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Showing posts from February, 2019
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  Around the neighborhood 
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On February 14: What a great time at SMAN 1 for the Annual English Competition! I got there just in time for the spelling bee finals and the awards ceremony. Met many of the local English teachers and Riley Heist, the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant here in Samarinda. She and Rais were very happy and proud of their successful students. English Competition winners Mas Rais MGMP Team & Riley
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Friday 15 February brings exercise, lecture, and amazing food! The Dean invites everyone on campus to morning aerobics at 7 or 7:30. I almost missed it, but got there in time to meet the Dean's wife and meet the crowd. Friday morning brought my first lecture with the Master's students who are kind, bright, and curious. Friday also brings homemade lunch with all sorts of local treats. Such a lovely work environment---and not JUST because of the food!
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I arrived from Jakarta on 12 February to a lovely welcome lunch with the office staff who then got me settled in with some groceries and a phone. I was picked up for great grilled fish and shrimp satay with Mas Rais, a local English teacher who is also a great AMINEF-trained mentor. For those who know of my fear of motorcycles, you'll be surprised to know that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to the rumah makan naik sepeda motor. I'm pretty sure I can't drive one, but it's fun to passenger with a driver you trust. Now it's February 13: What a lovely welcome to the campus! Here I am with my colleagues and hosts, Dr. Sunardi and Dr. Dyah Sunggingwati. We are on our way to meet the Dean and the Vice-Rector. The photo on the banner is about 13-years-old! And here we all are after meeting up. Along with Pak Sunardi and Ibu Dyah are Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Mustafa Agung Sardjono (next to me) and Dean Prof. Dr. H. Muh. Amir Masruhim, M. Kes (on the right).

Welcome to my journey to East Kalimantan

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In early February, a week before I departed for my next Indonesian adventure, we'd had huge amounts of snow and multiple school closings. I have to admit that the idea of equatorial SEAsia appealed! And now I am here in Samarinda where my colleagues at Mulawarman University have welcomed me with generosity and grace. It will be such a short time to try to get a lot done, but we are ready to go, go, go!