23rd Birthday & Last Week Before New Classes

I apologize in advance, but this post will not have many pictures.  So, since Megan couldn't make my birthday brunch, we decided to drag Nathaniel around Myungdong and I got to explore a bit.  It was a lot of fun, though still a bit cold for walking around.  We went to a PuriKura machine which took your pictures with various K-Pop Star backgrounds.  I didn't recognize any of them, but Megan knew who all of them were.  Either way it was a lot of fun and we made them look really silly.  And yes Megan ... they are stickers ^.^ hehehe.  Then we went exploring again and she showed me Artbox which has a lot of different cute art supplies and items.  I could spend a fortune in there if I'm not careful (it is also where Megan bought me some really cute birthday presents ... Thank you again Megan!)  After that, I bought cotten candy on the street ... yay!  Sugar!  Then we went to lunch at a very expensive American buffet with a friend of Megan's.  But considering wine was on tap ... I guess it has a reason to be expensive.  After that I went home Nathaniel and Megan went to her K-Pop concert where I'm told she had a lot of fun.

 

Sunday, a bunch of the female co-workers went to Jeonja to have a breakfast brunch with me near Heather's place (which is really nice by the way).  It was called Butterfingers and was an American breakfast diner/waffle house type of place.  I wasn't very impressed with the food, but it was a nice change from always cooking.  We had to wait a while, and they even took our orders before we were seated and asked if it was okay to put us at a four person table (which was plenty big enough for all of us).  They were a little flustered because their English wasn't the best so were worried about communicating with us, but another customer helped them out.

 

Monday rolls around (my actual birthday and I have to say I feel weird on birthday now ... just like I remember that yeah I'm an adult) and it was pretty hectic.  Got Japanese candy from Ben (thank you thank you thank you ^.^) and found out that I am getting a real literature class in March.  It is a lot of work, but I am super excited.  My boss apologized a lot when she realized she forgot to buy me a cake, so I got that on Tuesday.  Was understandable since we were all really swamped, especially the Korean staff.  Met Nate, the new teacher, on Tuesday and he seems really friendly.  I'm looking forward to working with him.  David and Alex are officially done and leaving Korea.  I'm a little jealous of Alex who is visiting Japan with his family before returning home.  Graduation went well, though I didn't really have a part of it since my kindergartener's were not moving on to first grade yet.

 

We found out our new classes, and I've got a lot of hours and classes that need prep the next semester so I will be very busy.  But that means a little more money to go towards paying off those *not so small* student loans.  And my new classes look like they will be a lot of fun.  I am keeping my afternoon kindergarten and my third (though now fourth) graders.  Sarah will be teaching my old kindergarteners but I found out I will be their math teacher, so I still get to see them once a week.  I haven't told them yet, I wanted it to be a surprise.  ^.^  I will miss those two classes though, but I'm sure I'll like the new students I get too.  Many of my kindergarteners' moms gave me goodbye and thank you presents.  They were really nice, and one mom insisted on coming in and thanking me in person.  It was sweet.  Another mom had recently taken a trip to Japan  with her daughter and brought me back a Japanese snack and even wrote in a little Japanese (instead of just English) back to me.  I was really excited about that.  And I got a really nice butterfly hankerchief and some practical stuff.  Shared some things with the co-workers and it was just a nice way to end the semester.  Though we all are doing some spring cleaning it seems. 

Otherwise, I am trying to get rid of a large spot of mold.  I tried to buy bleach, but the worker didn't understand English, and I didn't understand Korean, so I think I just got regular laundry detergent.  Well, if it comes back, just means I will have to clean it again and have Nathaniel or someone else come with me to buy bleach.  And can always use the laundry detergent after I run out of the stuff I currently have.  Though I scrubbed pretty hard, the wall is still black.... and I'm afraid to do more and rip of the wallpaper. 

Kate's Birthday Party & Festival

 

A week after Anthony's birthday party, we had Kate's birthday party. It was a lot of fun, and the student enjoyed the break from work and festival preparations.  So like I said before, after the time I had nothing to do, now I am extremely busy.  We are starting to use all new books at work, and I was the main editor after the Korean staff spent many weeks, including weekends, writing up classwork and homework books.  I took home editting work at least three nights, and have to say, I can only imagine what the Korean staff had to do.  And of course they were all due by the day of festival so that meant even more work for everyone.  And then graduation is the following week.

Festival was a lot of work for everyone, as there were musicals, speeches, and much more for each class.  They even had costumes for the musical (my class did Aladdin) and my class had costumes and props for their speech (What I Want To Be When I Grow Up).  Wendy - Scientist/Genie, Joseph - Police Officer/Aladdin, Winston - Soccer Player/Aladdin, Sohee - Painter/Jasmine, Amy - Doctor/Jasmine, Anthony - Taekwondo Fighter/Jafar, Kate - Ballerina/Jafar, Sally - Teacher/Sultan, Serry - Veterinarian/Gazeem.  We had a lot of rehearsals, but the day of festival went by really quickly.  Most of the parents were there to watch their kids.  Though I think they were all really stresses as I had three kindergarteners burst into tears in the classroom at various times of the day.  But thankfully they all did very well on stage and spoke nice and clearly and remembered their lines and dances. 

I even had to dress nicely (which led to many "Teacher, you look pretty!" comments ^.^) and give a speech, which wasn't too bad.  I just said how wonderful my students were and how they have improved over the last six months that I have had them.  One of the grandparents even gave me some lovely yellow flowers which was nice because I don't see fresh flowers often in Korea.  Then Anthony saw that and took a flower from his fake bouquet and said, "Here Teacher."  It was so cute that I couldn't say no.  Sally tried to give me her entire bouquet too but I wouldn't let her.  Serry gave me a random petal that had fallen off hers.  The things children do definately can make you smile, but it did leave me very tired afterwards.  Thank you Meena and Heather for taking pictures for me. 

A Short Break Then Chaos

A Rose Made By Kindergartener Kate

So ... it has been over a month or so since I last wrote.  I apologize but I was lazy and nothing too big was going on either way.  Mostly just playing Eden Eternal in my free time.... During the last month or so is the time many students take a break from school, so I got some extra free time at work.  Work wasn't too busy until these last few weeks as we prepare all of the end of the year stuff.  We will be getting new classes the beginning of March when the new school year begins. 

 

First, we have festival, which is where the students prepare speeches and a little Disney musical performance.  My students have Aladdin, and I am very excited to say they are singing A Whole New World as their finale piece.  They have been working really hard on memorizing their script lines and all the songs and dances.  They even have a speech that they have to memorize.  It is based off what they wany to be when they grow up.  Sadly the videos still won't upload or I'd show you some practice videos.

Then almost immediately after festival, we have graduation, and Alex and David are leaving.  We will be getting 1 new teacher, another guy named Nathan.  During graduation, all the 7 year old kindergarten classes have to prepare a speech and sing a few songs.  Then they move to Korean schools, and maybe will come back for some of our afternoon elementary classes.  Progress reports are due and we are working on changing books and improving the curriculum.  Needless to say, what was once a slow time has now become a very busy time as we all get ready for the new school year. 

Recently, we celebrated the Lunar (Chinese) New Year.  This meant that the teachers got to enjoy a nice three day weekend.  Before the New Year, the students dressed up in their hanbuk again (Yay for traditional asian clothes!).  All of my kindergarteners had to bow to me and thank me.  It was odd being bowed to, but it was really adorable at the same time.  They thanked me and then wished me a Happy New Year and I told them what a good job they did this year.  It is tradition for them to bow to their elders in respect (often their grandparents) and then get money in return for doing such a good job this year.  They also were reminded that they were a year older (so my class is considered 7 year olds now). 

Other news, we had a birthday party for Anthony.  Anthony's mom sent us a lot of fruit and everyone enjoyed it.  We will have another for Kate next week, and a week after that I turn 23 years old.... where does time fly .... I can't believe I'm 23 years old already.  Kate made a really good rose in art class out of brown clay.  She even layered it my pressing circular disks into each other.  It's a lot better than anything I could do.  Also, Joseph has become a lot more out-going and is quite the character now in class.

Spelling Bees and Christmas Week and Vacation

 

So I haven't posted in a while.  Everything has been busy, and this post will probably not be in order.  Anyway, so what has happened since I last posted.  Well, I noticed the faces of all the foriegn teachers driving around on school buses.  Never thought I'd see my face on a bus, so it was quite an interesting observation.  Not sure how I feel about it, but it definately surprised me.  Also, I encountered a jumping spider in my classroom and it took all my willpower not to shriek in front of the kindergarteners.  I can only imagine how that would have gone.  And worse I was unable to catch it so I hope it migrated elsewhere during the Christmas holidays.

Mom sent me a 31 lb box, with Christmas gifts for me and Nathaniel, which I carried all the way back from work to the apartment.  Thank you Mom, I loved all the gifts, though I have to admit I couldn't use my arms (couldn't even type) for over an hour after I got home.  And of course the box exploded with glitter so now there is glitter all over my apartment floor.  I also enjoyed the decorations.  Thanks again Mom.  All the kids loved the Christmas stickers that she sent me, and I shared them with the other kindergarten classes.  It was nice to open them via Skype with the family.  Ah, technology, how you make the holidays away from home easier.

 

So we also had a few Spelling Bees that week.  I had a total of four students participate.  One third grader, and three second graders.  I was the MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the Second Grade Spelling Bee.  Basically, I called on each student and told them which word to spell.  Pretty simple.  I had three students participating in that spelling bee, and one of them was the overall winner.  I was so proud of them all (Congratulations and Good Job Everyone!).  They also had to take a test that day, so it was a pretty hard day on them, but they all did very well.

 

Before the Christmas celebration day, the morning kindergartners had market day where they get to exchange their hard earned big stickers for fake money and buy things.  So everyone got to go home with new toys and pencils etc.  During market day, my class also got to do a surprise ballet lesson demonstration for a new class that they will be beginning when the new semester starts in March (I think).  Basically, the teacher had them stretch and stand on their toes, but all of them really had a lot of fun.  You could tell that most of the girls had taken ballet, as they could follow the directions easily enough, whereas the boys struggled just to keep their legs together and straight.  Sad to say, but I probably would have had the same problems as my male students had I been participating.  The teacher threw a bunch of fluffy balls around and the kids had to dance around gathering them.  I helped, at the insistance of Sally (one of my kindergarteners), and I am sure I looked quite funny but the kids got a kick out of it. 

 

 

So Christmas Celebration Day (last day of classes before our week long break) started off which us finding out that a coworker got engaged the night before.  Congratulations!!!!  Nice way to start the day.  Besides the spelling bee for the second graders, we had a bunch of events planned for the morning kindergarteners.  First we started with a magic show and puppet show.  It was easy to understand (a lot easier than the professional bunraku? puppet show in japan - can't remember what it was called for sure).  And I spent most of the time laughing with my kids.  Though a few parts did scare them and Sally dragged me closer.  It was adorable.

 

After the puppet magic show, we held the song contest.  Since I was the MC, I was unable to take pictures this time, but let me tell you that all of the classes did an excellent job.  Basically my job was to call up the next class to perform and by time while everyone voted for the best class.  The kids seemed to enjoy it but they were more competitive than normal and those who did not place 1st-3rd were upset when they didn't win.  But they all did well.  My class performed last, and sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and received fourth place.  Then all the classes, and the teachers sang "Silent Night" as we waited for the votes to come in.  Chris Teacher's class (the youngest class currently at LCI) won with "Ten Little Angels."  They were so adorable.

 

 

So after the song contest, we did a little bit of decorating for a friend before lunch.  Then the kids got to go see Santa Claus.  Santa asked if they were bad or good and if they had been bad, they had to promise to be good from now on to get thier present.  Every student got a present (provided for by their moms) and a picture with Santa.  They were sad because they were not allowed to open their presents at school, but had to wait until they got home or till Christmas, whatever their parents had decided.  But I let them open their presents from me, and that made them happy, but they didn't have time to play with them as they had to go home soon, the day was over and break was starting for them.  I gave every student of mine at least a Christmas Card that I drew and candy.  I got each of my morning kindergarteners a present, a CD with pictures for thier parents, and stickers.  My afternoon kindergarteners also got stickers. 

 

After morning kindergarten, the day went fast with tests and spelling bees.  Then it was time for the staff Christmas Party.  They brought a lot of food, sushi, chicken, wine.  I was happy to enjoy a nice glass of Mascoto (Yay for white wine though there was mostly reds) along with dinner.  And even better they had BRIE!  Yay for French cheese!  Afterwards, we had the Secret Santa guessing and I had to go first.  Lucky for me my wild guess just happened to be my secret santa.  Thank you Ellie for the Christmas gift!!  Granted the penalty for guessing wrong was just singing a song, which wasn't much of a penalty.  Melanie (the owner) liked at least one of the earrings I gave her, though she had to sing because she didn't guess me.  Otherwise, they played games, sang, and well drank, but it was the one time of year that they were allowed to so why not. 

Afterwards, I spent Christmas with Nathaniel, and along with his mom, he chose a lovely black cat necklace which I will definately wear at the next available time.  It is so lovely.  Much nicer than my practical spices for him.  But at least he likes practical.  And so I started off my Christmas break relaxing, watching anime, and playing video games.  Not a bad break, but it seems to go by too quickly.  I also got a lovely pocket watch scarf and some cards from my students.

Co-worker's Birthday and Snow

So Megan had a birthday near the end of November, so most of the foreign teachers went together to celebrate her birthday at an really fancy Indian restaurant.  Having missed Indian curry, I was glad to go and enjoyed the food a lot.  I met some new people, mostly a friend of Megan's and one of Ben's.  Everyone had lots of different types of Indian food and it looked so good.  We all had a good time, and it was one of those rare moments that I actually went out with the group.  I really should do it more often rather than hide in my apartment ^.^ .  Anyway, Ben's friend took this fun photo, though I am looking down in the picture, perhaps answering a text of moving something that fell. 

 

The adventure was getting there.  So, I was going to go to Nathaniel's apartment since it was closer to the restaurant than mine was.  It was dark, and I decided to take the Bus 11 which I knew went to Jukjeon Station, but I got on a different stop.  I had no idea that this Bus 11 went the other way and ended up at the Migeum Station which was two stops past Jukjeon.  It was a little nerve wracking, but once found the station in Migeum, all was well.  So, I went to Nathaniel's and then the next day I tried to find my way to the restaurant.  As many of you know, I have no sense of direction and though I got to the station okay, I wandered around Myungdong for a while before calling Chris who gave me directions as best she could over the phone.  We weren't having much luck when I noticed I was behind the Royal Hotel which had been on the map that Megan gave me.  I went to go around towards the front of the hotel and ended up finding the TAJ, Taste of India restaurant on the way.  Lucky me!

 

Pictures from the Flurries Early in the Week

 

Anyway, as I said before, we had a blast and I returned to Nathaniel's when they decided to go drinking as I was tired.  Soon the weekend was over and it was back to work.  Though a few times this week we had some snow and the kids got really excited about the snow, especially on Wednesday when we got a lot of snow.  We even let them go to the rooftop garden and play outside for a bit.  They liked to throw snowballs at me and we built a mini snowman on the roof.  But we couldn't stay out for too long as they were cold and we didn't want them to get sick.  Needless to say that they had a lot of energy.

 

OMG It's Snowing!

 

So, the snow got bad enough that the buses were stuck in traffic and couldn't pick up the kids for the afternoon classes on Wednesday, so all afternoon classes were cancelled and we were actually sent home early.  Sadly, that means we will likely be making up those afternoon classes some Saturday, but for today it was a nice break.  Who doesn't get excited for a Snow Day!  I took my normal route home, despite knowing some areas would be difficult to walk due to the snow and took lots of great pictures.