My Weekend.... and Today

I have just had one of the most fantastic weekends I have had for a long time!

Let me share:

Friday, after school (which wasn't really school; most of the students and most of the teachers were away on a field trip for 3 days.... so a couple of other teachers and I just sat around and chat) I went out to lunch with a couple of teachers. We ate galbi, so it was really good!


Then, I went and met with Changok, my favorite co-teacher! I was a complete dork. I don't know why, but I was feeling really fat and awkward around her and so I was a complete nincompoop. But, she was helpful and gracious as usual and talking with her helped me to process a lot of different things. Namely, school. She told me that I shouldn't feel inadequate because of the language barrier, but that the discipline system in the public schools don't support even the Korean teachers.

It was good to talk about how; because we spend half of our time disciplining the students, we quickly run out of creative ways to teach and then, therefore become boring, strict and cranky teachers.

I'd like to think that I still have some spark left. We're singing songs this week... I think that's slightly fun....

Theeeeeeen, I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie with JB (JB is Jessica Becker for those of you who aren't aware of the group nick-names). I wasn't conscious of just how concerned I was that Harrison Ford preserve his dignity and uphold the integrity of the name INDIANA JONES until I saw the opening scene of that movie!

My goodness. For about the first 20 minutes or so, I was almost horrified! But, then after the movie got going a little bit, I forgot about how potentially ridiculous it was that they were making another Indiana Jones while Harrison Ford is an 80 year old man.

Ok, I know he's not that old, but still! I think they did an "ok" job with the movie.... there were a couple of good points in the movie... I guess.

Saturday, I met a couple of my adult students for lunch and a hike. I haven't seen my adult students in a while, so it was really great to see them and... the hike was amazing!


I also learned my colors in Korean! Just so you all know; my favorite color is paran. AND, while I was on the hike, I was wearing a bolgan colored shirt! I'll send a picture along to give you a clue!




This place that we hiked is like the great wall of Korea! Amazing!

After my hike, I went home and took a shower, grabbed my guitar and then went to Trevor and Rachel's. It's always fun to hang out with friends and play my guitar.... and eat... I like to eat.

Then I spent the night there. And, then everyone came back and we all had breakfast. It was glorious. I had bacon. It hurt my stomach but who cares!

THEN; we went to church where Eddy preached. He had a fantastic sermon. He took a spin on the parable of the prodigal son that I've never heard or thought about before. Good stuff.

After church, Ruda helped me change the strings on my guitar. It was pretty sweet, we were all sitting outside on the steps on this beautiful sunny Sunday and nobody seemed to want to leave. It was glorious.... but then.... Ruda and I discovered I only had 5 strings new strings for my guitar!!!!

I was missing my G STRING!!

So we went out to buy me a G string.... Yeah.

My guitar is amazing again! I have blisters on my fingers I've been playing so much!

And that was my weekend! Good, good, good!


ToDAY, Monday, was also a good day.

I wore a skirt to school today... I was ordered to do so by my neighbor at school. I wowed everyone. Apparently I'm a hottie and I match with my skirt better than I match with pants. It's just cause everything I own is brown!

I made my kids sing today. They're really cute. They did awful!

My impression of them:
"If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" (pat, drop paper)
"If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" (smack, slap)
"If you're happy and you know... mumblemumblemumblemumble it, if you're happy and you know it clap you're hands" (drop paper, smack, pick nose)

They're a little rough around the edges, but... whatever.

Yu Mikyeong, my co-teacher who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, is back. It's SO good to see her and have her back. She looks fantastic for having had cancer and surgery. She said her day was a little rough though... I can't imagine!

Also, I sat and chat with a couple of the women from my row of desks. Kyeongmi, my neighbor, was commenting on my toenails. She said that she would paint my toenails for me. I told her that it was quite alright, I like my toenails just the way they are, thank you! But, she said that it's against proper etiquette to have unpainted toenails. It's against the "decorum" of the day, I guess just like it's against the "decorum" of the day not to wear heels or make up. I told her I didn't care.

More and more lately I've been pulling out the "I'm an American... I don't care what you're culture does! Leave my toenails ALONE!"

I told her that I would run away if she tried to paint my toenails. She said she'd dump the paint on my feet. Oh goodness. I like her so much! They also want to take me on a trip somewhere in Korea. I'm excited!

Then, Mikyeong drove me home. She's such a sweetie. We talked about boobs; it was hilarious!

And now, I'm sitting at home, full of watermelon and tomato's, enjoying my evening. These days, I'm just full... of more than just fruit!

Thank you, God, for filling me.

And, thank you all for listening to me ramble!

Blessings and prayers.

Hil