August O-N-E

August has arrived!  Hip, hip, hooray!!!  It has been one year since I left the knowns of Houston, Texas for the unknowns of South Korea.  What a year it has been!

I will return to America in 12 days....unbelievable I know!

I plan on doing a countdown beginning on Thursday, August 4th, as that will mark 10 days until I am scheduled to return.  So, instead of using words, I will (try my hardest to) post pictures, one for every day that I have remaining in Korea.

As a final farewell, I will post a reflection of the past year.  Because I probably won't have internet until I am stateside, I will more than likely write on the plane and post once I am safe and sound on U.S. soil! :)

I Appreciate It, But.....

On my way to work Monday morning, in the supermarket (I was about to buy water...), I met a lady from the Philippines.  We looked at each other and finally spoke.  Her first question was if I was from the Philippines.  After I told her no, she asked me for my phone number and email address.  I gave both of them to her and explained that I am preparing to shut my phone off because I will be leaving Korea soon.  She then asked me if I Facebook.  I politely told her that I didn't.  I took her phone number too, as a polite gesture, but I knew I wasn't going to call.

Tuesday afternoon she called me.  I was a little surprised but remembered who she was.  She invited me to go with her and her family (husband and 2 small boys) to the East Beach.  As much as I LOVE beaches, I had to tell her no.  Of course, I was very nice about it.  I told her that I really did appreciate the offer, but I wouldn't be able to go.  I have my reasons for saying no, just in case you are wondering, here are my top two:

1. I just met you and don't know you.
2. When it gets hot in Korea, it gets really hot! Because of this small kids run around and play in the water naked.  I'm not sure how old her her sons are, but I do not want to see that.  (Side note....as I was walking home from work, on the main street, I saw a little boy (maybe 2 years old) walking around with no diaper/underwear on! My thought...where are your bottoms lil buddy!)

18 days....18 more days.....

Dinner with Love

I had dinner with my vice principal (vp), his family, and two of my co-teachers, Mrs. Kim and Mr. Lee, from my FAVORITE school (SamSang Elementary).  In the beginning I was a little skeptical because I thought it was only going to be me, the vice principal and his family.  I was wrong.

The meal was interesting.  It was a little difficult fot me to eat because, well, I'm a picky eater and have had a hard time with Korean food.  We had duck, chicken, and a whole lot of other things (of which I didn't eat).

We had a good time.

As it was getting closer for us to leave I was informed of quite a few things.  Most of what I was told was translated of course, but nonetheless it was all very touching to me.

My vice principal told me (through his son) that he really doesn't want to see me go and he wished that I would stay in Korea.  The teachers and parents are very pleased with my teaching and I have exceeded all of their expectations.  My ratings from my open class were very high.  He went on to say that he loves me very much and that he has a daughter who is 31.  He told me that he has the same love for me that he has for his own daughter.  I didn't cry, but my eyes did get a little teary.

                                                      *                                   *                                    *

I agreed to go on a field trip with the students on the 12th of August.  My original plan was to leave Hongcheon on the 12th, spend the night near the airport and leave on the 13th.  The vice principal, Mrs. Kim, and Mr. Lee talked me into going on the field trip.  There was no way that I could say no.  Once I agreed they were just as excited as I was.

Although I am ready to leave Korea, it will be hard from me to leave the students and teachers of SamSang Elementary. They have found and made a place in my heart that will last forever.  Their kindness and the love that they have shown me speaks volumes.  For me to even try to describe it would do no justice.  It's something that you would have to experience for yourself.

New Glasses!

I had to get new glasses because my old ones broke.  The lenses are (somehow) too small for the frame.  They can't be put back into the frame without breaking them.  I have only had them for 1 year.  Weird, I know......

I heard getting glasses in Korea was cheap and now I believe it!

The eye exam, which is just like I would get in the states was F-R-E-E!  Yes free!

Frames range from 10,000 won to 300,000 won or more (if it's a designer frame).  The lenses also vary, (20,000 won to 90,000 won) depending on what kind of protection coating is put on.

I got very nice frames and lenses with a good protective coating.  Somehow, 10,000 won was knocked off of my lens price, which was fine by me.

I picked up my glasses today (even though they would have been ready within 10 minutes after I made all of my selections) and I am ecstatic about them! I don't think I have ever been as happy as I was to purchase a pair of glasses. And.....I hate to say it, but the quality of Korean glasses (exam included) is much better than that in America!

My F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E School

SamSang Elementary
Sangook, South Korea

Today was my last day at my favorite school, SamSang Elementary.  This school is my favorite for a few reasons.  Besides the fact that they treat me very well and take care of me, the students look after each other and the teachers ensure that students are actually learning and not just going through the motions.

It's true that kids will be kids.  They will tease each other, saying whatever they want to hurt each others feelings. SamSang students are a little different, definitely not like any other that I have ever taught.  Once these students enter the classroom, the name calling, teasing, etc. stops and students help each other.

For example, my 4th graders, who have made tremendous growth from when I first met them when they were in 3rd grade.  There is a little boy who is much lower than his classmates.  For certain subjects, he is "pulled out" and works with the special education teacher.  During English class he has a very difficult time.  Of course I do what I can and shower him with verbal praise of which he seems to understand due to his bright smile and excitement that he shows when he has done well.  I also have some "helping teachers".  The girls that sit near him always help him.  Always.  They do so willingly, never having to be told, but more so in an effort to assist their classmate who is struggling because none of us want to see him fall further behind.  How is this different from the other schools I teach at?  Good question.  At ALL of my other schools (minus the high school), students who have been "labeled" with some type of learning disability just sit.  Literally, just sit.  When I try to involve them in lessons, helping them along the way, I am told by the Korean teacher not to.  All the while I'm thinking how can you have a child in a classroom and (basically) ignore them for 45 minutes?

Mrs. Kim, my co-teacher, makes sure that students are understanding whatever we are studying in English.  In our extra classes, she made the appropriate modifications regardless of what grade students were in.  For example, during the extra after school classes, 3rd and 4th graders are grouped together and 5th and 6th graders are grouped together.  There were a few 5th graders who were moved down to the 3rd and 4th grade class because they were not able to read basic sight words.  At the same time, a 4th grader was moved up to the 5th and 6th grade class because it is evident that she is much more advanced than not only her classmates, but the older students as well.  Mrs. Kim does whatever is necessary to ensure that every students need is being met by any means necessary.

I will miss this school, especially the kids.  They are the kindest, most respectful children I have ever met.  During lunch today, one of the girls asked me, "Sarah teacher, why America?" (She was trying to ask me why I had to go back to America and why I couldn't stay).  My heart melted.....

Here are a few pictures from the day.......

5th graders.....the muscles is our "inside joke"

6th graders...

4th graders....
the girl on my left is very, very bright

This is a picture of me.  The closed eye is me winking...
One of my 6th graders, Inje, is the artist....

Thursday

Today is Thursday, which means I go to two elementary schools (it's really one school in two locations...) and the school year is finally winding down.

Today was my last day at this particular elementary school and students' last day will be next Wednesday.  They will resume school at the end of August.

Here are a few pictures of my kiddos....

1st and 2nd graders...
Just in case you can't see it,
we are making hearts with our arms...

3rd graders...

4th graders...

Couldn't help myself to my favorite.....Sunflowers!!!

I couldn't help myself with this one either....
I don't think I have ever seen a frog that small...

Randoms

After talking with Yun Jeong (the lady from the bank...), I learned a few things:

1.  When a son goes to work for a big company, after attending college (university), his parents buy him a new car.
2.  When a son gets married, his parents buy him either a new car, a house, or an apartment.
3.  It is much (much) more expensive to live in an apartment than in a house.  Some people have to take out a bank loan for their apartments.  Our living in a house, is opposite for Koreans.  Instead of buying a house, they "buy" their apartment. 
4.  It is the law that people can only change the location of their jobs once they have finished their "contracted" time.  For example, Yun Jeong works at the bank.  Until she works there for three years, she cannot leave. Teachers must stay at the same school for (about) three years before they can leave. 

                *                                              *                                     *                                        *

To show my appreciation for my co-teachers at the elementary school, I decided to give them small gifts.  Mr. Moon, who picks me up on Fridays teaches 3rd graders.  I got a gift for him and his 1 year old son.  After lunch we had a brief conversation.  (Please excuse my broken English.)

Mr. Moon: Sarah, thank you very much for the gifts.  Do I have to get you something?
Me: (with a slight look of confusion) Oh no, no! Gift is for you! Your gift to me is picking me up and bringing me to school.  I got you gifts to show my appreciation. 
Mr. Moon: Oh! Ok, ok! Thank you very much.
Me: You are more than welcome!

A Day with the Kim Family

My co-teacher from my (favorite) elementary school, Kim Soo Jin, invited me to dinner with her family.  So, I spent the day with her, her husband, brother, daughter (all of whom I met for the first time) and her son (whom I teach).  Despite the rain, we had a fun, eventful day! 

We had lunch/dinner at a VIPPS.  The food was excellent.  Their specialty is steak and seafood.  We had the lunch buffet and Mrs. Kim ordered steak and lobster.  She got the lobster for me (she learned that I love lobster yesterday at the track meet....) and it was delicious!!!!  We all ate until we could eat no more! 

The Kims...
Seated: Mrs. Kim and her daughter (she will be 2 at the end of the month);
Standing L to R: Mr. Kim, son (1st grader), brother

After eating, you can imagine we were all sleepy!  I thought I was going to get back on the bus and go home, but no way!  We were going to go to the movies to see Transformers 3 in 3D, but it was sold out so we went bowling instead.  More fun!!

Ji Won was our "ball boy"......

I hit a strike!!!!

My partner and I.  At this point we were loosing.... 

Mr. Kim hits a strike!

This was my the result of my last ball.  It was a gutter ball.
I'm hiding my face....in shame.  Needless to say, we lost! :(

After bowling, we headed to the department store and then to the grocery store so Mrs. Kim could do a little bit of shopping.  Once she finished we headed to the bus terminal so that I could catch the bus back to Hongcheon.  As I got out of the car, Mrs. Kim spoiled me even more by giving me a bottle of wine, chocolate covered sticks and fruit.  She is too good to me!  I told her brother that I am so very grateful and thankful for her!

Back to My First Love

Boy do I LOVE me some track!!!!  

My Samsaeng elementary kids had a track meet today.  I told them I was going to go, but I don't think they believed me.  I showed up and they were ecstatic!  My plan was to stay only for a few hours, but I ended up staying for the entire track meet.  I had a good time with the kids.  I saw a few of my other students from the other schools I work at; they acted like they didn't know me.......

When a few of my (Samsaeng) kids learned that I use to run track and coach, they wanted to race and of course, I couldn't say no.  Out of two races with 5 kids, only one beat me!  

The lil boy on the far right beat me!
This was also the 400 meter relay, they got 2nd.
The two boys on the far left also run the 800.
The first young man came in 2nd place.
I wish you could have seen the little boy who won, he sprinted the entire 800!  

A few of the girls...

400 meter relay....I believe they got 4th place.

Oh the memories from running track as a kid and coaching......good times! :)