Berlibur Ke Rumah Nenek..

Judul di atas mempunyai banyak arti akan masa lalu yang indah untuk dikenang. Yang pertama, ‘Berlibur ke Rumah Nenek’ menjadi judul favorit saat pelajaran mengarang waktu duduk di bangku SD. Yang kedua, berlibur ke rumah nenek menjadi ritual tak terlupakan saat mengisi liburan sekolah. Kebahagiaannya tak dapat tergantikan dengan apapun.

Pengalamanku waktu kecil, yang berkaitan dengan berlibur ke rumah nenek adalah perjalanan dengan kereta api. Sangat menyenangkan dan senantiasa membuat rindu akan masa-masa itu. Setengah hari perjalanan ditempuh dengan suka cita dan sangat menikmati keindahan pemandangan dari jendela kereta api.

Ada sawah menghijau yang terhampar luas, gunung biru yang menjulang tinggi di kejauhan, jembatan, sungai yang mengalir, pohon-pohon, rumah-rumah yang tidak jauh dari pinggir rel kereta, kendaraan yang terhenti ketika keretaku lewat, sampai pengalaman merasakan gelap saat memasuki terowongan. Aih..sangat fantastik.

Nenek dari pihak ibuku dulu tinggal di daerah Subang, Jawa Barat. Nenek tinggal seorang diri karena kakek sudah lama meninggal.

Hampir setiap tahun saat Lebaran anak-anak dan cucu-cucu nenek berkumpul bersama. Ramai sekali suasananya. Penuh kekeluargaan dan menghibur.

Bertemu sanak saudara, saling bersilaturahmi, bertegur sapa, bercengkrama, bercanda tawa, ah..semuanya sarat dengan nilai sosial dan kebersamaan. Indah sekali saat-saat seperti itu.

Aku juga ingat, bertahun-tahun menempuh perjalanan dengan kereta api kala itu ( sekitar tahun 80-an ) jarang sekali bahkan hampir tidak terjadi kasus kereta api anjlok, pencopetan, nggak ada ‘bonek’, dan tindak kejahatan lain yang sekarang marak terjadi.

Semuanya aman-aman saja saat itu, bahkan ketika hanya aku dan ibu saja yang berangkat tanpa ditemani ayah atau kakak-kakakku. Tidak ada berita yang menakutkan dan tak ada yang perlu dikhawatirkan, semuanya baik-baik saja.

Hm..apa memang dunia sudah mengalami pergeseran moral yang total ya ?

Sekarang, berlibur ke rumah nenek tinggallah sejarah yang patut dikenang bagiku, karena nenekku sudah berpulang 16 tahun yang lalu. Aku tidak punya kakek dan nenek lagi, bahkan kakek nenek dari mendiang ayahku juga telah tiada sebelum aku dilahirkan.

Masih teringat dalam memoriku, betapa sayang dan bangganya nenek kepada cucu-cucunya. Kasihnya mengalir deras, tulus tanpa syarat. Walaupun kadang omelannya terdengar kala menghadapi ulah cucu-cucunya yang nakal. Wajar, nenek juga manusia.

Ingatan yang membahagiakan itu senantiasa menyertai langkah-langkahku hingga kini. Perjalanan berlibur ke rumah nenek menjadi catatan perjalanan yang indah dan pantas dilestarikan hingga ke anak-cucuku kelak.

Hingga sekarang, penting bagiku untuk mengenalkan anakku yang masih kecil tentang bagaimana rasa senangnya berlibur ke rumah eyangnya. Dari pihak suami, masih ada eyang kakung dan putri. Dari pihakku, tinggal eyang putri karena ayahku telah lama berpulang 12 tahun yang lalu.

Ikatan batin dan jalinan silaturahmi antara kakek nenek dan cucu inilah yang membuat kebahagiaan bagi semuanya. Jangan biarkan semuanya terhenti hanya karena alasan sibuk semata. Luangkan waktu, ajak anak berlibur ke rumah nenek dan kakek tercinta sejauh apapun jarak yang harus ditempuh…

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Sepuluh Alasan Kenapa Tulisan Kita dibaca

Sebenarnya tidak hanya sepuluh, tapi banyak sekali alasan kenapa tulisan kita dibaca orang lain. Tapi paling tidak ada sepuluh garis besar yang merangsang pembaca mau dengan suka rela dan senang hati meluangkan waktunya untuk membaca tulisan kita.

Satu : Judulnya Menarik

Kesan pertama begitu menggoda, selanjutnya terserah anda.Ibarat minyak wangi yang dengan cepat merangsang indra penciuman kita untuk mengenal dekat siapa si pemakai parfum, demikian pula halnya daya pikat judul yang menarik. Dengan tertarik, otomatis ada hasrat pembaca untuk membaca. Benaknya dipenuhi pertanyaan, apa sih ini ? Kayaknya kok ok banget. Mulailah dia membaca, persoalan apakah isinya benar-benar menarik atau tidak, itu urusan belakangan.

Kalau memang judul dan isi bisa kompak menariknya, sudah pasti akan ada acungan jempol pertanda ‘like this’ seperti yang tertera di status facebook kita. Tapi kalau judul dan isi tidak sinkron, tidak menarik sudah pasti menghasilkan kekecewaan dan ungkapan,” Ih kok kayak gini, sih..kirain ok, nggak taunya cuma menjual judul aja, nyesel deh udah baca..”

Dua : Penulis sudah punya reputasi yang tidak diragukan lagi

Ini berlaku buat penulis yang sudah punya penggemar fanatik. Saking ngefans-nya, semua hasil karya sang penulis tidak pernah terlewati. Apa saja yang ditulis dari penulis idolanya pasti disuka. Apapun judulnya. Belum lengkap kalau nggak dibaca.

Seperti saya, di kompasiana saya punya penulis idola sendiri. Pokoknya kalau tulisannya Mba Mariska, mba Linda, Om Jay, Baginda ASA, Yusran Darmawan, Wisnu Nugroho, Budiman Hakim, Demini Rose, Jimmo, Minami, Faizal Assegar, Winda, Pipiet Senja, Kit Rose, Rudolf Dayu, Pepih Nugroho, Iskandarjet, Babeh Helmi, Cech Gentong, Nathalia, dan masih banyak nama lain lagi yang oke punya, pasti sudah dijamin mutunya. Rugi deh kalau nggak kebaca satu pun tulisannya. Serasa ada yang kurang gitu lho..

Tiga : Tema yang diangkat sedang ‘in’

Ini dia, seringkali rasa ingin tahu kita akan isu yang sedang hangat dibicarakan, mendorong kita mencari sumber yang bisa dipercaya untuk memuaskan rasa haus kita akan informasi. Begitu ada tulisan yang aktual, langsung deh dibaca tuntas..tas..Ini nilai lebih jika tulisan kita selalu up to date dan tahu trend apa yang sedang diminati.

Empat : Isi tulisan ‘gue banget’

Kadang-kadang, hal yang ringan, nggak penting, sepele, bisa menjadi hal yang cukup diminati jika disajikan dengan gaya tulisan yang pas dan membumi banget. Artinya, banyak orang merasakan hal yang sama dengan apa yang kita tulis. Misalnya, tentang hobby, curhat, seks, humor atau apapun yang menarik untuk dibicarakan. Pokoknya cerita tentang sehari-hari yang sering kita alami.

Lima : Gambar pendukung menarik

Seringkali, kita tertarik sama sampul buku atau majalah yang bagus, yang menstimulasi otak kita untuk membaca isinya. Begitu juga saat kita menulis di kompasiana, orang kadang tertarik dengan gambar tampilan yang ada, setelah itu baru membaca deh. Kebalikan dari peribahasa “don’t judge the book from the cover” , seringkali gambar sampul yang memikat menjadi daya tarik visual tersendiri.

Enam : Gaya bahasa tulisan simple dan mudah dimengerti

Bayangkan, jika kita harus membaca gaya tulisan bahasa alay, yang lagi mewabah kaum muda saat ini. Pasti kebanyakan bingungnya daripada ngertinya. Penginnya dianggap gaul dan mengikuti trend, tapi malah bikin pusing yang baca. Terus terang, saya sendiri kurang bisa memahami bahasa alay, butuh waktu atau emang otak saya yang lemot ya ? Seringkali gaya bahasa yang sederhana dan mudah dimengerti lebih menarik minat pembaca daripada tulisan indah penuh hiasan tapi membuat kening berkerut untuk membacanya.

Tujuh : Isi tulisan berbobot

Tujuan utama kita membaca pastinya agar kita mendapatkan sesuatu yang bermanfaat. Dari yang tadinya nggak tahu sama sekali, jadi tahu. Tulisannya sarat dengan informasi, sehingga kita tidak gagap kalau ditanya orang tentang sesuatu yang pernah kita baca. Nah, tulisan seperti inilah yang didambakan oleh insan di dunia yang haus akan pengetahuan. Tentunya menjadi kepuasan batin juga kalau tulisan kita bermanfaat bagi orang lain, tidak terbuang sia-sia..

Delapan : Mengulas tentang kontradiksi

Tulisan yang sedikit nyeleneh, keluar dari pakem dan kadang tidak umum dari pemikiran banyak orang, seringkali menarik untuk dibaca. Keinginan kita untuk menggali pola pikir orang lain seringkali menggelitik kita untuk mencari tahu apa yang membuatnya berbeda. Kenapa ada pro-kontra. Itu yang menarik diperbincangkan.

Sembilan : Unik dan Berbeda

Kadangkala, orang gampang bosan kalau gaya bahasa tulisan kita monoton dan membuat kantuk menyerang pembaca. Gaya bahasa yang fresh, komunikatif dan bernada humor lebih menyenangkan untuk dibaca.

Sepuluh : Menyebabkan Candu

Itu dia pentingnya kesan pertama. Jika orang sudah terkesan dengan tulisan kita di awal dia membaca karya kita, bisa dipastikan dia akan ketagihan dengan tulisan-tulisan kita selanjutnya. Namanya orang kalau sudah kecanduan pasti akan sakaw jika hasrat membacanya tidak terpenuhi. Ini pentingnya kita untuk menjaga kualitas tulisan dan harus mampu memuaskan keinginan pembaca.

Itulah kesepuluh alasan yang menjadi dasar kenapa tulisan kita dibaca oleh orang lain. Memang tidak mutlak, tapi paling tidak bisa jadi bahan obrolan dan masukan. Mungkin ada pembaca yang mau melengkapi..? Monggo..dengan dengan senang hati saya persilakan…

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Main Yeye, Kemana Gerangan Pergi ?

Masih terekam jelas di benak, beberapa puluh tahun yang lalu, aku ada diantara tawa kanak-kanak yang lepas bermain tali karet. Ada yang memegang tali, kemudian saling bergantian bermain. Ada yang berperan sebagai ‘simbok’, yang paling mahir bermain, sehingga membantu anak-anaknya yang sebagian berperan sebagai ‘bawang kosong’ karena dianggap belum cukup umur dan belum mahir bermain. Indahnya nostalgia..

Tinggi tali karet dimulai dari selutut, kemudian naik ke pinggang, naik lagi ke pusar perut, naik ke bahu, naik lagi ke kepala, naik ½ merdeka (ujung jempol di pangkal kepala dan jari kelingking menyentuh tali karet ), sampai se-merdeka ( tali karet ada di ujung telunjuk tangan yang diacungkan ke atas ).

Permainan ini bisa dilakukan secara indivudu atau atas nama kelompok. Diperlukan kemahiran melompat dan keahlian bermain ‘yeye’ yaitu bermain diatas karet dengan gaya yang sudah ditentukan. Ada tiga gaya yang popular yaitu gaya maju, mundur dan gaya cepat. Dibutuhkan kecepatan kaki dalam memainkannya. Permainan ini kebanyakan dilakukan oleh kaum perempuan tapi tidak menutup kemungkinan anak laki-laki boleh memainkannya.

Begitu populernya permainan ini sampai-sampai pergi ke sekolah membawa tali karet dan memainkannya saat jam istirahat di halaman sekolah. Tak peduli dengan memakai seragam SD dan roknya sedikit tersingkap menjadi tontonan anak laki-laki. Yang penting happy menjalaninya. Maklum, anak SD waktu itu mana ada pikiran kotor yang macam-macam. Tahunya senang dan bahagia saat bermain tali karet. Titik.

Nilai penting yang bisa dipetik dari pemainan ini adalah :

• Bergembira dalam kebersamaan



• Berinteraksi sosial



• Mengasah ketrampilan melompat



• Olahraga melatih otot dan tulang



• Melatih cekatan, trampil dan dinamis



• Menghibur penonton



• Mengasah jiwa sportivitas
  

Di jaman sekarang, mulai jarang ditemui anak-anak yang bermain tali karet atau permainan tradisional yang lain seperti congklak, main kelereng, bola bekel, jamuran dan lain sebagainya. Mungkin masih bisa ditemui di daerah pedesaan, tapi amat jarang ditemui di kota. Selain tidak tersedianya lahan, anak-anak di kota lebih betah bermain game dengan PS atau komputer. Kemajuan teknologi sedikit demi sedikit menggeser pola hidup masyarakat.

Ingin rasanya kembali ke masa lalu, ketika bersama teman-teman kecil menyaksikan bulan purnama dan bermain di luar rumah. Ah..sangat indah untuk dikenang. Begitu damai, tentram, aman dan sentausa. Tak ada keributan, tak ada tawuran, tak ada kejahatan, tak ada dendam dan iri dengki. Yang ada hanyakebersamaan dan kebahagiaan yang tulus tanpa syarat.

Jadi ingat lagu Jawa yang begini :

Yo, prakanca dolanan neng njaba
(Ayo teman bermain di luar rumah)

Padang bulan, bulane kaya rina
(Bulan bersinar terang, terang seperti siang)

Rembulane..ne..sing ngawe awe
(Bulannya memanggil-manggil)

Ngelikaake ojo podo turu sore
(Mengingatkan jangan tidur sore-sore)
Ahh..indahnya nostalgia. Andaikan waktu bisa berputar kembali untuk sejenak bermain yeye dengan teman-teman bermain kala itu dengan situasi yang sama. Sebentar saja, setelah itu kembali lagi ke masa sekarang dan hadapi kenyataan hidup yang tak lagi setentram dan seindah masa kecil dulu..

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The Power of Hobby

Hobby adalah melakukan suatu kegiatan yang kita suka. Bisa berhubungan dengan bakat atau karena kita tertarik melakukannya sekalipun masih merupakan hal yang baru buat kita. Tujuannya pasti, supaya kita enjoy, senang dan menjadikannya candu untuk melakukannya berulang-ulang.

Yang termasuk dalam kategori hobby adalah segala sesuatu yang baik. Contohnya membaca, menyanyi, menulis, olahraga, bermain musik dan lain sebagainya. Yang pasti semua hal tersebut bermanfaat bagi yang melakukannya dan bagi orang lain.

Kalau kegiatan kita merugikan bagi orang lain, bisa dibilang itu bukan hobby. Misalnya senang menggosip, ini kan kebiasaan kita yang suka ngomongin orang. Jelas merugikan bagi yang digosipin kalau isinya yang jelek-jelek. Ini bukan hobby, tapi kebiasaan buruk.

Jika orang lain terganggu saat kita melakukan hobby kita yang suka menyanyi misalnya, ini karena kita melakukannya di saat atau tempat yang kurang pas. Lagi pada tidur nyenyak di malam hari, tiba-tiba kita menyanyi keras-keras, sudah pasti mengganggu orang lain. Waktu dan tempat tidak pas. Akan lebih baik jika kita menyanyi di pantai beradu suara dengan ombak, tidak ada yang terganggu, malah bisa jadi hiburan orang-orang yang di pantai plus dapat sebutan baru ‘orang gila’. Hehe..

Tak jarang, orang bisa mencari nafkah dari hobby. Misalnya, seorang penyanyi, pasti hobbynya menyanyi, perenang pasti suka berenang, pemain gitar, pasti suka main gitar. Tapi kalau petinju, hobbynya ditinju nggak, ya ? Ada yang bisa jawab ? Yang pasti, hobbynya ninju lah..

Melakukan hobby menjadi sarana kita untuk lepas dari kesibukan atau rutinitas kita sehari-hari. Karena motivasinya minat dan dilakukan dengan hati. Bahkan bisa untuk relax, melepas stress. Alangkah baiknya lagi, jika dilakukan bersama-sama dengan orang yang hobbynya sama. Kita bisa saling mengisi, diskusi, sharing, happy together deh pokoknya..

Bagiku, hobby itu penting. Hidup terasa lebih hidup jika kita punya hobby. Kalau ditanya orang, hobbymu apa ? Aku pasti jawab (yang kadang aku tulis di buku diary teman jaman aku SD dulu), hobbyku itu menyanyi, membaca, menulis dan mendengarkan musik. Kalau ada yang menyangsikan, emang suara kamu bagus, kok suka nyanyi ? Lho, suka nyanyi apa harus punya suara bagus dulu ? Yang penting aku senang melakukannya dan mendapatkan kepuasan batin, ya toh ? Perkara nanti fals, apa suaranya pas-pasan itu kan berkaitan dengan bakat. Masalah teknik bisa dipelajari, wong cita-citanya bukan jadi penyanyi professional kok. Sekedar hobby saja cukup.

Saat ada masalah, hal pertama yang aku lakukan adalah dengan melakukan hobby. Lho kok ? Kenapa nggak cari solusi dulu ? Tenang, akan aku jelaskan. Begini maksudnya, saat punya masalah dan mentok belum ketemu solusi, maka aku akan merelakskan diri dengan menyanyi atau mendengarkan musik klasik Mozart misalnya. Rasanya teduh banget, pikiran jadi adem dari yang tadinya ‘hot’ banget. Setelah kalem,otomatis pikiran jadi lebih tenang, bisa berpikir dengan jernih, baru ketemu deh itu solusi.

Tidak ada jadwal khusus untuk melakukan hobby ini, tapi kalau hobby yang terkait dengan olah raga akan lebih oke kalau ada jadwalnya. Karena kalau olah raga kan hubungannya dengan fisik dan nutrisi ya, kalau mau maksimal ya harus teratur. Apalagi kalau punya cita-cita menekuninya sebagai sebuah profesi, tentunya dituntut untuk lebih disiplin.

Anyway, disiplin itu fungsinya banyak banget. Dengan disiplin kita melatih diri untuk menata masa depan kita, kita tahu apa yang menjadi tujuan hidup kita, kita tahu mau kemana arah tujuan kita. Jadi apapun hobby kita kalau dilakukan dengan enjoy dan disiplin pasti suatu saat kita akan memetik hasil. Banyak lho, yang kecebur di pofesi yang awalnya karena hobby, abis terlanjur cinta sih.. pasti enak banget ya, karena menjalankannya dengan happy.

Jadi apapun hobby kita, kalau kita yakin itu baik dan bermanfaat bagi kita dan orang lain, go head..tekuni terus. Kita tidak pernah tahu apa yang akan terjadi nanti jika kita tidak merintisnya dari sekarang. Sekalipun hobby kita masih terbilang langka dan belum banyak orang yang menekuninya, ini justru jadi peluang kita untuk menekuninya. Di masa depan, siapa tahu kita dianggap sebagai ahlinya karena kita sudah duluan menekuninya, ya nggak ?

Semoga bermanfaat.

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Learning to Play the Piano

Author: Lauren Paltrow
Practice is an essential part of learning to play the piano. The trick is to practice effectively.

Piano Practice Tips

You should commit twenty minutes a day to playing the piano. This will actually help you with learning the piano since you will already have a routine in place. This will help enable you to learn and understand everything in your piano lessons at a much faster rate.

Most people don't want an audience while practicing an instrument and this remains true for the piano as well. The best time to practice playing piano would be when nobody is around to hear you play. This way you can practice without distraction and you don't have to worry about other people hearing you if you make a mistake. One thing that you have to remember when learning the piano is to be patient. You are not going to sit down and be able to play immediately. It takes time and lots of practice. When starting out you should choose a composition that is easier to understand and learn to play the tempo and tune smoothly before moving on to a new one. It does not matter whether to piece you are playing is hard or easy, the fact that you are able to play is all that matters.

During your piano practice make sure you are aware of the tempo that you are playing. Be sure to stay with the tune and not play too fast or too slow. If you need to start out playing it slow at first that is fine, but over time gradually increase the speed until you reach the tempo you should be at. Playing the composition at the right tempo will produce the emotions that you are trying to achieve within the song. During your piano practice keep your fingers and body relaxed. If your fingers become tense or cramped it will be harder for you to hit the correct keys.

If you don't notice a huge improvement in your piano skills right away don't get discouraged. It's okay. As long as you stick to your piano practice routine you will get better. The more time you spend practicing and the more you practice the better you will get. Just remember to have fun and not stress over the piano and everything will turn out fine. To ensure you are getting the most out of your practice time here are a few piano practice tips to help you out:

Keep your fingers and hands warm and relaxed while playing. Learning some finger relaxation techniques might be beneficial.

Once you are ready to sit down and play, the first thing you need to do is learn finger placement. This will allow you to play with ease. If you don't know where to place your fingers on the keys you will be continuously searching for the right note.

When you come across something that is difficult don't give up. You can always break it down into smaller parts and learn the piece that way. This way you are making small accomplishments and it will help you stay optimistic.

Now that you know some of the fundamentals of piano practice you can play the piano. Don't forget to keep practicing and always remember to have fun with the piano whether you are playing it for pleasure or for a career.
About the Author:
Lauren Paltrow of LearnPiano-Reviews.com, specializes in helping aspiring pianists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Lauren leads her team of piano experts in constantly reviewing new courses and products in the market to make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews of the best piano courses and products at LearnPiano-Reviews.com.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Learning to Play the Piano

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Animal Related Hobbies

Author: Lily Morgan
Working with animals is a dream for many people. It might seem like something that requires training and career orientation but that really isn't so. Hobbies can be animal related. Anything you enjoy doing that involves animals is valuable in a multitude of ways. It takes a special type of person to work with animals, one that possesses patience and compassion.



Most SPCA organizations in any number of cities accept and need volunteers. The volunteers often do tasks like dog walking and playing with the animals within the care of the facility. It can be a stressful position but it needs to be done. Call your local SPCA or other animal shelter to find out how you can help. You might be amazed at the huge difference even just one person can make, plus it's rewarding.



Offering dog walking services, either paid or free is a fantastic way to get some exercise while playing with the neighbourhood pooches. Many seniors or busy families may welcome this type of service. It allows you to spend quality time with several animals while on your own time and conditions. Pet sitting goes hand in hand with dog walking. Caring for animals is a big job but one that can easily be done by the right person.



Sometimes there is nothing better than a relaxing walk or hike. Take your digital camera along and capture pictures of all of the animals that you meet along the way. This is a fine time to start a bird watching hobby if you haven't already. Alone time with nature can be a powerful and personal experience. For many there is simply nothing better than relaxing in a clearing, watching the birds and whatever else happens to come along.



One animal that is perfect for a number of hobbies is the horse. Horses are very dynamic creatures with a vast intelligence. Go out for a leisurely ride or learn how to do something a little wild like barrel racing. An old fashioned wagon is all it takes for a traditional hay ride in any season. A well trained horse will usually be safe for people of all ages, using proper safety equipment of course.



The training of animals is a full blown career for many but it often begins as a hobby. Start with your own animals at home by teaching basic obedience. If you find it to be something you have a knack for, consider a professional approach. Animal obedience training is always in demand.



There are countless animal charities and organizations that always need some kind of financial support. If fundraising is something you exceed at or would like to try, there is no better way to help needy animals than by ensuring they have much needed provisions. Many volunteers consider the work they do to be a hobby. They enjoy what they do because it makes a difference. Animal related hobbies are numerous. Take the first step in the direction that draws you for the hobby you can be proud of.
About the Author:
There are as many hobbies as there are people who enjoy them. Learn more about the popular hobby of building and collecting dollhouses and miniatures. Visit our large selection of wooden doll house kits today at http://www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Animal Related Hobbies

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How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers

Author: Erich Simko
Learning how to make paper tissue flowers is an easy and creative way to spend your time. Allow me to share with you briefly how I got started in the wonderful craft.

I was unfortunately involved in a horrific accident a while ago and bed ridden for months as a result. With all this time on my hands, I decided to read up on different ways to express myself through the art of making paper tissue flowers. This hobby proved so relaxing that I recommend it to anyone, no matter what their age or level of imagination. I even make origami flowers out of paper tissue rather than the usual origami paper. The number of ways you can create paper tissue flowers is limited only by your creativity.

There are only a handful of items that are needed when learning how to make paper tissue flower and most of them can be found right around your home. You need some tissue paper and a pipe cleaner, a pencil, a pair of scissors and a ruler. Then you will have everything needed to start and complete your project.

1) You can begin by folding each sheet the width of a pencil (accordion or fan style).

2) Then lay all the sheets on top of each other making sure all the creases meet.

3) Then fold the whole thing again, and put the pipe cleaner in the middle of the accordion.
4) Now wrap the pipe cleaner two times around the accordion and fold down the top of the pipe cleaner and twist.
5) Then, you will carefully cut off each of the ends of the accordion, making the corners round.

6) Then carefully fan out all the sheets so none are stuck together until a fluffy flower appears.
Whole flower bouquets can be made with paper tissue flowers in a broad range of sizes and colors. The petals can be folded or cut at any size imaginable. You can make larger or smaller flowers depending on your taste.

You can use many different types of colored tissue paper when designing these flowers. This will create multi-colored blossoms that will be one of the main topics of conversation at your next house party. Tie-dye or colored splashed tissue paper flowers can be used to bring some color to a dull, dreary room or to cheer up a sickly person.

A couple of months ago, I was visiting a dear, old friend in the hospital when I realized that tissue paper flowers would lighten, and cheer up her room drastically and dramatically. Because she was deathly allergic to real flowers my tissue flowers were the key. The next day I returned to the hospital and brought a vase full of my multi-colored paper tissue flowers and gave it to her. She was so happy that she began to cry. Thirty plus years I have known this lady an I never saw her so happy, and it gave me this feeling of warmth all over my body that is unforgettable.

There is nothing better than the feeling you get when you look at the finished product. I cannot begin to explain the satisfaction you will get from this inexpensive old pass time. Our great grandmothers, and their grandmothers made paper tissue flowers and now we can enjoy this sensational hobby also. It is also a very therapeutic process that is used in most nursing homes today. It helps to loosen up the fingers of patients with joint pain problems while keeping their minds working and learning.

There are no limits on what the imagination can visualize and the rewarding challenge of making these paper tissue flowers is one of the ways. I hope you will consider learning how to make paper tissue flowers like countless others. It is simply an amazing skill to have. You will be thankful you did!
About the Author:
You have learned the basics of how to make paper tissue flowers. In the next step you should not have to go to great lengths to learn How to Make Paper Tissue Flowers. Erich invites you to visit his free site with images, instructions, videos and more plus this other web site on How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers which is his #1 recommended resource.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers

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Yoga Postures: How to Do Yogasana

Author: NAVAL LANGA
Yoga is not only the set of rules narrating how the human body can remain healthy and live long with happiness. It goes further and instructs how to practice what has been told in the yoga theories. The 5000 years old ancient knowledge of Yoga system can be an important tool for healing several adamant diseases, which makes our life miserable.
If we want to see the benefits which we can get from practicing the Yoga and Yoga Asanas, we can summarise that in nutshell as following:

• The regular practice of Yoga Asanas keeps our life energy flowing.
• Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice.
• Practicing yoga Asanas would help maintaining the energy meridians of our body open and in natural conditions.
• This helps keeping our body free from several diseases. It works as healing system, too.
• Yoga is very much helpful in keeping our nervous system operating naturally and peacefully. The regular practicing of Yoga Asana would render our body and mind fairly in balanced state.
• Yoga system, theories and practice, can help us in curing or healing what has gone wrong in our body due to faulty style of living. Yoga is a healing system of health care that is based on a concept of the "whole" person as one. It is based on a scientific concept that human body, mind, spirit, and emotions can remain in balance by regular practicing of the Yoga postures.
• Many Asanas and breathing techniques are devised to help the flow of blood in our body and curing the weakness of the heart. In addition to helping the functioning of our heart, Yoga postures increase metabolism and gift us with more energy.

For reading similar articles with images and instructions for how to do yoga Postures, you can visit following Links.
LEARN YOGA ASANA
HOW TO DO PADMASANA

About the Author:
I write short stories and articles about the paintings.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Yoga Postures: How to Do Yogasana

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Windsurfing For Children

Author: Marc Fredmen
Over the past few years windsurfing has transformed from a sport meant for professional sailors or adventure lovers. However, over the past few years windsurfing has transformed from a hard core adventure sport to a recreational activity that can be practiced by amateur surfing enthusiasts of all ages. Children have especially taken up windsurfing in a large way.



Windsurfing Guide for Kids



There are many reasons for children increasingly taking up windsurfing. The most important reason is the availability of quality windsurfing gear like helmets, lifejackets and harnesses. These elements have completely reduced the risk factor to minimal and made windsurfing hugely enjoyable for children. Eight and ten year old children can now easily take up windsurfing for fun or as an early start to a professional windsurfing career. Another reason is because parents have increasingly encouraged children to take up outdoor activities like windsurfing. Such an activity not only provides exercise for children but also provides them with an opportunity to enjoy fresh air conditions.



To ensure that kids develop a yearning for windsurfing, parents should follow a few basic steps:



1. Selecting the right windsurfing equipments is vital. It is recommended that children start surfing on boards that comprise of a centerboard or a center fin along with a suitable size sail.



2. It is a good idea to take your child to a lagoon (waist deep) or flatwater locations for his initial windsurfing sessions.



3. To allow very young and light weight children to surf easily, it is a good idea to cut the tail fin into half so that it becomes easier for the child to maneuver the board.



4. Do not make the child go through too many technical details of wind conditions. This can kill the child's interest and drive him away from the sport. Instead start with small fun sessions like board balancing and paddle games. This would keep the child engaged and create an urge to practice the sport more.



5. You can take your child along on your surf board initially. This would develop his interest and also allow both of you to enjoy the session together.



6. Select windsurfing places such that it is frequented with children so that your kid finds fellow windsurfing friends.



7. Also, always keep a tether rope ready so that it becomes easier for the child to get on board and he does not have to swim a long distance. This is to ensure that he does not get tired very soon.



Windsurfing Kids Camp



If you want your child to pursue windsurfing on a more serious note, it is a great idea to enroll him to a windsurfing camp. Although, you can start by teaching him yourself, a camp can teach him the finer details and guide him through a systematic channel. There are several windsurfing clubs that organize regular camps for children. These camps provide great training facilities exclusively for children.



Remember that children would take up windsurfing only when they are initiated in the right way. The lessons must be completely based on a fun and learn concept for kids to take up windsurfing more seriously.
About the Author:
An expert windsurfer, Marc Fredmen provides windsurfing tips and details on basic windsurfing to help beginners focus on every aspect of basic windsurfing. Windsurfers of all ages can easily take windsurfing lessons here.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Windsurfing For Children

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Tribal Music Tattoos - Tips On Getting Your New Tattoo

Author: Dean Olmstead
If you've decided to go ahead and get a tribal music tattoo, this article can help you find your new ink!

Choosing the right design for your tattoo can be hard work. You look around for inspiration everywhere you go. When i was looking for my perfect design I had to force myself to stop looking at burly men with huge tattoos that covered their arms in case I got into trouble! But when you are looking for that perfect design you should leave yourself open to any ideas.

I wanted a tattoo that would show my individuality and that no one else had so i decided to design my own. Easy when i say it but near on impossible when i started doing it! I thought that because I had wanted a tattoo for so long that the ideas would come flooding in, instead I had to really research what i wanted. I went on line and spent most of my evening flicking through designs on the Internet.

I had found this great website that had thousands of different designs and all I had to do was pay a small fee and it even let me print them off. It was really handy because I was able to use several different designs and put them together to make my ideal tattoo. I also checked out the reviews from the same website and found that my nearest tattoo parlor wasn't all it cracked up to be. I'm so glad I read those reviews otherwise who knows what my tattoo would have come out like! I am really pleased with my tattoo but it is because I took so long to think about it and research it that I know that I have the right tattoo for me.

Good luck getting your new tribal music tattoo!
About the Author:
Find more information about tribal music tattoos at the Tribal Tattoos Gallery!

Visit the Tribal Tattoo Gallery now!
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Tribal Music Tattoos - Tips On Getting Your New Tattoo

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