This morning I forgot that the schedule had been changed so that I would have four classes rather than the regular three. This means that I'll have class 2-7 twice this week. I guess tomorrow I will just focus on the sign language alphabet, since they did not learn the first three letters last week like the rest of the classes. Because I forgot, I was about 10 minutes late getting back to my class. I was making copies of the Halloween coloring sheet and talking to class 2-3 teacher to make sure that the students bring their crayons and markers. Class 2-3 teacher was not in class today, because he had to go to the hospital to get his heart checked out. I don't know much more than that, but I hope everything is okay. His class is usually one of my not-so-great classes, but today they were very good. I think all of the kids got a kick out of Halloween this week.
Most of the classes were disappointed that the coloring sheet wasn't for homework. I tried to tell them they could take it home and do it for fun, but I don't know if they grasped that concept. I tried to communicate this with my incredible Korean skills. The teachers usually helped translate, but even some of them were baffled that it wasn't homework. In the upper grades, it is almost impossible to get students to do homework, and my students loved the idea. One day I asked them to bring their workbooks, and then we didn't have time to use them. They were so upset! It's really an odd concept, but I guess young kids are easily excitable. I really enjoyed teaching the children about Halloween, but next week, I have to go back to the awesome curriculum that has been set in place for me.^^ I'll figure out a way to make it fun.
Oh, yesterday, the teachers all went out to dinner together, and nobody let me know. My co-teacher asked the teachers about it, and I found out that it was because they were going out for duck. They weren't sure whether or not to invite me. It's really awesome that they were considerate of me being a vegetarian, but at the same time, it kind of sucks. I also want to go out to dinner with the principal and my co-teacher at some point, but our schedules haven't lined up in the slightest. It will happen sooner or later.
After school, I took a taxi over to Julie's apartment for tutoring. She wasn't there. Turns out she was meeting up with her friend and forgot to tell me. She felt so horrible. At the time I wasn't incredibly stoked about the situation, but I'm over it. She and I are meeting tomorrow for tutoring an hour later than normal, having dinner together, and then going to an art gallery together. Instead of our usual Wonju English Club meeting, we are going to Kata's art show. She started coming to club meetings three weeks ago, so the club is taking a break from meetings to support her show. She is only in Korea for a total of 2 months, so I think she is leaving soon.
I spent a lot of time with my host family today. I taught my host sister how to make a dog out of a plastic round-beaded necklace, so we spent a while doing that. I went with her and my host mom back to her English hagwan because she left her coat there, and on the way, I taught her, "One, Two, Three, Four, I declare a thumb war." We played that over and over until we got home. We then taught each other annoying table tapping games. LOL! I will soon teacher her the cup passing game.
After dinner, we sat around watching tv for a while. I told my host mom about my Friday plans, and asked if there is any way we can find a pumpkin and a Halloween movie for Saturday night. I really want to carve a pumpkin with my host sibs!! I think it shouldn't be too hard to find a movie, but that might not be true. I also told my host mom that she and my host father can go out to dinner by themselves if they want to, but if they want to stick around for the pumpkin carving that's cool too. She was incredibly confused as to why I was telling her that they could go out. I tried to explain that it was just so they could be alone and have a date or whatever. LOL! It was an interesting conversation. She told me that we could get the things Saturday afternoon, and she'll let me know about dinner later.
I can't believe it is already November!!! It seems like my time here is going so fast. I have been in Korea for almost 4 months now. There is so much I still want to do and only 8 months to do it. It made me start thinking about what else I want to accomplish while I am here. In many ways, today was a day of reflection. I started thinking about what my role here is, and whether or not I'm still paying as much attention to an incredibly important aspect of my life. Playing with my host sister helped distract my mind for a while, so that was quite nice. Now, I'm watching tv again with my host sibs. Which means I should put the computer away, so it's not the only terribly bright light distracting from the tv.
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