Kids Can Say and Do the Darndest Things in All Cultures
There was once a show with Art Linkletter called Kids Say the Darndest Things. In the show Linkletter would walk around and ask kids questions and react to their answers. It was light-hearted comedy at its best. I have found that kids SAY and DO the Darndest Things in all cultures.
Last Sunday I was at Ministerial Manatial de Vida and saw a little friend of mine. She always smiles when she sees me, but last Sunday she didn’t want to smile. I asked her what was wrong and she told me she lost a tooth. I talked with her about how we all lose our baby teeth and that it is normal. She asked me if I lost my baby teeth and I told her I did. I asked if she felt better and she said yes. I asked it she could smile and she shook her head no. 
I have another little friend from Vietnam who is very excited about her birthday. In fact she is so excited that she invited me to her “surprise” birthday party. I don’t think she completely understands the concept of “surprise” yet. lol
Two young brothers from Congo used to ask if Alex from China was coming because he was strong and they wanted to be like him. I asked them why they thought he was strong and they told me because they saw a Jackie Chan movie.
Children can be a lot of fun to be with and can be full of joy. It does not matter which culture they are from or what their people group is. That is what makes it so sad that children suffer all around the world because of what “grown ups” do in life. There is no reason that any child in the world should experience hunger or die from starvation. One of the saddest stories I ever heard was from a woman from Iraq. When ever it thunders, she gets scared and shakes. That is because when she was a little girl her house was destroyed while she was in it during the Iraq/Iran War.
My hope is for the time to come when kids can be kids and not worry about things like famine, war, crime, or abuse. My prayer is for God to bring that day soon.
Pablo’s Visit to Lincoln
The past few weeks I have had the privilege of spending time with Pablo who is visiting his aunt during his break from his University in México. I never have thought of Lincoln as a vacation destination, but visiting family makes it worthwhile. It has been fun for me to have Pablo join my classes at my church the past two weekends. He has had fun as well. We have some fun young women who can be entertaining to say the least and Pablo found them to be amusing and nice.
our Group on Sunday
It is interesting to watch as visitors enjoy things I take for granted. I have been to our State Capitol Building so many times in my life that I don’t always appreciate how much of an architectural wonder it is. I did suggest he go to the SAC Air Space Museum because he is an Aero-Space Engineer Major.
Pablo with our Saturday Group
Mostly it was great to have some time to talk whether in my van driving somewhere, having coffee at a coffee shop, or waiting for a movie. I learned a little more about México and the culture there. I did make one suggestion to Pablo. I suggested he come back and visit in January, so he can experience winter here too lol.
at church
His University in México has a partnership with New Mexico State, so Pablo will move to Las Cruces New Mexico in January to transfer to New Mexico State to complete his degree. Perhaps he will come back in the winter, so he can see snow haha. It has been fun to see Lincoln through the eyes of a visitor.
Fun in Cooper Park with Iglesía Berea
Last Saturday I joined my friends from iglesía berea for a fun afternoon in Cooper Park here in Lincoln. When I am with my friends from iglesía berea, I am always blessed to see many former students. There was fun for all ages, but especially for the children. There was face painting, an inflatable jumping gym, a fire truck for the children to get into and learn about fire safety, and Piñatas.
from left- pastor of iglesía berea, a firefighter and my friend Hugo the worship leader for iglesía berea
It was great to see the children having fun. It was even more meaningful to see many of my former students and hear about how they are doing and about their lives. While the worship group was singing, I noticed that 2 of the 4 women singing were former students of mine, and 2 of the four men playing instruments and singing were former students of mine, so half of the worship group were my former students.
The one surprise for me was the food. I expected to have some food from their culture such as papusas or tortas, but due to the event being more for children they had hot dogs and chips. There some salad topping we could have that was spicy I got a kick out of The decoration on top of the food tent which announced what the food would be.
It was a fun afternoon and I was blessed to see how my former students are giving back to the community. There were children from diverse groups enjoying the festival. I saw not only Hispanic children having fun at the festival. I also saw White, Black and Asian children having fun at the festival. Maybe if we adults have more fun together, we might get along better.
July- The Month My Adventure of Teaching Began
This month marks the anniversary of when I began to teach English Second Language professionally here in Lincoln. I began with a non-profit agency in July 2000 and then for Southeast Community College in July 2001. I have enjoyed working with my colleagues at SCC and have benefited from working with them. What stands out most in my mind though are all of the people I have met over the years, all of the cultural experiences I have had, and the friendships that have been formed.
I have tasted some wonderful food from other cultures over the years such as Pho Bo from Vietnam, Dohlma from Iraq, Papusas from El Salvador, Tortas and Tamales from Mexico, Sarma from Bosnia, and much more. I have experienced such foods in people’s homes and at special celebrations.
The cultural celebrations have been enriching experiences to partake in such as a Quinceanera with friends from Mexico, Vietnamese New Year Celebrations, Chinese New Year Celebrations, and Cultural Celebrations at the University for Student Associations from Japan, Malaysia, and India.
My hobby of learning words from my international friends led me to study another language and that adventure continues as I practice español with my friends. Who knows it may also lead me to study other languages as well.
It has been a fun adventure and I look forward to seeing how it continues as the journey continues to unfold.
Diplomacy- We Can Learn From A Dog Named Mersin
On July 4th I went to a fun party at the home of my friends Aynur and Garret. During the party it was obvious that one of the star attractions was their dog Mersin. Mersin did not care about which country the guests were from or what their ethnic group was. Mersin simply enjoyed being around the people there regardless of their nationality, race, religion, or language. Mersin’s only interest was friendship
Mersin with his new friend Jihan from Colombia
As Mersin made the rounds of entertaining the guests Mersin did not care if they had an accent. Mersin’s attitude was – you want to be my friend okay that is great. Mersin made friends with people from Colombia, India, Nepal, Uganda, and several other countries. The only requirement to be Mersin’s friend is that you want to either play with, hold, pet or feed Mersin. Mersin does not have grand expectations or hidden agendas. In fact Mersin’s agenda is quite obvious- food and attention.
Mersin with Shaoni
Perhaps it is because Mersin lives in a bi-cultural home. Aynur is from Turkey and Garret is an American. Mersin simply walked around looking cute and adorable and got a lot of attention. I did notice one thing though. Mersin does seem to prefer the women, so perhaps there is a hint of discrimination, but then I can’t blame Mersin because the women Mersin befriended are wonderful young women.
Mersin with Aynur
Mersin also demonstrated advanced negotiation skills when Mersin managed to convince people to share food. There was a kind of irresistible charm offensive put on by Mersin to persuade people to share their food.
Of course when I think of our Secretaries of State such as Hillary Clinton or Collin Powell or of Presidents such as Obama or Bush or any of our other former Secretaries of State or Presidents, the words cute, adorable or charming never come to my mind. But perhaps if World Leaders enrolled in the Mersin School of Diplomacy- such as the crazy leaders in some places- the World would be better off
Sunday with my International Friends- Birthday Lunch at Mongolian Grille
This morning we were blessed to have Lien and Mindy from Vietnam and Yoshio from Japan join us along with with Rex, Pat and Brandon. We have some friends traveling this week with some in California visiting friends and another went back to China to spend time with family for the month of June. The ones who came today helped me to begin to celebrate my birthday week by giving me a card after class.
my Sunday class today
me with Lien and Mindy
After class we went to worship service to participate in singing praises to God. We then went out for lunch at Mongolian Grille. They let me choose which is why we went to Mongolian Grille. I love Asian food but am picky about where I go because I want to avoid MSG in the food. Mongolian Grille has delicious food but does not use MSG. I can also choose the ingredients and spices I want to have it cooked at the grill.
Mindy and Lien
Yoshio gives Mongolian Grille a thumbs up
Having lunch with my friends was a fun way to start my birthday week. We had a good discussion about the different sounds in the English language that can be difficult for people from Asia. We also heard more about Rex and Pat’s recent trip to Topeka for their grand-daughter’s high school graduation. I also had a chance to meet the parents of one of my Saturday group’s students. She was there with her mom and dad having lunch after church. It was great timing because I had Lien with me after my group finished and Lien translated for me with Linh’s parents. I was able to tell them how good Linh is doing and how proud I am of her. Her parents work hard to provide for Linh and her sisters, so they can get an education.
I am proud of all of my friends from my Saturday and Sunday groups. They are doing something that is quite difficult which is to live here using English as their second or third language. It has been and always is my privilege to be part of their lives which is why it means a lot to me to be able to spend my birthday with them.
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
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
Goodbye Lunch for Daniel from China at Ruby Tuesday
Finals weeks at the University of Nebraska begins Monday and that means time for some of my friends to go home for the summer. Daniel will go back to China for a few months on Thursday, so we wanted to have lunch to send him off with a blessing. We decided to go to Ruby Tuesday which was appropriate since that was where we went for lunch the first Sunday Daniel came to church last August.
me with Daniel and Brandon
Daniel with Yoshio
Lunch was a full circle moment since it was the first place we got to know Daniel. It has been good to see how well he has done in school and also living away from home. He has been able to mesh not only at the University but also at church. Brandon and Daniel hang out often. Brandon’s family has welcomed Daniel and will be storing his stuff while he is in China.
Daniel has also participated in projects that have helped others. He helped with moving day Friday for a family from Iraq. He has also helped with a packing party for supplies going to a ministry in Mexico and helped to take Operation Christmas Child boxes to the drop off location. He is a credit to his family and home country. I will miss his questions over the next few months in my class, but know it will be great for him to be back with family and friends.
International students have a unique experience in that they go to school across an ocean in a culture that s strange for them, so every day brings new adventures not only in school, but also within the culture. If we reach out to them, we can learn more about the world and at the same time make their lives a bit easier while they are far from home. It will be good to see Daniel again in a few months. It will also be good to find out who I will be able to meet next school year that is new to Lincoln and America.
at church
Weekend Fun- My Afternoon Trip to Ensenada México Online
This afternoon I was pleased to resume my weekly sessions with my friend Patricia Vallejo in Ensenada. She was able to find a job in Ensenada working with a furniture company to photograph their products and maintain a website, so we were not able to continue our Wednesday afternoon classes. It worked out for us to do so on Saturday afternoons and today we restarted our weekly sessions of doing entrecambio or exchange of English and Español.
mi hermana pequena Patricia
We connected in yahoo messenger for about an hour a a half. She listened patiently as I read from the bible in español and shared some español with her. We then studied about English verb tenses from a book I sent to her last fall with a group that went to Ensenada last fall. It was wonderful to reconnect for our weekly entrecambios.
I also met with my Saturday friends at church. I showed Linh and Tram pictures of the jewelry that Patricia makes which you can find by searching for Ana Patricia Jewelry on google. They liked what they saw. We also looked at some videos on youtube in español and Vietnamese. Then we studied for the ACT test.
Patricia's jewelry
Now it is time to relax after a busy day moving friends yesterday. It has already been a full weekend with my international friends, but more fun to come tomorrow.
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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