Babylon Restaurant with my friend George from China
After my morning ESL reading group at my church today, I enjoyed lunch at Babylon Restaurant with my new friend from China. George has been in Lincoln for a few months to study English in the Intensive English Program at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Last week we had some Mexican food and while we were eating, George told me that he wished he could travel around the world and try the foods in each place. I enjoy trying foods from other cultures as well, so I told George we would eat some food from the Middle East.
Babylon Restaurant is in a strip mall on S. 48th street close to 48th and Highway 2 in Lincoln. Our waiter was Ali and I must say the service was excellent. When you first come to Babylon Restaurant it does not look like much on the outside due to it being in a strip mall, but when you go inside you and see the decor, you get a glimpse of Middle Eastern Culture. I particularly appreciated an mural on the wall that had a scene of a prayer tower contrasted with a moon smiley face.
Good service is essential for a restaurant and decor is a nice extra, but when dining out it is all about the food. I found the food to be delicious and authentic at Babylon. It is definitely a place I will go back to and is a place I highly recommend.
George had the Kofta Kebab which is made from ground beef. I love Kofta Kebab myself as well. It was served with rice and choice of soup. The only negative comment I heard from George was that he was full and it was too much, but it was too much of a good thing 
I had the chicken kebab which is my favorite kebab. It was cooked just right and was tender and juicy the way chicken should be.
We started it off with some hummus and bread. I love hummus!! Fortunately for me hummus is healthy it is made of beans pureed with olive oil and garlic. Other ingredients can be added as well.
I loved the food, and the service was excellent. I will certainly visit Babylon again!!
Humor in Teaching- Being a Bad Artist Led to Learning
One of my first students was a man from Iraq who was shy about speaking English. Mohammed and I met on Friday afternoons to study for about one year in 2000 to 2001. During our first meetings he spoke very little and it was apparent to me that he was shy about making mistakes. During one lesson I was trying to explain some animal words for him because he was going to take his family to the zoo. I drew a picture of an elephant and one of a giraffe much to his enjoyment. He smiled but didn’t say anything.
The following weeks his favorite question for me was, “Can you make a picture?” My terrible drawings were humorous for him and I quickly realized that if I would incorporate a few into each lesson he would smile, laugh and feel relaxed about learning English with me.
Mohammed and I laughed a lot during our lesson times. He invited me to come to his house for dinner. It was the first of many times that I enjoyed a delicious meal with Mohammed and Zenaib and their children. Zenaib also found our times amusing when I would try to speak some Arabic words. Sometimes she would laugh and drop what she had in her hands when I would try to say an Arabic word Mohammed taught me. One time Mohammed taught me how to say- “I am so hungry I could die” and Zenaib nearly fell to the floor laughing. My favorite memory of our times was when Mohammed taught me how to say Happy Birthday in Arabic, so I could tell Zenaib Happy Birthday. She laughed but also smiled broadly because their American friend learned Happy Birthday in Arabic.
Mohammed transformed from being shy to speak in public and relying on his wife to speak all of the time with employees of the places they went to like HyVee food store. Zenaib commented about it to me. She told me that Mohammed used to be shy, but now he does all of the talking. As a teacher I have learned to watch for signs of what unlocks the doors of learning for my students. Even my funny looking drawings can open the doors of learning.
12 Years of Teaching ESL and Helping Internationals in Lincoln
This morning it hit me was I was talking with a colleague and related that, “I have been working with the various people groups in Lincoln for twelve years.” As I walked away I began to reminisce about my early days of teaching ESL in Lincoln and the people I have met over the years. A few humorous moments early on:
One morning I was meeting with Vladimir from Belarus at a coffee shop in downtown Lincoln when Vladimir’s eyes got real big as he pointed out the window. A police officer was arresting someone right in front of us. I realized it must have been quite the sight for a man who grew up under the communist government of the old USSR, so I changed our lesson for that day to be the justice system in America.
Carlos from Peru asked me to teach him how to use email, so he could email with his son in Peru. I told him we could do it the next lesson to give myself time to go to the library and teach myself how to use email first.
One April morning in my Saturday conversation group I taught about tornado safety and going to a safe place when there is a tornado warning. During the week between groups there was a tornado in a town 200 miles away. A young couple from China came back the following Saturday and told me they went to their basement and waited for two hours but there was no tornado. I realized that I needed to tell my students it has to be a tornado warning for the City of Lincoln.
There have been so many people from several countries that I have met over the years. They have made my life richer and fuller. I think this will be a weekend of taking time to pray for people I have not thought about for awhile. I appreciate them and God for bringing them into my life.
Vietnamese New Year Party with my Saturday Group- Chuc Mung Nam Moi
our group today
This morning in my Saturday group we celebrated Tet, Vietnamese New Year, for our class. My Saturday friends all come from Vietnam. I appreciate them so much that I wanted to try to bless them a little for their biggest holiday of the year. They are diligent with their studies and in building their new lives in America, so I try to find ways to create some fun for them and give them a bit of a break from life.
We had pizza, tiramisu, and ice cream cake. Chuong one of our newest members brought the gift basket of snacks. It was a blessing to watch my friends laugh and have some fun. I know how hard they work in school and to learn English. That was why I wanted to surprise them with a cake. I went to the bakery in the HyVee store and asked them to write Chuc Mung Nam Moi in red and yellow on the cake. Chuc Mung Nam Moi is Happy New Year. The colors red and yellow are for Luck and Money, so I asked them to use red and yellow, closest to gold, for the cake.
I also bought some special envelopes at the Vietnamese Market to give them Lucky Money. The idea is to put some money inside and expressing wishes and blessings when giving the envelope to the person. I put a $2 bill inside each envelope and one by one walked around the table to say to them Chúc Mừng Năm Mới -Happy New Year, Chuc Vui Ve – Be Happy, and Chúc May Mắn- Good Luck. I also shared with them what I pray for when I pray for them and wishes for them to grow with God.
some of my friends with their Lucky Money
Being a blessing to my Vietnamese friends at Tet is something I look forward to each year. I was glad to share Tet with my friends a little this morning. It actually begins on Monday January 23rd this year, so if you have any Vietnamese, Chinese or Korean friends wish them a Happy New Year. I would like to say to all of my Vietnamese friends Chúc Mừng Năm Mới
1 Weekend + 4 Celebrations + 3 Different Cultures = A Lot of Fun
What a great weekend!! Had the opportunity to celebrate 3 birthdays and join in on a 1st worship service in a new building. It began on Saturday morning when my young friends from Vietnam and I shared some birthday cake with Nancy who helps with my Saturday morning group.
On Saturday evening I went to a birthday party for a 3 year old boy Chris. His family is from Syria. I had fun taking pictures and making people laugh in the process. Chris’s grandmother was there and three of her friends. I got them to wear the party hats and took pictures for them. There was plenty of good food and laughter. The best for me was seeing some old friends I have not seen for a while.
Sunday morning we said Happy birthday to our friend Lien in my Sunday morning class. We had lunch at Mongolian Grill after class. Lien has come a long way from new to America to now waiting for her Nursing Program to begin.
After lunch I joined my friends at Ministerial Manatial de Vida for their 1st worship service in their new building. It was awesome to join with them and see the excitement they feel about having a place of their own. I will write more about that tomorrow. It was a great way to cap off a weekend of celebration with my international friends.
The diversity of cultures here in Lincoln is rich. Sharing celebrations such as a birthday or a milestone such as a church getting a building of their own makes me realize how we have many things in common. If we take the time to actually get to know those who are different than we are, we can have a pleasant surprise and have some meaningful friendships. Fortunately after a weekend of celebrations I have a morning off to relax a little before getting back to my busy schedule
End of an Era- Uncle Yoshio Will Move Back to Japan
In my Sunday morning class Yoshio my friend from Japan shared that he will move back to Japan in November. Yoshio has been working here in Lincoln for a Japanese company that has a production facility here. His nickname is Uncle Yoshio which he was given by the young people who come to my Saturday and Sunday groups. The nickname began on a cool Saturday morning when a group of us were waiting for Yoshio for an Omaha Zoo trip in the late Spring 2009. I suggested the young people yell “Uncle Yoshio” when he got out of his van. When Yoshio arrived, our young friends yelled “Uncle Yoshio” as soon as he got out of his van.
me with Yoshio
The nickname is fitting because Yoshio has a big heart and enjoys doing things to help our young friends. He has anonymously helped when I asked him to, helped drive our group on fun excursions such as the Omaha Zoo or Mahoney State Park, and treated people to lunch. He has stored boxes and other items for International Students over the summer while they are back home. The way I would say it is that if Japan would send more people like Yoshio to work here, it would be wonderful. In many small ways he has been a great Ambassador of his culture. I also know he has done a lot to help Japanese students living in Lincoln.
Yoshio at lunch with friends from China, Russia and Vietnam
Yoshio moving away represents the end of another era. There was a stretch of time that my weekend groups had friends from Belgium, Brazil Congo, Germany, Japan, and Korea. All of my weekend friends then were either Graduate Students or Post Doctoral from UNL or were working here. That era came to end when Isis moved back to Brazil in March and Jochen and Julia moved back to Germany in early August. Yoshio was the first one in that group and will be the last one to leave.
me with Yoshio, Brigitte from Belgum and Julia and Jochen from Germany
The one constant in life is change. Transitions come and we can choose to embrace them. Yoshio embraced the change of the makeup of my weekend groups as friends moved away and younger friends from China and Vietnam started coming. He has helped them to feel welcome and has been a good “Uncle”. Yoshio- thank you for being a good friend
Yoshio with his young friends from China
Yoshio with some young friends from Vietnam
End of an Era- Goodbye Thiago, Gabriella and Giovanna/ New Beginning for Cristiane
Saturday evening I went to a going away party for my friends Thiago, Gabriella and their baby girl Giovanna. They will move back to Brazil on Wednesday where Thiago has a new job awaiting him. They have left their mark on the International Student Community here in Lincoln as evidenced by all of the countries represented at the party which were Brazil, China, Iran, Korea, Poland and America. We met at Red Robin restaurant here in Lincoln.
me, Thiago, Gabriella, and Thiago's brother Thiciano holding Giovanna
One of my other Brazilian friends shared with me about how much Thiago and Gabriella helped him and his wife when they first came to Lincoln and that he considers Thiago to be his best friend here in Lincoln. I have heard such stories about both Thiago and Gabriella from many people from Brazil and from other countries.
It was interesting to note the opposite life experience of some of my friends. Thiago, Gabriella and Giovanna will leave Lincoln to return to Brazil this Wednesday which was the purpose of the party. At the party we were also able to welcome back Cristiane. She went to Brazil for a few weeks to switch her Visa to Student Visa from Spouse of Student. She will began her PHD studies today. Her flight came into Omaha about 5pm and she came to the party with her husband. One couple from Brazil is leaving and another is just getting started, so in the same evening I experienced the sadness of saying goodbye while being happy for Thiago and Gabriella’s opportunity and at the same time the joy of seeing my friend Cristiane return and her new beginning.
Cristiane with Gabriella and Giovanna
Being friends with International Students is fulfilling and rewarding. It opens up the world for you and gives you wonderful experiences. However it also means the time will come that you say goodbye when they return to their country. I keep that in mind whenever I begin a new friendship with an International Student. I realize we will be good friends while they are here and perhaps will stay in touch through facebook or email after they return home. However, It is an opportunity that is definitely worth it
Best Wishes Thiago, Gabriella and Giovanna. I know God will bless you in your new opportunity!! Welcome back Cristiane I know God will bless you in your new opportunity also!!
Pushing On to New Horizons- Those Among us May Have Ability We Don’t See
This afternoon I met with a friend who came here as a refugee from Vietnam in 2009. He is a talented young man with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Currently he is doing assembly work in a factory while he works to improve his English in hope of entering a Master’s program. We talked about how there can be times of transition in life when we know we are capable of doing more in life than our present job. We also talked about how it is during those times we need to persevere and not give up.
The conversation made me think about how it is too easy to pass by people and miss their potential. In my work I constantly spend time with people who have so much ability but tend to be overlooked. I meet people who are bi-lingual, tri-lingual etc. Some have college degrees from their home country. Some were professionals in their home country. Many of them have abilities and talents that are not fully appreciated.
I had a situation several years ago that showed me how I can that myself. I had a student who was nice old man from Afghanistan. he had a long white beard and would always smile and shake my hand when we would meet. I enjoyed teaching him English. He had heart surgery, so I went to his apartment to teach him when he got to feeling up to it. There was always plenty of food for me and the lesson would turn into a two hour event. I helped with his English for traveling since he wanted to go visit family in Pakistan. I called when I knew he should be back in Lincoln to ask if he wanted to continue his lessons. His son told me he was in Washington D.C. for meetings. I asked why he was there and was told he was in meetings to discuss the new Government there since he was a high ranking judge before the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. I realized that I had completely missed his hidden potential and ability because I only viewed him as the nice old man who was my student.
A Few Years Ago They Were Newcomers to America/Now They Are Helping Americans- Linh and Tram
I have two young women from Vietnam who come to my weekend groups at my church. They are Linh and Tram who just began their Senior Year in High School. Linh came here in 2007 with her family and was an ELL student but quickly advanced out of ELL. Tram came here in 2008 and also began as an ELL student and quickly advanced. They are now taking challenging classes including Calculus/Pre-Calculus, Physics, AP classes etc. That would be enough of an accomplishment in a short time.
The picture of the flowers represents how they have blossomed and grown as young people. So much so they have become part of a leadership group at their high school and on Tuesday they welcomed incoming freshmen at their school. That involved giving the freshmen a tour of the school and being their host on freshmen day. Linh told me about how she helped huge people such as football and basketball players. That means that both of them helped American kids on their first day in High School. They at one time needed help and now they are the ones offering help not only to other Newcomers but also to American kids.
Sometimes Newcomers can be misunderstood or stereotyped. They at times encounter prejudice and always face some kind of obstacles as they adjust to their new country and new culture. If we see the potential that each Newcomer can have, and encourage them in their adjustment to their new surroundings, awesome things can happen. My friends Linh and Tram are excellent examples of how people can rise to their potential if given a chance and some help.
International Students- Friday Fun Celebrating Thiago’s Graduation
Friday evening I went to a party to celebrate Thiago’s graduation from his PHD program at UNL. We met at a sports bar downtown called Buffalo Wild Wings. There were people from several different countries there to celebrate with Thiago. It was fun to walk around and take pictures and observe the diverse cultures interact.
We enjoyed the Wild Wings and other tasty foods and treats. I told myself I was being healthy because I drank Mango Lemonade as I ate my wings. My friends ate a lot of wings that night. Some of them are not very big, so I wondered how they could eat so much and be so little.
I also observed that newlyweds act like newlyweds in every culture. Daniel did not want to leave Cristiane during the party, but other husbands who have been married for a while mingled apart from their wives.
Daniel and Cristiane with their friend Rachel in the middle
Friday was a good example of what the life of an international student is like and what it is like to be friends with international students. I found out Thiago and Gabriella and their daughter Giovanna will move back to Brazil. I also found out last week that Cristiane has been accepted into and will begin her PHD studies in Nutrition next week. One begins and one finishes. Some come and some leave to go back home. When I meet a new friend that is an international student, I know that our contact here in Lincoln is temporary. Our friendship can continue through facebook, email and such, but the day will come that we say goodbye. The main issue to me is being a good friend while they are here and while they are here we can have a lot of fun.
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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