Image hosting by Photobucket
 
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Cultural Exchange
On February 18 and 19, the foreign students of GITS - Waseda University in Honjo participated in two different events aimed as Cultural Exchange events.

The first day, Saturday, February 18, the 24 of us were invited to Honjo Nishi Junior High School where we would give a presentation about our contries to the students and their parents. It is a big school and there were 12 classes from the first grade to the third grade.

When we arrived there, they welcomed us with a merry reception with songs, speaches, and decorations. The three of us -Mama, Hikari, and I- were assigned to give a presentation about Indonesia for a third graders. When we entered the class, the teacher, the students and their parents had been waiting for us, and the pictures of Indonesia that we sent to them earlier were displayed on the black board. To our surprise, the blackboard had Indonesian languages read SELAMAT DATANG and TERIMA KASIH BANYAK. They even greeted us in SELAMAT PAGI. Wow! They really were fully prepared!

So, there we were in front of the class. The three of us, including Hikari. While Mama was busy explaining about Indonesia and Papa was busy holding the pictures, Hikari was busy copying every word we said...

Image hosting by Photobucket

Below is the picture of Fitri, Shoda Sensei, and me. Fitri is also a JDS fellow in GITS Waseda. Shoda Sensei is Mama's Japanese Teacher. He was also a principal in Honjo Nishi Junior High a long time ago. Besides that, Shoda Sensei is also our 'mentor' in Honjo.

Image hosting by Photobucket

After we finished the presentation, the students gave us beautiful omiyage(s). Japanese origami, Honjo flowers, and Japanese caligraphy. Thank you, guys. We really enjoyed being with you.
Image hosting by Photobucket Image hosting by Photobucket

Image hosting by Photobucket

The second day, Sunday, February 19, we were invited by the Saitama International Friendship Group of of Honjo city for a lunch party. We made friends with the local people, tasted their food, and enjoyed the Koto and Samisen performance. Hikari got the chance to learn to play Japanese 'badminton' and 'yoyo'. They also explained how the Japanese celebrated their New Year. After that two of our friends from Vietnam and Thailand gave their presentation on how people in their countries celebrated new year.

Image hosting by Photobucket

Image hosting by Photobucket

Image hosting by Photobucket

Image hosting by Photobucket

Then, we got the chance to learn to play Koto.
Image hosting by Photobucket

Image hosting by Photobucket

And then Hikari wanted us to capture him while he posed. Look, Imai-san, behind Hikari watched Hikari with amazement. Imai-san took Hikari everywhere, including picking up Hikari's favorite food: shrimp.

Image hosting by Photobucket Image hosting by Photobucket

Thank you so much, Honjo-jin. We really had a great time! And we looovveee the caligraphy! (It is as tall as our cupboard!)

See you again, next time
posted by Me-Reza @ 6:55 PM   0 comments
Image hosting by Photobucket
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
White Honjo. Finally.




posted by Me-Reza @ 8:15 PM   0 comments
Image hosting by Photobucket
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Honjo-Waseda Dormitory, 3:30 PM
Image hosting by Photobucket

Image hosting by Photobucket Image hosting by Photobucket
The left and right sides of the building
posted by Me-Reza @ 7:12 PM   0 comments
Image hosting by Photobucket
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Papap, GAMBATTE NE!

Things Work Out
By Edgar A. Guest
Because it rains when we wish it wouldn't,
Because men do what they often shouldn't,
Because crops fail, and plans go wrong-
Some of us grumble all day long.
But somehow, in spite of the care and doubt,
It seems at last that things work out.

Because we lose where we hoped to gain,
Because we suffer a little pain,
Because we must work when we'd like to play-
Some of us whimper along life's way.
But somehow, as day always follows the night,
Most of our troubles work out all right.

Because we cannot forever smile,
Because we must trudge in the dust awhile,
Because we think that the way is long-
Some of us whimper that life's all wrong.
But somehow we live and our sky grows bright,
And everything seems to work out all right.

So bend to your trouble and meet your care,
For the clouds must break, and the sky grow fair.
Let the rain come down, as it must and will,
But keep on working and hoping still.
For in spite of the grumblers who stand about,
Somehow, it seems, all things work out.

with love, from M and H.


picture: getty images

posted by Mariskova @ 3:08 PM   0 comments
Image hosting by Photobucket
The Doer

Image hosted by Photobucket.com


REZA? SAYA!
Eja? Anca? Reza? Ring any bells? Yup! That's me!

A Brief Overview
  • A master student of the Graduate School of Global Information and Telecommunication Studies at Waseda University, Japan.
  • A fellow of the 2004 Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Program.
  • An employee of one of state-owned Indonesian banks.
Check These Also!
Archives
You Say What?
My Album


Image hosted by Photobucket.com


Must-See
Stopping By
On The News

Thanks for Visiting!

Free Guestmap from Bravenet.com Free Guestmap from Bravenet.com

Gratitude
15n41n1 MyShoutbox.com - Free Shoutbox!
 
Image hosting by Photobucket