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June 15, 2010

WordWeb - Kamus Bahasa Inggris & Thesaurus Gratis dan Praktis

WordWeb - Kamus Bahasa Inggris dan Thesaurus Gratis

A
pa yang terbayang dipikiran kita saat mendengar kata "kamus" atau "thesaurus"? Suatu buku yang tebal berisi kata-kata dengan huruf berukuran kecil, dimana kita harus membalik halaman demi halaman untuk mendapatkan kata yang kita cari? Untuk kamus dan thesaurus klasik, bayangan kita tentu saja benar. Tapi sudahkah anda tahu tentang "WordWeb"?

WordWeb adalah sebuah kamus sekaligus thesaurus elektronik yang sangat mudah dan praktis untuk digunakan dan dijalankan dalam komputer kita. Saat kita mengerjakan tugas bahasa Inggris dan mengetiknya dalam komputer, atau hanya sedang membaca artikel berbahasa Inggris di komputer, pasti kita sering menjumpai kata-kata yang sulit atau asing.Sedangkan untuk membuka halaman-halaman kamus cukup memakan waktu. Nah, itulah saat yang tepat bagi kita untuk menggunakan kamus elektronik ini.

Keunggulan WordWeb
Mengapa harus WordWeb? Apakah tidak ada aplikasi serupa yang bisa menjadi pilihan? Penulis sudah mencoba bersikap obyektif dan membandingkan beberapa aplikasi sejenis, yang kebanyakan merupakan aplikasi berbayar, serta ada pula yang mengharuskan komputer terhubung dengan internet untuk bisa menggunakan kamus tersebut. Disinilah letak keunggulan WordWeb:

  1. WordWeb adalah aplikasi gratis. Tidak sepeserpun uang harus kita keluarkan untuk mengunduh dan menginstall aplikasi milik WordWeb Software tersebut, selain biaya internet tentu saja. Kita bebas mendownload aplikasi tersebut di http://wordweb.info/cgi-bin/geoip/wordweb.exe
  2. Freeware ini memiliki kamus dan thesaurus lengkap dalam American English, BritishEnglish, Canadian English, Australian English, Indian, dan global English. Meskipun gratis, WordWeb benar-benar fungsional dan bukan berupa "Trial Version" yang akan habis masa berlakunya setelah jangka waktu tertentu. Untuk menggunakan WordWeb, kita harus memenuhi beberapa licensing conditions yang tidak rumit. Jika tidak puas dengan free version, pengguna bisa membeli versi berbayar, yaitu WordWeb Pro, dengan keistimewaan berupa lengkapnya fitur-fitur yang ada.
  3. WordWeb sangat praktis digunakan. Cukup dengan 1 klik saja, kita sudah bisa mengaktifkan kamus dan thesaurus bahasa Inggris yang bisa digunakan untuk menemukan arti kata-kata bahasa Inggris hampir di semua program milik Windows.
  4. WordWeb bisa digunakan secara off-line, tanpa harus terhubung dengan internet. Secara on-line, WordWeb juga bisa digunakan untuk menemukan arti kata-kata di situs-situs seperti Wikipedia encyclopedia.
  5. Untuk free version, fitur-fitur yang tersedia mencakup:
    • Definisi dan synonym
    • Kata-kata terkait
    • 5000 pengucapan audio
    • 65 000 pengucapan text
    • 150 000 kata dasar
    • 120 000 pasang synonym
    • Pencarian arti kata di hampir seluruh program windows

Versi berbayar (WordWeb Pro 6) menyediakan seluruh fitur-fitur di atas, yang ditambah dengan:

  • 70 000 pengucapan audio
  • Referensi kata di internet
  • Custom glossaries
  • Kamus pendukung (opsional), yaitu Oxford dan Chambers Dictionaries.
  • Pencarian kata secara acak atau "wildcard"
  • Pencarian definisi full-teks
  • Pencarian dan pemecahan anagram (kata dengan huruf acak)
  • Pencarian daftar kata opsional

Dibanding aplikasi sejenis lainnya, ukuran file WordWeb.exe cukup kecil, yaitu 7.41mb, dan ukuran setelah diinstall hanya 12,9mb. Dengan fitur dan kinerja yang bagus, WordWeb dipastikan tidak akan memakan banyak kapasitas hard-disk atau memory komputer kita. Proses instalasi sebagai suatu freeware juga cepat tanpa harus mengunduh file-file instalasi dari internet.

Dengan fitur-fitur dan semua keunggulan di atas, penulis merekomendasikan aplikasi ini kepada para pelajar maupun guru bahasa Inggris dari tingkat SMP hingga perguruan tinggi. Tidak banyak aplikasi kamus bahasa Inggris atau thesaurus gratis yang "mau" menyediakan fitur-fitur selengkap dan sepraktis WordWeb.

Sebagai seorang guru bahasa Inggris, penulis sering diharuskan membuat soal-soal antonym atau synonym, dan WordWeb sangat membantu pekerjaan tersebut karena bisa berfungsi sebagai thesaurus. Sedangkan untuk pelajar, kamus elektronik seperti WordWeb pasti amat dibutuhkan dalam era pembelajaran multi-media seperti sekarang. Selamat mencoba dengan mengunduh aplikasi Wordweb secara gratis dari tautan di bawah ini.

More Info: http://wordweb.info/free/

June 11, 2010

Penyambutan Piala Adipura dan Adiwiyata Kota Probolinggo

Penyambutan Piala Adipura dan Adiwiyata Kota Probolinggo
"
K
eanekaragaman Hayati, Masa Depan Bumi Kita. Many Species, One Planet, One Future." Itulah bunyi spanduk yang terpasang di depan Kantor Pemkot Probolinggo pagi itu. Untuk memperingati Hari Lingkungan Hidup Sedunia (World Environment Day) yang jatuh pada hari Rabu tanggal 5 Juni 2010 kemarin, sekaligus merayakan keberhasilan meraih Piala Adipura, Pemkot Probolinggo mengadakan apel pagi penyambutan Piala Adipura, Adiwiyata dan Kalpataru di halaman kantor Pemkot Probolinggo. Apel ini dihadiri oleh seluruh jajaran di lingkungan Pemerintah Kota Probolinggo, unsur pimpinan DPRD Kota Probolinggo beserta anggota, unsur MUSPIDA Kota Probolinggo serta para petugas kebersihan.

Hujan gerimis yang sempat mewarnai suasana di pagi itu tidak menghalangi ratusan peserta dari berbagai Satker di lingkungan Pemkot Probolinggo untuk menghadiri apel tersebut. Penulis, yang juga hadir bersama beberapa rekan guru dari SMKN 1 Probolinggo dan sekolah-sekolah penerima penghargaan lainnya, sempat merasa cemas melihat mendung gelap yang menggantung di atas langit Kota Probolinggo. Beruntunglah hujan gerimis tidak berlangsung lama.

Kira-kira pukul 7 pagi, Bapak Walikota, H.M. Buchori, beserta istri dan perwakilan dari sekolah penerima penghargaan Adiwiyata, tiba di tempat upacara dengan membawa penghargaan Adiwiyata dan Kalpataru. Kedatangan mereka disambut dengan aksi karyawan BLH (Badan Lingkungan Hidup) menampilkan Tari Keranjang, yang melambangkan kebersamaan dalam gerakan kebersihan lingkungan. Ratusan peserta apel yang terdiri dari wakil-wakil dari berbagai Satker tidak ingin menyia-nyiakan tontonan gratis ini, dan spontan membalikkan badan ke arah jalan dimana para penari sedang beraksi. Barisan kembali tertib saat Bapak Walikota Probolinggo secara resmi membuka apel pagi tersebut.

Pada sambutannya, H.M. Buchori menyampaikan pesan dari Presiden RI, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, bahwa bila ada warga yang selalu merusak mangrove & hutan air payau, agar ditindak tegas, sambil menoleh kepada Kapolresta Probolinggo dan dijawab dengan anggukan kepala.

Pemerintah dan masyarakat kota Probolinggo patut berbangga karena kota Probolinggo sanggup mempertahankan penghargaan Adipura selama 4 kali berturut-turut. Prestasi yang juga cukup membanggakan adalah tahun ini kota Probolinggo menduduki ranking III nasional untuk kategori kota sedang yang diikuti oleh 250 kab/kota di seluruh Indonesia. Sedangkan untuk rangking I nasional diraih oleh Tulungagung, dan rangking II nasional diraih oleh Jepara. ”Mudah-mudahan tahun depan, dengan semangat kebersamaan, bukan hanya rangking III tapi kita raih rangking pertama tingkat nasional” tegas H.M. Buchori dan disertai tepuk tangan dari peserta apel.

Secara lengkap, Ragam Penghargaan yang diterima Kota Probolinggo Tahun 2010 adalah Adipura (Kota Probolinggo), Kalpataru (Endang Sulistyowati, guru Biologi SMAN 1 Kota Probolinggo), Adiwiyata Mandiri (SMAN 2 Kota Probolinggo), serta Piala Adiwiyata (SMKN 1 Kota Probolinggo, SMAN 4 Kota Probolinggo dan SDN Mangunharjo 6).

Untuk kategori perorangan, penghargaan Kalpataru diterima oleh ibu Endang Sulistyowati, sekarang guru Biologi di SMAN 1 Probolinggo atas kepeduliannya terhadap hutan Mangrove bagi kelestarian dan keseimbangan alam.

Sebelum menutup sambutannya, Walikota Probolinggo, mengucapkan terima kasih kepada masyarakat, utamanya kepada Pedagang Kaki Lima (PKL) karena ikut andil dalam menjaga lingkungan sehingga Kota Probolinggo dapat mempertahankan Penghargaan Adipura. Dia berpesan kepada para wakil PKL agar menjaga lingkungan yang bersih, "selesai buka usaha bersihkan sekitarnya, jangan selalu membebani Pemerintah. Saya percaya, bapak-bapak ikut membantu teraihnya adipura ini” tutupnya.

Kalimat beliau secara tidak langsung menyiratkan kepedulian dan kedekatan dengan segenap lapisan masyarakat, bahkan para PKL sekalipun. Pesan mendalam yang beliau sampaikan adalah bahwa prestasi kota Probolinggo bukanlah hanya milik Pemerintah saja, tapi juga milik seluruh lapisan masyarakat kota Probolinggo, dan mustahil bisa terwujud tanpa adanya kepedulian masyarakat terhadap kebersihan lingkungan di kota Probolinggo.

Satu hal yang cukup menarik perhatian peserta apel di ujung acara tersebut adalah pelepasan puluhan burung berkicau ke alam bebas. Puluhan burung yang telah sekian lama terkurung di dalam sangkar tampak mengalami kesulitan ketika harus beradaptasi dan terbang di alam bebas. Sebagian besar burung-burung tersebut hanya mampu terbang sejauh puluhan meter dan kemudian hinggap di atas pohon-pohon rindang di sekitar kantor Pemkot. Bahkan seekor burung hinggap di dahan tepat di atas penulis. Penulis berharap semoga burung-burung tersebut bisa betah dan bersarang di pohon-pohon sekitar agar dapat menambah keasrian alam kota Probolinggo. Semoga.

Sumber: http://www.probolinggokota.go.id/
Foto:
- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4375791&id=349977923879
- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=233474&id=100000361805112

June 09, 2010

Sejarah Kelahiran Kota Probolinggo

Sejarah Kelahiran Kota Probolinggo

J
ika kita berbicara tentang sejarah lahirnya kota Probolinggo, kita tidak akan lepas dari sejarah kerajaan besar yang pernah berdiri di pulau Jawa, yaitu kerajaan Majapahit. Pada zaman pemerintahan Raja Majapahit ke IV, yaitu Prabu Radjasanagara atau Sri Nata Hayam Wuruk (1350-1389), daerah Probolinggo dikenal dengan nama “Banger”, sesuai dengan nama sungai yang mengalir ditengah daerah ini.

Di dalam Kakawin Nagarakertagama, Prapanca, pujangga Majapahit yang terkenal menyebutkan bahwa  Banger, yang semula merupakan pedukuhan kecil di muara kali Banger berkembang menjadi Pakuwon yang dipimpin oleh seorang Akuwu di Sukodono di bawah kekuasaan Kerajaan Majapahit.

Pada saat Bre Wirabumi (Minakjinggo) bertahta sebagai Raja Blambangan, Banger masuk ke dalam daerah kekuasaan Bre Wirabumi. Perselisihan  menyebabkan Banger yang merupakan perbatasan antara Majapahit dan Blambangan menjadi kancah peperangan antara Bre Wirabumi (Blambangan) dengan Prabu Wikramawardhana (Majapahit) yang dikenal dengan sebutan “Perang Paregreg”.

Perjalanan Hayam Wuruk
Prapanca mencatat bahwa setelah berakhir musim dingin (musim hujan), , Hayam Wuruk sebagai raja sering mengadakan perjalanan untuk mengunjungi daerah terdekat seperti Jalagiri, Blitar, Polaman, Daha dan sebagainya, termasuk desa Perdikan Jalagiri yang terletak tidak jauh di sebelah Timur Majapahit, serta Wewe Pikatan di Candi Lima, dengan jalan kaki saja. Beliau juga suka berkunjung ke Palah untuk berziarah ke Candi Siwa, lalu ke Blitar , Jimur Silaahrit, Polaman, Daha, Janggalah.

Menurut Prapanca, Prabu Hayam Wuruk pernah mengunjungi Panjang diiringi oleh segenap pembesar pemerintah pusat pada tahun Saka 1275 (Masehi); serta Pantai Selatan pada tahun saka 1276 (Masehi 1357). Perjalanan tersebut menembus hutan belantara hingga ke Lodaya, Teto dan Sideman. Pada tahun Saka 1281 (Masehi 1359) bulan Badra (Agustus-September) Beliau juga mengunjungi Lumajang.

Dalam Kakawin Nagarakertagama (sebenarnya bernama Decawarnana), Prapanca memberikan uraian yang cukup lengkap tentang perjalanan ini hingga kita dapat mengetahui desa-desa dan daerah-daerah yang dikunjungi dalam perjalanan itu. Pupuh 80/4 menyatakan bahwa perjalanan keliling daerah yang dilakukan oleh Sri Nata Hayam Wuruk memiliki tujuan menghapus semua durjana dari wilayah kerajaan Majapahit.

Tentang perjalanan ini, R. Ng Yosodipura, Pujangga Surakarta Hadiningrat, menulis:

"Prabu Hayam Wuruk sajroning andong lelono anjajah praja ing tanggap warsa 1359, tahun candra nalungsure in jurang terpis, tumekeng perenging wuki Temenggungan tumuju ing argo Tengger ing Mada Karipura. Tumurun ing tepising wonodrikang banger ambeting warih, Sang Prabu manages ing ngarsanging Dewa, denyo nerusake lampah marang Sukodono ing wuwus nyuwun nuggroho supoyo tansah pinanjungan ing Hyang Widi bisa tansah kaleksanaan ing sediyo. Kang dadi ubayane ing wuri utusan pawongan ing Wono Banger babat Wono Gung mrih saranan ing rejaning projo ing wuri.

Kasigek caritaning lampah, Sang Prabu sank Pungguwo cantang balung kinen angungak ing projo sadeng sawusnyo prang pupuh. Dening Sang Prabu wus kinaryo penggalihan in sumangso kelempahan kang katur babat wono gung arso pinaringan aprasanti dadio tungguling projo anyar aselisih akuwu kadipaten Sukodono Lumajang, Prasetianing sang noto ing tepising wonodri katiti ing mongso wanchi purnomo angglewang (lingsir), respati arinipun. Sang noto Rejosonenoro andon lelono ing brang wetan tumekeng manguni Blambangan lan saindenging brang wetan."

Terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia kira-kira:
"Prabu Hayam Wuruk selama berkelana keliling negara pada tahun 1359, candra tahun: nalungsure ing jurang terpis (1359), tiba di lereng gunung Tumenggungan dan menuju ke gunung Tengger di Madakaripura.  Pada saat turun dan sampai di tepi sungai yang airnya berbau banger (anyir), Sang prabu memohon anugerah kepada Dewa agar dalam kelanjutan perjalanannya ke sukodono selalu dipayungi/ dilindungi Sang Hyang Widi dan bisa terlaksana sesuai rencana. Yang menjadi upayanya kemudian, sang prabu menyuruh orang-orang yang tinggal di (sekitar) Hutan Banger untuk membuka Hutan agar menjadi sarana berkembangnya praja/ wilayah/ kota/ daerah (banger) di kemudian hari.

Singkat cerita, Sang Prabu dan rombongan meninjau daerah Sadeng yang dulunya bekas ajang perang sadeng (berziarah???) dan kemudian Sang Prabu memutuskan mengangkat kepala daerah baru untuk daerah yang baru dibuka -Banger- dibawah pemerintahan Akuwu kadipaten Sukodono Lumajang. Janji (ketetapan/ keputusan) Sang Nata di tepi hutan tercatat pada bulan Purnama condong, hari Kamis. Sang Nata Rejosonegoro berkelana di daerah Timur sampai menjumpai Blambangan dan pelosok daerah timur."

Perintah Prabu Hayam Wuruk untuk membuka hutan Banger (babat alas Banger) tersebut jatuh pada tanggal 4 September 1359, dan ditetapkan sebagai Hari Jadi Kota Probolinggo.

Wilayah-wilayah Probolinggo Dalam Kakawin NagaraKertagama
Kakawin Nagarakertagama dengan jelas menyebut nama-nama desa (daerah) yang tidak asing lagi bagi masyarakat Probolinggo, yaitu Borang, Banger, dan Bermi. Nama-nama desa tersebut dituliskan pada Pupuh XXI/1 dan XXXIV/4. Desa Baremi (penduduk asli lebih mengenalnya dengan sebutan Bremi) terletak di Kelurahan Sukabumi Kota Probolinggo. Borang, sekarang bernama Kelurahan Wiroborang sebagai paduan antara Wirojayan dan Borang. Desa Banger yang terletak di antara Bremi dan Borang, sekarang merupakan pusat Kota Probolinggo.

Nama Banger sampai sekarang masih dikenal sebagai nama sungai yang mengalir tepat di tengah Kota Probolinggo. Sungai dengan aliran kecil yang lebih tampak seperti saluran pembuangan berbau busuk. Hingga tahun 1900-an, sungai ini masih jernih dan lebar sehingga banyak perahu dagang dari Madura dapat masuk berlabuh di pusat perdagangan yang terletak di sekitar jalan Siaman sekarang. Pada jaman dahulu tempat ini merupakan sebuah teluk, yang disebut “Tambak Pasir”. Kira-kira tahun 1928 sebagian dari sungai ini ditimbun (diurug) dan dijadikan jalan yang sebagian menjadi Jalan Siaman dan Jalan KH. Abdul Aziz.

Ada mitos yang cukup populer di kalangan masyarakat Probolinggo bahwa nama Kali Banger di berikan karena air sungai tersebut berbau banger / amis oleh darah Minak Jinggo yang dipenggal kepalanya oleh Raden Damarwulan. Jika yang dimaksud dengan pertarungan antara Minak Jinggo dengan Damarwulan ini adalah peperangan antara Bre Wirabumi dengan Raden Gajah yang terjadi pada tahun 1404-1406 (Perang Paregreg), maka anggapan tersebut secara logis tidak benar. Perang Paregreg terjadi pada tahun 1404-1406, sedangkan Prapanca dalam buku Nagarakertagama yang ditulis pada tahun 1365 sudah menyebut nama Banger. Mengingat nama Banger sudah ada kira-kira sejak tahun 1359 Masehi, maka mitos yang lebih "masuk akal" adalah bahwa bau banger itu disebabkan oleh bau darah dan mayat-mayat yang terjadi akibat peperangan antara Majapahit dengan Lumajang pada ”Pemberontakan Nambi, Aria Wiraraja” pada tahun 1316 Masehi.

Sumber:

April 29, 2010

SMKN 1 Probolinggo Open House

As part of school's socialization program, SMKN 1 Probolinggo is holding an Open House days in which there will be competitions held for Junior High Schools' (SMP) students from 4th to 8th May 2010. The competitions are open for state and private Junior High Schools in Probolinggo and neighboring towns such as Lumajang and Pasuruan.

The event, which will include an English Story telling contest, English Olympics, and Volleyball competition, will be opened by the Head of Diknas Kota Probolinggo. Trophies and rewards will be given to winners. With this event, it is expected that the talents and interests of SMP students especially in Volleyball and English, can be developed at early ages.

Registration can be done in our school, SMKN 1, Jl. Mastrip 357, Probolinggo, or by phone at 0335-421121& 0878 5920 3000. Registration fee is Rp. 25,000.- per participant/team, and can be paid during the technical meeting at 7-8 am, Monday 3rd May 2010.

Contact us to get further information about Story Telling Contest rules.

November 19, 2008

The First SMK English Teachers' Colloquium in Probolinggo

The First SMK English Teachers' Colloquium in ProbolinggoOur first local colloquium took place last Saturday, November 15 in the computer laboratory of SMKN 1 Probolinggo. Attended by 13 teachers, the meeting, which was actually an MGMP meeting, lasted for about three hours, starting from 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. About 5-10 other teachers who had been invited could not attend the meeting due to several reasons.

During the occasion, I had a chance to pass some of the important information that I had got from the 2nd MET Colloquium in Jakarta last August. Among those was the Internet-Based TOEIC Test on Speaking and Writing about which my colleagues in Probolinggo were completely uninformed. It was quite surprising for me to find that none of them knew or had heard about such test before. Unfortunately, I couldn’t come to them with something to read or see since it was not our main agenda of the meeting. (We hadn’t had the Examinee Handbook and other necessary data copied). However, I promised them that I would provide the forum with more information about the test in our next meeting.

The other thing, which was the main agenda of the meeting, was a brief workshop on Hot Potatoes. Though some of them, especially the ladies, seemed to have a rather hard time with computers, my colleagues were quite enthusiastic about the program. Despite the use of LCD, I had to run and move here and there many times to assist them with their work. But I enjoyed it. Let’s consider it a form of physical exercise for me.

The reason for the agenda was that we felt it was quite necessary to introduce computer-based tests to our students, and to vary the teaching methods that we apply from time to time by making use of any available teaching-learning media including computer. Based on my own experience, if presented correctly, a test or quiz in such a computerized form as Hot Potatotes files can be fun and enjoyable to the students. It can be a new and constructive learning experience which, in turn, will nurture and help maintain their motivation in learning.

I was quite happy to be able to share what I know and to pass necessary information to my colleagues in Probolinggo and I really appreciate their willingness to learn. I feel grateful for SMKN 1 Probolinggo, especially the headmaster (though he seemed to be unsupportive at first) and my colleagues and friends there (for their help from the very beginning), for allowing English MGMP teachers to use the computer lab. I should also thank Mr. Gumawang Jati from Bandung Talent Source for his kindness to share his paid ‘Hot Potatoes’ software with us teachers. Well, it’s clearly not for nothing, sir.

Above all, I should extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Jenny Lee, Mr. Victor Chan and everyone in ITC Jakarta for their effort in upgrading English teachers through Master English Teachers’ Colloquium program. Speaking in a broader context, I believe that all your work and effort will bear its fruit and add a color of value to the English language teaching in Indonesia. God bless you all.

Last but not least, I hope my MET colleagues will share their experience here. We would like to hear from you all because I’m sure there must be something that we can learn from you. You are all such great and wonderful people I can never forget the moments that I shared with you. Keep in touch and keep sharing, Masters.

September 26, 2008

The Story of Tengger (Funny Version)

A
long time ago, being invaded by an enemy kingdom, the people of Majapahit had to evacuate their kingdom. After Google-searching, they decided to move eastward, and so did their Gods. With their cars and motorcycles, the Majapahit people fled their homes and arrived on the slope of Mt. Bromo where they decided to settle down. Their gods, however, preferred more privacy and chose to live on the slope of Mt. Pananjakan, which was rather far from Mt. Bromo.

Several years later, a goddess assumed a human baby.

Mother: "She is very beautiful. But, she doesn’t cry like other babies do. I wonder if she can be admitted to a singing class."

Father: "Yes. It’s strange. But forget the singing lesson and think about a name to give her."

Mother: "What about Rara Anteng?"

Father: "What? Ganteng?? You mean, handsome? It's a baby girl."

Mother: "Anteng, you idiot. Rara Anteng. Anteng is Javanese for quiet."

Father: "Oh, I see. Yes, I think it's a beautiful name."

At the same time, at a local hospital, the wife of a vicar gave birth to a baby boy.

Mother: "Our baby is very handsome and his face is shiny. He is also strong. This morning he kicked me off the bed."

Father: "Yes, his hand grasp and kick are powerful. His cry is also louder than any other babies’. That’s why; let’s name him Jaka Seger. Seger is Javanese for physically fit or fresh."

Years passed, both Rara Anteng and Jaka Seger had now grown into a very goodlooking teenagers. Just like other teenagers, they joined a social network like Friendster or MySpace and soon became keypals. Their frequent contacts and chats had now brought their relationship into romance.

Jaka Seger: "Rara Anteng, I’ve never met a girl as lovely as you on any sites on the web. I think I love you. Would you be my wife someday?"

Rara Anteng: "Jaka Seger, I don’t know what to say, hunny. But I feel the same way, too. I would do anything to keep us together. I love you, too."

Meanwhile, the beauty of Rara Anteng attracted many other young men. Most of them would try to approach her either by sending her emails or text messages.

Man 1: "Oh, Rara Anteng. . . I do want you to be my wife. I’ll do anything just to have you beside me. I’ll cross the deepest ocean; I’ll climb the highest mountain just to be near you."

Man 2: "I love you, Rara. Please be my wife. I’ll give you everything you want. I’ll take the stars out of the sky if you want them."

Man 3: "Anteng, please marry me and live with me. You are the air that I breathe; you are my life, my soul. I won’t be able to live without you."

Rara Anteng: "I’m sorry, folks. But, I will never change my mind and I can’t lie to myself. Jaka Seger is my true love. I will love him forever. Please understand and stop wasting your account trying to impress me. You'll get nowhere."

One day, the leader of a group of robbers, who often hacked other people's sites, came to the village to propose marriage to Rara Anteng. He was mean, cruel, and famous for his supernatural power. No one had ever dared to fight the wicked robber. Rara Anteng was afraid to refuse the robber’s proposal directly, as he might be angry and would probably destroy the village. Therefore, after some Google-searching, Rara Anteng prepared a trick, and quickly sent an IM to the robber.

Rara Anteng: "Hey, robber. I'm online now. I've decided to marry you."

Robber: "Hey, are you serious"

Rara Anteng: "Why not? What's wrong with marrying a guy like you? But I have one condition."

Robber: "Just say it. I'm all ears."

Rara Anteng: "I will marry you if you can create a sea in the middle of this mountain."

Robber: "Sea? Why not ocean? That’s as easy as ABC’s, or 1 2 3. With the latest software that I've developed, it’s a piece of cake. I can create with only a few key-strokes; before you even finish typing, my queen."

Rara Anteng: "Don’t think it’s that easy. I just want to make sure that I'm going to marry a tough guy. You’ll have to accomplish the task in one single night. I repeat, one night. You may start only after sunset. When the first cock crows the next morning, you’d better make sure the ocean is completely ready. Otherwise, you should stop dreaming of marrying me. That’s the deal."

Robber: "You’ll get it, my queen. Now, if you’d excuse me, I have to prepare for the night. Tomorrow, you’re mine!"

Rara Anteng: "Wait. One more thing. No spamming, no cheats, and no cracks allowed."

Robber: "No problem at all. Gotta go now. Bye"

As soon as the sun set that evening, the robber leader started what seemed to be an impossible task; creating a sea in the middle of the mountain. With his great supernatural power, he had thousands of jinns help him. The jinns started digging the mountain ground using coconut shells which were as big as a hill due to their supernatural power. They worked hard, so hard that after midnight, the work was almost done.

When more than two third of the ocean had been formed, Rara Anteng panicked. She was not happy at all.

Rara Anteng: "What will I do if the robber can make it? What will I say to Jaka Seger if the robber succeeds? I want to marry Jaka, not the filthy scoundrel. I’m not going to marry him in any way. So, I can’t just sit here and let things happen. I have to do something to stop him, even it means chatting. I mean cheating."

That midnight, Rara Anteng went out of her house and soon woke all her chickens, hens and cocks up. “Cock a doodle..... cock a doodle”. Soon, cockcrows broke the air in that silent midnight, crept into the robber’s ears, and shattered his dreams into pieces.

Robber: "Oh, no. It can’t be true! It’s still early, too early for a cock to crow. It can’t be true. It must be a trick."

The jinns, who had also heard the cockcrows, did not want to continue working anymore.

Jinn 1: "Please, forgive me, my master. It’s time for us to leave now. We, the jinns, are supposed to sign out and go home when we hear a cockcrow."

Robber: "What on earth are you talking about?? No, no, you can’t go. You have to finish the job. Help me."

Jinn 2: "I’m sorry, my master. Remember, the deal is that we should stop when we hear the first cockcrow, right? So, we really have to go now. We wish we could help you."

Jinn 3: "I'm sorry. But we really have to go now. Look. I've just got a message from my wife, asking me to pick my kids up from school."

Robber: "Nooooooooooo! You're all useless!"

In spite of the latest software, the robber realized that it was impossible for him to finish before the sunrise without the help from the Jinns. He got really mad and threw the biggest coconut shell into the air. It flew high in the air before the gravity pulled it back to the ground. Boom! It fell on the ground. Dust and sand scattered in the air, so did the robber’s dream of marrying Rara Anteng.

Since then, the robber had been reported missing. His family had tried people-finder on the web, but ended up with no result. His friends had also searched every social network and other web communities, but the robber was nowhere to download.

Not long after that, Jaka Seger (hey, where has he been all the time??? lol) and Rara Anteng got married, and lived happily ever after.

Today, we can enjoy the breath-taking beauty of Mount Bromo panorama, with the sand sea surrounding it and Mount Batok nearby. The sand sea is believed to be the ocean that was never completed; whereas Mount Batok is said to be the upsidedown coconut shell used by the robber to dig the land.

In the picture below, you can see Mt. Batok surrounded by early morning fog on the Sand Sea, next to the smoldering crater of Mt. Bromo. Further behind is the highest peak in Java, Mt. Semeru (3,676m).

The Story of Tengger - Funny Version

(East Java Folktale – Retold in English by Prast)

June 29, 2008

The Light

A short English story about a spiritual journey

F
aintly, the sound of Adzan, Moslem’s pray call, soared and broke the air in that sunny and dry late morning in that small town. The hands of the clock showed 11:30, drawing the morning to an end. In the sky, the sun was shining brightly and was certainly about to be at its peak. Whereas in the blue sky, flocks of small white clouds were creeping slowly in the atmospheric wind, traveling to God knows where. Treetops swayed as the gentle breeze blew, as if they had been quivering at the heart-moving sound of Adzan. Everything in the nature seemed to be listening attentively to the echoing pray call.

The pray call crept into the classrooms of Taruna Dra Zulaeha Senior High school, followed by the school bell marking the start of the second break. Like a programmed routine after replying their teachers’ goodbye, most students would immediately leave for the mosque to perform their Dhuhur (noon) service. Only few students would remain in the class, reading or chatting with their friends, while others who could not bear their stomach’s call for lunch headed straight for the school canteen where they would find something to eat or drink.

As usual, Alya, a second-year student of Taruna Senior High school, took her prayer robe out of her bag, got up and walked out of the classroom to the mosque. But, she held her steps at the classroom door when she realized that Farah, one of her close friends in the class, still remained sitting at her desk.

Slightly raising her veil to wipe her sweat on her forehead, Alya said, “Let’s go, mate. You are supposed to pray Dhuhur now, aren’t you?”

Farah answered with a funny grin on her face, “I’m having my period now. Just send my best regards to God, OK?”

“Are you crazy or what?” Alya replied, “You can’t delegate anyone to perform your prayer, can you?”

Farah smiled, “I know. It was a joke. You had better hurry up now, or you’ll miss your first Takbir. I’m starving and I need something to eat. I’ll be waiting for you around the shop in front of the mosque.”

Smiling back at Farah, Alya made a gesture of goodbye with her right hand before she left.

Ten minutes later, she got out of the mosque and saw that familiar grin of her desk mate’s in front of the shop. Farah waved to her.

“I’ve bought you this”, said Farah when Alya was in front of her, pointing with her right fore finger at some food on her table.

Alya sat down and thanked her friend, “It’s a very kind of you, Farah. It’s not you. You hardly ever bought me anything, have you? What’s happening?”

Farah laughed naughtily, “Oh, nothing. I just feel happy today. I’m having my period and so, I won’t have to perform any religious obligations, at least for almost a week. I don’t have to get up early in the morning to pray”.

Feeling surprised at her friend’s answer, Alya stopped eating. Her beautiful young face frowned as she stared at her friend. But deep in her heart, she admitted that she often felt the same way as her friend did. Not knowing what to say, she smiled and shook her head at her friend’s uninhibited words.

A middle-aged man in his white moslem clothes and a white cap who was sitting next to them looked and smiled warmly at Farah. He must have heard what Farah had just said. The girls were wondering who he was, and started feeling uneasy at the stranger’s smile when they heard his words, “Please excuse me for interrupting. But do you know why Moslems have to pray?”

The man’s politeness and pious appearance caused an unexplainable feeling of safety creeping into the girls’ mind. Confidently, Farah answered, “That’s because we have to. I mean we must. It’s our obligation as moslems.”

Alya added, “Allah promises us heaven and protects us from hell if we pray.” The stranger nodded at their answers and smiled wisely. Then he asked another question, “What would we do if Allah never asked us to pray? And what would we do if God had never created heaven or hell? Would we still pray?”

Both girls stopped eating, and stared at the man with a dazzled look. They completely had no idea of how to answer the question they had never heard before. But, defending herself, Farah replied, “I’m sorry, Sir. But your questions need no answer. It’s obvious that God has asked us to pray, and created heaven and hell.”

Another wise smile was formed on the man’s face. He said, “You are right about that. But we are actually talking about our motivation in praying.”

“What do you mean?” the girls asked almost at the same time. They started to feel it was interesting.

“If we think that praying is an obligation or a must, we will sometimes find that praying is a burden to us. We will pray reluctantly or lazily, and at times, we’ll even delay or skip it. It will not happen if we believe that praying is one of human’s basic needs, like food or clothes”, replied the man.

“What? How can praying be a necessity?” asked Farah impatiently. Alya frowned, trying to figure out what the man was talking about.

With another fatherly smile, the man began explaining, “Praying is a necessity because of the weak nature of man. Scientifically, man is a social being who can never live dependently. Like it or not, they directly or indirectly always depend on others, such as their parents, friends, and their neighbors. Let’s take it as an example, when you are in trouble, you need a place to run, and someone to help solving your problem, or at least, to share it with. But, once in your life, you’ll feel no one can help or understand you, nowhere to go, and nowhere to run in this world. This is a very crucial moment in one’s life. Many people can’t get through it, and then trap themselves in frustration, which mostly leads to drugs, crimes, and even suicide. Na’udzubillah. At this point, they are mentally sick. However, for those who really believe in Allah, and always perform their religious obligations, this will not happen. They feel they meet Allah in their prayer, and talk to Allah. Allah is the only place for them to run to. Allah will listen to you, take care of you, and help you with however big your problem is, even when nobody else will. Allah will always forgive you even when this world cannot tolerate your mistakes.”

Alya addressed a question, “Can you make it short, sir?”

The man continued, “Prayer or what we call shalat brings an effect of strengthening our personality. Performing the obligatory prayers at 5 appointed times a day, if done with the right intention, will bring you confidence, peace, comfort and satisfaction in life. In this way, the effect of shalat is ensuring and boosting your psychological development, such as mental, moral and character, which, together, will improve your emotional quotient. To be short, Islam has known about how to improve EQ, emotional quotient, far before western people came up with the idea.”

Alya nodded, gesturing that she agreed with the man. Suddenly, Farah replied, still defending herself, “But, isn’t it the same as long as we believe in Allah? I mean, shalat is prayer. And prayer can be done anytime and anywhere, right? Not only by shalat. Besides, Allah is The Most Forgiving. Allah will forgive us however sinful we are, unless we are infidels or unbelievers.”

Still understandingly, the stranger replied, “You have to be careful. Even Satan, the cursed one, and his followers believe that God exists. They also believe in heaven and hell. But they are cursed because of their haughtiness and pride, refusing to obey God’s order. So, believing only is not enough. You have to proof your loyalty and devoutness to Allah by willingly performing all that Allah has ordered us to do, and at the same time, avoiding all that Allah has asked us not to do. Only in this way, a man can assume the highest position of all creatures, even higher than that of angels. That was why Allah ordered angels and Satan to bow before Adam, right after Adam’s creation in the heaven. In short, performing all of your religious obligations, including shalat, is a way to reach your true quality as human, the earth caliphs. The right understanding of all this will lead us to the level where the obligation is not only an obligation but also a necessity.”

This time, Farah said nothing. Alya, who had been listening attentively to the man, addressed a question, “Are you saying that if we don’t pray or perform our religious obligations, then we won’t have the real quality of human’?”

“That’s what I’m talking about,” the man replied. “In order to make it clearer to you, I’ll ask you several questions. Is it Allah who needs to be worshipped? Does Allah order us to pray and worship Him because He needs it? Does He need our shalat or prayer in order for Him to live? Would it lessen His Glory if the whole universe did not praise Him or worship Him? And, would our worship add anything to His Glory?”

Those questions, although they were unemotionally asked, stabbed deeply into the girls’ heart, like a sharp knife, cracking the walls of arrogance inside their heart. The questions obviously demanded no answers. Yet, in fact, they would scatter to pieces the arrogance of man who had often claimed to be superior in this universe.

Both of the girls felt their eyes warm and wet. In a shaking voice, Alya answered, “Subhanallah. The answer to all those questions is NO.”

Farah sighed, and wiped her wet beautiful eyes, realizing how arrogant she had been so far in front of Allah, The Creator who never depends on His creatures and His universe.

“Allah has ordered us to perform 5 obligatory prayers a day and other religious obligations merely for our own good, because He knows we have the ability of doing so. The whole universe up to all particles and cells all worship Allah. But they can’t perform shalat like us. Shalat, as well as other obligations in general, differs mankind from animals. Have you ever seen a monkey performing shalat? Animals may have brains like human and silently chant their praise or dzikir to Allah, yet still they can’t perform shalat 5 times a day like us. The true essence of shalat will bring man to the quality of honor, as the noble caliphs of the earth. Therefore, if a man doesn’t perform the obligatory religious service or not even remember Allah, he may be in a lower quality than a monkey.”

Farah’s face went red. However, deep inside she agreed with the man. She looked at Alya, and both of them suddenly burst out laughing, imagining they were worse than a monkey. But, at last, Farah, who liked arguing, said, “Isn’t it because monkeys and all other creatures can’t think just like human?”

The man smiled wisely, and continued, “Allah has created man in a more perfect condition than any other creatures, like animals, genies, and even angels. That’s why we have to perform all religious obligations sincerely to worship Him, as an expression of gratitude to Allah for being trusted to bear the responsibility as the caliphs of the earth.”

The man added, “You should always remember that the main purpose of shalat must be purely to express our gratitude and to achieve Allah’s blessing. Your shalat should be free of all forms of worldly intentions and motives, such as to gain fame, position or wealth, otherwise it will be impure in front of Allah.”

Wanting to know more, Alya asked, “You said that the impact of shalat is strengthening our personality. Is it also the purpose of our shalat? And is it wrong if we perform our service to God in order to seek for heaven in the after life?”

“No, not at all,” the man quickly replied, “A purpose is different from an impact. A purpose is the reason and motive why we do something, whereas an impact is what will happen if you do something.”

The man added, “It is not wrong if we pray in order to be safe in the afterlife, or in order to avoid hell and seek for heaven. In fact, it is much better than expecting fame, or worldly position and wealth. The best of all is to humble before Allah, and to be sincere and wholehearted, not to expect anything, except being able to meet and see the light of Allah. But, never be proud of yourself that you can perform a religious service. If you think you are able to perform it because of your own strength and initiative, you’re making a very big mistake.”

Alya was sure that those seemingly underestimating words would be too much for her best friend to accept, and she smiled when Farah asked, “I’m sorry, sir. But I don’t really understand what you mean with mistake? Could you explain it?” This time, Alya was rather surprised to see her partner trying to be polite in defending herself. There was no more tone of arrogance in her voice.

The man wiped his sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand, and explained, “Being proud of yourself will lead you to haughtiness, and that will make your devoutness meaningless in front of Allah. Instead, you should be grateful to Allah for showering you with His blessings, divine direction and guidance from which your devoutness arise. He decides whomever He will guide with the light of faith and whomever He leaves astray in the darkness.”

The man continued, “I’d like to tell you something you ought to know about shalat. Shalat is the way of conveying your wishes and expressing your gratitude to Allah, as well as freeing your spirit from sins and impurity. Shalat is the place where the secrets of Allah are unimpeded, and where the bright lights of the highest knowledge of connaisance or ma’rifat rise. It is true when a servant of Allah stands up to pray, Allah will remove his blind for him, and directly meet him. Angels will stand upright from his shoulder up to heaven, follow his shalat and answer his every prayer with ‘Amen’. He will be bathed and sowed with God’s mercy and blessing from heaven down to the crown of his head. He will then be greeted with a voice; “If only this man knew to whom he is talking, he would never ever stop praying”. It is true that the doors of heaven will open for the praying ones, as long as they are praying. And it is also true that Allah is proud of them in front of His angel.”

Both of the girls, who had finished their food, now were in complete silence. All of the stranger’s explanation had raised their deepest consciousness as servants of God, and brought a new understanding about their religious service. It had ruined the walls of darkness, and brought a light into their heart, their mind and their spirit, and in turn, melted the rocks of arrogance, impurities and insincerity in being faithful servants of Allah. The light, which at first was only a dim ray, now had grown brighter and brighter. It shone on their spirit even more brightly than the sun that day, and revealed much of what had been hidden beyond the walls of man’s stupidity and ignorance. They now realized how impure their religious service had been so far.

Suddenly, Farah jumped, “My God, we’ll be late for class.” She pointed with her right thumb to the clock on the shop wall, which now showed 12 sharp. “I’m sorry, Sir. But we must go now. We have a class.”

While Farah was paying for their food at the cashier, Alya added politely, “We’re really thank you for what you’ve explained to us. It has added much to our knowledge and, Insya Allah, will be useful to us.”

“Alhamdulillah. Thank Allah for guiding you into His light,” replied the man humbly.

“Assalamu’alaikum”, said both of the girls almost simultaneously.

“Wa’alaikumussalam warrahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,“ the man replied warmly.

As they were leaving for their classroom, both of the girls looked back upon their shoulder at the shop where they had met the man, wondering who he was and where he came from. But he was no longer there. They stopped walking and looked round but he was nowhere to be seen. With a dazzled look, they stared at each other with their open mouth. Farah who suddenly realized they were late, dragged Alya’s hand, urging her to hurried for their class, where Mr. Agus Supriyono, their English teacher, must have started teaching by now. They were wondering what could be the perfect excuse to tell Mr. Agus for their coming late, but for certain they wouldn’t tell him how they had met a man, or whoever it might have been, who had led them to the beginning of a never-ending spiritual journey, the journey towards the light of God.

February 24, 2008

Cloze Text: A boy and An Apple Tree (Narrative Text)

A boy and An Apple Tree Narrative Text - Cloze text


Subject: Reading - Narrative Text

Type of Test: Cloze Text

Level: Intermediate - Advanced

No. of Test Items: 10 items




A Boy and an Apple Tree

Practice with Verbs
Fill in all the gaps to complete the following passage. When you click the blank space, a drop-down menu containing answer choices will appear. Choose the option that best completes the sentence. When you finish filling in all the gaps, press "Check" to check your answers. Please note that you will lose points if you give a wrong answer. Good luck.
   became      build      climb      fall      heard      looking      sell      spend      stood      use   
Once upon a time, there lived a big apple tree and a boy who loved to play around it. Everyday, he would the tree, pick its fruits and eat them as many as he wanted. Then, he would lie down and sleep under the tree. The boy loved the tree so much, and it made the apple tree happy.

Years passed. The little boy grew up and a teenager. He soon felt that being around his friends was more exciting than playing around the tree. Therefore, he didn’t as much time near the tree as before. The apple tree started to feel lonely.

One day, the boy showed up. The tree was happy, thinking that he would play with him again, but he was wrong. He the boy said as he stared happily at the ripe apple fruits, “I used to play here when I was a kid. Now, I don’t like playing anymore. I need money to buy new clothes. That's why, I will pick the apples and them.”
The boy picked all of the fruits and hurriedly left for the market.

Time went by. One day, a young man came with an axe. Knowing that it was 'him', the apple tree was happy and thought that this time he would play around him. “Now I have a family. I have to a house as a shelter. Therefore, I will cut the tree's crown and the wood to make a house,” the man said to himself. Soon, with his axe,the young man cut the tree trunk and all its branches. When he had enough, he left the tree with almost nothing but the bottom trunk and the roots.

Many years later, a man came with an axe in his hand, at the crownless apple tree. “Now, I’m an adult. My favorite pastime is fishing and I need a boat. I will cut the remaining trunk and make one from it,” he thought. Soon, he cut the tree down and left happily.

One day, an old man came and near the stump of the apple tree. The old man touched the dying tree and said, ”you have given me your life and anything you have. You have taught me how to give and expect nothing in return. Thank you for everything.”
To do the computer-based version of this cloze text and find out your score, click the link below: