Heading for Home

Leaving Washigton DC was another story to remember. The hotel where most of the TESOLers stayed did not provide any assistance with shuttle arrangement to the airport. And since the luggage was heavy and had been mostly doubled with oleh-oleh, they were all had by the taxi drivers. They did not use meters, so each was charged as the driver liked. There was one who was charged 50 dollars, and another with 100 dollars. But it was so early in the morning, and everyone was tired, and afraid that the driver would dumped them on the road, so they did not dare to argue.

I was happy to get an offer from Jati to take a super shuttle, meaning I was to be picked up at my hotel together with some other passengers, with only 20 dollars.

In the checked in counter, I just learned that everyone had got their seats arranged, except me. It was because we booked our tickets from different agents. I tried everything, and Northwest was being very helpful, but still, they could not get me a seat with the others. Well, we were on the way home, anyway. It was just such a long trip. But then, Jati contacted everyone, and managed to arrange that I switched seat with Hilal on the farthest point, from Detroit to Tokyo. I, then, managed to enjoy my flight, though having to sit next to Jati who kept on sleeping like a log along the travel

Interview by VOA

At 7 PM we got together at the hotel, Mas Tri and Mbak Rosa came with …. gulai and gado-gado. Wooww… yummy. “You can imagine, 2 weeks with strange food,” some of them said. It was really fingers liking good.

But that was food for the body. Mas Tri and Mbak Rosa also brought food for the mind of those TESOLers. Mas Try interviewed everyone of their impressions of their first visit to the USA, joining TESOL Conference, and also about the activities of their language centers. I was listening to each of the interview, amazed with the different impressions they had over the same experience. One said that she was amazed by how the culture gave priorities to the elderly, how the handicapped were always given special access. The other was impressed with the automated machine in almost everything. Some commented on how the historical sites were preserved.

Listening further to the interview, I observed the different styles of everyone in using Bahasa Indonesia. One used the ‘prokem’ language, another quoted so many verses of teachings, still another used so much hyperbolic words. There was one who got nothing to say, and another one who was so carried away with the excitement, and another who just answered a sentence for a question, also another one who seemed to exaggerated everything. I learned so much from observing everything.

The interview was not planned in advanced, actually. It came up in our (The Triyonos and me) communication while I was already in Tampa. I thought it would be a good idea to do say when Mbak Rosa brought it up. So, Thank you Mas Tri and Mbak Rosa, we got two bonuses in DC, the gulai and the gado-gado, and the interview.

Exploring Washington DC

We met at the Union Station exactly at 9:AM the next morning, regardless the means of transportation everyone took. Some really gave it a try to travel by subway, others simply took a taxi. But for sure, everyone was shocked by the weather. It was still freezing.

I always admired the architecture of the Union Station, especially the dome ceiling and the golden gild. It was one of the reasons to take a picture of the TESOLers as a group there. After some discussion we decided to take the Old Troley, and agreed on getting together up to the Capitol, then after that everyone was free to explore the city themselves, and get together at the hotel about 7 PM to have a special dinner together with the food prepared by Mas Triyono and Mbak Rosa.

WE WERE OFFICIALLY in the USA!!! Taking a picture together in front of the Capitol Building, each of us clenched our jaws. The wind was freezing. We explored it a little, then after that hopped on another trolley and headed to our places of interests. Dian, Nurjannah, Nida and Hilal went together, Jenny and Wulan went their own way, Pak Harsono, Pak Yasik, Pak Anwarsyah and Bu Merry went together to visit the Indonesian Embassy, Jati and I explored every stop offered at the itinerary, not willing to pass up any. We paid enough for it, we kept on saying to one another.

The Agony of Reaching the Hotel in Washington

This is the danger of booking hotels online. Do not believe everything they put in the advertisement!! Believing so much in the information they gave, plus the doubling luggage everyone had, really put us into an agony.

With the plan of introducing the subway system in Washington DC, we took a subway from the airport to the hotel. There was no problem at all in taking the subway, except for the lesson to take care of our own belongings without the help of porters. But then, there was no taxi nor bus going to take from the subway station to the hotel. The bus did not operate on Sundays. We waited and waited in agony and asked around, no one could really gave us answers. Then we braved ourselves to stop an old taxi which happened to be passing. There was only one and only willing to take 3 passengers, so we asked 2 ladies and 1 gentleman to go. The taxi did not have a meter, so payment was only based on numbers of approximate mileage. Tired as we were and having no other choice, we accepted whatever it was. They seemed to be honest, anyway. After a while we got another one, and send another 3, and waited for the next one, and the next one.

After helping everyone settle down, I went to my own hotel a bit away. Jati went to stay with his relatives. We promised to meet at the Union Station to explore Washington DC the next morning. It was really a tiring experience, and I felt exhausted. Besides, the coldness of the weather really knocked me off.

Leaviing Tampa

On the morning of the 19th, the original plan was to pick the big group at their hotel and go to the airport together. But Jati reminded me that it would be complicated for me, so he suggested that we simply meet at the airport. I thought he was right. So, I smsed Dian and Wulan to simply meet at the airport. And we did. Jati picked me up at my hotel and we took shuttle together to the airport.

Then, we did something very stupid. I just read the left corner of my ticket and it said: Northwest. So I lined up at Northwest. No one was serving us though we were at the most front of the line already. The attendants kept on calling people’s name and handled their luggage. One passenger then told us to just go ahead use the screen to check ourselves in. But my ticket was paper ticket, so I still need to process it. I asked Jati to go ahead processing through the self check-in screen. Both of us followed the direction, but the number on his ticket was 1 digit more than required. When I tried to talk to the attendance she said: “go to the furthest point counter for help”, and we did. Again, we waited in line. When it came to our turn, the attendant simply said: “Your tickets are for United Air, not Northwest. Can’t you read it…” We did not know how to safe our faces at that time. That was why the numbers on Jati’s ticket did not match. We laughed at ourselves. Obviously, we did not pass the reading comprehension test on the sub - subject of ‘reading airline ticket’. We took it for granted that all our flights were on Northwest. The writing of Northwest on my ticket was simply that the ticket was issued by Northwest but the carrier was UA. We never thought it was possible. So stupid, so careless.

So we went to the dedicated line and there we met the others. I was assisted right away, while the others with e-ticket were assisted to check in using the touch screen. It was their first experience, too. But this time, there was an attendant ready to assist, not like the one in Northwest line.

I was a bit wondering when I saw Dian and Bu Maryam assisted by a stranger. I wanted to ask but Jati asked me to just watch until it was necessary to do something. It turned out that he was the taxi driver who offered help. They brought so many luggage that he did not have the heart to let them carry by themselves. But he was the one who went up to the airline attendant and made everyone confused because he said “These ladies were going to Indonesia” and there was no service to Indonesia by that particular airline. I smiled listening to all the update by Jati and Nida. I never ask those ladies whether they had to pay extra to the very helpful driver.

From afar I also watched the others struggled with doubled luggage, how one scolded the others when commented about the luggage, and how one manipulated the others to take care of the extra luggage and the other one was not happy with the way it was arranged. I listened to one of them complaining how hurted that particular person over the hard words said after commenting someone’s luggage. Everyone seemed to be tired and stressed already. But I had learned so much to keep away and not to interfere. Thank Jati for teaching me to do so. I could be crazy if he were not there.

Exploring the City of Tampa

On the last day, after attending the conference for a half day, we visited Ybor City, the old city of Tampa, riding the Old Troley. Pak Harsono, Nur Yasik, Susilo, Hilal, Jati, and me. Exploring around the city, I remember Jakarta Kota, the Old Town. If only it were kept clean, safe and accessible, we can offer more to tourists, too.

It was time for those gentlemen (except Jati) to get ‘oleh-oleh’ from Tampa, so they were busy coming in and out of the stores. I had enough and did not plan on buying more things, so I just did some window shopping, and I mean it literally. Suddenly Jati called from about 50 meters away. I came over and joined him enjoying a street musician playing saxophone amazingly.

The excitement came a few minutes after the gentlemen were out from the last store, each holding some shopping bags. In a minute, Jati and I found out the source of their laughter. After paying at the cashier, they just found out that the merchandise they bought was MADE IN INDONESIA. After joining them in laughter, I mused: “ Should we laugh at ourselves or be proud of the fact that we found something made in Indonesia, there?”.

The next stop was the Florida Aquarium. We entered as a group of 6, but inside we had our own interest, and so each of us went on our own direction. We just promised to meet at the lobby on the way out. I caught some pictures of 3 turtles intertwining one another, undisturbed by the flurry of camera flashes.

On the way out, while waiting for everyone at the lobby, Jati, Pak Harsono and I entered the gift shop. There, we saw a beautiful turtle certified handy craft. A perfect ‘oleh-oleh’. And you know what? The masterpiece was MADE IN INDONESIA. We got so excited. After convincing ourselves, we decided to get it as a token.

On the way back to the hotel, I walked over the bridge behind the Sheraton and enjoyed the view of the sunset there. It was a bridge that can open up for ships to pass. Too bad, there was no ship passing while I was there. I remember the Ampera Bridge of Palembang that used to open up for ships to pass too in the old days. It was the last evening in Tampa, I had to go back to my room and started packing.

The Gulf of Mexico

Friday, March 17, 2006

I attended a session up to 10:45 and after that Pat Dunkel took me to a short drive, for about 20 minutes to the Gulf of Mexico. I did not inform or take the others, simply because we needed a time together simply to catch up with the good old days, besides.....Pat's car would not hold everyone in.

In about 10 minutes leaving the conference area, we came over a long, very long, bridge. It was miles after miles, and I felt like we were driving over an ocean. Then after about another 15 minutes we came to the gulf already. We passed by rows of hotels and mansions, but we kept on driving to find a space that said it was a public beach, because most of the spaces was a private property. So, people can own their own beach. After a while, we got one that belongs to the County.

I was amazed with the cleanliness of the white sand beach. I really thought that the commitment of the authority to keep the beach green and shady was worth sharing. I compared it with the so many beaches in Indonesia I had seen, and they were all far off. Here at the gulf I not only enjoyed the clear water, as what its name was, but also shady trees and greeneries. You could see seagulls flying around freely and undisturbed. And….you were not disturbed by people selling souvenirs around….

The Excitement of Conference

TESOL Conference is always exciting. Hundreds of sessions to choose from to quench the thirst of teachers who always want to professionally grow. I attended some sessions that were on the plenary and spotlight lists. Maybe I had more choices of topics because I did not have a class to teach. I used the conference more as a chance to see broader possibilities to professionally equip myself to cater the demand of ELT in Indonesia.

The other 12 TESOLers in the group also seemed to enjoy themselves, too. We crossed path several times and without realizing, we kind of choose a certain corner to get together. Every time I met one of the gangs I always asked how she/he enjoyed it so far and they always said they had a good time, they had the right choice, they met someone so far they knew only by name, etc. They all had fun, it seemed.

I recalled Nida told me excitedly that she talked to Diane Larsen Freeman and was even able to get her say something for Indonesian teachers over her video camera. Diane said "Selamat Siang" or something. I asked Nida whether she asked for her email so that she make further contact because UIN was preparing to host TEFLIN conference in 2007. Who knows Diane would like to come. Nida said she did, abd sge was delighted.

Dian, Jannah, Merry (remember we called Ibu Siti Mariam this way..) and Wulan were excited over the piles of books they could get for free. They kept on coming back to the exhibition booth for more books.

Jati was so excited he met many bloggers so far he only knew virtually. He was even invited to a special meeting of blog headers. He was so excited when he told me that in one of the sessions he attended his student's writing was mentioned. He enjoyed his 3 days in the Electronic Village.

The Cultural Surprises ...

Each of us went to our own direction. But we sometimes crossed paths and simply asked each other how we were. We sort of agreed to meet at the same point when we had free time, near the Visitor Information booth.

In one of the occasions, I met Pak Harsono, Pak Nuryasik and Pak Susilo at our meeting point. I asked them how they were so far. They mentioned they had enjoyed attending some sessions and had got some books they needed. There was a bit of hard feeling creeping in my heart when I heard that at one time they were approached by other participants and asked where they came from. When Pak Harsono answered: “From Indonesia”, the person drew his hands up and said: ”Don’t kill me.” It might mean a joke, but somehow, I felt unhappy. I recalled in some occasions in Indonesia when our fellow native speakers felt awkward getting questions like:” Are you married?”, or “Do you have children?” This was worse.

There was also another occasion when those three, pak Harsono, Pak Yasik and Pak Susilo, were walking down the street to their hotel, and asked by a child:” Where are you from?” and when they answered: ”Indonesia”, the child asked: ”Are you a terrorist?” and yet the parents kept quiet.

I mused. In most CCU lessons I got at school, it was always ‘we’, the learner, had to understand ‘their’, native speakers, cultural aspect. Now I questioned myself…”shouldn’t they learn our culture, too?” But then I came to a point I said frequently when we talked about CCU – cultural understanding is a very personal matter. CCU happened at home, at work, in class, with spouse, with classmates, with friends, with everyone. For me, it was no longer native speakers’ culture or Indonesian culture, but in such case, the boundary became very personal. In the above cases, I did not want to say “American did not learn CCU,” it was simply whether that person or that child was taught to give adequate comment to strangers, or not. CCU, as it goes with the boundary of politeness, for me, after all, begins from home. Deep in my heart I was relieved to learn that Pak Harsono, Pak Yasik and Pak Susilo did not react by punching those two people on their faces.
Had they …..

The Fun of Togetherness

After the registration, we spent some time outside the convention center to study the program book and selected the programs we planned to attend. We were there until it was time for the New Comer Orientation at 3:45 PM. While other participants were enjoying the hot sunshine of Tampa Bay, we kept moving our chairs to find shade. Some people smiled watching what we did. We also made a lot of noise, since there were 11 of us altogether.

When we did the planning after registration Nida kept on asking which one to choose over some conflicting schedules. The Eager Beaver were so confused because she wanted just so much. I kept on reminding her, she would not be able to win everything and so she had to choose. I also reminded everyone to also spare time for networking, and got to know the city, the culture, and had some fun. Everyone was busy flipping the program book. It was only Jati who was so sure already of his choices. He planned to stay around the Electronic Village, and he was delighted to learn the names of his virtual contacts would be there. He was really looking forward to meeting them.

There was a fun episode when Jannah with her sunglasses pretended to be blind and groped around with her hands as if a blind massage lady. We giggled watching how fit it was. To our surprise we also heard laughter from a far. When we turned to the source of laughter, we saw some participants on the first floor window laughed at the same scene. We never realized there were others who watched us, too. We burst into out loud laughter, laughing at how silly it must have been.





It was lunch time. Only the second day being in the States, the first lunch (no, it was the second – the first was in Detroit airport when we all so tensed and nervous waiting for the 4 guys to be released from the inspection room), and yet everyone was already longing for rice. “No,” Dian said defending herself when I teased her, “ am looking for French fries”. She went into the convention halls to get some food, together with Jannah. We waited for them to come back.

Nida and Merry (our loving name for Bu Maryam – Semarang) had apples with them, a good and healthy diet. I had salad and orange juice. Jati stayed with the group having hotdog and coffee, and was busy explaining about the programs of his language center and how he managed it. We did not pay much attention to the gentlemen group. They seemed to still be busy selecting sessions they wanted to attend.

After a while, again we moved our chairs for the shade. I pointed at two tot-bags lying on the chairs. “Whose are those?” Then we realized it was Dian’s and Jannah’s. Then we started wondering where they were. It was more than an hour already.

Both ladies returned after one and a half hours. Jati teased them by saying that their tot-bags were taken away because they were unattended and we did not know whose. They did not ask us to keep an eye on them, and we referred to the note during the orientation that we were not supposed to leave our things unattended. Dian and Jannah apologized, “We did not plan to go so long, but we asked people where to get French fries. And we got it after walking about five blocks.” We shook our head…..Five blocks to and 5 blocks return at 1 PM for French fries??? No way.

At 3:45 the newcomers joined the Orientation session. I walked back to my hotel and crashed until the next morning. Maybe it was the hit of the jetlag, or…..was it just ‘ngebo’? No one knew.

First Day in Tampa - Resgitering at TESOL

March 14, we decided to register at the site of the conference and at the same time tried to familiarize ourselves with the area. With us separated in 4 different accommodation sites, we communicated by sms. All agreed to meet at 10. I contacted Damon if we all could meet. He agreed.

At 9:15 Jati picked me up at my hotel, and we walked down 3 blocks to the Convention Center. It was very nice of him. When we arrived at the registration area Wulan and Jenny were already there, finished with their registration. We explored the place for some minutes while waiting for the others. At 10, we returned to the registration area, and met Damon.

10:30, and the big gang was not there yet. We wondered. Then, my mobile buzzered. It was Dian, asking where I were. Then we learned that they were waiting for me to pick them up at the hotel. And yet the evening before when I sent an sms to simply meet at the registration are, Dian said “Agree”. After a short phone call, we found out that the sms was not read thoroughly. “Reading comprehension”, we teased each other.

The big group finally arrived at 11. We directed them to the registration booth, the tot-bags collection booth, and after an animated welcoming chat with Damon we explored the area together. We also took the chance to take a picture together. Too bad, Wulan and Jenny already left, so we did not have a picture of the complete group of 13 with Damon.



Damon then left, and the 11 of us got together raoming the area, got to know each other better, studied the program book, selected the session, and enjoyed the weather. A couple were so excited finding out that the experts they so far know from the books only would be there, some were excited finding topics of their needs, excited knowing that some people they so far got connected virtually would be there…but there were also a couple who hid behind sunglasses and simply glanced here and there…..not even cared about the program book.

.....more pictures to come......

The Nerve Wrecking Experience in Detroit

Being granted a visa to visit the USA does not mean everything would be smooth in the immigration processing gates in Detroit.

4 out of 6 gentlemen in the group, Harsono, Hilal, Nuryasik and Susilo, were detached to the inspection room for more than two hours. We were all waiting at he custom area without being able to do anything. We could not see those 4 gentlemen, did not know what happened and why it took them so long.

After about an hour, I asked the others to leave and proceed out of the custom area to the connecting flight to Tampa. They refused. The were not confident enough to do it themselves, while I was bound to wait for those 4 gentlemen. I asked Pak Jati to lead the group but he did not have the heart of leaving me behind, all alone. After a lengthen discussion and encourgament, half of the group dared to proceed. I loved it when Nida said: "Come on. We are teachers of English, we speak and read English. We will find our way." That was a spirit.

30 minutes prior to departure of our flight to Tampa, there was still no sign that the four gentlemen would be released. I felt so nervous, but could do nothing. Finally I asked Pak Jati to leave me, and catch the rest of the group, lead them to Tampa, and to their hotel. I was ready for the worse, missing the connecting flight. In my heart I was thinking, though, if the 13 of us did not show up, would the plane be hold for us. Maybe not. With he steps he left me alone in the quiet custom area.

20 minutes left, Pak Harsono was released. I started to breath. I urged him to brave himself proceeding out through custom by himself and join the group, but no matter what I said, he said 'No.'. Five minutes later, Pak Susilo came out of the room. I urged both of them to leave and catch the flight. They were so reluctant, but after some argument, they finally left.

Five minutes to departure time. I started to gave up hope. Then, after a minute, Pak Nuryasik was released. He was nervous already, I did not have the heart of even asking him to find his way out. Besides, "We promised to wait for each other," he said mentioning Pak Susilo who was still detached. Meanwhile we heard the boarding call of our flight.

Then, Pak Susilo was finally released. The three of us ran through the custom check, to the baggage check. Pak Susilo in front, then Pak Nuryasik, then I was gurading, behind them. PAk Susilo went thru easily. But...oh...no... they asked pak Yasik to go to the baggage special inspection. My God ..... I hesitated, and the officer shouted at me..'Go here.... no need to wait for your friend.!!' It was so loud. I proceeded smoothly, and waited outside. The second boarding call was heard. I just took a deep breath.

In a minute we saw Pak Nuryasik sprinted to the X-ray gate. He had to return 2 or 3 times because it kept buzzering. So he had to take off his belt and shoes. Pak Susilo and I were so nervous watching. When finally he was cleared, Pak Susilo came to him and took his luggage, and I grabbed Pak YASik hand while ordering him:"just get hold of the belt, no need to ear it now.' We sprinted two or three flights up the escalator towards the gate. We kept on sprinting and from the last downward escalator, we saw the last groups of passengers, our team, were queuing to enter the flight. They all cheered up, even clapped hands seeing us. Entering the plane, I was out of breath, so thirsty and starving. I asked everyone in the group whether any of them cared buying us drink, and....none. They were all nervous to even think about it. And....unfortunately, it was a flight with no serving. Lucky us.

Singapore Proceeding .....

We arrived in Singapore in good shape. In the shuttle bus to the hotel, some already wondered whether to visit Orchard road or not. I told everyone they were all were free that evening, whether to explore Orchard (which was a good chance for those who had never been to Singapore before), or simply hang around, but with a strong note not to be late to catch the shuttle bus at 3 the next morning.

Checking in to Changi Village Inn, names of the 11 grantees were not listed. Only Jenny and I (we got aour tickets from AMEX), got ours. I contacted Diana from IIEF to settle the problem. Finally the hotel people agreed to simply giving them rooms while settling the matter with NOrthwest airline, but they need to swipe our cards as a guarantee. Deal. However, most of them did not have credit cards. So, finally I gave the hotel my credit card to be swiped as their guarantee. Then I called Diana to really settle the problem with Bayu Buana Travel at that very night. I understand the extra work Diana had to do on a Sunday like that.

When all settled, once again I reminded everyone that they were free for the evening, but they needed be ready at 2:45 AM the next morning because the bus was scheduled at 3 AM. Then, with Pak Jati and Pak Harsono, I just walked to the nearest chinese open restaurant, had a simple dinner, then rested.

2:45 the next morning I checked out. Most of them were ready, except for Jenny and Wulan who were sharing room. I asked the receptionist to wake them up, and she said 'Already', and asked her to do it again, and she came back saying 'They are getting ready, Mam.' The bus was ready, and it was quite full. By 3 o'clock, when the bus started moving, Jenny and Wulan were not there. Well, it's not personal shuttle. I smsed Wulan to simply take a taxi to the airport.

The security check was as always, so scrutinizing, but it all went well. Too bad, that the seating arrangement Bayu Buana set was not as we expected. We were all scattered, with two or three side by side only, and all in the middle. I asked the airline to change but they said it was already set by the travel agent, and the plane was really full. It was not possible. Well... you could not always got what you wanted. The long, painful trip then begun...

Leaving the Country....

Departure time came….
Everyone promised to meet at 11:45 at the entrance of the departure gate.

I left the house 10:00, feeling a little regret having to leave the house too early. But 5 minutes later, even before we were getting out of the housing complex, I got an sms from a couple of the TESOLers, reporting they were at the airport already. A couple also reported they were approaching the airport. I smiled. Some people there were too excited, apparently.

11:30, I met everyone except one Pak Hilal.
We waited while teasing each other of sizes of each other’s luggage. I reminded them once again, that there would be no porters helping us around with our luggage, as the luxury we always enjoyed in Indonesia. I mentioned this in the tips I sent through email prior to departure.

12:15, We decided to proceed with checking in, anyway. No more time to wait. Pak Nuryasik was so nice to make a call and check, and we got an answer Pak Hilal was was just about to leave the house. Some shook our heads unbelievably.

No big deal in the checking in process, we were just disappointed that Jenny and Wulan just went ahead checking themselves in while the others were still trying to set with the luggage arrangement. We did decided to check in as a group, actually. As the result, the seating arrangement already set by the travel agent chosen by IIEF was released. Jenny claimed not to know the arrangement, and it was understandable since she was not in the orientation. Still, the rest was disappointed and started making a fuss of it. I told the others it was OK, since it was only the arrangement to Singapore, not all the way to the US.

Immigration procedure was smooth for everyone. And from the other side of the immigration area, we saw our beloved Pak Hilal checked himself in. When we saw him queuing at the immigration booth, we were all relieved. But then, he was again out of sight. We wondered. After a short searched we knew that he was filling out the immigration. I smiled, I knew the form was given during the orientation already, and Diana explained thoroughly about it.

I mused..."The travel is just beginning ........."

Pre-Departure Orientation

On Saturday, March 12, IIEF arranged a pre-departure orientation for 11 TESOLers whose grants were arranged through this foundation. The event took place in Senayan Cafe, Century Atlet Hotel, Senayan, Jakarta, from 3:30 - 9:00 PM, started with tea and coffee and ended up with dinner. RELO Assistant Kun Herrini & Mike McCoy, Senior English Language Fellow, Diana and Wahono were complementing one another as the resource persons. Kun had attended TESOL twice before and her role as RELO Assistant said much about the conference and what to prepare to travel to the States. Mike gave more cultural tips on what to do and what socially applied. Diana and Wahono discussed more about logistic and administrative arrangement.



The 11 TESOLers for the first time met one another physically (most of them had contacted each other through email and sms and phone). The excitement they felt and the fact that they finally met each other, a bit distracted the orientation. A couple of them were so busy chatting that others (even the facilitator), at times, felt disturbed. But....that's the fact dealing with teachers...people said. And as the fate of pre-departure orientation in general, most of the information did not make sense until the actual event/travel happened.

Ibu Irid Agoes, Director of IIEF, had the chance to meet and greet the TESOLers briefly, and the we made good use of the precious moment to take pictures with her.



The buffet dinner was marvellous. We chatted together to get to know each other better. Laughters were heard here and there.

Thank to Diana and Wahono who had worked hard and been so patient in arranging this trip, orientation and dinner. Thank to Bu Iried who gave moral support.

A GROUP OF THIRTEEN

A group of thirteen lecturers attended TESOL conference in Tampa, FLorida, on March 15-18, 2006. For most of them, it was also their first time visiting the United States, even for a couple of them, it was their first time getting out of the country.









First row: Anwarsyah Nur from IAIN Sumatra Utara, Dian Rianita from UNAND Padang, and Nida Husna from UIN Jakarta
Second row: Asrofi Hilal from UIN Yogyakarta, Siti Maryam from UIN Walisongo Semarang, and Nuryasik from UnMuh Malang
Third row: Gumawang Jati from ITB (m)Bandung, Wulan Retno from UPN Veteran Surabaya, and YM Harsono from Atmajaya Jakarta
Fourth row: Susilo Ma'ruf from UnMul Samarinda, Nurjannah Tekkeng from IAIN Makassar, and Jenny Pakasi from UnSrat Manado

The grant from RELO for the first 11 of them was given through IIEF, and 1 grant directly from the Cultural Section. Chaperoning the group was the RELO Assistant, Kun Herrini



A group of thirteen who, most of them, did not even know each other before, traveled together for 9 days. It created a book-thick stories to tell or write.
A group of thirteen with thirteen different characters, the exhuberant, the somber, the smiley, the grumpy, the sleepy, the snooty, the fussy, the preppy, the bossy, the stompy, the preachy, the ignorant, the ball of energy .....were sources of laughters, joy, complain, teasers, and all.
A group of thirteen in TESOL conference, some too engrossed attended sessions, some just walked around the books exhibit, some busy making networks, some busy hunting for free books, some busy exploring the city, and...some busy taking chances to talk with everyone.

A group of thirteen.....more stories are to follow...