Surprise!

Ok, I officially love my English Club.

They surprised me with a birthday party-exactly what I needed today. Now, more than ever, I don't want to fail these kids as their teacher. If you zoom in, you can make out what some of the board says including:

So happy to meet you.
We love your class.
Starry, starry night.
You have beautiful eyes.
LOL.
I love your sister. (referring to Alexa)
Need I say more?

Birthday Surprises

First, thank you for all the birthday wishes. It means so much to me.

This time of year could have been difficult (with Halloween, my birthday, etc.), but hasn't because of incredible support (cards, notes, emails, presents) from my family, home friends, college friends, ETA friends, host family, co-workers, and students.

This morning I came into work and was ushered into the center of the teacher's room. One teacher had informed the vice-principal of my birthday and he bought a chocolate cake. They lit the candles (two tall, three short for 23) then sang the Korean version of Happy Birthday. The principal gave a short speech, of which I understood nothing other than the gestures to blow out the candles and cut the cake...which I did rather un-elegantly. I was then instructed to eat the cake and given chopsticks. It had never occurred to me that I would need to eat cake with chopsticks. And yes, it is as difficult as it sounds. The Koreans make it easier by making rather dry cakes that hold together, but it's difficult nonetheless. I'm happy to report I didn't drop cake down the front of my shirt, but then again, I ate very little cake out of sheer terror I would do just that.

The teacher who told the VP (Choi Nan-mi) is gradually taking me under her wing. Her husband is an English teacher, so her English is pretty good. In fact, I speak more English to her than I've ever spoken to the other English teachers (except Mr. Lee). She told me over lunch, "The vice-principal was glad it was your birthday, so he had a chance to thank you." "Thank me? For what?" "For the present you gave him from America, and teaching the students." "I get paid for that. Cakes aren't necessary!" Thus, I feel I've won over most of my co-workers through incessant bribery. Eh, I'm ok with that. Now, if only I could win over my students.

I was completely shocked by some students' reactions to hearing it was my birthday. One 2nd grader stopped me in the hall on his way to lunch and said, "Happy Birthday." I was floored. "Thanks! Guess how old I am." "21." "Nope, 23." He then shrugged as if any age over 18 was the same difference to him.

The 1-1 students all gasped, hooted, and hollered when I told them it was my birthday. It almost made me blush.

My 1-3 class actually sang happy birthday to me after taking roll. The students all smiled at me and gave me a simply fantastic feeling.

Min-yung, my host sister in 1st grade, left a giftbag on my desk with a cutsie pen and two purple barretts inside. Awwww...I'm totally gonna wear them tomorrow.

Finally, a 1-1 student named Sera hand crafted a birthday card. She presented it to me with a donut after school. Inside the card reads:

To Noelle
Noelle~:) I'm Sera~
I didn't know today is your birthday. Happy birthday, Noelle ~!!^^ Um...I don't know what you like so I thought so much. Finally, I decided that I give some cookies to you. I hope you lke it :) Noelle, I think you may be a little lonely in Korea. However!! You will like Korea soon. Then, Happy birthday to you again.
From Sera

She blushed profusely when she gave it to me. What a sweet, sweet girl. I just realized that I don't know her Korean name and am blushing myself.

I will treasure this card.

Happy Halloween!

I LOVE Halloween. It is my second favorite holiday of the year. (after Sept. 22-Bilbo and Frodo's birthday) I've been a little sad that I can't celebrate with the annual ND costume party, but decided to bring the party to P*ngsan.

Yes, I went to school with that on my face. Yes, people stared at me. The funny thing is people stare at me regardless of whether I have a giant insect on my face.

Activities today included an extremely entertaining round of student face painting. One of my punks got really into it. Only one girl was brave enough to put anything on her skin - cute little butterflies and a heart on the tip of her nose.

The guy second from the right painted bruises and a cut on his cheek, then ruffled up his hair and clothes and walked around like the resident bully had just shook him down for milk money (if P*ngsan had a bully, which it doesn't).

Sigh. I really love this holiday.

The Fluid Schedule

I missed a class completely today and walked in the wrong time slot because no one told me the schedule changed. Yeah. That's an AWESOME way to start the week. I HATE feeling embarrassed in front of my students. Woops. My co-teacher doesn't seem to think it's a big deal to have missed that class completely. Now, I've gotta figure out how the hell I'm gonna play catch-up with them tomorrow. Grrrrr.

Shelece and Arun's Wedding

This photo pretty much sums up the whole wedding extravaganza.

carrot cake
chocolate mousse cake
strawberry cheesecake
pumpkin pie
chocolate truffles
triple ginger cookies

Andong Mask Dance Festival

Gyeongju