Back by Demand!

So I realize I haven’t given you an update in quite awhile. I do apologize for that! Honestly, I didn’t realize that that many people kept up with it, but my parents have told me they have gotten questions about when I’ll be updating again. So, here it… lucky you!

Last week was a good but long week. I’m definitely at that point where my days are running together and it’s hard to remember what happened when! I’m getting older everyday I swear! I was tired when I stared off the week b/c I had been at the beach all weekend! Rough life, I know… but well needed! When I was at the beach, I definitely got some sun… thank you Jesus (although I’ve already lost it)!! [Side note: Koreans DO NOT like to get sun. When they are walking down the street on sunny days they’ll have parasols, which are umbrellas, up so they don’t have contact with the sun. They think it is horrible!] When I came to school on Monday my teachers were like “Oh my, what happened to you?” It was so hard to keep from laughing but I kept my composure for the most part. It was a great learning session though, b/c I taught them the difference between sunburn and suntan. I taught them that red meant I was burnt, but tomorrow I would be brown, which was tan. They totally got it! I like to think I was just taking one for the team and got a sunburn so I could help teach them something new… just doing what I can! I know they were thinking ‘crazy American’ but what’s new?!?

I was teaching my 3rd graders animals this week. I thought I would spice up the lesson a bit and ask them not only the name of the animal, but what sound it makes. It was quite entertaining. I told them that monkeys were my favorite and then I made the sound and the action with my arms. They thought it was hilarious (I love that kids will laugh at anything! Great self-esteem booster!) One of the animals was a Panda. I have no idea what sound a Panda makes so this is one I just let them go with. They had some pretty good ideas. One boy yelled, “they’re made in china!” I think he was trying to say that’s where Pandas live, and he got mixed up a bit! He was right Pandas are made in China! I love my 3rd graders! Who else with laugh with you when you’re making crazy animals sounds and actions?!? I know many people who would at me, just not with me!

These kids can be pretty brave sometimes. Sometimes I think they just try to see what they can get away with. On Fridays I have 6th graders… who are typical crazy, hormonal 13 year olds! At the end of every class I stand at the door and wave to them as they go out the back door. Well, this girl stuck her tongue out at me as she was going past. I told her ‘anyo’ (no) and put an ‘x’ up. She kept walking. Well, then this week, she comes in and doesn’t say a word. She just looks at me, smiles and then sticks her tongue out AGAIN at me. This time I was firm and slightly mean and said ‘anyo’ with an ‘x.’ I told her that was NOT okay! She then pouted the rest of class and wouldn’t say anything! (I made her even more mad later in class b/c I started teaching them the Macarena dance for the months of the year song and I said “Everyone has to participate” and looked right at her b/c she was the only one not doing it!) So I thought it was over. But then a couple days later I saw her in the hall and she said Hi Becky Teacher. I thought wow, she’s good now, that’s cool. I smiled and said hi back. Then, you are not going to believe this, but she stuck it out AGAIN! This time I was mean! No smile came from my face! I think I’m going to have the English teacher talk to her! I still can’t believe that!

I’m not sure if I’ve told you, but Education is very important over here! The kids go to school all day!! Elementary isn’t that bad, but once you get to Middle School and High School you go to school at 7.30am and then go to a Hagwon after school until 11pm everyday! Some Elementary students go for shorter time periods. A few of students go. The past 2 weeks one of my boys has ridden my bus with me. The first week it was so cute b/c he was so surprised to see me when he got on. He came and stood close to me but far enough away to check out the situation. Then one of my teacher friends got on and he was stuck in the middle of us. We were talking and he politely switched me spots so we could talk easier. Then, when it was his stop, he told me bye and waved. Then, after he got off, he looked back on the bus to see if I was still watching him and he waved again! He is so stinkin cute… it just melted my heart! Then I saw him the next week and he was like, I’m riding your bus again today! Sure enough, he was there! This time he sat by me and we talked for a bit! He did the whole wave thing again. Oh I just love my students!!

Many times my kiddos just make me laugh too! I have this convenient store on the same street as my school and I sometimes stop in there before school. Well one day it was super hot and so I decided to go get a cold drink and a snicker’s bar after school. (The students had already left, but the teachers have to stay later.) They mobbed me on the way there ‘Becky Teacher, Becky Teacher!’ But then on the way back they stopped me again and asked me what I got. I had gotten a ‘Cider’ (which is Sprite) and it was in a green bottle. They have an alcoholic drink over here called ‘Soju’ which is also in a green bottle (and it’s very common for them to have it with a meal). My students asked me if I got Soju? Are you kidding me, they really think I’m going to take alcoholic back to school and drink in the middle of the day? Oh their little minds kill me sometimes! It was quite comical!

Flowers and plants are a pretty big thing over here. I’ve wanted to get one pretty bad so I’ve been checking them out. One of my teachers has an orchid and I was telling her I really liked it and I was trying to get one like it. She told me that in Korea they have a different flower they call orchids. Then she proceeds to tell me that the single guys in Korea love our orchids. Random, I know. So, I took the bait and asked her why. She then told me they like them b/c they look like a female body part! Are you kidding me… AKWARD?!? Yeah that conversation died off quickly!

I’m still trying to get the bus schedule figured out here… it’s pretty random. One night I was waiting for the bus for about 15 minutes and one of my teachers drove by and saw me waiting so she picked me up and took me home. It was so nice of her and so much better then the bus! She told me that her daughter was going on a fieldtrip on Friday so she’d have to get up early and make some Kim Bop (the rolls that are wrapped in seaweed with the rice and stuff in it) for her. She asked if I’d want some and of course I said yes!! So, on Friday she brought a small box of about 30 pieces to school for lunch. My other teacher and I were later then usual to lunch that day. When we got to the cafeteria, the other teachers were more then half way done with lunch. When I sat down she pulled out the Kim Bop. She didn’t open it until I got there so that I for sure could get some! He was like here, eat. She let the other teachers have some too, but she pretty much just brought them for me! It was FABULOUS!! She told me she’d teach me how to make it if I wanted to learn. Of course I want to learn how to make one of my favorite things here! I’m looking forward to that!

I’ve had some random cravings lately! Well not random, just cravings for good, solid food more like it! So, a couple of decided we wanted a real hamburger and fries. So, we took the subway 25 or 30 minutes away to go to the this restaurant for a real burger. Of course it’s more expensive since it’s western food… but WORTH IT!!!!! Oh it was delish! Pretty sure that trip is going to be a very common one! I’ve also had a craving for Mexican food. That has been the roughest one so far! One of the girls had a group of us over on Sunday night for Mexican food! Oh my word, totally hit the spot! I’m already planning a trip to Seoul this weekend though and we are going to ‘On The Boarder’ for dinner and Subway for lunch! I can’t wait!!!

Oh and last week I played volleyball again. This week though we played another Elementary school. They play with 9 people on the court at the same time and they never rotate. There is supposed to be 2 girls on at a time. There were only 2 of us who played and of course, we got moved to the back. It’s so funny that no matter where you are in the world, when it comes to sports and competition, guys are the same! I had a great growing moment while I was playing though. It could have been very easy for me to get frustrated b/c I touched the ball may 5 times and we played 5 games. But, God is helping me to have a different mindset and instead I embraced and began to laugh b/c I was playing volleyball in the middle of South Korea with a bunch of Koreans! Not very many people could say that! Besides, it’s still fun to just be out there! The Vice Principal gets pretty intense… he’s definitely competitive! Let me tell you, to be in a huddle with 7 Korean guys speaking Korean can be a little intimidating! I could not understand one word they said, but I knew exactly what he was saying! It’s so interesting how no matter what language you speak, athletics is a universal language. It really makes me want to go to the Olympics someday! It was fun. Our team of course won! J At the end of the game we went up to the net and said ‘good game’ (well in my head I think that’s what they are saying. I just smiled and nodded, well bowed.) One of the guys from the other team shook my hand and didn’t let go though. It sort of took me back but then he asked me where I played at? It took me a second to figure out what he was trying to say. But, then I realized he was curious to know my experience. I told him I played in the States in High School and in College. They were like “Ohh.” Their reactions kill me every time! How crazy is it that Korean Elementary School teachers play volleyball against other teachers after school?!? It’s a pretty big deal to. Teachers from the other schools come to cheer too! Let’s just say I definitely stuck out that day! J

I heard a statement the other day that really made me stop and think. I’m not saying I fully 100% agree with this statement, but it has surely made me take a step back and reevaluate things. “Competitiveness is not from God.” I think wanting to win is fine and it’s human nature. But, how many times have we missed out on an opportunity to show Christ’s Character to others b/c of our competitive natures? I know I personally have been convicted of this lately. It’s okay to want to win, but it’s not okay to win at any cause. For me, I am choosing relationships over a tally in the win column. It’s just something to ponder! I’m not against the will to win here. I’m just trying to get things into perspective on my end! I think the volleyball game was case in point for me! A few years ago I would have been ticked that I was stuck in the back row not getting much action… especially when you see a ball drop that you could have gotten to! But now I was able to laugh and enjoy myself in spite of it all! Just thought I would share with you one of the many things I am learning here! Oh and are there many things I’m learning!!

**I know a few of you have tried to leave comments. I’ve figured out that you have to one of my ‘followers’ to leave a comment. If you join my blog you’ll be able to use the comment section. Or, you can just email me too! I’d love to hear how you are doing!!