Mongolian Grille with Friends on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day after going to the cemetery to remember my father, I joined some of my friends for lunch at Mongolian Grille. It was a belated lunch to celebrate TIngting graduating from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. It may also have been the last opportunity for me to have lunch with the group since Tingting will move to Buffalo New York for her MBA program. Summer travels will happen too as my friends return to China at different times this summer to visit family.
Next fall our group will be minus Tingting who has been a spark among us. However I look forward to having my friends Alex, Huiyuan, Johnny, Kevin and Nancy around. It is great to be a small part of their lives while they are here working on their degrees. Mongolian Grille has become a spot for us to enjoy some food together while we celebrate for various reasons such as the beginning of a new semester, the end of a semester, birthdays etc., so it was fitting to go there yesterday.
They had a lively conversation in Chinese, so for a while I sat back and enjoyed listening to them speak in a language I don’t know. While they did so, I also took some fun pictures.
One picture that captured the reason for the lunch and reminds me of why my work is so rewarding is one I took of Tingting. In the group she was the first one I met that night in the Lincoln Airport in January 2009. She has come a long way since then and thrived at UNL. I am confident she will continue to thrive everywhere she goes.
Tingting
Memorial Day- An American Holiday with meaning for the World
I began this Memorial Day by visiting the grave of my father who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. I placed a simple flower there because he was a man who did not like to spend much and was not much for anything too fancy. Someone else had left some nice flowers and a flag was next to his marker. It is windy today and I was concerned about the flag getting in the way of the picture, but I did not want to move the flag. Then the flag stopped moving and stayed still next to the marker so I could get a picture without moving the flag. It was a quiet moment to remember my father.
I looked around at the other grave markers in the veterans section and saw the military markers that had the wars they served in and saw World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. I thought about how Memorial Day is an American Holiday, but it has meaning for the whole world. Think about what the world would look like if Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Italy had won in Europe and the Emperor of Japan had won in Asia. Thousands of Americans gave their lives fighting for freedom in World War II. After World War II, America helped Western Europe and Japan rebuild. Thousands of Americans died in Korea and when I compare South Korea with North Korea it is obvious which one is better off.
I have traveled in Europe 8 times and have seen what life was like in countries newly out of communism when I went to Romania in June 1997 and my other trips there. I have seen the contrast in Western European Countries. I have met people from all over the world here in Lincoln who have come here as refugees and seen how much freedom means to them.
Today I wish to thank all who are serving and have served for the cause of freedom. I also wish to remember those who died fighting for the cause of freedom. I know my life and the lives of many I have met are much better because of their service.
Winding Down a Year of Family Literacy- Refugee Class Celebration
In December 2010 I began to teach a Family Literacy Class in the mornings at Clinton Elementary for refugees. Some of them I met for the first time in December and some I had met before in other contexts. This morning we had our celebration with their children sitting front row to watch. I shared with the children that their parents were very busy when they first came here. Like all refugees their parents were busy figuring out how to live in a new culture while also making sure their children were okay. I shared with the kids about the reason their parents are now taking class which is because they love their kids and want to be able to help them. In some ways only their kids understand much better about their parents struggles and some ways the kids are insulated from all of the difficulties.
It was with a sense of pride in my students that I emceed the celebration this morning. I know many of their struggles. Some are frightened of thunder because it reminds them of the sounds of war. Some have health struggles such as one father who was robbed and beaten in his home country and now suffers short term memory problems or the mother who has difficulty sleeping due to stress. They all miss their families back home and worry about them. They have all struggled with understanding their new culture which in many ways vastly differs from theirs. These are struggles they do not show to people, but for some reason they trust me with them. These are the struggles they carry with them in their spirits while at the same time trying to make a future for their children.
That is why it was such an honor to have our celebration this morning. I am proud of them for how they are striving to make the lives of their children better and striving to learn English and understand our culture. They learned this year and will continue to learn next year. They may be overlooked or passed by out in the community, but not by me. They have my full attention and my respect. It was an eventful 6 months and I look forward to what is yet to come in our class.
Winding Down a Productive Year of Family Literacy- Many High Points
Last Thursday we had a celebration time for my Family Literacy Class at Arnold School. In Family Literacy we help parents to improve their English skills which in turn helps their children to improve in school. Classes are held in the same building where their children attend school which allows for better interaction between the parent and the school. My class began at Arnold in November 2009 and we have seen the students improve their English language skills considerably which made the celebration all the more meaningful.
My friends Marco, Oscar and Mohammed
I saw my friends Marco, Mohammed and Oscar at the celebration. Marco and Mohammed are liaisons for the schools and Oscar is with the District Office and works with the Liaisons. Oscar commented on how much progress he has seen the women make. Mohammed noted how the women have been able to bond in class even though they are from very diverse cultures. The women have developed friendships with each other. They have also made noteworthy progress.
Some of the women have begun to provide leadership for their cultures at the school. Two of them approached the new principal for next year to talk with him about the needs of families from other language groups. Some of the women now attend school and community meetings. Some of them attended a large community meeting with the Superintendent of LPS and participated.
I am proud of them for connecting with the school and community. I am even more proud of them for the effort they have put into learning. Their test scores show how hard they have worked. Perhaps the best illustration of the progress made are the numerous conversations they have now with school staff. Once a group of shy students who felt they did not fit in or belong, they are now a group that has more confidence and interacts frequently with others in English. That is why at the celebration I challenged them to continue their pursuit of learning. I look forward to seeing how much more progress they make.
Luol Deng- the reason I am cheering for the Chicago Bulls
The NBA playoffs are well under way and my two favorite teams are out already. I grew up watching the Celtics with my father, but they traded away their shot when they sent Perkins to Oklahoma City which is still in the playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs I began to appreciate because of David Robinson. I appreciated his character. I never liked the Bulls, but after reading about Luol Deng, I am cheering for them.
I read recently about what Deng did with his time last summer while all of the media circus about LeBron James was going on. It is quite a contrast. James wanted and craved the media attention. He had a one hour special to make his announcement. During that time Deng was in Kenya at the Kakuma refugee camp. Deng is from the Dinka tribe of Sudan and many Sudanese fled to the Kakuma camp to escape the government troops that were trying to kill them off. Deng fled with his family to Egypt and eventually made it to England and then came to America for high school. Now a multimillionaire Deng has not forgotten where he came from and went to spend time in the camp. He has been actively involved with helping refugees.
This year the NBA playoffs and championship will not be about a team I like or a team I hate. It is about watching and hoping that a man whose family fled atrocities in Sudan can win a championship. It would be great to see a man like Deng win and hopefully in the process put the spotlight on a serious problem which is the plight of refugees.
Sunday at Engine House Cafe with my Friends Mindy and Yoshio
KLIN Radio in Lincoln had a contest in March called Munch Madness which was a contest between restaurants in Lincoln. Listeners could log in and vote for their favorite restaurant. I kept hearing about a restaurant called the Engine House Cafe which is a place I had never gone to before today. After church Mindy and Yoshio wanted to go out to eat. Mindy suggested we eat at the Engine House Cafe and we agreed to try it.
Mindy and I in front of the Engine House Cafe
The Engine House is on Havelock Avenue in Lincoln. It was once a fire station which is why it is called the Engine House. It looked fun on the inside with Firefighter gear on the wall. The servers wore T-Shirts that said “Lincoln Hunger Rescue” on the back. I used that as a topic to teach some English as we ate. We also talked about how Havelock used to be a small town until Lincoln annexed it years ago.
me with Mindy and Yoshio
Our server was very friendly. I introduced her to Mindy and Yoshio as her customers from Vietnam and Japan. The food was good and kind of a throw back to the old days of breakfast at a small town cafe. Mindy and Yoshio enjoyed learning about the history behind the Engine House. The reason I had not been there before is due to living in South Lincoln close to Highway 2, so the Engine House is far from where I live, but as we ate I realized that I drive by it all of the time when I drive to teach in Airpark. I think I will be stopping there from time to time for my lunch.
It was a nice way to cap off the morning. We had a good class today and a bit of a surprise. Tingting had told me she was going to Colorado with our friends from China. I did not expect them today and then lo and behold in walked Tingting, Johnny, Alex and Huiyuan this morning. It was good to see them as well as Mindy, Yoshio, Phung and Quang. Next Sunday we will have a graduation party for Tingting. It was another wonderful Sunday with my international friends.
Saturday English Class- Met Thao My New Friend from Vietnam
This morning in my conversation group we read a story about a woman who went through some difficult times and did not give up, but instead she graduated from college and made a new and better life for her and her children. In one way or another my international friends share somethings in common with the woman we read about. They come here hoping for a better life, but face challenges as they move forward to their future. I enjoy meeting people shortly after they arrive here in Lincoln and being a part of their work to build a new life.
This morning I had the privilege of meeting a new friend from Vietnam. Thao came here only 5 months ago. She is a nice young woman who came here with her parents and younger brother. We had an opportunity to talk and get to know each other a little. We talked about a plan for studying together in June and on Saturday mornings.. I am looking forward to meeting with her.
my new friend Thao
Thao came with Dat and we sat and talked for a while after the others left this morning. Dat is reaching out to students who are new in school from Vietnam. We looked at pictures of my other friends from Vietnam and some of the activities we have done. Thao and Dat especially liked some pictures of two of their friends wearing my coat and one picture of the two wearing my coat at the same time. Speaking of pictures I took some today with my new camera. Their pictures we the first ones I took with my new camera. My other friends would not let me take their pictures this morning.
my friend Dat
Next Saturday we will begin lessons for Thao and she will have some fun homework. Today was a time to meet and chat. I would like to say cam on, thank you, to Dat for bringing Thao today and cam on to Thao for coming to meet me today.
Mother’s Day Picnic with my Hispanic and Hearing Impaired Friends
On Mother’s Day I had an opportunity to share a picnic with my friends from Ministerial Manantial de Vida and Spring of Life Deaf churches. Ministerial is a Hispanic church I attend on Sunday afternoons. Spring of Life Deaf church meets at the same time in the same church. The pastors of the two churches are related to each other. It was an unexpected blessing to share a picnic with them. Pastor Rogelio explained to the congregation why Mother’s Day is on the 2nd Sunday of May in the U.S. which contrasts with México which has Mother’s Day on May 10th every year. During the service members had the opportunity to share about their mothers and at the end Pastor Rogelio prayed for the mothers in the church. We then went to Peter Pan Park for a picnic.
My friend Chayo
It was fitting that Chayo was at the picnic. She is Pastor Rogelio’s wife and in fact they co-pastor together. Her son is the pastor of Spring of Life Deaf church. Chayo is like a mother to many of the people in the church. I appreciate her sense of humor. I was telling someone a story from my life in español and Chayo told me it would be faster if she translated. We both had a good laugh. It was great that she could have a blessed Mother’s Day.
my friend Celia
It was also great to see Celia enjoy the picnic. She is a sweet retired woman who makes everyone feel welcome when they come to church. She greets everyone and prays for many of us. I look forward to seeing her when I go to Manantial on Sundays.
Pastor Rogelio with his daughter Jezharela
The food was delicious. We had barbecued meat, guacamole, salsa and rice along with tortillas. Just writing abut it makes me hungry again. If I could eat like that each day, I would be quite happy. Pastor Rogelio tells me if I keep eating their delicious food my español will be perfect. That is a study plan I like lol.
Pastor Jonathan with members of Spring of Life Deaf church
I enjoyed trying to throw an American football with members of Spring of Life church. My throwing arm is not what it used to be but we had fun for a little while.
Each week it is wonderful to see the two churches and how they relate with each other. I have learned a few words in sign language. I have learned much more español. Best of all I have made some friendships with people I respect and admire. The occasional meals are a nice extra 
Celebrations with my International Friends- Tingting’s University Graduation
Tingting entering for her graduation ceremony
This morning I had the opportunity to share in a celebration with my friend Tingting and her friends. Tingting graduated from the University of Nebraska this morning with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration. It is an impressive accomplishment not only because she studied in her second language, English, but also how she did it. She accelerated her graduation by taking 27 credit hours one semester while excelling in all of her courses.
Tingting with her Diploma
It seems like only yesterday that I first met Tingting in the Lincoln airport after she got off the plane when she first arrived here. It has been a wonderful two and half years of friendship with her. We have shared a lot of fun times with our friends whether at Mongolian Grille, picnics, trips to places like the Omaha Zoo, or in my Sunday class. There were times she came to my Sunday class barely able to keep her eyes open because of a long week of classes and studies. She is very dedicated in her studies and I am certain she will be highly successful in her pursuit of a Master’s degree and throughout life. I am so proud of her.
me with Tingting
There are people who come into to our lives and we have a special connection right away. Tingting has been one of those people in my life. I have learned more about China and Chinese culture from her. I have met many new friends from China through her. That night in the airport when I first met here, I knew we would have a special friendship. She calls me Matt Dad. Today I felt like a proud father when I saw here get her diploma. I am sure her parents are proud of her. They could not be here for the ceremony, so I am glad I could be there with her. She has been a bright cheerful person in my life. I will always remember how Tingting and some of our Chinese friends we there for me when my father died. There are many reasons I could list of why she is a special person. I am sure her boyfriend will attest to that When I saw here outside after the ceremony, I gave her a big fatherly hug and told her how proud I am of her.
She will move to Buffalo New York later this summer to work on her MBA. After that perhaps a PHD. I hope to road trip to New York to see her graduate from her MBA program. One thing I am convinced of is that she will be a huge success where ever she goes and whatever she does. Congratulations Tingting!!!
Because I Want to Learn- The Comment Any Teacher Likes to Hear
Last night I taught my Level 5 English Second Language Class. While I was asking my students about their weekend, one student said something that got my attention. Many of the students talked about various weekend activities mostly having to do with fun or time with family and a few told me that they had to work, but one shared something that really got my attention. She said, “I studied because I want to learn more.”
As a teacher there are comments and attitudes that will get my attention. Comments such as I want to learn more, I want to understand better, how can I do this better, or how can I improve my work. When students say things along these lines, it causes me to take notice of them and their desire to learn and succeed as a student.
In the español classes I have taken that has been my attitude. My desire is to continue to learn more español and to also learn other languages. Learning is a lifelong adventure we can enjoy. I do not want to become lazy as I get older. When students show similar attitudes and not just trying to get the grade and credit, it will catch the attention of any teacher.
I was proud of my student last night and when she said she wanted to learn, I paused and asked her to repeat it because I wanted the class to hear it. She may or my not get the highest grade in the class, but she will be one of the students who years from now will still be improving her English and striving to improve her life.
About
I teach English Second Language and have a ministry for internationals at my home church First Evangelical Free church in Lincoln Nebraska. I have had the pleasure of traveling in Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania and Switzerland. My hobby is to learn words and phrases from other languages. I have learned how to greet people in 30 languages.
My blog is about my experiences with international friends, my travels, and people I meet along the way. My international friends’ stories are fascinating to me. Experiencing other cultures makes life rich for me.
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