omiyage

omiyage = purezento = presents

My friend Atie just returned from Japan for a short holiday in her hometown, Jakarta. I asked her to buy me 2 CDs (which she could only find 1) and a magazine (that she didn't have time to search for anyway). Surprisingly, she said: "Aaaaah, I have to bring to so many things for you!" I was a bit shocked when she said that: "I thought you're only bringing me 1 CD?" Apparently, she brought more for me ha3x See in the picture, the CD is the only thing that I asked her to buy for me, but she actually bought me some present!! LoL Above the CD are 2 little comics that she bought @ Manga Expo (Or Comiket for the Japanese). Then some ichigo (strawberry) snacks, I have to eat that later. I really didn't know what's inside the red package, she just said that if I feel cold I could stick those on my skin. Ok, no problem... I'll try it out too.

And the "many things" that she brought me are actually all the comics & doujinshis in this picture!! I couldn't stop laughing when I saw them and asked: "What in world did you buy me these for?" She said: "While I was in the manga expo, I really wanted to buy some comics but since I don't read them I thought why not buy it for you? And I didn't know which one is good, so I just picked the longest queue in front of the stands. If the queue is long that means that the comic is good!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That's logical!! But amazingly one of the doujinshi was actually created by EIKI EIKI, one of the mangaka that I like. And one drawing book with Light Yagami & L from Death Note on the cover. Mmm, good choices. There are also some magazines, I asked her what magz are those? Her answer: "I don't know, I got them for free, I though you'd understand & like them." ROFL

Anyway, she told me a lot of interesting stories & pictures about Japan. I'll save that for another entry. But all in all, it's an interesting country. And yes, I still want to go there someday. Right now, I'll just enjoy listening to the CD and try to improve my Japanese with those comics & magazines that she bought me.

teaching again

Last night I started teaching again. How many students came? Just 3. But looks like more will join next week, they just found out that I re-opened the class ast night. And I was happy with my 3 students. They asked a lot of questions, they brought discussion materials and were willing to follow my guidelines. I didn't prepare anything to teach last night, I was waiting to hear from them first what they want to learn from the class. The result was satisfying... now I know better how to teach in the next sessions and what kind of materials to bring.

A few years ago I opened a free English class in church for about a year. It was closed down due to the students' lack of time and commitment. After that I ran another English class for 13 Sunday School children, ranging from 7 - 13 years old. It was very fun!! Even better than the adult class!! We played many games, I encouraged them to pray in English (each of them had to prepare a prayer in English and every week the last kid came into the class room have to pray in after the lesson), and I even challenged them to pick a scripture in English to memorize. The first once who could recite it in front of the class will get a book (in English of cours :D) or a little gift from me. I never knew that children could be so competitive! Ha3x

The reason I opened the children class was because after Sunday service their parents had to practice Choir for about 1.5 hours. During that time I saw the kids were running around and gossiping (the girls) and playing aimlessly much to the parents annoyance. So one day I gathered the 13 children class and asked me if they want to study English with me while waiting for their parents. They enthusiastically said yes!! Thus, the class started... They had fun, the parents were happy and at least they could always come to me for help with their English homework ha3x Instead of calling me teacher, they called me BOSS! ROFL I felt so bad when I had to quit the class due to my mom's illness 2 years ago. At that time my mom need somebody to be with her 24/7, so I took turn with my dad to be with her on Sunday after church. When my mom passed away last year I didn't continue the class cause most of the children already got into high school and had to join the teenagers ministry every 12:00pm. I still meet them at church, they always give me a high five (the boys) or a kiss in the cheeck (the girls). I love them like my own children.

When I got the request to re-open the class honestly I wasn't so enthusiastic. First I didn't have much time left afterwork anymore and second, I don't have the confidence to dot it again. After hesitating to say yes for 2 weeks, it finally started last night. And I didn't regret it. I just hope that those who have joined and who will join in the following weeks could be more committed. compared to the last adult class that taught. After seeing how excited my students were last night, I think it's worth my time. It would be wonderful if one day they could speak English confidently outside, so I know that I don't waste my time & they have used their time in a better way.