Saya Lupa and Site Visit

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Blog two-Nganjuk

This Friday we were told where our permanent sites will be! I was placed in Nganjuk, an hour drive from Kediri, where I am living now. During this visit I met my new host family, the school I will be working at, the teachers I’ll be working with, and the students I will be teaching. I will be at an Islamic Middle School. We are still in training as of now, but we swear in December 10th and that’s when we move to our permanent sites. There are two other volunteers in Njanjuk, one volunteer who started last year, and one who is starting with me. There are also volunteers in Kediri which is a short bus ride away!

Host Family

I feel really lucky because both of my host families are amazing. Since I was placed close to Kediri, I will be able to visit my current host family pretty much whenever I want. My new host family has a ten year old son, and he’s adorable, sweet, and shy. He didn’t talk to me much but I’m hoping when I move back in December I can win him over by bringing candy and games and other things kids like. My host dad and host mom (Bepak for dad and Ibu for mom) are both teachers, and they used to teach at the school where I will be teaching. My Bepak’s younger brother teaches at the same school, so that will be helpful. I am so happy to be living with my family, but there are some funny cultural differences. For example, I told my host family I wanted to walk to the store, and they were really concerned even though it is less than a mile away. We went back and forth for a good 10 minutes and I really thought I had convinced them of my street walking competency (they don’t even know I was hit by a car). So I walked to the store, and as I’m checking out I feel a tap on the shoulder. I turn around to see my entire host family standing behind me, smiling and waving. Hilarious and, for a few seconds, very confusing. They decided to follow me and then give me a ride home. Most Americans live by themselves after 18, and I think even as teenagers we are given a lot of personal freedom compared to families here. It’s something I’m still adjusting to, but having people who cares so much about me and my whereabouts isn’t actually so bad, especially in a new place where I don’t speak the language. Their house is beautiful, and less than a five minute walk away from my school! I can’t wait to spend more time with them over the next two years!

School Visit

The school I’m teaching at has about 700 students, which is a lot, but still smaller than most of the schools other volunteers teach at. Every Monday the school has a flag ceremony, and my principal asked me to speak at ours. Anyone who knows me knows I’m great with public speaking and a microphone. One of the perks of being such an extravert. And did I mention I am now 100% fluent in Bahasa Indonesia? So no problems there either. I was actually given a translator, but some of my fellow PCV’s were not so lucky. The school visit itself was so exciting and fun. I observed some English classes, visited the English club, and went to a martial arts training! During the classes the students practiced introducing themselves in English. When I told them I was from Texas, a few students asked about cowboys (pronounced coo-boys). When the teacher asked how it was pronounced, I said cowboys, and before I knew it I was saying “COW-BOYS” and the students were repeating it back in unison. Things got really Texas really fast. Technically my first English lesson was how to say cowboy. One student asked “What is the proper use for the auxiliary verb a-i-n-apostrophe-t.” A girl after my own heart. I did my best to explain it was southern slang, and not something that can be used on the state English test. These kids are so smart, and so curious about how to use conversational English. Also, in their introductions, the students included their hobbies, and the poor souls who said they enjoyed singing were then forced to sing whatever western song they knew in front of me and the whole class. They are fantastic singers and much braver than I, so kudos to them. One of the teachers who I will be helping with the English club said “Is it common for people to say “I’m okay” instead of no? If I have learned anything from you these last two days its that you say “I’m okay” when you don’t want something.” Very observant, and accurate. Later in the teachers lounge he offered me a brownie, and I said “I’m okay.” Then I heard him speaking in Bahasa Indonesia to the other teachers. It went like this: “things I couldn’t understand-“I’m Okay”-more things I couldn’t understand” followed by a loud “OHHHHH” from all of the other teachers. So funny. I can see how that would be confusing, and I should probably try to stick to no thank you or “tidak, terima kasih.” The teachers and staff at the school were so welcoming and accommodating, and didn’t let me go one hour without eating something delicious. I mentioned that I liked rambutans to the kids, and the next day they brought me a huge bag of them. I can not emphasize how excited I am to start teaching and working with the English club. The students at the English club showed me their dances, their singing, and their martial arts moves. The teacher likes to incorporate their hobbies so the kids still want to come and learn. So awesome. They also have a great motto, “I am strong, I am smart, and I will be successful.” I can’t wait for December and all of the new amazing things I will be a part of!

One last note, it just wouldn’t be my experience if I didn’t constantly forget crucial things. I left my laptop wrapped in my rain jacket on the counter of my friends apartment in San Antonio, and on my first site visit I forgot my medical kit and mosquito net. Luckily I was placed in an area where that wasn’t an issue, and I was not injured on my short trip. A crucial phrase I have remembered, despite my natural instinct to forget all things important, is “saya lupa…” which means “I forgot..." Language is so fun!

Just 5 more weeks of training, halfway through! And then I can start co-teaching. Thanks for reading!