Thanksgiving 2009

Last week, we took a day to celebrate Thanksgiving. We ate turkey, the usual fare for Thanksgiving day in the USA, and remembered the things we are most thankful for this year.

Turkey. Yum!

FT

Two Types of People

Today I was listening to a radio program when I heard something that struck me as very true, and important.

"There are two types of people.  Those who are hurting and those who will hurt."

The radio program was talking about the natural hills and valleys of life.  It was focusing on the fact that all people experience emotional pain at sometime in their lives--at the death of a loved one or friend, or when going through hard times at work or with family. But I thought it also pertained to the physical (and mental) pain of patients that my students will deal with as doctors.  It's true.  Everyone will feel pain at some point.  Emotional and physical pain are natural parts of the cycle of life. 

Native American

I've been having a laugh today because in the past few weeks I've been called a "Native American" several times.  Of course it would be lovely to be a member of that noble group of people known as Native Americans (historically called American Indians).  Unfortunately, I am not a "Native American" as my well-meaning students and friends sometimes say. I am a native speaker of American English which is what they are trying to say.

This is one of those difficult things about learning a foreign language--we sometimes say things that mean something entirely different from what we intended.  However, I think it is also one of the enjoyable things about learning a foreign language.  We get surprising opportunities to laugh, even in hard times.  We also get to hone our listening skills; to actually look into someone's eyes and pay close attention to what they're trying to say.  I think we forget to do that sometimes when we're speaking to people. 

Teaching a foreign language and living surrounded by foreign language teaches me to listen carefully, even to people I easily understand.

That's a good thing, isn't it?

Halloween at Toastmasters

OK. I know that some of you already think I'm strange, but just in case you didn't--here's the proof. I had the idea of doing a Halloween theme meeting for our Toastmasters club. Some members were skeptical, but as the collage at the left shows--we had FUN!

There seems to be too little fun in the world these days. So, if you have a chance to get together with friends and have some fun--take that chance! It's worth it, even if you have to be a little embarassed.

Grab the joy when you can!!

FT

See?! I told you so!

See? Didn't I say they were cute? These are my new kids. I am now the adoptive mother of another 116 kids. I'm blessed.

FT

Scientific English Seminar

I met my lovely 2nd year students today! They're very cute and enthusiastic. I can't wait to see them again next week.

FT

Let the classes begin!!

Today is the first day for me to meet my new 2nd year students for class (the huge class --116 this year!). I'm really looking forward to meeting them. I don't know what this year's class will bring, but I feel like a new adventure is beginning! Last year's class was an adventure and I'm still enjoying knowing those students.

So . . . let the classes begin!

FT

Kyushu University Toastmasters

I am proud to announce that the Kyushu University Toastmasters (QT) will hold their charter ceremony on August 29th, 2009. QT is the first University Toastmasters club in Japan. QT is filled with enthusiastic members who are working to improve their public speaking and leadership skills. Visit QT any second or fourth Friday of each month at 18:15 (Japanese meeting) and/or 19:00 (English meeting) in the　医療系統合教育研究センター.

Friends at IAMSE

This is none other than the famous Dr. Ron Hardin, pioneer of the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) that many of you will be taking next year.





Dr. Matthew Gwee is the Dean of National University of Singapore's medical school.





My classmates in the ESME course (Essential Skills in Medical Education) were from countries all over the world, including Canada, the USA, Kenya, the Sudan, England, Australia and more!

Bikes everywhere!

It was great to see all of the people riding bikes in Leiden and Amsterdam. Whole families were pedaling along. But you really had to be careful not to be run over by a cyclist. A young doctor at Leiden University joked that they should be called "suicyclists." Get it?