Friday, December 5, 2008

20 GTS family members showed up!

Regualr first Friday dinner was really fun with 20 GTS family members. I was glad to see the one from Australia (she returned to the US during her SUMMER break to enjoy cold Chicago!) I remember that I introduced the teacher in Australia that I know and she took her class. Sounds great even though she is struggling with a lot of Kanji! The time when I see all the smiles of my students enjoying the moment here and there around the table is the happiest moment of GTS and I feel so lucky to be their teacher. Some of them will show up at DePaul university in two days to take Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) where we will see with each other. I hope they all pass the test! There was also one student who has applied JET Program (Japanese Governmental Program to dispatch college graduates to assist their English education in local public schools) and I hope I will see him at the interview scheduled in February at Consulate General of Japan at Chicago if he is screened in to become an interviewee. Next dinner will be January 9th (Second Friday of the month)! Oh, I have to make difficult final exams as usual!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

It seemed a good time was had by all, I'm glad I was able to stay longer this time around... The company of GTS family helped cheer me up after the suckerpunch "comedy" of Udon!

Anonymous said...

Uhuh...*squints* as you take away the katsu!!!

Unknown said...

That's okay because Juria doesn't need any more animals than she's already getting. ::squints back::

We're happy you're our teacher too! Who else could put up with this crowd?!








No. Seriously.

GTS said...

Well, it took over 10 years to have such a nice tradition around GTS after the Founder of JCC and its events who was killed by METRA at Glen Ellyn Station years ago. JCC dinner has a history of lots laugh and tears!

GTS said...

"Squint" is a good word. After doing so many squints for so many years, GTS finally acquired the right word! Thanks. I will continue to squint at each of you! Let's have a party New Year week with Ema! -GTS

GTS said...

By the way, there is alway $30-40 short at the end of the dinner. I hope those dollars help royal members' life a bit! Oh, yeah, except for Juria. -GTS

Anonymous said...

I know someone who would like to be invited to a party new year week with Shingo and Ema and the GTS trio... <.< >.> But if the requirement is to speak only in Japanese, I would be... quite silent... ._.;

You know, Shingo, variety is the spice of life... perhaps you should make some easy final exams? You know, just to change things up a little!

GTS said...

Oh, any member of GTS family is welcome. To make a better sense to be invited, the language requirement must be a good idea, I believe. -GTS

Anonymous said...

He got killed by a train O____O oh my god...I've never heard that story..Thats quite terrifying >.< aaarg

Yeah yeah yeah I have a note on my desk with a header that states "The Jew owes:"

and then various names and how much money I owe XD

GTS said...

Just a few hundred bucks! -GTS

ミシェル said...

It's actually true! I'm sure it's at least that much that Juria owes. I know my wallet is short some $40... Juria!

I really enjoy the JCC dinners too! It's such a comfortable and homey atmosphere to get to talk with people you don't get to see often... and I guess in the case of GTS Trio and Assoc. people who we DO see often... very often, in fact.

GTS said...

Michelle, I also notice that there will be the MOCHI TSUKI Festival at Mitsuwa on 1/1/2009. So let's meet there with other folks! -GTS

ミシェル said...

Woohoo! The closest I've gone to doing Mochi pounding is in the Cooking Mama video game! It should be fun!

GTS said...

Me and Ema are specializing in eating mochi. -GTS

Anonymous said...

Is there a class you have to take to specialize in eating mochi? Because if it is just field study, then I would also like to consider myself a specialist. :)

Let's get ready for awkward! Rijii-chan broke up with me on Sunday, so that should make class interesting tonight! Honestly, I was thinking about not coming to class tonight, but I love learning Japanese too much so I'm willing to endure.

Gee, now I'm kind of glad she's not taking second semester...

GTS said...

I like to see classmates in my class become a couple but not breaking up. :X( -GTS

Anonymous said...

It is regrettable, I really enjoyed spending time with Rijii-chan, but it was inevitable. Rijii-chan was not willing to move to Japan and I will not stop working towards my goal. It just happened sooner or later.

Oh no, Shingo!!! Do you think I'll be able to bring my cats with me when I move to Japan?

GTS said...

You can bring cats to Japan through certain procedures. For your personal life, I am not in a position to make any comments. -GTS