SPRING BREAK = NO BREAK BUT HEART BREAK

Hi folks,
It's been a long time since my last post. Now, I will tell you what's happened to me during my spring break. By the way, did you enjoy your break? (sounds cliche, huh?). Well, I believe that spring break (or other breaks) is something that the students are waiting for. I was thinking the same thing as I have bunches of plan on what to do during the break. I search the net about Megabus, which I think would be able to take me to Chicago. I also tried to book the International Youth Hostel where I might be able to spend the nights there. Whoo Hoo........!!!!!That's going to be one of the nicest vacations I had for my entire life!!
Cinderella had a happy ending.....lived happily ever after.... But not to me...My plan ended to misery (hehehehehehe not the serious one, though). As I looked again my weekly schedule, I was surprised that I must have my internship at Lakewood High School. There were six of us who were assigned to go to Lakewood as one of the requirements for the ILEP. Never mind, at least we had another experience about America's educational system, observed how teachers taught their students, as well as, you know... how those students behaved and acted.
Well, finally it's not that sad, yet fantastic!! So, instead of dreaming for not having the break, I tried to entertain myself by saying; EVERYDAY IS HOLIDAY!!!!
Okay guys, see you on the next break! (if there is any) and sorry for not adding picture as there isn't any picture depicting this experience.

WHAT'S YOUR SCHOOL LIKE?

During our study at Kent, he had an oppportunity to visit some schools. The first one was Islamic Academy in Akron (one building with the great Mosque). This school is privately run and funded. We had a chance to see the classes (which are colorful, because this is K-8 school. The principal is Ms. Fauzia, she is originally from India and moved here in 2000. Due to the limitation of the number of the students, each class only consists of 5-10 students. Even sometimes one class is used by two different groups.

I was in front of the Great Mosque, Akron

The journey continued to Stow Munroe Falls City School. This school is amazing, with a simple gate but very clean environment inside. when we were there, the students were having a break time, so we could see them in the huge hall while waiting for the next class. We were welcomed by the school principal, the superintendent and some other key persons of that school. We had lunch at Joshua's cafe, a cafe operated by the students as a "class". The food was fantastic!! Then we walked around the school seeing one class to another, and finally we got at the music class. That was great as we participate in the singing (I was thinking, can I be the next American Idol?)

In front of students' hall at Stow Munroe

Now, let's talk about my school. What does it look like? Well, the name of the school where I teach is TARUNA NUSANTARA. It's a boarding school with around 920 high school students from all over Indonesia. They live there, and so do the teachers. The students live in dormitory and we call it as GRAHA (house:Javanese). Like other schools, we applied the national curriculum, and so on and so forth. What makes this different is that the emotional bound between teachers and students is very strong as we are their "parents". Maybe some of you don't believe that they still kiss our hand when they come to our house!!But that's the truth. Even though they are in the boarding school, they have a high creativity, beyond teacher's imagination! I just can't wait going home to see them again, oh.....guys...I miss you...(busting your mobile phone, yelling for having meals, catching the escapers.....) Just wait and see, okay?

Balairung Pancasila (The most sacred building)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!

I don't want to be sentimental...but.....maybe this is one of the best gifts I get for my birthday...Linda and her staff has planned a birthday party for us who were born in January and February (Fahmida, Mary, Noureddine, and I)...hikhikhikhikhik.... so touching........ even though that was a small party, but .... I know the spirit within!Thanks Linda, Jennifer, Rose, my fellow teachers especially Abdessalam who (on behalf on other teachers, I guess) has given me a meaningful present: A note book!!! (I must study harder. Am I correct, Abdessalam?)

Fahmida, I, Noureddine, and Marry held the birthday cake

Okay, let's move on to the next project...sorry...the new story. Mmmmm...we have a chance of becoming guests stars (I don't know the term) for Global Tourism Class under Prof. Wang. This class' objective is to recognize the world's tourism resorts and thaat was our job to introduce our beloved country to them. We were grouped and three students were assigned to gather info from us. That was nice "chat" as we did it while enjoying some pizza, coke, and chinese food. Yummy........!That's pretty cool, though. We can share anything as they listened carefully.

Sharing in the Global Tourism Class

Then.......tratatatatatatatatatatatatatata...... One of the most exciting moments came!!! We went ice-skating!! It was Saturday morning when we headed to AKRON Ice rink arena. We paid $2 for renting a pair of skating boot. I was so nervous as I heve never done it before!! But that's okay, at least there is always the first thing for everything, right? I started walking by holding the fence!!(what a shame...) I saw soooo......many little kids skated freely (another "what a shame")..but, minutes later.....ready...get set...gOOOO...... gedubraakkkkk, fell down (the third "what a shame"). Practice makes perfect, guys...and finally... I made it...... I could skate on thick ice....like a professional.....huakakakakakak. You know what? Several times I fell down and it felf hurt all over my body until the next morning....Ouch! At least I learn on how to skate, you know?

Ice skating...unforgettable experience

Suharyadi "Harry Potter" is in action ready to rumble!!

One more thing, the hottest issue in the US right now is....... the General Election. The candidates are racing neck to neck to be nominated for the presidency! Awesome! Democrats comes with OBAMA and CLINTON, Republican with John McCain, Huckabee, and Paul. CNN is the most concerned TV station on this issue. So far, Obama is the front runner for democrats, while McCain is for Republican. What's going on in the future.....Which one do you prefer?????Obama, Clinton, or McCain? Wait till November 08!

Change we can believe in (Obama's motto)