Storytelling: What Goes Around, Comes Around

This story will take you from Japan to Thailand, to Germany, and then Istanbul.

Many moons ago, at some time in the early 90s, I used to send care packages for Burmese refugees to the Chiang Mai University in Thailand. Locals had put up a Burmese Relief Centre (BRC) and gathered towels, sheets, clothing, etc. for new arrivals.

During the three years we spent in Japan, I must have sent close to 20 big packages. I hauled each one down the mountain from where we lived and took them to the post office on 199 (main road going through Wakamatsu). I asked around for donations from neighbors and friends.

Every time the centre received a package, I would get a polite thank-you note in return. I used to collect stamps back then, so I  held on to the colorful envelopes.

Letters from Thailand

I had forgotten about this little Burmese Drive of mine until our son applied to the Thailand English Teaching (TET) program this spring, 20 years later. This was the same child I had carried in Japan, while sending these relief packages. Son Thomas was born in Kitakyushu on a cold wintry day in January 1994.

If accepted, Thomas would teach English as an assistant teacher for nine weeks this summer. Well, he got in and so we were curious, of course, as to what location he would be assigned to, but we had to wait a couple more weeks to find out.

Then we learned he got a solo placement at Doitaowittayakom School School, which is a secondary school located at153 Moo.2 Doitao District… in Chiang Mai 50260 (Chiang Mai Province,  Thailand).

This was Chiang Mai calling. Interesting to see how this cycle was coming to a close.

Now this might seem to have come full circle. But wait. There’s more. This inspired me to e-mail the Burmese Relief Centre (BRC) and inquire whether they are still running it. Excerpts from their response this week:

… and many thanks for all your past donations of clothing to the Burmese refugees. The BRC is still operating, and providing emergency assistance to displaced Burmese people, as unfortunately conflict is still continuing, particularly in northern Burma. We still accept donations, of clothing or funds, for the displaced. If your son is passing through the town of Chiang Mai, he is welcome to get in touch and we can explain more about the current situation and our work.

From here and only two days later, the story continues in a different direction. One of my friends, Kamil, a German of Turkish heritage and living in Germany, had asked me to do a translation for his son. He needed this so his son would  be able to travel from Istanbul to Bangkok (without an adult) and spend time with his dad in Thailand for the holidays. When I sent him the translation, I also mentioned our son being in Thailand around the same time this summer. Surprise, surprise. He and his son would also be in Chiang Mai in late August and would like to meet up with Thomas.

I also mentioned to Kamil how much I admired Elif Shafak’s book The Bastard of Istanbul (the link will take you to Amazon.de). This book inspired me to plan a short trip to Istanbul with my husband this autumn.

Again, life surprised me when Kamil offered his vacation apartment in Istanbul for our use.

This seems to be the end of the story. For now. I’m sure it’s just the beginning.

Private Russian and English Lessons – Frankfurt

Posted on behalf of Dr. Elena Farztdinova on 19 Jan 2014:

I am a Russian speaker from Moscow, with a PhD in Russian and a Postgraduate Diploma in English.

More than 20 years teaching experience at universities and language centres in Russia, in the UK, and in Germany.

My lessons are well structured and very goal-oriented, and the learning process is comfortable and enjoyable.

Dr. Elena Farztdinova

Frankfurt Niederursel

elena_farztdinova@yahoo.com

0176 47975049

First English Book Case in Frankfurt

Sharing the newsletter sent out by the English Theatre Frankfurt on 30 October 2013.

Quoting:

On Thursday 24th October 2013, the English Theatre Frankfurt (ETF) opened Europe’s first public book case exclusively for books written in English.

Our guests of honor were Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann and the former Mayor of Cultural Affairs, Hilmar Hoffmann, among other wonderful friends of the ETF.

Take a look at the opening with the ensemble of Saturday Night Fever and our Lord Mayor: http://www.flickr.com/photos/69838251@N05/sets/72157636930213096/

The book case works like this:

People are invited to leave books for others to take, like a book exchange in a public space. We believe this will work splendidly in front of our main entrance, as the performances draw not only thousands of teachers and students but also native speakers who live and work in Frankfurt as well as people who are generally interested in the English language.

The ETF has taken on the responsibility for the book case. Our staff will make sure that the book case is clean and that there are no inappropriate books on display.

Please join us in launching our book case by bringing an English book with you to the previews of Saturday Night Fever, or when passing by the theatre. Whether it’s a classroom favorite or a personal favorite, your book will help make the first English book case in Frankfurt a success.

Please pass this message on to your friends who might want to contribute to the first public book case IN ENGLISH.

“The young need discipline and a full bookcase”

– Vivienne Westwood –

– end of quote –

List of Christmas Markets in Germany

Back by popular demand… the list of German Christmas markets.

We might get some snow again this December, which really adds a special touch to the market atmosphere; rained-out markets are no fun. But add some snowflakes, good food and drink to this, and you might even improve your German with each mulled wine.

I prefer the small town markets myself. Those are usually only held over one weekend and are much more charming than the big town markets.

You need to visit a few to see for yourself. My favorite one is in Oberursel, of course. It is spread throughout the old part of town and because of that, it does not get that crowded. You will have enough elbow room to hold your cup or Bratwurst.

The U.K. site, featuring Christmas markets in Germany, is frequently updated and now holds more than 2530 Christmas-related events.

For the English readers:  Germany Christmas market

Another site for the German readers: Weihnachtsmarkt Deutschland

When Good English is Important

Just listening to this You Tube clip Air China talks to JFK Ground left me sweating a bit, for both the Air China pilot and the JFK Air Traffic Controller.

I have flown twice with China Air (in 1992 and 2005) and both times, the pilots’ English skills were good.

But the pilot from the following clip definitely should take a refresher course in English speaking and listening comprehension before flying again. I am sure, he has after this verbal and potentially dangerous mishap, which took place in 2006.

I could hardly understand the pilot’s English and to my fairly untrained ears in regards to understanding English spoken with a Chinese accent, his English sounded Chinese at times.

[youtube TrJbMATMSDE]

If you’d like to know the exact content of the dialogue, see this clip Air China “talks” to JFK Ground on You Tube.

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