Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Banjir

Banjir


Sebagai kota yang terletak di dataran rendah dan kota berawa, jika air laut naik/pasang maka kemungkinan banjir selalu ada, tiap lima tahun air pasang naiknya cukup tinggi hingga banyak wilayah penuh dengan luberan dari luapan sungai Musi dan anak-anak sungai musi yang cukup banyak di kota ini.

Hula Girl tropical hibiscus

Hula Girl tropical hibiscus
This tropical hibiscus blossom is called Hula Girl. Unlike most hibiscus varieties, the blossoms of this cultivar do not immediately wilt when picked from the bush. Because the blossoms usually stay fresh for awhile after picking, they can be worn in the hair or pinned to clothing. They are thus favored by hula dancers who sometimes wear these blossoms as a part of their costume. It is said that this is how the Hula Girl hibiscus acquired its common name.

A cultivar of Hibiscus rosa-sinesis, the Hula Girl is one of the hardier hibiscus varieties in our garden. The blossoms are large -- nearly six inches (15 cm) across. [Click on the photo to enlarge.]

Hula Girl hibiscus

Name: Hula Girl hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinesis)
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
Camera: Nikon D40x
Focal Length: 55.0 mm
Exposure: 0.002s (1/500)
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO: 100
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED



Source: bnsullivanphoto.com

Close-up: Areca Palm Trunk

Close-up: Areca Palm Trunk
On the side of our house that faces the road, we have a palm garden. Among the several palm species there is a thick stand of Areca palms (Dypsis lutescens), which serves as a privacy screen. The Areca's leaves, or fronds, also provide shade for that side of the house in the morning.

The trunks of Arecas resemble bamboo. This close-up photo shows a section of the trunk of one of our Areca palms. [Click on the photo to enlarge.]



Name: Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
Camera: Nikon D40x
Focal Length: 105.0 mm
Exposure: 0.010s (1/100)
Aperture: f/3.2
ISO: 1600
Lens: Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED



Source: bnsullivanphoto.com

Guide to London travel

Guide to London travel
Being one of the most important capitals of the world, London ought to be having a high reputation among the people from all over the world. The country holds a very rich resource of history and domination over the entire world. Londoners can today boast of living in one of the historically most significant city of Europe. The city is studded with architectural wonder that remind of the engineering advancements that the country attained so early. The diverse population of the city amounts to a whopping 59 million, which makes it one of the most populated cities of the world. The ethnic backgrounds of the people largely vary as London offers some of the most lucrative job opportunities. People thus flow in from different parts of the world to find their destiny.

The city has evidences to shoe that it had human habitation for almost 22,000 ago too and since then it has sheltered humans through the ice ages and the wars and the invasions. Julius Caesar walked in to London in 55 BC as a part of the Greek conquest. The protective walls around the city reminds us of the efforts that the city dwellers to withstand the invasion. The British started their domination over the world with the Norman Conquest of 1066. Since then the expanse of the British Empire grew and it went across the lands and the oceans. Modern history knows London as the capital of almost the whole world as it was under the British dominion.

Religion acts as a guiding force for the civilizations to grow. In London, religion has a special status for the people. The people have diversified beliefs. The firm position of Church of England, one of the oldest embodiments of Christianity, shows that the country still stands tall on the framework of religion. The conflicting groups of the Christians’ viz. Roman Catholics and Protestants find it as a missing link. How far the church is successful is subject to debate.

The aesthetic interests of the people of London are much refined then anywhere in the world. The cultural map of England starts with London and it is the centre of most cultural activities of the country. The different forms of music and dance have been prevalent in the country for centuries now. The classical music, operas and the English folk music have had a great impact on the people of the country. Prior to the 15th century many music legends liven in England and had their influence on the music. The pop culture took the country into its hold since the 1960s. Pop bands started to come up and some such bands grew to scale new heights in the music world.

The myths have it that in the many monuments in England many have been reported to be haunted by the ghosts of people who lived there and their citing are reported every now and then. It also gives the tourists a reason to be visiting the place. Above and beyond every thing else the country is a example of upholding the traditions and thus it becomes imperative to go there and fell them firsthand.
Source: vacationtraveldestinations.blogspot.com

America's Top 10 Beaches - 2008

America's Top 10 Beaches - 2008
Dr. Beach has recently published his Best Beaches List for 2008. Vacationers have been relying on Dr. Beach's (Stephen P. Leatherman) Top Beaches List for years, and once again he delivers! The Top 10 Beaches List includes sand beaches in...
Source: feedproxy.google.com

Spring 2010

Spring 2010
It was a long winter. Outside, heavy snows blanketed trees and bushes as blizzard followed blizzard. Schools and highways closed with only emergency vehicles allowed. Inside, on the worst of the days, our family huddled together. While the winds whipped the willows, within our kitchen’s warmth we sipped [...]

It was a long winter. Outside, heavy snows blanketed trees and bushes as blizzard followed blizzard. Schools and highways closed with only emergency vehicles allowed.

Inside, on the worst of the days, our family huddled together. While the winds whipped the willows, within our kitchen’s warmth we sipped hot tea and savored bowls of chili.  Grateful to be safe from the treacherous roads we chatted, cherishing our time together.

Snow days can make for good memories. For those who can stay inside, they are a true gift.

I didn’t accomplish much this winter. I haven’t for a long while. It’s been months since I’ve blogged. Months since I have read.  Or written.  Months since I’ve done much of anything except life’s bare essentials – my job, laundry, minimal housework (not that housework has ever been a priority :wink: ). For a long time, I’ve felt tired. Fatigued. Nothing concrete enough to push me to seek medical help, just tired.

I’ve only had one major illness in my life. I’m not prone to seek medical advice for myself. But late this winter a lingering infection sent me to the doctor. I’m glad I went. After a series of blood tests, they found the underlying cause of my fatigue.

I believe that a diagnosis, whatever it might be, changes a person. One starts down a different path.

For me…my values have re-awakened.  Nutrition habits have changed. I’m on meds.  Temporarily at least, the doctor’s office is now on my speed dial. I will become healthy again.

I am a winter child. My whole life I have been happiest in winter.  This year, as the snow melted and lilac leaf buds burst forth from seemingly dead twigs, I’ve come to see the relationship between winter and spring in a new light.   A new road opens ahead.

It has been a long winter for us all, but spring has come. 



5 Important Traveling Tips That Every Family Should Know

5 Important Traveling Tips That Every Family Should Know
When it comes to traveling, safety is a must. The perfect combination of common sense mixed in with a touch of technology can help to keep both you and your family safe and sound while on the go.

Perfect packing. When you’re leaving for a trip, it’s important to pack a lot more than just clothes and sunblock. Always make sure to have your cell phone and charger with you at all times, and make sure the battery is fully charged before you leave home. This will give you the ability to stay connected from anywhere.

Money matters. When traveling, it’s never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash. Instead, carrying at least one credit card will help to ensure that you are protected against theft. In the unlikely event that your wallet or purse is stolen, you can report it to the credit card immediately to prevent unauthorized use. For this reason, it’s important that you carry a list of telephone numbers for your credit card issuer(s) so that you can contact them immediately. This information should be kept separate from your wallet so that it will still be in your possession even if your card is not.

Stay in touch. Always make sure to let a friend or family member know where you are going and where you will be staying during your time away from home. It’s a good idea to let your friend or family member know that you will be calling when you arrive at your destination. It’s also a good idea to keep in touch occasionally while you are away, and always leave a telephone number where you can be reached.

Keep important numbers handy. Anytime you travel, it’s important to make a note of local emergency numbers, including hospitals, authorities, taxi services and other businesses that you think may be able to assist you if needed. You can find these numbers online or use a local telephone book upon your arrival.

Do your homework. One of the greatest things about traveling is the ability to see new things and experience new places, but it’s also important to keep safety in mind while exploring. Always have an accurate map of the area, which you can obtain from the local tourism office or chamber of commerce. If possible, call ahead and request that this information be mailed to you several weeks before your actual trip. This will allow you to have the map on hand when you arrive. Always travel in well lit areas and avoid places that seem to be deserted, especially after dark and in locations that you are unfamiliar with.

Now that you know how to protect yourself and your family during your time spent away from home, remember to enjoy all of the wonders that await your next vacation with the ones that you love.
Source: vacationtraveldestinations.blogspot.com