Finally! I found fog in Salatiga!

Well, it may sound trivial, but I really longed for it.
The first time I came to Salatiga, it was really cool and fresh. I could feel the pure, refreshing air and the soothing atmosphere calmed my mind. It was a bit like in Kopeng. Yet, I was really surprised when I stepped into Satya Wacana Christian University years later. It changed a lot and hot air has repel the fresh, natural one.
Well, it went on until yesterday. I was just from my class, teaching TOEFL Preparation class which actually made me sad since my students scored quite low on the mid-test (which actually not fully my fault). It was raining drizzly, and the weather got quite cold. I thought it was still raining, but everything was not clear. And, I was standing still, amazed with what I saw. It was foggy, very thick! Even my boss yelled and got shocked. I thought it was really cool.
Well. I'm waiting for other surprise from the mother nature.

I am a bad teacher; I am a good teacher

Well, as you now, my life is about teaching.
Yet, I admit my being quite moody might really affects the way I teach, though actually I may not. My students, of course and the only, will be the victim of my being lazy. It is not about abandoning them, but more about being not really well-prepared and just teaching following what the book tells.

As a good teacher, I:

• always prepare everything well; I'm not trying to boast myself, but my friend always say that I am a creative teacher who always like designing materials and exercises. Yes, I like spending ours writing and preparing materials, both for tutoring and teaching;
• try to keep up to date to the current trend. I like browsing the internet to find more information about pedagogical things, both practical and theoretical matters;
• open my mind to see what my mistakes are and improve my skills;
• always try to employ creative, enjoyable, and fun activities for each learning time;
• share my life experience, both in learning and teaching or in other things, which then hopefully my inspires my students (my dream, as always).

However, my evil side may make me:

• bore my students because of my monotonous explanation;
• stress out my students by giving them many exercises, and very structural items which may sound really boring to;
• provide no aditional materials and examples, which then result in confused students;
• keep being lazy, and really lazy; often I lost my stamina.

Should you have any ideas and suggestions, I would be really grateful.

Well, I am preparing for a review-class in two hours. Cherio!

A quite long hibernation from blogging...

Hi! I'm back!

So... my days were quite busy after the Graduation. I didn't anticipate everything and I think I was not really ready...

I messed up all my schedule, and I have made some decisions since the Graduation. What are they, and what has changed then? And also what have I experienced since my last posting?

• I became less motivated in teaching in my former SMP, yes... I realy mean it and admit it... The system, again, irritated me a lot, and I didn't like the teaching-learning atmosphere anymore. My students showed no enthusiasm and they never changed. I always tried to create meaningful materials and activities, but I got no worthy respect at all...
  
• I have been teaching in the LTC (Language Training Centre) of SWCU. It's quite fun and really enjoyable (honestly). Well, only two classes in the beginning, but it's worth doing. They pay me enough (though I haven't got my first salary for the first project) and now I'm teaching for other two new courses: TOEFL Prep and GE Elementary. Btw, I miss my former students from GE class: Sandra, Helena, Marthinus, Otniel, Lisiard, Ririn, and Togar... wish u successful life, guys!
  
• The Easter Celebration was poor. Well, the idea was great (yet, quite idealistic and too rigid) but everything went wrong. I heard more dissapointment than compliment from the those who came and thought they would got something new and spiritually refreshing. I played the Piano, and I was still sitting before it when the event ended. Is it all? I yelled to my brother.
  
• The Children's Easter Celebration was great! Really! It's not because of Alvin (from Akademi Fantasi Indosiar) that made the event bombastic (yes, many kids surprisingly asked for his signature, photos, and phone number; Alvin never gave the last for them), but it' more because of the enthusiasm and spirit that I saw from the kids. The Holy Spirit must have worked at that moment, and I really enjoyed looking those little children jump, sing, move their hands and legs, and smile when Albert, Yohana, Yuli, and Alvin lead the celebration... Well, I got two, eh, three photos with Alvin, one showing the trio Kurniawan, hehehe... (Me, my bro, and Alvin, all have got Kurniawan as their surename).
  
• I haven't apply to my almamater, ED, FBS, SWCU... I am building my courage, and planning everything while praying desperately that God will build my guts and set up the most beautiful plan for my future... I really hope to join the faculty... my second home...
  
• Another important decision was, lastly, to quit from my former working place, yes the SMP... I was no longer interested in teaching there. Some sad stories happened lately and I finally decided to retire... Well, thanks God for I have found a substitute for my position, thanks to Ira to for willingly accept my offer, though I knew you're shocked with your salary... I will always support my almamater, and though I'm no longer in SMPKI, it doesn't mean that I don't love the school. I do, really much... I'm going to miss the time when I could chat with my fellow teachers: Bu Nia and Bu Niken, and my lovely ma'am: Bu Wiwien... and I miss the free Internet connection too...
  
• Btw, I'm currently reading Laskar Pelangi, frequently laughing and tickled by the funny elements of the inspiring and touching story.

Well, that's my update... I'll soon post another topic about writing, for my students, hopefully...

GBU!

After Graduation

I am really happy, of course, for I have finished my S1 study.

But, then, am I that happy actually? Not really.

I am still teaching - assissting - in Satya Wacana Christian University right now. Writing 1 and Writing 2, six credits total, and what makes me happy is the rumour that I will get a raise. Recently, I was also asked to tech in LTC, teaching General English, which should have been TOEFL Preparation initially. Besides, I am busily tutoring in Magelang. There's no time to take a rest after 4 pm. And finally, SMP Kristen Indonesia also still employs me.

Yet, what makes me sad is that I hven't got any job - real job, which gives me adequate, real , regular salary. I'm still idealistically dreaming of a real teaching in SMP or SMA; my childhood dream.

Now, I also need to commut three days, again, to Salatiga. Monday and Thursday are no longer my resting time.

Everytime I go to campus, I meet my friends, of course. And they are like thinking, mockingly, why I am still there. All right, here is the common comment from them: "Why are you still here, Mr. Sarjana?" or "Why are you still roaming in this campus?" or the latest "Why are you still haunting here?"

So, longing for a good job, searching, hunting, and begging for HIS blessing and mercy.
Wish me blessings, OK?

A short, tiring trip to Jogja...

Last week, on Monday, I went to Jogja with my church mate, Andre; really thanks to him.

My plan was clear: buying new camera. I'd got 1,8 million in my wallet, but intended to spend maximum 1,5. We went to Toga Mas first, as always. I only got few books, one comic and two childish-but-creative book of Drawing and Painting; they're very cute btw. We went to one cellular shop, after searching for at least 20 minutes, shocked to find that the shop is really small. Poor Andre. He was going to buy a sparepart for the mobile phone, but he didn't get it (he said that he had already phoned the shop the day before; well unprofessionality shows up here).

We left Jl. Afandi and searched for some meal; our bellies were starving. We had some chicken dishes, which cost quite much.

All right, we went straight away to JEC. I didn't remember where it was... :P

It took 2,000 for the ticket. I was really confused entering the great building. We went round the building for at least three times, visiting several stalls, attracted and lured by the all great, splendid, expensive cameras; sadly, I only wanted to buy a cheap one. At that time, I just commited myself that I will save money, and in the future, I'll buy a modern, cool one. After some comparing, observing, and surveying, I finally decided to buy a CANON A-550, 7,1 MP for 1,35 million. Satisfied? For now, yes.

It becomes my second wife, after my computer...

The time went on, and I got more narcististic... that's my nature, another nature...

Sad story... at my working place

Another heart-pain has just stabbed me.

I hate—no, not hate, but dislike (are they the same?)—the condition of my former working place. Yes, it used to be my former high school, but why I don’t really enjoy working there, although once I hoped too much to be part of this school.

First, I don’t really enjoy and agree with the structure of the organization. Moreover, I lost my respect for the present headmaster, I really mean it (if you wanna know the complete story and detail, please ask me…). His being too authoritative really depresses other teachers, and I was shocked once when I notice it, after a long time enjoying the quiet, pleasant atmosphere.

Second, this heart-stabbing tragedy happened about one hour ago, and I really want to let it go, forgetting it soon. I really dislike that person, let call him Mr. X. This X does not understand what I feel and he is really mean and care less, or nothing perhaps. I was the one that came up with the idea, but then he, who did not really understand what I wanna do and plan, suddenly took it over. I tried to explain everything, but he always interrupted, showing no care and interest in listening to my explanation. I only asked God for patience.

Third, it is the students and the way the committee of the school dare not to sort them out. They accept anyone, no sorting process and voila… you know how bad the quality is. I once tried, in the beginning of my teaching here, several methods, designing what I think as interactive, interesting activities, but students showed no interest and they have very little motivation to continue and follow the lesson. Sigh…

Who’s wrong here?
Did I come to the wrong place?
Am I too demanding and idealistic?
I just wanna enjoy teaching; I love teaching…

Anyway, let’s see the positive points here… though it’s actually difficult to pick out the positives.

I enjoy socializing with SOME teachers. Yes, they are kind and open-minded. Well, if only they were all the same.

I enjoy the INTERNET facility, perhaps the only reason I am still working there. I even posted this writing via the school’s internet.

I like the committee actually. I know each member of the institution.

That’s all… what else to say?

Btw, I am applying to other schools or institutions. Wish me blessing from HIM…
I wish I could be accepted in some sorts of favorite schools,
VanLith or TN maybe… too demanding, huh?

My old edublogs

If you are interested to read my old blogs, please click here.

It contains some old stories of mine. Hopefully, they entertain you...