My Geek’s Birthday- Happy Birthday Isis :)
Yesterday I went to a birthday lunch for my friend Isis from Brazil. It was awesome to be able to go and say Parabens or Happy Birthday to her. We joke with each other about who is the bigger geek. I think Isis is because she is working on her PHD in Computer Science. She tells me I a bigger geek because I have my blogs, facebook, orkut etc. It seemed like a fitting gift to give her, so I gave her a gift card to Best Buy. She may claim I am a bigger geek, but I saw her Master’s Thesis and while I could understand the English, the computer stuff was way over my head, so I must bow to my geek Isis 
My Friend Isis
It is always fun to be around Isis and her husband Eduardo especially for a birthday party or holiday such as Christmas Eve dinner with them. It was good to see my friends Jochen and Julia again as well.
Eduardo and Isis
The cake was fitting and speaks for itself- a Geek’s cake Notice the computer code on the side of the cake.
All kidding aside I am very proud of my friend Isis and am thrilled she is my friend. If I could order daughters, one of them would be just like Isis. She is a special young woman and I am glad that God blessed me with a wonderful friend like Isis. However, I must say that she is a bigger geek than me lol.
Parabens Isis- Happy Birthday. I hope this year is even better than last year for you
Different Reactions to Seeing Snow for the First Time
We had a little snow here in Lincoln on Sunday and Monday. It was not the biggest snow I have ever experienced, but it was enough to close school for a few days for the children. It was interesting to find out the different reactions my students had to seeing snow for the first time in their lives.
my van before I cleaned it off
On Tuesday evenings I teach an ESL class which is for High Intermediate students. In the class I have a young woman from Vietnam who came here two months ago. I asked her what she thought of the snow and she told me she liked to look at it out the window but that it was too cold. I had a young man from Sudan ask me why we had class when it was so cold. I replied because the streets are clear now and we can wear coats. He was not convinced it was a good idea.
On Wednesday mornings I teach a Family Literacy class for parents with children in elementary school. I have a student from Iraq who when she was relocated as a refugee was brought to Arizona. She saw snow for the first time and when I asked her what she thought she said she likes Arizona weather better, but likes the safety of Lincoln.
On Wednesday evenings I teach a low intermediate class. I have a student from Thailand who said “I stayed inside it is too cold”. That is a normal reaction for many internationals who come from warm climates. One young woman from Brazil loved the snow. In fact she played in the snow by making snow angels and her husband made a video of her making snow angels. Another young woman from Brazil went outside to take pictures of the snow. They were both happy to hear we may have more this weekend. Two young women from Ukraine said it reminded them of home and they loved the snow.
There are numerous things that internationals whether refugees, immigrants or international students, need to adjust to when they come to America. Snow is one of the humorous aspects of their new lives, but there are also issues they do not understand such as dressing children warm to prevent frostbite or dressing in layers to stay warm. I am glad I can share the humorous aspects with them, but even more pleased that I am able to help them in their adjustment to America in small ways.
A Truly International Christmas Eve for me
Christmas Eve was an awesome experience for me this year. I enjoyed sleeping in a bit late and yes went out to do a little shopping. After surviving the shopping, I picked up my friend Daniel from China to take him to Christmas Eve service with me. Phung from Vietnam met us at church and we celebrated Christ’s birth together.
me with Phung and Daniel at church
After the Christmas Eve service I took Daniel back to his dorm and dropped off a small gift for one of my wonderful students Linh. I then went to Phung’s house to wish her family and our mutual friends a Merry Christmas. I came loaded with Christmas Cards and Candy Canes. I gave the adults and young people I knew a card and gave a candy cane to everyone. Phung’s mother and uncle bought a house and they were having a Karaoke party. They asked me to sing, so I sang O Come All Ye Faithful and scored an 89 which they told me is good. I was happy to give Phung’s grandmother a candy cane and a hug. She is a sweet woman who loves to cook for her family.
me with Chi- Phung's mother
After spending time with a house full of my friends from Vietnam, I went to have dinner with Isis an Eduardo from Brazil. I always enjoy my times with Isis and Eduardo. I have learned a lot from them about Brazil and appreciate their perspective on many things. Of course I need to write that I am proud of Isis and that I call her my genius . They have a 4 month old puppy, Susie, that they spoil. I think Susie is the boss of the apartment.
Isis and Eduardo
Isis and Eduardo's daughter Susie
I am proud of both of them actually. They have both accomplished a lot. We had some delicious Brazilian food for dinner and sat around the table and talked until 11pm. Eduardo was impressed by some Christmas cookies I baked, I mean bought lol.
It was a very meaningful Christmas Eve for me personally because I was able to be with friends from Brazil, China and Vietnam. It makes me think of what the Angels said when they announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The first Angel said “I bring you good news of great joy for all of the people”. Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Jesus who loves all people. In the spirit of such news I would like to say Merry Christmas, Chuc Mung Giang Sinh, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Natal, Craciun Ferecit and Joyeux Noel.
Thanksgiving Week- I am thankful for my Sundays with my International Friends
Each Sunday morning I have the opportunity to spend time with some people who I love and respect. They are my international friends who come to my Sunday morning class at my church. I am proud of each of them and their hard work to learn English and make new lives for themselves. Some are students at the University, some came as refugees, and some are working. Today was another fine example of why I am proud of them. At our church we have been participating in something called Operation Christmas Child. Some of my friends also participated.
Daniel, Phung and Shawn
Daniel, Phung and Shawn took time out of their busy day to help me load all 256 boxes that people donated at our church and then helped me take them to the drop off location at Cavalry Community Church. Phung also went shopping and gave a box. She is busy with classes at the University.
me with Isis
Isis took time out of her busy schedule to fill two boxes and brought them this morning. She is busy with her Phd studies, so I was impressed that she was able to do so.
Shawn and Lien
Lien also took time out of her hectic schedule to make a shoebox gift. She works full-time and is a student as well.
My Sunday class has had a lot of fun too. We have had parties, celebrated birthdays, gone on special trips, and had numerous lunches together. My Sunday and Saturday classes are a blessing to be a part of and I look forward to them each week. I respect all of my international friends who come to my weekend classes. My life is so much more interesting because of them.
Parabens Thiago- Happy Birthday Thiago
This evening I went to a birthday party at Red Robin Restaurant for my friend Thiago from Brazil. It was great to see him and Gabriella again. They are expecting their first child in March next year. They had friends from Nepal and one friend from Poland as well as their Brazilian and American friends.
me with Thiago and Gabriella
the birthday boy
It was fun to mingle with the people at the party. I had a chance to chat a little with some people from Nepal. I also enjoyed talking with their friend from Poland.
I also enjoyed seeing some of my Brazilian friends I have not seen for a while. I tried an experiment of speaking a little Spanish to a few of them and they knew what I was saying which was fun. We sang Happy Birthday in Portuguese as well as English. I saw Karla who I first met at a welcome dinner in January 2008 which was also the first time she had ever seen snow. Marlena and her husband and son were there. I got a laugh when Marlena told Thiago that her son was Thiago’s future son-in-law and the look on Thiago’s face.
Thiago and Gabriella’s friend Linda and Brent came. I also saw Isis who just flew back in at noon from a conference.
So Parabens Thiago. I am looking forward to your daughter’s arrival. Oh and the cheesecake was delicious. Thanks to Danielle for telling me I could have some. lol
Sunday Fun with my International Friends- Welcome Back Isis our World Traveler
Yesterday we had a very pleasant surprise in our Sunday class. Isis returned from her travels to Brazil and South Korea. It was great to see her again. She left in Late August to go to Brazil for a wedding and then went to South Korea to present a paper in a conference there. Then she went to Brazil before returning to Lincoln. She is truly a world traveler.
Isis in class
I look forward to hearing about her trip and seeing her pictures. She had a chance to see our friends Lee and Jin while she was in Korea, so I also look forward to hearing about them as well. It was great to see Phung and Yang in class as well. We also had our friend Daniel in class. He is always fun to be around.
We talked about what the message about Jesus is and its meaning to us and had a good discussion. Afterward I went to meet with some friends from Vietnam to help them practice conversational English. It was a good day. The highlight for me was seeing Isis again. I had not seen her since she left on her trip.
Sharing Life with my International Friends- Congratulations Isis my friend from Brazil got her Master’s Degree
This past week has been a blessing. I was able to share in a Wedding last weekend. I went to UNL with my friend Phung for New Student Enrollment. She will begin work on her Bachelor’s Degree as a freshman. Yesterday I had the blessing of watching my friend Isis from Brazil graduate with her Master’s Degree in Computer Science. It was wonderful that I could sit with my friend Eduardo, Isis’s husband, to watch the ceremony. Eduardo has been a wonderful husband and has been very supportive while Isis worked on her Master’s. That is a quote from Isis.
me with Isis
Eduardo, Isis's husband, Isis and me
I first met Isis when she was studying to prepare for her TOEFL test. We met for a few months to study together. She has been coming to my Sunday morning class as well. She has shown a lot of dedication in her studies and has excelled in her Master’s program. In fact she will present at a conference in South Korea in a few months. She has been published. She has accomplished a lot. I am SO PROUD of her!!!
I also had the opportunity to meet her family. Her mother, grandmother and sister came here from Brazil for the graduation ceremony. Two of her friends came as well. It was nice to meet the people Isis talks about so much. When we have a big thunderstorm, Isis calls her mom. One time I told Isis to not worry unless I call and tell her to go somewhere safe. Isis called her mom during a thunderstorm and her mom asked, “did your teacher call you?” Isis is very close with her family. It was awesome that they could be here for her big day.
with her mom
left to right- grandmother, Isis, mom and sister
As a teacher and friend it is thrill for me to watch as someone realizes their goal and celebrates the moment with family and friends. It is a challenge to achieve a Master’s Degree. It is even more of a challenge when one does it in their second language. Well done Isis!!!! I am proud of you. Now I can only say watch out Bill Gates and Steve Jobs because Isis is coming
The Excitement of Starting a New School Session
This evening my tuition level classes will start. I always look forward to the start of a new quarter. Each quarter I look at the names on my roster and see the diversity of countries and cultures they represent. It causes me to wonder what I will learn from them, who I will meet and what paths they have been on in their lives to reach the point they are at now.
This afternoon was a great reminder for me of what the possibilities are that potentially could happen. I met with my friend Isis from Brazil to go over her Master’s thesis with her. I first met her when she was in my Level 5 class. She studied diligently to pass the TOEFL test, so she could be accepted into her Master’s program in Computer Science. She is almost finished now. This week she is taking care of the final touches on her thesis. Her husband Eduardo is also a friend of mine. I met him after I met Isis. He also completed a Master’s degree from UNL. The past few years I have enjoyed their friendship.
Isis is one example of many international friendships I have developed over the years. Those friendships are a big reason why I look forward to the start of a new quarter. There are other reasons such as knowing that I am a part of their progress to their goals, learning about their cultures, and new adventures. The friendships to quote the Mastercard commercial are priceless.
Empowering Others- Isis from Brazil
Sometimes when I think about Isis, the Energizer Bunny from the TV commercial comes to mind. The Energizer Bunny that keeps going and going. Isis is a young woman who is full of energy and who keeps going and going. She has a lot on her plate right now with finishing her Master’s in Computer Science. She will also present a paper at a conference in South Korea in September. Isis is also married. All of that is enough for anyone, but Isis also finds ways to empower others in her “spare” time.
Isis with Kathy in my Sunday class
My home church, First Evangelical Free Church Lincoln, will send a team to Brazil tomorrow. They will do various activities one of which will be teaching English. Isis met with Kathy to translate some materials. Isis also met with Kathy and some from the group to help them prepare.
She also took in a young relative for a semester who came here to study to improve her English. Isis played “mom” for six months for Marcela.
Isis with Marcela and Yoshio in my Sunday class
It is one thing to help people that you already know. It is another thing to step out of your comfort zone and help a stranger by volunteering your time for someone you have not met yet. Isis is doing that as well. She is volunteering her time to help a family from Iraq, who came here as refugees, to improve their computer skills. She goes to their home and helps both the husband and wife with their computer skills. Small World time- she ended up being connected with a former student of mine from Southeast Community College. I know the husband and wife, so as soon as she told me who it was, I was thrilled to hear about it. One of my Sunday friends helping a former student of mine.
Isis is a good example to follow. Quietly in her own way empowering others. She might feel a bit embarrassed that I wrote this today, but I had to write about her because I am so proud of her. She also makes great cupcakes .
Sunday Fun with My International Friends- My Birthday in Class
It has been a good birthday week for me this past week. On Wednesday my young friends from China took me out for dinner at Mongolian Grill. This morning at church before my class began my friends Khuong, Phung and Tram came to give me a homemade birthday car. They could not stay but wanted to give me the card and wish me happy birthday. I went to the classroom and saw a tray of chocolate cupcakes that my friend Isis from Brazil had made for me.
my birthday cupcakes
It was great that Isis put Futballs- for my American friends Soccer Balls- on top of the cupcakes since it is World Cup time. I appreciated the cupcakes because I know it took time for her to make them and of course they were delicious. Instead of flowers there was something more meaningful which was a Star Wars Balloon.
What is always most meaningful to me is to see my friends and spend time with them. I was pleased to see my young friends from China on Wednesday. I was pleased to see Khuong, Phung and Tram briefly this morning. I was glad to see Isis this morning and also Yoshio from Japan and Mao and Sihan from China. I also saw my American friends Mike and Carol, and Kathy. They made a great choir as they sang happy birthday.
Yoshio, Mao, Sihan and Isis
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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