My class is doing very well! They are able to speak and understand a lot more now, which makes things a lot easier and more fun. We have a field trip or some sort of school event almost every month, so it's fun to be able to have some fun with my kids and enjoy them, rather than scold them for speaking Korean. We had a garage sale last week, where the kids brought in 2,000 won (like 2 bucks) and bought random items. Eric, the student of mine who was nicknamed Lurch and is a bit flamboyant, purchased a lovely blue purse, the same one as Amy (see below).
I had parent/teacher conferences a few weeks ago and received so many treats, cakes, brownies, waffles, it wouldn't stop! It was a very different experience from PT conferences back home, that's for sure! The moms kept telling me how pretty I am and how her child loves me because I'm so beautiful. While it was lovely receiving so many compliments, it was interesting to see how my teaching capabilities were more about my looks, rather than the fact that their child was actually progressing in English. We have a songfest concert in February and now the focus of our class is learning Justin Bieber "Baby," they really like the song, obvs!!!!! I'll be sure to send videos of them singing/dancing soon!!!!
Exploring Seoul has been amazing the past few months! I've been trying to check out a new spot every weekend, which is so easy because there is so much to do and see!!! Last weekend we went to the Seoul Fish Market, where Azzurra's friend, who was visiting from the States, ate a live octopus, head and all (please notice the black ink in his mouth). It was pretty painful to watch, but apparently is a MUST DO when visiting here...I will opt out on this one though :)
My Sunday's have been consumed by the flag football team I joined with Azzurra, we're playing in the championship game this Sunday! We are actually pretty good, I mean specifically Azzurra and myself. We've had quite a few game changing plays, although it took us half a game of running around aimlessly and me sternly asking the QB to actually throw us the ball to show our athletic abilities!!! It's been a fun way to meet people in our area and actually leave our apartments on a Sunday. While I whine the entire way to the game, mostly because I'm so hungover, it's been really fun and lately has been my only taste of football, which is terribly sad.
Here is Azzurra after a close win!!!Last weekend we also attended a Korean wedding, interesting is how I would describe it. We arrived at a convention center type place, where people were waiting in the "lobby" for whatever wedding they were supposed to be attending and the doors were open so that the noise from the lobby was interfering with the ceremony. The bride was very shiny, in a big, pouffy dress and the family members in traditional Korean hanboks. The aisle was called "Virgin Road," dead serious. After the ceremony, which seemed to be hosted by a game show host, we went upstairs to eat. We received an entry ticket and began to roam the all you can eat Korean buffet, which was filled with people from various weddings, not just the one we attended. The bride and groom came to the dinning hall after changing into hanboks and thanked the table of their guests for attending. It felt very impersonal and made us all thankful to never have a Korean wedding. After we ate we went home. The end. No dancing, no fun, just eat and leave, bizarre. Azzurra was able to check it off her bucket list, so at least we accomplished something by attending!
My first friends from Korea left, so that was weird and sad and gave me a little taste of what's to come. I have a few very good friends leaving in March and I can't even begin to think how much harder that will be, but it's the nature of the game and luckily the friendships that we built will continue once we all go home!!! It's been an amazing four months so far, I can't believe how fast time is going by and I'm excited by all that I have left to do on my journey here. There are so many places I want to explore and see and I can and will do it all!!!! So far, life in Seoul has been everything I hoped it would be and I'm very happy here. I of course miss everyone from home, especially my dogs and the delicious NYC food, but living here has been such an easy transition and so much fun, that it makes being away a lot easier! I'm getting ready for my trip to Thailand for Christmas and NYE and am beyond excited! Two of my friends from home will be there, which will be wonderful, and a few friends from Seoul...bring both my worlds together for the holidays! There are a lot of exciting things coming up and I'll be sure to keep you all updated!!!
xoxo
Ash
