Monday, April 6, 2009

Arigatou

Nadia & Keigo :)

Introducing Keigo. The first time I meet Keigo was in the month of Feb, can't really remember which date. He was passing by our workshop with his grandma when he stopped and stare into our little 'fish tank', fascinated by our Lego display on the shelf. They both walked in looking at the Lego display. Both myself and Nadia were standing nearby just in case they would enquire a little more. As soon as his grandma looked at us, smiled and started to talk, we both knew we were in for a little hard time. It's only because of the language barrier that was in our way. They both can't really speak English well but they seem to understand what we were trying to say and we were trying our best to understand what they're trying to say. The one notable and remarkable part of this all is that she was trying her best to understand and learn what we were saying. She was so sweet, always a smile on her face.

After explaining what we're about and what we do, we found out that Keigo was only here for a holiday and would soon go back to Japan, in a month time. She signed up for the month that he was here and will be starting the week after. Keigo was beyond shy that first day that I met him. Only when i spoke a bit of Japanese to him (courtesy of the countless of animes and Japanese songs that i watch and listen to, hehe) that he looks up and smiles. I smiled back at him and without realizing, he had somehow weave his way into my heart and made a small spot for him there.

When I first became an instructor, I had told myself that I should treat the kids I meet equally and not have any that I liked more than the rest. I never realized that I was only fooling myself. It was somehow difficult to walk the talk, you know. I liked Keigo the first time I had meet him and during that one month teaching period that we had with him (there were a few days that I didn't get to teach him) , I treasured every single moment. The more often he came to the workshop, the more chatty he became and his smile is so sweet, it always puts back a smile on my face when i lack of it.

The second last class came, his grandma brought her camera and started snapping away photos and taking video of her grandson during class. Before they left, she took a snapshot of us with Keigo. It made me sad knowing that he was going to leave soon. The last class he had was on a Monday, 31st March, I know this because I had school to go to and Nadia was on leave. Norm when we come back from AISM it was going to be 5 something pm. Here I was looking forward to seeing Keigo again as Nadia and I were planning to get something for him before he leaves, Ender told me that he had already came for his last class that day and it seems he was sad that his classes had ended, he cried.

At least I don't think that I'll be seeing him again after his last class, I was wrong. Those last few days left in Malaysia, they came to visit us and to give us a gift. It was really sweet of them. Really stamped a spot in my heart =) We thanked them for the lovely gifts and we said our goodbyes for one last time. I watched him and his grandma walk away from CTWorks. Missing him already and still do. Tho here's the good news that his grandma told me. The next time they were back in Malaysia again, they'll definitely come back to the workshop. Hehe =) Looking forward till that day.

One of the gifts from Keigo and his Grandma =)

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