Kang GURU Travels to Banyuwangi

Hi Kang Guru and Sue (standing at the back)

Students love their new, brightly
painted school from AIBEP

The Miss club final was also tough because the five finalists had to answer random questions from Sue and I. And the winners goes to Umi Wiji Yeni from SMK Al on the first place, Liya Kholida on the second and Rita Veronica on the third place. Congratulations girls and keep on practicing! Phew…! The day was hot but it was fun!

After lunch there was a surprised visit from Jember. It was Umi with 3 other members of Get Me English Club. Umi came all the way from Jember just to meet KG! The next thing we did was what most students had been waiting for : The Club meeting.

The clubs meeting was on the second floor. Club members were rushing to the meeting room upstairs. We could see smiling and cheerful faces in the room. We asked Umi and the gang to join in too. The room was packed, there were about 70 students from both Fragrant water and Charming and 4 from Get Me English Club. We did various games. Sue started the first game with “spelling game” and then I continued with “find someone who” then word guessing game, numbers game, alphabet game and last but not least was the cluster game. The whole activities were full of laughter, shout and scream. Every one in the room was so enthusiastic and energetic, they participated well in every game. We were both soaked with sweat and…. it’s time for us to go back to our hotel to get change and get ready for the evening.

It was a hot sunny day and we had to head home after saying goodbye to everybody. On the way to Ketapang we stopped to get some “dragon” fruit to take home. And Sue even bought the dragon fruit plant. She wants to grow dragon fruit at her back garden….!

Time to set sail and say goodbye to Banyuwangi…….Once again it was a good trip!

The Activities of Fragrant Water English Club, #094 written by Dyah

Friday, 1st February 2008 in the morning at 5.30 – 7.30 I gave "Pendalaman" (extra lesson) for my students in grade XIIRPL. Because they will face National Exam on 22nd April 2008. So, every Friday morning (early morning) I have to give an extra lesson to them. On 7.30 – 10.00 I, Dewi and Tato gave materials in the club meeting. We discussed about many things. The preparation for the big day, like dancing, band performing, singing. Because there was only one band who would perform. I ordered them to play and sing English song. But they refused it, because they would need some more time to practice it. Then I, Dewi and Tato agreed if they sang Indonesia songs. That day was the e last day for the club members met before the big day (3rd February 2008). We were really excited about everything. But if the club members needed something related with the big event, they could come to my house or maybe to Dewi and Tato's home. Friday afternoon at 1.00 p.m. I went to Raka FM (Radio Station) in Purwoharjo. Actually Dewi and Tato also wanted to go but because of heavy rain they cancelled their travelling. While me, although the rain was so heavily, I decided to go to there with my friend. We rode a motorbike and we wore a raincoat. In Gambiran street the rain dropped really really really heavily, so we decided to shade in the terrace of someone's house. We needed a half an hour to continue our travelling to Raka. At 2.30 we arrived at Raka. Mr. Widodo and Ms. Nining welcome us. We chatted for a while, then Mr. Widodo introduced me to other members who also visited Raka. Then Ms. Sue and Ms. Ayu came, we shoke a hand. Luckily Sue still recognized me. And when I introduced myself to Ayu, I thought she really surprised when knew me. Then we (all Raka’s listeners) chatted with Ayu and Sue. There were many questions from us (include me). Then, Sue and Ayu ordered us to introduced ourselves one by one. After doing some games, we took some pictures. You know that I became famaous like Sue and Ayu, because many people wanted to know me and my clubs (Fragrant Water English Club and Charming Learners Club). I also invited them to come to our big event as jury in the competition and also as participant in English Camp / Activity. At 5.00 I went back home. Because I, Dewi and Tato had to prepare something that we didn’t fulfill yet. I made the number for participant, typed some data, arranged some performance, made the schedule, etc.

The next day, 2nd February 2008 I and Endang (an Economic teacher) entered workshop English teacher in Purwoharjo, include Dewi and Tato. It rained again but not so heavily as before. I went there at 6.15 and of course I wore a raincoat. At 7.30 I and Endang arrived at SMPK St. Agustinus, Mr. Widodo and some teachers welcome us. I really felt happy meeting other English teachers. Some of them I've already known them, because I sometimes meet them. But most of them I didn't know them yet, because the distance of our area is far so I never knew them. I took and sat in front row. That was the third time I followed workshop English teacher conducted by KGRE. The first one was on the 2nd December 2006 in Jember conducted by Cheryl Reid and Ogi. On 25th January 2007 conducted by Sue Rodger. I wanna give some suggestions, I hope for next workshop Kang Guru team will give the different topic, not just Tina Arena with the song Chains, Toba Lake, School Canteen, etc. That was all I got from the first workshop until the third workshop. In the third workshop on the break time, there were some persons came to me and asked about KGCC and how to connect with KGRE and at the lunch time there were also some teachers come to me and asked more about my clubs. They asked about how to arrange an English club, how to invite Kang Guru team and everything surrounding KGRE. I was really happy and I like a superstar at that time because many teachers asked me about KGRE. KGRE you made me like this. Thank you. On the quiz time (doing in group) when we did a quiz from Listening Reading Class Set based on December magazine, my group (Dyah, Endang, Dewi = Sempu group) became the winner, horray... We got KGRE bags. Thank you. Then for individual game Dewi got a prize included a T-shirt. And in the last session Sue gave me Teacher Package for SMA. Actually I have it. I have all teacher package that I bought from KGRE last year, include Teacher Package for SMP, SMA and March Revised. All of them I bought for myself. Of course I will use the teacher package for SMA that I got from workshop for my students and my club members. Once more KGRE, thank you very much. Workshop ended at 3.00 and directly I went back home and went to school to check everything together with Dewi and Tato. At school, all club members had already waited us. Then we arranged the chairs, tables, benches, etc. We swept the floor in all the classrooms. We also mopped the floor. After that I, Dewi and Tato did many duties about the certificates, participants number and may things that we didn’t do yet. We ended the duty until 1.30 a.m.

I thought we all couldn't sleep well, because we had to face the big day some hours again. At 4.30 I woke up checked everything, took a shower, had breakfast at 5.00 and checked once more time and I went to school together with Dewi and Tato at 6.00. At school I, Dewi and Tato checked everything. On that day we still got new participants. So, totally we got 82 SD participants for poetry competition, 65 SMP participants for poetry competition, 12 participants for Miss Club 2008. And we got confused because all the jury didn't come yet. We agreed that all the show running well when the jury come. We invited 12 jury. 5 Jury came from Purwoharjo; broadcasters, members of Raka English Club and active listeners from Raka FM. 7 Jury came from Sempu and Genteng. They are English teachers of SMP and SMA. We got 82 participants for SD so we decided to devide into 2 pools. For SMP was just 1 pool and for Miss Club was 1 pool. There would be ten finalists for SD and SMP. And 5 finalists for Miss Club. At 9.30 Sue and Ayu arrived at our school. They brought many things. Then, we asked them to go to upstair. In there, there were 4 journalists waiting for their coming. In our school we produce “A Buletin” (like a pouch) named Boom. It appears every week (once in a week), every Monday. So we wanted to know about KGRE, that’s why we interviewed Kang Guru team. And all the journalists are also active members of Fragrant Water English Club. Not long after that Mr. Asnan our principal came to Sue and Ayu, and welcome them. After interviewed and took some pictures we came down to go to the tend. Actually, we wanted Sue and Ayu gave a speech about KGRE, but because the competition for SMP didn't finish yet, so they chatted in front of UKS room. Sue gave many stickers to the participants while waiting for the competition finish. Ayu chatted with club members, and took pictures. At around 15 minutes I asked them to sign the certificates. While signing certificate I dropped Ayu's camera, I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry Ayu. Please forgive my fault. Then I, Dewi and Tato talked a little with Sue and Ayu. We were really surprised when knowing the real Ayu was so different with her picture on Kang Guru magazine. And Ayu also said that she was, also surprised knowing her photograph. Then Sue and Ayu gave a speech in front of the audiences. At about 15 – 25 minutes, they did many games and quizzes. And they gave many prizes, such as; pens, badges, key-rings, etc. Then Dewi and Tato announced the finalists. And the jury were Sue and Ayu. The final round began at 11.00 and ended around 1.30 p.m. After all the participants did the competition, Sue and Ayu announced the winners from SD, SMP and Miss Club. The winners of An English Poetry Reading Competition for SD: 1. Vida Septiasari (SDN 1 Genteng)

2. Saftian Ari Hidayat (MI Islamiyah Sempu)
3. Ericka Devi Wijayanti (SDN 1 Sumbergondo Glenmore)
The winners for SMP: 1. Dian Wahyu Dinata (SMPN 1 Genteng)
2. Dwi Febriyanto (SMPN 1 Genteng)
3. Adinda Lailia Nursafitri Al – Hadi
(SMPN 1 Genteng)
The winners for Miss Club: 1. Umi Wiji Yeni (SMK Al – Azhar Sempu)
2. Liya Kholida (MAN Genteng)
3. Rita Veronica (SMAN 2 Genteng)
All the winners got thropies and prizes from Kang Guru. They also got certificates. By the way, all the participants got certificates which were signed by Sue and Ayu. After the competition Kang Guru team had lunch. Finishing lunch I asked Sue and Ayu took picture together with our headmaster, Dewi and Tato. Then, we had club get together Fragrant Water English Club, #094, Charming Learners Club, #048, and Get Me English Community, #071 from Jember. We did many games and we got many prizes. Some members of Fragrant Water didn't enter the game because they had to practise playing music. At about an hour we did very interesting game, took pictures and discussed many things about KGRE and KGCC. Sue and Ayu needed time to take rest and bath. So they went back to hotel. While I, Dewi and Tato opened an English Camp. We gave the participants a module about doing some tasks, opinion, etc. The module disappeared in a minute and we had to copy again. Yes, we got many participants in English Camp. There were 115 members. The first task we discussed in a group. Each group had variety members. Not just Fragrant Water English Club members or Charming Learners Club members but also other club members. Then we discussed about food, especially BAKSO / Meatball. We had to give named of Bakso that we created. For example rainbow bakso, etc. We had to list the ingredient of Bakso. Then we presented the discussion in front of other members. The second step they had to write their experience from the beginning of the day until that time. Maybe if they entered an English Poetry Reading Competition they could tell more about it. After that Tato and Dewi ordered the members to ask the price of thing in Bazaar, INDOMARET and food vendors near SMK Al – Azhar Sempu. And they also had to see the highest price and the lowest price of the things (The cheapest Soap, The most expensive Detergent, The cheapest Instant Noodle, The most expensive fruits, The cheapest Tooth Paste) in INDOMARET ‘mini market’. It was surprising when all the participants went to Indomaret. After all the members did the task they had to report to Tato and Dewi. And I for myself checked the certificates. Actually, my brother, his name is Wiwid, he is also a computer teacher in SMK Al – Azhar did that. He also arranged the rank of the finalists. But that time he had to take a bath, so he went home and would back again after Maghrib. At 5.15 until 6.00 p.m. we had a break. Before break time, all the members were given a task from Tato, after Maghrib they y had to present some "Yel – Yel". At 6.15 all the participants went back again to the tent, afer a few minutes they (in a group) presented "Yel – Yel". Dewi became an adjudicator, while Tato became the Master of Ceremony (MC). In the middle of presentation Sue and Ayu arrived. We were happy knowing that. Then the presentation was continued. That was time to announce the winners. There were 2 groups won the presentation. Sue gave them key-rings and pens. I thought all other groups were jealous with them. The Sue explained about cities in Australia and also Uluru. Then, Sue asked the ausdience to talk about tourist attraction. Sue invited one of the participants to talk about city and tourist attraction in it. Then, one of Charming Learners Club member came in front of the stage and tried to give explaination. The time showed at 8.15 p.m. Tato had to leave the show, because he had to go to Bali with his friends s (teachers) in SMPN 1 Genteng. The show handled by Yeni and Frida. I was so sorry because they used Indonesian language manuy times. Actually they didn't become MC but because Tato had to go, so he decided to choose them. Both of them active members of Fragrant Water English Club. The first performance was from Charming Learners Club (CLC) members, they were Vita, Katon and Unggul who danced GANDRUNG dance. Gandrung was originally come from Banyuwangi. This dance usually dances to welcome the guest. Three of the girls are elementary school students. Vita is in the first grade, Katon is in the third grade and Unggul is in the fifth grade. They were really happy to dance GANDRUNG. They just needed one week to practice. They practiced that dance in my home, sometime I improved their moving. Then the second performance was also from CLC Member, she is Astri the first leader of CLC. She practiced it just one day. She read a poem that I suggested from Teacher Package for SMP (A Friend is .....). The third performance was from CLC member again, they presented Modern Dance (Let’s Dance Together). They were Reta, Nona, Junjung, Putri and Yuli. They are all in the sixth grade of SD. The fourth performance was from CLC member again. She was Vita who danced GANDRUNG before. She sang KUCING GARONG. She needed two days to practice that song. What do you think Sue and Ayu? The fifth performance was from CLC members again. Almost all the members stood on the stage to sing Advance Australia Fair. They were really happy because Sue and Ayu also sang that song. The sixth performance. from Fragrant Water English Club (FWEC) members. They danced Punjari, a traditional dance. This dance was originally from Banyuwangi, too. They were Pugud and Ika. After that Frida and Yeni asked Sue and Ayu about the performances from both FWEC and CLC members. The seventh performance was from Fragrant Water English Club (FWEC) member, she was Elok. She sang Dangdut song, the title was Sir Gobang Gosir. The eighth performance was from CLC members again. They presented a Drama with the title "Andhe – Andhe Lumut". I arranged that drama but I tried to make different. At the end of the story Kleting Kuning didn't choose Andhe – Andhe Lumut as her husband but she decided to pick the narrator. Because he was more handsome and richer than Andhe – Andhe Lumut. They were;
Lata as a Narrator
Kholiq as Andhe – Andhe Lumut
Ida as Kleting Kuning
Nurul as Kleting Abang
Nita as Mommy
Aziz as Yuyu Kangkang
Dayu as Mbok (Andhe’s mother)

They prepared that drama only in one week. The ninth performance was a group band. Half of the personel are FWEC members. They were Dahry (vocalist), Yanuar (Keybordist) and Yusuf (basist). They performanced 4 Indonesia song. We are so sorry just presented Indonesian songs, maybe next time I will arrange an English song. After the performance of Dahry's Band I and Dewi closed the show. I said thank you very much for the coming of KGRE team and we were sorry for all mistakes that we did. We understood there were many mistakes completed our show from morning until evening. But we felt so proud because we could invite Kang Guru team to come to Fragrant Water English Club. And the last performance was the tenth performance that was from mixture between students of SMK Al – Azhar and the ex-students (Alumni) of SMK Al – Azhar. They sang an English song. I wanted to say sorry because after the show many of my students (both from FWEC and CLC) asked signature, prizes and took pictures together. Because they didn’t want to loose the incredible moment meeting Kang Guru team.
By the way, I want to say sorry again, because in our "Spanduk" we wrote Reading Poem Competition, Miss English Club 2008 and English Camp. I knew that was wrong but we had already ordered it before I asked some suggestions from Kang Guru team. But on the certificate I wrote as you said An English Poetry Competition and Miss Club 2008. Can you tell me the different words between Poem and Poetry?

Sue and Ayu, I forgot to take you to our Radio Station (Gema Al – Azhar FM). The location is near your car parked. It is very small radio, but every Sunday morning at 6.30 – 7.30 we broadcast KGRE show since the 2nd December 2007. I’m so sorry that I didn't show you about our radio station. Maybe next time, I'll show you (and other Kang Guru team that will come to my club again).

Actually, it was the second time I held competition in my school. The first time I held Story Reading Competition for SD students in 2003. I worked only with students association (OSIS), we only got 46 participants. And the second one was bigger than before, that's because I invited KGRE team. And every year I and English teachers are in our neighbourhood (ETA = English Teacher Association) always hold English Competition For SD and SMP P students in Subdistrict Sempu. We hold in conjunction with Dinas Pendidikan in our area. Last year, in August 2007 we got 120 participants for SD students, and 161 participants for SMP students. The committee were only 6 persons and all of us are English Teachers. This year we will hold English Competition again, maybe I will be held in conjunction with Fragrant Water English Club, #094. So we can invite KGRE team to our area. Please, give me some suggestions and advices about it. I want to invite Kang Guru team again to participate in English Competition in August.

Kang Guru Team, since I, Dewi and Tato held the English Competition in conjunction wuth KGRE that conducted by Sue and Ayu, many people look for us, especially me. Many English teachers call me, send sms to me and come to me to ask about how to join KGCC. They ask how to arrange an English Club. How to invite Kang Guru Team. I took some of Kang Guru magazines in my clubs, then I gave them. I explained about Kang Guru more, although I'm also still new in KGCC. My club was accepted by Kang Guru in May 2007. They are really interested in KGRE. I copied an information paper about how to arrange an English Club that I got from Cheryl last year, I also copied more information in KG magazine. I told them how to get free magazine from Kang Guru. I told about radio station and KG website and many more about KG. Until I write this report, my mobile phone is still ringing because someone out there asking about Kang Guru Radio English. Now, Kang Guru Radio English is so popular in Sempu, Genteng, Kalibaru, Jajag, Purwoharjo and all around Banyuwangi. Because of Kang Guru I become a famous teacher, like celebrity, he...he...he. Wow... it's my new life. Anyway, Thank you very much for your helping Kang Guru. Thank you very much indeed.

Regards,
Dyah Siswinarah N.,
Fragrant Water English Club, #094 & Charming Learners Club, #048