Getting into the Swing of Things

Well, we just finished our second week of classes. I was amazed at how quickly some things are becoming routine. I thought I'd never figure out my class schedule or where I was supposed to be and when. I do still end up starting a class that another teacher interrupts five minutes in to let me know that in fact I am in the wrong place at the wrong time... but they usually just laugh or brush it off.

I've given 5 vocabulary quizzes, 6 detentions, about 100 pages of homework and one extra assigment. I've marked 50 book reports and that doesn't count the ones sitting on my desk. They really do know how to get their money's worth in work! I still feel really lucky though. They haven't asked me to work outside of 40 hrs a week and I have two 40 minute breaks a day. Six times a day when I walk into a classroom I'm a heroine rock star! The kids in school today thought it was really cool when I tried to speak some Korean with them on break time. Korean is a big no no in the class room and what kind of teacher would I be if I broke my own rules, so I tell them they can teach me but only on break times. I love the kids so much and they really do make the job worth it. I don't have to get up to an alarm... well unless I don't go to bed until 3am. Life is good.

In terms of life outside school, there are some experiences that are definately making me feel like we're not in Kansas anymore. Which is exactly why we moved to a different country in the first place! There are some confusing moments everyday but you'd be suprised how much food pointing and nodding can get you! We found these vegetarian rice roll type of things... think sushi without any raw fish. We also learned how to say hello and thank you very quickly. There isn't a lot of english here surprisingly. Some people look at you funny when you try it with them... but the kids go ape when you talk to them in english! The kids on the street that is! You say hello and they giggle and cover their mouths and then one of them gets the courage to say "Hi" back!

I imagine that this is the "honeymoon phase" and that soon, the cute things are going to get tiring and the communication barriers are going to get frustrating. Stay tuned!! It's sure to be exciting! :)