No Way!

Would you like to have an ATM machine that not only gives you money, but allows you to pay your bills (gas, water, electric, rent), AND balances your checkbook for you?  Ha, ha!  Well move to South Korea and you can have exactly that!  The ATM does it all! Oh, but there is more! What if you forget your debt card?  No worries!  As long as you have your bank book (pocket size) you can still take care of your business.  Just slide your book into the machine.  Do you know how many people would be able to (maybe) better manage their money if we had this?  Genius idea!  

Students are preparing for their mid-term exams next week.  Middle school and high school students will take between 7 and 8 exams over 3 days.  Many have been studying very hard, even on the weekends.  One of the high school teachers asked me today if I could meet with her just to talk.....about anything, in an attempt to improve her English.  Of course, I agreed.  She is pretty good already though, but like I always say, "perfect practice makes perfect".  I noticed that she wore wedding bands on both hands.  I asked her if she was married and she looked at me like, "Are you crazy?"  I asked her why and after she stressed that it was her own personal opinion, she said that she does like men, but she doesn't agree with how Korean wives are treated by their husbands.  She went on to say that she does know that it is much different in America.  Her next question to me was, "Are you married?"  I just smiled and replied, "One day, but no, not yet.  No rush."  

I learned that after the third year in high school, students will take a university entrance exam.  They will fall into two categories: if they score high, they will attend one of the top universities in Korea; if they score low, they will attend a university that is, well not so much "at the top".  The majority, with the exception of maybe 1 or 2, go to college!  Even if it is a two year college, they still go! 

Enjoy the pictures below.  Sooner or later, I will figure out how to download videos!  Until then....

One of my English classes.  The girls were a little shy.... 

Students working hard on their Chuseok assignment.

A few of my boys during our Free Talking time.....the young man holding up both hands, Nak, will be moving to Chicago with his family in a few days.  Smart young man, I hate to see him go, but I am very happy that he will have the opportunity to study in America! 

The GREAT, all in one ATM machine!

Another English class working hard.  No one wanted to have to stay after class with "Sarah Teacha" to finish, especially not during their 10 minute break time!

Concluding thought for today: 

Living Fee: 110,000 won (not as much as you think....feel free to look up the conversion)

Gas bill: 25,000 won

Establishing relationships with my Korean students.....PRICELESS!