Writing III Descriptive II

Old Friends

“Old but Gold” said an old saying, stated that something old or having a longer existence means that its possess values that can’t be easily replaced by the new ones. I’m totally agree with this proverb since I have experienced it by myself, about how precious the things that have been with us for a long time. But in my case, it s not a thing but something more valuable than others, it is about me and my old friends from the day of my middle school. I really am grateful for the chance to meet them back then, because they are precious to me and can’t be replaced, they have been with me for the longest though many hardships together, they knows and understand about me more than the others, and we also sharing the same dreams and interests.

First of all, my old friends have been with me for the longest time, we have gone though many hardship together and its something that strengthen our bonds. I first met them about 7 years ago; it was when I first returned to Bali after living in various places. It was awkward for me who was a returnee and I still remember it about how kind they were, they accepted me who was confused by the new condition of new environment and taught me about cultures here in Bali. We spent our time by hang out at the game centre near our school, and even now we still keep in touch with each other, they were the very first friend I made during my middle school days. Sometimes I recall the memories that we shared together and  I realize about how important they back then and even now.

Secondly, another special thing about my old friends are about how well they know and understand about me. They know the things that I like, the clothes that I prefer, my good side and bad side are also something that they are familiar with. They also had known things about me that most of people could not accept, but they were always there whenever I need a push to move forward. They always give me support and motivation when I was down, and they doesn’t hesitate to criticize me when I got ahead and turned arrogant. I really am luck for having them as my friends as they always able to accept me for the person I really am.

 Thirdly, those old friends of mine are rather unique, each of them really do share the same interest with each other. During our leisure time, we used it to gather in the game centre and gaming all night long. We still doing that kind of thing even when we are university student now, we often joined game competition for regional event. Last year, one of my friend asked to join a game competition known as “RO2”, and we were very anxious since it was our first competition after entered the university. We fought hard and ended up as the 4^th winner, however it was a good memory for me since we enjoyed our time during the tournament because it is precious. Not only that, but they also help me to achieve my dream to be a good writer, they help me to gather materials and samples to make good stories, and vice-versa as I help them with theirs. They are precious part of my life for various reasons.

 My old friends aren’t things that easily replaced by any other people, no matter it is my lover or new friends. They can’t be forgotten and will always by my side in joys or sorrows, struggling together to achieve things that we always believe on. They have known me for years, they are always cheered on me and will be there when I need them. They accept me for the person I really am, we share the same interest and they sees the world as what I do. We’ve gone through many things that strengthen our bonds, they are not people who will be forgotten or replaced by me. 

By I Gede Bhisma Griwanasta
for Surya Puri Adyana, Yuu Okawa, Yogi, and others who I adore so much

Writing III Descriptive I

My Beloved Grandma

When someone ask you “Who is the most precious person for you?” what will be your answer? Or if you have to chose about who you are really cared for? Who will be it? For all these years, people had asked me the same things and the answer always stay the same. It’s not my girlfriend nor the girl I had my crush on, not the kind-hearted lady who keep smiling for me. It is my grandmother, someone that I really look up to and cared for because I loves her so much. She was the one who took care of me ever since I was a baby, my parents were so busy with work at that time, they were transferred away and grandma took care of me. I love my grandma the most because she was the closest person to me, my grandma was loved by other members of my family also. She was a very wonderful person with many positive things to learn from, she loves literature and arts, she also taught others to be more aware of the value of life and kindness.

 Astamona Oemar, that was my grandma’s name back to her younger days. After she married my grandpa. She received “Nasution” as an addition to her name, “Nasution” here is a family/clan name of my grandfather’s family, she always said about how memorable that day when she married my grandpa. She loved cooking and was the best cook I ever know, she’d been cooking for our family for normal and special occasions. However, it’s a shame that no one among her six children who interested in following her footstep in cooking, none of us inherit her talents and passion for cooking. She was also interested in pastry, I often asked to help her to bake cakes and that was the best moment I ever have with her, it was always delicious every day and I’m grateful for having her as my grandmother.

Back then on her younger days, my grandma was known for talents which were not on cooking but also in arts and literary things. Almost all member of my family praised how beautiful her voice was, she was also part of a group of traditional dancer, she joined the troupe on her younger days and went to various place to perform the dances. She spent her leisure time to listen to old record of 60’s era singer, and then she also sang while cooking or when she helped me to take a bath as well. On my uncle’s wedding party she asked my grandfather for a dance, they were very cheerful and gracious on that time. On the other hand, she was very good on literature. She was really into things like poet and traditional drama, I think this is the reason of my interest in literature because she often took me to some group meeting where they read poet and also performed theatrical acts. On holiday she usually took me to bookstore and bought me picture book about ‘Nusantara’s folklores’,  she treasured books from various genre and her collection of books are still kept in our old house at padang sidempuan, Medan.

My grandma took care of me when my parents left me because of they were busy with works, she treated me kindly and taught me many thing. She raised me to be a man who can stands proudly to himself, she taught me the customs, the value and many other things that other were not aware of. I learnt about many thing from her and she showed to my little self about how to stand tall and overcome all trials which are appearing before me, to stay strong when others give up, and to keep my dignity as both man and a son of our family. She is precious unlike the others, she was teacher, mother, friend and woman I first ever admire, she is my grandma.

 Unfortunately, my grandma passed away several years ago. But the teaching and her spirit will always alive inside me, her will and her ideals will be my guidepost to walk my life. She taught me many wonderful things, she inspired me to find the literary part of me, and she also raised me with care and so much love. She will always be my dearest person for me, an  angel who keep watch over me. I love her.

By I Gede Bhisma Griwanasta

For Astamona Oemar, a woman, a wife, a mother and a grandmother who loved by all

IT Corner for Learning-Teaching Process

Hi, Today I will give you some explanations about interesting applications that can be used in learning-teaching process, I believe these applications can give many advantages for learner and teacher who seek new methods of teaching

MOBLANG
Its an application that installed on your mobile phone, it can be used to learn language with as minimum cost as possible. This application use your SD memory card to store all the data so thet you won’t need any internet connection, for further information you can check this link
Link to Moblang Project Video

Hot potato
Next, what I will explain is about Hot Potato, well its sounds like food or a movie title but it is actually a  software that can be used to make exercise for testing language skills. As a software, hot potato is very easy to use and convenience, I already made a tutorial about one of Hot potato ‘s features
 

Hot Potato J-Match Tutorial

Of course you need to upload your Hot potato product, here is a tutorial about how to upload your HotPot product

How To Upload Your hot Potato

And this is the example of Hot potato exercise, what I put here is still in novice level to make sure you can understand, this product aims is kindergarten students

Example of Hot Potato Net Exercise (JMatch)
Example of Hot Potato Net Exercise (JCross)
Example of Hot Potato Net Exercise (JQuiz)
Example of Hot Potato Net Excercise (JMix)
Example of Hot Potato Net Exercise (JCloze) 

Movie Maker
Is there any better ideas to learn English except from Movies? I doubt people will choose other methods, Movie maker is something that be used by teachers to teach, why? Not only it has advantages from the language and culture, but also because it will be fun. Movie can be used as Ice breaker when the tense got loosen up or when its getting hot, and I believe students will enjoy the class more with this kind of innovation.

Here is a link that will direct you to my Movie maker product, it used as Ice Breaker and to giving example of apologizing and responsibilities

Movie Maker Result 

Visual Novel
Here is what I’ve been waiting for, I present this for those who enjoys gaming rather than studying, it’s a tutorial and review of a software called “Visual Novel”, it’s a latest innovation on gaming world which combine both entertainment and educational purpose,
I will give you link to one of my video that will give you brief explanation about visual novel

Visual Novel tutorial

Those were some applications that can be used in learning-teaching process, I wish this post can inspire you to make a breakthrough in sake of the better education,
thanks for visiting my blog, See you again in another chance

The Poet of Departure

As the World slowly crumbling on my feet
I'm starring at you with the last breath of my love
Fly... Fly.. Let me take flight out of your reach
Let me bathe in the sun stained world without your gaze

As the clouds slowly drifted apart, I take a look at you from the world far away
the feeling, the mind that I bear, and even the words that never spoken before
Turning into a sharp blade, which its edge will cut every connections that we shared together
The Chain between our hearts pierced, cursed, despised and broken in a miserable way

I take a glance of your silhouette
My wounds which carved by your thorns might still there
But with the shreds of my love that withered already
It's do Us apart.. Not by the death but by our Egos

Final Assignment of Writing II (The Small Colleges for Foreign Students)

Attending a small college has several advantages for foreign students, now I will tell you about those advantages. First, the tuition’s cost of small colleges will be cheaper  than the bigger colleges, the chances to get a scholarship will be bigger too since the competition is not as big as the big college, the other factor is that you can doing some part-time works while studying because small college permitted their students to have part-time jobs, and by attending small college you will need less outcome for your study because the expenses will be lower. Second, attending small college It could be more comfortable for foreign country’s students, why? Because the numbers of students will be lower so that the class or the campus itself won’t be so packed with people, it will be easier for foreign students to blend in and socialize because of the smaller number of students. It will help the students to build a closer relationship by physical and emotional approaches, there will be no extravagant events since the number of students is limited, and the professors (lecturers) can be more focus on their duties to teach rather than doing researches or such, the possibilities for students and professor collaboration will be opened too. However, another good part is that the professor will be always available whenever you want to consult your problems or when you want to have serious discussions. The third advantages is about the flexibilities of smaller colleges if we compare it to any big college, most of small colleges in Indonesia are more flexible about their systems, the system of the bureaucracy is clear and not too complicated even for foreign students. The schedule can be arranged while you can choose what programs (lessons) that you want to study and which you won’t, it will be easier to have make-up class or extra class by just having appointment with the certain professor. So from my personal point of view, the foreign student will gain several advantages by attending a small college. Those advantages are the cost of the tuition that  will be cheaper, the condition of the environment  they will study on will be more comfortable and of course the situation of the study will be more relaxed, and the system of the campus will be easier to understand and more flexible so that there will be no problem with the lessons or the bureaucracy.

Preferences:

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2010/07/28/10-reasons-to-go-to-a-small-college