Back in My Private Office

Today was a great triumph for me.  I was able to work in my private office again, and I was able to see part of the Super Bowl.  The principal wanted me to stay on the main level for a month, so that I could see how the Korean teachers work.  It was noisy down there though, and the vice principal didn't want to leave her desk to talk with anyone so she would just yell to them, and my desk was right next to hers.

There is a downside though.  There is a developmentally delayed kid who always goes into my class in between periods and watches politicians make speeches online.  Then he does not leave until I tell him to.  He also takes the blinds down, closes the door, and doesn't turn off the computer when he is done.  So he makes extra work for me.

One time I was studying Korean in a conference room, which is usually locked, and somehow he knew I was in there and came inside and distracted me by making his developmentally delayed sounds in Korean.  There are a lot of these kinds of students where I work, but none of the other one's give me any trouble, while this one seems to enjoy making mischief.  There are a couple who say "hi" to me, and one even gives me candy when I walk into the school building sometimes.  It is a great inspiration for me!

The next day after my birthday party, I took the train down to Ansan and saw the dog at train station doing this cool trick.  I also saw a church brother, and we drove through the capital city of Gyeonngi Province (the one in which he and I live), Suwon.

The is the one of the gates of Hwaseong Fortress.  

The Korean Hanbok.  I went to a traditional Korean restaurant in the country once and the waitresses were wearing these.  Sometimes when Koreans pour each other drinks they put one hand over their stomach, as these women had to do to prevent the hanbok from touching the food.  It's kind of funny that the tradition still continues.

Supposedly, this was where the 2004 World Cup was played, but there is another World Cup stadium in Seoul.  Maybe there were two stadiums.

Soccer ball bathroom.  

Inside of a subway train in Seoul.  It sure looks like the 8th most crowded country in the world.  It's so crowded that when people bump into each other they don't say excuse me or anything.

Here I am in Shinchon, which is next to the nicest part of Seoul, Kangnam.  Unfortunately, I forgot to turn the flash back on.

After the dinner, my co-worker's friend and I went to grab some coffee, and it was way overpriced.  This coffee set her back around $4.50.  

Now that's what I'm talking about.  Sashimi from the tank for around $18.  Notice the paper cups? It's BYOB also.  I went here with O-an and his girlfriend plus her friend.  It is within walking distance from my apartment.

I went back to school last Wednesday and met my new handler.  I was glad to learn that she is well informed about my position.

11:55 to 11:30? That 4th period is going to be brutal.

Yum! O-an's kebab.