Stand up and shut your eyes!

I've heard that Korean teachers hit their students, although I have yet to see it in action, but I did see an interesting disciplining technique in class this morning. 2 of the 5th grade boys started fighting (not like the fights we're used to at Millennium High School... I'm talking about a little tiff about a pencil or something.) Stella stared them down and told them to stand up and close their eyes and think about what they (themselves) did wrong! The 2 boys, with tears in their eyes and looks of utter embarassment, stood by their desks for 10 minutes with their eyes closed. When they were allowed to sit back down, they were absolute angels!
So, rule of thumb - Forget sending them to the principal's office... just have them stand up and shut their eyes!

My unending battle with the faucet!

Every morning, after taking a shower, I inevitably forget to switch the faucet function from shower back to faucet! This morning, I had curled my hair, put on my clothes and makeup and was going to brush my teeth one last time before I left for work. I reached for the faucet lever and wala, my head and back were soaked because the water was coming out of the shower head above my sink! Will I ever get used to this whole shower/faucet extravaganza!?

What are they thinking?

For the past 2 hours, students have been standing at my office door, peering in the tiny window and STARING AT ME with no shame! I usually look up and wave, but sometimes I just continue to work at my desk as if I don't notice their inquiring eyes. There is one girl imparticular, who has been coming every 3 minutes or so to stand and look at me. I can't discern the look in her eyes. It's almost like the look you see on the infomercials of the kids in African who are starving with flies around their faces. If only I knew what she was thinking... I would give 500 won to know! (That's about 30 cents!)

Lost in Translation!

I was telling a co-worker that Kevin was sick last night. She said, "Oh no! Did he eat some trouble?" HILARIOUS!

Hey Mom! Look what I can do!

This is my name! I just made it in the paint program on my computer!!

During lunch today, my Vice Principal, who I call "Moosik Gyo Gam Sun Seng Neem" (I know, it's super long and takes me a long time to get out) asked me if I wanted him to teach me the Korean alphabet and how to spell Korean words. I said, "Yes, I would love it!" So, he came by my classroom at 2pm and stayed for 1 hour and taught me every Korean letter, what it sounded like, and how to write it. He then taught me how to write certain words in Korean.

Here's what I learned!
Stella = 스텔라
Jill = 질
Alexis = 알랙시스
Kevin = 캐빈
Gam Chun(the name of the Village I work in) = 감천
Mountain = San = 산
River = Gang = 강
Bada = Sea/Ocean = 바다
Gamjung (the name of my school) = 감성
Elementary = Cho Dong = 초등
School = Hak eeyo = 학교
Bus = 버스
Me = Nah = 나
You = Noh = 너
Busan = 부산