tid bits

For the record:  I have NO idea how to make my blog settings change to English.  I have tried multiple times, but alas, I have had zero luck.  I am going to start taking Korean classes, so I will hopefully be able to translate the page.

Learning random bits of information about Korean Culture as I go along.  For instance, you eat your rice with a spoon, not chopsticks (I was corrected).  Your rice should be at your left and your soup at your right (I was corrected).  Koreans use metal chopsticks, not wooden ones like China & Japan.  I noticed that they use metal chopsticks, but I just assumed it was cafeteria specific, which is where I have been eating 98% of my meals thus far.

I need to now talk more about the bus drivers.  I swear these people are on a mission to make your life miserable.  Today, I was not even up the steps before he put pedal to the medal, making me almost lose balance, tripping to the back of the bus (was quite the sight).  I then frantically found an "oh sh**" handle and nearly dislocated my shoulder in the process.  Then when I went to step off the bus, I twisted my knee, because he started driving before my other foot was off the step.  Fortunately this is not behavior that is geared towards foreigner's, because in the bus world, we are all the same color, young and old alike.  I have started viewing this intense, aggressive driving as some sort of outlet for a culture that is otherwise so nice & accommodating in every other situation.

So today was a much better day of teaching then the past few days.  Yesterday was very intense and I thought I was about to lose my mind.  Today, I rearranged the room a bit to make it flow nicer and then separated the boys out by placing them in between the girls.  I hate to punish the girls, because they are all very good and respectful, but unfortunately you put 2 elementary boys together who really have no interest, like or respect for me---well, you can imagine how crazy the class was.  One of my classes didn't show up today, and, well, to be honest, I was grateful.  I decided not to inquire about it, just in case (that sounds awful, I know).

In conclusion:  Tomorrow is Friday.  I am so relieved!  I am going to sleep in on Saturday, relax and then start the new week fresh. 

Goodbye for now!