I Miss Maxi

Although I’m not teaching anymore. There were moments I want to remember, I want to treasure as it is a very happy or sad memory. A month or two after quitting, receptionist at the place I used to work texted me, telling that one of the kid’s moms, Maxi’s mom, asked for my number. I was surprised because I have never personally talked to her. I only met Maxi in the last 2 months of my teaching. I told her I didn’t mind giving my number.

Maxi was almost 5yo that time. He was still in kindergarten. When he first came, his mom told me he hates his previous English class because it was too noisy and they played too much in class. I was amazed by such a remark from a 5yo kid. I found out that Maxi was brilliant; he spoke well for a toddler and a non-native speaker.

Maxi was way too perfect as a kid. He was clean, he was tidy, he was nice, he was smart, and he has no flaw for a kid like him. He used to have problem making friends before he came. In my class, I was trained to deal with such kid; I tried my best approaching him since he first looked like he didn’t believe me. It didn’t work out well, but I believe in process and I understood that time worked better.

One day while the kids were doing written tasks, I hummed a song unconsciously. I actually had this bad habit of humming while teaching. I hummed some of The Scripts’ songs. Suddenly, Maxi stood up and continued singing the song I sang. We ended up singing “the man who can’t be moved” together. When we finished, he laughed widely that I also wanted to laugh looking at his smiley eyes and his shoulder shaking because maybe he thought that it was ridiculous we sang that song together. Maxi looked so cute that day. He said that he really loved that song. Since then he got a lot closer to me and he opened up more to other friends. His mom also stopped standing in front of the classroom door (she did stand there because Maxi didn’t want to be in class unless she did).

A week after the call from the receptionist, I visited my previous working place. She asked me whether Maxi’s mom had contacted. I didn’t think I get any messages. I asked her what happened. Well, it turned out that after I quilted, Maxi kept asking for me, “where’s ms wida? Why she is not coming? I want ms wida, can she come? Why not? I miss ms wida, where’s ms wida?...” there the questions goes back and forth. I felt like crying for that. From Maxi's mom, I heard that Maxi had changed a lot since he came to my class. after lessons, on their way back home, he would talk a lot about me to his mom. At home, he would tell every thing, what I told him, how we played, what we learned, from A to Z. Coming to our class was always exciting for him. This made me feel relieved and sad at the same time. relieved for we both did well, sad for the fact that I wouldn't know when I would meet him again.

Maxi was one of many adorable kids I met during my teaching career.  Now that I look back, those times with the kids were very precious. Kids are honest, kids are pure. They have no hatred that no matter how annoying they gets, I can never be mad at them.

Ah, what I am blabbering about. I might just MISS Maxi and other Maxis too much.

I don't want to get married!

Well, this is not about me, I want to tell about a kid's cuteness. So here he is, an 8 yo cool kid named Vixing. He likes anything boys like. He can't stand cuteness while in fact he is so cute.

One day he and a younger girl called erin came early. They stood up next to me who was busy setting the multimedia. He stood too close that I couldn't connect the listening cable, I looked at erin then she poked his shoulder signaling him to move further. He felt offended and frowned. "You angry just because I poke you?", erin asked him. "Yes! Why you poke me, I don't want you touch me because you are a girl, I hate girls, I hate GIRLS!!!", he even raised his voice at the last word. Erin sat down pouted.

I bowed at vixing, smiling at him, "wow, I've just heard that you hated girls, whyyy? Girls are cute", I teased him. He frowned more, "girls are noisy, they are noisy, they are not fun, thats why I don't want get married later, I will neveeeeeer live with a girl in future, I will live alone!", he crossed his arms.

I just nodded and asked them to sit. An hour had passed when we began to do writing exercise, being a smart student he is, he finished earlier. He started wandering around having nothing else to do until he finally came to me. I was busy checking his task so I ignored his presence. He tried to gain attention by taking my pencil case, I was still, he took one of my marker then drew gumball and darwin on the whiteboard, his others friend chuckled but I remained still with his book. He looked upset, so he came closer to me and poked my shoulder. I turn to look at him, then I turned away purposely. He started getting furious, he poked me twice, then he tried to tickle me. I stood up laughing, "why are you disturbing mee?", I hid my smile. "Why you ignore meee? You hate me?", he answered me with a question.
I went back to my seat and coolly replied, "I don't, but you said you hated girls because they are noisy, so I thought you hate me too, I'm also girl and I'm noisy", I tried hard to be serious.
His eyes rounded and he blurted, "of course I don't hate you, I hate other girls, I hate erin I hate girls in my school, I hatee my sister at home, they annoying but you not".
I grinned widely so he slightly regretted what he told me before.
"Oh really? If you don't hate me and I'm not annoying then it means you like mee, oh that was touchyyy", I wiped my imaginary tears while other kids laughed. Vixing, being a cool kid with a very high pride he is, stood up and tried to explain, "noooo, I don't say I like you", "so you hate me?" I stopped him from talking. "Noo, okay, I don't hate you, but I don't like you too". I put on sad face, "class, vixing doesn't like mee, he hates girls". Other kids started to comfort me, "I don't hate you ms", "I like you ms", and so on. Vixing felt bad and he raked his hair in frustation, "fineee, okay, I don't hate you, I don't hate all girls, some girls are not noisy, but not all, you are not, okay..."
I tapped his head, "nah that's better to say, what about your mom? do you hate her too because she's a girl?" I slightly blinked at him.
He was surprised at my question and directly answered, "what? Of course I love my mom the most although she is a girl, my mom is the best girl, but my sister is not, I still hate her because she always take my toys, she plays my ipad, she throw my legos, and she always shout to me ask me to do this and that, I hateeee herrrrrr!. He shook his head as other kids who had finished with their tasks started comparing how they hated their their sisters and brothers too. I gave them time to share and let them be for I knew no matter how bad their assumption of their siblings, I believed that they wouldn't end up as enemies.
Well they reminded me of my childhood, I used to hate my sister and we used to fight alot, now we still fight but never once I hate my sister again.
There's only one relationship lasts our entire life, "family", no matter how much we hurt each other, we would end up embracing each other again.

When I'm Bigger, You're Much Older, Ms.

Still related with my holiday, the kids were always excited every time I told them about my holiday in Vietnam, not only that actually, whenever I went to a new place, I ate at a new restaurant, I met a new person, they would like to know about them all. It must have been amazing for them to know that I had experienced a lot of things. Yup, being adult seems so promising for the kids.

Kid: Ms, I envy you a lot. You can go anywhere you want. If me, my mom I think will not give permission.

Me: That's normal, when I was at your age, my mom did the same. Don't worry, when you're bigger, you can travel by yourself

Kid: Impossible, you don't know my mom, last time I want arung jeram when in Bali, my mom angry, so how come I travel by myself???

Me: long waaay to go, just wait  ok.

Kid: can I have friends for traveling like you and your friends later?

Me: Sure, you will do.

kid: But my friends at school are lame, they don't like traveling

Me: Maybe not yet now, later you will find some, or when you're bigger, contact me, lets travel together, ok.

Kid: ahhhh how comeee, ms, when I bigger, you must be older, if we traveling together, then I will take care of you, no fuuunnnnn. *pout*

As usual I smirked and laughed at her silly thought :))

I Am Rich

I don't know when this started or neither I know what I've done wrong that my kids think that I'm a superloaded young lady. One day I was shot with a weird question. I knew it was going nowhere so I just answered blindly without thinking. I truthfully didn't want to talk about it longer.

Kid: Ms, you are rich ya?

Me: Ah, no, I'm not.

Kid: Lie! why do you think you are not rich?

Me: Well, look at me now, I'm here teaching you, working, earning money, If I'm rich, I will just spend my day freely, traveling around the world, in fact, I can't do that so I'm not rich now.

I thought the kid would stop asking, but, to my surprise, she shot me a death glare instead.

Kid: What? I don't believe it, that's stupid idea! If you are rich, don't stop working, if you stop working, later you kehabisan money, you must be peminta-minta, you can't be like that ms!

The kid was fuming because of my blind answer, she even mixed English and Indonesian without asking. I patted her back and just nodded signaling an 'ok, get it'. Her parent must have thought her well :) 

After some time, I finally found out what made the kids think that I was rich. It was because of my holiday to Vietnam several months ago. It was a big deal for them since I didn't join any tour (while they were always going with tour), they thought I was amazing since I went to Vietnam, a country which they rarely heard anyone visited. They have been to Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Aussie and many other countries, but not Vietnam. In their mind, Vietnam might be beyond their reach so they thought I was pretty awesome going there by my own effort.

Kid: you must be very rich ya because you went to Vietnam

Me: You don't have any idea how long I had saved money before I went there and it's not expensive to go to Vietnam.
Kid: Look you have galaxy tab and blackberry
Me: You have Ipad which costs twice my galaxy tab, and blackberry which also costs twice my very old blackberry and what more, you have your ipod which costs maybe ten times my mp3 player by the way.

kid: But still, you went to Vietnam! I only went to Singapore Singapore Singapore, boring!

Me: Well, I guess she's the richest here then (I pointed at another kid in the class). She has been to almost all European countries, She has been to Japan, Korea, China, Macau, Hongkong, Brunei, ahhh, she has been to countless country.

The other kid: What? me? I'm not rich ms, my parents also not rich because we never go to Bandung, my friends all often go to Bandung but my family not, so we are not rich.

Ohkay! I choked a laugh. I guess I'm really the richest since I went to Bandung more often than them :)))

My Mom is So Generous

One day, a 9 year old kid came to my class pouting. I smiled at her asking what was wrong. She murmured then muttered when I widened my eyes giving her a whats-wrong-look. "My mom is so generous", she said, still pouting. "That's not a problem then." I replied simply. She continued whining, "You don't understand, I don't likee it ms...". "Why not? don't you get things you want easily since your mom is generous?", I asked back, couldn't understand her.

She then grumbled, "That's exactly the problem! she's only generous to herself, never once she bought me toys I want, she only buy her make up make up make up, bag bag bag, ahhhh!". I smiled looking at her frustrated look and laughed together with another kid's comment, "Not only your mom, my parents too only generous to them, but stingy to me!". Then they started comparing whose parents are more stingy, and no one wanted to lose, each of them thought that their parents are the best penny pincher, what? is that even an achievement? :)) 

If I could, would I?

Another thing I love about kids is what they could come up with, they would surprise me with different genuine thought each time we meet. This is one of dozen stories I've witnessed.

One day we talked about imaginary situation, about dream for the future.

In the presentation, a kid was asked, "If you could be anyone, would you be a king?". 

My kids are around 8 or 9, I expected they all wanted to be a king, well for kids, it should have been fun. 

Out of my expectation, a young girl, Kekei, answered with a shocked face, "What? a king? no way and never! its so lame being a king, you only sit, order here, order there, lamee and I would not." It led me to small laugh.

The next question was, "If you had a chance, would you have the immortality?". This question surely would brought vary responses from the kids, I thought, but again, I was surprised by another young girl, Jojos, she confidently answered, "No, I don't want, I don't want to be immortal, I still want to die to be able to meet God, if I don't die, I can't meet God Ms...". Well, such a tactful kid :)

Attention Seekers Part 2

Ah, I can't believe that I need very long time to continue my previous story. Well, today, I finally got my official contract for my new status, Junior 2 Teacher, after the class observations, workshop, submitting lesson plans, etc, in the end I did quite well :p

About the messy mushroom class during the observation, I kept thinking about it, after that, I couldn't face my principal directly, I was afraid and had a feeling that she must have thought that I was incapable as a teacher. It affected my mood in the class, after that class, we still had several meetings before the project and progress tests, so every time I saw my students, it's not that I hate them, but as normal human I had a thought like, "ah.. I could have done better if only you had cooperated well that day". I acted normally but inside my heart, I felt worried. The result of the observation was still unknown but I presumed myself. My spirit eventually went down in handling that class. I was nervous of bad result possibility.

One day after that D-day, I came to that class wearing brand new shoes, they're brown almost red, and I could admit that they're my most girly shoes with even ribbons on them. My kids didn't say anything but they looked at mine obviously, their pride was just too high to ask whether I wore new shoes.

During the class activities, a kiddo came to me and asked question, but instead of normally standing in front of me, he stocked his plump body to my legs, since he wasn't doing it for whiny purpose, I let it be. While I was answering his question, he lost his balance and stepped on my shoes, and as soon as that happen, he swapped the ribbon on my right shoes with his big crocs sandals until the ribbon stocked out and fell on the floor, I was shocked, widened my eyes, looked at the crocodile that had eaten my clueless new shoes. I could have been angry, but then I controlled my self, ok I was sure he would apologize, I knew he's not a bad kid.

Surprisingly more shocked than me, the kiddo looked scared and he left me speechless with his excuse. Rather than saying sorry, he said senseless words, "Ms, is this your new shoe? that's whyyy, I actually want to tell you, don't buy ABAL-ABAL shoes, this is cheap but bad, look now it's broken, buy crocs like me, this is good shoes". Normally I would stop him and remind him about Indonesian word he said, "abal-abal", but that time, my head burned, this crocs monster, how could he say such things. I was thinking of a counter attack when he said another defended words, "your shoes are abal-abal ms, my MOM said good shoes are crocs...". After his last excuse, my head cooled down, I really wanted to meet his mum that time. I was angry to him, but I felt that his mum should take the blame for the not-sorry kiddo.  

After that, my spirit suppressed dramatically there. the next meeting, it was around three meetings left before we finished the level. I came to the class promising my self to forget all the traumatic things happened there.

As soon as I got in, several kids were busy writing and drawing, then, a chubby girl came to me and said, "Next level, you're still with us, right?", I just put on a smile. "I like you, This is for you from us, please keep this". I was curious but then sentimentally smiled looking at the note she gave me. Ah how I could ignore those kids. They made mistake by adding 'are' before love, but I didn't mind at all, and what's with 'from the children', so cheesy, hehe.

Well, about the observation result, I was kinda taken aback when the principal said good thing about my teaching procedures, "It must be hard on you, teaching kids, they don't calculate our feelings like adult, they do things recklessly, but I really like the way you coped with them, the way you personally handle them, bear in your mind that you have the patience as the key to teaching kids, keep it up....". I was blanked, the principal said all good things about the way I treated the students, in fact she criticized only the technical thing, "during the pair work, you made a student ask and the pair answer, it was actually good, but it would be much better if they didn't do it only that way, they need to exchange their role to add the exposure to the language....". So the feedback session was almost all about technical thing, mushroom class attitude that time didn't influence any of my credits. And, see now, I've pass another step, now I'm a Junior 2 teacher, the mushroom class is currently being taught by another teacher, let them experience, reflect, and learn. I'm thankful to them for giving me unexpected experience and good time.

Attention Seekers

Still remember the class with mushroom stories? once I read the story again, it looks like that's a perfect class where every teacher's plan will go smoothly. In fact, sometimes I feel like the kids (they're all about six or 7 and one is 8) start taking me easy, this recurring problem is not new at all for a lenient teacher like me, but I don't want to tell about it.

So this is a story about my kind of 'D-day', an important day. In our school, teachers are normally observed by the principal every several months, so this is my 9th observation day. The mushroom class, we call it Red 1, was chosen as the representative of my children class. I didn't feel nervous at all since that wasn't my first time, although we've got new material with completely new publisher books and multimedia, I had no worry. So I made my lesson plan well, activity by activity. I predicted things that could ruin my session until I finally thought that everything's perfect.

At the 'D-day', I told them that the principal would join them studying. Their response was just like "Oh, ohkay". I didn't have any intuition about unplanned things to happen.

The principal was finally sitting there when I started the class. And you know whaat? even since the first stage of teaching procedures, things were going unplanned.

I normally start by talking to them about their day, the food they ate, the lesson they studied at school, the cartoon they watched previous night, and even their plans after class, they have always been excited telling me everything, Gaby, the most talkative usually starts with "I'm not happy today, but I'm not angry too, just so so, I'm a lil bit tired, you know I have many course, and I clean my bedroom, my sister is lazy, never tidy the room, and today at school I have math test, it's easy, bla bla...". Marco ever replied me "Today I play basketball, I fight with P4, they're big, but I score one, tomorrow I play again at school but with P3, I think I will win again, bla bla...", even the quietest student, Priska always answers like, "I study PE today, weekend I go to church and then eat at the mall with my mum and dad and brother..". 

Normally they answer that way, but as soon as another new person (which was the principal) joined us, they turned to be aliens. This is the chronology of my first stage, talk to the students.

I started, "Hello everyone! so how's you day today? who's happy here? Are you all sad? no?" (I started brightly).

No one answered me, they put on very expensive faces telling me like, "want me to speak? pay in advance!". I tried really hard until several of them answered, "don't want to tell you about today". I was choked, but all was well, I went to the second stage, warming up. I had prepared a very exhilarating game with a lot of expectation in it. Normally since it was a new game, they will shout excitingly "I want to play, me first, me first, me first!", but while the principal was watching, they put on their "still expensive face" and just responded, "ms, I don't want to play", "it's boring ms, can I not play?", "can we play other game?", "ms, I want play hangman". Nothing answered as expected although in the end they played after my eyes almost popped out (I lie,hehe).

It was really funny once I thought about it again. Thank God, I'm not a newbie so I've learned to be prepared for those unplanned situations.

In the middle of my presentation, they could follow me in a quite normal way. I chose pair work as the practice, I divided them in to several pairs, usually, they never complain about anything during this activity. They have to follow all my instructions, but that day, they quite disappointed me because one of them didn't care about my instructions, and kept complaining as well, "ms, I think I know how to do this, we better bla.. bla.. so it is more interesting bla.. bla..", I don't mind my kids giving me suggestions, but at that time she talked a nonsense rule which wasn't correct at all but just created a chaotic situation. I got stiff because of that. I started getting more serious so they could follow me seriously too.

During the production stage, I encourage them to draw their room "this morning and now", basically they've just been intruduced to "past tense, was and were". Normally almost all of them are excited of drawing because it's fun, but that day, ane of the students said, "ms aaah, I don't want to draw", then, "ms, I can not draw", one who wanted to draw even said, "I want to draw the mountain and the beach", and there they went out of control. I never shout at my students, I don't believe in the "scary way" to educate. So I started shifting their attention from rebelling, I mumbled, "hm.. Amazing World of Gumball last episode wasn't interesting at all...", normally they will be offended and reply, "noooo, I like it!", "it was greaat not bad!" and other defensive answers, but at that day, they answer, "I don't watch it, I don't like gumball anymore, I like 'adventure time now'", I was like, argh! (but only in my heart, of course :D). I could see the principal couldn't hold her smile.

Finally after feeling like it's been a thousand years, the last fifteen minutes, the principal left. As soon as she left, all the aliens turned to be my normal kids! and started telling a lot of story and all. I was just sighing non-stop.

Ooops! this gonna be a very longe story, I'll make it in to two part because I'm running out of time to prepare going to my office, see you tonight, blogspot!

Waka Waka Dance (Re-Post)

I had ever been surprised by keisha, a 9yo kid, one day, she met me bfore class, “ms I need to talk to u after the class, this is really important” I gave her a “what’s wrong?” Face then she continued, “I can’t tell u now, please ok, I need ur time after the class, ok, give me yes ms”

I was nervous abt what she wanted to tell. When its time for class, I went to the 2nd floor. I met keisha around the stairs, she stopped me. “Ok I think I’ll just tell u now, can we talk here now? Pls listen to me, only 3 err no 2minutes, ok?” She gave me puppy eyes, then I nodded

I thought she wanted to tell me about something serious like the lesson or the way I’m teaching, but theeen she told me, “Ms can u give punishment to jordan and nalendra?” She asked. I shooked and asked back, “what for? They didn’t do anything wrong”. She became gloomy. “U know I like ‘waka waka dance’, bcos of that, they keep laughing at me, I mean what’s wrong with that dance” she mumbled. I hold my laugh.

“They keep laughin at it, it hurts my feeling, I want u to give them punishment, can u promise me that?” She shot me. I was a bit surprised. I actually wanted to laugh, not bcos she likes that ‘waka waka dance’ but bcos I thought she wanted to tell sumthin really critical. In the end I accepted to give punishment to jordan and nalendra, her classmates, but when I wanted to explain it in class, keisha was panic..

She stood up directly and said, “I don’t ask ms wida to give you punishment, really I don’t do it”. I can’t hold my laugh. I mean she was just too obviouuuus, because of that, the class became a bit chaotic, and in the end I didn’t give punishment to anyone. Well, kids are geuninely cute :))

One-Sided Love for Wisa

So this is what I foundlast month. I taught wisa, a 6yo tomboy girl. She surprised me sayin she’s got boyfriend, also an ILP student. She was so happy saying “ms my boyfriend kokoh patrick, ituh ms, wear glasses in YAC 6 class, I like kokoh patrick ms”. the class became noisy as she confessed. Although all her classmates laughed at her, wisa was really confident. I asked her, “is it really patrick? Why do you like him?” 

She replied, “yes ms kokoh patrick your student dulu, I liiiikeeee kokoh patrick”. She kept saying that while her friends laughed out loud. 

A fella, thaddeus even added, “wisaa, you love kokoh patrick, you get married, then you kiss like this muaaaah, hahaha”. He showed kissing expression that made me speechless.

Their expression were really cute, I mean a 6yo girl which is a green adventure student had a crush on a 12yo boy from young adult class, haha.. I felt a bit pity for her, well I had just finished teaching patrick. So far, he never mentioned about wisa, it must be a one-sided love :))

Adorable Albert

Yesterday, one of my kids classes learned about parts of the body. My students were all about 6 or 7yo. Everyone was so excited that I came up with "I spy" game. I gave them an example, while spying with my eyes and hand just like a detective, I shout, "I spy a part of the body, the first letter is W". The kids were noisy screaming "BINGO!", "BINGO!", "Waist!", "Wrist!".

Then they took turn shouting the "I spy". It went smoothly until Albert's turn, I tell you, he is ubercute kiddo with some part of his mouth toothless. Albert started, "I spy part of the body, the first letter is R". Then he smiled inviting his friends to answer. Unfortunately, no one knew. 

"What's the answer, Albert?", in the end, I asked him. He smiled again full of victory and shouted, "RICE!". I was surprised, everyone was too, then they started complaining to Albert. I told Albert that we're talking about parts of the body, not food.

Albert nodded and seemed cool, then he replied, "Rice also part of the body miss". "Are you sure?", I challenged him, then he answered with an answer that made me almost fall from my chair while laughing out loud, "Yes, miss, everyday I eat rice, now, the rice is here, in my stomach, so rice is part of my body now". I was like "...." for several second then laughed together with the other looking at Albert touching his belly tummy and smiling purely. I loovee Albert!

Polka Dot Hand

I was once tricked by my students. In my class, no matter how young the kids are, I force them to speak always english, I open jakarta Corner (a corner where they can speak a word in indonesian for maximum 5 minutes), I also apply the “tick” method, when a kid says indonesian word, I’ll give a “tick” on their hand using my marker, it also applies on me, wheh then asks me a word, I must explain slowly with more simple language, when they don’t get it and I have no choice but tell them the indonesian word, each of them may give me “tick” too. somehow, it works.

So this is a class with 5 kids. In that class speaking in indonesian is counted as a very big mistake, the same like killing people. Sumtimes when they forgot, they’ll speak in bahasa. I’ll be happy giving them a tick :D

That day I gave a tick to nia bcos she said “iya” and was caught by james that directly report to me. Rule is rule, if we want the rule to be well implemented, we have to be serious. After nia, several students got ticks too. Then while doing their writing task, I saw them discussing sumthing, I thought it was about the lesson, then they all came to me.

“Ms we want to ask u, we don’t know how to read this in english” they showed me the book. Its written “motorcycle”. Then I started reading. As I started reading “motor..”, james closed the “cycle” part with his palm, I stopped, confused for sum seconds until I heard shouting. They’re all shouting happily, “ms widaaaa speak bahasaaa, ms speak bahasaaa”. I realized, they tricked me to say ‘motor’ which is only bahasa for them! I actually wanted to defend myself but I couldn’t stand looking at their happy face, then I finally allowed them to give me ticks, that was really your lucky day, kids :)

polka dot hand 

Story about A Sweet Student

He's Glenn, one of the sweetest student I've ever had. I like his attitude toward the lesson. He's eager to learn balanced with his spirit to play any games. He's keen on futsal and soccer. If I asked him about a soccer match on TV, he would be really excited to explain with detail. I know his fave footballer, Frank Lampard, he ever wore a T-Shirt with lampard picture on it. One day we played hang man, and it was about famous people, as I guessed, he made frank lampard. no one noticed that time. I waited until glenn felt upset as no one could guess then I shouted, frank lampard! He was really surprised and said things like, "ms how do you know? ah you cheating, you cheating ms, not fair". I was just laughing when he couldnt stop nagging.

the other day, we learned about illness, so while doing the presentation, I give them model sentences to ask and inquire about illness like, "what's wrong?", "what's the problem?", "what's the matter?", then even before I finished, glenn rose his hand, "ms if we want to ask about illness, why dont we just ask 'you sick what?' I think people will understand". I thought he was joking, but he didnt laugh. His face was flat that it made me laugh out loud, I mean "YOU SICK WHAT?" :))

One day we played "yes or no" game, a game when everyone asks you question, you must answer without "yes or no", so this game teaches us to use long answer, to speak more. One by one students in his class finally got tricked. Then glenn came to me, "ms it's now your turn, I really want to trick you" he said that with an excited face. "Glenn, I'm not supposed to play, we have a test, so lets just start the test" I answered him, but then he refused and took all my file in my table, "I take this, if you dont want to play, you'll never get this back" he gave me a threat. I smiled, "okay then, trick me". They started asking question, never ending question. Honestly, I didnt play serious that time, so after not more that 3 minutes, I got tricked by glenn. At first he was happy, but then, he showed his gloomy face, "ah ms you cheating, you did it on purpose, I know you could do better but you did it because you want the game ended". I was surprised he said that, well, I had been tricked anyway and it's not on purpose. I came to him, poke him and made him sure that he really tricked me, then we started the test.

The other day we played "truth or dare" game, everyone gave orders like "jump to the toilet", "do headstand", and others weird orders, but glenn's order was the most thrilling, it was "tickle ms wida". I almost got tickled by a student, ah glenn he's so funny.

Recently, I've got an illness that made me lose much weight and became very weak. It's been hard for me until I finally decided to get back to work. At the first week, I still look like a zombie, uberweak zombie that I couldnt speak more than 2 or 3 minutes. I couldnt stand up more than a minute and I need to drink every 3 minutes. It was my first coming back to glenn's class after missing for 2 and half week. When I entered the class, I tried to shout (though it was a very weak shouted) "Hi everyone, I do miss you, a lot", they murmured then reply "I dont miss you", I showed them sad face, "okay if you dont miss me, maybe I should skip the class for one month more", I walked to the door, then they suddenly became noisy, "dont go ms, yes we miss you, we miss you". I smiled and welcome them, suddenly glenn interrupted, "ms why are you walking like penguin? and why are you so thin now?". That question made all the class laughed. At first I thought he toy me, then looking at his flat face, I'm sure he wasnt. Then I explained them about my illness and about my condition that time, they all nodded. Then I started the warmer, it was several quiz about obligation (to review the previous lesson). I had 10 questions to guess. We've finally finished 8, so I told them, "class, I still have two more so be ready", everyone nodded but glenn, he suddenly came to me and pushed me to sit on my chair, I asked him, "hey hey what are you doing?", then he was like really worried answered, "ms you have tumor (I said two more before) you need to go to the hospital soon, please dont teach ms, just meet the doctor". While he was saying that, he showed a very serious face. Well for several second I cant think of anything, but then, I was bursting of laugh, I couldnt stop laughing. It was really tiring that I thought I would pass out. I suddenly felt short of breath and really exhausted. A student, william pointed to glenn and shout, "if ms wida faint, you'll go to prison". It made me laughed more, I felt supertired and ran out of energy. That was the funniest joke I've ever gotten, I said I have two more (question), but they changed it in to tumor the illness, awesome!.

When I finally could manage my body, we started the lesson, I did the presentation. Glenn kept interrupting, then followed by the others too, but that time, I wasnt angry at all, because glenn kept saying, "ms its already more that three minutes, dont stand, sit on your chair, take a rest first", then the others followed "ms you've already talked too long, please have a drink first", they took care of me. That's not the end, at a time, I told them that I wanted to go to the toilet, they nodded. What made me really touched, when I finished and open the door, glenn and all his classmate were all there, stood in front of the toilet. I was surprised, "why are you here?", then they answered, "because we're afraid that you will faint in the toilet". Ah those pure face. I hugged them back to the class. I was so touched by the way they treated me. They're kids yet they're really good at taking care of me. I love them, God, I do love them!

But, why did I take picture with glenn? it was because next level, we're going to separate. I had been with them for 2 levels so I'll be given new class. I'm so sad to leave those class with all the good memories we've shared. but well, I've got to move on. I'll keep them in my heart. I wish you all the best kiddos!

My Great Grandfather's Favorite Movie Star

Teaching is fun!. By teaching, I get surprises day after day. Just like this afternoon, I had a class with 5 kids. I didn't give any presentation since we'd have midterm test. When I came in to the class, I met 2 kids, clara and william. Then while waiting for the others, I decided to play 'spin the marker' combined with 'truth or dare', so I spinned the marker until it stopped, then someone who is pointed got a question to answer from each friend, if they couldn't answer, they would do everything their friends asked to. They started to think of difficult question. At first, their question was only like "who is your crush?" or "who is your father's name?", for kiddos those were kind of difficult to answer honestly. I chose to join the game because there were only 2 students. When we were playing at the early minutes, I never got pointed. after 5 minutes, other three students, kayleen, afi and glenn came and joined us. Unluckily, I got pointed, william was the first one excitedly gave me a question, I was shocked because of his veryyyy difficult question,

Will: "Ms, who was your great great grandfather's favorite movie star?"

Me: I hadn't even met my great grandfather in my real life, how was I supposed to know?. I tried some tricks but ended up failed so in the end, they won. I asked them what the would like me to do. Other surprises!, this was our conversation,

Will: "Ms, please show us your hair, I'm dying to see your hair"

Me: "are you joking? NO"

Will: "I'm not ms. I'm really curious about your hair, why do you wear a hat ms. are you bald?"

Me: "Yes, I've got no hair"

All: "You lieee"

Me: "Okay if you're dying to see my hair, please look carefully at selena gomez"

All: "Why?"

Me: "Because my hair looks really like her hair, haha"

All: "..." (Murmuring unclearly)

The kiddos didn't give up, they kept asking me to do weird things like "Ms. please crawl to the toilet with one foot", "Ms. please do headstand", "Ms. please lift a chair with only one of your feet", and many others unbelievable orders. In the end I was safe.

The marker was spinned again, that time william got pointed. Glenn gave him a very difficult question, unfortunately I forgot it :(. William failed too, then he had to do something for glenn, and glenn, shockingly gave a crazy order, a simple one but I had never imagined that one of my student would give this kind of order,

Glenn: "Tickle ms.wida"

I stood up as william tried to tickle me, for any sake, I hated it being tickled even since I was born, haha. He touched my arm, then I lock his hands,

Me: "Well, I think enough for the game, now everyone please go back to your seat, and we're ready for the test"

I gave an evil grin for them as soon as they were asking for more.

"Ms. spin the marker once again pleaseeee, I still want to play"

Well, I couldn't help it looking at their hopeful face, but warmer time was finished. While they're doing their task, I laughed thinking about what I've just experienced, kids are genuinely cute and unpredictably funny.

Happy Fun-Lentine's Day!

4th February was always ordinary for me, I had never celebrated it like holy day, until several days ago. In my office, most of my students are take valentine's day as special event of 'day to love'. I appreciated it. I could say that I enjoyed those valentine's day celebration because of many good things.

First, in my office, we gave free homemade chocolate to every student. I've got 6 classes and I finally knew how Santa Claus felt while distributing all Christmas gifts, I enjoyed looking at their happy face after receiving chocolate from me (of course not from me personally, but from my office).

Second, We also held a valentine's card competition, so all the class would compete to make the best valentine's card to get presents from our office. the card should be interesting, creative, and good in accuracy. I enjoyed waiting for my students doing it in our last 20minutes lesson time.

the kiddos were also full of spirit for the card

Then, We also divided a 'love card' for each of them, so they could write their love messages. They could write for their mum, dad, sisters, brothers, friends, or whoever. Later we display all the love message on the first floor near the corridor to enter t classrooms, everyone could see whether they got a message or not. This was fuuun, moreover I got several cards from my students, I'm touched. I also got several discount voucher gift for hair treatment in megamall pluit from a student who's working there :D

Well, these are most impressive cards that I've got, the first one is impressive because I know that william lied there saying that he couldnt live without me, he he, but I like the last part ;). The second card was from Tius, he's college student from Goldy's class. That day, Goldy went out from the class laughing because of Tius' card for me, his card is funny, I felt like jumping because of shocking. that big boy must have eaten wrong meals that day :)). The third class was from Felicia, a 6yo kid. I told her to send a card for her parents but then she refused and wrote this instead. It's definitely a lie, I dont teach her everyday but only once a week on saturday class, but still for 6yo kid to write that way, I was impressed. The last card was from Calvin, a high school boy. He saw Felicia's card and kept complaining like "ms. I know she lied, you'll never teach us everyday, she lied, she lied...", then He made the honest-card-he-thought, and I couldnt stop laughing of his childish nagging.

Finally, I thank God for this wonderful week full of love, they kept saying "happy valentine miss", and the kiddos kept saying "I love you miss". I'm so grateful for this full-of-love-week. I couldnt say this, but I think they already know, I love them too, more than they do.

Housewife=Babysitter

One day, as usual, me and my fellow teacher, debora were talking about our "today's classes" when I suddenly choked surprised. That day, she taught Red Class, a class for kids (around 6-7yo), about Job, she generally explained many kinds of jobs with a very simple english (what could we expect for 7yo kids to understand about occupation :D).
She started with easy one like "teacher is someone who teaches you in school or courses", "pilot is someone who drives an aeroplane", etc. Then she continued to some term that werent difficult to memorize but not easy to understand, like 'businessman', if we told them about 'business things', it would be useless, so we just said like "businessman is someone who is busy working in a company and wears tidy suit", one of the kid responded "miss, my father is businessman, he has got company", later we found out that his father is toys businessman, then debora continued to a new term, 'housewife', she started explaining, "housewife is someone who works at home, takes care the children and husband, like you and everything in your house...", a kid suddenly responded excitedly, "um, I know.. I know.. so housewife is like my babysitter..."
My friend, debora, was like about to laugh listening to that, but maybe when she saw the kid with a very bright smile thinking that he had given a really smart answer, my friend was touched. Later she added some explanation that housewife is from 'wife' but still the kids thought that housewife is babysitter because they had experienced all the things babysitter did and its exactly the same with explanation about housewife, and a bit pitiful that they couldnt think that housewife is actually 'mother' since they didnt feel that way (and most of their mother worked so they'e not housewife).
Well, later I found out most of mothers nowadays tend to give their children to a baby sitter, some of them could manage everything so well that mother+babysitter become a good combo, and the kid usually grows up done, but some others are too busy so they give their children up to the baby sitter. when they send their kids to a course, they tend to expect too much without noticing the kids development, one dayone of the teacher got a call from a mum, she was a bit upset when she found out that her kid couldnt write "three" properly. The kid had been in ILP for about 7month, its the seventh month, and her mum suddenly appear on the phone. The teacher explained, "We're very sorry for that maam, but thats normal for kid to forget the spelling easilysince they're just 6yo, even in bahasa they tend to make mistakes in writing, about three, although she couldnt spell properly, I'm sure she knows the meaning, for kids we focused more in memorizing the vocabularies, but of course every meeting we practice writing too. Your kid, she's quite good with her vocabulary bank." The mother was like "but my kid has been there for seven month!" well, the kids came with a very weak english and only got about one hour two meetings a week, then the mother expected her to be able to speak like native, impossible. "maam, its useless if you think that studying here is enough, kids memorizing easily, but forgetting easily too, that's why they need to repeat again at home, did you help her all this way?" the teacher add the explanation and the mother answered "well, I already ask the babysitter to do all of that, to help her, I have no time to help her in her study...",
Then, case closed! Her babysitter plus driver always came with her to the course, but they didnt even finish their high school, so how come the mother expect them to help her in studying english. That time I was a bit mad listening to that phone conversation story. We invited the parent to come on report book day once in two month to talk about the kid, but what we met mostly babysitters or drivers, yet the mother's complaining while knowing nothing about the kids progress, tsk...
Those were just some experiences for us as teacher r, thanks to them, I learned a lot :)

About Ella

When I first taught last year, I did an observation to a class for 6-7yo kids, there were 4 students, 2 girls and 2 boys. One of the girl was Ella, the principal and the teacher there said that she was 'different', she almost never spoke anything in class. That time when I came to that class, she was even making weird acts. She kept sitting on the floor under her desk. Her room's teacher had already asked her to sit properly but it was useless, she had no response. When other students played game, she was silent persistently in her position. She didn't make messy face, she smiled, but she just didn't care about those things. Later during the observation evaluation with the principal, I was explained that students like Ella did exist. She's eager to learn but she had her own way. Well, if that's the case, I felt relief.
Some days of observation had passed. One day, I was given a chance to give Ella a make up lesson, a lesson for student that miss a class. We were sitting quietly in Bristol (name of the room) when I started my presentation about material that she missed. She was good that time. She paid attention to me. When I asked her to do the practices, she just nodded her head and did it. That lesson went well, but I just had a feeling "this is not right". A kid should talk much at her age. I asked her some question like things she like, but as expected, no response. I tried other questions but they didn't work either. I almost gave up until I saw her bag, it was tinker bell patterned. I pointed at it and said "I know that pretty fairy, it is tink", she smiled brightly and nodded her head then she mumbled something. I asked, "do you watch the cartoon? it is good", I could see that she became interested as she said "yes" directly.
I was having butterfly in my stomach, I wanted to scream, "I got youu kid!", but then I laughed realizing that I didn't even play any games with her from the start. During the practice, she needed her eraser, she didn't have it in her pencil case, "my eraser is in my x (mentioned name of another english course) bag downstairs", she explained. I was a bit confused, but I told her to stay there, then I went downstairs to the receptionist table, she said, "miss, ini tas x-nya ella miss, dia ambil les bahasa inggris dua, di sini satu sama di x satu, tadi dia dari jam 1 sampe jam 3 di x, langsung nyambung di sini". I was shocked. Ella? a 6yo kid took 2 english courses, I thought it was too much. I pitied kids these days.
After finishing workbook, I asked her about plan for the upcoming weekend (saturday is the next day after that day), she whispered telling me, "I can not go tomorrow, I have clay course from morning to afternoon", I responded spontaneously, "hey! tomorrow's saturday", she whispered quieter, "yes, but I have class, I can not go there from sunday to friday, I have other courses too". I was surprised, she was just 6yo and she looked busier than 23yo someone like me, I knew that after she mentioned many courses she took. "is that fun, your clay class?", I asked her. "yes, I already make two, I have mouse and duck, I want to bring here but can not...". She mumbled more, I was touched, not only because of her story but also because it was the first time I saw her speaking like other kid, although it was more like mumbling and whispering, I would like to scream, "I hear you", but I knew it would scare her so I decided to put my best smile and tried to give my best responses. She told me many things, "I am moving school next month", I became curious, "why? are you moving home too?", she didn't answer me, she took her book, write a school name next to another school name, then she wrote some explanation. I could hardly understood that it was like"no, mommy says my school now is not good, it is international school but still not good, my new school is better..." She continued telling things by writing things that turned out to be hard to understand by my old school mind, I did think that kids, they needed time to play too, why didn't we just let them develop in easy way. I fell in love with her that day, no matter how different she was.
After some days, I had a chance to teach her class, that time, while preparing the warmer session, I prayed to God that she would join. I hold her little hand and invite her. She stood with her friends full of doubt. I looked at her, wished that she could read my mind "you'll be okay kid!". I was fully happy when she could say the game password, "bingo!", although it was with a very low voice, I could hear her it was really satisfying.
Well, I could say that Ella was the first student that impressed me there. It could be true that there are many Ellas around, but what I think, maybe, if she could, she would like to say this (I thought of this at that time):
"I know I'm quiet student, I know I'm different than others, I know I don't talk much and sometimes I act weird, but instead of leaving me in my own world, PLEASE PUT MORE EFFORT IN ME..."
Since then I promise myself, I won't ignore any Ella, I'm going to do my best try for silent students like Ella, no matter how long it takes.

Another Letter For Little Brother

Dear my little boy...
Actually I wanted to write you last night, but I had to stay on my friends dorm so I had no chance to write. Yesterday was 23rd January 2011, ah! I didnt know whether I should wish you a happy birthday, because I still cant say that's a happy 'birth'day. It was definitely not a happy day though, hehe..
So how's there kiddo? do you play any games at your age now? I wonder how big you might be eventhough I still don't know whether people grow up there.
Well, kid, as I promised you a year ago, I could finally end my study . You know, I have a lot of ambitions, I have a lot of things I wanna do, I have a lot of things to tell you, but I know this space is just not enough for that. And I know, up there you're watching me.
I am now 22 years old. I am at the age to determine my future, to fight for my passion, and I just want you to know, after all the time spending by struggling on everything, I remember you, I love you :)
You're important person for me, because we are siblings, and siblings share heart. we might have no moment to stay together but I could feel you everywhere. You don't mean nothing to me, I want you to note that, my dear kiddo.
Some week ago, I and my friends visited an orphanage for babies and kids. I met someone named ridho. He's 7 years old, I suddenly remembered you. Forgive me for still often imagining that you were here. I sometimes smile widely imagining that I might buy you some boys stuffs, the cute stuffs I love but I've never got :D. Well, I also often imagining how big you are now. Everytime I see kiddos around, I always feel happy, They are cute, and I'm sure, so are you now..
My dear brother (I always wish someday I could have someone called by it :D), heaven must be really amazing so you went there first. Pray for me too kiddo, I want someday to meet you there, let's share a lot lot stories, I'll get you whatever you want, hm.. maybe, ice cream, yes, you'll definitely like it, no one hates ice cream. Then, let's play together to pay for the time we do not have now..
Aah, I think this is a very bad letter brother, you know, while writing this, too many thoughts are dancing in my head, I just don't know what's the best part I should write you.
Be good there my dear, because we're all doing good here. Mum, dad, mbak ian, adek, and me, we're all now living our life to the fullest.
My only one brother, it has been long time since the last time I visited you, I hope next time when I come back home, we could meet :)
At the end of this letter, I want to tell you that I'm now making people I love happy, including you, it's all about time to show you that I can be 'something'. Now, it's clear that I am trying..
Til we meet again my kiddo!


Hugs and Kisses,
Mba Wit

ps. last night, before sleeping, I couldnt stop myself to say a happybirthday to you, when I said that,
I really meant it. whatever happened 8 years ago, I was happy you were born, I am happy of you now,
and I will always be grateful to God for 'YOU', I miss you

Babies are Miracle

Hola Amigos! have you watched that superb cute video?
I was really impressed with that trailer and I'm so damn wanting to see the documenter movie but I just dont know where to get it.
well, I'm actually not a really babies' lover. I do love more than 1 year babies but I'm a little bit afraid of under 7 months babies. I'm afraid to touch them, they're like a glass .Until now, I still have no courage to hold them, they're really fragile. they even can not stand their neck on their own, it's so scary for me, I'm afraid that I will broke them T_T
My mum always taught me how to hold an under 7 month baby, but I'm still afraid. That's why I said that babies are miracle. They're fragile but they could survive growing up. Babies could not talk but they always get what they need. If my family ask me to keep their baby, I'll cry too when the baby cries, because I feel useless when I dont know what the baby wants, I mean, baby can't speak, I dont know what should I do. Baby do cry not only when they're hungry, but also in other many moments, when they feel cold, when they feel lonely, when they need some sleep, when they're thirsty, when they feel not comfortable, ah in other uncountable moments.
I can't hold a baby yet but I think to learn more, that's why I hate people who ignores their babies. If you cant keep a baby then dont decide to have a baby that easy. It's so ironic to read many news about how a baby should end the life because of the parents that pay little attention to them. Although they (babies) can not speak yet, although they just can do nothing, they have the right to have a life. people who brings them here, to this world should take responsible of them untill they can do something with their life.
well, for everyone who's raising a baby, you're doing a great job, I adore you all :)
Here's some pictures of my babies:

Fabian, My Nephew in Bogor, I want to see him soon, I guess He can call me now, "Cik Wit, Cik Wit"

Aqilla, My causin, she was born on the same date with me, but 19 years afterYoyo, My causin, I love love love him so, I hope I still can see him when I back home (well, have you heard about his story? here I wrote it Cerita Tentang Yoyo) >_< Fa'ikh, My Nephew in Jakarta, seldom see him but maybe next month I'll meet him

Alea, My Niece in Cikarang, She's so smart

After all, God who creates them is The Greatest, I love you Dear God :)
have a nice day everyone..