Kamis, 03 Juni 2010

(meaning of poetry)

Sleeplessness

When the sun was stabbed by the blades of the grass,
I became a twig; a fragile twig.
A weary night bird leaned its fatigue on it,
The bird flapped
The twig cracked
The twig blamed the night

When the sun was distant from the touch of the horizon,
I became a flower; a wind flower
A hungry bee came to it
Bee perched,
Flower fell
The flower blamed the wind



Lust, love and us

Lust burns our soul
Love is more than just a word
We forget who we are
Why are we?

Lust is out
Love becomes a word
We remember who we are
What are we?




By; Willpower





meaning of poetry :

Lust temptation could shake one's faith. appetite will continue to tempt someone to weaken one's faith. When faith is reduced, then someone feeling sorry for themselves. When the true beauty away. It only became apparent happiness. And desire to be the ruler. When the true beauty is lost. Usually people just realized fault. That's because human beings are not perfect. However, the real love is more meaningful than lust.

Kamis, 27 Mei 2010

Business English

Business English is English especially related to international trade. It is a part of English for Specific Purposes and can be considered a specialism within English language learning and teaching; for example, the teachers' organisation IATEFL has a special interest group called BESIG [1]. Many non-native English speakers study the subject with the goal of doing business with English-speaking countries, or with companies located outside the Anglosphere but which nonetheless use English as a shared language or lingua franca. Much of the English communication that takes place within business circles all over the world occurs between non-native speakers. In cases such as these the object of the exercise is efficient and effective communication. The strict rules of grammar are in such cases sometimes ignored, when, for example, a stressed negotiator's only goal is to reach an agreement as quickly as possible. (See linguist Braj Kachru's theory of the "expanding circle".)

Business English means different things to different people.[who?] For some, it focuses on vocabulary and topics used in the worlds of business, trade, finance, and international relations. For others it refers to the communication skills used in the workplace, and focuses on the language and skills needed for typical business communication such as presentations, negotiations, meetings, small talk, socializing, correspondence, report writing, and so on. In both of these cases it can be taught to native speakers of English, for example, high school students preparing to enter the job market.

It can also be a form of international English.

It is possible to study Business English at college and university; institutes around the world have on offer courses (modules) in BE, which can even lead to a degree in the subject[1].


sumber : From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Global warming

For past climate change, see Paleoclimatology and Geologic temperature record.
This article is semi-protected indefinitely in response to an ongoing high risk of vandalism.
This is a featured article. Click here for more information.
Global mean surface temperature difference relative to the 1961–1990 average
Comparison of ground based (blue) and satellite based (red: UAH; green: RSS) records of temperature variations since 1979. Trends plotted since January 1982.
Mean surface temperature change for the period 2000 to 2009 relative to the average temperatures from 1951 to 1980.[1]

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) between the start and the end of the 20th century.[2][A] The global scientific community agrees that most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which results from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation.

Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st century.[2] The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions. An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts.[3] Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields. Warming and related changes will vary from region to region around the globe, though the nature of these regional variations is uncertain.[4]

Political and public debate continues, regarding the legitimacy of global warming, in part due to the fact that multinational oil and coal corporations have funded public relations campaigns to attack and/or deny scientific evidence in order to protect their industries/investments [5]. There is no debate amongst the scientific community as to whether or not human-made global warming is real.[6]


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What is the Ideal Age to Learn English?

Learning English is something that you really have to do if you want to make it big in today’s world. Between the type of English common in the United States and the type of English common in the United Kingdom, most of the world’s population is represented in terms of people that know how to speak English. All of the major business is transacted in that language and everyone that happens to be rich, successful or otherwise powerful in the world today learned English at some point in their life.

Now that it has been established that learning English is essential, it is time to think about the different times in a person’s life that learning English can be ideal. While there is no one particular ideal age at which to learn English, there are times when it can be better to do so and those times are discussed at length below.

From Birth

The absolutely most ideal age at which learning English can happen is at birth. When a baby speaks their first words, if those words are in English, then English will be the first language that they learn. This also makes it the easiest language for them to learn as many babies never end up learning another language after they have learned their initial one. Some people just have a mental block when it comes to learning languages, which is why English as their first language is absolutely the best way to go.

During Primary Schooling

If a child has not learned English as their first language, then the next best time to get them to learn it would be during the time in their life when they are thinking about doing primary schooling. Primary schooling is extremely important and allows children to expand their knowledge and grow on multiple fronts during the second group of formative years in their life (the first being their pre-school years). Because of the rapid rate at which children tend to learn at this age, English language training is definitely a good idea.

During Secondary Schooling

If a child has gone through the initial and primary school years of their life without learning English, then you will want to make sure that you start them on an English language learning course right away. While secondary school students are still learning a lot, the information that high school gives them is largely specialized information. This is quite different from the formative study they undertake in primary school which in turn means that teaching them something as basic as a new way of speaking is a lot harder to do.

During Post-Secondary Schooling

While a large argument is currently raging across academic circles at which time is better to learn English between secondary and post-secondary schooling, most people tend to believe that post-secondary schooling provides an environment that makes learning a new language a lot easier to do. People are exposed to new ideas and concepts that might completely change the way they look at and think about life in post-secondary school and that makes taking on big new challenges like learning English easier to do than it would be in secondary school.

As an Adult

It is possible for an out of school adult to learn English, but it is at the same time a lot harder to do. The thing that makes it easier for adults to learn English sometimes is the fact that adults that are out of school tend to have a far more disciplined approach to things like this and for that reason have the ability to grasp information pertinent to their life at a relatively quick pace.



By Amy Nutt
sumber : xamux.com

How to Learn English As You Write - The Easy Way!

Writing software is not traditionally a tool for teaching English language skills. However, as these types of applications have matured through the years, they are increasingly becoming useful tools not just for fashioning your written documents into shape, but for helping you improve you master the language as well. How exactly does it perform as a language learning software?

See, every time you run a document through an English writing software, it analyzes it and points out erroneous portions, instantly letting you see weaknesses in your language skill set. As it points our mistakes and provides advice on how you may fix them, it’s serving as a teaching tool, almost like a private tutor of sorts. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that it’s probably a better learning platform than many courses, simply because you’re developing the language skills in an applied manner.

If you’re an ESL speaker currently taking a language course, using a writing software when you practice at home is bound to do more good for you than watching hours of English television or reading a chapter of a grammar book. Think back to when you were studying Math, for instance. Did you learn more from listening to a teacher, observing your classmates or solving the problems yourself while getting direct one-on-one feedback on your solutions? I’d venture a guess that the third of those options offered the best results when it came to lessons that you actually remember and seamlessly integrated into your skillset.

In many ways, an English writing software is akin to hiring a private tutor, except its infinitely cheaper and more convenient.

A powerful vocabulary usually takes time and experience to build. While that holds true for most folks, it doesn’t mean you can’t help accelerate the process a bit along the way. These practical tips should help you develop a robust vocabulary store faster than your average English learner.

1. Derive relationships

Words based on a common theme or concept are easier to memorize than those with no concept to tie them together. Most vocabulary lessons found on language learning software are structured this way for a reason - they work exceptionally well.

2. Write it down

Writing, for some reason, has a way of imprinting words into your consciousness. Instead of just reading words off a page, try putting them to paper yourself - the effect can be downright amazing.

3. Use your creativity

Employ your creative side and relate words to drawings, photographs, dance moves or whatever art form feels most natural to you. This can create a relationship that will help you pull out the right words at just the right time - most of the time, anyway.

4. Find relevance

Study words that carry a certain relevance to certain areas of your life. If you’re into basketball, for instance, words that relate to the game will usually prove easier to memorize than words often used in engineering pursuits. Whatever hobby, life event or situation carries meaning for you, use them to your advantage in vocabulary-building.

5. Be reasonable

Your vocabulary is not going to go from zero to hero in one day. As such, set reasonable goals that you can succeed in to build your confidence. That will prove 10 times better than failing over and over while trying to pursue unrealistic ideals.



By Jennifer Sefo
sumber : xamux.com

Rabu, 26 Mei 2010

gaya tidur

Tidurmu, Kepribadianmu

Bagaimana posisi Anda saat tidur? Sebuah survey dari Inggris menyelidiki 1000 orang dan menunjukkan adanya hubungan antara gaya tidur dengan kepribadian seseorang. Jadi, apa gaya Anda?

Gaya meringkuk
Ini adalah posisi paling umum terutama di antara para wanita. Mereka yang tidur dengan posisi ini dikenal berkepribadian tangguh tapi tetap peka terhadap sekitar. Mereka mungkin terlihat pemalu tapi mudah akrab.

Gaya menyamping
Jika Anda tidur menyamping dengan kedua tangan di samping tubuh, Anda adalah orang yang pandai bergaul, mudah mempercayai orang, bahkan kadang mudah ditipu. Sekitar 15% orang tidur dengan gaya ini.

Gaya peminta
Sepertiga orang tidur menyamping dengan kedua tangan diletakkan di depan tubuh. Mereka dikenal berpikiran terbuka namun agak sinis, pencuriga dan keras kepala dalam pengambilan keputusan.

Gaya prajurit
Orang yang tidur dengan gaya ini tidur terlentang dengan lengan rapat disamping tubuh. Mereka disebut bersifat pendiam, tertutup, dan menetapkan standard tinggi untuk diri dan rekan. Mereka juga lebih sering mendengkur, yang membuat mereka mendapat tidur berkualitas lebih sedikit.

Gaya terjun bebas
Sebagian kecil orang tidur tengkurap, dengan bagian perut dibawah dan lengan di bawah atau memeluk bantal. Sedangkan kepala akan menghadap ke salah satu sisi. Orang dengan posisi tidur ini dikenal blak-blakan, supel, dan tidak suka dikritik.

Gaya bintang laut
Jenis gaya tidur yang terakhir adalah terlentang, dengan tangan di dekat kepala. Mereka dengan gaya tidur ini biasanya adalah pendengar yang baik, suka menolong dan tidak nyaman menjadi pusat perhatian. Mereka juga sering mendengkur dan kurang mendapat tidur berkualitas.

(mg)

sumber : yahoo.com

Jumat, 21 Mei 2010

The Carpet Fitter

The Carpet fitter

The Carpet Fitter Eddie was a carpet fitter, and he hated it. For ten years he had spent his days sitting, squatting, kneeling or crawling on floors, in houses, offices, shops, factories and restaurants. Ten years of his life, cutting and fitting carpets for other people to walk on, without even seeing them. When his work was done, no-one ever appreciated it. No- one ever said "Oh, that's a beautiful job, the carpet fits so neatly." They just walked all over it. Eddie was sick of it. He was especially sick of it on this hot, humid day in August, as he worked to put the finishing touches to today's job. He was just cutting and fixing the last edge on a huge red carpet which he had fitted in the living room of Mrs. Vanbrugh's house. Rich Mrs. Vanbrugh, who changed her carpets every year, and always bought the best. Rich Mrs. Vanbrugh, who had never even given him a cup of tea all day, and who made him go outside when he wanted to smoke. Ah well, it was four o'clock and he had nearly finished. At least he would be able to get home early today. He began to day-dream about the weekend, about the Saturday football game he always played for the local team, where he was known as "Ed the Head" for his skill in heading goals from corner kicks. Eddie sat back and sighed. The job was done, and it was time for a last cigarette. He began tapping the pockets of his overalls, looking for the new packet of Marlboro he had bought that morning. They were not there. It was as he swung around to look in his toolbox for the cigarettes that Eddie saw the lump. Right in the middle of the brand new bright red carpet, there was a lump. A very visible lump. A lump the size of -- the size of a packet of cigarettes. "Blast!" said Eddie angrily. "I've done it again! I've left the cigarettes under the blasted carpet!" He had done this once before, and taking up and refitting the carpet had taken him two hours. Eddie was determined that he was not going to spend another two hours in this house. He decided to get rid of the lump another way. It would mean wasting a good packet of cigarettes, nearly full, but anything was better than taking up the whole carpet and fitting it again. He turned to his toolbox for a large hammer. Holding the hammer, Eddie approached the lump in the carpet. He didn't want to damage the carpet itself, so he took a block of wood and placed it on top of the lump. Then he began to beat the block of wood as hard as he could. He kept beating, hoping Mrs. Vanbrugh wouldn't hear the noise and come to see what he was doing. It would be difficult to explain why he was hammering the middle of her beautiful new carpet. After three or four minutes, the lump was beginning to flatten out. Eddie imagined the cigarette box breaking up, and the crushed cigarettes spreading out under the carpet. Soon, he judged that the lump was almost invisible. Clearing up his tools, he began to move the furniture back into the living room, and he was careful to place one of the coffee tables over the place where the lump had been, just to make sure that no-one would see the spot where his cigarettes had been lost. Finally, the job was finished, and he called Mrs. Vanbrugh from the dining room to inspect his work. "Yes, dear, very nice," said the lady, peering around the room briefly. "You'll be sending me a bill, then?" "Yes madam, as soon as I report to the office tomorrow that the job is done." Eddie picked up his tools, and began to walk out to the van. Mrs. Vanbrugh accompanied him. She seemed a little worried about something. "Young man," she began, as he climbed into the cab of his van, laying his toolbox on the passenger seat beside him, "while you were working today, you didn't by any chance see any sign of Armand, did you? Armand is my parakeet. A beautiful bird, just beautiful, such colors in his feathers... I let him out of his cage, you see, this morning, and he's disappeared. He likes to walk around the house, and he's so good, he usually just comes back to his cage after an hour or so and gets right in. Only today he didn't come back. He's never done such a thing before, it's most peculiar..." "No, madam, I haven't seen him anywhere," said Eddie, as he reached to start the van. And saw his packet of Marlboro cigarettes on the dashboard, where he had left it at lunchtime.... And remembered the lump in the carpet.... And realised what the lump was.... And remembered the hammering.... And began to feel rather sick....Multiple-Choice QuestionsClick on the answer you think is correct.

1. Why did Eddie hate being a carpet-fitter?
a)The pay was too low.
b)He didn't like working alone.
c)No-one appreciated his work.
d)He couldn't smoke on the job.

2. What did Eddie think of Mrs. Vanbrugh?
a)She was a kind, thoughtful lady.
b)She was rich and selfish.
c)She was always losing things.
d)She had good taste in furniture.

3. Why was Eddie called "Ed the Head" by his friends?
a)Because he was such an intelligent carpet-fitter.
b)Because he had a large head.
c)Because he was very proud and self-important.
d)Because of his footballing skills.

4. What did Eddie want to do when he had finished fitting the carpet?
a)have a cigarette
b)hammer the carpet flat
c)look for Mrs. Vanbrugh's lost bird
d)start work in the dining room

5. Why didn't Eddie remove the carpet to take out the thing that was causing the lump?
a)He couldn't take the carpet up once he had fitted it.
b)He didn't need the cigarettes because he had some more in the van.
c)It would take too long to remove the carpet and re-fit it.
d)He intended to come back and remove the lump the next day.

6. What did Eddie do with the hammer?
a)hammered nails into the lump
b)fixed the coffee table
c)left it under the carpet
d)flattened the carpet

7. What was Mrs. Vanbrugh worried about?
a)Her bird was missing.
b)She thought the carpet was going to be too expensive.
c)She thought Eddie had been smoking in the house.
d)She couldn't find her husband Armand.

8. What was really under the carpet?
a)the cigarettes
b)Eddie's toolbox
c)nothing
d)the missing bird

9. "Eddie was determined...." means that he:
a)had no idea
b)decided for sure
c)felt very angry
d)couldn't decide

10. "Peculiar" in the sentence "He's never done such a thing before, it's most peculiar..." means:
a)normal
b)like a bird
c)difficult
d)strange

Answer
1. C
2. B
3. D
4. B
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. D

Rabu, 21 April 2010

INFO

VIVAnews - Memiliki telepon seluler pintar semacam Blackberry memang menyenangkan. Tak hanya menghibur, tapi juga bermanfaat untuk pekerjaan. Tak heran jika jumlah penggunanya terus meningkat di seluruh dunia.

Namun, di balik nilai positif yang ditawarkan, perangkat canggih itu ternyata menyimpan sejumlah efek buruk yang dapat mengganggu kesehatan penggunanya.

1. Membuat ketagihan
Perangkat telepon seluler pintar ini begitu mudah membuat pemiliknya merasa kecanduan. Studi Rutgers University pada 2006 menyimpulkan, Blackberry dan perangkat serupa memicu kenaikan penggunaan internet yang cukup signifikan, namun berdampak buruk bagi kesehatan mental.

2. Mengganggu tidur
Dengan layanan internet 24 jam, perangkat Blackberry akan bergetar atau berdering setiap saat, ketika ada email dan pesan singkat masuk. Dan setiap saat pula, pengguna akan memainkan Blackberry-nya, termasuk ketika sudah berada di tempat tidur.

Tak jarang pula, pengguna begitu sensitif dengan getar Blackberry, sehingga mudah terbangun dari tidur untuk membuka pesan yang masuk.

Kebiasaan menyanding Blackberry di tempat tidur inilah yang akhirnya membuat tidur tak berkualitas. Dampak selanjutnya, tentu menyerang kesehatan. Bukan rahasia lagi bahwa rendahnya kualitas tidur berdampak negatif pada kesehatan fisik dan mental.

Sebuah penelitian mengungkap, pengguna Blackberry yang memiliki kebiasaan memainkannya sebelum tidur rentan mengalami insomnia, sakit kepala, dan kesulitan berkonsentrasi. Penelitian yang dilakukan Uppsala University di Swedia menambahkan bahwa radiasi telepon seluler bisa mengganggu aktivitas tidur.

3. Memicu cemas
Memiliki telepon selular cerdas semacam Blackberry memang menyenangkan bagi sebagian orang. Dengan Blackberry, aktivitas berkirim email, chatting, hingga berselancar di internet bisa dilakukan bersamaan, kapan saja, dan di mana saja. Banyak pula yang mengandalkannya untuk urusan pekerjaan.

Studi yang dilakukan MIT's Sloan School of Management pada 2007 mengungkap, penggunaan Blackberry membentuk budaya stres di tempat kerja. Fasilitas internet 24 jam yang dijagokan telepon seluler pintar itu mengacaukan waktu luang pekerja. Tugas dan hal-hal yang menyangkut pekerjaan bisa hadir kapanpun, termasuk kala sedang libur.

4. Melemahkan otak
Di balik kemudahan yang diberikan, Blackberry berisiko melemahkan daya konsentrasi penggunanya. Karakternya yang mampu membuat pengguna melakukan sejumlah hal dalam waktu bersamaan (multitasking) cenderung membuat seseorang kesulitan menyerap informasi lantaran fokusnya mudah beralih dari satu hal ke hal lain.

"Sebagai multitasker, otak mereka dibanjiri terlalu banyak informasi, akibatnya mereka tidak selektif lagi untuk memilah informasi yang penting dengan cepat," kata Dr David W Goodman, Direktur Pusat Gangguan Psikologis di Maryland, Baltimore.

Untuk itu, ia menyarankan para pengguna Blackberry agar tak mengaktifkan jaringan internetnya selama 24 jam. “Buat jadwal untuk membuka email, misalnya satu jam sekali, atau dua jam sekali," kata Goodman. "Jangan menjadikan diri sebagai budak getar atau dering Blackberry." (fmn)

Sumber : VIVAnews.com

economy

ECONOMY

Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government plays a significant role. There are 139 state-owned enterprises, and the government administers prices on several basic goods, including fuel, rice, and electricity.

In the mid-1980s, the government began eliminating regulatory obstacles to economic activity. The steps were aimed primarily at the external and financial sectors and were designed to stimulate employment and growth in the non-oil export sector. Annual real gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged nearly 7% from 1987-97 and most analysts recognized Indonesia as a newly industrializing economy and emerging major market. The Asian financial crisis of 1997 altered the region's economic landscape. With the depreciation of the Thai currency, the foreign investment community quickly reevaluated its investments in Asia. Foreign investors dumped assets and investments in Asia, leaving Indonesia the most affected in the region. In 1998, Indonesia experienced a negative GDP growth of 13.1% and unemployment rose to 15-20%. In the aftermath of the 1997-98 financial crisis, the government took custody of a significant portion of private sector assets via debt restructuring, but subsequently sold most of these assets, averaging a 29% return. Indonesia has since recovered, albeit slower than some of its neighbors, by recapitalizing its banking sector, improving oversight of capital markets, and taking steps to stimulate growth and investment, particularly in infrastructure. GDP growth has steadily risen this decade, achieving real growth of 6.3% in 2007 and 6.1% growth in 2008. While the government reduced its 2009 growth forecast to 4.2%-4.7% given reduced global demand, the consensus forecast was for growth of 3.5%.

In reaction to global financial turmoil and economic slowdown in late 2008, the government moved quickly to improve liquidity, secure alternative financing to fund an expansionary budget and secure passage of a fiscal stimulus program worth more than $6 billion. Key actions to stabilize financial markets included increasing the deposit insurance guarantee twentyfold, to IDR 2 billion (about U.S. $174,000); reducing bank reserve requirements; and introducing new foreign exchange regulations requiring documentation for foreign exchange purchases exceeding U.S. $100,000/month. As a G-20 member, Indonesia has taken an active role in the G-20 coordinated response to the global economic crisis.
Economic Policy: After he took office on October 20, 2004, President Yudhoyono moved quickly to implement a "pro-growth, pro-poor, pro-employment" economic program. He appointed a respected group of economic ministers who announced a "100-Day Agenda" of short-term policy actions designed to energize the bureaucracy. President Yudhoyono also announced an ambitious anti-corruption plan in December 2004. The State Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) released in early 2005 a Medium Term Plan focusing on four broad objectives: creating a safe and peaceful Indonesia; creating a just and democratic Indonesia; creating a prosperous Indonesia; and establishing a stable macroeconomic framework for development. President Yudhoyono reshuffled his cabinet in December 2005, appointing former Finance Minister Boediono as Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and moving Sri Mulyani Indrawati from the National Development Planning Agency to the Finance Ministry. In May 2008, President Yudhoyono appointed Boediono as Governor of Bank Indonesia, the central bank. In June 2008, President Yudhoyono appointed Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to also serve as Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. He re-appointed her as Finance Minister in his new cabinet in October 2009.

The Yudhoyono administration targeted average growth of 6.6% from 2004-2009 to reduce unemployment and poverty significantly. Indonesia's overall macroeconomic picture is stable. By 2004, real GDP per capita returned to pre-financial crisis levels. In 2008, domestic consumption continued to account for the largest portion of GDP, at 61%, followed by investment at 27.7%, government consumption at 8.4%, and net exports at 0.6%. By all measures, investment realization has climbed in each of the past several years.

Following a significant run-up in global energy prices in 2007/2008, the Indonesian Government raised fuel prices by an average of 29% on May 24, 2008 in an effort to reduce its fuel subsidy burden. Fuel subsidies had been projected to reach Rp 265 trillion ($29.4 billion) in 2008, or 5.9% of GDP. The fuel price hikes, along with rising food prices, led consumer price inflation to a peak of 12.1% in September 2008. To help its citizens cope with higher fuel and food prices, the Indonesian Government implemented a direct cash compensation package for low-income families through February 2009 and an extra range of benefits including an expanded subsidized rice program and additional subsidies aimed at increasing food production. Subsequent declines in oil and gas prices allowed the government to reduce the prices for subsidized diesel and gasoline. As of March 2009, gasoline was selling for market rates but was subject to a subsidized price cap in the event of an increase in prices.
Banking Sector: Indonesia currently has 124 commercial banks, of which 10 are majority foreign-owned and 28 are foreign joint venture banks. The top 15 banks control about 70% of assets in the sector. Four state-owned banks (Bank Mandiri, BNI, BRI, BTN) control about 37.4% of assets. The Indonesian central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI), announced plans in January 2005 to strengthen the banking sector by encouraging consolidation and improving prudential banking and supervision. BI hopes to encourage small banks with less than Rp 100 billion (about U.S. $11 million) in capital to either raise more capital or merge with healthier "anchor banks" before end-2010, announcing the criteria for anchor banks in July 2005. In October 2006, BI announced a single presence policy to further prompt consolidation. The policy stipulates that a single party can own a controlling interest in only one banking organization. Controlling interest is defined as 25% or more of total outstanding shares or having direct or indirect control of the institution. BI planned to adopt Basel II standards beginning in 2009 and to improve operations of its credit bureau to centralize data on borrowers. Another important banking sector reform was the decision to eliminate the blanket guarantee on bank third-party liabilities. BI and the Indonesian Government completed the process of replacing the blanket guarantee with a deposit insurance scheme run by the independent Indonesian Deposit Insurance Agency (also known by its Indonesian acronym, LPS) in March 2007. The removal of the blanket guarantee did not produce significant deposit outflows from or among Indonesian banks. Sharia banking has grown in Indonesia in recent years, but represents only 2.05% of the banking sector, about $4.1 billion in assets as of November 2008.
Exports and Trade: Indonesia's exports grew to a record $136.8 billion in 2008, an increase of 10% from 2007. The largest export commodities for 2007 were oil and gas (19.4%), minerals (18.8%), electrical appliances (13.27%), rubber products (6.8%), and textiles (3.6%). The top four destinations for exports for 2008 were Japan (12.8%), the U.S. (11.6%), Singapore (9.4%), and China (7.2%). Meanwhile, total imports rose to $128.8 billion in 2008. The U.S. trade deficit with Indonesia increased 1.9% in 2007 to $10.1 billion ($4.2 billion in exports versus $14.3 billion in imports).
Oil and Minerals Sector: Indonesia left the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2008, as it had been a net petroleum importer since 2004. Crude and condensate output averaged 977,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2008. In 2008, the oil and gas sector is estimated to have contributed $25.3 billion of government revenues, or 31.5% of the total. U.S. companies have invested heavily in the petroleum sector. Indonesia ranked eleventh in world gas production in 2007. In early 2007, Qatar passed Indonesia as the world's number one exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite the declining trends, Indonesia's oil and gas trade balance remained positive at $2.3 billion for 2006 and $156 million in 2007, according to unofficial statistics.

Indonesia has a wide range of mineral deposits and production, including bauxite, silver, and tin, copper, nickel, gold, and coal. Although the coal sector was open to foreign investment in the 1990s, new investment was closed again after 2000. A new mining law, passed in December 2008, opened coal to foreign investment again. Total coal production reached 189.7 million metric tons in 2008, including exports of 140.3 million tons. Two U.S. firms operate two copper/gold mines in Indonesia, with a Canadian and a U.K. firm holding significant investments in nickel and gold, respectively. In 2007 Indonesia ranked fifth among the world's top gold concentrate producers. Since 1998, the number of new mines has declined compared with previous years. This decline does not reflect Indonesia's mineral prospects, which are high; rather, the decline reflects earlier uncertainty over mining laws and regulations, low competitiveness in the tax and royalty system, and investor concerns over divestment policies and the sanctity of contracts.
Investment: President Yudhoyono and his economic ministers have stated repeatedly their intention to improve the climate for private sector investment to raise the level of GDP growth and reduce unemployment. In addition to general corruption and legal uncertainty, businesses have cited a number of specific factors that have reduced the competitiveness of Indonesia's investment climate, including: corrupt and inefficient customs services; non-transparent and arbitrary tax administration; inflexible labor markets that have reduced Indonesia's advantage in labor-intensive manufacturing; increasing infrastructure bottlenecks; and uncompetitive investment laws and regulations. In each of the past three years, the Government of Indonesia has announced a series of economic policy packages aimed at stimulating investment and infrastructure improvements and implementing regulatory reform. A new investment law was enacted in 2007, which contains provisions to restrict the share of foreign ownership in a range of industries. The government is considering a review of Indonesia's negative list, but proposed revisions had not been enacted as of March 2009.

On September 2, 2008, the DPR passed long-awaited tax reform legislation. The legislation reduced corporate and personal income tax rates as of January 1, 2009. Corporate income tax rates fell from 30% to 28% in 2009 and will decline to 25% in 2010, with additional reductions for small and medium enterprises and publicly listed companies. The legislation raises the taxable income threshold for individuals, cuts the maximum personal income tax from 35% to 30%, and provides lower marginal personal income tax rates across four income categories. Taxes on dividends will also fall from a maximum of 20% to a maximum of 10%. Long-planned labor reforms have been delayed.

The passage of a new copyright law in July 2002 and accompanying optical disc regulations in 2004 greatly strengthened Indonesia's intellectual property rights (IPR) regime. Despite the government's significantly expanded efforts to improve enforcement, IPR piracy remains a major concern to U.S. intellectual property holders and foreign investors, particularly in the high-technology sector. In March 2006, President Yudhoyono issued a decree establishing a National Task Force for IPR Violation Prevention. The IPR Task Force was intended to formulate national policy to prevent IPR violations and determine additional resources needed for prevention, as well as to help educate the public through various activities and improve bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation to prevent IPR violations. It has yet to fully realize these aims. In 2007, Indonesia was removed from the U.S. Trade Representative's "Priority Watch" list and placed on the "Watch" list.

Environment: President Yudhoyono's administration has significantly increased Indonesia's global profile on environmental issues, and U.S.-Indonesia cooperation on the environment has grown substantially. Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which include rising sea levels and erosion of coastal areas, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. At the same time, Indonesia faces challenges in addressing the causes of climate change. Indonesia has the world's second-largest tropical forest and the fastest deforestation rate, making it the third-largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, behind China and the U.S. In December 2007, Indonesia hosted the 13th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and led efforts to highlight the importance of forests and deforestation in the climate debate.

In 2004, President Yudhoyono initiated a multi-agency drive against illegal logging that has significantly decreased illegal logging through stronger enforcement activities. The State Department and the U.S. Trade Representative negotiated with the Indonesian Ministries of Trade and Forestry the U.S. Government's first Memorandum of Understanding on Combating Illegal Logging and Associated Trade. Presidents George W. Bush and Yudhoyono announced the MOU during President Bush's November 2006 visit to Indonesia. Implementation of the MOU includes collaboration on sustainable forest management, improved law enforcement, and improved markets for legally harvested timber products. This effort will strengthen the enabling conditions for avoiding deforestation, specifically addressing the trade issues that are involved.

The U.S. Government contributed to the start of the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative to conserve a high-biodiversity, transboundary area that includes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The three countries launched the Heart of Borneo initiative in February 2007. In 2009, the Governments of Indonesia and the U.S. concluded a Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) agreement. The agreement reduces Indonesia's debt payments to the U.S. over the next 8 years; these funds will be redirected toward tropical forest conservation in Indonesia.

Indonesia is also home to the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet. President Yudhoyono called for a Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) in August 2007. The Coral Triangle Initiative is a regional plan of action to enhance coral conservation, promote sustainable fisheries, and ensure food security in the face of climate change. In December 2007, the U.S. Government announced its support for the six CTI nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands). Since then, the United States has provided $8.4 million to this initiative. With projected funding of $32 million over five years, the U.S. is the largest bilateral donor to CTI, and President Bush endorsed the CTI proposal formally at the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Indonesia hosted the first-ever World Oceans Conference in Manado, North Sulawesi, May 11-15, 2009. The World Oceans Conference was also the venue for the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit, at which leaders from the six CTI nations launched the CTI Regional Plan of Action. Top government officials and other leaders discussed the scientific interplay between ocean degradation, climate and weather patterns, and fishing stocks.
GDP (2007): $433 billion; (2008 est.): $511 billion.
Annual growth rate (2007): 6.3%; (2008): 6.1%; (2009 est.): 3.5%.
Inflation (2007): 6.6%; (2008): 11.1%; (2009 end-February): 8.6%.
Per capita income (2008 est., PPP): $3,900.
Natural resources (11.0% of GDP): Oil and gas, bauxite, silver, tin, copper, gold, coal.
Agriculture (14.4% of GDP): Products--timber, rubber, rice, palm oil, coffee. Land--17% cultivated.
Manufacturing (27.9% of GDP): Garments, footwear, electronic goods, furniture, paper products.
Trade: Exports (2008)--$136.8 billion including oil, natural gas, crude palm oil, coal, appliances, textiles, and rubber. Major export partners--Japan, U.S., Singapore, China, Malaysia, and Republic of Korea. Imports (2008)--$128.8 billion including oil and fuel, food, chemicals, capital goods, consumer goods, iron and steel. Major import partners--Singapore, China, Japan.

Sumber : www.traveldocs.com/id/economy.htm

POETRY

separate

I face a dark corner multicolored, like the different colors of the rainbow.
net, gleaming curves of his body.
that accompanies the footsteps, turned into dust that shrouded memories.
somehow beautiful corner, always be points of view.
Quiet moments stabbed,
while sedated heartt by longing,
caught in a strong chain of body and soul.
until the sun sank behind the crowd back, offer quiet coolness of little.
time continous to spin for every period.
until it was time, but feeling unable to cover the pure.
facing a variety of flavors restless, when all is lost sight.



puisi ini ditujukkan untuk Retno Putri, Citra Sepriyani, Ati Nurbaiti, Iva Munzifa dan Nurma Dwi Darmayanti.
terima kasih kalian sudah dan akan selalu menjadi sahabat terbaikku.
mudah-mudahan persahabatan kita akan selalu kekal.amin

Jumat, 26 Maret 2010

Sample Business Letters

Here is a selection of sample business letters and other correspondence that you can copy and modify as you wish.

Letter Requesting Information
How to ask somebody to send you information.

Letter Sending Information
What to say when you send information.

Letter Changing Information
When a person or company changes important information, such as an address, price, or date, it is necessary to send valued customers a letter with the new information. This letter informs customers of a change in price.

Resume or CV
A resume (AmE) or CV (BrE) is usually requested by a prospective employer as a record of your qualifications and professional experience. CV stands for the Latin words "curriculum vitae", meaning "the course of one's life".

Covering Letter for Resume or CV
It is usual to send a covering letter (BrE) or cover letter (AmE) with your resume/CV when applying for a job.

Letter of Reference
Companies and other organizations often ask for a letter of reference. This is a character reference written by someone such as an ex-employer who knows the subject personally.

Letter of Resignation
Though it is not necessary to give a reason, it is standard business procedure to send written notice informing your employer that you are planning to quit your job.

Lay-off Notice
Companies and other organizations are usually required by law to present a written notice to employees informing them of a lay-off. This letter usually cites reasons for the lay-off, and acts as a formal apology. Employee rights may be included.

Letter of Invitation
It is often necessary in business to send an invitation to a person or group requesting their attendance at a special event.

Letter of Request for Payment
Sometimes it is necessary to remind customers that they owe you money!

Internal Memo or Memorandum
Memos are sometimes used internally to inform an entire company or department of something. This is an example of a memo referring to a staff Christmas party.

Welcome Email
It is a common business practice to welcome new staff members to a company. This is usually an informal note expressing best wishes and may contain contact information. Companies may also send welcome letters to other companies that move into a shared office building, or to visiting guest speakers and business travellers.

Business Correspondence Glossary
The letters above contain useful vocabulary you may want to use in your own business correspondence. If you decide to copy and modify any of these letters for your own personal use, make sure that you are choosing the correct words. This glossary offers simple definitions of the vocabulary used in these samples.

Sumber : Englishclub.com

The Presentation

Most presentations are divided into 3 main parts (+ questions):
1 INTRODUCTION (Questions)
2 BODY
3 CONCLUSION
Questions

As a general rule in communication, repetition is valuable. In presentations, there is a golden rule about repetition:
1. Say what you are going to say,
2. say it,
3. then say what you have just said.

In other words, use the three parts of your presentation to reinforce your message. In the introduction, you tell your audience what your message is going to be. In the body, you tell your audience your real message. In the conclusion, you summarize what your message was.
We will now consider each of these parts in more detail.

Introduction
The introduction is a very important - perhaps the most important - part of your presentation. This is the first impression that your audience have of you. You should concentrate on getting your introduction right. You should use the introduction to:
1. welcome your audience
2. introduce your subject
3. outline the structure of your presentation
4. give instructions about questions

The following table shows examples of language for each of these functions. You may need to modify the language as appropriate.
Function Possible language
1 Welcoming your audience • Good morning, ladies and gentlemen
• Good morning, gentlemen
• Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman
• Good afternoon, everybody

2 Introducing your subject • I am going to talk today about...
• The purpose of my presentation is to introduce our new range of...

3 Outlining your structure • To start with I'll describe the progress made this year. Then I'll mention some of the problems we've encountered and how we overcame them. After that I'll consider the possibilities for further growth next year. Finally, I'll summarize my presentation (before concluding with some recommendations).

4 Giving instructions about questions • Do feel free to interrupt me if you have any questions.
• I'll try to answer all of your questions after the presentation.
• I plan to keep some time for questions after the presentation.

Body
The body is the 'real' presentation. If the introduction was well prepared and delivered, you will now be 'in control'. You will be relaxed and confident.
The body should be well structured, divided up logically, with plenty of carefully spaced visuals.
Remember these key points while delivering the body of your presentation:
• do not hurry
• be enthusiastic
• give time on visuals
• maintain eye contact
• modulate your voice
• look friendly
• keep to your structure
• use your notes
• signpost throughout
• remain polite when dealing with difficult questions

Conclusion
Use the conclusion to:
1. Sum up
2. (Give recommendations if appropriate)
3. Thank your audience
4. Invite questions
The following table shows examples of language for each of these functions. You may need to modify the language as appropriate.
Function Possible language

1 Summing up • To conclude,...
• In conclusion,...
• Now, to sum up...
• So let me summarise/recap what I've said.
• Finally, may I remind you of some of the main points we've considered.

2 Giving recommendations • In conclusion, my recommendations are...
• I therefore suggest/propose/recommend the following strategy.

3 Thanking your audience • Many thanks for your attention.
• May I thank you all for being such an attentive audience.

4 Inviting questions • Now I'll try to answer any questions you may have.
• Can I answer any questions?
• Are there any questions?
• Do you have any questions?
• Are there any final questions?

Questions
Questions are a good opportunity for you to interact with your audience. It may be helpful for you to try to predict what questions will be asked so that you can prepare your response in advance. You may wish to accept questions at any time during your presentation, or to keep a time for questions after your presentation. Normally, it's your decision, and you should make it clear during the introduction. Be polite with all questioners, even if they ask difficult questions. They are showing interest in what you have to say and they deserve attention. Sometimes you can reformulate a question. Or answer the question with another question. Or even ask for comment from the rest of the audience.

SUMBER : EnglishClub.com

Elaboration on one subjek that I like

My favorite lesson are Investment management and taxation.
Previously, at the moment that still at school, I more like with lesson about theory than numeral.
But I don't know why since University Lecture I more like lesson to need intelligent brain.
I like Investment Management at the first because very interest and to easy for understand me.
from that, I conscious if investment management is not difficult. I also enjoy to study that lesson.
Why I like lesson taxation, because from my sister experience, skill about taxation very necessary in the work world.
My sister say, If we have science taxation, then easy for get to job. After I study taxation, that lesson enough for make me to get knowledge about taxation.

Selasa, 23 Maret 2010

My Hobby

My hobbies is travelling, singing and shopping.
For choice in the mean while, I can say shopping because I love shopping very much.
Usually I expense bag, shoes or cloth. But expense cloth can make me forget to time.
I consious my characteristic is not good for myself but for now I average to applied discipline for myself.
I try to learn judgment although is very hard, but I believe if we have intention, can certain succeed.
My mom ever say, I can get chance trade from that my hobby.
she suggestion in order that I can Bussines in area clothing. I hear suggestion from my mom can make me desire open a boutique.
I consious for now my wish still too hard for manner but someday I hope can shape that my wish...

Personal Profile

My full name is Meyti Melantika. My nick name is mey-mey.
I was born in Bogor, May 4, 1988. My zodiac is taurus.
For now I live on Tole Iskandar street, Number 10.
My hobbies is travelling, singing and shopping.
If I have to in the mean while, maybe I will say shopping.
My big expectation is I want be granted University lecture this year.
Next I look for work in order that can quick my parent's happy.
My age next May is 22. I wish, I just can past my birrthday always can make me happy and I hope always can near with all people I love very much.

Kamis, 11 Maret 2010

Curriculum Vitae

CURRICULUM VITAE
_______________________________________
Full Name : Meyti Melantika
Place, date of birth : Bogor, May 04, 1988
Sex : Female
Marital Status : Single
Religion : Moeslim
Nationality : Indonesia
Address : Tole Iskandar street, No.10
Telephone : (021) 7717671
Mobile : 085711037450
e-mail : meyti_03@yahoo.com

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
________________________________________
2006–2010
Management at the GUNADARMA UNIVERSITY Depok

COURSE & EDUCATION
________________________________________
2008 GUNADARMA UNIVERSITY Jakarta
Retail Business (course)
2008 GUNADARMA UNIVERSITY Jakarta
Business Planning (workshop)
2207 GUNADARMA UNIVERSITY Jakarta
To get up spirit Entrepreneur Since Early (seminar)

HOBBY
________________________________________
Travelling, Singing, Shopping