13 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Life

There are 13 ways to boost your chances of living a happy, healthy life. More can be added to this list, but, for simplicity’s sake, we’ll stick with this typically unlucky number.
Instead of bringing misfortune, however, the 13 habits promise a life of vigor and vivacity. There are, of course, no guarantees, but many of the practices mentioned here have been published in scientific journals. Disregard them, and you may well be taking a big gamble with your mental and emotional well-being.
Healthy Habit No. 1: Eat Breakfast Every Morning

Breakfast eaters are champions of good health. Research shows people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals, and less fat and cholesterol. The result is often a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating.
“That one act [of eating breakfast] seems to make a difference in people’s overall weight,” says Melinda Johnson, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). She says breakfast can hold off hunger pangs until lunchtime and make high-calorie vending machine options less enticing.
Not only that, researchers at the 2003 American Heart Association conference reported that breakfast eaters are significantly less likely to be obese and get diabetes compared with nonbreakfast eaters.
Another study in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition showed that people who consumed breakfast cereal every day reported feeling better both physically and mentally than those who rarely ate cereal in the morning.
For kids, breakfast appears to enhance alertness, attention, and performance on standardized achievement tests, reports the ADA.
To get the full benefits of breakfast, the Mayo Clinic recommends a meal with carbohydrates, protein, and a small amount of fat. They say that because no single food gives you all of the nutrients you need, eating a variety of foods is essential to good health.
Yet, even with so much scientific support that breakfast does the body good; many people still make excuses not to eat in the morning. They include not having enough time and not feeling hungry. For these people, Johnson suggests tailoring breakfast to the day.
“When I’m getting ready in the morning, I don’t really want to take the time to eat breakfast because that would mean sacrificing sleep,” says Johnson. “So I bring my breakfast with me, and I know I have an hour when I’m reading emails in the office when I can eat it. By that time, I’m hungry because I’ve been up for almost a couple of hours.”
Healthy Habit No. 2: Add Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Your Diet

The AHA recommends a serving of fish two times per week.
Besides being a good source of protein and a food relatively low in the bad type of dietary fat called saturated fat, fish has omega-3 fatty acids — which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon, are rich in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Foods such as tofu, soybeans, canola, walnuts, flaxseed, and their oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which convert to omega-3 in the body. Even though the benefits of ALA are controversial, the AHA still recommends foods containing it as part of a healthy diet.
In addition to their heart-health benefits, there is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may also soothe an overactive immune system, says Johnson. Even though this benefit is still being studied, she says there appears to be a link between getting more omega-3s in your diet and reducing allergies, asthma, eczema, and autoimmune disorders.
Healthy Habit No. 3: Get Enough Sleep

“Your body has to have enough time to rest,” says Michael Fleming, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Otherwise, he says you may find yourself feeling cranky and tired.
This may sound like common sense, but according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), more than two-thirds of older adults suffer from sleep problems and many American adults don’t get the minimum amount of shuteye needed to stay alert.
Sleep is vital to good health and to mental and emotional well-being. The NSF reports that people who don’t get enough slumber are more likely than others to develop psychiatric problems and to use health care services. Plus, sleep deprivation can negatively affect memory, learning, and logical reasoning.
Not enough ZZZs can also be hazardous. More than one-half of adult drivers — some 100 million people — say they have driven drowsy in the past year, according to NSF polls. About one out of five of these drivers — 32 million people — say they’ve fallen asleep while driving.
Each year drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 car crashes, 1,500 deaths, and tens of thousands of injuries, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NSF recommends taking a 15 to 20 minute nap. Because it takes about 30 minutes for the caffeine to work, taking a nap while you wait for the caffeine to kick in can help restore alertness.
To avoid the pitfalls of insufficient sleep, make sure to get at least seven to 10 hours of slumber each night. Kids need more sleep, depending on their age.
Healthy Habit No. 4: Make Social Connections

Volunteer. Go to church. Join a club. Whatever you do, do it with people. Communal activities are good for your physical and mental health, according to a study published in the March/April 2004 issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior.
It makes sense, says C. David Jenkins, PhD, author of Building Better Health: A Handbook of Behavioral Change. He says social ties have many benefits, including:

* Providing information. You may think for instance your frequent nosebleeds, coughing, and sneezing episodes are trivial, but when a close friend or relative hears of it, he or she may encourage you to go to a doctor. If the symptoms turn out to be a serious condition, the social tie could have saved your life.
* Instrumental help. Friends and family can provide physical support in time of need. They may help with cooking, cleaning, running errands, doing grocery shopping, and driving to the doctor’s office.
* Emotional support. Sharing a problem with a trusted person can help alleviate an internal burden. “It’s a load off your chest,” says Jenkins.
* Offering a sense of belonging. This feeling not only helps reinforce a person’s identity, it also assists in preventing and overcoming depression and anxiety.


Community ties also help improve mental functioning, says Fleming. Group activities can help keep the mind active and maintain desirable levels of serotonin — the brain chemical associated with mood. “Lack of social interaction will [decrease] serotonin levels,” says Fleming.
Healthy Habit No. 5: Exercise for Better Health

We already know that physical activity has a bounty of benefits, which makes it so puzzling why so many people just don’t do it. According to the CDC, more than 60% of Americans do not get regular exercise.
In case you needed an incentive, here is a review of the advantages of exercise, per the National Cancer Institute:

* Helps control weight
* Maintains healthy bones, muscles, and joints
* Reduces risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes
* Promotes psychological well-being
* Reduces risk of death from heart disease
* Reduces risk of premature death


Studies have also shown a link between exercise and a reduced risk of certain cancers.
Besides its long-term effects, moving your body has immediate benefits, says Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. The short-term results of exercise include helping people to think and move better, manage stress, improve mood, and get an energy boost.
The excuses that people often give to not exercise are the precise reasons to exercise, says Bryant. People who say they are too tired or don’t have time to workout don’t realize that exercise gives people more energy and allows them to be more productive with the rest of their time.
Healthy Habit No. 6: Practice Good Dental Hygiene

Flossing your teeth every day could add 6.4 years to your life, according to Michael Roizen, MD, author of RealAge. In his book, Roizen lists flossing as one of the most important daily activities — along with exercise and quitting smoking — that could extend life span.
Roizen’s calculation may raise some eyebrows, but the idea that oral health is connected to overall health isn’t far-fetched.
The mouth, after all, is an integral part of the body. “Teeth have a blood supply, and that blood supply comes from the heart,” says Richard Price, DMD, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association (ADA).
Researchers suspect that the bacteria that produce dental plaque enter the bloodstream. They say these bacteria are somehow associated with the inflammation that occurs with plaque that blocks blood vessels and causes heart disease.
Other researchers have found links between oral bacteria and stroke, diabetes, and the birth of preterm babies and those that have low birth weight.
In addition to preventing disease, flossing and brushing can help keep your pearly whites intact for more than just cosmetic reasons. Teeth help you chew food, speak properly, and smile — which, according to Price, can help you keep your dignity.
Healthy Habit No. 7: Take Up a Hobby

Look up the word “hobby” in the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, and you will find the definition as “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.”
Since they are relaxing activities, hobbies are usually enjoyable. Some people find joy in craftwork, bird watching, sports, going to flea markets, walking in the park, or playing cards.
The joy may help people live healthier and recover better from illness. For one thing, taking part in hobbies can burn calories, more so than just sitting in front of the TV.
In a study of people who had undergone surgery, Jenkins found that people who were involved in hobbies before their operation had better recovery six months later, compared with people who did not have hobbies.
The participants with hobbies tended to have more drive and interest in things and other people, says Jenkins. “It was a more active orientation to life.”
Healthy Habit No. 8: Protect Your Skin

Our skin starts to age as soon as we are born and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the best way to protect it and look younger is to stay out of the sun.
The sun has harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause wrinkles, dryness, and age spots. Overexposure can cause sunburn, skin texture changes, dilated blood vessels, and skin cancers.
Avoiding the sun, however, is not always ideal or practical. To reduce the risk of skin damage, the AAD offers the following tips:

* Always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
* Don a hat with a brim and wear other protective clothing.
* Don’t deliberately sunbathe.
* Try to avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.


Healthy Habit No. 9: Snack the Healthy Way

The ADA recommends five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day as part of a healthy diet. These plant foods can do many things to boost good health, including:

* Reduce the risk of some cancers
* Beat the signs of aging
* Improve memory
* Promote heart health
* Enhance the immune system


One way to incorporate fruits and veggies into your diet is to have them as snacks. “If you can do one thing [to improve your health], concentrate on getting fruits and veggies,” says Johnson. “They are low in calories and high in nutrients.”
She says baby carrots and cut-up produce make tasty, convenient munchies. Other healthful snacks include low-fat yogurt and nuts (in moderation).
The best time to snack is when you are hungry between meals, says Johnson. But beware: Cravings could easily be mistaken for hunger cues, especially for people who are dieting.
Healthy Habit No. 10: Drink Water and Eat Dairy

Water and milk are essential fluids for good health, but they can also help with shedding pounds.
The body needs water to keep properly hydrated and individuals vary widely in how much water they need. Joints need it to stay in motion, and vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidney, and liver need it to work properly.
If you don’t get enough water, the body goes into emergency mode, and clings to every single water molecule it can find, reports the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center. The stored molecules appear as extra weight. The weight is only released once the body gets enough water.
The calcium in dairy, on the other hand, is known to be important for strong bones and teeth. Studies have also shown it can help prevent high blood pressure, kidney stones, heart disease, and colon cancer.
In the weight loss arena, three 8-ounce glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk appear to encourage body fat loss while maintaining muscle mass, according to the ADA. The dairy consumption must be part of a balanced reduced-calorie meal plan.
Healthy Habit No. 11: Drink Tea

“Decaffeinated tea is better,” says Fleming, noting that the caffeinated variety can be dehydrating, and sugary drinks can lead to weight gain.
There is some evidence that tea may help in improving memory, and preventing cavities, cancer, and heart disease. Fleming says, though, that the overall research is still inconclusive.
“There may well be some beneficial effects of tea, particularly the potential antioxidant effect, but we don’t have great data on that right now that is that specific.”
However, there’s no doubt that a cool iced tea can be a refreshing treat during hot days. Try flavoring your tea with juices, fruits, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and other condiments.
Healthy Habit No. 12: Take a Daily Walk

We already mentioned the merits of exercise in habit No. 5. Now, here’s a tip on how to incorporate physical activity into your daily life: WALK.
We’re not talking about taking the time out of your busy schedule to work out — that’s important, too — but infusing life- and limb-saving movement into your waking hours.
“Just move. Pace during phone calls, while you’re brushing your teeth, while watching your son’s soccer game,” says Bryant, noting that every 20 steps a person takes is 1 calorie burned.
An eight-year study of 13,000 people also showed that people who walked 30 minutes daily had a significantly reduced chance of premature death compared with those who rarely exercised, reports the American Council on Exercise.
And there are plenty of opportunities to move those legs:

* Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
* Walk to the store.
* Window shop at the mall.
* Leave your desk and visit your co-worker instead of sending him an email.
* Walk and talk with friends instead of meeting for a meal

Healthy Habit No. 13: Plan

There is, perhaps, no better word in the English language to better illustrate how you can incorporate healthy habits into your everyday life.
“A little planning goes a long way,” says Johnson. “Eating healthy never happens by accident.”
For the most part, neither do good fitness, skin protection, healthy teeth, weight loss, and social ties. Many of these habits take effort that need to be scheduled into busy lives.
To eat healthy, for example, it would help to set aside time to draft a menu, make a grocery list, go to the store, prepare meals, and pack breakfast and lunch.

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Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
What Is It?

When a significant number of bacteria show up in the urine, it usually means there is an infection somewhere in the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra). A urinary tract infection usually causes several symptoms, including pain or burning during urination.
In asymptomatic bacteriuria, large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per milliliter) are present in the urine, but the patient has no symptoms of a urinary tract infection (asymptomatic means without symptoms). It is unclear why the bacteria don’t cause symptoms. It may be that asymptomatic bacteruria is caused by weaker (less “virulent”) organisms. The condition does not always need to be treated.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria is most common in women, and in patients with diabetes, the elderly, and in those with indwelling urinary catheters.
Prevention

You can help to prevent asymptomatic bacteriuria by drinking several glasses of water each day. This will discourage the growth of bacteria by flushing out your urinary tract. Drinking cranberry juice every day might also deter the growth of bacteria by making your urine more acidic, but this has not been definitively shown through adequate medical studes.
To prevent the spread of intestinal bacteria from the rectum to the urinary tract, women should always wipe toilet tissue from front to back after having a bowel movement.

Treatment

Antibiotic treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria is recommended for the following groups of patients:

* Children
* Patients with obstruction or abnormal structure of the urinary tract
* Pregnant women
* Men about to undergo urologic or prostate surgery
* People who have had a kidney transplant

Most patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria are elderly women who do not require treatment. Although treatment often will clear the bacteria from the urine, the condition often returns. Your doctor will usually wait until the results of two urine cultures have confirmed the presence of bacteria before beginning treatment. At that point, your doctor will have been able to identify the type of bacteria and determine the most effective antibiotic to treat it. For patients with indwelling urinary catheters, the bacteriuria after treatment, therefore, antibiotic therapy might be withheld if patient has no symptoms. However, these patients must be monitored closely for the development of symptoms.

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Easy Tips To Stay Hydrated While Exercising In The Summertim Reply With Quote
When you’re exercising in the summer, you will almost certainly sweat a lot. This is the body’s way of cooling itself off, and it’s normal. It can even help us lose weight. But it also means we’re losing water. If we don’t replace it, we could become dehydrated.

It’s extremely important to drink plenty of water in the summer, especially when we’re exercising. Becoming dehydrated increases our risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Here are some tips for staying hydrated during summer workouts:

* Stay away from caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. They are very dehydrating.
* Drink plenty of water every day. While there is some debate over whether we really need eight glasses, it is a good idea to drink at least a few glasses of water each day even if you’re not exercising. It helps wash toxins out of your system and aids in building new cells, and it will keep you from being dehydrated when you start working out.
* Always keep water nearby when you’re working out. Drink it throughout your workout, even if you are not thirsty. A good rule of thumb is 16 ounces an hour when you’re doing an intense workout in hot weather.
* If you’re participating in a really strenuous activity, or you work out for more than an hour at a time, drink a sports drink with a good electrolyte balance. This will replace the sodium and other vital nutrients that you lose through heavy sweating.
* Eat more fruits and vegetables. These are good for you in a number of ways, one of which is keeping you hydrated as they are very high in water content.
* If you’re not sure whether or not you’re getting enough water, check your urine. If it’s dark in color, you need to drink more. The more water you consume, the clearer it will be.

Hydration is always important to your health, but it becomes even more crucial when you’re working up a sweat. Watching your water intake is essential. While it is possible to drink too much water, it is hard to do when you’re exercising in the summer heat. So keep the water handy, and drink it liberally.

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Keep Your Gums Healthier With These 8 Tips Reply With Quote
So here I have 8 tips for dental health.

* Be a strict follower of the “three-three” rule. You should devote at least 3 minutes 3 times a day to oral hygiene to maintain good dental health.
* Take the boredom out of brushing. Brushing and flossing are perhaps two of the most boring activities. To take the boredom out of brushing, why not try dry brushing (brushing without toothpaste)?
* Avoid torturing your teeth! The next time you brush, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and please don’t push it too hard!
* Get it thoroughly cleaned. It would be wiser to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth the next time you brush your teeth. It will increase the blood circulation around the tissues in your mouth and may help minimize the amount of bacteria present.
* Don’t forget to floss. The food debris, which find their way through the tiny crevices between your teeth, can only be removed by flossing.
* See what baking soda can do for your teeth! Baking soda has mild abrasive properties that can aid in getting rid of plaque. It can also neutralize the acidity produced by bacterial wastes in the mouth, serve as an effective deodorizer and give your teeth a gleaming polish!
* Eat a more balanced diet - Studies prove that a poor diet may speed up the rate of gum disease and may also increase the severity of the condition.
* Make dental visits a routine. Regular visits to your dentist may help you stay away from gum disease.

To prevent gingivitis and its eventual progression into a full-blown gum disease, it would be best to visit your dentist regularly. Only the dentist can diagnose the problem and give you the necessary advice and treatments. The suggestions or tips above can give you a better fighting chance to ward off gum disease and enjoy better dental health forever!

If you really wanna let me go
there are a lot of things you should know

like how you're the best thing i have ever had
and how leaving me behind,hurt-ed me so bad

like how you broke the promises you once made
and how your "forever no matter what" has come to fade

like how you made me feel so worthless,that i don't deserve another chance
and how you forgot that once upon a time,we had so much more than a romance

like how you act so selfish,taking your decision to leave
and how you didn't stop and think how am i to deal with this grieve

are you out of your mind? or you just don't understand?
do you really thought it'd be that easy,to let go of your hand?

have you ever loved me? was you ever really mine?
if yes,then how the hell you believe me when i say,I'm fine?

how come you don't feel it,the tears i hide
how could you act so normal,it tears me deep inside

so please dear,if you really don't wanna stay
there are a lot of memories,you should take away

take the memory of your touch and that of your face
take our long talks at night and our special place

take your promise "i will always love you no matter how long"
take the memory of your car,holding hands to our special song

take your calls,your msgs,the things you bought
take the love,the secure,the happiness you once brought

take the heart which appreciated you,chose you over all
guess what? I'm no longer here to help you standing tall

it just hurts me to know,someone else will have my place
someone else will take care of you and dry the tears falling down your face

just don't say you love me,don't say you want me,it's too hard now to believe
stop playing with my feelings,will you please just leave?

I'm done begging you to give it a try
so here's what you want,are you happy now? goodbye

i promise,one day i will be happy,i will smile,no more faking
i promise,one day i will see you and i will no longer be breaking

so you don't have to worry,i will be just okay
all by myself,may be,but the hurt will heal someday

just thought these things,you should know
so when you start to miss me dear ,remember you let me go

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The Best Dad

Years ago I heard a story of a dad named Paul who gave his young son a small chalkboard to practice writing on. One evening his son called out from the bedroom, "Dad, how do you spell best?"

Paul answered him. Moments later, the boy hollered, "How do you spell kid?"

Finally he asked, "How do you spell ever?"

When the boy showed him what he'd written on the chalkboard, Paul expected to see "I'm the best kid ever." Instead, the boy beamed as Paul read the message: "You're the best dad a kid can ever have."

Paul recalled that it was one of the best days of his life. In fact, he had to buy his son another chalkboard because he wanted to save this message forever and hang it on his wall. It's still there.

Feeling appreciated is enormously important to adults as well as children. So much so that we often don't think enough about what we'd most like to be appreciated for.

Being appreciated at work is a big deal. Who doesn't want approval and respect from one's boss and coworkers? Beyond the economic value of raises, promotions, and commendations, praise can be gratifying and motivating. That's why good employers look for opportunities to acknowledge and thank employees for their contributions.

Yet as meaningful as work recognition is, if you could choose between winning your child's "Best Mom/Dad A Kid Can Ever Have" award and being named "Best Employee," which would you choose?

The point is not to belittle the pursuit of approval in your business life but to remind you how much more meaningful it is to know you're important to and appreciated by the people who love and need you the most. Your most important job in life is to be worthy of that appreciation.

Being the "best ever" mom or dad, husband or wife, or friend - it doesn't get any better than that.

Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org

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"The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have."

Leonard Nimoy

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"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."

Frederick Wilcox

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"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it cannot be taken away unless it is surrendered."

Michael J. Fox
Actor

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"Only those who constantly retool themselves stand a chance of staying employed in the years ahead."

Tom Peters
Author

Riskan di Transportasi dan Keamanan

Kurang dari satu tahun menjelang kick-off Piala Dunia 2010, kesiapan Afrika Selatan sebagai tuan rumah diuji di Piala Konfederasi 2009. Sayangnya, negeri Nelson Mandela ini bisa dibilang belum siap dalam dua hal: transportasi dan keamanan.


Persiapan Pretoria menuju Piala Dunia 2010 belum berjalan sempurna. (Foto: Dwi Widijatmiko/BOLA)


Bola merasakannya sendiri sejak pertama kali mendarat di Johannesburg, Selasa (16/6) pagi waktu Afrika Selatan. Hanya ada taksi yang bisa mengantarkan orang ke pusat kota Joburg (singkatan populer Johannesburg) atau ke kota lain di sekitarnya, seperti Pretoria. Jangan bayangkan ada bus atau kereta api yang siap melayani pengunjung.

Keluar dari bandara, tampak bahwa jalur kereta Gautrain yang diharapkan memperlancar pergerakan pendatang di Piala Dunia 2010 dan menjadi penghubung Joburg, Pretoria, serta Bandara Internasional OR Tambo, masih dalam taraf pembangunan. Letak jalurnya di tengah jalan tol dua arah yang dilewati mobil.

Sampai di Pretoria kelangkaan transportasi umum masih terjadi. Barangkalihal ini juga disebabkan BOLA tiba di Afrika Selatan ketika sedang hari libur, yaitu Hari Pemuda, yang memperingati pergerakan pelajar di Soweto untuk memerangi apartheid pada1976.

Tidak tampak bus yang beroperasi. Yang ada hanyalah taksi. Ini membuat pergerakan di dalam kota pun terasa sangat sulit.

Sebetulnya ada rencana untuk membangun jalur bus khusus seperti busway di Jakarta. Proyeknya bernama BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Rea Vaya. Sayangnya, pengerjaan proyek ini sedang tertunda karena muncul masalah dengan pengusaha taksi, yang merasa bus khusus ini akan memakan lahan pendapatan mereka.

Sebagai bagian dari organisasi buruh, pengusaha taksi ini dulu memberikan dukungan besar kepada Jacob Zuma ketika akan menjadi Presiden Afsel. Sekarang mereka meminta Zuma memperjuangkan aspirasi mereka. Kondisinya pun menjadi dilematis. Ada kemungkinan proyek BRT Rea Vaya ini diundur atau berjalan sesuai jadwal 2010 dengan sejumlah penyesuaian untuk pengusaha taksi.

Rencana pembangunan jalur subway dalam kota Pretoria juga tampaknya gagal mencapai target beroperasi pada Piala Dunia 2010 dan baru bisa terealisasi satu tahun kemudian.

Yang paling gawat adalah transportasi antarkota lewat darat. Belum ada kereta api yang menghubungkan empat kota tuan rumah Piala Konfederasi. Kesiapan Afsel sangat jauh jika misalnya dibandingkan dengan Jerman pada 2006.

Pilihan terbaik saat ini adalah menggunakan pesawat terbang atau menyewa kendaraan berikut supirnya untuk mengantar pulang-pergi. Tapi, tarif pilihan kedua gila-gilaan.

Bepergian dari Pretoria ke Bloemfontein, yang berjarak 475 km, akan menguras dana sampai 6 juta rupiah! Kalau kondisi ini terus berlangsung di Piala Dunia 2010, jangan harap pengunjung berbujet terbatas bisa bergerak bebas.

Rawan Kriminalitas

Hal kedua yang riskan dalam persiapan Afsel menuju Piala Dunia 2010 adalah keamanan. Mengunjungi salah satu negara dengan angka kriminalitas tertinggi di dunia, para pendatang di Afsel harus bersikap ekstra hati-hati.

“Jangan keluar sendirian tanpa ditemani orang lokal kalau sudah gelap. Saya tidak merekomendasikannya,” kata Djaka Widyatmadja, staf penerangan Kedutaan Besar Indonesia di Pretoria.Semula BOLA berpikir itu hanya saran klise dari seorang aparat negara yang ingin melindungi warganya.

Tapi, ketika kemudian semua orang, termasuk masyarakat kulit hitam sendiri yang bekerja sebagai s upir taksi atau pegawai hotel, memberi peringatan yang sama, tentu ada alasan kuat yang sebaiknya dipatuhi kalau mau survive.

Belum ada satu hari berada di Afsel, BOLA sudah mendengar ada wartawan asing kehilangan laptop di media center! Luar biasa. Dulu di Jerman 2006 wartawan dengan nyaman bisa meninggalkan laptop di atas meja selama berjam-jam.

Dua permasalahan ini menjadi persoalan serius yang harus dipecahkan Afsel kalau mereka ingin Piala Dunia 2010 menjadi turnamen yang sukses dari segi penyelenggaraan.

FIFA sendiri mengaku sudah puas dengan apa yang dilakukan panitia di Piala Konfederasi 2009. FIFA mungkin hanya melihat dan merasakan kulitkarena isinya benar-benar bisa membuat pendatang sangat tidak nyaman.



Aksi 1.000 Kode Tangan

Pernah merasakan naik angkot di Jakarta atau sejumlah daerah lain? Anda perlu melihat trayek angkot yang cocok dengan tujuan dan menggunakan isyarat tangan untuk meminta angkot itu berhenti dan mengangkut Anda.

Hal yang mirip bisa dilakukan di Afsel, tapi untuk memanggil taksi. Ya, taksi di negara ini lebih pas disebut sebagai angkot karena menggunakan minibus, bisa mengangkut banyak penumpang bertujuan sama, dan tidak memakai argo.

Memang ada taksi untuk pribadi dengan menggunakan argo. Tapi, mereka tidak banyak ditemukan beroperasi di jalanan. Anda perlu menelepon untuk memesan taksi ini.

Yang menarik adalah taksi-angkot tadi. Memilih taksi yang cocok dengan tujuan merupakan misi berat tersendiri. Tidak seperti angkot di Tanah Air yang memasang nomor dan trayek dengan jelas, taksi Afsel hanya memakai kode tangan.

Supir akan memberikan kode dengan tangannya. Setiap kode menjelaskan tujuan taksi tersebut. Celakanya, kode yang dipakai sangat banyak dan berbeda setiap armada.

Ada kode yang mengacungkan satu atau dua jari, melebarkan telapak tangan, mengarahkan jari ke bawah atau ke samping, dan lain sebagainya. Bisa dibayangkan repotnya pendatang yang sama sekali tidak menguasai 1.000 kode tangan itu.

Memang ada rencana membuat semacam kamus kode tangan itu untuk Piala Dunia 2010. Diharapkan kamus itu bisa lebih membantu pendatang memahami arti semua kode.

Tapi, cara itu sama sekali tidak praktis. Bayangkan seorang turis melihat sebuah kode tangan sebuah taksi, kemudian ia berusaha membuka kamus mencari kode yang cocok. Bisa-bisa setelah ia menemukan kode yang tepat, taksi tersebut sudah jauh meninggalkan dirinya. Walah!


Dubes Sugeng Rahardjo
Terkesan Mesir

Sepak bola bisa menyihir siapa saja. Di tengah kesibukannya menjadi wakil negara, Duta Besar dan para staf KBRI untuk Afsel antusias menyambut Piala Konfederasi. Tidak cuma menonton lewat lay ar televisi, beberapa orang staf juga menyempatkan diri datang langsung ke stadion.

Mereka bahkan punya rencana datang bersama-sama ke Stadion Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, untuk menyaksikan big match Grup B antara Brasil dan Italia, Minggu (21/6). Padahal, paginyaKBRI disibukkandengan kegiatan sosialisasi pilpres untuk masyarakat Indonesia di Afrika Selatan.

Pembicaraan soal tim-tim yang berlaga di South Africa 2009 pun menjadi pembahasan sehari-hari. Semua menjagokan Spanyol akan menjadi yang terbaik di ajang ini.

“Italia sudah terlalu tua, Brasil juga tidak terlalu meyakinkan. Spanyol yang paling mengesankan dengan pemain-pemain mudanya,” kata Duta Besar Sugeng Rahardjo.

Rahardjo juga menyebut nama Mesir sebagai tim lain yang membuatnya sangat terkesan. Semuanya dipicu oleh penampilan heroik The Pharaohs saat hanya kalah 3-4 dari Brasil di pertandingan pertama Grup B (15/6).

“Sangat pantas apabila Mesir adalah tim yang menjadi juara Piala Afrika tahun lalu. Sekarang mereka tampil di sini dan membuat Afrika bangga,” ungkap Rahardjo lagi.

Bagaimana dengan tuan rumah Afsel? Rahardjo merasa kualitas Bafana Bafana masih ada di bawah tim-tim unggulan. “Mereka hanya pelengkap dan harus belajar banyak dari turnamen ini untuk tahun depan ."


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Era Baru Pasca-Ronaldo
Fergie Mengasah Winger

Dalam karier panjangnya menangani Manchester United sejak 1986, Sir Alex Ferguson telah membangun lima hingga enam tim yang berbeda dengan prestasi yang berbeda tipis. Namun, tiap masa transisi pasti membuat United harus dijauhi gelar dalam kurun waktu 3-4 tahun.

Analisis ini dimuntahkan Gary Neville dalam People edisi terbaru. Bek berumur 34 tahun yang telah dua dasawarsa mengusung panji Red Devils itu pun merasa tidak khawatir dengan ancaman yang muncul setelah Cristiano Ronaldo hengkang ke Real Madrid.

Meski harus diakui bahwa dalam dua musim terakhir produktivitas CR7 turut mengatrol kinerja United secara kolektif, ini bukan untuk pertama kalinya Fergie kehilangan bintang.

“Saya merasakan bagaimana besarnya perubahan yang muncul ketika Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, dan David Beckham pergi. Sir Alex Ferguson tahu apa yang harus dilakukan dengan semua perubahan itu, tapi waktu untuk melakukan penyesuaian memang tidak sebentar,” ujar Neville.

Kontinuitas perubahan mulus di kubu Old Trafford memang eksepsional. Ketimbang Chelsea, yang terus berganti-ganti pelatih, serta krisis manajemen yang melanda Liverpool, Newcastle, hingga West Ham, Setan Merah amat konsisten dan setia pada patokan rencana jangka panjang.

Dengan pergantian pola permainan umum di Premier League, United sendiri telah mengubah gambar besar patron taktiknya. Dari semula berbasiskan pada formasi 4-4-2 yang mengandalkan striker untuk mencetak gol di akhir 1980-an, kini Fergie semakin suka bermain dengan memanfaatkan lebar lapangan.

Imbasnya peran fullback agresif semodel Patrice Evra dan Rafael da Silva pun semakin penting dari hari ke hari. Keduanya lebih mirip seperti seorang winger yang bagus dalam bertahan ketimbang sebagai seorang bek sayap.

Transisi Pendek

Nah, oleh karena itu kepergian Ronaldo menjadi tidak terlalu penting mengingat tradisi United dalam mencetak gol bisa lahir dari pemain-pemain di kedua sayap yang sekarang telah ada. Guardian bahkan menaruh perhatian besar pada bintang Serbia, Zoran Tosic, di Euro U-21 yang kini tengah bergulir.

Sejak dibeli Fergie dari Partizan Belgrade pada Januari lalu, Tosic baru muncul dua kali di tim utama. Pertimbangan sang bos lebih banyak menyimpan dan mengasah sayap kanan lincah itu lantaran Ronaldo masih terlalu berharga untuk dirotasikan.

Kini setelah CR7 dipastikan akan hengkang, pemain berumur 22 tahun tersebut jelas mendapatkan porsi bermain lebih banyak. Untuk mempertinggi aroma kompetisi dalam tubuh Setan Merah, Fergie pun telah menawar sayap kanan Wigan, Antonio Valencia, dengan fulus sebesar 15 juta pound (Rp 248,8 miliar).

Pada prinsipnya, kepergian Ronaldo tanpa disertai kedatangan muka baru pun sebenarnya tidak banyak mengubah pola persiapan United pada preseason.

Ingat, di awal 2007/08 mereka pun sempat kesulitan mencari goal getter sejati, namun akhirnya menemukan sejumlah solusi secara perlahan sejak pekan ke-10.

So, masa transisi nanti pastilah relatif pendek dan tidak menyebabkan munculnya periode miskin trofi sepanjang 3-4 tahun. (Darojatun)



Carlitos Menolak

Habis sudah kesabaran Fergie. Setelah United memenuhi permintaan kubu Carlos Tevez atas bayaran transfer sebesar 25,5 juta pound (Rp 425,1 miliar) pekan ini, ternyata sang pemain belum juga mau meneken kontrak.

Selidik punya selidik, ternyata penolakan pemain Argentina itu terjadi lantaran Manchester City menawarkan jumlah uang yang sama namun dengan gaji 75% lebih besar. Carlitos sendiri sebenarnya lebih suka bertahan di Old Trafford asalkan gaji bersihnya dinaikkan Fergie sehingga bernilai 140 ribu pound (Rp 2,3 miliar) per minggu.

United sendiri tidak menyanggupi permintaan Carlitos lantaran selama ini strategi Fergie adalah menjadikan dirinya sebagai super-sub. Ya, amat boros rasanya bila menggaji tinggi seorang pemain yang bakal jarang menjadi starter, bukan? (toen)



Fergie Sulit Membuang

Fergie adalah seorang Glaswegian yang terkenal amat puritan. Ketimbang bicara soal masalah teknis, kadar pertimbangan dirinya untuk membuang pemain dari biduk United lebih banyak terkait soal sentimentil.

Siapa berani menjamin Owen Hargreaves, yang absen sepanjang 2008/09, bakal ditendang dari Old Trafford? Pemain yang punya rapor baik dalam sesi latihan dan di kehidupan sehari-hari seperti Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, dan Paul Scholes sebisa mungkin akan dipertahankan meski sudah tidak terlalu produktif.

Yang punya prospek bisnis tinggi dan berusia muda semodel David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Nicky Butt, atau Cristiano Ronaldo tak ragu dilepasnya bila terasa mulai jadi duri dalam daging. Kini pilihan sulit pun harus diambil Fergie lantaran tidak benar-benar ada anak nakal di kubu United yang harus dikorbankan.

Selain Hargreaves, sosok Wes Brown adalah beberapa nama yang patut diperdebatkan. Brown mengalami gangguan ligamen lutut dan tidak terlalu solid dalam membangun serangan, tapi tidak pernah membuat Red Devils kecewa bila menyangkut masalah perilaku.

Sayangnya lelaki berumur 29 tahun yang pekan lalu baru saja menikah dengan wanita yang tiga tahun lebih tua darinya, Leanne Wassell, itu punya banyak pesaing di posisi bek kanan.

Selain Rafael da Silva, Gary Neville, John O’Shea pun bisa bermain di sektor tersebut.

Untuk kembali ke posisi bek sentral, di sana ada Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand, dan Nemanja Vidic, yang semakin sulit digeser. Kecuali bila Aston Villa masih meminati Brown, rasanya Fergie akan terus mempertahankannya. (toen)