dear uncle, it is the old version of Trains H0 sets. It consists of a simple oval track Model Train Lay out, no fancy miniature train station or the likes, but working steam Locomotive to the modern one depicting 1970s period Loco, not like today’s modern computer controlled tracking mechanism, such as Dcc (Digital Command Control), nor do they have digital train sound like ability.
This particular Trains H0 model represents 1901 AT&SF Mallet 2-8-0's series Steam Locomotive; to be exact it’s Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 2-8-8-2 with approximately 5,600hp@25MPH (simple expansion mode, with booster producing 108,100 lbs. of tractive effort), specifically designed for steep ascending track in the mid-part of US.
The Italian built Rivorossi numbered 1238, coded cl97 and stamped model as mallet y 6b shows meticulous detailed body as well as working wheels mechanism, completed with AT & ST decal on its sides.
Though it has been almost two decades ago since this Trains H0 was last being played, it is still in remarkable condition, yet some rust has appeared in some parts despite of careful storage.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Culture Clothing
It is no stranger to us that each provinces in Indonesia has its own distinctive Culture Clothing, some with its own unique style and fabric materials where as a few have a tad of similarity here and there. Today there are less and less indigenous people wearing their ethnic Culture Clothing customs with the exception of those during certain ceremony or even sacred performances. A wedding ceremony is an acceptable occasion for traditional appearances.
Though the younger generation in the name of practicality is slowly adopting modern Clothing for every day activities, but mostly just about everybody agree how cumbersome wearing such traditional Clothing for even a few hours on an important ceremony. The threat of traditional erosion is somewhat balanced by the fact of growing number of such clothing rental outlets available at most large cities.
However the phenomena does not hamper as negative impact to the every day life of Balinese indigenous people. The traditional Culture Clothing in Bali is in fact tremendously being adopted as a way of life more than ever. Enforcing a local culture being intact and embracing them for tourist attraction is a good case of heritage preservation while simultaneously enhance more local income as well as abiding sacred religious value! Unlike any where else the traditional custom Clothing in Bali is more like perpetual Kids Trend for the local young generation.
Looking from humanity perspective the younger generation may perhaps still absorb a sort of moral behavior modeling, at least with greater acceptance and together with higher desire of willingness. Very few could appreciate artistic messages from any kind of Balinese performance when they have been watching at such for dozen times. This is the case as my wife never gets bored going for these performances, and for me despite of my sisters at their childhood learning Balinese dances.
Though I am certain that my wife appreciations differs to mine, and that personally watching the sacred Legong as it used to be for the high ranking kingdom's consumption only, but more values toward heritage preservation and most importantly as a virtually exporting commodity. Yet fairly often we find a unique and distinctive charm being generated at any traditional dance performance regardless. Whether it is a Balinese or Javanese performances or any 30 odd other provincial ethnicity.
More over you require no mathematics discipline skills to appreciate as such, and most importantly there is no copyright infringement. They are ours and is here to stay! This is the earthly bound tropical paradise archipelago.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Indonesia Facts
Amidst the news of Indonesian’s own Finance Minister Resignation the high-yielding rupiah drops just over 1 percent to 9,195 per dollar. Sri Mulyani Indrawati has had played a key role in improving the country's stricken economy. It is now quite a relieve for the attainments as amongst other; Indonesia's sovereign credit rating to be one notch below investment grade in January, and in the area of investment climate whereby it now takes only 60 days to start a business in Indonesia approaching those on the East Asian’s at the average of 40 days.
Though ironic as current Indonesia Facts are implicating Indrawati on the controversial Rp 6.76 trillion (US$716 million) bailout of Bank Century and that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) still working hard to find fact findings.
It is an overwhelming Indonesia Facts this issue belong to those one of dirty political stir ups. Even playing HO Model Trains collection seems tougher for an adult hobbyist!
Fortunately Sri Mulyani Indrawati could now take her Kids on a Trendy Holiday with her World Bank Salary wherever the kids whish for. The famous lady will rake in an annual base salary of $347,050 to supervise 47 nations in three Regions: Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and East Asia and the Pacific.
Friday, 15 January 2010
World Bank Salary
While it may not be the highest paying in its industry, the World Bank Salary has quite an attractive remuneration package. Not to mention the prestigious lifestyle and better looking track record. Did Sri Mulyani give up her position as the most controversy Finance Minister ever to accept new position as Managing Director at World Bank Group?
This coming June an executive Limo not a rent limo will be ready to get her to the work. It is certainly that Sri Mulyani Indrawati could easily give her Kids a Trendy Holiday, thanks to her as Indonesia has attained foreign exchange reserves to an all-time high of $50 billion as well as skyrocketed foreign investment.
Presumably she will pass an exclusive holiday on the Orient Express Journeys of Distinction and instead give a HO Model Trains. For the reason that the Orient Express only exists in Europe or Asia but because I am thinking of what to do with our HO Model Trains collection, and imaginatively her kids would love to have one.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Trendy Celebrity Green Living
There is quite a number of Trendy Celebrity going into Green, notably by driving a green car. We have seen today the growing population of Hybrid cars with Toyota Prius as the dominant leader. This as it seems to be still rare in some area, though it is arguably that Leonardo DeCaprio has chosen Prius due to its rarity and not necessarily for its low Carbon emission.
Yet Trendy Celebrity Green Living extends to other type of power such as pure Electric Vehicle with very limited driving range as well as for example Hydrogen powered vehicle which is also limited due to its fuel station scarcity shows further that it is not yet a Life Style for every body but merely celebrity’s statement status.
Chip Foose another celebrity star on TLC’s Overhaulin' TV show who is actually more popular as a hot rod shop owner, automotive designer and fabricator, his Foose Coupe Supercar was once auctioned for $330,000. Though an avid automotive enthusiast, Foose has never designed any Classic Car based upon Green engine nor to be seen driving any Green car.
However Larry Hagman a popular TV star on Classic show such as the sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie, for NBC in 1965, and Dallas a CBS 1980’s prime-time soap opera, has been reportedly make a regular commute on a Prius as well from Los Angeles to his grand Mediterranean-style residence located atop Ojai’s picturesque Sulphur Mountain Road. But it is this house that truly shows a Green Living Life Style.
Larry and Maj have equipped the house with one of the largest residential solar power systems in the United States which could provide a huge 150 kilowatts energy per hour. A typical medium household with 4 fully air-conditioned rooms and Hot Water amenities etc. is supposedly required at max 33 kilowatts. The Hagman first installed the system in 2003 and subsequently their annual electric bill plummeted from $37,000 to a mere $13.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Abusive Power Did Corrupt ; KPK vs Police
What would you like to be when you grow up? A six year old girl replied;"corrupt official" and she added; "because corrupt officials have a lot of things." She quickly became the media darling in China. In Alaska its former governor Sarah Palin had faced power abuse allegation for firing the state’s public safety commissioner because he would not get rid of a state trooper who had gone through a bitter divorce with the governor’s sister (Judicial Watch).
In 2001 the New York Daily News ran a series on guardianship abuse, aptly entitled "Milking the Helpless," which began with this headline: "Attorneys are siphoning off millions from the elderly they have sworn to protect." May 20, 2001, pg. 1." (Victims of Guardians). There are many other allegedly cases such as corruption on New York Windmill power etc., but none could steal the attention of current hot headline on Indonesian media recently.
The highly exposed KPK’s wiretapping which subsequently form a foul perceived image that most law enforcement institutions could be managed as such to favour any third party’s interest. The case has fuelled opposition to the police as both media and public undergone escalating outrages. There are well over one million facebookers’ petition for the release and support of two prominent KPK Deputies where as the former KPK head is already implicated for first degree murder allegation.
wikipedia describes KPK as:
Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (Indonesian: Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi) (abbreviated KPK) is a government agency fighting corruption.
Created by a 2002 law, the Commission has "confronted head-on the endemic corruption that remains as a legacy of President Suharto’s 32-year-long kleptocracy. Since it started operating in late 2003, the commission has investigated, prosecuted and achieved a 100-percent conviction rate in 86 cases of bribery and graft related to government procurements and budgets."
Yudhoyono, a 60-year-old former general who was re-elected as his second terms of Indonesian Presidency in July, had been widely credited for the success of the anti-corruption campaign during his first term in office. Scores of corrupt politicians, entrepreneurs and law enforcement officials were tried and convicted, including the father-in-law of one of the president’s sons.
The latest crisis poses a threat to his counter-corruption credentials and the reputation of Indonesia’s already poorly regarded judiciary. Already in September 2009, Indonesia's Parliament passed a law to weaken Indonesia's Corruption Eradication commission (KPK). Then Deputy Attorney-General Abdul Hakim Ritonga and Gen. Susno Duadji, the head of national police investigations stepped down last week; a very rare and typically unheard of resignation gestures in Indonesian culture.
The recent economic recession is also believed due to Capitalism Power abuses; is there any country, professionalism or industry that is foolproof to this human nature? The least corrupt and most transparent countries went to Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden. As for the least corrupt and most transparent industries or professionalism…well..it is hard to tell, but perhaps Chip Foose as his talents indicate as the legendary custom car designer might be a pretty close bet!
Friday, 13 November 2009
Power Tends to Corrupt
Obama once diverted the issue of escalating cost maintaining his “Package” in particular pertaining his new British built chopper, it was Senator Mc Cain who lambasting the queries. Who wouldn’t mind a grand and advanced transportation means?
Obama jokingly quoted that he loved to have the new helicopter since he never had one before. It was general knowledge that his fleet was due for replacement where such decision was already in process five years ago which subsequently went into intensive researches and the US supplier lost the procurement tender to the Britton. And now it seems its maintenance cost has appeared to be ballooning.
Maintenance requirements for a state-man Helicopter is certainly different ball game to that of sight seeing purpose built copter. A London Helicopter Sightseeing Tours is deliberately designed for low operational cost contrary to those built for executive charter. Certainly the Chopper One being capable for a getaway scenario requires high speed and agile as well as being capable also to make self defensive under the worst possible scenario. It is imperative that such aircraft affords Stately Perfect Life Style for any President let alone one Obama, his safety is the paramount priority.
A typical executive shuttle on Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter is now available from the base rate of £610 per hour inclusive of VAT, pilot and fuel. Though the Chopper One has close to 200mph due to its specially designed rotor blade the Bell 206 has an average speed of 140mph, with range of up to 400 miles, smart and refurbished leather interior, up to 3 passengers can be entertained or transported to any destination quickly in style and comfort.
Does all this exquisite facilities encourage people and thus drive further such that Power Tends to Corrupt?
Monday, 2 November 2009
Gosselin Classy Status Symbol
At what price do you have to keep your Classy Status Symbol abreast? Rumours abound have been circulating about Jon Gosselin's increasingly wild hot lifestyle lately ever since the Gosselin filed for divorce; late nights partying, hot hook-ups and showering his new girl friend with luxury sports car. And somewhere in between the come and go of passionate affairs which end up with explosive new allegation sagas such as the affair with his former nanny Stephanie Santoro, a 23 years old former waitress and single mom.
Jon and Kate Gosselin has continued to be in the spotlight of public’s interests for their “perfect life style” as celebrity whereas Jon on the contrary is quickly becoming the douche bag we all love to hate. While the rational as well as mature side of us brings more sympathy for Kate but alas, whether we like it or not, Jon persistently still attracts a lot of attention.
The fact that the media covered his appearance with Hailey Glassman, the daughter of the plastic surgeon who performed Kate’s tummy tuck enhanced surgery back in 2006. The hot couple was spotted along the French Riviera, St. Tropez where Gosselin was supposedly finalize a business deal to develop his kid’s own line, the famous Twins and Sextuplet’s clothing brand with Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier.
Furthermore there is also a succession of his rides changes within months from switching into 2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z, 2005 BMW E46 M3, buying his pseudo-girlfriend Hailey Glassman a "$70,000 Porsche SUV", Kate's new Toyota Land Cruiser and recently a Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV that seats five..
Admittedly putting all their Twins and Sextuplets in a Toyota Land Cruiser is sensible approach; but a spots car?
Gosselin has co-authored the book Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets, with his ex. former divorcing wife and Beth Carson. The book went into the New York Times Best Seller list.
Gosselin and his family were first featured in a special on Discovery Health in September 2005 entitled Surviving Sextuplets and Twins. One year later they were featured in another special entitled Surviving Sextuplets and Twins: One Year Later. Both specials received high ratings, and Discovery Health signed the couple to a series that aired beginning in April 2007. The family is filmed for three or four days per week, and receives payment for appearing on the show.
On September 29, 2009 TLC announced that, as of November 2, 2009, Jon & Kate Plus 8 would undergo a name change, to simply Kate Plus 8 where as Jon Gosselin will continue to appear on the show, just less frequently; Does he merely follow the latest hot lifestyle trends or is it just a relieve safety valve to his mid life crisis?
Soon to be released 370Z
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Bandung Travel
Traveling to Bandung is not a popular destiny for international tourists, but it does not mean it has less cultural art attraction compare to other popular cities in Indonesia. Though it may not outrank the most popular places in terms of national heritages and cultural art richness such Bali and Yogya could have offers, Bandung Travel has its own charming way in particular to seduce the highly strained Jakartans.
A very distinctive heritage to Bandung the West Java capital city is its traditional bamboo music instrument known as Angklung. There was an archaeological artifact suggesting this instrument to be originated from West Java area as early as the year 1031, in effect strengthening Angklung as a genuine article of Indonesia’s own intangible heritage.
UNESCO will verify the claim and the role of the music instrument in sustaining local culture following both Puppet and Keris or Indonesian version of dagger as a unique distinctive world heritage assets. Wayang Puppet was proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003, subsequently action plan is underway to encourage its cultural preservation to the next young generations.
The Indonesian Keris received similar distinction within two years later in 2005. And hopefully Batik will also get such world heritage distinction as well in this coming September 2009.
Despite of this fascinating instruments of angklung and even watching its live performances would be an invaluable educational activities for kids, the most sought after leisure activities on travelling to Bandung are culinary and shopping attractions. (By sheer coincidence two hours ago there was earthquake in the magnitude of 7.3 Richter scale originating 35Kms beneath the surface of Southern Bandung. The tremor was felt very strongly by the Jakartan, and most high building inhabitant were found scattering in fear)
The Jakartan has long adapted to its hectic lifestyle a regular Bandung travel whenever any holiday opportunity arises as one of the most popular choices for their Leisure Activities.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Mind Body Soul
So much concern on the current economic downturn and so much headache on the impact to our society. That being said it does not make less concern to for our body and soul state of healthy living balance. Our life style and our diet habit have great importances to such balance in order to attain a harmonious living style. Yet it is equally important to follow the current standard practice as being suggested by those experts in their respective fields!
After all we do need a perfect mind body and soul to face every day life activities; recall the impact of kids trends on my last article? These are indeed invaluable issues we need to address ourselves to enable us peace of mind facing such consequences!
Friday, 13 March 2009
StyleExcerpts from EzineArticles.com
A hot trend style in one country may not be uniformed across its regional, and so does its trendy style from a continent to another. What gives such diversity? One region could have a four seasons, regions which are located beyond equator belt. Where as within the belt at the mid section of globe have only two seasons, the so called tropical paradise area. The climate on this earthly paradise does not require anyone to wear a fur coat nor long john.
Then there is a differing perceived values on modesty, on one area across the globe a bikini is an acceptable wear norm. Not so in most Asian and even Middle East regions. Certainly there are more categories to consider as well, say; gender, ages, middle class people compare to other society level of income and so on.
Though on certain cases some may share similarity for example the high class people all over the world are either driving Lexus, or S class Benz or even Rolls-Royce. And a sport car of the choices hidden in the garage that could be a Porsche or a Ferrari. Other similar trend also prevails on gadgetry, Playstation, PDA, Laptop, T-shirt, watches. Are they? Lets look into below rss feed to dwell further:
When a trendy customers goods hit one area the chances of getting spread over the globe is virtually impossible to avoid, people quickly race-by making the purchase to emulate the new style adoption.