Week 2 (Day 8 - Day 12) - Indonesia's 73rd Independence week celebration.

Perguruan Islam Al-Amjad prepared a whole week long of activities in commemoration to the 73rd Independence day of Indonesia. There are no classes for a week, students are to commemorate the independence day by joining in the activities.

August 13, 2018 (Monday) As the week starts in every school, there will always be a flag ceremony and this monday morning it's not just a flag ceremony in Perguruan Islam Al-Amjad, they also had a short opening ceremony for the week long activities they prepared to commemorate the independence day in Indonesia. Afterwards, they started awarding of the best primary school students. Then the activities started, the activities we saw and experienced are first is Galasin, It’s like the Medan version of "Patintero" in the Philippines. It is played by two groups; each group consists of 4 members. Students are to play against the other section or class. Boys versus boys and Girls versus girls, we experienced playing Galasin against the girl students. On the afternoon, we were also invited to see and play other games like Main Karet the Medan version of what we call in the Philippines “Chinese Garter” and Patok Lele, this is also a traditional game in Indonesia. It uses two pieces of wood, long and small. Long wood is used as a bat and the other is to be hit. We ended the school time by having a small chitchat with the students and a photo before we went home. It feels good to learn and experience other country's culture. It is important for us to build this kind of connection in order for us to grow further and become a better person in the society.

August 14, 2018 (Tuesday) - The morning was spent for Upacara Pramuka or in English, Scout Ceremony this was followed by Awarding Ceremony of the scouts in Perguruan Islam Al-Amjad for the year 2018. In the Afternoon, students are to play/compete with other section or class traditional games like Galasin, Main Karet and Patok Lele again. I am really amazed of this school, most likely in the scouting part. All of them are really active in scouting and is participative. It is good to have an awarding ceremony for them to feel rewarded in their efforts and good doings; and for them to be inspired more in doing such things and giving more efforts in the community service.

August 15, 2018 (Wednesday) - Tarik Tambang for me is the highlight of this week's activity. Tarik Tambang in English is "Tug of war". It is also one of the famous games in Indonesia. It is usually played by two teams against each other they are to pull a rope. We played this game against the faculty members/teachers. Some of the students are still playing Galasin, Main Karet and Patok Lele. The primary school students also have their games, I get to see them play Futsal, Galasin, Run Relay and kerupuk contest or eating cracker contest. This is also the day where we, Sea-Teachers are able to play Galasin with the Faculty members/Teachers. In the afternoon, all of us are invited to the music room and there our co-Sea-teachers were asked to judge a talent contest which will happen tomorrow, thursday August 16, 2018.  And before school day ends, we are invited to come and see the Wafa it's like a quiz bee contest about general topics. Today, I realized how important it is to build a student-teacher relationship. It is important for the students not to be always afraid of us teachers or student teachers, we should have time to bond and play with themonce in awhile. 

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.-Ronald Reagan

August 16, 2018 (Thursday) - Today, I see students playing another traditional game they call Bakiak, material used here is made ​​out of wood having a long length and given some slippers on, usually good for 2-4 people. It is usually played in groups or teams, racing against other team, who will get to finish first. In the morning, I also get the chance to see cute primary school students having their parade for the Independence day; all of them are wearing white and red colored clothes. And for the rest of our day, we get to watch Al-Amjad Got Talent (a talent contest) where students are to show their talents and wait for the final call; for them to perform in the Finals of AL-AMJAD GOT TALENT. It's one of our jobs; to inspire and to build out the confidence of our students in any of the events in the school. That's why we should prepare activities which we think students can join and we can help them enhance their talents for them to grow further and have more confidencein theirselves.

August 17, 2018 (Friday) - In commemoration of the 73rd Independence day of Indonesia, the school Perguruan Islam Al-Amjad prepared a long week activities and most specially for the Indepence day today. The theme for this year's independence is "Kerja Kita Prestasi Bangsa" which has a meaning of achievement will only be achieve if we work and try. In starting this day, they have an amazing ceremony and performance which I find students very disciplined, they did practice well for this day and the school really prepared for this day. After the ceremony, It's the time for the students to show off and give their best in the Finals of AL-AMJAD GOT TALENT. Then, Students are now to know the winners for all of the games that happened during the week. Students also received certificates and gifts. Announcement of winners in the quiz bee and also in the talent show. It is good to have this kind of event in a school for the students to have fun while learning. It also gives the opportunity to communicate and be friend with other students and to show off their talents.