new blog coming soon

hey there everybody, I need to let you know that I'm stopping this blog and moving it to a different site.  Blogger.com wasn't doing the type of thing that I wanted it to do so I'm getting a MobileMe account, Mac's answer to people that want to go coo-coo for Blog-o puffs. It's basically the best thing ever.  I hope to have it up within the next 2 days.

In the meantime...

Here's a pic to satiate your desire to see the cuteness which is my kinder class.

On Wednesdays we have Art class, and the first project we did was texture rubbings.  Some kids had fun just playing with the texture itself, others could care less and just drew fun pictures.  they were all inquisitive though and I had a lot of fun.  Word to the wise though, never give oil pastels to kindergarteners, I don't know what this school was thinking!

Jason, one of my Giraffes.  Never gives me any trouble. He likes turtles.

Wyatt, one of the most intelligent 5 year olds I've ever met.

Jessica the Diva, and Christine the spaz.

A student from Rabbit class. Chloe?  not sure, but man can she draw.

Jamie, my cutest and quietest student. She like butterflies, rainbows, princesses and writing her name with hearts.

Meet My Class

Janet (my Korean Teacher), Top row: Wyatt, Max, Jessica, Christina.  Middle row: Julie, Jamie, Alex, Michelle, Jason. Front row: Irene, Shannon, Jung Hoon. 

Say hello to the "Giraffe Class", my twelve intelligent, witty, unique and energetic students at Dongtan POLY School.  This is the best photo I could salvage out of five attempts at getting a class picture; those little buggers love to goof off.  If you look at the individual students, the expressions they wear came really close to how they act in class.  Some are very confident, funny, shy and/or a little bit clueless.  All of this is totally fine though, they love to learn and are a daily challenge.  The Giraffes are my home room and I know them best.  I teach three classes to them in a day and I'm their designated reading and phonics teacher.  I also teach art, gym, writing and speaking to all three of the Kindergarten classes.  The other class names are the Bears and the Rabbits.  I really wanted Rabbits but it was taken already.  Oh well.  If I hadn't changed to the Giraffes we would have forever been know as the Rhinos.  I'm glad we changed.  Gym is by far their favorite class, it's held on Fridays and they come to school in yellow sweat suits.  It's precious.  I'm really loving being a Kindergarten teacher and I also enjoy the evening elementary school classes.  They have their own set of quirks and challenges.  My job will never be boring.

The Inagural Post

Please send Champagne so I can break it on something; I feel so accomplished!  At long last I've got this thang up and running.  I'm really excited to share my adventures here in blog form.  Everyone has been hounding me to start showing evidence that I am indeed in Korea and not chilling on the beach in Mexico.  I am in fact here, teaching the little ones with the first day of school starting tomorrow, March first. These little kids are so cute and I'll prove it to you.  There will be many pictures and videos videos to follow.  And not just of my students, you'll get tired of them quick.  Korea is a fantastic place and I know I made the right decision when I came here.

My official (oaf-ishel?) Korea POLY School teacher photo.

     My purpose in writing this at all is for entertainment, mainly showcasing interesting differences between Korean and Western culture.  Half the fun comes in trying to decode what's going on around me, when Koreans try to communicate through wild gestures and fast talking.  Actually, that sounds more like me, since I barely know how to say please, thank you and adios in this seriously foreign language.  But the Korean people are gracious and patient, even with and over-sized doofus like me.
     I hope to keep my posts short and sweet, I don't aim to write a gushing novel just yet.  When inspiration strikes I'll write a new post, hopefully at least one a week.  Right now I'm sitting on some interesting experiences that I've already had, including a school employee party, a trip to Seoul and having to already say farewell to some new friends.
     If you have a Google reader, add me to you subscriptions.  If you don't, well then get with the times!  I also have Facebook and a Twitter account (which is all but defunct since I don't have a phone here yet).  Until my next post, annyeong yeoseo.

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Book I'm currently reading: Water for Elephants

Music currently listening to: Active Child - I'm You Church at Night

Observations: Getting over my first "Korean Kold".  Outside it's rainy and the clouds are covering up the tops of the skyscrapers. Perfect indoor weather.