A Rough Week...

I regret to write that a foreign teacher and his girlfriend, who were friends of a friend passed away this past week. I didn't know them, but I feel for their friends and his family. From what I have read and been told I've learned that they were amazing and an inspiring individuals. Please keep them and their family and friends in you your prayers. I am sure they are in a better place.

This news also comes on the heels of some other personal losses that I would rather not elaborate on out of respect -- but please, whatever your beliefs, just take some time this week and keep those lost, and those they left behind in your thoughts.

Eternal rest grant unto them oh, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

On a Happier Note - SLP Graduation

So much has happened in the past weeks I haven't had a chance to write about SLP... but a lot has gone on at work too! February 25th was graduation for the IP (intensive pre-school) students. The kids had been practicing songs that we taught them - most of them were Disney songs or pop songs with the lyrics changed to be about finishing pre-school. I taught Libra class for the month of February, and we sang "At SLP I Grow Up" to the tune of "Under the Sea"

We learned many things last ye-ar, there's so many things we know.
Our tea-cher taught us last year, so now it is time to go!
Oo-oh! At SLP! .... I gro-ow up! ....
Now I can SPEAK! Now I can READ! Now I can WRIIIIIIIITE!
Now I can sing a lot of songs, and I can make a lot of friends; Listen to me! I have a sto-ry! In SLP!!!

It was cute. And I got to teach them cha-cha dance moves, so that was fun. But even MORE fun was Mars class' song. I didn't teach them so I wasn't supposed to pick, but the other teachers weren't sure what to do - and since I taught them to sing every 60s pop song I know... I helped them re-write Do Wah Diddy to be about graduating and going to elementary school. I didn't mind because it's no secret that I liked Mars class better. (Don't feel bad or judge me - Libra class were the ones that BIT each other!!!! read my posts from November.) Anyway, I knew that the kids loved Do Wah Diddy because we sang it every week in Music, and listened to it every day at lunch - so it was a sure hit:

For one year I have come to SLP; Singing Do Wah Diddy-Diddy dum Diddy do!
I have learned to write and I have learned to read; Singing Do Wah Diddy-Diddy dum Diddy do!

English! (English!) Is fun! (Is fun!) English is fun, and the fun has just begun!

The students seemed to have a lot of fun singing it, which was the main point anyway. Of course, no ceremony is complete at SLP without all the pomp and circumstance.... LITERALLY! The preschool completion certificates! (Well technically I had to sign 17 because one parent sent it back to school because she didn't like how Kimberly and I wrote our names... she thought it was too faint. ?!) At the end of the ceremony all of the teachers went on stage and spoke about their classes. Some of the teachers who have been hear a year got pretty emotional ... I just told my kids to always have fun, to never lose their imaginations (something Korean kids are SEVERELY lacking in my opinion) and when things got tough; to always remember to just "Hang Loose" and kids wore velvet caps and gowns and walked the stage receiving diplomas! I had to sign 16 say "No Worries!" .... then I told them 'hasta luego' ... like we said at the end of every day. :) If I accomplish anything while I am a teacher, it will be that my kids HAVE FUN and have a sense of humor about themselves. Being able to laugh at my troubles has saved me more than anything else I ever learned at school.

I have had new students for the past week at work. And I have to say, I've missed the old ones a lot! But more about that next time, in a few days. This post is already pretty long.

Min Jeong - I love this girl.

Do Wah Diddy!

You Eun and Su Hyun - They're way overwhelmed..

Young Seo, Bo Hyun, and Min Jeong - They look so grown up!

PS: Thanks so much to those who have sent their prayers and support for Will. It really means a lot. XOXO

So I had a gun pointed at me today.

Every Sunday I go to mass at the International Parish in Hannam, and then usually head to Itaewon to get food and read for a few hours. I was walking to a foreign book shop in after brunch at RMT and this Korean guy (looked to be in his mid 20s) was walking around with his friend aiming a gun at people!!! He pointed it right in my face! I am hoping that it was maybe just a toy or a lighter or something ... but it really looked real. I was terrified. He pointed it down this hill and acted like he was going to shoot it, cracked some joke with his friend, and then stopped and pointed it right in my face! I froze and then he kept walking away from me.... I have no idea what he was doing, but seriously, what the heck? People scare me.

Snowstorm

Winter in Korea is really long and it sucks. I am tired of being cold!!! As I have said many a time: I like winter, I like to visit it and then go back to the beach! :-) I am just really spoiled and grew up where during the winter you can surf and ski in the same day, if you wanted. A few weeks back there was a ginormous (yes, it IS a word) snow storm in Seoul, and I was not pleased. I shot this video to share, and then never got around to it. Maybe if you watch it, Spring will come. One can only hope.



2/18 EDIT: I got it to upload on youtube... now I'm on youtube. awesome... or not. anyway hopefully it works now!!

Namdaemun

In Korean, 'namdaemun' (nahm-day-moon) literally means 'south gate.' Late Sunday evening, the South Gate of Seoul, regarded as Korean National Treasure no. 1 (literally, they number them) partially burnt down. Saddest of all is that the authorities suspect arson. The gate dates back to the beginning of the Joseon dynasty, constructed around 1395. It became a huge symbol of national pride after the Japanese destroyed the city walls around Seoul in the early part of the 20th century, and then when it suffered major damage during the Korean war. From what I have read, it's going to cost about $21 million and take about 3 years to fix. Major bummer. For those in the US, it basically equates to Capital dome smashing in. Yeah. Luckily I got a few pictures of it before Christmas.

So here it is, as it was:


And now:

I really hope they find who did this, although, to be honest - I am afraid for what may happen to them.


UPDATE: 2/12, they caught the arson.. and it was an old man in his 70s!! I guess he was doing it as some sort of statement because he was unhappy with the government. I guess most people are less mad with him than they are with the lack of protection the gate had given all that was needed to burn it down was a ladder and a few cigarette lighters. Still... super upsetting.

Jim Jim Bang???

I'm hanging out in the lobby of the "hot spring" our tour is visiting over Lunar New Year. But as far as hot springs and Korea go - I'm 0 for 2. A hot spring here is not outside surrounded by the beautiful mountains and scenery with boiling natural water... it is more of a glorified public shower. Known in Korea as (and I am guessing on the spelling here) a Jim Jim Bang. I skipped out b/c I already took a shower today. I thought I'd just chill with Andrea and watch strange Korean game shows instead. To each his own Korea.. to each his own - but when it's a public shower, tell the westerners it's a public shower, not a "hot spring" ... because it's not.

Lunar New Year!

Happy New Year! (again - unless you are in an Asian country) We have a few days off from work so of course all of us expats are taking the chance to do a bit of traveling! While some of our friends have ventured to Beijing, Japan and Thailand; Mullen and I decided to go on an adventure! We are currently in a part of Korea called Gangwando (North Eastern part of the penninsula) and at a fairly small but really nice ski resort called High 1 (?) - we are in condos and sleeping 8 or 9 to a room... which isn't all bad and gives a great chance to meet new people! We went night skiing tonight and have all day tomorrow to ski as well. The resort is a bit small but not bad. They have decent snow and nice curving runs! You barely have to turn at all, just follow the run down - so it's really easy to pick up a lot of speed! I am hoping that it's not too crowded tomorrow so that I don't take any poor Koreans out!!

After tomorrow we will go to Seoraksan which is supposed to be, like, the best National Park in Korea. Supposed to be really really beautiful... unfortunately my camera battery is dead and I haven't found an LCD charger!!! :( I will have to buy a Kodak funsaver tomorrow and depend on Mullen for photos this time around. I am a bit nervous because our hike sounds like it might be ... intense ... and I don't have any hiking boots. I didn't want to shell out 50 bucks for one trip so... hopefully my Asics will do. Cross your fingers that I don't slip off the mountain! And everyone enjoy your Lunar New Year's!!


Erica


PS: February 7th is my Grandmother's 93rd birthday. She's amazing and all around cooler than you! So, Happy Birthday Grandma!!