Merry Christmas!!

Santa Dave (click to enlarge)

Successfully made it through the last week before Christmas. The afternoon classes put on dramas for the last two days and today, we took the kindergartens to see the Polar Express at the movie theatre (too bad it was all dubbed in Korean - but I didn't fall asleep, so that's always a good sign). Santa Dave came with gifts for all, and I came home with enough gift scarves and gloves from the kids that will last me the next 3 decades (updated more pictures from Christmas under the Staff and Kindergarten Pictures).

Craig and I are headed to Thailand tomorrow for the next 9 days. Therefore, no new pictures for the next week, but I hope to be back with tons of beautiful shots. Planning a couple days in Bangkok to see the temples, off to the River Kwai, then the last few days on Ko Samet (to the beaches I go!!!). I've never been more excited about a vacation in my entire life. But I've never had to deal with screaming kids everyday before either.

Yeah for me, I made it 4 months (I'll worry about the other 8 later).

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!

Daniel (click to enlarge)

Bottle Rockets

Bottle Rocket Bouquet (click to enlarge)

Dave discovered bottle rockets at Walmart one day, so one night before going to Itaewon, we set them off in a nearby soccer field. Our teenage fun turned into a mini display, with fathers bringing their kids over to watch and nearby fitness walking ajummas turning their heads to see what the 3 crazy oeguks (foreigners) were doing. Good times.

Bottle Rockets

Nothing says fun like bottle rockets in a Cass bottle (click to enlarge)

UPenn

Jason, Demi, Melody, Daniel (click to enlarge)

One day with UPenn, I had 5 minutes left after a lesson and was struggling to keep their attention, so I started doing all these facial tricks to see if the kids could do any of them (flaring nostrils, whistling, you get the picture - I was desperate). I soon discovered they each had a special talent that none of the others could do. Demi could curl her tongue, Jason could flare his nostrils, Melody could touch her tongue to her nose, and Daniel (not joking) could make the sound of a clock (surprise, surprise).

I should take these talents on a world tour....

Daniel

...his laugh is contagious (click to enlarge)

Crazy 8's

Once my kindergarten UPenn class discovers something they like, they continuously want to do it. Recently, I introduced them to Crazy 8's with a new colourful deck that Mom sent a month ago. I use it as a reward if they don't speak Korean in class and if they finish all their work. They love it so much that they ask for it every class. "Teacher, Spotlight Book, then Crazy 8's??? but only if no speaking Korean???"

Lately it's turned into religious Crazy 8's. When I deal out the cards, Jason puts his head down, puts his hands together and starts praying. Every time. I can just see Jason in 20 years. At a casino, Black Jack table, bowing his head, hands together, praying for the right card. Hmmm....maybe I should stop before I develop destructive behaviour in this boy.

Lake Park

Lake Park

About 15 minutes away from the apartment, there's a man made lake between the mountains and the city. It's quite beautiful in the summer and fall with all the trees and colours. Mentioned before it makes for a nice long run. In winter, it's a little desolate, but it still is nice to see a little nature in amongst all these apartments and buildings. If it wasn't for Lake Park, I'd forget that trees and grass even existed anymore.

Lake Park

Lake Park

Lake Park

Lake Park

Swaton = Satan??

Just making homework sheets for the kids, and I found it very ironic that "Swaton" in the spell checker suggests "Satan" as the replacement word. Maybe only Dave, Gabe, Craig and I will enjoy the humour of it, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Slump

I don't know what it is. Besides Lotte World, these past few weeks have been very hard to get through. I think it's felt by all the foreign teachers at Swaton. There seems to be a hint of dread in the air everytime I walk into the staff room. Maybe it's a 4 month slump. Maybe it's the constant battles with our director. Maybe knowing Christmas is without friends and family this year. Maybe the lack of a decent meal is getting to me. Maybe I'm tired of working 10-7:30 with screaming kids everyday.

Maybe I'm just a whiner.

Maybe I just need this vacation...

Lotte World

Lotte World (click to enlarge)

On Sunday, Craig and I perked ourselves up with a trip to Lotte World in Seoul. Supposedly the world's biggest indoor amusement park. Ate lots of junk, rode on the rides, did all the things that made us feel 12 years old again. One of the best days here so far. Enjoy the Pictures.

Jason

About to tell him to get off, but told him to stay still instead (click to enlarge)

'Tis the Season

Our Hand Tree (click to enlarge)

15 days til Christmas. Still doesn't feel like it. I haven't got that Christmas feeling here (aka that overwhelmed shoppers feeling)

It's been unusually warm in Ilsan this month. About 12 degrees this past week. It's been nice. No coats, sunny. I'm liking it.

Have a week off at Xmas. Booked the plane tickets to Thailand for 9 days; therefore on the plane Christmas Day. It won't feel like Christmas not being in Stevensville, but Thailand's 30 degree weather will have to do. Ha.

Once Upon a Potty

(click to enlarge)

Once Upon a Potty: this book appeared on Dave's desk a few weeks ago. As we peered at the book, we were all thoroughly disturbed as the book described in vast detail Joshua and his potty-training adventures.

Once Upon a Potty

(click to enlarge)

Once Upon a Potty

(click to enlarge)

Oh Daniel

Today I was colouring Xmas pictures with my UPenn class and Daniel starting talking about the time he was trapped in a bathroom stall. He said it was in 2003. For a 5 year old, I was surprised he knew the year. So I asked him when he started Swaton. Without pausing he said, "2002 ... 8 ... 12". I said, "August 12, 2002? How do you remember that?" He replied, "I think". Oh Daniel ... so simple, so odd, yet so brilliant.

Corner Gas

Received the first season of Corner Gas (thanks Mom!). This show got me to enjoy watching TV again. For those of you who haven't seen it, watch it. Anyone who has been raised in a small Canadian town can relate. It's the #1 reason I miss CTV (#2 being Seamus O'Regan on Canada AM, of course - ha).