Are We Moviestars?

Last night was one of the most restful sleeps I've had since arriving in Jakarta/Tangerang. Even the calls to mosque didn't completely wake me this morning. I think exhaustion finally won.

Jen and I again met for breakfast at 6:00 am. Breakfast was far more enjoyable this morning as compared to yesterday since my stomach seems to be settled for the time being. Thanks heavens. Well rested and with full stomachs, we were ready to tackle a day of teaching.

As instructed, we waited in the lobby for our driver who we were told yesterday would be on time today. Almost thirty minutes later, we started to worry. After all, we were supposed to be teaching a class promptly at 7:00! I had the hotel call Yuna on her cell phone. Yuna apologized profusely on the phone explaining that the driver had overslept and someone was coming to get us immediately. Minutes later, a new driver arrived to take us through the polluted air and crowded streets to our school. The air was so thick with pollution today that I coughed and gasped for air. Jen and I covered our mouths and noses to help our breathing and eagerly anticipated our escape from the outside.

Yuna was waiting in front of the school for us and rushed us to our first English class (12th graders). Class was well in to session so Jen and I assumed we may not be teaching. Out of breath and out of sorts, we entered the room and the teacher immediately handed the class to us. So much for a breather.

Without missing a beat, Jen and I started our lesson on "The Gift of the Magi", which was being carefully filmed... several times. The students did beautifully keeping up with us. They were interested and engaged during our activities, although I had to pry some of them to participate. True to my teaching at home, I just started calling on students - there are no free passes in my room. Jen and I were a flawless team. Again, we had little to no practice, but we appeared to have worked together for a very long time. (Several of the Indonesian teachers commented on this.) We have similar teaching styles and can naturally communicate with even a look. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful teaching partner!

After teaching two periods of Ms. Eva's 12th grade English, she repeatedly thanked us and told us how much she learned. We immediately had two periods of 11th grade students to teach. Ms. Emeng introduced us and the students, as always, were fabulous. They were full of interesting comments and questions like the groups yesterday. They wanted to know how American teens live, what boy/girl relationships are like, what "Sin City" was about, what the "American Dream" was, the definition of "American culture", and what the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon entail.



























Jennifer and I did our best to keep up. I think the students think we are quite entertaining as we are pretty outgoing compared to their own teachers. We make jokes, laugh (a lot), and have taken to simultaneously breaking in to a funny dance every time their bell, which isn't a bell at all but funny music, starts to play. It's difficult to tell how intimidated they are. It's obvious they want to talk to us, ask many questions, and take pictures, but they seem to restrain themselves most of the time. The teachers were thrilled with our teaching and took endless pictures and video. We are definitely the stars of this Islamic show.

During a short break Jennifer opted to go to the restroom. I made a pledge to hold it unless absolutely necessary. I temporarily had the classroom all to myself so I was able to sneak a drink of water and snack. I still haven't figured out how they are able to work all day without food or water. When Jennifer returned, she explained she had to use a standing toilet. Ugh. Glad I held it.

Although we teach more classes each day at home, we both felt completely exhausted. Perhaps this is because we are sleep-deprived or because we are constantly "on" in the classroom or because it's so hot. Who knows? It's probably a mixture. We were so happy to be on our way back to the hotel where we quickly dropped off our things and then found a fabulous lunch spot where I dined on tempura Ramon. Yum!
We then made our way to Starbucks and worked on our blogs for several hours. The coffee tasted heavenly. We giggled as we sat and reflected on our strange, but thrilling experiences. It felt like a Starbucks grading day that I often have with friends at home.
Home. I'm starting to really feel the pangs of missing everything - my children, my husband, my family, my friends, my bed, familiar food, brushing my teeth with tap water. A lot of people have contacted me the last two days and it was a reminder that my other world is waiting for my return. It suddenly made me long for the familiar.

We decided to go back to the hotel to rest a bit before our pickup. Another change of plans (we are getting used to a lot of these too). We were going to head back to the school to observe a student activity and have break-fast (a break from the fast) with some staff members.

Upon arrival, we noticed that the students were no longer in uniform. It didn't dawn on me that we would get to observe them in a more comfortable state. The male students were participating in a group cooking contest. They purchased their own ingredients and made a dish (most included chocolate or some type of sugar). The girls watched and cheered them on, occasionally telling them all of the things they were doing incorrectly. We were interviewed on camera by a student on our thoughts of the contest. Who knows where it will end up! It was SO much fun to see them smiling and laughing in a more relaxed setting.








































Yuna gave us a more thorough tour of the campus showing us the various housing, the student work area, the medical center, the cafeteria, and the mosque. They certainly seem to have their own little world within the gates of this beautiful campus.


















We learned quite a bit more information as well. While the school only has 355 students, 3,000 students applied last year and only 120 students were selected to attend. This school, as well as one other, is intended for poor students who show tremendous academic potential. The government provides scholarships to attend. These students are essentially the best of the best from the underprivileged. They must be quite dedicated - school begins with prayer at 4:00 am and continues until 3:00 pm. They also go to school most of the year with very few breaks. (Our students have NOTHING to complain about!) The male and female students are usually pretty segregated, except in class, during extracurricular activities, and at "Devil's Corner," the one corner where the male and female streets/walkways briefly intersect. It would be unimaginable to American students.

Jen and I were then escorted in to a dorm office where we met several teachers who also served as residents in a way. They lived on campus and were responsible for approximately 60 students. I couldn't believe their commitment - wake at 3:00 am and either work or chaperone until almost 11:00 pm. I can't figure out the motivation as they do not receive any extra pay! Perhaps the housing is the draw? We met children of teachers who were just beautiful.
We were invited to sit on the floor as students and teachers brought in endless food for break-fast. Jen and I knew this was a very special honor. The teachers had prepared a very special feast and invited us to join them. There was a call from outside which indicated that it was officially sunset and that we could eat. We drank our coconut milk and ate rice, chicken, dates, steamed buns with bean paste inside, etc. It was quite delicious. I observed as the teachers skillfully ate with their hands using the rice as a scoop to sop up other food. I expected all of them to gorge after waiting to eat all day, but they politely ate a healthy helping and then many of them excused themselves so as to go pray.
Yuna and another teacher then took us to the dorms to show us how the students lived. I must admit, it was hard for me to see. I know this is probably an honor and special living for some, but I couldn't imagine my own children living here. The rooms were similar to a college dorm - four to a room with bunk beds, desks, dressers, and a shared bathroom. However, they were hot, stuffy, seemingly dirty, and it was against the rules to hang anything on the walls, so the rooms appear very bare and lonely. I kept thinking of the young lady I saw on a phone (it was her allotted time to call home) who was crying. It seems this school, while an amazing opportunity, is also an island.














It had been a long day so we made our way back to the hotel. We braved the grocery store again to pick up some spices and treats and then stopped by a restaurant for bingtang to go. It was back to our rooms where we decompressed and laughed until our bellies ached and we cried. It would be impossible to survive this adventure without these moments. Jen and I constantly marvel that we are in the middle of Indonesia on our own. We really must be stars.


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