Old News

I know we are getting ready for a new week, but this is from last week....I forgot to post it! (Opps!!)

Today I taught 3rd, 4th, 5th (for the first time in my life), and 6th graders! What a joy it was! I must say that elementary is not as bad as I thought it would be.  If I could get an elementary class with 2-12 students, I would say, "SIGN ME UP!"  My students were fun and of course very curious.  They wanted to touch my hair, and of course I had to let them....how could I not (they are too cute to say no....I'm a sucker I know).  Many asked, "Is that your real hair?"  They just couldn't believe it.  Eating lunch with the little ones was hilarious.  One little boy sat across from me and started at me the entire time.  Mrs. Kim, one of my elementary co-teachers, (who is another jewel to me), told him to stop staring and eat his food.  I felt so good today because I actually felt productive, I got a taxi cab ride for free (I have no idea how!  I tried to pay and the driver told me to go on...in Korean of course), after school the bus driver saw me taking pictures of the scenery and then asked me (again, in Korean of course) if he could take a picture of me (with my camera and then with his).  When I got off the bus he gave me two very beautiful photos of the view from the "high" hills.  He was very nice.

I forgot to mention earlier this week (and of course I forgot my camera....grrrr!)  The middle school and high school had a dinner for me and three other teachers.  One was retiring and two were leaving the school.  I had no idea it was going to be how it was! Oh my!  Koreans can drink!  The food (at least what I ate) was very good.  I had duck and Korean pizza, and cheese corn.  Korean culture is very strict and I tried hard to remember what I had read before coming here.  For example, when receiving something from an elder, you MUST use both hands to receive it.  Well, I messed this up when one of the teachers (I think it was the vice principal) was pouring my drink for the toast.  Mrs. Cheoung reminded me to use both hands.  The popular drink here is called "Soju" and you have to be very careful with it!  It tastes like rubbing alcohol.  I tried my best not to be rude, but there was no way that I was about to keep on drinking and drinking and drinking.  Heck, I barely drink now!  So what did I do?  I put water in my shot glass (that's what they use to make a toast) and toasted that!  (Soju is clear like water by the way). After a while when teachers were coming around to "fill" glasses I said no thank you and I think some may have taken offense.  I did later explain to Mrs. Cheoung that I am not a drinker and did not feel comfortable drinking when I don't want to. Eventually I was able to get my point across and she understood.

At the store/bus station down the street from elementary school...

I guess you could say that's just how they do.  Interestingly, speaking of drinking, in Korean culture, if there is a problem at work, guess where they are going to solve it?  Yhep! You guess it!  Over drinks!  And if one gets drunk?  They will still go to work the next day....on time.....and the problem from the day before is solved!

Included in this entry are a few pics; what I see on my bus rides and more views from my apartment.

From the bus.....

Taken from my balcony (9th floor)...
That is were I catch the taxi in the mornings (sometimes)...with
the blue roof......

Another view from my apt...