Journal Response

Journal Response 9 pre-IB

1st magazine article

Dollar Rises on Euro Zone Woes (Time, Friday, Aug 08, 2008) By AP/ TALI ARBEL The dollar soared Friday in what analysts are calling a game – changing move as concerns about deteriorating euro zone economy gripped investors and commodities sold off. In midday trading in New York, the euro came off its lows to $1.5033 from $1.5328 late Thursday. Earlier in the day, it sank as low as $1.5004. It is the highest point for the dollar since late February, and a rapid recovery from July 15, when the euro hit record against the dollar at $1.6038. The euro also sank against the British pound and the Japanese yen – both of which are also weakening against the dollar. On Thursday, the European Central Bank and Bank of England left their key interest unchanged at 4.25% and 5% respectively. ECB President Jean – Claude Tritchet issued a warning on inflation and said economic growth figures for the second and third quarters of 2008 would be much weaker than in the early part of the year. He signaled that an interest rate increase to counter inflation would probably not be forthcoming. Higher interest rate can buck up a currency as investors transfer assets where they can get better yields, while lower interest rates can weaken a currency. Comments by ECB President Jean Claude Tritchet after Thursday’s decision confirmed that the window of opportunity for further rate hikes has been slammed shut by the cold blast of negative data releases, that swept through the euro zone in the last few weeks; said Marco Annunziata, an economist at UniCredit in London. Recent economic indicators from major euro zone economies such as Germany, France and Italy have painted a gloomy picture. The ECB last month moved to cool inflation borrowing costs for the first time in a year, by a quarter percentage point to 4.25%, while the Bank of England has left rates unchanged since April, when it reduced its benchmark figure by a quarter of a percentage point to 5%. Crude oil futures, meanwhile, dropped below $116 a barrel, and oil producing countries’ currencies sold off. Gold is at two months lows. The Canadian dollar which leapt higher last fall on the back of surging oil and other commodities is back down again to 12 months lows against the US dollar from 1.0517 and Thee dollar rose to 1.0674 Canadian dollars from 1.0517 and hit a six month high of 1.0837 I think lots of investors have been on high commodity prices and a low dollar, and those bets are getting destroyed. There should be a fundamental rethink in the alignment between the major currencies, with the US dollar coming out on top. Difficult vocabulary: Woe = sorrow, distress Deteriorating = become of less value Respectively = separately, in turn Buck up = become more vigorous, ready for greater effort Benchmark = senior figure Yield = a result or profit Surging = Moved Forward

2nd magazine article

Made in China (Time, Thursday, Aug 07, 2008) By Hannah Beech/ Beijing

For thousands of athletes and coaches, touchdown in Beijing marks the culmination of years of hard work. Chinese coaches are just the latest “Made in China” export, and this month, many are returning so their international charges can compete against China’s best athletes. Mexico and Thailand’s weight lifting squads are helmed by Chinese, and Belgium’s table tennis team is also Chinese run. Both are American and Australian diving teams are strengthened by coaching expertise. Shawn Johnson and Bernard Lagat, top American medal prospects in women’s gymnastic and men’s middle – distance track respectively, depend on ministrations of their personal Chinese coaches. China has recently started offering coaches for export. China transformed over the last two decades from an Olympic afterthought to athletic powerhouse and travel restrictions on its citizen eased. With the games in Beijing, their home – turf knowledge is an advantage. Their expertise is particularly valued in sports in which china has traditionally dominates at the Olympics, such as diving, weight lifting, table tennis, gymnastics, and volleyball. Some Chinese coaches were offered contracts with higher salaries than what they might get in usual event. I think Beijing Olympics 2008 will bring big advantages to the Chinese coaches and athletes, especially the Chinese coaches will receive higher salary than the other country coaches, because of their knowledge during Beijing Olympics 2008 events.

Difficult vocabulary: Helm = handle Expertise = expert knowledge and skill Restriction = keep within limits Ease = freedom from discomfort 3rd magazine article

Amazon Forest (National Geographic, By Wade Davis)

The Amazon is actually a place of plants, water and silence. The overwhelming of the tropical rain forest lies in its subtlety. Thousand shades of green, an infinitude of shape form and texture that mocks the terminology of temperate botany. Tree trunks, heliconas, calatheas, broad – leafed tree climb into the others, lianas drape from immense trees and the vines, all give marvelous shadows. When the blazing Sun hovers at midday, few flowers can be seen, few sounds heard. Toward dusk everything changes the air cools. The light becomes amber and the open sky above the rivers and swamps fills with swallows, kiskadees and flycatchers. The parrots, the birds and herons return home to their nests offer spectacular displays. Squirrel monkeys, caimans appear from the river bank and wallowing in the muddy swamp. For a brief moment twilight and night comes and sometimes a downpour. Later the sounds of insects rules the trees until, after dawn, once again silence. The air becomes still and mist rises from the cool ground. If you could stand and close your eyes inside Amazon, you would hear the constant hum of biological activity. If you walk for hours inside Amazon, yet you remain convinced that not a mile has been gained. The air in Amazon is liked a year without seasons and a life without the rebirth of spring. Difficult vocabulary: Overwhelming = cover completely Subtlety = smoothie Shades = dark parts Infinitude = boundless number Mocks = copies in funny way Immense = very big Hovers = flies/ remains in the air Wallowing = roll about in mud Convince = make certain Amber = the mix color between yellowish and brown

4th article

Tourism in Finland (Travel & Tourism, Jean-Jacques Subrenat)

In 2005, Finnish tourism grossed over €6.7 billion with a five percent increase from the previous year. Much of the sudden growth can be attributed to the globalization and modernization of the country as well as a rise in positive publicity and awareness. There are many attractions in Finland which attracted over 4 million visitors in 2005. The Finnish landscape is covered with thick pine forests, rolling hills and complemented with a labyrinth of lakes and inlets. Much of Finland is pristine and virgin as it contains 35 national parks from the Southern shores of the Gulf of Finland to the high fells of Lapland. It is also an urbanized region with many cultural events and activities. Commercial cruises between major coastal and port cities in the Baltic region, including Helsinki, Turku, Tallinn, Stockholm and Travemünde, play a significant role in the local tourism industry. Finland is regarded as the home of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus, living in the northern Lapland region. Above the Arctic Circle, there is a polar night, a period when the sun doesn't rise for days or weeks, or even months. Lapland, the extreme north of Finland, is so far north that the Aurora Borealis, atmospheric fluorescence, is seen regularly in winter. Outdoor activities range from Nordic skiing, golf, fishing, yachting, lake cruises, hiking, kayaking among many others. At Finland's northernmost point, in the heart of summer, the Sun does not completely set for 73 consecutive days. Wildlife is abundant in Finland. Bird-watching is popular for those fond of flying fauna, however hunting is also popular. Elk, reindeer and hare are all common game in Finland. There are many churches, cathedrals, museums and castles. Olavinlinna in Savonlinna hosts the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival. The capital city of Helsinki, on the other hand, is famous for its Grand Duchy era architecture, which resembles that of imperial St. Petersburg.

Difficult vocabulary: Nordic: a race marked by tall stature, blond hair and blue eyes especially in northern Britain

Novel

.Hack // Another Birth Vol.1// infection Chapter 1: BlackRose sets foot on the “World” One day Akira Hayami, a 13 years old student, was dreaming about something mysterious. Darkness surrounded her, except for the light of the blood red moon. Something tickled her feet. She looked down

to see crimson rose petals. She struggled to move, to breathe, and to escape. She was alone in the wilderness, and then she saw a woman. The woman stood on a distant hillside, the silhouette outlined by the moonlight. She moved to the woman, but her body weighed down. Still, she dragged her feet forward step by step, inch by inch. She had to talk with that mysterious woman stood with her back to Akira. Slowly, the woman’s details were revealed in moonlight. That woman wore an evening dress made of silk, but it was tattered and torn. Her arms and legs were covered with wounds. But still, the woman was beautiful. Akira finally stood close enough to touch the woman. She extended her hand to tap the woman shoulder, but as she did it, a sudden gust of wind scattered a tornado of rose petals through the air. The woman slowly turned to her. Blood streaked tears ran down her face. She tried to speak but no sound escaped her throat as she found herself staring at her own frightening mirror image. She woke up suddenly, she fell asleep next to his brother Fukimazu, and he was lying in the hospital bed. Tubes flowed in and out in his brother. Then she went home, and walked to the front door. Kouta, her youngest brother greeted her. Before Fukimazu collapsed, they played games almost everyday. Last time she met Fukimazu was when she played the online fantasy game. That time Fukimazu told Akira to choose the destination to go. Akira typed the word “hidden, forbidden, holy ground”, after that Akira went to the dinner room to eat. After several minutes, aloud crash sound from upstairs shocked the whole family. She suddenly run upstairs and found Fukimazu laid down in the floor with the FMD goggles in his hand. Fukimazu lost consciousness. Akira took the goggles and used it. She saw a rack statue of a little girl in a scary building. She realized that Fukimazu lost consciousness because of her. She was so regret and she wanted to know what happened to Fukimazu. And the journey began, Akira create a character of her in the game, BlackRose, and step into the “World”. As a girl, Akira is a brave girl. Not every girl wants to take risk that may endanger her own life by playing the game. If I become Akira, I will keep praying and hope for my brother consciousness. Overall, Akira is a good girl; she takes a risk to save her brother life. Difficult vocabulary: Tatter = hanging loosely Endanger = harm & put in danger Streak = long, thin irregular line

1st newspaper article

Police Detain ‘blue energy’ Inventor over Scandal (The Jakarta Post, 08/29/2008) Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta Yogyakarta police detained Djoko Suprapto, a person who had reportedly invented a controversial alternative form, the “Blue Energy”. Deceiving the Yogyakarta Muhamadiyah University (UMY) causing Rp1.5 billion loses.

The head of Yogyakarta police’s special crime unit, Adj. Sr. Comr. Agung Yudha Wibowo said that he will move Djoko to a police cell this afternoon, or tomorrow morning at the latest. Police decided to detain the suspect, due to report the health problems. Thursday’s decision to move Djoko to a police cell come after a team of doctors, who treated himself issued that he was healthy. Agung said that if Djoko is sick again he will return him to the hospital again, because police don’t want to violate human rights. The graft case started when Djoko and his friend offered UMY to develop the alternative fuel using sea water as the raw material. The university launched the new fuel claimed to be able to substitute fossil fuel, called “Banyugen” means firewater. The university reportedly spent Rp1.3 billion on research and development and another 200 millions for operational cost just to find the proposed power plant did not work I think this idea is silly, because we use seawater as the raw material, but we also use some gasoline to make the substance. My opinion is we must use the gasoline wisely and develop energy that possible to be used and not depend on the gasoline itself. Difficult vocabulary: Detain = keep waiting Deceive = cause to believe that is false Graft = getting business advantage, profit making

2nd newspaper article

Russia Says West Had Current Conflict Coming (The Jakarta Post, 08/29/2008) Tony Hotland, Jakarta Russian ambassador to Indonesia, Alexander Ivanov said on Thursday that western powers could have anticipated the Georgia conflict and Moscow’s eventual recognition of the breakaway regions of south Ossetia and Abkhazia. Ivanov was speaking to journalist after criticizing the Indonesian media for providing what he called unbalanced coverage of the conflict, saying they relied on “biased” western media reports.

Ivanov added that Russia’s armed conflict with Georgia stemmed from a series of spats that began in 1990, when the Soviet Union broke apart, including Georgia’s plans to take over south Ossetia and Abkhazia by force, as well as its western financed military bulk up. Georgia’s defense budget now stands at same US $1 billion … as the US and European states continue to supply them with offensive weapons with the purpose to take over south Ossetia and Abkhazia. Ivanov also chided Georgia’s allies in the west – whose leaders have accused Russia of violating the republic’s territorial integrity – by bringing up Kosovo’s declaration of Independence which was endorsed by the United States and some European nations. When it happened nobody spoke of territorial integrity. It’s obvious that the west pursue a double standard. Russia warned that Kosovo could set ap precedent for other regions but they wouldn’t listen added Ivanov. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, a Russian ally, but it remains without a seat in United States. After recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia will pursue the adoption of a six point plan which includes the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the two breakaway regions. Meanwhile according to the NATO treaty, to which the United States is a signatory – while Russia is not – an armed attack against a member state is considered an attack against all NATO members. These has fueled tension between Russia and United States, with the latter having pursued deals with Russia’s neighbors – Poland and the Czech republic – to deploy missiles and radar tracking systems that Russia believes are targeted to Moscow. Obviously it’s not easy to cool down the disputes between the two powerful countries. I think UN should interfere and take a careful and fair decisions which could satisfied both sides, especially to keep the world in love and peace. Difficult vocabulary: Bias = in favor of something without having enough knowledge about it Spats = slight quarrels Bulk up = a large quantity to back up something Endorse = approve, support Chided = scolded, complained Precedent = earlier happening taken as an example for what comes later Deploy = spread out Disputes = quarrels 3rd newspaper article

Welcome, freshmen. Have an iPod. (New York Times, 08/20/2008) By Jonathan D. Glater Most of university student in America using free Apple iPhone or iPod touch from their University. In Tennessee, the Freed – Hardeman University providing incoming student with free Apple iPhone or iPod touch. The “Always – ON” internet devices raise some possibilities, live tracking where student congregate. Not only the student to student only, but there is some example of university to student communication such as; college send messages about canceled classes, delayed buses, or just café menu.

While school emphasize its usefulness, iPhone attract the student, iPhone is a cool and a hit with students. Apple stands to win as well, hooking more young consumer with newest technology purchases a head of them. Students bring their laptop to the college, but they just leave it in class and bring their iPhone. A student says that when she gets a little boring, she will take her iPhone out. Experts see a movement toward the use of mobile technology in education, though they say it’s in its infancy as professor try to concoct useful application. In Abilene Christian University, Texas, that has bought more than 600 iPhones and 300 iPods for the students entering this fall. At least four institutions – the University of Maryland, Oklahoma Christian University, Abilene Christian and Freed – Hardeman – have announced that they will give the device to some or even all of their students this fall. Stanford University has hired student –run company to design application like campus map & directory for the iPhone. At eachcollege, the students who choose to get an iPhone must pay for mobile phone services. Those contracts include unlimited data use. Nowadays technology gives students to do their best effort for studying with such cool devices. Apple has provided iPhones and iPods for college in America. I hope that Apple could also provide some for Indonesian schools. Difficult vocabulary: Congregate = come together Infancy = early state of development/ growth Concoct = prepare by mixing together Emphasize = put emphasis on

4th newspaper article

Fish Tale Has DNA Hook: Students Find Bad Labels (New York Times, 08/21/2008) Many New York sushi restaurants and seafood markets are playing a game of bait and switch. Kate Stoeckle and Louisa Strauss, who graduated this year from the trinity school in Manhattan, took on a freelance science project in which they checked 60 samples of seafood using a simplified genetic finger printing technique to see whether the fish New Yorkers buy is what they think they are getting. They found that one – fourth of the fish samples with identifiable DNA were mislabeled. A piece of sushi sold as the luxury treat white tuna, turn out to be Mozambique tilapia, a much cheaper fish that is often raised by farming. Seven of nine samples that were called Red Snapper were mislabeled and they turn out to be anything from Atlantic cod or Acadian redfish, an endangered species.

The project began, approximately, over dinner about a year ago. Ms. Stoeckle’s father, Mark, is a scientist and early proponent the use of DNA bar coding. Ms. Stoeckle’s asked her father if he could do it and they’d be the first one to do it. Ms. Strauss and Ms. Stoeckle hit 4 restaurants and 10 grocery stores in Manhattan. Once the samples were home, they eat away a small piece and preserved it in alcohol, and then they sent those off to the University of Guelph in Ontario, where the barcode of life database project began. Eventually, the results of Ms. Stoeckle and Ms. Strauss’ research are being published in Pacific Fishing magazine, a publication for commercial fisherman. Both of them have contribute to global science and in their data base, people around the world can contribute. Nowadays if you’re paying for white tuna, you deserve to eat white tuna and not tilapia or other kind of fish. I do hope that one day the bar coding in Indonesia will be as good as in USA. Difficult vocabulary: Mislabeled = give the wrong label Appropriately = right & suitable, precisely