Just A Few Pictures

We had a day off for elections on June 2nd, so we spent the day at the beach!

Dad this is for you! They even had a bike in the window...I had to take the photo.

Some of the adorable babies from the orphanage.

She's Miss. Independent.

She tends to be a little needy...and loves to throw tantrums.

Don't let the adorable smile fool you.

Being goofy :) I told them to smile...this is what they did!

Look at those eyes...he's quite the ladies man.

Tugs at your heartstrings doesn't it?

Sports Day and A Wedding

May 4th was an exciting day for Hakseong Elementary School. It was our schools Sports Day, (more commonly known as Field Day in the US) and it was quite the spectacle. They had flags from several different countries hung up, tents set up with food and drinks (coffee and beer) for the school staff, and all sorts of gaming contraptions. The kids could barley contain their excitement before the festivities began.

Once all of the student's did their warm up in unison, which is an event in itself, the games began! There were relay races that involved just running. Then there were races that involved somersaults, and hurdles that were entirely too high and hula hoops. The younger kids did balloon pop races and bob-for-candy-that's in flour-where everyone else has also slobbered on, and tunnel races. There were several games of tug-a-war and a very interesting game they called "Blue Yellow." There were no rules to this game. Just two teams (blue and yellow) and about 200 cards in the middle of the field. When they blew the whistle, the teams rushed to the middle and began turning the cards to their teams color. Kids were punching and sprawling out their bodies to protect these cards...it was mayhem.

I got to participate in a few events myself. The first was a tug-of-war game with the parents. I was just told to get in line. Everything else was explained in Korean. There were three ropes laid out and two teams on either side of the field. Not how I usually play tug-of-war but I went with it. They blew the whistle and everyone started running...so I started running. I quickly figured out the team that gets two ropes is the winner. Well, these are grown mom's and dad's and they are just as competitive as their kids. Let's just say I ended up flat on my back in the dirt with a mild case of rope burn. We lost.

After searching for some water (it's not readily available in Korea) I was handed a beer and once again waved over to participate in another activity. This time, it was a 200 yard race. All the mom's ran first and then the dads/male teachers. For some reason I wasn't allowed to run with the mom's, instead, I was put in the male league. This was an odd situation. I knew how competitive they were in the tug-of-war but I wasn't sure what to do. Should I run full out and try...or kind of hang back and jog a bit. But I didn't want to lose because I wanted to redeem myself in front of the students after wiping out in tug-of-war. Well, our school's business manager was in this race too. (He is the one at volleyball that's always yelling at me in Korean when I make a mistake. ) So I decided, as long as I beat him...that's is fast as I need to run.

Being a little cocky, he told me I could scoot up 3 yards for a head start. Well, that irritated me even more. They blew the whistle and I started out about 70%, then I noticed the business manager gaining...I decided there is no way I'm letting him beat me. Well...I don't know where it came from, but I just took off. I ended up beating everyone and even won three bars of soap and some toothpaste for my first place finish! The best part was seeing all the little girls cheering for me yelling, "Sarah Teacher number one!"

My thighs were sore for the next week from that little joy sprint.

Saturday May 8th Johnson got married! When I first met him, he went on and on about how he wanted to get married and how he wanted me to help him find a tall woman (even though he's only 5'4.) He met his lovely wife E.K in late October and popped the question in December.

I had been looking forward to this day ever since he told me because I was interested to see what a Korean wedding was like. I had heard that Koreans were beginning to have more western style weddings but I'm not sure where they had been looking for inspiration.

The wedding was held at the World Cup stadium. There is a very nice banquet area below the field. When we arrived, there were tons of people going every which way. I saw a sign with Johnson's name and so we followed it. There were several teachers from my school standing around outside of this room and when I looked in, I noticed that is where the wedding was. The whole thing was kind of bizarre. There was a small room, filled with white chairs and fake roses. The aisle was raised and lit up with different colors of neon lights. There were mirrors on the walls and the ceiling and neon lights lining the entire room that constantly changed colors. That's when it hit me...they must have been going for the Vegas style wedding!

All the sudden, Johnson started waking down the aisle and bowing and then his wife did the same. There was no announcement letting everyone know...it just started. Most people that were standing outside the room didn't bother to come in. The seats were all filled so we just kind of stood in the back and watched in confusion. The whole ceremony lasted about 15 min and then they took a few pictures and it was over.

We didn't know what to do next, so one of the 6th grade teachers, Park, told us to follow him. We went downstairs to eat at a buffet. But the buffet wasn't just for Johnson's wedding...it was for all the guests of all the weddings that day. After we ate...we just left.

I was told that you don't even need to show up on time to the wedding. As long as you stick around for the group photo then that's all that matters. You just want proof that you attended. It was all strange and interesting and exciting and I am glad I got to be a part of it!

April 2010

I know it's been a while. Things have been pretty hectic in my life lately. Working from 8:40am-8pm 5 days a weeks pretty much leaves me exhausted by the weekend. April was a pretty fun month. Here's what I have been up to:

Saturday April 10th, Andrew and I went with a church group to Busan. We spent part of the day at the Famous Busan Fish Market and the other half at an orphanage. The experience at the fish market was interesting. It was basically a bunch of people selling all types of fish. It smelled disgusting and I wasn't particularly excited to see people beheading and gutting the fish in front of me. It was an experience and maybe if I actually liked eating fish I could have appreciated it more. I was glad I witnessed it but I don't think I need to go back.

The next part of the day was an experience I will never forget. I have never been to an orphanage before and the closest thing I can relate it to it the movie Annie. I'm thinking mistreated dirty children cleaning floors with toothbrushes while Ms. Hannigan yells at them to clean faster. This was not the case at all. It was a very nice home that housed about 60 kids ranging from 4 to 14. When we arrived, we were greeted by a few of the children, while the others looked on from their windows. The 12 volunteers broke up into activity groups and the kids joined whichever one they found an interest in. Andrew went and played soccer while I took charge of the crafts. As soon as we brought out the chalk, the kids decided to join. We covered the driveway with drawings or flowers, hopscotch and Spongebob. However, the drawing soon turned into the kids chasing the volunteers and wiping chalk on our faces. But it was still fun; after all, we were there to have fun.

When the drawing got boring, we ventured into the kids school room where we began to just draw pictures and hang out. Park Hae Min is an 8 year old girl who was always by my side. She wanted to draw chalk with me and took pride in the fact that she was the one who managed to get blue chalk on my face. She drew a picture of me, and asked if I would draw one of her. This adorable picture was the result. The rest of the afternoon involved playing some games roughly discussing their favorite Korean Pop singers and trying to communicate. Overall it was an awesome day and the church plans to go back in May. Andrew and I do too.

Saturday April 17th, Andrew and I ventured to Gyeongju, a city about 45 min from Ulsan. Since winter has lasted longer this year than normal, the cherry blossoms bloomed a little later. We wanted to see them in their prime state, and we were told to go to Gyeongju. After a mix up when we got off the bus (of course), we managed to find a beautiful canopy of trees. I felt like I was in a movie as we walked the path beneath them. They were just beautiful. It was a perfect spring day and the flowers were so full, it looked like the trees were covered in snow. It's sad that they don't stay in bloom very long. Most of the trees in Ulsan have lost their flowers and their beautiful scent. But I am glad we had a chance to see them!

Friday April 23rd, my school had their annual class picnic day. Every grade goes to a different destination and participates in an activity. I got to tag along with the 5th grade. We rode in a coach bus for about an hour. The bus ride was great and we were entertained by a flat screen tv playing Korean pop music videos...it was just hilarious.

When we arrived at our destination I got a little concerned. We were in a rural area in the mountains and there were about 25 buses already parked. We were not the only school there. The first thing I noticed were two baby goats tied to totum polls. The area was basically a mud pit and a few tents and some playground equipment. I had no idea what was going on because Johnson had a meeting as wasn't there...I was just following the crowd at this point.

After what I assume were instructions by some of the staff members, the class I was with, were handed blue plastic bags. What I understood from one of the students was that we were to go into the muddy field and pick weeds. In my head I thought, this was some picnic. Let's go do some yard work as a field trip. Later I found out that we were using the weeds we just picked to make into rice cakes. I heard the staff member over the loudspeaker so we grab as many weeds as we could and went on our way. The next step was a tent. The kids got the chance to beat the weeds into the rice cake with a massive wooden hammer. I later found out that this was the traditional way rice cakes were made. After everyone got to hit it, we were given samples. It wasn't too bad considering I was eating rice and weeds.

Next the kids were given free time to run around, do some archery, slide, and jump on the trampoline. As our luck would have it, it began to rain and the mud just got worse. Picture 100's of kids running around a field of mud while it's raining, basically unsupervised. Chaos. The most entertaining part for me was witnessing the trampoline. If you have ever seen Four Christmas' and remember the scene when the kids were in the "jump jump" it was much like that. Way to many kids trying to jump. They were screaming, trying to climb out, slipping and falling. The best part was when they managed to get out. The kids had brought snacks in with them and food was everywhere. Remember it is still raining at this point. So kids were falling and rolling in mud and snacks. Food was stuck in their hair, on their faces, on their clothing...ah, it was so funny to watch. The kids kept saying, "Sarah Teacher come jump, come jump!!" I was like no way, I will participate in most of the activities...but not this one :)

Next was a very unsafe tractor ride at a speed way to fast for the amount of kids in the back trailer and the rough terrain. I was waiting for a broken neck...but to my surprise everyone seemed to make it out unharmed. It was the most hilarious field trip/picnic I have ever experienced.

Sunday April 25th was one of my favorite days since being in Korea. Andrew and I got involved with an organization called THOPE (Teachers Helping Other People Everywhere) and went to an orphanage in Ulsan. It took us about an hour to get there and the facilities were amazing! There are about 110 kids that call this place home. They range in age from babies to high school. They have their own gym, sauna, pool, playground, and really nice rooms. When it came time to divide the volunteers I jumped at the chance of working in the nursery while Andrew played sports.

I can't even express to you how adorable these kids are. I was in a room with two other volunteers and we were in charge of watching and playing with seven, two and three year-olds. (I would have taken pictures but we were under the impression that you aren't allowed. When we left, I found out it was ok. We are going again on May 9th, so I'll take some then.) It was such a fun afternoon just reading and playing. It just melted my heart when they would hold their hands up so you would pick them up, or when they would fight to sit in your lap. They were all such sweet, sweet babies. We were told that not all the children in the orphanage are up for adoption. A small percentage of them are in there because their families have found themselves in financial trouble and can no longer support the child. When they get back on their feet, they go and pick them up. But again, it's a small percentage.

I am so grateful to have found THOPE and that I am able to volunteer my time every other Sunday to visit these kids. It was hard to leave but very excited to go back.

St. Patrick's Day Fun!

In my new Saranbang (evening) class, which is everyday from 6-8pm, we talked about St. Patrick's Day. I am really lucky because I have the advanced class this semester. It's much more fun because they understand so much more which allows us to do more activities.

After talking about the basics of the holiday, I taught them what a Limerick is. For those of you who don't know, it's an Irish poem that began in a pub in Limerick and are often crude and dirty. But they have a definite structure. It is made up of five lines. Line 1, 2, and 5 all rhyme with each other and contain 7 to 8 syllables. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other and contain 5 to 6 syllables. It was hard to find examples for the kids that weren't dirty or the words were to hard to understand, so I had to write the examples. The first is mine, followed by several of my students. Most of them got the concept...and others...well, gave it their best shot! It is typed how they wrote them! Enjoy!

Mine:

There was a big dog named Jean.

His fur was the color of green.

He would run really slow,

and at night he would glow.

If you weren't really nice he'd be mean.

Jamy:

A girl named Jamy likes to play,

Thursday is her favorite day.

She likes the sea,

So she saw the sea,

And she had a great day

Sue:

When I was young I saw a bee,

The bee saw that I see.

I run away like a bee,

The bee follows me.

But I hide in the river, OOPS!

Michelle:

My friends like a very cute dog.

I like a very cute and pretty cat.

My fren like play piano.

I like too play piano.

My friends and me likes going on a picnic

Joyce:

There was a small cat named Berry.

Her favorite fruit is a cherry.

She wears a green hat,

She is white and black,

Her other friends name is Marry

Jason:

There was a big bear named Joon.

He was like the red balloon.

It was on his head,

But it was not red,

So he painted in the noon.

Amy:

The one girls loved a brown bear.

The bear is like seat on chair.

And likes to play with key.

And he likes to eat peas.

And brown bear likes to draw square.

Janis:

There was a one young girl name of Mery.

The girl name Mery want to fly.

She going to dream.

And a night was come.

Then Mery was fly in the sky.

Sally:

The young boy name was a Joy

He is very cute and kind boy.

Joy has a little bird.

Little bird know many word.

Little bird and Joy say bye!

The New Semester

Second semester has come to an end, and March 2nd marked the start of a brand new school year at Hakseong Elementary School. It has come with plenty of changes that I am getting use to. I thought I would spice up this blog with a poetic tale of how the first week went, enjoy :)

It is March 5th a new year has begun,
Not sure what to expect, but it better be fun.

The new year started off in a brand new room,
But we’re kinda cramped there’s no room for a broom.

It’s nice and new and not like the old closet,
That was our old office filled with dusty deposits.

I no longer have third grade, but fourth, fifth and sixth,

Another new co-teacher to throw in the mix.

The kids call her Sunny and she seems really sweet,

Perfect for making the English teacher's complete.

Twelve teachers left and fourteen new came in,
Two from America it’s an English win-win.

The teacher’s move schools every four years,
Not really sure why but it’s ‘cause of their tier.

New teacher Dorian, his skin color’s black,
‘Obama’ he’s called by kids to his back.

My new classroom has a smart board and big screen TV,
Not sure how it works but the kids scream in glee.

On Wednesday March 2nd the staff took a bus,
To drive for an hour through the mountains and dust.

“We’ll hike to the top and then have a good meal,”
I was told nothing more not sure what to feel.

As the hike started up, the hill was not steep,
Then twenty minutes passed by, I wanted to weep.

It was muddy and slick all at the same time,
I was not prepared for this torturous climb.

When we reached the top I imagined a view,
Nothing but trees and the sky a faint blue.

Some teachers kept going while some stayed back,
Then there were stragglers still far from the pack.

Those of us tired and ready to eat,
Walked in the ‘restaurant’ and felt our defeat.

We took off our shoes and sat down on the floor,
Anxious to chow on what the hiking was for.

There was kimchi and rice and some veggies too,
Then came the pot of a chicken type stew.

It was nothing more than a bird in hot water,
Just its neck gone it must have been quite the slaughter.

We ate and we talked and some teacher’s toasted,
To a new school year while the principal boasted.

It wasn’t ‘till later I found out why he smiled,
He was shooting liquor which makes him quite wild.

It was nothing but smiles as we all left the tent,
Dreading the dark and unstable descent.

We all made it down and only one teacher fell,
She was a good sport and was muddy as hell.

We piled back on to our escorted ride,
Hard to stay awake and keep my eyes wide.

When I made it home I told Andrew this news,
And picked off the mud that was stuck to my shoes.

I hope our next dinner is far less demanding,
And hopefully involves some food that’s outstanding!

Guam: Where America's Day Begins

Oh...what can I say. Guam was glorious! Andrew and I took a restful vacation compared to the 'tourist attraction mayhem-must see everything- always on the go' Beijing, China trip we went on in December. I know what you're thinking...another vacation already?! How can I get that job? Well, with the way the Korean school system is set up, their "Spring Break'' is during the last week of February because the new semester begins in March. So, it just seems like we had two awesome vacations back to back...but really...we had a lot of teaching hours in between...remember the English Camp post, 3 weeks, 11 hours a day, getting punched in the face? Guam was the perfect place to get away and enjoy a little American culture for a change.

Andrew and I set off on our sunny beach bound vacy on February 20th. We decided to fly out of Busan instead of Seoul this time. It's about $50 more, but MUCH less of a hassle. So we boarded a bus at 7:00am and rode for an hour to the airport. Our first flight took us to Narita, Japan...a small little city in Tokyo. We purposely scheduled a six hour layover so we would have the chance to leave the airport and explore a little. Everyone says that Japan is a lot like Korea, except that it's outrageously expensive to get to but also to tour. It's about a one and a half hour flight, but costs about $500.

I had previously done some research on what to do in Narita (my typical Type A personality self) and found out that there is a cute little town and temple just a 10 minute train ride from the airport. So once we landed, all we needed to do was to find the train station. Well lucky for us, there was a stop at the airport! We paid about $6 for a two stop ride and it couldn't have been easier. We made a quick stop at McDonalds so Andrew could have some nuggets, and then we were off. As we made our way down the long street, we noticed that it was just a bunch of little shops and restaurants. Having nothing but time to kill, we made our way in about 90% of them just enjoying the beautiful weather and tourist gimmicks. Being slightly more adventurous, I decided to try a local snack from a street vendor. It smelled of syrup and calories and I just had to try it. Turns out, it was a pancake type doughnut with red bean filling. Ahhh...we have stuff like that in Korea. And even though it's put inside a pancake, the red bean taste is disgusting in both Japan and Korea.

About an hour or so later, another food vendor smell caught my attention. But this time, it was a salty aroma. It looked like a giant round pretzel and sounded delicious. Again, a disappointment. They covered the snack in soy sauce and seaweed leaves. It was ok for the first few bites, but it was just so salty we couldn't eat anymore. But hey, at least we tried. We decided to see the temple on our long layover on the way back so we would have something to do. Well stupid me, looked at so many flights on the way to Guam I got the times mixed up. On our way back to Korea, our Japan layover was only two hours...my mistake and I'm still bummed about not being able to see the temple. We live and learn I guess.

We made it back to the airport with about two hours to re-check in and hang out before our flight to Guam. Check in was a breeze and they told us our flight was overbooked but we didn't think much of it.

Much to our surprise, we we went to our gate to board the plane, the attendant handed us a new boarding pass and said since the flight was overbooked we had been upgraded. Andrew and I were like "OK," and went on our way down the hall to the plane. What the attendant failed to mention was that our upgrade was to Business Elite! And wow...all I can say is that we wished the flight was way longer than three hours. This is the part of the plane that we normally just walk through in awe on our way to the 'cramped-middle seats-between two screaming babies and-smelly men' that we are use to. But not this time. We were treated like royalty. As soon as I sat down we were offered champagne and we had nice fluffy pillows and HUGE seats that reclined to a bed position. We each had private screens to pick our own movies and it was like a dream.

Then, a stewardess came around and draped white linens over our tables for dinner. Andrew and I were handed a menu full of salmon spring rolls and beef kabobs and custards and salads. We just looked at each other afraid to get our hopes up not knowing if it was free or if we were going to be charged outrageous prices, (clearly a rookie mistake). Andrew shyly asked when the waitress came around and said, "Mr. Lacy, what will you have for dinner?" He replied, "Does it cost anything?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head "No." He then quickly replied, "I'll have the beef." It was amazing. I need to make a lot of money in the future because that is the only way to fly!

We arrived in Guam about 12am Guam time which is an hour ahead of Korea. You could feel the tropical humidity in the airport as we waited for our bags. The hotel sent someone to pick us up and we went to sleep as soon as we got in, anxious for the day that awaited us.

Guam is a lot like Hawaii. It feels foreign, yet it's still the comfort of American soil. The water was crystal blue, the beaches a sandy white and the temperature was a perfect 85 degrees. It was going to be a fantastic week. Andrew and I were pretty lazy. We laid at the beach pretty much all day with the exception of lunch time when we usually made our way down to Subway for some much needed turkey sandwiches.

On our third day there, Andrew and I scheduled a 6 hour island tour. The tour guide took us all around the island and the famous sights. We saw beautiful beaches and Guam's own Statue of Liberty, ruins of buildings from before the Japanese invaded during WWII, naturally made tide pools with a view so beautiful, my camera couldn't even capture it, and several other WWII memorial sights.

Our first stop was a local attraction called, Two Lovers Point. It is Guam's version of Romeo and Juliet. After being banned to see each other, the two lovers tied their hair together (not sure why) and leaped to their death from a high cliff so they could be together forever. The story was tragic, but the scenery was beautiful, well worth the stop.

We got to stop and try some local flavor...baby coconut! It has a very mild taste and I was a big fan, it would have been great in a smoothie! Andrew wasn't too fond of the flavor but he was a good sport anyhow.

One very interesting story was about a Marine named John Gerber. He walked this sign 26 miles down their main road called, Marine. He was so determined to get the street renamed to 'Marine Corps Drive,' to show respect to the the fact the it was the Marines that were the first to arrive on Guam when the Japanese began to invade. He was successful and has since opened up a museum, "The Pacific War Museum," and restores old military vehicles for display. We got to go to the museum and it was so interesting. One side was all about the USA troops, and the other was about the Japanese. Each was filled with personal stories and memorabilia and pictures and it was just really educational and gave Andrew and I a much better understanding of what happened.

We also got to meet one of Guam's mascots, a caribou named Bessy. She was bathing at the time we saw here but we were able to feed her bananas with our hands (while big Joe fed her with his mouth) and I even got the chance to take her for a little walk. We were at the site of Magellan's landing point and as you can see, the scene was beautiful!

The last stop on the tour was one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen! We climbed to a lookout point and words/the camera can't do the view justice! The mountain behind Andrew and I in the picture is the worlds tallest mountain if you include both above and below sea water. It is decorated with crosses because every Easter, Jesus' walk with the cross in re-enacted to the top.

The next day, we just relaxed by the beach again. We did a little reading, some sunbathing and some snorkeling...just another wonderfully relaxing day. Then that evening, we went to Chamorro Village. It's where the natives and tourists of the island gather on Wednesday nights. It's full of booths selling souvenirs and local food, there is also live music and dancing and just a really cool relaxed atmosphere with an island vibe.

Our last full day was Friday the 26th. Andrew and I decided to rent a car and just drive a long the coast at our own speed, stopping when and where we wanted. Our first stop was to Wendy's...it had been way too long and it was a very delicious lunch! Next we went to a fish observatory that was underwater so we could view whatever exciting creatures decided to swim past the windows on that day. We didn't get to see any sharks or turtles or even an octopus, but we did get to see a few schools of fish and a couple other really colorful straggler fish. All in all it was interesting.

Our next stop was to go back to the scene of the tide pools. They were just so beautiful that Andrew and I wanted to take a few more pictures and really take in the scenery. After all this, our six hour rental was up and it was time to return to the hotel.

Our flight left at 6am Saturday morning, so we were up at 3:30am. Sadly, we were not upgraded and Andrew and I were separated from each other and in middle seats. I guess the airline knew we had it to good on the way to Guam that they really wanted to stick it to us on the way home.

The Taco Bell picture was stuck in there because when I look a it, Etta James' song, 'At Last' comes to mind:)

Great Trip. Great Company. Great Food. Now we are planning our next vacation! Bali anyone? We are looking into it!

Winter English Camp Was Quite A Punch In The Face

For the past three weeks, Jan. 4th-Jan.22nd, Andrew and I taught at a three week English camp made up of about 350 6th graders and 40 4th graders. We stayed at a university in Gyeongju which is about 45 minutes from Ulsan. So Monday mornings we boarded a bus and headed of to camp, not able to return to Ulsan until Friday afternoon when they bussed us back again.

Our days were very tightly scheduled from 8:20am until 9:00pm when our evening meeting wrapped up. We were with these kids literally all day. The first class in the mornings was a listening test followed by three lecture classes. Then came lunch and and hour and a half of afternoon activities which consisted of a rotation between 'mini-olympics', a movie, and some sort of folk dancing mixed with tawkwondo (I was never quite sure what this meant. All I knew was that several kids alluded to Folk dancing as 'Fork' dancing and were very surprised when they had to dance with people and not Forks! So funny!) At the conclusion of these activities, we had snack time, then grammar, followed by two classes of vocabulary and storytelling time. After dinner, we then had an hour and a half of evening activities. Needless to say, we were quite exhausted at the end of each day, but those had to be the fastest three weeks of our lives.

The location wasn't bad for this camp but it wasn't ideal either. The first day we arrived, it was snowing like crazy and the campus is set on the side of a mountain so it was very hilly. Watching those kids try to bring their luggage up the slick, steep hill was probably one of the most comical things I have ever seen. After seeing their friends slip and fall down the hill, I never quite understood why the kids didn't say, "Nuts on this, I'm gonna walk around to the flatter part to carry my luggage." They were all about the steep shortcut.

It was freezing that first day and they didn't turn on the heat. The classrooms were freezing, our rooms were freezing, hardly anyone slept and everyone was so exhausted the next day. I slept in sweatpants tucked into my thick socks, a t-shirt, long sleeved shirt, and a sweatshirt with the hood tied over my ears....oh, and a pair of gloves. It was miserable. Luckily, they got the heat urned on in the rooms the next day, but my classroom didn't have heat for a week!

Funny Story #1: Here are a few funny stories, although there are tons. The first one refers to the title of this entry. "Winter English Camp Was Quite A Punch In The Face." That's right, I was literally punched in the face by a 6th grade boy. As I was leaving the lecture building, I saw two boys just going at each other, really punching each other hard. One boy even had a ripped shirt where his stomach was exposed. Naturally I told them to stop several times and I was even saying it in Korean (or I think I was) but they didn't bat an eye to me. I was nervous because they were on top of this really steep hill and one wrong hit or back st udder step would send a kid rolling down the hill to the concrete bottom. Since they weren't listening, I grabbed one boys arm and pulled him away from the other. Well...that worked for about one second until he wiggled loose of my grip and launched towards the other boy. I got in the middle yelling stop and that's when he clocked me, from behind without warning. It hit my neck and cheek area. It didn't hurt so much as I was just stunned...I couldn't believe it had escalated to this.

I grabbed the boys hand, and whipped the other boy around to my other side. They were yelling in Korean and I was so fed up. I yelled "Shut up!" as I practically drug them down the hill to the teachers room where a Korean teacher could deal with them. They weren't getting out of my kung-fu grip this time.

Sadly this wasn't the only issue with fighting. One evening a fight got so bad that a student was taken to the emergency room and treated for a broken eye socket. Fighting is always the students' first answer to any problem.

Funny Story #2: So this picture of the roof with a hole in it was taken because I couldn't stop laughing. Some idiot kid thought it would be funny to run across this really weak looking roof of a old home on the campus property and he fell through! I wish I could have been there to see it happen in real time :)

Awesome Story #3: On the last Thursday of camp, they had a talent show. I am proud to report that my class took home a third place prize for our version of the YMCA. I re-wrote the words to the first part and the chorus and instead of YMCA, we spelled CAMP! It was great and we had fun planning it. The kids were really into it!

Below our some of my favorite journal entries. Every night, the kids had to write in their English Diaries. What you are reading is exactly how it appeared in their notebooks. That includes spelling and punctuation. They are hilarious and remember they are in 6th grade, enjoy!

1) I'm so tired. I'm very very tired. I miss my home. I want to go home. I'm so glad to meet my roommate again. My roommate brought strawberry perfume from her house. That is becaus she said "my blanket has bad smell." The strawberry smell is good. It's sweet. But is make me hungry. I want to eat strawberry!

2) Title: I got punish

Yesterday, when teacher check out room for sleep, we have to come out front of my room. But, when teacher was come to my room, we didn't come out and stayed in room. So, teacher said stand in front of your room. Later, teacher called me with few girls and made us line up and said ''hold your ears and stand up and down 50 times. After I did, my legs was really hurt. And I feel that I can't walk from now to 1 week. From today, I have to ready to roll call time.

3) Today my feel so good! Because tomorrow I go to my mom! Hooray!! And today I see movie!! Movie title is ‘Up” it is interesting!! Today vocabulary class time is very great! So Excited!! Now I like vocabulary time! Ah! I like English teacher Sarah (heart) Andrew, Mitchell, Matthew! Ah! Today we doing test so, my grade is 100 congratulations!!! I hope Sarah and Andrew love so long time!! I want to marry with Andrew…this is joke Sarah Teacher…I like Mitchell! Next time I ‘m marry with foreign! I think every foreign is very very kind people!! Teacher I love you! My English name is Ella, remember.

4) Today I feel tired, because we’re not turn on heater, so I’m so cold and we doing Folk dance that is tired and not exciting. Our abode is not warm, only cold!!!! I miss my family!! This camp is not so good!!! Ah! Today I go to clinic two times! Because first, I have a terrible headache and two, I eat food but bite chopstick so my tooth is feel breaking abd my nose is hit to a chair to nose is so sick…now…very sick.I want go home! Mom come here!!! My teacher some kind! But English teacher more than more kind! But mom is more than more everyone! Bye!

5) Tomorrow I go back to English camp too!! Feel bad!! I think I miss my family…ha… Ah! Today I cut my hair! So my hair style is change. Well long hair style is change short hair and I have an bangs (front hair)?? So, I am look like a mini pig. Oh, no!! but mom dad say me “you are so cute!! Oh, now!! But feel so good! Mom and dad! I miss you forever! Bye! Take care!

6) Today feel very sad.. because I go to the English camp! And one friend is betrayal. So, I really hated coming here!!! Ah..everybody say to me, (I think)… “Her hair style is not good!” So I’m not play there…well..ha ha one person say me I borrow my dictionary so her fret and her look my MP3 player so her say “This is so old, so very bad!” Feel sad!! Oh no!! Mitchell I want you my boyfriend! So sad!

7) Today I happy because I stay home and play computer games. My dad and dads friend drink lots of alchol and had many fun. My dads friend stay at my house and he sleep in my bed. In the morning he give me 10,000 won!!! olleh!! I am rich now! Bye!!