[EnglishClub_DIBBI] Club Updates

@ Pattiserie this afternoon, Friday 09-12-2011, 01.00 pm.

There was supposed to be a club meeting (I called it coffee break) right now, right here. However, everyone seemed busy with their work. I was waiting for members who were invited for the meeting. I changed my gtalk status in my BB to “@ Pattiseries, waiting for members...”. After few minutes,  after contacting me thru mobile messages, two of them came up.  Ms. Wirdie and Ms. Lind4 walked in, and apologized for their late.  



Club meeting situation @ Pettiserie, MRP 3rd floor

We then were involved in a serious discussion on how to avoid grammatical errors which always happen when we write an article. During the discussion, Ms. Ordinary Woman send me gtalk message, apologizing for not able to come. Few minutes later, Auleeya also did the same. I reply them, saying that there is no problem. Because so many works we should do especially these days, the time when  the end of year is approaching.

In the middle of our discussion, Ms. Miumiu also appeared. “I am very-very sorry because I'm late” she said. We go on with the talk, this time about the tips of accidental talk. It is a situation in which you have to be prepared within seconds to speak on a topic. Many people fall into nervous and lost their concentration due to this sudden request. Just like in TOEFL, speaking section. When the question pops up, you are given only 15 seconds to think, and within 45 seconds you have to speak, whether or not you are ready.

I myself experienced this kind of accidental talk, when visited Uganda last July (see my bahasa blog http://cecepmh.blogspot.com/2011/10/welcome-to-kampala-islamic-bank.html ).  It was the time when we finished Jum’a prayer. I was sitting two rows away from the imam, and suddenly the imam stood up, turned around facing jamaah and spoke in Swahili, the local language. What I knew from his speech was he mentioned my name and my institution. I was very surprised when someone from Bank of Uganda translated the speech into English, “Sir, you are asked to give speech by the imam..” (Oh myGod,  mati aku......) I had only 15 seconds to think what I should deliver on my (ad-hoc) speech. I could’t ask Uda Nas or Mr. Soekro to replace me, since it was my name who was mentioned. I saw both also waving their hand, asking me to go forward. Fortunately,  it is an advantage for me, being a trainer for almost 15 years, so that I can manage myself out of a difficult situation like this. So, after cooling myself,  I started the speech with the very easy thing, salution:  Thank you for the opportunity given to me -I am very proud to be here, honoured to be here among muslim brothers. Then....... We are here become the guest of Bank of Uganda, teaching Islamic banks and bla..bla..bla... *sigh.... (See, how similar the situation with TOEFL test is)

Instead of being lonely due to absence of many members, one thing made me very happy this afternoon. Ms. Lind4 told me that  all members started talking in English one to another, no only if they meet me. (Really? Alhamdulillah......then).  Even our senior, Mr. Nchus (not you it is quite) now always speaks English with me everytime we meet to each other. According to Dul Gembul experience, it was so much so, that even she forgot to use bahasa when she ordered for food in our own canteen. (Hihihi....it happened to me many times too)

I just have to remind everyone, that the motive we are using English is for the purpose of practice. It is  not for showing off, at all. It is because we will need them one day, for example when we go for PMK or for studying abroad. And since it will be needed anytime during our job, the practice will be a never ending process.

(Thank you for Ms. Rosnitaw, Dul Gembul and Miumiu for coming. Also for Ms. Rosnitaw who treated us coffee for the meeting. I wish I had an Arabic club also, so that I can practice speaking the language with many people, not only with my only-colleague-in-Arabic, ustaz SBU.....hiks)