Go, go, go, Osu!

Osu! (bukan asu loh.. hehe) Ada yang pernah dengar? Saya sendiri baru dengar dan lihat ketika teman saya memainkannya dengan seru. Teman saya menyelesaikan satu beatmap dengan hampir sempurna. Demikian juga dengan saya. Ketika saya mencoba, saya menyelesaikannya dengan tidak hampir gagal alias gatot telan (gagal total tengah jalan, apanya yang 'demikian juga dengan saya' coba?!)

Osu! adalah permainan yang mengasah kepekaan ritme dan gerak motorik. Kejelian telinga dan ketangkasan tangan sangat diutamakan dalam game ini. Cara mainnya mudah kok, pilih beatmap/lagu yang kalian suka, lalu klik bulatan-bulatan yang muncul sesuai irama yaitu ketika cincin yang ada di sekitar lingkaran mengecil hingga tepat menyentuh tepi lingkaran. Kalau bulatannya diikuti ekor, ikuti saja bola yang menggelinding di sepanjang lintasan ekor tersebut. Ketika mncul piring besar, putar piring tersebut secepat mungkin dnegan cara klik dan drag secara memutar. Untuk lebih jelasnya, teman-teman bisa mengikuti tutorial yang disediakan.

Walau beatmap yang disediakan kebanyakan berasal dari game atau anime, disediakan juga pilihan untuk membuat beatmap sendiri loh! Beatmap yang sudah dibuat nantinya bisa dimainkan atau diunggah di website Osu! untuk diunduh pemain lainnya. Ada juga pilihan untuk bermain secara online yang memungkinkan para pemain untuk bertanding. 

Oh ya, mode permainan yang disediakan juga beragam. Ada osu!mania yang mirip piano, cara memainkannya serupa dengan VOS, Guitar Hero, dan lainnya. Lalu ada Taiko yang mirip drum. Selanjutnya Catch the Beat, caranya tinggal menekan panah kanan atau kiri untuk menangkap buah-buahan yang jatuh sesuai irama.

Untuk yang sudah tidak sabar, langsung saja meluncur ke https://osu.ppy.sh/p/download untuk mengunduhnya. Beatmap-beatmap baru bisa teman-teman unduh juga di web tersebut. Tak ketinggalan, buat juga profil secara online di sana agar skor permainan bisa tersimpan. Kalian juga bisa menambah teman, membuat pos di forum, juga mengumpulkan penghargaan! Jangan lupa tambahkan depimomo sebagai teman kalian ya! Selamat bermain! ;)

A Juicy Battle at Ivrea

Ivrea is a small city about 40 minutes North of Turin. It was the headquarters of the first (short-lived) post-Roman kingdom of Italy, around 1000 a.D. Every year Ivrea awakes one winter morning in February with an incredible weight of expectation. Usually calm, the town quickly becomes a cauldron of sensory when a unique, exciting, anachronistic and most of all juicy orange battle takes place. This annual battle is named ‘The Orange Ivrea Festival'. 

The Orange Ivrea Festival is a festival in the Northern Italian city of Ivrea, which includes a tradition of throwing of oranges between organized groups. It is the largest food fight in Italy. To celebrate this festival, Ivrea's government provides 400 tons of oranges from north Italia. This battle is held to attract the tourists who want to join on this battle as participants or audiences. 

This festive is celebrated every 25 until 28 February. The festival dates back to the legendary twelve century people's revolt against Count Ranieri of Biandrate. It is thought to be originated from 19th century when the citizen protest to the government by throwing foods on the street. In the past, apples and nuts were used for this battle. But in early 20th century, it was changed to oranges. 

This unique battle also has unique rules. First, the participants will divided into 18 teams. The teams included 9 teams of women and 9 teams of men. Then, all of the participants must be dressed in colourful costumes. These costumes must represent their team. After that, the women teams will throw the oranges from the top of a train. Then, the men team that walk on the road will respond by throwing oranges to the women teams. The winner team is chosen by festive judge based on their throwing technique and costumes. 

If you don't want to join this battle, just simply wear red hat. The red hat means you won't be throwing oranges and therefore no one will throw oranges at you. If you're near the battle areas (even if you're behind the protective nets) you'll still get orange shrapnel, but no direct hits. Then, if you change your mind, you must go into the battle areas, remove your hat, and take part in the battle. 

Although the committee says that this battle is safe, they still provide first aid tent. 100 workers are also needed to clean the sticky oranges all over the street. Every year, about 10.000 people participates in this battle. This makes this festival become the biggest food war in Italy.

Liputan dari 'The Student Globe'

Koalisi Pemuda Hijau Indonesia (KOPHI) Jakarta recently held Biosafari #1, socialization and training for Jakarta students about Biopori Absorption Holes, held at SMA Regina Pacis – West Jakarta. This activity was in response a need for information and knowledge about environment solutions, for youths and students as an effort to improve the quality of soil fertility and atmospheric quality significantly, accompanied by the spirit to be a part of development in realizing a New Jakarta.

Socialization and Training of Biopori Absorption Holes by KOPHI was motivated by problems like flooding and water shortages, that occurred in Jakarta. Last January, Jakarta was paralyzed due to floodwaters that inundated most of the area; in some locations the water reached 3 meters. Conversely, when the dry season comes, many areas experienced water shortages, when wells went dry.

The Biosafari would be a routine program of KOPHI, where this first event could be carried out in cooperation between KOPHI and members of Kelompok Ilmiah Remaja (KIR), SMA Regina Pacis Jakarta. Biopori educational activity is very important for the school environment, because students are agents of change in the future, transferring their knowledge to others, so this action could be carried out collectively in the future to reduce the impact of flooding and to maintain a sustainable biotic environment.

“Education about Biopori at school is very important, because it can transmit the knowledge of Biopori itself, so it could be carried out collectively to reduce the impact of flooding. In addition, the Biopori, could maintain the biotic environment around the school area”, explained Mr. Heri, Rector of KIR SMA Regina Pacis Jakarta.

The event included environmental games and an interactive introduction to Biopori Absorption Holes, so students actively participated and asked questions. At the same time students practiced making their own Biopori Absorption Holes. Through this Biosafari program, students are introduced and trained to understand the functions and benefits of Biopori. KOPHI expects students who participated in this Biosafari #1 to be able to disseminate the information and knowledge they have acquired to other students, as well as creating Biopori Absorption Holes at their own home. KOPHI hopes there will be at least 50 new Biopori Absorption Holes that contribute to recharging groundwater reserves in Jakarta, driven by students.

“The   habit   of   loving   the   environment   in   society   is still   low;   therefore,   through   the   Biosafari   we can  help  spread  the  spirit  of  caring for  the  environment”,  said  Mr. Matheus, Headmaster of SMA Regina Pacis Jakarta.

The spirit and support given to Biosafari #1 program showed that youths and students in Jakarta are part of a community that truly cares for the environment, but are not yet empowered. Thus socialization and training organized by KOPHI would be a starting point for them to find out more, while actively participating in actions to save the environment. Youths are expected to have a sense of empathy with the environment, because youths are future agents. Future generations are Green Generations!

The Student Globe

Example of Hortatory Exposition : E-book vs Paper Book

It's Time for E-book 

Until now, we have been using paper book, even though there is e-book (electronic book). As we know, e-book is more eco-friendly than paper book. Do you want to know why? E-book is more eco-friendly than paper book because it can reduce global warming, does not take much spaces, cheaper, and it is also lighter than paper books. By using e-book you also don’t need to go to bookstore and you can adjust the font size. In this article, we will explain you more.

First, e-book is more eco-friendly because it can reduce global warming. Why e-book can reduce global warming? Here is the explanation. Paper books are made from papers, and papers main ingredients are trees and waters. Using paper book means that you are reducing trees and waters. That means global warming is getting worse because not all of the CO₂ are absorbed by the trees due to the trees are getting less and less. For the waters, they are used to make the pulp and the pulp is used to make the papers. However, as you can see, e-book is not using papers at all. Therefore, e-book can reduce global warming. 

Second, e-book does not take much space. Usually, e-book needs electronic gadgets like laptop, I-Pad, net book, etc. These gadgets are usually smaller than paper books. Other than that, those gadgets are can contain more than paper book can has. Therefore, e-book takes less space compared to paper book. 

Next, paper book is heavier. Why? As we told you before, paper book needs more spaces than e-book need. That means paper book needs a lot of paper. Therefore, the thicker the book is the heavier it will come. Different with e-book. Even though e-book has many pages, it would not affect the weight of the device. That means, e-book is lighter than paper book. 

Another advantage from e-book is the price. E-book is cheaper than paper book. It is because e-book does not need any paper to be printed out. That means, there's no cost needed to print them, different with paper book. Paper book needs more cost than e-book because paper book need costs to be printed like for the paper, ink, machines, electricity, etc. Therefore, usually the price for e-book is cheaper than paper book. That is why e-book is much better than paper book. 

Now, what are you waiting for? There are a lot of advantages from using e-book than using paper book. By using e-book, we are also contributing to reduce global warming by saving trees and waters. Beside that, by using e-book we also save our money since that e-book is cheaper than paper book. Other than that, the other advantages from using e-book are e-book is lighter, does not take many spaces, does not need to go to bookstore, and also can adjust font size. At conclusion, let’s use e-book!

 

Example of Analytical Exposition : Junk Food

Stop Junk Food, Now!

Nowadays, people do not have time to cook their own food because they are too busy to do that. Therefore, people prefer to eat in the fast food restaurant. Usually, the foods in the restaurant are mostly junk food. In fact, junk food is not healthy. Why junk food is not healthy? Do you want to know more? We will tell you. Junk food is not healthy because it contains lot of fat, oil, additive ingredients, and it almost does not have much nutrition. It also can increase the amount of cholesterol a lot and the last it can cause disease.

First, we will tell you about the disadvantages of having too much fat. If you have too much fat, you will get obesity. Obesity is a condition where you have more weights compared to normal people. It has many disadvantages that can lead you to several of disease. Since junk food has a lot of fat, you will have more chance to get obesity and the other disease.

Beside the fat, junk food usually has a lot of oil. Oil can increase cholesterol in your body and it is dangerous if there is too much cholesterol in your body. Junk food is mostly fry with oils. Because in the fast food restaurant many customer do not have many time to waiting for their food, fast food restaurant finally do not have enough time to drain the food from the oil. As the result, the food gets oily and when you eat the oily junk food, it will increase the number of cholesterol in your body. Too much cholesterol can shorten your life because cholesterol will cause stroke, which is damage your body. If stroke getting worse, it will cause something bad like organ malfunction, disability, or even death.

Another disadvantage of consuming junk food is that it has almost no nutrition that you need. Although it has important nutrition like carbohydrate, calories, fat, or vitamins, the percentage is too small and not enough for your body. The best nutrition that you need is mostly included in healthy food like fruits, rice, or your own cooked food. In fact, junk food contains many things that are useless for your body or it will even harm your body. If you eat too much junk food, you will lack nutrition.

Not only does not has a lot of nutrition, it also has plenty of chemical ingredients. Chemical ingredients are some substance that made by human for many purpose like to make the food tastier, more colorful or to make the food long lasting. These chemical ingredients will not do well for your body. It will only harm your body. For example, MSG (monosodium glutamate) is an additive that is commonly use by most junk food.

To summarize, junk food is not healthy for your body. It contains lot of fat. Junk food also has a lot of oil that can increase the amount of cholesterol in your body. The next disadvantage is junk food has no nutrition and the last is junk food contains lot of additives.

Rahasia Dibalik Lagu 'Twelve Days of Christmas'

Tahu lagu 'Twelve Days of Christmas'? Lagu ini memang sangat populer bagi mereka yang merayakan natal. Bagi banyak orang, lagu ini mungkin hanya lagu natal biasa tanpa maksud tersembunyi, hanya lagu ceria sebagai pemanis di waktu natal. Apalagi liriknya yang lucu dan tak masuk akal. Lihat saja lirik lengkapnya, full lyric of twelve days of christmas, plus video, di bawah ini:

Disini liriknya:

On the first day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the third day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fourth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the sixth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the seventh day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Seven swans a-swimming, 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eighth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Eight maids a-milking, 

Seven swans a-swimming, 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the ninth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Nine ladies dancing, 

Eight maids a-milking, 

Seven swans a-swimming, 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the tenth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Ten lords a-leaping, 

Nine ladies dancing, 

Eight maids a-milking, 

Seven swans a-swimming, 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Eleven pipers piping, 

Ten lords a-leaping, 

Nine ladies dancing, 

Eight maids a-milking, 

Seven swans a-swimming, 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me 

Twelve drummers drumming, 

Eleven pipers piping, 

Ten lords a-leaping, 

Nine ladies dancing, 

Eight maids a-milking, 

Seven swans a-swimming, 

Six geese a-laying, 

Five golden rings, 

Four calling birds, 

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves, 

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Ini Videonya:

Liriknya memang agak panjang, tapi coba perhatikan, liriknya sebenarnya hanya di ulang-ulang. Dari hari pertama yang cuma dapat satu hadiah, sampai hari keduabelas yang dapat banyak hadiah.

Walau terkesan biasa, ternyata lagu ini pernah dipakai sebagai alat pengajaran agama Katolik kepada anak kecil secara diam-diam pada abad ke-16. Jadi, pada waktu itu, agama Katolik dilarang di Inggris. Hanya gereja Angelikan yang diijinkan. Oleh karena itu, penganut agama Katolik menjalankan ibadat dengan sembunyi-sembunyi karena jika ketahuan akan dihukum, bahkan bisa digantung. Nah, para orang tua yang beragama Katolik bingung bagaimana melanjutkan agama Katolik kepada anak-cucu mereka tanpa ketahuan. Akhirnya mereka membuat lagu yang penuh kode ini. Kode yang merujuk pada doktrin Gereja Katolik. Apa saja doktrinnya? Mari kita lihat satu persatu:

1. A partridge in a pear tree
Ayam hutan di atas pohon pir melambangkan pengabdian dan keberanian yang sangat besar hingga rela mengorbankan dirinya. Induk ayam rela melindungi anak-anaknya bahkan rela mati, seperti Kristus. Oleh karena itu, hadiah pertama ini melambangkan Yesus Kristus yang lahir di dunia.
2. Two turtle doves
Dua merpati melambangkan perjanjian lama dan perjanjian baru sekaligus simbol kebenaran dan perdamaian.
3. Three french hens
Tiga ayam betina pada waktu itu adalah hidangan yang sangat mahal, untuk raja. Ini melambangkan tiga hadiah yang dibawa waktu kelahiran Yesus: emas, kemenyan, dan mur.
4. Four calling birds
Melambangkan empat penulis perjanjian baru: Matius, Markus, Lukas, Yohanes.
5. Five golden ring
Lima cincin emas melambangkan lima kitab pertama dalam perjanjian lama atau yang biasa disebut dengan "Hukum Musa / Torah"
6. Six geese a-laying
Enam angsa yang sedang mengeram melambangkan enam hari penciptaan. Telur menandakan akan kelahiran/penciptaan.
7. Seven swans a swimming
Tujuh angsa yang sedang berenang melambangkan 7 karunia Roh Kudus (Roma 12:6-8). Bila kita menjalankan ketujuhnya, maka hidup kita akan seindah dan selancar angsa di atas air.
8. Eight maids a-milking
Delapan pemerah susu melambangkan delapan jenis manusia seperti yang terdapat dalam Matius 5:3-10. Selain itu, pada jaman itu pemerah susu adalah pekerjaan hina sehingga melambangkan Kristus yang datang tanpa melihat harta, umur, ras, dsb.
9. Nine ladies dancing
Sembilan wanita menari melambangkan 9 buah-buah roh: kasih, sukacita, damai sejahtera, kesabaran, kemurahan, kebaikan kesetiaan, kelemah lembutan, dan penguasaan diri.
10. Ten lords a leaping
Sepuluh bangsawan melambangkan 10 perintah Allah
11. Eleven pipers piping
Melambangkan 11 murid Yesus yang tersisa yang mewartakan kabar gembira ke seluruh dunia.
12. Twelve drummers drumming
Melambangkan 12 poin penting dalam Syahadat Para Rasul / Aku Percaya.

Itu dia rahasia, secert behind twelve days of christmas song. 

dari: Stories behind best-loved songs of christmas