Wednesday is the closing of my English class in Frisian Flag company.
Can't believe I've been doing it for three months!
Aahh, I know them all so well now..
Mr. Asep, the hard worker
Mr. Agus, the laid-back-yet-damn-smart guy
Mr. Rahmat, the father (he's, like, over 50, for goodness sake)
Mr. Kuwat, the clown (or as he requested to be called, Mr. Strong..)
Mr. Ripto, the shy-and-slow-but-actually-smart man
Mr. Simon, the slow-but-confident-and-lovable
Mr. Yanto, the scary-looking but actually very sweet man
Mr. Yus, the smart-ass...
This is crazy.
This is one of the greatest accomplishments in my life.
I mean, all these times I come there, through big rains and heat, I was damn scared at first times I went there..for God's sake I'm about to tell things to a bunch of fathers!!
And then during the heartbreak.
Those times when I would cry everytime I drive all the way from campus to the company, then held my head high and act fun for two whole hours, then cry again the way home..
Man, it was so hard!
Man, it was worth it.
The time when they try to comfort me on being dumped.
The time when somebody (I still don't know who) drew a pelican on the whiteboard and named it "duck", because I just taught them about ducks.
The time when I came late for the final exam and found them studying, with the smartest one explaining on the whiteboard. A view that's enough to warm the heart of the thickest.
Alright, so hundreds of people win awards, and thousands teach people everyday in their lives, and it's not such a big deal...hell, it is for me!
This is exactly what I expected when I applied for this job. A profound effect on myself.
I learned to think simple, because my students really don't know much outside work.
I learned to think more mature, because they worry about their sons and their parents are dying.
I learned that sometimes you do have to treat adults like children, because when it comes to learning something new, everybody's a starter.
I have a stackful of funny stories when they try to say something in English, but failed...alright, I know I'm not SUPPOSED to laugh at them, but they like it anyway.
And most importantly, I learned to tolerate people I never thought I would understand...and make them my friends.
Guys..I'll see you next term. And thanks for the gift, it does adds a thing or two in the joy of teaching you :)