School Festival (11-16-2007)

On Friday Nov. 16 my main school Hyeong Nam had a school festival. I have never experienced anything like it it is an allday party! There is a talent show, food, and a second hand market where all sorts of items have are sold by students who set up tables and pull you in every direction to get you to buy something.

I took at ton of pictures and videos, which will have their own blog post, so I have just featured a few here and I will once again provide a link to my facebook page so you can see the whole album. More like Albums I took over 100 pictures that are pretty detailed of the entire day. Just as a precaution I took my camera charger and ran back and forth charging and going.


So for the albums:



School Artwork showcase:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12489&l=302a5&id=638627848



School Festival:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12482&l=754ed&id=638627848



I had a really great time at the festival but it was so cold and it was all outside except for the one hour we had the "Fun Fun English Quiz Show". I so did not name that, but I was one of the hosts. But the thing that killed me is that none of the kids had on coats and they were FREEZING. In Korea they carry around these little fleece blankets for those of you who knew me in college, like my Power Puff Girls one. (Don't hate PPG's are hot and Buttercup is a Boss!) but that is all the students had to keep them warm and that's just for those who had them.

I was really surprised at the talent of some of the students and others I just didn't get, but you can check the videos and judge for yourself.

The school went all out from the stage to the artwork in the halls and even face painting it was so much fun! But I have said that like 4 times already. So let's look at some of my favorite photos:

Here is the stage set up outside on the "field".

Remember my student who did the ballet solo in the video of my last post? Well here is her friend and also one of my students who is doing a traditional Korean Ballet, she was so good, and yes there is a video.

Here are my students close up in costume. Ballet, Jump Rope, Korean Ballet

The art talent of these kids is amazing. And it should be since they draw all through class. The little paper on the bottom is for the students name and grade-class (ex 3-9)

Some of my students posing for a picture

Me right after getting my face painted. It looks like a nice side view when my head was bent in a very akward position. This photo was taken by the student who painted my face (I asked for a rose and this is what I got) This is Tanisha's favorite pic and all I see is Shirley Denise

There is nothing more traditional than this fan and I love it! Check out the whole wall of fans in the photo album posted above.

Click on this photo to enlarge it and check out the cool faces of the students and teachers. I am not in this I do believe that they did this in the beginning of the year. The Korean school year runs from March to December, unlike in the US (Sept. - Jun), so the artwork is a compilation of the whole year.

This is my Co Teacher Kim Eun-Young (l) and Mrs Kang a third grade English teacher whose wedding I recently attended, she is a very nice lady. And as far as my coteach she is the best! She called me her "best foreign friend" which is a real compliment. So what is a "coteacher"? She is in the room when I teach and is there to help the students understand. She is also my main CoTeacher which is why when reffering to her I always captialize the title. So what a "main Co Teacher" does is comparable to an Agent for a celebrity (please hold all sarcastic comments). She negotiates contract issues for me, gets me English Camps which are extra teaching sessions where I get paid an additional amount and negotiate the price. All contact goes through her and she works very hard, and she does it all for me, I really appreciate her. She will be leaving in Feb. which I am sad and excited about since she is going to have a baby! She is due March 17th, 3 days away from my b-day!

This is one of my favorite pieces, it is a T-shirt that says "Black...Silent Control" I don't think the kid who made this shirt knows the cultural statement that was just made but I offered to by the shirt and am just waiting to hear back.

This thing was like 6' 3" and very impressive. There is also a really large American cartoon character featured so check out the album.

How I'm Living Gumi Style

Many people have asked about my city Gumi, my apartment, and my schools. Well I finally have some pictures for you to see. There are so many that have added a link from Facebook that will allow you to see the complete album with comments from me. There are too many photos and it takes way too long to add them all cause blogger makes me do it one by one.

I will start to feature some photos but for now please go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11948&l=48159&id=638627848


My City: Gumi, Gyeoungbuk-do Province (Google: Yes Gumi for more information)

My Schools: Hyeong-Nam and Chin-Pyeoung Middle Schools (I teach 1st grade middle school, or 7th graders) There are no pictures of my students because I don't plan on taking a picture with all of them. Maybe one class or certain students later, but right now just a picture of the schools.

My Apartment: I live in a studio apartment that came furnished. All that you see was already there except for the sheets and pillows. I bought those.

It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn't've Left You....

Remember that song? Well it has been a while since the last post and I have a few things to catch everyone up on. So for the next few days there will be at least two more posts outside of this one.

I want to first thank everyone for checking out my blog and becoming a part of my experience here in Korea, it has been, and is still a crazy ride that I cannot wait to see what is still in store for me. Now, Let the updating begin....

House Visit

Angelica and I went to her co-teacher Nattie's home one Monday after an English Teacher's meeting and I have to admit I was blown away. Her apartment was big and beautiful. I took some pictures of some things that stood out to me.




Click on the clock for a larger view to see the face at the top. It is majorly cool. Very antique-like.

I am all about dining room furniture seeing as my place in Atlanta was lacking it, and this set was stunning, I couldn't get a clear shot of the table but it was amazing as well.

Although I would not place it in my home I really like this couch. Here is a closer look at the pattern and Nattie and I on the couch. I really think its quaint and elegant. She did a great job decorating her home

This is just a picture of me in the doorway in my new coat. I really like the wallpaper. It reminds me of a modern version of Nana's wallpaper in the kitchen.

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Teacher's Meeting

Here in Gumi something they like to do for English teachers is have a "Teacher's Meeting" an informal gathering where English teachers Native and Non, can get together and talk about a chosen topic. Ours for that day was Globalization, and Idioms. We got together at a restaurant/buffet Tomato. I really had a great time. I don't like Korean food too much but this place had steak, chicken, and other recognizables. I killed that food! I had more meat than veggies, but still all worth it! However, I still find it mind boggling how the beer glasses were 5X's larger than the cups for water. What does that say about the culture?


The place itself was very interesting. Kinda Applebees Friday's like with the random things hanging in the entrance way, on the walls, and from the ceiling. Here are some funny pieces of "decor" I thought should be featured:

We have learned to excuse Koreans for their random English and this is a perfect example. I mean really......




This looks like a Family Crest of some sort but the caption says "Don't Forget Dexter's Mother's Bread" HUH?
I just thought this coaster was cool, but the picture didn't come out the way I wanted.



This is inside Tomato. You can see the buffet section, and on the left is where there is a live band starting at nine. (We were there long enough to see the live performance, trust me not worth it) But in the mean time they like to show videos of old American concerts and greatest hits. Feature Films:

• Carlos Santana and Friends ( This is where I received the pleasant surprise of Lauryn Hill with Ce-Lo [video available here for old times sake] singing it up)




• Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits/Videos ( It was good going down memory lane. Helped us remember why we let Michael get away with so much)




• Christina Aguilara's Pieces of me tour ( I think that was the name of it, either way the girl can sang!)
  

Here is Abbey (UK-Manchester) and her Co-Teacher having a drink together. A lot of times Native speakers will hang out with their co teach, I have yet to experience that, but if there was anyone to hang with Ms. Ryoo is it.

Now the funniest part of the night was Angelica and I. On more than one occasion we have been mistaken for the same person and for us to wear the same type of shirt, well just call us Mary-Kate and Ashely! It was totally by accident, but the Koreans were so amazed. So you know we had to do the heart. We just had to.

Dance Recital

Just recently one of my students was a performer in a city dance recital. She is a 1st grade middle schooler so I didn't take it too seriously when she said she did ballet. Well I should have; this girl is hardcore. Here are some videos of the recital as well as her solo. Please watch at least her solo, she worked very hard and I am so proud of her. My students were so excited to see me and Abbey, (her student was in a performance too) but we were excited to see their talents.

Before the recital we ate at this place right across the street. Just a nice tidbit to know for those who have time before a performance at the Center. The food was just okay for me, but if you like Korean food they give you great portions






The guy who's face is on the logo, Nolboo, is said to be a man that long ago could never have enough of anything. He always wanted more even when it seemed he had everything. Good idea for a place to eat I think.

My student is no the far left. I was so proud of her and totally taken off guard with how good she is.

This is her solo WATCH THIS!!!!!!

This is a part of the group dance.

Few More Halloween Pics