School Festival

It was my school's festival and what a grand affair! I happily watched my girls dancing to their favorite pop groups, became engrossed in the remix of fairy tales acted out on stage, and happily viewed all my students artwork on display in the hallways and staircases.

I readily embraced my 'free hug'

I bought kimchi

I posed with Korean girls posing as Japanese girls

Korean Testing Madness

It is that time of year again when the nation's high school students shout, chant and cheer for their seniors who are taking the state-administered college entrance exam.

On the morning of the College Scholastic Ability Test, the exam takers were the nation's top priority.
Public transportation ran more frequently and most workplaces, including banks and even the stock exchange, delayed their opening hours as the students had to be at their designated test centers no later than ten past eight.
All flight landings and takeoffs were also prohibited during the listening parts of the exam.

And after pouring all their knowledge onto test papers for more than 9 hours the exam takers say they are happy that the exam is now over.

Attention USA...step your game up!

3 things that made me laugh today

1. Playing volleyball with my co-teachers because my elementary kids had a performance in another school.

2. My yoga teacher trying to hug me.

3. A man almost running into me on my bike. (yes, you read it right...the man almost ran into me!)

**a bonus: my yoga teacher thinking it was hilarious when he squirt me in the eye with the juice from an orange peal. Good thing my glasses got most of it or he would have felt more than juice on his face when I punched him!!

^_^

The little things in life...

How to be civilized when drinking

Everything is social here. And let's just forget about the idea of "personal space". Maybe no one hugs when they say hello, but that doesn't mean there is no body contact.

It's custom for one person to pay when you invite people out to dinner in Korea. It's an honor to pay. So, my spanish friend, Jose, decided that it was his turn. It was a mixed group of Americans, Frenchies, Koreans, and our sole Spain native.

Dinner is done. Now, for the good stuff.

막걸리 (makkolli-rice alcohol),

맥주 (maek ju-beer),

소주 (soju- distilled rice and other grains)

In the morning you will be asking yourself , 왜왜왜, why why why. In the moment you will be shoving a bottle in someone else's hand, making sure they pour for you. It's not cool to pour your own drink .

막걸리랑 관리인

관리인: ohh 사만다가....막걸리 ?

Me: 네. 맛있어요.

관리인: 밥 먹었어요?

Me: 안니오

관리인: 식당에 같이 가요

Me: ummm, ok

우리는 식당에 갔고 한국어 이야기가 말했어요.

4am calls

No, it's not a booty call. It's the best time to practice your English.

Dongha: "SamanDa-ya, are you sleeping?"

SamaDa: "Yes, Dongha. It's 4 am in the morning."

Dongha: "Oh, I'm sorry. I am in Jinju. I am little drunk."

SamanDa: "Dongha, you are speaking perfect English. How is this possible?"

Dongha: "I am little drunk."

Now my anger for being woken up has turned into amusement at the revelation that alcohol does wonders for language

Dongha: "When do you come to Muse?"

SamanDa: "Dongha. It's 4 am. You called to ask me when I'm coming to your bar?!"

Dongha: "I'm sorry. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

SamanDa: "Ok. Bye."