Weather - Friday June 13, 2008

It's definitely Friday the 13th. I didn't realize this until I was teaching the date today to my students. I then was asked to explain this day to the students by a teacher who speaks English quite well...so I did...I explained...very very poorly, but I think the kids got the point. The teacher helped translate. I was NOT so lucky in the second class....they didn't understand in the slightest, but that's ok. They can remember at least that maybe they know something about Friday the 13th if they ever hear it in the future. My second class was horrible today. I had to take away two stars from a class that won an ice cream party last semester. Their teacher wasn't there today and I think that made a big difference. There were supposed to be two parents helping out, and I thought that meant that they would help in the class, but no, they came and dropped the students off and left. Ha! I ended class 5 minutes early today because none of the students were volunteering to role play anymore, and I wasn't going to force anyone to role play...that's not the way I roll. It's the first time I've ever let a class leave that early before.

I talked with the first grade teachers for a bit after school...it's the first time I've seen them in three days. I talked to 1-5 teacher while one of the other teachers (position left unknown) was semi-sleeping nearby due to a hangover from the night before and exhaustion at getting home around 2AM. 1-5 teacher and I talked about the protests and the US Beef import situation. So many people have skewed the information about the protests that people are left thinking nothing but, "Koreans need to get over it." It's not just about the beef. It is about oh so much more than that. I have ranted before about the president, however, I think I stayed away from this medium when doing so. I will write more in my next blog about it...

After school, I went to my guitar lesson. Working on the hardest song I have received yet.

I decided not to go to Yoga. I think I have made it a habit to skip yoga on Fridays. It is for the reason that by then, I just need a little bit of a break from the week to get some stuff organized and taken care of.

I headed to the club at my usual time. Nearly forgetting that I was the leader of the meeting today, we got started a little late. We did the usual introductions along with going around and saying their favorite place is in Korea. It made me stop and think as well...where is my favorite place in Korea? My answer: Ganhyeon (an area where some foreigners and I went camping a few weeks ago...it is absolutely gorgeous there and full of nature...hoping to make it back before I leave for the summer), the Sharing House (I love the women there and I love the people that I meet during visits), and the area alongside the Han River in Jamsil, Seoul where you can run and bike (such a beautiful view and incredibly relaxing). Our topic for tonight: WEATHER! It was...boring. There are only so many things that you can say about the weather. Luckily we got on a tangent about deodorant. Very few Koreans wear deodorant, but they don't smell bad. So, we asked why they don't use it...there wasn't much of an answer to that, but we did find out that it is becoming more popular to use it. It is more widely available. My co-teacher is the one who answered most readily, but her English is amazing and she can easily explain anything she wants to.

At second round, I talked mostly to Lauren and my co-teacher. Chan eventually came to make sure how many people had decided to go tomorrow to Chiaksan. We talked for a while. CJ is hilarious! I know I've mentioned him before, but he is a South African, former youth pastor. He picks on me, in a playful way, just as much as Chan and Chris do. They're fun to be around. Jay came too! It's been a while since I've seen him. His job and his girlfriend take all of his time. Lauren (who is half Korean, half American) asked me one time if there are any Korean guys who I would readily hug without it being awkward. Jay. I can hug Jay without it being weird at all. Hugging is definitely part of Korean culture...especially between sexes. This has been one of the MOST difficult things for me to get used to and in some cases I ignore unwritten cultural rules. Even so, I can't help feel that I have lost that part of myself who hugged anyone and everyone. I was so angry at myself when someone went to hug me the other day, and I felt uncomfortable doing so. Luckily, the amazing people who volunteer at the Sharing House have somewhat helped bring that aspect of myself back to life.

Jay gave me a ride home. I got home around 1:00AM or so. I have a fairly early morning tomorrow...heading to Chiaksan!