A good day for a democrat

Take the reigns Pelosi!

Keith Olbermann rocks my socks.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3592217964261572444&q=keith+olbermann+clinton

Scum

I taught my English Club how to play "Scum" today. "What is scum?" they asked. Hmmm, I hadn't thought that definition through, so I replied, "You know that stuff at the bottom of ponds?" They seemed to get the drift, but for all I know, they may now think scum is a synonym for mud...or fish. So, in the future, if you meet a young person from Andong who responds with "scum" when you're pointing at koi...uhhh blame the Japanese.

An Actual Korean Friend

Friday night, I invited over Ji-won (Josepina) for a real birthday party. Ji-won works at the local Paris Baguette bakery, the one which I frequent on my way home from the bus stop. I average about 2.5 visits to that bakery a week. Thus, Ji-won and her sister know me quite well. They are the only Koreans I really talk to close to my age. They also make cake, so it was obvious to invite them to my birthday party. Unfortunately, Ji-won's older sister Michaela (I don't know her Korean name yet) was too busy baking to make it to the party, but Ji-won did! The cake was delicious! She made it that morning.

I learned that their store is family run and they work everyday-no days off. Ji-won is so sweet. She showed me her Cyworld website (similar to myspace, but more Korean, and better). Her pictures were professional photography quality. Coincidentally, she used to work at Seattle's Best Coffee in Daegu. She even gave me a Seattle's Best Coffee cell phone charm. I told Ji-won she'd have to take a day off work and give me a tour of Daegu. I can hope, can't I?

My host family was too funny on Friday. Oni cooked bibimbap, my favorite, and they all presented me with gifts after dinner. Hyon-oo gave me a White Angel chocolate bar, Hye-min gave me awesome ape socks that say "A Bathing Ape," Samchon gifted a Kim Jong Kook cd, and Oni (in her infinite wisdom and sense of humor) presented me with a poster of Bi (Rain). Chocolate is always a welcomed gift, and ape socks are beyond exciting to wear. Kim Jong Kook is one of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. Just look at the album cover. The Bi (translated to 'Rain' in English) was a little unexpected. I mean, I never thought my 40 something host mother would buy such an obviously pre-teen oriented poster in public. hahaha She surprises me everyday. I think it is hilarious and have therefore put it on my wall above my desk. Teehee.

More Halloween Fun

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.