Newsletter West Coast #1 " A Whole New World "

I'm an Exchange StudentI'm an exchange student. How do you know what a dream is, if you never accomplished one? How do you know what an adventure is, if you never took part in one? How do you know what anguish is, if you never said goodbye to your family and friends?

How do you know what diversity is, if you never lived under the same roof with people from all over the world? How do you know what tolerance is, if you never had to get used to something different even though you didn't like it? How do you know what autonomy is, if you never had to decide anything by yourself? How do you know what it means to grow up, if you never stopped being a child to start a new course? How do you know what it means to be helpless, if you never wanted to hug someone and had a computer screen preventing you from doing it? How do you know what distance is, if you never said ?I am so far away?? How do you know what a language is, if you never had to learn one in order to make friends?

How do you know what an opportunity is, if you never caught one? How do you know what pride is, if you never experienced it while realizing how much you have accomplished? How do you know what it means to seize the day, if you never saw the time running so fast? How do you know what a friend is, if the circumstances never showed you the true ones? How do you know what a family is, if you never had one that supported you unconditionally? How do you know what borders are, if you never crossed yours to see what there is on the other side?

How do you know the world, if you have never been an exchange student?

content

I'm an Exchange StudentContentWe say..

Arizona - Catherine 1Arizona - Rilo 4Arizona - Lica 7

California - Bulan 10California - Fitri 13California - Latifa 16California - Layyin 19California - Luthfan 22California - Mila 25

Oregon - Yanti 28Oregon - Widya 31Oregon - Genting 34

Wyoming - Ayun 37

Washington - Hafiz 41Washington - Azora 44Washington - Wintang 47

Hawaii - Faris 50

New Mexico - Mudin 53New Mexico - Dhanizar 56

Washington - Hafiz 41Washington - Azora 44Washington - Wintang 47

Hawaii - Faris 50

New Mexico - Mudin 53New Mexico - Dhanizar 56

See you in the next newsletter !

We say . . .

welcome to our new chapters of life! enjoy every single page!

Here our life is changing, the new journey begins

Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the journey!

- Dhanizar

- Yanti

- Lica

START!

ready for story of great leaders in a year ?!

- Widya

READY?

Catherine Nur KomaraChapter : BandungPlacement : Phoenix, ArizonaAddress : 1619 Palmcroft Drive South-West, Phoenix, Arizona – 85007 - USAHost School : Veritas Preparatory Academy ( Grade : 11th )Facebook : facebook.com/catherinetceteraTwitter : @catherineohyeahE-mail : catherineoyeee@yahoo.comBlog :chitonentin.blogspot.com

Catherine - Arizona

It has been 2 months after we - YES 2012-2013 students – meet

our family for the last time in 2012. It was from the national orientation day

until finally now, we live our life in a place that is approximately 14,000

kilometres from our beloved homeland.

7th of August 2012, the first day I saw American sky, the country

that has become my dream to visit before. Really, it is still like a dream for me

to be here. Even when I stepped on Dulles Airport, I didn't feel that I have

been so far away from Indonesia. Finally after 3 days of orientation in DC, we

split up into our own state.

I live in a big city called Phoenix, which is the capital city of the state

of Arizona. This city is very hot especially in summer, and the temperature

may reach 45 degrees Celsius! Here, I live with the Murphys, which consists

of Mom, Dad, and my three siblings - they are triplets! It's awesome isn't it?

The Murphys, a family who like to do unique things and eager to know new

things, and I enjoy being silly with them :)

Here, everything is completely different and new. Honestly, this one

example is just a small thing, but I cannot get over this habit until now. You

know, here, the driver sits in the left seat. I always forget everytime I want to

get to the car, always take steps to the left door.. And it always happens

everyday, so then my neighbors and hostfamily laugh because of that... Haha.

Then, here.... The toilet must not be wet! Wow, such a very difficult

thing for me, especially for the first 2 weeks since I lived with the Murphys.

There are also many other difficult things, such as how to use the tap, how to

make the bathroom clean without muddy floor (actually not floor, it's carpet!),

and also how to follow the rules at home.

My Lovely Family!

Me and Dad!

Brand New Life !

In this city, many citizens came from the nearest country from

Arizona. Yes, indeed, Arizona is U.S. border with Mexico. Now,

therefore, most people who live in this area speak Spanish and...

absolutely eat Mexican foods. As a result, there's no day without nachos,

burritos, and tortillas~ and, the first time I found tempe, tahu, and sambal

here makes me like I'm the happiest person in the world: ')

Almost everyone here always try to be punctual or be on time.

Ranging from small children to adults, they really appreciate and use the

time wisely. Oh yeah, the first week of my arrival here was still Ramadan

month. The atmosphere is very different, there's no same family, there's

no ketupat, there's no adzan... But, the Eid Al Fitr day here was no less

impressive and very wonderful anyway :)

Lifestyle is also one that has many different aspects. A week ago,

I went to the a city called Tempe, where the city is one of the biggest

territory of the students in Arizona. Nightlife in there is really similar to

what I usually watch on television, many parties everywhere. Then things

like football, which is very popular for almost country in the world, is the

least favourite one here. In fact, Arizona is reportedly don't have a soccer

team...

Although our story is relatively new for a while, there are so many

positive things that we can get from the early months of our journey. This

journey will be long and there are still a lot of things to go through. This

journey is ours :)

“How do you know the world, if you have never been an exchange

student?”

New Culinary

Experience!

Me and Arizona Girl Choir Girls

Eid Al Fitr Prayer @Phoenix Convention Center

Name : Muhammad

Shiddiq Rilo AnditoChapter : BogorPlacement :Phoenix,

ArizonaAddress : 8832 N 13th st,

Phoenix, AZHost school : Central

High school (12th)Facebook : Shiddiq Rillo

Email : muhammad.

shiddiq.rilo.andito@live.

comTwitter : @muhammadandito2

Rilo - Arizona

MY NEW AMAZING WORLD

Hello! My name is Rilo, I’m an exchange student from Indonesia. I would like to tell my story in America.

When I first came to America, I just think “Am I dreaming?”, but I realized it is not dream, it is real. Now I am Phoenix, Arizona state. Before that I passed lot of new experience, I have new friends, new things by me and new world.

I just think are American people mean or not friendly, but I was wrong, American people are very friendly, when I went to supermarket I meet strange people but he smiled and said “ how is going?” wow! It is so beautiful moment when I feel strange; people around me very comforted me. I feel comfort now.

With my new family, I spend time together, I had host father named Matt, he is single family, he has hosted for four years, so I don't feel worry, he very good and friendly, he taught me all of America, from how to use vacuum cleaner, how to flush the toilet because toilet in here are different until tell about people in America. I had host brother from Czech Republic too, he like my old brother. Sometimes we all go out with his friends to the restaurants, he invite me to Mexican restaurant, Italian restaurant, American restaurant and every evening Sunday he invite me to China restaurant with his family so I know well his family. And I had went to go to Flagstaff and Sedona, northern part of Arizona, it is very nice because just after 30 minutes I took rest from my travel from Washington DC after YES arrival orientation, he invite me to go to another city. It is wonderful. And I meet a lot of people who good around me like my local representative, Mollie. She respects me, when I have problem Matt and Mollie looking for solve it.

I am studying in Central high school. I took the bus to go to school. In my first day in the school I feel happy and nervous because the school is very large and it has lot of classes. I just lost, I looking for my class because every lesson I will change the class too, it is very different than my school in Indonesia, I just stay a long day in one class. In here I can choose lessons what I want to study and my counselor, Mrs. Haggerty gave me best teacher. My most favorite class is “Environmental science”, in this class I learned how to managed environment, how to make better, and in my opinion it will be useful for my school because my school is school of agriculture, I can make better my school agriculture farm. And I want to use that for peoples. In here too, I jointed 5 school clubs. I jointed Art club, Adventure club, Key club, be the Change club and Interact club.

One thing which make me surprised in America, when I wear Batik they said to me “I like your shirt, I like your pants.” And one time my friend said “can I buy your shirt”, what other peoples loves batik. So I feel I’m glad to be YES Exchange Student and I'm glad to be Indonesian.

Lica - Arizona

Nama : Claudia Natalica

Chapter : Padang ( Sub Chapter Pekanbaru )Placement : Arizona City, Arizona

Address : 12410 W Loma Vista Dr. Arizona City, AZ 85123

mailing address : PO BOX 3005. Arizona City, AZ 85123

Host School : Vista Grande High School ( Grade : 11th )

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/claudia.natalica

Twitter : @cnatalica

E-mail : c.natalica@yahoo.com

Blog : tictocparfait.blogspot.com

Arizona? Here I come!Hello world ! I'm officially become an exchange student now ! from the small city

called Duri in Riau-Indonesia, this little girl finally stepped on the land of Arizona.

I'm currently hosted in Arizona City, Arizona. oh yes, I'm placed in a desert ! everything seems different for me. The oh-my-so-tall cactuses are everywhere! the sun always shines brightly even though sometimes in a while the temperatures are down. I need a lot of adaptation yet I don't have any problem at all with the heat *proud tropical country girl* teehee ^^

I live with The Hipps family. It's only me and mom in the house. My host dad passed away a month before I got here. This family has been waiting for an Indonesian girl since like.. 8 years ago. Remember the tragedy tsunami in Aceh? since that catastrophe happened, mom and dad really wanted to give a better life for an Indonesian kids. and it just happened that they wanted a girl ! My whole family here treats me like a real member of the family. They are so happy to have me as a part of the family! and absolutely I'm happy to have them as my family here.

Talk about school, I go to Vista Grande High School. This is my first time go to public school and it is awesome ! at first mostly students here thought I'm a Mexican! and they barely believe I'm a foreign exchange student because I can speak English normally without a strong 'foreign' accent ! haha :) It's kinda funny though!

In school, the classes I take are Instrumental music, French, Pre calculus, English, US History and AP Biology.

Breanna, David and Gaby helped me to make a surprise for my bro's birthday (in Indonesia)

Nicole, Me and Mom in Italian Restaurant

Life has been so fun because the classes are a lot easier compared to what I had in Indonesia. The teachers also awesome and fantastic!

I join French club, Key Club, and American-Indian Club. sometimes I volunteering as a math tutor in school. I will join track soon and prepared myself for few violin competitions. It'd be a lot of fun!

oh anyway, foods here are wonderful! mom is the best cook ever >o< but kinda difficult to find hot and spicy stuff even though we have so many Mexicans here. hehe.

oh, during spare time, Mom and I usually go shopping, and we have lots of family gathering, having barbecue together, etc.. And My grandma and grandpa's favorite is me ! They spoil me a lot~

Life is always exciting yet I miss my family in Indonesia so much. Life gets tough when I realized that they are thousand miles away from me, across the continents !

But this is my journey, the journey that might change my entire life just in one year. they journey of heart. our journey, to connect the worlds, to connect the differences.

please looking forward to the next story and if you have time, visit me in my blog!

WIth love,

Lica

The last family picture on Departure Day

hang out with friends from church

presentation about Indonesia

Name : Bulan Setiawan

Chapter: Karawang

Placement : Sonoma, California

Address : 530 Nathanson Creek,

Sonoma, CA 95476

Host school : Sonoma Valley High

School (11th grade)

Facebook:facebook.com/bulan.a.

setiawanEmail : bulan.amalia@rocketmail.com

Twitter : @bulanamalia

Bulan - California

First Newsletter

Hello, it is my first newsletter.I am living in Sonoma, California. My town is well-known about wine country and many kinds of history. The population in Sonoma more than Spanish people and Indian, but we also have a lot immigrate from Texas, Mexico and New Mexico. So it was make culture and food more than Mexican and Spanish. In center Sonoma we have Sonoma plaza and in this place have the building city hall. Real about combination, US, California, San Francisco, Spain, Texas, Mexico and New Mexico.

I go to school in Sonoma Valley High School and we have dragon and green color as our symbol. My grade is junior (11th). In school I had English 3, foods (cooking), US history, geometry, art design and chemistry. I was also joining in KEY club and golf sport. Over all it was fun.

My host mother was invited me to go to Napa, California. In Napa I went to office congressman Mike Thompson. He was staff part of government US and he was also now about INDONESIA because he was go to INDONESIA and did work in US embassy America in INDONESIA.

Now, I had story about religion. In Sonoma, we haven't mosque but it is no problem to do something. like my host mother was also invited me to go to some church in Sonoma and we was meet with Imam Ali Siddiqui, he is Muslim from Pakistan but now he is living in Santa Rosa, California. He did something to keep some word it is 'PEACE' how many people different religion also do with how they did pray and keep the word 'PEACE'. It made me remember my program KL-YES also keeps the word 'PEACE'

the last one I did activity in my hosting organization is AFS San Francisco bay are team, and I was meet with many student different program and natural country, we did fun game, shared story and ate together. Thank you KL-YES Program and AFS

Thank you so much for all.Wait, the next my story..

Fitri - California

Name : Fitri Ani Chapter : KarawangPlacement : Pacifica, CaliforniaAddress : 490 Moana Way, Pacifica, California, 94044Host School : Terranova High School Grade : 11th Facebook : facebook.com/fitri aniTwitter : @nianifitriE-mail : fitriani1059@yahoo.com

Hello…!I am fitri, I am an exchange students from Indonesia. I want to tell you about my dream that has becomes true. I feel like I am dreaming, I never imagine that I can come to America, but now I am here in United States of America. America that I know before is America that I see in the television or internet, and America that I read in the book. But actually, it’s very different when I really come to America.I get placement in California State, I live in Pacifica which is one of city in south California. Every day is foggy day here; even sometimes I can't see the sun. The weather in here is so cold, I feel like I life in the refrigerator, but Pacifica is beautiful city. It has ocean everywhere, I only need 10 minutes to walk to the beach, and sometimes I can see dolphins or sea lions in the ocean. It’s very interesting.In America I live with Griffiths’ family. Condition in their house is very different with my house in Indonesia. In here, I have to say ‘Good Morning’ when I first meet with them in the morning. Beside of that, I have to come home before dinner, because dinner is important time for them, so all of family member have to be home. My host family have two dogs in their house, that is my first experience live with dog inside the house, I feel not comfortable before but now I can live with them because they are cute dogs and very friendly.My host school is Terra Nova High School, in that school I don't need to wear uniform; I can wear anything to go to school. And I only have 6 subjects for one year and I can choose my subject by myself. It’s kind of weird when I have to learn all of subject with different language. Moreover, I get some of funny experience in my school, that happen when almost of people that I meet can't pronounce my name and they ask my nickname or they ask to change my name so they can call me easily. And then, when they can’t believe me if I am 17 years old, because I am too small to become 17 years old.

Everything is New

Since I am in Pacifica, I went to a lot of place around here. I went to Red Wood city to camping and hiking to see beautiful river in there. And I went to Sacramento which is capital city of California. And also, I went to San Francisco to see how beautiful that city and I went to Pier 39 to see Alcatraz Island. And I went to the popular bridge, which is Golden Gate Bridge.I learn new thing here, I learn how to surfing, and now I can stand in the surf board. It is so cool, because I even don't know how to swim but I can do surfing. And I join with tennis in my school, which am I never playing tennis in Indonesia before. And then now I know the biggest baseball team in California, ‘Giants’ that is baseball team from California, and I watch the game in San Francisco. It was so awesome because I can be seen directly. And now I have my favorite baseball player, they are Pablo Sandoval, and Matt Chain. I like them because in the first time I watch their game, I saw them make homerun.All of thing in here are very different, I get surprise every day when I found a new thing here.Ok, I think that is story of my first impression to become exchange student in America. I hope you can enjoy with my story.Thank you…

Name : Latifa Ayu LestariChapter : JakartaPlacement : Auburn, CaliforniaAddress : 1439 Buckeye Ct Auburn, CaliforniaHost school : Placer High School ( Grade : 12, senior )Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/latifaayulestaryEmail : latifaayulestari@ymail.comBlog : latifalestari.tumblr.comTwitter :@tifamoeba

Latifa - California

Taking a chance to be an exchange student is a great experience in enhancing my cultural horizon, meet new people and the best way to find myself. It will enrich my life and change my perspective. Living abroad in another culture, I would have the opportunity to learn another culture from an insider’s perspective, something that I wouldn't really gain just by visiting another country for holiday. As an exchange student I live with a host family, taking part in their daily lives, and learning how different cultures families go about living. I learn to pay attention to the little details of how I live my daily life. The relationships I gain with my host family, my friends and with other exchange students, other citizens.I hosted in Auburn, California. Become an exchange student is my dream in my whole life. I am very happy to have a chance to come to the United State of America. Placer High School is my host school, it is 2 miles from my house and I go to school by bike because there is no public transportation in here: D Through Friday, August 30, to September 3, I went camping at Yosemite. I hiked to Artist’s Point, where I saw the most beautiful view. On Sunday I hiked 10 miles from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. I took lots of pictures and was a great view the whole 10 miles. I think overall the hike was very fun! On Monday, we hiked 2 miles to see a grove of Sequoia trees. The trees were enormous! After we finished hiking, we drove home. Yosemite was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! And the next weakened my host family and I camped at Angel Island for one night. We went to the beach and even tried to catch crabs! It was a lot of fun and at night we hiked to the top of mount Livermore, it is gorgeous! We can see San Francisco, Oakland and Alcatraz Island and the light make it really beautiful J and last week I had post arrival orientation at Lake Tahoe, it is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada and it is really beautiful.

WhenDreamsCome True

Become an Exchange Student definitely forces you out of your comfort zone and into new uncharted territory for you which allows you to grow and expand as a person. I am pretty sure that if I had never moved abroad I’d still have less of a world perspective and understanding for different cultures as I do from living in one. Also, a major bonus in living abroad, especially in a country who has different language with you mother language; you will learn a new language and often become fluent! At first there will be major communication issues, however, you learn to adapt and work around it, learning that communication isn’t only about words but about gestures, signs, and in my case, sometimes drawings! The ability to talk to someone in another language other than your native one is amazing!Being an exchange student, living away from home, and just everything that I listed above, gives you such a strong sense of self and understanding of things around the world. Listening is the key and the more you listen, the more you learn to speak, and the more you learn to understand the culture.Being an exchange student was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It was hard, but the hard made the end result all the more worthwhile.

Latifa at lake tahoe

Latifa at the angel island

Latifa at the giant sequoia

Latifa hike to half dome yosemitte

my host family and i at the yosemitte

Name : Layyin NafisaChapter : MalangPlacement : Danville, CaliforniaAddress : 11 Cerro Ct, Danville, CAHost school : Oakland School for the Arts (11 grade)Facebook : Layyin Nafisa / Nafisa LayyinEmail : naf.layyin@yahoo.com

Layyin - California

An awesome adventure in my life is begin

Hallo, I’m Layyin, I’m one of those lucky students that get this wonderful opportunity to be here, yes here, exactly in Danville California, a suburb of San Francisco, and labeled as student of OAKLAND SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS, in vocal department, I never imagine before that one day in 2012-2013 I’ll do my life as what I do now, it’s like I get surprise of life every morning, surprise that I never know who, what, and how’s my life today, what I’ll meet today. It also I never imagine that everyday I’ll go to Bart (public train) and go to Oakland, step my foot there, sing together with wonderful choir that usually get opportunities to song in front of Obama in independence day. I still remember that day,6 august, my parents hug me for the last time before my long trip is began, not only about physical trip, but also journey of my soul. And that plane brings me to Malaysia, London and I arrived in Uncle Sam country! Yap, Washington DC, I met a lot of students from many others country, I got orientation for 3 days, and I flew alone to San Francisco, because the flight is trouble and we got a new flight number, waw! I still remember that time I was looked like people that lost in the airport, and suddenly someone come and hugs me, she’s Jean, the first person that I met, she’s an AFS volunteer, I stay overnight with her and the day after that, exactly on august 11,I met my host family, thanks God, I met with someone that in the some months ago I just see their face in the picture, just communicate from email and now, they’re in front of me and hug me. They showed me my sweet bedroom, they gave me necklace “welcome to the Swanson” when I’ve just woke up, they showed me my cupboard which is when I opened, I found some clothes that they’ve prepared for me, when I saw my study room, I got my family picture in Indonesia that they’ve frame it.

The next day, they bring me to the bay, walk away in San Francisco downtown, I never imagine before that one day in my life, my little hand will touch pacific ocean’s water directly which I just heard from my geography and history teacher. They also bring me to shopping places, museum and they very honor and make easier my fasting, they also picked me to San Francisco to gather with people and pray in idul fitri, that’s the first time my tears was fall when I heard takbir here. They bought me Indonesian food and we make family party of idul fitri. A week after that, my school was started, waw! My first impression about my school was It’s school or costume carnival? haha! On the first weeks I still adapt with my new community, this is arts school, everyone here has art talent in their selves, from vocal, music, dance, theater, design, visual, circus, all of them, and they gathered here, could you imagine how my school is. And now, it was 3 weeks I’m in this school, day by day I figure out the paradigm of this school, I got a lot of new friends, and I’ve adapt with the class. Anyway, about class, I take all of them are social, yay! And one thing that I learn here is “is we learn sociology, we are not forced to memorize vocab, but they make us think as sociologist, that’s also same as the others class and lesson”Well, wish me get a great year, and make a much better life, see you on my next period newsletter and have a nice life

Best regard,Layyin Nafisa Arifin

Luthfan - California

Nama : Luthfan Desmono Silalahi

Chapter : Jakarta

Placement : Bakersfield,

California

Address : 322 Tanner Michael

Drive Bakersfield, CA 93308 U.S.

Host School : North High School

Grade : 12th

Facebook : facebook.

com/luthfandesmono

Twitter : @ufandes

E-mail : luthfan.desmono@gmail.

com/luthfan_desmono@yahoo.

com

Blog : ufandes.wordpress.com

Landed! Finally I reached Washington, DC, the heart of the country that people call as “The Land of Freedom”. I glimpsed a bit at that moment, realizing that I really was in America already! Joy and anxiety both arose at the same time. Being joyful that I knew I would have an amazing year ahead, but being anxious knowing that I am a total newcomer here. At the very moment after I went out from the airport and headed for the hotel, it seemed that excitement took over me. I contemplated all of the surroundings that I saw, how and why it was different compared to the one in my country. Like for the most obvious example, there was barely any motorcycle on the road of Washington, DC. I had wondered this before, but to see it by myself was just one other story.Finally I made it to Hilton Washington Dulles Airport for the Arrival Orientation with all my other fellow Indonesian friends. Getting off from the bus, I saw all other exchange students from so many countries there. This moment contributed to my first insight about diversity, where we – high school kids , came from all different countries but sharing one common thing. Yes, that thing is the fact that we are all exchange students! We could understand each other’s feeling, because mostly we shared the same concern, and hope as well.The following day after that, after we learned much stuff regarding our upcoming year, we came to the D-Day. Each of us left for our placement, and so did I! I felt so nervous that day because I was going to meet my host family. I kept feeling that way in my roughly 4 hours flight, Washington, DC – Houston, TX – Bakersfield, CA. And I landed at Bakersfield Meadows Field Airport. I got everything ready and walked down the hallway looking for my host family. Not long after that I spotted people flocking in Arrival Hall holding a poster saying, “Welcome to America, Luthfan!” I felt overwhelmed because of my happiness and anxiety, also mostly because I felt so tired after that long-haul flight.

The following day after that I went to a hill nearby my neighborhood with my sister and her friends for meteor shower watch! It was the first time ever I got the chance to see meteors traversing just over your eyes up in the sky. And the other thing that I can tell is about the night sky. It was so starry and clear! We had barely any clouds and air pollution up there, in contrasts with Jakarta’s night sky, which came smoggy almost all of the time. It was completely a whole new experience to me. Ever since that day I started to hang out with my sister’s friends as well as my brother’s. I felt very lucky that I could get some friends already in my first week here.Another thing that colored my early days here was my school. I joined Band, Cross Country, Wildlife Club, and Interact Club in North High School. I’m really happy that I could do much in Band. I played Vibraphone and already performed four times so far. I really enjoyed it since I’m keen on music. I involved myself in Cross Country too, in which my sister is also there. I met bunch of cool guys there. I’m so happy that I could keep myself busy doing many cool stuffs here.Last but not least, is my family! The Mariscals! So I’m staying with a Mexican family here. I shared many cultures with them, especially about the food, because my mom always cook Mexican dish. We went to San Diego for vacation and did many other family visits. And of course they speak Spanish! Even my mom and dad speak better Spanish than English. My siblings also speak fluent Spanish aside from English. I’m picking up a lot of new words in Spanish now. I speak basic conversational Spanish with my mom in daily basis too. This really enriches my cultural experience here.

Name : Mila Ghani Kurniawati

Chapter : YogyakartaPlacement : Pacifica, California

Address : 411 Firecrest Avenue, Pacifica, CA,

94044Host school : Oceana High School, grade:11th

Facebook : Mila Ghani Kurniawati

Twitter : @milaghani#Email : milaghanikurniawati@ymail.com

Blog : http://milagh.tumblr.com/

Mila - California

Behind The FogI am now living in Pacifica, California. It’s a city in Bay Area, next to the Pacific Ocean. It only takes 45 minutes to go to San Francisco which is really famous with the Golden Gate Bridge. The first time I knew that I’d be placed in California, near the ocean, I thought it’d be really warm just like Indonesia, so I don’t have to worry about the weather. So I unpacked some of my warm-thick jackets and put in some regular shirts. But, I was definitely wrong.Pacifica has the most fog in the world, even in summer. The first three weeks in here, I wore three layers of shirts, two layers of pants, and sleep in three blankets. It was really freezing, I rarely saw the sun. It’s always foggy every day. But after, I become really used to it, I don’t even wear jacket anymore.I live with the Williams. My mom is a single mother and I have a five years old brother. I used to be afraid of little kids. I was afraid that they’d cry and hurt themselves. But since I’m being the part of this family, I spend most of my times playing with little kids. I already had four kids’ birthday party. It’s not really bad, I like it. I see how different American parents treat their children and it’s pretty interesting.My family is a Christian family so we go to the church every Sunday. I never knew I would say this, but I really love my church. It’s not that I want to be a Christian, but people in church are really nice. My church is a little church so everyone knows each other. On my first day there, they welcomed me as family and I love them ever since. One of my friend said that I was weird, a Muslim going to the church every Sunday. But I didn’t really think about it because I fell like being in a family there.

I go to Oceana High School. It’s really amazing. My school is on the top of the hill and it faces the Pacific Ocean, so I get ocean view every day from my school. The most surprising thing about being is here is that I don’t find a lot of white in this area. Most of the population is Filipinos and Mexican. On the first day I was so disappointed that I thought why I’d go this far only to meet another Asian.But apparently it’s my challenge because I don’t seem special that I have to really try to know everyone. Imagine, 40% student in Oceana is Filipino. I can even count how many white students in my school easily. The good thing is that Oceana students are more multicultural and open minded to new people. Well, everything has good side and bad side, right?I learn a lot of different things. I join chorus, which I never imagined before. But I start to enjoy singing, in fact, mom want to give me a piano lesson. I play tennis now and we have a lot of matches to play this year. I also learn to surf. Well, I can say that I can surf now, I surf almost every week. It’s really really fun.I’m looking forward to another adventure I’d have here. Wait for my story!

Name: Yanti KusmiatiNickname : YantiChapter : PadangPlacement : Eugene, OregonAddress : 3565 Kinsrow Ave. Apt #401. Eugene, OR 97401Host school : Sheldon High Schol (12th)Facebook : yanti kusmiatiEmail : nuna.yanti@yahoo.comTwitter : @yantikusmiatii

Yanti - Oregon

Hello, I’m Yanti Kusmiati, this is my first newsletter about my new life in United States of America. I reported directly from Eugene, Oregon. Eugene is kind a busy city and it’s still amazing with the green view. They don’t only build the city forward but they still take care of the nature here. Everything is tidy and well organized. No traffic jam! Eugene has bike pads and walking path so, we can enjoy the trip by bicycle or walking. No horn blown while driving the road is such kind a peaceful place, everything is in the track.

I had my first experiences about watching American football and baseball. i have visited many places here, I’ve gone to fern ridge lake, cascades, and the coast. They are all AWESOME. Just feeling like living in peaceful land of nowhere.so America! Oregon is one of perfect state to live. I love all the natural view. Eugene is similar with Bogor. Why? It has so much rain when fall and winter come. I just call Eugene as “American Bogor”I found American is nice and friendly. They’re very excited about exchange student. They like to hear some stories about Indonesia. But they don’t like Indonesian food because most of Indonesian food is spices and hot. But when I cooked satay and fried tempeh, they liked them so much! Because I put peanut butter as the dressing. That’s why they like it.New hometown, new life, new school!

New place to be called hometown

at lane country fair

satay night with mom and her friends

I go to Sheldon High School. Sheldon is one of the best schools in state. Sheldon’s building is 3 times bigger than my school in Batam. I take Advance Algebra, Choir, Drama-1(1st term), Post-Modern American Literature (for 2nd term), and biology in this semester. I join Key Club (community service club), Theater, and Debate. I have theater project for this fall, titled “Love’s labor’s lost” by Shakespeare and I become the chorus (not bad). So I will be very busy with all my homework and school stuffs. I’m looking forward for another projects like; choir concerts, debate tournaments, and community services.Some funny experiences happened in my first day at school. I couldn’t use the vending machine, I couldn’t open my locker, I was lost in the school and they are all so ridiculous! I laugh at myself ‘till today.FYI, I met someone from NASA and I said that I’m astronomy fan and I like to see some pictures in NASA website and read them sometimes (if I understand the articles) and then he gave me NASA’s pin and his name card! Was that awesome? I almost cried. I thanked him so much for that. Finally I have something about NASA.

That’s all my report about my new life in Eugene, a very far away land from Indonesia. See you in the next edition of YES student’s newsletter.

Sheldon Football game

with mom at scandinavian festival

Name : Widya Nur Mashit

a

Chapter : Mala

ng

Placement : Portland, O

regon

Address : 121

2 SW Chesnut Dr.

Portland Oregon

Host school :

Wilson High School (gra

de

12)

Facebook : fa

cebook.com/widya nur

mashita

Email : widya.nur.m

ashita@gmail.com

Blog : http://mashitawidya.blogs

pot.com

Twitter : @WidyaNurMashita

Widya - Oregon

Hi all of the next world leaders...

I am Widya Nur Mashita, student from SMAN 1 PANDAAN. I live in Pandaan-Pasuruan East Java. I want to share

some of my experiences in USA, Alhamdulillah..

After Chapter Orientation, I did my Orientation in Jakarta, it was in Wisma Handayani with student from another

chapter in Indonesia. We got a lot of information about living with American's family, how to adapt with new school, and get

new friend. We tried to open our self-become open minded and flexible. The best part is when we were practicing for

Talent Show. Actually, we learned more than that.

The Whole New World, yeah it's the best title to show my journey now. I arrived in Washington DC for Orientation on

August 6th 2012 in Hilton Washington Dulles Airport. It was amazing and unforgettable moments. I met a lot of friends

from other countries. We went to the Abraham Lincoln Museum, and the Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia, it was

wonderful. Then, I came to my host family on August 10th 2012. I hosted in Portland Oregon. They picked me up in the

Airport, and brought me to the Multnomah Falls, Bite of Oregon, and some famous store. I live near Genting's house, he is

an Exchange Student from Indonesia, also from YES Program. There are also some Exchange Student from other

countries that hosted in Portland, there are Busra and Doge from Turkey, Majed from Lebanon, Marah from Bahrain,

Jahongir from Tajikistan, Maryna from Ukraine, Yuliya from Russia, Katharine from Germany, Pablo from Spain, etc. We

usually hang out together to the Cinema, Multnomah Parade, Oregon Convention Center for pray Ied Mubarak, Oregon State

Fair, and the Oaks Amusement Park.

I am studying in Wilson High School; it’s a very great school. The teacher, friend, and classes are impressive. I took 6

classes and study Hall; I got English, Math, US History, Science, Choir, and Draw-Paint-Print. I also got Spanish and Digital

Media Design, but I decided to change that classes. I am joining the WISK (Wilson International Student Klub). They helped

us to find out the information about the school, classes, schedules, friend, teacher, and the other. One of my great

experiences is when I introducing myself, my country and the differences between USA and Indonesia.

THE WHOLE NEW WORLD

I was standing beside the other Exchange Student. We

spoke in front of the whole people in Wilson.

At the first day of school I felt so excited and shocked

about the differences between my school and Wilson. I

have to go upstairs and downstairs to get my class. And

we have to choose our class. It was wonderful

experiences.

Most of the Portland people are care about their

environment. They always do the composting and recycling.

My host family has a white cat, her name is Sasha. I love

her so much.

I always use my Hijab, even though in home. At the first

family time we talked a lot about the family activities, and

some of my habit, I told them some differences between

USA and Indonesian family, they were so excited. When I

asked them to pick me up in the Mosque, they always

respect about that, they saw me when I was praying, and

helped me when I was fasting in Ramadan.

After some days living, I felt homesick; it made me so

sad and always remembers my family, food, friends, and

school. But after pray and talked with my friends I felt

better and got back my spirit. I hope I can get a lot of

experiences here and share to people around me.

It was some of my story, I hope it shows you little bit

about America, and also interest you to learn about new

country. Thank you.. God Bless you.

Canon Beach

Group Gamelan yang

beranggotakan orang

Amerika-Portland

Silver Falls-There are 10 great Waterfalls there

Name : Genting Sholata Sya

Chapter : Palembang

Placement : Portland,

Oregon

Address: 318 SW Palatine

Hill Road Portland,

Oregon, 97219 USA

Host school : Wilson High

School ( Grade : 12th )

Facebook : facebook.

com/gentings

Email :

genting_sleepers@yahoo.

com

Blog : gentinggoblog.

wordpress.com

Genting

-

Oregon

Living in America allows me to feel and see how its looks like. I was so impressed

seeing people here who are very independent. They do everything by themself. They

are very rarely to ask for someone’s help. In addition, people here have an

exceptional manner when they are on the road. They obey to the traffic light very

strictly. What makes it different from Indonesia is that they have the separate

traffic light if you want to turn to your left. It is weird where you usually can go

to every direction you want when the traffic light is green. Besides, they have

buses with their own numbers and direction and they will go and stop in the bus’s

stop in the same time as scheduled. It determines that they really appreciate of the

time

Having the opportunity to choose the classes that I want enable me to study wide

aspects of knowledge. I am taking English, Math Pre-Calculus, US History, Earth

Space Science, Photography, and Guitar. It is very nice that we can choose the

classes. This system results in the same class are having different grades of

students. As we all know, in Indonesia, we must take all the classes and we will

study together in the class with the students who are in the same grade with us.

Furthermore, every student at school has one locker to put their school stuffs and

we do not have to wear on school’s uniform.

Outside of the school, I spend my time by joining soccer team. We have practice

every Monday and Wednesday and we have a soccer match against other soccer teams

every Saturday. It is fun. Surprisingly, we play together with the girls in the

field. You will absolutely never see this situation in Indonesia. It shows that

everyone has the same opportunity. We are all equal.

Through a month, I have learnt to live with an American family. At home, we will

never put off our sandals except for some occasions. Sometimes I feel good about it

but sometimes I concern about the cleanliness of the house itself. Moreover, I love

dinner time when all members at home gather to have meals together and we share

about our experience during that day. For me, it is important in order to build a

strong relationship in the family.

In Another Part of the World

I would also never forget the

time when I just arrived at my host

family’s home in Portland, Oregon;

they invited me to go camping at the

beach. We camped at Tillamook Bay

which is three hours away for two

days. It is my host family’s annual

event for all the big family members

to spend their summer time together.

One thing that I still remembered is

that the water was freezing cold. It

was fabulous.

My story has not end here. I still

have my next adventures waiting for

me. I cannot wait for them and I

would love to share my stories to

everybody.

I was at Multnomah

falls I was having vacation at the

beach

I was in the Oregon Zoo with

a big bear

My Jesuit Soccer

Team!!! My picture of hugging a

big apple at Multnomah

Days Parade

Ayun - Wyoming

Nama : Qurrota

Ayun Rumayshah

Chapter : Malang

Placement : Moun

tain View, Wyom

ing

Address : 105 As

pen St. Lyman,

Wyoming

82937 USA

Host School : Mou

ntain View High

School

Grade : 10

Facebook : faceb

ook.com/urrayun

atau

Qurrota Ayun Ru

mayshah

Twitter : @urrayun

Email : qurrota.ru

mayshah@yahoo.co

m

Tumblr : urrayu

n@tumblr.com

1000 words from Mountain ViewWelcome to a new experience, new life, new culture, new family, and new friends in the USA! This is my first newsletter. Kuala Lumpur - London - and finally Washington Dulles Airport. I passed orientation for three days. My year experience continues to Chicago - Salt Lake City, Utah. Actually I have new host family, host mom Patsy and Granddaughter Arian. They live in Fort Bridger, WY. First impression, I knew how’s jetleg feels, country sick, homesick, friend sick, family sick, until the real sick hahaha. Review of my small town. Mountain View is a very, very small town with a population of 1200 people. I fell how it feels too much expectations before come in the U.S. I wanted to have famous placement in big cities whose can go anywhere. How’s disappointed and sad when alone at home and saw a lot of posting pictures and status from the other exchange friends. It just liked WOW! Make me jealous~ but this was a starting point for me to learn. "Learn to be grateful of the limitations that I got here" It’s hard to move on in the beginning, it like fell down. But a big thanks because Allah swt. gave me blessing and I got support from my big family in Indonesia and keep me strong! Move on! After 2 weeks, I moved to a new family because my host mom busy to take care her mother who sick. I really praise Allah swt. answered my prayer. I got a new SUPER host family! Peterson family ~ family consists of host dad Randy Peterson, host mom Debora Peterson (mom came from Brazil), two host brothers Joseph (10th) and Jared (5th) and one host sister Milaya (8th). This family speaks Portugal language*in the family they speak Portugal, but if they speak to other people they use English* Cool isn’t? :P So it’s like I learn Portugal language too hehehe: p Oh yeah it's really different! In the beginning, I didn’t have any activities, but now I super busy because a lot of activities J My host mom loves to cook. So every day I tried to eat different foods it was not only from the U.S. but also from Brazil and other countries. Now my day never feel lonely because of the warmth of family, Alhamdulillah. They are religious but we still respect each other religion. I go to church every week and every Wednesday night I joined communities 'young women' in the church. In here I just want to make socialization in the community and making friends here. Oh do not forget! How's school here?! Absolutely it's different with the system in Indonesia. Meanwhile from one school with the others school in the U.S., they have different system.

Well, in my school, Mountain View High School (MVHS) divided by two groups: Purple and White. Each day we have 4 subjects to study, begin at 8 am until 3:20 pm. My class are subject in Purple day Culinary Arts (advanced cooking class), Ceramics (So much have fun!? First project that I have done was a big bowl made from clay), Publication for yearbook (Mrs. Bullinger is my favorite teacher) , and the last hour is Algerba II (in the beginning, I took Calculus-__-but I didn’t want to take the hardest class so moved to Algerbra II haha). On my White day there are Spanish (waaaa falling in love with Spanish! We have fun in this class), English 11 (totally different study English language here and in Indonesia: O), Digital Photo and the last is U.S. History (I didn’t understand American history-_-but that’s why I learn!) What I'm proud of the school here is that every teacher has special teach skill, and it’s different each other, unique and interesting. Because the time each subject here is 90 minutes so don’t let students bored. I met the challenge here. It was really hard for exchange student to make new friends with different backgrounds. When I in my school back home, I was the children who chatty and lots of talk, but here I was so quiet. It was really hard to talk, my mouth feels like freeze. I met a hard time to making friends here L But, it’s already one month and I have started to adapt and start a friendship with couple kids here. I fell really nervous every day go to school and walk in hallway. I was the only kid whose wear hijab. Alhamdulillah, now I more confident and always brave for through the day at school *cielah* little story about Homecoming week here ~ so much have fun! : D every day for a week, we worn a different and unique costumes. Monday was tye-dye/neon, Tuesday was camo, jersey was Wednesday, and Thursday was not get ready for school. Volleyball, football, and during homecoming bonfire were fun!

But I can’t join the homecoming dance and the final event on Friday because I had to go with host family to Lagoon Park in Utah. Thanks God my communication with my family and my friends in Indonesia keep doing well. We had a chat with Skype once a month. But, more often we send message on social networking sites like face book just want to tell what activity I have done during a week. I really thankful and happy because my family supporting me. It was the beginning of my life journey in the future. Guess what? It's already 2 months I left my beloved family and country, Indonesia. Year only happens once J have a wonderful year for all of exchange students!

Thanks to: Allah swt., my beloved family (umi, ayah, kholish), AMS, all of my friends in SMAN 2 Madiun, Bina Antar Budaya, Chapter Malang, KL-YES 2012-2013, CIEE, Peterson Family (Dad, Mom, Joseph, Milaya, Jared), Mountain View High School, all of MVHS staff and teachers, school bus no. 1, and all people that help me in this exchange students year adventure. Thank you so much for your support! <3

Love, Ayun

Hafiz - WashingtonName : Hafiz Fadillah

Chapter : Padang

Placement : Kent, Washington

Address : 14232 SE 270th Pl, Kent ,

WA 98042

Host School : Kentlake High School

( Grade 11th )

Facebook : https://www.facebook.

com/hafiz.fadillah.3

Twitter : @havadillah

e-mail : email: fadillahhafiz.

fadillah@gmail.com

Hi everyone, In here I want to share my unique and interesting experiences during my 2 first months stay in USA that held by U.S Department of State and Bina Antarbudaya.When the first day I arrived in USA, I felt really happy because finally I have arrived in USA after flying 8000 miles, approximately 23 hours of travel and suffering from a bad cold. When I got outside of the airport, the air that I felt was hot, but the host that I felt in US was different than the hot that I felt in Indonesia. When we got inside the hotel, the first thing that I wanted to say was,” THIS HOTEL IS REALLY COLD”. I didn’t know was it just me or the other people felt the same thing that I felt. The other interesting thing that happened was when I and Genting (my roommate from Indonesia too) fell sick and we had to leave the session and took a rest after taking a gigantic size medicine (I know that is American size and it’s different from Indonesia size). The other thing that made me shock was during the sahur time. The food that the hotel prepared was really cold and I got a bad cold again. Despite of that bad and interesting experience, we finally knew each other exchange student from the other country. We share the same hope, dream, and fear as the exchange students which have to leave their country to learn the culture in USA.

A Whole New World

When the first time I arrived in Washington State, my host dad, my host mom, my host sister, my host sister’s fiancée and, my host sister that also a returnee from Indonesia came to pick me up. During my first month in US, we spend most of our time preparing the wedding for my host sister. To be honest, this is my first American style wedding. For my host sister wedding they used ‘Garden Wedding’ theme which my host family used their garden for the wedding and using eco-friendly material for the eating utensils. During the wedding, I was helping my host family to prepare the hamburger, preparing the table and chair, etc.In here, I also met a lot of exchange students from many different countries such as Thailand, China, Norway, Mexico, etc. We were getting along really well, we sometimes had a hangout together, working together and making some funny video about our trip to certain places.

Well, that’s all my stories. I hope you enjoyed itSEE YA

Azora - Washington

Nama : Azora Khairani Kartika

Chapter : PalembangPlacement : Snohomish, Washington

Address : 9404 152nd st. SE Snohomish,

WA 98296Host School : Glacier Peak High School (

Grade : 11th )Facebook : facebook.com/Azorajola

Twitter : @kkazoraE-mail : kazora@rocketmail.com.com

Tumblr : azorakhairani.tumblr.com

God created human to live together in their life, even though they live separated by oceans and lands. There was one reason that God created us to live separated to each other, because we need to learn and try to understand every single stuff in other country. For me being an exchange student is a huge step to suffer all the differences of this world. So that, here I am now, stay in a super cool country, learn about every single culture, and try to show others about my own country. Anyway, I am Azora Khairani Kartika, one of the lucky students that have a chance to stay for several months in commonwealth country, USA. I live in Snohomish County, Washington. Different with other exchange students, I stayed with a Philiphino’s family, The Magibas. It’s kinda unique and so fun, but the good thing is I can eat rice whenever I want. For over a month I stayed in Snohomish, I learned so many things. I went to several places, and having fun there.

When the first time I arrived in Seattle, my parents and my local coordinator picked me up at the airport, my host mom is a really sweet mother. She gave me a bucket of super pretty flower. When I was home, they held a home prayer and welcome party for me. Because it was still Ramadhan, so I was fasting. They’re really respect with my religion and what I believe in God. Sometimes, they felt so sad to see me fasting, but i just explained to them that I used to do fasting for every year, so I was just okay with it, and they understood those. By the way, a friend of my mom is an Indonesian. I used to call her Auntie Sandra. She is a super kind auntie ever! She has been stayed in USA for 4 years because she’s married with American. So that, when I was celebrated Id Fitr, she cooked a lot of Indonesian foods for me. I ate lontong, opor ayam, sambel ati, etc. I was just so glad to have them as my family. For the next days, I went to some places likes Evergreen State Fair. You guys have to go there, it was just so fun! we saw a super fun pig racing. There were also a kind of pet exhibition, so we can found doggy, cat, chicken, bird, even cow and goat. We ate a lot of foods there, super huge french fries, elephant ears, and many more hahaha. Well, I also have so much fun with other exchange students from other country. We kinda had a welcome barbeque party and orientation camp in Long Beach, Washington. I met with almost 60 students. They came from Denmark, Russia, Germany, Spain, Venezuela, South-Korean, Chinese, Japan, etc. We had a lot of activities there. I’m so happy to met and made friends with them.

First Newsletter

Couple weeks ago, my school was just started. Yeay, welcome to American School! I go to Glacier Peak High School. At the really first time, I felt so guilty and worry about how to break the walls that make me being different with them. But day by day, I understand that we have to be super friendly here. Do not feel ashamed if you pronounced some words wrong, because they will be okay with that. Do not be shy to greet other peoples, even you don’t know who they are. I have close friends in my school; they are Caroline, Sam, Terry, Aita, and Julian. They were just super awesome! Anyway, Caroline is also an exchange students from French, cool! I loved spending time with them. Oh yaa, because my host family is Christian, so that i also go to church. And guess what, i go to church three times a week, and it was so fun! I go to youth group in the church. It was my first time to go to church, so I’m kinda worry about it. But when I met them, I was so glad, they’re really respect what I believe. In church, we have kinda bible study and young discussion. I really loved all the things that I did here. I really cannot predict what else the super fun things that I’ll face and I can’t wait to do other things here. I understand enough that I should work hard for being a part of them. Big effort is the main thing that we guys have to do as an exchange student. Maybe you’ll find a super huge difference between your own countries with the country that you’ll spend for a year program, but trust me that it’ll be a super awesome thing ever that you’ll ever know.

Name : Wintang WarastriChapter : YogyakartaPlacement : Newport, Washington

Address : 4994 Spring Valley Road, 99156, Washington, USAHost school : Newport High School, grade: 12thFacebook : facebook.com/wintang.warastriEmail : wintangwarastri@yahoo.

comBlog : wintangwarastri.blogspot.com

Wintang - Washington

The sound and shaking of the airplane landed on Spokane International Airport woke me up. I stretched my body, yawned, and look around. My friend is still sleeping, safe and sound all the way in the airplane since we departed from Denver International Airport. I didn’t want to disrupt her, so I just stared out the window, getting ready to face whatever happens in the next 10 months. It was a mixed feeling of excitement, nervous, joy, all together at once. But the ultimate question is: am I ready for this? The answer is already in front of my eyes. So I stepped out of the plane, going inside of the airport, and soon I met my welcome family. A couple with two children, they were very friendly. The mother was actually my Local Coordinator (LC), which was still working in order to get my permanent family. A slight feeling of nervous crept back in inside of my heart, and one more question sneaked in: where are they, the one who are going to share their life for 10 months with me? But quickly, I tried to sweep those feelings away, and just stay focus on achieving my dream: to get to know other culture, and simply make friends around the world.I spent my first five days with her family. We went swimming, boating, tubing, and all kinds of fun summer stuff, which were really exciting, since it was my first time of doing all of those. And I also get to try smores, which basically a graham crackers sandwich stuffed with roasted marshmallow and melted chocolate. It was so delicious; I barely ever tasted anything like that! My coordinator and her daughter laughed, they said my face is funny when I tasted it for the first time.

Ready, Set, Go!

Bouncy slide in the gym

Cheering in the middle school's gym

face painting by cheerleaders

The next day, the long awaited news arrived. I got my permanent family! They were a couple with 2 step children, but they both are not living daily with my host parents. Apparently, I got a host sister that is also my friend from DC Orientation, which made everything a lot easier, since I already got to know her, and now we become sister. We spend our summer days still the same way, swimming and boating with our parents. And then one night, my host parents decided to get married! It was a beautiful and sacred wedding, which was only attended by their family. I think it was a great opportunity to me and my host sister to experience that, we can meet our new big host family all at once. The wedding happened at the last weekend before school, so the next day, me and my host sister were getting ready to greet our new place to study, Newport High School. First day went well, and all of the sudden it was Homecoming already! Yes, this year’s Homecoming week were held early in the school year, which is the second week of school. I had so much fun during the Spirit Week. So what is Spirit Week anyway? It is a week where every day, there is a dress up theme and the students were required to wear clothes that are related to those themes. It was Color Day on Monday (black for seniors), Ugly Sweater Day, Superhero Day, Twin Day, and for the big finale at Friday, we all dressed up in our school color: black and red. The Homecoming Day at Friday was a blast, starting from the Wagon Parade, Float Carnival, and ended by the big football match against another school team. Even though we lost at that game, me and my friends were still having fun at the Homecoming Dance. Thus, it has been a fun journey here at Newport, and I just can’t wait to experience all new things ahead. Ready or not, here I come!

Fire Science students

Nama : Faris Rasyadi Putra

Chapter : Surabaya

Placement : Lihue, Hawaii

Address : 2850 Kapena

Street, Lihue, HI 96766 US

Host School : Kauai High

School

( Grade : 11th )

Facebook : Faris Rasyadi

Putra

Twitter : @farisharu

E-mail : faris.putra11@gmail.

com

Blog : shivappire.blogspot.

com

Faris - Hawaii

KENDAMA

Hai pembaca! :D Dalam newsletter kali ini yang bertemakan tentang, "A Whole New Life" atau "Sebuah Kehidupan yang Baru" , saya akan bercerita mengenai sebuah permainan yang unik di sini. Bukan sesuatu yang berteknologi tinggi. Bukan juga sesuatu yang mahal dan mewah. Tapi ini permainan merakyat yang terkenal di Jepang pada zaman dahulu. Ya, seperti judulnya, namanya adalah kendama!

Kendama itu sebuah mainan yang terbuat dari kayu, memiliki bola sebesar bola ping pong yang dihubungkan dengan tali ke sebuah pegangan. Di pengangannya atau tangkainya itu terdapat tiga mangkuk dan satu tusukan. Permainannya cukup simpel, kita memegang tangkainya lalu menarik bola yang tergantung di tali dan tepat menempatkannya di salah satu mangkuk atau tusukannya.

Ada sebutan dari tangkai tersebut, mangkuk pertama namanya big cup, lalu ada small cup, dan tower cup. Dan tusukan itu diberi julukan peg. Nah, kendama ini sangat terkenal di Kauai ini. Saya sudah keliling pulau dan hampir di seluruh bagian pasti ada satu atau dua anak yang mengalungkan atau memegang kendama. Wah, keren ya. Memang Hawaii ini dulunya adalah perkebunan gula dengan pekerjanya adalah orang Jepang, Filipina, dan Hawaiian.

Kendama ini, dulunya dibawa oleh salah seorang anak dari Jepang. Dia memainkannya dan menunjukkan kepada saudaranya. Lalu, saudaranya mengenalkan pada temannya dan seterusnyaa hingga hampir seluruh penduduk tahu tentang kendama. Kebanyakan yang pemain kendama ini adalah laki laki, namun tak sedikit pula perempuan yang bermain kendama. Mulai dari anak kecil hingga remaja memainkannya.

Kendama memiliki trik trik yang unik unik. Contohnya Swag, Stealth, Airplane atau Lighthouse. Mereka juga menggabungkan beberapa frik tersebut menjadi satu, contohnya airplane to lighthouse with double flip. Cukup sulit memang untuk para pemula yang baru mengenal kendama.

Saya memiliki teman yang juga suka bermain kendama kurang lebih 7 bulan. Mereka kakak beradik namanya Stuart dan Andrew, sudah mencapai level advance atau sudah lihai memainkannya. Keduanya juga beralasan kalau kendama ini adalah permainan yang fun fun aja, jadibketagihan mainnya. Selama bermain juga ada suka dukanya loh, "waktu aku main, kadang kena dada atau tangan dan itu sakit", kata mereka. Jangan salah, gini gini mainan ini ada pertarungannya juga. Kakak beradik ini lebih banyak menang dari pada kalah. Memang mereka sudah ahli. Haha

Bagi saya yang baru pertama kali mencoba kendama, cukup susah untuk melakukan gerakan dasarnya. Tentunya harus banyak berlatih sebelum bisa melakukan gerakan-gerakan yang sepertinya impossible itu. Jadi teman teman jangan takut mencoba kendama, pasti tahu rasa funnya bermain kendama. Ganbatte ne! :D

Mudin - New MexicoName : Mahmuddin

Chapter : Medan

Placement : Albuquerque, New Mexico

Host School : Albuquerqe High School

Facebook : Mudin Lae

Twitter : @Mudin_Lae

Blog : http://www.mahmuddin-bambukuning.blogspot.com

Hello. Let me introduce my self. My name is Mahmuddin. I’m part of YES Participants 2012-2013. Currently hosted at Albuquerque , NM United States.Medan to Jakarta. National Orientation during six days in the Handayani. Farewell party as well as a talent show. LOC. Dinner together at the Embassy U.S.A. Journey has just begun. The next day, Soekarno-Hatta and Kuala Lumpur became transit place. Played at Heathrow Airport, London. Dream became true. Welcome to America.All of YES student got International Orientation at the Hilton Hotel. We are be able get field trips at Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Embassy of Indonesia. Stop here? No, it will lead to another adventure and stopover in Albuquerque, NM. All of AFS / YES 2012-2013 participant must be familiar with this sound. "This journey our soul." Kak Inu voices always come in the national orientation session. Perhaps, this favorite phrase I ever heard. * I'm not a homo.Listen to your heart. This is not just a struggle to keep your eyes 20 hours in the National Orientation, more than that. I'm not able to write the benefits. One more thing, nationalism is not a word but a feeling. Why? Because I feel Nationalism in here, not just 12 letters that blends together.It is time to explain the activity here. Culture Spain and the United States combined here. I woke up at 05:45. Clean –up the room. Wash your face. Take prayer in the morning. Take the bag and then into the kitchen for breakfast and lunch. Burrito’s green chili and chocolate milk is always the main menu breakfast. Apple and sandwich packed for lunch. Next, wait for the school bus a few blocks from home.

Newsletter I

I’m going to Albuquerque High School. Model United Nation (UN) and MESA (Math, Engineer, Science, and Academic) another activity I got. The purpose of this activity is to follow free field trips every weekend. How come? This Club is facilitating some activities outside school such as field trips and conferences.This place already visited, that is Nuclear Museum (Making "Little Bomb" when WW II that was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki), Salsa Dance, Camping, Chaco Canyon, Homecoming, Rodeo, and others. To be continued on Newsletters II. Thank you.

Mahmuddin

Dhanizar - New MexicoName : Dhanizar Zefananda

Chapter : Surabaya

Placement : Albuquerque, New

MexicoHost School : Rio Grande High

School

Facebook : Dhanizar

Zefananda

Twitter : @DHAN_IS

When the first time went out of the plane, breathe the air in, warm of the sun, these feelings --- it is not a dream but real, Welcome America!Hi everybody, let me introduce myself, my name is Dhanizar Zefananda, YES 2012-2013 United States. I am hosted in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Mexico, a name of a state that is enough strange for me, it is located in the southern of U.S. with natural characteristics such as desert and mountains. First time I felt the air here, the sun shines really scorching, little bit hotter than Indonesia. The difference is the air felt so dry, yeah we are surrounded by spacious dessert.The houses here are unique, most of them are cube or beam shaped, they also have their own brick, and commonly has no level (stairs). I am hosted by a single mom, who likes hiking and tracking very much. I have two siblings, first is Lydia, now she attends in the University of New Mexico (UNM); The second one is Shaikh, he is YES returnee from Bangladesh four years ago, he went back here to prepare his lectures in UNM.The foods here are dominated by Mexican foods, but my host family said new mexican food has different taste even though it looks same. The first day here, my host family dish out the new mexican food for me, such as tortilla, corn chips, potato chips, and various kind of sauce like salsa (my favorite), red chili and green chili. The next days, they also showed me the other foods such as burritos (my favorite), enchiladas, tacos, nachos, and many more.I like the school here, it is really big compared with my former school in Indonesia. The school here has almost the same system like moving class with some differences. When the lunch time comes, my friends and I go to the cafeteria and queue in line up to get my lunch, I love lunch time :) . Anyway, because it is so dry here, using lip balm has became a must, either girls or boys, or else your lips will be chapped.

So lucky me, I met the vice president of Indonesian Community of New Mexico. Her name is Dini, I met her when I had Eid Mubarak prayer in Islamic Center of New Mexico the we introduced ourselves. Well, since it is still in Indonesia Independence atmosphere, she invited my mom and I to come to celebrate The Indonesia Independence Day in that day.It was so happy to be able to meet the Indonesian Community, in that event I also met my YES friend, Mahmuddin, that is also hosted in New Mexico. We sang our national anthem Indonesia Raya as an opening. There finally I could meet the Indonesian food that I missed so much. They are rice, lontong, rujak, sambel terasi, daging balado, es buah, and etc. We also had a chance to play Indonesian traditional games such as sack race, tug of war, marble run, eat crackers, and racing clogs.

That was a piece of my story from Albuquerque, New Mexico ... Hasta luego! (see you later). Thank you.

See you in the next newsletter !

produced by cnatalica